Parish Lay Leadership



PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP

Finance Council Chairs….Kimberly Schoolcraft, Matthew Barnes

Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington

Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow

Parish Safety Advisory Committee………………………..Fr. Dan

RCIA …………….Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher, Don Mercure

Bible Study………………………………………..........Sue Fratini

Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS

Rosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula Tuohey

Parish Outreach……… …... Mary Federici, Andrea Cook-Hewitt

Pat Mack, Karen Scahill

St. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. Dan

Men’s Ministry Group………………………......................Fr. Dan

Youth Ministry (JPII Crew)……………….………Lisa Laferriere

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill

Schoenstatt Movement .……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki

Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..…………Chris Muldrew

Girl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’Connor

Knights of Columbus……………………………………Ken Malo

PARISH MINISTRIES

Altar Server Scheduling……………………..……… Cindy Monti

Altar Server Training……………………………….Jim O’Connor

Baptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou Mastroianni

Children’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue Fratini

Eucharistic Ministers/Readers, Scheduling ......……Beth Modlish

Homebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………..........Mary Federici

Music Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie Peetz

Contemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom Fucci

Sacristans.…………………..……..Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa,

Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen Scahill

Soup Kitchen……………… …..... Marcia Daly, Sandy O’Connor

Take & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl Wood

Wedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan

Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick,

Christina Straney, Tina Broderick

Prayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754

OFFICE HOURS

The Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-2pm; Friday 9am-noon. The office is closed on civil holidays.

NEW PARISHIONERS

We warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the collection basket. Registration and active participation is necessary for Religious Education and letters of eligibility for godparents and sponsors, as well as Catholic School Parish Subsidy.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

The Sacrament is celebrated monthly. Please call the Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, active parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

The Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a priest or deacon, at least 6 months in advance. Be sure to contact the church BEFORE committing to date or venue with a deposit.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass, and from 3:15-3:45 pm, as well as by appointment.

CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY

The Chaplet is prayed as a group on Saturday afternoons at 3:45 in the Chapel.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA

The Novena is prayed every Saturday morning at the 8:00AM Mass in the Chapel.

HOSPITAL VISITS

If anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful.

MONTHLY HEALING MASS

Monthly Healing Mass – 4th Sunday of Every Month at 2:00PM - St. George Church, 202 E. Main St. Chicopee, MA. 413-331-5656

HEARING ASSISTED DEVICES

Hearing Assisted Devices are located near the American Flag at the back of the church.

LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS

Low-Gluten Hosts are available at Communion time in the Chapel

Sat 2/23 4:00PM +Jeffrey Leavitt, Birthday Remembrance

r/b Carol

Sun 2/24 7:00AM +Howard Baird

3rd Anniversary Remembrance

r/b Sue Baird-Dore & Christopher Dore

8:30AM +Kevin Regan

Birthday Remembrance

r/b his Family

11:00AM +Adam Lafreniere

5th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b the Lafreniere Family

Mon 2/25 7:00AM +Shirley Saracino

2nd Anniversary Remembrance

r/b her Family

Tue 2/26 7:00AM +Gregory Duplaise

r/b the Tessicini Family

Wed 2/27 7:00AM +Cynthia Warner

r/b the Parish

Thu 2/28 7:00AM Communion Service

Fri 3/1 7:00AM Communion Service

Sat 3/2 8:00AM +Ed & Bea Boisjolie

For Health and Blessings

r/b their Family

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA

3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)

3:45PM CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY (Chapel)

4:00PM +Margaret O’Neil

9th Anniversary Remembrance

r/b her sister Shirley O’Neil

Sun 3/31 7:00AM +Arlene Grimaldi

r/b Regina & Ed Ekmalian

8:30AM +Charles Peetz

Birthday Remembrance

r/b Melanie

11:00AM +Robert Leavitt

Birthday Remembrance

r/b his Family

FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…

As Ash Wednesday and Lent grow closer (March 6), our activity in the parish continues to increase! In two weeks we will celebrate our St. Patrick’s Mass with our Colleen – Hannah Jury and her Court as well as with our Irishwoman of the Year – Terry Broderick. Following the Mass is our Annual Family Irish Night with our themed basket raffles, corned beef sandwiches, and music by The Healy’s. Our version of Irish Night has continued to grow each year and been a wonderful “family” event in our parish!

As many of you who attended know, the HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE that we conducted on February 10 was a huge success with 400 people in attendance! “Psalm 33” did a wonderful job with the music as always. I want to thank Bishop Rozanski for being with us and offering a welcome to all. I also want to thank Deacon Paul for presiding, and our Schoenstatt Marian Community and Parish Rosary Sodality for being in attendance to pray the Rosary led by Andrea Cook-Hewitt. Our Speaker - Joe Gohring - reminded us that when we feel powerless in the face of the world and life events that seem to be beyond our control – we can always turn to prayer – to Divine Mercy and to Our Lady’s Intercession. Special Thanks to our Diocesan Catholic Communications Ministry for all their support in promoting and covering this event! I am proud of our Catholic Communications Ministry which includes local Catholic news stories produced on iobserve, as well as our weekly Real to Reel and Chalice of Salvation TV broadcasts – all of which are greatly funded by your contributions to the Annual Catholic Appeal!

