FROM FATHER RICK
Dear Friends,
Happy Easter!
Today we celebrate the
Fourth Sunday of Easter.
In this Season of
Initiation, we celebrate first Holy Communion on
Saturday at the 4:00 pm Mass. On Sunday morning at
the 11:00 am Mass, we will welcome Bishop Frank
Irwin for our celebration of Confirmation for our
10th Graders. All of these sacramental celebrations
are signs of the new life of this season and the
vibrancy of this parish community.
AUTHOR, AUTHOR!
As many of you already
know, Amanda has recently become a published author.
She has written a book on the Saints. We will hold a
book signing event after all the Masses on the
weekend of April 26/27. Please plan to join us.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at
the signing.
WEEKDAY MASS
As we continue our
“feasting’ in the Easter Season, weekday Mass will
be celebrated at 12:10 pm on Monday through Friday
this week.
Remember
that 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 & Lamb Roast. In the
coming week you will receive an informational
invitation. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
Remember it would be a great way to celebrate
Mother’s Day (casual and no fuss or clean-up)!!
PAPAL VISIT
On Tuesday of this week
Pope Benedict XVI will arrive on American soil. The
cardinal has asked that we print the following
letter in preparation of the visit.
April 2008
Dearly Beloved in
Christ,
Throughout the
history of salvation, God has raised up individuals
to lead His people. Christ assigned a special role
of leadership to St. Peter. After Christ's name, it
is Peter's name that appears with the greatest
frequency in the New Testament.
The testimony of
Early Christian writers and the witness of the
martyrs demonstrate that the Pope's role has always
been a crucial part of God's plan for the Church.
Jesus said the words to Peter: "Thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my Church." It was Jesus
who gave Simon the new name, Peter, meaning the
Rock. Jesus also bestows on Peter the power to
forgive sin and to loose and bind on heaven and on
earth.
To me one of the most
moving experiences of my life has been to visit the
tomb of St. Peter under the Basilica of St. Peter on
the Vatican Hill. St. Jerome says that Peter was
Bishop of Rome for twenty-five years until his
martyrdom by Nero. Peter was nailed to the cross
upside down because he insisted that he was not
worthy to die as Christ did. The New Testament does
not hide Peter's human weakness, but the Acts of the
Apostles describes Peter as he boldly proclaims
Christ's resurrection, announces the Gospel message
and leads the young Church in the face of so many
challenges. Guided by the Spirit, Peter chooses a
replacement for Judas and carries on the mission
that Christ entrusted to him. That mission has
continued in the Apostolic Succession handed on from
generation to generation by the laying on of hands
and the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ has not
left us orphans. The Holy Spirit still guides the
Church, and makes the ministry of Peter present in
every generation. The Pope's ministry is a gift from
Christ that promotes the unity and the Catholicity
of our Church with over one billion members in every
part of the world. In the New Testament, St. Luke
describes how the early Christians laid their sick
by the side of the road so that Peter's shadow might
touch them. Catholics throng to where the Pope is
for the same reason, to be near the Vicar of Christ.
It is the way we express our love for the Lord
Jesus, who has given to His Church this ministry of
Peter to guide us and to confirm us in the Faith.
I write this letter
to ask you to pray for the spiritual success of the
Holy Father's visit. At the same time, I urge all my
fellow Catholics to listen attentively to the
message that the Pope will address to us. The Holy
Father is not a celebrity or a rock star. He is a
Shepherd and represents Christ, the Good Shepherd,
who commanded Peter: "Feed my Sheep." Pope Benedict
is coming to feed us in our hunger for God and for
truth.
Let us receive our
Holy Father with loyalty and affection. May his
presence among us help us to grow in our love for
Christ and for one another. May his words renew us
in our commitment to be faithful disciples in
Christ's Church.
Assuring you of my
prayers and pastoral love, I remain
Devotedly yours in
Christ,
Archbishop of Boston
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 16, 7:30 pm, Driscoll Hall
Stewardship
Reflection
“But they will not follow a stranger; they will run
away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of
strangers.” John 10:5
Do you follow Jesus, the
good shepherd, or do you follow a stranger? Before
you answer, think about the “strangers” that Jesus
warned us of: Greed? Fame? Riches? Power?
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. In this Easter season, a
time of new life, you may also consider dropping off
a baby item for their Infants in Need program, which
provides formula, diapers, clothing, and basic baby
needs to families in Greater Lawrence. Thank you!
Mass Schedule and
Intentions
Saturday, April 12,
Vigil, 4th Sunday of Easter
4:00 pm: John B. “Jack”
Fasanello; **First Communion
Sunday, April 13, 4th
Sunday of Easter
9:00 am: Willie Byers
11:00 am: **Celebration
of Confirmation
Monday, April 14,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm
Tuesday, April 15,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm: Jeanne Bedell
Wednesday, April 16,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm
Thursday, April 17,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm
Friday, April 18,
Easter Weekday
12:10 pm: Deceased
Members of the Marcoux Family
Saturday, April 19,
Vigil, 5th Sunday of Easter
4:00 pm: Dorothy & Janet
Coates; **Baptism of Jackson James Zunino
Sunday, April 20, 5th
Sunday of Easter
9:00 am: Rosemary Bernal
11:00 am: Helen W.
