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FROM THE PASTOR
People are often surprised when I tell them that I am never ashamed to ask for money. I must admit that it can be uncomfortable at times because talk of money in the Church is often met with great resistance and sometimes even hostility on the part of those who listen to the message. In the minds of some, the Gospel should never be “tainted” with any talk about finances and that our relationship with Jesus should never be connected to our financial generosity. However, that sentiment is not the result of an accurate understanding of Sacred Scripture. The reason I am unashamed to speak of money is because raising funds was one of the primary activities of the Apostles in the early Church. The Acts of the Apostles describe Saints Peter and Paul as often taking up collections for the poor and for the Mother Church. As a matter of fact, Jesus spoke more of money than any other subject in the Gospels. Giving of our resources is a sign of faith. The Church constantly invites us to share our time, talents, and treasure; but it is often easier to give of our time and talents than it is of our treasure. For many, money signifies security, and lack of money causes anxiety and stress. Yet, it is the tradition of the Church that we should trust in God’s providence. The Lord is so generous to us, and we need in response to be generous to Him and to others. I have asked the PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL to prepare the Annual Report and Budget for this fiscal year, which has been provided to you as an insert in this week’s bulletin. Next weekend, members of the Finance Council will speak at all of the Masses to inform you of how St. Patrick’s Parish has used your generous gifts to carry on the mission of the Church within our parish community. I am most grateful for the way in which you have consistently responded to God’s call to share your resources, and I appreciate that, for some, your weekly offering is a sacrifice of great love. Our parish has enjoyed a legacy of many faith-filled works that have extended far beyond our borders, and for this I am most grateful. However, as we look at the present fiscal realities, we realize that we need to increase our weekly Offertory in order to continue the pastoral and charitable works that have defined our parish. The
Finance Council provides tremendous assistance in helping us to
exercise prudent fiscal restraint as we have attempted to render
good stewardship, but I need each of you to be equally committed
and equally responsive to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in
your lives. The Church is each one of us committed to sharing
ALL that we possess with others to proclaim in
Word, in action, and in worship our conviction that Jesus is Lord.
I am inviting all of us to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to build
a community of faith, and to reach out to those in need by increasing
your weekly contributions. The needs of our parish and the wider
community are many, but we have the resources available to respond
to those needs. What we need most is a generous spirit and an
active faith in God’s providential care that will enable us to
open our hearts and our wallets in response to His goodness to
us. Please know that I am most grateful to you for all that you
do. Mass Intentions This Week
PLEASE PRAY FOR Fr. Frank Manning, Philip Allen, James Atherton, Harold Barbieri, Bridie Bell, Lucille Belmore, Joanne Bolles, Nancy Brodeur, Francis Burke, Patrick Burke, Jim Campbell, Muriel Cosentino, Harold Davis, Eileen Dennis, Joel Dennis, Barbara DiVaio, Diane Doyle, Patricia Finnegan, Dorothy Fitzgerald, Mike Fitzgerald, Richard Guerin, Janet Hutchins, Thomas Kean, Francis Livingstone, Charlene Lombardi, Helen MacDonald, Catherine MacLellan, Dave Markow, Marie Murphy, Fran Quaranto, Felicia Quesada, Elaine Ruda, Eleonore Santospago, Marie Smith, Dennis P. Sullivan, Wilma Verge, Barbara Waite, Maryann Webster, Ricky Webster, and all the sick of the parish. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of September 23 will burn in prayer for S. Cosima & S. Damian, Joann O’Brien, and Mildred Moriarty’s Special Intention. 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
September 16, 2007
Stewardship “If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?” Luke 16:12 God
entrusts each of us with unique gifts and talents, so that we
can make a contribution to God’s work here on earth. If we do
not use our gifts in the way that God intended then we betray
the trust God placed in us. When we do share
our gifts we feel the joy that comes from making our unique contribution.
Giving doesn’t hurt. It feels great! Rest in Peace Let us pray for those who have died, especially
Margaret “Rita” Kilroy May they and all of our faithful departed rest in peace.
Help Support CatholicTV in Boston 2007 CatholicTV TELETHON Friday,
September 28 and Saturday, September 29 Please
tune in and call to help support Natick Sons of Italy Pasta Nite Natick Sons of Italy Pasta Night serving all-you-can-eat pasta, meatballs, sausage, salad, bread and homemade desserts. Coffee included. Come one, come all! Every Wednesday evening from 5 pm – 7 pm at 37 Washington Avenue. Adults $7.00. Religious Education News Please keep our children and catechists in your prayers as they begin a new year in St. Patrick’s Religious Education Program. Our High School students had their first classes last Sunday evening and Kindergarten through Grade 4 begins this Sunday morning. Our Middle School classes start this Wednesday at 6:30pm. Please be sure your child is registered. Students who are not registered cannot be placed in a class. If you complete the registration materials this weekend, we will assign your child to a class and he or she can begin next weekend. Last Sunday, a representative from Sadlier Publishing introduced us to the new texts we’ll be using this year. Our catechists were favorably impressed. Be sure to look at your children’s books and reinforce the lessons they learn in class. We
still have some classes without teachers. We’re working at resolving
openings; however, the start of some classes may be delayed until
we have a teacher. If you can find your way to help it would be
most appreciated.
Catechetical Sunday Catechesis aims “to put people not only in touch
but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ” (National directory
for Catechesis, no. 19B). Today, September 23, 2007,
we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. The theme of our celebration
is “Catechesis: Encountering the Living Christ.” During our tribute
we will commission catechists during our Eucharistic celebrations.
We will also recognize the role parents and guardians play in
handing on the faith to the children and youth in our parish.
Take a minute and thank our catechists for all they do to share
the light of faith with our children, youth, and adults. Classes Resume for Religious Education Kindergarten
through Grade 4: Grades
5 through 8 COME JOIN US!! SUNDAY
COFFEE RESUMES
RCIA An “Inquiry Night” for RCIA will be held on Tuesday, September 25th at 7:30 pm in the Lower Church hall for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. RCIA is a process by which adults who have not been Baptized or who have been Baptized into another Christian faith or who were Baptized Catholic but not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist are welcomed into the Catholic Church. For further information, please call Jean Ryan at 781-455-8393. Dominican Laity Meeting Our St. Martin de Porres Chapter of the Fraternities of St. Dominic will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, September 23rd in the lower church hall at 1:30PM. We welcome anyone who would like to visit with us this day. Our featured talk will be on the Life of St. Edith Stein, Carmelite and Philosopher, who died in the holocaust during WWII. Refreshments will be served at the break. We will pray the Divine Office just after 4PM and conclude the meeting. Any inquiries may be made by calling Pat at 508-820-4786 or Peg at 508-655-2347. Project Rachel Do you know someone who is carrying grief and sorrow over past abortions? Project Rachel is the post-abortion ministry of the Catholic Church offering hope and healing to those hurting from the pain of abortion. Project Rachel will offer a weekend healing retreat October 19 – 21 and a one-day retreat on Saturday, November 10. For location and registration information, contact Project Rachel at 508-651-3100 or help@projectrachelboston.com. Marriage Encounter An experience for building communication, creating intimacy, self esteem and enriching the values of marriage, family and faith. This program is for couples who believe they have a good marriage but desire deeper understanding, richer communication, better quality and more spirituality in their marriage. Upcoming weekend dates are October 19 and November 30. For further information and details contact 1-800-367-0343 or www.mene.org. You are invited! Women
in God’s Spirit Please join us for our
Fall Session: Wednesday Mornings beginning
Prayer for Vocations Jesus,
high priest and Redeemer O God, you have called us to salvation
and have sent your Son to establish the Church for this purpose,
and you have provided the sacred ministers. The harvest is ever
ready but the laborers are scarce. Inspire our youth to follow
Jesus by serving Your People. Amen. Safety for All In an effort to make sure our building is a secure place for all during the celebration of Mass, parents please accompany your children when they need to use the rest room. In this way we will all be assured that our oungsters are safe at all times. |
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