FROM FATHER RICK
DEAR FRIENDS,
Mass Schedule
Keep in mind our new
Sunday morning Mass schedule. Weekend Masses will be
celebrated on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 pm and on
Sunday morning at 9:00 am & 11:00 am.
Knights of Columbus
Recruitment Weekend
This weekend after all
the Masses, the Knights (a Parish Council) will be
recruiting new members in the Gathering Space.
Membership is open to all fully initiated Catholic
men over 18 years of age.
Thank You
I want to offer a
sincere thank you to all who left gifts at the Open
House or who dropped off “goodies” at the Rectory
during the Christmas season.
Parish Pastoral
Council
After a Day of
Discernment in December we have three new Pastoral
Council members. As we express our gratitude to Pat
Viscosi, Jim Murphy and Pat Palma for their service
on the council, we welcome Chris Vecchi, Frank Paone
and Heather Lauten. Our first meeting for the new
council will be held on February 9 at 9:30 am in the
Bellarmine Room.
Generations of Faith
Our next Faith Festival
will be held on the weekend of January 25–27–28. We
will focus on “Renewing our Baptism.” This festival
will prepare us to celebrate the baptismal season of
Lent, which begins with our celebration of Ash
Wednesday on February 6, which is the Event for this
festival. On Ash Wednesday Masses will be celebrated
at 12:10 pm, 5:00 pm (with Children’s Liturgy of the
Word) and 7:00 pm.
There are openings
available for the following sessions:
Friday evening, January
25—5:30–8:30
Sunday afternoon,
January 27—12:30–3:30 (no adult session)
Sunday evening, January
27—5:00–8:00 (adult session only)
Monday evening, January
28—5:00–8:00
Remember each session
begins with a common meal as a part of the session.
The menu for this month is: chicken tenders, mashed
potatoes & roasted vegetables.
Confirmation Rite of
Enrollment of Names
On Saturday, February 2,
our 10th Graders who have been preparing for the
celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the
Easter Season, will begin their proximate
preparation with a Day of Recollection at Espousal
Retreat Center. This day will conclude with a Rite
of Enrollment of Names during the 4:00 pm Mass on
that Saturday. This rite gives the candidates the
opportunity to state before the community that they
are taking this step in their sacramental lives
seriously. It calls on us the community to state
that we will support these young men and women in
this journey. Please join us for this important
moment in parish life here at Saint Robert’s.
Consecrated Life Day
On Sunday, February 3,
we will celebrate consecrated life at the 11:00 am
Mass followed by a reception in the Gathering Space
honoring any religious who come as guests to
celebrate with us. If you would like a member of a
religious community (sister, brother or religious
order priest) remembered by name at this Mass,
please submit the name to Irene at the Parish Office
before February 1. Please invite any religious to
join us on this 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:
Wednesday, February 6, 7:30 PM in Driscoll Hall.
Upcoming Knights
Events–Save the Dates!
Recruitment Drive
Weekend
THIS Saturday & Sunday,
January 12 & 13
Spaghetti Dinner
Saturday, February 2,
after 4:00 PM Mass
Parish Family
Breakfast
Sunday, February 24
Stewardship
Reflection
“And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is
my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”
Matthew 3:17
At the Baptism of Jesus,
God made it clear that He was giving us the greatest
gift He could give. He was giving us His only Son.
When you really think about the magnitude of that
gift of Jesus sent to save us, plus all of the many
other blessings that God has entrusted into our
hands, it is very humbling. God has given us so
much. What do we give in return?
Money Matters
On the weekend of January 5/6
Bread and Roses
On Sunday, January
20th, we will prepare the meal for the Bread and
Roses hospitality house in Lawrence to be served on
Monday, January 21st.
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 978-749-3736 for
further information.
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
Saturday, January 12,
Vigil, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
4:00 pm: Eleanor Flynn
Sunday, January 13,
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
9:00 am: Sandra Murphy
11:00 am: James & Angela
Ford
Tuesday, January 15
No Weekday Mass Today
Thursday, January 15,
Anthony, abbot
12:10 pm: Ernie Picard
Friday, January 18,
Weekday Mass
12:10 pm: Deceased
Members of the Marcoux Family
Saturday, January 19,
Vigil, 2nd Ordinary Sunday
4:00 pm: Mary Danker
Adams
Sunday, January 20,
2nd Ordinary Sunday
9:00 am: Henry Chemaly
11:00 am: John Sudol
Prayers requested for
Lincoln Cain, father
of parishioner David Cain
Joe Clarke, friend of
parishioner Joe Galluzzo
Readings for the Week of January 13, 2008
Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Mt
3:13-17
Monday: 1 Sm 1:1-8/Mk 1:14-20
Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:9-20/Mk 1:21-28
Wednesday: 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20/Mk 1:29-39
Thursday: 1 Sm 4:1-11/Mk 1:40-45
Friday: 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a/Mk 2:1-12
Saturday: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a/Mk
2:13-17
Next
Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6/1 Cor 1:1-3/Jn 1:29-34
Day of Prayer for
Pastoral Visitors
The Pastoral Visitor
Project and the Office of Worship and Spiritual Life
invite all pastoral visitors and Eucharistic
Ministers to the sick and homebound to attend one of
the following Days of Prayer. There is no fee for
the event. For more information or to register, call
the Office of Worship and Spiritual Life at
617-779-3640.
