FROM FATHER RICK

 

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday – 4:00 PM

Sunday – 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM

 

NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

            The individual assessment tool is available in the vestibule for anyone who would like to fill one out. The Committee will be meeting with the Parish Staff and the Pastoral Council this week to discuss their findings thus far. We’ll keep you posted.

 

SISTER PARISH WEEKEND

            This weekend we celebrate our Sister Parish relationship as we welcome the pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Dar es Salaam, Fr. Emmanuel McHopa, SJ. Father visited us on his way to assuming his duties as pastor in Dar es Salaam. He will be with us for the entire weekend. There will be hospitality after all the Masses. Please plan to stay a few minutes extra to greet and welcome Fr. Emmanuel back to our parish community.

 

A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION AND OUR SUMMER COOKOUT # 2

 

Cookout #2 – Wednesday, August 15 @ 6:30 pm

Masses for the Holy Day will be at 12:10 pm and 5:30 pm. The evening Mass will be followed by our second summer cookout. Please RSVP to Irene in the Parish Office before Sunday, August 12.

 

Weekday mass

            There will be no 12:10 pm Mass on Tuesday of this week.

 

Have a great week,

 

Pray and work for Peace,

 

Fr. Rick

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Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith and setting a good faith example; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. You can volunteer as much as you like or as little and on your own schedule. If you want to find out more, contact Jim McKain at 978-475-7931 or visit the website at www.kofc.org.

 

July Meeting: there will be one meeting only in July, which will be held on Wednesday, July 18th, at 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.

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Money Matters

 

On the weekend of July 7/8 

Weekly donations                  $1,976.00

Monthly donations                  $1,992.00

Catholic Appeal Goal            $39,500.00

Catholic Appeal to Date        $50,165.00

 

 

"But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him." - Lk 10:33-34

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Special Collection Next Weekend

National Collection to Aid the Church

 in Central and Eastern Europe

 

While the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former USSR endured decades of communist oppression, the Church suffered grave wounds to its spiritual life and pastoral capacity to serve its people. For generations Church leaders were killed or imprisoned. Catechists were persecuted, and churches, monasteries, and seminaries were closed or destroyed. As a result of this severe repression, the Church was greatly weakened. The bishops of the region are faced with the formidable task of restoring its church structures and, more importantly, rebuilding the spiritual center of its communities.

 

The Office to Aid the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe provides a focal point for Catholics of the United States to express our compassion and solidarity with our brothers and sisters whose faith has endured such great suffering. Proceeds from the national collection are used for supporting religious education programs; training seminarians; expanding social ministries; and rebuilding churches, convents, and schools. Your generosity can help provide the resources to grow and nourish the faith in this region of the world.

 

For fascinating stories, photos, and further information about aid in this region, visit www.aidtoeasterneurope.org.

 

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Continuing Support for Neighbors in Need

 

Neighbors in Need is a faith-based community organization serving at-risk families and youth in Greater Lawrence. The organization serves 350 families per week in eight food pantries located in Lawrence and Methuen. The Infants in Need and Clothes Bin programs provide food, formula, diapers, clothing, and household items at no cost to the families who request them.

 

The summer is a time of increased need, as donations begin to drop off while summer vacation fever sets in. Please remember that you can support Neighbors in Need anytime during the year by dropping your non-perishable food donation into the bin in the vestibule of the church.

 

For more information about their programs, visit Neighbors in Need online at www.neighborsinneed.net  or call 978-685-8321.

 

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Mass Schedule and Intentions

 

Saturday, July 14, Vigil, 15th Ordinary Sunday

4:00 pm: John Adams Jr.

 

Sunday, July 15, 15th Ordinary Sunday

8:00 am: John Sudol

10:30 am: Eric Begg, **Baptism of Emily Clare Brooks

 

Tuesday, July 17

No weekday Mass today

 

Thursday, July 19, Weekday Mass

12:10 pm: People of the Parish

 

Friday, July 20, Weekday Mass

12:10 pm: Henry Chemaly

 

Saturday, July 21, Vigil, 16th Ordinary Sunday

4:00 pm: Louis Denis Duquette

 

Sunday, July 22, 16th Ordinary Sunday

8:00 am: Kathleen Saunders

10:30 am: People of the Parish

 

Prayers requested for: Longtime parishioner Theresa Pelliccione, wife of Robert Pelliccione

 

 

Online Learning Opportunity

 

The Archdiocese of Boston, through the Office of Religious Education, has partnered with the University of Dayton, a Catholic Marianist Institution, to provide online learning opportunities for interested adults. The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives and offers Internet courses to support catchiest and adult faith formation.

 

The cost per class for participants in the Archdiocese of Boston is $40, payable by the student directly to the University of Dayton. The next cycle of courses runs August 26 to September 29. Registration opens July 10 and closes August 22. To learn more, see the extensive list of courses, or sign up, check out the VLCFF website at: http://vlc.udayton.edu.

