Saint Irene Parish Bulletin

We thank the fourth grade students for hosting the 8:00 am and 11:00 am Masses last Sunday. Great Job! We also thank the young adults in our Peer Ministry Group for a wonderful job in the Puppet Show. Many thanks!

World Marriage Day

Next Sunday is World Marriage Day. The permanent theme is “Love One Another.” We will have renewal of marriage vows and presentation of flowers at all Masses next weekend.

Sacrament of Baptism

We schedule Baptisms on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 1:00 pm. The Baptism Catechesis is required for all parents for the first child in the family. The class takes place on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. Please call the Rectory to register for the class as well as to schedule a Baptism.

Tuesday Adoration and Benediction

Take a break from the world’s demands and rest in the Lord! All are invited every Tuesday at 7:30 pm to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction.

First Tuesdays include periods for silent prayer, recitation of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and finish at 9:00 pm.

All other Tuesdays include the Liturgy of the Hours, silent prayer, the Litany of the Blessed Sacrament, and end at 8:30 pm.

You are most welcome to come even for a couple of minutes to rest your heart and refresh your soul! For more information contact Mary Ellen Bakken at mehbakken@msn.com.

Prayer of Petition

As we pray for the men and women in our armed forces, let us remember also the families of those brave people who risk their lives for our protection. We all know the power of prayer. Here are a few words to remember and to pray:

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for all of us in our time of need. Grant the reward of eternal life to those who have given their lives for their country. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Religious Education News

Classes for students in grades K-5 will be held this Sunday. Session I is from 9:00-9:50 am; Session II is from 10:00-10:50 am.

Please download the Religious Education Calendar (Adobe PDF format) for grades K - 8 for this school year.

Grades 6-8 Dates to Remember

Students in grades 6-8 will meet on Monday from 7:00-8:00 pm.

Next Monday, February 13th, Grades 6-8 will have our Annual "Mardi Gras" Lenten Celebration. We will have a special class time beginning with Mass at 6:00 pm followed by a pizza party and "Lenten Stations.”

Pick up will be at 8:00 pm.

February Vacations

There will be NO Religious Education classes on February 19th, 20th
and 26th due to the February Vacations. Classes for grades 6-8 will
resume on Monday, February 27th and for grades K-5 will resume on
March 4th, 2012.

Confirmation Program

Confirmation Candidates will not meet this week.

Level II Confirmation candidates will meet next Sunday at 6:15 pm in the Parish Hall.

If you have any questions about our Confirmation Program, please contact Mr. Frank Barre at 978-256-3942 or at fjbarre@aol.com.

Parish Happenings

Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council meets periodically in the Rectory to discuss and plan parish business. If you would like to serve on the Council please contact Father Tom or Father Romain.

The Parish Pastoral Council Meeting scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed to Sunday, February 12th at 7:00 pm in the rectory.

Parish Financial Report

Members of the Parish Finance Council will speak at all the Masses this weekend to report on the parish finances.

Workbooks for Lectors

The workbooks for lectors have arrived and are in the Sacristy.

Women’s Club

The February meeting for the Women's Club will be an Hors d'oeuvres demonstration and tasting party. Four members have been selected to"create" their specialty at the meeting for all to enjoy; BUT we ask anyone attending to bring their own special Hors d'oeuvres OR dessert - along with the recipe.

The party will be Thursday, February 16th at 6:30 p.m. If anyone wishes to bring a friend they will be most welcome. Need more information call Judy Andrews at (978) 369-1461 or Sally Nelson at (978) 369-3105. It should be a fun evening - so come one and all.

Parish Library News

Open registration for our parish library will be held the weekends of February 18th and 19th and February 25th and 26th. There will be a table at the back of the church where you may fill out a registration card that will allow you to borrow library books.

Grand Annual Collection

The Grand Annual Collection has amounted to $94,490. If you have not yet contributed, you may send in your donation to the rectory. Our goal this year is $110,000. We need that money to supplement our weekly donations. Your generosity over the years has been outstanding.

We are most grateful for your continued generosity to our parish.

Caring Friends Network

If you know of a parishioner who is in need of a meal, a ride to church, or a get well/sympathy card, please let us know. We have many volunteers who have signed on to help a fellow parishioner in need. Please contact mchristensen@enchoice.com, cinreynolds@comcast.net, macoscia@comcast.net.

Tuesday Adoration and Benediction

Take a break from the world’s demands and rest in the Lord! All are invited every Tuesday at 7:30 pm to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction.

First Tuesdays include periods for silent prayer, recitation of the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and finish at 9:00 pm.

All other Tuesdays include the Liturgy of the Hours, silent prayer, the Litany of the Blessed Sacrament, and end at 8:30 pm.

You are most welcome to come even for a couple of minutes to rest your heart and refresh your soul! For more information contact Mary Ellen Bakken at mehbakken@msn.com.

On The Top Shelf - Parish Library News

Our Parish Library, located in Room 6 of the Parish Hall, offers many books for reading and reflection.

Once you register, you can take out books any time the Church is open. Our library is self-service. Instructions on how to register and then take out books can found clearly marked on top of the shelves.

Our Parish Library has fiction, humor, young adult, and children’s books. There is a sampling on the top shelf. Fiction, young adult, and children’s have their own sections on the shelves. Other books may be found through the subject, author, and title cards.

Questions? Contact Sandi Cotroneo 978-250-9887, san2mum@yahoo.com.

Come, visit and check out a book.

Our parishioners and friends have generously donated hundreds of Catholic-theme books to our parish library, and continue to do so. We are still accepting book donations that are of a Catholic theme. There is a wish list of desired books in the library. Thank you!

Catholics Come Home at St. Irene Church

Pray this week for the courage to invite someone you know to come home. Now is a very acceptable time to invite family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who have been away from the Catholic Church to come home. For more information about the Catholics Come Home Program, visit www.CatholicsComeHomeBoston.org.

Questions may be directed to Deacon Charles Ferraro at cafcma@comcast.net.

Catholics Come Home in the Archdiocese of Boston

Whether you were baptized Catholic as a child or you’ve only recently decided to see what the Catholic Church is about, we are glad you are here.

Wherever you are in your faith journey, our desire is that the Catholics Come Home® Boston campaign and this website will help you discover—or re-discover—the Catholic faith.

Our hope is that you will find that being Catholic can help you find true peace, happiness, and purpose in life. Our goal is to provide you with the help you need to understand the Catholic Church and her teachings. Go ahead, we want you to ask us the tough questions. We want you to know God’s love for you. We ask you to be part of our global Catholic family. We invite you to join us in worship, prayer, and fellowship at one of our 290 parishes in 144 cities and towns of eastern Massachusetts.

The door is open for you. We are one family – welcome home!

Visit the Archdiocese of Boston Catholics Come Home website for information about the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Boston Catholic Peer Leadership Ministry

St. Irene Parish Peer Leadership Ministry (PLM) PLM is made up of post Confirmation young adults that are interested in developing their leadership skills by mentoring Catholic values and skills to Confirmation, middle school and younger parish children. We meet once a month around Sunday Mass.

Videos of our Peer Leadership activities are on You-Tube:

For more info contact Joe at jdcelticsfan@gmail.com or Emily at
blgmemily@yahoo.com.

Ministry at St Irene's

This is your opportunity to offer your time and talent in the various ministries and activities of our parish. Contact the Rectory or the individual person listed with a ministry. We will make every effort to respond to your responses as soon as possible.

Altar Server

Interested in Altar Service? Contact Deacon Dean.

Presentation of the Gifts - An Invitation

We would like to invite families to bring the gifts up to the altar at the Offertory of the Mass. Those who bring the gifts at Mass represent all of us.

If your family would like to bring up the gifts, please let the ushers know before the Mass.

Spread the Word, Be a Lector

Do you like to talk? Would you be interested in being a Lector? The time commitment is about one hour a month, and you can be scheduled at the Mass of your choice. All reading material is included, and a brief introduction is given to help you on your way.

For high school students, we offer community service hours. We would love to hear from you! Pleas call Debbie Coscia at 978-369-4156 or Lisa Mariano at 978-369-3940.

Caring Friends Network

If you know of a parishioner who is in need of a meal, a ride to church, or a get well/sympathy card, please let us know. We have many volunteers who have signed on to help a fellow parishioner in need. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact mchristensen@enchoice.com, cinreynolds@comcast.net, macoscia@comcast.net.

Catholic Peer Leadership Ministry

St. Irene Parish Peer Leadership Ministry (PLM) PLM is made up of post Confirmation young adults that are interested in developing their leadership skills by mentoring Catholic values and skills to Confirmation, middle school and younger parish children. We meet once a month around Sunday Mass.

