This Week at St. Julia Parish

Friday, September 3	Eucharistic Adoration St. Julia Parish Hall, 12 Noon to 1:00PM St. Joseph Church, 9:30 to 10:30AM
Thursday, September 8	Yoga Prayer, 9:30 AM, and 5:30PM, St. Julia Parish Hall
	St. Vincent de Paul Conference, 1PM, St. Joseph House
Friday, September 10	Eucharistic Adoration St. Julia Parish Hall, 12 Noon to 3:00PM

Upcoming Events

THE PARISH PICNIC

THE 6TH ANNUAL OUTDOOR MASS AND PICNIC will be held on Sunday, September 19th at the Weston Community Center Field, 99 School Street, beginning with Mass at 11 AM. Mass is immediately followed by a delicious picnic barbecue and many age-appropriate games and activities for the kids. The St. Julia clown will be there. Pend- ing other calls, the Weston Fire Dept is also scheduled to arrive at the Picnic for a show-n-tell hour. Plan to come, join the fun, get to know fellow parishioners and have a wonderful time. There is no charge for the Picnic, but we need everyone who plans to attend to sign up so our chefs have an accurate count.

To sign up for the picnic or to volunteer to help, stop by the tables on your way out of Mass, go to the website www.stjulia.org or call the Parish Office at 781-899-2611. Directions to the Community Center field and a sign-up for those needing a ride are available. The Weston Community Center field is easy to get to, with plenty of accessible parking and nearby restrooms. Bring a blanket or folding chair, as seating for the Mass and Picnic is on the lawn. Limited tent seating will be available for seniors and those requiring shade. We will be outdoors for the entire time, so plan for the weather. If the weather is inclement, Mass will be celebrated at 11AM in St. Julia Church followed by the barbecue picnic and all activities in the Parish Center.

NOTE: Weather updates will be available by 7:30 AM the morning of the 19th at www.stjulia.org and by recorded phone message at the Parish Office 781-899-2611.

MASS LOCATIONS

In Weston, the last weekend for Mass in the Parish Center will be September 11/12. The Sacrament of Penance will be celebrated Saturdays from 3:15 to 3:45PM in the Conference Room of the Parish Center until September 11th.

YOUTH MEMBERS NEEDED FOR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

The PPC usually meets once a month on a Sunday 7:30- 9:00PM. If you will be in grades 9-12 this coming fall and would like to be a representative of the youth in the parish on the PPC, please contact either Fr. Evans or Jean Pelletier. We would be happy to share with you the expectations and the depth of the commitment involved in being an active member of the PPC.

USE YOUR EXPERTISE TO HELP CHILDREN READ

Start the new school year off right by helping children in all Waltham public schools who need extra help with reading. Mystic Valley Elder Services [MVES] is looking for volunteers for its Reading Partners Program. Designed to boost confidence and improve reading skills, the program pairs adults age 55 and over with children in Grades K-3. Training starts in September. Call Laruen Reid or Ken Neal at 781-342-7705 for more information. Combine the wisdom of age with the energy of youth and become a Reading Partner.

YOGA PRAYER

Re-connect to the deep peace and wholeness of God's presence within. Starting on Wednesday, September 8, we will offer a six-week session of Yoga Prayer in the Parish Center. The cost is $60.00 for the full session. Join the morning group from 9:30 to 11AM, or the afternoon group from 5:30 to 7PM. Gretchen Daggett, Kirpalu Yoga Instructor with over 15 years teaching experience, will lead each session. This spiritual form of gentle yoga calms the mind, opens the heart, and renews your deep connection with God. To register or for more information contact Susan Bayard at 781-642-1308 or Gretchen at gvdaggett@comcast.net.

STUDY THE BOOK OF JOB

Beginning September 14 through November on Tuesday morning, 9 to 11AM, plan to come and be steeped in the mystery and rich universal appeal of this Old Testament book, in our parish Bible Study. Job's themes are timeless: innocent suffering, human limitations, humility, and trust in God's provisions and care. Job has as many interpretations as there are interpreters. Why not add your own consideration of this timeless book? Following Job will be a study of the "Infancy Narratives of Jesus' Birth" for three weeks. Call Dee Schwartz at 781-431-6463, with any questions.

