All are Welcome

November 15, 2026

Ask yourselves, “What are we doing with the gifts God has given us?”

In Matthew's Gospel (25:14-30), Jesus tells us the parable of a master who entrusts his servants with different amounts of money, called talents. Two servants put their talents to work and doubled what they had received. The third, afraid of losing what he had been given, buried his talent in the ground. When the master returned, he praised the first two servants but was disappointed with the third.

What is Jesus trying to tell us? I think He is reminding us that God has entrusted each of us with gifts. Not everyone has the same abilities, opportunities, or resources. Some people have a gift for teaching. Others are good listeners. Some have the ability to comfort someone who is grieving or to make a lonely person feel welcome.

God doesn't expect us all to do the same things. He asks us to do something with what He has given us. What strikes me about this Gospel is that the third servant was afraid. He didn't lose his talent. He simply did nothing with it.

Sometimes we do the same thing. We hesitate to help because we think we don't have enough to offer. We put off doing something good because we're too busy, or because we assume someone else will take care of it. But think about the difference one small act of kindness can make in another person's life.

As we approach Thanksgiving, perhaps we should ask ourselves: How have I used the blessings God has given me? Have I shared them with others, or have I kept them to myself? 

Someday, we all hope to hear those beautiful words from our Lord: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

I remember you at Mass.

Prayer to Saint Joseph for Workers

Please come and honor the Patron of our Shrine before each Sunday Mass and Saturday vigil Mass. 

Ten minutes before each Mass all are invited to pray the prayer on the back cover of the missalettes. The prayer was written by our late Shrine Director, Fr. Terry O’Connell, OMI.

This prayer time is a good preparation for Mass and a reminder that there are many in need of our prayers to obtain a good and meaningful job to provide for their loved ones.

Saint Josaphat Kutsevych was the Archbishop of Polotsk in Belarus. He strived for unity among the people and churches.

He was martyred on November 12, 1623 by means of an axe, hence the axe in the drawing. His dog was also murdered alongside him. Both were thrown into a river.

He is the patron of the Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Eastern Rite Catholics, Bishops, and Church Unity.

“I am here among you as a shepherd… I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of Saint Peter and his successor the Supreme Pontiff.”

-Saint Josaphat Kutsevych

MATTHEW  25: 14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "A man going on a journey  called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.

"After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, “Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'

Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.  Here it is back.' His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 

Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

The statue of  Saint Carlo Acutis was blessed and installed at the shrine on Sunday, October 25, at the 10:00 AM Mass.

During the concelebrated Mass, we welcomed this joyous addition  to our beautiful St. Joseph the Worker Shrine.

When you visit the shrine, be sure stop by the statue of St. Carlo Acutis. Say a prayer and ask for his intercession, especially for our young people, as well for the care of our defenseless animal friends and pets. 

As we have celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and in keeping with the Mexican Catholic tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), St. Joseph the Worker Shrine will once again keep an Altar of the Dead to remember and pray for our beloved deceased.

Rooted in our Catholic faith, this beautiful tradition reminds us of the importance of praying for the souls of the faithful departed and our hope in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

All are invited to place photographs or small mementos of deceased loved ones on the altar located at the back of the church as we remember them in prayer throughout the month of November.

(Please do not leave valuables, as the altar is a public display.)

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

Amen.

All are invited to join two special Eucharistic Processions celebrating Christ the King and the gift of Perpetual Adoration.

Saturday, November 21:  St. William Parish, Tewksbury: Mass at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Eucharistic Procession and potluck lunch. Bishop Robert Hennessey will join the celebration.

Sunday, November 22:  St. Rita Parish, Lowell: Eucharistic Procession at 2:00 p.m., followed by a potluck lunch.

also

Friday, November 20:  St. Rita Parish: Healing Mass with Bernie Choiniere at 6:00 p.m., preceded by the Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Testimony and healing service to follow.

For more information, contact adoration247@gmail.com 

or 978-500-1771.

Oblate Associates

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Go to the link to read more information about  a  life as an Oblate Associate.