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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, November 30 – Friday, December 6, 2019

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

100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110

www.stanthonyshrine.org

December 1, 2019
The First Sunday of Advent

Greetings of peace.

We describe ourselves at St. Anthony Shrine as “a prophetic Franciscan Catholic community welcoming all
people through prayer and outreach.” We make every effort to serve our homeless brothers and sisters on the
streets of Boston with the compassion and dignity that every human deserves. We recognize the many issues
that can contribute to someone being homeless and see the damaging impact of the opioid crisis in our
downtown community. As the temperature outside drops, we are compelled to share our thoughts on best
practices to help our homeless population.

There are four primary ways in which the Shrine works with the homeless population in downtown:

a. Medical Clinic. On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, we run a medical clinic for homeless women. This
effort is in partnership with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. This program at the Shrine has
been remarkably successful and is widely acclaimed.

b. Food Center. We run a Food Center as a homeless-prevention program. The clients in the program do have
a place to live, but either were homeless recently, or are in danger of becoming homeless. The Food Center
runs on Thursday and Saturday mornings and serves 450 families. Included in this effort is a Kids Program
which helps families with the financial burden of such things as school supplies and Christmas gifts.

c. Street Outreach. We do what we call “street outreach.” We walk around downtown Boston, sometimes
with doctors, nurses, or mental health clinicians. Through conversations, we familiarize ourselves with the
homeless demographics, the individual people and their particular issues. Part of this effort is providing new
footwear to the homeless in need, encouraging women to attend the clinic, and connecting and sometimes
transporting the homeless to the multitude of services available to them. We also distribute socks, hats and
gloves in order to prevent cold-weather injuries.

d. Networking. We are very well networked with all of the entities who interact constructively with and
provide services to the homeless population downtown: Social service workers, St. Francis House, the Boston
Police Department, Pine Street Inn, the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, and the City of
Boston. (Thank you, Mayor Walsh, for your enthusiastic support of our mission and the care of Boston’s
homeless population.) The Shrine participates in a weekly roundtable meeting where homeless service
providers, medical and mental health clinicians, law enforcement and recovery professionals gather to discuss
current services that are available for the homeless. It is also an opportunity to learn and teach best practices
with regard to care for the homeless, and to discuss the issues and needs of particular people out on the
street. We have formed many partnerships and there are currently seven different homeless street outreach
teams that cover downtown Boston. One wouldn’t necessarily recognize them as homeless outreach workers.
Such “hidden identities” are intentional: we want to maintain the dignity and privacy of those being helped.

The problem at hand. Decades ago, the homeless population consisted of people with solitary problems: for
example, they were out of work, alcoholic, or recently deinstitutionalized from mental health systems.
Currently the issues with a single homeless person are multi-dimensional and quite hard to solve: opioid
addiction, life-threatening health issues, mental health issues, PTSD, and/or a lack of employable skills. It’s
also not unusual for the homeless to be under some other kind of threat from domestic abuse, a gang, a drug-
dealer, or from human-trafficking interests. A sophisticated approach is needed.

The solution. The good news is that Downtown Boston, with its incredibly well-networked and highly-
skilled social services community, has much of what the homeless population needs. We do indeed hear
incredible success stories. The staff at St. Francis House have many such stories of people who have gone from
addicted, in-the-street, no-skills to with-apartment, with-skills, with-job, sober. Many of the people receiving
food in our Food Center were formerly homeless. Indisputably, the single most important factor in success is the
cooperation of the homeless person with the social services network downtown. It’s absolutely crucial to get the
homeless population to walk into places like St. Francis House, Pine Street Inn, and St. Anthony Shrine to
participate in the programming and services, or at least engage with professional outreach workers.

What can you do to help?

1. Educate yourself about the many services and programs available to the homeless, and share that
information. Educate yourself about actions which are not helpful to the homeless. Educate your friends, co-
workers, and family about best practices regarding care for the homeless.

2. Volunteer at St. Francis House or Pine Street Inn. They are often in need of volunteers, especially during
times when their regular volunteers are on vacation.

