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- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is observed Fridays at Our Lady
Immaculate
from 7:30am (after the 7am Communion Service) until 4:30pm (Evening Prayer and Benediction at
4:30pm) during DST (Daylight Savings Time). During the Winter months
(Standard Time) the Closing is at 3:30pm.
People are encouraged to spend an hour before the Eucharist, but even a
brief visit brings great spiritual benefits to the individual, the Parish, and the Community.
Spiritual reading and other pamphlets are available at the entrance of the
Church.
- Altar Servers
- Any boy or girl in grade 4 and above may sign up to be an Altar
Server. Training is arranged by appointment. Altar Servers are
treated to a trip during the summer, and Senior Altar Servers are treated to
a trip during Christmas vacation.
- Annulments
- Annulment is a canonical process to free a person to marry in the Catholic
Church when there was a previous marriage bond that was celebrated in the
Church but it becomes apparent that it was not a sacramental union.
The reasons for this decision can be anything from immaturity to
psychological inability to contract a sacramental marriage. Working
with a priest, a person may be assisted in filling out the necessary
paperwork for presentation to the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. It is a
relatively simple procedure that involves providing reliable witnesses and
meeting with a Tribunal representative. The normal time span for a
decision is 12-16 months. The Tribunal also expects a procedure fee of
$350 which is worked out with them and has nothing to do with the Parish
involvement in the process which is free.
- Anointing of the Sick
- Catholics should receive the Sacrament of the Sick in danger of death.
The Hospital or the area nursing homes will call the Rectory if
there is an emergency. Ideally, the patient is conscious and can
participate in the prayers. Anyone who is anticipating an operation
may request the Sacrament at any time. During Advent and Lent there
are Anointings at weekend Masses on announced dates.
- Because of HIPPA (a new hospital privacy law), only those
patients or their families who request Holy Communion or other
sacraments will be listed on the clergy lists. It is important to
notify the Rectory if you or a loved one is in the hospital.
- Baptism (Guidelines for Choosing Godparents)
- Godparents are the "official representatives" of the Church and
Parish. Before you ask someone to be a Godparent, please be sure of
the following three conditions:
(1) that he or she is a Baptized and
Confirmed Catholic;
(2) that he or she is actively attending Mass in
their Parish (someone from outside the Parish must get a "sponsor
certificate" from the Parish where they live); and
(3) that he or she, if married, was married with the
proper preparation of the Catholic Church (a person married outside the
Church or "living together outside of marriage" is unable to serve
as a Godparent).
At least one Godparent must be able to fulfill these
requirements. A member of another Christian sect, for good reason, may
be a "Christian Witness" and does function as a Godparent for all
practicality, but this exception is noted as such in the Baptismal record of
the child. A former or non-practicing Catholic or someone married
"outside the Church" cannot be considered a Godparent or Christian Witness for
Baptism.
- Baptism (to have a Child Baptized)
- Please call the Rectory office to arrange a time to attend a Baptism class
(on the second Tuesday of a month prior to a Baptism ceremony).
Parents and Godparents should attend this meeting, unless they have attended
a class in the past for a previous Baptism. The minimum requirement on
the part of a parent is to promise they will raise their child in the
Catholic faith. Of course, raising by way of example is the ideal
situation. Parents make a Profession of Faith at their child's
Baptism. A child born to unwed parents may be baptized as long
as the Church is given a copy of the birth certificate prior to the Baptism.
- Baptisms at Our Lady Immaculate are normally held at Noon on the first Sunday of each month,
but may be scheduled for another Sunday if there is a good pastoral reason.
Parents may request a Baptism to take place during one of the Sunday
Masses.
- Baptisms at St. Francis, St. Peter's, or OLQH can be scheduled for any
Sunday, preferably during Mass.
- Older children may be prepared in addition to their religious education,
and are encouraged to participate in the Easter Vigil Baptisms.
- Care of the Sick and Elderly
- The sick and elderly are of great importance in the ministry of the
Cluster. Eucharistic ministers routinely bring the Eucharist to the
homebound and those in the hospital. Please call the Rectory to inform
the staff of anyone who is homebound to arrange for a visit.
Arrangements can be made for Penance and the Sacrament of the Sick.
