Category Archives: Catholic / Church

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The Church still stands: Remembering the promise of Easter Sunday after the Notre Dame Cathedral fire

By Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 4/2019

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” — John 2:19

Years ago, when I worked for Honeywell-Bull, I traveled to our parent company in France to do some software work and meet the team there. During the brief non-work hours and one weekend, I visited Louveciennes, Versailles, Angers, and Paris. It was awe-inspiring for a kid from Dorchester to walk the streets of these historic cities.

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Father Steve Madden leaving Saint Mary’s Foxboro in 2015

By Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 1/2015

And also sent, along with a personal letter, to His Eminence Seán Patrick O’Malley OFM

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words” – Father Steve Madden, quoting Saint Francis of Assisi.

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” — Meister Eckhart

Today I need to use words to convey my feelings because I know of no action that can get my message across in a better way — my heart is broken, and I am not alone.

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We All Want To Be Remembered

by Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 11/2014

The month of November means many things: the beginning of the Christmas season (at precisely one second past Halloween), elections every two years, Thanksgiving, and Veterans Day, just to name a few.

But you may not know that in many faiths, November is considered a month of remembrance. Usually starting on November 2nd (the Feast of All Souls), many churches, including Saint Anthony’s in Boston and Saint Mary’s in Foxboro, have a “Book of Remembrance” in the church where people are invited to write the names of their beloved deceased, and these names will be remembered and prayed for all month.

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UPDATED: An open letter to the Saint Kevin property managers — let us say a proper good-bye before the church is demolished

By Robert Gillis
Published in the Boston City Paper, 3/2014

(Written at the request of a great group of people on the FaceBook group “ST KEVIN PARISH & SCHOOL / UPHAMS CORNER – DORCHESTER MA” — Current Former residents of Uphams Corner and St Kevin’s Parish, welcoming all residents from the 40’s – 80’s)

This is an open letter and formal request to the people in charge of the former Saint Kevin property – we are asking for a chance to walk inside these buildings one last time and say a proper good-bye.

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Celebrating the remarkable clergy of Saint Mary’s Foxboro

by Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 5/2013

Each year around this time, I’ve made it a tradition to write a piece about spirituality, about faith, religion, or clergy who have made a difference in my life. While this column is not “church chat” and is intended toward folks of all faiths (or none), I’d like to talk today about three members of the clergy who make a difference, and encourage you, if you are so inclined, to thank your clergy or spiritual leaders as well.

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The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro — it’s more than just Christmas Lights

Note: Originally published 11/28/2012, and one of the most important pieces I have ever written, please note the following:

  • The 2012 concerts noted here have obviously taken place; CLICK HERE FOR THE LA SALETTE WEB SITE for current events
  • I’m happy to report that Father Pat has recovered and looks great and continues his concert series and work at the shrine.
  • The annual lighting continues each year between Thanksgiving and the Sunday before Little Christmas in January!
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Grieving the Saint Kevin’s Property

By Robert Gillis
Published in the Boston City Paper 7/2012 and the Foxboro Reporter 8/2012

ived my first 25 years in Dorchester, and while I have moved away, I am still OFD down to my DNA and wanted to share some thoughts about the Saint Kevin property.

As an overview: The church and school were created in the 1940s or so and were kept alive and flourishing by its most famous pastor, the late Father J.

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The prodigal son returns to church (again)

14 Church - Saint Marys Church FoxboroBy Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City paper 10/2011

A few years ago I attended a family wedding. During mass, several of my other cousins and extended family were looking at each other during mass, unsure of when to sit, stand, and so on. I overheard my favorite cousin Michelle whisper, “Just do what Bobby does, he knows.”

I was flattered by that comment and the perception that I was such an expert on the customs of mass, but I also felt some guilt.

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Thoughts on visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday

By Robert Gillis


Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City paper, 5/2011.

While Easter has passed and elections have been in full swing here in Foxboro, we are still in the Easter season, so perhaps my message is still timely.

There is an old tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday). The practice probably dates back to in ancient Rome, when early Christian pilgrims visited the seven major churches as an act of penance.

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Eileen Gustin and the Advent Wreath

by Robert Gillis
Published in The Foxboro Reporter 12/2008 and 12/2005, and the Boston City Paper 12/2008

When I was a teenager, our friend Eileen Gustin worked at the information desk at nearby Saint Margaret’s Hospital on Cushing Avenue. Everyone liked her — she was like a wonderful aunt to all the neighborhood kids. She always had something good to say about everyone, and she was a person of very deep faith, with a strong love of God.

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Visiting Seven Churches on Good Friday — and trying to reconnect with Faith

By Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City paper 3/2008

Years ago, Mom explained that you receive what is known as a plenary indulgence if you visited seven churches on Good Friday. I did find a reference to receiving an indulgence for “Devoutly take part in the adoration of the cross during the solemn liturgy of Good Friday.” And I see that many countries still practice a tradition of visiting seven churches on either Holy Thursday or Good Friday.

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In loving memory of Father John Joseph Kierce

In loving memory of Father John Joseph Kierce,
pastor of Saint Kevin Church, Uphams Corner, Dorchester for 50 years

by Robert Gillis
published in the Foxboro Reporter, 3/2006 and the Boston City Paper 6/2006

Without exception, every priest I have ever met — every single priest I have ever met in my entire life — has been an inspiration, a role model, and a good person doing a difficult, sometimes Herculean job.

I have laughed with many of them, and I cried with more than a few.

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Celebrating the priesthood

StAnthonyby Robert Gillis
Published in The Foxboro Reporter 6/2005 and the Boston City Paper 2006

The evil actions of a very small percentage of priests have cast a shadow of suspicion, fear, and hostility toward the entire vocation, and that’s a tragedy, and an insult to the huge number of good men who have devoted their entire lives in the service of God.

As a Roman Catholic, I have a great respect and love for the priesthood.

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Remembering Pope John Paul II

by Robert Gillis
Published in The Foxboro Reporter 4/2005 and the Boston City Paper 4/2007

The legacy of Pope John Paul II will be chronicled, celebrated, debated, cherished, pondered, analyzed, and remembered for many years to come. He has been pope for all but 13 years of my life, and I miss him. Although I am relieved his suffering his ended, I grieve at his passing.

It’s been very hard to watch the Holy Father fail over the last few years.

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You can go home again; my visit to Dorchester and Saint Kevin School and Church


by Robert Gillis
Published in The Foxboro Reporter 6/2003 and the Boston City paper in 2006

It’s Friday afternoon, the last day of my vacation, and I’m feeling nostalgic. I don’t know why, but I can’t get my mind away from my old stomping grounds in Dorchester. My old neighborhood has been on my mind so much that it’s practically a compulsion that I take the only sunny day in recent memory, point the car north on route 95 and head back here I grew up, trusty digital camera at my side.

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