Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Choir Practice & Fatima Apostolate (7 pm)
• Wednesday - Bereavement Meeting (7 pm)
• Thursday - First Friday Confessions (4 pm), Confirmation Rehearsal (7 pm @ Saint Camillus), Men's Bible Study (8 pm)
• Friday - First Friday Adoration (all day, Benediction at 5:00, Mass at 5:30), First Friday Playgroup (10:30 am), 40 Days for Life Vigil (7 pm), 
• Saturday - Confirmation at Saint Camillus (includes both parishes, 10:30 am), Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Children's Choir (practice begins at 8 am for 9 am Mass), Coffee Hour (after 9 am Mass), Adult Choir (10:30 am Mass), Infant Baptisms (2 pm), Depart for 40 Days for Life (2:30 pm)
• Monday - Anointing of the Sick Mass at Saint Eulalia's, Winchester (9 am)

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

Once a week, we hold 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, September 30th, we will meet at Robbins Farm Park (56 Eastern Ave., Arlington).  This park has play structures and swings, a beautiful large slides, and is a GREAT place to fly kites!  We will play in the beautiful fall sunshine and enjoy each other's company.  Bring your own picnic lunch.  Come join us; we hope to see you there!

**NOTE THAT our outdoor 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, playgroup will be cancelled for the day. Thanks!**

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This Friday, October 3rd, is the first Friday of the month.  On Thursday, October 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 daily life. For more background on the long tradition of keeping a First Friday devotion, look here or here.

Also, anyone who wishes to walk across the street to spend time alone with our Lord in Adoration may do so, while the other mothers watch your children in the playroom.  First Friday playgroup is from 10:30 am-12:30 pm at Fidelity House (25 Medford St., Arlington). Fidelity House is being very generous by letting us use this space. Please consider a donation to help with their costs. Suggested donation is $1 per each person attending. 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 Please no food.... drinks in spill proof containers are OK.

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40 Days for Life

Our community will join hundreds of other cities on September 24th-November 2nd to participate in a life-saving campaign made up of prayer and fasting, community outreach and peaceful vigils.  You are invited to stand and pray during the 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood in Boston, and to spread the word about this important ministry.

Please join Saint Agnes parishioners as we participate in the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign this fall.  The first candlelight vigil will be held on Friday, September 26th at 7:00 pm outside Planned Parenthood in Boston.

Saint Agnes has committed to prayer outside of Planned Parenthood on Sundays from 3:00-4:00 pm, beginning September 28th.  We will leave Saint Agnes parking lot at 2:30 pm each week.  We invite you to join us at least once during the campaign.  For more information, visit www.40DaysforLife.com/boston, or email Eileen Cahill at SAParishforLife [at] gmail.com.

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Sing in the CHILDREN'S Choir at Saint Agnes
If you have children interested in our Children's Choir, now is the time!  The Children's Choir will begin singing at the 9:00 am Family Mass on October 5th.  If you are in 1st Grade or above and love to sing, come and join us!  Rehearsal is at 8:15 before the scheduled Mass.  Other dates are indicated on the parish calendar, here.

You can always find a complete Mass and Rehearsal Schedule at www.agnesmusic.net

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Children's Way of the Cross

Did you take your children to the beautiful Children's Way of the Cross this past Lent?  This is such a great ministry for our parish.  However, Tricia Sheehan, who has coordinated for many years is looking for new parents to take on this annual devotion!  If you are able to give yourself in service this way, please contact Tricia Sheehan (781-648-7709).

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Project Rachel
Project Rachel retreats help women find hope, healing and reconciliation after abortion.  If you or a loved one is suffering from post-abortion pain, contact Project Rachel about upcoming "Come to the Waters of Healing" retreats on Saturdays, February 22, March 29, or April 12.  Contact Project Rachel  at help [at] ProjectRachelBoston.com or 508-651-3100.  All inquiries are confidential.

Men's Bible Study on Thursday Night!

Arlington Men:  Are you looking for a way to get involved at the parish and grow in your faith?  Look no further, and don't delay!

Saint Agnes Men's Bible Study will be held on Thursday!

You don't need any background knowledge, just come as you are and enjoy the fellowship of other men who also want to learn something new.  So gentlemen: bring your wife some flowers for patiently watching the kids, promise to come home early on Mom's-Night-In, and join us!

