Grateful Discipleship Initiative

Welcome to episode six of the Christ by the Sea Catholic Collaborative Podcast for the parishes of St. Anthony of Padua in Cohasset and St. Mary of the Assumption in Hull. Now to get us started with episode six, here's Father Scott. Hello, this is Fr. Scott Uvard, and I'm the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Cohasset, Massachusetts, and St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Hull, Massachusetts. And together, these parishes form the Christ by the Sea Catholic Collaborative. We're located just on the south shore of Boston, Massachusetts. I'd like to welcome our listeners to this, the sixth episode of our podcast. And today we are picking up where we left off in the fifth episode, which included my homily for Epiphany -- and in that podcast, I mentioned an initiative, which we have started here in these parishes. The initiative is called Grateful Discipleship. Whether or not you are a member of our parishes or another parish, this topic is important for all of our listeners, because Grateful Discipleship is about stewardship, and discipleship following Christ involves stewardship.

Today, I am with two of our volunteers at the Pastoral Center. We call them our two Maureens, Maureen Luzon and Maureen Payne. And I've invited them to be on our podcast today to share with you a little bit about their involvement in the parish and especially about their volunteerism. here at the pastoral center for our two parishes.

Now, I'll have to be careful when I speak to you because you both have the first name, but I'm going to ask Maureen Kane. Would you please introduce yourself to our listeners?

Hi, everybody. My name is Maureen Kane. I am married to my husband, Bob. And we came to St. Mary's and Hull when we decided to leave our home of 45 years in Quincy after raising our six children and downsize, and we always lived by the ocean. We grew up, both of us, by the ocean and wanted to stay by the ocean, so here we are, and I have found the most welcoming parish I could ever be in, and my whole life now today is really centered around my church and the people in it.

Thank you so much, Maureen. Now from our other Maureen Maureen Luzon, would you please introduce yourself to our listeners?

Hi, everyone. My name is Maureen Luzon. And I actually realized sitting here that I've been a member of both parishes, St. Mary's and St. Anthony's, for a total of about 30 years. I do live in Cohasset. I do tend, attend St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish. And I have two daughters. Two wonderful daughters, and I have a sister, Katie, who's very special to me, and I'm happy to be here, and I'm so grateful to be able to volunteer here.

Thank you, Maureen. Today, I've invited the two Maureens to be with us on the podcast so that we can meet them and also hear especially about their volunteerism. Here at the pastoral center in Cohasset, the pastoral center that serves both of the parishes in our collaborative, because as a part of grateful discipleship, we're inviting every parishioner to make commitments of time, talent, and treasure to their parish.

And the two Maureens are wonderful, not only contributing their treasure, but especially contributing their time and their talent on behalf of both parishes in numerous ways. But today we're focused on their volunteerism here at the Pastoral Center in Cohasset. And Maureen Kane, would you tell us a little bit about what you do here when you come to volunteer here?

I know I see you here every Tuesday and perhaps some other days of the week. What are some of the things you do when you come to volunteer at the Pastoral Center? Sure, Father. One of the things that we do probably the most is answer the phones and people call for a multitude of things, but I think the main thing is mass intentions.

People in both parishes are very good about wanting to have a memorial mass for their loved ones. So we do that a lot and we have questions. People see something in the bulletin regarding activities coming up. They may, they would like some clarification. They call about times for mass on holidays, especially the food drive times and coat collections, things like that. We take care of the print bowls and deliver the worship aids for which are the song sheets that are known to the folks over in St. Mary's of how we do that for funerals and for our weekend masses. And another very important thing that we do, I think is record all sacraments such as Baptism, Holy Communion, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Deaths and Marriages, and the Sacramental Register Books. That's a very important project that we do, and we put the bulletins out on, for Sundays.

Thank you so much, Maureen. Many of the things you mentioned really are in support of the celebration of the mass from the taking of the mass intentions to the preparing of the song sheets or the worship aids for St. Mary's over in hall. Of course, here in Cohasset, we have a hymnal that we use. And putting the bulletins out for the weekend, an important part of parish communications. It would make sense that so much of the volunteer work is centered around the celebration of the Mass and the sacraments and the recording of the sacraments, because those are so important to us.

