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A recommendation from Joan Dube:
This is a link to Sacred Space. http://www.sacredspace.ie/ You may be familiar with it. I read about it in Catholic Readers Digest. It allows a daily retreat for 10 minutes right at your computer! I think it is a good way to use online time for God. --Joan Dube
A Parishioner writes:
"At SHSD Parish, I feel the closeness of the parishioners and the feeling of caring and knowing a little about lots of people. Kind of like when someone thinks they didn't see me there----It's nice when someone notices whether I am there or not! It's a good community of people and pastor" Gerry
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A Parishioner writes:
Whenever we sing "All Are Welcome in This Place," I know that this place for me is right here at Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish. This place is a caring community aware of neighborhood and worldwide needs. This place is open to all: people whose grandparents have worshipped here, summer folks, transplants from other places, students, handicapped, and immigrants from many parts of the world. Our liturgies lift my spirit, our baptisms are joyful celebrations for all, our funerals are celebrations of faith and a sharing of pain, our adult faith formation sessions are a lively exchange of ideas and feelings, and our preparation of catechumens is a journey of exploration.
Besides our liturgies, our weekly coffee
hours bring us together. Many of us share our faith in small prayer
groups, helping in the soup kitchen, or working on behalf of our sister
parish in Haiti. My heart belongs to the Social Justice and Peace
Commission, one of several commissions of the Parish Council.
My spiritual home has been here with (not
under!) three different pastors whose homilies give support and comfort.
The people in the community have been a powerful bond in faith and love.
I feel welcome in this place!
U.S.
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Gospel Story of Mary of Magdala Anne Underwood July 22, 2005 We meet God and each other when we share stories. I invite each of you to step with your own life’s experiences into this story. Once upon a time, in what now is known as the first century common era, there lived in a land called Galilee, many Hebrew women named Miriam. The Decalogue was the foundation of their daily life. We know few if any other facts about any of that era’s Miriams, including the one whose feast we celebrate today, Mary of Magdala. Free from historical certainties, Mary Magdalene’s story has been woven of magic, myth and dogma. Vatican II affirmed her as “Apostle to the Apostles.” Catholic, feminist theologian Jane Schaberg argues she is rightful heir to Jesus’ messianic mantle – as first witness to and pro-claimer of His resurrection. In the context of this Mass of celebration, I invite us to ponder briefly a basic, theological gift of her gospel story: the accessibility and the variety of human response to God’s presence. All four Gospel accounts have Mary Magdala discovering the tomb empty of the body she anticipated -- finding instead, unexpected angels who send her forth to announce the risen Christ. In today’s Gospel--John--she comes alone to the tomb; In Matthew she is accompanied by “the other Mary;” In Mark there are three women, and in Luke, there appears to be a first century, early morning women’s walking group. In the three synoptic accounts (Matthew, Mark and Luke), the angelic encounters provoke “fear and trembling” among the women. Fear becomes joy, in Matthew, where Jesus himself appears to the two Mary’s outside the tomb. They clutch his feet and worship him – before departing to share the resurrection news. In John, where Mary is alone, fear is never evident. Her response to the angel’s inquiry is measured and direct. She doesn’t flee, panic or tremble. She listens and responds. John portrays here the intimacy of our personal encounter with God. Alone, Mary is unshaken by angels. When a gardener approaches, she does not run, but entertains his questions. When he calls her by name, she recognizes him: “Rabbouni,” my Teacher, she exults--Mary recognizes Jesus--even though He is different from the Jesus she expected based on her previous experiences. What can the Magdalene resurrection-discovery stories contribute to our own story of encountering God? (1) None of them is about “Mary Magdalene” arriving first. All are about her being present! ‘Who’s on first” is a comedic routine, not a point for theological discernment. It doesn’t matter how long we search or where; when we start, or even how we search – - the resurrected Christ will come to us in God’s time for our recognition. [and it may not be in our own church or garden!] (2) Each story demonstrates