Honor and Support Workers this Labor Day
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions

Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops
For many of us, Labor Day provides a much-needed break from the rigors of our busy work weeks. But as we gather with friends and family this Labor Day, we also are reminded of our Catholic responsibility to honor and support those who work hard to keep our society and our economy healthy-especially those who work hard but remain in poverty. A special duty to the poor is a part of our Church's tradition called Catholic Social Teaching. As the U.S. Catholic Bishops write, "Catholic Social Teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. Its roots are in the Hebrew prophets who announced God's special love for the poor and called God's people to a covenant of love and justice. It is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came 'to bring glad tidings to the poor'… (Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with 'the least of these,' the hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45). Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor … As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, 'To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1397)." Below are three important themes of Catholic social teaching we should keep in mind as we celebrate Labor Day this year.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation
The Catholic tradition teaches that human beings grow and achieve fulfillment in community. How we organize our society in economics and politics directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to develop alongside each other. The family is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and wellbeing of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Our Church teaches that the role of government and other institutions is to protect human life and dignity and promote the common good.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
In a world characterized by growing prosperity for some and pervasive poverty for others, Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation.

(Provided by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.)

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 9/3    5:30 PM Family Healing Mass  
Mon. 9/4    8:00 AM Mass for Sick 
Tues. 9/5    8:00 AM Frances Limperis    
Wed. 9/6    8:00 AM Sr. Mary Rose Colleran     7:30 PM Modesto Raffi
Thur. 9/7    8:00 AM Mary & Joseph Maguire       
Fri. 9/8    8:00 AM Maria Ciccarello      
Sat. 9/9    8:00 AM Helen MacDonald (living)

PLEASE PRAY FOR Mary Porter, Rita Marso, Harold Davis, Lucille Belmore, Ralph Vaccari, Leonard White, Harold Kashala, Robert Goldkamp, Ed Saunders, Jr., Rosemarie Zeno, Richard Guerin, Kay I. Zinna, 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, Nancy Brodeur, Erin McKay, Tony Amendola, Thomas Kean, Diane Doyle, Amanda Clift, Stephen W. Humphrey, Jr., Muriel Cosentino, James Phillips, James Atherton, Barbara DiVaio, Barbara Waite and all the sick of the parish.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of September 3 will burn in prayer for Modesto Raffi, 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, September 4th
For the Labor Day holiday.
We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5, 2006.
Thank you.

PARISH SUPPORT
Aug 27, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $11,624.00            $2,376.00

Special Collection

Our St. Patrick parish family contributed $5,462.00 to the special collection of August 27 for the recovery efforts of Hurricane Katrina. Thank you for your generosity!

Stewardship

"Be doers of the word and not hearers only…" (James 1:22)

What do you do to live God's word? Do you share time and talent with your parish or those in need? Do you support the work of the Church with the fruits from your own work?

Adoration Ministry

The Adoration Ministry will meet on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Joseph Center. All hourly coordinators should attend or please send a representative. All adorers and parishioners are also welcomed. Call Anne Reilly at 508-655-8516 if you have any questions.

Adoration Ministry

St. Patrick Parish is blessed to have a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel for more than 10 years. In order to have a constant vigil of prayer before The Blessed Sacrament we must make sure each hour is covered by a designated adorer. We are in urgent need of permanent adorers. You will come to cherish this one hour a week with Jesus. "Could you not sit one hour with me?" Call Anne Reilly at 508-655-8516 to sign up.

Rest in Peace

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

Religious Education

A Call for Catechists (Teachers)

As we prepare for the beginning of a new school year we are urgently asking for catechists to teach in our Religious Education Program at all grade levels. Please consider offering your time and talent to this very important work. We are in particular need of catechists for grades 7 and 8. Classes meet Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm in the Montrose School.

Over the summer, after listening to the earnest insight of students and catechists, we developed a new and thoroughly integrated curriculum. Students will have a clear understanding of what will be covered and how it relates to their faith lives. Teachers will be furnished with the tools they need, including a detailed lesson plan for each class. The new approach calls for discussion among the students and smaller classes offer a better environment for more and better participation.

Towards the end of the Rite of Baptism, while the parents or godparents hold a candle we pray, Receive the light of Christ…May these children walk always as children of the light. Please share the gift of faith so that others may live in the light. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns. We'll happily accommodate your preferences. Thanks for your prayerful consideration of our request,
Father Rafferty

Prayer for Vocations

Loving God, help us follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary in willingly giving ourselves in service to your church. Stir up the grace of priestly and religious vocations in the hearts of many within our community and send your Spirit to guide and strengthen them in answering your call. Amen.

RCIA

An "Inquiry Night" for RCIA will be held on Thursday, September 21st at 7:30 p.m. in the lower church hall for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. RCIA is a process by which adults who have not been baptized or who have been baptized into another Christian faith or who were baptized Catholic but not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist are welcomed into the Catholic Church.

Music Ministry

We would like to invite all interested in being part of the Music Ministry at St. Patrick's to attend our first rehearsal this Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Joseph Center. There are many opportunities for our young men and women to share their time and talents in the celebration of our Sunday Masses.

The Adult Choir participates in the 11:30 Mass each Sunday morning. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 at the Joseph Center and are no longer than an hour in length. There is a short warm-up before the 11:30 Mass on Sundays. The Choir performs at the Christmas Eve Masses and special Masses during Holy Week. Music is a very important part of our worship and the choir enjoys the fellowship of one another and the challenge of expanding their knowledge of Sacred Repertoire. If you are interested in joining our Music Ministry you can speak to Martin Kelly by phone or by e-mail. (617) 489-2472 mjksjf@aol.com.

Martin Kelly coordinates the Music Ministry and is assisted by George Burke, Organist.

Natural Family Planning

An Introductory Session on the FertilityTMCare System, a method of Natural Family Planning, will be given on Sunday, September 10, 2006 at 7:30 pm at the Joseph Center. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the latest scientific advances in the field of Natural Family Planning. Some of its benefits include: encourages communication; can be used to achieve and avoid pregnancy, and to monitor gynecologic health; it is safe; can be used at any stage in a woman's reproductive life. Please call 508-439-2220 to register. All are welcome!

EVENING OF PRAYER

5-Year Anniversary Mass
Monday, September 11th, 2006

All are invited to join us on Monday evening, September 11th, at 7:30 p.m. for a Memorial Mass in remembrance of the tragic events that took place on this date 5 years ago. We will remember in prayer all our fallen brothers and sisters as we commend them to God's safe keeping. May God grant them eternal rest in His kingdom that knows no violence but only peace. May He grant us the grace to live as brothers and sisters in the human family of the world, ever faithful to His way of love.

Twenty-Fifth Annual Lawn Party

Blessed John XXIII National Seminary is hosting its 25th Annual Lawn Party on Wednesday, September 20th at 6:00 P.M. to support priestly vocations. 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 Development Office, 781-899-5500 ext. 110 or visit our website www.blessedjohnxxiii.edu.

Calling all Knitters & Crocheters

The Natick Service Council is already thinking about Christmas! We are looking for handmade hats and mittens, especially for children ages 8 to 12 years old, as well as lap robes for elders and slippers for everyone. All will be given to needy families here in Natick.
Holiday donations can be dropped off on Thursday, December 14th and Friday, December 15th at the Coolidge Gymnasium at the corner of Cottage and Webster Streets.
For more information call (508)-655-1791.

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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