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FROM THE PASTOR As we begin this most holy of weeks, the Church commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ our Lord. Our celebration of these sacred mysteries of our faith allows us to be focused upon the victory of Christ over death and our participation in His glorious life given to us at Baptism. The schedule of events of HOLY WEEK AT ST. PATRICK'S is included in the bulletin and it is my hope that all parishioners will take part in these sacred ceremonies. Today is PALM SUNDAY and we recall Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The palm branches that we hold during the reading of Christ's Passion stand as reminders to us of how fleeting our enthusiasm for Christ can often be. As we proclaim Him to be King, we are also mindful of how quickly we shout out :" Crucify Him." There will be a SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION taken up at all of the Masses this weekend for EASTER FLOWERS. We will decorate our sanctuary in memory of all of those who have died and we invite you to make a donation in memory of a loved one. Please write the name of the individual that you would like us to remember in prayer on the outside of the envelope and place it in the second collection basket. As we contemplate the beauty of the sanctuary at Easter, we will be reminded of the beautiful new life that we hope our deceased loved ones are now sharing. On Holy Thursday, we begin the SACRED TRIDUUM by recalling the gift of the Eucharist that Jesus has entrusted to His Church as the abiding memorial of His Presence among us. During this Mass at 7:30 PM, I will wash the feet of 12 parishioners to recall the command of Christ to be of service to each other. At the conclusion of this Mass, Christ, truly present in the Eucharist, will be taken in procession and placed in a Tabernacle away from the Altar. The Church will be stripped bare as we pray in union with Christ on the night of His agony. The Church will remain open until mid-night so that we can all pray quietly. We will conclude the evening with Night Prayer. The services on GOOD FRIDAY are beautiful in their simplicity. We will begin with Morning Prayer at 8:00 AM. We will celebrate the STATIONS OF THE CROSS at Noon. The CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION will take place at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Both of these services will contain the Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion. A special collection will also be taken up for the shrines of the Holy Land at both of these services. The most important of all celebrations takes place on Saturday evening when the Church gathers in Vigil. During the liturgy at 7:30 PM, we will bless the Easter fire and light the Paschal Candle from the new fire. The candle, the symbol of Christ's victory over death, is carried in procession through the darkened church as a reminder that JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF LIFE. It will also be a privilege for us to welcome our Catechumens and Candidates into full membership in the Church as we celebrate in Word and Sacrament the new life that is ours as God's people. Mass Intentions This Week
Sun. 4/13 5:30 PM Palm Sunday 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 William F. Hall, Jr., Claire McInerney, and Charles H. Conlin. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of April 13 will burn in prayer for the Brochu family, Benilde Pedini, Grace Tiberio, Eleanor Murphy, John Galvani, and Carlo Galvani. 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 $14,015.10 $3,984.90 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 $10,243.00 341 envelopes were used for an average donation $30.04 ADDRESS FOR FR. DONOHOE Rev. Stephen S. Donohoe Support Group Meeting for Families of military personnel will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, 4/14 at the Natick Senior Center, 117 E. Central St., Natick. BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY The death of a loved one can be a time of intense sadness and emotional pain. We at St. Patrick Parish wish to reach out in faith to these families with support and hope during this difficult time. If any men or women are interested in participating in our Bereavement & Hope ministry or would like more information, please call Elaine at the Rectory, 508-653-1093. Just to let you know On Tuesday, April 22nd, the lift for the disabled will not be operational. Through the generosity of a benefactor, a new lift will be installed. This work will be completed by Friday, April 25th. We apologize for the inconvenience. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPCOMING EVENTS April 21 Marathon Cheering Party 11:30 in front of the Church April 27 "Protecting God's Children" Parent Seminar Series, after 9:00 Mass in Our Lady's Hall April 28 First Communion Dress Rehearsal and Ice Cream Social 6:00-7:30 in the Upper Church (Wed. classes only) April 30 First Communion Dress Rehearsal and Ice Cream Social 6:00-7:30 in the Upper Church (Sun. classes) May 3 First Communion Service 1:00 PM for Wednesday classes May 4 First Communion Service 2:00 PM for Sunday classes May 8 May Crowning Rehearsal 6:00-7:00 PM in the Upper Church May 9 Teacher/Volunteer Appreciation Mass and Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30 PM in the Church May 10 May Crowning Rehearsal 2:00-3:30PM in the Upper Church May 11 May Crowning during the 9:00 Mass COME JOIN THE MARATHON CHEERING PARTY Students in the religious ed program are hosting a Marathon Cheering Station in front of the church on Marathon Day, Monday April 21. Festivities start @ 11:30 AM. Come join the fun. A great way for the family to spend the day. For more information contact Trisha Fair 508-653-6281. Thank you to the following religious ed students (and adults) who traveled to the Pine Street Inn on Saturday, April 5 to serve dinner to the homeless. Katherine and Maureen Paquette; Patrice and Eric Sinclair; Brianna Brown; Brendan Jackson; and Ian MacIsaac. We'd like to thank Trisha Fair, 9-12 religious ed coordinator for organizing the event and Josie Shea, who runs the Pine Street Inn ministry, for giving us the opportunity to serve. Another group of high school students will serve again on May 3rd. An Appreciation Mass and Dinner for all religious education teachers and volunteers is scheduled for Friday, May 9th starting at 6:30PM. Mark your calendars. More information to follow. OPERATION RICE BOWL IMPORTANT NOTICE Rice Bowl collection will be taken up at Holy Thursday Masses. Please leave your boxes or envelopes in the baskets in the church vestibule. Thank you for helping the poor of the world. AN OFFERING OF LETTERS Bread for the World's 2003 Offering of Letters campaign "Rise to the Challenge: End World Hunger" is underway across the United States. St. Patrick's Peace & Justice Ministry is again sponsoring the annual campaign. The goal of the Offering is to persuade Congress to establish and fully fund a Millennium Challenge Account, (MCA) that focuses on reducing hunger and poverty in the world's poorest countries by focusing on agricultural development, education, health, governance and trade. The MCA will provide support and hope to 800 million people around the world who are trapped in the vise of hunger and poverty. The opportunity to offer a letter of your own will be available after all Masses on the weekend of April 26th and 27th. We will be joining churches across the country in encouraging Congress to work across party lines to help the poorest countries. Stationery and sample letters will be available. "For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty you gave me drink." Matthew 25 HELP WANTED… In preparation for Memorial Day, the Saint Patrick Cemetery Commission is conducting a Spring Cleaning on Saturday, May 10th, and Saturday, May 17th. We need adult volunteers to assist in this clean up project at Saint Patrick's Cemetery. Help is needed in raking leaves, cleaning sidewalks, and general yard work. Please call the Rectory at 508-653-1093 if you are able to help us with this project. Thank you!!! The Saint Patrick Cemetery Commission kindly requests that any plants or decorations currently placed on graves be removed prior to May 10th in preparation for our Memorial Day clean up. Any items remaining on graves as of May 10th will be disposed of as part of this clean up effort. Therefore, if you have any special items that you would like to have saved, please pick them up prior to May 10th. Thank you for your cooperation. HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE On this Holy Thursday, April 17, 2003 Bishop Richard Lennon will preside at an afternoon service of reconciliation at 1:00PM in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. This will be the final event of the Archdiocesan Lenten Program of Prayer and Conversion before the celebration of the Easter Triduum. All are invited to attend. Phillip H. Woods, Seniors in private and parochial schools may pick-up scholarship applications at the rectory or by calling Manni at the Religious Education Office 508-653-7542. Natick High School Seniors have already received the application from the School Guidance Department. Applications are due by May 5, 2003 and can be handed in at our parish Rectory. COED SOFTBALL Looking for Fun & Fellowship? Shake off Old Man Winter and join St. Pat's slow pitch team. Games are played in Wellesley on Thursday and Sunday evenings beginning late April through June with playoffs in July. Experience not essential but be ready for fun. All parishioners (male & female) age 18 or older are eligible. Please call Ron & Mary Whinnem at 655-1463 TODAY. NATICK COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE Sponsored by the William Rizzo Community Foundation Reminder SEAMLESS GARMENT REFLECTIONS The value of a human life is priceless because God's love is priceless. The elderly, the infirm, the unborn child, the condemned criminal: All bear His likeness. Every life, no matter how confused or broken, is valuable. "God looked at everything He had made, and He found it very good." |
