8 Wyoma Dr. Auburn, MA 01501 | 508-798-8779 | www.namartyrsauburn.org | namartyrs01501@gmail.com

Religious Education Office | 508-798-0612 | reofficenam@gmail.com

Mass Schedule

Monday—Wednesday 7 a.m. Friday 7 a.m. Saturday 8 a.m., 4:30 p.m. (Vigil) Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Confessions

Saturday 3 - 3:45 p.m. or by appointment in the parish hall. To ensure that there is not someone with Fr. Fraini, please knock before entering the hall. Masks must be worn.

Live Stream Mass

The 10:30am Mass can be viewed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/North-American-Martyrs-Church-374641359340225

From the Diocese

Bishop McManus has continued suspension of the obligation to attend Mass until December 31, 2020. If you are able to comfortably comply with the restrictions set forth by the Commonwealth of MA and you are not at high risk, we encourage you to join us.

Office Staff

Eleanor Binnall, Secretary Pamela Ashmankas, Religious Education Assistant/Bulletin

August 30, 2020 | 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

North American Martyrs Church

Rev. Frederick D. Fraini, III, Pastor Rev. John F. Gee, Pastor Emeritus (In Residence)

Deacon Peter Ryan Lisa Burkitt, Religious Education Director

Prayer Before Mass

Lord, Jesus, You have told us over and over again that You hear our every word. Open our hearts so that we may hear Your every word and that we may live according to Your words. May we be free of distractions so that we may better understand the messages and lessons You want us to hear and to live by. Amen.

https://www.facebook.com/North-American-Martyrs-Church-374641359340225https://www.facebook.com/North-American-Martyrs-Church-374641359340225https://www.facebook.com/North-American-Martyrs-Church-374641359340225

Kateri’s Kitchen Food Pantry

The food pantry is now open with a drive up operation. Clients are asked to not get out of their cars. Donations of non perishable food items are welcome and may be left in the basket in the church foyer (main entrance) or in the Kateri’s Kitchen Classroom.

We are very grateful for your extraordinary generosity in bringing food. We are especially in need of the following: Oatmeal, jelly/jam, bottled or boxed juices, mayonnaise, coffee, ketchup, pasta sauce, canned tuna, canned or instant potatoes, cookies or crackers. If you have any questions, please call Ann Marie Lucas at 508-752-4852.

How can we pray for you Today?

Praying - It is the most powerful thing we can do!

Please pray for Jeanie McKeon, Bernie Shiner and for the souls of all the faithful departed;

For those who are ill:

Pauline Andrade, Kathryn Arsenault,, Mark Beckwith,

Paul Beckwith, Janie Bouges, Michele Burke-Pellegrini,

Louie Costagna, Dean Michael Collins, Shirley Connor,

Christine Cote, Gail Craig, Patricia Darrah, Joan Fouhy,

Bob Fuller, Lori Girouard, Ed Handlin, Mary Hannon,

Kim Johnson, Margaret Kehoe, Maureen Jones,

Edward Laconto, Jean Laconto, Donna and Michel Langevin,

Lorretta LaFleur, Ralph Lanigan, Alice Leduc,

Peter Letourneau, Richard Levansavich, Sr., Michael McGrail,

Max Mullen, Michael O’Connell, Mary Lou Paulli,

Peggy Patenaude, John Power, Theresa Power, Anthony Real,

Edward J. Rutkowski, Raymond Scanlon, Scott Staruk,

David Tatro, Bonnie Turner.

For all the men and women serving in our country’s military;

For all the diocesan seminarians.

Please contact Pamela Ashmankas at 508-798-0612 or email her at

reofficenam@gmail.com if you’d like us to add to or remove a

name from the prayer list.

Stewardship Reflection

Parish Collections

Thank you for your continued support of our parish during these challenging times. Please remember that no collections will be taken in the pews. Please leave your donation or offertory envelope in the collection baskets at the back of the church. You may also mail in your envelope or leave it in the mail slot in the rectory door near the garage. To donate online, visit namartyrsauburn.org. You may set up weekly, monthly or one time donations.

Our collections for August 22-23: $2,809.00 Donations for Weeks Prior to 8/23/20: $1,413.00

“What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26)

St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else.” We often forget this stewardship wisdom when we spend all of our time, talent, and treasure to gain more of the world’s riches. We need to set our priorities based on God’s values and not the values of the material world.

Flocknote

Flocknote is our parish communication tool to help keep parishioners informed and up-to-date on parish

life, announcements, weather cancelations, etc. It is especially useful now to learn about how COVID-19 closings are affecting our parish. You can choose to receive text message and/or email notifications. It’s easy to sign up. To receive Flocknote messages on your smart phone, text namparish to 84576 to sign up. Additional sign-up details are on our website at www.namartyrsauburn.org.