Reardon; **First Communion
Readings for the Week of April 13, 2008
Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41/1 Pt 2:20b-25/Jn
10:1-10
Monday: Acts 11:1-18/Jn 10:11-18
Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26/Jn 10:22-30
Wednesday: Acts 12:24-13:5a/Jn 12:44-50
Thursday: Acts 13:13-25/Jn 13:16-20
Friday: Acts 13:26-33/Jn 14:1-6
Saturday: Acts 13:44-52/Jn 14:7-14
Next
Sunday: Acts 6:1-7/1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12
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–Fourth Sunday of Easter
Question for Adults:
In what specific ways is Christ an example
which you follow when dealing with others,
especially with the ones against whom you hold a
grudge or those who dislike you?
Question for Youth:
Sheep know their shepherd and follow his voice. How
hard is it for you to recognize the voice of God in
your own life? Who has helped you hear God’s voice?
Question for Children:
How is Jesus your example when others don’t
like you?
Please include the
following children in your prayers as they will be
receiving
Holy Communion for the
first time this Saturday, April 12, at the 4:00 pm
Mass
Madelyn Carman
Jordan Fleming
Michael Kelly
William Mailloux
Colleen McConnell
Matthew Nicholas
Colby Pierce
Felicia Ragucci
Natalee Rozon
Katherine Wolfendale
This Week in Our
Parish
Monday, April 14
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
Tuesday, April 15
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
Wednesday, April 16
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
7:30 PM Knights of
Columbus, Driscoll Hall
Thursday, April 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, April 18
12:10 PM Weekday Mass,
Church
The Andover Country
Day School, Inc. Scholarship Award &
The Helen P. Keegan
and Pamela S. Galvin Memorial Scholarship Awards
The Andover Country Day
School, Inc. (Formerly St. Robert’s Country Day
School) is to award scholarship(s) to high school
seniors who graduated from the pre-school program,
and are accepted at a college or university to
continue their education next September. Application
request deadline is April 24, 2008. Applications are
available by contacting the pre-school at
978-686-2777 or by email at
ACDS@verizon.net.
Bread and Roses
Many thanks to all who
have generously contributed to this outreach effort
during the past few months.
On Sunday, April 20th,
we will prepare the meal for the Bread and Roses
hospitality house in Lawrence to be served on
Monday, April 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 at 978-749-3736 for
further information.
PARISH SCHOLARSHIPS
Betty Pendergast
Memorial Scholarship
At the time of her death
in 2001, Betty Pendergast set up a scholarship
through Saint Robert’s Religious Education Program.
Any parishioner who is a high school senior, has
participated in St. Robert’s Religious Education
program, and has been active in the parish is
eligible for this scholarship.
The Reverend William
Fitzgerald Scholarship
Named for the second
Pastor of St. Robert’s, this scholarship is awarded
to a senior who is most active in serving the
Andover or Tewksbury community and thus shows the
outreach from the parish of the Christian love and
service they have learned here.
The Coleen Griggs
Scholarship
This scholarship is
awarded to a senior who is most active within our
parish community as a lector, altar server, scout,
CCD teacher, etc., and who clearly demonstrates an
understanding of Christian love and service.
The Pendergast
scholarship has its own application. The Fitzgerald
and Griggs scholarships are on the same application.
Both forms are available in the vestibule of the
church, at the Parish Office, and online (click on
“Scholarships” on the homepage at
www.saintroberts.net).
Applications are due
by Monday, April 28, 2008.
The parish scholarships will be presented at
the Baccalaureate Mass to be held on Sunday,
May 18, 2008, at
11:00 am.
Don’t forget “Romance
Without Regret,” is THIS SUNDAY, April 13, 2008,
7:15-8:45 pm! A remarkable and entertaining
presentation with Jason Evert on the most important
topic of Chastity, for grades 7-12 and their
parents, at Saint Michael’s Church, North Andover.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
A reading from the
Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
As the number of
disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists
complained against the Hebrews because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution. So
the Twelve called together the community of the
disciples and said, “It is not right for us to
neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers,
select from among you seven reputable men, filled
with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to
this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to
prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The
proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so
they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the
Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to
Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God
continued to spread, and the number of the disciples
in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group
of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
A reading from the
first Letter of Saint Peter 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a
living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen
and precious in the sight of God, and, like living
stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual
house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a
stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to
shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have
faith, but for those without faith: The stone that
the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,
and a stone that will make people stumble, and a
rock that will make them fall. They stumble by
disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are “a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his
own, so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful
light.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his
disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You
have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my
Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If
there were not, would I have told you that I am
going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back again and
take you to myself, so that where I am you also may
be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said
to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am
the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me. If you know me, then
you will also know my Father. From now on you do
know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough
for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you
for so long a time and you still do not know me,
Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How
can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not
believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in
me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on
my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his
works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the
Father is in me, or else, believe because of the
works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever
believes in me will do the works that I do, and will
do greater ones than these, because I am going to
the Father.”
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1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian
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