I believe that the Holy Hour and Prayer is an important start. But we need to continue to support our belief in the sanctity of life with our “actions” as well. Bethlehem House – a Catholic Pregnancy Support Center in Easthampton offers much help to young women in crisis due to a pregnancy, and has helped over the years to save thousands of lives from abortion. As a parish over the last several years we have an on-going collection of baby items. Bethlehem House has encouraged parishes over the years to consider an even larger effort by conducting a Parish “Baby Shower” to collect many items that are needed on a regular basis at Bethlehem House. Now, with Lent approaching, it seems the right time. And so at our next Parish Outreach Coffee Hour in the Parish Center on Sunday March 10 after the 8:30 and 11:00 Masses, we will have a Parish “Baby Shower” for the benefit of Bethlehem House. Last weekend we had a flyer in the bulletin with suggested items to bring to the Shower which will be set up in the Foyer of the Parish Center. Please consider dropping off a baby item from the list, and have a cup of coffee & pastry! I want to thank our Parish Outreach Team - Andrea Cook-Hewitt and our helpers, for organizing the refreshments, and Pat Mack & Mary Federici for organizing the Shower.

In response to the more recent incidents of pain and sadness felt by victims and all in the Church as a result of the recent information regarding Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Church, Bishop Rozanski has asked for a “Day Of Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation” on Monday March 11. All Catholic Churches throughout the Diocese will be open all day long inviting people to come in and pray for healing and reconciliation! The Bishop is asking that the Rosary be said throughout the day and that the Eucharist be Exposed on the Altar for Adoration where possible. Bells at all churches will be tolled throughout the day to remember all those who have been abused. Please mark that day on your calendar and plan to offer some time in your busy day to come to the church and pray for victims, those who have assisted them in healing, and for the Body of Christ – The Church!

Finally many of you know that we have had a water leak in our heating system in the Parish Center which resulted in the flooding of the room under the stage used for Youth Ministry. Our Center is built strongly of concrete walls and most of the piping is not exposed but contained in the walls, and some is wrapped in asbestos piping. Since last Fall we have been trying to identify the area of the leak without punching holes through the walls of the Center. Thanks to the assistance of our Diocesan Superintendant of Buildings we were able to hire an engineering firm to help us identify the area, along with the help of our parishioner Dustin Cupak. Of course – it couldn’t be in a worse place – under the concrete floor of the gym! It was agreed that the cost to take up the floor and fix the pipe would be prohibitive and so much like heart surgery – we are going to do a “bypass” which will take new piping exterior to the cinderblock and tuck it along the radiator bank under the windows. The cost for the engineering and consulting was $2,862, and having received 2 estimates of cost of the work to be done – the lower estimate was $6,852, for a total expenditure to correct the problem of $9,534. Thanks to the Gold Envelope “development money” you contribute each week, we have savings to cover this cost. The work needs to be done before we can begin the real work of updating our Parish Center and its systems.

GOD BLESS, Fr. Dan

SANCTUARY CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+JEFFREY LEAVITT

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

requested by his Family

SPECIAL INTENTION CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+PATRICIA WILDE

9TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE

requested by Mary Lou Dazelle

SACRED HEART CANDLE

Is burning this week in loving memory of

+HOWARD BAIRD

3RD ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE

requested by Sue Baird-Dore & Christopher Dore

MARY GARDEN CANDLE

Is burning this week in for a

SPECIAL INTENTION

requested by Lee Blair

PLEASE PRAY FOR

OUR PARISHIONERS WHO ARE ILL

David Cadran, Bob Lees, Kim Heath, John Freniere, Andrew A. Pignatare, Peter Chlastawa, Howard Burns, Kathy Masciotra, Wanda Folini, Nellie Bonnevie, Irene Bovat Gailius, Henry Smith, Fr. Hector Vega, Colleen Cekovsky, Norman Smith, Sandy Fucci, Ellaine Cicierchia, Stephanie Harju, Angela Bovat, Tony Phaneuf, Pat Gilberti, Louise Stevens, Jim Parsons, Cindy Kruk.

PRAYER LINE

To request prayers for yourself or a loved one,

Please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754

OLBS LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES

Why are you Catholic? Join us for Founded in Faith, the 2019 Lenten Speaker Series here at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Each Wednesday during Lent you'll hear the stories of our guest speakers - Ray Hershel, Fr. Warren Savage, Justice Edward McDonough, former Baystate Health CEO Mark Tolosky and Noreen DiPerri-Tolosky, musical director Dan Kane, and Diocesan Supt. of Schools Dan Baillargeon and his wife Megan, parents of 8 children - as they share their foundation in the Catholic faith. Join us on the Wednesdays of Lent March 13-April 17 from 6:30-7:30 pm.

