You are the light of the world
We become a light to the world either through our daily example of prayer and witness or in the midst of unplanned event. Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, had an opportunity following his collapse Jan 2 after tackling Cincinnati Bengels wide receiver Tee Higgins during a routine play. Following the hit, the Bills, stated that the 24 year old player suffered a cardiac arrest.
After a remarkable recovery, facilitated by University of Cincinnati Medical Center and encouraged by nation wide prayer, Damar recently gave thanks and credited God for the opportunity.
"I think it is important for me to wait and speak publicly at the right time as there was a lot to process within my own self", Damar says at the start of the video in the link below. "I can't tell you how appreciative I am of all the love and support and everything that just been coming my way. What happened to me on Monday Night Football I feel is a direct example of God using me as vessel to share my passion and my love directly from my heart with the entire world."
Damar continues, "And, now I am able to give it back to kids and communities all across the world who need it the most and that's always been my dream. That is always what I stood for and what I'll continue to stand for."
Damar graduated from Pittsburg Central Catholic High School and regularly returns to the School to offer athletic mentorship.
We may or may not have a national moment to offer Christ's light to the world. But, we will have moments to be his light this week. Let seize the day, and light the world.
You are the salt of the earth
Check out this 1 minute clip above from The Chosen Jesus explains with a bit of poetry the metaphor to be "the salt of the earth".
Adoration
What to do during Eucharistic Adoration ? Start with a psalm
Either from a Bible or from the responsorial psalm of the Sunday, start there. The psalms give thanks, offer God praise, encourage to ask for forgiveness, ask for direction, seek recourse when hurt, or let go of an injury.
Saturday 2.30 pm - 4 pm
Blessing of Throats
This weekend
Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr,
may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
February 5, 2023
Celebrating our Blessed Assurance
This is our story; This is our song.
God of mercy and love,
May we be proud of our history and never forget those who paid a great price for our liberation.
Bless us one by one and keep our hearts and minds fixed on higher ground.Help us to live for you and not for ourselves...
Give us the amazing grace to be the salt of the earth and the light for the world...
Give a healing anointing to those less fortunate, especially the motherless, the fatherless, the broken, the sick and the lonely.
May we be proud of our history and never forget those who paid a great price for our liberation.
Bless us one by one and keep our hearts and minds fixed on higher ground.Help us to live for you and not for ourselves...
Give us the amazing grace to be the salt of the earth and the light for the world...
Give a healing anointing to those less fortunate, especially the motherless, the fatherless, the broken, the sick and the lonely.
- Fr. Jim Goode, OFM, Ph.D.
Thanks
I appreciate Fr. Alex's coverage as I recovered from some vascular leg surgery this past weekend, as well as the assistance of Fr. Bill Cyr for coverage of weekday Masses. God bless them.
Weekday Masses to be held in the Parish Center June 21-28
While installation of larger fans in the Parish Center, weekday Masses will needed to be held in the Parish Center hall. Masses starting June 21 through June 28 will need to be held in the hall so as work can be proceeded unimpeded. Thank you for your understanding.
Mass -11th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Fr. Bill Cyr, Celebrant
Deacon Greg, Preacher
In the Spanish Renaissance sculpture by Diego de Pesquera who worked in Granada and Seville, completed "The Holy Family with Joachim and Ann" in 1568.
The painted wood shows two couples, with the men standing behind their seated wives - Mary and Joseph on then left and Mary's parents, Anne and Joachim on the left. Their glances and gestures focus us on the child Jesus sprawled across Mary's lap. Fingers touch and eyes glance with the ease and intimacy of a family gathering. In contrast to the adults stable stances, the Christ Child wriggles.Off balance, he causes the adults to react: they lean in and support him with their legs and hands. (Detail of the work on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art below.)
Yet, we need both: to go out to those in need and to return for renewal and recreation. We need to live compassionate action as well as take time for renewal. I am grateful that Fr. Bill Cyr will be assisting with daily Masses and weekend Masses the next two weeks, as I step apart for a break. I am looking forward to the rest. May you too find a restful and renewing break this summer.
Blessings,
Fr. John
The painted wood shows two couples, with the men standing behind their seated wives - Mary and Joseph on then left and Mary's parents, Anne and Joachim on the left. Their glances and gestures focus us on the child Jesus sprawled across Mary's lap. Fingers touch and eyes glance with the ease and intimacy of a family gathering. In contrast to the adults stable stances, the Christ Child wriggles.Off balance, he causes the adults to react: they lean in and support him with their legs and hands. (Detail of the work on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art below.)
Yet, we need both: to go out to those in need and to return for renewal and recreation. We need to live compassionate action as well as take time for renewal. I am grateful that Fr. Bill Cyr will be assisting with daily Masses and weekend Masses the next two weeks, as I step apart for a break. I am looking forward to the rest. May you too find a restful and renewing break this summer.
