FROM THE PASTOR

As we celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY this week, I hope that everyone will be able to relax and to enjoy these days of summer. In this busy world of ours, all of us need to take time out of our hectic schedules and to regroup by appreciating the beauty of nature that has been provided to us by a gracious God. The independence that our country observes has been purchased for us by our ancestors but true independence has come to us through Christ. As the sheep of His flock, we are ever mindful that our real value is infinite because of His immense sacrificial love displayed for the entire world on the Cross on Calvary.

While I encourage all to enjoy these days, let us never forget our obligation to stay connected to Christ through our active participation that the Sunday Eucharist. It is around His Altar that we are truly refreshed and renewed and we are privileged to celebrate the only independence that liberates us from a slavery to sin.

May our gratitude for this freedom be expressed by our willingness to extend ourselves more generously in Christ's service and bring His message of lasting peace to the world that desperately needs what only Christ can give.

Prayer for Independence Day

Dear God,
As we celebrate today with fireworks and festivals,
Help us never to forget the reason for our joy.
Help us remember that our rights to life, liberty
And the pursuit of happiness
Were signed into our heritage
With the willing blood of American patriots.
Most of all, help us remember
That the rights of all people
Are more than words on a document,
And that all people have rights
Because You have given us the dignity of human life.
Grant freedom to all,
And give us the strength to protect the rights of others.
Amen.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 7/2    5:30 PM Family Healing Mass  
Mon. 7/3    8:00 AM Mass for Sick 
Tues. 7/4    8:00 AM For our country    
Wed. 7/5    8:00 AM Sharon Stevens     7:30 PM Santa DeMasi
Thur. 7/6    8:00 AM Anna Leavitt       
Fri. 7/7    8:00 AM Wilbert, Hanford & Ben Pinette 7:30 PM     Holy Souls in Purgatory
Sat. 7/8    8:00 AM For vocations

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 July 2 will burn in prayer for Luisa Valenti and Mary Young.

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.

Office Closed

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, July 3rd & 4th For the Independence Day holiday. We will reopen on Wednesday, July 5, 2006. Thank you.

PARISH SUPPORT
June 25, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $13,508.00            $492.00

Stewardship

"...as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs…" (2 Corinthians 8:13-14)

Do you ever wonder why God has been so good to you? St. Paul provides us with an answer. We are called to share our abundance. God has entrusted blessings to us so that we in turn can share with others. Sharing in this way can be a joyful and rewarding experience since we see our giving as part of God's great plan.

Rest in Peace

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

Evening of Prayer Monday, July 10, 2006

On the second Monday of each month, the Spiritual Development Commission of Saint Patrick Parish sponsors an Evening of Prayer. These prayerful services are open to all and are held upstairs in the Church. The next monthly Evening of Prayer will be held on Monday, July 10th at 7:30 PM. We will pray Evening Prayer and conclude with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Refreshments will be served downstairs following the service. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

IN APPRECIATION

Dear Friends of Pregnancy Help,

It is with great gratitude that we received the beautiful baby items and $105 that you and the people of your parish donated for our clients from your parish baby shower. Your help enables us to continue in our mission to serve women and families, helping them make life affirming choices.

During 2005, thanks to your help and that of others, we served 320 women, out of both our Natick and Brighton offices. Your generosity is a gift to so many! You are truly cooperating with the Church as she strives to build a Culture of Life.

I remember here, the words of Our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew (25:40), "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."

May Christ fill your lives with prayer, peace, joy, and holiness.

Maria C. Ferreira, MD, Director
Archdiocesan Pregnancy Help Office

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.

MUSIC MINISTRY

We would like to thank the children and adults who sacrificed their time to be a part of the Music Ministry this past year at Saint 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. We would also like to express our gratitude to the teachers of the Religious Education Program and the parents of the children for their assistance with the Children's Choir. Their willingness to make changes in their weekend schedule helped enable the children to make a greater contribution in the Mass. 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 resume rehearsals on September 5th, 2006 at the Joseph Center at 7:30 PM on Tuesday evenings. If you are interested in donating your time and talents to help build a stronger and more diverse musical program, please contact Martin Kelley, Music Director, at 617-489-2472 or email at mjksjf@aol.com.

VOCATION PRAYER

Lord God, You so loved the world that You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to those who believe in Him. I join Him in His prayer for laborers in Your harvest. May Your Holy Spirit inspire and strengthen generous men and women to continue His mission in the world. May this same Spirit make known to me your will in my regard. Where you lead, I will follow. Let it be done to me according to Your word. I make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Religious Education News

Several students in our Confirmation Program received letters indicating that they had not completed their course requirements. The cases in which it was a record keeping error are being adjusted. In some instances, other commitments kept students from completing or enrolling in a required mini-course offering. In an effort to get everyone caught up, we are offering some alternatives. A recent mailing detailed two summer programs run by the Archdiocesan Office of Youth Ministries, Gospel Road and Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI). Those who participate may satisfy course requirements or service hours.

Additionally, we will be offering a special Summer Make-Up Course that will cover fundamentals of the faith. It will be held on four Sunday evenings following the 5:30 Mass, July 23 and 31 and August 6 and 13. For credit, students will also have to submit a paper before the end of summer.

Anyone with questions about the program or their own status should contact the Religious Education Office at 508-907-6220.

A REMINDER

In keeping with the Archdiocesan policy for conducting background checks for all clergy, staff, and volunteers, it is mandatory that all volunteers in ministry in the parish complete a CORI form and submit it to the Parish Office.

This year additional information is required on the form, and the Archdiocese requires that the form be returned in person so that identification may be verified by the CORI Administrator.

Kathleen Kelly is the CORI Administrator for Saint Patrick Parish, and she works evenings in the Parish Office, Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

If you have not already done so, please contact Kathleen at 508-653-1093 to make arrangements to complete the CORI process. Your assistance and cooperation in this matter are most appreciated.

Happy 4th of July

With our prayerful best wishes
for a happy and safe
4th of July Holiday
from the Parish Staff.

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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