State Primary and Family Outing

Don't forget that today is the State Primary Election for Senate seats!  Be sure to vote at your assigned location before the polls close this evening.

Also - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  We have set a day for our May family outing, in two weeks:
May 11th, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Drumlin Farm (208 South Great Rd., Lincoln MA)
We will head out to the refreshing and fun Drumlin Farm, for some education and exploration together in the sunshine!

Activities include things like:
• Animal Barns
• Naturalist and farm educational presentations – kid approved!
• Hayrides for $2 adult, $1 kids
• Hiking trails

Many libraries have passes to the farm for a discounted price. Check the website or circulation desk of your nearest library to see if you can get a pass. Regular admission to the farm is $7 for adults and $5 for kids two and older. Or, if you have an Annual Mass Audubon Membership, admission is "free."  Bring a lunch to share. We hope to see you there!

http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Drumlin_Farm/index.php

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!

This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Playgroup (am), Saint Agnes Open House & Fatima Apostolate (pm)
• Wednesday - Bereavement Meeting (pm)
• Thursday - First Friday Confessions (pm)
• Friday - First Friday Adoration (all day)

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Now that the weather seems to have turned a bit warmer, we will be holding Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks.  To print a written schedule of our summer playgroup locations, please click here.  To see a map of our summer park schedule, please click here.

This Tuesday, April 9, we will be at Parallel Park (174 Medford St., Arlington).  This park has a large field that is good for balls and kites.  We will meet at 10:30 am.  Feel free to bring a picnic lunch, and join us.  We hope to see you there!

**NOTE THAT our outdoor summer schedule is highly dependent on good weather.  If the weather seems questionable, please check your email or the blog page before you leave for playgroup.  In case of rain, our usual rain location will be at Fidelity House, 25 Medford St., Arlington.  Thanks!**

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This Friday, May 3rd, is the first Friday of the month. On Thursday, May 2nd from 4:00-5:00 pm, there will be the opportunity for confession in the lower church. On Friday, Saint Agnes will be offering all-day Adoration, concluding with Benediction and Mass at 5:00/5:30pm, in the lower church. Also at noon there will be a Holy Hour to pray for priests and victims of clergy sexual abuse. Adoration is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quiet time with the Lord and gain some focus in our lives - especially with all the busy distractions of family life. For more background on the long tradition of keeping a First Friday devotion, look here or here.

There will not be First Friday playgroup this month, due to scheduling conflicts.  Hopefully you can meet us at First Friday in June!

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Our city has been deeply affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing and the events following.  Please remember to pray for everyone involved; for the Holy Spirit's guidance in faith and forgiveness.  Daily Mass is held at Saint Agnes at 7:00 am each weekday, followed by a recitation of the rosary.  Confessions are on Saturday afternoons.

In addition, please take time this First Friday to stop by the church and pray before our Eucharistic Lord, regarding this sad tragedy.

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Volunteer at the Fidelity House Fiesta!
Fidelity House’s 16th Annual Fundraiser, "FiHo Fiesta," will be held Saturday, May 18th from 6:30-11 pm.  The evening will feature a silent auction, live auction, food stations, music and dancing. Donate your time, ideas, new items, gift certificates, tickets, etc. to our silent or live auction. Corporate donations, matching gifts, family and individual sponsors are needed and appreciated.  Buy a ticket and have a chance at a $1,000 door prize.

To attend or help with volunteer efforts at the Fiesta, call Fidelity House at 781-648-2005.

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LexFUN Consignment Sale!
Are you trying to keep up with the costs of clothing a growing family?  Do you need to clear out some old baby gear?  Lexington's parents' group, LexFun, teams up with Saint Brigid parish to host a consignment sale on May 18th, from 8 am-2 pm.

You can find information on the sale, as well as selling your gear, and volunteering (comes with "first pick" perks) at this website.  Happy  hunting!

Weekly Digest

I'm sorry this post is so late... we are hosting company this week.  However, there's lots to do, so please check out the calendar to the right for upcoming events!

