FROM FR. RILEY

With profound appreciation to God for His goodness to me, I am honored to be appointed the Administrator of St. John's Parish in East Bridgewater. However, it is with mixed emotions that I accept this new assignment from the Archbishop of Boston. For at this time I feel a sense of loss because this move to a new assignment requires that I leave behind so many wonderful people who have helped me to see the presence of Christ in the many privileged moments that have been mine. But as I go forth from this parish to a new community of faith, I am mindful that I carry so much of what you have so generously shared with me over these two years. I firmly believe that the hand of God has brought us together and with this in mind we can offer fitting thanks and praise to Him for the many blessings we have been able to celebrate in His Name. It is only natural that many names and faces come racing to my mind and heart at this time. There are too many people who through their generous faith and love for God have touched my person and priesthood in ways that are far too numerous to mention. The danger in thanking people by name is all too real. Wisdom teaches me that it would be impossible and any sort of thanks would no doubt fall far short of the sentiment that I would hope to convey. But with that in mind I would be remiss if I did not mention by name one person whose witness as a brother priest, a dear friend, and a faithful shepherd has touched my heart and priesthood in ways that mere words could never capture. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart my good friend and brother priest, Fr. Brian Kiely. Fr. Kiely has taught me some of the most important and lasting insights and lessons about the priesthood that I would never have received if I had not been so blessed to have served God's people alongside him. These lessons will remain with me for the rest of my life and I will carry and protect these gifts from God. Fr. Kiely has made the rectory of St. Patrick's a home that has been so welcoming to me and to so many of my brother priests, many of whom have felt directly the impact of his priestly fraternity and outreach. The people of St. John's will benefit greatly from a wisdom and love for the priesthood and God's holy people that has been given to me by this wonderful, holy, and faithful shepherd. I do want to acknowledge as well Fr. Stephen Donohoe and his close friendship and priestly fraternity, all of which have provided for many gifted moments that I will carry with me on my journey. I want to thank as well His Excellency, Bishop Walter Edyvean for all of his support and prayers. I want to thank too Deacon Jim Crump for gift of his diaconate. These holy men of God have blessed me. I want to thank the staff of the parish for their keen sense of ministry, service, and joy that we are able to celebrate each day as children of God. And I want to thank all of you, for the generous support and faith you have shared with me over this all too short a time that we have had together. Please know that from this day forward, you and those you hold dear will be included in all of the prayers I shall offer. Please pray for me. And may Mary, the Mother of the Church, intercede for us and help us to respond as generously as she did in answering the Lord's call. With prayerful best wishes and asking God's blessings upon you, I am now and will be forever, your brother in Christ, Fr. Mark.

Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment

Your voice must be heard concerning the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment! As Catholics and as citizens, we are responsible for participating in the decisions made in our society.
To assist you to understand Catholic doctrine on marriage and the importance of the vote to be held in the legislature on February 11th, meetings have been organized throughout the Archdiocese over the next 10 days. All Catholics are strongly encouraged to attend one of these meetings. Saint Patrick Parish will be hosting one of these meetings on February 2nd from 7-8 p.m. Please make every effort to attend this important session.

As has been stated by our Bishops, "Responsible citizenship is a virtue. Participation in the political process is a moral obligation. This is particularly urgent in light of the need to defend marriage and to oppose the legalization of same-sex unions as marriages."

Catholics and many others are upset of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Goodridge decision to redefine marriage. We are told by some legislators that they are NOT getting a sufficient number of calls from their constituents in support of the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. Therefore, we urge you to exercise your right and obligation in support of this Amendment by contacting your Senator and Representative via letter, telephone, e-mail, and/or by signing the petition we have available at the exits of the church.

In addition, a sample letter is provided in today's bulletin which you can sign and either mail, or place completed letters in the boxes in the rear of the church, and we will mail them for you. Of course, a hand-written personal note would get more attention.

Thank you for your attention in this urgent matter.Please stop and sign the petition as you leave Mass, and pray for the success of the Amendment.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 1/25    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass   Edna Lambert, Luisa Valenti, Lucio Trubiano, Therese Malloy, Miguel Ruiz
Mon. 1/26   8:00 AM Mass for the Sick   
Tues. 1/27   8:00 AM Antonio & Maria Martinelli   
Wed. 1/28   8:00 AM James & Anna Phillips&   7:30 PM Paul Ferolito
Thur. 1/29   8:00 AM Margaret Arminio Hewlett
Fri. 1/30     8:00 AM Mary & Thomas Valvo      
Sat. 1/31     8:00 AM John Joseph Ratcliffe   

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.

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
January 18, 2004

Budgeted               Actual
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$15,000.00            $13,337.00           $2,663.00

STEWARDSHIP

The US bishops' pastoral on stewardship reinforces today's reading from 1 Corinthians: "Because its individual members do collectively make up the Body of Christ, that body's health and well-being are the responsibility of each one of us. We are all stewards of the Church."

THANK YOU

The Glen Mary Sisters, Sr. Catherine and Sr. Bernadette, from Guthrie, Kentucky send their thanks for the Jesse Tree gift cards to be used for the poor.

