Bulletin for September 19, 2010

September 25-26

RCM to have courage, healing and good test results; Harry to gain acceptance and peace of mind; for M. to have complete healing; Joan to have successful hip surgery; Ed's arm to heal; safe travel for a couple; J.'s healing of dental and nerve disease; Chris; Ann with vertigo to have complete and speedy recovery; David acceptance of his thesis proposal presented on Sept. 20; Judi good results from a biopsy of the thyroid; successful hip transplant for JoAnn and a quick recovery; Susan for successful Cardiac Electro-Conversion on 9/22; Marilyn; an increase in tolerance and understanding in our homes, community and around the world. Continued prayers for: Allie; B.; Matthew; Scott's Mom; Helen T.; Christine; Mr. Bergin; Monica's Dad; Ozzie; Mary; the miners; Paul; Dick; Linda; Lynn; Peter; Mary M.; Jeff; Lawrence; Bob; Jeffrey; Richie; Cheryl S.; Earl; baby Grace and Callie. Thanksgiving for: Tracey; Chase and Irina; Linda's healing; safe travel for several and for all the members of our parish who worked to create our church expansion and all those who contribute to our parish family festival.

Prayer Line: Tracy at 508-842-2279 or Susan at 508-934-0133 or susanbk@townisp.com

DEDICATION CELEBRATION THANKS

We continue to express our deep thanks and appreciation to all who made last Sunday’s DEDICATION CELEBRATION such a memorable event for our parish community. The church was packed for a joyful celebration and hundreds of people gathered outside for the Blessing & Dedication of our new addition. We all enjoyed time together for the first time in our new Gathering space for a reception and tours.

Special Thanks Goes to:

• Bishop McManus, Fr. Paul O’Connell, Fr. Bernie Gilgun, Fr. Patrick Ssekyole, Msgr. Robert Johnson who concelebrated the Mass
• Fr. Adam for coordinating all the liturgical ministers and planning the details of the liturgy
• All our Servers, ushers, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, lectors.
• Rick Vacca, Marti Page and the Dedication Choir for the tremendous music which inspired us to lift the rafters with our voices.
• Jordan O’Connor, the Architect for our building project
• Jim Lauring & Jim Kokernak from Lauring Construction Company
• Town of Shrewsbury Selectmen: John Lebeaux and Jim Kane
• Matt Beaton who represented our State Representative Karyn Polito and who read the Proclamation from the House of Representatives
• Frank Vaccaro, Chair of Our Enduring Covenant – the Capital Campaign for St. Mary’s
• Joe Favulli, the Chair of the Building Committee along with committee members Gerry Sullivan, David Colombo, Mark Beaudry, Mike Lovelace
• Dedication Committee who planned the day’s events and reception: Bob Doiron, Bob Terry, Carol McWilliams, Dawn Guarino, Jennifer Kiel, Joan Barry, Mary Daly, Mary Surette, Mary Pat Calderwood, Susan Leahy, Suzanne Tierney-Johnson, and Tricia Kelly
• The young people from our parish and school who served as hosts and tour guides
• Megan Terry for the slide presentation of the construction
• Videographers and photographers galore
• The many parishioners – young and old – who enjoyed the day together

DEDICATION PROCESSION

During last week’s Dedication Liturgy seven parishioners with special ties to the parish through the years took part in the opening processions as they carried banners and pictures of the three churches that have served our parish through the years.

Mary Layden, a lifetime parishioner, carried a painting of St. Theresa Church, the first Catholic church in Shrewsbury built in 1872, in which she was baptized.

Thomas Keegan, another lifetime parishioner, carried an architectural drawing of the first St. Mary’s Church built in 1923 in which he was baptized.

Dr. Robert Blute, Sr. carried an oil painting by local artist and former parishioner, Emil Grilli. Dr. Blute is a longtime member of the parish and was part of the Campaign and building committee in 1960.

Olivia & Max Colombo, the youngest contributors to Our Enduring Covenant, carried the blueprints for our new addition.

Ellen O’Connor and Skip Swedberg, lifetime members of St. Mary’s who were baptized in the new church, carried the Dedication Banners.

