FROM THE PASTOR

With gratitude to Almighty God, we offer our prayerful best wishes to our native son, the REVEREND MR. WILLIAM N. VENTURA, who was ordained to the Diaconate on January 27th at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Archbishop Sean O'Malley ordained 5 men as Deacons for service to the Church in Boston and we are grateful to them for their generous response to God's call. The Reverend Mr. Ventura will continue to serve at St. Joseph's Parish in Needham as he completes his studies at St. John's Seminary in Brighton. He is expected, along with his classmates, to be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on May 27, 2006. I am delighted that this faith community has produced such a fine candidate for Holy Orders and I am most grateful for the many ways in which you have supported our newly ordained Deacon during his years of discernment and theological study. May God Who began this great work in Deacon Bill bring it to completion and may he discover the true joy that comes to those who give their lives in service of God's holy Catholic Church. AD MULTOS ANNOS!!!

I want to extend a warm welcome to our newest member of our Parish Pastoral Staff. LISA CORREIA has accepted the position of the Assistant to the Director of Religious Education and has already begun her new work. I am certain that Lisa will make a positive impact with her enthusiasm and professionalism and I know that Lisa will be a tremendous asset to the religious education program.
This Sunday we will be celebrating the SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION. for the first time for those in the second grade religious education program. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to MELISA MELNYK, to the teachers, parents, students, and to all of those involved in the parish program as we come together for this awesome moment in the faith life of our children. This wonderful sacrament of forgiveness is a constant reminder of God's merciful love as He calls all of us to live in unity with Him and one another. I hope that all of us will try to avail ourselves of this great gift by more frequent confessions so that we might indeed experience the peace that Christ won for us by His sacrificial death on the Cross.

Finally, I want to invite all parishioners to be part of the 150th Anniversary of the founding of St. Patrick's Parish. The PARISH ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE will be holding a special meeting on Sunday, February 5th to discuss preliminary plans for this great event. I hope all parishioners will try to attend and will share their ideas as to how we can best observe this awesome milestone.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 1/29    5:30 PM Collective Intentions  Edna Lambert, Mike Ruiz, Sr., Therese Malloy and Joseph Ratcliffe
Mon. 1/30    8:00 AM Mass for Sick    
Tues. 1/31    8:00 AM Ruth E. Pentes    
Wed. 2/1    8:00 AM Giacomo & Giovanna Armata 7:30 PM   William Zukas
Thur. 2/2   8:00 AM Michael Lesniak     
Fri. 2/3   8:00 AM Paul Aylward (living) 7:20 PM    John W. O'Brien   
Sat. 2/4    8:00 AM Wilma Craig;        

PLEASE PRAY FOR Frank Indelicato, Richard Guerin, Kay I. Zinna, Celia Pasquarosa, Edna Micelotta, Maryann Webster, Helen MacDonald, Julie Branton, Catherine MacLellan, Jim Fitzpatrick, Jim Campbell, Wilma Verge, Marie Murphy, Michael Ruiz, Ricky Webster, Eleonore Santospago, Eileen Dennis, Jordan Pascucci, Elaine Ruda, Ulysse Richard, Dave Markow, Lucy Grupposo, Marie Smith, John Healey, Joel Dennis, Greg Giallonardo, Nancy Brodeur, Erin McKay, Tony Amendola, Thomas Kean, Chuck Plaistek, Jane O'Keefe, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Muriel Cosentino, Amy Flickenger, James Phillips, James Atherton, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of January 29 will burn in prayer for special intentions.

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
January 22, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $13,56.00            $244.00

Second Collection

Our St. Patrick Parish family donated $3,313.00 to the special collection for the Church in Latin America last weekend. Thank you for your generosity!

Stewardship

"Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties." (1 Corinthians 7:32)
How many anxieties do we bring upon ourselves by constantly worrying about attaining ever more material possessions. Yet, God tells us that it is only the hand that is open to give that can also be open to receive His peace and joy. A heart or a hand clenched in anxiety and greed can receive nothing.

Rest in Peace

Let us pray for those who have died, especially
Rosemary Crescitelli and Thomas McGowan
May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Welcome

The Office of Religious Education welcomes our new Administrative Assistant Lisa Correia. Parents and volunteers may contact Lisa for general questions, to report absences, or to inform us of any changes in address or contact information. Together Lisa and Melisa are working to serve the families of our parish.

Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

Today, our second grade students will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. We ask that you pray for them as they further their love and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. We all recall the promise made at a child's baptism which asks parents to raise their children and to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Today we pray that these children will continue to follow the teachings of their parents, the church, and of Christ.

A special thanks to the 2nd grade Catechists, Aides and parents and especially Pat Destino for making this a special day for the children and our Parish.

Families Learning Together

We welcome the families of our 3rd and 4th grade students to our next Intergenerational learning event where adults and children will learn more about the Lenten practices of prayer, penitence and good works used by the Church for centuries. We will also explore simple ways to make these practices part of our daily lives. This event will take place during class time on Sunday February 12th in the auditorium.

Participating families are asked to bring a tin of soup to be donated to families in our community who are in need.

All parishioners are welcome. To RSVP or for more information, please call Lisa in the Religious Education Office 508-907-6220.

Sophomore Students
Both in the Religious Education program and in Catholic Schools

Look for a letter to arrive in the mail this week with important information regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation for Fall of 2006. If your student is anticipating receiving Confirmation at St Patrick Parish but does not receive the letter, please contact Lisa in the Religious Education Office at 508-907-6220 in order to receive this and all future mailings regarding Confirmation.

Thank you

We would like to thank all the volunteers that make the Religious Education program a success. Without you we would not be able to reach out to so many children and teach them of God's love. Jesus said that we are His disciples and to go out and teach others of Him. We ask that you prayerfully consider returning next year. Thank you for all your valuable time and effort you so generously give.

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

Pine Street Inn Ministry

We are in need of 6-8 volunteers to serve dinner at the Pine St. Inn in Boston on Saturday, February 4th. We leave #4 Lincoln St (by carpool) at 4:00 pm, serve dinner from 5-6pm and return to Natick by 7:00 pm. If interested please call Lisa at (508) 545-1706.

Spring of Christ ("Fons Christi")

All are invited to join with single and married young adults for an inspirational evening of Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, scripture, music, and fellowship. Experience the transforming work of Christ when we gather before Him in the Eucharist on Friday, February 3, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 3 Linden Place, Brookline.

Boston Catholic Men's Conference

Please join many men from St. Patrick Parish who are attending the 2nd Annual Boston Catholic Men's Conference on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the New Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in South Boston. Speakers will include Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Preacher to the Papal Household), Scott Hahn and Father John Corapi (two of the most popular evangelists in the USA), and Sean Forrest from Movin' with the Spirit. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Sean O'Malley. Tickets are $20 and are available from St. Patrick's. For more information, please contact Mike DelVecchio at 508-651-3406 or Rich Salvaggio at 508-655-3517.

Parental Legislative Alert

We have been contacted by Mass. Citizens of Life about proposed legislation which would mandate that Massachusetts public schools utilize the "Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Education Frameworks." They advise that the content of this curriculum represents a departure from what most parents would expect for their children's sexual education.
The bill's public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31 at the State House. It is suggested that you contact your legislator to voice concern. For additional information Mass. Citizens for life invites you to contact them at (617) 242-4199, extension 227 or 221.

Blood Drive

Saturday, February 4th from 8:00AM - 1:00PM in the Lower Church Hall.

St. Patrick's 150th Anniversary

This year, our parish will be celebrating its 150th anniversary. The social committee would like to have events throughout the year to honor our parish. However, we are in need of your ideas!! There will be a meeting in the lower church on Sunday, February 5th after the 9 AM Mass (at 10:30 am) where we will be discussing different ideas. ALL PARISHIONERS are invited to attend. Please contact Tess Roberts at (508) 647-8287 or Lisa Correia at (508) 545-1706 if you have any questions.

Nursing Home Ministry

Thank you to the group of parishioners who sent cards to the residents of Riverbend Nursing Home on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They were thrilled! We are planning another Send-a-Card Project. Parishioners who wish to participate will send a card to a resident of Riverbend Nursing Home in South Natick for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. If you would like to participate or if you participated at Halloween, etc. and would like to continue with the same resident, please call Jane Teepe at (508)653-2098 or email jteep@rcn.com.

The residents of the nursing homes were also overjoyed at Christmas with visits from parishioners. We are planning to continue to build friendships by having a Tea and Talk Time once a month on a weekday evening (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday) from 6:30 to 7:30 at Riverbend. If you would like to attend with a group of parishioners once a month, once every few months, or even once a year, please call Jane Teepe at (508)653-2098 or email jteep@rcn.com

St. Paul Elementary School

Open House, February 2, 2006 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am. St. Paul School is located at 10 Atwood Street, Wellesley. We are currently accepting registrations for the upcoming school year. We offer Full or Half-Day Pre-Kindergarten (4 years old) through Grade 8 high quality education through well integrated programs in spiritual development, academics, and social activities. A new Spanish program has been implemented for students in grades 3 through 5, which will complement our middle school Spanish program. For information please call 781-235-1510 or email principal@stpaulschoolwellesley.org.

St. Bridget Elementary School

Open House/Registration for Prospective Families will be held Tuesday, January 31 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget School, 832 Worcester Road (Rte. 9), Framingham. Visit classrooms while in session (Grades K1-8)! For more information, please visit our website at www.saintbridgetschool.info or call Jean Nigloschy at 508-875-0181 x229.

St. John Elementary School

Open House, January 30, 2006 from 8:30 am - 10:00 am. St. John the Evangelist School is located on Washington Street at Glen Road, Wellesley. You are most welcome to visit our classrooms; registration for new applicants for all grades will also take place at this time in Philbin Hall. St. John's offers a unique academic program enriched by the arts and deeply rooted in Catholic tradition educating children in Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade. The program reflects the ideals of St. Julie Billart, focusing on joy, respect and kindness. For further information and tours, please contact Mrs. Carol Roncari at 781-235-0300.

St. Tarcisius Open House

Open House and Science Fair, Tuesday, January 31 from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. St. Tarcisius School is located at 560 Waverly Street, Framingham. Grades Pre-K to Grade 8. If you have any questions, please call the school at 508-872-8188.

Safety for All

In an effort to make sure our building is a secure place for all during the celebration of Mass, parents please accompany your children when they need to use the rest room. In this way we will all be assured that our youngsters are safe at all times.

top of page