MARCH 2/3

8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS

Old Testament: Sirach 27:4-7

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

READERS

4:00PM John Lanoue 7:00AM George Plante

8:30AM Chris Warren 11:00AM Marie Gilberti

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS

4:00PM Wayne Harju, Darlene Fucci, Beth Modlish,

Jim O’Connor

7:00AM Alex Trzasko III, Dave Trotman, Pat Mack

8:30AM Mary Regan, Donna Bourbeau, Donna Whelan

11:00AM Rosemary Thresher, Rosemary Adams,

Diane Sullivan, Karen Scahill

OUR STEWARDSHIP

Month of January 2019

Regular / Development (gold) $ 35,388

Budget requirement per month 44,400

January Month (deficit) (9,012)

Mortgage collection $ 3,336

Mortgage due per month 4,182

January Month (846)

Year to date Regular/Development Deficit: ($34,951)

Thanks to all who regularly support Our Parish!

RCIA

Please remember in your prayers our parishioners - Heidi, Camden, Bailey, and Jeff. God bless them!

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

2018 Parish Contribution Statements have been mailed. Thank you!

DAY OF PRAYER FOR

HEALING AND RECONCILIATION

As part of a Diocesan –wide effort to address the abuse crisis through prayer and action, on the first Monday of Lent – March 11 – Springfield Bishop Mitchell Rozanski has asked that all Catholic Churches remain open throughout the day for a “Day of Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation”. Special prayer cards will be available for those who are willing to take a few minutes to visit a church and offer their own private prayer. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church – Westfield will be open from 8:00am-8:00pm. Please consider taking a few minutes out of your day on March 11 to participate.

JPII CREW YOUTH MINISTRY

INFORMATION AND

UPCOMING EVENTS

Family Website:

Flocknote: to join our Parish texting system,

please contact Lisa Laferriere at 413-562-3450

March 1st 6-7:30pm - “Chopped” cooking night

March 8th 6-7:30pm – Irish Night set-up

FAMILY IRISH NIGHT

“Family Irish Night” at our Parish Center will be held on Saturday, March 9th from 5:30-7:30pm with The Healy’s, Don and Sheila, from Holyoke! Since 1986, The Healy’s Irish Program is On The Air Saturdays 11am-1pm WACE Radio AM 730 and online anytime at . We are excited to have them back for our entertainment again this year!

Come listen, sing, dance and socialize!

Your donations of Raffle Baskets will be gratefully accepted at the Parish Office. For theme ideas for your Raffle Basket Donation, please see the idea board in the Gathering Space. The Raffle Baskets will be displayed at all the Masses March 2/3.

RESULTS OF CALLS TO REL ED PARENTS

In an effort to continue to improve our Religious Education Program, our Religious Education Advisory Board recently did a “phone-a-thon” survey of parents of our Middle and High School Youth to see if they would be in favor of a move of the Middle and High School Program from Sunday nights, to Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:45. The results appear below. The Advisory Board will meet again to discuss the results, and make a recommendation to Fr. Dan about a schedule for this Fall:

50 families preferred Sunday morning classes

7 families preferred Sunday evening classes

3 families had no preference

89 total calls were made

Keep up with Parish events – join Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish on Facebook!

VOCATIONS

Bishop Rozanski has called for our new church year to be the “Year of Vocations” with a special focus on prayer for and encouragement of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.

If you think God is calling you, email vocations@. Visit .

“LISTENING SESSIONS”

Springfield Bishop Mitchell Rozanski invites the Catholic Community in Western Massachusetts to participate in one of four upcoming regional listening/dialogue sessions addressing the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. These sessions will allow the faithful to make their concerns known, offer observations and ask questions of the Bishop and diocesan officials who will join him.

Dates and Locations are as follows…

Monday, March 18:

St. Mary’s, Westfield 7:00–8:30 pm

Sunday, March 24:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Northampton 6:00-7:30 pm

OLBS WOMEN’S ANNUAL RETREAT

“No Ordinary Path: Holiness in Everyday Life”

March 1-3, 2019, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center ~ West Hartford CT. Join with 8 women currently registered from our parish, as we take time to renew ourselves. We’ll reflect on how living an ordinary life of holiness can lead to extraordinary happiness and peace. The retreat begins with a buffet dinner from 6-7:30pm on Friday and concludes with the celebration of Sunday Eucharist at 10:45am followed by a hot brunch at noon. Families of retreatants are most welcome to attend the Sunday mass and brunch at no extra charge. Offering: $325; assistance available if needed. Please contact Mary or Sue at the Parish Office to register, or for more details.