3. Have friendly conversations with homeless people. To the extent that you are able to do so respectfully, get to
know them and call them by their names. Encourage them to cooperate with social service workers downtown
and to stay overnight in shelters. Be friendly, be nice.

4. It’s not particularly helpful to give the homeless the things that enable them to avoid the available social
service agencies downtown. By giving food, blankets, sleeping bags, cash, etc., it becomes easier for a homeless
person to stay out on the street. Our preference is that people get off of the street, and into shelters which have
available beds (Pine St. Inn, etc.). It is much preferable that people have use of a restroom, eat a meal and sleep
overnight in a shelter run by professional social service workers rather than plan to sleep outside and eat a
sandwich that you or I have provided. Needless to say, it is safer and healthier to be indoors at night! Also,
learning about the depth and the breath of the services available to a homeless person is much more likely to
happen in a shelter than on the street. Those with severe mental health issues who are incapable of being in a
group setting are followed closely by a Department of Mental Health outreach team. They are offered special
options to keep them safe.

5. Because of the opioid epidemic, homeless service providers have a concern that giving cash to people on the
street may sometimes enable an addiction. A five-dollar gift card to a place that offers warmth and a restroom
may be a better option, if you feel so compelled.

6. While it might not be helpful to contribute to groups that merely pass out shelter-in-place items such as
sandwiches and blankets, you can donate to networked organizations with professionals who design holistic
plans to help the homeless. Some organizations provide for short-term needs (of food and shelter), and work
with the homeless in their long-term housing and recovery plans. They need your help. If you would like to
donate to the Shrine’s programs for the homeless, you may restrict your gift strictly for that purpose. We are
happy to honor that request.

7. On pages 11 and 12 of this bulletin, you will find a free-meals guide for the homeless. These meals are
available seven days a week. Use this handy guide to help someone who might be hungry.

8. Pray for the homeless and that we, as a church and as a culture, might treat them with increasing dignity and
care.

This missive would not be complete without a huge thank-you to Mary Ann Ponti, the Director of Outreach
Services at St. Anthony Shrine. Mary Ann is also known affectionately as “Our Lady of Downtown Crossing.” She
has encyclopedic knowledge about the homeless population downtown, best practices, and the current services

and programs available. She is also the heart and soul of the homeless services and programming here at the
Shrine. It is easy to get friars, staff and volunteers to rally around her leadership in this area. We are grateful for
Mary Ann’s work and all of you who support her. Finally, I am grateful for the education that she has given me
about the homeless population.

If you have questions or comments, you may write to me at tconway@stanthonyshrine.org. May you have a
prayerful, peaceful, and hopeful season of Advent.

Fr. Thomas Conway, OFM

Executive Director

2nd Collections
December 2019

December 7 & 8:
Food Center

December 25:
Medical Clinic for
Homeless Women

December 28/29:
The Arch Street Band

Thank you
for your generosity!

Special schedules at the Shrine in December
Saturday, December 7
Fr. Michael Reyes, OFM, will be at the Shrine on Saturday, December 7, 2019. He will celebrate the 4pm Mass in the
Second Floor Church: the Vigil for the Second Sunday in Advent, as one would expect. We extend a special invitation
to the Filipino community to attend this Mass with our regular 4pm-Saturday worship community.

Monday, December 9
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Not a Holy Day of Obligation. Moved from December 8 because that day is
the Second Sunday of Advent. Regular weekday schedule: Mass schedule is 6am, 7am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 5:15pm.
Confession schedule is 10:30am to 1:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm.

Tuesday, December 24
Shrine open 5:30am to 1am (December 25)
Fourth Tuesday of Advent Masses at 6am and 7am only.
Confessions from 10:30am to 1:30pm, and again from 2:45pm to 3:45pm.
Christmas Eve Masses at 4pm, 4:15pm, 5:30pm, 7pm, 10pm, Midnight.
The 4:15pm Mass is on the first floor with friar-musicians. The Arch Street Band will be at the second-floor Masses.

Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day

Shrine open 9:45am to 11:45am.
One Mass at 10:30am, with The Arch Street Band. No confessions on this day.
 Year- End Gifts

As the end of the calendar year approaches, we invite you to consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Shrine.
There are a number of ways to make this gift.

1. Cash/check - may be given in person or via the U.S mail. Please note that the gift must be postmarked by
December 31, to be counted for a 2019 tax deduction.

2. Credit card –You can make an on-line gift with a credit card. Or, you may call the Development Office
(857-206-7243) and give your credit card information over the telephone. Our electronic giving kiosks
in the lobby, and at the information booth are two other options to make a gift with your credit card.

3. IRA Charitable Rollover – If you, or someone you know is 70 ½ or older and has a traditional Individual
Retirement Account (IRA), you can use your required minimum distribution to support the Shrine
through a Charitable Rollover gift. Your total annual IRA Charitable Rollover gift(s) cannot exceed
$100,000 in the calendar year of the gift. Please contact the administrator of your plan and ask that
your distribution be a charitable rollover to the Shrine. This gift must come directly from your plan
administrator to the Shrine. Please include your name and address in the transfer.

4. Gifts of Long-Term Appreciated Securities – This type of gift may offer more tax advantages for you than
a gift of cash. Please consult with your tax advisor.

5. Matching Gifts – A corporate matching gift is a tremendous way to increase your personal gift to the
Shrine. We encourage you to take advantage of your employer’s matching gift program.

Thank you for all you do to help us live-out the Gospel in Boston. Please continue to pray for all those whom we
serve with love and compassion. If you have questions about making a gift, please contact Maryanne Rooney-
Hegan at (617) 778-1645. Our tax ID # is 04-2119394.

 St. Anthony Shrine

Comparative Statement of Revenues and Expenses
July 1 through October 31, 2019
July 1 to July 1 to Percent

Oct 31 Oct 31 Dollar Incr (Decr)
2019 2018 Incr (Decr) From Prior

Ordinary Income/Expense Year

Income
Collections 329,000 337,000 (8,000) (2)
Second Collections 49,000 61,000 (12,000) (20)
Fundraising Income 1,196,000 1,268,000 (72,000) (6)
Program Income 36,000 26,000 10,000 38
Wills & Bequests 62,000 0 62,000

Other Income 14,000 7,000 7,000 100
Interest Earned 15,000 16,000 (1,000) (6)
Total Income 1,701,000 1,715,000 (14,000) (1)
Expense

HNP-Support & Other Expenses 48,000 51,000 (3,000) (6)
Collections Disbursed 8,000 0 8,000

Friary Expense 52,000 178,000 (126,000) (71)
Development Expenses 196,000 321,000 (125,000) (39)
Facilities Expenses 163,000 176,000 (13,000) (7)
General & Administrative 118,000 162,000 (44,000) (27)
Professional Expenses 88,000 165,000 (77,000) (47)
Program Expenses 150,000 130,000 20,000 15
Salaries & Related Expenses 745,000 613,000 132,000 22
Depreciation & Amortization Exp 107,000 106,000 1,000 1
Total Expense 1,675,000 1,902,000 (227,000) (12)

Net Ordinary Income 26,000 (187,000) 213,000

Other Income/Expense

Other Income

7800 · Temporary Restricted Income 390,000 48,000 342,000 713
4853 · Asset Management Fees (4,000) (3,000) (1,000) 33
4854 · Realized Gain (Loss) - Shrine 36,000 9,000 27,000 300
6800 · Unrealized Gain (loss) 38,000 (74,000) 112,000 (151)
Total Other Income 460,000 (21,000) 481,000 (2,290)
Net Income 486,000 (208,000) 694,000

Notes:

Some of the revenue from the October 30 gala has not yet been recorded in the accounting records.
Please direct questions or observations to Fr. Thomas Conway, OFM, at tconway@stanthonyshrine.org

A few highlights of Thanksgiving activities at the Shrine…
Seniors Program Luncheon Franciscan Food Center, Thanksgiving grocery distribution

 Hand-made Goods for Sale

Brother Sebastian is selling his hand-made leather products

and Brother Paul Bourque is selling religious statues, San
Damiano crosses as well as sweaters, hats and cowls...all
made by using what they used to call "two sticks and some
string".now called.....needles and yarns. Brother Sebatian and
I would like to thank you for your many kindnesses over the
past year. Merry Christmas to all of you and your loved ones.
- Brother Sebastian and Brother Paul Bourque

The Fr. Mychal Judge Recovery
Center at St. Anthony Shrine
provides individual counseling and
family support services. To
schedule an appointment or for
more info contact
Anthony Andreottola at:
617-542-6440 x 183
aandreottola@stanthonyshrine.org

Fr . Mychal Judge
Recovery Center

Come to the Stable

Come to The on
A Meditation Stable: A Meditation
the Christmas Creche
on the byChristmas Creche
Br. Tony LoGalbo, OFM
with Br. Tony LoGalbo, OFM.
Date: Saturday, December 1th

Saturday, December 14
Time: 11:00 a.m.
11:00 am in 1st
Location: theFloor
firstChapel
floor chapel

Phone: 617­542­6440 
St. Anthony Shrine www.stanthonyshrine.org
100 Arch Street, Boston, MA 02110
 2019 St. Anthony Shrine
Christmas Raffle

Drawing on
Sunday, December 22 at 6:30 pm
th ri e
1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize
2 ro n tri
$10,000 $ ,000 $2,000 et e Air y
ti et

Raffle books are available at the kiosk in the lobby.

Young Adults Group - December
Thursday, 12/5 - Dinner and Faith Sharing
Saturday, 12/7 - Advent Day of Retreat
For more information or to sign up for these events please contact: Matt Pastore at: mpastore@stanthonyshrine.org
We’re Hiring! The Shrine currently has the following positions available. If you are interested or know
someone who would be a good candidate, please inquire via email to: HR@stanthonyshrine.org
- Part-time Early Morning Sacristan*: 5:45am to 7:30am shift.
- Part-time English-Chinese interpreter for the Franciscan Food Center: Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Part-time Digital Marketing Assistant*
- Part-time Information Booth (front desk) attendant*
*Full job description available on Shrine website.

LGBTQ Spirituality Ministry

Since we are hosting an Advent Day of Prayer for
this ministry on December 14th, we will NOT be
having a December meeting on December 18, 2019.
We look forward to seeing you on December 14th.
Please don't forget to RSVP to Fr. Joe if you plan to
attend the Advent Day of Prayer since we will be
providing lunch and will require an accurate count
of those attending.

Emmaus Ministry:
Serving the Spiritual Needs of
Grieving Parents


Monthly One-Hour Retreat
1st Sunday of every month after 10:30am Mass.
For more information, call Diane at 617-542-8057 or visit
www.emfgp.org

Fall 2020 Pilgrimages Fr. Philip O’Shea, OFM, 88 years of
Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome: October 12-22, 2020
age, a professed Franciscan friar for 46
Join Bro. Paul O'Keeffe and Fr. John Aherne on the St. Anthony years and a priest for 44 years, died on
Shrine annual pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome. See the town where Saints Saturday evening, November 16, 2019.
Francis and Clare lived their lives and began a movement that is still going
strong 800 years later. Pilgrims will visit sites in and around Assisi,
Florence, and Rome; including the Vatican and other sites important to our A Memorial Mass for Fr. Philip will be
Catholic faith. held on Tuesday, December 3rd at the
$3400 double occupancy, $3600 single occupancy. Price includes airfare, 5:15pm Mass. All are welcome.
ground transportation, hotels, all tours, and all meals. Please join us if you
enjoy eating good food, visiting beautiful sites, and want to learn more
about the Franciscan traditions that make St. Anthony Shrine a special
place.