Videos of our Peer Leadership activities are on You-Tube:

Bike Rally

Lake Trip

For more info contact Joe at jdcelticsfan@gmail.com or Emily at
blgmemily@yahoo.com.

Eucharistic Ministers Needed at the Emerson Hospital

Were you hospitalized and someone brought you communion? Would you like to give back by becoming a Eucharistic Minister yourself? Perhaps you would like to consider trying this ministry of prayer and Eucharist? Are there other reasons why you might like to bring communion to the sick?

This ministry entails just about 2 hours per month plus 2 gatherings per year, for support, faith sharing, prayer and a wonderful meal provided by the Hospital in one of the conference rooms. If you have any questions please call the Catholic healthcare chaplain, Georgia Gojmerac-Leiner, (978) 287-3015, or email: gleiner@emersonhosp.org. Please consider trying this ministry. You will receive training and support on an ongoing basis.

Music Ministry

Music is such a powerful tool that can be used to evangelize, lift our spirits, and draw people closer to God and His church. We all know how inspiring it is to hear our beautiful choir during Mass and our children and teens sign with such spirit. Be part of the ministry of music.

If you love to sing and especially to God, then we have a place for you! Please consider joining one of the groups. Please pick up a flyer at the main church entrance, or call Denise Glennon, Director of Music and Liturgy, at 692-9566 for further information.

The Children's choir rehearses on Thursdays from 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. This choir sings at the 8 a.m. Mass.

The Adult choir rehearses on Thursdays 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. This choir sings at the 11 a.m. Mass each week from September through June, and at the Christmas and Easter Masses.

The Youth Oriented choir rehearses Sundays from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

All voices and types are needed to prayerfully sing to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Women’s Club

The St. Irene’s Women’s Club would like to thank our very generous parishioners who have participated in our many fund raisers during the 2010 - 2011 year.

In November, we baked 62 apple pies and sold them after the Masses. The proceeds were used to buy phone cards for our soldiers in the Middle East and Thanksgiving food baskets for local families in need. All food materials were donated by the Women’s Club members and a local super market.

In December, we crafted 40 Christmas Boxwood Trees and sold them after the Masses. With the proceeds we bought Christmas presents for a family shelter in Lowell and helped with Christmas food baskets for local families in need. In addition, we added extra treats to the holiday packages which St. Irene’s parish sent to our deployed troops. We also made donations to local food pantries.

In January, we collected clothing for Catie’s Closet in Lowell High School.

In April, we ran a Fashion Show and Tea with its proceeds sent to the Dana Farber Breast Cancer Research.

In May, we ran a Trash to Treasure White Elephant Sale and it was very successful. Also in May, we had our annual Rose Sale to benefit Spring House, a home for pregnant women in Berlin, MA. This enabled us to send them a donation of $610.00.

Thank you for your constant support and friendship. Stay tuned for another fruitful year.

St. Irene's Knights of Columbus

In the late 1800's, when the family breadwinner died, the widow and children struggled to keep the family together. A New Haven Connecticut parish priest, Fr. Michael J. McGivney, asked his predominantly Irish immigrant parishioners to help solve this problem.

They created an organization that would financially help the widow of members who died. Today, Fr. McGivney is under consideration for sainthood, and his organization is still growing.

The Knights support the annual Parish Picnic, the 40-hours devotion, the Tootsie-roll drive to raise funds for Special Needs children, the Christmas Party, the "Keep Christ in Christmas" religious cards, Scout Sunday, distribution of Rosary Beads to Confirmation Candidates, First Communion, the canonization work on behalf of Fr. Michael J. McGivney (the Connecticut priest who founded the Knights), and other parish and spiritual activities.

The Knights are active in several countries, financially support seminarians, have establish several charitable organizations, and pay for the world-wide satellite transmission of the Papal Midnight Mass on Christmas and Easter.

Membership in the Knights is open to Practicing Catholic men age 18 and older. All men, regardless of their parish, are invited to join St Irene's Knights.

St Irene's Council of Knights hold a business meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Parish Hall beginning at 8 pm. For information about joining St Irene's Knights, speak with Deacon Dean.

Food Baskets

St Irene's parishioners support the Catholic Charities Food Pantry in Lowell with a donation of food baskets at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. For information about how you can support this parish activity, please phone the Rectory (978) 369-3940.

