A prophetic, Franciscan, Catholic community welcoming all people through prayer and outreach.

We extend a special welcome to everyone visiting the Shrine for the first time.

Saturday, February 10 – Friday, February 16

Telephone: 617-542-6440
Prayer Request Line: 617-553-4100
The Good Word: 617-542-0502
Text-to-Give text “DONATE” to: 617-712-2233
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 14, 2018

You can’t spell “Valentine” without “Lent”…

I find it thought-provoking that Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day this year. The differences in the two
commemorations are just this side of comical.

Valentine’s Day conjures up two people scrubbed clean for an important evening out. On Ash Wednesday, most Catholics see it
as a sacred duty to go well out of the way to find a church so that some duly-designated person can purposely smear black ashes
on the most prominent place on the body. And, of course, it’s not a random mark, but the sign of the cross symbolizing the
resurrection of Jesus. As one of my theology professors once famously told the seminarian class, “Don’t think about the
meaning of all of this while you’re driving.”

Valentine’s Day often comes accompanied by robust demands for creativity, some obligations of gift-giving, and even an aura
of extravagance. One rose is not enough, and a dozen roses is also not enough. Keep going. Everything about Ash Wednesday
roars of sacrifice, desolation, austerity, simplicity, retrenchment. Don’t you even dare think about a delicious steak dinner!

A proper Valentine’s Day, it seems, should send off fireworks of self-esteem: messages of “I feel great about me, I feel great
about you, and I feel great about us together.” Next to Good Friday, Ash Wednesday is the Catholic person’s highest holiday of
cataloging, indexing and cross-referencing every one of our most grievous and most minor transgressions against God and
humanity.

Valentine’s Day is usually conceived as a day with one, and only one, other person. Three is absolutely a crowd and being by
yourself is an unmitigated disaster. Ash Wednesday is arguably a day with a profound interior journey by one’s self, where each
one of us privately reflects on “where we are in our life with God.” Do we cooperate with God in a way that deepens and
enriches our life with Jesus? The prayerful journey to answer that question is an intensely personal, solitary, and private one.

At the other end of the spectrum, there is also an aspect of Ash Wednesday which is extraordinarily communal. Everyone in the
Catholic world begins the liturgical season of Lent on the same day and in the same way: with Ash Wednesday. In our
collective religious imagination on this day, we are all completely connected to all of the other Catholic people of the world,
those in heaven and on earth.

What’s the color of Valentine’s Day? That’s easy: Red, red, and more red. Ash Wednesday isn’t quite as simple. The
liturgical color is purple, and that’s the color that the priest will be wearing for Mass that day. If you asked people what color
they associate with Ash Wednesday, they would probably say “black,” because we’re all at least somewhat self-conscious (in a
good way) of the ashes on our foreheads.

So who exactly decided to celebrate these two days, each giving off diametrically-opposed vibes, on the same day? Is this the
Holy Spirit? Some trickster god of calendars? Or is it just a thought-provoking coincidence? I think I will let you answer that
question for yourselves.

My last thought is to look briefly at the similarities of these two commemorations which happen simultaneously. Ultimately, the
centerpiece of both days is love. In the name of love, couples sacrifice, commit, compromise, and share hopes, dreams, and
setbacks with a significant other. That’s the Valentine’s Day thing. Also in the name of love, people forgive, reflect, pray,
receive pardon, transform, express gratitude, express determination to be better, express humility, and express awe in the
presence of the God among us. That’s the Ash Wednesday thing. My suggestion is that, because of love, these two
commemorations aren’t really as far removed from one another as they might at first seem.

Fr. Thomas Conway, OFM

Executive Director
 THE FRANCISCAN HEART

In the coming weeks, different Arch Street friars are going to write a reflection piece on Lent. Some may choose
to write on what it means to have a “Franciscan heart.” Here is Boston, the Jesuits would seem to have cornered
the market on what it means to have a Catholic intellect, but I would suggest that Franciscan history and St.
Francis himself have something to teach us about having a Catholic heart. So much of the Franciscan way of
doing things is subtle and even counterintuitive. It’s a gentle transformation of the heart that tolerates people who
are out of step or on the fringes of society and Church. In the Franciscan world, everyone belongs, even if it
makes some already in the group a little uncomfortable.

