Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

From an Address by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (January 9, 2006):
“On this Sunday following the solemnity of the Epiphany, we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which ends the liturgical time of Christmas. Today we contemplate Jesus who, at the age of about 30, had John baptize him in the Jordan River. It was a baptism of penance, which used the symbol of water to express the purification of heart and life. John, called the "Baptist," that is, he who baptizes, preached this baptism to Israel to prepare for the imminent coming of the Messiah; and he told all that after him another would come, greater than he, who would not baptize with water but with the Holy Spirit (cf. Mark 1:7-8). When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended, rested on him with the corporal appearance of a dove, and John the Baptist recognized that he was the Christ, the "Lamb of God," who came to take away the sins of the world (cf. John 1:29).

Therefore, the baptism in the Jordan is also an "epiphany," a manifestation of the messianic identity of the Lord and of his redeeming work, which will culminate with another "baptism," that of his death and resurrection, through which the whole world will be purified in the fire of divine mercy (cf. Luke 12:49-50).

The baptism of children expresses and realizes the mystery of the new birth to divine life in Christ: Believing parents take their children to the baptismal font, representation of the "womb" of the Church, from whose blessed waters the children of God are begotten. The gift received by the newborns calls for its being accepted by them, once they become adults, in a free and responsible way: This process of maturation will lead them later to receive the sacrament of confirmation, which in fact will confirm their baptism and will confer on them the "seal" of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, may today's solemnity be a propitious opportunity for all Christians to discover the joy and beauty of their baptism that, lived with faith, is an ever present reality: It continually renews us in the image of the new man, in holiness of thoughts and deeds. May the Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace to understand ever more the value of our baptism and to witness to it with a worthy conduct of life.”

Mass Intentions This Week

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.

“John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?’” - Matthew 3:14

Each of us has received the Baptism that John sought – a Baptism into the Church of Jesus. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults states that “Jesus’ immersion in the water is a sign for all human beings of the need to die to themselves to do God’s will.” In other words, as baptized Catholics there is only one simple gift that we need to give to Jesus. The only gift God wants is a complete offering of ourselves. Once we surrender ourselves to God in this way, we will know in our hearts what else God might call us to do.

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.

For your convenience, tax statements for your 2009 offertory contributions are available by contacting the parish office at 508-653-1093. Your personalized statement will be prepared and mailed to you, or arrangements may be made to pick it up in the office. Please note that the IRS may disallow your charitable deductions if you are unable to provide this acknowledgement to them upon request. Thank you for your continued support of Saint Patrick Parish.

Paula Biagi, James M. White,
Rocco Franciose, Ronald J. Szretter
and Ruth O’Hearn

Calling high schoolers: please come to the next meeting of the parish youth group, TODAY, Sunday, January 10 in the downstairs school hall from 7:30-8:45.

MARK YOUR CALENDER
PASTA AND MORE!!!!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16TH
5 PM, Lower Church Hall

Menu: Lasagna, pasta, meatballs, mac and cheese, salad, bread, delicious desserts, coffee and soda.

Tickets on sale after Mass on January 9 and 10. $5 per person; $20 maximum per family; children under 6 free.

Transportation available. Questions -- Please contact Barbara Peoples @ 508-655-6326 or BPeoples2@aol.com

A meeting for the Adoration Ministry has been scheduled for Thursday evening, January 21st, at 7:30 pm. The meeting will take place downstairs in the Lower Church Hall. Newcomers are most welcome. Become informed about Adoration. Thank you all for your continued support. If you wish to commit to an hour, for information, please call Ed or Shirley at 508-653-2941.

It is a joy for us to welcome new members to our parish! If you worship with us regularly, but are not fully registered, use this form to request registration information. Drop it in the basket or mail it to us. We look forward to your active participation in our faith community.

After each Mass NEXT weekend, January 16th and 17th, volunteers from Massachusetts Citizens for Life will be offering Roses for Life. MCFL is the largest and most effective statewide Citizens’ Action Group promoting Respect for all Human Life, young and old, born and preborn.
MCFL Volunteers educate the Public through radio ads, speaking at schools and colleges, and sponsoring Pro-Life legislation. MCFL receives no public funding, but are sustained only by the prayers and support of the Pro-Life Community.
Please accept their literature, and please be as generous as you can with your donation.

Join us for LIFT – an exciting monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages. Be with us on Tuesday, January 19th as we welcome Fr. John Gerth 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!

When All the Hustle-Bustle of the holidays are over…..Don’t you and your spouse deserve a beautiful, romantic weekend away together? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends in New England are January 29-31, February 12-14 and March 5-7. For more information call Ralph & Jane Becker at 1-800-710-WWME or visit our webpage at www.wwmeMA.org.

On the weekend of February 5-7, 2010, Cardinal Sean will lead two retreats for men to experience seminary life, pray and reflect upon the Priesthood, meet other men like themselves and discern God's call in their life. The Discernment Retreat at Blessed John XXIII Seminary for men age 40 and older will be held on February 5-6, 2010 and the Discernment Retreat at St John's Seminary and Connors Family Retreat Center for men ages 18-40 years will be held on February 5-7, 2010. The Vocation Office invites you to submit names of men you think might have a vocation to the Priesthood to be considered for this retreat. Please send their names and contact information to the Vocation Office at 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, Ma. 02184 or by email at Dfortin@rcab.org. For more info call 617-746-5949. One of the priests from the Vocation Office will contact the men to see if this retreat is right for them.

St. Joseph Elementary School, 90 Pickering St., Needham, will hold an Information Night on Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 pm in the school library (May Street entrance) For preview, visit www.saintjoes.com.

Montrose School, 29 North St., Medfield, will have an Open House on Thursday, January 21 from 7:00-9:00 p. For further information, please call 508-359-2423. Montrose is an independent college preparatory day school with a Catholic tradition, for girls in grades 6-12.

Marian High School, Framingham will administer the High School Placement Test on Saturday, January 16 from 8:00 – 11:00 am. Students in the 8th grade can be registered for this test on Mondays-Fridays between 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Any questions, call 508-875-7646 X203.

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts