Historic Visit to Be Recalled at Sudbury Church
When Cardinal Richard Cushing, Archbishop of the Boston
Archdiocese visited Sudbury Methodist Church on January 19, 1964, his gesture
was welcomed as a sign that changes endorsed during the Second Vatican Council
could lead to closer relations between Roman Catholic and Protestant
Christians. Fifty years later, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley will visit the
same Sudbury church to preach and lead worship with the episcopal leader of United
Methodists in New England, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar.
At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, a large congregation is
expected when both bishops invite Christians in their communions and others to
focus on Baptism as a source of unity, according to the Rev. Joel B.
Guillemette, pastor of Sudbury’s United Methodists. “When Cardinal
Cushing spoke in our sanctuary fifty years ago, Washington was more unified and
Christians were virtually estranged from each other. A half century
later, Christians share much more in common but Washington is polarized.
Perhaps it’s time for people who share a common faith with some differences to
set an example for political leaders who share a common citizenship with some
political differences,” Guillemette said.
“This will be a wonderful celebration of our unity as Christians
and a great opportunity to reflect on how we need to grow,” said the Rev.
Richard Erikson, pastor of Sudbury’s Our Lady of Fatima Parish. “The
prayer service will be taking place on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,
which offers a superb context for us to contemplate on what we share as
brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ,” Father Erikson said.
Ecumenical worship on January 12 will include musical offerings
from both churches. Music directors Cynthia Carpenter and Kevin Murphy
are preparing choral and instrumental selections that will involve singers and
players from both congregations. An extended instrumental prelude before
the service will welcome participants who arrive early to claim good
seats. To add to the celebration, Sudbury’s United Methodists will host a
reception in the church’s fellowship hall following worship during which guests
will have the opportunity to meet and greet each other while sharing light
refreshments.
Sudbury United Methodist Church is located at 251 Old Sudbury Road
in Sudbury, MA. The pastors and congregants of Our Lady of Fatima Parish
and Sudbury United Methodist Church invite all of their friends and neighbors
to attend.
UM clergy who attend are invited to bring their vestments and be
seated with their colleagues in a reserved area at the front of the sanctuary.
