Westwood, Norwood Parishes to Join for 2012 Lenten Mission

Catholic parishes in Westwood and Norwood will regroup this coming weekend as part of a collaborative Lenten Mission.

and in Westwood will join with St. Timothy's and St. Catherine's of Norwood in the mission, which begins this Sunday, March 4, and runs through Wednesday, March 7. Each mission begins at 7 p.m., with a half hour of quiet prayer before the mission presentation begins at 7:30. 

Reconciliation will be celebrated on Tuesday; an additional session has been scheduled in the afternoon that day for those who wish to celebrate. All parish members are invited to attend all four nights of the mission, or any part of the mission itself.

Presenters this year include Sr. Maureen Casey, SND, and Fr. Joseph Connolly, SVD. The two will lead Lenten reflections based on the theme of  “Come as You Are”.

A Note on the Presenters

Casey, who grew up in the Boston area, entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1969. She obtained degrees from Emmanuel College, Weston School of Theology and Creighton University, and has held varying positions in religious education, parish ministry, spiritual direction and retreat work. 

For the past 20 years, she has been involved in leading retreats and spiritual direction at retreat houses in the Boston area, including the St. Stephen Priory Spiritual Life Center and Miramar Retreat Center.

Connolly, who grew up in Melrose, and was ordained a Divine Word Missionary in 1960. After earning a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Catholic University, he spent the next 10 years of his priestly ministry in Ghana, West Africa, among the Konkomba people, most of whom were hearing the good news of the Gospel for the first time.  

Subsequently, he served in various leadership capacities for his order in Italy, including positions as Vice-Provincial and Provincial to Ghana, General Council in Rome, and Rector for the Nemi House of Renewal. Since returning to the US, he has concentrated on retreat work and Parish Missions, most recently at the Miramar Retreat Center.

Theology on Tap

For those who were not able to take part in the traditional mission events last year, a special event was held. That celebration will return on Saturday, March 3, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the . 

Each of the four parishes will have a limited number of tickets for the event; there is no admission charge for the evening. 

Pizza will be complimentary and drinks will be available at a cash bar. There, Casey and Connolly will make a very brief presentation, and parishioners will be invited to participate in informal discussion among themselves and with the presenters. The event provides an opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors who share our Catholic faith.  

Dates and Location of the Lenten Mission

• Saturday, March 3: 6:30 p.m. - “Theology on Tap” at the Norfolk Golf Club; by tickets only
• Sunday, March 4: St. Timothy - 7-8:30 p.m.
• Monday, March 5: St. Catherine of Siena - 7-8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 6: St. Catherine of Siena (Reconciliation) - 4-5 p.m. OR  7-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 7: St. Margaret Mary (Closing Mass and Reception) - 7-8:30 p.m.