FROM THE PASTOR

I want to invite all parishioners to join us on this Tuesday evening, February 18 as we welcome a very special guest to our parish. The REVEREND BENEDICT J. GROESCHEL, CFR will share his observations and insights with us as we attempt to move forward "From Scandal to Hope." Fr. Groeschel is one of the most well-respected and admired priests in our nation and we are so blessed to have him with us this week. Fr. Groeschel's talk will take place in the Church at 7:30 PM and it will be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. At the conclusion of the evening, there will be a reception in the school auditorium across the street. I hope that everyone will take advantage of this unique opportunity to listen to this genuine disciple of Christ as he offers us a pathway from the darkness of the crisis of the past year into the light of the future.

In preparation for Fr. Groeschel's visit, a group of volunteers will be cleaning the Church on Monday at 9:00 AM. If you are able to help, you would be most welcome. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the many people who have already given of their time and talents to help us prepare for this special evening. As always, the people of this parish amaze me with your spirit of generosity and cooperation. May God bless you and return to you the kindness that you have shown to all of us.

As I write these words, I can't help but think of how blessed we are that Fr. Groeschel comes to us at this particular time. Our world is frightened by the real threats of terrorism and the possibility of war. The peace of Christ that we pray for at each Mass is obviously lacking both in our world and in our Church. Only with a renewed focus on Christ and a strict adherence to His Gospel are we able to confront the many evils that are present in our lives. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has called for the "multiplication of efforts" in favor of peace and has reminded all of us that "it is therefore, ever more urgent, to proclaim the Gospel of peace to a humanity strongly tempted by hatred and violence." The Pope encourages us that "we must not be resigned, as though war were inevitable." I am struck by the words of the Holy Father as he said "at this time of international concern, we are convinced that only an intervention from on high can give us reason to hope for a brighter future." I know that Fr. Groeschel, along with any other true disciple of Jesus, would encourage all of us to become firmly rooted in Christ through our prayer. For that reason, I have asked the priests of the parish to offer a Mass each week for peace, and I have requested that a specific petition for peace be included in the General Intercessions at Mass. Let us continue to walk along that Path of True Love for our brothers and sisters, which is the Way of Christ, for this is the only way that leads to peace.

Finally, I ask your continued prayers for Fr. Riley's brother Paul, who has recently undergone by-pass surgery in Atlanta. Fr. Riley is most grateful for the many prayers offered for Paul's recovery for he realizes the powerful impact of your prayers. May Mary, the Virgin of Lourdes, keep all the sick in her tender care and ease their anxieties and give them hope.

WELCOME

If you are a New Parishioner, please introduce yourself to the priest after Mass or at the Rectory. We want to know you and serve you. We welcome and invite you to become active members of our St. Patrick Parish Community

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 2/16    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass
    Edna Lambert, Mary & Albert Pikosky,Paul Riley (living)
Mon. 2/17    8:00 AM Mass of the Sick
Tues. 2/18   8:00 AM Rev. Joseph T. Greer
Wed. 2/19   8:00 AM Carlos Varona    7:30 PM Modesto Raffi
Thur. 2/20   8:00 AM Chal & Rory Thayer
Fri. 2/21      8:00 AM Albenie Ben Leger
Sat. 2/22     8:00 AM Edward Brine

PLEASE PRAY FOR Mary Cox, John Baker, David Cote, Richard & Sonia Guerin, Nadia DeMasi, Ralph Disney, Elvira Portyrala, Mike Fitzgerald, John Healey, Robert Conlin, and all the sick of the parish, as well as all the faithful departed.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of February 16 will burn in prayer for the Brochu Family, Edward Brine, Benilde Pedini, Grace Tiberio, Louis Julian Sr. & the Saviano Family, Lillian McGovern, and Carol (McGovern) Larsen.

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.

We are now accepting registration for Baptism for the month of April. The Sacrament of Baptism for the month of March will be on April 13th. Please call Deacon Jim Crump at the rectory at 508-653-1093 to register for Baptism Preparation which will take place on Sunday, April 6th.

DON'T MISS THIS EVENING!
Tuesday, February 18th at 7:30pm

We hope that everyone who can will accept the invitation to a very special evening with Fr. Groeschel, CFR followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Refreshments will be served in the Montrose School Auditorium following the service.

All are welcome!

Parish Support February 9, 2003

Budgeted Offerings = $18,000.00 Actual Offerings = $12,567.10 Deficit = -$5,432.90

In order to reach our budgeted expenses, we are asking each parishioner to increase their weekly contribution by a minimum of $3. Thank you for your generous response.

Envelope Users = $8,596.25 + Non-Envelope Users = $9,970.85 Total = $12,576.10

336 envelopes used for an average donation $25.59.

Some Bills Paid:

Heating Fuel     $2,008.00
Property Insurance premium     $6,250.00
Support of Catholic Schools     $2,346.00
Telephone     $ 658.94
Maintenance of buildings     $2,562.00
Charity     $ 550.00
Altar supplies      $ 526.00

Stewardship

In today's second reading, St. Paul urges the Corinthians to "do all for the glory of God." If we follow that advice in everything we do, we cannot help but be good stewards!

MARIAN MINISTRY

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is God's name. - Luke 1:46-49

The Marian Ministry invites you to join us as we pray the mysteries of the Rosary on Monday, February 17th at 7:30 PM in the Lower Church. All are welcome.

For more information please call Sharon Cowles at 508-655-5139.

SPRING RETREAT
(on the Beach at Biddeford Pool, Maine)

Fr. Mike McNamara Servants of Christ Ministries

"YES, I AM COMING SOON.
AMEN! COME, LORD JESUS."

5 Days Reflecting on the Book of Revelation
Friday, March 28, 2003 to Tuesday, April 1, 2003
Weekend or day participation
$230. per person double occupancy
Any questions, call 781-545-8336

Blood Drive

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
8:30AM TO 2:30PM

SAVE THE DATE...

HELP SAVE LIVES

GIVE SO MORE WILL LIVE

Your precious gift of life is most needed, so please sign up on the weekend of February 8th & 9th and February 15th & 16th or call John or Rosemary at 508-651-3642 for an appointment.

Religious Education

THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5.

REMINDER

Please use the Main Door of the Montrose School when coming and leaving religious classes. Thank you.

Volunteers Needed to help with refreshments for Sunday morning Religious Education Classes. Can you pick up a box of Munchkins? Pour orange juice? Make coffee? Set up or clean up? Sign up for one Sunday or one Sunday a Month or every week. Whatever you can manage. Please contact Manni LaCount @ patricknatmanni@aol.com or (508) 653-7542.

3 Hall Monitors are needed for Wednesday evenings. Are you available between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM on Wednesday evenings, please call Manni at the Religious Ed Office. We need your help!

UPCOMING EVENTS

There will be Lead Teacher/Coordinator Meeting Tuesday, February 25 at 7:30 PM in the Religious Ed Office.

HIGH SCHOOL LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT
March 8th from 9:00AM to 3:00PM

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Can you desktop publish?? The Religious Ed program is looking for someone to format their monthly newsletter. Please call Grace Kelemanik @ 508-651-9065.

THANK YOU

The Third Grade Religious Ed teachers and assistants would like to thank all the students and parents who volunteered their time to attend the Mary Ann Morse Nursing Home field trip on February 9th. A special thank you to Mrs. Ronnie Glavin for coordinating the craft supplies.

It was a great turn-out! Some 40+ students and many parent helpers attended. After making a valentine craft with the residents, we also sang songs together. We'd like to especially thank Harriet Buckingham for playing the piano for us. Thanks to all!

Kitty Gerry, Third Grade Lead Teacher

JOIN US IN SERVICE

High school students in the religious education program are taking on the following service projects in the upcoming months as they continue their journey toward confirmation. Sign up today!

SAINT MATTHEW Come join us and work with the youth of St. Matthews Parish in Dorchester to help improve their facilities on Saturday, March 8th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Interested? Please call Tricia Fair 508-653-6281 or Barbara Walsh 508-651-9991.