Catholic Youth Rally

INVITING THE YOUTH OF BOSTON TO MEET THEIR NEW ARCHBISHOP

WHO:    Catholic Youth age 13-19

WHERE:    Volpe Center @ Merrimack College

WHEN:    February 7, 2004 from 1-6pm

WHAT:    Liturgy with Archbishop Sean, Presentations by Youth of the Archdiocese, Light Snacks, Music, and lots of fun!

Cost:     $15 per person

        $5 late fee applied after January 23rd

Sponsored by the Youth Serving Agencies of the
Archdiocese of Boston
Please go to www.oymboston.org for more information!

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.".

Servers and drivers are desperately needed for Saturday, February 7. You will leave #6 Lincoln St. at 4:00 p.m., serve from 5-6 p.m. and return to Natick by 6:45 p.m. Anyone interested please call Josie Shea @ 508-653-2435.

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.

First Friday Dinner, Fri 2/6, following 7:30pm Mass. Each month we go out to dinner after the First Friday Mass. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008.

Pine Street Inn Service Project, Sat. 2/7, 4pm. Serve dinner to the homeless - a great way to live out the Gospel. Meet rear parking lot. 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.

Extra coverage is needed for the following hours:

Sunday - 9-10am; 12noon-1pm
Monday - 1-2am; 2-3am; 6-7am; 7-8am; 4-5pm
Tuesday - Midnight-1am; 2-3am; 6-7pm
Wednesday - 9-10am; 3-4pm
Friday - Midnight-1am; 1-2am
Saturday - 2-3am, 3-4am: 1-2pm; 7-8pm

If you would like to commit to an hour and none of the above fit your schedule, please sign up for any hour. Questions or information call Carole @ 508-653-0371.

ADORATION hourly coordinators

A meeting of all Hourly Coordinators will be
held on Tuesday, January 27th at 7:30pm
in the Joseph Center

Music Ministry
Hymnal Funding Update

Due to the inclement weather the past several weeks, the donations for the Hymnal Memorials have slowly come in. So far we have collected less than a third needed to help pay for the Hymnals and the cost of the printing of the Memorials. If you still have the envelopes handed out last month please turn them in. If you don't have an envelope, you still have the opportunity to make a donation in remembrance of a family member or friend. Simply state on an envelope the name of the person you would like on the Memorial, along with a check made payable to St. Patrick's Church. We are asking for a donation of at least $25.00 for each Memorial. As our printing deadline is February 14 we would ask that your donations be submitted as soon as possible. Thank you for your generousity and support. Martin Kelly, Music Director

SEAMLESS GARMENT REFLECTION

Promoting a Consistent
Ethic of Life

"Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family and violates the fundamental dignity of those called to be children of the same Father." (Brothers and Sisters to us: US Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Racism, November 1979)

rally to protect marriage

There will be a Rally to Protect Marriage on Sunday, January 25th, from 2PM - 4PM at St. Peter Marian High School, 781 Grove St., Worcester, MA. Come and learn what you can do before February 11, when the Legislature takes up the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. A bus will be available, leaving at 1:00PM from St. Bridget's Rectory Parking Lot. If planning to go on the bus, please call Alice Slattery at 508-877-4238 to reserve your spot. Please park behind the rectory.

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

ST. PAUL SCHOOL, 10 Atwood St., Wellesley
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, 9:30-10:30am
Registration now being accepted for the
All day kindergarten programs through grade 8
of 2004-2005 academic school year.

For further information call Karen McLaughlin, Principal
at 781-235-1510

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:
Adolescence & Parental Leadership
January 22, 2004 at 7pm
Montrose School, 45 E. Central St., Natick
Free and Open to the Public

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.

Blood Drive

St. Patirick's Church will host its
Community Blood Drive on
Sunday, February 28th
from 8:30AM - 2:30PM
in the Lower Church Hall

Joanne Rosato has assumed the role of blood drive coordinator and she is in need of help the day of the drive. Please consider donating your time as a volunteer. Contact Joanne at 508-651-3762.

Boston catholic television center

To recognize Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Boston, Boston Catholic Television (BCTV) will air three half-hour programs the week of Jan. 26-Jan. 31. The theme of the three programs is: "Catholic Schools: The Right Choice". The first program is called "Catholic Schools, A Key to Success" and is hosted by BCTV's Director, Monsignor Paul McInerny and features a discussion between Monsignor McInerny and current students and alumni from several Catholic schools. It will air on BCTV Cable Monday, Jan. 26th at 11am and Tuesday, Jan. 27th at 6:30pm. The second program is called "Catholic Schools, The Right Choice" and is hosted by BCTV's General Manager, Jay Fadden. This show is introduced with a statement by Archbishop Sean O'Malley in which he discusses the centrality of the Catholic schools to the Catholic imperative "To Teach as Jesus Did". Fadden is joined by parents, faculty and administrators of local Catholic schools. This show will air Wed., Jan. 28th at 10:30am and Thurs., Jan 29th at 5:30pm. The final show of the series is "Catholic Schools, Building Minds, Changing Lives" and features Peter Lynch, president of the Catholic Schools Foundation and vice chairman of Fidelity Management and Research. He is interviewed by Brian Leary, well-known Boston TV personality.It will be shown Fri., Jan. 30th at 11:30am and Sat., Jan. 31st at 4:30pm. BCTV is channel 56 for Comcast and channel 86 on RCN.

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