FROM FATHER RICK
DEAR FRIENDS,
Generations of Faith
Festival and Event
This weekend we hear the
Beatitudes proclaimed at Mass. During the adult
sessions at the most recent Faith Festival, we
discussed the Beatitudes as the “heart” of the
Christian moral life. We also talked about the
difficulty that so many of us have in trying to
authentically and consistently live this mandate
from Jesus. I mentioned at a couple of sessions that
the following prayer attributed to Thomas Merton
might help. There are also “prayer card size” copies
available in the vestibule.
PRAYER OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
My Lord God, I have no idea where I
am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me,
I cannot know for certain where it
will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the
fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually
doing so.
But I believe that the desire to
please you does in fact please you.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will
lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of
death.
I will not fear, for you are ever
with me, and will never leave me to face my perils
alone.
THOMAS MERTON
Ash Wednesday–GOF
Event
This Wednesday is Ash
Wednesday, February 6. Masses will be
celebrated at 12:10 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:00 pm.
“Fat Tuesday” (Mardi
Gras) Lunch
Once again this year we
will hold a Mardi Gras Lunch for all those folks who
regularly or occasionally attend the 12:10 Mass,
either during Lent or throughout the year. If you’d
like to join us on Tuesday, February 5, immediately
following the 12:10 Mass in the Gathering Space, let
Irene know by Monday.
Fish Fry
On Friday evening,
February 8, the Knights will sponsor their first
Fish Bake. Dinner will be served
continuously from 5:30– 7:00 pm–join us
when you can!
World Marriage Day
On Saturday, February
9, we will celebrate World Marriage Day at the
4:00 pm Mass. Once again we will honor in a
special way those celebrating milestone
anniversaries (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, etc.).
If you are celebrating such an anniversary this
year, please let Irene know by Thursday, February
7th. There will be a reception following the 4:00 pm
Mass in Driscoll Hall.
Lenten Events
Weekday Mass is
celebrated during Lent on Monday through Friday
at 12:10 pm. Correction to last week’s
column: due to several schedule conflicts, Evening
Prayer will not be celebrated this year.
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. For more information about the parish
council or upcoming events, contact Jim McKain at
978-475-7931 or
Jim_McKain@NLTek.com, or go online to
www.saintroberts.net/kofc.htm.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, February 6, Driscoll Hall, following the
7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Mass.
Money Matters
On the weekend of January 26/27
Stewardship
Reflection
“Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.” Matthew 5:3
One way to be poor in
spirit is to realize that you really own nothing.
Everything you have is a gift from God. Do not
become attached to your material possessions and
treasure. Rather, realize that they are yours to
share and to use for the glory of God.
Fair trade coffee and
cocoa will be available for purchase in the
Gathering Space
after all Masses next
weekend, February 9 and 10.
LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING
The traditional foundation for Lenten practice rests on three supports:
PRAYER–FASTING–ALMSGIVING. To assist families in the
third of these supports, we again participate in
LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING. Each week all members of the
parish are asked to bring ONE item with them
to Mass. The gifts will be donated to various needy
causes, some to which we are already committed as a
parish. Please read the list below for each week's
Scripture and its item. There will be a reminder in
the bulletin each week.
FIRST SUNDAY OF
LENT—FEBRUARY 9/10 (Next Week)
"One does not
live by bread alone, but by every
word that comes
from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4)
Bread is made from grain–please bring a box of CEREAL or PASTA
for Lazarus House.
SECOND SUNDAY OF
LENT—FEBRUARY 16/17
"His face became
as dazzling as the sun,
His clothes
radiant as light." (Matthew 17)
Dazzling and radiant signify cleanliness–please bring BAR SOAP for
Tewksbury
State Hospital.
THIRD SUNDAY OF
LENT—FEBRUARY 23/24
"Whoever drinks
the water I give
will never be
thirsty." (John 4)
Thirst–please bring in a 3-pack of DRINK BOXES for Bread and Roses.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF
LENT—MARCH 1/2
"We must do the
deeds of him who sent me while it is day. The night
comes when no one can work.
