Save the Date - Fall Parish Social - October 5th

Save the date for this evening of parish fun and community!  If you are able, it would be a great help to us for

planning purposes, to fill out the form to the right.  Thank you - we are looking forward to it!

Catholic Reading Wednesday

With many thanks to our awesome curator, Karen Celano, you can delve into a faith-related news article each Wednesday! This week, Karen is traveling back from vacation, so I will offer my own stab at something interesting to read. (*Note: no awesomely insightful commentary included - sorry!)

In October, Meredith and Josh Phelps will being offering classes on Natural Family Planning at our very own parish -- what an amazing blessing!  Their class still has a few spots open, so if you are interested in learning something more about it, email Meredith at Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com

Now.... Natural Family Planning is something that is commonly misunderstood by Catholics and the wider world, alike.  We should learn more about it - why does our Mother church endorse this method of family planning?  Clearly, she recognizes the need for couples to space children and cope with the realities of life.  Still, she asks us to be open to God's plans, blessings, and trials that come in our vocational call to marriage.  Thus, we strive to remain open to His will, His gift of life, at which time He should choose to give it.  The documents in the church on this amazing and liberating "Theology of the Body" are a huge body of works... and growing!

For a few perspectives from the real world, see these two Op Eds, here and here.  Despite society's insatiable taste for anxiety and worry, we can never cease to be amazed by how truly good God's will for each of us is, and how much peace it can bring us, even in this earthly life.

"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Saint Agnes School FIRST DAY, Saint Agnes Playgroup (am), Fatima Apostolate (pm)

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Now that we are in summer mode, 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, August 27th, we will meet at Lussiano Field (41 N. Union St., Arlington).  This park has basketball courts, sand areas, large playing field and even a spray pool if it’s hot! 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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Teachers for Religious Education Needed
Our parish religious education program will start again in September. Teachers for Grades 1,3,4, and 5 are needed. Do you feel called to teach our faith and a love for the Lord?Please consider this opportunity to deepen your own understanding of the Catholic faith and to share it with others. Training supplies and materials provided. Consider co-teaching with a spouse, relative or a friend.

We are also seeking monitors for special events. This would involve about five Sundays throughout the year from 9:45 until 10:05 am. Kindly call 781-646-5579 for more information about these opportunities for service in our community.

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The Saint Agnes Adult Choir sings at the 10:30 am Mass on Sundays during the school year. The choir invites anyone interested in singing with us this year to come to any Tuesday night choir rehearsal in September, beginning September 10th, (please note no rehearsal on Tuesday, September 3).  We rehearse 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the choir loft in the upper Church. If you have any questions, call Michael Vaughn at 617-833-0364 or send an email to mrv2022 [at] gmail.com.  You can always find the current Adult Choir or Children’s Choir Mass and Rehearsal Schedule at www.agnesmusic.net.

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Fidelity House Pre-K and Preschool: These programs have limited openings for September 2013. Children ages 2 years 9 months and up are welcome. The program, in its 36th year, is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Fidelity House Fall Programs: If there is a program you would like to see offered or if you have a talent you might like to share with others, please give Fidelity House a call at 781-648-2005. We would love to offer more children’s programs and programs for our senior citizens. This would be a great way to offer the gift of your time to the parish and for the benefit of our whole community!

More information about Fidelity House's numerous programs can be found at:
www.FidelityHouse.org, or on the link at the top-right of this page.

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Making Music Praying Twice at Belmont Collaborative (St. Luke/St. Joseph), Belmont, MA
Summer Camp Session II - New Dates! Sunday August 25 – Thursday August 29
The second session of MMP2 Summer Camp begins with a family-friendly session on Sunday afternoon August 25 at 4 p.m. and continues Monday – Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Tuition is free so come as many days as your schedule permits. The $25 per family materials fee includes a take home family CD and songbook which you can use to further your child’s music education and enjoyment. Summer camp is a great way to sample this fun and educational class and includes a little bit of everything from the regular classes: shaky eggs, sign language, parachute play, free instrument play, dance and more! 

Fall Classes: Thursdays at 10:30 am, and Saturdays at 9:30 am
This fall begins the new three year curriculum with new songs and reduced material costs. The fall session of 12 classes begins on September 7th and 12th, and covers the liturgical seasons of Ordinary Time (Fall) and Advent/Christmas. Included in the tuition are all classes and equipment plus two different sets of family materials for both Ordinary Time and Advent/Christmas.

