FROM THE PASTOR

There will be a SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION taken up at all of the Masses this weekend for our Holy Father's ministry as the universal Pastor of the Church. This collection, known as PETER'S PENCE, supports Pope Benedict as he carries out the spiritual and charitable works of his office. Your generosity allows the Pope to reach out to those who suffer as a result of war, oppression, and natural disasters. You may recall that, during the devastating Hurricane Katrina last fall, the Pope was one of the first people to offer financial assistance with funds that came from this collection. By participating in this special appeal, we join the Holy Father in proclaiming the love of Christ throughout the world. Please give generously to this collection so that we can help Pope Benedict as he brings the love of Christ to those in the greatest need.

On November 24, 2004, our beloved Pope John Paul II blessed six Monstrances and presented one each to six continents to promote ADORATION FOR VOCATIONS worldwide. The Pope John Paul II Vocation Monstrance will be here at St. Patrick's Parish this Friday, MARCH 10th and will be used to have a Special Evening for Vocations. There will be Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the main Church beginning at 3:00 Pm and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed until 7:00 AM on Saturday. During these hours, we will be praying a Novena to St. Patrick asking the great Patron Saint of our Archdiocese to intercede with the Master of the Harvest for an increase of laborers. There will be a HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS on Friday evening from 7:00-8:00 PM and all are welcome.

I would like to encourage all parishioners to participate in the celebration of Mass during this holy season of Lent. We celebrate Mass on Monday through Saturday during Lent at 8:00 AM. 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 of God. It is my hope that as many of you as possible will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to deepen your love for God through your participation at daily Mass. Another way in which we can grow in our awareness of Christ's sacrificial death is to recall His Passion as we pray the Stations of the Cross. Beginning this Wednesday, March 8th and continuing each Wednesday through Lent, we will pray the Stations at 6:45 PM in the Upper Church followed by the celebration of Mass at 7:30 PM.

As we continue our Lenten journey, I would ask that you include our Archbishop Sean in your daily prayers as he prepares to be admitted into the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church. His Holiness, Pope Benedict will bestow the red biretta that is worn by Cardinals on Archbishop Sean and the other Cardinal-designates in a special ceremony at the Vatican on Friday, March 24th. On the following day, the Pope will celebrate a Mass during which he will give a ring to the new Cardinals symbolizing their fidelity to and unity with the Vicar of Christ. May the support of our prayers ease any anxiety that our Cardinal-designate might have and make this an occasion of joy for him and for the Church of Boston.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 3/5    5:30 PM Family Healing Mass  
Mon. 3/6    6:30 AM Vocations to Priesthood    8:00 AM Mass for Sick    
Tues. 3/7    6:30 AM Hannah Fay (living)    8:00 AM Chuck Plaistek    
Wed. 3/8    6:30 AM Margaret & Helen Connolly     8:00 AM Lawrence Kinsman     7:30 PM James McHale
Thur. 3/9    6:30 AM Maria Lepek   8:00 AM Joanie Kingsley (living)     
Fri. 3/10    6:30 AM Maria de los Angeles Jurado    8:00 AM Souls in Purgatory
Sat. 3/11    8:00 AM Mary & Joseph O'Brien;        

PLEASE PRAY FOR Kathleen Tokarsky, Dorothy Jencunas, Ed Saunders, Jr., Rosemarie Zeno, Frank Indelicato, Richard Guerin, Kay I. Zinna, Celia Pasquarosa, Maryann Webster, Helen MacDonald, Julie Branton, Catherine MacLellan, 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, 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 March 5 will burn in prayer for Teresa Manericho, Brendan Kelly, Mary Virginia Bradstreet and Ronald Peterson Jr.

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
February 26, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $12,670.00            $1,330.00

Liturgy of the Hours Training

"The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?" (from Psalm 127)
"Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever." (from the Canticle of Daniel)

The psalms and canticles from Scripture help us express our prayers of praise and petition to God. Catholics throughout the world read three of these beautiful prayers and a passage from Scripture each day, usually in the morning and evening. Come to a short gathering on Saturday, March 11, after the 8:00AM Mass to learn how to integrate this tradition, the Liturgy of the Hours, into your daily life.

Rest in Peace

Let us pray for those who have died, especially
John Healey, Jr. and Libero Spedoni
May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

A Benefit for Chucke Plaistek

Jimmy Tingle's OFF BROADWAY is presenting: Jimmy Tingle's American Dream: In Memory of Chucke P. on Saturday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. The proceeds from this benefit will assist Chucke Plaistek's family with his funeral expenses. Chucke passed away after a long illness on February 3rd. Tickets are $30.00 and may be purchased from Scott Ellison at 508-435-0914. Jimmy Tingle's OFF BROADWAY is located at 255 Elm St. (Davis Square), Somerville.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

REGISTRATION

In order to facilitate the registration of returning students. The Religious Education Program will hold live registration in the auditorium of Montrose School during class time on the following dates:

Sunday March 19th
Wednesday March 22nd
Sunday March 26th
Wednesday March 29th
Open registration for all new students will be held following Mass after Easter.

CHURCH TOUR - 1ST GRADE STUDENTS

First grade students will remain in the Church following Mass today for a Tour of our Church. Parents are welcome to stay. Students will learn about the symbolism in the stained glass, and the names of the items that make up our church.

NARNIA… OPEN THE DOOR ON A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON OUR FAITH

This year's middle school retreat will take the theme of Narnia. A great movie does not only entertain us but also enlightens, teaches and changes us. Through games, activities, discussion and snack, students will experience how this classic story can be used to better understand our faith on Saturday March 11th 12:00 - 5:00 .
We need parents to assist with the decorating, snack, and supervision of this retreat in order to make it as fun and successful as it can be, please call Lisa in the Religious Education Office at 508-907-6220.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR CHILDREN

The Family Cluster Program extends a warm invitation to share a special celebration of the Stations of the Cross to be held for children on Thursday March 16th in the Upper Church at 1:00pm followed by refreshments. (Please note 1:00 pm is the correct time; last week we printed the incorrect time.)

W.I.N.G.S. (Women In God's Spirit)

W.I.N.G.S. is starting up the Spring Season on Wednesday, March 8th! The Spring Season's Theme is: PRAYER AND THE HEALING POWER OF GOD

This Six-Week Season has a different guest speaker each week that provides a personal, inspiring testimony of the Healing Power of God, which has graced them throughout their life experiences. Small Discussion groups follow the presentation in a faith-enriching and non-intimidating environment, which allows the participants to express how the presentation impacted them.
Please Join us in the Lower Church & Parish Hall on Wednesdays, beginning March 8th from 9:30 - 11:30 am! All Are Welcome to join in on this wonderful faith-filled journey!

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Wednesday during Lent at 6:45pm in the Upper Church. Please join us for this beautiful devotion.

ADULT CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

Saint Patrick Parish will be offering an eight week program for Catholic adults who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Edyvean will be conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults in the Western Region of the Archdiocese on Wednesday evening, May 3rd here at Saint Patrick's. Classes will begin on March 9th at 7:30 pm in the Joseph Center located at 5 Wilson Street. For further information please contact Jean Lorrey in the Parish Office at 508-653-1093 or Jean Ryan at 781-455-8393.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Student Grant Opportunity

Once again the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Archsiocese will award tuition assistance to needy students (Grades 1- 8) to enable them to receive a parochial school education. The grant amount is $1,000 per student, based solely on need. The procedure to be followed requires that each parish conference contact the school administration to get names of students who appear to need financial assistance. Following that, members of our conference will visit each family and leave an application. The completed application must be returned to our conference, at the Rectory, no later than Monday, March 20, 2006. The deadline for all applications to be received by the Boston office is April 1, 2006. We will contact the following schools:

St. Bridget, Framingham
St. Tarcisius, Framingham
St. Paul, Wellesley
St. John, Wellesley
St. Joseph, Needham
Msgr. Joseph J. Haddad Middle School, Needham

If you have a student at any other parochial grammar school or have a question, please call the rectory at 508-653-1093 and leave your name and telephone number.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of our parish we are celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a Silver Tea/Reception in the lower church hall after the 11:30a.m. Mass on Sunday, March 19th All parishioners are invited to attend. There will be sign-ups in the back of the church, after the Masses this weekend, for those wishing to attend. Volunteers are also needed. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Tess Roberts @ 508-647-8287 or Lisa Correia @ 508-545-1706.

Irish Celebration Night

The Fatima Shrine in Holliston is hosting an Irish Celebration Night on Saturday, March 11 at 7 pm. Join us for a fun evening and "Wearing O the Green". We will have refreshments, beer, wine, a sing-a-long, raffle, prizes and movie "Tour of Ireland". Tickets are $5 per person at the Shrine Gift Shop or contact Claire at 508-435-3874. All proceeds go directly to the Xaverian Missions around the world and to support the Fatima Shrine.

Annual St. Patrick's Day Gala

St. Bridget Parish, 832 Worcester Road, Framingham will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day Gala in the School Hall on Saturday Evening, March 11. A social hour will be followed by an Irish boiled Dinner. Dancing, Singing, games, prizes and fun follows dinner. Tickets are $25 per person. Cash bar. Reservations must be made at the rectory. For more information call Maria Cole at 508-875-5959.

Mass for Cardinal-designate Archbishop Sean Monthly Evening of Prayer

Please join us on Monday, March 13th, at 7:30 PM in the Church for our monthly Evening of Prayer. We will celebrate Mass in honor of the Cardinal-designate, our beloved Archbishop Sean O'Malley. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Bring a friend, and join us for refreshments after Mass.

Adoration for Vocations

St. Patrick Parish will join together on Friday, March 10 for periods of Silent Adoration and a Holy Hour for vocations using the Pope John Paul II Vocation Monstrance. All are welcome.
This Monstrance is one of six blessed and sent to six continents for the particular purpose of praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
During the Holy Hour we will be praying a Novena prayer in honor of St. Patrick for an increase of vocations in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Silent Adoration will be held from 3 pm - 7 pm on March 10 and from 8 pm, March 10 to 7 am, March 11. The Holy Hour with Novena prayer will be held from 7 pm - 8 pm on Friday, March 10. This will all take place in the UPPER CHURCH.

Saint Patrick Newsletter Volunteers Needed

Do you have writing or publishing skills? Are you a good idea person? We're considering publishing a seasonal parish newsletter, and we're looking for creative people to help with this fun project. Areas needing your help include content development, information gathering, writing, editing, photography, page layout, publishing, administration, etc. If you'd like to help put our newsletter together, and can invest a modest amount of time every few months, please call Jean at the Parish Office at 508-653-1093 to volunteer your services. Thank you!

Nursing Home Ministry

Your Valentine wishes went straight to the hearts of the residents! Thank you to the parishioners who sent the cards. St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching! The Riverbend residents are looking forward to your "Top o' the Mornin'!" greeting from the parishioners who signed up to send cards. "May the Lord always hold you in the hollow of His hand" for your kindness. If you have any questions, contact Jane Teepe at (508) 653-2098 or email jteep@rcn.com.

St. Linus Christian Book Group

Please join us at the Norton Center, St. Linus Parish, Natick on Thursday, April 6 at 7 pm as we discuss the book The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering the Felt Presence of God by Ronald Rolheiser. For information please call Karen Mallozzi at 508-651-9788 or email to KMallozzi@aol.com.

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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