Rwanda Seminary Update

The construction of the biogas production plant to support the Rwanda Jr Seminary is underway. Photographs are at our parish website.

Parish E-mails

We would like to confirm that you have been receiving regular parish e-mails on events and activities that are happening here at St Irene Church. If you have not received any e-mails from us in the past two months, please e-mail us at stirene@comcast.net and we will be sure to get you on our list. Additionally if you use a spam filter, you may need to white-list stirene@comcast.net.

Home Schooling Families

In an effort to support families in the Archdiocese of Boston that home school their children, Cardinal Sean has established a position of Spiritual Director / Liaison for Home School Families within the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese. If you would like to contact the office for more information, or be connected to other Catholic home school families, please call 617-746-5875.

Lost and Found

Please take a look in the lost and found areas in the closets in the front vestibule of the Church. All lost and found items, including those left during Religious Education class, will be placed in this one location.

If you or your child has misplaced an item, please check the closet. The items will be cleaned out periodically, and donated to charity.

Boy Scouts

St. Irene’s Council of the Knight of Columbus encourage Cub and Boy Scouts to earn scouting's Catholic Religious awards: Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei for Cub Scouts and Ad Altare Dei for Boy Scouts. Activity books for the awards are available at your local scout store or online at www.scoutstuff.org (type in the award name as a keyword search). If you have questions or need help please contact Steve Dardinski (692-5717) for Cub Scouts or Regis Richard (667-2165) for Boy Scouts.

Crying Room - A Quiet Spot

Occasionally during Mass, young children become noisy or fidgety, or may need a change of scenery. At those times, feel free to bring them into our Reconciliation Room in the rear of the church where Mass can be seen and heard. We are a family parish and welcome families and children at our Sunday Liturgies.

Catholic College Information

If you and your family have started your College search, please check St. Irene's website for a list of Catholic colleges in the US.

List of Catholic Schools

St. Irene's maintains a list of area Catholic schools (K-12) at our website.

The Pilot

The official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston is available on-line at thebostonpilot.com. The Pilot, America's oldest Catholic newspaper, was established in 1829.

Collection Envelopes

If you would like to receive collection envelopes, please call the Rectory.

Area Events

Military Archdiocese

The Archdiocese for the Military Services provides the Catholic Church’s full range of pastoral ministries and spiritual services to those in the Unites States Armed Forces, patients in V.A. Medical Centers and federal employees serving outside of the USA. For more information please visit www.usccb.org/hm or www.milarch.org.

Holy Family Parish, Concord

Holy Family Parish in Concord, Massachusetts, will be hosting Reverend Paul Ritt on Tuesday, February 21 at Monument Hall in Concord Center. Father Ritt is part of a year long program of special adult Faith Formation sessions under the rubric What Are They Saying About….? In this session, Father Ritt will address the person of Jesus in the Catholic tradition and how we understand Jesus, the Christ today.

Paul Ritt has been the pastor of Saint John the Evangelist parish in North Chelmsford for almost ten years. A regional vicar in the Archdiocese, Paul was ordained in 1981 having graduated from Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton. Subsequent to ordination he did graduate studies at the Catholic University of America from which he earned both the S.T.L. degree [Licentiate] and S.T.D. [Doctorate] degrees. Returning to Boston, Father Ritt taught at Saint John’s seminary for twenty years in areas of Ecclesiology, Christology and systematic theology. This class on Jesus can be applied to the theological requirements for Basic Catechist Certification in the Archdiocese of Boston.

The presentation will be held at Monument Hall, 62 Monument Square in Concord Center at 7:30 PM. A donation o f$5 – $10 is deeply appreciated.

Pastoral Planning Update

Cardinal Seán O’Malley and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission (APPC) met with priests of the Archdiocese of Boston and those serving in Archdiocesan parishes to begin the consultation process regarding the next phase of Pastoral Planning in the archdiocese. As part of the consultation process, the APPC has developed some principles and preliminary recommendations for strengthening the Archdiocese’s parish-based ministries, Evangelization efforts and parish staffing. Further rounds of consultations with Archdiocesan, parish leadership and laity will be conducted over the next several months. The APPC will then prepare a final recommendation to Cardinal Seán for his decision.

For more info visit http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=22480 and www.2012Planning.org. The St. Irene Parish Council will follow this closely and keep the parish informed!

