FROM FATHER RICK
GENERATIONS OF FAITH
An integral element to
the Generations of Faith program is the connection
between the Festival, which is a time of
preparation, and the Event, which is the
celebration and the point of the whole program. You
will find an insert in this week’s bulletin
highlighting the points of the festival to help all
of us to prepare for the Event, which is Sunday Mass
next weekend. Please spend some time during the
coming week reflecting on Sunday as the Lord’s Day
and how we live it. It is a day of Thanksgiving.
Perhaps each of us could ponder those things for
which we are grateful and at Mass next Sunday
acknowledge that all good things come from our
generous God. You will also find two handouts
available on the GOF table in the Gathering Space.
They were contained in the “Home Kits” if you
attended the Festival. If you were not at the
Festival please feel free to take them. They are
meant to assist us in preparing for Mass next
weekend.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Next Sunday, October
14, at the 11:00 AM Mass we will celebrate our
Fall Anointing of the Sick. If you or someone you
know wishes to celebrate this Sacrament, please call
the Parish Office at 978-683-8922. As Irene will be
out of the office this week, please leave a message
for me (ext. 16) that you will be attending. There
will be a light lunch in the Gathering Space
immediately following Mass.
WORKSHOPS FOR
LITURGICAL MINISTERS
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.
EXTRAORDINARY
MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: MINISTRY IN MASS AND
BEYOND
Wednesday, Nov. 28, &
Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 7:00—9:00 PM
Corpus Christi
Parish, Lawrence
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.
FUNDAMENTALS OF THE
MINISTRY OF LECTORING
Time & Location in a
parish in the Merrimack Region to be announced
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.
GROUNDING OUR
LITURGICAL LIFE
Wednesday, October
24, & Wednesday, October 31, from 7:00—9:00 PM
Saint James Parish,
Haverhill
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.
The Parish Office
will be closed on Monday, October 8, for the
Columbus Day holiday and on Friday, October 12.
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., November 7, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.
Money Matters
On the weekend of
September 29/30
Weekly
donations $ 2,556.00
Monthly
donations $ 1,955.00
Stewardship
Reflection
“For God did not give
us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and
love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
A good steward cannot be
a coward. It takes strength, love and self-control
to put God first in our lives. St. Paul assures us
that we have been given the courage we need to do
God’s work.
Bread and Roses
On Sunday, October 14th,
we will prepare the meal for the Bread and Roses
hospitality house in Lawrence to be served on
Monday, October 15th.
We plan to prepare BEEF
TACOS with a tossed salad and dessert. Food items
needed are: cooked ground beef, soft tacos (large
size please), packages of shredded cheese, packages
of taco seasoning, jars of salsa, lettuce, tomato,
cucumbers, large cans of fruit salad, cookies or
brownies. Please use the sign up sheet on the
clipboard in the church lobby.
Kitchen helpers meet on
Sunday at 10:00 AM. All food donations should be
received by 10:50 AM. Call Betty Bufano 978-851-5682
or Lisa Lattari 978-749-3736 for further
information.
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
Saturday, October 6,
Vigil, 27th Ordinary Sunday
4:00 pm: Louis Denis
Duquette
Sunday, October 7,
27th Ordinary Sunday
7:30 am: Madeleine
Peront
9:00 am: Michael Picardi
IV
11:00 am: Edwina &
Daniel Dooley
Tuesday, October 9,
Weekday Mass
12:10 pm
Thursday, October 11,
Weekday Mass
12:10 pm: Deceased
members of the Marcoux Family
Friday, October 12,
Weekday Mass
12:10 pm
Saturday, October 13,
Vigil, 28th Ordinary Sunday
4:00 pm: Ida Lucille
Brown; **Baptism of Sarah Kathleen Kroeger
Sunday, October 14,
28th Ordinary Sunday
7:30 am: Henry Chemaly
9:00 am: John Keenan;
**Baptism of Amanda Louise Lightburn
11:00 am: Anointing of
the Sick
Readings for the Week
of October 7, 2007
Sunday: Hb
1:2-3; 2:2-4/2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14/Lk 17:5-10
Monday: Jon
1:1-2:2, 11/Lk 10:25-37
Tuesday: Jon
3:1-10/Lk 10:38-42
Wednesday: Jon
4:1-11/Lk 11:1-4
Thursday: Mal
3:13-20b/Lk 11:5-13
Friday: Jl
1:13-15; 2:1-2/Lk 11:15-26
Saturday: Jl
4:12-21/Lk 11:27-28
Next Sunday: 2 Kgs
5:14-17/2 Tm 2:8-13/Lk 17:11-19
Prayer for Vocations
Gracious God, You show
your favor to us
through the many gifts
you give us.
You sent Jesus, your
beloved son,
as your servant of
justice in our world.
Open our minds and
hearts
to hear your call to us
today.
Guide women and men
to use their gifts to
serve the Church
and continue the mission
of Jesus.
We offer this prayer
through Christ and
the Holy Spirit, now and
forever. Amen.
Question of the
Week–Twenty-Seventh Ordinary Sunday
Question for Adults:
Being “in Christ” means living as Christ teaches.
What signs do you see in your life of generosity,
forgiveness, hospitality, or any other of Jesus’
teachings?
Question for Youth:
The Gospel tells us even a little bit of faith is
enough to make amazing things happen. How are you
keeping your faith alive and growing? What steps do
you plan to take to continue to live your faith the
rest of your life?
