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FROM THE PASTOR Our nation is at war and war is, as our Holy Father Pope John Paul has said, "always a defeat for humanity." Whatever else it might accomplish, this war will have consequences in human suffering for years to come. People of faith have no cause to celebrate in this moment of crisis. In times of war, our task is to work and pray and hope that these consequences to humanity will be limited, that civilian life will be protected, that weapons of mass destruction will be eliminated, and that the people of Iraq will enjoy a peace with freedom and justice. All of us need to pray for those who are most directly affected by this war: the military personnel who risk their lives in service of our country, their families and loved ones who are filled with anxiety and fear for their safety, the people of Iraq who will endure the most immediate threat to safety, and all those who are engaged in humanitarian relief efforts. We need to pray for an end to these hostilities, for world peace, for the safety of the men and women in the armed forces and the people of Iraq, and for God's guidance for our national and world leaders. I want to invite all parishioners to join us for a HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE on this Tuesday evening, April 1st at 7:30 PM in the Church. At times like this, we need to turn to God for wisdom and perseverance, for courage and compassion, for faith and for hope. It is obvious that only through the power of prayer will God be able to turn our thoughts to those of peace. We need to ask God to draw a just and lasting peace from the failures on all sides that have brought us to this tragic point of bloodshed. I hope that all of you will join us as we implore the Prince of Peace to help us be reconciled so that we might become in fact the one family that God has decreed from the beginning of time. I am keenly aware of the immediate concerns that many of you have because of loved ones who are serving in the military. Our thoughts are especially directed towards the safety of Fr. STEPHEN DONOHOE and we ask your continued prayers for his well-being. I want to invite all of you to bring a picture of any relative serving in the military so that we can place these visible reminders of the human face of war in the sanctuary of the Church. We shall lift these people up in our daily prayer at all of the Masses that are offered here and we have asked that the Adoration Ministry also include a specific intention for their safety as well. Please feel free to leave a picture with the name of the individual on the back and we will place the picture next to the Tabernacle. Finally, I want to invite all parishioners to join us for our PARISH LENTEN MISSION that will begin Sunday, April 6th The theme of the mission is "The Church in Crisis" and will be conducted by the Archdiocesan Office of Spiritual Development. The mission will take place on four consecutive nights at 7:30 PM. The guest speakers will draw from the Gospel of Mark as we strive to move forward from this difficult and painful period in the history of the Church in the United States. We hope that you will make every effort to be with us as we turn towards the Lord Jesus for His guidance and grace. Mass Intentions This Week
Sun. 3/30 5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass Luisa Valenti, Robert Lane, Edna Lambert, and Mary Ellen Doty PLEASE PRAY FOR James Philips, Amee McNulty, 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 Margaret Connolly, Albertina Roach, William Carr, Jean Spinazola, Helen Slamin and Norman Fogarty. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of March 30 will burn in prayer for the Brochu family, Luisa Valenti, Grace Tiberio, Eleanor Murphy, Betty Gilbert, Special Intention, and Elda Tonelli. 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 $13,708.26 $4,291.74 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 $9,154.26 330 envelopes were used for an average donation $27.74 Some Bills Heating Fuel $2,466.83 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. ADORATION MININSTRY Extra committed adorers are needed for the following hours. If you are able to commit to one of these hours or have questions regarding adoration please call Carole @ 508-653-0371 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPCOMING EVENTS March 31 May Crowning Committee Meeting @ 7:00 April 1 Curriculum Articulation Committee Meeting in Montrose School April 8 Grades 9-10 attend Parish Reconciliation Service April 10 Child Abuse Prevention Training for teachers and volunteers New date added! Religious Education TEACHERS and VOLUNTEERS: we've added another date for the mandatory Child Abuse Prevention Training. If you haven't already attended the three hour workshop, please call Jon Kerbs (508-653-6380) to register for the April 10th session. The session will be held in Our Lady's Hall. May Crowning All children-girls and boys- in grades 1-10 are invited to participate in the St. Patrick's May Crowning. The May Crowning will be held on Sunday, May 11. To participate you must attend all rehearsals. Rehearsals will be held in the church 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! Next Committee Meeting: March 31 at 7:00 pm. For more information contact committee chair: Sharon Cowles 508-655-5139 or scowlie@aol.com FELLOWSHIP of YOUNG ADULTS (20s & 30s) Bible Study, Thurs. 4/3, 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. First Friday Dinner, Fri 4/4, following 7:30 pm Mass. Join us for our monthly First Friday dinner (Lenten theme this month). Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008. Spring Hike, Sat. 4/12. Celebrate spring with a trip up gentle and scenic Noanet Peak in Dover. Contact Eric for details, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008. OPERATION RICE BOWL IMPORTANT NOTICE All are invited to a showing of a short video on the Rice Bowl project that the parish has been working on during this Lenten season. The film, lasting 10 minutes, will be shown following all Masses on April 5th and 6th. The Church in Crisis - a Four Night Retreat Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Sun., 4/6 7:30pm The Retreat Services will last about an hour.
This Parish Retreat will be conducted by the Archdiocesan Promise for Tomorrow Promise for Tomorrow is the capital and endowment campaign for the Archdiocese of Boston seeking to raise $300,000,000 to address the mission of the Archdiocese. The well-being of future generations depends on our generosity today. The needs are great and will touch the lives of so many. Below is a brief synopsis of areas of need
Reflecting a Consistent Ethic of Life Seamless Garment Reflection I wish to make an earnest call to everyone, Christians and followers of other religions that work together, to build a better world without violence, a world that loves life and grows in justice and solidarity. |