Respect Life: Special Collection for the Middle East & 40 Days for Life

How can we be PRO-life every day?

By maintaining a positive attitude towards others,

appreciating the unique person that God has created in each individual,

reaching out in kindness and compassion,

praying for the unborn, disabled and elderly,

and giving alms to the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable in our society.

“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40

Special Collection for the Middle East
Pope Francis and the American Bishops urge Catholics to support Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq, who have been forced to flee their homes under pressure from the extremist group ISIS.  Cardinal Sean has asked that we take up a special collection to provide humanitarian relief and pastoral support for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East.  At Saint Agnes, this special collection will be taken up on the Masses of September 27-28.  Please prayerfully consider a making a sacrificial offering for those who are suffering this persecution.

40 Days for Life

Our community will join hundreds of other cities on September 24th-November 2nd to participate in a life-saving campaign made up of prayer and fasting, community outreach and peaceful vigils.  You are invited to stand and pray during the 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood in Boston, and to spread the word about this important ministry.

Please join Saint Agnes parishioners as we participate in the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign this fall.  The first candlelight vigil will be held on Friday, September 26th at 7:00 pm outside Planned Parenthood in Boston.

Saint Agnes has committed to prayer outside of Planned Parenthood on Sundays from 3:00-4:00 pm, beginning September 28th.  We will leave Saint Agnes parking lot at 2:30 pm each Sunday.  We invite you to join us at least once during the campaign.  For more information, visit www.40DaysforLife.com/boston, or email Eileen Cahill at SAParishforLife [at] gmail.com

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Do you like to Run (or walk?)

Calling all runners and walkers… have you heard of the national organization LIFE Runners? It is the world’s largest Pro-Life Running/Walking Team with chapters in all 50 states and 17 countries! LIFE Runners pray and run (or walk) to defend Life from conception to natural death… All in Christ for Pro-Life! There are two chapters in Massachusetts (Springfield and Still River), but no Boston area chapter yet. Would you be interested in starting a Boston area chapter of LIFE Runners? E-mail SAParishforLife [at] gmail.com or call Eileen Cahill at 781-643-5915. This would be a great way for all ages in our parish and our community to work and pray together to support God’s gift of life.

“All life has inestimable value even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

-Pope Francis

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LOCAL Natural Family Planning

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 January.  For sign-ups, details, or questions in the interim, please email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com.

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Project Rachel
Project Rachel is a confidential Catholic outreach ministry offering healing, compassion and hope to women and men hurting from an abortion experience. People are available to listen, to answer questions, to pray for you, and to help in any way. Project Rachel can help begin the experience of forgiveness, freedom and peace waiting for you in the tender embrace of God’s love and mercy. The phone number for Project Rachel is 508-651-3100, email is help [at] ProjectRachelBoston.com, and the website is www.ProjectRachelBoston.com.  All inquiries are confidential.

Catholic Reading Wednesday & Saint Dymphna Society

With many thanks to our wonderful and insightful curator, Karen Celano, you can explore faith-related news topics each Wednesday! Karen writes this week in Catholic news:

Politics:
Crux, the new website sponsored by the Boston Globe dedicated to reporting on Catholicism, reports on a Pew Research study that finds that 72% of Americans believe religion is losing its influence on public life, but also that more Americans than ever before want their churches to be more engaged in politics. The National Catholic Reporter also covers the same story.

Pro-Life News:
1) In The American Conservative, Rod Dreher speaks of the rise of women sharing their stories about their abortions in a “guilt-free” way, and about how these stories are discomfiting even for those who consider themselves “pro-choice.” Such tales of “guilt-free abortions” have made at least one reader wonder if pro-lifers are “right about the overall effect [of abortion] on our humanity.”

2) The Atlantic observes that, despite the fact that abortions are at a historical low in this country, they are actually on the rise among African-Americans and Latinas. Part of the reason may be the fear among these women of “the way society treats people who get pregnant young or unintended, especially if they’re of color" - which suggests that pro-life people may want to think of ways to combat the stigma such women face.

The Vatican:
1) Pope Francis appoints five women to the International Theological Commission, which advises the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Women now comprise 16% of the Commission’s members.

