Check out Fidelity House in August

Yikes - is it August already?! Do you need a few free mornings to get ready for the new school year?

Make sure you check out our own awesome parish resource - Fidelity House!

Fidelity House offers many community summer youth programs including day camps, a summer preschool program, sports camps, and Full Day Programs, and they are still accepting new children for August!  They also have adult leagues, and a certified preschool and Pre-K that have open enrollment and start in the fall!

For more information, visit www.FidelityHouse.org

Weekly Digest

Welcome, EVERYONE!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Fatima Apostolate (7 pm), Women's Bible Study (7:30 pm)
• Thursday - Saint Dymphna Society (6:30 pm)
• Saturday - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Coffee and Donuts (after 9 am Mass), Infant Baptisms (2 pm)

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

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK THE BLOG BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

The Saint Agnes Family group meets weekly for Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks.  You are welcome to join us! 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, July 28th, we will meet at Drake Playground (213 Bacon St., Waltham).  This park is worth the drive: has a great playground, large field, as well as a fun water spray that is fence enclosed. Please bring your own sunscreen, towels, lunch or snack and join us!

**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!**

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Outreach Planning Meeting

Parish Outreach will hold a planning meeting on Thursday night, August 13th at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center. We will lay out new suggestions for the coming year, seek input about these ideas, and ask for help with volunteer leaders. Please come and give your helpful suggestions. Thank you!

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

Would you like to go a Pilgrimage to Poland?

Father Joe D'Onofrio is leading a 7-Day Pilgrimage, October 5-12, 2015. Visit Krakow: Saint Mary (Mariachka) Basilica, Wawel Cathedral, Patron of Poland Saint Stanislaw, Bernadine Monastery complex; Jasna Gora, the largest Marian shrine in Poland, the home of the Black Madonna Icon, the Divine Mercy Shrine, Chapel of Saint Faustina’s tomb; Wieliczka, the oldest salt mine in Europe, Pope Saint John Paul II’s birthplace and the Basilica where he was baptized. The price, $2,805 per person, includes round trip air from Boston to Poland, 6 night hotel accommodations, 6 breakfasts, 6 dinners, private motor coach with driver, an English speaking guide. The itinerary and registration forms are available online at QCC14.org/poland. Contact Peter Jae: 617-471-7192 or Father Joe at Sacred Heart: 617-328-8666.

ALSO, In July of 2016, World Youth Day will be held in Krakow, Poland.  Three travel groups are being offered by the Archdiocese of Boston: High School, Young Adults, and Families.  Would you like to go?  To learn more about this life-changing experience, call Saint Agnes' Confirmation Director, Nancy Feeman (781-641-6621).  The Pilgrimage begins in Warsaw, visits our Lady of Czestochowa, Auschwitz, and the beautiful city of Krakow.  It would be wonderful to have a group from Arlington join the Diocesan Group to pray with the Pope in Poland!

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

FALL 2015 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR WONDERFUL PARISH SCHOOLS!

FIDELITY HOUSE - Preschool and Pre-K

SAINT AGNES GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Pre-K through Grade 8

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Links to these websites are located at the top right-hand of the blog page.

When you invest and involve your family here, you can participate

in the evangelical mission and service of these community resources,

which are offered by - and in the long tradition of - our very own Catholic Church.

Financial Aid is available.  WOW!

Wrap Up: NFP Awareness Week!

Did you know about NFP Awareness Week?

"Natural Family Planning - All Natural! Good for the Body. Great for the Soul!"

Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week, a national campaign to celebrate God's design for married love and raise awareness of NFP methods, is July 19-26, 2015. The slogan for this year was inspired by Pope Francis' recently released encyclical in which he states, "Learning to accept our body, care for it and respect its fullest meaning, is an essential element of any genuine ecology" (LS 155).

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for several safe, natural and effective methods that can be used for both achieving and avoiding pregnancy. It is true family planning. NFP is not the "Rhythm" or Calendar Method. NFP methods teach couples how to observe and interpret the woman's signs of fertility and infertility and take into account the unique nature of a woman's menstrual cycle. NFP is a holistic approach to family planning. It is not contraceptive for it does nothing to suppress or block conception. Instead, couples adjust their behavior according to their family planning intent using the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of a woman's cycle. In the Archdiocese, couples have access to instruction in all methods of NFP. In addition, specialized services are available for couples living with reproductive disorders and for both the post-partum and peri-menopausal times of transition.

• Click here to obtain a NFP brochure and more information about Archdiocesan services and programs.
  
• Click here to see listings of local teachers, schedules, and contact information.

**This FlockNote was originally published by Danielle Olson of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation of the Archdiocese of Boston, and can be viewed here.

Vita Nova Catholic Campout

Thanks to everyone who joined us on the parish campout, which was July 10-12 in Greenfield NH. This year, we had nine families join us, including little babies through teenagers! We celebrated four birthdays at our Saturday night community dinner with pinatas and cake! It was a fun time of playing, swimming, fishing, grilling, praying, and building relationships together. Perhaps you can join us next summer - or if you are not a camper - as a "day camper" on Saturday.

