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FROM THE PASTOR There will be a SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION taken up at all of the Masses this weekend for CHRISTMAS FLOWERS. We are decorating the Church in memory of our deceased loved ones and we invite you to make a donation in their memory. In the event that finances are somewhat problematic for you, please feel free to write the name of anyone that you would like remembered on the outside of the envelope and simply place it in the basket. We are happy to remember everyone in our prayers at the Altar during this holy season. We are holding an ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE on this Monday evening, December 20th at 7:30 PM in the Church. There will be an opportunity for individual confession and we have invited additional priests to be with us to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. I want to encourage all to participate in this wonderful opportunity to receive the real gift of Christmas, the gift of Christ's forgiveness and peace. Elsewhere in the bulletin is the schedule for the CHRISTMAS MASSES and I would like to call your attention to the fact that there will not be an afternoon Vigil Mass on Christmas Day (Saturday). The Masses for Sunday, December 26th will be celebrated only on Sunday this year. In anticipation of larger crowds at our Christmas liturgies, we are looking for people who would be willing to act as GREETERS and to welcome all who join us for these sacred days. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity and to extend a welcome to those who are with us, please contact the Rectory. It is our hope to make everyone feel at home here as we observe the Birth of Our Lord. I am delighted to share with you the news that the ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE OF PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES has accepted our invitation to transfer its operation from Brighton to the Joseph Center beginning in January, 2005. As you know, St. Patrick's Parish has a long history of active involvement in the Pro-Life movement and it seems appropriate that the central office be housed in our midst. We are in need of volunteers to help facilitate in preparing the Joseph Center for this relocation. If you would be willing to help clean, perhaps paint, move furniture, and other sundry things, please call the Rectory. We hope to spend the week after Christmas on this project and any assistance that you can give will be greatly appreciated. The Pro-Life Office will be located on the Second Floor of the Joseph Center next to the Catholic Charities Office. Mass Intentions This Week Sun. 12/19 5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass Barbara Cowles, Luisa Valenti, Mary Young, Christine
Rich (3rd Anniv.) and Hayden MacDonald
PLEASE PRAY FOR Mary Porter, Ricky Webster, Patricia Kaufman, Eleanor Ruiz, John Morton, Eleonore Santospago, Eileen Dennis, 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 Phillips, Elvira Portyrala, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish. SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of December 19th will burn in prayer for Agostina & Enrico Zonghi & family, Shane Kearns, Michael W. Lesniak, Robert Cashman, Ralph & Donald Sims, Pedini family & Giorgi family, Reba Welch & Celeste Turner. 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 $13,743.00 $1,257.00 The total offertory for the December 8th Holy Day collection was $2,206.00. Thank you for your generosity. STEWARDSHIP When he discovered that Mary was with child, Joseph resolved to end their engagement with as little disgrace as possible. But obedient to the voice of God, he changed those plans and became instead the protector of the child Jesus and His mother Mary. God grant that I may be as open to the leading of the Holy Spirit! Rest in Peace Let us pray for those who have died, especially Robert A. Lavoie May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace. Office Closed The Parish Office will be closed Thursday, December 23rd, Friday, December 24th and Friday, December 31st for the Christmas and New Years holidays. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Thank you … … to each and every one of the volunteers who share the vision and dedication that makes the Religious Education Program run. Our parish is blessed by your generous gifts of time and talent that you share with our children and their families for the glory of God the Father and His Blessed Son Jesus. Appreciation Notes · To our 8th grade students for your enthusiasm and joy with the residents of the Mary Ann Morse Nursing Home by playing board games and sharing conversation. You touch lives when you reach beyond your comfort level to reach out to others.
