Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Monday - HAPPY LABOR DAY!
• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Baptism Catechesis (7 pm)
• Thursday - First Friday Confessions (4 pm)
• Friday  - First Friday Adoration (all day, Benediction at 5:00, Mass at 5:30), First Friday Playgroup (10:30 am)
• Saturday  - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Coffee Hour (after 9 am Mass), Adult Choir (10:30 am Mass), Infant Baptisms (2 pm)

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

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, September 2nd, we will meet at Teel Street Playground (71 Teel Street, Arlington).  This park has a nice play area and jungle jim, but is located next to a cemetery.  Please make sure to respect the cemetery as separate from the playground.  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 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, playgroup will be cancelled for the day. Thanks!**

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This Friday, September 5th, is the first Friday of the month.  On Thursday, September 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 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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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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Sing in the Adult Choir at Saint Agnes
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 9th.

We rehearse Tuesdays from 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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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 24 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.