Entries by St. Patrick News Administrator

Confirmation took place on Thursday, April 30th, 2009. 202 young people gathered to receive the sacrament. Bishop Murphy spoke at length with our parish youth in Canning Hall to prepare them for receiving the sacrament.

Our confirmandii (those seeking the sacrament of confirmation) have worked together over the past two years and have enthusiastically responded to the invitation and grace of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the tasks of going forth in proclaiming the Gospel and making Disciples of Christ. They have renewed their Baptismal promises, been anointed - by Bishop Murphy - with the Holy Chrism, have opened themselves up to the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and are now being challenged to:

• live and share their faith enthusiastically with others by word and witness.
• invite their peers and others to know Jesus Christ by connecting them to the Church, the Body of Christ, in which Jesus continues to present in Word, in Sacrament, and in the people.
• help transform the world in Christ - to decide how they are going to make the principles of Catholic Social Teaching a part of their daily life to help change people’s hearts.

Congratualtions to all!

First Communions continued on the weekend of April 26th, 2009, for children in Level 2 of our Religious Formation program.

On Sunday, April 26th, 2009, during the 10:30 AM Mass, our parish invited all our faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age; those who are to undergo surgery; elderly people whose health has become weakened even though no serious illness is present, and sick children if they have sufficient use of reason to experience this beautiful sacrament of healing.

Level 8 students prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation through a retreat hosted by Tony Bellizzi.

The Annual St. Patrick Car Show, held on Sunday, April 19th, 2009, was a great success. Many famous cars from racing and TV and film made an appearance. Great food and entertainment helped round out the day.

Girls from Class 6-1 sell bracelets at the Car Show to raise money for school supplies for children in Fr. George’s village in Ghana. (Fr. George worked at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and Nursing Home and helped in our parish over the summer months.) Class 6-1 is working with St. Patrick’s Something for Seniors group in this endeavor.

First Communions began on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 for students in Level 2 of our Religious Formation program. Congratulations Everyone! Communions will continue through Sunday May 5th, 2009.

Even during a time of economic uncertainty, your generosity never fails. This Lent, St. Patrick’s parishioners looked to the needs of others, halfway around the world in Imeoha-Igbezue Community in Awgbu, Anambra State, Nigeria. The village is home to Fr. Anselm Okeke, a chaplain at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and Nursing Home who resides here at St. Patrick’s and assists with masses, confessions and other duties within our parish. During Lent, our parishioners were asked to contribute to a parish lenten project of bringing a potable water supply to the village. At present, villagers must carry buckets and clay pots to the nearest stream, three miles away, to fetch water. The approximate cost of drilling a well (and our goal for the project) was set at $25,000. Not only did we reach our goal, we surpassed it. The total amount contributed to our lenten project was: $26,812!

Candidates and catechumens in the RCIA program received the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 11th, 2009.

On Good Friday, April 10th, 2009, our Youth Community remembered the final hours of Jesus’ life during a live portrayal of the Stations of the Cross.

Our priests reenacted Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples on Holy Thursday, April 9th, 2009.

First-grade students from St. Patrick School do a Bunny Hop prior to their Easter break.

Welcome to our 19 catechumens and candidates entering the Church this Easter after participating in our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and RCIA Adapted for Children programs. Congratulations to Paul, Deannie, Tiffany, Jean Ann, Jeff, Michael, Steve, Jennifer, Emily, Carissa, Alexandra, Kristina, Andrew, Daniela, Alexandria, John, Beatriz, Evan, and Hannah. Thank you for the inspiration you give to us all. May God bless you as you continue your journey of faith.

Volunteers from Parish Outreach finished their Lenten season by putting together the makings of an Easter meal and delivered them to needy families in our area,

Members of the Knights of Columbus who are helping support Seminarian John Ryan were invited to a liturgy and brunch at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. John is pictured carrying the cross during the procession, with Past Grand Knight Tom Keane (bottom right), and with Grand Knight Charlie Sauer (bottom left). John is on track to be ordained in 2010.