Governor Baker announced that effective Monday, March 1, 2021 capacity for Houses of Worship will be increased to 50% however the 6ft social distancing and mask wearing by all attendees are still required.
In practice, we will still have every other pew closed and our new number of those who can attend: All Saints up to 350 people and Saint Mary’s up to 300 people per service.
2021 Lenten Regulations
DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD 2021 -LENTEN REGULATIONS
- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat as well as days of fast, when only one full meal is allowed. On days of fast two other meatless meals may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal.
- The other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
- The obligation to abstain from meat begins at fourteen (14) years of age.
- The obligation to fast begins at eighteen (18) years of age and ends at fifty-nine (59) years of age.
- Although the faithful may excuse themselves for a just cause from these laws of fast and abstinence, there is an obligation to substitute another penance and no Catholic should lightly excuse himself/herself from this obligation in the Lenten season.
Our Pastor named Vicar General
Annual Catholic Appeal
“Sowing the Seeds,” this year’s theme for the Annual Catholic Appeal, calls on each of us to spread the love of God, the gospel, and our faith. Through our contributions, together we shelter the homeless, respect life from conception to death, feed the hungry, comfort those who mourn, and educate others in our faith. May our seeds of faith fall on fertile ground- especially for those most in need.
You can make your contribution to Annual Catholic Appeal: online at www.diospringfield.org/aca. Or by calling: 413-452-0650. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you.
All Saints Church - Tiffany Windows
All Saints Church - Tiffany Windows Final Decision:
Since November 16, 2018 after we have received an official Condition report of five Tiffany Altar Windows located above the High Altar at All Saints Church, I met several times with parish council, finance council and parish building committee.
Most of the time members were questioning themselves between sale and restore of those windows. Finally, we made a decision to proceed with restoration of one (center) window. We think that will be a chance for members of the parish to see the beauty of window after restoration.
Cost of restoration of that center window:
($47,800.00 restoration + $7,450.00 to replace the exterior glass and paint the frame = $55,250.00)
Comments from some companies that help us with making our recommendation:
A.One option some churches choose to go with is to perform their Tiffany window restorations to start, and then reinstall for a number of years to enjoy them until they are more ready to pursue a sale option.
B.We agree that the first window to restore should be the center Christ figure window (#3) The next windows you should restore are the two windows on the right (#4 &5) as these are south facing windows and are in worse condition than the other pair.
This work should be performed as soon as you are able to do so, the Christ window within the next 12-24 months with the other windows following. Ideally, all workshould be completed within five years.At this point we extend an opportunity to contribute to this project by those who will choose so.
Thank You - Fr. Piotr
Spiritual Life
Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center
Together We Rise: During these months of isolation and separation, we have felt a longing to gather together as a community. Many of us are struggling with loneliness and mourning a sense of normalcy in our lives. Join us as we come together to process this experience on our journey of reconnection. Together We Rise – as a community of Christ’s followers and as interdependent human beings. https://www.holyfamilyretreat.org/themed-retreats
OLBS PARISH VIRTUAL LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES
This year the Speaker Series will be ‘virtual,’ available on YouTube, with a great line-up of speakers – beginning with our new Bishop William Byrne! Our theme for this year’s Speaker Series is: ‘KEEPING FAITH DURING THE PANDEMIC - GOD’S GOT THIS!’ An opportunity to find the blessings during this challenging time of the Pandemic, with our eyes set on Easter Joy! Other speakers will include author, speaker, radio show host – Gary Zimak - who will touch on many themes of his book - ‘Give Up Worry for Lent’ (available through the OLBS Parish Office for $10.00). Additional speakers include - Sr. Bethany Madonna, Fr. Mike Schmitz, April Helenek, and Fr. Chris Alar. Join us each Wednesday of Lent, beginning February 24 through March 31, at 6:30 pm, or watch the video any time after that on YouTube. There is no cost for this Series! Options to access the Series online: (1) Go to Youtube.com and type in the search field ‘OLBS Westfield Lent’ or (2) Go to either diospringfield.org OR diospringfield.org/olbs and click on the link. For additional information, contact the OLBS Parish Office at 413-562-3450.
Diocesan Youth Day
Ware Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus News
Saturday, March 13, 2021
Take Out Dinner Order Form
To benefits the Knights of Columbus Council Charities
Traditional Irish Dinner: Corned Beef & Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Dessert
Name: _________________________________
Phone: _______________ Email: __________________________
# of Meals______ x $15 = $__________ All meals must be prepaid.
Please return this form with your payment
Pick up time: After 4pm Mass until 6:15pm on Saturday March 13, 2021at All Saints Church Hall. Masks required at time of pick up.
Please make check payable to: Knights of Columbus Council 183. Payment must be received no later the March 7 .
Form and payment can be submitted either by mail to Ware KofC PO Box 88 Ware MA 01082 or placed in the collection basket at either Church.