Catholic TV

It's that time of year again! CatholicTV will intersperse Advent and Christmas programming with their regular schedule throughout December and especially from Monday, December 19th until New Year's Eve. Then, all day Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and December 26, CatholicTV will become ChristmasTV for 72 hours of non-stop specials. Comcast Ch. 268 Verizon Ch. 296 Or watch LIVE online at www.CatholicTV.com.

Catholic Education

St. Margaret’s School, Lowell

Partnering with parents, Catholic school education provides a learning environment that promotes academic success and the development of faith, values, and a moral compass.

St. Margaret School, a K1-8 Catholic school in Lowell, invites you to consider enrolling your child in a “school you can believe in. ”More information is available on our website: www.stmargaretschoollowell.org

Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro

The Academy of Notre Dame is a Catholic, private school comprised of a co-educational K1-8 elementary school and a college preparatory high school for young women. The school is sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and is based on the educational philosophy of their foundress, St. Julie Billiart.

The Academy of Notre Dame is also a private, Catholic, all-girls college preparatory high school sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, located at 180 Middlesex Road in Tyngsboro, MA.

Please call Barbara Aldrich-Clougherty, Director of Admissions at 978-649-7611 x 327 for more information.

Presentation of Mary Academy, Methuen

The Presentation of Mary Academy is a private, co-ed, Catholic, college preparatory high school for students gradfes 9 - 12, founded in 1958 by the Sisters of the Presentaion of Mary.

For more information, visit their website at pmamethuen.org or phone 978-682-9391.

Central Catholic High School, Lawrence

Founded by the Marist Brothers in the heart of Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1935, Central Catholic enrolls approximately 1,350 students from over 40 cities and towns and four countries. Students come from diverse backgrounds to form a caring community of faith, learning, and service.

Virtually 100% of our graduates move on to college annually. Members of recent graduating classes are currently studying at some of the finest universities in the nation and the world, including Harvard University, Brown University, the University of Notre Dame, Boston College… and the list goes on. The success of our students on AP Exams far outpaces the national standards (93% of students who take these college level, College Board accredited classes pass the exams).

For more information, visit their website at www.centralcatholic.net or phone 978-682-0260.

Ursuline Academy, Dedham

Ursuline Academy is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women in grades 7-12. The Academy inspires each young lady to reach her full potential by providing excellence in education, respect for the individual, cultivation of leadership qualities, and in a warm and spirited community. Transportation is available from many communities. For more info please call 781-326-6161 X 107 or visit www.ursulineacademy.net.

Catholic College Listing

Families looking for a Catholic college for their children should visit St. Irene's own website for a list of Catholic colleges in the United States: www.StIrenes.org/information/college_list.html.

Social Action Opportunities

Project Bread

Project Bread helps to feed the hungry. With the current economic state, many people are in need.

Your pledges will support 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs in 132 communities across the state. For more information, go to www.projectbread.org

Catholic Charities

Multiple locations in Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston. www.ccab.org

Social Justice Committee, St. John the Evangelist Church, Chelmsford

The Social Justice Committee of St. John the Evangelist Church has created a free monthly email newsletter detailing issues of social justice from local to national and international. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter please go to the St. John’s Website www.saintjohnchelmsford.org and click on the subscribe button. If you have any problems please email socialjustice@charter.net directly and we will help you. The committee meets at St. John’s on the first Tuesday of the month in the old parish center. All are welcome.

Habitat for Humanity - Local Communities

Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers over the age of 16 to help Habitat build houses in Bedford. Please call George Bishop at 978-369-5080 for more information or to volunteer.

Food Pantry - Lowell

Catholic Charities Food Pantry is in need of volunteers in their Lowell location. They need people 18 and older to stuff bags, give out food, and help with intake.

Volunteers Needed - Lowell:

Food Pantry Assistants - We're looking for volunteers! The food pantry needs your help stocking shelves, bagging food for clients, and distributing food to our clients Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Contact: Scott Stolze at (978) 454-9946

Intake Associates - We're looking for volunteers to greet clients as they arrive to our pantry. Volunteers would also input client information into our database

Donations Needed:

Donate a Gift Card from a local food retailer

Drop off a bag of donated food

If you would like to make a monetary donation please make a check payable to Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities noting Lowell Food Pantry in the memo line in order for the donation to go directly for food. Mail it directly to Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities at 70 Lawrence St. Lowell, MA 01852.

