Reflection for 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Each of us is called by God to a specific talk in life through the grace of God. Jesus invites all of us in our particular walks in life to bring His word to His people. There are a wide variety of ways that God calls us. The readings today are calling us to expand our understand- ing of the ways that God may be calling us to work for His kingdom. Sinfulness is no excuse for not answering God’s call. If we show God a willingness to serve Him, He will create an opportunity. Openness in prayer is essential as God speaks to us in many ways. God speaks to us in ways that we may not at first appreciate; but we must be willing to take risks for God. Such risks might include extending love and forgiveness or offering hope.

| February 7th, 2010 |

Please take a look at the bulletin for other activities and events that are coming in the next few weeks:

• K of C Superbowl Party – Feb 7
• Bible Classes - Feb 8
• Prayer Group – Feb 10
• Habitat for Humanity Build Day – Feb 9
• Extra Confessions – Feb 14
• Sew What? – Feb 16
• Ash Wednesday – Feb 17
• Senior Social Club – Feb 17
• Amy’s Book Club – Feb 23
• Boston Catholic Women’s Conference – Feb 27
• Young Adults’ Retreat – March 5-7
• Workshop on Visiting the Sick – Mar 11
• Marriage Renewal Weekend – April 16
• Boston Catholic Men’s Conference – Apr 17
• Parish Trip to Oberammergau – 2010
• World Youth Day – August, 2011

Or call the rectory for more information.

| February 7th, 2010 |

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 17th. This is a very special time of penance and renewal as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter.

• On Ash Wednesday Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am and 5:30 pm. There will be a service at 4:00 pm. Ashes will be distributed at each of these times.
• We will have Morning Prayer at 8:45 am (prior to the 9:00 am Mass) on Tuesdays in Lent.
• Stations of the Cross will follow the 9:00 am Mass on Fridays in Lent.

The Light is On For You — On all the Wednesday’s of Lent from 6:30-8:00pm, St. Bart’s and all the parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Boston will be open for individual confessions. This is an invitation to all of us to consider the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our lives and the healing that can be experienced.

| February 7th, 2010 |

Bible Classes will continue on Monday, Feb. 8th, at 10:00 am & 7:00 pm in the O’Brien Room in the rectory. We are studying the Book of Psalms which has been a great part of the prayer life of many religions in the world. This book is one of the real treasures of the Bible and of our religious tradition that focuses on the various moments of life. It is hoped that the study of the Book of Psalms will enhance the prayer life of all of us. Please read the first five psalms.

| February 7th, 2010 |

Extra Confessions will be heard after all the Masses next Sunday, February 14th.

| February 7th, 2010 |

As our 40 Confirmation Candidates enter the final stage of preparation, please pick a name from the basket in the back of the church to accompany them daily in prayer. They are Confirmed into a community surrounding them in love, support, and encouragement as they grow into strong, faithful, fearless witnesses of the Gospel.

| February 7th, 2010 |

The Prayer Group (G.I.F.T.) will meet on Wed., Feb. 10, at 10:00 am in the O’Brien Room at the rectory. New members are always welcome. If you have any questions, please call Kathy Reilly at 781-444-0862.

| February 7th, 2010 |

This notice is for the women of the parish. (The men will have their turn in late March.)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

This is the theme of this year’s Boston Catholic Women’s Conference. If you can only do one thing for Lent this year might I suggest that you attend the 2010 Boston Catholic Women’s Conference to be held on Saturday, February 27 from 9am – 5:30pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The featured speakers at this year’s conference are Leah Darrow, Sr. Olga of the Eucharist, Patti Mansfield and Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle.

I have been fortunate to hear Sr. Olga speak on several occasions. She is a remarkable woman and excellent speaker. Her talk “From Baghdad to Boston at the School of Mary: Journey of Trust and Obedience” is a personal account of one woman’s spiritual journey from Iraq to America and the significance of the Blessed Mother in her life.

Patti Mansfield in “We belong to Mary,” understanding he role as Mother; following her example of faith, will share the importance of discovering a renewed relationship with Jesus, through Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit and what it means for us and our lives when we say “yes” to God as Mary did at the Annunciation.

