FROM THE PASTOR

Wednesday of this week is ASH WEDNESDAY, and it marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a wonderful time for all of us to become renewed in spirit so that we can serve the Lord in freedom and joy. As we journey together towards the great event of our salvation, the death and resurrection of Christ, we grow in our appreciation of God's love for us and for all of His people. Our knowledge of His unconditional love, as demonstrated by His sacrificial death on Calvary. Demands a response from us as we contemplate how best we can say thanks to Him. The season of Lent provides us with an opportunity to answer the question of how we can make a return to the Lord for His goodness to us. The ashes that are imposed on our foreheads are outward signs of our desire to turn away from sin and selfishness and to live faithfully the Gospel message of Love. The Lenten sacrifices that we make and the spiritual exercise that we perform are expressions of our gratitude to the Lord for all that He has done for us. During the forty days of Lent we grow in grace as we grow in our awareness of the need to serve God with our whole hearts, our whole minds, and our whole selves. With this awareness comes the realization that we demonstrate our love for God by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.

One of the best ways to show our gratitude to the Lord for His goodness is by uniting our prayer with the most perfect prayer of all, the Mass. In order to allow for more people to participate in the awesome Gift of the Eucharist, we will celebrate Mass at Saint Patrick's each day at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday. We will also be celebrating Mass on Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m. so that those who have to commute to work will be able to begin their day around the Altar. It is my hope that as many of you as possible will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to deepen your love for God through your participation at daily Mass.

Ashes will be distributed during the Masses on Wednesday, February 25th. The Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday is 6:30 and 8:00 a.m. 4:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Another way that we might grow in our awareness of Christ's sacrificial death is to recall His Passion and Death as we pray the Stations of the Cross. Beginning March 3rd, we will pray the Stations each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Church followed by the Celebration of Mass at 7:30 p.m.

I hope that many of you will participate in this time of grace as we meditate upon the Price that God paid for our redemption; the death of His only Son. As I contemplate Jesus' journey to Calvary and think of the pain, anguish, and humiliation, I am always moved to want to express my appreciation by giving myself more generously in His service. I pray that this will be truthful for you as well during this Holy Season of Lent. May we pray in a particular way for our local Church as we embark upon the process of reconfiguration. May we also pray that we will be faithful to the Lord by affirming the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Jesus deserves no less.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 2/22    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass   Edna R. Lambert
Mon. 2/23   8:00 AM Mass for the Sick   
Tues. 2/24   8:00 AM Carmine Pistocco   
Wed. 2/25   6:30 AM Ash Wednesday    8:00 AM Ash Wednesday   4:00 PM Ash Wednesday    7:30 PM Ash Wednesday
Thur. 2/26   6:30 AM Vocations to Priesthood   8:00 AM Norma Lally
Fri. 2/27     8:00 AM Souls in Purgatory 8: A.M. James Trainor     
Sat. 2/28     8:00 AM Patrick & John Manning John & Mary Cook   

PLEASE PRAY FOR Gerry Bellofatto, John Daley, Marie Smith, John Healey, Joel Dennis, Greg Giallonardo, Nancy Brodeur, Kathleen Tokarski, Nickie Lawrence-Archer, Erin McKay, Tony Amendolla, Anne Casperson, Thoma Kean, Chuck Plaistek, Joseph Lombardi, Louis Maffiola, 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 Donald J. White, Agnes Knickerbocker, Paul Casey, Ezra "Ed" White, Helene Kelly, Patricia Lienhard and Richard McNeil.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of February 22 will burn in prayer for Ronald Peterson, Jr., Joan Hamel, Robert Brady and S. John Miele.

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
February 15, 2004

Budgeted               Actual
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$15,000.00            $9,603.00           $5,397.00

STEWARDSHIP

Today's Gospel has encouraging words for good stewards - "Give and it shall be given to you. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you." What encouragement to give generously of the resources entrusted to our care!

Lenten Regulations

ABSTINENCE from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all the other Fridays of Lent.

FASTING is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

Ash Wednesday

February 26, 2004

Mass schedule
(All times are Masses with distribution of ashes)

6:30am, 8:00am, 4:00pm 7:30pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Urgent Need!

Due to some changes in the availability of our volunteers we are currently looking to fill the following:
· Assistants (teaching optional):
grade 10 Sunday 6:45-8:00pm
grade 9 Sunday 6:45-8:00pm
grade 8 Tuesday 6:30-7:45pm
grade 7 Tuesday 6:30-7:45pm
· Fathers and "Discipline Enforcers": non-teaching persons placed in the classrooms of upper grades to allow teachers to focus on the task of teaching rather than on discipline issues. Please contact the office of religious education for more information.

