Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

As we begin the season of ADVENT this Sunday, we are invited to remember Christ’s first coming to us in history and also to prepare for His second Coming at the end of time. Advent is primarily a period of devout and joyful expectation. It is hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner and that December 25th will be here before we realize it. In some ways, that is true about the Second Coming of Christ as well: He will be here before we realize it so we must be prepared for that day for we know by faith that Christ WILL come again. I hope that this season of Advent will be an occasion for all of us to meditate on the wonderful gift of Christ’s peace so that we might be better able to live each day more fully in the service of Him Who we call Lord.

Prayer for Advent

Dear God,
As an Advent candle is lit in joyous anticipation of your Son’s nativity, remind us always of the reason for our joy. As the purple of the candles stand for both penance and atonement for sin, give us the grace to do penance for our wrongs, and to love Christ, whose sacrifice atoned for the sins of the whole world. But just as the rose candle stands for joy in the midst of suffering and expectation, give us the joy of your Son, Jesus Christ, who came into a world that had so longed for its Savior, and made the angels themselves sing with joy at his birth. Amen

St. Patrick Parish has donated $2,904.00 to the Campaign for Human Development. Thank you for your generosity!

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or checks in the collection basket each week, you now have the option to simply have a predetermined monthly amount withdrawn from your checking or savings account that will be automatically deposited into the Parish Offertory.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.

Stewardship
“It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on watch.” - Mark 13:34

God has left us as His servants in charge here on earth. Each of us has our own special work that we can do for God. If we do not do it, who will?”

Generous God, you call us by name and ask us to follow you. Help us grow in the love and service of our church. Give us the energy and spirit to shape its future. Grant us faith-filled leaders who will embrace Christ’s mission of love and justice. Bless the church by raising up dedicated and generous leaders from our family and friends who will serve as sisters, priests, brothers, deacons and lay ministers. Inspire us to open our hearts and hear your call. Amen

The annual Mass and Breakfast of the Women Affirming Life will be held on Saturday, December 13th at the Newton Marriott Hotel. Cardinal Sean O’Malley will celebrate the Mass which begins at 8 a.m. Breakfast follows immediately. The speaker, Sr. Kathryn James Hermes, FSP will offer an Advent Reflection on the Culture of Life. Tickets are $25/$15 students if purchased by December 1st. All tickets purchased after this date are $30. NO TICKETS ARE SOLD AT THE DOOR. For more information call the Pro-Life Office at 508-651-1900 or e-mail ProLifeOffice@rcab.org.

For the past several years St. Patrick’s Parish, under the direction of our Religious Education Office, has produced a Children’s Christmas Pageant. Many participating families have shared their appreciation for an opportunity to provide their children with an opportunity to experience a “religious” Christmas event. It consists of a Nativity narrative with children acting out the parts of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and assorted animals. All of the children and a chorus rehearse and sing traditional religious Christmas songs. The pageant occurs on a Sunday before Christmas after the 9am Family Mass. The children, parents, and guests then gather for a collation in the lower church hall.

In order for the pageant to be a success we will need the help of 2 - 3 adults to coordinate this year’s pageant. If you can help coordinate this year’s pageant, please contact the religious education office at (508) 907-6220 or stpatreled@comcast.net so we may begin planning. We understand the time demands made on parents, children and families can increase during the Christmas season and appreciate any help you can offer.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and response to this inquiry.

Our Jesse Tree begins this weekend after each Mass. Please consider purchasing a gift or gift certificate for a child and/or adult who is in need of our help. Your kindness and generosity during this time of year unifies us as a family in Christ. Gifts this year are to be returned by December 14th at the back of the church.

The Xaverian Missionaries will begin the Advent season and celebrate Christmas with the traditional Christmas Lights display, beginning Saturday, November 29th through Sunday, January 4th, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Christmas concert featuring the St. Cecilia’s Choir of Ashland, under the Direction of Ms. Lelia Viana, will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 3:00 p.m. It will be followed by the Candlelight procession to the Nativity scene on the Shrine grounds.

Saint Theresa of Lisieux Parish in Sherborn is offering a workshop on Handling Grief and Loss During the Holidays on Wednesday, December 10 from 7:00 – 8:30 in the parish center. Losing someone is stressful and difficult at any time of the year, but may be especially difficult during the holidays, when we witness more joy than ordinarily is being shared. Join us for sharing and for praying your experiences, for support and for ideas on how to cope. You are welcome to come no matter what type of loss, or how recent or distant it may be, if it is still with you it is near and real.

Presenter: Georgia Gojmerac-Leiner, board certified chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. An experienced spiritual director, Georgia conducts a weekly group in spirituality with the psychiatry patients and meets with other individuals for spiritual direction both in and outside of Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA.
The workshop is free but please register at 508-653-6253.

Join us on December 3 in remembering all dearly loved children of any age, who have died. Bishop John Dooher will gather with parents to honor the lives of our precious children. We will all come together in prayer, song and support as we light a candle in memory of each child. Our 25th annual Lighting Service begins at 7 p.m. in St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre Street, West Roxbury. It will be followed by a reception in the Church Hall for refreshments and sharing. Everyone is welcome. For further information or directions please call: Barbara Waters 508-384-6663.

Through the generosity of a "friend of St Patricks" to Fr Kiely, we will be raffling a 42" Sony Wega Grand LCD Flat screen TV. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 and will be available after all Masses this weekend. You will NOT need to be present to WIN-- oh what a great Christmas Gift for a family or friend and what a great way to help those "who need it most" in the winter ahead!!!

Mary Ann Morse Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 45 Union Street, Natick will be hosting its 16th annual holiday fair on Friday, December 5th from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The fair will feature crafts, baked goods, holiday white elephant items, lunch, pizza, nachos, hot popcorn and tasty homemade desserts. We also are raffling a 60 inch HD TV!
Admission is free and the building is handicapped accessible.
For more information, contact the Activity Department at 508-650-9003 X207.

St. Tarcisius School, 560 Waverly Street, Framingham will hold its holiday fair in the parish center (behind Church) on Saturday, December 6 from 9a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Featured are crafts, homemade pasta, games for children, raffles, decorated wreaths and much, much more.

Join the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, 235 Wellesley Street, Weston on Saturday, December 6 from noon to 4:00 p.m. in their Holiday Family Day. Activities for children and families include: write letters to Santa, refreshments, decorate a mug, picture frame or ornament ($3 each). Admission is $5 seniors & students; $8 adults; children 16 & under are free. Telephone: 781-768-8367.

Come One, Come All to our 16th Annual Peace for the Earth “Pasta Supper” at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, 101 Summer Street, Holliston on Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy our beautiful “Festival of Lights”. Adult tickets are $8, Seniors are $6, children under 12 are $4 and Children 3 and under are Free. Tickets available after Sunday Mass and on a first-come basis at the door. For more information or if you would like to donate something, please call Nick & Karen Tassone at 774-571-9895 or 508-450-7013.

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts