Behold the Lamb of God Saint Agnes Parish Arlington, Massachusetts January 18 18--19, 2014 The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 Sister Margaret (Peggy) Lowell, CSJ, died this past week. For many years Sister Peggy ministered generously to the people of Saint Agnes Parish, particularly to our senior citizens. We know that Saint Agnes Parishioners will remember Sister Peggy in their prayers. May she rest in peace. Thank you to the family of the late Virginia Finochetti, who asked that donations in Virginia’s memory be made to Saint Agnes Parish, and to the family of the late Phyllis McGurl, who asked that donations in Phyllis’ memory be made to Fidelity House. We are grateful and ask parishioners to remember Virginia and Phyllis and their families in their prayers. Saint Agnes Parish Outreach Committee hosts Parish Coffee and Donuts after the 9:00 Mass in the Arlington Catholic High School cafeteria for fun and fellowship with other parishioners! Contact Marianne Hudelson If you wish to help set-up/takedown: [email protected]. We need volunteers and donations of coffee and paper goods, or gift cards to Dunkin’ Donuts or Stop and Shop. The Feast of Saint Agnes is celebrated on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. We honor our Patron Saint and ask her to keep all parishioners in her loving intercession. The Annual Respect Life Mass will be celebrated today, Sunday, at 10:30. Please join us at the Mass as we pray for a greater respect for all human life from conception until natural death. A reception will follow the Mass in Monsignor Linnehan Library. Also, there will be a Holy Hour for Life from 1-2 PM in the lower Church. All are welcome. Baby Shower will take place this weekend, January 18-19. Items needed by the Pregnancy Help Office of the Archdiocese of Boston for the mothers who are expecting their babies this winter: Blanket sleepers, size 0-6 months, 6-12 months; Onesies, size 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months; Sleep and plays, size 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months; Warm Outfits for Boys & Girls, size 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months; Snowsuits, size 0-3 months; Toiletries, Diaper Rash ointment, Shampoo, Body Wash (no powder please) bibs, bottles, 4 and 8 ounce, wash cloths, flannel receiving blankets and diapers size newborn and size 4. Please, no used baby clothes, but gently- used washable maternity clothes are graciously accepted. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity! To make a monetary donation, make the check payable to “Fund for the Unborn”. March for Life: 19 students from Arlington Catholic High School will travel to Washington, DC, this week for the March for Life, accompanied by Campus Minister, Sister Barbara McHugh, CSJ, and Theology teacher Serge Clivio. We pray for our young people and for all the marchers in Washington. Assembly for Life, Sponsored by Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Sunday, January 26, 2014, 2-4 PM, Faneuil Hall, Boston. Speakers: Francis Fox, Esq., and Phil Moran, Esq. Emcee: Jaymie Stuart Wolfe; music by the Montrose School Treblemakers. 2 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 No Class today, January 19. We will serve dinner at the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence on Saturday, January 25. There are more spaces available in the van. If your child needs to complete a service project and is interested in coming along, please call Nancy Feeman at 781-641-6621. Please Note: The Confirmation Office has a new email address: [email protected]. New Confirmation Blog: www.spiritoftruthandbeauty.com. Community Catechesis Would you like a deeper understanding of Catholicism? Do you feel unprepared to answer questions about the Church? We invite you to join us for evenings of "Community Catechesis" the 4th Wednesday of every month in the Parish Center. Learn about the symbols and traditions of the Mass, the history of the Church, and most importantly, learn more about God and His boundless love for all humanity! There is no pressure for "results". Just come to learn. People of all ages, and families with children are welcome! Our next meeting of Catechesis is this Wednesday, January 22 at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center. Discussion and light refreshments will follow an installment of Father Barron's "Catholicism" video series. Program lasts 90 minutes. Invite a friend. Saint Agnes Family Group holds Winter playgroups at 10:30 on Tuesday mornings, at Fidelity House. We let the kids play, learn a short Catholic lesson, and enjoy building community with other parents from the Parish. Our next playgroup will be this Tuesday, January 21. To learn more and keep updated with other activities of the g r o u p, em a i l Ma r i a n n e H u d e l so n at Saint Ag