This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Playgroup (am) & Fatima Apostolate (pm)
• Wednesday - Bereavement Meeting (pm)
• Catholic Men's Cursillo Weekend (Thurs - Sunday)

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Due to the predicted chilly / rainy weather on Tuesday, we will return to Fidelity House for playgroup this week (April 23).

Thus, Tuesday playgroup will take place at Fidelity House, right near church: 25 Medford Street, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm.

• Please remember some behavior guidelines: No running out of the playroom, no kids in the toy closet, respect physical limits, use a time-out chair, please discipline your own children promptly.
• Fidelity House is being very generous by letting us use this space. Consider a donation to help with their costs. Minimum suggested donation is $1 per each person in attendance.
• Please no food.... drinks in spill proof containers are OK.

Parking is on the street around Fidelity House. Check the street signs for the rules. Once you walk in the front door, go up the stairs, past the front desk, and to the back of the building. There is a door from the room to an outdoor courtyard, so bring your kids' coats too. We will also teach a brief lesson for the kids.

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Our city has been deeply affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing and the events following.  Please remember to pray for everyone involved; for the Holy Spirit's guidance in faith and forgiveness.  Daily Mass is held at Saint Agnes at 7:00 am each weekday, followed by a recitation of the rosary.  Confessions are on Saturday afternoons.

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Volunteer at the Fidelity House Fiesta!
Fidelity House’s 16th Annual Fundraiser, "FiHo Fiesta," will be held Saturday, May 18th from 6:30-11 pm.  The evening will feature a silent auction, live auction, food stations, music and dancing. Donate your time, ideas, new items, gift certificates, tickets, etc. to our silent or live auction. Corporate donations, matching gifts, family and individual sponsors are needed and appreciated.  Buy a ticket and have a chance at a $1,000 door prize.

To attend or help with volunteer efforts at the Fiesta, call Fidelity House at 781-648-2005.
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LexFUN Consignment Sale!
Are you trying to keep up with the costs of clothing a growing family?  Do you need to clear out some old baby gear?  Lexington's parents' group, LexFun, teams up with Saint Brigid parish to host a consignment sale on May 18th, from 8 am-2 pm.

You can find information on the sale, as well as selling your gear, and volunteering (comes with "first pick" perks) at this website.  Happy  hunting!

Hiking and Camping

Thanks to all who joined us for the family hike on Saturday in Lexington.  We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, and spending time with others...  If you have craving for nature, family gatherings, and the great outdoors, please consider joining us for our July Parish Campout!  (details below)

When you make reservations to come, please use the form to the right, so we can keep track of how many people and WHO we are expecting to meet at the park!

• The dates for this camping trip are July 12-14. We will plan to camp at Greenfield State Park in Greenfield, NH - about an 1-1/2 hour drive from Arlington. This park has come highly recommended as a fun and easy park for family camping.  The park features camping (with toilets/showers), hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and a camp store.
• Make your reservations now! To get more information on the park and for a link to the reservations page (ReserveAmerica), see: http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/greenfield-state-park.aspx
• (Please note that some people have had trouble with the reservation system.  Try using a different browser.)
• There are no cabins. You can bring a tent, rent a tent from REI, borrow a tent from a friend, or drive an RV (if you have one). Cost for a campsite per night is $25. This is for two adults and their dependent children. If you plan on bringing a pet, please read the park's pet policy VERY CAREFULLY and be sure to reserve a site which allows pets... since most sites prohibit pets.
• Greenfield State Park Ranger "Harry" was extremely generous to answer my many questions over the phone. He is friendly and helpful, and I can't wait to stay at his park!Ranger Harry recommends the "Small Loop," sites 26-64 for families with small children, because it is a loop with little traffic and close walking distances.
• For families with slightly older children, Ranger Harry recommends sites 220-227, 230 because they have a very beautiful pond view.
• This is our first ever Saint Agnes Family Group camping trip. Together, we will take on the great adventure of family camping! While we are really excited about this, we are using the good old KISS rule - Keep it Simple, Stupid. Therefore, we will distribute information about the campground, and a rough schedule of breakfast / activities / dinner / Sunday Masses, etc. However, each family will be primarily responsible for their own specific plans and accommodations. If you don't want to stay both nights - that's cool - come when you can. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own camping trip, camping gear, CAMPING FOOD, camping survival (hehe). We will not be caravanning or providing transportation. We will meet you there!
• I will be happy to answer questions, post camping tips, attempt to anticipate concerns, etc. Feel free to contact me with questions at saintagnesfamilies [at] gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Family Hiking Tomorrow

Thanks be to God that the bombers have been caught.  Please continue to pray for them, and the many, many people affected by this tragedy.

