Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

I want to encourage all high school age parishioners to consider participating in our upcoming YOUTH MINISTRY RETREAT which will be held on November 7-9th. This retreat, “REACHING FOR CHRIST,” has been organized and will be conducted by members of our new youth ministry. These young people, under the direction of Ryan Barba, have been planning for this overnight experience for some time and have designed a weekend that will be both interesting and enjoyable. I hope that all high school youth will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to grow closer to God and to each other and I am confident that the rest of the parish will be as supportive as we can be by our prayers and assistance.

In honor of our upcoming election day on Tuesday, I would like to share with you A Prayer for Civil Authorities that was recently forwarded to me. This prayer is attributed to Bishop John Carroll, the first American Bishop, and is believed to be written in 1792. Bishop Carroll realized the blessing, gift and responsibility we have as Americans in having the opportunity to elect the leaders of our great Nation. I urge you to participate in this responsibility as well.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the people of the United States as we prepare to choose the next President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion, by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy, and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

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.

“…I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. - John 6:38

Jesus teaches us the essence of stewardship. We are put here on earth not to do whatever fulfills us but rather to fulfill the plan that God had in mind for us. Each of us has unique blessings and gifts that enable us to fulfill God’s will for us. When we don’t share those gifts, some part of God’s plan is left undone. Sadly, we are often more inclined to want to “do our own thing,” rather than to do God’s work. The words of the Our Father, “Thy will be done,” should be our constant stewardship prayer.

The Annual Mass of Remembrance for our loved ones who died this past year will be held on Sunday, November 23rd, at 11:30. Invitations are being sent to family members of those who were buried from our parish. If you know of someone who experienced a loss of a loved one this year but the funeral was held outside of our parish, please contact the parish office at 508-653-1093 so that an invitation may be extended to them as well. Please provide us with the name and address of the person to whom the invitation should be addressed as well as the name and relation of the deceased relative. All are welcome to join us in prayer for this special Mass. Refreshments will be served downstairs in the church hall following the Mass.

When the battles of the Maccabees were won,
they would pray for their fallen comrades to loose
them from the sins they had died with.

When asked the fate of those who died, Christ
told his listeners of God’s word to Moses: “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

When writing to a Church in difficulty, Saint
Paul said that we are surrounded by a cloud of
believers, and that those who have passed before us,
cheer us on in our own journey to heaven.

Today, we remember all those who have gone
before us. We strengthen our hope in the promise
of eternal life. We recall the faithfulness of those
who have died. And we pray for their union with
God in heaven
Liturgical Publications, Inc.

A Mass of Remembrance for Pre-Born Children who have been lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening, November 17 at St. Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick (Route 135). Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services of the Archdiocese of Boston, will offer the homily. Parents, grandparents and siblings who have suffered the loss of these little ones are invited to join. An opportunity for sacramental Confession will be available after Mass. For more information, contact Project Rachel – Archdiocese of Boston (508-651-3100) or help@projectrachelboston.com.

Representatives from Catholic Elementary and High Schools will be at St. Patrick Parish TODAY, November 2 after the 9:00 and 11:30 Mass in the SCHOOL GYM. Come and explore what a Catholic education has to offer.

Join us on Friday, November 14 from 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm at the Irish Social Club, 119 Park Street, West Roxbury in a Benefit Dance for The Columban Sisters’ Missions. Music will be provided by Erin’s Melody. Donation of $10. Door prize of a weekend for two at the Irish Village, grand raffle includes $1,000 cash, Waterford Crystal Lamp and $500 cash. For further information contact Sisters Margaret and Ruth at 617-325-3916.

Crafts, white elephant, ceramics, baked goods, basket raffles, jewelry, hand made items, gift table, wreaths, silk flowers and much more are featured at our fair. Join us on Friday, November 7 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Manor – Tara Lounge, 863 Central Street, Framingham. For more information, call 508-879-8000.

Come an enjoy the fun and excitement at the Jeanne Jugan Residence, The Little Sisters of the Poor’s annual bazaar on Saturday, November 8 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Located at 186 Highland Avenue, Somerville, there will be beautiful handmade crafts, beef stew for lunch, lots of raffles!

Dear God, you have created us in your own image and have given us so many gifts. We ask you to bless us all, so that we may know best how to love you and each other with those gifts. We pray especially for those young men and women who are searching for ways to serve you in love. May they be open to all that you may ask. We pray for those who study for the priesthood and religious life, that their preparations may bring to the church happy and holy priests and religious men and women. We ask this, through Christ the Good Shepherd.
Amen.

Thank you to those generous parishioners who regularly donate to the weekly food collection by leaving their offerings at the back of the church after weekend Masses.

Food pantries in the area are experiencing unprecedented demand, so your continued support would be greatly appreciated. Items of particular need include canned stews, cereal, coffee, 100% fruit drinks, tomato products, soaps, toothpaste and shampoo. Donations of non-perishable food products and non-food products may be left at the left side of the church vestibule at any service. Those who are in greater need than ever, in these uncertain economic times, greatly appreciate your charity.

Women in God’s Spirit (W.I.N.G.S.)

November 5, 2008
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Lower Church Hall
Join us as we pray the Rosary together
Potluck Brunch to Follow

Marian High School, 273 Union Avenue, Framingham, Monday, November 10, 5:30-8:30 pm. Admission test on Saturday, November 15 or December 13 from 8:00-11:30 am. For more information call 508-876-7646 x203.

St. Joseph Elementary School, 90 Pickering Street, Needham, Thursday, November 13, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the school library. For preview, visit www.saintjoes.com or call 781-444-4459 for information.

Mount Alvernia High School Grades 7-12, (young women), 790 Centre Street, Newton, Sunday, November 2, 1:30-4:00 pm. For more information call 617-969-2260 X46.

St. John High School (young men), 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, Sunday, October 19 and November 2, 1:00 pm. Entrance exam on November 8 at 8:30 am. Visit our website www.stjohnshigh.org or call 508-842-8934, Ext 266.

St. Paul School, 17 Atwood Street, Wellesley, Monday, November 10, 7:00-8:30 pm – Middle School information night. Visit our website www.stjohnshigh.org or call 508-842-8934, Ext 266.

The Natick Lions Club is sponsoring a Diabetes Awareness Fair on Saturday, November 15th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Morse Institute Library. A Registered diabetic nutritionist will lead interactive workshops; the Lions Eye Mobile will be available for vision, hearing and blood pressure checks. There will be numerous vendors with valuable information and food samples. November is Diabetes Awareness month. Please join us to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about Diabetes.

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts