A Holy Day of Obligation. Mass Times - Monday, December 7, 6pm at St. Joseph's Church and Tuesday, December 8, 12pm at OLOL. The Mass will be recorded at St. Joseph's and available to view December 8.
As we approach the end of the year 2020, I think we can all look back and say, “Wow! What a crazy year that was! I’m glad it’s coming to an end.” The SARS Virus, now commonly known as COVID-19, has made its presence felt in so many ways. It’s an experience unlike any other that the whole world has been coping with for most of this year. All peoples and nations have had to make major adjustments in their ordinary daily lives and ways of doing things. Many people, sadly, have lost their lives because of the virus, and still many others have lost businesses and livelihoods because of the COVID-19 restrictions that were summarily enacted. It has, for all practical purposes, been a very challenging and difficult year for many families and peoples. The reality is, however, that we’re still not “out of the woods,” as they say. And as pastor of this parish I need to make this impassioned appeal. (click title to continue)
The last Thursday for Eucharistic Adoration at St. Joseph's Church for this year will be Thursday, Dec 17. Weekly Adoration will begin again, weather permitting, on February 18, the first Thursday of Lent. Adoration at Our Lady of Lourdes will continue every Tuesday after the 12pm Mass until 4pm. Thank you to our volunteers who help make this most holy ministry possible in our parish.
Thank you to all who have made monetary donations, offered their time and cooking talents, to the Interfaith Community Kitchen over the past year. Due to the increase in Covid19 cases, we have suspended all meals until further notice. Our annual Christmas Care Packages for Seniors will be available Sat, Dec 5, and Mon, Dec 7, during food pantry hours. Wishing all of our volunteers and dinner guests a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you to the Parish Youth Council and parishioners who donated a total of 194 pairs of socks to the PYC "Sock"tober Drive. We would also like to thank Tessa Nault for volunteering at the Coat Giveaway Day and everyone who donated a coat to the St. Martin De Porres Coat Drive. Your generous support will help others stay warm this winter!
The Knights of Columbus is hosting a ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’ poster contest for children ages 5-14 years old. The poster contest helps to reinforce that Christmas is not the commercial holiday portrayed on TV, but an ultimate celebration of God’s love of mankind through the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The entry form and details can be found on the Knights page (click title)
Distribution of Communion is offered to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass due to personal or family related health concerns and can be received after the Mass dismissal on Saturdays at OLOL from 5-5:15 and Sundays at STJ from 11:15-11:30. Receiving the Blessed Sacrament alone does not take the place of Sunday Mass. Parishioners who receive the Blessed Sacrament outside of the Mass should also prayerfully participate in the Liturgy by viewing a Live Stream or Recorded Mass at home. Please contact Father John if you have any additional questions.
The diocese would like to invite men who are considering a vocation to the priesthood to an evening of prayer, conversation with the Vocations Team and dinner. There will be evenings for different age groups and they will take place at the Joseph House at 279 Cartier St in Manchester. Please RSVP to Becky Vinson at rvinson@rcbm.org or 663-0153 if you would like to attend. October 5: high school - age 14-18; October 19: young men - age 19-24; November 2: older men - age 25+