Parish Events | St. Francis of Assisi Parish

St.Francis of Assisi Parish

Flocknote News: To Keep in touch with us Text SFABS to 84576 – Or on line at sfoabarresouth.flocknote.com. There is a Iconnext to Facebook. This way we can reach-out
to you with resources and more…
Welcome New Parishioners
We are so happy to have you at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
We recently changed our registration process. All you need do is either fill out the back
of the Welcome flier in eachof the pews or directly call the Parish Office at 978-355-2228.
If when you call our office manager, it directs you to voice mail,
leave your name and a telephone number and he will call you back.

Year of Saint Francis
Presented by Paula Wood

'Indulgence is an encounter with God, not a spiritual shortcut.’
Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, running from
Jan 10, 2026, to Jan 10, 2027, to mark the 800th Anniversary of the Saint's death.
The year features plenary indulgences for pilgrims visiting Franciscan sites and focuses on themes
of peace, poverty, and ecological conversion.
The year is inspired by St. Francis's life of humility, mercy, and care for creation, encouraging a return to gospel living. The Jubilee is an opportunity for the faithful to rekindle their faith, strengthen their relationship with God and with the community of the Church.
The celebration aims to highlight the Saint's message of peace in a world marked by conflict, advocating for reconciliation.
Our parish is a Franciscan site and are hopeful, many people will make a pious pilgrimage here.
More information to come
Do you want to know more about our beloved patron Saint?
In the coming weeks we will piece together the story of his life.
For now, Pax et Bonum, which translates to
“Peace and All Good,"
used by St. Francis as a greeting and blessing. Continue

Our “Lil Veggie Stand” is open
When you See the Open Flag, you know we have Veggies!
The Stand is Open
Tues & Sat 9am to 5pm,
with what has been donated that morning.

Please stop bye and come check out what’s coming
fresh out of our gardens. Please give some or take some.
THE LIL VEGETABLE STAND IS HERE FOR EVERYONE.
We should have fresh veggies until September

We want to give a Big Shout out to John Charest for his skillful maintenance of the stand. He had to tighten one of the wheels, his stored it over the winter, and has returned it to us waiting for it to be put into use.
THANK YOU JOHN for all you do!

As summer comes to a close do you have some time to share?
Are you looking for a meaningful way to share your talents and give back to others?
Health Alliance Hospice has the following volunteer opportunities available:
Companionship/Respite Volunteers to visit with our hospice patients
We need people who are available some daytime hours
Monday through Friday for 1-2 hours per week when assigned.

A Military Veteran who would like to volunteer
with our Veteran Hospice Patients.
The ideal candidate would have 1-3 hours per week
available to help honor our veterans for their service.

Cleaning Out Before Heading Back to School?
Bring those gently used items to the donation bin at
St Thomas
Items accepted: Clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, blankets, towels, sheets, pillowcases, curtains, and even stuffed toys
So clean out those unwanted items that are no longer being used and put them to work –Just put in a plastic bag and tie it securely. Drop in the nice big slot. That is all you have to do! Our parish will earn 4 cents per pound of used clothing. St. Pauly has assured us that they will pick up items!
We will not have a mess like some of the other collections sites.
It is a WIN – WIN

St. Aloysius Catholic School
Job Opportunity
Business Manager/Development Coordinator
The ideal candidate will bring a passion for Catholic education and a strong desire to help our growing school thrive. Responsibilities include managing school finances, fostering donor relationships, and spearheading enrollment initiatives. Please send a letter of interest and resume to St. Aloysius Catholic School, c/o Roberta McQuaid,
PO Box 522,
Gilbertville, MA 01031 or email your information
to rmcquaid@staloysiuscatholicschool.com.
A complete job description is available upon request.

DRAWINGS HAVE BEGUN
** RECENT WINNERS **
DRAWINGS HAVE BEGUN
** RECENT WINNERS **

FRIDAY AUG 28 KEVIN DAHN #99
FRIDAY AUG 21 PAULA WOOD #73
FRIDAY AUG 14 JUDY MCCAFFREY #35

JOIN US AT OUR NEXT MEETING
Annual Mass & Covered Dish Supper
Wednesday, September 9 · 5:30PM
St. Joseph's Church
Featuring Guest Speaker Judi Brennan
She will share with us words of wisdom on
Luke 14:34
"Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste,
how shall its saltiness be restored".

Meetings are held monthly from September through June on the 2nd Wednesday of the month,
If you have any questions, please contact
Mary Ann Jordan at 978.355.4606

MONDAY, August 31 - 6:30pm
ST. JOSEPHS CHURCH
29 SOUTH ST. BARRE, MA
(In the hall-use the side door)
CELEBRATING THE SPECIAL FRANCISCAN JUBILEE YEAR WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN
St. Francis of Assisi Parish & Fr. Ed Chalmers
For A Reflection On The History of The Franciscans in Medjugorje. Medjugorje,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, where visionaries say the Blessed Mother has been appearing since 1981,
is “a very holy place,” and going there is “an opportunity to experience the love of God.”
Those are among thoughtsFather H. Edward Chalmers, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish,
recently shared with The Catholic Free Press.

Franciscans have served in the region since the Turkish occupation (1463-1878) and some
were martyred by communists in 1945. Father Chalmers will guide us through their history
in Medjugorje, to the current day. He will tell us about Franciscan Father Jozo Zovko, who
was stationed at St. James Parish in 1981 when the visionaries first reported apparitions.
Also how Franciscan Father Slavko Barbaric, inspired him to write reflections about messages
of the Blessed Mother that the visionaries reported.