Saturday, August 29, 4:30 p.m. Deceased Members of the Lusignan & Sullivan Families, Requested by Dan & Linda Sullivan

Sunday, August 30, 8:30 a.m. Peggy Phillips, Requested by Barbara & Ed Vaitkunas

Sunday, August 30, 10:30 a.m. Linda Enman, Requested by her family

Tuesday, September 1, 7:00 a.m.. Alcida Lariviere, Requested by her daughter, Pauline

Wednesday, September 2, 7:00 a.m. Ed Hanlon, Requested by his family

Saturday, September 5, 4:30 p.m. Theodore & Evelyn Arsenault, Requested by Louise Downie

Sunday, September 6, 8:30 a.m. The Piscitelli Family, Requested by Felix Piscitelli

Sunday, September 6, 10:30 a.m. Jackie McNamara, Requested by Jane Shea

Dear Parish Family,

It is certainly hard to believe that the summer season is almost gone. Before long fall will be here along with the refreshing, cool, crisp air that accompanies it. Admittedly, I prefer fall. As a matter of fact, it’s my most favorite season. Many of you probably noticed that I was not a big fan of those tremendously hot humid weekends.

Not only do I enjoy the cooler temperatures of fall, I also enjoy the beauty of God’s changing creation. I enjoy the magnificence of the bright beautiful colors that surround us during that time of year. I also enjoy spending as much time outdoors as I possibly can.

Now here is the part when your new pastor shares something about himself that you may not already know. I am an avid outdoorsman. As a matter of fact, I’m a member of the Auburn Sportsman’s Club and have been for many years. Most of my vacation time is spent during the fall months communing with nature and hunting.

I appreciate that some of you may not be fans of hunting and that’s ok. I’ll never ask you to pray for my success, but I’ll always ask you to pray for my safety. Truth be told, when I’m in the woods surrounded by God’s spectacular creation in the company of lifelong friends, I could really care less if I harvest anything. The hunt is never about what you take home, instead it’s all about who you hunt with.

Incidentally, I’ll be leaving on Sunday morning for a week long vacation. I’ll be traveling way up north to Allagash, ME. I’ll be in the company of some of the greatest people I know. Believe it or not, we’re going bear hunting. I’ll have more than ample time to reflect and pray, as I’m afforded the opportunity to spend many hours of solitude in the North Maine Woods.

It’s a long ride up and a long ride back and it’s a lot of hours spent in the woods, in the company of bears... So as I aforementioned, I don’t ask that you pray for my success, but only for my safety and that of my friends. Should you need anything at all while I’m gone, please don’t hesitate to contact the parish office and we will be happy to help in any way we can. We have called on some of the finest priests we know to cover for me in my absence.

May Almighty God bless you, as He has tremendously blessed me through you!

In Perfect Love,

Father Fraini

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time God forbid, Lord! (Matthew 16:22)

W hat a stunning reversal! You don’t confess someone as “the Son of the living God” and then turn around and scold them (Matthew 16:16)! What could have triggered such a strong reaction from Peter? The news that Jesus was going to “suffer greatly . . . and be killed” by Jerusalem’s religious leaders (16:21).

Of course, Peter had the purest of intentions when he rebuked Jesus; he couldn’t bear the thought of his beloved Master and friend suffering such a horrible fate.

But there may also have been a deeper motive in Peter’s actions. Perhaps he was eager to preserve Jesus’ image as an untouchable miracle worker so that he could be safe too. If he could keesp Jesus from the cross, he wouldn’t have to face his own cross.

Peter had been with Jesus long enough to see that being a disciple meant risking people’s scorn and misunderstanding. It meant pouring out his life to God for the sake of the people around him. If Jesus was destined for the cross, then Peter might have to accept a similar fate. Better to shield Jesus from harm so that he could shield himself as well.

But Jesus would have none of it. So he told Peter that anyone who wanted to become like him had to take up his cross and follow in his footsteps (Matthew 16:24).

It’s tempting to keep Jesus at arm’s length so that he can’t get too close and ask too much of us. Jesus made it very clear: there is a cost to discipleship. It’s not always easy to follow the Lord and obey his commandments. But the glory of knowing Jesus’ love and the joy of sharing his mercy with people far outweigh any sacrifice we might have to make. Peter ultimately learned this, and so can we.

