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FROM THE PASTOR It is with mixed emotions that I share with you the news that His Excellency, Archbishop Sean O'Malley, O.F.M.Cap., has appointed the REVEREND MARK J. RILEY as the Administrator of St. John's Parish in East Bridgewater. Fr. Riley's present assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick's Parish is ended, effective January 26, 2004. We are obviously delighted with this appointment and we are grateful to Archbishop O'Malley for recognizing Fr. Riley's considerable talents and for the confidence that he has placed in Fr. Riley by asking him to undertake this challenging assignment. In my opinion, there are few priests as qualified as Fr. Riley to assume this responsibility and I am certain that his pastoral ministry at St. John's will be tremendously successful. I would be less than honest if I did not admit that his departure from St. Patrick's will create a void in our parish and I realize that no one will be able to fill it. Fr. Donohoe and I have been blessed by the gift of Fr. Riley's priestly presence, by his tremendous compassion, and by his indefatigable collaboration. Fr. Riley has made the rectory into a home where brothers can truly dwell in unity and peace. We are indebted to him for so many acts of kindness and it is with a definite sadness that we will bid him good-bye. However, every priest is ordained to serve the Church as the Bishop determines and it is a mark of his priestly commitment that Fr. Riley has positively responded to the Archbishop's request. Although we will miss Fr. Riley more than these words could possibly convey, we also give thanks to Almighty God for having given us the privilege of his friendship. With great affection and love, we ask God now to watch over Fr. Riley and fill his new pastoral ministry with rich blessings and great joy. Fr. Riley certainly deserves the best that life can give him and in sending him to East Bridgewater, we are giving to that local church one of Boston's best priests. May they recognize the treasure that they receive and receive him well. As we begin this New Year, please know that we ask God's blessings upon all of you. We are especially mindful of those who are ill and those who grieve the loss of loved ones. If there is anything that we can do to ease your burdens, we pray that you may allow us the grace to serve you. Please never hesitate to call the Rectory. May the year 2004 be a year filled with Christ's peace. Mass Intentions This Week Sun. 1/4 5:30 PM Family Healing Mass
PLEASE PRAY FOR Nancy Brodeur, Kathleen Tokarski, Nickie Lawrence-Archer,The Gerry Family, Erin McKay, Tony Amendolla, Anne Casperson, Thoma Kean, Marlene Carmichael, Chuck Plaistek, Joseph Lombardi, Louis Maffiola, Tony Armata, Jane O'Keefe, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Muriel Cosentino, Denise Perreault, Rose Kilmer, Amy Flickenger, Paul Cropper, James Philips, Jean Orme, Nadia DeMasi, Elvira Portyrala, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish, as well as all the faithful departed, especially Jane Wright, Margaret M. Harris and Catherine Zonghi. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of January 4th will burn in prayer for Luisa Valenti, John L. Green, Domenic Saraceno and the Champ Family. If you would like a LAMP in our Church or Adoration Chapel burning for one week, in memory of a loved one or for a special intention, please call the rectory (508) 653-1093. PARISH SUPPORT Budgeted Actual $15,000.00 $10,846.00 $4,154.00 Thank You We received $20,100.00 for the special collection at the Christmas Masses for the Clergy Benefit Trust. Thank you for your generosity! ADVERTISERS IN OUR PARISH BULLETIN Liturgical Publications Inc., our bulletin publisher, will have a representative come to our parish within the next few weeks. We would like to thank our present advertisers for renewing their ad, and for those interested in placing a new ad, this is your opportunity. To reserve a space for the new publication year, please contact the rectory. Keep in mind; our advertising sponsors make your bulletin possible. STEWARDSHIP We have a parishioner who lives on Richmond Rd. in the Lilja School area who needs a ride to Church. If there is someone who thinks they may be able to help with that they should call Anne at the rectory. Volunteers wanted!
The Activities Dept. at the Eliot Healthcare Center in Natick is seeking friendly people (over age 15) to volunteer with senior citizens! Volunteers can help with group activities, or provide 1-on-1 visits with residents. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is building a resume, who needs to do community service for school or religious programs, or who just wants to reach out to someone in need. Hours are flexible. If interested, please contact Ursula Spont, Activities Director, at 508-655-1000. Thanks in advance! RELIGIOUS EDUCATION The Office of Religious Education would like to thank all of the volunteers as well as the students and their families for making this semester a rewarding one. We are looking forward to many more activities and memories in the new year. YOUTH MASS Next Youth Mass Jan 4 2004 7:30 . Religious Education Classes resume after Martin Luther King weekend: Tuesday January 20 grades 3-8 meet at their usual time and place. Wednesday January 21 grades 9-10 meet. Prayer Partners We are still looking for more parishioners to share in the journey of preparation with our 2nd grade students as they move toward the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A Prayer Partner is an individual or a family who commits themselves to praying for a child in 2nd grade that the Lord will be with them and grow in them as they prepare to receive the Sacrament. Prayer partners will have the opportunity to meet the child that they have been praying for before the sacrament date. If this ministry is of interest to you or your family there is a sign up sheet in the back of the church or else please call the Office of Religious Education to be assigned to a child.
The Pre-School Story Hour will be starting again the 9th of January. Come and join us for a story, a craft, a song and more on Fridays from 9:30-10:30AM in the Lower Church Hall! If you have any questions please call Sally DeGeorge (508) 655-0198 or Kim Horton (508) 653-6309.
Pine Street Inn The Pine St. Inn of Boston wishes to thank the people of St. Patrick's for the Christmas winter clothing drive and their continued kind generosity of food and service throughout the year. May God bless all of you. MINISTRY NOTICES PEACE AND JUSTICE Please bring an item or two for the Natick Food Pantry if you can.
RESPECT LIFE Many thanks to all the parishioners for your generous and thoughtful support of the Jesse Tree. This year we were able to assist many families and individuals through your many acts of kindness. Again we thank you for all that you did to make this holiday season brighter for so many! NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING "Come to learn about the latest advances in the field of Natural Family Planing and their medical applications. An Introductory Session on the Creighton Model-Fertility™ Care System will be offered on January 11th, at 7:00 pm in the Joseph Center. All are welcome. Some of its benefits include: can be used to avoid and to achieve pregnancy, empowers the couple; gives control of the fertility to the couple; encourages communication; can be used as a tool to detect and manage gynecologic conditions; and many others.
Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s) First Friday Dinner, Fri 1/8, following 7:30pm Mass. Each month we go out to dinner after First Friday Mass. Contact Jonathan,jms2586@yahoo.com , 508-655-2410. Community events Open House All are invited to an Open House at the Spiritual Life Center of Marian Community on Sunday, January 11, from 1:00 - 5:00pm. The newly-constructed and just opened Spiritual Life Center offers programs for spiritual growth, weekend retreats and conferences. The Spiritual Life Center, located at 154 Summer Street (Route 126) in Medway, is situated on 109 acres of land. Marian Community is a lay association recognized by the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about Marian Community and its Spiritual Life Center, please visit www.MarianCommunity.org or call 508-533-5377. Praying the scriptures Praying the Scriptures: Lectio Divina - Come pray and experience how our God, who is Love, draws us into union through Scripture. Join Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI at St. Stephen's Priory in Dover, MA January 9-11. To register, call Sandra Vesty at 978-264-4871. Cost $155.00. Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach of New England "TIME OUT" Time Out: A Couples Retreat will be held Friday, March 19th - Sunday, March 21st at Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham, MA. For more information, please call Peggy Patenaude at 508-548-9149. Registration deadline is March 5th. Vocation Discernment for Women Single women who are interested in discerning a vocation to religious life with other women, are cordially invited to this 6-part discernment program. The program begins Wednesday, January 21, 7-8:30PM, at Peterson Hall, St. John's Seminary, Brighton. Topics to be covered include Introduction to Religious life, Discernment and Prayer, Vows and Community Life, etc. There will be opportunity to interact with vocation directors from various congregations of the archdiocese.
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