Saint Patrick's Parish

FROM THE PASTOR

This week, we are continuing to ask for your generous financial assistance to the ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL. Cardinal O’Malley is very grateful to all who have already pledged to this major charitable fund-raising effort. As the Cardinal has reminded us, “the gifts we have, we are given to share.” Success in the eyes of God is not about the quantity or quality of our material goods. Instead, it is about how we use those goods: do they move us closer to God or are they an obstacle? God calls us to share what we have to help others. By providing financial support for the various ministries of the Church, the Catholic Appeal offers everyone a chance to exercise genuine Christian stewardship. Once again, I ask you to join me in making a generous sacrificial gift to the Appeal in order that those less fortunate than ourselves might benefit and we might truly hand on to them the Light of Christ. I wish to thank all who have so generously contributed to the Catholic Appeal and ask those who have not yet done so, to please prayerfully consider making a pledge to support this critical fundraising effort in the Archdiocese. Every gift given to this Appeal truly makes a difference. If you have not yet made your gift, please do this as soon as possible. Pledge packets are available in the pews, or you may make your contribution directly online at www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com.

I would like to extend an invitation for all parishioners to join us on Sunday, March 21st at 6:45 PM as we welcome MR. JASON EVERT, a nationally known speaker who will address our young people on the subject of “Chastity.” Jason has authored many books on this timely and often misunderstood concern that confronts all of us, especially our youth. Jason offers concrete suggestions in which young people are encouraged to live a chaste life in keeping with human dignity and the demands of the Gospel. I hope that all will consider joining us for this event.
I want to urge all parishioners to set aside the evenings of March 22 through March 24th for our PARISH LENTEN MISSION. I hope that all of you will participate in this year’s mission and I know that it will be a source of great grace for all of us. There is more information available elsewhere in the bulletin and I encourage you to participate in this prayerful experience which will help spiritually prepare us as we enter the most sacred mysteries of our faith this Holy Week.

The Office of Worship of the Archdiocese of Boston has recommended to Cardinal O’Malley that the distribution of the Precious Blood for the faithful be resumed, and that the exchange of the Sign of Peace be offered again. We will resume these practices beginning at all of the Masses next weekend, March 20th-21st. I want to thank you for your understanding and for your support of these directives which had been implemented during the flu season.

Mass Intentions This Week

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.

No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.” - Joshua 5:12

Throughout the forty years that the Israelites journeyed through the desert, God provided them with manna to eat. As soon as they were able to enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land the manna ceased. Likewise, God’s blessings to us may change over the years but it is important to trust that God will always provide us with all that we need.

Please join with Catholics in every parish who do their part for the Church throughout the 144 cities and towns of our Archdiocese. God calls us to share what we have to help others. Because of the economic downturn, support of the Catholic Appeal is even more urgent this year. The Appeal brochure explains more about who benefits and where the money goes. Please review the brochure, and then take a step up with a generous pledge. Remember that God cannot be outdone in generosity toward those who sacrifice on His behalf.

Please Come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent In addition to our normal confession times, St. Patrick Parish and all the Catholic parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese will be open on Lenten Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm. Please take advantage of this opportunity to make a good Lenten confession. . The Archdiocese’s website for this initiative has great material to help everyone prepare to make a good confession: www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org

In an effort to make it more convenient for parishioners to financially support Saint Patrick Parish, we now offer you the ability to make your offertory contributions electronically. Rather than placing cash or checks in the collection basket each week, you now have the option to simply have a predetermined monthly amount withdrawn from your checking or savings account that will be automatically deposited into the Parish Offertory. Transactions will be made on the 15th of each month. If you are interested in signing up for electronic offertory payments, or if you would like additional information, please contact Jean Lorrey in the Parish Office at 508-653-1093. Thank you.

