Xaverian Mission Center and Fatima Shrine in Holliston, MA

Fatima Shrine Mission Center - Holliston, MA

Virtual Tour of Fatima Shrine Directions to Holliston, MA

The members of the Mission Alliance in Boston Mission Alliance of Boston

There is an Ecumenical saying that goes like this, “You should never do separately what you can do together.” Imagine what a powerhouse of energy and ideas could emerge if we could bring all of the religious and diocesan missionary communities in the Archdiocese under one roof to share their ideas and experiences!

That ambitious idea got a fast start in early November when representatives from communities had their first conference meeting hosted by the St. James Society. Joining us at that first meeting was Bishop Robert Hennessey, a former missionary of the Society and an active member of our ‘Alumni’.

After introductions, the participants broke into two work task forces. One group focused on public awareness with particular emphasis on playing an active role in the 200th Anniversary Year of the Archdiocese of Boston. The second group concentrated on vocations.

Over the history of the Archdiocese, it is safe to say that many thousands of men and women have served as missionaries. It staggers the mind to think of the impact made by missionaries from the Archdiocese of Boston on the world.

What follows is a roster of communities who were present at our very first organizational meeting: The African Mission Fathers, The Columban Sisters, Divine Word Missionaries, Franciscan Missionary Sisters For Africa, Maryknoll, Medical Missionaries of Mary, Medical Mission Sisters, Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and the St. Francis Xavier Missionaries. Also present was Fr. Thomas Kopp, the newly assigned Director of the Propagation of the Faith.

When the group convenes again in early January, it will produce a calendar of events focussing on mission activity for the Boston Archdiocese’s Anniversary Celebration.

Beyond all of that, we look forward to hearing the various ways and means that each community utilizes in its own work of evangelization. Indeed, we have much to learn from one another.

It would be appropriate here to thank Br. Brendan Corkery of Maryknoll as well as Fr. Carl Chudy, and Fr. Joseph Matteucig of the Xaverian Missionary Fathers for all the planning that went into the formation of the Missionary Alliance.

We remain delighted that the religious communities and we, the diocesan counterpart, have demonstrated a willingness to work together, now and in the future, for the sake of people around the world.

From the Newsletter St. James Society, Boston

Thanksgiving: A Family Gathering

Xaverian Communities of Wayne, Holliston, Worcester he East Coast communities gathered together in Holliston for the Thanksgiving Celebration, and here in the photo you’ll see all the members of the Holliston, Wayne and Xaverian Sister community of Worcester. It was truly a family gathering. After a thanksgiving Eucharist, they all got together at a local restaurant, and continued on towards Worcester for pies, cakes, coffee, tea, etc.
Here are the names: kneeling down: Ivan, Rosetta Serra and Bete (Elisabeth from Brazil); standing: Tony, Carl, Rebecca, Maria Luisa, Jerry, Frank, Elisabetta, Bob, Joe, Herondi and Francis.

Journey Together in Christ

he community in Holliston recites daily the following prayer at the end of the evening prayers, as a way of sustaining spiritually the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston.

All loving and gracious God,
we thank you for the Gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.
For two hundred years we have journeyed together
as members of his Church in the Archdiocese of Boston.
We have tried to live the Gospel message
in service to one another.
Continue to walk with us
as we seek to be receptive to your grace
in Word and Sacrament.
Send us your Spirit to enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills, and open our hearts.
By our witness may others know you.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
may the Church in Boston journey together in Christ
with courage, joy, and peace. Amen.

Elizabeth W. Taylor, Jerome Murphy and Stephen Hauk, all from M. Steinert & Sons, Inc., and shrine volunteer Miranda Mucciante with Fr. Francis Signorelli, organist Anthony Orifice - Metrowest Daily News A "Miracle" Organ at Fatima Shrine

iranda Mucciante, a volunteer at Fatima Shrine, showed her creativity and willingness to help the Xaverians in Holliston by providing the Shrine with the gift a new organ, which she considers "a miracle from Our Lady of Fatima." Just during the Summer, she and Fatima organist Anthony Orifice were lamenting the condition of the church's old organ after a Mass during which one of the stops "exploded." Jerome F. Murphy, of M. Steinert & Sons in Natick, on his way of phasing out organs from his Steinert stores in Natick, Boston, and Worcester, told Mucciante he had several organs at the Natick shop. The donation of the $11,500 organ was an opportunity to give, remarked Murphy, and the Shrine was "a perfect match." Murphy continued: "People who hear this organ will be moved by the music coming from it. Good music is a large counterpart of Catholic liturgy, working together with the priest." In the Photo, from left, Elizabeth W. Taylor, Jerome Murphy and Stephen Hauk, all from M. Steinert & Sons, Inc., and shrine volunteer Miranda Mucciante with Fr. Francis Signorelli listen as organist Anthony Orifice tries out the new organ.