December in the Parish

St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish offers many events and programs in the month of December for our community. Take a look below, and choose one that’s right for you! If you would like to learn more, email us, call (617) 242-4664, or visit stmarystcatherine.org.

Wed., Dec. 2: Book Group
7:00 p.m. in Parish Center, 46 Winthrop. The Group discusses Anne Lamott’s Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers, published by Riverhead Books. For a description, click here. Parishioners are welcome to join and talk about this great read!

Thurs., Dec. 3: Showing of “Love, Forgiveness and Reconciliation “
7:00 p.m. in Parish Center, 46 Winthrop. Register today for this insightful video presentation by Sr. Joan Chittister, an Erie Benedictine nun who is a prolific writer and speaker. The showing is a wonderful prelude to 2016’s Jubilee or Holy Year of Mercy that you won’t want to miss!

Sat., Dec. 5: Prayer for Peace & Rosary
9:00 a.m. in Parish Center. Each first Saturday of the month, parishioners gather in the Parish Center before the Blessed Sacrament to pray for peace. Included in our time is also an opportunity to recite the rosary. Please plan to join us for this time of prayer. It is a longstanding tradition to dedicate the Saturdays of each month to Our Blessed Mother, and for people to gather together to pray the Rosary. In praying the Rosary, we reflect on the various mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary. At each apparition, Mary has enjoined us to recite the Rosary, praying especially for peace; and she has made promises to and outlined benefits for those who do so. Knowledge of how to recite the rosary and having a rosary are not required.

Sat., Dec. 5: Advent Lecture: “The Gospel of Mark”
9:45–12:30 p.m. at the Parish Center on 46 Winthrop. Fr. Jonas Christal is a Brazilian priest of the Archdiocese of Campinas, Brazil. He is a priest in residence in our parish and often presides at liturgical celebrations here and for the Brazilian community at Holy Family Parish in Lowell. Come enjoy his presentation on one of the most prominent narratives on Jesus that continues to intrigue, instruct, and challenge readers of the Bible. Please register for this lecture by calling (617) 242-4664 or emailing Sr. Nancy at ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org. Light refreshments will be served.

Sun., Dec. 6: Charlestown Community Choir
3:30 p.m. in St. Mary Church on 55 Warren. We welcome you to St. Mary Church for a free concert by the Charlestown Community Choir, featuring our talented concert choir members.

Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 (and each Sunday of the month) Christian Recovery Meditation Group
7:15–8:15 p.m. at the Parish Center on 46 Winthrop. If you want to enhance your Step 11, you may want to try this out. Friends and family members also impacted by alcoholism and drug addiction are welcome. In a serene, and respectful atmosphere, we reflect on how a type of sacred reading—scripture, Big Book, story, poem—applies to our lives and then engage in a period of meditation, where we open our hearts for Divine healing. For more information, please contact Sr. Nancy Citro, SNDdeN at (617)242-4664 or ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org.

Mon., Dec. 7: Vigil Mass Feast of the Immaculate Conception
7:00 p.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, under St. Mary’s Church at Winthrop and Soley.

Tues., Dec. 8: Mass Feast of the Immaculate Conception
8:00 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, under St. Mary’s Church at Winthrop and Soley.

Sat., Dec. 12: Contemplative Outreach of Boston Event
10:00–3:00 p.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, under St. Mary’s Church at Winthrop and Soley. Register today for “A Day of Deepening Silence in December”, an Advent program of quiet recollection and Centering Prayer with Rev. Steven Bonsey. The practice of Centering Prayer draws its inspiration from an ancient stream of Christian spiritual tradition. Through the centuries monastic communities, formed by a rule of life, have preserved for us the “spiritual technology” of transformation. Religious pluralism in our increasingly global communities has made us aware of the mystical stream running through all of the world’s great religious traditions. The contemplative stream offers practical wisdom regarding the means by which we join in the work of our own and the world’s salvation-our emergence together into fullness of life. In this workshop we will reflect on the instrumental role that Centering Prayer plays, along with other Wisdom practices, in the process of our ongoing conversion and the fulfillment of our human purpose.

Sun., Dec. 13: Copley Singers
3:30 p.m. in St. Mary Church. Our second musical event in December welcomes the accomplished Copley Singers back to Church for Christmas fun! Read about the group and hear their music at copleysingers.org.

Mon., Dec. 14: Advent Prayer & Reconciliation Service
7:00 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Church. A time to reflect and set your course for the New Year! The Advent Season is an appropriate moment to reflect on your life in a Sacramental way, and to engage in special moments of prayer. As we look forward to Advent and Christmas time, take some time to slow down and ponder, as Mary did, on God’s unconditional loving presence within you. At the conclusion of the Service, if you choose, you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation privately with a priest. We hope you will join us for this extraordinary time of prayer.

Sat., Dec. 19: A Blue Christmas Prayer Service
10:00 a.m. in Parish Center. Christmas is indeed a time for rejoicing, but it is also about the cross and the promise we’ve been given because of Christ’s Resurrection. When all of the messages around us are telling us that we should be joyful and celebratory, please know that it is normal to feel sad, especially this time of year, when we have lost loved ones or are experiencing any kind of difficulty. While some may tell us to “get over it,” Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” On Dec. 19 we will gather to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, to pray for those we miss and for ourselves, allowing the God of all consolation to comfort us in our sorrow. In order to plan for this service, we ask that you RSVP by calling (617) 242-4664 by Wed., Dec. 16.

Dec. 19-20: Remembering Our Loved Ones
All Masses in St. Mary Church. As has been our custom, we will remember our loved ones in a special way at all Masses on Dec. 19-20. Parishioners will be invited to place a sand dollar ornament on the Parish Christmas tree after Mass in remembrance of their loved ones who have gone to God.

Dec. 24: Christmas Vigil Mass
5:00 p.m. in St. Mary Church (preceded by carols at 4:30 p.m.)

Dec. 25: Christmas Mass
8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church
(No 6:00 p.m. Mass this day)

Saint Mary-Saint Catherine of Siena is an urban, Roman Catholic Parish formed in 2006 from two historic Charlestown parishes. We are an intentionally inclusive community welcoming all of the many people who make up our diverse neighborhood. Because our lives are nourished by the Eucharist, we strive to build a vibrant Parish that develops and strengthens our faith and worship. With a goal of being community-oriented in the Spirit of the Gospel, we are involved in the local and global issues of our times. We are therefore dedicated to service, action, and compassion.