July Campout - Packing List Brainstorm

We are getting really excited for our FIRST EVER Saint Agnes Parish Summer Campout!  The dates of the camping trip are July 12-14 in Greenfield, NH.  The good news about this is that Greenfield is only 90 minutes from Arlington, so an easy daytrip if you can only come on Saturday.  Check here for more details, complete the sign-up form, and JOIN US!

Now... to get started on preparations... here is the beginning of a sample packing list.  Of course, each family will have their specific needs, but it is meant to help you plan and avoid last minute brain-overload-meltdown.  Do you have suggestions to add to the list?  Please post a comment, or email SaintAgnesFamilies [at] gmail.com.

Remember that due to concerns of bringing invasive beetle species to non-native areas, YOU MAY NOT BRING FIREWOOD INTO THE PARK!  Firewood must be gathered at the park, or purchased from the Ranger Station.

Looking forward to it!

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 were so unsettled by 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 teaching a 3-class NFP series starting in July in Arlington. Only a few spots are left! Email Meredith.Phelps [at] gmail.com for details.

HOT WEATHER - PLAYGROUP LOCATION CHANGE!

Due to the very hot weather predicted again tomorrow, please be aware that Tuesday playgroup will CHANGE LOCATION!!

Dorothy Bowe, director of St. Joe's Making Music, Praying Twice program, has graciously extended an invitation for us to attend the morning class tomorrow.

Please come to Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Belmont, MA (130 Common St., Belmont MA), park in the upper lot near the rear of the church, and follow signs to the parish center where the class is held.  Class begins at 10:30.

Questions?  Call Marianne Hudelson (617-999-9601).  Hope we meet you there!

After previewing this class, if you would like to sign up for the fall sessions, please visit: http://stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmptsignup.htm

Weekly Digest

Welcome everyone!
This week at the parish:

• Tuesday - Saint Agnes Playgroup (am), Fatima Apostolate (pm)

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

Now that the weather seems to have turned a bit warmer, 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, June 25th, we will meet at Hill's Hill (422 Summer St., Arlington MA). This park is right next to the Arlington Ice Rink, and features a large, “maze” type of playground, with an open field to the side. It also has an entrance to the bike path, in case you’d like to ride there! We will meet at 10:30 am. Bring a picnic lunch, and 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, our usual rain location will be at Fidelity House, 25 Medford St., Arlington. Thanks!**

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Registration for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is now OPEN!
Our parish is very blessed to offer this montessori-based preschool Religious Education Program.  This program serves children ages 3 to 5 years.  The children must be potty-trained and able to go to the restroom on their own.  There are a limited number of seats, to be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the date the registration form is received. Registration forms available at the Parish Center and should be returned to the Religious Education Office. You may contact the Religious Education Office at 781-646-5579 if you wish to have the form mailed to you. For information about the program, call Jean Keiselbach (781-
646-0475).

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Making Music Praying Twice summer camp returns to St. Joseph's Parish this year with two sessions: June 24-28 and August 26-30, Monday-Friday 10:30-11:30 am. Come with your children ages 0-5 to sample this class and sing, dance, play instruments and more in this faith-inclusive music education camp designed to benefit even little babies. Tuition is FREE.  There is a $25 materials fee per family includes CD and songbook and is waived if you came last year!  To register, visit www.stjoseph.belmont.ma.us/faithformation/mmpt.htm, or email dbowe [at] stjoseph.belmont.ma.us

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
FIDELITY HOUSE can save you from the summer blues!!

Did you know that Saint Agnes Parish supports operations at Fidelity House? We have this great resource at our own church! When you feel you are counting down the days until school starts, remember that there are many great programs for kids at Fidelity House this summer. For more information, visit www.FidelityHouse.org

Do you like to Golf? Invite a friend and SAVE THE DATE!
Fidelity House's Vin Culhane Memorial Golf Tournament

July 15, 2013
Juniper Hills Golf Course, Northborough MA
Entrance fee is $120 and includes dinner.  Foursomes, individuals, and sponsors are encouraged to contact Fidelity House (781-648-2005). Donations for raffle prizes are also needed and appreciated.
Registration form can be found and printed HERE.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM
The Bishops of the United States have called for a Fortnight for Freedom, June 21-July 4, 2013.  This is a two-week period of prayer and action, to address many current challenges to religious freedom in our country.  Cardinal Sean will celebrate Mass for this intention on Wednesday, June 26, at 12:05 pm at the Bethany Chapel in the Pastoral Center.  The Mass will be webcast live on www.BostonCatholicLive.com.  Please use these two weeks to focus on prayer for our nation and its leaders!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Massachusetts Citizens for Life Convention
The Massachusetts Citizens for Life Convention will be held Saturday, June 29 at Boston College Law School from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.  Some topics discussed during this day include: Why we are pro-life, protecting life at all stages, and presentation of the Gosnell project.  The convention will be followed by the Annual Meeting and elections.  Call 617-242-4199 or www.masscitizensforlife.org.

Summer Camping - Get Ready!

Don't forget to mark your calendars: SAINT AGNES CAMPOUT, JULY 12-14!  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! 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.

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 + small 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 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. See you there!