FOOD DRIVE

Containers are at the doors of both churches and the first floor of the Parish Center for donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry located in St. Joseph Church. Any and ALL non-perishable food items that are within the "sell by date", are always needed. In addition, cans of chicken, cranberry juice, baking goods, and all kinds of cleaning supplies, such as dish soaps, detergents, etc. are needed. Thank You for your continuing generosity.

THE ARISE FALL SEASON: We are the Good News!

Begins the week of October 4. Spring 2010 attendees will be contacted by Arise group facilitators to see if they wish to continue and new participants are welcome to sign up at stjulia.org (coming soon), or by using the yellow forms provided September 25-26. Recent participants again provided positive feedback about the opportunities for faith-sharing and mutual support. Growth in understanding and appreciation of the Scriptures were added benefits. "Encouraging forgiveness, putting faith into action, and strengthening one's faith," are all by-products of spending just six 90 minute sessions together with fellow Catholic believers this fall. All groups welcome new members.

A REASSURING ARISE FOLLOW-UP: This past winter, a Monday ARISE group participated in Amnesty International's Global-Write-A-Thon, seeking the release of nearly a dozen prisoners of conscience. Every group member wrote individual letters to the President/Prime Minister, to the Ambassadors to the US of these countries: People's Republic of China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, Union of Myanmar, Nepal, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Good News! Two of the prisoners of conscience have been released from jail. Mohammed Hassan Odani was released in June from Guantanamo after eight years without being charged with a crime. Also, Musaad Abu Fagr, Egyptian blogger and Bedouin activist, was released from jail in Cairo earlier this month after three years imprisonment without trial. This is really exciting news! In the human rights field, Amnesty International has very few successes, but to have two in such a short period of time is energizing to all who do this work each day. Sharing this joy are all who helped in reuniting these two men

ARISE COOKBOOK

The ARISE cookbook Food for the Body & Soul has arrived from the publisher and is ready for purchase. The cookbook contains over 300 special recipes representing the collaborative efforts of ARISE groups from eighteen Boston Archdiocesan parishes plus entries from the CEO, Board of Visitors, residents and staff of Hearth, Inc. The cookbook also includes uplifting scriptural passages for reflection and inspiration. All proceeds will be donated to Hearth, Inc., the only organization in the country with a cost effective, sole focus and comprehensive approach to ending elder homelessness. The cookbook will be available at the parish picnic in September and can be ordered by consulting the parish website, or you may also send a request in writing along with a check made payable to Hearth, Inc. to ARISE Cookbook Committee, 68 Laurel Road, Weston, MA 02493. Order forms can also be found at the back of the church. The cost is $15.00 plus $3.00 postage and handling per book if ordered through the mail. If you prefer to pay by credit card and/or are interested in giftwrapping, please order your cookbooks directly from Hearth, www.hearth-home.org. Check future bulletins for additional opportunities to purchase the cookbook in person. Don't miss this opportunity to participate in a concrete action step of social justice!

PROTECT AGAINST SCANS AND FRAUD

LINCOLN COUNCIL ON AGING presents "Protect Against Scams and Fraud" seminar. Learn about the most recent scams, as well as general information about how to catch danger signs and exercise caution with Rachel Meyer of the Better Business Bureau. The presentation will be held on Tuesday, September 21st at 1PM at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Lincoln. The presentation follows "Senior Dining". Seniors are welcome to sign up for by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 by September 13th, or you may come just to the presentation.

A WORKSHOP ON VISITING THE SICK

Starting Wednesday, September 29th and running for six weeks, a workshop on Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound will be offered at St. Bridget Parish, Framingham from 7 to 9PM. Sr. Ursula Tisdall, OSF, a certified chaplain and Directory of Pastoral Care at Metro West Medical Center Framingham, will teach the course. The workshop will include a review of communication skills, key illness issues, spiritual needs and concerns, grief, loss and dying and care-giving issues. The fee is $40.00. Call Susan Bayard at 781-642-1308 for more information or to register.