nesFam ilies@gm ail. com or visit SaintAgnesParish.blogspot.com. John testifies that Jesus is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. The revelation of Jesus’ identity, how He is made known to the world, is mediated by the way we live our lives everyday. As you place your gift in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Poor Box, know that you are a sign of God’s love to those who are suffering and you give them reason to believe and to trust. Play Your Part in our Parish Community! Vacation Bible School: Saint Agnes Outreach hopes to offer a trial-version Vacation Bible School this June. Our ability to do this will depend largely on a strong volunteer corps. We are asking for an initial response to see if offering Vacation Bible School this year is possible. If you are interested in helping with a oneweek, approximately 3 hours a day, commitment, please email Marianne Hudelson. If we receive enough replies, we will proceed with this project. Thanks for your input. As part of our Catholic faith, we live in community together. We are called to encourage on another as we struggle, learn and grow in our lives of faith. Join us in building a strong and loving community at our Parish. Evangelize through your actions. Offer your time and concern to others in our community. Reach out in support, so that we may faithfully answer God’s call in every moment of life. Please read the bulletin carefully for opportunities to help in our Parish. Prayerfully consider your role as a steward of Christ everyday. If you are able to help, please contact Marianne Hudelson ([email protected].) We are especially asking for teen volunteer help. For more events and news, visit: SaintAgnesParish.blogspot.com. We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.” - Pope Francis Boston Sock Exchange: Make the Boston Sock Exchange your New Year’s Resolution! Give your time to help the poor. Donate items to spread love, and Pray for those in this community who need the basic necessities: food, warmth and kindness. Now is the perfect time for you to become involved in this low-commitment, highimpact ministry. Each month, we collect sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, winter jackets, hats/gloves/scarves and new socks. We distribute them, along with a sandwich and snack, to our homeless brothers and sisters in Boston. We need your help to prepare sandwiches and organize donations at the Parish Center on Friday, February 7 at 7:00 PM and to distribute our gifts on Saturday, February 8 at 11:00 AM on Boston Common Please bring donations to the bins at the back of the Church or to the Parish Center. For information or to volunteer contact [email protected]. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 3 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 Sunday, January 19, 2014 9:00 A.M. 10:30 A.M. 12:00 Noon Rose B. Linskey Pro-Life Mass Anthony and Marion D’Aveni Month’s Mind Monday, January 20, 2014 7:00 A.M. Marjorie G. O’Reilly Anniversary Tuesday, January 21, 2014 7:00 A.M. Special Intention Wednesday, January 22, 2014 7:00 A.M. Daniel and Mary Canniff Memorial Thursday, January 23, 2014 7:00 A.M. Charles D. and Elizabeth M. Keefe Memorial Friday, January 24, 2014 7:00 A.M. Frank and Theresa Halloran Memorial Saturday, January 25, 2014 7:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 5:15 P.M. Maureen Tobin Helen Boyle and Robert Johnson Daniel J. Carney Anniversary Memorial Anniversary Sunday, January 26, 2014 9:00 A.M. 10:30 A.M. 12:00 Noon Catholic Schools Week Month’s Mind Bereavement Mass Christmas Flower Intentions Month’s Mind Albert LeBlanc, Jr., Margaret Cowan, Phyllis McGurl, Virginia Finochetti, Dana Styffe, Sister Bernadette Marie Rodley, CSJ, Sister Margaret Lowell, CSJ, Rev. Anthony J. Daniele and Rev. Kieran Monahan, OFM, whose Funeral Masses were celebrated last week. Schedule for the Week Tuesday, January 21, 2014 7:00 P.M. - Fatima Apostolate Prayer Hour Wednesday, January 22, 2014 7:00 P.M. - Bereavement Meeting - Parish Center The Offertory Collection last weekend was $16,309. Thank you very much. If you are a new parishioner, please introduce yourself to one of our priests, complete a census form and drop it in the collection box. Census forms are at the back of the Church. The second collection next week is for the Church in Latin America. Bulletin Announcements must be received at the Parish Center by Monday morning. Mass Schedule for Next Weekend Saturday, January 25, 2014 4:00 P.M. Lower Church 5:15 P.M. Lower Church Sunday, January 26, 2014 7:00 A.M. Lower Church 9:00 A.M. Upper Church 10:30 A.M. Upper Church 12:00 Noon Upper Church 5:00 P.M. Lower Church Father Bennett Father Graham Saint Agnes Parish offers Online Giving. This service is safe and secure and convenient! Sign up at our website: www.saintagnes.net. We encourage parishioners who