Maureen Luzan, what are some of the things that you do when you come here to volunteer at the Pastoral Center?

Thank you for that. I do pretty much the same as Maureen Cain has mentioned. And other things that I've I guess I, I think about is special projects. And during the year Holy days, we will help prepare different in different ways for Easter and also for Christmas, whether it be with worship aides or other things that the staff had planned and we help with. Also we do help with the fish fry. We do help with projects, mailings. There's a few mailings throughout the year that. It's just a matter of stuffing, folding, and mailing. We also do help with setting up for funeral luncheons; sometimes preparing the room or cleaning the tablecloths. Things like that. I think that's about all I can think of.

Thank you so much, Maureen. So many things that you do, the sharing of your time and talent that help our parishes to be more welcoming, to be more vibrant. As our parishioners consider their own participation in grateful discipleship and consider their own commitments of time, talent, and treasure to their parish, I want you to consider the possibility of being a volunteer at the Pastoral Center here in Cohasset. All of the work done for both of the parishes, the administrative and behind the scenes work takes place here at the Pastoral Center. Of course, there are other ways in which you can share your time and talent, some of them more visible. I think, of course, of our liturgical ministries. We perhaps are most familiar with them because they're quite visible to us when we come for the celebration of the Mass.

But there are other ways to contribute your time and talent to a more behind the scenes way, working on some of the details that make the events and the celebration of Mass and the sacraments that we have go much more smoothly. So I'm hoping that all of our parishioners will complete their Grateful Discipleship commitment form, and I will leave in the notes for this episode, the link to the online commitment form. You can complete it right online. And I hope you'll consider sharing your time and talent for your parish, whether it be at the pastoral center in a kind of behind the scenes way, or whether it be in a liturgical ministry or a Christian service ministry. or faith formation ministry that perhaps is a more visible way of sharing your time and talent.

Both our Maureens are involved in the life of the parishes beyond their volunteerism at the Pastoral Center. I'm now going to ask them to say a brief word about some of the other ways in which they participate in parish life. So Maureen Kane, what are some of the other ways that you participate in parish life?

Yes, Father every Sunday at, before each Mass at, in Hull, we have greeters, and especially for new parishioners, it's a wonderful way, really, to get to know people and to get to become involved in the parish, and so I did volunteer to be a greeter. At the mass, and when people, folks come in, we hand out the worship aid, and after mass, hand out the bulletins, and, we also have coffee after the 10 o'clock mass, and you could volunteer to help with the coffee table. It's a wonderful way to stick around after mass, have some coffee, and meet new people. And I'm also a Eucharistic minister, which is a very special, probably the most, I feel, the most important thing to me. To be able to bring communion to our home bound folks, and we have a number of them and helping at Sunday mass on the altar and during the week serving communion. And also, we have wonderful small groups, faith formation groups, and I do help to lead a group presently and hopefully continue to do that and you could join a group and meet people that way and. Increase your faith formation. Thank you, Father.

Thank you so much, Maureen. So not only helping behind the scenes, but helping in these ministries, especially ministries in the support of the Eucharist and I was struck by how you spoke about the importance of the ministry of pastoral care, pastoral visitation. Thank you. For our homebound members who are too old or too elderly to come out for the celebration of mass to go and to bring them Holy Communion, to share with them some words of scripture, to let them know that they are an important part of the parish, that they are not forgotten.

Maureen Luzanne, what are some of the ways that you are active in parish life beyond your volunteerism here at the Pastoral Center?

Thank you, Father. Just sitting here. I hadn't thought about it. But when my father was sick, I started going to mass with him every other Sunday about 20 years ago. And I joined a group. It was called Renew. That was my first group. And I've been a part of the parish in these groups, even not being a parishioner back then. And I'm very grateful for that. Also I also am part of the pastoral homebound ministry. I am a Eucharistic minister as well. And I've just recently which is surprising to me, have just started leading a small group within the last month and a half.

