Bulletin for April 18, 2010

Successful surgery for Cathy 4/16; a friend with breast cancer; Judy following a loss; Amy and her sons; two women with medical conditions to adapt and learn procedures that will help; Pauline; DB to be pain free and at peace; a successful visit for Dick; Peggy; an end of Hugh's knee pain; success for A.; R; and friend on their quest; Libby's needs; Barbara's wellness; Terry; Roanne; a successful meeting for S.; Mike's intention; AM and BA with alcohol issues to gain perspective and wellness; Helen; safety for Ryan being deployed to Afghanistan; peace around the world, and our aid to that via prayer and action. Continued prayers for: Lois's hope; Kristen-George Porter; Bryan; the quick sale of Maureen's home; J & A with fibromyalgia; Kevin to gain courage; Sharon and Helen; Richie; RM; Joan; Lynn; and all those suffering with addictions of any kind to revisit their core values and gain strength and mindfulness. Thanksgiving for: M and B's improved lifestyle; greater wellness for M. and M.; and multiple answered prayers.

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

In 1955 the Little Sisters of the Assumption came to Worcester and founded Pernet Family Health Service, devoted to assisting disadvantaged families, providing health care for the poor, and revitalizing the human spirit. The Pernet family of sisters and trained lay persons see society as one large family. We improve it one person, one family, one community at a time.

The Early Intervention Program provides family-centered developmental services to at-risk children. The Parent Aide Service offers skills for household management, parenting, and access to community resources. The Healthy Start Initiative combats high infant mortality locally. Home health aides and nurses at Pernet provide home care and support to pregnant and parenting women, infants, young children and their families.

Though Pernet is funded through a variety of state and community agencies, and must sponsor multiple fundraising activities, their efforts would be much more difficult without the support of the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal.

Join with your fellow parishioners today and make your gift/pledge to this year’s PARTNERS IN CHARITY APPEAL

St. Mary’s Parish Goal $175,000
Number of Gifts 289
Amount Pledged $91,405

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

SHINING STARS

An opportunity for parishioners to recognize other parishioners for their stewardship actions and deeds. Do you want to say “thanks” or acknowledge a parish member for being a good steward by using their time, talent or treasure to serve others? You may recognize an individual, a family, a couple, teenager or child. Fill out a Shining Stars form (found in the front vestibule, the pastoral center or here).

THE SHINING STAR FOR APRIL Dan Musgrove

Dan graduated from St. Mary School and is now a sophomore at St. John’s High School. For two years Dan has played the part of Jesus in the living Stations of the Cross, and this year he directed the living Stations. While a student at St. Mary’s he was an altar server and also served at funerals. He sings in the choir at St. John’s. Dan is now a lector at the 4:30 Mass on Saturday. Dan is an inspiration to the young teens of the church and, hopefully, more teens will follow in his footsteps.

April Item of the Month: Cooking Oil

This month's new Item of the Month is Cooking Oil. Any kind of cooking oil: olive, canola, vegetable, will be great. Please help us add one of these "special items" to next month's food bags. Thank you for helping us collect over 60 bottles of laundry detergent to be given out this month!

LITURGICAL NOTES

The Easter Season and Spring mark the end of the precautions that have been in place since November to help reduce the transmission of the flu. Once again we shall:

• distribute the Precious Blood at the 4:30pm, 9:00 & 11:00 am and 5:30 pm Masses.
• exchange the sign of peace with a handshake
• join hands during the Lord’s Prayer

Some parishioners may decide to refrain from any physical contact with others due to a cold or medical condition. Let us respect their freedom to do so. Eucharistic Ministers are still encouraged to use hand sanitizer prior to the distribution of Holy Communion.

The 2010 Family Festival

Planning for the 2010 Family Festival has begun. If you are interested in a leadership role for this year’s festival, please join us on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm in Mary’s Room in the Pastoral Center for the kick-off meeting.

The committee chairs meet monthly from now through August and then on a weekly basis during the month of the Festival. This year the Festival has been scheduled for the weekend of September 17 – 19. Please consider chairing one of the committees that help make the Festival such a successful event.

Come to this one night workshop to learn how listening and reflecting on the Word of God and various spiritual practices can transform your life. The workshop is offered by Jennifer Kiel, doctor of Ministry Candidate.

New York’s Late Nite Catechism comes to Shrewsbury

Click here for more information and a ticket order form.

Blood Drive – Thursday, April 29 from 2:00 – 8:00 pm at the Shrewsbury Senior Center, 98 Maple Ave, Shrewsbury. For an appointment please contact 1-800-Red - Cross or www.redcrossblood.org

Shrewsbury Fragrant Garden

Introducing the Shrewsbury Fragrant Garden for the blind and visually impaired, a sensory experience Friday, April 30, 2010 Place: Veteran's Inc. 59 South Street, Shrewsbury MA 01545 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. Donation: $10 pp Hor's d'oeuvres, Cash Bar, Raffle For tickets please make your check payable to: The Shrewsbury Fragrant Garden P.O. Box 354, Shrewsbury, MA 01545

Central Massachusette Housing Alliance, Inc.
25th annual WALK for the Homeless - Sunday, May 16, 2010

Please join St. Mary’s by supporting the cause and walk with us! The 3 mile Walk begins and ends at Elm Park. Registration begins at 1:00pm and the Walk starts at 2:00 rain or shine. After there will be a celebratory cookout, kids games, and live entertainment. For more information and to receive a pledge sheet contact JeanneVaccaro at 508.842.0282 or email at momv518@aol.com. We walk for a community where everyone has a home!!

St. Thomas More Scholarship for Law Students

Applications for the St. Thomas More Law Scholarship are now available and may be obtained by contacting: The St. Thomas More Society, Chancery Office, 49 Elm St., Worcester, 01609 or you may call 508.791.7171 and ask for Eileen in the Diocesan Tribunal. The scholarship is for law students who will be attending an accredited law school in the fall or for a student presently in law school. The application must be returned by June 30, 2010. Applicants (or their parents) must be members of parishes within the Diocese of Worcester.

HOSPITAL VISITS AND COMMUNION CALLS

Fr. Mike and Fr. Adam make regular visits to the UMass –Memorial and St. Vincent Hospitals each week to visit parishioners who are patients there. Because of patient privacy laws, they do not always know if a parishioner has been hospitalized. Please call the Pastoral center to let us know if a family member or neighbor has been hospitalized or is a patient in a local rehabilitation and nursing center. If you are confined to your home due to illness or age, please call us at the pastoral center so that the priests and Vi Jefferson, our parish nurse, may visit you with communion.

SAVE THE DATE! - Friday, June 4, 2010

St. Mary School Scholarship Golf Tournament
Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston, MA

Tee Times: Golf Tournament 18 Hole Championship Course: 12:30 pm Ladies 9 Hole Par 3 Tournament: 4:00 pm Dinner and Awards Ceremony – 6:00 pm Featuring the comedy of Mike McDonald! For more information and to register click here

Tournament sponsored by Favulli Electric. Proceeds to benefit St. Mary School Scholarship and Development Fund

Help support the summer service trips our high school students are taking by dropping off your old electronics, appliances and returnable bottles and cans.

Copyright © 2010, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 4/17/2010.