Two major events will be taking place in the Archdiocese and in our parish in future months. Please keep watch here for details about:

Thank you to all who contributed to or participated in any way at our Feastday Weekend celebrations. I think it was an extraordinary experience of the life and joy that has become the hallmark of Saint Robert’s.

As you well know, the heart of the weekend was our celebrations of the Eucharist—all of which overflowed from banquet to banquet! Thanks to all the ministers, but most importantly thanks to you the assembly who worshipped so fully and so well.

Thanks to our incredible Music Ministry for the superb concert on Friday evening and their musical leadership at all the Feastday Masses over the weekend.

Thanks to Irene Bonner and Janet Schiavoni for preparing and coordinating the "New York Deli."

Thanks to Arleen Puccia for coordinating and executing the Saturday night Italian Feast, and to all the generous cooks who contributed a dish and those who served the incredible feast that was put before us after the 4:00 Mass. It was truly abondanza!

Thanks to Peter Schiavoni and Rick Dube who created a scrumptious Euro Breakfast Café.

Thanks to the faithful chefs who prepared and served an ethnic dish at the International Food and Wine Festival.

The Archdiocesan Office for Worship is offering a number of workshops on ministry and liturgy. Please read through the descriptions and if you are interested in attending please let me know and we will register you through the parish.

Often when one thinks of those who are ministers of Holy Communion the focus is solely on their ministry in Mass. This workshop will address those issues but also go beyond that aspect of their ministry. There are three primary avenues in which such ministry may be of further service to local parishes. The first is ministering to those who are homebound, the second is bringing communion to those who are in the hospital, and the third is bringing communion to those in nursing homes. There are unique issues that need to be addressed in each of these areas, for example, what differentiates bringing communion to the homebound from a home visitation, what are the issues that one should be concerned with when visiting the hospital, and when bringing communion to the nursing home. Is it possible to celebrate a communion service led by laity? How should that be done? All of these issues will be covered in this workshop.

This lector workshop will be beneficial for both new and experienced lectors. This workshop is intended to develop a fundamental understanding of the liturgy and the role of the lector in the celebration of the Mass. Therefore, this workshop will focus on such topics as what is the Liturgy of the Word and its theology, the role of ministry in the celebration of the Mass, and, in particular, the role of the lector in the liturgy, the spirituality of the ministry, and issues around proper preparation to fulfill it. Other important issues include the difference between public speaking and proclamation, a general review of the Lectionary and how it is structured, and developing a sense that proclaiming God’s word is a unique form of public speaking.

A two-session workshop designed for those who are currently involved in liturgical ministry in the parish or those who seek to better understand the celebration of the Mass. This workshop will address such issues as what is liturgy and what is meant when we are talking about the liturgy. Other topics will be why do we celebrate on Sunday and what is the history and theology of this important development of the Church. Furthermore, we will delve into a general overview of the Mass and the role of the assembly, ministers, and music in the celebration.

Have a great week,

If you want peace – work for justice (Pope Paul VI),

Fr. Rick

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.

Next Meeting: Wed., October 3, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.

On the weekend of September 15/16

Weekly donations: $2,947.00

Monthly donations: $1,220.00

ParishPay September: $6,975.00

God entrusts each of us with unique gifts and talents, so that we can make a contribution to God’s work here on earth. If we do not use our gifts in the way that God intended then we betray the trust God placed in us. When we do share our gifts we feel the joy that comes from making our unique contribution. Giving doesn’t hurt. It feels great!

4:00 pm: Grace Ronsivalli

7:30 am: John Sudol

9:00 am: Roger LaFitte

11:00 am: Julia Keeler

12:10 pm: Deceased members of the Marcoux Family

12:10 pm

4:00 pm: Cecile "Cil" Martin; *Baptism of Declan Matthew Snell

7:30 am: People of the Parish

9:00 am: Eleanor Millerick

11:00 am: Peter Grelle & Susan Grelle; John Dunphy & Jeannette Dunphy

Sunday: Am 8:4-7/1 Tm 2:1-8/Lk 16:1-13 or 16:10-13

Monday: Ezr 1:1-6/Lk 8:16-18

Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20/Lk 8:19-21

Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9/Lk 9:1-6

Thursday: Hg 1:1-8/Lk 9:7-9

Friday: Hg 2:1-9/Lk 9:18-22

Saturday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a/Jn 1:47-51

Next Sunday: Am 6:1a, 4-7/1 Tm 6:11-16/Lk 16:19-31

Are you struggling with difficult changes and feelings that surround life after the loss of a spouse? Do you feel like you are going ‘crazy’ or feel ‘stuck’? 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, which will be held here at St. Robert’s in the Bellarmine Room. Meetings will be on Thursday afternoon from 2:00-3:30 pm on the following dates: October 4, 11, 18 and November 8, 15, 29.

Registration is required. Please contact Lucille Bonanno, Bereavement Coordinator, at 978-372-4211 or lbonanno@beaconhospice.com for registration and information.

Question for Adults: Money is an important part of modern life. Suggest one or two ways you can keep the need for money in balance with your faith.

Question for Youth: The Gospel tells us that money can get in the way of serving God. As a young person, having money is important, but how can you make faith a priority and balance it with your need for money?

Question for Children: Clothes, food, toys all cost money. How do you keep your faith more important than money?

The parish faith formation program—Generations of Faith—will begin with the first festival of the year on the weekend of Sept. 28-Oct. 1. If you have not yet registered but would like to attend, please contact Amanda or Meg in the Parish Office at amroberts@comcast.net or meg_green5@comcast.net or by phone at 978-683-8922.

Children and youth looking to celebrate Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, or Confirmation must register and participate in the program as part of their sacramental preparation. Please note that there is limited space remaining at the Friday evening session and that the Sunday evening session is completely full.

We are still looking for activity leaders and assistants for grade school and middle school at the Friday sessions; preschool leaders on Sunday evening and Monday; and grade school leaders and assistants on Sunday afternoon and evening, and on Monday. If you are able to help in this capacity at any of the festivals during the year, please contact Amanda in the Parish Office at amroberts@comcast.net or 978-683-8922.

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, Cpt. 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

7:00-8:30 PM Generations of Faith Activity Leader Meeting, Driscoll Hall

12:10 PM No Weekday Mass

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

5:45 PM Youth Choir Practice, Church

6:30 PM Scouts, Driscoll Hall

7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice, Church

10:45 AM Adult Enrichment, Bellarmine Room

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

5:30-8:30 PM Generations of Faith festival, Driscoll Hall

12:30-3:30 PM Generations of Faith festival, Driscoll Hall

5:00-8:00 PM Generations of Faith festival, Driscoll Hall

This year’s telethon will be held on Friday, September 28, and Saturday, September 29, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on both days. Please tune in and call to help support this very important work of the Church. Go to www.catholictv.com  for local channel listings or to learn more about the CatholicTV mission and programming.

Throughout the history of humankind, women have gathered to share their stories with each other. This weekend has been set aside to explore and contemplate the treasure of friendship in our lives as experienced through our relationship with God, our family, and our friends. There will be ample time for sharing and discussion with the other women of this retreat. The retreat will be held Friday to Sunday, October 19-21, 2007, at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, MA. The presenter is Sandra DeRome, Obl. S.B. Suggested donation is $160. For more information or to register, please call the Retreat Office at the abbey at 781-749-2155, ext. 200.

Malden Catholic High School will host a Catholic High School Information Night on Wednesday, September 26th, from 6:00-8:30 PM. All 7th and 8th grade girls and boys and their families are invited to attend. All area Catholic high schools will be represented.

Lazarus House Hike for Hope is Next Sunday, September 30—pre-register through September 26 or register onsite the day of. For more information or to register, go to www.hikeforhope.org or contact Lana Schofield at 978-269-5206 or lana@lazarushouse.org.

WINGS is a faith enrichment group for women of all ages who want to grow in their relationship with God. With support from the Family Life Office for the Archdiocese of Boston, St. Michael Parish in North Andover started a WINGS ministry in 2005. This year St. Michael’s invites the women of St. Augustine and St. Robert Bellarmine parishes to join them.

The group meets on Sunday evenings from 7:00-9:00 PM in the St. Michael Parish Hall at 196 Main Street in North Andover. There are four meetings in each of the three seasonal sessions. Meetings consist of prayer, song, speakers, small group discussions, and, of course, hospitality! The meeting schedule for this year is: Fall Session–Our Faith: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11; Winter Session–Scripture: a Contemporary View: 1/6, 1/20, 1/27, 2/10; Spring Session–Faith in Action: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4.

The registration fee is just $30 for all three sessions. To register, send your name, address, parish, phone number, and email address, along with your registration fee (make checks payable to St. Michael Parish, memo: WINGS) to: WINGS, c/o St. Michael Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845.

Thus says the Lord the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall! Improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph! Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours. He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’"

Copyright 1970, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.