FROM THE PASTOR

This past Friday, February 3rd, was the Feast of St. Blaise and it has been the tradition of the Church to bless throats on that day, asking St. Blaise to protect us from all ailments of the throat and other evil. In order to accommodate those who were unable to attend Mass on last Friday, we will have the BLESSING OF THROATS after all of the Masses this weekend.

I would like to encourage all of the men of the parish to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to participate in the 2006 BOSTON CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE that is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th at the Boston Convention Center. In addition to the Archbishop of Boston, the speakers include the Rev. Raniero Cantalamesa a preacher to the Papal Household and Scott Hahn, a widely respected theologian and convert to Catholicism. The Reverend John Corapi, who is one of the country’s most visible and entertaining homilists, will also be among the speakers of the day. Last year’s conference was an overwhelmingly positive experience for thousands of men and this year’s program promises to be equally rewarding. This conference provides an occasion for men to listen to speakers who will address topics and issues that will help to enhance their spiritual lives. This conference is a great way to begin the season of Lent and offers the possibility of receiving the Sacrament of Penance as well. I woul d encourage fathers to bring their sons, brothers to invite brothers, cousins to invite cousins, neighbors to invite neighbors. There is more information available in this bulletin this week and tickets will be on sale after Mass.

I had a wonderful privilege of attending a play that was presented by the fourth grade students at St. Paul’s School in Wellesley this past week. The play, based upon the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, was presented as part of Catholic Schools Week that was celebrated in the Archdiocese. Many of the students who attend St. Paul’s are parishioners here at St. Patrick’s and I was delighted to be able to witness first-hand the effects of a quality Catholic education that is being offered to them at St. Paul’s. What impressed me the most was the spirit of compassion and kindness that was obvious as I entered the building. The good humor, the respectful demeanor of the students toward the guests, and the content of the program reminded me of the tremendous value of a Catholic education and its positive effect upon our future leaders. I know that this quality education is consistently offered throughout the Archdiocese in our Catholic schools. I would encourage parents to prayerfully consider enrolling your children in one of the fine Catholic school that are in this area. I am certain that you will be as impressed as I am by the formation in the faith that is offered alongside a quality academic program.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 2/5    5:30 PM Family Healing Mass  Edna Lambert, Mike Ruiz, Sr., Therese Malloy and Joseph Ratcliffe
Mon. 2/6    8:00 AM Mass for Sick    
Tues. 2/7    8:00 AM Raymond Trembly    
Wed. 2/8    8:00 AM Deceased members of The Geary Family 7:30 PM   Carlos Varona
Thur. 2/9   8:00 AM Gerard Halpin, Jr.     
Fri. 2/10   8:00 AM Vocations to Priesthood       
Sat. 2/11    8:00 AM Rita Dower;        

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 February 5 will burn in prayer for Mary Blessed Mother.

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 29, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $13,170.00            $830.00

Stewardship

“Then the fever left her and she waited on them.”
(Mark 1:31)

Can you imagine the joy and gratitude that filled Simon’s mother-in-law as she waited upon the Lord after He had cured her? The Lord has done great things for each of us. Do we get up and wait on Him in gratitude? Or do we take His blessings without ever giving back in return?

St. Patrick Men's Group

The St. Patrick Men's Group will be meeting weekly during the month of February at 6:45 on Saturday mornings in the church hall. Please consider joining us as we study the upcoming Sunday scriptures.

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 Date Change

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 26th (please note date change) in the auditorium. We look forward to seeing the families of our parish come together for this exciting event.

All parishioners are welcome to attend this event. If you have any questions and to RSVP please contact Lisa in the Religious Education Office at 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.

NO CLASS

Reminder that there are no classes Sunday Feb. 19th and Wednesday Feb. 23rd during the Natick School's February Break.

Thank you

Here is a recent note received in our office of Religious Education:

Dear Melisa:
I write you thanking you and the children of Saint Patrick Parish for your thoughtful and kind cards of remembrance to the residents of Regina Cleri during the Christmas season.
Please assure the children of our gratitude and ask them to remember all priests in their prayer, especially the wonderful priests of their parish.
Wishing you all the blessings of the New Year, I am

Faithfully yours,
Rev. Msgr. James E. Tierney
Director

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

Bible Study, Thu 2/9/2006, 7:30pm. Learn more about your faith at our weekly Bible Study at the Joseph Center. Contact Eric, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008

"Two Noble Women"

A pilgrimage to France sponsored by Boston Catholic Television

Travel to the shrine of the Blessed Mother at Lourdes and the birthplace and home of St. Therese at Lisieux, under the spiritual leadership of Father Robert Reed from October 8-15, 2006.

In these sacred places, be a part of the taping of the Holy Rosary and special programming for Television. For a full itinerary and information packet call BCTV at 617-965-0050.

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.

Third Order of Saint Dominic

The Third Order of Saint Dominic meets here at St. Patrick Church on the third Sunday of each month in the lower church hall at 1:30 p.m.
The Third Order of Saint Dominic is a group of lay people bearing witness to the truth of Christ's message of salvation in the world. Dominicans profess to a life of prayer and study.
Membership in the Third Order of Saint Dominic is not like joining a parish sodality or social service organization, or even a prayer group; it is a vocation to live the Catholic life of faith with all the fervor and intensity that one can, along the spiritual ways of St. Dominic.
What is that Dominican life? Devotion to the Word of God in the Scriptures, to the Magisterial teachings of the Church, and to the Eucharist.
Come to our meeting on February 19 and see if you would like to join us. For further information call Peg Branagan at 508-655-2347 or Patricia Keeney at 508-820-4786.

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.

Evening of Prayer

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING

Please join us for our monthly Evening of Prayer on Monday, February 13th, at 7:30 PM in the Church. The topic for this prayer service is "Love Changes Everything." All are welcome and encouraged to attend. We invite you to bring a friend and join us downstairs for refreshments following the service.

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

AD MULTOS ANNOS

On Saturday, January 28, Archbishop of Boston, Sean O'Malley, ordained five men to the order of transitional deaconate at a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. For these men, this was the next step on the path to the priesthood and leads them to serve as deacons to Jesus' flock until they are ordained priests in May. We offer our prayerful best wishes to our dear friend, the Reverend Mr. William N. Ventura, who was among the five men ordained to the deaconate. We ask for your prayers for these men as they continue on the path to their priestly vocations.

The Reverend Mr. Ixon Chateau
The Reverend Mr. Darin Vincent Colarusso
The Reverend Mr. William Stephen Dunn
The Reverend Mr. William Christopher Palladino
The Reverend Mr. William Nicholas Ventura

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.

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