Thank you so much Maureen. You give so much of yourself, of your time, and your talent, and both of the Maureens also mentioned their leadership of a small faith sharing group, and with the start of Lent will be the start of another season of small faith sharing groups. Groups that meet six weeks, weekly, on a weekly basis to pray and reflect on one or more of the upcoming Sunday readings and those Lenten groups will begin the week of February 12th. In addition to putting in the notes of this podcast, The online link to the Grateful Discipleship Commitment form. I'll also put down there a link to join a small faith sharing group for the season of Lent. If you've never been part of one of those groups, it's a great opportunity to give it a try.

It's not a long commitment. It's a six week commitment to meet weekly over the six weeks, to meet with fellow parishioners, and to pray and reflect on one or more. Of the upcoming Sunday readings. Now, Maureen and Maureen, when we give of ourselves when we volunteer, whether it be behind the scenes and kind of the details and administrative work at the pastoral center; or whether it be in a ministry, when we give of ourselves, we're not really thinking about what am I going to get out of it. We're giving of ourselves in order to make a gift of self for others. And even though that is true, so many people who volunteer, or are involved in a ministry, mentioned to me that they get much more out of it than they feel that they give. Would you speak to that for a moment? Given all that you do, both at the pastoral center and in the parishes, do you have a sense of also receiving some sort of blessing out of it? what you give of your time and talent, Maureen Cain?

Oh, for sure. But I think the thing that I really sticks out right away is in this faith formation sharing a, it's amazing what I have picked up from other people just around the table, and I've learned so much, and it just makes you want to read scripture more and, just increase your faith. It just increases my faith so much more by coming to these groups. I wish they could go. Every week for the whole year. That's an idea we have to explore.

Thank you so much. I would second that in that I'm leading a small group on Saturday mornings during this winter season. And our group grew from week one to week two. Some more people joined us. And this past week, as we were reflecting on the passage from Luke chapter 17 about the healing of the 10 lepers and the Samaritan leper who returned to give thanks; and I was blessed by the depth of the sharing of the people in the group and even bringing some things that I have never really thought about in terms of that passage before.

How about for you, Maureen Luzan this sense of, yes, we give and we give without expecting to receive, but the reality for many is that they do receive something in giving. Would you speak about that for yourself?

Yes, Father, thank you. Yes, I feel blessed to be volunteering here. I feel all that Maureen Cain said and what you said as far as being in a small faith share group. It's amazing to be part of that and to learn from other people and to really be closer to Jesus. It has increased My spiritual faith tremendously I find that volunteering and I just find that I'm praying more, I'm closer to Jesus. And I'm very grateful for being here.

Thank you so much, Maureen. Listeners, this brings us to the end of my portion of this, our sixth episode of the podcast. As I mentioned, I'm going to leave a couple of links in the notes for this podcast. The first to the online version of the Grateful Discipleship Commitment Form. I'm hoping that our parishioners will all make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure on behalf of their parish, and that they especially consider their time and talent, either giving some hours here at the Pastoral Center on a regular basis, a few hours a week, or even on an occasional basis to help with a special project behind the scenes, or giving up your time and talent in one of our ministries. The other link, which I will leave down below is for our upcoming Lenten Small Faith Sharing Groups. A wonderful opportunity, and that will help you to register. We have opportunities, groups that meet every day of the week, different hours of the day, and we'd love to have you join us for the six week Lenten season.

Of course, I mentioned Lent, and that means that Ash Wednesday is not too far away signaling the start of the Lenten season, and this year we have this happy coincidence of Ash Wednesday aligning its thank you for listening to our two Maureens and their involvement in our parishes. I hope this inspires you and encourages you to also make a commitment to your parish, whether it be one of the two parishes in this collaborative or your own parish.

Wherever you are listening, and I look forward to welcoming you to our next episode of the Christ by the Sea Catholic Collaborative podcast. Thank you and God bless.

The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. And during February, we can contemplate the indispensable role that the family unit plays in the broader mission of the Church, and we can learn lessons from that family in Nazareth.

Now, let us remember it is within the family that we are first schooled in the virtues of the gospel, learning to live out the calling of every Christian family to become a domestic church, a beacon of gospel values in the world. St. John Paul II, or John Paul the Great, as a lot of people like to call him, reminded us that the family in Nazareth should be an example for every Christian household.

The lessons we can learn from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is that our family should have a commitment to prayer and contemplation, that there should be mutual understanding and respect between all family members, as well as a spirit of sacrifice. During February, every Catholic family can work towards deepening their communal spiritual life.