Question for Children:
Jesus teaches us that our faith is powerful and with
it we can do great things. We can forgive, love, and
share with others. Which of these do you do most
often?
The Youth Choir is
open to new members.
Please join us as we
sing and celebrate at 9:00 AM Mass every Sunday.
Youth Choir FAQs
Question: How old
do you have to be?
Answer: Second
grade through High School.
Question: Do I
have to try out?
Answer: No.
Question: Can I
join anytime during the year?
Answer: Yes.
Question: How do
I join?
Answer: Just come
to any rehearsal on Thursdays between 5:30 and 6:45
PM in the church.
Question: What if
I can't be at every rehearsal and every 9:00 AM Mass
because of “soccer, baseball, family commitments,
conflicts that come up, etc.”?
Answer: We
appreciate knowing about conflicts in advance but
this happens to every choir member at some time
during the year and we look forward to your return
when your schedule changes.
Question: If I
have more questions, who can I ask?
Answer: Kathy
Schardin at 978-475-0228 or Yvonne Gobis at
978-452-0831.
Please remember that
you can help support the work of Neighbors in Need
anytime during the year by dropping your
non-perishable food donation into the bin in the
vestibule of the church. Thank you!
This Week in Our
Parish
Monday, October 8
Parish Office will be
closed
Tuesday, October 9
12:10
PM Weekday Mass, Church
7:00
PM Generations of Faith Design Team,
Bellarmine Room
Thursday, October 11
12:10
PM Weekday Mass, Church
2:00-3:30
PM Bereavement Support Group, Seton Room
5:45
PM Youth Choir Practice, Church
6:30
PM Scouts, Driscoll Hall
7:30
PM Adult Choir Practice, Church
Friday, October 12
Parish Office will be
closed
10:45
AM Adult Enrichment, Bellarmine Room
12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church
Sunday, October 14
10:00 AM Bread
& Roses Prep, Driscoll Hall
10:00-11:00 AM Reconciliation Preparation, Driscoll Hall
Fair Trade
Coffee–Bring your values to the marketplace!
Buying fair trade coffee
is a tangible way we can put the values of our faith
into action. It reminds us there are people behind
all the things we consume. To learn more about the
CRS Fair Trade Program, go to:
www.crsfairtrade.org.
St. Robert’s
participates in the CRS Fair Trade Program by
committing to the use of fair trade coffee for
parish functions and by making it available for
purchase to the parish community. And this weekend
we are introducing Organic Hot Cocoa Mix for $5 per
bag!
Coffee (and cocoa!)
will be available for purchase in the Gathering
Space after all Masses this weekend, October 6 and
7.
St. Robert’s Parish
Community Blood Drive
Urgent need for blood
donors! St. Robert’s will be hosting an American Red
Cross blood drive on Wednesday, October 17, from
2:00–8:00 PM. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
(1-800-448-3543) or visit
www.givelife.org and schedule your appointment
to donate today. All blood types are needed; blood
type “O” is in great need. Please bring a valid ID
and drink plenty of fluids before donating. To
donate blood you must be at least 17 years of age,
weigh at least 110 lbs., and be in good general
health. Most medications are okay.
Catholic High School
Information
Entrance Exam
The placement test for
all Catholic High Schools in the Archdiocese of
Boston will be administered on Saturday, November
17, and again on Saturday, December 8, 2007. The
test is for eighth-grade students only. For
registration forms and information on test
locations, contact your local Catholic High School,
or the Catholic School Office at 617-298-6555.
Open Houses
St. John’s
Preparatory School, Danvers, MA
Sunday, October 21:
starting times at 10, 11, & 12 noon
St. John’s is a Xaverian
Brothers sponsored school for young men.
For more information,
call 978-774-1050, ext. 301, or visit them online at
www.stjohnsprep.org.
Bishop Fenwick High
School, Peabody, MA
Sunday, October 14,
1:00-4:00 PM
Thursday, November 15,
6:30-8:30 PM
Bishop Fenwick is a
co-educational school. For more information,
please contact the
Admissions Office at 978-587-8360 or
admission@fenwick.org,
or visit them online at
www.fenwick.org.
Presentation of Mary
Academy, Methuen, MA
Sunday, October 14,
10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
The Academy is a school
for young women. For more information,
please call the
Admissions Office at 978-682-9391, ext. 108, or go
to
www.pmamethuen.org.
Malden Catholic High
School, Malden, MA
Sunday, October 28,
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Malden Catholic is a
Xaverian Brothers sponsored school for young men.
For more information,
call 781-322-3098, or visit them online at
www.maldencatholic.org.
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, 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
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
A reading from the
second Book of Kings 5:14-17
Naaman went down and
plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of
Elisha, the man of God. His flesh became again like
the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his
leprosy.
Naaman returned with his
whole retinue to the man of God. On his arrival he
stood before Elisha and said, “Now I know that there
is no God in all the earth, except in Israel. Please
accept a gift from your servant.’
Elisha replied, “As the
LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;” and
despite Naaman’s urging, he still refused. Naaman
said: “If you will not accept, please let me, your
servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no
longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god
except to the LORD.”
A reading from the
second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 2:8-13
Beloved: Remember Jesus
Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to
the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word
of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with
everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so
that they too may obtain the salvation that is in
Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This
saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we
shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall
also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny
us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he
cannot deny himself.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to Luke 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his
journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria
and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten
lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him
and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master!
Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go
show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going
they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he
had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud
voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked
him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten
were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other
nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give
thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and
go; your faith has saved you.”
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1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian
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