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GENERAL
INFORMATION
Church:
24 Jabish Street
Rectory: 10 Park Street
Mail: P.O. Box 612; Belchertown, MA; 01007-0612
Rectory Telephone & Fax:
323-6272
Email:
stfrancischurch@charter.net
Pastor:
Rev. Vernon P. Decoteau
OFFICE
HOURS
Rectory:
Mon-Fri; 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Faith Formation: Mon-Fri: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
SCHEDULE
OF MASSES
Monday-Thursday:
8:00 a.m.
Saturday:
4:00
p.m.
Sunday:
8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Holy Day Masses
On the Day:
7:00 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Confessions ~ Sacrament of
Reconciliation
Saturdays 3:00 p.m. to 3:45
p.m. or by appointment
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PARISH
STAFF
Pastor: Rev.
Vernon P. Decoteau
Parish Secretary: Mrs.
Patricia Akins
Director of Faith Formation: Mrs.
Judith Trickey
High School Coordinator:
Mrs. Deborah Robinson
First Communion Coordinator:
Mrs. Linda Racicot
Faith Formation Secretary:
Mrs. Pat Antonovitch
Child Advocate:
Mrs. Christine Hurst
Maintenance Superintendent:
Mr. Alfred Desilets
Finance Manager:
Mr. Stanley Wyman
Finance Committee Chairperson:
Mr. David Paul
Pastoral Council Chairperson:
Dr. Stephen Forrest
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ORGANIZATION
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is an organized body of appointed, elected, and
volunteer parishioners who meet monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at
7:30 p.m. to address Parish needs, plan programs, and support Parish activities.
For more information about the Council or one of the Commissions, contact
the person(s) listed below.
Chairperson:
Stephen Forrest, 323-5297
Assistant
Chairperson:
Paul Pierce, 256-8892
Secretary:
Francesca Forrest, 323-5297
Faith
Formation:
Judy Trickey, 323-6272, ext 2
Family
Life Commission Chairpersons:
Beth
Buczko, 323-5910 & Pat Crosby,
323-4602
Communications
Commission Chairpersons:
Bill
Bowen, 323-7080 & Debbie Fish, 323-6831
Faith Development Commission Chairperson:
Marianne Abuselmi, 323-4731
Spiritual
Life Commission Chairpersons:
Pat
Antonovitch, 323-7735 & Judy Dudek, 323-4339
Hospitality Commission Chairpersons:
Pam & Rob Letendre, 323-7416
Vocations Commission Chairpersons:
Rita
Gallagher,
323-4755
& Maryjane Lemire, 323-5464
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SACRAMENTS
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the first and third Sunday of each
month at 12 noon. The parents and
godparents are required to have an interview with the pastor and attend a
Preparation Class. Registration can
be arranged by calling the rectory. Expectant
parents are encouraged to attend the class prior to the birth of their baby.
Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is the process by which interested adults and children become full
members of the Catholic Church. This includes anyone from other faith traditions
and baptized Catholics who need preparation for the Sacraments of Eucharist and
Confirmation. Call the Faith
Formation office at the rectory for more information.
Reconciliation
The Sacrament Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday afternoon from 3:00
p.m. to 3:45 p.m. or by contacting the rectory for an appointment. First
Reconciliation is celebrated during Advent of the 2nd grade year.
Contact the Faith Formation office if preparation is needed.
Holy Eucharist
Children
celebrate First Communion in May after a two- year preparation in 1st
& 2nd grade religious education classes.
Special arrangements can be made for older children or children with
special needs by calling the Faith Formation office at the rectory.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation
is celebrated by 11th grade students and adults in the spring.
High School students must participate in 9th, 10th
& 11th grade Generations of Faith classes or go to a Parochial
school to attend the Confirmation Preparatory Program.
Adults should contact the Faith Formation office at the rectory for
special arrangements.
Matrimony
St. Francis Parish asks that
couples give at least one year's notice of intent to marry in order to allow for
adequate preparation. Therefore, couples are encouraged to contact the rectory
before any other marriage arrangements are made.
Sacrament of the Sick
The Second Vatican Council emphasized that this sacrament is meant not only
for those who are close to death, but for anyone who is seriously ill.
Please contact our Pastor to request a visit.
Christian Burial
If a member of your family has died, and you seek a Christian burial,
arrangements can be made through your funeral director or by contacting the
rectory.
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WORSHIP
Eucharistic Adoration
Program
Since 1984, St. Francis Church has had a Eucharistic Adoration Program.
Presently, there are two assigned adorers in prayer before the Lord from 8:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the chapel.
Parishioners may visit during these times.
The Adoration number is 323-6272, ext. 6.
To join this special program and spend an hour in quiet meditation,
contact coordinator, Pam Letendre, 323-7416.
Offertory Procession
There is an Offertory Procession during each of the weekend Masses.
Anyone wishing to participate in the procession should notify the usher
at least ten minutes before the Mass is scheduled to begin.
Prayer Meeting
A charismatic prayer meeting is held on each Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Work
Sacristy of the church. Everyone is
welcomed to attend. For more
information contact Gayle Tyler, 967-8148 or Rita Gallagher, 323-4755.
Traveling Statue of the
Virgin Mary
The statue of Our Lady of Fatima is approximately 2-feet tall and is
available for devotion in your home. A
list, by weeks, is available in the Tovet Room of the Church. Parishioners can avail themselves of a particular week that
they would like for their devotion and sign up on that list.
