March 2, 2015 - Cardinal Celebrates Mass with Life Teen community at St Mary in Hanover...

Braintree, MA (March 2, 2015) – “The gift of our faith and the mission of evangelization is alive in the Archdiocese of Boston”, according to Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley. The Archdiocese is experiencing a period of unprecedented success as Catholics work together to strengthen the faith and pass on the gift of stewardship.   The 2014 Catholic Appeal raised $15.3M in pledges.  Nearly 50,000 families supported the Appeal, an increase of 22% over 2013.   According to Cardinal Seán, “this was attributed to the prayerful commitment of so many clergy, religious and lay people who worship, serve and give to the ministries of the Archdiocese.”    
 
The Catholic Appeal is an annual effort to raise the critical funds needed to sustain the work of the Archdiocese of Boston. Through the Appeal, Catholics help support the vital programs and services offered through the 50 ministries, serving our 289 parishes, 122 Catholic elementary and secondary schools, and thousands of Catholics of all ages in many life circumstances. The Appeal is funded solely through the generosity and commitment of parishioners who believe in these ministries and want to ensure that they remain strong.
 
Chris Kierce, of St. Anthony in Cohasset, has volunteered for the Catholic Appeal for more than a decade and serves on the Appeal’s Lay Advisory Committee.  Mr. Kierce said, “We have empowered pastors and parishioners to lead their appeals in the parishes.  The result is inspiring.   People have a better understanding of the central ministries of the Archdiocese and how they serve countless numbers of people in our parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations.  As they understand this good work, they are responding with their support."  On the importance of volunteers to the Appeal, Chris said, "Five years ago, a handful of volunteers helped the Appeal.  Today, there are more than 200 volunteers!” 
 
“Each parish serves the people of God through the many ministries of the Church,” said Rev. Richard Messina, Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Winchester. “  Fr. Messina noted that these include ministries such as religious education, marriage preparation, ministry to the sick and home bound; providing many works of mercy that our local and wider community have come to rely on. “   
 
The Appeal launches in all 289 parishes throughout the Archdiocese the weekend of March 7 and 8.  Cardinal Seán will celebrate the 4:00pm Mass on March 7 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Shirley and the 12:00pm Mass on March 8 at St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham.
 
Life Teen Info:  Life Teen Hanover was established in 2004 at St. Mary of the Sacred Heart Parish by current pastor Father Chris Hickey. In June 2014, St. Mary's in Hanover and St. Helen's in Norwell SMASHED together to form the Holy Mothers Collaborative. As a result, Life Teen SMASH (Saint Mary's And Saint Helen's) was born. Life Teen SMASH is proud and excited to be serving the teens and families of both parish communities in Hanover and Norwell. To learn more about the Life Teen ministry at St. Mary’s please visit: http://lifeteensmash.com/about.   
 
 
Boston Catholic Photo's
For more images from last nights Mass please visit:  
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bostoncatholic 
 
Cardinal's Homily from the LifeTeen Mass at St. Mary's, Hanover. 
 
2015 Catholic Appeal:  The Catholic Appeal is an annual effort to raise the critical funds needed to sustain the work of the Archdiocese of Boston. Through the Appeal, Catholics help support the vital programs and services offered through the 50 ministries, serving our 289 parishes, 122 Catholic elementary and secondary schools, and thousands of Catholics of all ages in many life circumstances. The Appeal is funded solely through the generosity and commitment of parishioners who believe in these ministries and want to ensure that they remain strong.  
 
To learn more about the 2015 Catholic Appeal and to view a video message by the Cardinal, please visit www.bostoncatholicappeal.org.  #bostoncatholic #appealatwork