Embrace the opportunity to pray together, to pray before meals, to undertake tasks as a unified family body, to find joy in shared leisure, and to help each other cultivate a virtuous life. And as we approach the penitential season of Lent, with Ash Wednesday right around the corner, each family could consider adopting a collective penance that involves every member of the household.

This shared spiritual discipline can serve as a profound expression of family unity and a testament to your commitment to grow in holiness. And let's not forget the power of intercessory prayer, especially to the Holy Family, to guide and support our endeavors toward becoming reflections of their sanctity in our own family lives and may the example of the Holy Family inspire all of us to transform our homes into vibrant centers of faith, hope, and love, radiating the light of the gospel to all who enter our home.

We're pleased to bring you some scripture readings here on the parish podcast. And our last segment on today's show is a reading from Proverbs chapter one and chapter two.

The book of Proverbs chapter one, the parables of Solomon, the son of David. King of Israel, to know wisdom and instruction, to understand the words of prudence, and to receive the instruction of doctrine, justice, and judgment, and equity. To give subtlety to little ones, to the young man knowledge and understanding, a wise man shall hear and shall be wiser, and he that understandeth shall possess governments.

He shall understand a parable, and the interpretation, the words of the wise, and their mysterious sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother, that grace may be added to thy head, and a chain of gold to thy neck.

My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to them. If they shall say, Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us hide snares for the innocent without cause. Let us swallow him up alive like hell, and whole as one that goeth down into the pit. We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoils.

Cast in thy lot with us. Let us all have one purse. My son, walk not thou with them. Restrain thy foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. But a net is spread in vain before the eyes of them that have wings. And they themselves lie in wait for their own blood, and practice deceits against their own souls.

So the wage of every covetous man destroy the souls of the possessors. Wisdom preacheth abroad, she uttereth her voice in the streets. At the head of multitudes, she crieth out. In the entrance of the gates of the city, she uttereth her words, saying, O children, how long will you love childishness? And fools covet those things which are hurtful to themselves, and the unwise hate knowledge.

Turn ye at my reproof. Behold, I will utter my spirit to you, and will show you my words. Because I called, and you refused, I stretched out my hand, and there was none that regarded. You have despised all my counsel, and have neglected my reprehensions. I also will laugh in your destruction, and will mock when that shall come to you which you feared, when sudden calamity shall fall on you, and destruction as a tempest shall be at hand, when tribulation and distress shall come upon you. Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear. They shall rise in the morning, and shall not find me, because they have hated instruction, and received not the fear of the Lord, nor consented to my counsel, reproof. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and shall be filled with their own devices.

The turning away of little ones shall kill them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But he that shall hear me shall rest without terror, and shall enjoy abundance without fear of evils. The book of Proverbs chapter 2. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and wilt hide my commandments with thee, that thy ear may hearken to wisdom, incline thy heart to no prudence.

For if thou shalt call for wisdom, and incline thy heart to prudence, if thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and shalt find the knowledge of God. Because the Lord giveth wisdom, and out of his mouth cometh prudence and knowledge, he will keep the salvation of the righteous, and protect them that walk in simplicity, keeping the paths of justice, and guarding the ways of saints.

Then shalt thou understand justice, and judgment, and equity, and every good path, if wisdom shall enter into thy heart. And knowledge please thy soul, counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve thee, that thou mayest be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh perverse things, who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways, who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things, whose ways are perverse, and their steps Infamous, that thou mayest be delivered from the strange women, and from the stranger who softeneth her words, and forsaketh the guide of her youth, and hath forgotten the covenant of her God, for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths to hell.

None that go in unto her shall return again, neither shall they take hold of the paths of life. That thou mayst walk in a good way, and mayst keep the paths of the just, for they that are upright shall dwell in the earth, and the simple shall continue in it, but the wicked shall be destroyed from the earth, and they that do unjustly.

Thanks for listening to the Christ by the Sea Catholic Collaborative Podcast. That's all for episode six, but to be notified when Father Scott releases episode seven, go to Apple podcast or Spotify and follow the show. As soon as episode seven comes out, you'll get a notification.