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FROM THE PASTOR "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10) I want to welcome all of you to STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY AT ST. PATRICK'S this weekend and invite you to join us after all of the Masses in the downstairs hall to learn more about the many activities and ministries that this parish offers. Many Catholics wince when they hear the word "stewardship." It is a reaction prompted by a mistaken notion that stewardship is just another way that the Church has to ask for money. This is not true. The decision to share one's financial resources with the parish is an important aspect of being a Christian steward. But that is only part of the story. Christian stewardship is the commitment made in response to God's generosity: to live a life of gratitude, to make daily decisions to glorify the Lord and to share oneself and one's gifts generously as circumstances and talents allow. A life of gratitude is the first mark of Christian stewardship. God has endowed His followers with more gifts than they can imagine-life and faith, time and relationships, health, talents, skills and material wealth. Everything one has is a gift from God and a Christian thanks God daily for these blessings. Stewardship means making daily, conscious choices that glorify God. Decisions are made daily that reveal one's priorities. The axiom, "Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are," holds true. One recognizes a true disciple by the place that God has in her or his daily life. The best way to respond to God's loving generosity is by reflecting that generosity day by day. Take time for prayer, nurture relationships with family and friends, participate in the worship life of the parish, and act out of loving concern on behalf of others in the world. What God does in Jesus' human life is a much magnified version of what happens when one's personal schedule is rearranged to be with someone who is lonely or despairing, or when creative ways are devised to volunteer talents for the parish, or even when family budgets and spending habits are reprioritized in light of the Gospel. The real question for a steward is not "Should I do these things?" but rather, "How much should I do?" Ultimately stewardship comes down to a personal decision about how each of us lives, and how much each of us will respond to God's gifts based on our experience, self-knowledge and the call of God's grace. There is the great truth underscored in the New Testament that by giving ourselves to someone or something beyond ourselves, we discover our own best selves. "He who loses himself for my sake will find himself." (Matthew 10:39) Please join us and share your time, talent, and treasure so that we might be bonded together as a true parish family. Let us commit ourselves as outward signs of the real treasure we have in Jesus Christ. Mass Intentions This Week Sun. 9/26 5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass Luisa Valenti, Edna Lambert, Gordon & Mary Ford Kingsley (living), Erik Sotell (birthday)
PLEASE PRAY FOR Jordan Pascucci, Elaine Ruda, Ulysse Richard, Dave Markow, Stuart McIntosh, Laura Tomlin, Lucy Grupposo, Marie Smith, John Healey, Joel Dennis, Greg Giallonardo, Nancy Brodeur, Erin McKay, Tony Amendolla, Thomas Kean, Chuck Plaistek, Jane O'Keefe, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Muriel Cosentino, Denise Perreault, Amy Flickenger, James Philips, Elvira Portyrala, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of September 26th will burn in prayer for Dee Phinney and in thanksgiving to S.Cosimo & S. Damiano. 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 $12,021.00 $2,979.00 STEWARDSHIP The sin of the rich man in today's Gospel was not that he was rich, but that he failed to share his wealth with the beggar at the gate. He knew Lazarus, perhaps walked by him every time he came in or out, but did nothing to relieve his suffering. Is there a Lazarus in my life? What am I doing to help? Weddings Let us pray for those preparing for marriage.
St. Patrick Cemetery Cemetery plots are still available at St. Patrick Cemetery on Pond Street. Leo Doherty, the cemetery sexton, is very helpful in determining what section of the cemetery would be appropriate for your needs. If you are considering a site at our cemetery, you may wish to do so before the ground is covered in snow. Please call Leo Doherty at 508-655-2846 if you are interested. TODAY Stewardship Sunday, September 26, 2004 Hosted by the Parish Pastoral Council
Whatever your time or talent, whether you have participated before, or are new, please stop by our Ministries Tables to check out the many ways that St. Patrick's Parish serves our community Join us in sharing the Gospel of Christ! St. Patrick Parish Retreat A parish retreat, "One Lord, Many Faces", is planned for October 17-20 at 7:30 pm each evening. More information will be provided next week, but please mark your calendars now to participate in this prayerful experience. All are Welcome! RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious Education Registration Classes have begun for Religious Education Classes, please contact the religious education office if you are new to the area or to our parish. Options remain for home schooling or family cluster, please contact Melisa Melnyk for additional information on these options at 508-907-6220 or religiouseducation@attglobal.net Religious Education Invitation Due to late enrollments and catechists unable to complete their commitment we are looking for additional catechists for 4th grade, 7th grade and 9th grade. As well, in order to fulfill the archdiocesan requirements of having 2 adults in each class, we are looking for an aide for 4th grade. We are also in need of individuals who can be called on "as-needed" for a variety of tasks including substitution (lesson plans and materials provided). C'mon, take the plunge, you'll be glad you did! Reminders: · "Protecting God's Children" Awareness training (CAP) new religious ed. volunteers Sunday Sept 26th 2:00-4:00pm in Lower church hall Child Abuse Prevention Program It is necessary for all volunteers and those in ministries to complete this program. You MUST call Deacon Crump at the rectory to register for a session. Session may be cancelled if too few are signed up to attend. Session Dates:
WYD Fundraising The Pope has invited and our students have responded! Help support our students going to Koln, Germany for World Youth Day.
