Reengaging in Community Life

10-01-2021Letters From Fr. BrianRev. Brian F. Manning

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

During these past few weeks our Parishioners have been engaged in the re-start of our community life. Our most dedicated Saint Vincent de Paul held its Annual Walk for the Poor and it was most successful. Over 100 young people from our Town joined in the Walk. I was very impressed to see that your young people understand the issue of food scarcity and neediness and that they responded in person to walk. Our Catholic Women’s Club which is celebrating its 100th Year held its Annual Opening Mass and Social. Father Jack, this Mass’s customary priest celebrated this special Opening Mass.

A very brief Business Meeting followed with a very delightful Social afterwards. Keep reading the website or the bulletin for details. Religious Education has started with the “Family based home component” and shortly the enrichment at the Religious Education Offices will begin. The Survey from last year overwhelmingly said that parents prefer to share with their child(ren) their religious formation when it fits the home life schedule. The pressure from scheduled ZOOM and remote electronic learning dependent upon internet was all very, very overwhelming for parents, nevertheless for their child(ren). Our approach last year was strongly endorsed by parents. This is why we are incorporating it into this year’s program. Almost all parents prefer this. Karen Ackles is seeking people from high school age up to assist with teaching the Enrichment Program. She has all sorts of material to assist you in this wonderful service to yours and our young people. Please give her a call at 508-528-1450.

I have some sad news. Alex Kuzenov who was the main musician for the Sunday Evening Mass pre-Pandemic during the September to May Season passed onto the Lord. His funeral Mass was celebrated this past week at Saint Mary’s Parish, Walpole. Alex worked part-time here at Saint Mary’s and for years he was the main musician for Saint Mary Parish Wrentham. Alex was a kind, dedicated, caring and talented musician. His gifts will be missed by many people. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Next weekend our Sacred Heart Knight’s of Columbus Council will holding its Annual Tootsie Roll Drive outside church after the Masses. They use this income to support “Children with Intellectual Disabilities.” Please support their efforts. Our wonderful Choir continues to rehearse every Thursday night. To join, just show up on a Thursday evening at 7 PM in the upstairs church. Terry Kerr, our gifted Director and Organist, has said they sound wonderful. Soon they will be supporting us and assisting us with prayerful song at Mass. They will begin at Mass on Sunday October 3, 2020 at 10:30 AM. I look forward to their glorious singing in praise of our God. Please remember that you are welcome to join the Weekly ZOOM Rosary Group. Deacon Guy facilitates this. You can learn more details and connect via our website site’s Rosary web page.

I am sure that all of you are aware who everyone has been financially impacted by the Pandemic. Our Parish has struggled along with the wonderful support of many of you Parishioners. You folks have continued to financially give on-line (best accessed via: stmarysfranklin.org), mail or drop by envelopes and now at Mass by placing your support in the baskets at the doors of the Church. Next weekend, Oct 9th and 10th we begin our three part Grand Annual Collection. I believe folks got letters and also envelopes for this very critical parish Collection. I am inviting you to consider giving most generously to this Collection. I thank you for your thoughtful and generous contribution.

As you and I pray the Rosary during this Month of the Rosary, I hope we will remember in prayer all those who are suffering in our world from violence, racism, poverty and injustice. Mary, the Mother of God, is our Patroness. Saint Rocco, our special Patron Saint, intercedes for all those who are ill and in need of healing. We ask him to intercede especially for our young.

God bless,

Father Brian