FROM FATHER RICK
Dear Friends,
Happy Easter!
Today we celebrate the
Second Sunday of Easter.
There are many people
who contributed to our magnificent celebration of
the Easter Triduum this year. Thanks to all the
liturgical ministers: the Lectors, Ministers of
Communion, Altar Servers and Adult Acolytes,
Greeters and Collectors. To Everett Bellisle and all
who helped with the environment in the church: Bill
Wolfendale, Daun Vecchi, Bill and Anne Sullivan, Jim
McKain, Kevin Conley, and Pat Palma, job well done!
Thanks also to Mary and Rich Blackwell, who created
our Initiation Hanging in the center of the church.
Thanks to Joan Varoski and Maria and John Silvaggi
for all the sanctuary/sacristy work. Thanks to Betty
Galluzzo, who baked our Eucharistic Bread for the
Triduum. Thanks to Janet Schiavoni for the constant
bulletin board updates for all the events and
seasons of parish life. To all the Music
Ministers—all our choir members, cantors and our
musical leadership: Yvonne, Ken, Nina and Kathy who
bring it all together—your outstanding gifts,
generosity and hard work bring life to our
celebrations. During the Triduum three of our young
parishioners shared their musical talents with the
community: two of the
Psalms on Holy Saturday were accompanied, one by
Nick Sawka on the sax and the other by Brett Sawka
on the cello, while Bill Wolfendale played the
trumpet at the 11:00 am Easter Sunday Mass. Our
Easter Sunday flutist at the 9:00 Mass was Lisa
Keugler.
Thanks to Irene for
putting together another wonderful Vigil Reception.
Thanks to her assistants: Janet Schiavoni, Maria
Silvaggi, Joan Varoski, Regina O’Brien, and Rita and
David Nisco. Thanks to Rod Houde for all the set up
responsibilities for all of Holy Week and the
constant cleaning of the church throughout the three
days and after.
Finally, and most
importantly, thanks to you the members of the
assembly for your openness, enthusiasm and
willingness in participating in the liturgies of the
Triduum, you made presiding at our celebrations joy
filled and uplifting. For those for whom the Triduum
was a first time experience, I hope you found it a
moving and faith-filled experience.
In this season we resume
our celebrations of The Season of Initiation,
including Infant Baptisms and First Holy Communions.
Our celebration of Confirmation for our 10th Graders
will be celebrated at the 11:00 am Mass on April 13,
at which time we will welcome Bishop Frank Irwin to
join us.
EASTER FLOWER
ENVELOPES
We maintain our Easter
environment for the full 50 days of the Feast. It is
not too late to memorialize the flowers for the
season. There are Easter Flower Envelopes available
in the vestibule. You can return them in collection
basket or mail them to the parish office.
SOLEMNITY OF THE
ANNUNCIATION
Mass will be celebrated
on Monday, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the
Lord, at 12:10 pm with Music. Mass will be followed
by pizzelles and angel food cake, which are
traditional treats for this feast. This feast
normally falls on March 25 – 9 months before
Christmas – but is transferred this year because it
fell within the Octave of Easter.
WEEKDAY MASS
Weekday Mass will be
celebrated at 12:10 pm on Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Friday this week.
RITE OF WELCOME
Next Saturday, April 5,
at the 4:00 pm Mass we will celebrate the Rite of
Welcome with Jennifer Croston. Jennifer is preparing
to celebrate the completion of her initiation in the
Catholic Church.
Remember our Parish
Celebration of Pentecost will take place at a single
weekend Mass at 10:00 am on Sunday, May 11. This
Eucharist will be followed by our fourth annual
Parish Pig Roast. More details to follow.
I wish you a happy and
holy Easter Season!
We continue to pray for
Christ’s first resurrection gift of Peace,
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, April 2, 7:30 pm, Driscoll Hall
Knights of Columbus
Parish Family
Breakfast
next Sunday, April 6!
Stop by Driscoll Hall
anytime from 8:00-11:00!
Stewardship
Reflection
“All
who believed were together and had all things in
common; they would sell their property and
possessions and divide them among all according to
each one’s need.”
