Bulletin

As part of the annual Missionary Co-Operative Program, John O’Neill from The Society of the Propagation of the Faith, will speak at all St. Julia’s Masses on August 9th and 10th about The Society, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies represented here in the Archdiocese of Boston.  John will share stories of the missions and help us build a spiritual connection to others whose daily lives may be different from ours. 

Here’s one such story :
[A] specially trained lay catechist, Joseph, and his wife, Robin (in photo above) serve a tiny Catholic community that is too far away from any local parish. Making their own mud bricks, parishioners built a small chapel. Joseph and Robin visit weekly when a priest cannot. They bring faith formation for children and adults and run Liturgy of the Word services. Until Joseph received a bicycle purchased with a $200 donation from a Boston donor to The Propagation of the Faith, they walked the 13-mile round trip to the outpost each week. Joseph says he thanks God with every push of the pedal for The Propagation of the Faith.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is the official mission agency of the Catholic Church dedicated to assisting and supporting laypeople, priests, and religious in their evangelizing mission work. 

May our hearts and minds be opened by the Holy Spirit to support and pray for people, especially children, in the missions.  

Learn more about the Pontifical Mission Societies of Boston HERE.

MAKING a Difference: NPH USA & St. Julia

Dear Parishioners,

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) supports over 9,000 vulnerable children and adults annually in nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Guatemala, 55% of the population lives in poverty with over 68% of the country’s child population living in poverty.  This number jumps even higher for the country’s indigenous population, with 80% of indigenous group members living in poverty.

In 2022 in the city of Chimaltenango, NPH opened the Father William Wasson Family Center to better support the indigenous children and families, many of single parents, living in the commu- nity.  Last year, the NPH Family Center supported over 150 families through 5 core services: daycare for children 2 to 4, tutoring services for local students, rehabilitation for children with dis- abilities and career empowerment and training for women and single parents, and technical/ vocational training for single parents.

The goal of the family center is to empower families in a very poor area of Guatemala and to support systemic and generational change. The three-floor building boasts color and education in a variety of necessary rooms to support the programs. As one of the only free services in the area, the waitlist for services is extensive.  We could not do this important work without the support of people like you! 

If you are ever in Guatemala, I hope you will visit both our home and the Family Center. 

In mission,

Andrea Nahigian
Donor Relations Director – East Coast
Please reach out with questions, anhigian@nphusa.org or 617-206-4943

 Learn more! Become a Sponsor: NPH USA, Guatemala!

URGENT Action Needed! Protect School Meals

Catholic Relief Services: Don’t Let Children Go Hungry

(Photo: Arlis, a fifth grader, enjoys her daily school meal during lunchtime at an elementary school in Los Olivos, Yamaranguila, Honduras.)

Dear Friends of CRS in Boston,

Once again, CRS needs your prayer and action in a significant way…

Recently, Catholic Relief Services received formal notification that the administration has terminated all but two of Catholic Relief Services’ McGovern-Dole Food for Education school feeding programs — cutting off daily meals for nearly 800,000 children in 11 countries beginning in July.  For many, this was their only meal of the day. 

 HOW CAN YOU HELP?  YOUR VOICE is urgently needed so we can continue to work for a world where no child goes hungry.  Tell Congress the Administration MUST reinstate Catholic Relief Services’ USDA-funded food programs!

Without these meals, children will be forced to learn on empty stomachs, putting their health and futures at risk. School feeding programs increase literacy and learning outcomes, reduce absences due to hunger and illness, and support local economies and reduce migration. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CRS partners with governments and communities to sustain school meal programs and strengthen a child’s education. These programs not only nourish students, but they also stabilize families and communities. Meanwhile, award terminations within USDA’s Food for Progress programs further threaten food security and economic stability in vulnerable communities. 

YOUR URGENT ACTION NEEDED:  Please email your members of Congress, asking them to urge the administration to reverse these terminations and continue providing lifesaving and life-affirming food aid. 

Go to the following page (click the link below) to complete an email action: 

Please also share with your networks!  Thank you for using your voice to support our important ministry at this critical time!

YOU Can Make a Difference!

Seeking Volunteer Drivers in Lincoln for Senior Meals on Wheels 

Feel the joy of impacting someone’s life directly!  Here is an ideal opportunity during Lent to give back to the community and brighten the lives of many homebound older adults.  Join the team of Minuteman Senior Services volunteers who have served older adults and their caregivers for over 45 years in Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn.

Minuteman Senior Services needs help to deliver meals from 11am to 1pm on weekdays, once a week or twice a month (mileage can be submitted for reimbursement). 

If you are interested or have questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Yuen Li at volunteer@MinutemanSenior.org or call 781-221-7093.

For more information:www.MinutemanSenior.org

Our Faith Formation Program thrives because of the heart and dedication of our volunteers. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join us as a teacher, classroom or hallway aide. 

No experience is required, just a willingness to make a difference. You may rotate or team-teach with a friend. We provide all the teaching materials needed. Together, we can continue to shape the future with faith and love!

For more information on how you can join and help our parish grow, please contact: Jackie Ashba, Director of Faith Formation, or St. Julia Parish Faith Formation Office: 781-899-8434

SEEKING the Adult Sacraments of Initiation?

Moving Forward in Faith…Together

Reaching Our Goal: 73%

WATCH Video: Message from Archbishop Henning

One of the most meaningful ways that we deepen the impact of our Archdiocese’s schools, parishes, and ministries is by supporting the Catholic Appeal.  Your partnership and participation carry Christ’s love into our communities and spread hope.  The Appeal is a primary means by which we enfold our brothers and sisters into Christ’s circle of care. 

To make an on-line donation or to learn more about the impact your donation will have, visit: bostoncatholicappeal.org