Bulletin for October 19, 2008

Liturgical Roles

October 25-26

Kat’s mother’s illness and support for the family, a man to regain his footing during a trying time, continued healing for A., safe travel for a couple, Lynn’s successful business venture, Jen's hand to fully and quickly recover from an injury, Sophie's complete healing from an illness, Barbara Seidenberg’s total health, Emma's broken arm to heal well after emergency surgery, Michael Brennan's full and fast healing of pneumonia, Margaret's path to health, a special intention, safe travel for John, Emma, a couple, DM, a family of 7, and a family of 4, Venita to know peace as her memory fails, a family to best support their patriarch as his mind changes, a young woman to gain self-knowledge and confidence, the smooth sale of two homes and property, our parish's enduring covenant campaign, a successful furniture drive on 10/18 for those in need, and for the social justice committee's pursuits, our parish to lead one another and our diocese in caring for one another and evangelization, and peace around the world. Continued prayers for: Susan, Mary Ann, Linda's upcoming biopsy 10/28, Margaret, CF, Helen, Lou, Ben, Mike Jr., Suzanne, B., Andrew, the Cuthbert family, A, St. Mary's God Squad retreat team, S. and W. Thanksgiving for: successful dental surgery, increased wellness for T. and many answered prayers.

Prayer Line: Tracy at 508.842.2279 or Susan at 508.934.0133 or susanbk@townisp.com

Altar Training Workshop for New Altar Servers

THANK-YOU to all those parishioners who have made their pledge to St. Mary’s Capital Campaign during the past few weeks. We ask parishioners who have not made their pledge to Our Enduring Covenant to please do so during the next few weeks. Soon we will be determining the scope of the building/renovation project which will begin in June of 2009. On Thursday, October 2, our plans were presented to the Town of Shrewsbury Planning Board where they were well received. After the final plans are presented to the town next month, we will be ready to move forward.

The plans submitted to the Town of Shrewsbury for approval at this time include:

• Air Conditioning for the Church
• Elevator to Church for improved accessibility
• Provide new restrooms on church and lower level
• New boilers
• Add new lighting and sound system
• Install sprinklers and fire alarms to code
• Two story 5,000 Square foot addition on the back of the church and hall that includes:
  • Lobby & Gathering space for church functions
  • Large meeting room for 60 – 125 people for parish meetings/events
  • New entrance and relocated school offices
• Media Center (library & computers)

Additional Parking and necessary drainage underneath the parking lot – which will require moving the rectory and little brown house. At this time it does not look like the State of Massachusetts will be providing the Town of Shrewsbury with the necessary funds to move these two houses. We had hoped to be able to donate the houses to the town for affordable housing rather than demolish them.

With the support of everyone in our parish we hope to begin this scope of work in June of 2009. At this time it does not appear that we will have enough money pledged to the campaign to increase the seating capacity in the church or build the four additional rooms off of the parish hall.

Please make your pledge today. Every gift is important.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Today is World Mission Sunday and Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that we must be a Church committed to being “One Family in Mission”. On this occasion we unite with Catholics throughout the world in a pledge to the missionary task that we all share. We offer our prayers and financial support through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Please be generous in today’s second collection.

Anointing of the Sick at Special Mass
Saturday, November 1, 2008 - 12:00 Noon

Scripture is filled with examples of Jesus extending his healing to those suffering with physical, emotional or spiritual ailments, and he called his followers to do the same. Indeed, in the 5th chapter of The Letter of James, we also read of this concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick when St. James wrote, “Are any among you sick? They should call on the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick... ...and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.”

St. Mary’s Parish will celebrate a special Mass for the Anointing of the Sick for all who seek healing, including but not limited to those acutely or chronically ill, facing surgery, or the frail elderly.

If you or a family member needs transportation to Mass on this day, please contact our Parish Nurse, Viola Jefferson, no later than October 27th at 508.925.7647.

Stewards are God's Shining Stars

Next weekend we will celebrate the many ministries that are active at St. Mary's during Masses with a celebration to follow in the parish hall. Let us praise and thank God for the countless gifts and talents he has bestowed upon the members of our faith community. We pray that we may continue to share our gifts with others as an act of thanksgiving to the God who gave them to us.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING DATE: Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 7:00 PM at St. Philips Church in Grafton Center. ALL catechists are required to participate in this training at least once.

Social justice meeting - Tuesday, October 21 at 7:15 in the Church Hall. At this meeting, we'll get updates about our parish's twinning project with St. Michel's in Haiti, our November Haiti weekend, the Little Brown House, alternative gift giving opportunities for Christmas, family social justice and other events. We'll also start looking forward to 2009. So if you'd like to get involved, or if you're simply curious, please come.