sign up for Online Giving to discontinue their weekly envelopes. Father Graham Father Flatley Father Graham Father Flatley Father Flatley 4 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 Parish Pastoral Council Meeting - January 5, 2014 Father Flatley opened the meeting with a prayer and a special remembrance for Lillian Kennedy, long-time Secretary in the Parish Religious Education Office, and Tom Driscoll, husband of former Council member Carol Driscoll, both of whom died since our last meeting. Report – Rita DeAngelis, The Giving Tree: Rita DeAngelis and her mother Juliet were sincerely thanked for the 15 years they have devoted to The Giving Tree project. The project has grown substantially and successfully since they have administered it. This year, despite the snowstorm which hampered drop-off and collection procedures, over 1200 recipients from 7 different agencies benefited from the generosity of Saint Agnes parishioners. Rita and Juliet will be stepping down from this project. Rita provided a detailed description of the steps involved in this ministry, including costs, contact information for all agencies involved, preparation of gift tags, procedures for distributions of tags and collection of gifts, sorting instructions, and distribution/pick-up methods. Marianne Hudelson, Director, Outreach Committee, will explore ways to continue this project. The Christmas Masses were very beautiful and well-attended. The choir was praised for its magnificent work. Reconfiguration of Parishes – The next three phases will take place in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The Cardinal will announce the participants in each of the three remaining phases in May. Lower Church ramp – Work on the ramp and the railings is essentially finished. Further work on the inner Church doors at this entrance will be necessary to make them more easily accessible by push button. Saint Agnes School 125th Anniversary Gala will be held at the Burlington Marriott on April 5. Open Forum: Several parishioners have expressed concerns about the need for an additional railing at the doorway at the top of the new lower church ramp. [This railing will be installed.] Several kneelers in both the upper and lower Churches are in need of repair. Parish Pastoral Council Discussion: The Parish Pastoral Council provides a place for parishioners to express their concerns about the Parish and the wider Church, and to relay important information to the priests, through the representative Council members. Father Flatley asked the Council members for ideas about how this communication could be enhanced. Suggestions were as follows: each Council member could engage in informal discussions about issues with several parishioners; Council members could act as liaisons to each of the various ministries within the Parish and provide reports on activities and concerns; a suggestion box with paper and pencil could be placed in the Church; Council members could rotate attendance at the Parish Coffee Hours and provide an opportunity for conversation with parishioners; and, a prayer line phone could be established to provide support to parishioners during difficult times. Suggestions will be taken under consideration. Father Flatley closed the meeting with a prayer. Next Meeting: Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 7:00 PM 5 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 Saint Agnes School News Celebrating 125 Years of Academic Excellence No classes today, January 19. Classes meet January 26. An Open House is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, 10 AM-Noon. The Open House will follow the 9 AM Liturgy which marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. There will be a Coffee Hour at the School Hall where teachers will present displays and be available to answer questions about each grade level program. Come and join us and learn about such programs as Spanish language, Engineering and Computer Technology. After meeting the teachers, join us for a tour of the school. Registration & Open House -Fidelity House’s Preschool (2.9 years – 5 years old) and PreKindergarten (4 – 5 year olds) Programs will be holding open house and registration for September beginning Tuesday, January 21. The Preschool is held at Site 2 behind the Parish Center. Site 2 offers larger, updated classrooms, a large kitchen area and a large fenced in playground. Pre-Kindergarten meets on the 2nd floor of Fidelity House. Parents are welcome to visit between 9:00 –11:00. Programs are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, is celebrated Sunday, January 26 to Saturday, February 1, 2014. Schools typically observe National Catholic Schools Week with Masses, Open House and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our Church, our communities and our nation. The theme this year is Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. Among the events planned for the week: Saturday, January 25- The 7th and 8th grade teams compete in the annual Quiz Bowl at Malden Catholic Sunday, January 26- Open House Monday, January 27- Classes meet to write letters of thank you to the Sisters of Saint Joseph living in Bethany. Daily history broadcast- recalling the history of Saint Agnes School begins today. Thursday, January 30 – Volunteer recognition, Parents Visitation and Alumni guests visit classes. School Age Child Care Program- Program is for 5-13 year olds. Open House and registration for September will take place the week of February 3. Transportation from public schools will be available. Full day programs are also offered. Brochures and further information may be obtained by calling Fidelity House. On Line Registration - Visit www.fidelityhouse.org and set up an account to register on line. Programs starting in January include; Arts and Crafts, Tot Sports, Instructional Floor Hockey on Tuesdays, Gymnastics, Cooking, Basketball for grades 1-4 on Friday, Touch football, Bowling, Polar Bear Football, FiHo Players youth theater group, Pickle Ball, 5th - 8th grade Floor Hockey and more. Program ideas are always welcome. Registration for the 2014-2015 school year has begun. If you are considering enrolling remember that spaces are limited in the K1( Pre-k ) Program and the upper grades. Visit www.saintagnesschool.com for information about the application process. Saint Agnes School Commemorative Magnets, designed for the 125th anniversary, available at the School for $10. Proceeds go the 125th Fund. Memory Book Project: The 125th Committee is looking for pictures and memorabilia of Saint Agnes School. If you have relevant items, contact the Development Office: [email protected] or 781-641-6627. All items will be returned. Upcoming Events: Gala Celebration Dinner, Saturday, April 5, 2014, 6-10 PM at the Marriott in Burlington. Tickets are $85. Neighborhood Basketball League- For grades 2-5 and 6-8 meets on Saturday mornings. Represent your school or your neighborhood. Play with your friends in a fun basketball league. Parent coaches are also needed. AAU Basketball – Fidelity House will again be offering Spring AAU Basketball for boys and girls. Boys teams for grades 6, 7, 8, 9 ,10 and 11 as well as girls teams for 7th and 8th grade will be offered. Contact Fidelity House for more information. Please visit www.fidelityhouse.org or call 781-6482005 for more information. 6 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 Collection for the Church in Latin America will be taken up next week. Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean face many challenges, including violence and a lack of both clergy and lay leadership to witness to the gospel message. Your support shares the faith with those in need, including the youth of Holy Family Parish in San Miguel, El Salvador. These young people, at high risk for violence, often lack an education in values and critical-thinking skills. To address this need, the parish designed a youth enrichment program. Funded by the Collection, this program gives the youth an opportunity to share their faith and break the cycle of violence in their neighborhoods. Please give generously to next week’s Collection. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance: Monday, January 20, Arlington Town Hall. Doors open at 6:45 PM; program begins at 7:30 PM. Speaker: Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History, Tufts University. Music: AHS Jazz Band and Madrigal Singers. Free-will offering to benefit programs that further the goals of Dr. King. Collection of non-perishable goods for Arlington Food Pantry. Fiat is a discernment group for women in the Archdiocese of Boston who are considering a Vocation to religious life. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton. The topic for January is “There is Something about Mary.” If you are interested in attending, please respond to Sister Marian Batho, CSJ, Delegate for Religious, [email protected] or call 617-746-5637. Attention All Crafters - Saint Agnes School is organizing its first-ever Craft Fair for Saturday, February 8, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM in the School Hall. Proceeds will benefit Saint Agnes School Workshop on Visiting the Sick - Starting Tuesday, March 4 and running for six weeks (March 4,11,18,25, April 1,8) a workshop on Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound will be offered at Saint Patrick’s, Stoneham, 6:30-8:30 PM. Dr. Mary Beth Moran, a certified chaplain from Winchester Hospital will teach the course. The workshop will include a review of communication skills, the basics of pastoral visitation, key illness issues, spiritual needs and concerns, grief, loss and dying, and care giving issues. Eucharistic Ministers, pastoral visitors, Parish nurses and others are encouraged to attend. The fee is $40. Registration information is available in the Parish Office or by calling 717-746-5843. Pre-registration is required. Please register by February 25. Theological Institute for the New Evangelization at Saint John’s Seminary Spring classes begin on January 14 at The Institute with courses on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Course Electives include: Pastoral Care in the Parish, Marriage and Canon Law, Paul’s Metaphors and Ours and The Mass: How to Achieve Full, Active, and Conscious Participation. How will your new year begin with learning more about the faith? Come and see all that is happening at The Institute! Classes are held at 149 Washington Street, Brighton. Visit us online at: www.sjs.edu or 617-779-4104. 7 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 SAINT AGNES SCHOOL 4th ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT! Friday, January 31st, 2014 Featuring Trivia by STUMP TRIVIA LIMITED NUMBER OF TABLES - PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY Up to 8 people per table…Questions answered as a group…The highest scoring table wins a Grand Prize. Tickets can be purchased by individuals, couples and/or groups. Come up with a fun/interesting/unique TABLE NAME and then tell your friends to put the TABLE NAME on the form so you can be assigned together! If you don’t have a full table, don’t worry. We can add people to your table to boost the “brain power!” Don’t miss out on the fun! Time: 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm (ish!) at Saint Agnes School $2 Beer/Wine $3 Mixed Drinks BRING YOUR OWN FOOD 50-50 Raffle, $5 Card Deck Game, Silent Auction for cool Saint Agnes stuff and the Hit it Big $5000 special incentive drawing! Tickets $25.00 per person or $200 for a full table Game Begins at 8:00pm sharp! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please return form & payment to: Maureen Nee, 76 River Saint, Arlington, MA 02474 or return to SASFA Box at Saint Agnes School. Call for more info: (781) 643-2530. Make checks payable to Saint Agnes School. Name & Telephone #: Number of tickets:____________ Amount Enclosed: TABLE NAME: I have Saint Agnes students in grades: Hit it Big - Saint Agnes School has a fundraiser called Hit It Big. Tickets are purchased for $100 and each Wednesday that school is in session and one lucky winner takes home $500. If you win once, you are still entered in all remaining drawings. On the last day of school the drawing jackpot is doubled to $1000! Here is a list of our winners for this year so far: Chrissy and Jamie LeBlanc, Rita Addorisio, Bob Cullinane, Emily Ramey, Katie and Bobby Griffin, Rachel Lake, Paul and Nicole Wilgren, Justine Lynch, Stephen Pyle, Edward Gaffey, Marie Claire Coscia and Joan Cantone. Be sure to congratulate them when you see them. If you would like to get in on the fun, please contact Maureen Nee at 781-643-2530 for details. 8 Saint Agnes Parish, Arlington, Massachusetts - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 18-19, 2014 Saint Agnes Parish 51 Medford Street Arlington, Massachusetts 02474 781-648-0220 E-mail address: [email protected] Website: www.saintagnes.net Facebook: Saint Agnes Parish Arlington, MA Sacrament of Baptism Rev. Brian M. Flatley, Pastor Rev. John J. Graham, Parochial Vicar Religious Education Baptisms are held on the first and third Sunday of the month at 2:00 P.M. You must attend Baptismal Briefings prior to having your child baptized. 781-646-5579 [email protected] Joyce Patriacca, Director Arlington Confirmation Program Sacrament of Penance 781-641-6621 Saturday 3:00-4:00 P.M. and before the 5:15 P.M. Mass and also by appointment. Please contact the Parish Center. [email protected] Nancy Feeman, Director Saint Agnes School 781-643-9031 Sacrament of Marriage www.saintagnesschool.com Archdiocesan guidelines require that couples planning to marry in the Church make an appointment to see one of the priests as far in advance as possible prior to the wedding date. Robert Penta, Principal Arlington Catholic High School 781-646-7770 www.achs.net Stephen Biagioni, Principal Saint Agnes Music Ministry [email protected] 617-833-0364 Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick www.agnesmusic.net Michael Vaughan, Director Fidelity House Please call the Parish Office if someone in your family is gravely ill and in danger of death and you feel the grace and power of the Sacrament would be helpful. 781-648-2005 www.fidelityhouse.org Edward Woods, Director Sunday Masses Saturday 4:00 and 5:15 P.M. (Lower Church) Sunday 7:00 A.M. (Lower Church) 9:00 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:00 Noon (Upper Church) 5:00 P.M. (Lower Church) Our Family Liturgy is celebrated at 9:00 on Sunday morning. Weekdays Monday through Saturday 7:00 A.M. (Lower Church) 9