There is an ongoing need for Eucharistic ministers to visit the homebound;
even a visit to one person, once a month, is a big help in serving the
spiritual needs of the elderly homebound.
- Because of HIPPA (a new hospital privacy law), only those
patients or their families who request Holy Communion or other
sacraments will be listed on the clergy lists. It is important to
notify the Rectory if you or a loved one is in the hospital.
- CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; see Religious Education)
- Cemeteries
- The Parish no longer maintains cemeteries. Parishioners seeking
information about purchasing grave lots should contact St. John's Cemetery,
260 Cambridge Street, Worcester MA 01603 (508.757.7415). This also
applies to concerns or problems as well as information about genealogy.
The Parish no longer has the records of the lots. We do, however, hold
a Memorial Day Mass each year (weather permitting) at Gethsemane Cemetery.
- The following policy information has been sent to us by the Diocesan
Cemeteries Office.
- Flowers and bulbs may be planted. The flower bed is not to exceed the
length of the memorial, and width is not to exceed twelve inches from the front
of the memorial. Flowers may be planted in front of the monument or marker
only; the sides and back of the monument or marker are prohibited.
Shrubbery, where allowed, requires written approval.
- NOT ALLOWED: Planting of artificial flowers or plants (must be in planters);
temporary memorials, wooden crosses, etc.; landscaping edging, fences, stones,
marble chips, vigil lights, bark mulch and nuggets.
- DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
Removal of Winter baskets: March 15 of each year for Spring cleanup.
Removal of extra flowers, plants and containers: June 15 of each year.
Removal of ALL flowers, plants and containers: September 15 for Fall cleanup.
Placement of Winter baskets or arrangements: December 1 of each year.
- Confessions
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday (except Holy
Saturday and Holy Days) at Our Lady Immaculate from 3-3:30pm before Mass,
and at St. Francis from 5-5:30 before Mass. Times are expanded during
Advent and Lent. Private
appointments with a priest can be made at any time.
- Cremation
and Services
- While the Church prefers and encourages burial of the body, it exercises
pastoral judgment concerning a person's choice for cremation. A
Funeral Mass is offered for a deceased Baptized Catholic in the Church at
the time of death. Services at the Funeral Home are not a substitute
for Mass; however, a Memorial
Mass may be scheduled. Non-Catholic spouses may also have a Funeral Mass. The
Church further teaches that cremated remains must be buried or entombed;
the practice of scattering the remains or keeping them in the home is not
the reverent disposition of the body that the Church requires.
- Daily Eucharist
- Daily Eucharist is a tradition that goes back to St. Monica, the mother of
St. Augustine, in the 4th century. What a beautiful way to start each
day through Word and Eucharist. The 7am Mass group at OLI is a real community who prays for the good of
the Cluster, and by way of daily attendance, looks out for each other
too. Some even go to breakfast together each day when they can.
Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Thursday at 7am at Our Lady, and
on Wednesday at 9am at St. Francis (in the event of a funeral, a Communion
Service will be held in place of the St. Francis Mass). On Fridays, there is a
7am Communion Service at Our Lady. The rosary is said by those who can make it
before the 7am services. During Lent, many others join the
7am crowd as a popular practice. Many in the daily Mass group are in their 70's,
80's and 90's and
we believe this spirituality contributes to their well being and overall
health.
- Deacons (see Personnel)
- Easter Duty
- Church law is still in effect that every Catholic make his or her
"Easter Duty" which basically means receiving Holy Communion at
least once a year during the Easter season. This does not mean going
to Mass at least once a year; it means receiving the Eucharist worthily
during the Easter season. In order to be able to do this, some may
need to receive the Sacrament of Penance first.
- Envelopes (see Support Envelopes)
- Food Pantry
- Food items listed in the bulletin are collected each week at the Masses to
be used in the food pantry. Those requesting emergency food need to
register with the Rectory Office and are given a time slot to pick up
food. The pantry is open Tuesday through Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3pm,
and is available for Athol, Royalston and Phillipston residents, as well as
any OLI, OLQH, St. Francis or St. Peter's parishioners in need.
- St. Vincent de Paul donations, the
"poor boxes" at the Church entrances, the Youth Group, and the Postal Workers Drive
help with additional donations for the pantry. St. Peter's Parish
supports the pantry each month, and parishioners from St. Peter's are
eligible for assistance.
- Funerals
- At a difficult time, the Cluster staff wants to assist in planning with
families. The Catholic rites include a Wake Service at the Funeral
Home, the Funeral Mass, and the Cemetery Committal. Family members are
encouraged to come to the Rectory during the arrangement time to choose
readings, indicate participation by family members, and provide thoughts for
the homily. A brief eulogy may be given at the end of Mass by a friend
or family member. Music selections can be arranged with Theresa Gabis
(978.249.6530) and every effort is made to honor requests.
- All
Baptized Catholics will have at least a Memorial Mass said for them, even if a Funeral Mass is
not part of the secular memorial plans at the Funeral Home.
- Families
of active parishioners are offered the use of the CCD Hall or St. Francis
Hall for a post
Funeral Mass reception; families, caterers, or friends are responsible for
preparing the reception or luncheon at the Hall. This offer is made
when the Halls are available.
- Parishioners are encouraged to let their
adult children know their final requests, and to file a copy in writing with
prearrangements.
- Giving Tree
- Every year during October and November, names of children are submitted
for assistance from the Giving Tree. Parishioners take a tag with a
child's name and a request for a present. These gifts are distributed
at the CCD Center before Christmas. For more information, contact
Sharon at CCD (978.249.7690).
- Guidelines for Reception of Holy Communion
- Catholics should participate fully in the Eucharist devoutly and
frequently. Normally we fast one hour before receiving.
Christians of Protestant denominations are welcome at Mass, and our common
prayer is that the Holy Spirit will dispel the divisions that exist to
separate us. Because Catholics believe the Eucharist is a sign of the
reality of oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches
with whom we are not yet fully united are not ordinarily admitted to Holy
Communion. We also welcome those who do not share our faith in Jesus
Christ, and while we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to
offer their prayers for the peace and unity of the human family.
- Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers
of the Eucharist
- We are always looking for more Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. Any confirmed adult is
invited to serve in these ministries, and may contact the Rectory if
interested. Eucharistic Ministers assist in
distributing Holy Communion at weekend Masses, and/or serve as ministers to
the homebound and at the hospital. We always need people for one-on-one
visits to the homebound.
- Lent and Holy Week
- Lent is a time of intense spiritual preparation for all Christians.
The traditional disciplines of Lent are repentance, fasting, and alms
giving. Lenten fasting (having only one substantial meal and at most
two lesser meals) applies to those of age 18 to 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday. Lenten abstinence (not eating meat) applies to Ash Wednesday
and all Fridays during Lent, and is obligatory for ages 14-70. These
rules are relaxed for appropriate medical reasons.
- Marriage Preparation
- As a general rule, contact with the Rectory should be made one year in advance of a planned
wedding date. This gives ample time for a couple to prepare
spiritually for the Sacrament. The normal process for an engaged
couple involves several meetings with a trained Couple-to-Couple team from
the Cluster and meetings with clergy. Other
arrangements can be made if pastoral circumstances warrant.
- Appropriate
hymns are mandated for a Wedding Mass; consultation with a Parish organist
is encouraged.
- If one of the participants in
non-Catholic, a service outside of Mass can be arranged. Weddings
must take place in a church, and ecumenical arrangements (e.g. other
Ministers or other churches) can receive a dispensation.
- Mass Schedule (see also Liturgy Schedule)
- The Mass schedule for Sundays and Holy Days are listed in the Bulletin
each week. Weekend Masses provide a variety of spiritual experiences
for parishioners. For example, the 4pm and 5:30pm Saturday Vigil Masses
and the 10:45 Sunday Mass have an adult Choir, the 10am Sunday "Family
Mass" and 6pm bi-monthly Sunday "Youth Mass" have a youthful emphasis on
music and singing, and the other Sunday Masses have organ music.
- Holy Day Masses at during the year are normally held at Our Lady at
7pm on the Vigil and at 7am and Noon on the Holy Day; please refer to the
Bulletin for specific times and locations. If a Holy Day falls on
a Saturday or a Monday, it is normally not a Holy Day of Obligation.