While I am in
the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9)
Light–please bring a package of LOW ENERGY LIGHT BULBS (60-75
watts) for Sojourner House.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF
LENT—MARCH 8/9
"The dead man
came out, bound hand and foot with linen strips, his
face wrapped with a cloth." (John 11)
Linens–please bring DISPOSABLE DIAPERS (all sizes) for Sojourner
House.
PASSION
SUNDAY—MARCH 15/16
"The huge crowd
spread their cloaks on the road..." (Matthew 21)
"Finally, when
they had finished making a fool of him, they
stripped him of the cloak,
dressed him in
his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion."
(Matthew 26)
Clothes–please bring a men’s SHIRT or SWEATER for Lazarus
House.
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
Saturday, February 2,
Vigil, 4th Ordinary Sunday
4:00 pm: Confirmation
Rite of Enrollment of Names
Sunday, February 3,
4th Ordinary Sunday
9:00 am: Regina Miriam
Stowe
11:00 am: Consecrated
Life Mass
Tuesday, February 5,
Agatha, virgin, martyr
12:10 pm
Wednesday, February
6, Ash Wednesday
12:10 pm: Vojtech Fekete
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
Thursday, February 7,
Lenten Weekday Mass
12:10 pm: John Sartory
Friday, February 8,
Lenten Weekday Mass
12:10 pm: Henry Chemaly
Saturday, February 9,
Vigil, 1st Sunday of Lent
4:00 pm: Joseph Tollo &
Anna Puccia
Sunday, February 10,
1st Sunday of Lent
9:00 am: John Sudol
11:00 am: Rev. John V.
Sutton
Readings for the Week of
February 3, 2008
Sunday: Zep 2:3; 3:12-13/1 Cor 1:26-31/Mt
5:1-12a
Monday: 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13/Mk
5:1-20
Tuesday: 2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a,
30-19:3/Mk 5:21-43
Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20-6:2/Mt 6:1-6,
16-18
Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25
Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15
Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-32
Next
Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7/Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12,
17-19/Mt 4:1-11
Question of the
Week–Fourth Ordinary Sunday
Question for Adults:
How do you describe what it means to be
"blest" in your own life?
Question for Youth:
Jesus gives us a plan for our happiness in the
Beatitudes. Do the things that make you happiest
also lead you towards God? Do they follow God’s
plan?
Question for Children:
Choose one of the Beatitudes and share how
you will make it part of your life.
Update on Jeff Ake
and Family
Thank you for your
continuing prayers for Jeff Ake and his family. As
you are probably aware, Jeff, a good friend of the
Dlesk family, was abducted by Iraqi terrorists in
April of 2005. Unfortunately, there is no
information about his status. Dave and Judy and a
number of Jeff’s friends have established a fund to
provide Jeff’s family with financial assistance.
They are holding a fundraiser in the Chicago area on
February 23rd to benefit Jeff’s wife, Lilly, and
their four children, ages 18 to 5. If you would like
to send a donation, you can send a check made out
to: The Jeff Ake Family Trust, c/o Dave and Judy
Dlesk, 22 Fossen Way, Andover, MA 01810. Thank you
for your generosity.
Special Collection
Next Weekend–Peter’s Pence
Next weekend is the 2008
Peter’s Pence Collection for the Works of the Holy
Father. This collection helps the Holy Father
provide immediate disaster relief and emergency aid
to those suffering the effects of war, natural
disaster, or oppression throughout the world. In
supporting this effort, we join one billion Catholic
brothers and sisters in acting to share God’s love
in the world. Thank you. For more information,
please visit
www.usccb.org/ppc.
