This Week's Message
from Fr. Amesse
November 26, 2023

On December 12^th, I’ll renew the consecration I made, and make each year, since 1999.  I was in Tewksbury.  I felt compelled to consecrate myself totally to Mary Immaculate.  The path I chose was the way of St. Louis de Montfort.  This year I have changed.  I’m following St. Maximilian M. Kolbe.

 Why December 12  (The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)?  When I was in the seminary, a classmate noticed I did not have an image of Mary in my room.  He brought to me one of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I was disappointed that it was not of Our Lady of Hope.

But, when I decided to consecrate myself totally to Mary Immaculate, in ’99, I chose the date of December 12.  Little did I know that in less than a year I would be moved from Tewksbury to New Orleans, serving at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  After 5 years, I was sent to take care of Mexicans, who love her.

On this feast of Christ the King, we honor and adore the Eternal Son of the Father.  Our Father in heaven regards us as His children.  Our Brother gives us the dignity of having His Mother as our Mother too.  Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  We are God’s children; Mary’s too. 

I remember you at Mass.

Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe

The feast of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in answer to the world’s  secularism - a way of life which leaves God out of man's thinking and living and organizes his life as if God did not exist. This celebration is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner Christ's royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.

Today's Mass establishes the titles for Christ's royalty over men: 1) Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and hence wields a supreme power over all things; "All things were created by Him"; 2) Christ is our Redeemer, He purchased us by His precious Blood, and made us His property and possession; 3) Christ is Head of the Church, "holding in all things the primacy"; 4) God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as His special possession and dominion.

From: catholic.org

November: Month of the 
Faithful Departed

The month of November is dedicated to prayer for the repose of the souls of our faithful departed. The Shrine has once again sent out a mailing,  asking that you submit the names of your beloved departed family and friends so they can be added to our basket of prayerful remembrances. If you are not on our mailing list, you can find the these special request forms in the Confessional Lobby display. Please return those prayer requests as soon as possible.

Once each month throughout the year, a Mass is celebrated in remembrance of those  named loved ones - listed as ‘All Souls SBI‘ on the Mass schedules. The weekly Mass schedule is posted in the lobby display case, is included in the weekly bulletin, and is posted on our website.

Legion of Mary
at the Shrine

Meetings are held in the downstairs Conference Hall each week after the Sunday 12:00 noon Mass.

The Legion of Mary is a Marian movement founded in Ireland in the 1920’s. It is currently the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church.

Say NO to Physician Assisted Suicide in Massachusetts

“The Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts stand united in our strong opposition to Physician Assisted 
Suicide. It is an affront to life and a dangerous precedent for determining end of life issues. Physicians are trained to care for the ill, not to hasten death.” 

 LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD NOW!
Learn more

November Hidden Apostle
Brother Robert Belliveau, OMI

Brother Robert Beliveau, OMI, our “Hidden Apostle” for November, was born on December 1, 1898, in Nicolet, Québec - 86 miles east of Montréal on the St. Lawrence River.  Bro. Robert is pictured on left with Bro. Joseph Boisclair, middle, and Bro. Donat Joyal who also served at St. Joseph’s. 

Brother Beliveau entered the Oblate Novitiate then in Hudson, New Hampshire; he pronounced final vows there on July 25, 1926.  Brother Robert served as Sacristan at St. Peter’s Church, Plattsburgh, NY and did maintenance work at St. Joseph High School Seminary in Columbia (Colebrook) NH.  From 1942 to 1946 he was Sacristan and Porter (doorkeeper) at St. Joseph (Jean Baptiste) Rectory in Lowell. 

Brother was then assigned as Printer of “Le Missionnaire Oblat,” a French news magazine that he supervised in the St. Joseph Workshop at Our Lady of Grace Shrine in Columbia, NH.  Brother Beliveau was also a veteran of World War I and served in France.  He was known for his quiet, conscientious and faithful service to the Oblate community.  Br. Bob died on April 2, 1986 in Columbia, NH.

In February 1956, at the request of our Shrine’s founder, Fr. Eugene Noury, OMI, Brother Beliveau moved his printing equipment to the refurbished Shrine basement.  In December of the same year, a bookstore and religious articles store (pictured right) opened in time for Christmas.  The store was placed in the very capable hands of Ms Delia Thellen and Ms Lillian Moisan and was practically a ‘one-of-a-kind’ institution in Lowell. It was immediately successful.   

Today, we know this store as St. Joseph the Worker Shrine Gift Shop/Bookstore. The gift shop has undergone several renovations over time, most recently under the  guidance of Fr. James Flavin, OMI, Director from 2006 to 2009. 

You experienced the intimate love and closeness of the Savior’s presence in the Word of God - you nourished yourself on it each day and led others to the same source of nourishment.

St. Eugene, guide us to the Savior in our time of need!

Joseph most faithful
Pray for us!

-Litany of St. Joseph

Pope Francis’ November Prayer Intention

Throughout November, we pray for our Holy Father Pope Francis as he fulfills his mission, that he may continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Praying with the Stained Glass Windows of
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

Part I - The 100 Year+ Windows Series
Part II - The St. Joseph Windows

Self-Guided Tour
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine

Ring the Bells of the Shrine

Everyday of the year, the “Bells of St. Joseph” ring-out God’s praise for all to hear!

Our Carillon can play Special Hymns of your choice any day of the year. At your request, our chimes will ring in honor of loved ones for the entire community to hear and prayerfully remember.Your offering of $20.00 will be greatly appreciated and will assist us in maintaining the Shrine and its ministries. Thank You!

Bell-ringing selections may be reserved for specific days & times throughout the year(s) in the Shrine Gift Shop/Bookstore.

St. Eugene de Mazenod’s Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother

 O Lord, Almighty God, you endowed the Blessed Virgin Mary with the fullness of every gift and grace. By allowing her heart to be pierced with the deepest sorrow, you crowned her merit and placed her at the head of countless legions of martyrs who, for love of your Son Jesus Christ, have shed their blood. Through the painful martyrdom endured by this gentle Mother seeing her beloved Son dying as a Victim because of his love for us, grant us the grace to bear with fortitude the disappointments and setbacks in our life, and not to fear torment or death itself, when we are called to confess our faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Click to Light a Candle 
Thank you!

Please choose your donation amount. $5.00 is the standard donation per candle online

Click on the Image to view the prayer of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Archdiocesan COVID protocols lifted
Learn more here

Confession

Mon - Friday
10:00 am - noon
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Saturday 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Eucharistic Adoration

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration on -

Saturday after the noon Mass until the 4:00 pm Mass, approximately 12:45 pm - 3:45 pm

First Fridays after the noon Mass until the 5:30 pm Mass, approximately 12:45 pm -5:15 pm