- Memorial (Building) Fund
- Very often families indicate that "in lieu of flowers" donations
may be made to "The Building Fund." When
this happens, one can stop by the Rectory Office to pick up a Memorial
card. The Cluster keeps a record of such donations, and forwards the
names of donors to the family after the Funeral. Memorial Fund
donations are used for the good of the Cluster, and donors may specify a
particular item or purpose such as: altar clothes, Nativity pieces, a pyx for
Communion visits, scholarship funds, etc. Ideas can be worked out with
the priests.
- Memorial Masses
- Anniversary Masses and Memorial Masses may be arranged by calling the
Rectory during Office hours. Mass cards may be picked up at these
times. Preference is given to Anniversary Masses and Month's Mind
Masses (one month after death). Weekend Masses are scheduled on an
availability basis on or near the requested date; weekday Masses are
scheduled for daily Mass at 7am Monday through Thursday. Unannounced
Masses may also be arranged and the stipends are sent to
Missionary priests.
- Memorial Park
- A lovely meditation park was created several years ago with trees,
shrubbery, and benches next to the OLI Church. Additional areas will be
developed as the need arises. Donations for upkeep of the park are
needed from time to time.
- Music Ministry (see Personnel and Programs)
- Parish Fair
- Every year there is a Parish Fair on the first Saturday in
October. Craft booths, raffles, foods, entertainment, baked goods,
and so much more are convened for a Fair that brings many people together
for a common goal: to have fun and contribute to the Religious Education
of the Parish where the proceeds are directed.
- Personnel
- Fr. Stephen D. Johnson has been the Pastor of Our Lady Immaculate Parish
and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Chapel since July 1990, and Pastor of St.
Francis and St. Peter's since October 2003. Fr. Adam R. Reid is the
Associate Pastor. We are served by three Deacons: Scott Colley, James Linderman,
and Paul Mello.
- Our Religious Education
staff includes: Director Sharon Maher and Secretary April Anderson. Our Music
Ministry includes: Choir Director Bob Lemoine and Organists Theresa Gabis and
Stephanie Parker. Ray Arsenault, Neil Hachey, and Tim Savoy maintain our properties. Our Sacristan is Janet Mousseau, and
our Housekeeper is Gail O'Malley. THANKS TO ALL!
- Prayer Line
- A prayer line is a group of people who have the Ministry of Prayer for
particular intentions and people. Anyone may make a request for
prayer by calling the Rectory. The Office then calls a prayer line
contact and the request is then passed on from person-to-person.
- Project Rachel
- Project Rachel is a program offered by the Diocese of Worcester for women
needing emotional and spiritual guidance after having an abortion.
Anyone needing such help may call 508.791.HOPE
- Pro-Life Activities
- Each year the Cluster sponsors a Pro-Life Sunday nearest January 22.
The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus sponsor this Mass. Committed youth
of the Parish are invited to attend the annual March on Washington.
- R.C.I.A. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (see also under Programs)
- Any adult seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist) or to be "re-membered" into the
Church after a lengthy absence are invited to participate in R.C.I.A.
Members of other denominations who desire affiliation with the Catholic
Church may also participate. One may join at any time. Classes
are normally held ever Sunday from 11:30am-1pm at the Rectory. Please
call the Rectory or Kathy Lemoine (978.544.2234) for additional
information.
- Recovery Groups
- AA and Alanon groups meet in the OLI Church basement on a regular weekly and
daily basis. The times of these meetings are: Monday through Saturday
at Noon; 8pm Tuesday; and 7pm Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Rectory Office Hours
- The Rectory Office (192 School Street, Athol, MA 01331) is normally
open Monday through Thursday 8am-4pm and Fridays 8am-2pm (lunch is 12noon-1pm).
Please refer to the bulletin for holiday hours. You may wish to call
978.249.2738 to verify the Office is open.
- Recycling Program
- Youth programs of the Cluster are partially funded by proceeds raised by
collecting and recycling paper and magazines only (no cardboard is
taken). Paper is collected at the trailer behind the Church on
Saturday mornings from 8am to Noon. Adults are needed to supervise the
youth. Rotation is on a once-every-other-month basis and each
participant can "credit" their time to a particular youth
program. Please call the Rectory if interested.
- Registering in the Cluster
- If you are new in the area and would like to be affiliated with one of the
Churches in the Cluster, please contact the clergy or the Rectory Office to fill
out a census card. This will only take a few minutes, and will put
your family in our registered, confidential, files to assist us in
determining the pastoral needs of our people. Parish affiliation is
needed for receiving sacraments and for permission to be a sponsor for
Baptism or Confirmation. Young adults 18 years and older should fill
out their own census card even if living at home. This registration is
important for future considerations of marriage or sponsorship references.
