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E-Newsletter for
June 23, 2023
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One of my favorite basilicas in all of Rome is San Pietro in Vincoli – St. Peter in Chains. It is located near the Palatine Hill on which the city was founded. The basilica is one of the many station churches of Rome that serves as a Lenten pilgrimage throughout the city. There are few things that make this church famous. First, it is home to the famous statue of Moses sculpted by Michelangelo. Moses is depicted as being seated, holding the tablets with horns coming from his head. Also housed here is the tomb of Pope Julius II. He is known for his commissioning of the painting of the Sistine Chapel. It is believed that his family owned the land on which the basilica was built. Yet, these are not why this church is famous. Around the year 450 AD, the chains of St. Peter, that held him captive in Jerusalem, were brought to Rome. They were to be put on display along with the chains that held him captive in Rome. When the two sets of chains were brought together, they miraculously fused. Today, one can see the chains below the high altar in view for public veneration.
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This week the Church will celebrate the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. There is an inscription on the roof of the North American College in Rome – where I studied for the priesthood. It reads: O Roma felix, quae duorum Principum Es consecrata glorioso sanguine. O happy Rome, who has been consecrated by the blood of the two princes. Tertullian once wrote that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church – meaning that the Church finds its growth in the witness of martyrs. Yet, while we uphold Sts. Peter and Paul and the “two Princes of the Apostles” in high esteem, we revere them not due to their status but because of their witness. They, and the countless other martyrs of the Church, teach us something about courage in the face of adversity, strength amid the battle between good and evil. The term ‘martyr’ simply means ‘witness’. Sts. Peter and Paul and the other martyrs of the Church – up to our present day – remind us to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ. We ought not even be afraid of being imprisoned for the sake of the Kingdom for it will be our witness that helps the Church continue to grow.
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News & Events
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Please watch here for news and events, and join our events for good Catholic community!
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Eucharistic Adoration
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is on Tuesdays, 1-5p.m. Chaplet prayed at 3p.m., Rosary at 4:30p.m. followed by Benediction.
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A Golf Tournament honoring USMC Captain Daniel M. Walsh III
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will be held on Friday, June 30th at Franconia C.C., 9a.m. shot gun start. $125 includes breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner golf and cart. Foursomes only. 50/50 raffle and prizes – proceeds will be donated to The Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan Foundation. Contact Mike Borecki at mdborecki@gmail.com or call 413-351-6572.
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Rectory Office Summer Hours
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The rectory office closes at 1:00p.m. on Fridays for the month of June. July & August are T.B.D. (We will still have the prayer line on Fridays, just earlier to coincide with the summer hours.)
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The Steubenville East Conference
will be held in Springfield again this summer on July 21-23, 2023. Registration is open! The Diocese of Springfield is offering a $75 discount for all diocesan youth who register for this weekend.
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Hospital Visits and Homebound Parishioner Visits
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If someone in your family is homebound or in a nursing facility, and you want to have someone from the parish visit and to give communion, please call the rectory office, 733-5823, ext. 113. Also, if someone is in the hospital and would like to have a visit by a priest, please call the same number and leave a message. We will need the hospitalized person’s name, which hospital, and their cell phone or hospital phone number, if possible. If it is an emergency and someone needs a visit ASAP for last rites, call our number and press 3 (the emergency extension).
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The first Monday of every month
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members of our parish are cooking and bringing American Chop Suey to South Congregational Church to serve the hungry of our city. If you can help with the cooking, please call Ann at the rectory, 733-5823. You may use your own recipe. Meals can be dropped off between 4:15 and 4:30p.m., or you are invited to stay and help serve. You’ll find plenty of safe parking right in the church parking lot.
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Watch new episodes of Coffee with JF here:
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