Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

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 17th. The Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday is 6:30 and 8:00 AM, 4:00 and 7:30 PM.

Another way in which to enrich your spiritual life and deepen your appreciation for the mercy of Christ is to frequent the SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION. This year, in every parish of the Archdiocese of Boston, a priest will be available on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM in order that we might experience God’s forgiveness through the confession of and absolution from our sins. There is more information elsewhere in the bulletin about this new initiative called the LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU. I want to encourage all parishioners to receive this wonderful Sacrament and to remind you that in addition to Wednesday evenings during Lent, Confessions are heard at St. Patrick’s every Friday evening from 6:30-7:30 PM. Saturdays from 3:00-4:00 and 7:30-8:00 PM, and Mondays after the 8:00 AM Mass.

Finally, I want to invite all parishioners to join us each Friday evening at 7:30 PM during Lent for the STATIONS OF THE CROSS and BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRMENT. This traditional devotion allows all of us to enter more deeply into the sacrificial love that Jesus displayed for us when He freely underwent His passion to free us from our sins.

Mass Intentions This Week

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.

Our St. Patrick Parish family donated $3,033.00 to the special collection for the Holy Father’s Peter’s Pence last weekend. Thank you for your generosity!

“Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” - Luke 6:24

Jesus’ words to the crowd can seem harsh to all of us who enjoy the many blessings of living in one of the richest countries of the world. Yet, in reality the sin is not in being rich. The sin is in failing to share our blessings. When was the last time you looked at your income and determined what percentage you were giving to those who had less than you? Remember the Bible teaches us to give 10%. How close are you to that level of giving?

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.

St. Patrick Parish, and all the parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Boston, will be open for individual confessions on all the Wednesday’s of Lent from 6:30-8:00 pm. Inviting Catholics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the major initiatives of Cardinal Sean and the Archdiocese this year. The Archdiocese has set up a website to help you prepare: www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org. It has videos on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sheets on how to make a good confession, answers to frequently-asked questions and more. Please make plans to come on Lenten Wednesdays and spread the word of this special outreach of mercy to those you know.

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

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

Parish Lenten Mission
Monday – Wednesday, March 22-24
All take place in the Upper Church at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Thursday
April 1
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday
April 2
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Stations of the Cross at 12:00 noon
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
3:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Holy Saturday
April 3
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday
April 4
Mass at 7:30; 9:00; 11:30 a.m.; and 5:30 p.m.

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.

It is a joy for us to welcome new members to our parish! If you worship with us regularly, but are not fully registered, use this form to request registration information. Drop it in the basket or mail it to us. We look forward to your active participation in our faith community.

If you are seeking truth, joy and love, they are found in the heart of Jesus. Join with other young adults in their 20’s and 30’s for a weekend to open up, rekindle or deepen your relationship with Christ. The retreat will combine Mass and Adoration, inspiring Talks and Witnesses, Personal Prayer and many opportunities to meet other young adults throughout the Greater Boston area. The retreat is co-presented by the Antioch Retreat Group and Y.H.O.P.E. (Young Heralds of Pauline Evangelization) and will be held at the Daughters of St. Paul Retreat House in Billerica from Friday evening, March 5 through Sunday afternoon, March 7. To register or for more information contact Bernadette Michaud at Bmich777@hotmail.com or Fr. Harrington at Mharrinton527@gmail.com.

St. Zepherin Parish in Wayland
Saturday, February 27th
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Jesse Manibusan, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and teller of humorous tales, is a charismatic performer with an extensive repertoire. Jesse shares from his heart the love of Christ and the call to live out our baptism in every aspect of life. He puts the challenges of “You’re Catholic, so what?” to every age group.

As this is a fundraiser, tickets are $5 per person or $15 for a family.
For more information or to reserve tickets please contact:
Paula Flanagan at 508-358-2985 or e-mail pflanagan@saintann.org

Please join Catholics from throughout the region at the annual Boston Catholic Men’s and Women’s Conferences. The Women’s Conference will be on Saturday, February 27, 2010. The Men’s Conference is on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Both Conferences will be at the beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Cross. For more information please visit www.CatholicBoston.com, phone 617-444-9950. or email info@CatholicBoston.com.

Mornings/afternoons of Prayer for Parish Pastoral
Visitors & Ministers of Communion to the Sick

The Office of Worship & Spiritual Life and the Office of Health Care Ministry offers regional Mornings & Afternoons of Prayer for Pastoral Visitors & Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick. This year’s schedule includes Saturday, March 13 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at St. Theresa, Sherborn and Saturday, March 20 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at St. John, West Roxbury. There is no charge. To register or for other information and locations, call the Office of Worship & Spiritual Life at 617-779-3640.

If you worked in 2009, had children living with you and earned $43,279 or less as a single person (income limits for married couples are $5000 higher) or if you were between the ages of 25 and 64 in 2009 but did not have children living with you and earned $13,440 or less – you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Please note that income limits and tax credits are based on individual circumstances.
Call Natick Human Services at 508-647-6540 for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our tax preparers who will assist you in completing your tax returns for FREE. Some Saturday & evening appointments are available.

PLEASE NOTE that the Parish Office will be closed Monday, February 15 for the Presidents’ Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 16, at 9:15 a.m.

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts