Sunday, May 28, 2023

Memorial Day

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday,  May 29th, in observance of Memorial Day.

A Farewell Gathering

Fr. David Frederici's last day with St. Mary's Catholic Parish is Wednesday, June 21st. We will be gathering to give Fr. David well wishes on the weekend of June 10th & 11th.

There will be refreshments after each of the weekend Masses for a time of fellowship with Fr. David. A time to share, reflect, and encourage Fr. David as he transitions to his new assignment, as he will be greatly missed.

Be sure to take some time after one of the Masses that weekend to give Fr. David a fond farewell.

MONTH OF MAY - ROSARY

May is the Month of Mary. On Sundays, beginning May 7th, we invite everyone to join us by gathering outside for the Rosary, in the Rosary Garden at 4pm. Afterwards, we will enter the church for the 5pm Mass.

Activities and rosaries will be provided for our youth to help them pray along. Please feel free to bring blankets, chairs, and a friend.

Should the weather prove inclement we will move into the church for the recitation of the Rosary. We hope that you will join us each Sunday in the month of May and help another generation fall in love with this prayer.

PENNY’S FOR CAMP

The Social Concerns Ministry is accepting donations, again this summer, during the month of June to provide area students with scholarships to Kennedy Day Camp at Fort Taber. These scholarships (at $115.00 each) provide two weeks of camp, transportation, and two meals per day. The program has been enjoyed in past years by children who otherwise might not have a bright spot in their summer.

We appreciate any support you can offer for theses scholarships. Please make checks payable to Social Concerns Ministry. Donations should also be marked Summer Camp/SCM and can be left in the offertory boxes at church entrances. A second possibility could be a few families pooling a donation to sponsor a camper.

Thank you for your continued and generous support as a member of the St Mary's Parish Family!  

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

St. Julie’s Women’s Conference: The St. Julie Billiart Parish Ladies Guild will host a Catholic Women’s Conference on Saturday, May 20, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at St. Julie’s Church in Dartmouth. The spiritual theme of the conference is “Do Not Be Afraid,” to help draw closer to Jesus through Mary.

The conference will include Mass, featured talks, Eucharistic Adoration with guided meditation, a Living Rosary and Confessions. The speakers are Laura Phelps, author, Liz Cotrupi Pfunder, musician and songwriter, and Jean Revil, religious educator and experienced campus minister.
There will also be faith-based vendors on site during the conference.
The conference fee of $30 includes morning pastry and lunch.

Registration forms are available on the St. Julie Billiart website

ST PATRICK’S DAY DISPENSATION

This year, the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th falls on a Friday during Lent.

In consideration of the culinary traditions of this feast and in response to a number of requests, Bishop da Cunha has granted Catholics in the Diocese of Fall River a dispensation from the Lenten rule of abstaining from meat on that day.

Catholics are asked to fast and practice abstinence in Lent as a means of penance to unite in the suffering and death of Christ, and to prepare for His resurrection on Easter.

Bishop da Cunha encourages those who choose to make use of this dispensation to carry out some other sacrificial act or work of charity in keeping with the spirit of the Lenten season.

SNOW DAYS

   St. Mary's Catholic Parish follows the same schedule for snow closures as the Dartmouth Public Schools.
   If the schools are closed due to inclement weather, all Masses for that day are canceled, and the Parish Office will be closed.

 

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

Gifts to the Catholic Appeal support the housing of men, women, children and families that have been displaced due to numerous social and economic situations. St. Joseph House in Hyannis provides 15 beds for female guests and 30 beds for male guests, as well as a winter overflow program on nights when the temperature drops below 28 degrees. It offers a day program for men and women of all ages who are currently or formerly homeless, or at rick for homelessness. The day program serves as a safe space to gather for three meals a day, activities that foster connection and skill building, and the loving support of the caring and compassionate team at the shelter.

Please consider supporting the Appeal as generously as you can. You can make a one-time gift or a pledge with convenient payments throughout the year. You can give by mail, use a contribution card located in church, or make your gift or pledge online here.

17th ANNUAL DARTMOUTH FARMER’S MARKET

This year Farmers Market will begin on June 2, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish in Padanaram.

The Dartmouth Farmers Market committee has created a plan designed to present the freshest, most sustainable produce from the surrounding communities. There will be several farmers and vendors providing locally grown, farm fresh, produce and locally crafted products to purchase. Additionally, are working on bringing together local musicians and community organizations to provide up-to-date information involving health, artistic presentations, and elderly care.

Please come and make the Dartmouth Farmers Market your destination every Friday, beginning June 2nd, 12pm to 5pm, on the lawn of St. Mary's Parish Center located at 789 Dartmouth Street.

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS

Lord God, the Provider of all our needs, You have asked us to pray for workers in the vineyard. Manifest in Your Church the Spirit whom you so abundantly bestowed on the Apostles at Pentecost.

Bless our Parish and Diocese with an increase of men and women to minister in Your Church as priests, deacons, and religious sisters and brothers. Form our Parish in Your Image to be the sacred environment for listening to the Spirit. May those whom You call give themselves, their time, and their talent to serve Your Son and the Church.

Increase the life of faith of our Parish Family that we may be a living sign of Your Kingdom for all to see. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE

We are incredibly blessed to have thoughtful and generous parishioners who support the good works of St. Mary's.

This Week's Collection: Will be posted in next week's update.
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Next weekend, on June 3rd/4th, 5% of the offertory collection will be allocated to The Ecclesiastical Students Education Fund.
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Many thanks for your continued spiritual and financial commitment to our Parish and community.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Prayer Line: If you would like to have someone prayed for please either call the Parish Office at 508-992-7505, submit the prayer request on our website by clicking here.

THE NEED IS GREAT! YOU CAN HELP!

Canned goods and other non-perishable food items are needed to restock the Solanus Casey Food Pantry at Catholic Social Svcs. in New Bedford.

Non-perishable items needed most are:
Breakfast Cereal
Peanut Butter
Canned Soups
Canned Veggies
Canned Fruit
Canned Meats
Canned Tuna
Pasta Sauce and Pasta
Macaroni & Cheese
1lb. bags of Rice
1lb. bags of Dry Beans

Any donation made—large or small—will directly benefit families in need.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to storage issues, please do not donate any fresh vegetables or fresh fruit. The Greater Boston Food Bank provides necessary fresh produce. Also, the Pantry cannot accept opened boxes or containers or items past their expiration date.

MANDATED REPORTING

 All members of the clergy, Directors of Religious Education and teachers in our schools are Mandated Reporters in Massachusetts and required by law to report any suspected child abuse. Many children will not tell anyone they are being abused. Because the Diocese believes in our moral obligation to protect children, we extend the safe environment training to all who minister, work or volunteer. Watch for signs of abuse and, if you are concerned about a child, share those concerns with a mandated reporter at your parish or school. Let us all be a voice for children who may not be able to speak for themselves.