FROM FATHER RICK
DEAR FRIENDS,
SISTER PARISH WEEKEND
This weekend we
celebrate our Sister Parish’s Feastday—the Birth of
Saint John the Baptist—at all the Masses.
At the 10:30 am Mass, we
will unveil and bless a statue of Saint John the
Baptist at the Baptismal Font. The statue is a gift
of John and Mary Sudol in memory of their fathers:
John Sudol and Anthony Gedaminsky. There will be
hospitality following the 10:30 featuring African
Cuisine. Plan to join us.
“YEAR OF SAINT PAUL”
To mark the 2000th
anniversary of the Birth of Saint Paul, Pope
Benedict XVI will open a Jubilee Year on Saturday,
June 28 (The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul), at
Vespers to be celebrated at the Basilica of Saint
Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. This Holy Year will
extend until June 29, 2009. At his visit to the
Basilica to proclaim this year, Pope Benedict said:
“The church is, by
its nature, missionary; its primary task is
evangelization. At the beginning of the third
millennium, the church feels with renewed strength
that Christ's missionary mandate is more pressing
than ever.”
This year is a time for
all of us as disciples of Jesus to examine our
missionary spirit, and to recommit ourselves to
finding ways in our everyday lives to proclaim the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A SIMPLE REMINDER
Next time you patronize
a bulletin advertiser, thank them and let them know
you are doing business with them because of their
support of your church. You might be amazed by the
smile you get in return.
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, 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 18, 7:30 pm, Driscoll Hall
Money Matters
On the weekend of June 14/15
Stewardship
Reflection
“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not
one of them falls to the ground without your
Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head
are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more
than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
God does not look at our
worth the way the world looks at our worth. God will
never ask us about our salary, our investment
portfolio, the kind of car we drove or how large our
house was. However, He will ask us what did we do
for other people.
Looking for a
change…? Presentation of Mary Academy, an all
female college prep high school in Methuen is now
accepting applications for transfer students. Please
contact Jane Danahy Foss, Director of Admissions, at
978-682-9391 x108, or visit them online at
www.pmamethuen.org for more details.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Merrimack Valley Habitat
for Humanity is now rebuilding the homes that were
destroyed in the Lawrence fire this past winter.
Last year, volunteers from St. Roberts were among
the many groups who helped complete those homes
before the devastating fire. The Outreach Committee
would like to return with a group from St. Roberts
to help these well deserving and underprivileged
families restore their homes and rebuild their hope.
To learn more about the Market Street project and
the Mbiye and Reyes families, visit the Habitat
website at www.merrimackvalleyhabitat.org/market.htm.
There are several dates
available in August. It is a full Saturday, 8:00 am
to 4:00 pm. There are also opportunities for lunch
providers throughout the summer. Please contact
maureenabbott@comcast.net if you are interested
in volunteering. Can’t make it in August but
still interested in a Habitat work day? Please
let us know so we can consider alternate dates as
needed.
ARISE: Together in
Christ
will help us
to grow spiritually.
To see more clearly how
the Holy Spirit has touched our lives and become
more willing to ask for the Spirit’s guidance. For
more information on ARISE, please
visit us online at
www.saintroberts.net/Arise.htm.
CATHOLIC–ORTHODOX
VIGIL
All are warmly invited
as Cardinal Seán presides at the festal Vespers of
the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Patron Saints of
Rome, and leads the Archdiocese in hosting a
delegation of Eastern Orthodox led by His Eminence
Methodios, Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church
of Boston, Sunday June 29, 7:00 pm, at St. John
Chrysostom Parish in West Roxbury, MA. For more
information feel free to call 617-435-0019. ALL ARE
WELCOME.
Saturday, June 21,
Vigil, 12th Ordinary Sunday
4:00 pm: Anthony and
Barbara Tassinari
Sunday, June 22, 12th
Ordinary Sunday
8:00 am: Mary McLean
10:30 am: Thomas Lynch
Thursday, June 26,
Weekday Mass
12:10 pm: People of the
Parish
Friday, June 27,
Weekday Mass
12:10 pm: Ernie Picard
Saturday, June 28,
Vigil,
Solemnity of Saints
Peter & Paul
4:00 pm: Francis & Anne
McInerny
Sunday, June 29,
Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul
8:00 am: Alice & Denis
McCarthy
10:30 am: Rev. Thomas
Zazella
Only Masses with
intentions are listed here. The full weekday Mass
schedule
is posted on the
church door and announced at the weekend Masses each
week.
Prayers requested for
Cynthia Roberts,
Grandmother of Amanda
Roberts
Palma F. Dullea,
Great aunt of Amanda
Roberts
Readings for the Week
of June 22, 2008
Sunday: Jer
20:10-13/Rom 5:12-15/Mt 10:26-33
Monday: 2 Kgs
17:5-8, 13-15a, 18/Mt 7:1-5
Tuesday:
Vigil: Jer 1:4-10/1 Pt 1:8-12/Lk 1:5-17
Day: Is 49:1-6/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80
Wednesday: 2 Kgs
22:8-13; 23:1-3/Mt 7:15-20
Thursday: 2 Kgs
24:8-17/Mt 7:21-29
Friday: 2
Kgs 25:1-12/Mt 8:1-4
Saturday: Lam
2:2, 10-14, 18-19/Mt 8:5-17
Next Sunday: Vigil:
Acts 3:1-10/Gal 1:11-20/Jn 21:15-19
Day: Acts 12:1-11/2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19
Question of the
Week–Twelfth Ordinary Sunday
Reading I:
Jeremiah 20:10-13 (Rescued by the Lord)
Reading II:
Romans 5:12-15 (The Gift of Jesus Christ)
Gospel:
Matthew 10:26-33 (Fear No One)
Question for Adults:
Share about ways you have learned to trust
God’s hand in your life, ways in which you have
replaced fear with trust.
Question for Youth:
Jesus tells us that he will remember us to
his Father if we proclaim him to others. How easy is
it for you to talk about your faith with your
friends? How about your family or people you don’t
know very well?
Question for Children:
What signs does God send you to assure you of
his love?
For Whom We Pray
John Sudol recently
received the following update on Fr. Bob Manning’s
condition, along with thanks for the prayers of the
St. Roberts community: “He may not be able to answer
all your emails, but is doing reasonably well. He is
beginning a fresh round of chemo for palliative
purposes. Chemo is very painful for Bob, since his
immune system is down. But he’s soldiering on. I am
sure he will be grateful for your concern and for
your prayers.”
Catholic TV 24/7
With the recent addition
of a 24-hour station on Comcast Cable, CatholicTV is
now available in our area on Comcast Cable Channel
268 (Digital Set Top Box required), Verizon
FiOS Channel 271, Sky Angel IPTV Channel 142, and
RCN Channel 85. Or go to
www.CatholicTV.com to watch online anytime and
learn more about their programming.
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
SAVE THE DATE FOR
GENERATIONS OF FAITH
REGISTRATION!
Thursday, August 28,
from 4:00-7:00 PM
Thursday, September
4, from 4:00-7:00 PM
Saturday, September
6, after the 4:00 PM Mass
Sunday, September 7,
after the 9:00 & 11:00 AM Masses
As always, registration
is on a first come, first served basis and Sunday
evenings fill up—so if you have a definite
preference, be one of the first! Look for a mailing
in August that will include more registration and
volunteer information, festival dates, and other
program news. Not sure what Generations of Faith
is? Check out the
Generations of Faith FAQs on the Faith Formation
page on our website or contact Amanda in the parish
office at
amroberts@comcast.net or 978-683-8922. Have a
great summer and we’ll see you in the fall!
Franco American Week
June 22 to June 27,
2008
This year Franco
American Week begins on June 22 with a 10:00 am
French Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Shrine. The
celebrant is Fr. Deveau, OMI, and the music will be
directed by Mr. Normand Ayotte. Reception following
to meet the Franco-American of the year. At 3:00 pm
musicians from Vermont, Va-et-Vient, will perform
Songs & Music of Québec, France & Louisiana. The
performance will be at Boarding House Park, at the
corner of French & John Streets in Lowell MA. Rain
location: Senior Center, 276 Broadway St., Lowell,
MA. Free Admission. For information on the other
events of the week visit
http://ecommunity.uml.edu/francolowellma/ or
call Cecile at 978-441-2336.
Looking for resources
for veterans?
For more information or
to sign up to regularly receive the “Veterans Blast
Email Update,” contact parishioner Michael Burke,
Director of Veterans’ Services for Andover, at
veterans@andoverma.gov or 978-623-8218. To find
out more about the Andover Veterans’ Office as well
as various benefits available to all eligible
veterans, visit their website at
http://andoverma.gov/veterans. And if you are
interested in attending the upcoming performance of
the United States Air Force Air National Guard Band
of the Northeast on Monday, June 30, 7:00 pm, at the
Collins Center at Andover High, there are free
passes available in the Parish Office.
Serve Meal at the
Shelter
Friday, June 27, 5:15
pm
Join the Oblate team at
the Eugene/Hildegard Mission Center at St. Joseph
the Worker Shrine in Lowell to minister to our
hungry brothers and sisters. Your faith will be
nourished by this experience. Call Carmela at the EH
Mission Center 978-458-6346, x215, if you are
available to serve.
The Academy of Notre
Dame, located in Tyngsboro,
is currently
accepting applications
for limited openings
in the following grades:
Elementary School
Grades: K1, 1, 2, and 4
Middle School
Grades: 6, 7 and 8
(High School Preparatory
Middle School)
High School
Grades: 9, 10 and 11
(All girls College
Preparatory High School)
For more information,
please contact:
Barbara
Aldrich-Clougherty, Director of Admissions, at
978-649-7611, x327,
or visit the Academy’s
website at
www.ndatyngsboro.org.
The Academy of Notre
Dame is a private, Catholic co-educational
elementary school
and an all-girls college
preparatory high school sponsored by the Sisters of
Notre Dame de Namur.
Recycled last week’s
bulletin?
Away over the
weekend?
Lost a number? Forgot
a date?
Looking for a way to
just click and go to the online resources in the
announcements?
Check out the
bulletin online!
www.saintroberts.net
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FOR NEXT WEEK–SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
A reading from the
Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11
In those days, King
Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to
harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed
by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing
to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It
was the feast of Unleavened Bread. He had him taken
into custody and put in prison under the guard of
four squads of four soldiers each. He intended to
bring him before the people after Passover. Peter
thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the
Church was fervently being made to God on his
behalf.
On the very night before
Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by
double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the
prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on
the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.”
The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to
him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so.
Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow
me.” So he followed him out, not realizing that what
was happening through the angel was real; he thought
he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard,
then the second, and came to the iron gate leading
out to the city, which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley, and
suddenly the angel left him.
A reading from the
second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
I, Paul, am already
being poured out like a libation, and the time of my
departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have
finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now
on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the
Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day,
and not only to me, but to all who have longed for
his appearance.
The Lord stood by me and
gave me strength, so that through me the
proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles
might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s
mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil
threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly
Kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
+ A reading from the
holy Gospel according to Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus went into the
region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They
replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He
said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon
Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and
blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly
Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of
the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will
give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever
you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.”
Copyright 1970, 1986,
1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine, Inc. Washington D.C. All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or
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