11-04-07

FROM FATHER RICK

RITE OF RECEPTION INTO THE FULL COMMUNION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Next Sunday at the 9:00 AM Mass we will celebrate the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church with Eric Benson. Often people ask what the difference is between someone in Eric’s position versus someone in Mackenzie’s, who was baptized at the Easter Vigil in April. The following piece from LTP offers a good description of the “Candidate” vs. the “Catechumen” in the church. Eric is a Candidate; MacKenzie was a catechumen.

Catechumens are people who have never been baptized and are now preparing to be baptized, confirmed and welcomed to the Lord’s Table at the Easter Vigil through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (commonly called the RCIA). Often there are others who have already been baptized and who now desire to become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. They, too, undergo a period of formation based on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults; they are called candidates because they are discerning a call to complete their initiation.

Like those whom we welcome into our own families through marriage or adoption, the candidates bring with them a wide variety of experiences and traditions. Some of them may have been baptized in another faith tradition; they now wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Normally they are confirmed and receive their first communion at the time of their reception. (In the past, these candidates were often referred to as “converts,” but that term is not appropriate if they were previously baptized. Baptism is the sacrament of conversion. Suggesting that people baptized in other Christian traditions are not already “converted” to Christ is false and uncharitable.)

Other candidates may have been baptized Catholic, usually as infants, but received no further formation in the Catholic faith. They, too, are preparing for confirmation and first communion.

The length of the preparation period varies depending on the background and spiritual needs of the individual. Those who have taken an active role in their church in the past may need a relatively short period of preparation. Others may need a more extended period of formation and catechesis, similar to that of the catechumens. In both cases, active participation in the Sunday liturgy, prayerful reading of the scriptures and an increasing awareness of the church’s teachings and mission are the primary means of preparation.

At the end of this period of preparation, those candidates who were baptized in another tradition are welcomed into the Catholic Church through a simple act of reception. All the candidates are then confirmed and welcomed to the Lord’s Table for the first time. This celebration takes place on any appropriate Sunday during the year.

The newly confirmed now take their place in the assembly and continue to do what Christians have done throughout the ages: offer thanks and praise to God and spread the good news of God’s love and reconciliation.

Please plan to join us at the 9:00 AM Mass next weekend for this wonderful celebration of Eucharistic Unity, as Eric professes his faith, is confirmed, celebrates the Eucharist with us, and receives Holy Communion for the first time.

PARISH OFFICE

The Parish Office will be closed next Monday, November 12, for Veteran’s Day.

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., Nov. 7, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.

Knights of Columbus Parish Family Breakfast

NEXT Sunday, November 11

Stop by Driscoll Hall anytime from 8:00-11:00 AM

to enjoy breakfast and catch up with your fellow parishioners.

Money Matters

On the weekend of October 27/28

\Weekly donations $ 2,770.00

Monthly donations $ 833.00

Stewardship Reflection

“And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?” Wisdom 11:25

These words from the Book of Wisdom, remind us that every single gift, skill, talent or blessing that we have has been called forth for us from God. The incredible abundance that surrounds us is all given to us by our heavenly Father for a reason. These gifts are not given for us to hoard but rather for us to share.

Protecting God’s Children

This course is a one time only awareness training program that is a requirement for all volunteers working with children within any parish in the Archdiocese of Boston. There is a session upcoming here at St. Robert’s on Wednesday, November 14, from 7:00-9:30 PM. To register, please contact the Parish Office at 978-683-8922.

Bread and Roses

On Sunday, November 18th, we will prepare the meal for the Bread and Roses hospitality house in Lawrence to be served on Monday, November 19th.

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 at 978-851-5682 or Lisa Lattari at 978-749-3736 for further information.

Continuing Support for Neighbors in Need

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.

With Thanksgiving approaching, non-perishable items like stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, pie filling, cake mix, coffee, nuts, candy, raisins, candles, and napkins are especially welcome for the dinner boxes they prepare for individual families. Last year they provided Thanksgiving dinners to about 650 families in Greater Lawrence and the need this year is expected to be as great.

They also welcome anyone who can volunteer a few hours on Tuesday morning, November 20th, to help give out the dinners. For more information, please call Fran at Neighbors In Need at 978-685-8321, anytime Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 12 noon.

Fair trade coffee and cocoa will be available for purchase in the Gathering Space after all Masses this weekend, November 3 & 4. Buying fair trade products is a tangible way we can put the values of our faith into action. It reminds us that there are people behind all the things we consume. To learn more about our fair trade coffee program, see the article in the Fall 2007 Parish Newsletter, which was recently mailed to parishioners and is also available on our website at www.saintroberts.net.

