FROM THE PASTOR

The ST. PATRICK'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM begins this weekend and I am looking forward to a wonderful year. I am most grateful to Fr. Rafferty and to Lisa Correia for all of their hard work and to the many catechists who are offering their services to teach our Catholic faith to another generation. The program's success requires the cooperation of all parishioners, especially parents, and I am confident that working and praying together we can help our community to grow in faith. It has been encouraging to witness the outpouring of support and enthusiasm for the new Religious Education program that has been unveiled over the past few weeks. There have been many innovations made to the program and we are anticipating wonderful results. Let us all pray that through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of the Church, we may build up the Body of Christ as we share our faith with another generation.

Next weekend, October 1st, is the ANNUAL WALK FOR RESPECT LIFE in Boston and I want to encourage all who are able to participate in this public demonstration of our conviction towards the sanctity of life. Pious words about human dignity mean very little unless we do something about them. No social policy, no matter how well-intentioned, can overlook the primary responsibility of protecting the right to life. The right to life, from conception until death, is the foundation upon which all other rights rest. A nation cannot systematically kill its unborn children and then witness to the world about human dignity. To the degree that we tolerate or even encourage abortion, euthanasia, and physician assisted suicide, we contradict our own founding principles as a people. As Disciples of Christ, we need to act like it. Every abortion kills an innocent life. No disciple can ever have any willing part in such violence. Wherever abortion is part of the culture or part of the law, we have the moral duty to work to change it through our personal involvement in the public debate. I hope that many of you will be able to participate in the Walk for Life next Sunday. There are people in the vestibule of the Church this weekend in order to provide further information.

Once again, I want to invite all parishioners to consider becoming a member of the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION MINISTRY. In order to maintain the wonderful blessing of having our Eucharistic Chapel open 24 hours a day, we must have people who are willing to commit to a specific hour. The Most Blessed Sacrament cannot be left unattended at any moment and so we rely upon you who might be able to donate an hour of your time in prayer before the Lord. Please consider making this gift so that the True Gift of Christ present in the Eucharist may be available to all.

This past week, I met with our parish Evangelization Committee, THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY and we are exploring some innovative ideas to share the Gospel with others. One of the suggestions is to expand our parish web site with pictures and streaming videos. Another is to enhance our preparation program for Baptism and to establish a Ministry of Hope for the bereaved. I look forward to sharing more details with you as they unfold.

Mass Intentions This Week

Sun. 9/24    5:30 PM Collective Intention Mass  Charles & Mary Gorman, Marie Lauro, Lina Ferretti
Mon. 9/25    8:00 AM Mass for Sick 
Tues. 9/26    8:00 AM Deceased members of the Lavigne Family    
Wed. 9/27    8:00 AM Deceased members of the Ceplikas Family     7:30 PM Thanksgiving to S. Cosimo & S. Domiano
Thur. 9/28    8:00 AM Chester Lewandowski       
Fri. 9/29    8:00 AM Debra Dallamora      
Sat. 9/30    8:00 AM Leigh Stanwich

PLEASE PRAY FOR Mary Porter, Rita Marso, Harold Davis, Lucille Belmore, Ralph Vaccari, Leonard White, Harold Kashala, Robert Goldkamp, Ed Saunders, Jr., 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, Gregory S. Giallonardo, Angela Marie Cobb and Celia Pasquarosa and all the sick of the parish.

SANCTUARY LAMPS for the week of September 24 will burn in thanksgiving to S. Cosimo & S. Damiano, and in prayer for Mildred Moriarty's special intention.

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
September 17, 2006

Budgeted           Actual                      
Offertory                Offertory                Deficit

$14,000.00            $12,651.30            $1,348.70

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. This weekend (September 23-24), members of the Adoration Ministry will be available after all of the Masses to answer questions and invite people to become Eucharistic Adorers. Call Anne Reilly at 508-655-8516 to sign up.

Rest in Peace

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

Catholics can always Come Home.

Have you or someone you love been
away from the Church and wish to return?

Saint Patrick Parish is once again offering this program designed to assist Catholics in returning to the Church after being away for any reason. Our "Coming Home" program involves no commitment. It is informal, informative, and confidential.

If you have been away from the Church and desire to reconnect with a faith filled community, please join us for our first session on Monday, October 23rd, at 7:30 in the Lower Church Hall. Seven weekly sessions will be held to answer your questions and address your concerns. We look forward to meeting you.

For more information, please call us at 508-653-1093.

Pine Street Inn Ministry

The Pine Street Inn Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve the evening meal on Saturday, October 7th. Please call Ann Regan at 508-650-1902 if you are interested.

Raffle

Announcing the Marian High School $10,000 Raffle. Only 300 chances will be sold. $100 per chance. Get your friends together to buy a ticket! Drawing and Special Ticket Holder Only Party on Saturday, September 30th at 7:30 pm in the Marian High School Cafeteria. For tickets and additional information contact Jill Abrahams at 508-875-7646 X206 or jabrahams@marianhigh.org.

Religious Education

Our Parish Religious Education Program begins for all students this week.
o Children enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 4 begin classes in the Montrose School following the 9am Family Mass today, September 24.
o Students enrolled in Grades 5 through 8 meet in the Montrose School starting this Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30pm.
o Confirmation candidates meet this Sunday, September 24, following the 5:30pm Mass.
o Classes for students in Grades 9 & 10 begin this Sunday, September 24, following the 5:30 Mass and will be held in the Montrose School. Any students have not yet selected their courses should contact the Religious Education Office.

