Pastor Mark Comes Home 

     Father Mark Ballard returned "home" to Melrose when he became the Pastor at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church.  In his tenth year as a Roman Catholic Priest, Fr. Mark is the tenth pastor at St. Mary's - a Parish he never imagined would call him.    

   

 "It isn't usual to be called to serve at your "home" Parish,"  Fr. Mark explained, "and I was stunned and very happy to get that phone call!" 

 

     Fr. Mark was born in Stoneham and grew up in Melrose.  He was baptized at St. Mary's and attended Mass there.  His mom, however, was a Congregationalist at a church around the corner.  "That led to some interesting discussions at home!" he exclaimed.

     At about age ten, Mark went to church with his mom too, so on Sundays he attended services twice.  At some point, he left the Catholic Church but in his 20s he returned through the Episcopal faith back to the Catholic Church.  "I believe it was God's way of teaching me that I could learn a lot through different, positive experiences."

     "Being back at St. Mary's is wonderful!  I have become reacquainted with a childhood friend's mom, Mrs. Mary Adario - who taught me how to cook when I was a kid - Sicilian pizza with the thick crust!" Fr. Mark said.  "I look out from the pulpit and see some wonderful familiar faces, like the Rileys, who were neighbors in my childhood - a beautiful, kindly couple."    

     "The Parish is predominately Irish but includes Italian and lots of other nationalities.  It has changed since my boyhood, but it remains a family parish with great involvement."  

     When asked, "What brought you to the priesthood," Fr. Mark explained:  "I was 27 years old and working for Citizens Energy in Boston.  The idea of becoming a priest started coming into my head, but I really wasn't that interested.  This idea kept returning and I was literally stunned in my heart and mind.  I turned around one day in chapel to see if God was talking to me!  One Sunday in Mass before Communion, I was praying and I said, 'Look, God, I think you are trying to say something to me.  If this is an offer, I surrender!'  Right then, I felt a connection like I never felt before - it was beautiful and overpowering.  As I was leaving, the priest at the door asked, 'Have you ever thought of being a priest?'  I answered YES and bolted right out the door!"  

     St. Mary's parish has just over 2,000 families. The school has 400 children and an excellent reputation.  Fr. Mark hopes to continue to build on the excellent programs at St. Mary's and the reputation of the school.  "We need to focus on physical work to refurbish the exterior of the church building.  It is a wooden structure and the last restoration was in 1999.  Our emphasis is on welcoming guests into our Parish family.  In June we added Fr. Sean Maher, Assistant for Pastoral Care, whose work centers around the sacramental needs of the Parish, including adult education, pastor care, weddings and funerals.

     "There is a rich calendar of events and information is available on our website - www.stmarysmelrose.org or in our bulletins at Mass. Marie Sweeney runs the program; you can contact her about the Calendar of Events at 781-665-0152. 

  

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Proper Disposal of Retired U.S. Flags 

     When an American flag becomes ripped, torn, and/or faded, it is referred to as "retired" and should be replaced.  The retired flag should never be tossed in the trash, however.  Instead, it should be disposed of properly. 

     Coming soon at Gately Funeral Home, we will have a new collection box where you can deposit your tattered and worn American flags.  We will then arrange to send them to the Melrose Veterans' Service Department, where they will "retire" them in a special ceremony.  According to the U.S. Flag Code, when the American flag can no longer be displayed respectfully, it should be "disposed of in a dignified manner, preferably by burning."  

 

     A "Flag Retirement Ceremony" requires that certain etiquette be followed.  Usually undertaken by a Veterans' organization, such as the American Legion, the ceremony also can be done by the Girls Scouts or Boy Scouts.

     The Pledge of Allegiance is recited and then some words of reverence are spoken, such as:  "When the flag of our country has become worn or damaged, the proper way to dispose of it is through burning or burial. We are here today to pay our last respects to this flag with love and reverence. Each stripe stands for one of the original thirteen colonies, and each state is represented by a star on a field of blue."

     The first stripe of the flag is cut with a scissor.  When it is entirely cut, it is laid over the arm of another participant to place on the fire.  As each stripe is laid on the fire, the names of the thirteen original colonies in the order in which they became states are called out:  Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island.  The field of blue with white stars, which stands for all the states, is burned last. It should be laid on the fire with two people holding the corners, not tossed into the fire.

     In closing, a song, such as "God Bless America" is sung, after which the participants exit in silence while TAPS is played.

     Gately Funeral Home is collaborating with the Veterans' Service Department in Melrose to arrange for a Flag Retirement Ceremony to be held once the Tattered Flag Collection Box is full.  You can deposit your worn and faded flags at Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster Street in Melrose.   

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Frequently Asked Questions   

""I see that the Gately Funeral Home website has a Memorial Tributes feature.  How do I use it to leave a note of condolence?"

       The online Memorial Tributes section has lots of features that you can use.  First, go to www.gatelyfh.com and see the photos and names under CURRENT SERVICES.  You can click on the person's name for whom you want to leave a memorial note.  OR you can click on CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL. You can scroll down through the list to find the person you are looking for or you can use the SEARCH function at the top of the list.
Once you have located the person for whom you want to leave a memorial note, click on the name and you will come to the obituary page with lots of information and features.  You can:  

     Along the left side of the page, you'll see other features that allow you to submit a photo or forward the page to family and friends or share a memory.  The features are easily accessed and there are instructions to lead you step by step through each.  If you have questions or are having difficulty completing your task, you can call 781-665-1949 and we will walk you through it.

     One new feature is the ability to load personal photos online.  We will create a DVD using the family photos.  Not only can the DVD be seen during the visitation, but it can also be viewed on the Gately website.  After the funeral, John Gately presents the family with the DVD as a remembrance.

     John explained, "The online Memorial Tribute is a heartfelt way to remember and honor a loved one.  Our families tell us that it gives them great comfort to know that so many people have taken the time to leave messages, condolences, life stories, photos, and special memories.  The DVD is an extra-special memorial that our families very much appreciate.  We are happy to provide the Memorial Tribute feature that enables family members and the community to come together at a difficult time."