The Catholic Parishes 

of Stoughton 

 Orders are now being taken for Our Lady of Fatima T-Shirts. T-Shirts are available in light blue and display either the Our Lady Fatima logo or the I love Malassadas logo.  T-Shirt may be purchased  through the parish office.       
         
Prices are: 
T-shirts: $15.00

If you are interested in placing an order or have any questions, please contact the parish office.  Order forms are available on the tables as you leave church.

Virtus:  Protecting God’s Children; is an   awareness and educational session that is mandatory for parish staff and all levels of   volunteers in Parish ministry.  Virtus will be offered:                                                                Sunday, October 27, 2019
 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
St. James Parish Hall
560 Page Street,
Stoughton, MA 02072

Reserve a seat at the training by contacting Bridget Horan at bhoran@stoughtoncatholic.org/
781-886-6060.

Join us on Monday November 4th at St. James (560 Page Street) from 10am-2pm for parish safety training workshop. Please see below flyer and how to register for the event. 

Peace be with you! 
 

Welcome to the Catholic Parishes of Stoughton. We are a Roman Catholic community of faith, nourished by the Eucharist and committed to living out our faith in service to others. It’s our hope that no matter where you are on your life’s journey, you will find a home here. Please join us as we worship our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all our faith, hope, strength and joy.

              Peace and blessings!
              Fr. Joe Mazzone
              Pastor of St. James & Immaculate Conception 

Our month begins with the Memorial of St. Thérèse on October 1^st.  St. Thérèse, popularly known as St Thérèse of the Child Jesus or “The Little Flower,” was born in 1873.  With special permission, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, France, in 1888 at age fifteen.  During her time there, she exercised profound humility and charity.  She tried to take the most mundane and menial tasks and jobs in the convent, like cleaning, laundry, and the dishes, the tasks that most people complain about doing.  Thérèse used these opportunities for her own sanctification and to grow in humility and holiness.  As well, as a practice to increase in charity, she never spoke ill of anyone, and went over and above to be charitable with the sisters in the convent who annoyed her the most, by going out of her way to socialize with them during periods of recreation, or to sit next to them at meals, all the while never telling them why she was doing it.  It was discovered after her death in her diary that the sister in the convent everyone thought was her best friend, was the sister that Thérèse could actually stand the least.  She called this way of life, taking the most menial tasks and making them opportunities for growth in holiness, “The Little Way.”  St. Thérèse died of Tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24 and was declared a saint in 1925. Following her “Little Way” became such a profound spiritual way of life, that Pope John Paul II named her a Doctor of the Church in 1997.
 
Although we are not confined to a convent or religious life, as we navigate the struggles and frustrations of everyday life at work, home, or wherever we are, perhaps we can each try to live “The Little Way,” even just a little bit more in our own lives, adapting it to our circumstances.  We have many of the same tasks which St. Thérèse used as opportunities to grow in holiness: cleaning, laundry, and dishes, and one that St. Thérèse   didn’t have to deal with that is certainly a frustration for many, traffic. Rather than complain or let Satan work on us through frustration so often associated with these things, or whatever situations cause frustration in our life, to use them as St. Thérèse did, as opportunities to grow in humility and holiness.  As well, like St. Thérèse, may we at least try to take opportunities to grow in charity especially with those whom we like the least.  What better testament and witness to true Christian love, as Jesus loved, than if we were to die with our enemy believing us to be their best friend because of the charity with which we loved them, even in our weakness.~ Fr. Will
 
 

Sunday October 13^th at noon, join us to recite the Rosary at the Monument to the Unborn, at the front of Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. 
 
The Rosary is being recited at this time noon in many places across the country in honor of the 102nd anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. We pray for conversion of hearts, for mercy and healing for those who have had abortions, and for all those facing an unexpected pregnancy, that they may choose life. Part of the Rosary will be prayed in Portuguese. 
 
 
Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee

Presence:  The Mystery of the Eucharist
(by The Augustine Institute)
 
Our Adult Faith Formation Committee invites you to attend our fall Bible Study on Thursday evening, October 17 from 7-8:30 pm in St. James Hall. 
 
We will discuss the topic “Bread for the Journey”, which  examines our need for the Eucharist to nourish our everyday life of faith and action.  We will further discuss the different parts of the Mass.  
 
Our last topic in the Presence series will be “Biblical Foundations
of the Eucharist”. We will explore this topic in two parts on
October 24 and November 7. 
(We will not have Bible Study Oct. 31 due to the vigil of All Saints Day.)
 
 
On November 14^th, we will conclude with “Word Made Flesh, True Bread from Heaven: The Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist”, a video by Bishop Barron.
 
It is not too late to join us, even if this week is your first time! 
 
 
Our weekly format includes questions to help introduce each topic, a 30-40 minute video, small group discussion and  prayerful reflection on a related Bible passage.  As in our past Bible studies, learning, fellowship and faith-sharing are the highlights of participation.  This program is appropriate for high school age through adult.  Light refreshments will be served.  Invite a friend or neighbor!
 
Sponsored by Adult Faith Formation