Weekly Bulletin
This Week At Saint Michael Parish
July 17 - July 25, 2010
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24 Saturday 4:00pm Eucharist - Walter "Tick" Kulis 25 Sunday 7:00am Eucharist - Anne and Anna Blackmon 9:00am Eucharist - Michael A. Frotten 11:15am Eucharist - Brian Swanson 26 Monday 7:00am Eucharist - Robert Boutilier, Sr. 27 Tuesday 7:00am Eucharist - Anita C. Mudge 28 Wednesday 7:00am Eucharist - |
29 Thursday 7:00am Eucharist - Friends of Saint Michael 30 Friday 7:00am Eucharist - Margaret "Peg" Allard 31 Saturday 7:00am Eucharist - Priests of the Archdiocese of Boston 4:00pm Eucharist - Dorothy Dempsey 1 Sunday 7:00am Eucharist - Yvonne Miller 9:00am Eucharist - Rosemary Dery and James Dery 11:15am Eucharist - Ernest Herrman and the Awen Family 12:30pm Eucharist - Kenyan Community and Friends |
WE CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF BAPTISM
Baptism is the foundation of our whole Christian life. No other sacrament may be received without it. As we baptize more and more children and adults here in Saint Michael Parish, maybe we should review once again what the Sacrament of Baptism truly is -- the gateway to the Lord.
Few of us can remember our own baptism. For most of Christian history people have normally been baptized as infants. This tradition was not always so; scholars tell us that until the end of the second century the common practice was adult baptism. Infant baptisms may have started when children were baptized along with their parents.
Many of you, surely, have witnessed the baptism of adults during the Easter Vigil. You probably recall the questions put to the candidates. The Church asks them to declare publicly their faith in Jesus Christ, and their rejection of all that is opposed to Him and His teaching. Only when they have personally professed this faith can they be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Baptism welcomes us as members of God's family, the Church. Baptism is the spiritual rebirth "in water and the Holy Spirit" which Jesus told us in John 3:3-8 is necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Baptism is spiritual rebirth because it gives us a new nature: the nature of the perfect man, Christ Jesus. To the extent that we lay hold of this gift and use it, we are able to rise above the temptations of evil that lurk within each of us. People who use the gift of their Christian nature to the full become so outgoing, loving and Christ-like that the whole world is impressed.
Seizing hold of the new Christian life given us at baptism, and using it, requires faith. However, infants and small children are not able to express faith. That is why, at infant baptism, the Church requires that someone who is capable of it express faith for the child: a parent or sponsor. Such individuals must promise to see that the child is given a Christian upbringing and every opportunity of making his or her own decision for Jesus Christ.
The Gospel writers tell us that at the baptism of Jesus, "A voice from heaven was heard: 'you are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.' " The same words were spoken in heaven when each of us was baptized. We are challenged each day to recall who we are and to live that life fully: God's children on whom His favor rests.
Baptisms are held the fourth Sunday of every month here at Saint Michael Parish. Today, July 25th, we will celebrate the baptism of 10 children into the life of the Church. To have your child baptized please contact the rectory.
Peace be with you,
Father Albert L. Capone
SACRIFICIAL OFFERING
Sacrificial offerings gathered at the Masses last weekend amounted to $6,014.00. The second collection amounted to $1,630.00. We thank you for your continued support. As our 7% to charity, $421.00 was given to Guest House, an alcohol treatment center for Roman Catholic clergy.
GIFT OF BREAD AND WINE
The gift of Bread and Wine at all the Masses this weekend is in memory of Frank Clark; please remember him in your prayers. Next weekend the gift of Bread and Wine will be given in memory of Ernest Herrman and the Awen Family. We invite parishioners to donate the Bread and Wine for all the Sunday Masses on a given weekend. The person remembered will be listed in the bulletin and prayed for at all the Masses on that weekend. Suggested offering for this is $75.00.
NEXT WEEKEND'S SECOND COLLETION
Next week's second collection is for the benefit and assistance of Saint Michael School. Your generosity has aided our school to grow and thrive .... we thank you very much.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM
We remind all couples planning marriage in the Catholic Church that they are required to attend Marriage Preparation Classes. These classes are a time when we can help engaged couples understand the Church's teaching on Marriage. Our parish will hold its next Marriage Preparation Program on October 29 and 30, 2010. For more information on the program or to receive a registration form please contact the Rectory at 978-459-0713.
TRAVELLING AND NEED MASS TIMES???
To help you find Mass times and locations while you are on vacation please check out the internet at www.Masstimes.org.
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