News Bites for March 23rd ...

1. During this challenging time, without the normal weekly offertory coming in due to no Masses, our 2 parishes are in dire need of financial support!  Please read how you can help keep us afloat here.  We thank you for your support!
   
   
2. Despite Religious Education classes being canceled, there are still many ways you can help your children in their Faith formation and Lenten Season.  Check out our Rel. Ed. web page here for a wealth of engaging resources, especially "FIRST COMMUNION UPDATE".
   
   
3. You CAN attend Virtual Mass!!
   Although we cannot meet in person to participate in Mass, there are several ways to stay involved:
   ** Watch Fr. Leo's special 4th Sunday of Lent Mass on YouTube here.
   ** Watch the Daily and Sunday Live Stream Masses from Worcester Diocese at the links here.
   ** Follow Bishop Barron's Lenten Gospel Reflections Series here.
   ** Catch up or Replay past Homilies from Fr. Leo & Dn. Tim here.
   ** Pray together as a Family of Faith.
   ** Check in with those you would normally see at Mass.
   With Faith and Love of God, we can get through this!
   
   
4. Read about The Impact To Our Parishes due to the coronavirus here.
   
   
5. Despite the global pandemic, our ministry work continues!  The Partners in Charity Annual campaign is still going on.  See the video here (in Spanish here).  More details are available on our website here.
   
   
6. BEWARE: Phone Scam Alert!
   Parishioners have informed us of fraudulent solicitors calling for support of "The Bishop's Fund" or "Partners in Charity".  These are not real!  Read more about the scam here!
   
   
7. Need a Break from all the COVID-19 News??  ** Read Fr. Leo's wonderful article "In praise of women in parish life" in the Catholic Free Press here!
   ** Read the uplifting story "The Miracle of the Brother's Song" here (You may have seen it before)!
   
   
8. How can we cope with the "Shelter in Place" Restrictions??  Here are some ideas:
   1) Change up where you have dinner. Use your formal dinning room and dress up! Maybe break out the good china! ;)
   
   2) Use video conferencing and have a virtual Cocktail Party with friends.  You don't have iPhone's for FaceTime, try using FaceBook Live or Zoom or Skype. These have phone and computer apps to do video conferencing and are FREE!
   
   3) Take walks with the family or by yourself, using safe social distancing practices.
   
   4) Create a Netflix Virtual Theater.  Start a daisy chain of 3-way calls on speakerphone and stream a movie together. Enjoy hearing each others reactions in real time. Make it more real by darkening the room and having your large popcorn and drink. No pausing for bathroom breaks though! ;)
   
   5) TODAY ONLY (maybe) - Have a snowball fight!
   
   
9. There is an abundance of prayers and intentions to help deal with this unsettling time in our world.  God Is With Us ALWAYS!