 

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In Service

 

Maj. Kurt O’Rourke Mark DuPont, USCC, Kevin Grace, USA, Lyle Shackelford, Jaime Ray Seluk, USN, Pvt. Alexander Sabu, USA, Lt. Col. Paul Severance, USAF, Gen’l. R. Steve Whitcomb, USA, Lt. Col. Brian P. Bedell, USA, Capt. Lauren Whitcomb, USA, Col. Patrick J. Donahue, USA, Col. Brian P. Donahue, USA, Michael McGaffigan, USA, Beth Carriere, Nurse, USA, Steve Comstock, Pilot, USN, Lt. Jesse Salisbury, USAF, Sgt. Maureen Galvin, USA,SpOps, Lt.J.G. Kevin B. O’Brien, USN, Miko Belonia, Maj. Tony Hoffman, USA, Maj. Ross Coffman, USA, Maj. Garth Howe, USA,  USA, Chief Warrant Officer II, Michael Morris, Captain Matthew Mancini, USA, Sgt. Ellen Barnes O’Connor, USA,  Pvt. Adam James Mazza, USA, Pvt. Joseph D. Gagnon, USM, Col. Joseph Albanese, USA, Cpt. Eric Eckberg, USA

 

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Needs Assessment Committee Questionnaire

 

The Needs Assessment Committee is in the process of gathering requirements from all the users of parish facilities. We have been interviewing the leaders of parish organizations and some of their members to determine how the current parish facilities meet their needs and where our facilities fall short. We would also like to get the input of any individuals who may not be currently active in an organization, or who have individual requirements that they would like to contribute. There are questionnaires located in the vestibule of the church to provide your input. Please fill one out and put it in the box next to the questionnaires. If you prefer to provide your input by email or phone please contact Dave Dlesk (ddlesk@comcast.net  or 978-621-9870) or Heather Lauten (hlauten@comcast.net  or 978-475-5063.) Thanks to everyone who has provided their thoughtful input that will help shape the future of St. Roberts.

 

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St. William’s Teens ACTS Retreat

July 26-29, 2007

 

ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. The goals of an ACTS retreat are to strengthen our faith and its application in our daily lives, to discover or renew ourselves spiritually, and to build lasting friendships. This is a Catholic retreat but all Christian teens entering the 10th grade through the 12th grade are welcome to attend. If you do not meet the grade requirements, you still may be eligible. Please contact one of the people listed below if you have questions about eligibility.

 

The retreat begins Thursday evening, July 26, with check-in from 6:30-7:00 pm at St. William’s Church in Tewksbury. Transportation will be provided to the Espousal Center, located in Waltham, where the retreat will begin at 7:30 pm. The group will return to St. William’s on Sunday, July 29th, for the 11:30 am Mass. A welcome home reception will follow at the school hall.

 

The total cost of the retreat is $175. Please note that financial difficulties should not prevent anyone from attending the retreat. If you have concerns, arrangements can be made by contacting one of the individuals listed below.

 

For more information and to request a registration form, please contact any one of the following: Jeff Tucceri, Youth Minister, 978-866-3508; Colleen Farley, Teen Director, 978-235-1017; Dianne Carew, Teen Co-Director, 508-572-9059.

 

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Catholic School Openings for This Fall

 

Lowell Catholic High School, a Xaverian sponsored co-educational school, is the school of choice for those students and families in the Lowell and Merrimack Valley who desire a Catholic college-preparatory education. They are currently accepting applications at all grade levels for the 2007-2008 school year. Financial aid is still available. For more information, visit their website at www.lowellcatholic.org  or contact Jocelyn Mendonsa, Director of Admissions, at 978-452-1794, ext. 22.

 

Malden Catholic High School, a Xaverian sponsored boys school, still has a few seats available for the 9th grade for the upcoming school year. They also accept transfer students. If interested, please contact the Admissions Office at 781-322-3098, ext. 308. For more information, visit their website at www.maldencatholic.org.

 

The Academy of Notre Dame, sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is a private, Catholic co-educational elementary school and an all-girls preparatory high school located in Tyngsboro, MA. The school is currently accepting applications for K1, K2, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. For more information, please contact Barbara Aldrich-Clougherty, Director of Admissions, at 978-649-7611, ext. 327 or visit their website at www.ndatyngsboro.org.

 

St. Augustine School in Andover has a few openings remaining in their Nursery, Pre-K, and Kindergarten classes. To apply, contact Ann Daly at 978-475-2414 or go online for an application at www.staugustineandover.org.

 

For more information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston, including curriculum resources and a directory of schools, go to www.abcso.org.

 

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Bereavement Support Group

 

Have you or someone you know had a loved one die? Are you struggling with difficult changes and feelings that surround life after loss? Do you feel alone, scared of the future, or regret the past? You are not alone!

 

Beacon Hospice presents a six-week Bereavement Support Group. Meetings will be on July 18th and 25th, August 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, from 6:00-7:30 pm, at the Beacon Hospice office at 350 Main Street in Haverhill. Please call Lucille Bonanno, Bereavement Coordinator, at 978-372-4211 or lbonanno@beaconhospice.com  for registration and information. For more information about Beacon Hospice, visit them online at www.beaconhospice.com.

 

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SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

A reading from the Book of Genesis    18:1-10a

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: “Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” The men replied, “Very well, do as you have said.”

 

Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, “Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls.” He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.

 

They asked Abraham, “Where is your wife Sarah?” He replied, “There in the tent.” One of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.”

 

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians       1:24-28

Brothers and sisters: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

 

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke  10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

 

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