This Week at St. Julia Parish
| Sunday, March 14 | Parish Coffees, After All Masses |
| High School Youth Group, 6PM | |
| Parish Pastoral Council, 7:30PM | |
| Tuesday, March 16 | Bible Study, 9:15AM |
| Wednesday, March 17 | Sacrament of Reconciliation, 6:30 - 8:00 PM |
| Friday, March 19 | Eucharistic Adoration, St. Julia, 12 Noon - 3:00 |
| Soup and Stations, 6PM | |
| Sunday, March 21 | Coffee & Contemporary Catholicism, 10 AM |
| Flower Committee, 12 Noon |
Lenten Events
COLLABORATIVE LENTEN MISSION
The parishes of Our Lady of Fatima, Sudbury; St. Ann and St. Zepherin of Wayland and Natick; St. Anselm of Sudbury; St. Julia of Weston and Lincoln offer a Mission, "The God of Love, Love of God" beginning Monday, March 8 through March 11, 7-8:00PM. The Presenter is Father Robert Mallonee, SVD, Retreat Director at the Miramar Retreat Center. The retreat will be held as follows:
Monday, March 8 at St. Zepherin Church, Wayland, Endearing Love of God"
Tuesday, March 9 at St. Julia Church, Weston, "Healing Love of God"
Wednesday, March 10 at St. Anselm Church, Sudbury, "Forgiving Love of God", Sacrament of Reconciliation
Thursday, March 11 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sudbury, "Nourishing Love of God", Eucharistic Celebration.
Hospitality will follow Mass on Thursday Evening.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
The story of the Prodigal son helps us refocus on the meaning of Lent. This is a time to change our ways, to turn back to God our Father, and to appreciate and share the gifts we have received. As we begin the second half of our journey with Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl, we remember that we are called to be stewards of what God has given us, and we connect our prayers and fasting with our giving.
COOKBOOK PROJECT
Members of ARISE are compiling recipes for a cookbook Food for the Body & Soul. Proceeds will benefit Hearth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending elder homelessness. Please visit www.Hearth-home.org for more information, and read our cover letter describing our project here.
We invite you to be a part of the project by submitting no more than three of your favorite recipes by either completing the form that can be found at the back of the church or in the parish office, or downloaded here. Please use only one side of form, one recipe per form. You may also xerox copies of your favorite recipes and mail them to Alpheen Menachery at 68 Laurel Road, Weston, MA 02493, or scan/type your favorite recipes and e-mail them to alpheen@hotmail.com or betsyczar@comcast.net. Recipes will be organized into the following categories: appetizers & beverages, soups & salads, vegetables, main dishes, breads & rolls, desserts, and miscellaneous. Please check your recipes for accuracy and legibility. Print your name as you would like it to appear in the cookbook next to each recipe submitted. PLEASE ACT NOW, DEADLINE IS MARCH 26! Recipes must be received no later than March 26 and final selection for inclusion in the cookbook will be at the discretion of the committee. Our goal is to start selling the cookbooks by September 2010. Questions: Contact Carol Ritter at dolvemat@comcast.net, or 339-222-9704.
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE LENTEN PRAYER CIRCLE?
Here is an opportunity to do something special for Lent - praying for one another. To participate, all you need do is sign up for one day in Lent to pray for the requested intentions. Pray at church, pray at home, pray anywhere and at any time. There will be a sign-up sheet and a prayer-request basket in both churches. When you sign up you will receive a prayer intention and a reminder of your prayer day via mail or email. Sign up and place your prayer requests in the basket, and encourage others to do so. May we hold each other in prayer especially during the Holy Season of Lent. For more information, contact Alpheen Menachery at 781-893-9984 or alpheen@hotmail.com.
THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU
The Light is On For You —- On all the Wednesdays of Lent following Ash Wednesday from 6:30- 8:00pm, St. Julia Parish church and all the churches and chapels of the Archdiocese of Boston will be open for individual confessions. Inviting Catholics to experience Christ's healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the major initiatives of Cardinal Seán and the Archdiocese this year. The Archdiocese has set up a website, www.theLightIsOnForYou.org, to help you prepare. It has videos on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sheets on how to make a good confession, answers to frequently asked questions, and more. Please make plans to come on a Lenten Wednesday to St. Julia or St. Joseph Church, and spread the word of this special outreach of mercy to those you know.