Feast of All Souls
Mass of Remembrance & Breakfast
Saturday, November 8th • 8:30 a.m.

In November, we set aside time to remember our brothers and sisters who have been called home to Christ. A memorial book will be placed on the altar, and parishioners are invited to write the names of their loved ones in it so that we can remember them at Mass throughout the month.

On Saturday, November 8th, the parish will also celebrate a special Mass of Remembrance at 8:30 a.m. The names of parishioners who have died this past year will be read and a candle will be lit in their memory. The names and candles will remain on the altar throughout November.

Immediately following Mass, the parish will host a breakfast in the parish hall. All are invited. Please RSVP to the pastoral center at 508.845.6341 by Monday, November 3rd if you plan on attending the breakfast.

Those who are grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to participate in the next Bereavement Support Group on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 7:00 – 8:30 PM and 11 subsequent sessions scheduled to fit participants’ needs. Meetings will be in the O’Connell Pastoral Center at St. Mary’s Parish. Walking this journey with you will be Viola Jefferson and Corinne Hetzler, each experienced in bereavement support and personal loss. Each person’s confidentiality will always be respected. Please call the Health Ministry Office at 508.925.7647 to confirm your participation or get more information. Space is limited, so please reserve your place now.

ST. MARY’S HEALTH MINISTRY RECEIVES GRANTS

Shrewsbury Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination Clinic

The Shrewsbury Board of Health will hold its annual Influenza and Pneumonia Clinic on Tuesday, October 28th from 9:00 am to noon in the Senior Center at 98 Maple Ave.

ELECTION 2008 - FORMING CONSCIENCES FOR FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

Is the Church telling me whom to vote for in the next election?

No, because that question involves all kinds of personal considerations that “take into account a candidate’s commitments, character, integrity, and ability to influence a given issue” that are best left to the individual voter (#37) besides, citizenship covers more than just voting. It includes campaigning for candidates for elective office as well as getting involved in ballot questions, entering government service itself, and otherwise working at the grassroots, regional and national levels to influence public policy. Rather than telling Catholics which candidates to support or oppose, the Church offers basic guidelines for making civic choices in and outside the voting booth consistent with moral principles.

The Church is not demanding that government adopt Catholic
teachings, but it is insisting that society must defend human rights.

What are the key moral principles of concern to the Church?

There are certain “universal moral truths” about the human person that citizens should always seek to uphold in their civic actions (#33). Politics must always abide by “fundamental values, such as respect for human life, its defense from conception to natural death, the family built upon marriage between a man and a woman, the freedom to educate one’s children, and the promotion of the common good in all its forms (Pope Benedict XVI). While not every moral principle can be enshrined in law, “It is important to recognize that not all possible courses of action are morally acceptable.” (#20)

Come help us in the fight against hunger on Sunday, October 19 in the annual CROP WALK. Registration begins at 11:30 am and the 3 mile or 6 mile walk begins at 12:15 pm from the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury. Lunch will be provided and 25% of the money raised will remain in Shrewsbury for St. Anne’s Food Pantry. For more information call Mary Daly at 508.845.6819. Join fellow parishioners, Fr. Mike, some of our Confirmation students, the 8th grade class from St. Mary School as we walk.

HOSPITAL VISITS AND COMMUNION CALLS

	St. Mary Craft Fair 2008! (formerly Holly Fair) Save the Date! Saturday, December 6th, 9am - 6 pm Sunday, December 7th, 8am - 1 pm
PARISHIONERS Buy your Christmas greenery from us! Click here for an order form.	Fresh Wreaths, Door Swags, Local Crafters, Chris Cringles Kitchen and Bake Table, Snowman Corner Gifts, Pictures with St. Nicholas, Craft Raffle, and More! Applications are being accepted! Donations of Crafts to our Snowman Corner are gratefully accepted! Contact Lynne Grden at ldgrden@yahoo.com or 508.363.3636.	CRAFTERS Show your crafts at the fair! Click here for an application.

Saint John’s – October 19th and November 2nd at 1:00pm. Entrance exam will be held on Sat. November 8th at 8:30 am. Call 508.842.8934 X 266 or jmorse@stjohnshigh.org.

Holy Name – Saturday, October 19th from 12:00-3:00pm. Placement tests – Grade 9: Sat, Nov. 15th from 8:00-11:00 am Grade 7: Sat, Dec. 6th from 8:00-11:00 am

Notre Dame – October 8th at 7:00pm Entrance exam: Saturday, November 1st at 8:30 am

St. Peter-Marian – Sunday, October 26th from 1:00-3:00pm. Placement tests: Grade 7 – December 6 at 8:00 am, Grade 9 – November 15th at 8:00 am.

Copyright © 2008, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 10/18/2008.