November is the month when the Church pauses to remember and honor all our brothers and sisters who have been called home to Christ. At St. Mary’s, we also place a memorial book on the altar for parishioners to write the names of their loved ones so that we can remember them at Mass throughout the month. On Monday, November 2nd, we will celebrate a special Mass of Remembrance at 5:00 p.m.

October is Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church of the United States. As Catholics, we believe that every life is sacred, from the moment of conception until natural death. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God, and so each and every person has inherent dignity. 

As we prepare for this coming Fall and the re-opening of our schools, we write to you today to share that the 2020 St. Mary’s Family Festival has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  As you know, the purpose of the annual Family Festival is to provide a fun-filled weekend for our school, parish and local community while, at the same time, raising funds for our parish school and religious education programs.     

We are excited that the day has finally come for us to offer public celebrations of the Mass and the sacraments. Since there are still restrictions in place set forth by Governor Baker, Bishop McManus has continued suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Worship until December 31, 2020. That means we want to welcome those who feel that they can comply with the restrictions set forth by the Commonwealth - and who are not in a high risk group.

In response to Governor Baker's announcements today regarding re-opening Houses of Worship, Bishop McManus has issued the following:

One of the last in-person Youth Ministry group gatherings was to host a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper helping us to all kick off the Lenten Season. They set up the Hall, greeted parishioners and flipped and served about 500 pancakes to a large crowd.

Dear Parishioners of St. Mary’s, As we come together today to celebrate the great Feast of the Resurrection….. Wait a minute. That’s how I began my Easter letter to you last year….. Let me try this again: As we stay at home today to celebrate the great Feast of the Resurrection….

Dear St. Mary’s Parishioners, Today is Palm Sunday when we typically join the crowds of long ago in the streets of Jerusalem commemorating Jesus’ entrance into the holy city and claiming him once again as our Messiah and Lord. Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel.

On Palm Sunday blessed palms will be available in the church parking lot from 9-11 am. We will be wearing gloves and keeping a respectable distance from parishioners who will drive up and receive them in their cars. Parishioners may also get palms in the afternoon and throughout the week inside the church.

Dear Parishioners of St. Mary’s,   We hope that this letter finds you well.  You and your loved ones are in our prayers each day during this difficult time. We are writing to you about prayer in this time of pandemic. Bishop McManus has asked that each parish in our diocese take one day - one 24 hour period - during which,  from home, one or more of our parishioners would pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, the healing of the sick, the salvation of the dead and the protection of healthcare workers and those who keep the necessities of life flowing in our nation and throughout the world.   

The Covid-19 Pandemic continues to impact every aspect of our daily lives. The uncertainty of when life will return to normal can be overwhelming and even frightening. We long to return to our familiar routines at home, at work and in the community.