Bulletin for September 18, 2011

Repose of the soul of Charles Hickson, Sr. and Nina, and peace for her husband, Steve; a special intention for Mary; several people seeking employment including Paul, Clare Farragher for successful surgery; Tim for job security; Cynthia Gillespie’s heart transplant; Olive and Thomas; Chris; Craig and B.; TH with cancer; discernment for W.; successful upcoming medical appointments for a woman; job security for a woman,; Bill’s health; A.’s memory; improved living conditions for Kevin; safe delivery of Liz's baby; for a dear friend recovering from a stroke; family to regain wellness following an argument; Stacey, Jonathan and their families; healthy siblings for a couple’s daughter; a woman with a difficult illness; anyone living with addictions, including Christine to gain improved health; a special intention; FS; successful cancer treatments for Peggy; Wally; renewable transition for KA and HC; Joan; Andy T's health; Ann R. and other survivors of 9/11 as they manage PTSD; Mary Grace, in remission; anyone suffering from or caregiving for someone with brain disorders; AM and William; a special intention and for peace around the world and in our own, small circles. Continued prayers for: a young woman with depression; a woman with stage IV cancer; Tonie; T and R; Bud S.; Brenda's safe pregnancy; Peggy; Fred and Barbara; Maureen; Sally K.; CK; Jimmy Beckum; David H.; Carol Ann; Oliver; Stephen; Francesca; Laura and Pat; Timothy H.; Christine F.; Donna; W.; EW; peter; Bruce; Alex; James; Hayes; Richie; David; Jean; David W.; Alex Pratt; Sean; Dixie; Kathleen; Allie; Barbara; Amanda; John; Mikey; BR; Samuel; Martin F.; Beth; CB; D.; M.; D.; Greg; Diane; Carol; AM; Shannon; S.; Edison; and an increase in compassion. Thanksgiving for: clear pathology report for Hayes Brown; the sale of Matt and Denise’s home; safe delivery of Isabella Grace; Wm's safety; NAMI; and a volunteer to build a handicapped ramp; and multiple answered prayers.

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

The 2011 Family Festival - A Community Celebration!

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.

Msgr. Mike

ST. MARY’S TO VISIT HAITI

Five members of St. Mary’s Haiti Ministry will visit our sister parish St. Michel’s in Roche-a-Bateau, Haiti from October 6 – 13. Joe Cantin, Charlie Eisenmann, Lynne Perreault, Martha Serafin and Msgr. Mike will be traveling with Sr. Judith Dupuy, Director of the Haitian Apostolate for the Diocese of Worcester. They will visit with the parishioners of St. Michel’s and renew our twinning covenant with them at Mass on Sunday, October 9. They will work with the projects that St. Mary’s parishioners have established over the past year – farming program, daily meal at the Canteen and a new grinder for harvested crops.

We will be taking 5 extra suitcases with small gifts for the children we will meet as we visit the main parish and the mission chapels. We hope to fill these suitcases with the following items: coloring books and crayons, chalk, jump rope, second-hand beanie babies, hard candy and bags of goldfish crackers. A basket will be set up in the front vestibule of the church on the weekends of Sept 25 and October 2 to receive your donations.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL COLLECTION

The Diocese of Worcester will be holding its 2011 Annual Appeal for Catholic Schools the weekend of September 24-25. 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.

FLU VACCINE CLINIC By Walgreen’s
Sunday, September 25 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon – Gathering Space

If Medicare is your primary insurance, there is no charge to you for the flu shot. Just bring your Medicare card - Walgreen’s will take care of the billing. All other insurances: please bring your card with you; Walgreens MAY be able to bill them directly for you.

If no insurance, cost of the vaccine will be $31.99, payable at the time of the Flu Clinic. Recipients for flu shots at this clinic must be at least 18 years of age.

To reserve your place, please contact Joe Godek at 508-757-0713. Please leave your name and phone number, and how many family members will be receiving the Flu Vaccine. Open to all - tell your family, friends and neighbors. Walk-ins welcome!

Mustard Seed Ministry Needs Your Help

The Mustard Seed, a Worcester Catholic Worker House, serves dinner to the needy every day. Various groups from Worcester County provide and serve these meals. St. Mary's people have been providing a monthly meal for over 30 years.

The meals that we at St. Mary's serve have changed over the years. At the present, our meal consists of pizza and salad (both purchased at Monti's in Northboro), dessert, fruit, and coffee. We serve this meal on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Right now, we are in need of money, fruit, and desserts (homemade or store-bought). We are all set for servers.

If you would like to contribute money from time to time, you may do so by putting a donation in an envelope marked Mustard Seed into the collection basket. If you would like to contribute money on a monthly or bimonthly basis please call Maryanne at 508-845-9674. If you would like to contribute dessert and/or fruit please call Ruth at 508-842-5897.

New Item of the Month: Dinner Helpers

As the need increases in Shrewsbury the most valuable items of the month continue to be food. This month we will be collecting dinner helpers, some examples include Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, or a taco/fajita kit. Every dinner helper collected will help put a meal on the table for a family right here in Shrewsbury! Please help us collect over 200 dinner helpers so that many families will receive one. Thank you for your help in collecting cans of soup. As of last week, you donated over 180 cans! Keep up the great work!

GIFT (Growing In Faith Together) Lecture Series
Jesus Walks: Do Miracles Still Happen Today?

Jennifer Kiel, D. Min. Candidate, Andover-Newton School of Theology. Please join us as we consider the meaning of miracles in the gospels and in our daily lives. Sunday, September 25, 3:30 pm at St. Andrew's Church, Worcester. Free, off-street parking available in the church lot on Vineyard St. Refreshments will be served. The GIFT lectures are sponsored jointly by the Religious of the Assumption and St. Peter's-St. Andrew's Church. For more information: ncotter@assumption.edu or Assumption Center at (508) 767 1356. Click here for more information.

St. Mary's Adoptive Parents, pre-Adoptive Parents, and Foster Care Providers SUPPORT GROUP is hosting an open meeting on Thursday, September 29 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.** Please call for details as our location is off-site this month. RSVP Donna 508-842-2529.

St. Mary School Names Award Recipient

The St. Mary School Alumni Office announced today the recipients of the school’s first Fr. Edward W. Lynch, Founder’s Award and the Saint Julie Billiart SND award.

The Founders Award is established in memory of Reverend Edward W. Lynch who served as pastor of St Mary’s Church from 1950 to 1980. He was instrumental in the opening of St. Mary School in 1961. St. Mary School bestows the Reverend Edward W. Lynch Founder’s Award upon an individual for their longstanding support and involvement at St. Mary School. The Saint Julie Billiart SND Award is presented to a loyal friend of St. Mary School to honor exceptional support and service to the school while reflecting the faith-learning-service values of Catholic schools.

The nomination process began last year with three definitive criteria. The requirements for nomination were:

1. being a part of the school’s early history,
2. living a faith filled life while maintaining contact with the school and parish in multiple ways,
3. giving continued support to St. Mary School

Congratulations go to Dr. Robert D. Blute as the recipient of the St. Mary School, Fr. Edward W. Lynch award and to Mrs. Ann E. O’Connor as the recipient of the St. Mary School, Saint Julie Billiart SND award. The awards will be presented at the St. Mary School 50th Anniversary Gala, Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson. All are welcome to this Jubilee Gala. Tickets are on sale now. An Alumni Mass will take place the next morning at 11AM followed by an Alumni Reception in the Gathering Space. Contact the St. Mary School Development office for tickets and more information. 508-842-1601

Copyright © 2011, St. Mary's Parish, Shrewsbury MA.
This page last updated on 9/24/2011.