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FROM THE PASTOR As we shared last week, Archbishop Sean has asked all of the parishes within the Archdiocese to begin a process of RECONFIGURATION. The Archbishop believes that we need to examine all of our resources and to devise a plan that will provide for our future. This multi-faceted process will take into consideration such factors as the number of people who attend Sunday Mass regularly, the state of the physical facilities, and the current status of parish finances. It has been obvious for some time that the Church in Boston needed to explore other options as we wrestle with a large number of parishes and a decline in the number of priests. Archbishop Sean has instructed us to convene the parishes of the local cluster and to share all pertinent information as we attempt to resolve these serious issues in a collaborative manner. I will be meeting shortly with the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council and selecting representation form these bodies to work with me as we engage in conversation with the neighboring parishes. I will continue to provide updates of our progress by way of the weekly bulletin. I hope that all of you will pray for the success of this endeavor so that we may emerge from this process as a more unified family of faith focused on accomplishing the mission of the Church here in Natick. I want to invite all parishioners to a MASS OF THANKSGIVING on next Sunday, January 25th at 11:30 AM in the Church. We have asked the Rev. Mark J. Riley to be the Principal Celebrant of this Mass as we gather around the Altar to thank God for the many blessing that we have received through Fr. Riley's priestly ministry over these past two years. We are certainly indebted to Fr. Riley for many acts of kindness and we owe our thanks to the Lord for the grace of sharing Fr. Riley with us. As Fr. Riley departs St. Patrick's to assume his new position as the Administrator of St. John's Parish in East Bridgewater, we pray that God will continue to bring to his life some of that same happiness that we have been able to experience through him. Although there is indeed sadness with his departure, we rejoice in the knowledge that another part of our Catholic family will be able to benefit from his many gifts. There will be a reception for Fr. Riley in the Auditorium of the school immediately after Mass. I write this column from the bedside of my mother, who was admitted to the hospital last week for pneumonia and other ailments. As I sit in the quiet of her hospital room and gaze at her being connected to all sorts of tubes, I find myself growing impatient at times with the whole healing process because you realize that there is so little that one can do to accelerate it. At best, we are painful spectators in other's lives and at moments such as this, we need to turn our thoughts to God and entrust ourselves to His providence. We come to realize that we are not the ones in control of every situation and that entrusting ourselves to His tender care is the only way to alleviate the anxiety that we feel. St. Peter wrote that we "should cast all our cares on the Lord and that He will lift us high." I am most grateful to all of you who have offered your prayers for me and my family because I know that, when all is said and done, the prayers are the best medicine of all. Mass Intentions This Week Sun. 1/18 5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass
Edna Lambert, Peg Finnerty, Gerri Ann Corbosiero, Antonio Leoni, Antonette Leoni, John Leoni
PLEASE PRAY FOR Joel Dennis, Reginald Rose, Greg Giallonardo, 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 Thomas Merchant, Rita Downs, Edith Hyotte and Lena Sauro. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of January 11th will burn in prayer for John L. Green, Peg Finnerty, Norma Lally, Carol (McGovern) Larsen and James H. Morris. 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 $11,774.20 $3,225.80 STEWARDSHIP In today's second reading, St. Paul tells the Corinthians (and us) that all of our gifts are from God and that they are given, not for ourselves alone, but for the common good. But the generosity of God knows no limits-the miracle at Cana reminds us that whenever we faithfully do as God asks, He can change our gifts of water into wine! Catholic Youth Rally INVITING THE YOUTH OF BOSTON TO MEET THEIR NEW ARCHBISHOP WHO: Catholic Youth age 13-19
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION . 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. DESPERATELY SEEKING PRAYER PARTNERS The Religious Education Program is desperately seeking prayer partners for the 88 second-grade students preparing to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion this year. Thank you to the many parishioners who have already signed up, once we have a full list you will be contacted with the name of your child. Please call the Office of Religious Education for more information about this important and rewarding ministry. Reminder: All second grade students and their families are expected to be present for one of the two rehearsal opportunities before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we apologize for any confusion the letter caused. Rehearsals will last approximately 1 hour and take place on:
Important Adult Faith Formation News Due to unforeseen circumstances, the launching of the Echoes of Faith program has been postponed until September. Meanwhile continue to look for other updates for adult faith formation opportunities. Any parishioner interested in facilitating a topic group is encouraged to contact the office of Religious Education. TODAY All students 13 years old and up! There is something new! Our youth group is re-creating the youth room at Montrose School for the next generation. Come over to Montrose for the Youth Group's Kick Off Tonight at 6:30pm downstairs at the Montrose School. The Youth group will meet each Sunday from here on at 6:30pm. MINISTRY NOTICES Pine St. Inn Ministry "When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, now welcome into the home of my Father. Whatever you do to the least of your brothers you do unto Me.".
Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s) Bible Study, Thu 1/22, 7:30pm. Learn more about your faith at our weekly Bible Study at the Joseph Center. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008. ADORATION Could you not watch one hour with me? Mt 26:40 Pope John Paul II says: "Our essential commitment in life is to grow spiritually in the climate of the Holy Eucharist. We have the opportunity here at St. Patrick's where we have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.
ADORATION hourly coordinators
IT IS HERE..DON'T MISS OUT!
Wellesley Right to Life Bus Trip 31st Annual March for Life On Wednesday, January 21st, a bus sponsored by Wellesley Right to Life will leave from St. John School at 9:00PM, arriving in Washington, D.C. on Thursday morning, January 22nd. We will participate in the 31st Annual March for Life opposing the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion at any time during the entire 9 months of a woman's pregnancy. The bus will return in the pre-dawn hours of January 23rd. Please join us in support of defenseless unborn children. Call Joe Cavanaugh at 781-237-0759 for information and reservations. Open House
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK AT ST. TARCISIUS SCHOOL, FRAMINGHAM St. Tarcisius School begins the annual Catholic Schools Week observance with a special liturgy Saturday afternoon, January 24th at 4:00pm in the church followed by a Pasta Dinner and a special INTERACTIVE FAMILY COMEDY/MAGIC SHOW. Tickets are $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for children under 12. For further information please call the school at 508-872-8188. REGISTRATION FOR KINDERGARTEN AND GRADES 1-7 BEGINS ON MONDAY, JAN. 26TH WITH A SPECIAL KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21ST FROM 8:30 TO 10:00AM. NUNSENSE: Tickets still available to Nunsense at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston on February 10, 2004. Reduced price $55.(no transportation provided) per ticket. To reserve your seat call Leslee Wiillitts, St. George Parish, Framingham at 508-877-0880. MONTROSE PARENT SEMINAR:
Internationally acclaimed author and educator, James B. Stenson, will join us at Montrose School for a parent seminar on parental leadership during adolescence. An educational consultant specializing in family life and family-school relationships, Stenson has given conferences throughout the world. |