FEBRUARY POOR BOX:

CLEARWAY CLINIC

Clearway is a non-profit Massachusetts licensed medical clinic serving Springfield since 2016. They are available to provide resources and present Pro-Life options, by providing accurate medical information, consultations, and testing. This is not an adoption agency, an abortion doctor or an obstetrical medical practice. By providing specialists in pregnancy diagnosis and testing, they offer assistance in navigating this critical decision.

The Poor Box is located on the wall to the right near the glass doors leading to the Gathering Space.

CLEARWAY CLINIC OPEN HOUSE

Clearway Clinic is hosting two open houses at the Springfield clinic, 1259 East Columbus Ave on Thursday, March 7 from 11:30am-1:30pm and on Sunday, March 10 from 2pm-4pm. All are invited to tour the facility and light refreshments will be served. Stop in any time to learn more about this faith based, pro-life crisis pregnancy center.

THANK YOU FROM ELMS COLLEGE

Your contributions to the 2019 Diocesan Appeal for the College of Our Lady of the Elms help us to continue to be true to our mission of educating reflective, principled, and creative women and men in the tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Working together, the Diocese of Springfield and the College of Our Lady of the Elms will continue to provide students of all ages with an education rooted in the very best Catholic liberal arts tradition. Thank you, to each and every one of you, for your generous support as we continue to build a future of excellence in the Diocese of Springfield. If you were unable to make a contribution, you can go online at elms.edu/give or call the Advancement office at 413-265-2227.

INQUIRY SESSIONS FOR MEN CONSIDERING THE LIFE OF A DEACON

As disciples of Jesus Christ we know that through our baptism, God calls all of us to serve God and neighbor. Since each of us are uniquely called, we pray to know and do God’s will. For some, the call may mean dedicating one’s life to the servant mysteries of Jesus as a deacon. Pope Paul VI, called for the diaconate to be “a driving force for the Church’s service or diakonia toward the local Christian communities, and as a sign or sacrament of the Lord Christ himself, who ‘came not to be served but to serve.

If you believe the Lord may be calling you to serve as a deacon, please speak to your Pastor and let him know about your desire. Then, find out more about the diaconate and formation process by attending an Inquiry Session. Two sessions will be offered on Saturday mornings from 10:00 to noon; one in Springfield at the Marshal Center on March 16; and one in Pittsfield in the North Chapel of St. Joseph’s on March 23. If married, please attend with your wife.

Men that participated in one of the fall Inquiry Sessions are welcome but need not attend. For more information, contact the Office of the Diaconate: diaconate@ or 413-452-0674.

LENTEN SEMINAR

A Lenten Seminar presented by Fr. Warren Savage and centered on Henri Nouwen’s book Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life will be held at DeCicé Hall in Holyoke on March 25, April 1 and April 8 from 7–8:30pm. To register call Chris Clark, (413) 687-1858. Cost is $40 and participants will need to purchase Henri Nouwen’s book Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD MINISTRY

Rachel’s Vineyard is a post-abortive healing ministry. It is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. Rachel’s Vineyard conducts healing retreats around the country. Retreat weekends for the Diocese of Springfield, to be held in Stockbridge, will be on March 15-17, June 14-16; September 27-29 (in Spanish); November 1-3. To register call 413-452-0661 or 516-457-2838. All calls are confidential. For information visit .

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Holy Trinity Church is hosting a 2nd annual 3 on 3 (co-ed optional) fundraiser Basketball Tournament on March 29 & 30. The age groups are; 8-10, 11-13 & 14-16. The cost will be $60 per team (singles are also welcome at $20 per player). The cost includes a hot dog, chips, bottle of water and a t-shirt. Concessions will be sold. Cash prizes and basketballs will be awarded to the winners. Call Holy Trinity at 568-1506 or email htoffice@. The deadline to register is March 18.

PRAYERS FOR PRIESTS

Chalice of Strength, Prayers for Priests Group meets every Tuesday 10:00-11:15am at Mary's House of Prayer, 202 East Main Street, Chicopee. We begin with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and pray from the Chalice of Strength Prayer Book. Mid way we sing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, each one of us choosing a priest to offer the Chaplet for. Please join us in praying for our priests. All are welcome. Call 413-452-0511 or email maryshouse@.

PRO-LIFE ESSAY/ART CONTEST

Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley is sponsoring a Pro-Life Essay and Art Contest for area youth. The topic, “What can I do for Pro-Life?” is open to children/young adults from grade 4 - grade 12, living in or attending school in Western Mass. The contest has three divisions: Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. All essays and art work with an accompanied entry form must be received by April 5 to be considered. Contest forms can be found at or by emailing prolifepioneervalley@. For questions contact James Brunault at (413)627-3003.[pic][pic][pic]

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