...on Sunday (10/16) I went to Winchester to celebrate the 50th anniversary Mass at St. Eulalia Parish. It was a very beautiful celebration, and I was so impressed by the music there. They had a very beautiful choir, as well as a wonderful children's choir, but the congregational singing was just extraordinary. Would that every parish in the archdiocese had that kind of participation in the Eucharist! It was really a very uplifting experience.

It was also very uplifting to see how many of the people who were there were original parishioners. In other words, they have been part of the parish for 50 years, including Bishop Peter Uglietto's family. His uncle lived just across the street from the church. So, Bishop Uglietto joined us for the Mass, as well as former pastors including Father Tom Nestor and Monsignor Frank McGann. Father Jim Savage is doing a great job there and I think people really appreciate his ministry. He had been stationed there before as associate pastor and is now the pastor.

Question 4

Tuesday (10/18), we had a meeting at the Pastoral Center to discuss the response of the religious community in Massachusetts to Ballot Question 4. We are very concerned about the inclusion of this initiative, which would legalize the commercialization of marijuana in our state.

I know many people are concerned about the number of incarcerations around marijuana use. However, in Massachusetts, several years ago we decriminalized possession of marijuana in smaller amounts. This legislation is simply about commercialization of marijuana.

...We are anxious for people to vote against Question 4 because the consequences would be catastrophic for our state if this question is passed. To encourage this, we are preparing a joint letter from clergy who attended the meeting. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference has developed a web page where you can learn more about Question 4.

Lynch Scholars Mass

Wednesday (10/19), I went to Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton to celebrate the annual Lynch Scholars Mass sponsored by the Catholic Schools Foundation. We are so thankful for the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, which has provided the opportunity for so many needy children to attend Catholic schools. The Mass is a beautiful event each year. Peter Lynch, the founder of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, was with us and we were also joined by the wonderful Betania Choir from Venezuela who sang for us during the Mass.

Galas

This week, I had the opportunity to attend a number of different gala dinners to support local Catholic institutions. On Wednesday (10/19), there was the Diamonds of Dorchester Gala to support the St. Mary's Women's and Children's Center, and on Thursday (10/20) there was the inaugural Franciscan Gala to benefit St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street and also the inaugural "Let it Shine" Gala to support Regis College.

At the Regis event, they honored Ginny Kaneb. I was very pleased that they chose to honor Ginny for all the good she does. Ginny Kaneb is a faithful exemplar of discipleship in the Catholic Church. She is a wonderful wife and mother of six sons, and she is someone who has transmitted her faith and sense of generosity to her children and grandchildren. She is a proud alumna of Regis College and I was so happy to be a part of the event honoring her. We are so grateful to the Sisters of St. Joseph, President Antoinette Hays and her team, who have done such wonderful things that Regis College. We are also grateful to the Sisters for being faithful to their mission to educate the children of immigrants and working-class families.

Memorial Service

Yesterday morning (10/21) I attended a memorial prayer service for Father Joe Martin with his family and the residents at Regina Cleri. Father Martin was the beloved priest who served with the St. James Society. I was very happy to be there to be present to his family.