Bulletin

MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, April 26      
  8:00 p.m.  Harold Newhall, Sr. - 11th Anniversary
                                                  
SUNDAY, April 27
  7:30 a.m.  Elizabeth Ploude               
  9:00 a.m.  Maria doCarmo Feijo & Antonio Libanio
 10:30 a.m.  Rose Faria - 3rd Anniversary
 11:45 a.m   Isaias deSousa                  
                                  
MONDAY, April 28        
  8:00 a.m.  For the People of the Parish
               
TUESDAY, April 29                 
  8:00 a.m.  Alfred & Mary Francis
             Frank & Louise Francis
 
WEDNESDAY, April 30    
  8:00 a.m.  Todd E. Majkut            
                     
THURSDAY, May 1                
  8:00 a.m.  Gabe & Mary DaCosta             
                
FRIDAY, May 2    
  8:30 A.M.  Kathleen Morse & Bernice Mazzone
                                      
SATURDAY, May 3         
  4:00 p.m.  Joao Raposo & son John   
    
SUNDAY, May 4                         
  7:30 a.m.  Antonio Bulcao           
  9:00 a.m.  Manuel & Mary Marcos     
 10:30 a.m.  Frank & Rose Faria       
 11:45 a.m.  Deceased members of the 
             Figueira & Correia Family

OUR SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is to help pay the bill for our NEW PARISH LAND which will be about $3,700.00 per month.  You will remember that our parish council, finance council and parish staff decided not to conduct a major fundraiser for this purpose but to rely on regularly scheduled collections to pay this debt.  Your generosity helps provide for the present and future needs of our parish.  THANKS.

CLASSES: Grades 1 through 6 will meet as scheduled today.  The last class for students in grades 1 and 3 through 6 is next Sunday, May 4th.  All students in grade 3 through 6 must return their book at the last class.  The last class for grade 8 students is Sunday, April 27th, from 6:00- 8:00 p.m.  The students will be taking their Final Test at this time.  Grade 7 students will meet for the last time on Monday, April 28th, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  Their Final Test will be given at this class.  The last class for students in Grade 9 is on Sunday, May 4th, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

GRADE 9 PARENTS AND SPONSORS: The final meeting for parents and sponsors of grade 9 students is on Tuesday, April 29th, at 7:00 p.m.  The students are not to attend this meeting.

FIRST COMMUNION: On the Saturdays of May 3rd and 10th our students in grade 2 will be receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.  We ask the parish family to please keep the students and their families in prayer as they receive our Lord for the first time.

FIRST COMMUNION REHEARSALS: Students receiving First Communion on Saturday, May 3rd, are reminded to be at rehearsal on Wednesday, April 30th and Thursday, May 1st.  Both rehearsals will take place from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the church.

WHAT IS OUR "EASTER DUTY"?  This question is often asked during this season.  The new Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us of the following: "We are obliged as Catholics to confess our sins at least once a year and to receive Holy Communion during the Easter Season (from Easter Sunday through Pentecost)".  The Church would encourage us to receive Holy Communion, if we are properly disposed, each time we take part in Mass.

A NOTE FROM FR. JAY: As the good weather comes our way and we rapidly come to a conclusion of another year of Religious Education classes, I want to share something with you.  I believe we have a wonderful parish.  Like any family, we can always improve.  One thing that troubles me greatly is how our Mass attendance drops off once classes conclude. I cannot emphasize enough that religious education classes are a waste of time if the families are not taking part in the weekly celebration of the Eucharist (Mass).  The Eucharist is the core of our Faith.  We need more than ever to be nourished by the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  Please consider what your Mass participation is for the "summer season" and understand that God desires to strengthen you with His gifts year- round, not just during the time we have religious education classes.

THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL of the DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER is underway.  You should have received a letter seeking your assistance in this Appeal.  Please consider the many people who are assisted by your generosity.  You may put your donation in the collection basket, mail it or bring it in person to the Rectory.  Please use the return envelope that was provided in the mailing.  A "PLEDGE" (payable monthly, quarterly or semi-annually) may allow you to donate a little more over a longer period.  For only 17 cents per day you can make a Pledge of $50.00.  For only 33 cents per day you can make a Pledge of $100.00.  You can use a Visa, Master Card or American Express card to make your pledge if that is more convenient. If you have any questions about the Appeal, please see Fr. Jay.  Among the good it does here in the Taunton area is supporting the presence of full-time Catholic chaplains at Morton Hospital and supporting the CYO program in which close to 200 of our young people took part this year.  THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 4 in the Church Hall for COFFEE, DONUTS & JUICE after the 9:00 a.m. Mass.  This gathering is sponsored each month by our Women's Guild.  ALL ARE WELCOME.