CATECHETICAL CERTIFICATE ST. JOHN SEMINARY

"OUTSTANDING...LIFE-CHANGING" - These are some of the adjectives used by students to describe the Catechetical Certificate offered by Saint John Seminary. Important catechetical themes as well as practical skills are covered. Registration is now open for next year's courses, to be offered at 149 Washington Street, Brighton and at the Pastoral Center in Braintree beginning in the fall of 2010. Classes meet for eight Saturdays once a month from September through May [not in December], from 9AM to 4PM. The cost is $250. Visit www.CatecheticalCertificate.com to register.

ANNUAL LAWN PARTY

Blessed John XXIII National Seminary is hosting its 29th Annual Lawn Party on Wednesday, September 22nd at 6:00PM, on the grounds of the seminary. This premiere fundraising event is hosted by His Eminence, Sean Cardinal O'Malley, PFM Cap. The evening will include a reception and dinner with music. Located on Route 30, Weston, the seminary prepares men over the age of 30 for priesthood. The proceeds from the lawn party help to keep tuition costs affordable. For ticket information, call 781-899-5500, or visit the website at wwwblessedjohnxxiii.edu.

PROJECT RACHEL

Do you know someone who is carrying grief and sorrow over past abortions? Project Rachel is the post-abortion ministry of the Catholic Church to help those dealing with the pain of abortion. Three Saturday "Come to the Waters" retreats will be offered on September 11, October 30 and December 4. For more information/registration, contact Project Rachel at help@projectrachelboston.com, or at 508-651-3100.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS NEEDED

If you would like to become a more active participant in the Mass and enhance your journey of faith, please consider becoming a Eucharistic Minister. Eucharistic Ministers assist the presiding priest during Mass with the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ. We are always looking for new people to serve the parish community in this wonderful ministry. If you are interested or have any questions about this ministry, please contact Jean Pelletier at 781-899-0739 or jpelletier@stjulia.org.

You Can Be a Catechist!

The parish Religious Education Program needs catechists, table leaders, and office helpers for the coming year. It's your turn to volunteer! Look at our sessions and decide which grade or program you would like to explore. Contact Anne Marie Mahoney at 781-899-8434 or ammahoney@stjulia.org for more information.

Catechists needed for:
Sunday Morning 10:10 to 11:10, Grades 1-6
Sunday Evening 6:00 to 7:15, Grade 6
Monday Afternoon 2:45 to 4:00, Grades 1-5 in Weston
Monday Afternoon 4:00 to 5:00, Grades 1-5 in Lincoln
Tuesday Afternoon 2:45 to 4:00, Grades 1-5

Tables Leaders need for:
Sunday Evening 6:00 to 7:15, Grade 7 and 8

Presenters needed for:
Sunday Evening 6:00 to 7:15, Confirmation Program

Office helpers needed for all sessions and times.

COUNCILS, COMMISSIONS AND MORE

Our parish has a Parish Pastoral Council and a Parish Finance Council. Seven active commissions currently keep our whole parish alert to concerns, opportunities and parish programming in their various areas: Liturgy, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Stewardship, Social Justice, Adult Faith Formation, and Communication. Additionally, parish organizations, committees and ministries help to let the mission of Jesus Christ be known and carried out in our parish for service of God and God's People within and beyond its borders.

In Baptism, each of us has been richly blessed with the gift of new life in Christ. By Baptism, each of us has been called to be holy and to be engaged in the mission of the Church. Thanks are owed those who take this call seriously. Please consider how you might use your God-given time, talent and treasure to build up the Body of Christ in new ways. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CRITICAL NEED FOR LECTORS, EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND COMMISSION MEMBERS. PLEASE CONTACT ANY STAFF MEMBER TO FIND OUT MORE.

WILLS AND ESTATES

We are deeply honored by those parishioners and friends who have made some wonderful pledges and gifts to St. Julia Parish recently, such as for the "Our Faith, Our Future" capital campaign for the preservation, repair and updating of St. Julia Church. Occasionally, parishes receive bequests from parishioners who have remembered the parish in their estate planning. A planned or estate gift to St. Julia Parish is always welcome. Including the parish in your estate planning allows you to continue sharing in the work that the parish will need to do for generations to come. Please do include St. Julia Parish in your estate planning. The designation should be worded as follows: "the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston, a Corporation Sole, for the benefit of St. Julia Parish, Weston and Lincoln."”