This Sunday, October 7th, is RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY and Catholics in the United States will mark this day by praying for and promoting a culture of life in our country. The annual Walk for Respect Life will be held in Boston and I want to encourage all who are able to participate in this public demonstration of our conviction towards the sanctity of life. Pious words about human dignity mean very little unless we do something about them. No social policy, no matter how well-intentioned, can overlook the primary responsibility of protecting the right to life. The right to life, from the moment of conception until natural death, is the foundation upon which all other rights rest. His Eminence, Justin Cardinal Rigali, the Archbishop of Philadelphia and Chairman of the Committee for Respect Life Activities of the US Bishops’ Conference, has issued a statement saying, “We will not see the day when all human life is respected and defended unless we address a deeper problem. As Pope Benedict XVI has said, “If truth does not exist for man, then neither can he ultimately distinguish between good and evil. And then the great and wonderful discoveries of science become double-edged: they can open up significant possibilities for good, for the benefit of mankind but also, as we see only too clearly, they can pose a terrible threat, involving the destruction of man and the world. We need the Truth.’” On this Respect Life Sunday, we ask Catholic and people of good will to witness to the truth about the incomparable dignity and right to life of every human being. This is no sectarian creed. The ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.’ And that is the truth.”

I want to thank all of you who are increasing your weekly offering. As you heard last week, the Finance and Pastoral Councils remain very concerned about our present fiscal realities. We need to continually pray for an even deeper spirit of generosity if we hope to continue to maintain our present pastoral services. We often hear about the pain of cutbacks in the Church but to be blunt, we can’t expect to harvest twenty acres if we only plant one. The sharing of our resources leads to life and the hoarding of them leads to death. Just as God has been generous to us, so we need to be generous with others. We rely upon your generosity in the weekly offertory to address the many needs that we have at St. Patrick’s. Please prayerfully consider opening your heart and your wallets so that the good work being done here will continue to flourish. May God reward you for your generosity.

Stewardship

“Thus says the Lord the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortable on their couches… ” Amos 6:1,4

Are we the complacent in our own time, enjoying our luxuries while others are in need? Stewardship calls us to consider how God wants us to use our blessings before we spend all our time, talent and treasure to indulge our own wants.

Let us pray for those who have died, especially

Lois Indelicato and Margaret L. Davis

May they and all of our faithful departed rest in peace.

Today, Sunday, October 7, is “Respect Life Sunday”. Cardinal Sean will celebrate the annual Respect Life Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 11:30 a.m. The annual Respect Life Walk for Mothers and Children will begin with a 1:00 p.m. rally on Boston Common (Parkman Bandstand – near intersection of Tremont and Boylston Streets). All are welcome!

Electronic Offertory

In an effort to make it more convenient for parishioners to financially support Saint Patrick Parish, we now offer you the ability to make your offertory contributions electronically. Rather than placing cash or checks in the collection basket each week, you now have the option to simply have a predetermined monthly amount withdrawn from your checking or savings account that will be automatically deposited into the Parish Offertory. Transactions will be made on the 15th of each month. If you are interested in signing up for electronic offertory payments, or if you would like additional information, please contact Jean Lorrey in the Parish Office at 508-653-1093. Thank you.

Religious Education

St. Patrick’s Religious Education Program is off to great start thanks to the help of many catechists, aides, parents and other volunteers. There are no classes this Sunday, October 7 because of Monday’s Columbus Day holiday.

5th 7 6th Grade students and parents are reminded of our joint meeting this Wednesday at 5:30pm. We will have a chance to discuss the program and parents will meet their children’s teachers.

We still need a few volunteers to complete our roster. If you can serve, even occasionally, as an aide on Wednesdays (5:30-6:30) or on Sunday mornings please contact the Religious Education Office at (508) 907-6220 or stpatreled@comcast.net.

We are an all volunteer program. Two weeks ago we had to postpone the start of 4th Grade because we didn’t have any teachers. Last week we had three full classes each with two adults! Thanks to those who stepped forward. St. Patrick’s Religious Education has made great strides in recent years. Greater parental support is what will bring us to the next level.

St. Bridget School, 832 Worcester Road (Rte. 9), Framingham is holding a school tour on October 10 from 9-10 am for K1 (4 year old) and Kindergarten programs. For more information, call Jean Niglocshy at 508-875-0181 x229.

Catholic Memorial, 235 Baker Street, West Roxbury is having an open house on Sunday, October 21 from 1 – 3 pm. For more information visit www.catholicmemorial.org or call 617-469-8019.

St. Sebastian School, 1191 Greendale Avenue, Needham will host an Admissions Open House on Tuesday, October 23 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. St. Sebastian is a Catholic, independent day school for young men in grades 7 – 12. For further information, contact Admissions at 781-449-5200 or visit www.stsebastiansschool.org.

Xaverian Brothers High School, 800 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood will hold its only open house on Sunday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 pm. For more information call 781-326-6392 or visit our website at www.XBHS.com.

St. Tarcisius Men’s Group hosts an “All you can eat” Porchetta Feast, catered by Oliva’s Catering, Milford on Thursday, October 11 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.) The menu includes soup, salad, porchetta, pasta, roasted potatoes, and dessert. There is a cash bar. The cost is $22.00 per ticket. The event will be held at the St. Tarcisius Parish Center, 562 Waverly Street, Framingham. For tickets call 508-875-8623. (This is not a Men’s only event; Women are welcome!!!)

LIFT – Catholic Worship for a NEW Generation

Join us for LIFT – an exciting new monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages – from young adults to adults to teens to entire families. Be with us on Tuesday, October 16th as we welcome Steve Allgeyer as our speaker. The evening runs from 7 – 9 pm at Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Road, Milton, MA. Directions and a downloadable flyer, along with more information about LIFT, can be found on our website at www.liftedhigher.com. Come join in worship with hundreds of Catholics from around the Boston area!

Kempis Circle

Please come and join the Kempis Circle, a Catholic prayer group for women of all ages. The group meets on the first Saturday of the month, eight times a year (September-May). We start with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a spiritual discussion led by a priest. After lunch a second discussion continues ending at 2:30 p.m. All meetings are held at Mt. St. Vincent (Sisters of Charity) in Wellesley. For further information please call Marie at 781-237-2185. Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, October 13 (not the first Saturday this month due to the Columbus Day weekend).

Fatima Day

The Xaverian Missionaries will hold their last traditional Fatima Day of the year, on Saturday, October 13, at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. The main celebrant will be Fr. Robert S. Maloney, s.x. former US Provincial Superior of the Xaverians. Fr. Bob served for several years in the Xaverian missions in Bangladesh. Sing-along at 6:30 p.m. Mass at 7:00 p.m., followed by rosary and candlelight procession. The evening will conclude with refreshments served in the Shrine Hall.

Men’s Cursillo

The Archdiocesan Cursillo Movement is offering a Men’s Cursillo from Thursday evening, October 25 through Sunday afternoon, October 28 at The Marist Retreat House in Framingham. Cursillo is a short course in Christianity, which offers the participants a vibrant experience of the Christian Life and a method for living as an active member of the Church. For information and registration, please check the Archdiocesan Cursillo Website at: www.bostoncursillo.org or call the Office of Worship and Spiritual Life at 617-779-3640 or email us at spiritual_development@rcab.org.