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Next Weekend's Readings
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a- Never forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of slavery and fed you with manna in the desert.
Psalm 147 - Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - Because the loaf of bread is one, we who partake of it, though we are many, are one body.
John 6:51-58 - Jesus said "I am the living bread; whoever eats this bread will live forever."

A Mass of Thanksgiving
Deacon Paul Sullivan will be offering a Mass of Thanksgiving here at St. Bridget's on Sunday, May 25th at 12 Noon in celebration of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Following the Mass there will be a light reception in the School Hall. All are welcome to come and celebrate with him and his family on this joyful occasion.

Bus To The Ordination of Deacon Paul
Our Deacon, Paul Sullivan, will be ordained to the Priesthood on Saturday, May 24th at 9 AM at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. There are still seats available on the bus to the Ordination. We would ask that those interested in attending would please fill out the form below to reserve your seat on the bus and return it along with $10 to help defray the cost of the bus. All those taking the bus into the Ordination are asked to park behind the Rectory and be here by 7:00 AM Sharp. Contact the Rectory with your name, phone and address if you are interested.

Religious Education Registration - Sept
Wednesday Religious Education Registration for September is taking place now for all Grades KindergartenGrade Five. All registration forms were sent home with the students, please return the forms Mrs. Barbato. If you have a child entering Kindergarten please register soon. have only one class of 20 students.Any new family to our program, please call and leave your name, address and telephone number so I can mail you a form.If you have any questions, please call me at 508-879-4271.Thank you.

Marian Festival
Our annual Marian Festival will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 7:30 PM in the Upper Church. Our Marian Festival consists of Adoration, the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, meditations, Marian Hymns, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and weather permitting a procession to the grotto for the crowning of the statue of the Blessed Mother. Join with us to honor our Mother Mary asking her to intercede for us with her Son for our many needs and petitions.

Hospitality Committee Needs People
We are in need of 1 or 2 persons who would be interested in chairing this committee. This includes the monthly coffee and donuts following the 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM Masses which occur the first weekend of each month from October through June. Other events as called for during the year would usually be on a Monday night @ Msgr. Strahan's Scripture classes. For further information, call Barbara Conlin at 508-875-6009.

Bicentennial Pilgrimage Quebec City
Archdiocesan Bicentennial Pilgrimage to the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City, Canada. Plan to mark the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston by coming together in prayer and fellowship with pilgrims from across the Archdiocese and from throughout the world at this special event in June 2008. Pope Benedict XVI has personally approved a most appropriate theme for this Congress: "The Eucharist, God's gift for the life of the world" and he invites Catholics to converge on Quebec City to deepen their spiritual lives through our Eucharistic Lord. The Boston Archdiocesan Pilgrimage is providing a comprehensive travel package for adults (21years and older) June 18-24, starting at $1275 double occupancy, as well as a special package June 18-22 with hostel accommodations tailored to young adults (ages 21 to 40) starting at $875 triple occupancy. To register, please complete one of the registration forms and return it along with your deposit ... or ... for more information, please contact Fr. Michael Drea, Coordinator for Archdiocesan Pilgrimages, at 617.479.5400, ext. 12.

Magnificat Pilgrimage of Hope
Boston , Massachusetts October 11 - 12, 2008
Catholics in the Boston Archdiocese will have the privilege this October to host the second-ever national MAGNIFICAT event. Many of our parishioners are devoted users of the daily prayer and Mass readings provided in MAGNIFICAT. If you would like to join other MAGNIFICAT readers for this weekend of prayer, liturgical celebrations, talks by renowned Catholic speakers, breakout sessions with their editorial team, music, cultural events and much more, please plan to attend the MAGNIFICAT Pilgrimage of Hope.
The two-day event will be held at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12, 2008. Saturday's program begins at 9:00 am, with Mass at 11:00 am, and ends with an 8:00 pm concert of sacred music. Sunday's events begin with Morning Prayer at 9:00 am and conclude with a Solemn Closing Mass at 2:00 pm with Sean Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston and Jean-Pierre Cardinal Ricard, Archbishop of Bordeaux, France.
St. Bridget's Parish will plan to organize a group from our parish. The Group rate price is substantially less than the Individual/Couple rates, but we would like to make our reservations as early as possible. The cost for the full pilgrimage for both days is $110, and the cost for either one of the two days is $70. Early registration will also allow us to reserve our places in the many breakout sessions that will take place on Saturday afternoon. If there is enough interest, we will plan to reserve a bus for both days.
We will keep you updated as our planning process continues. Please consider attending this extraordinary event and take the opportunity to renew your faith along with pilgrims from all over the world. For more details, please call Francis & Mary Jesch at 508 872-6065, or Maria Cole at the Rectory 508 875-5959.
Or visit the MAGNIFICAT Pilgrimage of Hope website: www.pilgrimageofhope.com.

Coffee and Doughnuts
Coffee and Doughnuts will be served on the first Sunday of each month following the 9 and 10:30 AM masses in the school hall. Please join us!

