6-1-08

FROM FATHER RICK

DEAR FRIENDS,

UPCOMING EVENTS

On Saturday, June 7, we will celebrate the 4:00 pm Mass for the intentions of all the nurses and doctors who ministered to Father Frank, with a reception for those who are able to join us in the Gathering Space after Mass.

On Sunday, June 15, we will conclude a month of mourning for Father Frank with a Month’s Mind Mass at the 10:30 am Mass.

On June 21/22 we will celebrate our Sister Parish’s Feastday. Although the actual feast of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist is June 24, we will remember our brothers and sisters in Dar Es Salaam the weekend before the feast. At the 10:30 am Mass on June 22 this year we are happy to unveil and bless a statue of Saint John the Baptist, which will be placed at the Baptismal Font. This statue was commissioned by our parish to be created by an African artist. The statue, which is a reminder of our relationship with our sister parish, is a gift of John and Mary Sudol in memory of their fathers, John Sudol and Anthony Gedaminsky.

I wish you 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, June 4, 7:30 pm, Driscoll Hall

Stewardship Reflection

“And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them

will be like a fool who built his house on sand.” Matthew 7:26

We all invest so much time, energy and resources into building our material home. Yet, it is not our permanent home. Our true home will be with God someday. Do we spend time, talent and treasure to build a strong foundation for our heavenly home? Or do we only put our efforts into an earthly home, which will be blown away like sand?

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, June 4, 10:00-11:00 am,

Saint Michael Parish, N. Andover

A monthly support group 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 learning about community resources. Please call Jean at St. Michael’s for more information and registration at 978 686-4050.

Special Collection Next Weekend

Through the eyes of faith, the starving child, the believer in jail,

and the woman without clean water or health care are not issues,

but Jesus in Disguise.

On the weekend of June 7/8 our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection. Nearly half the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. For Catholics, these are not just statistics but brothers and sisters who need our help. The CRS Collection supports church agencies that provide emergency relief in times of crisis, support long-term development programs, offer assistance to immigrants and refugees, and advocate for a more just and peaceful world. Please give generously. Your gifts bring hope to suffering humanity. For more information about the CRS Collection 2008, visit www.usccb.org/crscollection.

Father, you hear the cries of the afflicted of many lands and draw near to them. You richly bless us with the means to reach out in mercy to our brothers and sisters worldwide in their time of great need. Help us to recognize Jesus in the victim of disaster, famine, or conflict struggling to survive; the displaced migrant or persecuted refugee unable to return home; the newcomer to our land seeking legal help and material support; the villager in need of resources to improve living conditions; the citizen seeking a place of peace and reconciliation in war-torn countries; the person suffering from HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases.

May we always be willing to respond with generosity and compassion to suffering within our human family. Grant us the courage to speak out against injustice at all times and in every place. Help us to become children of light as we seek to heal all division and foster peace with our neighbors, both here and abroad. Open our hearts and minds to recognize the poverty that infects our global community, and give us the grace and wisdom to bring an end to its causes.

We ask all these things through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who hears the cry of the poor and oppressed, AMEN.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, May 31, Vigil, 9th Ordinary Sunday

4:00 pm: Robert Sullivan

Sunday, June 1, 9th Ordinary Sunday

9:00 am: Patricia Grace

11:00 am: Heather Geldart

Thursday, June 5, Boniface, bishop, martyr

12:10 pm: Anthony Gedaminsky

Saturday, June 7, Vigil, 10th Ordinary Sunday

4:00 pm: Mass of Thanksgiving for the

Nurses & Doctors who ministered to Fr. Frank

Sunday, June 8, 10th Ordinary Sunday

9:00 am: Sandra Murphy

11:00 am: Shirley Potts

Prayers requested for Albina Matushak,

mother of parishioner Marian Magnan

Readings for the Week of June 1, 2008

Sunday: Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32/Rom 3:21-25, 28/Mt 7:21-27

Monday: 2 Pt 1:2-7/Mk 12:1-12

Tuesday: 2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18/Mk 12:13-17

Wednesday: 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12/Mk 12:18-27

Thursday: 2 Tm 2:8-15/Mk 12:28-34

Friday: 2 Tm 3:10-17/Mk 12:35-37

Saturday: 2 Tm 4:1-8/Mk 12:38-44

Next Sunday: Hos 6:3-6/Rom 4:18-25/Mt 9:9-13

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

SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE BEGINS SOON!!

Starting June 14/15, weekend Masses will be:

Saturday at 4:00 pm

Sunday at 8:00 & 10:30 am

Question of the Week–Ninth Ordinary Sunday

Reading I: Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32 (A Blessing and a Curse)

Reading II: Rom 3:21-25, 28 (Justified by Faith)

Gospel: Mt 7:21-27 (The House Built on Rock)

Question for Adults: In what areas of my life are my actions most in need of conversion if I am to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Question for Children: What is one good deed that I can do this week to make me a better follower of Jesus?

Please remember in your prayers those newly baptized into our community:

Tessa Marie Borgatti

Tyler John Bourgea

Nicholas Joseph Ilsley

Ella Rose Imparato

Sydney Mary Spengler

Jackson James Zunino

Annulment Information

“I could not believe my marriage that was meant to last a lifetime was over. I tried so hard for so many years. Why hadn’t my prayers been answered? What would become of my family? I felt I was no longer a “good Catholic.” It was in the annulment process that my Church helped me reflect on my marriage and provided me the opportunity to experience healing.”

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. For further information or if you have questions, please contact Joanne Curry at 617-746-5820 or go to www.familylifeboston.com.

This Week in Our Parish

Wednesday, June 4

7:30 PM Knights of Columbus, Driscoll Hall

Thursday, June 5

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

Saturday, June 7

4:00 PM Mass of Thanksgiving for Nurses & Doctors who Ministered

to Fr. Frank, followed by reception in the Gathering Space

Neighbors In Need is Looking for Gardeners!

This summer a donor farm has offered to plant a quarter acre of cucumbers and squash for Neighbors in Need and they need help with the harvest. They are looking for a Lead Gardener to train & supervise volunteers who pick, as well as for volunteers to help with the harvest. In addition, they welcome gardeners to donate from their own home gardens.

The number of poor people in Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill who skip meals because they cannot afford to buy food has more than doubled in the last three years. For families who turn to Neighbors In Need for food, it is essential to do everything that can be done to provide good, nutritious whole food. Fresh food is their biggest challenge!

If you are interested, please contact Linda Zimmerman at NIN at NeighborsInNeed@verizon.net or 978 685-8321.

Summer Good News Fiesta

The Summer Good News Fiesta for children ages 6 to 11 will be held June 23 to June 27 at St. Patrick Church Hall on Suffolk Street in Lowell. The day begins at 8:30 am with free breakfast and ends at 12:30 pm after free lunch. Campers participate in arts and crafts, singing, acting, planting, games, and teachings. Registration is $5 for the week and $1 for each additional family member. Theme is “Power Lab: Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power.” Sponsored by the Oblate Associate Community and St. Patrick’s Parish. For more information or to register, call 978-458-6346, ext. 215.

ARISE: Together in Christ is a parish-centered process of spiritual renewal that supports participants in forming a closer relationship with Christ. A key component of the ARISE process is participation in small faith sharing groups of 8 to 10 people who meet once a week over a six week period. Through the Mass, we experience the Liturgy of the Word as a congregation. The ARISE program provides us with an additional opportunity to experience the Word through scripture reflection, prayer, and faith sharing. ARISE will commence in the Fall of 2008 with signup in September. Please look for an insert in the bulletin on the weekend of June 7/8, which describes the ARISE program in more detail and provides an opportunity for you to express your level of interest.

Thank you,

The ARISE Parish Team

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.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

Do you wish you could talk about something besides all the stresses in your life? A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in New England is June 20-22. For more information, call Ray & Beth Ginepro at 1-800-710-WWME or visit the website at www.wwmema.org.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK–TENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Hosea 6:3-6

In their affliction, people will say: “Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 4:18-25

Brothers and sisters: Abraham believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations, ” according to what was said, “Thus shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as already dead - for he was almost a hundred years old - and the dead womb of Sarah. He did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, he was strengthened by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness. But it was not for him alone that it was written that it was credited to him; it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

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