Thanks to all who helped prepare and conduct last week's Catechist Training Session. Thanks also to all who helped with last Sunday's Launch Night which so successfully opened another year in our High School Religious Education Program.

We are grateful to all who have come forward and generously offered to assist with various aspects of our program. We could still use a few more. Even if you're only able to assist "part-time" we can use you. Thanks for entertaining our request.

Youth Altar Servers

We will be offering training for any youths interested in serving as altar servers. Serving at the altar offers a unique opportunity for young men and women from the 4th Grade through High School to give valuable service to Jesus and his Church. Most men and women who were altar servers in their youth favorably recall how it enriched their faith and enhanced worship for them. If interested please call the Religious Education Office at 508 907-6220.
We are most grateful to our altar servers for the generous and faithful service they cheerfully offer. Pictures of our current servers are on display in the Church vestibule. The entire St. Patrick's parish community is genuinely proud of them and their parents and families should share our sentiment. May God generously bless them.

Prayer for Education

Heavenly Father,
When the Hebrew people needed the guidance of your word,
You led Moses to your holy mountain and he taught the law in commandments written in stone. When the world was awaiting its savior, You raised up John the Baptist, and he taught the people about the promised Messiah. When the Church was in need, You raised up great teachers like Augustine, Athanasius, Dominic, and Thomas Aquinas to manifest the riches of the faith. Give the same guidance to our teachers today, That they may foster knowledge and wisdom In all whose lives they will touch. Amen.

Child Abuse Prevention Program

All Parish and Religious Education Volunteers

There will be a training session on Saturday, September 30th at 1:30 p.m. in the Lower Church Hall. The deadline for Religious Education Volunteers is October 6th, so it is important that anyone who has not taken this program to do so now!
All parish volunteers are also required to attend a session sometime in the next six months. You must call Deacon Crump at the rectory if you will be attending this session and leave your name and phone number.

St. Martin De Porres Chapter of the Order of St. Dominic

THE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF ST. DOMINIC meets today, Sunday, September 24, 2006, at 1:30PM in the Lower Church Hall. Our Featured topic today is "Moral Relativism". Have you ever wondered about this dread phenomenon and its influence on Christian choice-making today? Come join us; bring a friend. Light refreshments will be served.

Respect Life Walk

The Annual Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children will be held on Sunday, October 1 at the Boston Common beginning at 2 p.m. The registration is $5 and walkers are encouraged to solicit sponsors to help support over 40 beneficiary organizations. Members of the Respect Life ministry will be available after Masses the weekend of September 23-24 to obtain sponsors. The Respect Life Ministry will have a bus leaving the St. Patrick church parking lot at 12:45 p.m. Call Anne Reilly at 508-655-8516 to reserve a seat on the bus or if you have questions.

CYO BASKETBALL SIGNUPS

Signups are underway for St. Patrick's CYO Basketball teams. This traveling league plays home games at Natick High, and away games against parishes in towns such as Needham, Dedham and Medfield. Teams practice one evening a week beginning in November, and games take place on weekends from December - February. A fee of $125 covers the cost of uniforms, gym rental and referees.

To sign up, or request more information, send an e-mail to stpatsbasketball@yahoo.com

Include the athlete's name, grade and phone number. A coach will then contact you.

COACHING OPPORTUNITY

St. Patrick's CYO Basketball is growing and needs a couple more coaches to help out this season. If you have a few hours a week to volunteer your time and help the youth of our parish, send an e-mail to Tom Langford at stpatsbasketball@yahoo.com.

Playgroup

St. Patrick Playgroup is a cooperative serving children birth to age five and their caregivers. This year it will meet on Monday's from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady's Hall at the Montrose School.
Registration has begun and space is still available. Playgroup will begin on September 25th.
If you would like more information, a registration, or have any questions, please call Barbara at 508-653-0647.

FALL BIBLE STUDY

'Getting to know Jesus'
through the Gospel of Mark
Seven Weeks
Beginning Oct 1st
Sundays from 10:15-11:15am
Our Lady's Hall, Montrose School
To reserve a Study Guide,
Call Nancy Maguire @ 508-655-1017

W.I.N.G.S. (Women in God's Spirit)
Prayer, Great Speakers, and Faith Enrichment in Good Company

Please Join Us For Our Second Year!
Wednesday Mornings: 9:30-11:30
Lower Church & Parish Hall
St. Patrick's Church
Beginning October 11th!

This Year's Theme is:
Jesus: The Word the Truth and the Light

Mary Ann McLaughlin
Asst Director of the Office of Spiritual Development at the Archdiocese of Boston
will be our First Speaker on October 11th.

Registration
will take place after ALL Masses on
the weekends of 9/30-10/1 & 10/7-10/8.
Please stop by our table in the church vestibule
Or
Please Call Kelly McPherson (508)655-4410 or Nancy Maguire (508)655-1017
For a Registration Packet.

Natick Sons of Italy Pasta Nite

Natick Sons of Italy Pasta Night serves an all-you-can-eat dinner of pasta, meatballs, sausage, salad, bread and homemade desserts. Coffee included. Come one, come all! Every Wednesday evening from 5 pm - 7 pm at 37 Washington Avenue. Adults $6.00.

St. Linus Christian Book Group

St. Linus Christian Book Club will meet next on Thursday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Norton Center. The book for this month will be Dinner With A Perfect Stranger by David Gregory. New participants are always welcome! October marks the one year anniversary of the book group. For information call Karen Mallozzi at 508-651-9788 or email at Kmallozzi@aol.com

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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