that God calls us to witness and proclaim the resurrection news whether we are male or female, laity or clergy; alone, or in the company of friends. (3) The variety of Gospel accounts illustrates the variety of responses elicited when the tomb we encounter reveals the unimaginable. We may run in silent terror, as the three women did according to Mark, or bow in awe as did the women in Luke. [it’s not how we initially receive revelation; it’s that we go forth and proclaim our discovery] (4) Matthew and John’s accounts assure us it’s OK to be afraid when one meets angels unaware. But in these two account – the only ones where Jesus himself appears-- we are reminded especially that we can be less afraid when angels (strangers) are experienced as harbingers of the God immediately at hand. (5) Finally, Mary Magdala’s stories beckon each of us to walk into the tomb and remain with the unexpected until we receive fully its message. We are reminded to listen for God’s voice in whatever garden houses the tomb, and to let ourselves encounter God’s presence in the strangers we meet. Those strangers may be our best teachers. Mary Magdala gives us permission to receive in calmness or terror; with anguish or joy, the words of her fellow apostle Paul who proclaims in today’s first reading if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! [2 Cor. 5:17] Mary Magdala’s evolving persona promises that we too shall thrive and be revived by the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us and among us through all that is unexpected – in our personal lives, the lives of our community, and of our Church. Amen. Parishioner Anne Underwood is a Maine lawyer specialist in clergy ethics and social justice issues and a member of the Maine Council of Churches board. Copyright © 2005 Anne Underwood. All Rights Reserved. |
Activities of the People
Commissions of the Pastoral Council
Commission meetings are held in
one of the classrooms of the Parish Hall and are open to any member.
For information about becoming involved
in one of the Parish Commissions, please contact the Parish Office
at 772-6182, or e-mail
tsacredh@maine.rr.com. Schedules
for most volunteers can be found on the "schedule" page.
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Christ has no body now but yours... (from St. Theresa's Prayer) |
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| I overheard someone saying to someone else-at coffee after mass-- "... I just love coming here, but I live 45 minutes away." It seemed like an, "I come whenever I can," remark in spite of the distance involved. Now, how do we share that Spirit with other parishes so that people want to be there too? As much as I love our parish, and know it is different in a GOOD way, I'd love to see our whole larger church, the People of God, set on fire. I know, I know, a step at a time. Cheryl | |
 Through Slavica's eyes Landscape, a watercolor by parishioner Slavica Cecura. Special thanks to Shalom House for their support of artists, and to Jay York Photography. Visit www.shalomhouseinc.org, or call 207-874-1080 to order these art cards. Proceeds support the Shalom House Art Program. |
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June 19, 2006: Response to National Public Radio
Parishioner Paul Jones sent the following letter to National
public radio as a response to the Thomas Reese piece that aired on
Saturday, June 17, 2006. "We will learn the revised prayers and adapt. Our talented music leaders are already composing new accompaniment. In addition to diversity (including people from 5 African countries, Latin America and Eastern Europe) we are known for great music, great homilies from our Jesuit pastor, tolerance and lots of tasty refreshments after Mass. (Scott Simon would like it here)." "Sunday Mass for me is an opportunity to pray in community with others. Besides, there are more than a few laughs as my Rwanda friends try to teach me a few words in their native tongue." Paul C Jones
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This is a song by our trumpeter at the 9:45 a.m. Mass, David Conrad. It's beautiful, and worth your time to hear. Dave says he wrote it after reading the book, "Ordinary Grace," by Kathleen Brehony. It made me cry. - Lori |
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 Artwork of Brian Plourde Parishioner Brian Plourde is a good example of someone who uses ordinary grace to make the world a better place. Brian is having his watercolors currently at the Portland Public Library until the 28th November. The piece to the left is called "Sunset" and is the size of a business card. The one below is called "Sunny Day with Trees" and measures 8" x 8". Brian says about his artwork, "art is in the eye of the beholder. This is how I see things."