Tomorrow, we will get together for a family hike after all!  We will meet at "Arlington's Great Meadow," which is located right next to the bike path in Lexington.  The best address to park for our meeting location is on Spencer St. in Lexington.  I have marked it on this map.  After you park, look for the path at the end of the street, which crosses onto the bike path.  We will meet on the bike path at 10:30, before heading onto a trail!

We planned to go geocaching, but since our "seasoned geocacher" has to work, we may only be able to hike.  We will still have fun in this beautiful nature reserve!  If anyone else knows how to geocache, please bring your GPS and coordinates along!

Please remember to wear appropriate shoes, as it will likely be muddy!  Also, wear your babies in a backpack - NOT A STROLLER.  You may want to bring a picnic lunch or bikes for after the hike.  Hope to see you there!

(Arlington's Great Meadow is bound by Mass Ave., Maple St., and Lowell St. in Lexington - very close to Wilson Farm and the Waldorf School.)

Family Group Activities Suspended

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the immensely edifying movie, October Baby, last night at Moms-Night-In!  (Also for the yummy snacks!)
If you didn't get to join us, but you would like to see the movie, it is on Netflix Instant Streaming.

Please read and be aware of the latest news regarding the Boston Marathon Bombers:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-boston-bombings-20130419,0,839233.story?page=2

All Family Group Activities -- most immediately, the geocaching event tomorrow -- are suspended due to safety concerns.  Unless the bomber is caught today, we will NOT be hiking tomorrow.  I do not want out group congregating and creating a potential danger to our families.

Please stay posted with news, as well as updates regarding playgroup next week.  And take a moment to say a prayer for these men.  Such a sad and senseless situation.  We must truly put them in the Lord's hands.

Bereavement Group and Help for Victims

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with the violence at the Marathon on Monday, please remember that our parish offers a wonderful Bereavement Group, held tonight at 7:00 pm in the Saint Agnes Parish Center (past the school, at the corner of Medford and Warren St., 51 Medford St., Arlington).

Tomorrow, there will also be an interfaith prayer service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 18.  (Please note, it is likely to be crowded, since President Obama will attend.)

Finally, if you would like to financially help those who have been hurt by the bombings, please visit OneFundBoston.com

Prayers and Faith

It is hard to understand the bombings today at the Boston Marathon.  We all have our own opinions, thoughts, and reflections.  Please join us to pray for the victims, the families, and those who planted the bombs.  This is not the same as being in our "thoughts."  Our world needs real and actual prayer!

I will try not to get preachy or insert my own opinion.  I hope this encourages you, at this time when our faith is tested:

Faith makes us taste in advance the light of the beatific vision, the goal of our journey here below....  Now, however, "we walk by faith, not by sight"; we perceive God as "in a mirror, dimly" and only "in part."  Even though enlightened by Him in Whom it believes, faith is often lived in darkness and can be put to the test.  The world we live in often seems very far from the one promised us by faith.  Our experiences of evil and suffering, injustice, and death, seem to contradict the Good News; they can shake our faith and become a temptation against it.

It is then we must turn to the witness of faith: to Abraham, who "in hope... believed against hope"; to the Virgin Mary, who, in "her pilgrimage of faith," walked into the "night of faith" in sharing the darkness of her Son's suffering and death; and to so many others: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." [Catechism of the Catholic Church #163-165]

Weekly Digest

Happy Patriots' Day! There are many retreats, days of recollection, and the Eucharistic Congress coming up. See the calendar to the right for details on these events!

