St. Barbara’s Parish Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, November 4, 2007

MASS INTENTIONS

WE REMEMBER AT MASS IN A SPECIAL WAY THIS WEEKEND:

all our deceased loved ones, those whose names are inscribed in our Book of Remembrance, Members of St. Barbara’s Benefactor Society, and the following deceased: Henry & Cecile LeBlanc; Rev. Roger LeBlanc; Joe & Eileen Jarvis; Gerry McCabe; John Cornell; William Mullen; Joseph Ouellette; Anna & Anthony Giordano; Bernice Kelley; Katheryn Borys.

BULLETIN BITS

We are called to be good stewards of our personal vocations. St. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is therefore ours too – “that our God make us worthy of his calling and powerfully bring fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith.”

LET’S KEEP LEARNING TOGETHER

St. Barbara’s Adult Education Program with Fr. Ned Carroll, continues on Monday at 10 AM in the lower church. Please bring your Bible with you, The theme is “The Eyewitness Truth of the Gospels.”

CONGRATULATIONS

to our Italian Night Committee for a superb night of eating and dancing. We also thank all our parishioners and friends who attended and who purchased raffle tickets. These Special Events help us to defray the cost of parish activities, replacing the Fall Festival and a Grand Annual collection. In November the Special Events Committee plans a Turkey Trot Dance the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23rd.

LITURGICAL NOTES

BAPTISMS

Baptism of infants will take place this Sunday, November 4th, at the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

JUST A REMINDER

Our annual MASS OF REMEMBRANCE for families of deceased parishioners buried from St. Barbara’s, will be held this year on Saturday, November 17th at 9:00 a.m. (Please note the change in time). Letters will be in the mail this week and if, by any chance, you do not receive one, please contact the rectory office 781-933-4130.
CAN YOU HELP US OUT BY BAKING FOR OUR GET-TOGETHER AFTER THE MASS. IF SO, PLEASE CALL THE RECTORY OFFICE AND LET US KNOW. IT WOULD BE SO HELPFUL. THANK YOU.

LOOKING AHEAD

Father Sullivan will be doing Mass in the Roman Rite, Old Latin Mass of John XXIII on the following dates:

• Sunday, Nov. 25th at 4:00 PM
• Saturday, Dec. 22nd at 9:00 AM
• Christmas Eve – Midnight Mass at 12:00 AM(Dec. 25)

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!

We are going to Foxwoods again before the Christmas holidays. For everyone interested in joining us, the date is Thursday, December 6th and the price is still just $23 which of course gives you $15 Keno play and $10 restaurant allowance or free buffet. Bus will leave the parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 8:30 p.m. Look forward to seeing you. Sign up early by calling the rectory 781-933-4130 or Joe DiSalvo at 781-933-5994. Call early; seating will go fast!

HEALING MASS

celebrated by Fr. Tom Reilly, will be held at St. Michael’s Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford on Wednesday, Nov. 7th at 7:30 PM. Everyone is welcome.

SCRIPTURAL ROSARY

Join us as we begin the 15th year of praying the Scriptural Rosary at St. Barbara’s, Sat., Nov. 10th from Noon to 1:15 in the upper church. Consecrate yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This cenacle is officially registered with the Marian Movement of Priests. Listen to one of the messages given to Fr. Gobbi by the Blessed Mother. Pray especially for world peace and the conversion of souls. Bring your own petitions.

TEACHER NEEDED!!

PREP is in need of 1 teacher for a sixth grade class. If you would be willing to share your faith with these wonderful children, please call Barbara Jeannotte at the PREP office. Classes meet every other Wednesday from 3:15 – 4:45 pm. Thank you.

ORGAN RECITAL

by our own John Donovan will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 18th, at 2:00 P.M. All are welcome.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

In the minds of his contemporaries Zacchaeus was the last person Jesus would have wanted to meet. After all, he was a chief tax collector, one who worked for the oppressive pagan government, which bled the people of their hard-earned shekels. Yet Jesus loved him. He had guts. He, being short of stature, and perhaps the butt of many jokes growing up, will not lose his opportunity to at least see this prophet. So, he climbs a sycamore tree. Jesus, amused, sees an act of faith in this gesture. So, he invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house who welcomes Him with delight. Tongues are wagging. Zacchaeus is not such a bad person at all. He is converted to Christ. Jesus looked into his heart and saw his goodness while everyone else had no use for him, were jealous because he was rich, and made sport of his appearance. Once we invite Jesus into our heart we have to change. Let us not put people into categories. Jesus did not. He loves all, especially the curious who go out on a limb to find Him.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL CONTINUE:

QUESTION:

What is good about being stationed at St. Barbara’s

ANSWER:

What is not? Believe it or not, being pastor has changed over the years. The parish is considered a business organization by the State and so we have to follow all the rules of compliance. That makes it a business and there is much administration. Other than that, it is the same as it has always been. Believe it or not, money is not the major issue. The biggest problem a pastor faces is the fact that some parishioners do not participate. We know for a fact that some of the children do not attend Mass, and although they may participate in the Religious Education Program, there is general apathy toward the Church. Some blame it on the scandal, but the attitude goes way back to the 60’s when all authority and institutions were under scrutiny, and morality and values were challenged and by some, changed. We find an interest in the young couples at the time of marriage, and the baptism of their children but, soon after, many no longer participate. How do we evangelize those who have left? How reach out to them? Family life is so busy and distracted there seems to be little time for the spiritual. Those parents who do participate and cooperate are to be commended. The parishioners who have stood by us in our time of trial, are also wonderful. The Lord says ”Without Me you can do nothing.” Who doesn’t need His help? And when you are no longer able to come and support your parish, will they, who do not do so now? If not, there will be no parishes.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
FATHER VIN 

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PARISH SO FAITHFULLY AND WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO OUR PARISHIONERS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

SUNDAY PARISH OFFERTORY – Your Stewardship
Weekly Budget Needs:	$8,687.25
10/28/2007 Offering:	$6,993.00
Difference for the Week:	$1,694.25

THANKSGIVING DANCE

Come celebrate Fall with us on Saturday, November 24th (after Thanksgiving) in the church hall from 8:00-11:30 PM. Evening will feature the Andy Healy Band. Refreshments will be served (BYOB). Reserved tickets ($10.00) or at the door. Call

• Jo Power 781-933-2845
• Mary Rossignol 781-935-3086
• Barbara Scalley 781-933-4412
• Jane Tibur 781-696-8299

for tickets.

BABY BOTTLE FUNDRAISER FOR LIFE

St. Barbara’s Pro-Life Ministry distributed baby bottles after all the Masses this weekend. We ask you to place a “Gift for Life” in the bottle in the form of a check (made out to “Heartbeat” or “Friends of the Unborn”), cash or coins. Return the bottle to the container in front of the St. Joseph side altar at any of the weekend Masses on Dec. 1st and 2nd, or to the rectory soon afterwards. See the paper in the bottle for information on how this “Gift for Life” can be offered to honor a loved one.

YOUNG-AT-HEART

Reservations for the Young-at-Heart Thanksgiving Dinner on November 9th are now closed.

BOSTON CATHOLIC TV

Let Comcast know you want Catholic TV (BCTV) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For sample letters to cable companies, visit www.TvforCatholics.com. You can make a difference, you can make it happen.

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