TODAY! Family Day Come celebrate the season in the beautiful Fatima Shrine. Families, friends, and others come join us! Meet at Fatima Shrine 1:30p.m., bring a snack to share, Hot Chocolate is on us. Christmas Pageant After 9:00am Mass, stay to watch our students perform a dramatization of the birth of Christ, our real Reason for joy this Christmas. Reminders: · Family Day
** School Break Family Tip**: www.cleanfilms.com If you and you family enjoy watching films together, you may have at one time or another been taken by surprise by certain scenes that depict situations inappropriate for family viewing. A helpful resource is www.cleanfilms.com, a family editing service, which edits out any scenes, situations, or language that might place a film above the PG rating, making many popular movies comfortable and enjoyable for all. Films available for rent or purchase. Happy and Holy Christmas and New Years to all! Let us pray for those in the Military If anyone in our parish family has a loved one serving in the Military, please call the Rectory and let us know their name so that we will make sure they are included in our prayers during this Christmas season. Christmas Mass Schedule Friday, December 24th, Christmas Eve:
There will NOT be a 4:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day. The Sunday Mass schedule for December 26th is 7:30, 9:00, and 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Marian Ministry The Marian Ministry invites you to join us on Monday, December 20th, at 7:30PM in the lower church, as we pray the Rosary. All are welcome!
The Downing Family Nativity Pageant 214 Washington St., Sherborn The Nativity Pageant will be presented on the evenings of December 22nd and 23rd. There will be performances each evening at 7:30 and 8:30PM in the pasture field next to the Downing home at the intersection of Washington St. (Rte 16) and Western Avenue in Sherborn. If you have questions, call the Downing family at 508-653-2193. Advent Penance Service Evening of Prayer The monthly Evening of Prayer for December will be an Advent Penance Service on Monday, December 20th, at 7:30 PM in the Upper Church. Several priests will be available to hear confessions. Please come and experience the healing presence of Christ through this powerful Sacrament of Reconciliation. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Together in Faith
The 2004 Catholic appeal campaign, Together in Faith, is drawing to a close, and I would like to thank everyone who so generously contributed to our work as a community of faith here at St. Patrick's Parish. If you have yet to participate, I ask you to prayerfully consider doing so between now and the end of the year. Your gift is a true testament to your faith, and will go a long way in helping to bring Christ's presence to the needy, the lonely, the forgotten and so many others who call out for God's mercy during troubling times. Pledge forms can be found at the back of the church. Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Want to give each other something special for Christmas? How about a gift filled with Romance and Excitement? That is just the beginning of what you will receive on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Upcoming dates are:
BCTV Christmas Programming BCTV will supplement its regular programming with Christmas specials beginning December 20 through 31. In addition, from midnight Christmas Eve through midnight December 26, BCTV will become Boston Christmas Television, as they air 72 hours of special programming devoted to this feast day. Enjoy the best in Christmas children's programming drom December 20 through 26 from 6:30-7:30am and 4-5pm. In addition, tune in to BCTV during the Christmas season for the timeless BCTV Christmas Classics-those special shows and concerts with favorite hosts beginning December 20. Thank You Thank for your extraordinary generosity to the Hugs for Heroes drive for the U. S. troops in Iraq. Hugs for Heroes has sent over 32 boxes to the troops including socks, cds, dvds, magazines, baked goods, etc. Especially touching were the beautiful notes. Hugs for Heroes will continue to send other shipments. If you are interested in helping please contact Mireille Manzone at 508-785-1310 or www.hugsforheroes.com. God bless you for your support and prayers for our troops. Greeters Needed We are in need of greeters to welcome people at the doors of the church for all Christmas Masses. No experience necessary, just a smiling face and a kind word of welcome is all we ask. If you are willing to be a Greeter, please contact the rectory and let us know which Mass you plan to attend. Thank you! Coffee Hour Please join us for coffee on Tuesday, December 21st, following the 8:00 a.m. daily Mass. There are many new faces among us, and we hope this provides us the opportunity to socialize with those whom we worship with each day. All are welcome. Sunday Coffee and Donuts Please note that Sunday morning coffee and donuts will resume on January 9th downstairs in the Church Hall. William J. Reynolds Memorial Blood Drive Sponsored by the Natick Elks Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Holiday T-shirt and complimentary lunch for all donors
Youth Choir Director Position Available
Responsibilities include performing all duties relevant to the parish music program as it pertains to the youth choir and the 9:30am Sunday liturgy, coordination with the parish music director in preparing weekly liturgical music during ordinary time and for the special seasons, conducting the weekly youth choir rehearsal, working with the organist accompanist, training youth cantors, coordinating instrumentalists and youth parent volunteers, and recruiting and maintaining choir membership. Keyboard proficiency is desirable. Resumes and references may be submitted to rtimmerman@saintjoes.com or Saint Joseph Review Board, 1382 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 |
