FROM THE PASTOR

This Monday evening, February 13th, we will be having our monthly EVENING OF PRAYER as part of our on-going spiritual renewal. The theme for this month is "Love Changes Everything" and we will begin this special time of grace with Evening Prayer at 7:30 PM and we will conclude with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Greatest Example of All Love. It is providential that we gather on the eve of Valentine's Day when many in our community make a concerted effort to demonstrate their affection for those whom they love by exchanging gifts. This Evening of Prayer helps to remind all of us that the Summit of All Love is the Gift of Jesus Christ Whose Love for us has been expressed by His sacrificial death on Calvary and Who invites all of us to imitate that complete self-giving in our love for Him that results in the desire to love others as He loves. I hope that all will join us for this awesome time of intimacy with the Lord as we attempt to grow closer to Him and to one another.

This weekend we want to congratulate the many married couples who live within our parish as we observe WORLD MARRIAGE DAY. In the face of many challenges to marriages, it is so encouraging to witness the many unions of husbands and wives that enrich our parish by the mutual love that exists between them. In his recent speeches, our Holy Father underscored the fact that the "sacred institution of marriage is vital to the well being of every nation." Married love resulting in the procreation of children in the family is the basic social unit which needs to be protected and promoted as the most vital cell of society. Pope Benedict warned that " any hope for renewal of society which does not adhere to God's plan for matrimony and the family is destined to flounder, for it is within marriage that the God given dignity of very person is first realized and the self-esteem necessary for mature adult relationships is first experienced and nurtured." It is not without reason that human societies throughout histories and across cultures have flourished only when they have built their human relationships on the rock of marriage. We offer our prayerful congratulations to all of our married parishioners, and we thank you for the wonderful gift that you are to our world. May your marriages become an increasingly more perfect sign of the union between Christ and His Church. May God continue to increase your love throughout the joys and sorrows of life and help you to grow in holiness, in unity, and in peace.

Lastly, as we observe WORLD DAY FOR THE SICK, we give thanks to God for the precious gift of our brothers and sisters who are infirm. We pray that God will ease any anxieties that they feel and bestow His Grace upon them so that they may offer their sufferings with Him and cause them to rise to new life. May all who suffer pain, illness, or disease realize that they are chosen to be saints and know that they are joined to Christ in His suffering for the salvation of the world. We pray as well for those who care for the sick that God may grant them the grace to tend to those in their care with devotion and true tenderness. May they have a generous spirit to allow them to see the uniqueness of each person that they serve in the name of Christ our Lord.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 2/12    5:30 PM Collective Intentions   Luisa Valenti, Mary Young, Winona Perry, Valentine Serafini, Edna Lambert, and Michael Lesniak
Mon. 2/13    8:00 AM Mass for Sick    
Tues. 2/14    8:00 AM Eric Lane (living)    
Wed. 2/15    8:00 AM Deceased members of The Colleran Family 7:30 PM   Monthly Memorial
Thur. 2/16   8:00 AM Margaret & Helen Connolly     
Fri. 2/17   8:00 AM William O'Brien       
Sat. 2/18    8:00 AM Patrick Manning & John Cook;        

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, 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 12 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 29, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $1,667.12            $1,332.88

Some Current Expenses

Mortgage                     $3,801.02
Electricity & Gas     $ 3,788.02
Altar Supplies     $ 750.44
Monthly Payroll     $19,543.75
Heating Fuel     $ 8,944.50

Stewardship

"Brothers and sisters: Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."
(1 Corinthians: 10:31)

Are you doing everything possible for the glory of God? Or is there maybe some other way that you could use your time, talent or treasure for God's glory? Think about it.

Rest in Peace

Let us pray for those who have died, especially
Chuck Plaistek
May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

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

NO CLASS

Reminder that there are no classes next week, Sunday Feb. 19th and Wednesday Feb. 23rd during the Natick School's February Break. On behalf of our parish we wish all our students and their families a safe and relaxing vacation!

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.

Thank you

To Ms Lucien's 4th grade class for engaging the Kindergarten students in a special learning activity to teach them the importance of caring for the needs of others and coordinating the collection of much needed items for the Natick Service Council.
Thank you also to the Kindergarten students and their families for joining them in this activity and for the items you brought in. These contributions help bridge the gap left by the loss of funding for basic health care items that the Natick Service Council depends on.

Peace & Justice Ministry's Parish Food Collection

Thank you for all your donations to the weekly food drop-off, which is located in the left-hand corner in the church vestibule. We bring your donations to the Natick Food Pantry on East Central Street on the first week of the month, and A Place to Turn on Hartford Street during the second - fourth weeks. If there is a fifth Sunday, the food collection is picked up by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The pantries accept all basic non-perishable food products. Items that are especially needed at this time are: canned beef stew, cereal, coffee, 100% fruit drinks, tomato products, kid-friendly snacks, toothpaste and shampoo. Outdated food products are not accepted. Your generosity is appreciated by individuals and families who are unable to meet their basic needs for food.

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

Bible Study, Thu 2/16/2006, 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

What are you doing for lent this year? If you're like us then you're starting to think what you'll "do" for Lent just about now. How about attending the Boston Catholic Men's Conference on March 4th at the Boston Convention 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 is celebrated by Archbishop Sean O'Malley. Last year, over 2000 men attended and many of them said that the Conference was a spiritual high point in their year. Come see what they mean! St. Patrick's has purchased a block of tickets and we are selling them for $20 which includes transportation to the event (compared to $40 at the door). For more information, please contact Mike DelVecchio at 508-651-3406 or Rich Salvaggio at 508-655-3517 or check out our St. Patrick Men's Group website at www.stpatsnatick.org. We will be selling tickets at the back of the church this weekend after each Mass.

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.

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.

"Come and See" Weekend

Women between the ages of 18 and 42 are invited to join the Sisters of Providence for a "Come and See" Weekend March 17-19 at their motherhouse at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. The program is titled "Zeal for Your House Will Consume Me!" Activities will focus on a passion for God, passion for Gospel living and passion for being of service to others as they relate to the mission and ministries of the Sisters of Providence. There is no cost to attend the program. For more information, please contact Sister Bernice Kuper toll free at 800-860-1840, ext. 124, or by email at bkuper@spsmw.org.

Prayer for Vocations

Dear God, you gift us with life. Through baptism you have called us to new life. May we be a sign of your love in the world. We pray that you will continue to fill women and men with an abundance of courage to follow the path you set before them today. May those who feel compelled to serve as lay ministers, brothers, sisters, deacons and priests be blessed with passion and vision to make the world a better place. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Lord God, you so loved the world that you sent your only son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to those who believe in him. I join him in his prayer for laborers in your harvest. May your Holy Spirit inspire and strengthen generous men and women to continue his mission in the world. May this same Spirit make known to me your will in my regard. Where you lead, I will follow. Let it be done to me according to your word. I make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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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