Bulletin for June 14, 2009

Repose of the soul of Jimmy Callias and for his family, James, Elliot, G. going through a life crisis, Brad, Claire to gain courage and acceptance, Ellen and M. to soften their hearts, Pat living with cancer, safe travel for Stephen and Katie, Nora to access a plan for her future, safety and wellness for three adults, everyone who is in transition to gain a solid footing and navigate carefully through the unsettled places, Richard, Sharon, Tom, safe travel/move for J., Naomi and Cynthia both suffering from cancer for full healing, and constant prayers for peace around the world and in our midst. Continued prayers for: Joe, baby Ryan, Caydence, Linda, Carin, Melanie, George, J., Katie, Peggy, Al Olson, Ann Titus, Nancy, John, Mike Brown, Richie, Sue, William, Avis, Mike Jr., those seeking employment, John’s research, involvement in Share the Bounty, Sean and Shannon, Trish, and Rick. Thanksgiving for: Jimmy's example, safety for several and many answered prayers.

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

We extend our congratulations to the 8th Grade class of St. Mary School

ST. MARY GROUNDBREAKING CELEBRATION

Jordan O’Connor, Architect
John, Jim & Mark Lauring, Lauring Construction Company
State Representative Karyn Polito
State Senator Michael Moore
Selectman James Kane
Selectman John Lebeaux

Dear Parishioners of St. Mary,

Thank-you so very much to all the parishioners of St. Mary’s who made Fr. Patrick’s Ordination weekend such a memorable event for him, his parents and many friends. Thank-you to those who attended the very moving Ordination ceremony on Saturday at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Ugandan Martyrs Choir from Waltham had the congregation clapping and the joy in Fr. Patrick’s mother’s heart had her dancing in the aisle after she and her husband presented the offertory gifts to Bishop McManus. She was a living example of the Scripture that says, “The Spirit set my feet a-dancing.” Thank-you to all who shared in Fr. Patrick’s Mass of Thanksgiving last Sunday and the reception which followed in the parish hall. Special thanks to Rick Vacca, Marti Page and the adult choir for the gift of music for the celebration and the Parish Pastoral Council for hosting the reception. Fr. Patrick had Ugandan friends from Chicago and the Boston area who could not express enough their gratitude to the people of St. Mary’s for welcoming Patrick to our parish last summer and helping to bring him to his ordination as a priest. Let us continue to pray for Fr. Patrick as he returns home to Uganda this week to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in his home village and as he looks forward to beginning his first assignment at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester.

Fr. Mike

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

The people of St. Mary Parish extend their gratitude to those members of the Parish Pastoral Council who have completed their terms of office this June – Joan Barry, Joe Nerkowski, Jim Wade and Susan Zybert. A special word of thanks goes to Susan Zybert who has served as Chair of the pastoral council for the past four years.

MINISTRY LEADERS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS

The Stewardship Committee invites and welcomes all the parish ministry leaders and committee chairpersons to come to a planning meeting this Tuesday, June 16th at 7:00 pm in the parish hall. We will be discussing our upcoming Ministry Fair which will be held after the morning Masses on Sunday, October 25th. Please invite one or two members of your ministry/committee to join us as we seek new and creative ways to share information about the various ministries, programs and services found in St. Mary’s Parish. For more information please contact Fr. Mike or Kelly Paulina, Chair of the Stewardship Committee.

St Mary School Openings for the 2009/2010 School Year

Where is God in this current economic crisis? How can faith help us in these difficult times? What can psychology teach us about effective ways of coping with this economy? Dr. Neil Castronova and Dr. Virginia Ryan will be presenters. All are welcome and the program is free. Contact Ray Griffin, ray.j.griffin@gmail.com or 508.304.1745.

Summer Service

Please pray for the success of our summer service trips! We will be available after all Masses this weekend as a final fundraising effort toward our goal. Your support is gratefully appreciated!

- St. Mary’s High School students volunteering for Habitat for Humanity & Young Neighbors in Action

CONSECRATION BELLS

A recent message in the bulletin spoke about a change coming to the Masses here at St. Mary’s. Acting on a suggestion offered by a parishioner the Liturgy Committee thoroughly discussed the possibility of reincorporating the use of a bell into the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After doing so, the committee made a formal recommendation to Father Mike which he then accepted.

Therefore as our parish formerly celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ at Masses this weekend, the ringing of a bell will remind all of a glorious reality. That is, the glorious transformation on the altar of simple bread and wine into the very body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Click here to read the original bulletin notice that explained more thoroughly the reason for the return to the use of a bell at Mass.

Pro-Life License Plate

There is an effort underway to encourage the state of Massachusetts to create a specialty license plate with the slogan “Choose Life.” Funds generated by a Massachusetts’ Choose Life plate would assist women with the expenses of a full term pregnancy such as medical bills, temporary housing, food and maternity clothing. Applications will be available at Masses in the weeks ahead, along with representatives from the St. Mary’s parish Pro-Life Ministry. Deadline is June 30, 2009.

THANK-YOU to all those who have made their gift over the last month to our annual Partners in Charity Appeal. We are making our way in this year’s appeal, but we need everyone’s support in order to reach our parish goal of $175,000.

St. Mary’s Goal $175,000
Amount Raised in pledges /Gifts 390
Number of Gifts $143,234

Answer the call of the Lord and sustain the works of charity, education and ministry in our diocese throughout the year. Our Diocese maintains dozens of ministries and programs which our parishes cannot sustain on their own. We respond directly to the needs of thousands of people through the annual Partners in Charity appeal.

Envelopes for your gift/pledge can be found at the entrances of the church and on the window sills. 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.

Items of the Month: Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

St. Mary’s Social Justice Ministry is launching an Item of the Month drive to support St. Anne’s Food Pantry which distributes over 200 food bags each month to over 150 Shrewsbury residents and families in need. During June we will be collecting toothpaste and toothbrushes – and we will highlight a different item each month. Our goal is to collect 200 of each item to add to the food staples in the monthly food bags. Collection bins are located in the front vestibule and downstairs in the lobby Thank you!

Eco-Justice Ministry Start-Up - Wondering what eco-justice is? Looking to "green" your life and your world? All parishioners are invited to help start St. Mary's exciting new ministry on ecology and justice on Monday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pastoral Center. We will be discussing the ministry's direction in the coming year, so please bring your ideas. This will be the first of a series of start-up meetings throughout the summer months and interested parishioners may feel free to join at any time. For more information, contact Bob Shine at 20shine@cardinalmail.cua.edu or at 774.239.0027.

FIRST COMMUNION

Copyright © 2009, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 6/13/2009.