PINE STREET INN Help us prepare and serve a meal for the folks at the Pine Street Inn on Saturday, April 5th. Interested? Please call Tricia Fair 508-653-6281 or Barbara Walsh 508-651-9991

ST. PATRICK SERVICE CORPS help us start a service group for students in grades 9-12. Be part of the planning team that decides the course of the St. Pat's Service Corps. Interested? Please call Grace Kelemanik @ 508-651-9065

Friendship

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach…but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad's grateful smiles. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

This week as we celebrate National Friendship Week think about your friends and never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life for better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Reflecting a Consistent Ethic of Life

Seamless Garment Reflection

As Catholics, we can celebrate the new millennium by recommitting ourselves to carry the values of the gospel and Church into the public square. As citizens, we can and must participate in the debates and choices over the values, vision and leaders that are taking our nation into the new century. This dual call of faith and citizenship is at the heart of what it means to be a Catholic in the United States.

1999, US Catholic Conference

FEBRUARY EVENING OF PRAYER

Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR

Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, is the Director of the Office of Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York. He obtained his doctorate in psychology from Columbia University and is professor of pastoral psychology at Saint Joseph Seminary in New York. He has published a number of books and tapes on spirituality and pastoral counseling and is familiar to television audiences appearing numerous times on Eternal World Television Network (EWTN). Please watch him on Wednesday, February 5th, at 8:00 p.m. on EWTN Live...then come and listen to him in person here at Saint Patrick Church for our February Evening of Prayer on Tuesday, February 18th at 7:30p.m. Father Groeschel's recent book, "From Scandal to Hope," will be the subject of his talk. Please join us, and bring a friend.

Volunteers will be needed with this special event. Please contact Jean at the Rectory (508-653-1093) if you are willing to help us in any of the following areas: advertising, facilities, logistics, hospitality, book sales and administrative needs.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
Student Grant Opportunity

Once again the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Archdiocese will award tuition assistance to needy students (Grades 1 - 8) to enable them to receive a parochial school education. The grant amount is $1,000 per student, based solely on need. The procedure to be followed requires that each parish conference contact the school administration to get names of students who appear to need financial assistance. Following that, members of our conference will visit each family and leave an application. The completed application must be returned to our conference, at the Rectory, no later than Friday March 21, 2003. The deadline for all applications to be received by the Boston office is April 1, 2003. We will contact the following schools:

St. Bridget, Framingham
St. Tarcisius, Framingham
St. Paul, Wellesley
St. John, Wellesley
St. Joseph, Needham
Montrose (Grades 6 - 8)

If you have a Student at any other parochial grammar school or have a question, please call the rectory 508-653-1093 and leave your name and telephone number.

St. Patrick's Day Dinner/Dance
All parishioners are invited!

There will be a St. Patrick's Day Dinner/Dance on Saturday, March 15, 2003 at 6:00p.m. at Natick High School, West Street, Natick.

Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children from 3-13, and will go on sale beginning February 9th with a cut off date of March 9th.

Menu: Corned beef and cabbage with all the trimmings. There will be prizes and surprises!

We would like to invite all parishioners to help make this an extraordinary social event for our Patron Saint. This is a great way for new and old parishioners to meet and get to know one another. We invite all of you to be a part of this committee. If you would like to volunteer, we could use your help! We need people to help cook, serve, set up, bake or donate desserts, etc. Serve the Lord and your parish family! Can we count on you?

For more information call: Mary Brown, 508-653-6386
Paul Carew, 508-653-9792 or Eileen Carew 508-655-7173
Thank you all in advance!

Retrouvaille of New England, Inc.

Are you experiencing difficulties in your marriage? Is your marriage under stress? Are you contemplating separation and divorce? Have you heard of Retrouvaille? Retrouvaille is a program designed to help heal and renew a troubled marriage.

The next Retrouvaille weekend in Massachusetts will be held April 4-6, 2003. If you would like to participate in a program that offers you a chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse and a renewed and loving relationship in your marriage, call 781-455-6307. Visit the Retrouvaille website at http://www.retrouvaille.org/

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