Mass Schedule and Intentions

Saturday, November 3, Vigil, 31st Ordinary Sunday

4:00 pm: Francis & Anne McInerney

Sunday, November 4, 31st Ordinary Sunday

7:30 am

9:00 am: All Named in the Parish Book of Remembrance

11:00 am: All Named in the Parish Book of Remembrance

Tuesday, November 6, Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

Thursday, November 8, Weekday Mass

12:10 pm: John Wynn

Friday, November 9, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

12:10 pm: Giovanni Di Mascio

Saturday, November 10, Vigil, 32nd Ordinary Sunday

4:00 pm: All Named in the Parish Book of Remembrance; **Baptism of Meghan Elizabeth Harvey

Sunday, November 11, 32nd Ordinary Sunday

7:30 am: Susan Bailey

9:00 am: All Named in the Parish Book of Remembrance

11:00 am: All Named in the Parish Book of Remembrance; **Baptism of Emily Yvonne LaBranche

Prayers requested for:

Arlene LeRette, mother of parishioner William LeRette

James J. Esdale, father of parishioner Paul Esdale

Longtime parishioner Marguerite Schaaf

Readings for the Week of November 4, 2007

Sunday: Wis 11:22-12:2/2 Thes 1:11-2:2/Lk 19:1-10

Monday: Rom 11:29-36/Lk 14:12-14

Tuesday: Rom 12:5-16b/Lk 14:15-24

Wednesday: Rom 13:8-10/Lk 14:25-33

Thursday: Rom 14:7-12/Lk 15:1-10

Friday: Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12/1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17/Jn 2:13-22

Saturday: Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27/Lk 16:9-15

Next Sunday: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14/2 Thes 2:16-3:5/Lk 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38

Question of the Week–Thirty-First Ordinary Sunday

Question for Adults: Why do you suppose Jesus was so kind to Zacchaeus? What lesson do you draw from this reading regarding those who are considered "public sinners" today?

Question for Youth: Jesus saw Zaccheaus as he was, mistakes and all, and he sees you the same way. What masks, if any, do you hide behind so others won't see who you really are? Who do you trust to see your most true self?

Question for Children: Jesus showed that he loved Zacchaeus by having supper with him. How does Jesus show his love for you?

Child & Youth Safety Parent Information Night

A parent information meeting on the Child & Youth Safety program will be held on Monday, November 5, from 7:00-8:30 PM in Driscoll Hall. The Child & Youth Safety Program is a personal safety program for children in grades K-8. The program for children in K-3 teaches basic safety rules, self-protection, and assertiveness skills to reduce their vulnerability to harm and abuse. The program for grades 4-8 builds on the rules already familiar to the children and youth, addressing the new situations they encounter given their ever increasing level of independence and maturity. At the meeting, parents will have an opportunity to learn about the program, review and ask questions about the material that will be presented to the children, and register their children if they have not already done so. This meeting is open to all parents with children in grades K-8. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like further information, please contact Amanda Roberts at the Parish Office at 978-683-8922 amroberts@comcast.net.

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, 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, Chief Warrant Officer II Michael Morris, USA, 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, SFC John B. Nicholas, USA, LTCD Chris Stopyra USN

This Week in Our Parish

Monday, November 5

7:00-8:30 PM Child Safety Parent Information Night, Driscoll Hall

7:00 PM Needs Assessment Committee, Bellarmine Room

7:00 PM Scouts Committee Meeting, Seton Room

Tuesday, November 6

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

Wednesday, November 7

7:30 PM Knights of Columbus, Driscoll Hall

Thursday, November 8

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

2:00-3:30 PM Bereavement Support Group, Bellarmine Room

5:45 PM Youth Choir Practice, Church

6:30 PM Scouts, Driscoll Hall

7:30 PM Adult Choir Practice, Church

Friday, November 9

10:45 AM Adult Enrichment, Bellarmine Room

12:10 PM Weekday Mass, Church

Sunday, November 11

8:00-11:00 AM Knights of Columbus Parish Family Breakfast, Driscoll Hall

Needs Assessment Committee Update

The Needs Assessment Committee has been continuing its work to identify the current and future facility needs for the parish. At this point a list of improvements has been identified and prioritized, and the committee is working on developing several options to meet as many of the critical needs as possible. One of the important findings has been that many of us are not aware of the vast amount of activity that goes on in the St. Robert’s facilities each week, because we each only participate in a few of the activities. In a typical week over 2,000 people will use the parish facilities for Mass, Generations of Faith, sacramental preparation, Country Day School, scouts, choir practices, Knights of Columbus, Outreach ministries and all the other activities of the parish. The result is that the current facilities often don’t meet all the requirements of each of the activities. To fulfill our parish mission we must be able to have adequate facilities to worship, teach the faith, come together as a community and serve the needs of others.

If you have any comments or ideas on the facility needs or ideas for improvements please share them with any of the Committee members: Kevin Conley, Dave Dlesk, Chris Durkee, Joe Galluzzo, Heather Lauten, Mary Sudol, Bill Sullivan or Bob Sullivan. You can also address your thoughts to the committee by sending a letter to the Parish Office.

Change Your Clock—Change Your Battery

Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour on Saturday night and take the opportunity to replace the batteries in all smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep!

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: The open house list is available in the October 28 bulletin online.

Annual Christmas Bazaar

Come and enjoy the fun and excitement of the Little Sisters of the Poor Annual Christmas Bazaar! Enjoy their famous beef stew for lunch, munch on homemade pastries, purchase beautiful handmade crafts, and complete your Christmas gift-giving list! Saturday, November 10, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Jeanne Jugan Residence, The Little Sisters of the Poor, 186 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK–THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

A reading from the second Book of Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: “What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.”

At the point of death he said: “You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying.”

After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: “It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again.” Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man’s courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians 2:16-3:5

Brothers and sisters: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. We are confident of you in the Lord that what we instruct you, you are doing and will continue to do. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 20:27-38

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

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