In August 2007 his work will be displayed at the Millcreek Art Show in the back of the Shaws Plaza in Portland, and also at the Portland Sidewalk Art Festival that's held in the summertime. If anyone would like to see Brian's work before summertime, please contact the Parish Office. Copyright © 2006 Brian Plourde. All Rights Reserved. |
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Understanding Creative Ministries
The woman sat patiently stitching a small piece of golden cloth. "Woman," said God as he looked over her shoulder. "What are you making?"
Not startled in the least by His
presence, she smiled and quietly answered, "I am making a golden
scarf for the ambo where the book of Your Word will rest during
this Christmas season. I love the way it shines in the light.
Isn't the cloth beautiful?"
"Yes, child. You really do enjoy the
things you create, don't you?" The Lord God reached down and
gently stroked her cheek with the back of His hand." The woman
stopped her stitching and rested her work and her hands in her
lap. She stared off into space and sighed.
"Yes, Lord, I do enjoy what I
create. Well, not just enjoy, I love what I create with all my
heart." She became very silent and pensive.
A little tear of the purest kind
of joy formed in the Creator's eye. He continued to quiz this
tiny creature he had made from His own form and substance,
cutting it from the portion he had placed in the man at the
beginning of time. "Then why did you just get so distant?"
"Well, Lord, as much as I love these
things I create, they can't love me back." She patiently
returned to her sewing.
God drew back and thought about this
for a bit. He surveyed all of the things He had made all over
the Earth and in the heavens. He saw that they were all good. He
saw them blooming and growing, living and dying, loving and
fighting, going about their business, so many with little
thought of their Creator. He looked back at the little golden
scarf, helpless in the hands of the woman. Her needle skillfully
made its way through the cloth at her command, one tiny stitch
at a time.
"Woman. Look again at what you have
made. That it exists and brings you joy is the love that it
returns to you. The love it returns to you is the love that is
contained in your own heart. It will always be there for you, as
long as you are creating something beautiful."
Then God looked over at her children, going about their business with little thought of their mother. He asked her about them, and if she thought they loved her.  "Oh yes, I know they do. They
are off doing their own things, but when they need something,
they come home. Every now and again they thank me for something
I have taught them. Sometimes, they do it when I'm not even
expecting it, and that especially warms my heart. They forget
about me a lot, but I know there is something way down deep
inside them that remembers when they were tiny and helpless. I
still remember when they gazed into my eyes with the wisdom and
wonder that can only be seen in the eyes of an infant. It's ok
that they forget me sometimes. I will never forget them. I'm
just happy to watch them grow into fine young men. One day, I
hope for them to have children of their own so they can really
understand how never ending is my love for them, as painful as
it can be. I wish I could save them the pain, but then, maybe
they wouldn't really understand, now, would they?"
God sat back again and thought about
this for a time. Finally, He spoke up again and offered, "Thank
you for letting me watch you work. You have finished your
creation. It's very nice. What will you do now?"
The woman chuckled. "You're too
funny, Lord. Finished? Ha ha... Letting You watch me? Ha ha....
You're too funny." She thought for a moment. "Later, I'll bring
it to the church and put it in its place. Meanwhile, I guess
I'll just think of something else to make. Maybe I'll write a
story. Maybe I'll write about our nice conversation this
morning. Would you like that Lord? Lord? Oh... I get it..."
The woman sighed again as she
settled down to her next task. God did not answer her. It seemed
like He had left her. She looked around. Everything looked the
same, quiet, each person and each thing just carrying on its own
business. She recalled His words, "The love it returns to you is
the love that is in your own heart."
"Thank you, Lord. I love you, Lord.
I love all of them too."
Copyright © 2005, Lori Arsenault. All rights reserved. |
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2008/2009 Pastoral Council |
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Pastoral Council |
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September 19,
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Prayers of the Faithful |
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Parish Life |
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| Silent Auction (above) | |
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Above: Nancy's wonderful bake sale. |
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Paseo (Picnic) at Crescent Beach |
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First Communion and Confirmation |
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St. Patrick's Day Dinner |
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| Remember the needy of our parish with love. Visit the lonely, heal the sick, feed the hungry, give to the poor. |
| Look at all the white space on this page just waiting to know what our parishioners are doing. |
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