LOOKING FOR A LENTEN GOOD WORK SUGGESTION?
Support our parish's vitality by helping ensure that fellow parishioners can stay connected to the parish community! We can introduce you to one of several parishioners who can't drive anymore, and who would be delighted to have a ride to Mass [either church] once a month. Or, how would you like to visit with one of our homebound parishioners who don't get out too often, and who would love a monthly visit at home, with Communion and connection? For details, call Susan Bayard at 781-642-1308.
Daily Devotion booklets
Now available in both churches. There are two books: "Lent 2010 for Kids, We Follow Jesus!", and "Living with Passion" Feel free to pick up either or both of these books as part of your Lenten reading. Why not pick up a copy for a friend?
LENTEN EVENINGS OF REFLECTION
"THE OUTSIDER AND THE INSIDER, LIVING ON THE FRINGE". Mondays, February 22 through March 22, 7:00 - 7:45PM Bethlehem Chapel, Brandeis University. Marie LaBollita SC, Rosemary Mulvihill RSM, Music by Ann Marie David. Sponsored by Sacred Threads. All are Welcome.”
Upcoming Events
FOOD COLLECTION
There will be baskets at the doors of both churches the weekend of March 13/14 for food donations for the St. Joseph SVDP Pantry. Any and ALL non-perishable food items that are within the "sell by date", and paper and cleaning supplies, are always needed. In addition, cans of chicken, baked beans and stew, and also paper towels are needed. The SVDP Lincoln food pantry is a St. Julia Parish outreach, which provides food to Weston and Lincoln adults and children. Thank You.
A DRIVER is urgently needed for the SVDP Food Pantry to go into the Greater Boston Food Bank [GBFB] in Boston every two months to pick up food and deliver it to St. Joseph Church. The driver can choose the day and time [between 8:30AM and 3:30PM]. We are looking for someone who is able to lift crates of up to 25 lbs, and who has a car big enough to transport the 400-500 lbs of food [SUV or pick-up]. The successful operation of the SVDP food pantry strongly depends on the food received from the GBFB, and the volunteers who are able to pick up the food. If you can help, please contact Ursula Nowak at 781-259-4297.
ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL
THE ARCHDIOCESEAN ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL HAS BEGUN. "The Gifts We Have, We Are Given to Share." Success in the eyes of God is not about the quantity or quality of our material goods. Instead, it's about how we use those goods: Do they move us closer to God, or are they an obstacle? God calls us to share what we have to help others. By providing support for many ministries of the Church, the Catholic Appeal offers everyone a chance to practice Christian stewardship. Please consider how you will participate in the Catholic Appeal this year. Thank You to everyone who has pledged thus far!
ST. PATRICK'S DINNER DANCE
Will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Sudbury, on March 13th from 6:30 to 11PM. Entertainment will be provided by the Irish band Jug of Punch and Irish Step Dancers. A corned beef dinner, as well as complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks will be served. The cost is $30.00 per person. Proceeds go to charity. For tickets, call St. Julia Parish Office, 781-899-2611. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
SOUP AND STATIONS
Friday, March 19th at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome to an evening that will begin by praying the Stations of the Cross in St. Julia Church. Following the Stations of the Cross, on the second floor of the parish center, we will be sharing in a simple meal of soup, bread, and drinks. If you would be willing to prepare a meatless soup, bring a loaf of bread, and/or able to loan a slow cooker (crock pot) to keep the soup warm, please contact Jean Pelletier at 781-899-0739 or jpelletier@stjulia.org.
WHO WOULD KILL A NUN?
Next Sunday Sunday, March 21, at 10:00 AM, Michele Murdock, author of A Journey of Courage, the Amazing Story of Sister Dorothy Stang, will speak in the Parish Center as part of the Coffee and Contemporary Catholicism series. Sr. Dorothy worked in Brazil to improve the life of peasant farmers in the Amazon rain forest. In 2005 she was gunned down by hit men hired by ranchers to "get rid of her." Ms. Murdock will begin with an introduction to the life of Dorothy Stang, speak about her inspiration to write the book, and discuss her trip to Brazil to witness the trial of one of the ranchers and meet those who had known and worked with Sister Dorothy. There will be a short reading, discussion and time for questions. Books will be available. Sr. Dorothy Stang was posthumously awarded the United Nations Human Rights Prize, given only every five years.
PIANO RECITAL
The Polish Cultural Foundation presents Konrad Binienda. He will be performing Saturday, March 27th at 6:00PM in St. Julia Parish Hall. Tickets are $20, and may be purchased at the Parish Office. All are welcome to attend.
SECRETS OF A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE
Sunday, March 28, 1 to 3:30PM St. Julia Parish Hall. Here are just two of the reasons why couples don't want to miss this program. [See next week’'s bulletin for more reasons.]
A researcher said 69% of all marital challenges are unsolvable. Learn what this means and what you can do to make your marriage stronger.
Learn the secrets of a stress-reducing conversation that release a bonding hormone.
Presenter, Kathleen Logan Prince, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and licensed marital and family therapist. For 12 years, she was Director for the New England Institute of Family Relations in Framingham, where she created and present enrichment seminars.
Registration required. Call the Parish Office. Babysitting available upon request. Light refreshments will be served.
BOOK CLUB
THE BOOK CLUB will meet on Monday, March 29th at St. Joseph House at 12 Noon. This month's selection is "Into the Forest" by Jean Hegland. Bring a lunch. Coffee/tea and dessert will be served. Questions: call Therese Flynn at 617-283-5623.
GENERATIONS OF FAITH
Don't miss Frank Runyeon! Register Now! Our April 11 Generations of Faith program is filling up fast. Register today so you won't miss out on Frank Runyeon's one-man show: Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith. Join parishioners of all ages to see Runyeon, star of As the World Turns, LA Law and Melrose Place presents "the struggle to live faithfully in the media age." Sessions begin at 12:15 pm and 6:00 pm with a light collation. There are no children's break-out sessions, so families can enjoy this wonderful performance together.
Because space is limited everyone must register for the light meal and performance by Monday, March 29. Register through the parish website or by calling the Religious Education Office at 781-899-4734.
EASTER BASKET PROJECT 2010
Bristol Lodge distributes our donations to needy families in the area. We hope ALL PARISHIONERS will help acquire items needed to fill the gift baskets. If you do not have a child in the Religious Education Program, and would like to contribute to this project, we would appreciate receiving: plastic Easter grass, stickers, and/or monetary donations [can be given to Jean Pelletier or Anne Marie Mahoney]. Some of the other requested items, also appreciated, are:
Kindergarten & Grade 1 - small stuffed animals
Grade 2 - foil wrapped chocolate eggs
Grade 3 - SMALL 9 - 12 oz. bags of jelly beans
Grade 4 - SMALL INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED Peeps
Grade 5 - 4oz. Bottles of bubbles with wands (6-packs)
All donations are due by Tuesday, March 30 to Parish Center lobby or St. Joseph Church (near literature rack). Questions: call Jean Pelletier, 781-899-0739.
ELECTRONICS NEEDED
Do you have a good, working VCR or large TV with VCR that is taking up space in your basement? While most of the world has shifted to DVDs, the Religious Education program has a collection of videos that we would like to continue to use, but our equipment is dying. If you would like to get rid of that functional, but outdated equipment, please contact the Religious Education office at 781-899-8434 or ammahoney@stjulia.org. We can pick up anything you have to donate; it is greatly appreciated.
PASTORAL VISITORS
PASTORAL VISITORS are invited to a morning of enrichment at the Pastoral Center in Braintree on Saturday, April 25th from 9AM to Noon. The topic for this 6th Annual Gathering is Bereavement: Companions on the Journey, presented by Fran Hauck, Pastoral Associate, Holy Name Parish, West Roxbury. Invitations have been sent to St. Julia parishioners who bring Communion and connection to more than 20 homebound fellow parishioners who live in Weston/Lincoln, and to those in local care institutions. If you would like to join this important outreach ministry, or join us at the workshop, please call Susan Bayard at 781-642-1308.
2009 PARISH CONTRIBUTION TAX STATEMENT
If you would like a tax statement listing your 2009 Offertory contributions to St. Julia Parish, please call the parish office at 781-899-2611 or by email. We will do our best to provide statements within one week of request. In order to fulfill your request, please provide your name, address and envelope number, if possible.
IT'S GETTING EASIER TO STAY IN THE LOOP
The Communication Commission is pleased to announce that we are now able to communicate with parishioners via Constant Contact e-mail distribution service. Families who have provided the parish with their e-mail addresses will receive parish-wide announcements as well as our twice-a-month "what's going on the parish" update.