We can help make a huge difference for a family, even with just one bag of food.

For more information on how you can help, contact us at (978) 454-9946

Knitting in Service Society - Carlisle

Know how to knit? Knitting in Service Society (KISS) is a group of girls and women who have been knitting since 2006 to benefit those in need. New members are always welcome. We work on hats and scarves from easy to advanced. They are knit for Boston’s homeless through Common Cathedral and given as Christmas presents. For info on Common Cathedral, their needs and a pattern see www.ecclesia-ministries.org/howto.html.

KISS meets monthly, excluding summers, and can provide knitting instructions for those who would like to learn.

Donations of goods, yarn and needles can be dropped off at the KISS poster/display basket in the entryway of First Religious Society, 27 School St., Carlisle.

For questions, call FRS at (978) 369-5180 or the Carlisle Council on Aging at (978) 371-2895. To be added to the monthly email reminder, email lindatm@comcast.net. Kiss meets monthly on Tuesday nights 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Please call for the location (often a knitter’s home).

Birthright of Lowell

The work they do goes beyond providing material goods. They offer love, friendship, and a safe place to talk. Birthright is looking for a few good women and men. They are a pregnancy help organization that provides love and support to all women and children who come in.

Please call Kath at 978-394-1231 or visit www.birthright.org for more information.

Birthright - Maynard

Birthright is a pregnancy help service that has over 500 local offices across the US and Canada. They provide nonjudgmental, loving assistance to women and families experiencing unexpected or difficult pregnancy and are interdenominational.

The local office is in Maynard. They can be reached at 978-897-6825 or on the web at www.birthright.org. New volunteers are always welcome.

My Father's House - North Chelmsford

My Father's House, located in North Chelmsford, is a Christian ministry in operation for the past twelve years as a residential program for pregnant and parenting teenaged girls. Although it is fully licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, no state or federal funds are used in its operation, and therefore it is funded entirely by private donations. In addition to financial support from our donors, My Father's House is seeking donations of much-needed supplies and food items from local churches and church committees. If you or your group would prayerfully consider making a regular monthly donation from our list, it would be much appreciated. Please contact Nancy Long with questions or to arrange a donation at 978-251-8191.

Drivers Needed - Concord Carlisle Area

If you can volunteer to drive a senior to essential medical appointments, or deliver hot/cold lunchtime meals to seniors during the week, please phone the Minuteman Senior Services at 781-221-7023. Travel reimbursement is available. A neighbor's independence may depend upon you.

Carlisle Council on Aging Volunteers Needed - Carlisle

The COA needs volunteers to help with driving senior to appointments and on errands, Meals on Wheels delivery, mailings, program/events coordination, home chores for the elderly, including yard work, repairs, meal preparation, one-on-one computer instruction and more.

For additional information pick up a volunteer application at the COA office at Town Hall or call Angela Smith at 371-2895. Any time or support would be greatly appreciated.

Choose Life License Plates

Cardinal Sean has endorsed the efforts of Choose Life, Inc., to make available a "vanity plate" in Massachusetts which promotes the pro-life message. For more information, go to the Mass Choose Life website.

Catholic Television

Catholic TV is available on the Internet, on COMCAST Cable channel 268 EWTN, Verizon FiOS channel 271, SkyAngel IPTV channel 142, EWTN channel 238, RCN channel 85, and streaming on www.catholictv.com.

Visit www.catholictv.com to find out what channel Catholic TV is in your area.

Catholic Radio Station

Boston’s Catholic Radio Station is dedicated to Mary Queen of Martyrs, with the call letters WQOM. You can listen at 1060 AM and online at WQOM.org. We also mention that Catholic TV programs can be seen on Comcast 268, Verizon 298, RCN 85 and at CatholicTV.com.

Lift - Catholic Worship for a NEW Generation

Join us for LIFT, an exciting monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration. LIFT is for all ages - from young adults to adults to teens, to entire families.

More information about LIFT, can be found on our website at www.liftedhigher.com. Come join in worship with hundreds of Catholics from around the Boston area!

Retreat Opportunities:

Franciscan Center Retreat

The Franciscan Center in Andover offers retreats throughout the year.

Please call 978-851-3391 for more information.

Espousal Retreat Center

The Espousal Retreat Center in Waltham offers retreats during the year. Visit their website, espousal.org, for information about the Center and their work.

