St. Barbara’s Parish Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, March 9, 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: Gerald Severo; James & Marilyn Woolard; Mary Stein; Walter Sutton; John & Mary Vallis; Carol Crocker, Ginger DiSalvo, Janet Campbell.

BULLETIN BITS

When Jesus learned about the illness of His friend, Lazarus, He responded, “This illness is not to end in death; rather it is for God’s glory, that through it the Son of God may be glorified.” Every aspect of our lives – our gifts as well as our sufferings – can, if surrendered to Christ, lead to blessing for others and ourselves.

25TH AND 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS

Sean Cardinal O’Malley invites all couples of the Archdiocese who are marking their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries in 2008 to join him for the annual celebration at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Sunday, April 13th, 11:30 am Mass. Mass will include a renewal of marriage vows. Family members and friends, as well as the general public are welcome to attend. Please register with the parish by March 28th if you would like to attend this celebration. A formal invitation will then be sent from the Archdiocese.

ARCHDIOCESAN BICENTENNIAL PILGRIMAGE

to the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City, Canada… Plan to mark the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston by coming together in prayer and fellowship with pilgrims from across the Archdiocese and from throughout the world at this special event in June 2008. The Boston Archdiocesan Pilgrimage is providing a comprehensive travel package for adults (21 years and older) June 18-24, starting at $1275 dbl. occ., as well as a special package June 18-22 with hostel accommodations tailored to young adults (ages 21-40) starting at $875 triple occupancy. If you are interested, registration forms and further information and be obtained at the rectory.

INCOME TAX STATEMENTS

If you would like a statement of your contributions to St. Barbara’s during the year of 2007, please let the secretary in the rectory office know. You can drop in or call her at 781-933-4130 and a letter will be mailed to you for your records.

LATIN MASS

Fr. Bill Sullivan will celebrate the Tridentine Mass according to the MISSALE ROMANUM 1962 on Saturday, March 15th at 9:00 a.m.

SPECIAL NOTICE: UTILITIES COLLECTION

Next weekend, March 15/16th, there will be a special UTILITIES COLLECTION to help with the church expenses. Be sure to use the special envelopes that came with your regular church envelopes. There will also be special envelopes at the doors of the church if you do not have one.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

will be administered on 73 members of our PREP Grade 10 class this Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Presiding bishop will be Most Rev. Robert F. Hennessey.

FOXWOOD TRIP

Seats are going fast for our next trip to Foxwood on Thursday, April 10th – Sign-up now! Cost $23 p.p. Bus leaves parking lot exactly at 9:30 am.
Call the rectory 933-4130 or Joe DiSalvo 933-5994.

CHURCH WOMEN OF WOBURN

The next scheduled meeting begins at 10:00 am on March 12th at Saint Joseph Church. Each meeting begins with coffee and will feature a guest speaker. For more information, please call our parish contact, Shirley O’Connor 781-935-1992.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Keep an EYE on the bulletin for an announcement regarding “Four Little Words” a one-act comedy to be presented in May!!

JUST A THOT OR TWO

• If God really intended men to fly, he’d make it easier to get to the airport.
• Too much of a good thing is wonderful!

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

The gospel for today’s liturgy centers on the raising of Lazarus from death. He has already been in the tomb several days and no one believes he will come out of it alive. Jesus shows He has power over life and death. for He is God of the living and dead. Lazarus did not come forth in a glorified body but a resuscitated one. Years later he died again and he too awaits the resurrection. Our baptismal faith in Jesus gives us a share in the resurrection. St. John tells us we need not wait until we experience physical death to begin eternal life. That began when God chose us and we were baptized. Through the Spirit we have life eternal; when we receive the Eucharist we are joined to the body of the risen Christ, and He will raise us up in new, immortal and glorified bodies.

Another question from the Parish Pastoral Council:

QUESTION:

WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIESTS BEING MADE MONSIGNORS?

ANSWER:

In the 70’s the Priest Senate (today called the Presbyteral Council) asked Cardinal Medeiros not to make any more Monsignors because the title, the attire and the dignity of the position had lost its significance. So there were no more priests named Monsignors in the Archdiocese of Boston. Cardinal Law, went against that recommendation several years ago and appointed a number of priests as Monsignors. This caused some hurt, especially among the senior clergy who were not named, for whom the appointment held a great deal of esteem. (Father Anadore, the former pastor of St. Barbara’s, was named a Monsignor.) However, Cardinal O’Malley has respected the request of the priests, except for certain Archdiocesan or Vatican appointment.

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
03/02/2008 Offering:	$6,189.00
Difference for the Week:	$2,498.25

2008 CATHOLIC APPEAL

Cardinal Sean sends his thanks to everyone from St. Barbara Parish who pledged to the 2008 Catholic Appeal during Catholic Appeal weekend. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend. You can pick up information packets with pledge forms at the doors of the church.

CENTERING PRAYER

The Franciscan Center in Andover is pleased to announce the formation of a Centering Prayer group meeting every Friday morning at 9:00 am. For those who practice centering, this is an opportunity to share your prayer in a group experience for support and faith sharing. Contact Marcy Venskus at 978-851-3391 x21 if interested in joining.

BOSTON EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

for College students and Young Adults will be held Friday evening, March 28 and Saturday, March 29th at St. Stephen’s Church, in the heart of the North End of Boston. Join other Catholic young adults from around the region for a weekend of powerful talks, prayer, music, volunteer service, confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass with Cardinal O’Malley, a Eucharistic procession through the North End of Boston and lots of chances to meet and socialize with your peers. Pre-registration guarantees a free dinner Saturday night provided by the restaurants of the North End. Please join us and help spread the word!

NAZARETH ACADEMY 60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

on March 29th at the Andover Country Club, at 7:00 pm. The Gala is Nazareth’s major fundraiser this year and all proceeds will go directly to the school to benefit its programs and students. Cost $75.00 p.p.
There will be a silent auction and also five featured spectacular raffle items including a pair of one carat diamond earrings, tickets to the Kentucky Derby, 50” flat screen TV; a trip to Puerto Rico and a fully stocked wine refrigerator. Call 781-245-0214 if interested.

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