St. Barbara’s Parish Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, January 20, 2008

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: Mary & Daniel Maloney; Mary Barletta; Joseph Holland; Eugene Matthews; Mary Paris, Faith & Henry Belluche.

BULLETIN BITS

Today’s responsorial psalm is the theme song of the good steward: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” May I, too, stand ready to offer myself and my gifts in the service of God.

See Psalm 40

UPCOMING LITURGICAL EVENTS

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of the Sick will be administered on Saturday, January 26th, following the 4:00 p.m. Mass.
If you would like to receive the Sacrament, it would be helpful if you tell the priest before Mass.

BAPTISMS

Baptism of infants will take place on Saturday, February 2nd, at the 4:00 pm Mass.

PARISH MISSION

There will be a Parish Mission at St. Barbara's from March 1st through March 5th. The Presider will be Father John Anglin who gave the wonderful mission last year. Mark the dates on your calendar.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Confirmation – Sunday, March 9th – 2 P.M.

Ash Wednesday – February 6th

Easter Sunday – March 23rd

First Communion – May 17/18th

A SECOND COLLECTION

will be taken up at all the Masses next weekend, Jan. 26/27 for the Church in Latin America. Please help in whatever way you can so that the church may have the means to continue over the next several years to aid our brothers & sister in Latin America and the Caribbean.

FOOD COLLECTION

Did you know that St. Barbara’s parishioners donated 66 bags of food to Woburn Social Concern last month? Their Food Pantry helps clients who are struggling with a variety of life challenges that makes it difficult for them to meet their basic needs. By contributing to this Food Drive on a regular basis, you are helping those less fortunate in our own community who are desperate and have nowhere else to turn. Please try to bring a least one item of food to Mass with you next weekend. Thank you for all you do for these families.

TAX DEDUCTIONS

Due to recent changes in the federal tax laws for charitable contributions, parishioners who itemize deductions on Schedule A of their tax returns will no longer be able to deduct contributions to the parish unless they maintain a bank record or receive a written contribution statement from the parish. Cash contributions that are not in a parish envelope cannot be tracked by the parish and will not be included in the year-end contribution statement. To ensure deductibility for 2007 contributions to our parish, the following payment methods are recommended:

1. Use of parish envelopes
2. Written check made payable to the parish
3. Direct deposit from your bank account
4. Payroll deduction

INCOME TAX STATEMENTS

All envelope users who are interested in obtaining a copy of their 2007 contributions to the Parish may call the rectory office and we will be happy to mail a statement to you.

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES AND PARIS

Pilgrimage to Lourdes & Paris – July 6-14, 2008 Cost: $2,039 (D.O.)
Pilgrimage includes:

• 3 nights in Lourdes and 4 nights in Paris
• Mass at the Grotto
• Candlelight Processions
• Visits to Bernadette’s birthplace and much more.
• Fully escorted.
• Substantial Breakfast Buffet each morning and 4 dinners.

Sponsored by Immaculate Conception Parish, Salem. Why not celebrate our Bicentennial and the 150th anniversary of the first apparition of our Blessed Mother to Bernadette! For more information or reservations, call Shirley Kobialka at 978-744-8501 or call the parish at 978-745-6303.

THE COMMUNITY IS INVITED

to see an award-winning documentary THE PRICE OF SUGAR on Sunday, Feb. 10th at 3:00 and 6:00 PM at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 156 Washington St., Winchester. This is the story of modern-day slavery among Haitian sugar plantation workers and the struggles of Fr. Christopher Hartley to initiate much needed reforms. Narrated by Paul Newman. Free will offering.

SAVE THE DATE!!

Mark your calendars. Irish Night 2008 will be celebrated on Saturday evening, March 8th. This event is one of the most popular of our dinner dances so you won’t want to miss out. Watch this space in future issues for a complete list of parish social activities.

Saint Barbara Parish Special Events Committee

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

John is happy to proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. According to Jewish tradition the Messiah would be announced by Elijah and anointed by him. John was the Elijah. He saw the Spirit come upon Jesus, heard the voice of God call Jesus His chosen one. His mission is over. Now the prophecies have come to fruition, the suffering servant has arrived. Jesus comes not to condemn, but to forgive, not to punish but to embrace sinners, not to exclude but to include all those whose hearts have been moved. John at first did not recognize Him until the Spirit came upon Jesus. We have no trouble recognizing Jesus because His Spirit has come upon us.

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
01/13/2008 Offering:	$6,842.00
Difference for the Week:	$1,845.25

RECEIVING COMMUNION

We have recently received a note from the Archdiocese asking that we remind everyone about the proper reception of the Eucharist. Please extend both hands, palms up, bow your head and say “Amen” in response to “Body of Christ”. If you choose to receive the Blood of Christ, accept the cup, bow your head and respond “Amen” and take a small sip. We know you already know these things, but a little reminder is always helpful.

MASS DURING A SNOWSTORM

When weather is severely inclement, there are those who wonder whether a scheduled Mass is suspended. Masses will be celebrated. We would ask, however, that you use due discretion in deciding whether or not it is safe for you to come out. If age, sickness, inability to get there, are factors – you are excused.

LETTER TO CATHOLIC TV VIEWERS
on behalf of Comcast Cable:

Thank you to those individuals who took time to write us to request expanded carriage of Catholic TV on Comcast Cable. We understand how passionate you feel about Catholic TV and the inspiration and comfort that this network provides to viewers on a daily basis. We wanted to let you know that Comcast Cable and Catholic TV representatives are currently in discussion to determine how we might accomplish expanded carriage of the network. We thank you again for sharing your views with us.

COMCAST CABLE.

THE UP SIDE!!

You may find God in the laughter of your children; the grief of a friend; the opening of forsythia after a long winter; the noisy joyfulness of birds and wind; or the quiet testimony of ants and cobwebs. God’s altar is everywhere and in everything.

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