Registration for both sessions is ongoing and available online at http://www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm or by calling the parish office at 617-484-0279. Pre-registration helps to determine which classes will run and allows us to pre-order CDs and songbooks. No payment is necessary until the first class. Classes appropriate for children birth – age 5 with a caregiver. All classes will be held at St. Joseph Parish, 130 Common Street, Belmont, MA.

Fidelity House Rock

As a new school year emerges, are you looking for new activites for your kids?

Look no further than our own awesome parish resource - Fidelity House!

Fidelity House offers many community youth programs, day camps, adult leagues, and even a certified preschool and Pre-K!

For more information, visit www.FidelityHouse.org

Catholic Reading Wednesday

With many thanks to our awesome curator, Karen Celano, you can delve into a faith-related news article each Wednesday! Karen writes:

What's the point in receiving an elite, expensive education if "all you want to do" is become a stay-at-home parent? This Princeton graduate weighs in:  http://verilymag.com/feature/o-alma-mater/

This article points out the many ways in which simply being a parent is not valued as an "accomplishment" in American society, nor is education valued as an end in itself but only as a means to other ends. Such a devaluation of parenting and education as an end-in-itself makes sense in a utilitarian and overly capitalistic society, but the author reveals a serious flaw in such thinking. If the only things we value are the means by which we achieve an end, then ultimately nothing can be an "end in itself" - something with intrinsic value. Nothing - whether education, or parenting, or even human life itself - can be seen as having inherent worth when we only value what enables us to achieve other goals. In such a utilitarian culture, simply being a parent is a deeply radical choice. Parenting demands that we be willing to sacrifice our goals and expectations in the process of allowing another human being space to develop and grow. And, with regard to the question of "at what point is a [person] not worth educating at all?," I would argue that human beings have a right to an education simply because they are human beings with creative and intelligent minds made in the image of God. No other justification is needed.

Mom's-Night-In on Thursday

Here's a friendly reminder that Mom's-Night-In is: THURSDAY, August 22nd

We will get together for a stress-free evening, and play some get-to-know-you games (think: Apples to Apples) . I would rather not publish

the hostesses address, so please email me at saintagnesfamilies [at] gmail.com if you plan to come. Please bring a snack or drink to share!

 We will kick it off at 7:00 pm.

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Saint Agnes Playgroup (am), Fatima Apostolate (pm)
• Thursday - Saint Agnes School Open House (afternoon)

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

Now that we are in summer mode, 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, August 20th, it is supposed to be HOT!!  We will meet at Filipello Playground (255 Grove St., Watertown).  This park has two play areas, with a waterspray in the middle. Areas are separated by soccer fields. You can access the parking lot off Grove Street (see map link, above, and view satellite image). Bring bathing suits, sunscreen, a picnic lunch and join us - we start at 10:30 am. 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!**

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Teachers for Religious Education Needed
Our parish religious education program will start again in September. Teachers for Grades 1,3,4, and 5 are needed. Do you feel called to teach our faith and a love for the Lord?Please consider this opportunity to deepen your own understanding of the Catholic faith and to share it with others. Training supplies and materials provided. Consider co-teaching with a spouse, relative or a friend.

We are also seeking monitors for special events. This would involve about five Sundays throughout the year from 9:45 until 10:05 am. Kindly call 781-646-5579 for more information about these opportunities for service in our community.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The Saint Agnes Adult Choir sings at the 10:30 am Mass on Sundays during the school year. The choir invites anyone interested in singing with us this year to come to any Tuesday night choir rehearsal in September, beginning September 10th, (please note no rehearsal on Tuesday, September 3).  We rehearse 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the choir loft in the upper Church. If you have any questions, call Michael Vaughn at 617-833-0364 or send an email to mrv2022 [at] gmail.com.  You can always find the current Adult Choir or Children’s Choir Mass and Rehearsal Schedule at www.agnesmusic.net.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Fidelity House Pre-K and Preschool: These programs have limited openings for September 2013. Children ages 2 years 9 months and up are welcome. The program, in its 36th year, is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Fidelity House Fall Programs: If there is a program you would like to see offered or if you have a talent you might like to share with others, please give Fidelity House a call at 781-648-2005. We would love to offer more children’s programs and programs for our senior citizens. This would be a great way to offer the gift of your time to the parish and for the benefit of our whole community!

