Bulletin for May 3, 2009

Repose of the soul of Linda Stinemates, and peace for her young children, repose of the soul of Alia and peace for her husband and children, Joe D. and for his family and friends, Carol's recovery from cancer, Tim, Ann diagnosed with cancer, Rex, successful treatment for multiple medical issues for a woman, a smooth transition for a woman changing her living situation, an accurate and beneficial change in a medical regimen for a woman, D., a just resolution for a dilemma, peace for M., Dick's full recovery from an illness, Sue's Mom, Monica's Dad, Avis, Tom, Paul's peace as his health declines, Ann-Marie to have a peaceful passing and for her family, Bill, Dave to fully recover from an illness, Larry with multiple medical issues and for peace around the world and gratitude for the peace we have at home. Continued prayers for: Richie, Shannon's pregnancy; David, Mike Jr., Eric, B., Tim, Ben, Andy, Pam, Darlene, Peter, Ryan, Luke, Brian, Paul, A, R, ES, David M., Matt G., and Ellen. J, and for Cecil undergoing chemotherapy, Nancy (Mom) to know how much she’s loved, for strength and to make a full recovery as soon as possible. Thanksgiving for: Bill's help, Liz, Cristin, Annette, good test results for Susan and multiple prayers answered.

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

MASS OF WELCOMING AND RECEPTION FOR NEW PARISHIONERS - Please join us at the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday, May 3rd for a Mass of Welcoming for all new parishioners and families who have recently joined St. Mary's Parish. A light reception will immediately follow in the parish hall. All are welcome. The growing faith community of St. Mary's Parish is immeasurably enriched by the many new members who join our parish each year. One important aspect of parish life is welcoming our new members. If you are new to St. Mary's and would like to join the parish, please call the Pastoral Center to register.

This past weekend David Lizotte and a handy crew of volunteers removed all the oak doors and door jams from the rectory for Matthew 25 building and rehab projects in Worcester. During the week AeroTec Environmental removed the asbestos in the rectory and little brown house. The utilities will now be disconnected and the houses taken down later this week. Meanwhile Fr. Mike, Fr. Adam & Fr. Leo are getting unpacked and settled in on Red Coat Rd. Please remember that you will be able to contact the priests in the same way you have in the past:

Mailing address: 20 Summer St.
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Phone Number Pastoral Center at 508.845.6341

You may leave phone messages with the parish secretary or live answering service during the night/weekend. In case of emergency the priests will continue to be available through the pastoral center number.

THANK-YOU to all those parishioners who have recently made their pledge to the Capital Campaign – Our Enduring Covenant. New pledges are being made each week. If you have not had the opportunity to make your pledge, we encourage you to do so in the month of May prior to the start of construction. Thanks also to those parishioners who have been faithfully making payments on their pledges. Pledge envelopes and brochures can be found with the bulletins or at the pastoral center during the week.

MAY IS HAITI SOLIDARITY MONTH

We are one in Christ Jesus beyond our differences and boundaries. – Galatians 3:28

May is Haiti Solidarity Month in the Diocese of Worcester as we highlight our Covenant with the Diocese of Les Cayes and the twinning relationship that exists between several parishes in Worcester and Les Cayes. The Diocese of Worcester maintains a mission house in Les Cayes and St. Mary’s continues our twinning partnership with St. Michel’s Parish in Bateau-a-Roche which is about two hours away from the mission house. Each month we send $800 to help support the needs of St. Michel’s. Join us as we offer our continued support to the people of Haiti

BAPTISM CONGRATULATIONS to the families and the children who were baptized during the month of April:

Baptisms are celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month at 12:30 pm. Please call the pastoral center to make arrangements for your child’s baptism. Parents who would like to have their first child baptized will be asked to participate in a Baptism Preparation session which are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the pastoral center.

St. Mary's High school students going on summer service trips this year are holding an electronics recycling drive to raise funds for their service trips from 9a.m - 12p.m. in St. Mary's parking lot. All electronic items such as computers, TVs, printers, copy machines, faxes etc. as well as small and large household appliances such as toasters, irons, hair dryers and washers, fridges etc. will be accepted. There is no charge for the drop off but donations will be gratefully accepted and will go towards this summer's service trips for Habitat for Humanity and Young Neighbors in Action. Thank you!

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN

CONGRATULATIONS to the 12 children who participated in this year’s RCIC and celebrated their FIRST COMMUNION last Sunday:

Benjamin Babbitt, Arvicto DeJesus, Alexander Framic, Branko Framic,
Kristen Huie, Patrick Huie, Michael Jamros, Joseph Jamros, Valicia Jeanlouis,
Anthony Mastrocola, Gianna Mastrocola, and Ellainna Temple

A Little Brown House Farewell

As we reach the end of the Little Brown House ministry we would like to share a few thoughts. As you know, it was through your steadfast generosity towards the LBH that St. Mary’s was able to offer desperately-needed shelter to eight families. Giving folks the gift of a clean, safe, and comfortable house in which to live while they work to get back on their feet is indeed wonderful in itself, but we want you to know that you have given these families so much more.

It was your simple and random acts of extraordinary kindness that gave these men, women and children hope and renewed their faith that better times were ahead. We wish each of you could have witnessed their joy and wonder at finding grocery gift cards tucked under their car windshield wiper blades, at discovering a fresh cut Christmas tree left at their door, at being presented with a Thanksgiving gift basket loaded with goodies by a CCD class, at receiving an envelope containing the gift from a group who gathers to pray the rosary, at getting warm coats, boots, and toys at Christmas, at answering the door to find a surprise pizza delivery dinner, at having a parishioner and his children treat them to groceries for weeks on end, and the examples go on.

You answered our very first call for help when the LBH was just the seed of an idea, and you have faithfully continued to nourish it well throughout the years. You enabled us to pay the bills through your generous support of our fundraisers, your private donations through parish-pay, and the money you raised at yard sales and neighborhood lemonade stands. Last week, as we took a final stroll through each room of the Little Brown House, we asked God to watch over all the men, women, and children who have been our guests, and also to watch over you, who made this ministry possible. On behalf of all the LBH families, thank you and God bless you.

St. Mary’s Social Justice Ministry

Work in faith ...
Labor in love ...
Endure in hope!

THANK-YOU to all those who have made their gift over the last two weeks to our annual Partners in Charity Appeal. We are well on our way in this year’s appeal, but we need everyone’s support in order to reach our parish goal of $175,000.

St. Mary’s Goal $175,000
Amount Raised in pledges /Gifts 292
Number of Gifts $114,834

Answer the call of the Lord and sustain the works of charity, education and ministry in our diocese throughout the year. The needs increase each year simply because the needs of people continue to grow. More than 300,000 Catholics living in Worcester County and thousands of other people will benefit from your generosity. Over the years the St. Mary parish family has consistently demonstrated its goodness to others. We are leaders in providing charitable, educational, pastoral and human services for others.

Envelopes for your gift/pledge can be found at the entrances of the church and on the window sills. You may place them in the collection basket today or mail to the pastoral center during the week. Please be sure to check with your employer about a Matching Gift and attach the form to your pledge card.

We extend a warm welcome to the following people who joined St. Mary’s parish during the month of April:

Jeffrey and Jessica Bacon, Richard and Kristin Filippetti,
Christopher and Cynthia Kardos, Stephen Micalek and Erin Lafortune,
Jennifer Rudsit, and Dennis and Margaret Scavone.

If you are new to St. Mary’s please introduce yourselves to Fr. Mike and Fr. Adam after Mass and call the Pastoral Center during the week so that you can register in the parish.

Calling All Golfers!! SAVE THE DATE! - Friday, June 5, 2009 Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston, MA

St. Mary School Fifteenth Annual Golf Tournament

Tee Time: Golf Tournament (18 Holes): 12:30 pm
Dinner and Awards Ceremony – 6:00 pm
Click here for info and registration form for the 18-hole event

ST. MARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP LADIES 9-HOLE GOLF TOURNAMENT

Lunch and Registration Start at 2:30pm Tee Time is 4pm Celebration and Awards Dinner following the Golf Click here for info and registration for the 9-hole event

Copyright © 2009, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 5/4/2009.