Lent 2021
Stations of the Cross at 5:30pm follow by 6pm Mass
March 5, 2021 - All Saints Church led by grade 9
March 12, 2021 - Saint Mary’s Church
March 19, 2021 - Saint Mary’s Church
March 26, 2021 - Saint Mary’s Church
*Gorzkie Zale in polish: Sunday, March 7 after 12:10pm Mass at Saint Mary’s
Confessions:
CCD Students and their parents -TBD - most likely March 21
Extra time: After Friday Masses will be an opportunity for confession
Holy Week and Easter - pending at this point due to Covid-19 restrictions
More Information to come soon.
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Current Restrictions during COVID19 Pandemic Time
- Church of the service opens 30 minutes before each Mass
- Please bring your private prayer books or buy our Book of the Sacred Liturgy for years ABC.
- Physical distancing (six feet minimum) at all times.
- In our town: St. Mary’s Church will be open for private prayer on Wednesdays and Sundays until 4pm
- We ask that those coming to our churches bring their own hand sanitizer if possible
- All members of the congregation need to wear Masks (covering MOUTH & NOSE) and they must put them on prior to leaving their cars, with a few exceptions: Children under the age of two should not wear masks.
- Holy Communion distributed to the faithful in the hand at the regular time. Father, Deacon or EM will come to your pew. Please stand in your pew if you are in state of grace that allows you to receive Holy Communion.
- **Those receiving on the tongue please come forward to the altar after Mass. Remove your mask just before approaching to receive and place your mask back on immediately afterwards.
- Please leave your kneeler down after Mass, so we will know which pews must be sanitize before next service
- Office visit only by appointment.
- Church is disinfecting after each service with a chemical product, which kills all viruses and bacteria after being on the surface for 10 minutes.
Father of Mercy,
You willed that all people should have life and have it abundantly.
You call us to care for one another, putting the needs of our neighbor on a par with our own.
Bless these OUR masks, which we wear during this time of pandemic.
May they protect us, and all those we encounter, from the threat of Covid-19.
May those who wear them never bring harm upon anyone, knowingly or unknowingly,
by spreading this terrible disease.
Holy Spirit, grant us a peaceful heart.
Teach us patience.
Help us turn to you in prayer when we are irritable or afraid, or when the journey seems too long for us. May all our efforts to guard and protect one another in charity become a shining witness to the love of Jesus Christ, for he is Lord forever and ever.
Amen.
Our Parishes Snow Policy
Cemeteries
At times of inclement weather, all parishes cemeteries will be closed before, during, and after snow storm. They will reopen when roads are clean.
We thank you for your understanding.
St. Mary's Parking
Parking behind St. Mary’s School Building is closed for the Winter Season.
Please do not park your cars in that location. Thank You
Year of Saint Joseph
All Saints and Saint Mary’s Honoring Saints Joseph:
Every 19th of each Month:
Welcome to Consecration to St. Joseph! You are about to begin a journey that will change your life.
What does it mean to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph?
What does it mean for a person to be consecrated to St. Joseph? Well, it basically means that you acknowledge that he is your spiritual father, and you want to be like him. To show it, you entrust yourself entirely into his paternal care so that he can help you acquire his virtues and become holy.
Total consecration to St. Joseph means you make a formal act of filial entrustment to your spiritual father so that he can take care of your spiritual well-being and lead you to God. The person who consecrates himself to St. Joseph wants to be as close to their spiritual father as possible, to the point of resembling him in virtue and holiness. Saint Joseph, in turn, will give those consecrated to him his undivided attention, protection, and guidance.
If you have already consecrated yourself to the Virgin Mary, can you be consecrated to St. Joseph, as well?
The answer is a resounding “Yes!” God desires that all children be committed to the care of a mother and a father. You are not a member of a single-parent spiritual family. Mary is your spiritual mother, and St. Joseph is your spiritual father.
The spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph is extremely important for your spiritual growth. Total consecration
to Mary is not diminished by total consecration to St. Joseph.
Mary wants you to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! Jesus wants you to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! Everything you have given to Jesus and Mary can also be given to St. Joseph. The hearts of Jesus,
Mary, and St. Joseph are one.
Program Overview
Consecration to St. Joseph emulates the tried-and-true preparation method employed by St. Louis de Montfort in his Marian consecration, highlighting many of St. Joseph’s titles, privileges, and heroic virtues.
The program of preparation and consecration takes 33 days.
It can be undertaken on your own or in a group.
How to make your consecration as an individual
Choose a consecration date.
It’s recommended to choose a day that coincides with a liturgical feast of St. Joseph. Your consecration date is day 33 of the program.
You'll spend about 20-30 minutes a day on a short exposition on one of the invocations in the powerful Litany of St. Joseph, followed
by a reading on St. Joseph, concluding with the recitation of theLitany of St. Joseph.
If you miss a day, just make it up and continue your preparation. On the day of your consecration, feel free to use whichever act of consecration you like best; you can also make up your own, if you like.
