Bulletin for July 27, 2008

M. to get the official ruling he desires, and that he succeeds in passing the Bar, J. for prayers to be answered finally, Deborah a favorable result from an MRI and healing of her medical problems, Shawn B. preparing for surgery for a brain tumor, Sarah for success on the Bar Exam, Anthony age 12 with a dangerous infection for accurate diagnosis and successful treatment. Thanksgiving for successful surgery to remove Lyn’s thyroid gland, Peggy’s good cardiac test results and continued prayers that the growth will have been non-cancerous. Continued prayers for Dante, Kim S., Matt B., Julie, Barbara S., J’s research, Matt B. and all others for whom we’ve been asked to pray this summer.

Prayer Line: Tracy at 508.842.2279 or Susan at 508.934.0133 or susanbk@townisp.com

FOOD COLLECTION
Simple Gestures…..great results

As we approach the end of July the Campaign Steering Committee for Our Enduring Covenant is pleased to announce our results to date:

TOTAL AMOUNT IN GIFTS/PLEDGES $2,841,974
NUMBER OF GIFTS 359

While we still have quite a way to go before reaching our goal of $7.5 million, we are encouraged that nearly $3 million has been raised from such a small percentage of the total parish population. We anxiously await to hear from many more parishioners.

With the economic outlook and concerns that we all have, it is indeed a challenging time to be conducting a capital campaign. But we must continue on. We are still looking to June of 2009 as the time when construction will begin. In order to be ready to begin the construction work at that time, it is necessary now for Jordan O’Connor, our architect, and Lauring Construction Company to take the architectural plans and budget preparations to the next level of development.

Because the capital campaign has been progressing slowly, only the plans for the addition in the back of the church/hall will be further developed at this time. There is considerable expense and work involved at this time of planning for construction. In the Fall when the Campaign draws to a close, we will make further and final determinations regarding the scope of the construction.

At this point in time the components of the construction plan that are being more fully developed are:

• Air conditioning for the church (wouldn’t we love that this weekend!!!) which also requires insulation for the church ceiling.
• New boiler, lighting and sound system for the church.
• Handicap accessibility with an elevator
• Rest rooms on the church level
• Additional parking will be required by the town as construction begins. Because of the poor drainage in the soil beneath the parking lot, it will be necessary to include a drainage system. This will necessitate the rectory and the Little Brown House being moved next spring. The Town of Shrewsbury is still waiting to hear from the State about the grant money for which they have applied that would enable them to move the rectory, little brown house and 630 Main Street to town owned lots for affordable housing.
• New addition with entrance from the parking lot that will include: parish gathering space, a multi-function room for 60 – 125 people, secured school entry and offices, and media center.

The components of the project that are “on hold” for the time being are the expansion of the church seating and the expansion of the parish hall with four additional meeting/classroom spaces for parish religious education and school use.

Let us continue to pray for the success of Our Enduring Covenant so that our parish community may continue to grow in its life and ministries.

We extend our congratulations, best wishes and prayers to Elizabeth Estaphan and Thomas Rodrique who were married here at St. Mary’s this weekend.

Thank you for your prayers for our YNIA students and their chaperones who returned safely after a wonderful week of service in Washington D.C. In the following weeks, several more of our students will be traveling to Louisiana (Habitat for Humanity) and Maine (Camp Sunshine) to work for families facing homelessness, disease, and the death of a loved one.

In Louisiana, at Bayou area Habitat, our students will help build homes and restore the dignity of people who lost everything they owned to the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina.

The following group of students and chaperones will be working in Louisiana from July 27-Aug 3: Liam McAllaster, Joseph Aulenback, Beau Talbot, Dan O’Keefe, Kevin Thompson, John Thompson, Catherine Cote, Bob Shine, Andrew Dugan, Haley Loftus, Amanda Card, Brendan Teebagy, Nicholas Stevenson, Joseph Aube, Brianna Sacco, Jessica Hyman, Brianna Esteves, Tommy O’Brien, Mark Lambert, Alex Marshall, Josh Anthony, Fr. Manny, Mrs. LuAnn O’Brien, Ms. Mary Cote, Mr. Don McAllaster and Mr. Laurence Aube.

At Camp Sunshine, in Casco, Maine our students will work with children and families suffering from terminal illnesses. In spite of the fact that many of the campers may not live to see another summer, Camp Sunshine is a place of hope and a testimony to the wonderful spirit of community. In reaching out to the terminally ill, our students gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and sacredness of life.

The following students and their chaperones will be traveling to Camp Sunshine from August 15 – August 22: Meisha DeFrancisco, Jillian Vaccaro, Kate Mancini, Chelsea Cotton, Kimberley Paul, Deanna Bailey, Alli McCarthy, Caroline Gnieski, Benjamin Bradley, Shannon Kelly, Nora Donahue, Paul Markham, Nathan Theodoss, Ryan Cournoyer, Jennifer Hale, Stephanie O’Brien, Bridgett Bisceglia, Elisabeth Nelson, Amanda McLure, Kaileigh Lavin, Pat Kelland, and Mr. and Mrs. Gnieski.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

Gina Kuruvilla

Every year during the quieter weeks of summer we reach our goal for the annual Partners in Charity Appeal. While there is still plenty of summer left, we would like to wrap up this years Partners in Charity Appeal as soon as we can. We have now reached 96% of our goal and only have a little further to go. Last week the Diocese of Worcester announced that the diocesan wide goal of $4.7 million had been achieved with 101 parishes reaching their goal. In addition to achieving our formidable parish goal of $175,000 we would also like to see the number of gifts reach 500.

