Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

I wish to offer our prayerful congratulations to the young men and women of our parish family who received their FIRST HOLY COMMUNION this weekend. I am most grateful to their parents, teachers and Lisa Correia, our Religious Education Coordinator, for bringing them to this wonderful moment of grace. May the Lord Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, bring them great joy and renewed strength as they continue along their spiritual journey towards His Kingdom.

I would also like to express my thanks for those who have responded to our invitation to participate in the ADORATION MINISTRY. The blessing that is ours to have access to the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist is maintained by the generous support of parishioners who offer their time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. If you are able to give of your time in this manner, please cal the Rectory

I want to invite all parishioners to join us next Monday evening, May 12th for the LIVING ROSARY. This is one of the nicest ways in which we can honor our Blessed Mother as we ask her assistance in rendering faithful service to her Divine Son. Parishioners are needed to help recite the various prayers of the Rosary and if you would like to participate, please sign up after Mass this weekend.

Once again, I would like to call your attention to the ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL that is currently underway in our parish and throughout the entire Archdiocese of Boston. We are experiencing a very challenging period in our Archdiocese but what defines us as a community of believers is our love of God and how we care for each other. The Catholic Appeal gives each of us a unique opportunity to put into action our belief that we are part of one community of faith. Your generous support of the Catholic Appeal enables the Archbishop to fulfill his role of providing pastoral, educational, social, and spiritual services to the people entrusted to his care. I would urge you to use the Pledge Cards that are available in the pews in order to make a larger financial gift that can be paid over several months. United in Faith we can bring comfort, support, and the consolation of the Gospel to those in need and truly we can make a positive difference in our world. I want to thank the over 300 parishioners who have already answered this call and have contributed almost $90,000. The needs increase every day so please do whatever you can to help. May God reward you for your kindness to His people because I know that we never could.

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.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

In Our Lord’s last words to the Apostles before ascending to heaven He makes it clear that our Baptism comes with an obligation. We are to do all that Jesus commanded us – which means caring for the poor, teaching the children and using our gifts to carry on the work of the Lord.

In honor of our Blessed Mother, Mary, we will be praying the LIVING ROSARY on Monday, May 12th, at 7:30 in the Church. This Living Rosary is formed inside the Church with each bead of the Rosary represented by a parishioner holding a candle. We need people to help us form this Rosary and to pray either one Hail Mary or one Our Father. Please call the parish office if you are able to participate in this memorable event. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this prayerful experience.

FIRST SOLEMN MASS
Of Thanksgiving
Sunday, May 25th, 2:00 PM

After his ordination scheduled for May 24th, Father Mark D. Barr plans to celebrate his FIRST SOLEMN MASS OF THANKSGIVING here at Saint Patrick Church on Sunday, May 25th, at 2:00 p.m. All parishioners are invited to attend. A reception in his honor will take place following the Mass, and we need your help in coordinating this event. Sign ups will be held after Masses next weekend for sandwiches, salads, desserts, etc. or call the parish office to offer your assistance. Thank you!

First Communion Prayer

Dear Jesus,
Through bread and wine at the Last Supper, and by your holy word, you gave the Eucharist to your church. You transformed common food and drink into your Body and Blood, and offered us a share in your life in ways we still cannot fully understand. Grant now that these young people will always treasure the gift they have in you. Give them the grace to be faithful to you and to remain in communion with your church. As they receive their first Communion, the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation, make them always aware of the hope they have for eternal life in you.
Amen.

Youth Group Update

The St. Patrick's high school youth group will be volunteering at the Cor Unum meal center on Saturday, May 17th, and will hold a full-night lock-in later that night in the school building! All high school youth are welcome to attend either or both events!
- Cor Unum: 3-8PM
- Lock In: 8PM - 7AM
Email Ryan Barba at rybarba99@yahoo.com or ask a member of the youth group for more details!

Join us for LIFT – an exciting monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages. Be with us on Tuesday, May, 13th as we welcome Mary Bielski as our guest speaker. 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!

The event, scheduled for June 14th in the Parish School from 9 AM to 1 PM, is looking for crafters and vendors. If you are interested you may contact Susan Stoddard at 508.776.0850 or sstoddard@ssymca.org.

The Mother’s Day Carnation Project is the primary fundraising event held by Birthright of Framingham. The Birthright center is staffed entirely by volunteers who offer friendship, emotional support and practical assistance to women in a crisis pregnancy. Birthright does not charge for its services, but relies on donations from generous supporters to continue helping pregnant women in need. Your support next weekend (May 10/11) is deeply appreciated.

Our annual Baby Shower will be held May 17/18. Baby gifts are welcomed and needed to benefit struggling families through Pregnancy Help. Please consider bringing in new items, such as, blankets, newborn clothing, diapers and pacifiers. Baby Baskets will be placed near the exits of the Church on May 17/18. Thank you!

The Respect Life Ministry once again would like to thank the St. Patrick Parish family for their compassion and charity in responding to our annual bake sale for Camp Arrowhead. Your generosity has made it possible for us to present $1033 to the camp to allow a physically challenged child to participate in this fun-filled experience.

In keeping with the Archdiocesan policy for conducting background checks for all clergy, staff, and volunteers, all parish volunteers (age 17 and older) must complete a CORI (criminal offender record information) form that will be submitted to the Archdiocesan Office of Volunteer Resources.

This is an annual process required of all parishes within the Archdiocese of Boston, and we at Saint Patrick Parish are required to conduct our annual CORI checks during the month of May.

The Archdiocese requires that you return the completed form in person as you will be asked to show your driver’s license or other form of identification. Members of the Parish Staff and Parish Pastoral Council will be on hand after all Masses the weekend of May 17th/18th to facilitate this process.

Your cooperation is most appreciated in helping us comply with these regulations. Thank you.

The Xaverian Missionaries will resume their traditional Fatima Days May through October at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston. On Tuesday, May 13 we will have our first such celebration. Sing-along begins at 6:30 p.m. Mass is celebrated at 7:00 p.m. The main celebrant will be Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Hennessey, Regional Bishop for the Central Region. At 8:00 p.m. we have the Rosary and candlelight procession. Refreshments in the shrine hall following.

St. Tarcisius Parish (562 Waverly Street, Framingham) presents the Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir under the direction of Meyer Chambers on Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00. (Tickets from the cancelled December Concert will be honored.) Refreshments to follow in the Parish Center. All are Welcome!

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts