Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

Saint Patrick’s Parish is participating in a new process of spiritual renewal entitled, “ARISE Together in Christ.” This new program provides us with a unique opportunity to begin a journey that will bring us to a closer union with Christ and give greater meaning to our lives. As we reconnect with the Lord, we will experience anew the great love that He has for us and bring a greater awareness of our lives’ purpose. Through the sharing of our faith with one another in a small group, we can encourage each other, strengthen each other, and love each other. We are about to start the Second Season of ARISE; TOGETHER IN CHRIST, which will take place during the season of Lent. This wonderful spiritual experience provides six faith-sharing sessions that invite all of us to Change our Hearts. It is my sincere hope that you will participate in this process by signing up for one of the small faith sharing groups that will soon be meeting in our homes and other locations within the parish. When all is said and done, it is this relationship with Christ which gives all life meaning and helps us stay focused on what really matters: the salvation of our souls and entrance into His kingdom.

Tuesday, February 3rd is the FEAST OF ST. BLAISE and it is a tradition to bless throats on that day. Because the feast falls on a Tuesday, many people will not be able to participate in this sacred action. We will therefore have the BLESSING OF THROATS after all of the Masses on this weekend. We pray that, through the intercession of St. Blaise, God will protect all of us from all ailments of the throat and from every other evil.

One of the more challenging conversations that parents must have with their children concerns the topic of sex. Many parents are uncomfortable discussing the more intimate aspects of sexual activity and often leave this important exchange to others, particularly school officials with the hope that their child will receive appropriate information. However, one cannot effectively instruct about sex without an equally important conversation regarding moral behavior. In our religious education program, we will present the riches of the Church's teaching on chastity and its relevance to young people’s lives. With this in mind, I would like to cordially invite the parents of students in Grades 7 & 8 to attend a parents meeting on February 8th, 2009 in Our Lady's Hall in St. Patrick's school from 6:30-7:30pm. This meeting is offered to parents to assist them by sharing the dynamics of our program and presenting the revision to this aspect of our religious education program.

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.

For your convenience, tax statements for your 2008 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.

Our St. Patrick Parish family donated $2,948.00 to the special collection for the Church in Latin America last weekend. Thank you for your generosity!

“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 only the hand that is open to give can also be open to receive His peace and joy. A heart or a hand clenched in anxiety and greed can never receive anything.

Welcome back to those who participated in Season One. If you missed Season One, no need to worry … you can still join us for Season Two.

ARISE Together in Christ is a three-year, parish-centered process of spiritual renewal and evangelization that enables people to deepen their faith, develop a closer relationship with Christ, grow in community, and reach out in service to others. The ARISE process applies the standard of Christ to all areas of life. It emphasizes people living in good relationship with one another, as they make concrete applications of the Gospel to their life situations.

Please join us for the Second Season of ARISE: Together in Christ, which will take place during Lent, 2009. The message of Season Two is summed up in the title “Change Our Hearts”. Just as Lent takes its meaning from Easter, so too this Season “Change Our Hearts” takes its meaning from the title of the process, ARISE. We cry out for God’s help to “change our hearts” precisely because we long to … ARISE Together in Christ.

Please join us this Lent for ARISE: Together in Christ, the process of spiritual renewal and evangelization that has spread through our parish and across the Archdiocese of Boston.

On Saturday February 7, 2009 in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, please join Ed Zicko to recite the rosary at 7:40 am. "So many souls will be saved and there will be peace."

The next home games will be played at Kennedy Middle School on Sunday, February 15. All are welcome to attend and give your support. The complete schedule can be found on the St Patrick’s Parish website.

Stand out this year by going to an event that deepens your faith as a gift to your loved one? The message of this gift is uniquely profound and keeps on giving all year long!

Husbands attend the 2009 Boston Catholic Men’s Conference! Wives attend the 2009 Boston Catholic Women’s Conference! Attend what has become one of the largest Catholic conferences in the nation!

Boston Catholic Men’s Conference – Join 4,000+ men on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Conte Forum at Boston College.

Boston Catholic Women’s Conference – Join 4,000+ women on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the Conte Forum at Boston College.

It will renew you in your faith, and might just give you the inspiration to become an even better husband, wife, father, mother, son or daughter!

St. Bridget School in Framingham seeks to hire a Director of Advancement. This three day a week position in an established office includes alumni list management, Annual Fund development, grant research, proposal writing and public relation, and excellent data base management.
The candidate must be a self-starter and have at least 5 years of solid development experience with a proven track record, knowledge of the MetroWest community and the Catholic Church.
Please direct all inquiries and resumes to:

Is scheduled for the week of
July 13-18, 2009
So mark your calendars!!!
A Planning Meeting is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall
Please join us to plan this wonderful event!

If you can read English, you can teach someone to read English. If you can speak English, you can teach someone to speak English.

Would you be willing to tutor an adult, one-on-one, 2 hours per week, for at least a year, at a mutually convenient time and place?

If so, you’ll first need 18 hours of training, then you’ll be carefully matched with your student.

Tutor Training will be held at Natick Public Library, February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 6 to 9 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer, or have questions, please call Literacy Unlimited, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 508-532-5574.

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts