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FROM THE PASTOR I want to request your continued prayers for all those who are serving our country in the military and others who may be in harm's way at this time. We are particularly mindful of the REV. STEPHEN G. DONOHOE who has been called to active military duty with the US Marines. Fr. Donohoe is a Lieutenant in the US Naval Reserves and he, along with many Catholic priests, have been called to active duty in order to provide for the spiritual needs of our armed service personnel during these difficult days. Although we are deeply concerned about his welfare, Fr. Riley and I admire and applaud the generous priestly spirit that allows Fr. Donohoe to respond positively to this request to leave St. Patrick's for active military deployment. It is our fervent hope that the prayerful support of this community will sustain him in the many challenging and demanding days ahead and that he and all of our brothers and sisters will return safely home. May God, Who is never outdone in generosity, reward Fr. Donohoe for his compassion and protect him with His grace On behalf of the entire parish, I want to express our thanks to all those who helped to coordinate and execute the recent St. Patrick's Dinner. We are especially grateful to MARY BROWN and the many parishioners who worked so tirelessly so that we could all enjoy a wonderful evening. It was so nice to see so many people gathered together to celebrate our heritage as "sons and daughters of St.Patrick." St. Patrick's Parish is about to begin our participation in the PROMISE FOR TOMORROW Capital Campaign. This fund raising effort has been taking place in the Archdiocese of Boston for the last two years and has collected almost $2,000,000.00 for the future needs of the local Church. As we look to the future, we all recognize the many needs that are present both in the parish as well as the Archdiocese. The monies that will be collected from this effort will be used to endow the institutions, programs, social service agencies, and parishes. Our parish will benefit greatly from this effort since twenty-five percent of all monies collected will remain here in the parish to fund some projects that are needed to improve our facilities. One such project is the installation of an elevator in the Church to insure that it is accessible to all. There will be more details in the weeks ahead but I want to share this news with you now so that you may prayerfully consider making a substantial financial sacrifice. I also want to assure you that none of the monies that are collected will be used for any financial settlements resulting from litigation. The money that will be collected will be used solely for the purpose for which they are donated: to endow the various ministries of the Church in Boston as we seek to serve Christ's people. I am certain that you will respond with your customary generosity. Finally, I want to encourage all parishioners to consider becoming a LECTOR. We are always in need of people who can be trained to proclaim God's Word. Often, when I think of the different tasks that God invites us to do, I am reminded of the Lord's words: "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." We would welcome any people who are interested to contact the Rectory and we will provide the necessary training. Mass Intentions This Week
Sun. 3/23 5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass Ruth Watson and Peter Manoli PLEASE PRAY FOR Robert Conlin, Jean Orme, John Baker, Nadia DeMasi, Elvira Portyrala, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish, as well as all the faithful departed, especially Rita Tyler, Mary Gammons and Mary Hines. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of March 23 will burn in prayer for the Brochu family, Grace Tiberio, Eleanor Murphy, Pasquale Zeno, David Sullivan, Lucy Barnicle, and Gerry & Chad Phinney. 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 $18,000.00 $14,336.10 $3,663.90 In order to reach our budgeted expenses, we are asking each parishioner to increase their weekly contribution by a minimum of $3.00. Thank you for your generous response. Envelope users $9,113.00 353 envelopes were used for an average donation $27.28 Some Bills Heating Fuel $3,498.06 BOSTON BRUINS ALUMNI Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 7:00 PM West Suburban Arena, Natick, MA Your donation will benefit TICKETS: ADULTS: $15.00 CHILDREN: $10.00 PRAYER AND FASTING REFLECTION FOR FRIDAYS "There is another more sacred and higher type of fasting. Those who have entered into the solitude of the spirit are to observe it carefully and diligently, and constantly, too, all the days of their lives, in time of prosperity and in times of adversity…And this fast is the fast from the delights and consolations of the world." Cistercian Issac of Stella RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPCOMING EVENTS March 25 Grades 5-6 Lenten Reconciliation from 6:30-7:30PM in the Church March 26 Grades 2-3 Lenten Reconciliation from 6:30-7:30PM in the Church March 31 May Crowning Committee Meeting @ 7:00 April 8 Grades 9-10 attend Parish Reconciliation Service Religious Education TEACHERS and VOLUNTEERS If you haven't already, sign up for one of the mandatory Child Abuse Prevention Training dates: May Crowning Want to participate in the St. Patrick's May Crowning? The May Crowning will be held on Sunday, May 11 after the 9:00 Mass. All children-girls and boys-in grades 1-10 are invited to participate. Roles will be assigned by lottery. To participate you must attend all rehearsals. Rehearsals will be held in the church on April 11 from 6:00-7:30, May 8 from 6:00-7:30, and May 10 from 2:00-3:30. Parents, please join the May Crowning Committee! Committee members are Sharon Cowles (chair), Patti DiBasio, Carol Bishop, Mary Brown, and Angela Spivak. Next Committee Meeting: March 31 @7:00. For more information contact Sharon Cowles 508-655-5139 or scowlie@aol.com Do you know someone in the Military? Are you running the Boston Marathon? Let us know! Religious education students are writing letters to those in the military and making signs for those running in the marathon. Slip names and addresses in the boxes marked "Marathon" and "Military" in the back of the church or call Grace Kelemanik @508-651-9065. FELLOWSHIP of YOUNG ADULTS Bible Study, Thurs. 3/27, 7:30pm. Learn more about your faith at our weekly Bible Study at the Joseph Center, we're studying Matthew. Contact Jonathan, jms2586@yahoo.com, (508) 655-2410. HELP WANTED: PARISH CUSTODIAN Part-time custodian needed for Saturdays and Sundays Do you realize that 1.2 billion people around the world live in poverty? DON'T FORGET YOUR RICE BOWL DONATIONSRESPECT LIFE MINISTRY The Respect Life Ministry will meet on Thursday, March 27 at 7:30 pm at the Joseph Center. We have many upcoming events to work on and as always new members are welcome. You will find Easter Donation Envelopes in the church pews this week with a requested return date of April 9, 2003. Your donations, made in the memory of a loved one, will allow our Environment Committee to properly plan and prepare what will be needed for decorating the Church for Easter. Please put the envelope with your donation in the regular collection. Collection of Health Kits for Iraqi Families The Peace & Justice Ministry dropped off 126 completed Health Kits at the AFSC in Cambridge, MA and mailed a check for $546 to help defray shipping costs. We thank everyone for the overwhelming support and interest in this project. The current war will make Iraqis' lives even more difficult. Continue to pray for peace in the world. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS SPECIAL The Church in Crisis - a Four Night Retreat Using the Gospel of Mark April 6 through Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 7:30 PM Come and join together as a Community of Faith in the midst of a crisis that threatens to isolate us from one another. The gathering will help us to focus on the presence of Christ promised to us when He said: "And remember, I will be with you always even until the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NRSV) This promise is realized in Prayer, Sacrament, and the community of the Faithful gathered. This Parish Retreat will be conducted by the Archdiocesan Office of Spiritual Development Help Wanted Volunteers are needed to help us make phone calls in preparation for the upcoming Lenten Retreat. If you are able to provide assistance in this area, please call the Rectory 508-653-1093 |