Blessings,
Fr. John
Lectio Divina
Monday, February 6, 2023 for February 11-12, 2023 Weekend
9.30 am - 10.45 am
Join Zoom Meeting
Jesus after expansive metaphors of salt and light, he offers particular pointers including that our relationship with God and neighbor are deeply linked.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
- Matthew 5:17-37
Faith Formation Update
Family Dinner and Meeting for Families: Our special gathering was worth the wait!! Families enjoyed salad, homemade mac & cheese, rolls, & apple crisp together .Father John read the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke's gospel and shared a story of disobedience and forgiveness from his baseball days.
Children were presented with a plant to take care of during this time of preparation. The plant is to remind them of what Jesus meant when He said, "I am the vine, you are the branches". As a bonus, prayer partners sent notes of encouragement to the children to help them on this important journey of sacramental preparation. Thank you to Donna Denelli-Hess & Maureen Strype for their assistance with the meal and very special appreciation to Sandra King, their teacher, for her preparation of the materials to help the children and their families grow together in faith.
Prayer Partners: Thank you to all those who have volunteered to support our students preparing for sacraments this spring. We extend our appreciation to Nancy Apkin & John Buoni who have joined in partnering with us.
Additional Prayer Partners Needed: We still have three students in need of partners. Would you like to support one of our students who is preparing for sacraments this Spring? We would like each participant to have a "Prayer Partner" to help them in the coming months by providing prayerful support and encouraging messages. We have high school students in the Confirmation program and elementary students preparing for Reconciliation and First Communion. Please consider this simple. yet meaningful way to be involved with a child's faith development.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Feb 2: Students in the 7th and 8th grade class examined the Scripture readings which tell about this special event in the life of Jesus. The Kindergarten class explored the theme of Christ as the Light by making special winter candles holders to dispel the darkness and to remind them that "Christ is the Light."
Saint of the Week: Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr (February 3): in anticipation of the blessing of the throats this weekend, students learned more about this special saint who has been considered one of the 14 Holy Helpers since the Middle Ages. Students enjoyed hearing the legends surrounding Saint Blaise, especially those which have led to our tradition of having our throats blessed with candles. Ask any of them and you will learn more! Our program is growing!! Looking for a rewarding way to start the new year?
The Faith Formation program could use your helping hands. Volunteers are welcome on both Sunday mornings (9:30-10:15) and Monday afternoons (3:15-4:30). Contact us to learn more.
Do you know someone who would like to be in our Faith Formation classes? Now is a great time to invite them to join our program. Let them know what our Parish is doing to encourage the faith of our youngest members.
Contact: Karyn O'Toole, Faith Formation Coordinator at 413.458.5443.
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters...
We are all called to bear witness to Christ in our lives... St Paul writes.
Would you open to respond to Christ's call as a priest, deacon or consecrated religious?
Call Fr. Jonathan Reardon 413-248-7034, or vocations@diosprinngfield.org
The Knights will offer a pancake breakfast
St. Mary's Church, Cheshire on February 12 from 8 am to 12 pm.
Tickets: only $10 for adults and $ 5 for chlldren under 12.
Tickets will be available at Masses before Sunday, Feb 12.
A spaghetti dinner to benefit fire victims - Monday
Monday, Feb. 6 @ 4 - 7 pm at the Chef’s Hat, 905 Simonds Road
Jack and Debbie Dempsey of Pownal, Vt., lost their mobile home and all their possessions in a fire on Dec. 2. Debbie Dempsey works as the chef at Chef’s Hat, and her friends decided to help them with the cost of furniture and other household items to replace what was lost.
During the dinner there will be a bake sale and a gift certificate auction.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 years old and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Chef’s Hat. For more information, call 413-458-5120.
Dealing with loss: Life is Goodbye, Life is Hello
First session postponed because of the snow storm.
Monday, Feb 6 @ 1.30 pm - 3 pm in the Parish Center
Goodbyes are part of every single day. Sometimes we choose them; and sometimes they choose us.,
Emily Dickinson of Amherst offers in this poem, a pointer in finding our way through the darkness of loss.
We grow accustomed to the Dark -
When Light is put away -
As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Good bye -
A Moment - We uncertain step
For newness of the night -
Then - fit our Vision to the Dark -
And meet the Road - erect -
And so of larger - Darknesses -
Those Evenings of the Brain -
When not a Moon disclose a sign -
Or Star - come out - within -
The Bravest - grope a little -
And sometimes hit a Tree
Directly in the Forehead -
But as they learn to see -
Either the Darkness alters -
Or something in the sight
Adjusts itself to Midnight -
And Life steps almost straight.
Fr428
When Light is put away -
As when the Neighbor holds the Lamp
To witness her Good bye -
A Moment - We uncertain step
For newness of the night -
Then - fit our Vision to the Dark -
And meet the Road - erect -
And so of larger - Darknesses -
Those Evenings of the Brain -
When not a Moon disclose a sign -
Or Star - come out - within -
The Bravest - grope a little -
And sometimes hit a Tree
Directly in the Forehead -
But as they learn to see -
Either the Darkness alters -
Or something in the sight
Adjusts itself to Midnight -
And Life steps almost straight.
