Easter Octave

Happy Octave of Easter to everyone!  We had so much help to get through the Easter festivities... thanks!  Here are some pictures of the Easter Egg Hunt last weekend, headed up by Maureen and Joe Ronayne.

Also, if you are thinking about the camping trip in July (July 12-14), please see the post below, as well as making your reservations and completing the form on the right hand side of the page.  Thanks!

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 had such a big hubbub over the new 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 May in Arlington. Only a few spots are left! Email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com for details.

First Friday Playgroup

Don't forget!
This Friday, April 5th, is the first Friday of the month.  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 family life. For more background on the long tradition of keeping a First Friday devotion, look here or here.

Fidelity House is allowing us to have a SECOND playgroup this week on Friday, from 10:30-12:00 noon. If you would like a convenient opportunity to let your kids play while you spend some quiet time with the Lord, come join us! It will be a wonderful opportunity.

Summer Camping - UNVEILED!

Here is the first official announcement about camping in July - WHOO HOO!

If you know you are coming (or when you decide you are coming), please use the form to the right, so we can keep track of how many people and WHO we are expecting to meet at the park!

• The dates for this camping trip are July 12-14. 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.
• Make your reservations now! To get more information on the park and for a link to the reservations page (ReserveAmerica), see: http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/state-parks/greenfield-state-park.aspx
• There are no cabins. You can bring a tent, rent a tent from REI, borrow a tent from a friend, or drive an RV (if you have one). Cost for a campsite per night is $25. 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 families with slightly older children, Ranger Harry recommends sites 220-227, 230 because they have a very beautiful pond view.
• This is our first ever Saint Agnes Family Group camping trip. 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 cool - come when you can. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own camping trip, camping gear, CAMPING FOOD, camping survival (hehe). 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. Hope to see you there!

Weekly Digest

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!  Sorry this post is late.... we've been in Easter recovery mode.

First, we owe MANY, MANY thanks to Maureen and Joe Ronayne, Father Flatley, and the many other parishioners who worked to make the Egg Hunt on Sunday a big success. It was wonderful to see so many families spending time together after Mass. Remember, there is rich Catholic fellowship each Sunday after the 9 am Mass: Coffee and Donuts in the Arlington Catholic Cafeteria. We hope to meet you there!

For other events going on at the parish this week, see the calendar to the right.
Now, coming up this week:

• Playgroup Tuesday
• First Friday
• Mass of Annointing on Saturday - Volunteers needed
• Save the date - Family Geocache Hiking on April 20th

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We are very blessed to announce that Fidelity House has agreed to host our group over the winter in one of their vacant rooms!
Thus, Tuesday playgroup will take place at Fidelity House, right near church: 25 Medford Street, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm.

• There is a lot of sickness going around this winter.... please do not bring your children to playgroup if they are sick.
• 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. Minimum suggested donation is $1 per each person in attendance.
• 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 too. We will also teach a brief lesson for the kids.

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This Friday, April 5th, is the first Friday of the month. On Thursday, April 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 family life. For more background on the long tradition of keeping a First Friday devotion, look here or here.

Fidelity House is allowing us to have a SECOND playgroup this week on Friday, from 10:30-12:00 noon. If you would like a convenient opportunity to let your kids play while you spend some quiet time with the Lord, come join us! It will be a wonderful opportunity.

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Saint Agnes Parish Mass of Anointing and Luncheon will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6 at 12:00 noon. Many volunteers are needed to make this event possible, including drivers, nurses, greeters, hosts, food donations, set up (on Friday, Feb. 5), etc. If you are able to help, please call the Parish Center (781-648-0220), and leave your name and number and how you would like to help. Thank you!

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Boston Sock Exchange: This ministry helps the homeless men and women of Boston, by distributing gifts of sandwiches and clothes near the Park Street T-Stop.  They are currently collecting umbrellas, ponchos, medium weight shirts, and sweatshirts.

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Making Music, Praying Twice – Easter Season
Register now for the 7 week Easter session of Making Music Praying Twice, the last session before summer break.  Classes are offered on Friday mornings at 10:30 and Saturday mornings at 9:30, beginning April 5th and 6th.  Both classes are mixed ages 0-5, and limited to 12 children accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Substantial sibling discounts are offered.  Register by March 29 to receive CDs and family songbooks at the first class.  Register online at http://www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm or by calling the Parish Office at 617-484-0279 or email Dot Bowe (dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us) with questions.