Holy Land Pilgrimage: November 5-14, 2020

You're invited to join St. Anthony Shrine with Bro. Paul O'Keeffe and
Fr. Christopher Van Haight, OFM on the Franciscan pilgrimage to the Holy
Land. Pilgrims will visit the following locations: Mount Tabor, Nazareth,
Cana, Magdala, Capernaum, Tabgha, St. Peter of Primacy, the Mount of
Beatitudes,the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, Jericho, Bethlehem, the
Church of the Nativity, Shepherd’s Field, Bethany, Hebron, Mount of
Olives, Dominus Flevit, the Church of All Nations, the Old City of
Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Way of the Cross, and
more!
$3,600 double occupancy, $4,150 single occupancy. This price includes
daily mass, all tours, accommodations, round trip airfare and most meals.
For more details on this pilgrimage please visit: www.FMUnion.org/Holy-
Land

For more information or to sign up please contact Bro. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM
Email: pokeeffe@thefranciscans.org or 617-542-5147 (counseling office).


MASS SCHEDULE Seniors at Arch Street
November Calendar
Saturday Mass: 12PM

Wednesday, Dec 4th:

Saturday Vigil: 4PM , 5:30PM 11am Holiday Trip to La Salette Shrine in
Sunday Mass: 6AM, 7:30AM, 9AM , 10:30AM , Attleboro, MA *See flier in lobby for more info.
Registration required. $50 per person.
12PM (Spanish Mass 1st Fl. Church)

12PM , 4PM , 5:30PM , 7PM Wednesday, Dec 11th:

10:30am Refreshments
Weekday Mass: 6AM, 7AM, 11:45AM, 12:30PM, 5:15PM 11am BINGO
3rd Wednesday of every month: Anointing Mass 10AM 12pm Lunch

Wednesday, Dec 18th:

10am Mass with Anointing of the Sick
CONFESSION SCHEDULE 10:30am Refreshments
11am Exercise with Patti D’Angelo,
1st Floor Church Certified Senior Fitness Trainer
12pm Holiday Lunch
Saturday: 10AM - 4PM

Sunday: 1:30PM - 3PM No Seniors on Wednesday, Dec 25 – Merry

Christmas! Next meeting will be on Jan 15th!
Weekday: 10:30AM - 1:30PM, 4PM - 5:30PM Questions: Please contact Julie Woodall,
*Please note: Additional Wednesday Confession: 6:30AM - 8AM Senior Program Director at 617-438-0264.

REGULAR EVENTS
Monday Thursday
OA Meeting (Open), 2nd Floor Classroom 12:15pm St. Augustine Group (S.L.A.A.) (Closed) 12:00pm
A.A. 12 Step/12 Traditions Meeting (Closed) 5:45 pm Rosary Prayer Group, 1st Floor Chapel 12:30pm
Men’s Spirituality Group (2nd and 4th Thurs) 5:00pm
Tuesday Lectura y reflexión del evangelio 5:30pm
A.A. Discussion Meeting (Open), Auditorium Foyer 12:00pm A.A Big Book Meeting (Closed) 5:45pm

Charismatic Prayer, Mezzanine Group Room 12:00pm
Friday
Wednesday S.A.12 Step Meeting (Open), Auditorium Foyer 7:00am
Remembrance Day for Deceased (3rd Wed.) All Masses O.A. Meeting (Open), 2nd Floor Classroom 12:15pm
Anointing of the Sick - Mass (3rd Wed.) 10:00am
Seniors Program, Auditorium 10:30am Saturday
Women’s Spiritual Refl. Group (2nd & 4th Wed) 12:30pm Centering Prayer Group (1st & 4th Sat.) 12:00pm
LGBTQ Spirituality (3rd Wed) 5:30 pm
A.A. Discussion Meeting (Open), Auditorium Foyer 5:45pm Sunday
Emmaus Ministry Prayer/Discussion (1st Sun.) 11:30am
Healing Service (2nd Sun.) 1:00pm
Latino Ministry Social, Auditorium 1:00pm
Rosary, Vespers, Benediction 2:55pm
Hispanic Secular Franciscans (1st Sun.) 3:00pm

ONLINE GIVING: Giving a gift online is easy; giving a recurring gift is even easier! Setting up a
recurring gift is the best way to make your regular donation without having to think about it. You
can select a monthly, quarterly or annual donation and the gift will be automatically and securely
processed the first of the month. Please visit our giving page to create your recurring gift today:
www.stanthonyshrine.org/giving

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