Please email espousaladmin@gmail.com, call (781) 209-3120 or visit their website www.espousal.org for more information.

Office of Spiritual Development

The Office of Spiritual Development offers retreats throughout the year. Each retreater will receive personal guidance in prayer from a spiritual director.

A list of area retreat houses is maintained on the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston web site.

For more information, please call 617-779-3640.

Campion Renewal Center

The Campion Renewal Center offers retreats during the year.

Please call 781-788-6810 for information, and to register.

Traveling?

Get Church information and Mass schedules for Catholic parishes around the United States for directions and Mass times before you leave and pack the information in your suitcase!

Call 1-800-627-8463 or get the information on-line at www.masstimes.org

Cathedral of the Holy Cross Ireland Pilgrimage - June 13-23, 2012

Join Fr. Kevin O’Leary and others from the Archdiocese of Boston on a pilgrimage to IRELAND and the celebration of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress where Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate the closing Mass. Pilgrimage continues with a tour of the sacred sites of Ireland including, Knock, Galway, Limerick City, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Cork and more. Complete package cost $3,295 (twin occupancy). For further details and information please contact Sofia Syversen at 800-653-0017 or email her at: Canterbury.tours@live.com.

Catholic Tour Pilgrimage to Greece - September 25 to October 5, 2012

Eleven Days in Greece and the Greek Isles - In the steps of Saint Paul, hosted by Fr. Agustin Anda of St. Theresa of Lisieux in Billerica. See the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, visit St. Paul’s Corinth, take a Greek Isles cruise to Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, and more. For only $2,759 per person including airfare. For a full color brochure contact Fr. Anda at (978) 663-8816 X 23 or email au1gus2tine@yahoo.com.

Caregiver Homes

What do you do when a parent or other elderly relative can no longer live alone? Call Caregiver Homes - we pay you to care. Caregiver Homes is a MA state Licensed, Adult Foster Care provider, a community based alternative to nursing home placement. We pay family members (not spouses) to care for frail elders or disabled (16+) at home. Please let us help you by calling Sister Maureen Kane at 781-223-6291.

Cardinal Sean's E-Mail List

We encourage all parishioners to subscribe to a new "Weekly E-mail from Cardinal Sean." The e-mail includes special messages from the Cardinal, content from Cardinal Sean's blog, official press releases from the Archdiocese, links to current stories from the Pilot (the Archdiocese Newspaper), and other helpful information to deepen Catholic life.

The Cardinal hopes that every Catholic in the Archdiocese with an e-mail account will consider signing up for this weekly e-mail. To sign-up, or for more information, visit the Archdiocese website rcab.org

The Archdiocese of Boston

For information about our archdiocese, visit the Archdiocese of Boston website, www.BostonCatholic.org

Marriage Encounter

Marriage Encounter Massachusetts offers a program for couples who believe they have a good marriage but desire a deeper understanding, a richer communication, a better quality and more spirituality in their marriage.

For information, call 800-710-WWME or visit their website. www.wwmeMA.org

Unemployed? Acton Networkers Group

Unemployed individuals in St. Irene's Parish are invited to join the Acton Networkers to share ideas on job-hunting techniques, leads and strategies. The group meets at 10 a.m. on Friday mornings at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 435 Central Street, Acton. The meetings, as well as membership in the unemployed support group, are free.

For more information, or if your company has job openings you would like to fill with local talent, contact John Walsh or visit their website ActonNetworkers.org.

Catholic Singles Club

The Catholic Alumni Club (CAC) of Boston is a social organization of over 500 single Catholic professionals ages 21 - 65. CAC sponsors a wide variety of social and religious activities, including dances, fine dining, sports, cultural events, liturgies and travel. For more info call Allen (978) 454-0206, Philip (508) 996-0901 or Marleen (781) 828-2370.

Financial Report

	Last Week	Year To Date
*Offertory Collection*	$ 6,003	$ 27,681
Target	$ 6,000	$ 30,000
Surplus (Deficit)	$ 3	$ (2,319)

*Monthly Collection*	$	$ 2,289
Target	$ 3,000	$ 3,000
Surplus (Deficit)	$	$ (711)

The Collection for the Church in Latin America amounted to $1,476. Thank you!

St. Irene Roman Catholic Church
181 East Street - Carlisle,MA USA
978-369-3940