For all children who are in third grade or older and who would like to serve as Altar Servers at St. Patrick's, please come to the two upcoming training sessions that we will have:

Saturday, March 20 after the 4:00p.m. Mass
Sunday, March 21 after the 11:30a.m. Mass

The training will be held in the upper Church. And we ask that a Parent accompany the child during the training sessions.
If a child is interested in being an Altar Server but is unable to attend the training sessions, we can make other arrangements for training them.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Altar Server Training, you may call Mrs. Maria Young at 508-655-2010 or Fr. David at the Rectory.
Thank you.

Chastity speaker Jason Evert will be coming to Saint Patrick’s on Sunday, March 21, 2010 free of charge for all! Jason Evert will be speaking to students in grades 7-10 (with their families) in St. Patrick’s Church from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
All are Welcome! For more information, please contact Jason Giombetti at 508-907-6220 or e-mail stpatjason@comcast.net .

Attention: High School seniors who are members of St. Patrick Parish and attending a Catholic High School: you may apply for the Philip H. Woods – St. Vincent de Paul Scholarship. Please call the rectory and leave your name and telephone number. You will be contacted. (Seniors at Natick High School have been notified by the Guidance Department of this opportunity.) Deadline to call is Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

Parish Lenten Mission
Monday – Wednesday, March 22-24
All take place in the Upper Church at 7:30 p.m.

Holy Thursday
April 1
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday
April 2
Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Stations of the Cross at 12:00 noon
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
3:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Holy Saturday
April 3 Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m.
Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday
April 4
Mass at 7:30; 9:00; 11:30 a.m.; and 5:30 p.m.

It is a joy for us to welcome new members to our parish! If you worship with us regularly, but are not fully registered, use this form to request registration information. Drop it in the basket or mail it to us. We look forward to your active participation in our faith community.

Volunteers are needed to help greet people, set up, clean up and provide baked goods at the Parish Mission March 22-24. Sign ups will be in the vestibule after all Masses this weekend March 13th and 14th. Please consider assisting in the mission!

The story of the Prodigal Son helps us refocus on the meaning of Lent. This is a time to change our ways, to turn back to God our Father, and to appreciate and share the gifts we have received. As we begin the second half of our journey with Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl, we remember that we are called to be stewards of what God has given us, and we connect our prayers and fasting with our giving.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life Convention: Where Do We Go From Here?” in health care, physician assisted suicide and other legislation, bioethics, population studies, law, and medicine. Saturday, April 10, 2010, Boston College Law School, 8:30am to 4:00pm. Register at www.masscitizensforlife.org, by mail with coupon in MCFL News or by calling 617-242-4199.

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston will host a “Soup and Mission” evening on Saturday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. Patty Kean, professor at Curry College, and John Abdula, alumnus of Curry College and film maker, traveled to Rwanda as part of an UNESCO International Leadership Training Forum for young adult human rights activists. In their presentation, “Rwanda: Where was Jesus during the genocide? Where is He now?” Patty and John will share their faith journey as they traveled through Rwanda 15 years after the genocide. Free admission.

We are seeking a motivated, dedicated, and energetic individual for our Extended Day Program. The Extended Day teacher’s primary job responsibilities include preparing and serving snack, assisting students with homework, organizing and participating in outside games and activities, preparing arts and crafts activities, and being responsible for the care and safety of the students in your assigned age group. Hours are Monday through Friday 1:30-5:00 p.m., as well as extended hours on half-days and professional days. Qualified individuals must be at least 21 years of age and have experience working with children. Resumes and references may be sent to: Saint Bridget School, Attn: Vicki Peterson / 832 Worcester Road / Framingham, MA 01702.

Montrose’s final Life Portraits speaker, Mr. Kent Gilges,
is joining us Tuesday, March 16 from 2-3PM, speaking on his book A Grace Given which is a personal account of living in the shadow of his daughter’s terminal illness and the beauty, spiritual growth and joy that can eventually come from suffering. His story is about a journey of hope. Our speaker series is open to the public. If you have any questions please call Ellen at 508-359-2423 X319.

Saint Patrick's Parish Natick, Massachusetts

Saint Patrick's Parish
Natick, Massachusetts