If you have not made your gift to this year’s Partners in Charity Appeal, please do so as soon as you can. Envelopes for your gift/pledge can be found at the entrances of the church and on the windowsills. You may place them in the collection basket today or mail to the pastoral center during the week. Please be sure to check with your employer about a Matching Gift and attach the form to your pledge card.

PLEASE THANK AND SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS OF THE
2008 SAINT MARY’S FAMILY FESTIVAL GRAND RAFFLE

New England Coaching is a leading provider of training, education and coaching programs geared toward personal, professional and organizational success.

These are provided through the following offerings:

• Professional Coaching Certification (Life/Business/Executive)
• Life Potentials Training (Personal Development)
• Leadership and Sales Development
• Emotional Intelligence Certification
• Executive Coaching Services

Contact Information: Bill Sex – President E-mail: bill@newenglandcoaching.com Phone: 508.842.5656 / 508.485.3955 www.newenglandcoaching.com

Liturgical Publications, Inc., our publisher, will have a sales representative available from July 21 through August 1 for those interested in placing a new ad. This is your opportunity to secure a space for the new publication year. To place your ad, please contact the sales person listed on the ad page or our office. We would like to thank our present advertisers for renewing their ad. Keep in mind; our advertising sponsors make this publication possible.

ORDINATION RECEPTION FOR PATRICK SSEKYOLE

Following Patrick’s Ordination to the Diaconate on Sunday, August 10th there will be a light reception for parishioners and Patrick’s guests who attend the Mass. Some assistance will be required to set up, host and serve at the reception. If you would like to join us in this effort, please put your name on the sign-up sheet in the sacristy or speak with Fr. Mike before or after Mass.

The Grand Raffle has a “Go Green” theme this year with a grand prize of your choice of a Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry or $20,000!! And the second prize this year is just as exciting – four box seats to the Red Sox/Yankees game on September 26th and four premium seats to the Patriots/Steelers game on Nov. 30th!

Tickets will be available after all Sunday masses. Please visit the Raffle Committee on the patio to see the cars and purchase a ticket. If you buy two tickets your name will be entered into a special monthly drawing for a free raffle ticket. Each month, from June through September, five tickets will be drawn - a total of 20 free tickets will be awarded to those who buy two tickets. The earlier you buy them, the greater your odds of winning an extra chance at these great prizes!

If you can’t wait to win the car, please buy your Toyota from Harr Toyota. Harr Toyota will donate $100 to the Family Festival for every Toyota sold to a St. Mary’s Parishioner from July 1st 2008 through the Festival weekend. Please tell Harr Toyota you’re a St. Mary’s Parishioner and notify the Raffle Committee of your purchase!!!

For more information about the Festival, including Road Race Registration, Schedule of Activities and more, click here.

How Does a Person Become a Catholic?

There are several ways. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person’s needs. In general, though, people who are becoming Catholic fall into three categories: infants and young children; people who whether baptized or unbaptized, have had little or no affiliation with or religious training in the Christian faith; and baptized people who have been active members in other Christian denominations.

Infants and Young Children

Children who are born or adopted into Catholic families usually are baptized as infants, a practice that began early in the church’s history. This makes sense because the children will be raised in a Christian environment, learning the ways of faith from their parents and other family members and eventually receiving formal religious training through their parish school or religious education program.

People with Little or No Christian Background

Many adults who wish to join the Catholic church have never been baptized. The church offers unbaptized adults a process of formation in the Catholic Christian faith and way of life called The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Christian initiation is a gradual process; it begins somewhat informally. Interested people are invited to meet with others who are exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic. They have the opportunity to ask questions about the church and to hear about the message of Jesus Christ and how it is lived out in the Church. As the process moves along the Period of the Catechumenate begins and provides a structure for catechesis which is the passing on of the teachings of the church. During this time each catechumen is paired with a sponsor who can serve as a spiritual companion and offer support and encouragement. Through the various rites of the catechumenate the church marks a person’s journey to full membership. The climax of the RCIA is the celebration of the sacraments of initiation – baptism, confirmation and eucharist – at the Ester Vigil, followed by a period for reflection on the sacraments and for integration into the life and mission of the church.

Baptized People Who Are Active Christians

People who have been active members of other Christian denominations seek membership in the Catholic church for many reasons. Often they are attracted by the church’s liturgies or by its stance on issues of life, justice and peace. Sometimes they are married or engaged to a Catholic. These candidates join with the catechumens in the RCIA to learn more about the Catholic church and to prepare for their reception into full communion with the church at the Easter Vigil.

What Is the First Step?

Anyone who is thinking about becoming a Catholic Christian or who would like more information is encouraged to contact Fr. Mike, Fr. Adam or Deacon Frank. Summer is a good time to do this. An RCIA Open House will be held in September and interested people will be able to meet informally with members of our parish who have become Catholic.

Copyright © 2008, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 7/26/2008.