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
Monday, February 4
7:00 PM Scouts
Committee Meeting, Bellarmine Room
Tuesday, February 5
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church, followed by Lunch in Gathering Space
Wednesday, February 6
12:10 PM Ash Wednesday
Mass, Church
5:30 PM Ash Wednesday
Mass, Church
7:00 PM Ash Wednesday
Mass, Church
8:00 PM Knights of
Columbus, Driscoll Hall
Thursday, February 7
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, February 8
10:45 AM Adult
Enrichment, Bellarmine Room
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
5:30 PM Fish Dinner,
Driscoll Hall
Saturday, February 9
9:00-12:00 Scouting for
Food, Driscoll Hall
9:30-12:00 PM Parish
Pastoral Council Meeting, Bellarmine Room
4:00 PM Mass with
Celebration of World
Marriage Day, followed by reception in Driscoll Hall
Fair Trade Coffee &
Cocoa available for purchase in the Gathering Space
after 4:00 PM Mass
Sunday, February 10
10:00-11:00 AM First
Communion Prep, Driscoll Hall
11:00 AM Mass with
Anointing of the Sick, followed by reception in the
Gathering Space
Fair Trade Coffee &
Cocoa available for purchase in the Gathering Space
after both Masses
Scouting for Food
Thanks to all who
contributed food this weekend to the annual Scouting
for Food Program undertaken by our own Troop & Pack
79. If you forgot or were unable to bring your
donation this weekend, it is not too late! You
can drop off your donation of non-perishable food
items in Driscoll Hall on Saturday, February 9,
right up to 11:00 AM. In the neighborhoods where
Scouts dropped off bags, they will be collected at
9:00 AM Saturday, February 9th. THANKS!
Thank You for
Christmas Giving…
“On behalf of the
patients of Tewksbury Hospital, I would like to
thank the members of St. Robert’s Parish for
generously giving to our patients at Christmas. The
extraordinary generosity and continued commitment by
your parishioners for those in need is truly
remarkable. May this New Year bring health,
happiness, and Peace to all!”
Live-In Experience
Vocational Retreats
There are several
live-in vocational retreat opportunities coming up,
including the following: Mount St. Mary (for women)
in Wrentham, MA, Feb. 15-17; The Salesians (for men)
in South Orange, NJ, March 14-16; and the famous
Gethsemani Trappist Abbey (for men) in Trappist, KY,
March 3-10. Work and pray with the monks and nuns
and enjoy vocational talks. There is no cost but
space is limited. Many dates, including other
weekend dates, are also available. For more
information, call 1-800-221-1807.
FISH DINNER
Friday, February 8
Driscoll Hall,
Serving continuously from 5:30-7:00 PM
$10 Adults; $5
Children 12 and under; $30 Family Cap
Chowder–Baked White
Fish–Green Vegetable–Potato–Cole Slaw–Bread–Cheese
Pizza for the Kids
Join us this first
Friday of Lent! Contact the Parish Office by
Tuesday, February 5,
at 978-683-8922 or
ibonner@comcast.net to reserve your place!
Presented by our
parish council of the Knights of Columbus
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
A reading from the
Book of Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7
The LORD God formed man
out of the clay of the ground and blew into his
nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a
living being.
Then the LORD God
planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed
there the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground
the LORD God made various trees grow that were
delightful to look at and good for food, with the
tree of life in the middle of the garden and the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Now the serpent was the
most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God
had made. The serpent asked the woman, “Did God
really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in
the garden?” The woman answered the serpent: “We may
eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is
only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of
the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or
even touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said
to the woman: “You certainly will not die! No, God
knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes
will be opened and you will be like gods who know
what is good and what is evil.” The woman saw that
the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes,
and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some
of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to
her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then
the eyes of both of them were opened, and they
realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig
leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
A reading from the
Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 5:12-19
Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world, and through
sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch
as all sinned—for up to the time of the law, sin was
in the world, though sin is not accounted when there
is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who did not sin after the pattern of
the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who
was to come.
But the gift is not like
the transgression. For if by the transgression of
the one, the many died, how much more did the grace
of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus
Christ overflow for the many. And the gift is not
like the result of the one who sinned. For after one
sin there was the judgment that brought
condemnation; but the gift, after many
transgressions, brought acquittal. For if, by the
transgression of the one, death came to reign
through that one, how much more will those who
receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of
justification come to reign in life through the one
Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one
transgression condemnation came upon all, so,
through one righteous act, acquittal and life came
to all. For just as through the disobedience of the
one man the many were made sinners, so, through the
obedience of the one, the many will be made
righteous.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to Matthew 4:1-11
At that time Jesus was
led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by
the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty
nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter
approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of
God, command that these stones become loaves of
bread.” He said in reply, “It is written:
One does not live on
bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from
the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him
to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet
of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son
of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
He will command his
angels concerning you and with their hands they will
support you,
lest you dash your
foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him,
“Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord,
your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up
to a very high mountain, and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he
said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you
will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this,
Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written:
The Lord, your God,
shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
Then the devil left him
and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
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