More information about Fidelity House's numerous programs can be found at:
www.FidelityHouse.org, or on the link at the top-right of this page.

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

Making Music Praying Twice at Belmont Collaborative (St. Luke/St. Joseph), Belmont, MA
Summer Camp Session II - New Dates! Sunday August 25 – Thursday August 29
The second session of MMP2 Summer Camp begins with a family-friendly session on Sunday afternoon August 25 at 4 p.m. and continues Monday – Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Tuition is free so come as many days as your schedule permits. The $25 per family materials fee includes a take home family CD and songbook which you can use to further your child’s music education and enjoyment. Summer camp is a great way to sample this fun and educational class and includes a little bit of everything from the regular classes: shaky eggs, sign language, parachute play, free instrument play, dance and more! 

Fall Classes: Thursdays at 10:30 am, and Saturdays at 9:30 am
This fall begins the new three year curriculum with new songs and reduced material costs. The fall session of 12 classes begins on September 7th and 12th, and covers the liturgical seasons of Ordinary Time (Fall) and Advent/Christmas. Included in the tuition are all classes and equipment plus two different sets of family materials for both Ordinary Time and Advent/Christmas.

Registration for both sessions is ongoing and available online at http://www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm or by calling the parish office at 617-484-0279. Pre-registration helps to determine which classes will run and allows us to pre-order CDs and songbooks. No payment is necessary until the first class. Classes appropriate for children birth – age 5 with a caregiver. All classes will be held at St. Joseph Parish, 130 Common Street, Belmont, MA.

An Examination of Conscience

Don't forget that there are confessions at church this afternoon!  What an amazing gift of grace and love we have in this Sacrament....  let's avail ourselves of it.... often!

Before we go to confession, we prayerfully make an examination of conscience.  Why do we do this, and why is it called examination of conscience?  With our consciences at the helm of individual morality, we have to give a deep, raw, and honest look at our consciences and the kind of behaviors we have justified to ourselves as being OK.  We, as logical humans, have a weakness to negotiate, justify, accept, and defend behaviors which we know are wrong, but we would like to believe are right.  It is so much easier to say "it's OK" than to face the reality that our actions may be sinful.  When we faithfully examine our consciences, we can recognize deceitful reasoning, insincere, or even harmful actions, repent of them, and ask the Lord to forgive us -- setting us right again.

Here is a sad and disturbing article, which demonstrates the degree to which our culture has silently accepted behavior that should be outrightly rejected.  We need to "examine the conscience" of the society we are a part of.  When we are unable to speak the truth of rights and wrongs, sinful behavior has the power to harm our culture and society as a whole.  We need to call a spade, a spade.

Let's stop the devil in His tracks - let's not make excuses.  Go to confession today!

Catholic Reading Wednesday

With many thanks to our awesome curator, Karen Celano, you can delve into a faith-related news article each Wednesday! Karen writes:

George Saunders' touching 2013 commencement speech at Syracuse University examines success not in terms of career, academic achievements, material gain, or fame, but instead asks graduates to question their success and failures in terms of their kindness towards others.  Looking back on his own life, he reflects that failures of kindness are what he regrets the most - not necessarily active acts of unkindness, but the reserved, mild, and cowardly way in which most of us respond to the uncomfortable presence of suffering in our midst.  He urges graduates to combat the narcissism and selfishness of our culture and to "err on the side of kindness" as much as they can.

His speech is here.

Saunders' speech is powerful on its own.  Adding a Christian theological perspective can, I think, add to its insightfulness.  From a Christian perspective, Saunders provides an apt diagnosis of original sin, which he describes as a built-in condition of confusion and sickness.  He says that selfishness stems from believing that we are the center of the universe, that we are separable from others, and that we are "permanent" and eternal.  Christians know that only one Being fulfills these qualities: God.  Yet our God, who is the eternal center of the universe, chose not to remain separate from His creation and instead chose to empty Himself, to become one with us, and to suffer with and for His beloved creatures.  To be "like God," for Christians, is not license for egotism and narcissism; it is, rather, a command to selflessness and self-giving love, so that Saunders' wish for his audience can be fulfilled: "YOU will gradually be replaced by LOVE."  For Christians, we learn to love by learning what God has done for us and by heeding His call to follow His Way of the Cross.

Saunders also provides a needed reminder that love is not defined by a sensation of good-will.  It is primarily a matter of action and will.  C.S. Lewis wrote in The Four Loves that we should not "waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor.  Act as if you did. . .  When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him."  What is more, love is not a "sensible" or "mild" or "reserved" affair.  It is radical and subversive.  And, in the end, love reveals to us what we were always meant to be.  Love is about clearing away the extraneous and uncovering the "luminous" being God created us to be - creatures made in His Image.  

Where Saunders' speech can really be deepened by Christian theology is the way in which Christian thought extends mere human kindness and puts it in the context of divine love.  Placing Saunders' words in dialogue with Peter Kreeft's analysis of Christian agape (found here) reveals the difference between secular understandings of "love" and a Christian understanding of agape.  Kreeft writes that kindness has to do with the desire to alleviate suffering, and that, too, is Saunders' definition.  But what Saunders does not examine in his speech is the reality that kindness is not the same as love.  Love does not merely seek an end to suffering.  It seeks the absolute good of another - and it recognizes that sometimes suffering is necessary for our good. And here, I think, we can see the root of many of Christianity's disputes with secular society on issues ranging from abortion to assisted suicide.  Saunders says we should err on the side of kindness; Christians choose to err on the side of love.

RAIN LOCATION: Playgroup at Fidelity House

PLEASE NOTE that due to the rain, Tuesday playgroup (August 13th) will be held 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. Please consider a donation to help with their costs. The suggested donation is $1 per person, or $3 per family.
• 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 and boots.  Hope to see you there!

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Saint Agnes Playgroup (am), Fatima Apostolate (pm)
• Thursday - Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Holy Day of Obligation

This Thursday, August 15, is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary - a Holy Day of Obligation.

Masses at Saint Agnes will be held in the Lower Chapel as follows:

Wednesday, August 14 - 4:00 pm vigil

Thursday, August 15 - 7:00 am, 12:00 noon, 5:30 pm

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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, August 13th, we will meet at Arsenal Park Playground (561 Arsenal St., Watertown - THE PARK IS BEHIND THE MALL!). This park has spray fountain as well as a playground, and a small path for bikes or scooters. Bring bathing suits, sunscreen, a picnic lunch and join us - we start at 10:30 am. 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!**

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Teachers for Religious Education Needed
Our parish religious education program will start again in September. Teachers for Grades 1,3,4, and 5 are needed. Do you feel called to teach our faith and a love for the Lord?Please consider this opportunity to deepen your own understanding of the Catholic faith and to share it with others. Training supplies and materials provided. Consider co-teaching with a spouse, relative or a friend.

We are also seeking monitors for special events. This would involve about five Sundays throughout the year from 9:45 until 10:05 am. Kindly call 781-646-5579 for more information about these opportunities for service in our community.

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

FIDELITY HOUSE can save you from the summer blues!!

Did you know that Saint Agnes Parish supports operations at Fidelity House? We have this great resource at our own church! When you feel you are counting down the days until school starts, remember that there are many great programs for kids at Fidelity House this summer. For more information, visit www.FidelityHouse.org

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Making Music Praying Twice
Many thanks to Dot Bowe for giving our group shelter from the heat this past week at the Making Music, Praying Twice classes at St. Joe's in Belmont.  We hope everyone had a lot of fun singing together!  If you are interested in taking these classes weekly in the fall, please visit www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm, or email dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us

Story for Sunday

Happy Sunday!  Don't forget that this Thursday, August 15 is the great Feast of Mary's Assumption into Heaven!  This is a Holy Day of Obligation -- Let's call to mind God's abundant kindness to humanity, and Mary's generous response to the Lord.  May we pray for Mary's help and courage, also giving the Lord permission in every area of our own lives, so that He may work through us.

Here is an uplifting story to start off this week, about an amazing occurrence.  Granted, this event has not been scrutinized or validated by the Church as miraculous, but it is a great reminder that God continues to work in our lives everyday... either through our guardian angels or through His faithful servants here on earth.  Let's say "yes" to Him as well as this priest did.  Happy Sunday!

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 were so unsettled by the 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 October in Arlington. Only a few spots are left! Email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com for details.