2) Pope Francis has also chosen a successor to Chicago’s Cardinal George, naming Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane to the position. Some observers see this as a “clear signal that the church is changing under this pope,” as “George’s rigid approach to upholding church doctrine” is contrasted with Cupich’s “more conciliatory mode.”

Culture:
In The National Catholic Reporter, Eddie Siebert, SJ, examines the recent spate of films with religious and/or spiritual content, such as “Noah” and “Heaven is For Real.” He argues that these films reflect an “evangelical Protestant” understanding of the Christian tradition, leaving little room for a Catholic viewpoint, which is “seen as too conservative by mainstream. . . companies” but “too liberal or Catholic by faith-based companies.” However, he sees hope in the fact that many television shows are engaging deeper spiritual, theological, and religious questions that may bring a more thoughtful engagement with religion back into popular culture.

Miscellaneous:
1) The Atlantic responds to Cal State's decision to de-recognize the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship as an official campus organization, saying that such a decision not only hurts students of faith and threatens their religious freedom, but also undermines the university's ability to "create space for competing ideas" in a pluralistic environment.

2) Crux tells the story of Sr. Joan Dawber, who runs a safe house for survivors of human trafficking.

3) Experiencing anxiety? In The Catholic Exchange, Fr. Joseph Esper has lessons for us from the saints.

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Saint Dymphna Society
A faith-based, peer-led support group will begin this Thursday, September 25th at 6:30 pm in the Saint Agnes Parish Center.  We will listen, share, learn, pray, and provide spiritual support to each other in our journeys through depression.  If you are struggling with depression, please come to share your story in a faith-based, confidential, and safe environment.  For more information, contact Karen Celano at 516-946-6287 or KCelano [at] gmail.com.

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Choir Practice & Fatima Apostolate (7 pm)
• Wednesday - Bereavement Meeting, Community Adult Education Night & Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist Training (7 pm)
• Thursday - Saint Dymphna Society (6:30 pm)
• Friday - 40 Days for Life Vigil (7 pm)
• Saturday - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Coffee Hour (after 9 am Mass), Adult Choir (10:30 am Mass)

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

Once a week, we hold 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, September 23rd, we will meet at Center Park (90 Clarke St., Lexington).  This park has play structures and swings, a track and tennis walls.  We will play in the beautiful fall sunshine and enjoy each other's company.  Bring your OWN picnic lunch.  Come join us; we hope to see you there!

**NOTE THAT our outdoor 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, playgroup will be cancelled for the day. Thanks!**

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Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
You are invited to be trained as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at Mass. It is a wonderful way to serve our Parish. The training, a 90-minute discussion and training by Father Flatley, will take place on Wednesday, September 24th in the upper Church at 7:00 pm. You will be able to ask questions and request which Masses you would like to serve. It is a set monthly schedule, revised yearly. For example, you could choose the 2nd Sunday of each month at the 9:00 AM Mass. You may request as many weeks of the month as you would like. There are no commitments for Easter and Christmas, or the months of July and August. Your service is a gift to our Parish. Please call Ginny Lawrence to confirm your attendance and with questions: 781-648-4766 or gdcooking [at] aol.com

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Saint Dymphna Society
A faith-based, peer-led support group will begin this Thursday, September 25th at 6:30 pm in the Saint Agnes Parish Center.  We will listen, share, learn, pray, and provide spiritual support to each other in our journeys through depression.  If you are struggling with depression, please come to share your story in a faith-based, confidential, and safe environment.  For more information, contact Karen Celano at 516-946-6287 or KCelano [at] gmail.com.

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40 Days for Life

Our community will join hundreds of other cities on September 24th-November 2nd to participate in a life-saving campaign made up of prayer and fasting, community outreach and peaceful vigils.  You are invited to stand and pray during the 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood in Boston, and to spread the word about this important ministry.

Please join Saint Agnes parishioners as we participate in the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign this fall.  The first candlelight vigil will be held on Friday, September 26th at 7:00 pm outside Planned Parenthood in Boston.

Saint Agnes has committed to prayer outside of Planned Parenthood on Sundays from 3:00-4:00 pm, beginning September 28th.  We will leave Saint Agnes parking lot at 2:30 pm each week.  We invite you to join us at least once during the campaign.  For more information, visit www.40DaysforLife.com/boston, or email Eileen Cahill at SAParishforLife [at] gmail.com.