ADDITIONAL DONATIONS FOR FLOWERS to decorate our Church for Easter have been received from Kathleen Candeias, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Jacinto & Roland Sorel and in Memory of: Joseph Ploude, Lloyd Crownover, Paul E. Therrien, Paul M. Therrien, Anna Mello, Kenneth Patasini, Timmy Hotte, Daniel & Betty Feeney, Michael & Delia Dolan, Frank & Christine Mendoza, David Brady Webster, Charles Pond, John D. Holgerson, Alice C & Lester M. Hogan, the King Family, Manuel Resendes, Victoria Ramos, Manuel Ramos, Manuel Raposo, Angelina Lota, Guilhermina Marques and Raul Marques.

THIS FRIDAY, MAY 2, is the FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.  We will have ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT from after the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Friday until 8:00 p.m. on Friday night.  Those willing to sign up to spend some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament may do so by using the book near the front entrance of Church.  Please consider stopping by to pray before the Lord.

THE MONTHLY COLLECTION OF FOOD to assist those in need will take place at all Masses next weekend.  Everyone is invited to bring a non-perishable food item with them to Mass and place it in the green baskets at the entrance of Church.

WILL YOU HELP US WITH THE HOLY FAMILY BABY SHOWER???  Throughout the month of May you are invited to place any new or nearly new baby item(s) in the crib that will be located near the entrance of Church.  Items such as diapers size 1 - 5, onesees, formula, children's clothes up to size 4, car seats but not strollers, baby carriers, diaper bags and layette items would be greatly appreciated.  THE GIFTS WILL BE GIVEN TO BIRTHRIGHT OF GREATER TAUNTON which for years has been helping women in crisis pregnancies.  THANKS.

WILL YOU HELP FATHER JAY RAISE HIS $2,500.00 BAIL???? On May 7, the Muscular Dystrophy Police will "lock up" Fr. Jay (at the Stoneforge Tavern).  His bail has been set at $2,500.00.  If he raises it all beforehand, they will go "easy" on him.  Will you help. Your tax-free donation will assist the Muscular Dystrophy Association help those who have this disease. IF 100 PARISHIONERS donated $25.00, the bail would be raised.  A "PLEDGE SHEET" can be picked up at the entrance of Church and mailed to Fr. Jay with your check (payable to Muscular Dystrophy Association") or Credit Card authorization.  Remember, the deadline is May 7 SO ACT NOW AND KEEP FR. JAY WITH US!!!

HOLY FAMILY VOCATION PRAYER CROSS is being taken home this week by Merle Coughlin.   Please join her in praying for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. This effort is sponsored by our Holy Family Vocation Prayer Team.

THANKS from our Holy Family Women's Guild to all who took part in the BAKELESS CAKE SALE a couple of weeks ago.  The total raised was $1,034.

A COURSE ON CATHOLIC MORALITY will be offered by our seminarian, Greg Bettencourt, from May 13 thru Aug. 19.  The class will meet each Tuesday from 7 - 9 p.m. at the community room of the Caswell Grove Apartments on Middleboro Ave.  It will be a thorough introduction to the Christian moral life.  There is a $20.00 registration fee for those needing a Catechism and a $10.00 registration fee for those who already have a Catechism.  Registration forms are at the entrances of Church.  Please return them as soon as possible.  OPEN TO ALL.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Thomas believed because he saw Jesus.  What will it take for me to respond to God's call?

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S RELAY FOR LIFE OF GREATER TAUNTON takes place at the Taunton High Track on May 30 & 31st. Residents of Taunton, Berkley and Raynham are encouraged to become part of this overnight event and join in the fight against cancer.  Call Cindy Tokarz (508-824-0038) or e-mail her at catokarz@aol.com for information on how you can participate.

THIS SUNDAY IS "OZANAM SUNDAY" held each year in honor of Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society, led by President Joe Castro, does phenomenal work among the needy here at Holy Family.  The Taunton Area St. Vincent de Paul Society, led by President Dick Vincent (a member of Holy Family) likewise does tremendous work among the needy here in our area, particularly through the St. Vincent de Paul Center on Kilton Street and the St. Vincent de Paul Store in downtown Taunton.  Let's pray this weekend in thanksgiving for the devoted men and women of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (and thanks to all parishioners who donate to the Society on Holidays and other times.)

WRITE DOWN THESE SIGNIFICANT DATES for upcoming Parish Events:
     Sat. May 3         10:00 a.m.     First Communion
     Sat. May 10        10:00 a.m.     First Communion
     Wed., May 14        7:00 p.m.     May Procession
     Mon., May 19        7:00 p.m.     Confirmation
     Sat., June 7        9:00 a.m.     Knights of Columbus Yard Sale
     Sun., June 22      12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.   Parish Picnic at Ted Williams Camp.

OUR SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND is to assist with our FUEL & UTILITIES bills. THANKS.

PLEASE PRAY for peace in our world, our men and women in the military, especially for the safe return of those who are overseas, those who are in the fields of fire protection, law enforcement and emergency services; for our young parishioners who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion; for parishioners who are sick at home, in hospitals and nursing homes and for all our faithful departed, particularly Emma Tavares and Sylvia Jean Pereira, whose funerals were recently celebrated here at Holy Family. THANKS.