“It’s so mysterious and so spiritual”. “It’s hard to explain. I tell people, ‘Go there and experience it.’”
That’s what he’s preparing to do – for the 43rd time this coming October. He will share with us
some of his knowledge, stories, and information about his trips to Medjugorje. “The best thing
about Medjugorje is conversions that happen to people.” “It made a big difference in my life,
my priesthood. I have much more appreciation for the Holy Spirit. … The Holy Spirit’s always
with Our Lady. That’s very prominent there.”

Father Chalmers has returned to Medjugorje as a pilgrim, but more often as a pilgrimage
spiritual director. “Every time I went back, I had a spiritual renewal,”
“The presence of the Trinity and Our Lady is so prevalent.”

Retrouvaille – A Lifeline for Married Couples
September 18-20, Windsor CT
For more information, call confidentially 860-837-0447
or visit the website www.helpourmarriage.org

If your marriage has become distant, troubled or uncaring; if you are divorced or separated
but want to try again,
Retrouvaille can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to communicate better, resolve conflicts
fairly and rediscover why you fell in love. Retrouvaille, a Christian ministry for
troubled marriages. Although this confidential ministry has its origin in the Catholic
church all denominations are welcome.
Retrouvaille, which means “rediscovery”, consists of a weekend experience in which husbands
and wives are helped to re-establish communication and gain new insights into themselves
as individuals and as a couple. You will not be asked to share your problems with anyone else.
However, you will be encouraged to put the past behind you, to look beyond the hurt and pain,
in order to rediscover each other in a new and positive way.

The next local weekend starts Sept. 18 in Windsor, CT.
For more information call 860-837-0447.

The full cost of the program is $1,600 per couple and includes meals, hotel, on the weekend
and materials used during the follow-up sessions. Retrouvaille will never turn away a couple
in need, due to the fee. If there is a problem they ask you to contact the same number for registration
860-837-0447.

Register Now
WORCESTER CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
All women are invited to this exciting Conference,
“Strength and Dignity are Her Clothing”
St. Joseph School in Webster, MA
Saturday, November 7th
Hear dynamic talks from outstanding Catholic leaders including
Susan Brinkmann, Monet Souza, Ann Burns, Grace Cheffers, and Fr. Sinisa Ubiparipovic
Diocesan and religious priests will hear confessions and there will be many interesting exhibitors.
Bishop McManus will celebrate Mass.
For more information and to register, visit our
website at www.wcwconference.com or call
Corinn Dahm at 508-277-3969.
Seating is limited, register today!

A Mass intention is a specific petition for which the Mass is offered. Mass intentions can be requested
on behalf of another living person; for example, the healing of someone who is sick or to
commemorate a wedding anniversary.
However, Mass intentions are most commonly offered in remembrance of a person who has died.
Please contact Deacon Malcom if you would like to request a Mass.

Did you know that Priscilla McGlynn is our Parish Outreach Coordinator
One of her responsibilities is sending cards to parishioners experiencing illness, hospitalization or loss. Please call Priscilla at 508.822.3128 to let her know who may need a card (please include their address) so they know that they are in our thoughts & prayers.

Attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME.org) can help refine and purify your marriage. It can help you in your communication, teach you many skills, and also help you to grow in intimacy and in faith with one another.
Some of the dates to sign up are:
................... ..................
Worldwide Marriage Encounter sponsors a variety of in-person and virtual marriage experiences, some on weekends and some on seven weekdays. Couples explore their relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Registration is limited; there is a $100 application fee. For more information or to apply, call
Matt & Julie King at 978-870-5646 or https://wwmema.org/

“St. Francis of Assisi Charitable Needs & Resources Fund”.
The mission of our fund is to Help Families and Individuals in need by assessing the needs for Food, Fuel & Utilities. The one-time assistance will be assessed individually to the circumstances of each family. In addition to helping with the immediate financial needs we will provide clients with recommendation of other resources in the area for legal assistance, housing, and counseling. If you need assistance or know someone who needs assistance please contact
Paula Wood at 978-355-2228 Ext. 6

The Artisans @ St. Francis of Assisi The Raffle Quilt and Christmas Fair Crafters will be meeting at St. Joseph’s Hall the 1st Thursday and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10 AM- 12 PM. Sewers will be working on quilt blocks and crafters will be working on items for the Christmas Craft Table. Knitters and Crocheters you are invited to bring your projects and join in this fellowship! Can’t attend a day time meeting but want to contribute? Please email Beth Cunningham at elizabethcunningham68@gmail.com.
BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE The Women’s Guild Bereavement Committee will be re-organizing so that once again we will be able to offer lunches for families at a time of loss. These lunches take a lot planning and co-ordination, so a lot of help is needed! The lunch menu consists of a selection of four filled sandwiches, fruit cup, relish tray, chips baked goods and coffee for a cost of $5.00 per plate. We will be looking for donations of fillings, of egg salad, tuna salad, ham salad or turkey salad, baked goods, and kitchen help on the day of the event. If you are able to help in any of these areas, please sign up with your name, phone number and indicate the areas where you could help. Sign up sheets are in the back of the church. Thank you!

Church of St.Thomas-a-Becket and St. Joseph Chapel Are Wheelchair Accessible
Diocese of Worcester ©Copyright St.Francis of Assisi Parish 2013-2026. All rights reserved.
398 Vernon Ave., P.O. Box 186 South Barre, MA 01074
fax (978) 355-0042 • Office phone (978) 355-2228 email:BarreStFrancisParish@gmail.com
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