PARISH NEWS
A Concert for Peace
Please Join Us For
“A CONCERT FOR PEACE”
With Guest Organist, GAIL ARCHER
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024 at 3:00 pm
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
17 CHESTNUT ST., PEABODY, MA
This concert is dedicated to the people of Ukraine whose lives have been upended by war.
From her extensive study and travels in eastern Europe, Dr. Archer will present a program of Ukrainian and Russian composers on our historic Hook & Hastings Organ (Opus 937) 1879.
A Reception will follow. Free will offering gratefully accepted. St. John’s Church is fully assessable.
This concert is sponsored in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council through the Peabody Cultural Council.
(Posted Apr 17, 2024)
Grow+Go ~ Fourth Sunday of Easter
| April 21, 2024 | Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 4:8-12 | 1 Jn 3:1-2 | Jn 10:11-18 |
| Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE |
GROW - AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Several years ago I went to a shopping mall with my six-year-old son, and I could tell he was overwhelmed by the fast-moving crowds; he stuck close to my side. Not long into our trip, he turned a corner and, suddenly, his face lit up. He pointed at a young boy ahead. “That’s James! I know him! He’s in my class!” he exclaimed, and ran up to talk to him. Out of the sea of strangers was someone he knew, and who knew him. That changed the whole experience for him. Today’s readings are all about that kind of knowing. In the Gospel Jesus tells us that, like a good shepherd, he knows his flock and they know him. How comforting it is to know that Jesus not only knows each one of us, but he willingly chose to lay down his life for each one of us as the ultimate sacrifice of love. But how do we get to know our Good Shepherd better? By immersing ourselves in Scripture and prayer and seeking a personal relationship with him. If we stay close to the Lord, we’ll know his voice when we hear it – in the quiet of our prayer, in the everyday promptings of the Spirit in our decision-making, and even, in the midst of all the noise, as the calming and guiding voice leading us along the right path.
GO - EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
Being known is one of the most fundamental human and spiritual needs. When my son recognized his friend, he also instinctively recognized – without being able to articulate it – this need, in the midst of the anonymity of the mall. And his reaction was so pure: “I know him, and he knows me!” But he didn’t leave it at that; he went to engage with his friend. He encountered his friend. This is what Christ desires for, and with us – not just to know us, to simply recognize us from afar, but for us to want to encounter him! We are meant to be in community; Jesus is always here for us: in the Church, in the sacraments, in Scriptures and in our hearts.
PRAY
Spending time in prayer and reading the Scriptures are essential in order to get to know the voice of Jesus. Read the Gospels this week, even a chapter a day, and contemplate what passages stand out for you. Pray about it at Mass. The Scriptures and the sacraments are how Jesus speaks to us, like a good shepherd speaks to his flock so the sheep will know his voice and follow it.
(Posted Apr 17, 2024)
Welcome Father Patrick
Please welcome Fr. Patrick Fiorillo, who was just assigned to St. Patrick Parish. Fr. Patrick comes to us from St. Paul’s in Cambridge where he served as a Chaplain at Harvard Catholic Center. Prior to Harvard, he was assigned to St. Ann and St. Brendan in Dorchester. Fr. Patrick comes from Franklin, MA and was ordained a Priest in 2016.
(Reposted Apr 17, 2024)
6-Week In-person Grief Support Group
Wednesday Evenings
May 1, 8, 22, 29 & June 5, 12
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Grief can be a challenging and painful experience and often the one who is grieving feels isolated – that no one understands what they are going through. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, consider joining our 6-week grief support group where you may find healing through the experience of being with others who are also experiencing loss.
We will explore the grieving process and consider the spiritual elements of grief and healing grounded in Christian hope. To register, please contact Diane McCarthy, Pastoral Associate, 781‑438‑0200 or dianemccarthy@stpatrickstoneham.org. There is no charge to participate in this group.
(Reposted Apr 17, 2024)
A Healing Mass for Those Impacted by Divorce and Separation
April 30 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Pastoral Center, 66 Brooks Dr., Braintree
In the Gospel of John, Jesus encourages us, “Let anyone who thirsts, come to me.” Jesus, the Living Water, restores and heals our wounds when we bring them before Him in surrender. The Family Life team invites all impacted by divorce or separation to a healing mass on Tuesday, April 30th at the Pastoral Center, Braintree.
Mass will be celebrated by Father Jürgen Liias*, OCP, of the Lazarus Center for Healing Shrine. The evening includes Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, music, a witness talk by Mark Gioia, a divorced Catholic; and healing prayers following the Mass (Mass expected to end by 8:15 PM). Information on resources and support will be provided. For more information, please call Emily Elliott at (617) 746-5756. Registration is requested to anticipate sacramental needs.
* Fr. Liias was an Ordained Episcopal Priest for 40 years serving various parishes in the Boston area. In 2013, he was ordained a Catholic Priest by Cardinal O’Malley, through a special provision of Pope Benedict for the ordination of married Episcopal/Anglican clergy. He serves as Senior Priest at St. Patrick’s Church in Stoneham. He has been married to his wife Gloria for 53 years; they have two grown children and four grandchildren.
(Reposted Apr 17, 2024)
the Saint Patrick Tree of Life
A lasting dedication………permanently displayed in the entry to the church, our new Tree of Life is a beautiful sculpture cast in bronze and bearing “celebration” leaves. Its purpose is twofold: to honor, recognize, and memorialize those we hold dear, while simultaneously supporting our parish.
The fixture is made up of small bronze plaques representing leaves on the branches and larger bronze plaques representing stones and acorns at the base of the tree.
The Tree of Life serves as a wonderful way to celebrate those you love. Consider gifting a leaf in honor of a baptism or anniversary, commemorate a special life event, memorialize a loved one who has passed, or simply list your family name, showing your support of our parish and community. Your generous gifts will enable St. Patrick Church to maintain and upgrade our facilities, establish new programs, and sponsor events, all in order to better serve you, our congregation and our community.
The Tree of Life will flourish as the generosity of the community brings new branches and additional leaves.
If you choose to honor a loved one, and would like to reserve your leaf, simply contact the Parish office for more information and an order form.
Please know that we are immensely grateful for your donations.
Thank you for shining your light, enabling us to continue to shine for others.