A note about the Shrine’s logo for the Franciscan heart. It is a Franciscan cord, in the shape of a heart. The ones
that friars wear are, of course, white. The three knots in the cord symbolize the three vows that we friars take:
poverty, chastity and obedience. The logo was designed by Susanne Duquette, our very capable Graphic Design
student from Emmanuel College. Thank you, Susanne!

Fr. Thomas Conway, OFM

Executive Director

Grief Ministry Support Group Winter / Spring – 2018

St. Anthony Shrine offers a six-week support group to those grieving someone they have loved who has died. It is important to
have a safe and reassuring environment to express feelings of pain, emptiness, loneliness and hurt. The Shrine can be that
sacred place to express the various emotions so often associated with grieving.
**NEW** Dates for the Winter/Spring 2018 Session (Tuesdays)
February 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13 and 20 when a Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated in your loved one’s memory.
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
nd
2 Floor Classroom
Limited enrollment and pre-registration is required.
Please direct all inquiries to Fr. Joe Quinn, OFM, Director of Grief Ministries at: jquinn@stanthonyshrine.org
 Ash Wednesday Schedule
Wednesday, February 14th
Ashes will be distributed in the
1st floor church from 5:45am until 6:30pm.
Masses at:
6am, 7am 10am*, 11:45am*, 12:30pm*
4:30pm, 5:15pm in Spanish (upstairs)
5:15pm in English (downstairs) and 6pm
*music by The Arch Street Band
Confessions from 6:30am - 8am; 10am - 2pm; and 4pm - 5:30pm
Regular Schedule of Mass and Confession Times at
St. Anthony Shrine UPCOMING EVENTS FOR
Mass Schedule YOUNG ADULTS
Saturday Mass: 12 PM Sunday, February 11th at 11:15AM Mass, followed by BYO Jazz Brunch at The
Saturday Vigil Masses: 4 PMn (4:15 PM 1st Fl. Church), 5:30 PMn Merchant. Space is limited and reservation required, so reserve your spot today.
Sunday Masses: 6 AM, 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10 AMn, 11:15 AMn, Sunday, February 18th at 11AM – 12:30PM “Brunch n Bible Study” at UDG
12:00 PMn (Spanish Mass-1st Fl. Church), 12:30 PMn, 4 PMn, 5:30 PMn (next door to the Shrine). We’ll discuss the 2/18 Gospel over BYO brunch.
Weekday Masses: 6 AM, 7 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 5:15 PM Saturday, February 24th 8PM – 11:30PM “Corsages & Cummerbunds” Winter
Additional Wednesday Mass: 10 AM Formal Westin Copley Place Hotel. In partnership with St. Cecilia Parish, The
Please note: The 5:15 PM Mass on Wednesday is in Spanish. Paulist Center and St. Paul Parish
Sunday, February 25th at 1:45PM Volunteer at Cambridge Rehab and Nursing
Holy Day Mass Schedule: Center (8 Dana St. – Central Square stop). Set up for Mass with Seniors and
St. PM
Vigil: 4:15 PM, 5:15 Anthony Shrine
Holy Day: 6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM, 11:45 AM, then socialize after Mass. You must RSVP to participate.
100 Arch Street, Boston, MAPM
12:30 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:15 02110 Sunday, March 4th at 11:15AM – 12 Noon, Rosary Group in the 2nd floor
Legal Holiday Mass Schedule: 8 AM, 10 AM (nMusic Masses) classroom. No rosary experience required; we will have a rosary & guide for you!
617-542-6440 www.stanthonyshrine.org
