FROM THE PASTOR

As the summer rolls around and we start to think about vacations, I want to ask all parishioners to make a contribution to the ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL. We are certainly fortunate to be able to do many things in our lives but there are many among us in this local Church of Boston who can hardly make it through the day because of the various challenges that confront them. The Annual Catholic Appeal is the primary charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Boston and it is the chief source of funding for so many of our pastoral, educational, social, and spiritual programs. In this era of economic hardship, all of us have to treat the needs of others as though they were our own. This is at the heart of the Gospel message and we are being true disciples when we address these needs prayerfully, financially, and generously. God has blessed us and we need to make a grateful response to His call to serve Him in serving each other. Our contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal underwrites so many programs that benefit the less fortunate among us and, although no one begrudges us a vacation, let me remind you that for many people there is no vacation from poverty, social injustice, or chronic illness. There are all sorts of poverty in our world and we as disciples need to be sensitive to the ways God calls us to eliminate it. There is the poverty of loneliness that is alleviated through pastoral programs to the homebound and the infirm or the pain that comes through divorce that is lessened by our understanding of the true meaning of marriage that comes to us when a decree of nullity is given by the Marriage Tribunal. There is the vocational training that is offered by some of our charitable social agencies that allows us to make some strides in erasing the more obvious social injustices that come through unemployment. There is the spiritual enhancement that has been and continues to be offered as we train laity to become more involved in the mission of the Church that can result in a deeper awareness of our Catholic faith. All of these works and so many more are the direct result of the funds contributed to the Annual Appeal. There are many calls that you receive for your charitable support but this particular call of the Annual Catholic Appeal benefits so many people in so many different ways. I beg all of you who have not already done so to prayerfully consider making a generous donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal. Your contribution to this endeavor can be made over time if that works best for your situation. There are pledge cards available at the doors of the Church for this purpose. I want to thank the many parishioners who have already answered this call and have contributed so far to our goal of $115,000.00. 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.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 6/25    5:30 PM Collective Intentions  Edna Ramona Lambert, Anna Amendola
Mon. 6/26    8:00 AM Mass for Sick 
Tues. 6/27    8:00 AM Mario Passarelli    
Wed. 6/28    8:00 AM Caterina Pozzi     7:30 PM Modesto Raffi
Thur. 6/29    8:00 AM Paul Aylward (living).       
Fri. 6/30    8:00 AM Hannah Cronin      
Sat. 7/1    8:00 AM Michael J. McKenna

PLEASE PRAY FOR Sandra Green, Ralph Vaccari, William White, Leonard White, Harold Kashala, Robert Goldkamp, Kathleen Tokarsky, Ed Saunders, Jr., Rosemarie Zeno, Richard Guerin, Kay I. Zinna, Celia Pasquarosa, Maryann Webster, Helen MacDonald, Julie Branton, Catherine MacLellan, Jim Campbell, Wilma Verge, 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, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Muriel Cosentino, James Phillips, James Atherton, and all the sick of the parish.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of June 25 will burn in prayer for special intentions.

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
June 18, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $11,128.00            $2,872.00

Stewardship

"Then he asked them, 'Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?'" (Mark 4:40)

The thought of stewardship terrifies some of us. We may feel that we cannot afford to give God a grateful share or to give the first fruits rather than the leftovers. It takes great faith and trust to believe that, just as He calmed the storm and quieted the waves, Our God will always provide us with all that we need, even when we give to Him first, before other bills are paid and extras are purchased.

Rest in Peace

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

Pilgrimage to Fatima

Fall Pilgrimage lead by Fr. Ed Riley, spiritual director for the World Apostolate of Fatima (Boston), from September 20 to October 1, 2006 to Lourdes, Miraculous Medal, Paris, Our Lady of Hope, Pontmain, Betharram and Shrine of St. Theresa in Lisieux. For more information, please call Vi Corey at 781-326-6185. (Seats are limited.)

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

Bible Study, Thu 6/29/2006, 7:30pm. Learn more about your faith at our weekly Bible Study at the Joseph Center. Contact Eric,eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008

Thank You

Sunday Coffee

Come join us today for our last gathering of coffee and treats until the Fall. This has been a wonderful opportunity to socialize with familiar, as well as new members of our parish and we want to thank all who participated.

St. Patrick Men's Group

The St. Patrick Men's Group continues to meet on a weekly basis on Saturday mornings at 6:45 AM in the lower church hall. Please consider joining us to study and discuss the upcoming Sunday scripture readings. If you have any questions please call Mike DelVecchio at 508-651-3406.

Pine Street Inn Ministry

The Pine Street Inn Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve the evening meal on Saturday, August 5th and Saturday, September 2nd. Please call Ann Regan at 508-650-1902 if you are interested.

St. Linus Christian Book Club

Please join us at the Norton Center, St. Linus Parish, Natick on Thursday, August 10 at 7 p.m. as we discuss the book When Jesus Came to Harvard by Harvey Cox. For information please call Karen Mallozzi at 508-651-9788 or email to KMallozzi@aol.com.

Marian Ministry

The Marian Ministry invites you to join us on Monday, June 19th, at 7:30 pm in the lower church, as we pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. All are welcome

If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact Sharon Cowles at 508-397-2275.

SAINT PATRICK CEMETERY
180 Pond Street
Natick, Massachusetts

Selecting a burial place should be your next investment.

Choosing a burial place now is both a financial and peace of mind investment. A selection now will ease the burden on family members when the need arises. Easy monthly payments can be arranged. For more information, call Leo Doherty at 508-655-2846.

Prayer For Vocations

O Jesus, good shepherd, bless our parishes with numerous priests, deacons, men and women religious, consecrated laity and missionaries, according to the needs of the entire world that you love and wish to save. We specially entrust our community to you; grant us the spirit of the first Christians, so that we may be a cenacle of prayer, in loving acceptance of the Holy Spirit. Assist our pastors and all who live a consecrated life. Guide the steps of those who have responded generously to your call and are preparing to receive holy orders or to profess the evangelical counsels. Look with love on so many well-disposed young people and call them to follow you. Help them to understand that in you alone can they attain complete fulfillment. To this end we call on the powerful intercession of Mary, mother and model of all vocations. We beseech you to sustain our faith with the certainty that God will grant what you have commanded us to ask. Amen. Pope John Paul II

Marriage Encounter

Give your marriage a well deserved vacation. Plan to go on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and come back with a marriage that is refreshed and full of energy! Upcoming dates are July 21-23, September 15-17 and October 20-22. For more information call Dave & Karen Demers at 1-800-710-WWME or visit our webpage at www.wwmeMA.org.

Twenty-Fifth Annual Lawn Party

Blessed John XXIII National Seminary is hosting its Annual Lawn Party on Wednesday, September 20th.. Located on Route 30 in Weston, the seminary prepares older, second career candidates for the priesthood. The Lawn Party is an opportunity to meet today's seminarians and to learn more about the vital work of this unique seminary. For ticket information, please call the Blessed John XXIII Seminary at 781-899-5500 or visit our website at www.BlessedJohnXXIII.edu.

Prayer For Summer

Dear God,
You made the four seasons.
Each summer arrives as a part of
Your perfect pattern and will,
Yet is unique unto itself.
This summer, help me to see
Not only the enjoyment of vacations,
But the joy of Your will.
Help me to feel not only the pleasure of a warm sun,
But the contentment of a life guided by You.
Help me to know, not only the satisfaction
Of a project completed,
But the fulfillment of a heart filled by You.
Help me to see You in all things, Lord,
In all the seasons of life you give us.
Amen.

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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