Feast Day: St. Vincent DePaul Monday, 9/27/04 There will be a special Mass at St. Patrick's at 6:00PM. Members of various St. Vincent area conferences will attend and members of the parish are also cordially invited. Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s) Bible Study, Thu 9/23, 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 10/1, following 7:30pm Mass. Each month we go out to dinner after First Friday Mass. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008. St. Patrick Cooperative Playgroup St. Patrick Playgroup is a cooperative group for children ages birth through 5 years and their caretakers. It will meet this year on Wednesday from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Barbara at 508-653-0647. Respect Life Ministry
The Annual Respect Life Walk will be held on the Boston Common Sunday, October 3rd, beginning at 2pm. This 3 mile walk raises funds to support programs that assist pregnant women and children and families after birth. Some of the agencies that benefit from the walk are Pregnancy Help and Birthright.
Peace & Justice Ministry
Thank you for all your donations to the weekly food drop-off, which is located in the left-hand corner in the vestibule of the church. We bring your donations to the Natick Food Pantry, East Central St on the first week of the month, and to A Place To Turn, Hartford St., during the second-fourth weeks. If there is a fifth Sunday, the food collection is picked up by St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Montrose School - Open House Sunday, October 17th from 2 to 4PM and on Thursday, November 4th from 7 to 9PM. Montrose is an independent, college preparatory school for girls in Grades 6-12. Montrose offers a classical liberal arts curriculum and an integrated character development program guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church. For more information, contact the School at (508) 650-6925 or visit www.MontroseSchool.org. St. Paul School - Open House
Registrations now being accepted for the all day kindergarten programs through grade 8 for the 2005-2006 academic year. For more information, please call Karen McLaughlin, Principal at 781-235-1510 St. Sebastian's School - Open House St. Sebastian School, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory day school of 340 young men in grades seven through twelve, is hosting an Admissions Open House on Thursday, October 28, from 5:30-7:30pm St. Sebastian's campus is located at 1191 Greendale Avenue in Needham, directly adjacent to Route 128, using the Great Plain Avenue exit. For further information, contact the Admissions Office at: (781) 449-5200. An invitation to an afternoon of song, prayer, reflection and sharing on September 26th at 3pm at St. Theresa Parish in Sherborn MA We welcome anyone who is already active in or who is contemplating forming a ministry in social justice issues within their parish. As followers of Christ, we know that our Catholic social teachings require that we be the voice for the voiceless and do what we can to ensure fair and just treatment for all.
Community events A Post-Abortion Healing Retreat for women will be held the weekend of October 22-24, 2004 by the Project Rachel Ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston. Previous participants have found the retreat a life-changing experience of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation. For more information, call Project Rachel at 617-783-8300. All calls are confidential. Trust in the tender embrace of God's mercy and love. The Russian Choir is back!!! They are among us again!!! They are coming to St. Cecilia's Church in Ashland, MA. Performance is at 7:30pm on Friday, October 8th. We are running a school bus to the performance. If interested in attending, please call Sandra Green at 508-651-8203. Natick Sons of Italy 37 Washington Avenue Pasta Night re-opens. Every Wednesday evening from 5-7pm, All You Can Eat pasta, meatballs, salad, bread and butter. Homemade desserts and coffee. Other beverages available for purchase. Proceeds to scholarship fund. Immediate and long-term benefits. Revealing the Face of Christ The Archdiocese of Boston is sponsoring a one-day evangelistic outreach on September 25 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium titled: "Revealing the Face of Christ". The day will run from 9am to 4pm and will be filled with joyful music, inspirational talks by Father Lou Ceruli, and a performance by a gifted artist Rob Surrette. This is an extraordinary opportunity to introduce family, neighbors and friends to Christianity. All are welcome. An offering will be taken during the day, but attendance is free. Please plan to come and bring a friend who needs to know Christ loves him or her. Let everyone know the Catholic Church in Boston is alive. |