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Sing in the CHILDREN'S Choir at Saint Agnes
If you have children interested in our Children's Choir, now is the time!  The Children's Choir will begin singing at the 9:00 am Family Mass on October 5th.  If you are in 1st Grade or above and love to sing, come and join us!  Rehearsal is at 8:15 before the scheduled Mass.  Other dates are indicated on the parish calendar, here.

You can always find a complete Mass and Rehearsal Schedule at www.agnesmusic.net

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Children's Way of the Cross

Did you take your children to the beautiful Children's Way of the Cross this past Lent?  This is such a great ministry for our parish.  However, Tricia Sheehan, who has coordinated for many years is looking for new parents to take on this annual devotion!  If you are able to give yourself in service this way, please contact Tricia Sheehan (781-648-7709).

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Project Rachel
Project Rachel retreats help women find hope, healing and reconciliation after abortion.  If you or a loved one is suffering from post-abortion pain, contact Project Rachel about upcoming "Come to the Waters of Healing" retreats on Saturdays, February 22, March 29, or April 12.  Contact Project Rachel  at help [at] ProjectRachelBoston.com or 508-651-3100.  All inquiries are confidential.

40 Days for Life at Saint Agnes

How can we be PRO-life every day?

By maintaining a positive attitude towards others,

appreciating the unique person that God has created in each individual,

reaching out in kindness and compassion,

praying for the unborn, disabled and elderly,

and giving alms to the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable in our society.

“Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me.”Matthew 25:40

40 Days for Life

Our community will join hundreds of other cities on September 24th-November 2nd to participate in a life-saving campaign made up of prayer and fasting, community outreach and peaceful vigils.  You are invited to stand and pray during the 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood in Boston, and to spread the word about this important ministry.

Please join Saint Agnes Parishioners for Life in 40 Days for Life this fall.  A pro-life prayer launch is set for Sunday, September 21st at 4:00 pm in Medway.  There will be a Mass and Commissioning Service, followed by pro-life speaker Jacquie Stalnaker.

The first candlelight vigil will be Friday, September 26th at 7:00 pm.  For more information on 40 Days for Life, visit www.40DaysforLife.com/Boston.  For carpool arrangements, email SAParishforLife [at] gmail.com.

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Do you like to Run (or walk?)

Calling all runners and walkers… have you heard of the national organization LIFE Runners? It is the world’s largest Pro-Life Running/Walking Team with chapters in all 50 states and 17 countries! LIFE Runners pray and run (or walk) to defend Life from conception to natural death… All in Christ for Pro-Life! There are two chapters in Massachusetts (Springfield and Still River), but no Boston area chapter yet. Would you be interested in starting a Boston area chapter of LIFE Runners? E-mail SAParishforLife [at] gmail.com or call Eileen Cahill at 781-643-5915. This would be a great way for all ages in our parish and our community to work and pray together to support God’s gift of life.

“All life has inestimable value even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

-Pope Francis

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LOCAL Natural Family Planning

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 January.  For sign-ups, details, or questions in the interim, please email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com.

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Project Rachel
Project Rachel is a confidential Catholic outreach ministry offering healing, compassion and hope to women and men hurting from an abortion experience. People are available to listen, to answer questions, to pray for you, and to help in any way. Project Rachel can help begin the experience of forgiveness, freedom and peace waiting for you in the tender embrace of God’s love and mercy. The phone number for Project Rachel is 508-651-3100, email is help [at] ProjectRachelBoston.com, and the website is www.ProjectRachelBoston.com.  All inquiries are confidential.

Men's Bible Study starts on Thursday Night!

Arlington Men:  Are you looking for a way to get involved at the parish and grow in your faith?  Look no further, and don't delay!

Saint Agnes Men's Bible Study will be held on Thursday!

You don't need any background knowledge, just come as you are and enjoy the fellowship of other men who also want to learn something new.  So gentlemen: bring your wife some flowers for patiently watching the kids, promise to come home early on Mom's-Night-In, and join us!

Catholic Reading Wednesday

With many thanks to our wonderful and insightful curator, Karen Celano, you can explore faith-related news topics each Wednesday! Karen writes this week in Catholic news:

In Pro-Life Thought:
(1) In First Things, Nora Calhoun writes about how her experiences as a midwife and as a caretaker for the elderly have shaped her convictions about the value of human life. She speaks to the importance of human embodiment, writing that “there are things that can be learned – can be said – only in the language of bodies.” The bodies of babies reveals that “it doesn’t matter how early the human heart beats. . .Being of human descent is enough,” and the bodies of women in labor teach that women “don’t need to be protected from the children conceived within their bodies.” She urges pro-life Christians not to “confine [themselves] to ideas” and to engage in actual “corporal works of mercy” – acts of mercy based not on theoreticals but on the act of caring for physical bodies. Otherwise, she says, we risk “los[ing] the riches vocabulary of human dignity, one better expressed in embraces and diaper changes than in words.”

(2) It is a commonplace concept in modern Western culture to suppose that birth control is a necessary concomitant to economic development and environmental protection. We are told that the world is “overpopulated” and that this is wreaking havoc on the economic growth of third-world countries and on the natural world. This assumption has trickled down into our personal lives, as many couples forego having large families for the sake of “financial security.” But in Ethika Politika, Artur Rosman writes of the dangers of this assumption, arguing that as a culture we have replaced a concept of fertility as the reproduction of children with a concept of fertility as “an endless multiplication of stuff." Such a culture, he warns, “will not prove. . . to be kind to each other, the rest of the world, and the environment.” He argues that Catholicism can be a sign of contradiction against this cultural trend, “reconfigur[ing] the parish as a site of fertile resistance to capitalist (in-)fertility.”

In Politics:
Last week, a major conference met to discuss the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. In attendance were many Christian leaders from around the region, as well as Senator Ted Cruz. In First Things, Mark Movesian argues Cruz made a major – and offensive – faux pas by using the platform to speak not about Christians but about Israel, and then declaring to the disappointed crowd – many of whom had experienced persecution themselves – that if “you will not stand with Israel. . .then I will not stand with you.” Mark Shea speaks of the Christian community's frustration that Cruz could not seem to transcend politics in order to support Christians facing persecution, and that his remarks took the focus off of Christians in distress.

On the Liturgy:
The New York Times reports that “houses of worship” are becoming increasingly informal: “More and more Americans worship in congregations where drums are played, words or images are projected on screens, and praise is expressed via upstretched hands.” On the one hand, some such as Fr. Thomas Reese argue that the Catholic Church should get on board with these changes, “revis[ing] liturgical practices to allow people to celebrate their Christian faith in ways that better fit contemporary culture.” On the other, however, some like Rod Dreher in The American Conservative argue that liturgy is about transcendence of (not capitulation to) culture, and that liturgical reform should not be based on a desire to empower the community to express not its own culture but rather its conception of “the transcendent and eternal.”

In Philosophy/Theology:
In The Week, Damon Linker takes on popular scientific atheist Sam Harris’ new book Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion for rejecting the Western philosophical and theological tradition in his search for spirituality, turning instead to a modified form of Eastern spiritual practices. Linker specifically questions Harris’ rejection of the concept of a soul, which Linker feels is a key component of Western philosophy’s attempts to answer questions about the meaning of life and “lasting fulfillment.”

Opinion:
As evidenced by the news, as in any big family, Catholics disagree and even argue all the time. Have you ever found yourself frustrated by fellow Catholics? Fr. Dwight Longnecker has some advice.

Fall Lineup - Bible Studies, Peer Support, Father Barron, and More!

Come join us this fall, as we renew our parish's Outreach offerings!

See the fliers below, the calendar to the right, and invite a friend!

You can also sign up for email updates to this informational blog in a gadget BELOW the calendar.  Hope to see you there!

PRINTABLE SEPTEMBER CALENDAR IS HERE.

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Making Music Praying Twice at Belmont Collaborative (St. Luke/St. Joseph), Belmont, MA

Fall Classes: Fridays at 10:30 am
The fall session of 12 classes runs from September 19-December 19th, and covers the liturgical seasons of Ordinary Time (Fall) and Advent/Christmas. Included in the tuition are all classes and equipment plus family materials and songbooks.

Registration for is ongoing and available online at https://sites.google.com/a/ssjl.org/st-joseph-and-st-luke-parishes/children-s-programs/children-s-choir-at-saint-joseph or by calling the parish office at 617-484-0279.  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.

PLAYGROUP CANCELLED

The weather has looked questionable all morning, but the forecast has remained at little or no rain before 1:00.  Regardless of what the Weather Channel says, it is currently RAINING OUTSIDE right now.

Therefore, playgroup will be unfortunately be CANCELLED this week.  We hope you can join us next week for fun in the autumn sun, and don't forget to add our parish's wonderful upcoming fall programs to your calendars!  This week kicks of Men's Bible Study on Thursday at 8:00 pm.

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Monday - Family Liturgy Committee & Sodality of Our Lady (7 pm)
• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Choir Practice & Fatima Apostolate (7 pm)
• Wednesday - Bereavement Meeting (7 pm), Arlington Catholic Women's Club (7:15 pm)
• Thursday - Men's Bible Study (8:00 pm)
• Saturday - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - CCD Classes Begin!  Join us while your children attend CCD at our Parish Coffee Hour (after 9 am Mass), Adult Choir (10:30 am Mass), Infant Baptisms (2 pm)

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

Once a week, we hold 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, September 16th, we will meet at Rindge Avenue Playground (26 Rindge Ave., Arlington).  This park has play structures and swings, as well as LOTS of open space overlooking the Arlington Res to kick a soccer ball or fly a kite.  We will play in the beautiful fall sunshine and enjoy each other's company.  Bring your OWN picnic lunch.  Come join us; we hope to see you there!

**NOTE THAT our outdoor 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, playgroup will be cancelled for the day. Thanks!**

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Help teach in our parish CCD program
This Fall over 350 young people, Grades 1-8, will sign up to learn more about Jesus and the Catholic faith. You can help them learn and grow by teaching in our Religious Education Program. Classes are offered Sunday Mornings, 10:00-11:15 am. You don’t have to have children enrolled in the program to teach. As you nurture the faith of our young, you will learn and grow as well. We provide training, materials and support.  Classes begin September 21. For more information, contact Joyce Patriacca: 781-646-5579.

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The Family Liturgy Committee Needs New Members!  The Family Liturgy Committee helps to plan the Family 9:00 am Mass each Sunday.  Our first planning meeting will be THIS Monday, September 15th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center.

Commitment involves about four meetings during the School year and one week a month at the 9:00 am Family Mass. Please prayerfully consider joining this most important Ministry involving children's participation in our Family Mass. Contact Tricia Sheehan:pksheehan [at] gmail.com for information.

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Sing in the CHILDREN'S Choir at Saint Agnes
If you have children interested in our Children's Choir, now is the time!  The Children's Choir will begin singing at the 9:00 am Family Mass on October 5th.  If you are in 1st Grade or above and love to sing, come and join us!  Rehearsal is at 8:15 before the scheduled Mass.  Other dates are indicated on the parish calendar, here.

You can always find a complete Mass and Rehearsal Schedule at www.agnesmusic.net

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Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
You are invited to be trained as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at Mass. It is a wonderful way to serve our Parish. The training, a 90-minute discussion and training by Father Flatley, will take place on Wednesday, September 24th in the upper Church at 7:00 pm. You will be able to ask questions and request which Masses you would like to serve. It is a set monthly schedule, revised yearly. For example, you could choose the 2nd Sunday of each month at the 9:00 AM Mass. You may request as many weeks of the month as you would like. There are no commitments for Easter and Christmas, or the months of July and August. Your service is a gift to our Parish. Please call Ginny Lawrence to confirm your attendance and with questions: 781-648-4766 or gdcooking [at] aol.com

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Children's Way of the Cross

Did you take your children to the beautiful Children's Way of the Cross this past Lent?  This is such a great ministry for our parish.  However, Tricia Sheehan, who has coordinated for many years is looking for new parents to take on this annual devotion!  If you are able to give yourself in service this way, please contact Tricia Sheehan (781-648-7709).