Acts 2:44-45
The faith of the first
disciples was so great that they would sell all they
had to care for one another and follow the teachings
of Christ. Do we have that kind of faith? Are we
willing to give up anything at all because of our
faith in the Risen Christ? Sadly, our preference for
the things of this world often draws us away from
the glorious joy of Easter.
Catholic Appeal
Appreciation goes out to
all parishioners at St Robert's who have made a gift
to the 2008 Catholic Appeal. The Appeal is to our
Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our
parish. If you have not yet made your gift, please
consider making a pledge this weekend. We have
received $20,850 from 65 households, reaching 46.9
percent of our parish goal of $44,500. We are hoping
to reach 210 households this year. Remember, our
parish will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise
above our goal. There are appeal brochures in the
vestibule or please visit
www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call
617-779-3700 for more information. Thank you!
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
Saturday, March 29,
Vigil, 2nd Sunday of Easter
4:00 pm: Ryan Borque;
First Communion
Sunday, March 30, 2nd
Sunday of Easter
9:00 am: John Keenan;
First Communion
11:00 am: Fiore Trapane;
Baptism of Tessa Marie Borgatti
Monday, March 31,
Annunciation of the Lord
12:10 pm
Tuesday, April 1,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm
Wednesday, April 2,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm
Friday, April 4,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm: Ernie Picard
Saturday, April 5,
Vigil, 3rd Sunday of Easter
4:00 pm: Dolores
Delforge; Rite of Welcome for Jennifer Croston
Sunday, April 6, 3rd
Sunday of Easter
9:00 am: Robert Sullivan
11:00 am: Charles
Randone; Baptism of
Ella Rose Imparato
Readings for the Week of March 30, 2008
Sunday: Acts 2:42-47/1 Pt 1:3-9/Jn
20:19-31
Monday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Heb 10:4-10/Lk
1:26-38
Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37/Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26/Jn 3:16-21
Thursday: Acts 5:27-33/Jn 3:31-36
Friday: Acts 5:34-42/Jn 6:1-15
Saturday: Acts 6:1-7/Jn 6:16-21
Next
Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/1 Pt 1:17-21/Lk 24:13-35
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
Question of the
Week–Second Sunday of Easter
Question for Adults:
When and how do you experience the "new
birth" which we are given in Christ? When someone
has forgiven you? When you have forgiven others?
When you celebration reconciliation? At other times?
Question for Youth:
Jesus gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit and gave
us the power to forgive sins. How do you offer
forgiveness to your friends and family? How do you
seek forgiveness for yourself?
Question for Children:
Even though you can’t see him with your eyes,
how do you "see" Jesus in others?
Thanks to St.
Robert’s from Liliana Ake
“It is hard for me to
tell you how much your financial help and your
prayers mean to me and my children. Since Jeff was
kidnapped, we have faced many fears, challenges and
disappointments. However, seeing how people like you
have been willing to help us has renewed our faith,
lightened our burden and given us strength. May God
bless you and your families for your generosity.
Thank you very much.” Liliana Ake
Thanks to all of you who
have donated over $3000 so far to the fund to
support Jeff Ake’s family. If you would still like
to contribute, you can donate on-line at
www.jeffake.com, or contact us for additional
information. Dave & Judy Dlesk, 978-621-9870 or
ddlesk@comcast.net
This Week in Our
Parish
Monday, March 31
12:10 PM Mass,
Annunciation of the Lord, Church
7:00-8:30 PM
Generations of Faith Activity Leaders Meeting,
Driscoll Hall
Tuesday, April 1
12:10 PM Easter Weekday
Mass, Church
Wednesday, April 2
12:10 PM Easter Weekday
Mass, Church
7:30 PM Knights of
Columbus, Driscoll Hall
Thursday, April 3
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, April 4
12:10 PM Easter Weekday
Mass, Church
5:30-8:30 PM
Generations of Faith Festival, Driscoll Hall
Saturday, April 5
Fair trade Coffee is
Available for Purchase in the Gathering Space after
Mass
Sunday, April 6
Fair trade Coffee is
Available for Purchase in the Gathering Space after
Mass
8:00-11:00 AM Knights
of Columbus Parish Family Breakfast, Driscoll Hall
12:30-3:30 PM
Generations of Faith Festival, Driscoll Hall
5:00-8:00 PM
Generations of Faith Festival, Driscoll Hall
Are you interested in
learning more about the social teachings of the
Church and what it takes to respond? Join Catholics
from across the Archdiocese at an introductory
JustFaith Workshop on Saturday, April 5, from 8:45
am to 1:00 pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish
in Newton. For more information, contact Sr.
