Flocknote

St. Rose of Lima Family,

As you are likely aware, on Monday Governor Baker held a press conference regarding Phase One of the Massachusetts recovery plan.

As part of this phase, Governor Baker has given the opportunity for churches to open for worship at 40% capacity, while maintaining the 6 ft. social distancing recommended for health and safety. The Diocese of Worcester also provided separate guidelines for reopening in order to safely bring parishioners back to church

SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SAINT ROSE?

This weekend, May 23 and 24, our physical building will remain closed to the public as we prepare our church. We will, however, continue to broadcast our Mass online and on Northborough Cable.

We are working diligently to prepare to reopen for Mass on Pentecost weekend, May 30-31, offering two services – Saturday at 5 pm and Sunday at 10:00 am. Weather permitting, our Sunday Mass will take place outside - BYOC (bring your own chairs).

As we look towards reopening, we are mindful that many of you remain particularly vulnerable. Please remember that Bishop McManus has said, "In light of the continuing and specific danger presented by this virus to older people and those with certain health conditions, the obligation to take part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation continues to be lifted." If you are part of this vulnerable population, please consider remaining home and connecting to the Mass online. Your health and safety is important to us.

We miss you all very much and want to welcome our community in the safest and strongest way. As we eagerly move towards reopening, please stay connected through Flocknotes and visit our website at www.saintroseoflima.com for up to date information on what the return to St. Rose will look like.

Please find the link to this weekend's Mass below. We are asking everyone to try and watch it tomorrow morning, Sunday May 24th, at 10 a.m. so we can celebrate together spiritually. If that doesn't work with your schedule, please watch it whenever works best for you or your family.

Mass will also be shown on Northborough cable Sunday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Verizon channel 31 and Charter channel 191. Please share this information with all.

Mass May 24

This week's bulletin.

Bulletin May 24

Attention College Graduates

Congratulations on your accomplishment!! Please email the parish at saintrose1@verizon.net by June 7th with your name and where you are graduating from so we can include your name in a future bulletin listing all our college graduates.

St. Rose Challenge

Put your faith into action!

Our week five challenge will be to continue providing BC4T (Boroughs Cares For Troops) cards to include in care boxes they are assembling for Northboro’s Senior Veterans. To do this we’re asking for everyone to make cards, write notes or draw pictures and drop them off at the box located outside of the family life center by May 31st where they will be quarantined before distribution or you can mail them to St. Rose of Lima at PO Box 387. These cards of gratitude for our veterans will surely brighten their day. In addition to showing our support and thanks for their service to our country you might include a prayer. We encourage all ages to participate! Make sure to take photos of you or your family members and their creations and email them to Susan McGoldrick at smcgoldrickreled@verizon.net so we can show the community how Saint Rose of Lima puts their faith into action. Make sure to watch for next week's challenge!

Tired of being stuck in the house?

Step outside and help plant the St. Rose Community Garden

The St. Rose Community Garden is back for the 2020 season. In a time when food insecurity is increasing in the Northborough community, the produce from the garden is needed more than ever. We are in the process of readying the garden for planting and will be holding a Planting Day on Saturday, 5/30, with a rain date of Sunday, 5/31. In order to accommodate social distancing restrictions, we will be planting in two shifts: 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00. Each shift will plant alternate rows and only one individual or family will plant in a given row. Gardeners should wear masks and gloves. If you want to help out, you will need to sign up in advance. Please contact Joan Scott to sign up at saintrosecommunitygarden@gmail.com or call 508-561-3267.

A Prayer for a Pandemic

For more information and resources go to www.saintroseoflima.com.