If you were not able to join us, why not think about registering for the VitaNova Catholic Family Camping Weekend, also in Greenfield NH. Information can be found on the VitaNova website, http://www.vitanova.org/catholic-family-weekend.

We hope you can enjoy a blessed and happy summertime, wherever you are!

VitaNova Catholic Family Weekend

August 14-16, 2015

Greenfield, NH

Fidelity House still has openings for August!

Yikes - is it August already?! Do you need a few free mornings to get ready for the new school year?

Make sure you check out our own awesome parish resource - Fidelity House!

Fidelity House offers many community summer youth programs including day camps, a summer preschool program, sports camps, and Full Day Programs, and they are still accepting new children for August!  They also have adult leagues, and a certified preschool and Pre-K that have open enrollment and start in the fall!

For more information, visit www.FidelityHouse.org

Weekly Digest

Welcome, EVERYONE!
This week at the parish:

• Monday - Vin Culhane Memorial Golf Tournament (all day), Respect Life Meeting (7 pm)
• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Fatima Apostolate (7 pm)
• Saturday - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Coffee and Donuts (after 9 am Mass)

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

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK THE BLOG BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

The Saint Agnes Family group meets weekly for Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks.  You are welcome to join us! 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, July 21st, we will meet at Lussiano Field (143 Everett St., Arlington).  This park is located by the Thompson School, and has a great playground, as well as a fun water spray. Please bring your own sunscreen, towels, lunch or snack and join us!

**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!**

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Would you like to go a Pilgrimage to Poland?

Father Joe D'Onofrio is leading a 7-Day Pilgrimage, October 5-12, 2015. Visit Krakow: Saint Mary (Mariachka) Basilica, Wawel Cathedral, Patron of Poland Saint Stanislaw, Bernadine Monastery complex; Jasna Gora, the largest Marian shrine in Poland, the home of the Black Madonna Icon, the Divine Mercy Shrine, Chapel of Saint Faustina’s tomb; Wieliczka, the oldest salt mine in Europe, Pope Saint John Paul II’s birthplace and the Basilica where he was baptized. The price, $2,805 per person, includes round trip air from Boston to Poland, 6 night hotel accommodations, 6 breakfasts, 6 dinners, private motor coach with driver, an English speaking guide. The itinerary and registration forms are available online at QCC14.org/poland. Contact Peter Jae: 617-471-7192 or Father Joe at Sacred Heart: 617-328-8666. 

ALSO, In July of 2016, World Youth Day will be held in Krakow, Poland.  Three travel groups are being offered by the Archdiocese of Boston: High School, Young Adults, and Families.  Would you like to go?  To learn more about this life-changing experience, call Saint Agnes' Confirmation Director, Nancy Feeman (781-641-6621).  The Pilgrimage begins in Warsaw, visits our Lady of Czestochowa, Auschwitz, and the beautiful city of Krakow.  It would be wonderful to have a group from Arlington join the Diocesan Group to pray with the Pope in Poland!

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

FALL 2015 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR WONDERFUL PARISH SCHOOLS!

FIDELITY HOUSE - Preschool and Pre-K

SAINT AGNES GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Pre-K through Grade 8

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Links to these websites are located at the top right-hand of the blog page.

When you invest and involve your family here, you can participate

in the evangelical mission and service of these community resources,

which are offered by - and in the long tradition of - our very own Catholic Church.

Financial Aid is available.  WOW!

De-funding Petition: Respect Life Meeting on Monday

Saint Agnes Parishioners for Life will meet on

Monday, July 20th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center.

The purpose of the meeting is to plan for the collecting of signatures in the fall

on the petition to stop the public funding of abortion in Massachusetts.

Come share your gifts to save lives!

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

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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.

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

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 so vocally fought 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 Saint Agnes parishioners who are fully trained and teach a 3-class NFP series. If you are interested or have a question about NFP, please email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com for details.

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

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

Weekly Digest

Welcome, EVERYONE!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Fatima Apostolate (7 pm), Women's Bible Study (7:30 pm)
• Thursday - Mom's Night Out (8 pm)
• Saturday - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Coffee and Donuts (after 9 am Mass), Infant Baptisms (2 pm)
• Monday, July 20 - Vin Culhane Memorial Golf Tournament (all day), Respect Life Meeting (7 pm)

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

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK THE BLOG BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

The Saint Agnes Family group meets weekly for Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks.  You are welcome to join us! 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, July 14th, we will meet at Arsenal Park (561 Arsenal St., Watertown).  The park is located behind the Arsenal mall buildings.  This park has a great playground, as well as a fun water spray. Please bring your own sunscreen, towels, lunch or snack and join us!