A Message From Cardinal O'Malley
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Throughout the history of salvation, God has raised up individuals to lead His people. Christ assigned a special role of leadership to St. Peter. After Christ's name, it is Peter's name that appears with the greatest frequency in the New Testament.
The testimony of Early Christian writers and the witness of the martyrs demonstrate that the Pope's role has always been a crucial part of God's plan for the Church. Jesus said the words to Peter: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church." It was Jesus who gave Simon the new name, Peter, meaning the Rock. Jesus also bestows on Peter the power to forgive sin and to loose and bind on heaven and on earth.
To me one of the most moving experiences of my life has been to visit the tomb of St. Peter under the Basilica of St. Peter on the Vatican Hill. St. Jerome says that Peter was Bishop of Rome for twenty-five years until his martyrdom by Nero. Peter was nailed to the cross upside down because he insisted that he was not worthy to die as Christ did.
The New Testament does not hide Peter's human weakness, but the Acts of the Apostles describes Peter as he boldly proclaims Christ's resurrection, announces the Gospel message and leads the young Church in the face of so many challenges. Guided by the Spirit, Peter chooses a replacement for Judas and carries on the mission that Christ entrusted to him. That mission has continued in the Apostolic Succession handed on from generation to generation by the laying on of hands and the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ has not left us orphans. The Holy Spirit still guides the Church, and makes the ministry of Peter present in every generation. The Pope's ministry is a gift from Christ that promotes the unity and the Catholicity of our Church with over one billion members in every part of the world.
In the New Testament, St. Luke describes how the early Christians laid their sick by the side of the road so that Peter's shadow might touch them. Catholics throng to where the Pope is for the same reason, to be near the Vicar of Christ. It is the way we express our love for the Lord Jesus, who has given to His Church this ministry of Peter to guide us and to confirm us in the Faith.
I write this letter to ask you to pray for the spiritual success of the Holy Father's visit. At the same time, I urge all my fellow Catholics to listen attentively to the message that the Pope will address to us. The Holy Father is not a celebrity or a rock star. He is a Shepherd and represents Christ, the Good Shepherd, who commanded Peter: "Feed my Sheep." Pope Benedict is coming to feed us in our hunger for God and for truth.
Let us receive our Holy Father with loyalty and affection. May his presence among us help us to grow in our love for Christ and for one another. May his words renew us in our commitment to be faithful disciples in Christ's Church.
Assuring you of my prayers and pastoral love, I remain
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Archbishop of Boston.

Archdiocese - Bicentennial Prayer
All loving and gracious God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. For two hundred years we have journeyed together as members of His Church in the Archdiocese of Boston. We have tried to live the Gospel message in service to one another: Continue to walk with us as we seek to be receptive to your grace in Word and Sacrament. Send us your Spirit to enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills and open our hearts. By our witness may others know you. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, may the Church in Boston journey together in Christ with courage, joy and peace. Amen.

You Or A Loved One In The Hospital?
It is of upmost importance that members of St. Bridget's Parish who are hospitalized at Framingham Union Hospital/Metro West Medical Center NOTIFY the Rectory at 508-875-5959 immediately. The HIPPA Law prevents the hospital from notifying us and places this burden on you. You must also indicate at the time of admission that you are a Catholic and a member of St. Bridget's. This will place you on the Chaplain's List, and you will receive Communion Daily. Remember: Our Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Pastoral Visitors, etc. cannot visit you unless we are notified by you or a family member.

Invitation From Legion of Mary
Is your Catholic faith important to you?
Is your prayer life as you would like it to be?
Would you like to make new friends?
Would you like to form a greater bond with Jesus and His Mother?
Then come as a guest to a Legion of Mary meeting! There is no obligation!

-WHAT IS THE LEGION OF MARY? The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church. Since its founding in 1921, the Legion has been approved by the Popes and endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members. "All for Jesus through Mary."
-WHAT DOES THE LEGION DO? Members of the Active Legion have a balanced program of prayer and service. Works performed include parishioner visitation, visitation of the sick or aged, religious education, Communion and prayer services at Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities as well as meeting other spiritual needs of the community. Legionaries are under the guidance of the Pastor of the Parish.
-HOW DOES THE LEGION WORK? Members meet weekly for prayer, discussion, study and reporting of works performed.
- WHO CAN BELONG TO THE LEGION OF MARY? The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who wish to join in the Church's apostolic works. 2007 Catholic Appeal Update Giving in Faith, Giving with Love We are getting closer to our goal! As of Wednesday, September 19th, we have received $111,268.00 from 378 households, reaching 80.9% of our parish goal of $137,500.00. It's not too late to help with this important Appeal. An End to Abortion throughout the world.
- HOW DO I BECOME A PART OF THE LEGION OF MARY AT ST. BRIDGET'S? ? Be a guest at a Legion of Mary Meeting. Guests are always welcome. Each unit or meeting of the Legion of Mary is called a Praesidium. St. Bridget's Parish has two Praesidia. Our Lady Help of Sinners Praesidia meets Tuesday mornings at 9:40AM in the Rectory Meeting Room. Our Lady of Charity Praesidia meets Tuesday evenings at 7:30PM in the Rectory Meeting Room.
- HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION: You can receive information 1. By speaking with a member of the Legion of Mary. 2. By contacting Barbara Conlin at 508-875-6009 3. By contacting the Rectory at 508-875-5959
AUXILIARIES
- WHAT IS AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP? Auxiliaries of the Legion of Mary at St. Bridget's are the praying wing. Auxiliaries by their prayers support the active Legionaries.
-WHAT IS THE DUTY OF THE AUXILIARY MEMBER? Duties of Auxiliaries consist of the following: Daily recitation of the Rosary. If you are already praying the Rosary for any intention whatsoever you may become an auxiliary without obligation to pray an additional Rosary. Pray daily the prayers comprised in the Tessera.
- HOW DO I BECOME AN AUXILIARY MEMBER? Contact any member of the Legion of Mary. Contact Barbara Conlin at 508-875-6009.

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Family Mass - 10:00 AM
All families are invited to participate more actively in the Family Mass by becoming a "Host Family". All members of the Host Family can take part in the Mass by either reading (parents and/or children who have made their 1st Communion) or by bringing up the gifts during the offertory. Some families 'host' the Family Mass once a year, whole others prefer to participate more often. For more information, or to sign up as a future Host Family, please contact Mary Chowdhury at 508-879-1308 or mchowdhury@rcn.com. Thank you.