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FROM THE PASTOR I want to invite all parishioners to a SPECIAL MEETING that will be held this Monday evening, February 2nd, at 7:00 PM in the Church Hall concerning the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. This meeting has been organized in order to assist all Catholics as we defend marriage in the Commonwealth. We have invited the REV. ROBERT OLIVER, a member of the faculty of St. John's Seminary, MARY ANN GLENDON, a member of the faculty of Harvard University, and MR. GERALD D'AVOLIO, the Director of the Mass. Catholic Conference to be with us to help us understand the Catholic doctrine on marriage and the importance of the upcoming vote in the Massachusetts Legislature on February 11th. The recent decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court threatens to undermine the very foundation of our society by ignoring the positive contribution of marriage and reducing it to an emotional relationship that is flexible enough to include any grouping of loving adults. By that definition, anyone could be "married" and the terms "husband" and "wife" would become words without any meaning. As Catholics and as citizens, we have a moral responsibility to serve God and to be faithful to His covenant. It is abundantly clear from Scripture that God intended marriage to be an exclusive union between a male and a female for the procreation of the human race. Preserving this definition is not discriminatory or homophobic. We affirm the dignity of every human person and their right to respect. The attempt to alter of the definition of marriage by the Court has usurped our right to decide what we as a society believe marriage to be. This intrusion of the Court into the arena of making law instead of upholding law is a violation of the Court's proper role and needs to be redressed by a Constitutional Amendment. I urge all of you to attend this meeting and also to contact our state legislators to make certain that they vote in favor of the Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment. This Tuesday, February 4th is the Feast of St. Blasé and it is the tradition of the Church to bless throats on that day, asking St. Blasé to protect us from all ailments of the throat. In order to accommodate those who are unable to attend Mass on Tuesday, we will have the BLESSING OF THROATS after all of the Masses this weekend. I am delighted to announce that we have begun a new YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM here at St. Patrick's. Mr. JONATHAN MARSHALL and Ms. MELISSA CECCHI have agreed to act as the coordinators of the program and we are indebted to them for their generosity. They will work with a team of young adults to plan spiritual, social and community service events for your young people. The weekly meetings will be held in the Youth Room of Montrose School on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM. There will also be a Special YOUTH MASS celebrated on the Second Sunday of every month at 7:00 PM in the Church. All are welcome to join us . Finally, I want to thank all of those who helped with the Reception for Fr. Mark Riley last Sunday. We are most grateful that your efforts allowed us to celebrate his new assignment and to thank him for his ministry here. He was deeply touched by your kindness. Mass Intentions This Week Sun. 2/1 5:30 PM Family Healing Mass
PLEASE PRAY FOR John Healey, 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 Catherine Mitchell and Virginia M. Arrmata. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of February 1st will burn in prayer for Luisa Valenti and Thanksgiving to the Blessed Mother. 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 $11,450.20 $3,549.80 STEWARDSHIP Jeremiah declares that the Lord knew him before he was born and dedicated and appointed him to his role as a prophet even before he drew a breath. We, too, are known and sent by the Lord. What deeds of love and service are mine to perform? Marriage Affirmation and Protection Amendment Your help is needed! We need your support and participation in several areas:
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Congratulations to all our 2nd graders who received their first reconciliation last weekend. A special thank you to all of the teachers for their hard work and dedication in preparing the children: Paul Boynton, LeeAnn Cashman, Paddy Connelly, Catherine Coughlin, Michael Coughlin, Kitty Gerry, Barbara Halpin, Suzanne Lucian, Cari Tatian, and Suzanne Young. New! There is a new direct line to the Religious Education Office 508-907-6220. Please use this line to contact either Melisa Melnyk or Manni LaCount regarding all issues relating to Religious Education. Also call this number to listen for messages regarding class cancellations. Reminder for weather emergencies During the week, if the Natick Public Schools are canceled, Religious Education classes will be canceled as well. On Sundays please watch for announcements on WBZ radio or television. Today There is no class for all afternoon and evening classes today. Go Pats! Come meet your Archbishop! All High School students are reminded to get their check in for the Youth Rally on Feb 7th please make checks out to St. Patrick Parish for $20. We will meet in the Church parking lot and will carpool. We are looking for interested parents to serve as drivers or chaperones for this amazing experience. Prayer Partners Being a prayer partner for one of our 2nd grade First Communicants is a special gift to share with our community. With such a large class, we are still desperately looking to match up almost half our students. Thank you to those who have signed up. We will only contact prayer partners when we have a prayer partner for every student. Religious Ed meetings this week: Religious Education board meeting Wednesday Feb. 4 2004 7:30pm MINISTRY NOTICES
The Saint Patrick Spiritual Development Commission sponsors and evening of prayer on the second Monday of each month. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in the prayerful evenings in the Church.
Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s) Bible Study, Thu 2/5, 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.
ADORATION hourly coordinators
Music Ministry 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 Blood Drive St. Patirick's Church will host its
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.
READY TO ESCAPE TO AN ISLAND OF FUN???
ST. PATRICK'S SUMMER BIBLE CAMP
For ages 5 and up… GET READY FOR A TROPICAL ADVENTURE THAT YOU WON'T FORGET! More Information To Come!
******ISLAND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! *******
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