Fr428
Grieving is a life giving adventure. The program meets Feb 6, Feb 27, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24, May 8 and May 22. Prayerfully consider Inviting a friend to come along.
Bishop Byrne writes us about this exciting Eucharistic Congress:
The highlight of the Year of the Eucharist is the Eucharistic Congress that will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. This is the culmination of a great deal of planning and I strongly encourage you to make attending a priority.
Visit the website www.catholiclifeconference.com to learn more about the Congress. Please note special prices for families and students. There will be a track for our Latino faithful as well as for children. This is truly an event for all ages.
Don’t forget to register for the Eucharistic Congress at the Mass Mutual Center
Pick up a brochure in the Church or register on the website (link below)
Register by Feb 1, 2023, to have lunch.
Pick up a brochure in the Church or register on the website (link below)
Register by Feb 1, 2023, to have lunch.
Why not come along and learn more about the Eucharist? And, meet other Catholics from Western Masachusetts?
Eucharistic Ministers are being invited to participate in the Eucharistic Congress as guests of the Parish. Details in a letter from Karyn O'Toole.
Website: catholiclifeconference.org
If you are, or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available twenty-four hours a day. Call 988 or Text "help" to Crisis Help Text Line at 988
Put the new national three digit phone number 988 in your phone contacts.
Safe Environment
The Diocese of Springfield encourages anyone who has information on misconduct to report this directly to law enforcement as well as to the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at (413) 452-0624, via the hotline 1-800 842-9055, or by email to reportabuse@diospringfield.org.
The Office of Youth Ministry is thrilled that the Steubenville East Catholic youth conference hosted by Life Teen is coming back to the Diocese this summer. The conference, which features an impressive lineup of engaging speakers, a worship band, exciting and interactive activities, and beautiful prayer-centered experiences will take place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield the weekend of July 21-23,2023.
Mark your calendars. Registration now open.
Parents are welcomed to chaperon students from the Parish.
...Check out Joel Stepanek's talk at a Steubenville Conference last year:
"Today’s Catholic Culture" - Fr. Frank Furman - talk at St. Elizabeth of Hungry Feb 13
The Family Rosary Circle of St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish invites members of its neighboring parishes to attend a presentation entitled “Today’s Catholic Culture” given by Father Frank Furman, Parish Administrator of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Sheffield.
Father Furman produces a podcast entitled “Tower of Ivory” available on Apple podcasts and Spotify. He is a dynamic speaker, addressing many topics that serve to enrich our Catholic faith. Father Frank’s first visit will take place Mon, Feb 13th at St Elizabeth’s Parish Center. The evening will begin at 6pm with praying of the rosary, followed by his presentation at 6:30 sharp.
Make the time to come, learn and enrich your faith; there is nothing more important.
“Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you…" - St Thomas Aquinas
Lenten Lecture Series
Wednesdays during March 2023 - save the dates
"Decide what to do with your hands"
Pope Francis during his visit to Congo led a stadium full of people to reflect on their hands: how each pair of hands are unique; how each pair of hands can be be destructive or constructive. "Decide what to do with your hands."
"No more of this"
Pope Francis, continuing on to South Sudan, begged people of the newest nation on earth not to turn their country into a cemetery. Quoting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane witnessing Peter's violent action removing a soldier's ear, told Peter, "No more of this". Francis begged that there would be "no more of this" blood shed. It is a time to build
Pope Francis, continuing on to South Sudan, begged people of the newest nation on earth not to turn their country into a cemetery. Quoting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane witnessing Peter's violent action removing a soldier's ear, told Peter, "No more of this". Francis begged that there would be "no more of this" blood shed. It is a time to build
Bishop Byrne celebrated Mass for the Institution of Lectors at Pope St. John XXIII Seminarians Feb 1
The 11 eleven seminarians taking this step toward priesthood ordination included Springfield seminarian John Williams (pictured in the white alb). Concelebrants included faculty, as well as (left to right) Fr. Brian McGrath from St. Mary's Lee, Fr. Jon Reardon (a native of Blackinton) and Pastor of Holy Name, Springfield and Director of Recruitment and Fr. David Darcy, Pastor of St Francis, Belchertown, and Vocation Director.
Let us continue to pray for John, the seminarians and those applying for seminary.
MASSES
SATURDAY 4.30 PM
SUNDAY 8.30 AM & 10.30 AM & 8 PM (Thompson Chapel)
MONDAY 8.30 am
TUESDAY 8:30 am
WEDNESDAY Communion Service 8.30 am
WEDNESDAY Communion Service 8.30 am
THURSDAY 8.30 am
CONFESSIONS
SATURDAY @ 3-4 pm Parish Center classroom accessible from the Parking Lot
ADORATION
SATURDAY 2.30 - 4 pm
Streetcar Madonna - Allan Roan Crite (1946)
The artist a black Madonna and child seated in a street car among other passengers. Notice the halo of stars surrounding the woman who could have been on the trolley that climbed Southworth Street to Spring St on its way from the B&M Williamstown Station. - Collection of Boston Athenaeum
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Let our light shine, by being peacemakers.