So take up your cross today. Try your best to follow in Jesus’ path of self-giving love. Adapted from The Word Among Us

Miraculous Medal Novena

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish will begin its Miraculous Medal Novena on Tuesday, Sept. 1 for 9 consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., through Oct. 27. A great opportunity for graces and the tremendous power of intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mark the dates and plan to come and bring a friend. This year’s speakers are Sept. 1, Msgr. Stephen Pedone; Sept. 8, Msgr. Robert K. Johnson; Sept. 15, Rev. John F. Madden; Sept. 22, Rev. Frederick D. Fraini; Sept. 29, Bishop McManus; Oct. 6, Rev. Jonathan J. Slavinskas; Oct. 13, Deacon Paul Audette; Oct. 20, Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan; Oct. 27, Rev. Juan D. Echavarria.

Durocher Electric Residential Electrical Work

Master Electrician

Marc J. Durocher 508-864-1135, durocherelectric.com durocherelectric995@gmail.com

Ma License # 36172E Insured #22728-A

Facebook: Green Tech, Auburn greentechlandscape.net Mike Sullivan

Steven J. Robichaud, Sr. 508-407-8715

Cell: 508-561-0880 Licensed & Insured

30 Auburn Street Auburn, MA 01501

(508) 832-5981 X14 Fax (508) 832-0464

CAPITOL SIDING CO.

DALE SARKISIAN, Sales Manager

E-Mail - dale@capitolsiding.com

Parish Sponsors We are grateful to these parishioners and businesses whose ads pay for the equipment and materials to produce our bulletin. For more information, please call 508-798-0612.

1464 Grafton Road Millbury, MA 01527 (508) 755-5253 Fax (508) 754-4659

Pamela Murphy

Nicholas S. Lynch NMLS#1408490

Mortgage Loan Originator NLynch@Web5.com

(774) 272-0694

Purchasing & Refinancing Your Home - Member FDIC - Member DIF

A Higher Standard of

Concrete Protection

GOLD SEAL WATERPROOFING Basement & Foundation Waterproofing

Concrete Foundation Repairs Bulkhead Leaks Solved Crack Injection—Urethane/Epoxy Sump Pumps Installed Waterproofing Membranes nterior Drainage Systems

Paul Beauregard 508-832-6275 PBEAU52@charter.net www.goldsealwaterproofing.com

Lawn Treatments, All Natural Tick Control, Irrigation Service, Landscape Lighting

Licensed & Insured BBB A+ Accredited

BELANGER PLASTERING & PAINTING

Fully Insured/Free Estimates Residential/Commercial Interior/Exterior Michael - 508-987-5510

41 South Street, Auburn, (508) 832-6856 Open Tues. & Sat. 9:30-12:30 or by appt. www.auburnhistoricalmuseum.org Email: auburnmuseum@verizon.net

Come see “The Sommerfield Exhibit” - 1950’s photo exhibit.

Dedicated to the Education and Preservation of Town His-

Family Child Care Center 102 Pakachoag Street, Auburn, MA 01501

508-767-1214 www.astepaheadauburn@hotmail.com

Scott McDonald, Plumber Worcester, MA Lic#31613 and Insured

Cell: 508-572-5393 scottplumbing@charter.net

Service & Repairs No Job Too Small

Vinyl Siding, Roofing, Replacement Windows,

Seamless Gutters, Carpentry

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Council 4158, Auburn, MA

Meeting in the Church Hall on the 2nd Thursday of the month. For more

information, please call Robert Anastasi at 203-521-7636. Also, find us on Facebook.

Phillip D. O’Connell, Jr., P.C.

Attorney at Law425 Pakachoag St.Auburn, MA 01501Tel: (508) 832-5872Fax: (508) 832-7167

O’Connell & O’Connell, P.C. Attorneys At Law

425 Pakachoag Street Tel: (508) 832-5872 Auburn, MA 01501 Fax: (508) 832-7167 STEPHEN LONDREGAN

10 Prospect Street Auburn, MA 01501 (508) 832-2553

Open Daily at 4:00 Sunday at 2:00

Private Bereavement Luncheons

Elementary and Middle School Math Remote Tutoring

Call Mary Hanlon-Stepanski, MEd 508-868-0142

Roofing ▪ Siding ▪Windows ▪ Decks Painting ▪ Kitchens ▪ Bathrooms ▪ Additions

Scott McDonald Plumbing & Heating

Golden Rule Home Care Want to stay in your own home?

We help with daily activities like Personal Care, Meal Preparation, Errands and ansportation, Light Housekeeping, Caregiver Respite

John-Paul R. Plouffe, (508) 769-6621 website: www.goldenrule.care