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FROM THE PASTOR On behalf of the Parish SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD, I want to invite all parishioners to join us this week as we begin our PARISH LENTEN RETREAT. The retreat will begin tonight, SUNDAY, March 28th at 7:30 PM and will continue each night through WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31st. We have chosen as the theme, "CHRIST IS THE ANSWER" and each night will revolve around a specific question relative to our discipleship. We have invited the REVEREND PAUL B. O'BRIEN, the Pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Lawrence, which is one of the largest inner city parishes, to be the guest homilist on Sunday night and to share his faith concerning the question, "Who is Jesus?" Fr. O'Brien has served the Archdiocese of Boston in many varied ways as a pastor and as the former Secretary for Pastoral Services and is currently guiding the reconfiguration of the many ethnic parishes in the city of Lawrence. The second night of the retreat will have the REVEREND ROBERT J. OLIVER as the homilist as we discern the question: "Who is the Church?" Fr. Oliver, an expert in the Canonical Affairs of the Church, is a member of the faculty of St. John's Seminary and serves as a special assistant to the Archbishop. Fr. Oliver is also a member of a religious community known as the Brotherhood of Hope. Both of these men are two of the most well-respected members of the clergy and they have graciously agreed to be with us for these evenings to aid our spiritual journey. The third evening (Tuesday) will be a PENANCE SERVICE and we have asked the REVEREND STEPHEN S. DONOHOE to be the homilist. There will be an opportunity for all that wish to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Penance during this evening and we have invited additional priest to be with us to aid with Confessions. The retreat will conclude on Wednesday evening as we celebrate the great mystery of our faith, the Eucharist. I hope that all of us will make a real effort to set aside these evenings so that we may grow closer to the Lord and to one another during this special time of grace. There will be a special Second Collection take up at all of the Masses next weekend for EASTER FLOWERS. As we have done in the past, we will decorate our sanctuary in memory of our deceased loved ones so that, as we celebrate the Lord's victory over death, we may be reminded of those who have gone before us and pray that they may now enjoy the peace of His resurrection. We ask that you place a financial offering in the envelope that is in the pews and write the name of the deceased person on the outside. Please place your offering in the second collection at the Masses next weekend. If finances are problematic for you, please simply write the name of the person that you would like remembered on the outside of the envelope and we will offer our prayers for them. During this glorious season of Easter, we commend to the tender care of God those who have gone before us and we pray that He will grant them a place at the Table in His Kingdom. Mass Intentions This Week Sun. 3/28 5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass
Thayer Family, Winona M. Perry, Luisa Valenti
PLEASE PRAY FOR Susan McIntosh, 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. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of March 28 will burn in prayer for Mary Ronchetti. 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 $11,082.60 $3,917.40 STEWARDSHIP In today's second reading, St. Paul says, "For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth." Does my stewardship suggest that I could say the same? parish Lenten retreat Please join us for this year's Lenten Retreat which will be held on 4 evenings beginning on Sunday, March 28th, and concluding with Mass on Wednesday, March 31st. The services begin each evening at 7:30PM and will be held in the Upper Church. Refer to the bulletin insert this week for more detailed information on this retreat sponsored by the Saint Patrick Parish Spiritual Development Commission.
