Help Needed Now

FOOD COLLECTION

There will be baskets at the doors of both churches May 17th/18th for food donations for the St. Joseph SVDP Pantry. Items which are running low are: cans of chicken soup and stew, 1-2lb. bags of rice, and 14.oz cans of fruit. The SVDP Society reaches out to neighbors in need, giving emergency assistance. The Society assists with rent, utility bills, insurance and food vouchers. The Food Supplement Program at St. Joseph Church serves up to 18 local families on the last Wednesday of each month. We welcome participation on any level. Please contact Susan Bayard at 781-642-1308 for more information. Donations can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 324, Lincoln, MA 01773.

BOOK DRIVE

Weston High School sophomore Carter Hulings is in the process of becoming an Eagle Scout in Weston's Troop #153. As part of his project, Carter is organizing a book drive, proceeds of which go to the Lawrence Family Development Charter School Library in Lawrence, MA. He will be collecting any type of book, e.g. hard/soft cover, text books. A box has been placed at the entrance of the church. The book drive will end May 31st. You can contact Carter @ 781-864-9188 or at chulings (at) comcast.net, with any questions. Please try to support this worthwhile effort.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Youth members are needed for the Council, which usually meets once a month on Sundays at 7:30PM. If you will be in grades 9-12 this fall, and would like to be a representative on this council, please contact Father Evans or Jean Pelletier. We would be happy to share with you the depth of the commitment in being an active member on the PPC.

HAVE AN EXTRA BUREAU?

Sandra's Lodge, recipient of "Sandwich Sunday" donations, needs bureaus for families relocating out of the Lodge. If you have a bureau in good-working order to donate, please contact Susan Boak at susan@theboaks.com. A weekend day in May or June will be set aside for pickup.

PART-TIME SUMMER HELP WANTED

Blessed John XXIII Seminary, Weston, is looking for someone to assist the Plant Manager. The job will be three days per week [flexibility is the key] starting as soon as possible. Duties will include lawn mowing and miscellaneous landscape projects, as well as some indoor projects. Candidates must be over 18 years of age with a valid driver's license. Please send a letter of interest/resume to: Human Resource Director, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, 558 South Avenue, Weston, MA 02493.

St. Julia Church 'Openers'

More parishioners / Massgoers are needed to assist with opening the church before Mass begins. We may move opening the church to just 10 minutes before Mass begins. This feature may make it easier for some volunteers to assist. That timeframe seems reasonable, since not many people have been coming much earlier than 10 minutes before Mass starts. A word of special thanks goes to Eileen Muldoon, who has been steady, dedicated and generous over many years in this early-morning parish service.

Eucharisic Ministers Needed

Elizabeth Seton Residence, Wellesley, is having a Eucharistic minister shortage, and need people to make a commitment to the ministry. You will bring prayer and comfort to the elderly, their families, and the staff on a continuing basis. For information, call residence chaplain, Linda Colizzi, 781-997-1119.

The Catholic Appeal, 2008

Thank you to the supporters of the Catholic Appeal! Our parish has now given $167,643, pledged from 67 households, reaching 86% of our parish goal of $195,000. It's not too late to pledge. Each gift has the potential to increase parish revenue, while supporting the ministries funded by the 2008 Catholic Appeal.

ARISE Together in Christ

Have you every felt a tug at your heart, leading you to consider new ways of nourishing your faith? Are you feeling that the hectic demands of life are preventing you from connecting with others as much as you would like? If so, you are not alone.

I am recommending ARISE Together in Christ. It has a proven track record of leading people into greater connection with others and God. There is nothing very technical or unusual about it, but it produces splendid results. It builds on skills and methods that ordinary folks can bring and share.

Like many parishes all around Eastern Massachusetts, St. Julia Parish is getting involved in ARISE. Our meetings will happen right here in Weston and Lincoln, in homes and in our parish properties in both towns.