For further information, please call the rectory 323-6272.
First Saturday of the
Month Mass
On the first Saturday of each month, parishioners who gather to attend the
8:00 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Church give special homage to Our Lady of Fatima.
The first Saturday Mass is followed by breakfast in the Pine Room.
The
Michael Sweeney Prayer Line
The prayer line was formed after
parishioner Michael
Sweeney
was severely injured in a fiery accident. He
asked that we pray with him, and after his passing his request took on new
meaning. Our prayer line then came
into existence and was named in his memory. To
request prayers for yourself or a loved one, or to take an active part in this
ministry of intercession and thanksgiving, contact Chris McGinnis, 323-6622 or
Louise Groux, 323-4046.
Vocations
Cross
Each week Father Vern presents our special Vocations Cross to a parish
family in order that they will pray together for an increase in vocations to the
priesthood or religious life. The
sign-up sheet located in the Gathering Space of the church.
Shawl
Ministry
This parish Outreach Program incorporates prayer, visits to the sick or
those who are grieving together with a presentation of a handmade shawl or lap
robe. For more information, call
Pat Antonovitch, 323-7735.
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MINISTRIES
Music
Ministry
Music is a large part of our worship and celebrations at St. Francis of
Assisi Parish. We are always
expanding our choir and seek cantors and choir members.
Rehearsal is Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30 and the choir sings at the
4:00 PM Mass each Saturday from October through May. For more information, call Donna Vanasse, 323-7110.
The
8:00 and 10:30 AM Masses on Sunday morning are cantor led with piano
accompaniment. For further
information, please call Karl Hammond, 323-4003 or Donna Grady, 323-4036.
Altar
Servers
Altar Servers assist Father at different Eucharistic liturgies such as
Sunday Mass, funerals, and weddings. Boys
and girls who have received their First Communion become eligible to
participate. Contact Therese
Rakouskas, 323-8749 for more information.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the word of the Lord.
If anyone would like to take advantage of the spiritual benefits offered
by the acceptance of the duties of the lectors, please contact Pat Antonovitch,
323-7735.
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers are those who assist in administering the Eucharist at
Mass and to those who are homebound or in the hospital.
If interested, call Gayle Tyler, 967-8148.
Ushers
Ushers have the ministry of
creating an atmosphere of welcoming by greeting parishioners, assisting with
seating, and taking up the collections. This
ministry is open to all men, women, and young adults of the parish.
For more information or to become an usher, call Tom Curto, 323-4913.
Middle School Youth
Ministry
For 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to get
together, get involved and have fun! Contact
Christine Schmidt, 253-1954 for more information.
Altar Society
The Altar Society is a group of parishioners who clean and maintain the
sanctuary area. Anyone interested
in being part of this ministry may call the rectory, 323-6272.
Videotaping of Weekly Mass
Every week one Mass is videotaped by a volunteer.
Every Sunday at 4:30 p.m. this same Mass is broadcast on the local cable
channel. This opportunity is
offered for the benefit of all our shut-ins and others who cannot attend Mass in
our church and hear the Word of God addressed to us. If you are willing to
assist with the video recording or broadcasting of the Mass, please contact
Louise Christ, 323-8892. Extensive
videotaping experience is not required and a video
camera is provided.
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LEARNING
Faith Formation
Generations of Faith is offered to all members of our parish, young and old.
Each session prepares the community for a special celebration of liturgy.
Sessions are 2 hours 45 minutes long at Chestnut Hill Community School on six
scheduled weekends from October to April. School age children (3 yrs old thru
the 11th grade) must attend with a parent or sponsor. To register for
the program or for more information, contact Judy Trickey or Deborah Robinson in
the rectory Faith Formation office, 323-6272, ext. 2.
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PARISH
ORGANIZATIONS
Food Pantry
The St. Francis Parish Food Pantry serves needy families in the area.
The Pantry depends on food and cash donations from parishioners and
always is seeking new volunteers to help with the many tasks necessary to serve
our families. Referrals for assistance or anyone interested in making
regular food deliveries or helping in any capacity may contact the rectory,
323-6272, ext 8.
Secular
Franciscan Order
The
Order of Secular Franciscans is a Way of Life, approved by the Church, for men
and women, married or single, who are called to take an active part in the
mission of Christ to bring ‘the good news of salvation’ to the world.
They commit themselves to a life in Christ calling for a positive effort
to promote Gospel attitudes among their contemporaries.
They are united with each other in communities, through which they
develop a sense of direction according to the Gospel spirit of St. Francis of
Assisi. For more information
contact Lynn Carney, 323-5537.
Knights
of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a Catholic Family Fraternal Organization
of men with over 1.5 million members in Councils all over the world, who uphold
Catholic values by service to family, Church, and community.
Meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
each month in the council home. For
more information about St. Francis of Assisi K of C Council #10698, contact the
Grand Knight, 323-5822 or Stan Wyman, 323-4842.
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FRIENDSHIP,
FUN, FELLOWSHIP
St. Francis Church offers
many activities and events throughout the year.
These, and the many other events held throughout the year, are a good
opportunity to meet fellow parishioners and have some fun.
Watch the weekly bulletin for more information.
