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71 Central St. Stoneham, MA 02180

Pastor's Notes

Pastor's Notes

03/20/24 - Entering into Holy Week

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ:

I have vivid memories of me as a young boy standing on the kneeler of our pew watching my two older brothers serve Mass on Holy Thursday. On one level, I did not know what was happening because I was so young. On another level, ... Read More »

03/13/24 - The Crosses We Bear

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

Everyday people walk into St. Patrick Church carrying with them the heavy burdens of life. Some are undergoing medical testing or preparing for surgeries. Others are worried about their children, their grandchildren, or some other relative. There are people who are anxious about employment or ... Read More »

03/08/24 - A Peek Behind the Curtain

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

This morning (it’s Tuesday as I write this), I am thinking about the past twenty-four hours at St. Patrick Parish. For most parishioners, what they see of the parish is what happens in that one hour on Sundays when they are at Mass. I’d like ... Read More »

02/20/24 - Traveling the road of Lent together

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

On February 15th the Roman Martyrology (the book that contains the names of the saints who are commemorated on each day of the Church’s year) commemorates twenty-one men who were martyred on February 15th, 2015. All of them were migrants who were working in Libya. ... Read More »

02/14/24 - Life gets away from us sometimes

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

I remember some years ago a priest said to me, “When you arrive somewhere new, write down the repairs that you notice are needed, because after a year, you’ll not notice those things anymore.” When you first arrive somewhere new, you think to yourself, “We’ve ... Read More »

02/07/24 - Lent is Coming!

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

Lent is coming! This Wednesday the Church begins her yearly pilgrimage to the Sacred Triduum, the commemoration of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord. Like the Israelites who were led by the Lord from the slavery of Egypt to the freedom of the ... Read More »

01/31/24 - Belonging to a Parish

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently I received a letter from a married couple who belong to our parish. They are both in their eighties and experiencing some of the physical limitations that come with age. In their letter to me, they spoke about how much Fr. Mario meant to ... Read More »

01/24/24 - The Catholic Church LOVES Marriage

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last weekend I offered a Nuptial Mass for a wonderful young couple named Austin and Sarah. I met them when they were students at the Boston University Catholic Center when I was the chaplain. It was such a beautiful wedding. I was especially moved by ... Read More »

01/17/24 - Sacrament of the Sick Helpful Hints

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last week I wrote to you about who should receive the Sacrament of the Sick and what exactly is the Sacrament of the Sick. This week, I want to offer a few practical “helpful hints.”

1. Do not wait until a loved one is close ... Read More »

01/10/24 - Sacrament of the Sick

Posted by Fr. David Barnes

Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently, a priest friend of mine was attending a basketball tournament and one of the players–just twenty years old–collapsed and died on the court. Thankfully, thanks to the quick action of some of the coaches and bystanders, the young man was resuscitated and survived. While ... Read More »