CALLING ALL BELL RINGERS!
 Under the direction of our Adult Choir Director, Diane Dyson, St Mary's is  forming a Hand Bells Choir to play during the Advent and Christmas season. Practices will take place on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the choir loft, starting this Wednesday October 7th. The group must have at least 6 people, preferably 8, but up to 12 and is open to all ages starting at 12 years old. If you have any questions, please contact Diane.

To all St. Mary of the Nativity Parishioners:
Children’s Liturgy of the Word Needs Your Help!
We would like to continue the Children’s Liturgy of the Word in the chapel at the 8:30 Sunday Mass every week, but we need more help. Please consider joining this ministry group.

If you have joined us in the chapel at the 8:30 Mass in the past, then you have already seen how rewarding this ministry is to the youth of our parish. Each week those who attend listen to the Sunday readings and discuss what they have heard God say to them. Parents who have come to the chapel have told us how grateful they are that we offer this ministry at St. Mary’s, and how much they have learned about their own faith by listening to the children.

This ministry does not take much of your time. If you are a student in the Confirmation Program, we will also credit you with Service Hours.

We need people in the following roles and each one is very easy to do: Youth Lectors, Lead Facilitators and Assisting Facilitators. If you hear God calling you to be more involved in your parish then this could be the place for you! Contact Shannon Basler at 781-545-6033 or shannon.basler@thomsonreuters.com. 

prayer and liturgy

ARISE Together in Christ
Sign-up weekend is here! Cards are available during Masses, at the main entrances to the Church and Chapel. You may also register at the Parish Center. Please join us for our 3rd season “In the Footsteps of Christ.” There will be small groups meeting everyday of the week so chose a day that works best for you and join us! For more information please contact Jane Kuklis at 781-545-3335 ext. 212 or Michelle Gee at ext. 217. Small groups begin meeting October 4, 2009.

WOULD YOU PRAY FOR A PRIEST EACH DAY?
The Monthly Prayer Request for Priests (MPRP) is an international apostolate which was founded in 1990 to encourage people to support Catholic priests by prayer and sacrifice.

Here is how the apostolate works: Each diocese prays for its own priests. Each day of the year bears the name of a priest from that diocese, obtained from the diocesan directory. Thus, by means of the calendar, the faithful are united in offering prayer and sacrifice for the particular “priest of the day,” always remembering to include the general intention of prayer for all priests of the diocese and around the world. Many dioceses also include special dates for remembering the Pope, local bishops, specific religious orders, etc.

The Monthly Prayer Request for Priests calendars for the months of June and July for the Archdiocese of Boston are available in the entrances of the church and chapel. Won’t you join in praying for a priest a day?  Posted 090609

FRIDAY, October 3 IS FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, October 3 is First Friday. Adoration & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in  the chapel immediately following the 7:30 am Mass and will continue throughout the day ending with Evening Prayer at 4:45 pm.

First Fridays are a devotional practice honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus in which members of the Church observe the first Friday of each month by receiving Holy Communion. According to promises, which it is claimed Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, those who follow this practice for nine consecutive months will be granted special graces such as final perseverance in faith and the consolation of Christ’s love in their final hour. Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will follow the 7:30 am Mass and end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 4:45 pm.

Every First Friday there is a basket for personal petitions for those who trust in His Mercy. The basket is placed on the gift table before Mass. The petitions are brought to the priests along with the gifts at Offertory time. The petition basket remains before the altar throughout the day.....our petitions
to Christ. You may put your petitions in the basket anytime during the day. Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will follow the 7:30 a.m. Mass and end with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 4:45 p.m.

RECITATION OF THE ROSARY
The Rosary is said every weekday morning after the 7:30 am Mass and also on Saturday after the 8:15 am Mass. On the First Saturday of every month after the 8:15 am Mass, the rosary is said in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.

The Vocation Cross Program
The Vocation Cross is available for any and all parishioners interested in praying for an increase in religious vocations. To reserve the cross for one week, please sign the sheet at the entrance to the church.

Thank You!
Fr. John Murphy would like to thank all the parishioners who donated to the Missionary Cooperative Appeal two weeks ago. Almost $6,000 was raised for the Sons of Mary. He is most grateful for your generosity.  Posted 092709

offerings of interest

THE PIETA MINISTRY
A Spiritual Retreat for Parents Who Have Lost a Child
November 7 & 8, 2009
St. Anthony Shrine and Ministry Center
100 Arch Street, Downtown Crossing, Boston, MA 02110
Join other parents and Franciscan Friars in a warm and loving place where we hope you can find comfort, rest and peace—at least for a time. Call 617-542-6440, ext. 116 for more details.

Friends of the Unborn
Thursday, October 15 ~ 25th Anniversary Celebration of Friends of the Unborn. There will be a 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth’s Church, Milton. Dinner to follow at Lombardo’s, Randolph. Tickets are $50. Call 617-786-7903.

Project Rachel
Saturday, November 21 ~ “Come to the Waters of Healing” ~ Project Rachel retreat for post abortion healing. Location is confidential. To register, call 508-651-3100 or help@projectrachelboston.com.

Children & Teen Bereavement Support Group
will run October 2 - November 8 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Old South Union Church, Weymouth. Please call Maureen Conneely at 339-237-1537 for information and sign up.

In an effort to support families in the Archdiocese of Boston that home school their children, Cardinal Seán has established a position of Spiritual Director / Liaison for Home School Families within the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese. If you would like to contact the office for more information or be connected to other Catholic home school families, please call 617-746-5875.  Posted 092009