FROM THE PASTOR

This week's column is from Bill Ventura, our Seminarian from St. John's Seminary.

Regis Martin ponders in his wonderful new book entitled What is the Church? Confessions of a Cradle Catholic, "Indeed, if Chesterton is to be believed, God is such that He exults even in monotony. Is it not possible, Chesterton asks, that every morning, God says to the sun, 'Do it again!' and at day's end He will say the same to the moon?" Well, in my life, at summers end, God says to me, "Do it again," and back to Brighton I go. This year, as in all years, my feelings on leaving St. Patrick's are mixed. While late in August I do feel restless, and strongly desire to head back to the Seminary, I do experience some disappointment that the next nine months will be spent serving God in the classroom, and not in the parish. However, my one true desire is to serve God as a priest, and seminary is the instrument for that purpose that God has given His Church. Even knowing this, and while I do love my studies, I love even more serving God through His people in the parish. But, it is not for me, or any of us really, to choose how we serve God; it is only for us to choose if we will serve Him as He desires. In accord with this noble and pious thought, a thought that I find easy to type and a joyous challenge to live, I have packed up my belongings from the Rectory, and am in the process of making the trip back to St. John's Seminary. There are many new happenings, however, that make my return even more exciting this year. First, we have a new archbishop. This is very exciting for me. My generation has only lived under one pope, one archbishop, and personally, until I came to St. Patrick's, one pastor. A change of this magnitude is a tremendously exciting change. Second, at St. John's Seminary, my alma mater and home away from St. Patrick's, we have a new rector. This means for us seminarians that a new captain is at the helm of the ship, and while building upon the tremendous example of our previous rector, Bishop Richard Lennon, I am sure he has his own vision and style of leadership. I am filled with great hope that the seeds planted at the Seminary by Bishop Lennon will be brought to fruition under the leadership of Father Farren. Last, and certainly not least, among the new men entering priestly formation at St. John's is Mark Barr, a native of this parish. I am very blessed to have become friends with Mark over this summer, and his presence at the Seminary will surely serve to enrich the community. So there is much to be excited about in my life. This September marks many new beginnings and I am joyful that God has called me to be a part of them.

At this close of this summer, please allow me to thank Fr. Kiely and Fr. Riley for their truly inspiring examples of priesthood. I always leave St. Patrick's a little better than I was when I arrived, and this in no small way is due to their leadership and friendship. Thank you to all of those who made this summer special, be it through attending one of the classes I offered, offering a kind word or smile, or through your prayers for my vocation. It is this last, though, that I need most of all. Please continue to pray for me, and for Mark, that we may not only follow the path that the Lord has set out for us, but follow it with courage, zeal, holiness, and Christ-like love. Please be assured of my prayers for this great parish as I continue my studies.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 8/31    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass   Luisa Valenti
Mon. 9/1   8:00 AM Mass for the Sick   
Tues. 9/2   8:00 AM Lois Lambert   
Wed. 9/3   8:00 AM  William T.& William H. Nichols &   7:30 PM Modesto Raffi
Thur. 9/4   8:00 AM Lucianna & Family
Fri. 9/5     8:00 AM Cacciola Family   7:30 PM   Claire Michele Sullivan
Sat. 9/6    8:00 AM Maria Bello & Maria Cacciola

PLEASE PRAY FOR Alice Dunderdale, Anton Ciccarelli, Fred Hammond, Jane O'Keefe, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Sandra Green, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Lawrence Leone, Lorraine McDonough, Gregg Giallonardo, Muriel Cosentino, Denise Perreault, Rose Kilmer, Kathleen Mary Kennedy, Amy Flickenger, Flo Parrinello, Paul Cropper, James Philips, Robert Conlin, Jean Orme, Nadia DeMasi, Elvira Portyrala, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish, as well as all the faithful departed, especially James R. Fahey and Mary Dowd.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of August 31 will burn in prayer for Modesto Raffi, Maria SS Mamma Nostra, Luisa Valenti & Santa Ubaldino, Grace Tiberio, Claire Michele Sullivan, and Bobby & Fran Coughlin.

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
August 31, 2003

Budgeted               Actual
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$18,000.00            $12,077.00           $5,923.00

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      $6,815.00
Non-envelope users      $5,470.10
Total Offertory       $12,285.10

277 envelopes were used for an average donation $25.51

The Parish Offices will be closed , Monday, September 1st for the Labor Day holiday.

The St. Vincent dePaul Society once again will be helping families with BACK TO SCHOOL clothing needs. Please call the Rectory and leave your name and telephone number and we will contact you. All calls are confidential.

Natural Family Planning

Come to learn about the latest scientific advances in the field of Natural Family Planning and their medical applications. An Introductory Session on the Creighton Model-Fertility™ Care System will be offered September 14 at 7:00pm in the Joseph Center. All are welcome. Some of its benefits include: can be used to avoid and to achieve pregnancy; empowers the couple; gives control of the fertility to the couple; encourages communication; can be used as a tool to detect and manage gynecologic conditions; and many others.
Please call 978-436-0407 to register.

Religious Education
Upcoming events

PARENTS

Registration will begin this week downstairs in the Lower Church Hall for all grades including Pre-school, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 and all those new to the program. The fee schedule for participation in the religious education program is $40.00 per child with a maximum of $100.00 per family. Students in grade 11 receiving confirmation this November have an additional $50.00 fee. If this proves to be a difficulty please speak to Melisa Melnyk in the Religious Education Office 508-653-7542.

Registration times will be as follows:
Tuesday September 2 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday September 3 6:00-7:00pm
Thursday September 4 6:00-8:00pm
Sunday September 7 10:00-11:30am; 12:30-1:30pm; 6:30-8:00pm
Tuesday September 9 6:00-8:00pm
Wednesday September 10 6:00-7:00pm
Thursday September 11 6:00-8:00pm
Sunday September 14 10:00-11:30am;12:30-1:30pm; 6:30-8:00pm

FAMILY CLUSTERS

A Family Cluster is an alternative to religious education classes where the family is intentional about being the primary source and locus of religious education. Families work together using the same curriculum as in the classroom to facilitate the faith development of all members of the family. If you are currently a member of a Family Cluster or would like to participate in this enriching option please contact the Religious Education Office 508-653-7542

Confirmation students (gr. 10 & 11) looking to fulfill their service hours (25 hours completed before confirmation) please contact the Religious Ed office. The yard sale is looking for various jobs to be filled from manning a table, setting up, clean up, to planning & running activities for younger children. All are welcome to help out in any way they can.

Reminder to all Religious Ed Volunteers:

You must drop by the Religious Education Office (located in the rectory) before classes begin to meet with me and fill out some paper work. Until this is taken care of you will not be assigned to a class.

The Religious Education Office is looking for someone to take responsibility for the video library located in the lower church. This involves an initial organization (ensuring that all video cases contain the corresponding video, sorting videos according to age appropriateness, etc.) then coming by at least 1-2 times per week to put returned videos back and keep track of videos borrowed.

REFLECTIONS ON PRAYER & FASTING

A physical emptiness and hunger supports a spiritual hunger, a hunger for God.

From A Place A Part
By M.Basil Pennington O.C.S.O.

First Friday Dinner, Fri 9/5, following 7:30pm Mass. Each month we go out to dinner after First Friday Mass. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com 508-845-5008.

PRO-LIFE DINNER

K of C Council No. 87 announces its 13th Annual Full Course Catered Pro-Life Award Dinner to be held at St. Tarcisius Church Hall, 562 Waverly Street, Framingham on Friday, September 19th at 7:30pm. This year's Keynote Speaker will be Atty. Tom Harvey, Pro Life Advocate and Honorees: Msgr. John Dillon Day, Pro-Life Priest, Charles Coudert, Pro-Life leader and Mary Stack, Pro-Life activist. Tickets are $18.00 per person. For ticket information contact Ed Maroney 508-875-3842.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

Let your married romance sizzle well beyond the summer months. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend helps keep the sparkle alive and glowing throughout the year. The next Massachusetts weekends are scheduled for Sept. 19-21, Oct. 24-26, and Nov. 14-16. For more information call Dave & Karen Demers at 800-710-WWME (9963) or visit their website at www.wwmeMA.org

Visit St. Tarcisius School
"Best Kept Secret in Metro West"

Accredited by NEASC, small class sizes, tuition assistance, Grades K-8, afterschool program, before school program, Art, Music, Computer, and Physical Education Programs.
For information, please call 508-872-8188.

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