Group Program at our parishes
Our 33 Days started on February 15 at All Saints Church at 6pm
Our group (parishes) consecration date will be on Friday, March 19th during 6pm Mass at Saint Mary’s
*on both days we will say prayers together, rest of the days everyone
should say them at home following instruction made for each day
As a group, we will recite the same consecration prayer together.
Special devotions to Saint Joseph
Friday, March 19, 2021 - 6pm at Saint Mary’s Consecration Day
Monday, April 19, 2021 - 6pm at All Saints
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 6pm at Saint Mary’s
Saturday, June 19, 2021 12:10pm at All Saints
Monday, July 19, 2021 at 6pm at Saint Mary’s
Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 6pm at All Saints
Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 12:10pm at Saint Mary’s
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 6pm at All Saints
Friday, November 19, 2021 at 6pm at Saint Mary’s
Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 12:10pm at All Saints
Rosary Sodality
The Rosary Sodality News:
Book with Sunday Readings and Songs
Book of Sacred Liturgy
We are offering our parishioners the opportunity to purchase a hardcover Book of Liturgy, which includes Sunday Masses & Holy days of obligation, as well as music.
The Sunday Masses cycle A-B-C. This is a forever you own Mass book.
Perfect tool to have during COVID-19 restrictions.
The cost of the book is $30.00. Please see Father after Mass If you are interested in purchasing a copy.
Volunteering Opportunity
Quaboag Skilled Nursing Home in West Brookfield is seeking your help! If you are interested in volunteering to help brighten Residents daily lives, please contact Sasha Wallace, Recreation Director.
Any interested candidates may contact her directly for an interview at (508)-867-7716 ext 3247.
CCD UPDATED PROGRAM
Dear CCD Students and Parents, Very Important CCD UPDATES
All Saints and St. Mary’s Parishes, Ware, MA
Faith Formation Program Schedule 2020 - 2021
!!!!Updated and based on recent COVID-19 restrictions, cases and concerns on February 10, 2021
Since the bigger increase in covid-19 in our town is lower and also having in mind proper way of finishing CCD program and make it easier for my successor. I made changes to Our CCD Program as follow:
Reminder of in person special events: Stations of the Cross:
Grade 9 - March 5, 2021 - All Saints Church at 5:30pm
March 21, 2021 - Lenten Penance Service
11 am - 12 noon at Saint Mary’s Church
Everyone is asked to use hand sanitizer before and after confession, which will be distribute by our ushers.
Change of days for last Classes IN PERSON due to Fr. Piotr’s departure!
No classes in April !!!
March 7 and 14, 2021 Final Classes for:
- Grade 2 Will meet in the Church at All Saints. Grades 3, 4, 5, 6 classes will meet at All Saints Church Hall after 8:00am Mass until 9:20 am
- Grades 7 and 9 classes will meet at All Saints Church Hall after 5:15pm Mass until 7:00pm
- Grade 8 - All Saints Church - Upstairs: after 5:15pm Mass until 7:00pm
*First Communion Class [Please Note Change in Time & Location]
Meetings with all parents on Sunday, March 7th after CCD Class (around 9:20AM) at All Saints Church (Upstairs)
***Safe environment training: For those Children whose parents did not return either opt-out form or other form, which was mailed homes, asking parents to do the training
On March 21 - during normal class hours for particular grades.
During March 7th class students will get their registration form for year 2021/2022 which should be return on March 14 or mail it back to the parish office.
Those students from grades 1, 3-9 who already submitted or will submit by February 27th their homework assigned back in November 11 DO NOT need to participate in any classes in person and special events. See you in September.
Thank You, Fr. Piotr - Pastor
*First Communion Class
Baptism certificates MUST be submitted by December 1, 2020
(Required only for those who were baptized outside of our parishes)
First Confessions and First Communion Rehearsal: TBD
First Communion Mass: TBD (Most Likely beginning of May 2021)
Online Giving - All Saints
Online Giving - St. Mary's
ANNUAL FISCAL YEAR REPORT TO PARISHIONERS FY20
Office Hours
9am -12noon
Only by appointment. Please call or email us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Bulletin
Mass Times
Monday: All Saints 7:30 am Mass
Tuesday: All Saints 7:30 am Mass followed by Adoration till 8:30am
Wednesday: St. Mary’s 7:30 am Mass followed by Adoration till 8:30am
Thursday: St. Mary’s 7:30 am Mass
Friday and Saturday Morning - NO services just:
First Friday: 8 am - All Saints
First Saturday: 8 am - St. Mary’s.
Saturday:
4:00pm Mass at All Saints;
5:15pm Mass at St. Mary’s
Sunday:
8:00am Mass at All Saints;
9:30am Mass at St. Mary’s
5:15pm Mass at All Saints Church
Additional Devotions during Pandemic Time:
First Friday: 12:00- NOON – Communion Service at St. Mary's Parking Lot Please stay in your car
*12:10 PM - High Mass – St. Mary’s Church – Only on First Sunday