Boston Sock Exchange this Weekend

"The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread."  -Mother Teresa-

This Saturday, August 10th is the Boston Sock Exchange at 11:00 am! 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 will be held TOMORROW NIGHT, August 9th at 7:00 pm in the parish center. Help and/or donations is a wonderful way to put our faith in action!  For more information, see the calendar to the right, or email Jennifer Hermanski at jennifer.hermanski [at] gmail.com.  Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Boston Sock Exchange is currently in need of lots of SOCKS, baseball caps, tote bags, medium weight shirts,umbrellas, and ponchos.  Thank you!

Catholic Reading Wednesday

With many thanks to our awesome curator, Karen Celano, you can delve into a faith-related news article each Wednesday! Karen writes:

In this week's article, Tim O'Malley reflects on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6). Seen in the context of Jesus' life and mission, the Transfiguration emerges as a model for Christian discipleship. On Mount Tabor, Jesus is united to God the Father in complete self-giving love. We as Christians are called to imitate Him and allow ourselves to be transformed by God's love.. Christ's mystical unity with the Father is what empowers His mission and enables Him to endure the Passion of the Cross. We, too, as members of Christ's transfigured Body, are urged to unite with God in prayerful love and to become transparent vessels for that love - a love which manifests itself in the "glorious hiddenness" of our everyday lives and empowers us to make the difficult sacrifices that true love entails. The Transfiguration, then, reveals not just Christ's true identity, but also our own: we are "adopted children of the living God," and we must accept both the glory and the responsibility of such an enormous vocation.

You can find Tim O'Malley's article here.

Baptism Briefing Tonight

Have you had a new baby? We wish you many heartfelt congratulations!

Don't forget that baptisms for babies at Saint Agnes are held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 2:00 pm. You must attend Baptismal Briefings prior to having your child baptized.

Baptism briefings happen once a month, and you can go to one tonight! The briefing session begins at 7:00 pm in the Saint Agnes Parish Center at 51 Medford St., Arlington. The meeting usually lasts under an hour.

If you would like to learn a little more about Christian baptism and why the Catholic Church encourages infants to be baptized, you can read about it here.

Parenting is certainly not an easy task: it is filled with difficult decisions, personal setbacks and growth, expanding relationships, disagreements, love, AND forgiveness. We offer you our support and encouragement along this journey, and we invite you warmly into our parish and Christian life!

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Saint Agnes Playgroup (am), Baptism Briefing & Fatima Apostolate (pm)
• Friday - Prep for Boston Sock Exchange (pm)
• Saturday - Boston Sock Exchange (am)

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

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, August 6th, we will meet at Spy Pond Playground (40 Pond Ln., Arlington). This park has a gravel path and is also near the bike path, if you are inclined to ride to the park. Bring a picnic lunch and join us - we start at 10:30 am. 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!**

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

This Saturday, August 10th is the Boston Sock Exchange at 11:00 am! 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, August 9th at 7:00 pm. Help and/or donations is a wonderful way to put your faith in action!  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 in need of lots of SOCKS, baseball caps, tote bags, medium weight shirts,umbrellas, and ponchos.  Thank you!

"The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread."
-Mother Teresa-

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Teachers for Religious Education Needed
Our parish religious education program will start again in September. Teachers for Grades 1,3,4,5 and 6 are needed. Do you feel called to teach our faith and a love for the Lord? Please consider this opportunity to deepen your own understanding of the Catholic faith and to share it with others. Training supplies and materials provided. Consider co-teaching with a spouse, relative or a friend.

We are also seeking monitors for special events. This would involve about five Sundays throughout the year from 9:45 until 10:05 am. Kindly call 781-646-5579 for more information about these opportunities for service in our community.

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

FIDELITY HOUSE can save you from the summer blues!!

Did you know that Saint Agnes Parish supports operations at Fidelity House? We have this great resource at our own church! When you feel you are counting down the days until school starts, remember that there are many great programs for kids at Fidelity House this summer. For more information, visit www.FidelityHouse.org

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

Making Music Praying Twice
Many thanks to Dot Bowe for giving our group shelter from the heat this past week at the Making Music, Praying Twice classes at St. Joe's in Belmont.  We hope everyone had a lot of fun singing together!  If you are interested in taking these classes weekly in the fall, please visit www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm, or email dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us