“Becoming the Body of
Christ”
Sunday, January 20,
2008, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Our Lady of the
Assumption, Lynnfield
“Ministry in Christ’s
Name”
Saturday, February 2,
2008, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
St. Francis, Dracut
Question of the
Week–Baptism of the Lord
Question for Adults:
Today’s readings lead to a core question: As
you follow God and do what he wants, how do you
experience his loving words: “You are my own. My
favor is upon you.”?
Question for Youth:
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased.” This is what God said when Jesus was
baptized, and what God says about each of us, son
and daughters of God, as we are baptized. How can
you more fully embrace your baptism?
Question for Children:
If someone were to ask you, “who is Jesus?”
how would you answer?
More Thank Yous for
Christmas Giving…
Dear Father Conway,
“Thank you so much
for allowing Birthright to be part of your Christmas
Outreach Program again this year. We appreciate the
generosity of your parish family.”
Dear Father Conway,
“I am writing to
express my thanks and the thanks and appreciation of
all the parishioners here at St. Mary’s Parish for
your assistance with our Christmas present program.
As a result of the success of this program some very
needy children received toys, scarves, mittens, and
gloves in our Christmas basket distribution. Thank
you again for thinking of all the needy people who
are helped by our parish.”
In Service
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, Cpt. Eric Eckberg,
USA, SFC John B. Nicholas, USA, LTCD Chris Stopyra,
USN
This Week in Our
Parish
Tuesday, January 15
12:10 PM No Weekday
Mass Today
7:00-8:00 PM
Confirmation Information Session, Driscoll Hall
Thursday, January 17
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
5:00 PM Youth Cantor
Practice, Church
5:30 PM Youth Choir
Practice, Church
6:30 PM Scouts,
Driscoll Hall
7:30 PM Adult Choir
Practice, Church
Friday, January 18
Parish Office Closed
10:45 AM Adult
Enrichment, Bellarmine Room
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
Sunday, January 20
10:00-11:00 AM Bread &
Roses Prep, Driscoll Hall
Archdiocesan
Bicentennial Pilgrimage
Plan to mark the
Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston by coming
together in prayer and fellowship with pilgrims from
across the Archdiocese and throughout the world at
the 49th International Eucharistic Congress June
18-24, 2008 in Quebec City, Canada. Pope Benedict
XVI has personally approved a most appropriate theme
for this Congress: “The Eucharist, God’s gift for
the life of the world” and he invites Catholics
to converge on Quebec City to deepen their spiritual
lives through our Eucharistic Lord. The Boston
Archdiocesan Pilgrimage will provide a comprehensive
travel package specifically for adult members of the
Archdiocese as well as a package tailored to young
adults – complete details will be forthcoming. For
more information or to pre-reserve your seat, please
contact Fr. Michael Drea, Coordinator for
Archdiocesan Pilgrimages, at 617-479-5400 x12.
Notre Dame Education
Center
Looking for a service
opportunity that will make a difference in the life
of another? If you are, we invite you to join in the
ministry of Notre Dame Education Center in Lawrence.
The Center was established in 1996 to educate
immigrant adults in order to empower them to improve
their lives and those of their families. Now located
in Lawrence’s new Riverwalk Complex it is a place of
welcome, teaching basic English language and
computer skills. It also offers citizenship classes
and a CNA program.
Volunteers are needed for
all aspects of program support, from tutoring to
board membership. For more information, contact Lena
Rodriguez, Program Director, at 978-682-6441, ext.
202.
The Parish Office
will be closed
Friday, January 18
Monday, January 21
A Loving Presence
Volunteers are needed to
visit people receiving hospice care at Wingate
Nursing Home of Andover. You can make a difference
in someone’s life in one hour a week. Local training
is provided. Non-contact positions are also
available. Please call Alice Hutter, West River Care
Volunteer Coordinator, at 781-707-9580 if you are
interested in this important and rewarding service.
Caregiver Support
Group
There is a monthly
caregiver support group meeting at Saint Michael
Parish in North Andover for those who care for a
loved one going through illness, memory loss, or
disability. The group offers the opportunity to take
time out for yourself, to meet others going through
similar experiences, as well as to learn about
community resources. The group meets on the first
Wednesday of the month from 10:00-11:00 am. Please
call Jean at Saint Michael parish for more
information at 978-686-4050.
National Vocation
Awareness Week is January 13th to the 19th, 2008
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.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
A reading from the
Book of the Prophet Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
The LORD said to me: You
are my servant,
Israel, through whom I
show my glory.
Now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his
servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be
brought back to him
and Israel gathered to
him;
and I am made glorious
in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my
strength!
It is too little, the
LORD says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes
of Jacob,
and restore the
survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light
to the nations,
that my salvation may
reach to the ends of the earth.
A reading from the
beginning of the first Letter of Saint Paul to the
Corinthians 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an
apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and
Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is
in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those
everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to John 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw
Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb
of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is
the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me
who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’
I did not know him, but the reason why I came
baptizing with water was that he might be made known
to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw
the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and
remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who
sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever
you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the
one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I
have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
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