Dear Families,

An update on our Haiti Project - this Sunday after the 8 & 9:45 Masses Hermina Hyacinthe, founder of the Ste. Jeanne D'Arc Haiti Foundation will be in Ward Hall to answer any questions.

A few notes of Thanks:
To Mary Garber, the kids, and the Circle of Comfort - once again our freezer is filled with food that can be picked up and delivered to someone you know in need of comfort, no questions asked, just call the rectory to be sure someone is there to let you in.

To Susan Beranger and all those who came to our skating party, we had a great time, a number of kids and adults gained the confidence to skate on their own.

To the catechists and students of the Confirmation class, as well as for everyone who was praying for them and our speakers, we had a wonderful retreat. Please take a name in the basket at the back of the church to pray with one of our students.

Religious Education Classes Next Classes for all grades: Feb 8th, including Catholic School students preparing for Confirmation. There are no classes on Feb 15th in honor of Presidents Day and public school winter break. All students resume on Feb 22nd. 1st - 7th grade Personal Safety & Sexual Abuse prevention program: will be presented to the children starting on Monday Feb 22nd. This is an opt-out program, unless we are informed that you do not wish your child to hear this information, all children present in the class will be part of the discussion. * Grades 1-4 – We are using a new program this year called Stay Safe. Information is available on their website www.staysafe.ie or in person by contacting Melisa or Maryellen. Please download the parents guide as it it contains important information to also educate your children at home on sexual abuse and bullying. * Grades 5-7 – will use Keeping Children Safe like last year. This program was developed by the Archdiocese of Boston. To preview it, please contact Melisa or Maryellen. 8th Grade Chastity Unit: Important meeting for all parents of students in 8th grade on Tuesday Feb 23rd at 7:30pm in the McCulloch Room to preview the material and method of discussing chastity with the students. Confirmation Students: Please remember to sign up for an interview dinner with Fr Phil and Melisa. Service Calendar: There are still students who have yet to sign up for an activity. This is part of our program, please review the calendar posted online and let me know once you and your child have selected an activity. Please note that the St Patrick's Day pizza party is full, I cannot accommodate more volunteers for this activity. Social Justice Calendar

Activities All Night Ski trip: Feb 5th 11pm - 6am Wachusett Mountain. The Archiocese has rented out the entire mountain - let's fill it with families, teens, and young adults (ALL ARE WELCOME!) from all thoughout the Archdiocese of Boston and the surrounding areas. Skiing, games, breakfast, Mass, ang more. Pass the word along to anyone you know who enjoys skiing, or anyone who is looking for something different this winter! Registration and information at www.oymboston.org World Youth Day: How awesome to experience a real sense of community in the Church, both locally and globally! Plans are already in the works to have a group from St. Bart's go to Madrid for a pilgrimage with thousands of other Catholics from around the world including the Pope. In order to get there, we will need lots of planning, organizing and fundraising. Please see http://boston.wydmadrid2011.net for information and speak to Melisa about participation. Don't let financial concerns make you hesitate about joining, we will be doing lots of fundraising! Super Bowl Events: 1) K of C Super bowl Party: Hosted by the Father Dan Kennedy Needham Knights of Columbus Council #1611, K of C Hall, 1211 Highland Avenue Sunday February 7, 2010 Doors open at 4pm. ALL YOU CAN EAT! Appetizers, full course meal, raffles, football squares and a door prize. $25 Donation - All money raised will be donated to the Seminarians that the Council sponsors! Any questions contact: Mike Fraini, 781-858-1098 2) Catholic Women's Movie Night: Mother Teresa Sunday, February 7, 7:00PM at Monsignor Haddad Middle School Cafeteria, 1382 Highland Ave. "Mother Teresa", starring Olivia Hussey, is the first film for Catholic Women's Movie Night. They plan on meeting monthly to view films which encompass our faith in God. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about our spirituality through these beautifully made films, which are hard to find in movie theaters or on television. $3.00 per person. Light refreshments will be offered, popcorn of course! Bring your daughters, mothers, sisters and friends! For info contact Francesca Antonelli 781-559-3289 3) Faith Bowl III - Feb 7th 5:30pm & 10:30pm on CatholicTV presents Faith Bowl III, bringing together sports stars (Mike Piazza, Mike Sweeney & Bobby Keppel) to discuss the challenges of living their faith amidst the glitz and glamour of professional sports.

Parish news & events Community Sunday this Sunday after the 8 & 9:45 Masses come downstairs to Ward Hall for Coffee & Donuts. Hermina Hyacinthe founder of the Ste. Jeanne D'Arc Haiti Foundation will be there to discuss how you can help and to answer any questions. Arise: For the past year and a half, parishioners have been meeting in small groups for faith sharing. Those who have been doing it have experienced a growth in faith which has translated into action in our parish, (food donations to the Needham Community Council, the sewing group, and other initiatives have come out of ARISE). Each Season is 6 weeks and stands alone, you are welcome to join now even if you have not participated before. Feb 6th & 7th is Sign Up Weekend, consider doing something for yourself this Lent, groups meet at various times/days, groups will begin meeting the week of Feb 14th. Ash Wednesday (Feb 17rh) Masses at 9:00am, 4:00pm (specially geared for children & families) and 5:30pm. The Light is On For You — On all the Wednesday’s of Lent from 6:30-8:00pm, St. Bart’s and all the parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Boston will be open for individual confessions. Inviting Catholics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the major initiatives of Cardinal Seán and the Archdiocese this year. The Archdiocese has set up a website, www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org, to help you prepare. It has videos on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sheets on how to make a good confession, answers to frequently-asked questions and more. Please make plans to come on Lenten Wednesdays and spread the word of this special outreach of mercy to those you know. http://stbartholomew-needham.org

As always, check the bulletin, there is more there than can be mentioned in this newsletter. I try to highlight things that I think are most relevant to families with children.

Feel free to contact us, Melisa Hughes melisahughes@comcast.net or Maryellen Jennings, coordinator of the K-6th grade program mej161@msn.com

Many Blessings,
Melisa