FROM THE PASTOR

The SECOND COLLECTION being taken up at all of the Masses this weekend is for the CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN which is used to support many activities in the field of communications throughout the country. This annual appeal affords us the opportunity to continue the mission of bringing the Word of God to a world that longs to hear it. The media is a powerful influence in our society and this collection allows us to share the Good News by aiding initiatives such as Catholic radio, newspaper, and television. Your generous support of this collection will allow us to continue to promote the Gospel in an effective manner.

As we observe MOTHER'S DAY this weekend, I want to express my profound admiration to those who sacrifice so much for their children. We have a tendency to celebrate so many people in life but truly no one has a more pivotal role than a mother. With grateful hearts, we gather around God's Altar to offer our Prayer of Thanksgiving for the great blessing that our mothers are to our lives. We commend to His tender care those mothers who have died and have gone before us in faith. We pray that God may grant to them eternal rest in that Kingdom that they have helped us glimpse through their sacrificial love here on earth.

The members of the RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY will be at the doors of the Church this weekend selling carnations as a visible sign of support for the dignity of every human person. We stand in solidarity with all who proclaim that all life is sacred from the moment of conception until its natural end. However, it is not enough for us to simply affirm the right of every person to life; we must take concrete steps to insure that every life is treated with the reverence that God expects. The proceeds from the sale of these carnations are used to aid women who find themselves in difficult circumstances because of their pregnancies, Please be as generous as you can in support of this important effort to safeguard and to protect our unborn children.

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. 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.

Finally, let me offer my prayerful congratulations to the young children who received their FIRST HOLY COMMUNION last weekend. I am most grateful to their parents, teachers and Melisa Melnyk, our Director of Religious Education, 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.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 5/8    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass  Donna, Walter, and Walter Curley Jr., Miriam & Clement Vayda, Julia & Walter Ingalls, Helen & Clement Vayda, Francis Vayda
Mon. 5/9    8:00 AM Mass for the Sick    
Tues. 5/10    8:00 AM Eric Lane-living    
Wed. 5/11    8:00 AM Chester Lewandowski 7:30 PM   Ilario & Santa DeMasi
Thur. 5/12   8:00 AM Suzanne Aylward-living    
Fri. 5/13   8:00 AM Frank Lavernia 7:30 PM       
Sat. 5/14    8:00 AM Gerard Halpin, Jr.;        

PLEASE PRAY FOR Molly Zwick, Michael Ruiz, Gary Soares, Ricky Webster, John Morton, Eleonore Santospago, Eileen Dennis, Jordan Pascucci, Elaine Ruda, Ulysse Richard, Dave Markow, Stuart McIntosh, Laura Tomlin, Lucy Grupposo, Marie Smith, John Healey, Joel Dennis, Greg Giallonardo, Nancy Brodeur, Erin McKay, Tony Amendola, Thomas Kean, Chuck Plaistek, Jane O'Keefe, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Muriel Cosentino, Denise Perreault, Amy Flickenger, James Phillips, Elvira Portyrala, James Atherton, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of May 8th will burn in prayer for Gerard Halpin, Jr., Diane Polagruto and Mary McGlone.

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
May 1, 2005

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$15,000.00            $13,266.00            $1,734.00

STEWARDSHIP

In today's Gospel, Jesus prays, "I have given You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do." Good stewards follow His example by using their time and talents for the glory of God.

Rest in Peace

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

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

Members of the Adoration Ministry will be available after all the Masses the three weekends of 5/15, 5/22 and 5/29 to meet with and sign up people who are interested in doing a Holy Hour.

We are blessed in this parish to have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration - what a beautiful joy it is, especially during the Year of the Eucharist, to spend one hour a week with the Lord.

Call Anne Reilly 508-655-8516 if you have questions or wish to do an hour.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Attention First graders!

All families with a child who will be entering 2nd grade in September

You are invited to join us for a special Mass and celebration to welcome the students into their Sacramental year on Sunday May 15th, Pentecost. After 9 AM Mass there will be an opportunity to find out more information about our program. A letter with the details of this event has been mailed to all parishioners with students of this age; if you did not receive a letter, please contact the office at 508-907-6220.

Volunteers

Our program runs on the generosity of volunteers who spend their time, talent and treasures preparing classes and shaping the faith of the children and families of our parish. Parents are invited to join me in preparing a special appreciation dinner for the volunteers of our program. A committee is being formed, please contact the office at 508-907-6220.

Summer Opportunities for Teens

For more info:

Call the Religious Ed Office or go to www.oymboston.org

June 27 8-10pm Middle School Harbor Cruise

Music Ministry

We would like to take the time to thank the children and adults who sacrificed their time to be a part of the Music Ministry this past year at St. Patrick's. The Adult Choir, the Children's Choir and the volunteer Cantors have enhanced our spiritual experience during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter Seasons. It is a great privilege to be part of such a generous community. There is still time to share in this Ministry. The Adult Choir will continue through May 29, 2005 with rehearsals at the Joseph Center at 7:30pm on Tuesday evenings. All members of the Children's Choir are encouraged to attend the final rehearsal of the year on May 9th at 5:00pm, also at the Joseph Center. If you are interested in donating your time and talents to help build a stronger and more diverse musical program please contact: Martin Kelly, Music Director at 617-489-2472 or email at mjksjf@aol.com

2005 Annual Catholic Appeal

Our Faith At Work is a powerful force.

The 2005 Catholic Appeal is in its second week, and we would like to thank everyone who has already participated in this year's campaign. If you have yet to send in your pledge, we hope you will. Our Faith At Work is a powerful force. Its strength comes from the Lord, but it also comes from all of us. Once a year, through the Annual Catholic Appeal, the Church asks for your support in meeting the needs of our Catholic family. It is a request that we join together, knowing that, together, our strength is far stronger than it can ever be individually. Thank you for your support.

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

Evening of Prayer

Our next Evening of Prayer will be held on Monday, May 16th, at 7:30 p.m. Please join us as we gather together in faith to pray the Living Rosary for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Each bead of the Rosary is represented by a parishioner, and we honor our Blessed Mother Mary with scripture and song.

We offer this special prayer to our Blessed Mother asking her to intercede for us as we pray for all our priests, for those who are about to be ordained, and for the intentions of our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

"We pray that Mary, Queen of the Clergy, will be their model of faith and joy, and constant guide until they reach heaven where a crown, jeweled with the many souls entrusted to them on the day of Ordination, will be their reward for faithful and loving service. Amen."

If you are willing to pray one Hail Mary or Our Father as part of this Living Rosary, we ask that you sign up after Mass this weekend, or contact the Parish Office at 508-653-1093.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this prayerful evening. Refreshments will be served following the service.

Peace and Justice Ministry

On Thursday, May 12th, the Peace & Justice Ministry will host a presentation of Scott Shaeffer-Duffy. Scott and his wife Claire provide hospitality to the homeless at the Catholic Worker House in Worcester. They also travel to conflicted countries to bring their message of peace. Earlier this year Scott went with a small delegation to Darfur - the evening's program will be about his observations and experiences there.

The program, which will last about an hour, begins at 7:30pm in the Lower Church Hall. All are welcome and light refreshments will be served.

2005 CORI CHECK

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

This is an annual process followed by all parishes within the Archdiocese of Boston, and we at Saint Patrick Parish have been asked to conduct our annual CORI check during the month of May.

All volunteers (age 18 and older) will be asked to complete a 2005 CORI form and return it to the Parish Office by May 27th, 2005. Your cooperation is most appreciated.

Birthright Carnations

The Mother's Day Carnation Project is Birthright's only fundraising event. Carnations will be available next weekend after all the Masses. Your donation of one dollar will support Birthright in Framingham. Birthright is staffed entirely by volunteers who offer friendship and practical assistance to pregnant women and/or her family during a time of crisis. Birthright is dedicated to the sanctity of all human life and is non-political and interdenominational.

Prayer Vigil at Metro West Hospital on May 21st

A prayer vigil to Save God's Precious Infants and to end abortions at Framingham Union Hospital will be held May 21st. The Vigil begins with Mass at 8am at St. Stephen's Church (Concord St. in Framingham). After Mass people process in prayer to the hospital. All are welcome.

Annual Baby Shower benefits Pregnancy Help

Our annual collection of new baby items will begin May 22nd and end May 29th. Baby baskets will be placed at all the exits of the church on these weekends. Items that are especially needed are diapers, wipes, blankets, pacifiers and newborn clothing. These gifts are distributed by Pregnancy Help to needy families. Your support to this endeavor is always appreciated.

Fatima Day

The Xaverian Missionaries will be holding their traditional Fatima Day at our Lady of Fatima Shrine on the 13th of the month, May through October. On May 13th: Sing along at 6:30pm; Mass: 7pm Main celebrant, Rev. Raymond Van De Moortell, S.J., Vicar at St. John's Parish in Winthrop, MA. Mass followed by Rosary and Candlelight Procession.

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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