Weekly Digest

Monday, September 8, 2014

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:
  • Monday - Respect Life Meeting (7 pm)
  • Tuesday - Family Playgroup (10:30 am), Choir Practice and Fatima Apostolate (7 pm)
  • Wednesday - Bereavement Meeting (7 pm)
  • Thursday - Mom's Night In (7 pm)
  • Friday  - Prep for Boston Sock Exchange (7 pm)
  • Saturday - Confirmation Retreat (9 am), Boston Sock Exchange (11 am, Park Street T-Stop), Confessions (3 pm)
  • Sunday - Confirmation Retreat (9 am), Coffee Hour (after 9 am Mass), Adult Choir (10:30 am Mass), Parish Council (7 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 9th, we will meet at Poet's Corner Park (4 Shelley Rd., Arlington).  This park has SAND (you could bring shovels, etc.), but also a nice play structure, basketball hoops, and grassy areas.  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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Mom's Night In - THURSDAY, September 11th at 7:00 pm
We will get together for a stress-free evening, play some get-to-know-you games (think: Apples to Apples), and pray for PEACE together. 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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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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Boston Sock Exchange
This Saturday, September 13th 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, September 12th 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 Jennifer Hermanski (Jennifer.Hermanski [at] gmail.com).  The Boston Sock Exchange is currently in need of small 8 oz. bottled water, SOCKS, t-shirts, long sleeved-shirts, and light jackets.  We also need rain gear: ponchos and umbrellas.  Thank you!


"Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe of what the poor have
to carry, rather than stand in judgement of how they carry it." Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ

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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.

Saint Agnes Respect Life Meeting, Monday at 7:00 pm

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Don't forget that the Saint Agnes Respect Life Meeting is this
Monday, September 8th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center,
51 Medford Street, Arlington MA.
Are you wondering how to be involved?  See below and come join us on Monday!

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

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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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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.

Join us for First Friday

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Friday, September 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 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.

COME and Spend Time with the LORD today!

Baptism Catechesis TONIGHT!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

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 happens on the first Tuesday of the month, and you can go tonight! The 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!

Weekly Digest

Monday, September 1, 2014

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.

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


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


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

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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).

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