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Project Rachel
Project Rachel retreats help women find hope, healing and reconciliation after abortion.  If you or a loved one is suffering from post-abortion pain, contact Project Rachel about upcoming "Come to the Waters of Healing" retreats on Saturdays, February 22, March 29, or April 12.  Contact Project Rachel  at help [at] ProjectRachelBoston.com or 508-651-3100.  All inquiries are confidential.

Boston Sock Exchange THIS WEEKEND!

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

Come serve the homeless in Boston.
Put your faith in action!

This Saturday, September 13th 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 tonight -- Friday night, September 12th 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 (Jennifer.Hermanski [at] gmail.com).  Participants need to be at least 7 years old, and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Boston Sock Exchange is currently in need of small 8 oz. bottled water, SOCKS, t-shirts, long sleeved-shirts, and light fall jackets.  We also need rain gear: ponchos and umbrellas.  Thank you!

Mom's Night In & Catholic Reading Wednesday

Here's a friendly reminder that Mom's-Night-In is on THURSDAY, September 11th

We will get together for a stress-free evening, enjoy feminine fellowship, maybe play a game or two, and pray for PEACE.
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.

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With many thanks to our wonderful and insightful curator, Karen Celano, you can explore faith-related news topics each Wednesday! Karen writes this week in Catholic news:

• In The Week, Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry debunks the idea that Christianity will change its ideas on same-sex marriage. The usual argument is that Christianity's teachings have changed on many biblical proscriptions (such as the laws concerning the stoning of witches or the eating of pork) - so why is the teaching on homosexuality any different? But sexuality, Gobry maintains, belongs in a different category of moral teaching, and the ethics governing it have remained “surprisingly consistent” over the last 2,000 years – to such an extent that the Christian understanding of sexuality is fundamentally connected to Christian identity.
• The American Conservative reports on the decision of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City to allow gay groups to march in the 2015 parade, and on the decision of Cardinal Timothy Dolan to retain his position as grand marshal for the parade. He raised the ire of some when he said of the decision to let gay groups march: “I have no trouble with the decision at all. I think the decision is a wise one.”
• The National Catholic Register reports that the cause for the canonization of Fulton J. Sheen has been suspended indefinitely, to the chagrin of Sheen’s most ardent devotees.

• Reuters News Service reports that the ruling Socialist Party of Venezuela has changed the words of the Lord’s Prayer into an “ode to its beloved late leader Hugo Chavez.” The change has been condemned as idolatrous by Venezuelan leaders.
• The Atlantic reports that The Boston Globe is launching a new website specifically devoted to coverage of the Catholic Church.
• Richard Dawkins caused a firestorm last week when he suggested in a Tweet to a pregnant woman that it would be immoral not to abort a baby if the mother knew it had Down’s Syndrome. Many people with Down’s Syndrome and their parents condemned his remarks, but Dawkins dismissed their criticisms by calling their viewpoint “an emotional one, not a logical one.”
• For the historically and theologically inclined, this piece from the York Aquinas Reading Group in the U.K. provides a nice explanation of Thomas Aquinas’ method in his writing of the Summa Theologica. Of particular interest is the observation that the medieval scholastics displayed a high level of “intellectual honesty” in that they were “obliged to justify [their arguments] in the light of the strongest possible objections.” In other words, they were required to make the best possible case against their own position, and then argue against it – forcing them to treat their intellectual opponents with a great deal of respect. Perhaps in today’s contentious political and cultural climate we could learn from their example!

Fall Lineup - Bible Studies, Father Barron, and More!

Come join us this fall, as we renew our parish's Outreach offerings!

See the fliers below, the calendar to the right, and invite a friend!

You can also sign up for email updates to this informational blog in a gadget BELOW the calendar.  Hope to see you there!

PRINTABLE SEPTEMBER CALENDAR IS HERE.

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Making Music Praying Twice at Belmont Collaborative (St. Luke/St. Joseph), Belmont, MA

Fall Classes: Fridays at 10:30 am
The fall session of 12 classes runs from September 19-December 19th, and covers the liturgical seasons of Ordinary Time (Fall) and Advent/Christmas. Included in the tuition are all classes and equipment plus family materials and songbooks.

Registration for is ongoing and available online at https://sites.google.com/a/ssjl.org/st-joseph-and-st-luke-parishes/children-s-programs/children-s-choir-at-saint-joseph or by calling the parish office at 617-484-0279.  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.