This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Playgroup (morning), Fatima Apostolate (evening)
• Wednesday - Sodality Day of Recollection, Bereavement Meeting (evening)
• Thursday - Arlington Catholic Women's Fundraiser (morning), Mom's Night In (evening)
• Weekend - NORTH END EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS & Family Geocaching (Saturday)

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Now that the weather seems to have turned a bit warmer, we will be holding Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks.  To print a written schedule of our summer playgroup locations, please click here.  To see a map of our summer park schedule, please click here.

This Tuesday, April 9, we will be at Crosby Park (81 Oxford St., Arlington).  This park has a paved area good for bikes and scooters, as well as a field for soccer balls, etc.  We will meet at 10:30 am.  Feel free to bring a picnic lunch, and join us.  We hope to see you there!

**NOTE THAT our outdoor summer schedule is highly dependent on good weather.  If the weather seems questionable, please check your email or the blog page before you leave for playgroup.  In case of rain, our usual rain location will be at Fidelity House, 25 Medford St., Arlington.  Thanks!**

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Making Music, Praying Twice – Easter Season

Register now for the 7 week Easter session of Making Music Praying Twice, the last session before summer break. Classes are offered on Friday mornings at 10:30 and Saturday mornings at 9:30, beginning April 5th and 6th. Both classes are mixed ages 0-5, and limited to 12 children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Substantial sibling discounts are offered. Register by March 29 to receive CDs and family songbooks at the first class. Register online at http://www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm or by calling the Parish Office at 617-484-0279 or email Dot Bowe (dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us) with questions.

Calendar Update and Family Evening

What a beautiful Saturday it has been!  Hopefully anyone who went to the Boston Sock Exchange benefited from the good weather as well.

Remember - there are many retreats and days of Recollection coming up.  Be sure to take a look at the calendar to the right, so you can pencil some retreat time into your own schedule!

ALSO next weekend is the Eucharistic Congress in the North End!  Needless to say, this is a wonderful thing for any Catholic, but if you are a Catholic Young Adult, this event was designed with you in mind.  Check out the details at www.eucharisticcongress.org

Now, if you are looking for an easy way to wind-down your family's week, melted crayon art is a fun craft to do for making springtime window decorations.  Here and here are two variations on the same idea.  Have fun!

Weekly Digest

Welcome! There are many retreats, days of recollection, and the Eucharistic Congress coming up in the next couple of weeks. See the calendar to the right for details on these events!

This week at the parish:

• Playgroup, Tuesday
• Bereavement Meeting, Wednesday
• Arlington Catholic Women's Club, Wednesday
• Boston Sock Exchange, Friday/Saturday
• Arlington Catholic Drama, "Into the Woods", Friday/Saturday

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We are very blessed to announce that Fidelity House has agreed to host our group over the winter in one of their vacant rooms!

Thus, Tuesday playgroup will take place at Fidelity House, right near church: 25 Medford Street, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm.

• Please remember some behavior guidelines: No running out of the playroom, no kids in the toy closet, respect physical limits, use a time-out chair, please discipline your own children promptly.
• Fidelity House is being very generous by letting us use this space. Consider a donation to help with their costs. Minimum suggested donation is $1 per each person in attendance.
• Please no food.... drinks in spill proof containers are OK.

Parking is on the street around Fidelity House. Check the street signs for the rules. Once you walk in the front door, go up the stairs, past the front desk, and to the back of the building. There is a door from the room to an outdoor courtyard, so bring your kids' coats too. We will also teach a brief lesson for the kids.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

This weekend is the Boston Sock Exchange!  This ministry helps the homeless men and women of Boston, by distributing gifts of sandwiches and clothes near the Park Street T-Stop on the second Saturday of the month.  Prep and packaging for the day is held in the parish center on Friday night, April 12th at 7:00 pm.  Help and/or donations is most appreciated.  For more information, see the calendar to the right, or email Jennifer Hermanski at jennifer.hermanski [at] gmail.com

The Boston Sock Exchange is currently collecting umbrellas, ponchos, medium weight shirts, and sweatshirts.  Thank you!

