Parish News
Stoneham Community Dinner - March
GRAB & GO DINNERS
St. Patrick Parish will be sponsoring the dinner
on Tuesday, March 21st
starting at 5:45 pm
* free of charge ~ donations always accepted *
Located at First Congregational Church
1 Church Street, Stoneham, MA
Please pick up meals at the kitchen door on Common St.
To order your dinners, email or message us on Facebook
how many meals are needed
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/Stoneham-Community-Dinner-Program-101128424678378
(Posted Mar 14, 2023)
Gospel Meditation
March 19, 2023 ~ 4th Sunday of Lent
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God asks a rhetorical and slightly sarcastic question to Samuel, the prophet: “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel?” Like us, Samuel is depressed that the old king failed. It’s painful to admit that the old regime is done. But God won’t let us wallow our pity-party forever. “I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,” announces the Lord, “for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” Samuel finally goes and anoints the young David as the new king. And his kingdom is glorious; it’s the golden age of Israel’s earthly history. How discouraging to see that my own selfish ego is no longer in charge! How long will I grieve that money, power, pleasure, and reputation have been rejected as the ruler of my life? How wonderful that God has a new future in store for you and me. He is sending us to Bethlehem to anoint the new David as our king. His kingdom won’t fail us. He’ll slay our goliaths, unite our dispersed energies, and build a Temple where God himself will dwell. So how long will you grieve? How long? — Father John Muir |
(Posted Mar 13, 2023)
The Fast Life
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Fast from judging others; - Author Unknown |
(Posted Mar 13, 2023)
Daily Faith
Question:
What can I do to help our family practice our faith each day?
Answer:
Some families practice their religion together as just another event on their schedule: go to church, observe Lent, help at the parish picnic, go to a meeting, volunteer time, make your confession, use your envelope... But the focus needs to be on who we are—God’s people, in relationship with him, loved, forgiven, and redeemed, and called to live and proclaim the Gospel. Our awareness of God’s presence and our sense of mission are supported by the daily rituals, celebrations, and traditions that help us stay focused. Sharing our faith strengthens us and clarifies the beliefs and values of Christian living.
Daily family practices include time for prayer—before meals, before bed, before important meetings and activities. Attend Sunday Mass together and discuss the homily afterward. Create family celebrations for holy days and holidays. Make religion a regular part of your discussions. Include others, especially the elderly and the less fortunate, in your activities and charitable efforts. By applying the virtues of faith, hope, and love to each day, faith becomes part of who your family is. It influences how you act towards others, what you value, and how mindful of God you are. Faith is the leaven of life that helps all of us rise to our calling and dignity as God’s people.
©LPi
(Posted Mar 13, 2023)
Grow+Go ~ Fourth Sunday of Lent
| March 19, 2023 | Fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a | Eph 5:8-14 | Jn 9:1-41 |
| Written by THE FAITHFUL DISCIPLE |
GROW - AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
Five days, five minutes of sunshine: That’s how the city where I live greeted 2023. As the month wore on, the gloom seemed unrelenting with only momentary breaks in the clouds. When the sun did return, people posted photos on social media with a combination of joy and relief. That experience hints at the effect Jesus had on St. Paul and the early Christians. As he writes, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Today, just as then, Jesus brings light and healing to the darkness within us and within our world. Unlike the elusive sun, we can see the light of Jesus every day – in the people we love, the kindness of strangers, moments of prayer, unexpected joys. In turn, St. Paul encourages us to “live as children of light” by being the face of Jesus to others.
GO - EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
Even in the midst of Lent as a penitential season, the Sunday readings offer us much hope. Consider today’s familiar story of Jesus healing the blind man. He doesn’t just tell the man to open his eyes. Instead, Jesus smears clay on the man’s eyes and has him wash in the Pool of Siloam; only then does the blind man see. He was transformed through Christ. Through our baptism we, too, have been transformed and “enlightened,” becoming sons and daughters of light (CCC 1216). As we continue to observe Lent, perhaps we’re working on areas in our life where we have been spiritually blind – or at least not seeing 20/20. Through our baptism and the sacraments, we can be healed and transformed by Jesus, the “light of the world.” In turn we can share that light with others, as we continue to grow in the virtues of “goodness and righteousness and truth” of which St. Paul speaks.