Stations of the Cross
Please join us in praying the Stations of the Cross every Wednesday of Lent at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Church. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION This week is the last Religious Education class for the year for students in grades 3-10! A huge thank you to all of the families, teachers, volunteers and students who have made this year what is was; a blessing to our parish. We pray for our 2nd graders who will be making their first communion May 1st and 2nd as they enter the final preparation time for this special day. Calling all pre-schoolers and their parents! Please join us for our new drop-in story hour on Fridays from 1:00-2:00 pm in the lower church hall. We'll read stories, sing songs, learn finger plays, and do simple crafts. Some of the themes we'll cover are Angels, Jesus, Mary, God, Friendship, Kindness, Sharing, I Am Special, Praying, etc. Hope you can join us. If you have any questions please call Kim Horton (508)653-6309. All parishioners are invited to share in a new view of Holy Week through a special service called "Tenebrae". Tenebrae is from the word shadow, a telling of the Passion story through readings and an ever darkening church. Come support our youth in this somber visualization of the story at the heart of our faith. The Tenebrae Service will be held in the Upper Church on Sunday April 4 at 7:00pm. This service replaces the Youth Mass for the Month of April. TONIGHT The youth group is going Disco Bowling! Please meet at Montrose so that we can all leave together. All who participate are required to bring a permission note before leaving. Thank you to our 10th graders who made bead and cord rosaries by hand to be sent to encourage our troops serving abroad. This is a silent witness and service. Family cluster What is a family cluster? Can I do it with my family? How much work is it? Family cluster can be either a supplement to class based religious education or an alternative and is a way for families to engage and participate in faith formation for all of its members. Come find out more at our Information Evening, May 5th 7:00pm in Our Lady's Hall downstairs at the Montrose School. Representatives from our Family Clusters have children ranging in age from pre-school to 8th grade. Below is a picture from a recent family cluster gathering.
DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE Defense of Marriage - Action needed before Constitutional Convention reconvenes As Catholics and as citizens, we are responsible for participating in the decisions made concerning our families and our society. Contact your legislators with a clear message that the so-called "compromise amendment" on marriage and civil unions is not acceptable. Tell them that the people have the right to vote on each issue separately. Find out how to contact your legislators at www.stte.ma.us/legis. ATTENTION ALL VOLUNTEERS ALL LECTORS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND ADULT ALTAR SERVERS
Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s) Bible Study, Thu 4/1, 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. 4/2, following 7:30pm Mass. Each month we go out to dinner after First Friday Mass. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008. WHAT ARE YOU READING? Please note that pamphlets dealing with Lenten spirituality are now available in the Adoration Chapel bookrack. Feel free to take them home to share with friends and family. "Catholic Updates" covering topics of interest to concerned Catholics will be provided on a regular basis. In addition, Bibles will be provided in the chapel for use during adoration times. SEAMLESS GARMENT REFLECTION
"As people of faith, our obligation is clear-----we must respond with love rather than violence, accept suffering rather than inflict it, and choose life rather than death. Love must be the instrument of God's peace." PAX CHRISTI USA 1998 OPERATION RICE BOWL Today is the day of new beginnings. Even though we are approaching the end of Lent and the Good Friday death of Jesus, we look forward to a new beginning when we will celebrate the Easter resurrection. In Isaiah, we contemplate the exuberance and new beginning of a person near death. The Gospel announces the new beginning of a sinful person. This week: Pray for the men, women and children who experience a new beginning as they participate in programs made possible by your contributions to Operation Rice Bowl. PERPETUAL ADORATION Perpetual Adoration was started at our parish over eight years ago.
Sister Parish Fiesta Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17th in the Lower Church Hall. Peace and Justice Ministry invites you to their annual fiesta to benefit San Jose Las Flores. This year we will be treated to a very talented local group of musicians called WOODWORK. Playing a wide assortment of instruments and songs, their unique musical style is popular in the Metrowest area and exciting to hear. The social hour starts at 7p.m., and music at 8 p.m. Light refreshments, desserts and beverages will be served. Suggested donation: YOU decide. ALL ARE WELCOME ALTAR SERVER TRAINING Altar Server Spring Training Camp is officially open.
Come and join this miracle team!
Sister Parish Fiesta Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 17th in the Lower Church Hall. Peace and Justice Ministry invites you to their annual fiesta to benefit San Jose Las Flores. This year we will be treated to a very talented local group of musicians called WOODWORK. Playing a wide assortment of instruments and songs, their unique musical style is popular in the Metrowest area and exciting to hear. The social hour starts at 7p.m., and music at 8 p.m. Light refreshments, desserts and beverages will be served. Suggested donation: YOU decide. ALL ARE WELCOME FLEA MARKET Natick Sons of Italy, 37 Washington Street are having a flea market on Saturday, April 3rd from 9:00am to 3:00pm The proceeds from a couple of tables will go to support Fr. Nick Ciccone's grammar school at St. Margaret's Parish in Dorchester. Any questions please call 508-653-2781 |