If you have not yet signed up for this service, please contact Kathy Dolan by email and ask to be put on the list. If you are already registered, know that communication will be sent to your family's primary e-mail address, as recorded in our data base. If another member of the family would like to receive these messages, please send an e-mail requesting that.
Over the past four years, the Communication Commission has been working hard to enhance the way we share information among ourselves and with the greater community. We hope you will take advantage of this most recent opportunity.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Through the first seven months of the fiscal year, 45% of our revenues have come from the weekly offertory, although this is lagging behind the budget by approximately $10K. On the other hand Grand Annual exceeded the budget by almost $20K. The graph available in the bulletin showing income and expenses tells the story of our dependence on the Grand Annual for meeting our monthly expenses. For the rest of the year we need the weekly offertory to keep pace with the budgeted amount. Recently we received a generous donation from a parishioner who indicated it was "for wherever it is needed most".
I have had on my desk for almost a year now a proposal for the purchase of a portable defibrillator unit that is priced at $1,250. This donation would enable us to purchase two. I have proposed to Fr. Evans that we use this donation for that purpose and use $1,250 from the Grand Annual to purchase a third unit. A cardiac surgeon and parishioner confirmed the need and value for such units at both sites even though each is close to a fire station. Seconds could make the difference in some cases. So we plan to order three units. Sr. Mary Anne Doyle, Business Manager
COUNCILS, COMMISSIONS AND MORE
Our parish has a Parish Pastoral Council and a Parish Finance Council. Seven active commissions currently keep our whole parish alert to concerns, opportunities and parish programming in their various areas: Liturgy, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Stewardship, Social Justice, Adult Faith Formation, and Communication. Additionally, parish organizations, committees and ministries help to let the mission of Jesus Christ be known and carried out in our parish for service of God and God's People within and beyond its borders.
In Baptism, each of us has been richly blessed with the gift of new life in Christ. By Baptism, each of us has been called to be holy and to be engaged in the mission of the Church. Thanks are owed those who take this call seriously. Please consider how you might use your God-given time, talent and treasure to build up the Body of Christ in new ways. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CRITICAL NEED FOR LECTORS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND COMMISSION MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT ANY STAFF MEMBER TO FIND OUT MORE.
"GETTING GREENER" - A GRASSROOTS OPPORTUNITY
Are you creative? Do you have a passion for saving the planet by taking important little steps? The Social Justice Commission is seeking volunteers [adult and youth] to help us identify and implement ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at home and in the parish. In the parish, we recycle cardboard and plastics, reuse ceramic cups at Café Julia, use energy-efficient lighting, and have hosted a successful electronic recycling day last Fall. Yet, there is so much more all of us can do to be good stewards of our world. The 4th "R" today is Recruit. Can you help? Call 781- 642-1308 and leave your name. A return call will be made to you.
ARE YOU 70.5 YEARS OR OLDER?
Here is an opportunity for making tax-free charitable distributions from your traditional or Roth IRA account, but it must be done by December 31, 2009. The new Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 provides for people who are 70.5 years and older to contribute up to $100,000 from their IRAs to a qualified charity, such as St. Julia Parish. You will not have to pay tax on the amount that you contribute; as a result there is no charitable income deduction. Some reasons why you might want to do this:
• You have to take the usual required minimum distribution and pay a tax on it, but you don't really need this extra income now.
• The required distribution increases the amount of your Social Security benefits that you have to pay a tax on.
• You have already made the maximum charitable gifts and cannot deduct any more gifts.
• Your income is such that you don't get the maximum benefit from charitable contributions because of the phase-out of itemized deductions and exemptions.
Remember that this applies only if you are 70.5 years or older. It must be done by December 31st of this year. If this is something you wish to consider, please contact your tax consultant to review your unique situation. You may also contact Richard Ely at The Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese for further info on how this works, but remember St. Julia Parish! (617-779-3702)
JOB SEARCH NETWORKING
BEING A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY in serious economic times calls us to help neighbors in the greater community and those within our own parish. The parish staff is aware that there are a number of parishioners who are now unemployed. Do you know of employment opportunities that we could pass on? Do you know someone who is having trouble providing for their needs? St. Julia Parish may be able to help by referring to sources of assistance. Please call Fr. Evans, Fr. Hennessey, or Susan Bayard at 781-899-2611.
