FROM THE PASTOR

Christ in Your Life:
St. Patrick's Breastplate

Christ ever with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ to my right side, Christ to my left side
Christ in his breadth, Christ in his length, Christ in depth
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me.

attributed to St. Patrick

A BLESSED ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL!

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 3/14    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass   William K. Donahue, Souls in Purgatory, Mary P. Craig
Mon. 3/15   6:30 AM Helen McNiff   8:00 AM Mass for the Sick   
Tues. 3/16   6:30 AM Souls in Purgatory   8:00 AM Patricia Haswell   
Wed. 3/17   6:30 AM Sr. Mary John   8:00 AM Clement & Anna Pepka   7:30 PM Pasquale Zeno
Thur. 3/18   6:30 AM Edna Lambert   8:00 AM Edith McKeown.
Fri. 3/19     6:30 AM Margaret Connolly 8:00 AM Albert Chimeno
Sat. 3/20     8:00 AM Tavilla Giuseppe   

PLEASE PRAY FOR James McHale, Anna Amendolla, Marion Welch, Laura Tomlin, Gerry Bellofatto, John Daley, Marie Smith, John Healey, Joel Dennis, Greg Giallonardo, Nancy Brodeur, Erin McKay, Tony Amendolla, Anne Casperson, Thoma Kean, Chuck Plaistek, 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 Lawrence Kinsman.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of March 14 will burn in prayer for Charles McParland, the Giorgi Family, Pasquale Zeno, Jennie & Joseph Rando, Ralph C. DiGiandomenico, Jr., Adelard Helpin, and Daniel Dilio.

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
March 7, 2004

Budgeted               Actual
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$15,000.00            $13,388.20           $1,611.80

STEWARDSHIP

The parable in today's Gospel clearly warns that we, like the fig tree, will be judged by our fruit. Since God mercifully provides us with the Time, Talent and Treasure, let us give witness to our faith with deeds of kindness and generosity.

parish Lenten retreat

The Saint Patrick Parish Spiritual Development Commission is sponsoring this year's Parish Lenten Retreat. This four-night retreat begins on Sunday 3/28, concluding on Wednesday, 3/31. The service each evening will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Your help is needed in a number of areas including refreshments, music, phone calls, and other related tasks. Volunteer sign up sheets are in the rear of the Church after all Masses this weekend, or you may contact the Rectory for more information.
Thank you for your willingness in helping make this retreat a success.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Urgent Need!

Due to some changes in the availability of our volunteers we are currently looking to fill the following:
· 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.

Are you called to be a catechist, to share your faith and educate this generation?

New!

Young Catholic Women's discussion group Mondays 7-8pm in the youth room. All young women in grade 10 and older come learn and live your Catholicism beyond Religious Education. Come let your own holiness flourish in everyday events. For info call Elizabeth Mahoney 508-655-0049. 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

Monthly Youth Mass

Today 7:00pm in the Upper Church. Featuring the music of Christian rock band, Cornerstone Ministries. We are always looking for teens interested in participating in many ways, please contact Melissa Checchi,

Youth group news

The youth group will be going disco bowling on March 28th 2004, please contact Jon Marshall 508-942-6887 for more information
Also come find out how you can help make the Tenebrae Service a reality, stop by the youth room Sunday nights 6:30-8:00 pm

Lenten Reconciliation Service

All parents and students are reminded that the Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held on Saturday March 20th @ 1pm (grades 2-5) and on Tuesday March 23rd @ 7 pm both are in the Upper Church

Happy St Patrick's Day to all!

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 3/18, 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.

Mark your Calanders

The next Evening of Prayer will be held on Monday, March 8th, at 7:30pm in the Church. Please join us as we pray together in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and reflect upon our roles and responsibilities in serving Him. Your prayerful presence would be most appreciated, and please invite your family and friends. Refreshments will be served following the service.

marian ministry

The Marian Ministry invites you to join us on Monday, March 15th, at 7:30pm in the Lower Church, as we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, and Mary's Way of the Cross. All are welcome
If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact Sharon Cowles at 508-655-5139

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

"When so many people are hungry, when so many families suffer from destitution, every armaments race becomes an intolerable scandal. We are conscious of our duty to denounce it."
Pope Paul VI

OPERATION RICE BOWL

In today's reading the apostle Paul says, "They all ate spiritual food and drank spiritual drink but God was not pleased." Just as fast food eventually hardens arteries, routine faith and long ignored spirituality hardens the soul and clogs spiritual arteries.
This week: Limit your choices of food. Fast from snacking and allow yourself to feel the hunger that many experience on a daily basis. Prepare the simple meal from Honduras from the Operation Rice Bowl Home Calendar Guide. Give the money you saved to Operation Rice Bowl as an act of solidarity with your brothers and sisters around the world who are hungry.

PERPETUAL 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

The Montrose Players Present
Oliver
By Lionel Bart

Based on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist
Friday, March 19th & Saturday, March 20th 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 21st, 2:00 p.m.

Tickets available at the door
Adults $8.00; Children $5.00
Montrose School
45 East Central St., Natick, MA
Please call 508-650-6925 for more information

top of page