Our community has been through some rough times in the past decade. The clergy abuse scandal discouraged many from taking part in Church activities, and some who stayed involved lost some of their fire. ARISE can be a rekindling. The closing and realigning of parishes locally also brought confusion and anger. ARISE offers a chance to get involved again in a way that shows that Church can best be: communities of faithful people supporting one another in searching for God and being strong, joyful Christians in very day life.

I am convinced that greater life can come to our parish community if a good number of individuals enter into this process. It is not preachy or arm-twisting. Each meeting provides a mix of inspiring reading, friendly discussion, solid learning and insights pertinent to everyday life - in a small group of parishioners. The commitment is for one series of six weekly meetings of 90 minutes each.

I support this wholeheartedly. Let's make this journey together!

Computer Needed

HAVE YOU BOUGHT A NEW COMPUTER LATELY? Does the old one still work? St. Vincent de Paul Society, Lincoln, would like to provide a "gently used" computer [2-3 years old] for one of its clients. The ideal computer, in good working condition, would have Windows with basic software such as Microsoft Office, and a huge plus would be a surplus printer. Call Susan Bayard in the Parish Office, 781 642-1308, if you can help.

Lectors Needed

If you would like to share your time and talent by proclaiming God's Word within the celebration of the Mass, as a Lector, please contact Jean Pelletier at by email, or at 781 899-0739.

RCIA Catechists and Sponsors needed

Do you enjoy sharing your life and faith with others in a small group or one-on-one?? Are you willing to grow in your own knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings? These are essential qualities for catechists and sponsors. Catechists are teachers of religious education and ministers of the Word. And sponsors are a companion with an individual who helps the individual process the process of becoming Catholic. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is looking for a few fully initiated Catholics to help hand on the faith to other adults who would like to become fully initiated Catholics like you. If you are interested or at least curious about being a catechist or a sponsor in the RCIA process, please contact Jean Pelletier at 781-899-0739 or by email.

Family Mass

There has been a "Family Mass" approximately once a month this year, at the 9 AM Mass. The parish could profit from enhancing this Mass, beginning in the fall. The task would involve planning for music, readings, homily, and liturgical service by our own children. To make this work, parental or parishioner planning is needed. If you would like to serve on an ad hoc committee to work on this, please contact Fr. Evans.

Volunteer Receptionist

Volunteer Receptionist Help Needed in the Parish Office on Mondays for a few hours. Telephone/computer skills are required. Please contact Kathy Dolan at 781-899-2611 for additional information.

St. Vincent de Paul Outreach

Our Parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference welcomes parishioner participation in any of their outreach activities. More helpers are needed! Read more about this organization's range of activities and volunteer needs. Please contact Susan Bayard at the Parish Office (781-642-1308) for more information. If you are able to make a financial contribution, make checks payable to St.Vincent de Paul Society. Our address is PO Box 324, Lincoln Ma. 01773. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Eucharistic Ministers Needed

Who would like to become a Eucharistic Minister? If you have been thinking about becoming a Eucharistic Minister and would like to serve in this ministry there will be an opportunity for instruction in this ministry, for each of the churches in St. Julia Parish. If you would like to serve as a Eucharistic Minister in:
St. Julia Church, there will be a Sunday afternoon training session, February 11th at 2PM. Please contact Jean Pelletier at 781-899-0739 or by email
St. Joseph Church,please contact Sylvia Kennedy at 781-259-8574 or by email.

Requirements for this ministry: A willing spirit to love and to serve the Lord and one another.

Monthly Parish Coffees

Monthly Parish Coffees at each church need volunteers! Volunteer for only one Sunday. Follow the simple "to do" list that morning. At St. Julia Church, contact Debbie Eappen or at St. Joseph Church contact Marige Bursaw.

Pastoral Visitors Needed

If you've had a relative or friend in the hospital or nursing facility you know how precious is the gift of communion brought by a pastoral visitor! We have a team of people who visit and bring the Eucharist to the residents of the nursing home and assisted living facilities in our parish. Particularly during the summer, we need more volunteers. Training and support will be provided. Visits are scheduled for Monday mornings (4th Monday of month) and Monday afternoons. Please email or call Susan Bayard at 781-642-1308 for more information.