- Religious Education
- Religious Education classes are available for grades 1-11 at the CCD
Center. To register a child, please call CCD (978.249.7690).
Older children needing sacraments are instructed along with their regular
graded classes. Seniors in High School may join the Confirmation Class
or the R.C.I.A. program to prepare for Confirmation.
- Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (see Anointing)
- Sacrament of Baptism (see Baptism)
- Sacrament of Confirmation (see under Programs)
- Sacrament of Marriage (see under Marriage)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation (see Confessions)
- Scholarships
- Every year Father Marcotte Scholarships are presented to graduating High
School seniors who have served the Cluster and maintained their practice of
the Faith. There are also a Deacons' Service Award and Senior Server
Scholarships. Applications and interviews are scheduled in the spring.
- Scouts (Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts)
- The Cluster is the sponsor for BSA Cub Scout Pack 18; information about
this program is available by calling Gayle Bassett at 978.249.8328.
Girl Scout information can be obtained from Kay Muzzy at 978.249.6237.
- Simple Suppers during Lent
- Each year during Lent a "simple Friday meal" is planned and
offered by various groups in the Cluster. The meals are held at CCD
on Fridays of Lent at 6pm. They are meatless to remind us of the
Lenten discipline of abstinence and there is no charge; however, each
group determines a worthy cause to support through a free-will offering
taken up after the meal.
- Steubenville Conference
- Every summer the Cluster supports High School age youth to raise money for
participation at a weekend Catholic Youth Conference sponsored by the
University of Steubenville, Ohio. The "Steubenville East"
Conference is held at the LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro,
Massachusetts. Under a big tent, national youth speakers inspire and
instruct youth from all over New England in solid Catholic truths about
morality and faith. The music, atmosphere, and meeting with other
Catholic teens, supports and encourages our Catholic youth.
- Summer Mission
Project
- Our summer mission project is aided by
collecting refundable deposits on cans and bottles. Post-Confirmation
students are asked to be a part of this mission. Donations, fundraising activities, and the
refundable deposits help pay for airfare for the participants. Bags of
cans and bottles may be left at the Rectory's end garage at any time.
- Suppers
- Groups from the Parish occasionally put on a supper or breakfast for the
Parish. Variety, good food, fellowship, friendship are the keys to
providing a nice gathering for families around meals.
- Support Envelopes
- Parishioners throughout the Cluster are encouraged to support their
respective Parish through regular
donations via an envelope system. Our gifts to God are precious, and
the envelope is the "wrapping paper" for financial gifts.
Envelopes are mailed out by an envelope company on a bi-monthly basis.
Included in each packet are envelopes for weekly Sunday, weekly Building
Fund, and any other special collections for Universal Church, Diocese, or
Parish. Children may obtain youth envelopes though the Religious
Education Program.
- Telephone and Internet Communications
- The Rectory has a telephone system that allows for direct voice mail and
messages. When you call the Rectory after hours, you will be given
further information. The Rectory phone numbers (978.249.2738 and
.2739) are listed in the Residence section of the phone book, and the CCD
number (978.249.7690) is listed in the Business section.
- St. Francis and St. Peter's telephones are forwarded directly to Our
Lady Immaculate.
- In case of an emergency, you may reach Fr. Steve at 508.633.2282
- FAXes may be sent to the Office at 978.249.0447
- Our Cluster website is www.NQCatholic.org and e-mail may be sent to
OurLadyRectory@verizon.net).
- Thanksgiving Dinner
- Every Thanksgiving the Parish hosts the William O'Brien Memorial
Thanksgiving Dinner at the American Legion for anyone who would otherwise be
alone for Thanksgiving. Reservations are taken at the Rectory Office
starting three weeks prior to the dinner.
- Youth Chorus
- There is an informal High School age youth chorus to serve the
music ministry at various occasions during the year. Practice is
usually Mondays at 7pm in the Church.
- Youth Groups
- Any High School student may joint the Senior Youth Group for its
activities and events. 7th and 8th graders also have activities
sponsored though the Junior Youth Group.
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