Together in Service
Parishioner, Nancy Hughes has been coordinating and working with over 30 sewers in the parish and Shrewsbury community to sew face masks to help alleviate the national shortage in medical-grade protective gear that medical workers are facing. The masks being sewn are not intended to replace the protective gear but instead to help conserve them. Medical workers can place a clean sewn mask over their protective mask and then remove it and replace it with a new clean sewn mask between patients. Nancy estimates they have distributed 300 kits so far that consist of two pieces of fabric and a quarter inch elastic band. Masks will be blessed by Fr. Mike and distributed to Nursing Homes, individual providers for their clinic staff, oncology patients, and anyone who has requested them.
A few of the masks that have been sewn by volunteers.
For questions, please reach out to Nancy Hughes (njh1959@hotmail.com). Nancy is also open to receiving text messages since she may be closer to her phone while sewing! Her number is 508-439-0055.
How can you help?
The quarter inch elastic that is used for the masks is completely sold out in the U.S. If you happen to have any in your sewing rooms or sewing kits that you would like to donate you can drop it off in the front vestibule of the Church. There will be a basket available for you to drop it in. THANK YOU!
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love—
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
The Church is with you right now! Join Cardinal Seán for a 5-day online Lenten retreat. It began last night but will continue tonight 7pm. Watch live on the Archdiocese of Boston Facebook page or on CatholicTV. Or watch later on-demand on any of our platforms. Let's pray together on retreat! (Closed captioning will be available on the CatholicTV airing of video.)
Pope Announces Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi Blessing
At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis invited all Christians to join together in praying the Our Father and Noon tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25th) as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is giving an extraordinary "urbi et orbi" blessing at 6pm on Friday (Friday, March 27) which also carries with it a plenary indulgence for those who follow by TV, internet, or radio. More information here.
No Social Distancing from God!
Update: We will now be live streaming Daily Mass Monday - Friday at 9AM from Facebook Live. We are also posting all Mass recordings on the Parish Website here. The Church also remains open for private prayer.
The FBI is warning the public about a rise in schemes related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). In a PSA released Friday, the FBI said scammers are using the pandemic to steal people’s money and personal information.
"Protect yourself and do your research before clicking on links purporting to provide information on the virus; donating to a charity online or through social media; contributing to a crowdfunding campaign; purchasing products online; or giving up your personal information in order to receive money or other benefits," the PSA says.