The banners and pictures of our parish’s three churches remain in our sanctuary this weekend.

DEDICATION BLESSING

The following are the words Bishop Robert McManus prayed as he blessed our new parish addition:

Join Us In Singing the Lord’s Praises!

Those who are grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to participate in the next Bereavement Support Group.

Beginning Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 7:00 – 8:30 PM and 11 subsequent sessions scheduled to fit participants’ needs. Meetings will be held in Mary’s Room, O’Connell Pastoral Center, St. Mary’s Parish.

Walking this journey with you will be Viola Jefferson and Corinne Hetzler, each experienced in bereavement support and personal loss. We will establish an atmosphere in which participants can share according to their own comfort level. Each person’s confidentiality will always be respected. To confirm your participation, or to learn more, please call the Health Ministry Office at 508-925-7647. Space is limited, so please reserve your place now.

Please confirm your attendance by calling Viola Jefferson, Parish Nurse, before September 20, 2010 in the Health Ministry office

If you need transportation, please request it when you respond 508-925-7647. Now that we have ramps and an elevator, access to the church and meeting spaces is now barrier-free. Come celebrate the beginning of autumn and God’s love! Meet old friends, make new friends! Come and enjoy!

(LMR: Large Meeting Room - GS: Gathering Space)

Social Justice Meeting
Tuesday, September 21 from 7- 8 pm
Large meeting room in the new addition

Everyone is invited to our first social justice meeting of the fall season. Please join us for simple refreshments at 6:30 pm, followed by updates on our ongoing projects and a discussion of ways in which this ministry can make a difference in the coming year.

ST. MARY’S SHINING STARS

Shining Stars is 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, a teenager or child. Download a nomination form from the stewardship section of our parish website: click here.

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

THE SHINING STAR FOR SEPTEMBER Bob Shine

For several years Bob has exhibited outstanding stewardship by assisting and setting up at all major feasts and celebrations and serving as Master of Ceremonies. He assisted in developing the new data base for scheduling the ministries, trained many new altar servers, and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion and lector and too many other functions too numerous to mention.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL COLLECTION

The Diocese of Worcester will be holding its 2010 Annual Appeal for Catholic Schools the weekend of September 25-26. Your prayerful consideration of financial support is greatly appreciated as we use the funds to support tuition assistance, technology improvements and special educational projects for children throughout the Diocese. Proceeds from this second collection at St. Mary’s will support our own parish school or you may designate your gift to another Catholic school.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Catholic or if you are a Catholic who would like to complete your initiation through the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist, the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) can help. The RCIA forms adults in the catholic faith and prepares them for the sacraments of initiation. For additional information please call Fr. Mike, Fr Adam or Deacon Frank at the pastoral center. An RICA OPEN HOUSE was held last Sunday and several people have expressed an interest in begin a part of this year’s RCIA.

Please join us for tea, treats, and an in-depth look at how mentorship plays a role in your life! Bring your mother, your daughter! Hosted by the Family of Women. Admission $10.

The annual Family Festival is here again and will be held all weekend on the parish grounds. A very special THANK-YOU to this year’s festival Chair – Jack Carney – and all the members of the Family Festival Planning Committee who have dedicated themselves since last winter to many meetings held to plan for this weekend of fun for children and adults. So many people have worked together with a generous spirit of cooperation to make this annual event a spirit-filled and enjoyable time for everyone in our parish and school. Thank-you to the many parishioners who have volunteered to help out during the weekend and those who have made generous contributions to the festival. Thank-you for your cooperation this weekend with the difficult challenge of parking for Mass.

Be sure to join us today at the Family Festival. Bring your family, neighbors and friends to enjoy a great time. Click here for all of the information.

Middle School Dance
Sponsored by St. Mary 8th Grade Class

Ticket Sales

Tickets are available to 6th, 7th, and 8th grades of St. Mary School. Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Middle Schools, St. Bernadette’s and Venerini Academy. You may purchase tickets at the St. Mary Family Festival September 17th, 18th and 19th at the Ticket/Information table.

You may also purchase tickets by contacting Maria Lemieux: lemieuxcpa@aol.com or 508-868-8999.

Copyright © 2010, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 9/18/2010.