Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary’s,

Last weekend the sun and weather was at New England’s early Autumn best. The beautiful mellow and warm days certainly helped to perk up everyone’s spirits. Slogging our way through the Pandemic is exhausting and a patch of inspirational weather certainly helps. At the end of each day we are closer to the end of it all, but that end is still a good bit of distance in front of us. We can only face each day and lean into it. It is easier each day if you face life with a positive attitude and a little humor. We cannot really change much at all, but we can change ourselves and make it easier for our self. It is true one can choose to  be miserable or happy with the same circumstances. I choose being happy and suggest that you also make the same choice. I know that daily life is not easy for most of us, but we do have that choice. I think faith also helps us make a choice for the positive and better. Trust in God helps lift our spirit.  Saints did not spread gloom, negativity or misery. Our finest saints spread both joy and hope.

Tomorrow, Saturday September 25th the Saint Vincent de Paul holds its Annual Walk for the Poor at 9 AM, starting on the Town Common. You can still  get out your walking shoes and join the walk! See: www.fopwalk.org/event/2617 to register. If you cannot walk and get supporters, perhaps you can give then a special donation in the church St. V’s baskets on the tables or you can mail them one at: St. Vincent de Paul  c/o St. Mary Rectory  1 Church Square Franklin MA 02038. Take a quick look at our website for the special Food Pantry needs that the St. Vincent’s has for September.

Hopefully by the time you receive this letter the paving company for our cemetery will have come and done its work. The good news is the work is being done, the bad news it makes cemetery visitation for about a week rather difficult. Unfortunately the inconvenience is necessary, but it is most worthwhile. We have been patiently sitting waiting for the company because they have been bogged down for over a year with all the COVID complications that we all have. Also there is no paving performed in the winter months. Folks have been telling me for over one year that we need this work done and unfortunately I have had to tell them was “we are scheduled, but it will take a long time to get to us.” The long time and wait is over, thank God.

Terry Kerr our wonderful Music Director and Organists reports that the first Choir Rehearsal was “fantastic”. You are welcome to join the Choir. All you have to do is show up at this coming week’s Thursday night rehearsal at 7 PM in the upstairs church. Or call Terry at 508 541-3286 or email him at: terry.kerr@att.net. I am looking forward to their wonderful singing of praising God, starting with the first Sunday in October at the 10:30 AM Mass.  I hope you are aware that it is the One Hundred Anniversary of the Catholic Women’s Club. They have planned some wonderful events. You can find out about joining or attending the events via our website (stmarysfranklin.org) or from our bulletin at Church.  Remember that Deacon Guy leads the Rosary via ZOOM every Monday evening. Check out our webpage to get the details on how to connect to this via ZOOM.  Just a heads up: Our Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus will be running its traditional Tootsie Roll Drive the weekend of Oct 9-10 outside church Masses on the sidewalks. Please consider assisting them with their charitable enterprise.

Our Parish’s Grand Annual Collection starts very soon. It has three phases of giving over three months. I understand folks have received letters and envelopes in this past week or so. This is a very important and critical collection for our Parish this year. We are all aware about how our finances are very, very tight and tend to tip into the red. I am inviting you to consider most seriously financially supporting  this collection for the common good of our Parish. With the Finance Council’s advice and direction, we are closely monitoring our expenses while at the same time trying to offer many spiritual opportunities. Your personal help and charitable sacrifice is needed very much this year. I thank you for your consideration and also your personal giving to our Parish.

October arrives in this coming week. October is a month dedicated to Mary, Mother of God and our Parish Patroness. October is also called “the Month of the Holy Rosary.” It is a graced time to pray to our Patroness Mary to ask her intercession for your petitions to our God. Saint Rocco, our special Patron Saint, intercedes for all of us to bring about health of mind, body and soul. We ask his special intercession for the young of our parish who are ill. God bless

Father Brian

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