Mary Corripio at 617-746-5818 or visit the website
at
www.catholicsocjustice.org.
Fair trade coffee and
cocoa will be available for purchase
in the Gathering Space
after all Masses next weekend, April 5 and 6.
Please include the
following children in your prayers as they
will be receiving
Holy Communion for the first time this weekend.
On Saturday, March 29,
at the 4:00 pm Mass:
Julia Carzo
Matthew Davidsen
Carolyn Dixon
Delaney Fisher
Brina McCollim
Alexandra Martin
Jared Mason
Liam O’Cearuil
Katrina Papa
On Sunday, March 30, at
the 9:00 am Mass:
Joshua Anderson
Jack Callinan
Jessica Loyd
Collin McNaught
Nicole Rogalski
Krista Stracqualursi
Anna Vrountas
Kyle Vumbaco
Reminder: Next
weekend we will celebrate Generations of Faith
Festival 6, “Eucharist—The Presence of the Risen
Lord.” Event 6, “On the Way to Emmaus,”
Masses are also next weekend, the Third Sunday of
Easter, April 5 & 6. If you have not already
registered and would like to join us, or would like
more information, contact Amanda in the Parish
Office at 978-683-8922 or
amroberts@comcast.net.
Annulment Information
You may desire to learn
more about what the Catholic Church teaches about
annulments or you may be interested in beginning the
process. The next local meeting on the topic will be
at All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Ave., in
Haverhill on Thursday, June 19 at 7:00 pm. This
meeting is designed to offer basic information and
provide the opportunity to seek answers for any
questions you may have. No registration is required.
There are also other sessions available regionally
in April and May. For further information, please
contact Joanne Curry at 617-746-5820 or go to
www.familylifeboston.com.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
A reading from the
Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33
Then Peter stood up with
the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You
who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in
Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to
my words. You who are Israelites, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God
worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves
know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and
foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men
to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him
from the throes of death, because it was impossible
for him to be held by it. For David says of him: ‘I
saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right
hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart
has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh,
too, will dwell in hope, because you will not
abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you
suffer your holy one to see corruption. You have
made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me
with joy in your presence.’
“My brothers, one can
confidently say to you about the patriarch David
that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our
midst to this day. But since he was a prophet and
knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would
set one of his descendants upon his throne, he
foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor
did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right
hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy
Spirit from the Father and poured him forth, as you
see and hear.”
A reading from the
first Letter of Saint Peter 1:17-21
Beloved: If you invoke
as Father him who judges impartially according to
each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence
during the time of your sojourning, realizing that
you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed
on by your ancestors, not with perishable things
like silver or gold but with the precious blood of
Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.
He was known before the
foundation of the world but revealed in the final
time for you, who through him believe in God who
raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that
your faith and hope are in God.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35
That very day, the first
day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called
Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the
things that had occurred. And it happened that while
they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself
drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were
prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What
are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped,
looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said
to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to
Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have
taken place there in these days?” And he replied to
them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The
things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was
a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all
the people, how our chief priests and rulers both
handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified
him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to
redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the
third day since this took place. Some women from our
group, however, have astounded us: they were at the
tomb early in the morning and did not find his body;
they came back and reported that they had indeed
seen a vision of angels who announced that he was
alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh,
how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary
that the Christ should suffer these things and enter
into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all
the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred
to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the
village to which they were going, he gave the
impression that he was going on farther. But they
urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening
and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay
with them. And it happened that, while he was with
them at table, he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes
were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished
from their sight. Then they said to each other,
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he
spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to
us?” So they set out at once and returned to
Jerusalem where they found gathered together the
eleven and those with them who were saying, “The
Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to
Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place
on the way and how he was made known to them in the
breaking of bread.
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