Wednesday of this week is ASH WEDNESDAY and we begin the season of Lent. Lent is a wonderful time for all of us to become renewed in spirit so that we can serve the Lord in freedom and joy. As we journey together towards the great event of our salvation, the death and resurrection of Christ, we grow in our appreciation of God’s love for us and for all of His people. Our knowledge of His unconditional love, as demonstrated by His sacrificial death on Calvary, demands a response from us as we contemplate how best we can express our gratitude for such a gift. The season of Lent provides us with an opportunity of how we can make a return to the Lord for His goodness to us. The ashes that are imposed on our foreheads are outward signs of our desire to turn away from sin and to live faithfully the Gospel message of Love. The Lenten sacrifices that we perform are expressions of our appreciation to the Lord for all that He has done for us. During the forty days of Lent, we grow in grace as we deepen our awareness of the need to serve God with our whole hearts, our whole minds, and our whole selves. With this awareness comes the realization that we demonstrate our love for God by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.
One of the best ways to show our gratitude to the Lord for his goodness to us is by uniting our prayer with the most perfect prayer of all, the Mass. In order to allow for more people to participate in the awesome Gift of the Eucharist, we will celebrate Mass each day at 8:00 AM, Monday through Saturday, We will also be celebrating Mass on Monday through Friday at 6:30 AM so that those who have to commute to work will be able to begin their day around the Altar from which all good gifts flow.

Ashes will be distributed at St. Patrick’s during the Masses on Wednesday, February 6th. The Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday is 6:30 and 8:00 AM, 4:00 and 7:30 PM.

Tuesday, February 5th, is PRIMARY ELECTION DAY in Massachusetts. It is a privilege to be able to vote and I urge all parishioners to exercise their responsible citizenship by participating in the electoral process. In order to help Catholics to form their consciences in accordance with the truth, the US Bishops have prepared a document entitled “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” and I am happy to enclose a brief summary of that document as an insert to this week’s bulletin. I urge you to read it and prayerfully reflect upon its content so that you may make your political choices accordingly.

2007 Tax Statements

For your convenience, tax statements for your 2007 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.

Electronic Offertory

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.

Let us pray for those who have died, especially

Rev. Daniel J. Kennedy and Clifton Buchner

May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace

Ash Wednesday

February 6th
Ashes will be distributed at the following
four Masses on Ash Wednesday in the Upper Church:

6:30am, 8:00am
4:00pm and 7:30pm

ALSO NOTE THAT BEGINNING ON
ASH WEDNESDAY,

THERE WILL BE A SECOND DAILY MASS AT 6:30AM FROM MONDAY – FRIDAY AS WELL AS THE USUAL 8:00AM DAILY MASS

High School Retreat

St. Patrick’s is holding its first “Reaching for Christ”, a full weekend high school retreat from February 8-10th, 2008. Registration forms are now DUE. All high school youth, including non-parishioners, are invited! Please contact Ryan Barba for more information at 401-330-6148.

Reaching For Christ Retreat Donations

To keep the cost of the high school retreat to a minimum we are requesting donations of various craft materials and food. Please visit the table in the vestibule of the Church this weekend to pick an item from the wish list.
Thank you for your support.

Catholic School Fair
"The Good News in Education"

Representatives from area Catholic schools will be in the lower hall today, February 3 from 9:30am -1:00pm. Come see what a Catholic education has to offer you!

Day of Recollection

A Day of Recollection for Women discerning a call to religious life will be held on Saturday, March 8, at Manresa House, 24 Mayflower Rd., Chestnut Hill. For more information or to register, please call or e-mail Sr. Marian Batho, CSJ at 617-746-5637 or Sr_Marian_Batho@rcab.org.

Alumni Search

St. Paul School in Wellesley is actively searching for all of their alumni in an attempt to update their Alumni Database. If you are alum, are the parent of an alum, or know a St. Paul alum, please add or update your information on the SPS website (www.stpaulschoolwellesley.org) by clicking on “Alumni and Development” or by contacting Carol Mahoney, Director of Advancement, at 781-489-6607 or development@stpaulschoolwellesley.org.

Congratulations

To our New Deacon

The Reverend Mister Mark Barr

“Keep yourself in the love of God”…..Jude 21

As He walks beside you

May you hear the good Lord say:

“Thou art a good and faithful servant,

I am pleased with you today.”

Saint Patrick Parish
Lenten Schedule

Daily Mass Schedule
Mon. – Fri. 6:30 and 8:00 a.m.
Saturday – 8:00 a.m.
Reminder: There will NOT be any Wednesday or Friday evening Masses during Lent.

Ash Wednesday
February 6th
Mass Schedule
6:30 and 8:00 a.m.; 4:00 and 7:30 p.m.
(Ashes distributed during Mass only.)

Parish Lenten Supper
Saturday, February 23rd
Following the 4:00 p.m. Mass

Parish Day of Reflection
Saturday, March 1st, 9:00 – 3:30
Reverend Paul O’Brien, “Stewardship”

Parish Lenten Mission
Most Reverend John P. Boles, “Discipleship”
Monday, March 10 – Evening of Prayer
Tuesday, March 11 – Reconciliation
Wed., March 12 – Celebration of the Eucharist
All take place in the Upper Church at 7:30 p.m.

Lenten Regulations

ABSTINENCE from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all the other Fridays of Lent.

FASTING is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

Drivers Needed

ACCEPT Transportation is in need of drivers to transport Special Needs students to and from school in the Metrowest/Framingham area. We offer up to $15.00 per hour. Hours are Mon-Fri, P/T, 20-30 hours-AM/PM split shift. Physical exam and background check are required. If you are 21 years or older, have a valid MA license, have 7-D license (will help you obtain) and a good driving record please call ACCEPT Transportation at 508-620-3875.