"THE LORD'S DAY" (3)

Pope John Paul II - 1998

Until quite recently, it was easier in traditionally Christian countries to keep Sunday holy because it was an almost universal practice and because, even in the organization of civil society, Sunday rest was considered a fixed part of the work schedule. Today, however, even in those countries which give legal sanction to the festive character of Sunday, changes in socioeconomic conditions have often led to profound modifications of social behavior and hence of the character of Sunday. The custom of the "weekend" has become more widespread, a weekly period of respite, spent perhaps far from home and often involving participation in cultural, political or sporting activities which are usually held on free days. This social and cultural phenomenon is by no means without its positive aspects if while respecting true values, it can contribute to people's development and to the advancement of the life of society as a whole. All of this responds not only to the need for rest, but also to the need for celebration which is inherent in our humanity. Unfortunately, when Sunday loses its fundamental meaning and becomes merely part of a "weekend", it can happen that people stay locked within a horizon so limited that they can no longer see "the heavens". Hence, though ready to celebrate, they are really incapable of doing so.

The disciples of Christ, however, are asked to avoid any confusion between the celebration of Sunday, which should truly be a way of keeping the Lord's Day holy, and the "weekend", understood as a time of simple rest and relaxation. This will require a genuine spiritual maturity, which will enable Christians to "be what they are", in full accordance with the gift of faith, always ready to give an account of the hope which is in them. In this way, they will be led to a deeper understanding of Sunday, with the result that, even in difficult situations, they will be able to live in complete docility to the Holy Spirit.

From this perspective, the situation appears somewhat mixed. On the one hand, there is the example of some young churches, which show how fervently Sunday can be celebrated, whether in urban areas or in widely scattered villages. By contrast, in other parts of the world, because of the sociological pressures already noted, and perhaps because the motivation of faith is weak, the percentage of those attending the Sunday liturgy is strikingly low. In the minds of many of the faithful, not only the sense of the centrality of the Eucharist but even the sense of the duty to give thanks to the Lord and to pray to him with others in the community of the Church, seems to be diminishing.

It is also true that both in mission countries and in countries evangelized long ago the lack of priests is such that the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist cannot always be guaranteed in every community.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 8/14    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass  Richard W. Hesek 1stanniv.
Mon. 8/15    8:00 AM Mass for the Sick    
Tues. 8/16    8:00 AM Stanley P. Demko    
Wed. 8/17    8:00 AM George Geary 7:30 PM   Monthly Memorial
Thur. 8/18   8:00 AM Gena Antinori    
Fri. 8/19   8:00 AM Rosemary Zeno (living)       
Sat. 8/20    8:00 AM Alice Podzka;        

PLEASE PRAY FOR Michael Breau, Julie Branton, Catherine MacLellan, Alice Carew, Jim Fitzpatrick, Jim Campbell, Wilma Verge, Sandra Green, Marie Murphy, Kathy Murphy, Jennifer Melnyk, Michael Ruiz, Ricky Webster, John Morton, Eleonore Santospago, Eileen Dennis, Jordan Pascucci, Elaine Ruda, Ulysse Richard, Dave Markow, 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, Amy Flickenger, James Phillips, Elvira Portyrala, James Atherton, Mike Fitzgerald, and all the sick of the parish.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of August 14th will burn in prayer for Michael W. Lesniak and in thanksgiving to the Blessed Sacrament.

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
August 7, 2005

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$15,000.00            $12,065.00            $2,935.00

STEWARDSHIP

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29
God calls all of us to share our gifts. In their Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, Stewardship: A disciple's Response, the US Catholic Bishops tell us the same thing. They say, "Jesus' call to us is urgent…There can be no delay..All temporal and spiritual goods are created by and come from God…One day God will require an accounting of the use each person has made of the particular portion of these goods entrusted to him or her."

Rest in Peace

Let us pray for those who have died, especially
Robert Shea, Joseph Crisafulli
and John Vachon
May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The St. Vincent de Paul Society once again will be helping families with BACK TO SCHOOL clothing needs. Please call the Rectory and leave your name and telephone number and we will contact you. All calls are confidential.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education Registration

Return registration for all children as soon as possible; classes are currently being assigned.

New students: Registration and Information available by contacting the Office or through www.stpatsnatick.org

Pre-K and Kindergarten class is filling quickly, registration will be accepted based on availability.

Volunteers

Thank you to those who have already accepted the invitation to volunteer in the program for this year, your dedication and commitment are what make it possible for our parish to offer a structured teaching program for our children. In order to ensure the safety of every child, we are still in need of a number of volunteers. Please call the Office of Religious Ed for information 508-907-6220.

Volunteers still needed:

1st, 3rd, 4th grade Catechists and Aides (Sunday 10:15-11:15am)
Middle School Catechists and Aides (Wednesday 6:30-7:30)
Hall monitors (Wednesday 6:30-7:30)
Substitutes
Set up (8:30-9:00am Sunday morning)
Take down (Sunday 11:15-11:30am)

All volunteers are invited to attend the Orientation Meeting Sunday Sept 11 10:00-11:30am for briefing and training.

Dates to Note:

Sept 11 Orientation for all volunteers
Sept 13 Parents Annual General Meeting
Sept 14 Launch night for parents and students entering 9th and 10th grade
Sept 18 Welcome Mass and first day of classes

Did you know?

Family Cluster is an option offered through the Religious Education Program allowing families to gather together to learn and support each other in their faith. 2 to 7 families gather on a provided theme to discuss, learn and participate together in one another's home. In the intervening weeks, families prepare an aspect of the theme to be presented to the cluster group at the following gathering. Clusters gather monthly for a 3-part lesson: an intergenerational presentation of the theme, a period of age-appropriate learning on the same theme, and re-gathering for a related activity and social time. For information regarding joining an existing cluster or to start your own cluster please contact Melisa Melnyk 508-907-6220.

Fellowship of Young Adults (20s & 30s)

BOWLING -- Young adults (20s/30s) are invited to join the Fellowship of Young Adults for a night of bowling fun! Sunday, August 21st, Fairway Lanes, 7pm. Contact Eric Ewanco, eje@world.std.com, 508-845-5008.

Pine Street Inn Ministry

Drivers and servers are needed for Saturday, September 3. You will leave #6 Lincoln St. at 4:00pm and return by 4:00pm. Please call Josie @ 508-653-2435.

Feast of the Assumption

Monday, August 15, 2005 is the
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We do encourage attendance at Mass
But since this holy day
falls on a Monday,
attendance at Mass is not obligatory.
Mass will be celebrated in the UPPER church at 8 a.m.

Volunteer Opportunity

Attention men and women of all ages!!!

Adult Altar Servers are needed to assist at Daily Mass, Funerals, and other Liturgical Celebrations in the parish. Please consider participating in this important ministry. No experience necessary. Complete training will be provided. If interested, please contact the rectory at 508-653-1093.

Help our Natick Neighbors

Catholic Charities West, Natick Service Council and A Place to Turn are sponsoring a Food Drive with Sovereign in their 69 East Central Street Natick Branch (next to Nicholas Restaurant). The drive will last through the first week of September 9, 2005. The food drive will benefit all Natick food pantries. This neighbor to neighbor food drive will benefit local Natick families.

For many local families summertime is not easy. Children are home from school and there is a real need for extra food, as children do not have school feeding programs available to them in the summer months. Whether or not you are a customer of Sovereign Bank, please consider stopping by to drop off non-perishable food items between 9am and 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Your contribution will make a difference to a local child.

For more information, please call Catholic Charities' Natick office at 508-647-5638.

More photos from Vacation Bible School

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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