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Making Music, Praying Twice – Easter Season
Register now for the 7 week Easter session of Making Music Praying Twice, the last session before summer break.  Classes are offered on Friday mornings at 10:30 and Saturday mornings at 9:30, beginning April 5th and 6th.  Both classes are mixed ages 0-5, and limited to 12 children accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Substantial sibling discounts are offered.  Register by March 29 to receive CDs and family songbooks at the first class.  Register online at http://www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm or by calling the Parish Office at 617-484-0279 or email Dot Bowe (dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us) with questions.

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Arlington Catholic Women's Club - New Member Welcome Night
Wednesday, April 10 at 7:15 PM at the Senior Center, 27 Maple St., Arlington
This is New Member Welcome Night! Meg Muckenhoupt will speak on "Boston Gardens and Green Spaces." Chairladies are Rita Champa, Linda Earnest, Ann Hunt, Kay Keating, and Rose Ann Pasquariello. Any questions may be directed to Rita at 617-625-0505.

Easter Octave

Happy Octave of Easter to everyone!  We had so much help to get through the Easter festivities... thanks!  Here are some pictures of the Easter Egg Hunt last weekend, headed up by Maureen and Joe Ronayne.

Also, if you are thinking about the camping trip in July (July 12-14), please see the post below, as well as making your reservations and completing the form on the right hand side of the page.  Thanks!

Local NFP

Attention Married Couples:

Would you like…

• a natural, hormone-free way to postpone pregnancy?
• to start a family or have another child?
• to improve communication with your spouse?
• to learn more about church teaching on "the Theology of the Body?"
• to understand why the Bishops had such a big hubbub over the new HHS mandate?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an organic, chemical-free method that is just as effective as the Pill at postponing pregnancy and nearly twice as effective as IVF for achieving pregnancy. The divorce rate among couples that practice NFP is less than 2%.

Want to learn more? Josh and Meredith Phelps are teaching a 3-class NFP series starting in May in Arlington. Only a few spots are left! Email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com for details.

First Friday Playgroup

Don't forget!
This Friday, April 5th, is the first Friday of the month.  Saint Agnes will be offering all-day Adoration, concluding with Benediction and Mass at 5:00/5:30pm, in the lower church. Also at noon there will be a Holy Hour to pray for priests and victims of clergy sexual abuse. Adoration is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quiet time with the Lord and gain some focus in our lives - especially with all the busy distractions of family life. For more background on the long tradition of keeping a First Friday devotion, look here or here.

Fidelity House is allowing us to have a SECOND playgroup this week on Friday, from 10:30-12:00 noon. If you would like a convenient opportunity to let your kids play while you spend some quiet time with the Lord, come join us! It will be a wonderful opportunity.

Summer Camping - UNVEILED!

Here is the first official announcement about camping in July - WHOO HOO!

If you know you are coming (or when you decide you are coming), please use the form to the right, so we can keep track of how many people and WHO we are expecting to meet at the park!

• The dates for this camping trip are July 12-14. We will plan to camp at Greenfield State Park in Greenfield, NH - about an hour-and-a-half drive from Arlington. This park has come highly recommended as a fun and easy park for family camping.  The park features camping (with toilets/showers), hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and a camp store.
• Make your reservations now! To get more information on the park and for a link to the reservations page (ReserveAmerica), see: http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/greenfield-state-park.aspx
• There are no cabins. You can bring a tent, rent a tent from REI, borrow a tent from a friend, or drive an RV (if you have one). Cost for a campsite per night is $25. This is for two adults and their dependent children. If you plan on bringing a pet, please read the park's pet policy VERY CAREFULLY and be sure to reserve a site which allows pets... since most sites prohibit pets.
• Greenfield State Park Ranger "Harry" was extremely generous to answer my many questions over the phone. He is friendly and helpful, and I can't wait to stay at his park! Ranger Harry recommends the "Small Loop," sites 26-64 for families with small children, because it is a loop with little traffic and close walking distances.
• For families with slightly older children, Ranger Harry recommends sites 220-227, 230 because they have a very beautiful pond view.
• This is our first ever Saint Agnes Family Group camping trip. Together, we will take on the great adventure of family camping! While we are really excited about this, we are using the good old KISS rule - Keep it Simple, Stupid. Therefore, we will distribute information about the campground, and a rough schedule of breakfast / activities / dinner / Sunday Masses, etc. However, each family will be primarily responsible for their own specific plans and accommodations. If you don't want to stay both nights - that's cool - come when you can. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own camping trip, camping gear, CAMPING FOOD, camping survival (hehe). We will not be caravanning or providing transportation. We will meet you there!
• I will be happy to answer questions, post camping tips, attempt to anticipate concerns, etc. Feel free to contact me with questions at saintagnesfamilies [at] gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Weekly Digest

