Weekly Digest

Welcome, EVERYONE!

Here's the lineup for the week at the Parish:

• Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Baptism Catechesis (7 pm), Fatima Apostolate (7 pm), Choir Practice (7 pm)
• Thursday - First Friday Confessions (4 pm), Pilgrimage of Mercy Meeting (6:30 pm)
• Friday - First Friday Adoration (all day, Benediction at 5:00, Mass at 5:30 pm)
• Saturday - Confessions (3 pm)
• Sunday - Coffee and Donuts (after 9 am Mass), Adult Choir (10:30 am Mass), Infant Baptisms (2 pm)
• Monday - Respect Life Meeting (7 pm)

Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of  the Church's gift of a faith-filled education.  Come celebrate this mission with us!

FALL 2016 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!

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Saint Agnes Family Playgroup
The Saint Agnes Family group holds weekly Tuesday playgroups outdoors at nearby parks. We start at 10:30 am (but sometimes moms run late). You are welcome to join us! You can find the winter playgroup schedule here, or by clicking the link at the upper left of the blog home page.

This Tuesday, February 2, we will meet at Poet's Corner Park (4 Shelley Rd.) in Arlington. This park is very sunny, and we are supposed to have sun and 40 degrees tomorrow!   There is also a basketball court perfect for scooters or bikes.  Put on your sunglasses, bring your own lunch or snack and join us!

**NOTE THAT our outdoor winter 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 or weather below 30 degrees, playgroup will be cancelled for the day. Thanks!**

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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 Catechesis prior to having your child baptized.

Baptism Catechesis occurs on the first Tuesday of the month (February 2). 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.

Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. The catechumen or the Godparent is asked: “What do you ask of God’s Church?” The response is: “Faith!” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1253)

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!

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Pilgrimage of Mercy
During this "Year of Mercy," we are all encouraged to take a pilgrimage as a way to reflect on our own need for God's mercy, and pray for the poor souls in purgatory (a spiritual work of mercy!).  Our parish is working to coordinate a type of pilgrimage to the Cathedral in downtown Boston.  If you would like to help in the planning of this event, come to the meeting on Thursday, February 4th at 6:30 pm in the Saint Agnes Parish Center.  Ideas, plans and assignments will be laid out.

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First Friday Adoration
This Friday, February 5th, is the first Friday of the month. On Thursday, February 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.