**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!**

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

Here's a friendly reminder that Mom's-Night-In is THURSDAY, July 16th

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

I will not publish the hostesses address online, 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 8:00 pm.

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

FALL 2015 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR WONDERFUL PARISH SCHOOLS!

FIDELITY HOUSE - Preschool and Pre-K

SAINT AGNES GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Pre-K through Grade 8

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Links to these websites are located at the top right-hand of the blog page.

When you invest and involve your family here, you can participate

in the evangelical mission and service of these community resources,

which are offered by - and in the long tradition of - our very own Catholic Church.

Financial Aid is available.  WOW!

Father Roger Landry says: Go on a Summer Reading Quest!

Summer is nearly here!  Would you like to seize the moment to start a new devotion, or learn something new in your faith?  After all, didn't your kids join the library reading program?  Benefit yourself as well, and take advantage of our Parish Lending Library by borrowing a book to read!

Father Roger Landry writes in this Boston Pilot article about the important of spiritual reading, or some sort of continued learning on the topics of one's faith.

The Parish Lending Library has been made possible by the generous donations of parishioners with wonderful religious books to share.  If you would like to make a donation of books, please email Marianne.Hudelson [at] gmail.com.

May the Lord touch your life this summer, and may your faith grow in knowledge of Him!

LINK TO LENDING LIBRARY CATALOG IS HERE

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, July 11th 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, July 10th 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 Sheila O'Brien (ObriensMo [at] hotmail.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, and men's and women's summer clothes.  We also need rain gear: ponchos and umbrellas.  Thank you!

Weekly Digest

Welcome, EVERYONE!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Baptism Catechesis & Fatima Apostolate (7 pm)
• Friday - Prep for Boston Sock Exchange (7 pm), Parish Campout beings in Greenfield, NH
• Saturday - Boston Sock Exchange (11 am at Park Street T-stop), Confessions (3 pm), Day Campers in Greenfield, NH
• Sunday - Parish Campout ends with Mass in Greenfield, NH

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

Saint Agnes Family Playgroup - CHECK THE BLOG BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

The Saint Agnes Family group meets weekly for Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks.  You are welcome to join us! 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, July 7th, we will meet at the Monsignor McCabe Spray Park (90 Charlotte Rd., Waltham).  This park has a great playground, as well as a fenced spray park. Please bring your own sunscreen, towels, lunch or snack and join us!

**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!**

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

Boston Sock Exchange

This Saturday, July 11th is the Boston Sock Exchange at 11:00 am at the Park Street T-Stop.  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, July 10th 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 Sheila O'Brien (ObriensMo [at] hotmail.com).

The Boston Sock Exchange is currently in need of small 8 oz. bottled water, SOCKS, and men's and women's summer clothes.  We also need rain gear: ponchos and umbrellas.  Thank you!

"One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anyone." -Mother Teresa-

FALL 2015 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR WONDERFUL PARISH SCHOOLS!

FIDELITY HOUSE - Preschool and Pre-K

SAINT AGNES GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Pre-K through Grade 8

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Links to these websites are located at the top right-hand of the blog page.

When you invest and involve your family here, you can participate

in the evangelical mission and service of these community resources,

which are offered by - and in the long tradition of - our very own Catholic Church.

Financial Aid is available.  WOW!

Last Chance! Summer Family Camping

Are your relatives calling you?  They want to know what the summer plans are. 

Well before you give away all your dates to in-laws, make sure you mark your calendars!

THIRD ANNUAL SAINT AGNES CAMPOUT

July 10-12, 2015

Greenfield State Park, NH
"Day Campers" invited to join us on Saturday, July 11th*

Details:

1. If you know you are coming (or when you decide you are coming), please use this form, so we can keep track of how many people and WHO we are expecting to meet at the park! Ultimately, I will need everyone to fill out this form, so I have names and numbers in case of any emergency. So go ahead and fill it out ASAP.


2. The dates for this camping trip are July 10-12. 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.

3. Make your reservations now! To get more information on the park, see: http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/greenfield-state-park.aspx

Reservations are through Reserve America, and can be found here.  We will try to cluster our group around campsite #44 on the small loop near Beaver Pond.  A map is here.

• There are no cabins. You can bring a tent, rent a tent from REI, borrow a tent from a friend, or make a tent (boyscouts anyone?). Cost for a campsite per night is $25 + a small processing fee. 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 the most fun together, try to cluster our reservations around campsite #44.
• This is our third ever Saint Agnes Family Group camping trip. It is meant to build community and friendships that will serve as an organic support network for people in our parish, as well as encourage you to give back to the community in the way you feel called.
  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 fine - come when you can. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own camping trip, camping gear, CAMPING FOOD, and camping survival! 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. See you there!

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

Can't join us on the Parish Campout? Here is another Catholic Family Weekend opportunity in August, linked below (click on it).

We hope you can enjoy a blessed and happy summertime, wherever you are!

VitaNova Catholic Family Weekend

August 14-16, 2015

Greenfield, NH