Tenebrae Service

Looking for students to assist in the creation of a unique experience of Christ's agony and betrayal. Students in grades 7 and higher have the opportunity to participate in various roles, "behind the scenes" expertise as well as "out in front". Come find out what a Tenebrae Service is at the planning meeting: Sun Feb 29th 7:30-8:15pm in the youth room (downstairs at Montrose), bring a friend!

You are invited

If you are in the 7th grade or higher, including post-confirmation students, you are invited to join the youth group every Sunday evening after the 5:30 Mass to plan, to pray, and to play together. Meetings are held in the youth room downstairs in the Montrose School. Please call Jon Marshall 508-942-6887 for more information.

Opportunity abounds!

10th grade students looking for Community Service hours please contact Ms. Melnyk at the Office of Religious Education for details. For part of the summer or for weekly commitments, there are a variety of possibilities!

Also inquire regarding Catholic summer camps for students entering their Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years

St. Patrick's Youth Mass
February 8, 2004

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 Monday, March 15, 2004. The deadline for all applications to be received by the Boston office is April 1, 2004. We will contact the following schools:

St. Bridget, Framingham
St. Tarcisius, Framingham
St. Paul, Wellesley
St. John, Wellesley
St. Joseph, Needham
Msgr. Joseph J. Haddad Middle School, Needham

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.

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

Bible Study, Thu 2/26, 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.

Passion movie, Sat 2/28, show & theater TBD. This is an incredible must-see movie. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008.

Today!

Boston college university chorale

The University Chorale of Boston College will perform in the Upper Church at 3:00pm Sunday, February 22, 2004. John Finney will lead the Chorale featuring "Vivaldi's Gloria" along with other choral masterpieces and spirituals. Come and experience the inspiring voices of these young men and women from one of Boston's most esteemed colleges. The admission is free and light refreshments will be served after the concert in the Lower Church Hall.

ADORATION

Perpetual Adoration was started at our parish over eight years ago.

The majority of the adorers have been faithful and committed since the beginning but, unfortunately, for various reasons such as age, death, transfers, there is always a need for new adorers.

Are you someone who likes to stay up late? How about committing to one hour a week between Midnight and 6am. Or are you retired? Do you like to rest after lunch, relax, or watch television? How about doing one hour a week between 12 noon and 5pm.

When Jesus called His apostles from their work to follow Him, He knew they heard Him, not only with their ears, but within their hearts. They heard Him. They listened to Him. They followed Him. They loved Him. Hear Him with your heart. Come closer to Him. Find One Hour in the week when you can share in the peace and quiet of his abiding love. Are you listening? Will you follow? Will you call? Carole (508) 653-0371

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.

READY TO ESCAPE TO AN ISLAND OF FUN???

SAVE THE DATE……AND SPREAD THE WORD!

ST. PATRICK'S SUMMER BIBLE CAMP

When: JULY 26 - 30, 2004
Where: Old St. Patrick's School
(Across from St. Patrick's Church)

For ages 5 and up…

GET READY FOR A TROPICAL ADVENTURE THAT YOU WON'T FORGET!

More Information To Come!

******ISLAND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! *******
REQUIREMENTS: LOVE THE LORD AND FUNLOVING!

PLEASE CALL NANCY MAGUIRE FOR MORE INFO 508-655-1017

SEAMLESS GARMENT REFLECTION
Promoting a Consistent Ethic of Life

"Opposing abortion and euthanasia does not excuse indifference to those who suffer from poverty, violence and injustice. Any politics of human life must work to resist the violence of war and the scandal of capital punishment. Any politics of human dignity must seriously address issues of racism, poverty, hunger, employment, education, housing and health care."
(Living the Gospel of Life, #23)

Community events

HEALING SERVICE Wednesday, February 11, with Padre Paul McManus, Pastor of Assunsion del la Virgen Maria Parish in Lawrence. The healing service, which is sponsored by the Vision of Peace Prayer Group, starts at 6:45 p.m. The evening includes Rosary, Mass and a time for individual prayer. Contributions of medicines or medical supplies will be accepted for Padre Paul's hospital in Ecuador.Location: Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Holliston.

OPERATION RICE BOWL

As part of our faith community's Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services' Lenten Program, Operation Rice Bowl. For over 28 years, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast , learn, and give as we increase our understanding of our global community throughout our Lenten journey. We encourage you to participate in Operation Rice Bowl at home with your family and loved ones. Operation Rice Bowl materials will be distributed at the Masses next Sunday.

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