Leah Darrow, the first speaker of the day, will provide a personal testimony on how her awareness of God’s presence in her life has allowed her to live a life of faith in “The Lord is my Strength”, Living My Life for Christ.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle in her speech “Taking Our Faith to the Streets: Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love.” will provide a personal account of her own Journey with God as a wife, mother and lay person serving the Church and will share important life lessons learned from Mother Teresa, a long time personal friend.

The Conference also will include the opportunity for confession, adoration, Mass with Cardinal Sean O’Malley, and is a great opportunity to gather with other Catholic women of faith.

The cost to attend the conference is $20 dollars ($30 with lunch.) For tickets go to www.CatholicBoston.com or call 617 -444-9950. If you are interested in carpooling please call the rectory.

-Barbara Dury

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My church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be.

| February 7th, 2010 |

The Senior Social Club will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 2:30 pm in Ward Hall. Joe Hunter of Olin College, a film maker, will present his new film, “Charles River: Headwaters of Invention”.

You may recall how much we enjoyed his earlier films, “Return to Norumbega” and “Search for the USS Grunion.” This new film deals with the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the Charles River serving as the Rte. 128 of that time. There are wonderful pictures of the old factories, especially in Waltham and Needham, and of the people who worked there.

Members and guests are invited to join us for this interesting history of our area and for a social hour at its conclusion.

| February 7th, 2010 |

This new ministry will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 16th, in Ward Hall in the school from 7-9 pm. We will be making cancer bags. All sewers are welcome. Bring a machine, thread, scissors, etc. for a night of cheerful camaraderie and sewing fun.

Please contact Patty Doyle for information at 781-449-5652 or email: padoyle2002@yahoo.com.

| February 7th, 2010 |

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Religious Education:

Next class for all grades Monday, Feb 8th

Catholic School Students preparing for Confirmation start classes Monday Feb 8th 7-8:30pm

1st – 7th grade Personal Safety and Sexual abuse prevention programs will be presented to the children starting on Monday Feb 22nd. This is an opt-out program, meaning that unless we are informed that you do not wish your child to hear this Information, all children present in the class will be part of the discussion.

• Grades 1-4 – We are using a new program this year called Stay Safe. Information is available on their website www.staysafe.ie or in person by contacting Melisa or Maryellen.
• Grades 5-7 – will use the Keeping Children Safe program developed by the Archdiocese of Boston. To preview it, please contact Melisa or Maryellen.

Sign up for the newsletter:

| February 7th, 2010 |

At our meeting in January, your Parish Pastoral Council adopted a new Mission Statement for our Parish. It is the culmination of a more than two year process of contemplation, discussion and prayer by and among the members of the Council. As stated by Msgr. Vincent J. Grimalia, “every community has a purpose for its existence” and, he continued, “the parish mission statement will give a succinct focus, direction and motivation to the parish community”. In addition, we strove to capture in our Mission Statement what Pope Benedict XVI has described as our Church’s “three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God…, celebrating the sacraments…, and exercising the ministry of charity”.

Our new Mission Statement is set forth below. We think it captures the essence of our Parish and what we try to be and do as a community. We believe that it will guide us well as we move forward and grow this year and in the coming years. As always, Fr. Phil, our Parish staff and your Council members appreciate your comments.

Our mission is:

• To be the spiritual and physical focal point of a community joined together and inspired in our thoughts, words and deeds by our Catholic faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
• To enrich our spiritual lives through the sacraments, especially daily and Sunday Eucharist, prayer groups, educational opportunities, retreats and other programs.
• To live Christ through active stewardship by encouraging and enabling each other to contribute our time, talent and means to help others and to promote justice, peace and charity.
• To develop the bonds within our community through social activities that bring together women, men, young and old to take joy in life and each other.
• To be welcoming and helpful to all, regardless of whom it is that “knocks on our door” or why.

We implement our mission through many programs, and all that we do is intended to develop our faith community and help us to live Christ and the teachings of our Catholic faith.

Adopted January 5, 2010

| January 24th, 2010 |