Advent giving

ADVENT CANDLES AT SACRED HEART

For over 30 years Sacred Heart has had a tradition of giving to charities that provide service to those in need.  This year’s recipients are St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Roxbury, our sister parish; Catholic Charities North, and Saint Mary’s Center for Women and Children in Boston.

Donations to St. Katherine Drexel will be administered by their Social Justice Committee for food, gifts, and essentials for those most in need.  Catholic Charities North was recommended by Alicia Ridenour, Director of Volunteer Programs for Catholic Charities, who noted that few parishes in Metro West donate to Catholic Charities Programs based in Lynn. St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children supports over 500 of Boston’s most vulnerable women, children, and families annually, working to address root causes of family homelessness.

Candles will be decorating the pillars of Sacred Heart beginning the first Sunday of Advent.  Donations to these recipients can be made by check made out to Sacred Heart Parish with the charity noted in the memo line.  You may  also designate ‘Advent Candles’ in the memo line and monies will be divided evenly among the three recipients.

  • ST. KATHARINE DREXEL

    “Our vision is to be a welcoming Village that is the pulse of the Black Roman Catholic Community dedicated to social justice, living the word of God through sacraments and service, increasing our numbers by the lives we touch.”

    The Social Justice Committee will distribute Sacred Heart donations to those in the parish most in need. The Committee is co-chaired by Sr. Tess Browne, SCN, and Ms. Lorraine Valentine.

    In addition to direct support, each Thanksgiving and Easter, turkeys and hams go to two Food Pantry locations managed by the Outreach Committee.

  • Catholic Charities North

    Catholic Charities Boston provides comprehensive emergency assistance and long-term economic empowerment for families and individuals.

    Programs include family and youth services, basic needs, refugee and immigrant services, and adult education and workforce development.  

    Requested for 2025 are $25 gift cards to Market Basket and Target.  Gift cards can provide quick access to food, or funds for gifts or personal needs for clients.  While gift cards may seem impersonal, they enable individuals to make their own choices.

  • ST. MARY'S CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILREN

    Located in Dorchester, East Boston, and soon Roxbury, St. Mary’s Center works collaboratively with over 500 mothers, fathers, and children annually through multiple adult family shelter programs, a young parenting living program, a transitional housing program, permanent supportive housing, and workforce development and behavioral health support programs. 

    By providing holistic wraparound supports, we partner with families on their journeys toward success, stability, and self-sufficiency. “