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!  Sorry this post is late.... we've been in Easter recovery mode.

First, we owe MANY, MANY thanks to Maureen and Joe Ronayne, Father Flatley, and the many other parishioners who worked to make the Egg Hunt on Sunday a big success. It was wonderful to see so many families spending time together after Mass. Remember, there is rich Catholic fellowship each Sunday after the 9 am Mass: Coffee and Donuts in the Arlington Catholic Cafeteria. We hope to meet you there!

For other events going on at the parish this week, see the calendar to the right.
Now, coming up this week:

• Playgroup Tuesday
• First Friday
• Mass of Annointing on Saturday - Volunteers needed
• Save the date - Family Geocache Hiking on April 20th

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
We are very blessed to announce that Fidelity House has agreed to host our group over the winter in one of their vacant rooms!
Thus, Tuesday playgroup will take place at Fidelity House, right near church: 25 Medford Street, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm.

• There is a lot of sickness going around this winter.... please do not bring your children to playgroup if they are sick.
• Please remember some behavior guidelines: No running out of the playroom, no kids in the toy closet, respect physical limits, use a time-out chair, please discipline your own children promptly.
• Fidelity House is being very generous by letting us use this space. Please consider a donation to help with their costs. Minimum suggested donation is $1 per each person in attendance.
• Please no food.... drinks in spill proof containers are OK.

Parking is on the street around Fidelity House. Check the street signs for the rules. Once you walk in the front door, go up the stairs, past the front desk, and to the back of the building. There is a door from the room to an outdoor courtyard, so bring your kids' coats too. We will also teach a brief lesson for the kids.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
This Friday, April 5th, is the first Friday of the month. On Thursday, April 4th from 4:00-5:00 pm, there will be the opportunity for confession in the lower church. On Friday, Saint Agnes will be offering all-day Adoration, concluding with Benediction and Mass at 5:00/5:30pm, in the lower church. Also at noon there will be a Holy Hour to pray for priests and victims of clergy sexual abuse. Adoration is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quiet time with the Lord and gain some focus in our lives - especially with all the busy distractions of family life. For more background on the long tradition of keeping a First Friday devotion, look here or here.

Fidelity House is allowing us to have a SECOND playgroup this week on Friday, from 10:30-12:00 noon. If you would like a convenient opportunity to let your kids play while you spend some quiet time with the Lord, come join us! It will be a wonderful opportunity.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Saint Agnes Parish Mass of Anointing and Luncheon will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6 at 12:00 noon. Many volunteers are needed to make this event possible, including drivers, nurses, greeters, hosts, food donations, set up (on Friday, Feb. 5), etc. If you are able to help, please call the Parish Center (781-648-0220), and leave your name and number and how you would like to help. Thank you!

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Boston Sock Exchange: This ministry helps the homeless men and women of Boston, by distributing gifts of sandwiches and clothes near the Park Street T-Stop.  They are currently collecting umbrellas, ponchos, medium weight shirts, and sweatshirts.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Making Music, Praying Twice – Easter Season
Register now for the 7 week Easter session of Making Music Praying Twice, the last session before summer break.  Classes are offered on Friday mornings at 10:30 and Saturday mornings at 9:30, beginning April 5th and 6th.  Both classes are mixed ages 0-5, and limited to 12 children accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Substantial sibling discounts are offered.  Register by March 29 to receive CDs and family songbooks at the first class.  Register online at http://www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm or by calling the Parish Office at 617-484-0279 or email Dot Bowe (dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us) with questions.