I want to invite all parishioners to join us this week or our PARISH LENTEN MISSION that will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening. We have invited the MOST REV. JOHN P. BOLES, the Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Boston, to be the Lenten Homilist. Bishop Boles had been involved in Catholic education and parish ministry before accepting the call to be an Auxiliary Bishop in Boston. He worked tirelessly as the Bishop responsible for the Central Region of the Archdiocese until his well-deserved retirement last year. However, despite his “retirement,” the Bishop continues to be in demand as a speaker and we are indeed fortunate to be able to welcome him to our parish for this special time of grace. Bishop Boles will focus his remarks on Hope, Forgiveness, and Discipleship and will guide us as we reflect upon these important themes as they relate to our lives. The first evening will begin with a Prayer Service in the Church at 7:30 PM and will conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Tuesday evening we have invited additional priests in order that all may have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The third and final night, we will conclude with the celebration of Mass which is the Source and Summit of our lives as Catholics. I hope that you will join us for these evenings as we prepare to enter into the Paschal Mystery that we celebrate during Holy Week and Easter.

This week, we are continuing to ask for your generous financial assistance to the ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL. Cardinal O’Malley is very grateful to all who have already pledged to this major charitable fund-raising effort. As the Cardinal has reminded us, “the gifts we have, we are given to share.” Success in the eyes of God is not about the quantity or quality of our material goods. Instead, it is about how we use those goods: do they move us closer to God or are they an obstacle? God calls us to share what we have to help others. By providing financial support for the various ministries of the Church, the Catholic Appeal offers everyone a chance to exercise genuine Christian stewardship. Once again, I ask you to join me in making a generous sacrificial gift to the Appeal in order that those less fortunate than ourselves might benefit and we might truly hand on to them the Light of Christ.

I am very grateful to all who participated in last week’s Day of Reflection. I am indebted to the Rev. PAUL B. O’BRIEN for his priestly presence and for providing us with a visible witness to our faith. As Fr. O’Brien reminded us, much of his success is has been depended upon the sharing of resources that others have provided, especially through the Catholic Appeal. When all is said and done, we are one Body, one Church and whatever we do for one, we do for all. It was apparent to all that the good works happening in Lawrence and in Natick are the result of the collaborative efforts of all Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. Thanks to all for the wonderful demonstration that you provide each day of what it means to be a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stewardship

“Father, I thank you for hearing me.” – John 11:41

God will always hear those who call upon Him. May we always lift our voice to Him. Loving God, I trust that even this small voice can be heard by you. Hear this heart that aches for you.

Easter Flowers

There will be a SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION taken up at all of the Masses next weekend for EASTER FLOWERS. Many people have expressed a desire to have their loved ones remembered in prayers during the Easter season and we have decided to decorate the Church in memory of our deceased loved ones. If you wish to make a financial contribution towards this, please write the name of the deceased loved one on the outside of an envelope and place your offering in next week’s second collection. In the event that finances are somewhat problematic for you, please feel free to simply write the name of the person on the outside of the envelope and place it in the basket. We are happy to remember everyone in our prayers at the Altar during this holy season.

Scholarship

Attention: High School seniors who are members of St. Patrick Parish and attending a Catholic High School: you may apply for the Philip H. Woods – St. Vincent de Paul Scholarship. Please call the rectory and leave your name and telephone number. You will be contacted. (Seniors at Natick High School have been notified by the Guidance Department of this opportunity.) Deadline to call is Wednesday, April 3, 2008.

Saint Patrick Parish
Lenten Schedule

Daily Mass Schedule

Mon. – Fri. 6:30 and 8:00 a.m.
Saturday – 8:00 a.m.
Reminder: There will NOT be any Wednesday or Friday evening Masses during Lent.

Parish Lenten Mission
Most Reverend John P. Boles, “Discipleship”
Monday, March 10 – Evening of Prayer
Tuesday, March 11 – Reconciliation
Wed., March 12 – Celebration of the Eucharist
All take place in the Upper Church at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Triduum

Holy Thursday
March 20th
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday
March 21st
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
March 22nd
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday
March 23rd
Mass at 7:30; 9:00; 11:30 a.m.; and 5:30 p.m

First Communion Apparel Exchange

Do you have a suit or jacket that is gently used? Perhaps a First Communion gown from years past. This year we are accepting donations of gently used First Communion Apparel to donate to families in our second grade classes. You may drop off the items prior to the 9:00 Mass in the vestibule of the Church this Sunday and next Sunday. For more information please contact Kara Dawson at (508) 653-5728 or the Religious Education Office at 508-907-6220.

LIFT – Catholic Worship for a NEW Generation

Join us for LIFT – an exciting new monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages – from young adults to adults to teens to entire families. Be with us on Tuesday, March 18th for a special Holy Week edition of LIFT with our guest Martin Doman. The evening runs from 7 – 9 pm at Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Road, Milton, MA. Directions and a downloadable flyer, along with more information about LIFT, can be found on our website at www.liftedhigher.com. Come join in worship with hundreds of Catholics from around the Boston area!

Passion Play

Please join the Parish Community of Saint Stephen, 221 Concord Street, Framingham on Sunday, March 16 at 12:30 p.m. in the parish hall for a dramatic presentation of Christ’s Passion Story enacted with narration in English based on the Seven Last Words from the cross. For more information call 508-875-4788.

Saint Bridget School Open House

Are you interested in learning more about our K1 (4yr olds) and Kindergarten program? We invite you to join us on Sunday, March 30 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Monday, March 31 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am for an Open House at Saint Bridget School, 832 Worcester Rd (Rte. 9), Framingham. For more information, please call Jean Nigloschy at 508-875-0181 x229 or visit our website at www.saintbridgetschool.info.

25th and 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass

Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. invites all couples of the Archdiocese of Boston who are marking their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries in 2008 to join him for the annual celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Sunday, April 13; 11:30 am Mass. Mass will include a renewal of marriage vows by all participating anniversary couples. Family members and friends of the participating couples, as well as the general public, are welcome to attend. Please register with the parish staff by March 28, 2008 if you are celebrating your 25th or 50th wedding anniversary and would like to attend this celebration. A formal invitation will then be sent from the Archdiocese to celebrating couples.

St. Patrick Parish Men’s Group

The St. Patrick Men's Group continues to meet on the first and third Saturday mornings at 6:45 AM in the lower church hall. Please consider joining us to study and discuss the upcoming Sunday scripture readings. Our next meeting is this Saturday, March 15. If you have any questions please call Mike DelVecchio at 508-651-3406.

Boston Eucharistic Congress for College Students & Young Adults

On Friday night, March 28, and Saturday, March 29 join with other Catholic young adults from around the region for a weekend of powerful talks, prayer, music, volunteer service, confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass with Cardinal Sean O’Malley, a Eucharistic procession through the North End of Boston, and lots of chances to meet and socialize with your peers. This FREE event will take place at St. Stephen’s church in the heart of the North End. Check out the speakers, schedule, and other details including registration online at www.eucharisticcongress.org. Pre-Registration guarantees a free dinner Saturday night provided by the restaurants of the North End. Please join us and help spread the word!