PRAY
Psalm 23 is a favorite of many and for good reason. Read or listen to it this week as encouragement on your Lenten journey: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
(Posted Mar 15, 2023)
Grace in Tension
| St. Patrick Parish Lenten Mission |
Craving More Peace and Less Stress This Lent?
Join us on Wednesday, March 29th at either 1:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. in the upper church for a Lenten Afternoon or Evening of Reflection on Claire McGarry’s book Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Mary. Outlining the G-I-F-T acronym, Claire will walk us through the steps for how we transform our tension into grace at the feet of Jesus, the place where all wonderful transformations take place.
This is a free event. Claire will be available to sign and sell copies of her book immediately following the presentation.
If you can’t make it but would still like to purchase a book, you may email Claire for a signed copy at [email protected] or search Amazon for a copy.
(Reposted Mar 13, 2023)
Enrich Your Faith This Lent
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“If you always do what you’ve done you’ll always get what you always got and this Lent can be different…this Lent can be a time where God gives you the more that he wants to give you.” Mondays: Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 3, 7:00 - 8:00 P.M. |
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Join us to pray the Stations of the Cross |
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Priests will be available to hear Confessions on the following Monday evenings during Lent: |
Experience the power of God’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
(Reposted Mar 13, 2023)
Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles
| Where: | St. Eulalia Church, 50 Ridge St, Winchester, MA 01890 |
| When: | Sat., March 25th, Noon - 9:00 pm Sun., March 26th, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Mon., March 27th - Thu., March 30th, 9:30 am - 7:00 pm |
Also, there will be a talk on Blessed Carlo Acutis and veneration of his 1st Class Relic, Saturday, March 25th at 6 pm.
For more information, contact Claire McKenna at [email protected] or (339) 223-0593.
(Reposted Mar 13, 2023)
Bequests
Like a family, Saint Patrick Parish has been there for us through the years, offering us the sacraments to strengthen us as we make our way on our earthly pilgrimage. We’ve made lifelong friends and enjoyed fellowship with friends, old and new. Sunday Homilies, given in an engaging manner, have helped encourage us and to bring better order in our lives. We’ve enjoyed the hymns provided by our wonderful music department. Through our social outreach, we’ve better understood the needs of the less fortunate and how we can help them, particularly when we work together as a parish community. For those of us blessed with children, Saint Patrick Parish has formed and enriched them through our Religious Education Program and through Saint Patrick Catholic School, both educationally and spiritually.
There are always ways that you can continue to support Saint Patrick Parish, first through your prayers and also through your gifts of time, talent and treasure. For example, the gift of time; to name just a few, so many parishioners volunteer to teach in our Religious Education Program, become Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers, make communion calls, help with cleaning the Church and act as Sacristans. The gift of talent; many in our Parish bring their own expertise to the Parish Council and Parish Finance Council, share their particular trades of Carpentry, Architecture, Computer Programming etc. The gift of treasures; some parishioners have remembered us in their wills which has allowed us to continue as a strong Parish meeting the needs of its parishioners. We ask if you could please consider:
Donation: You can make a one-time, tax deductible donation or make a recurring donation by joining our Parish and becoming a registered member of this dynamic church.
Planned Giving: As the diocese and the churches involved continue towards collaboration, we are a stand-alone Parish, please know that your planned gift to Saint Patrick Parish can ensure the legacy of our Parish.
Wills and Bequests: Once you’ve taken care of your family, please consider a bequest to Saint Patrick Parish. If you decide to name Saint Patrick parish in your will, please notify me or the business manager so we may thank you.
Insurance and Stock Gifts: There are several ways to turn insurance policies into charitable instruments. Stocks, bonds and other securities are also alternative ways to give that can benefit both you and Saint Patrick Parish.
Please let us know if you need any further information regarding the above by contacting the Rectory office at 781-438-0960.
Thank you for considering St. Patrick Parish!