Please rsvp for the above at: SAS20s30s@stanthonyshrine.org
Confession Schedule
Weekday Confessions (Except Wednesday): 10 AM–2 PM, 4–5:30 PM
Wednesday Confessions: 6:30–8 AM, 10 AM–2 PM, 4–5:30 PM
The Second Collection on February 10th & 11th
Saturday Confessions: 10 AM–4 PM will go to support The Franciscan Food Center.
Sunday Confessions: 1:30–3 PM
Holy Day Confession Schedule: Follows schedule above. The Women's Spiritual Reflection Group, which meets every
Legal Holiday Confession Schedule: 8:30–10 AM 2nd and 4th Wednesday afternoons from 12:30-1:30pm, always
Follow us on social media welcomes new members. We gather in fellowship to read and
discuss Scripture so as to make the Gospel message more
REGULAR EVENTS alive in our hearts and active in our lives. A commitment to
Monday every session is not necessary; drop-ins are most welcome!
Open OA Meeting, Auditorium Classroom 12:15 p.m.
A.A. 12 Step Meeting/12 Traditions Meeting (Closed) 5:45 p.m.
We gather on the chairs outside the first floor lobby
at 12:20pm before going to our meeting room at 12:30pm.
Tuesday Please take this opportunity to pray with us and enrich your
A.A. Discussion Meeting (Open Meeting) Noon
Lenten experience.
Wednesday
Remembrance Day for Deceased (3rd Wed.) All Masses
Anointing of the Sick - Mass (2nd Wed.) See web
SA Meeting (Open Meeting), Auditorium Foyer 7:00 a.m.
Seniors Program 10:30 a.m.
Women’s Spiritual Refl. Group (2nd & 4th Wed) 12:30 p.m.
Grupo Hispano de Oracion 4:00 p.m.
Mass in Spanish 5:15 p.m.
LGBTQ Spirituality (3rd Wed.) 5:30 p.m. The Emmaus Ministry
A.A. Discussion Meeting (Closed Meeting) 5:45 p.m. Serving the Spiritual Needs of Grieving Parents Whose Children Of Any
Bread on The Common (2nd & 4th Wed.) 5:45 p.m. Age Have Died By Any Cause, No Matter How Long Ago
Thursday
St. Augustine Group (S.L.A.A.) Meeting Noon
One-Hour Retreat
Rosary Prayer Group 12:30p.m. 1st Sunday of the Month
Men’s Cursillo Reunion Group (1st and 3rd Thursday) 1:00 p.m. Shrine Auditorium Classroom after the 10am Mass.
Men’s Spirituality Group (2nd and 4th Thursday) 5:00 p.m.
Lectura y reflexión del evangelio 5:30 p.m. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit: www.emfgp.org
A.A Big Book Meeting (Closed Meeting) 5:45 p.m. Or call Diane, Paul’s Mother, at 617-542-8057.
Friday
SA 12 Step Meeting, Auditorium Foyer 7:00 a.m.
Open OA Meeting, Auditorium Classroom 12:15 p.m.

Saturday
SENIORS PROGRAM
Secular Franciscans Formation (2nd Sat.) 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 21st
Centering Prayer Group (1st & 4th Sat.) Noon
Vietnamese Secular Franciscans (2nd Sat.) 1:00 p.m. 10:00 am Mass
Secular Franciscans Fraternity Meeting (2nd Sat.) 1:00 p.m.
Rosary Prayer Group 3:30p.m. 10:30 am Light refreshments/coffee
Sunday 11:00 am Presentation
Emmaus Ministry Prayer/Discussion (1st Sun.) 11:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon Lunch
Healing Service (2nd Sun.) 1:30 p.m.
Nurses In Need of Healing Ministry (1st Sun.) 2:30 p.m. February 21: Exercise and Presentation by Patti D’Angelo
Rosary, Vespers, Benediction 2:55 p.m.
Hispanic Secular Franciscans (1st Sun.) 3:00 p.m. Certified Personal Trainer, Senior Fitness

100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110

www.stanthonyshrine.org
Telephone: 617-542-6440 Prayer Request Line: 617-553-4100 The Good Word: 617-542-0502 Text GIVE to: 617-712-2233