Grateful for Last Weekend, Another Great One Next!

Right on cue to prove that “The Big Event” last weekend was a high-point – not the end – of our year-long Welcome Back Initiative, we barely have time to give thanks for all that went so well before embracing another big weekend in our collaborative less than a week away!

While people have typically enjoyed our collaborative church picnics each fall, there was a very special feel to this year’s Big Event (click for pictures). It was more than the fact we missed having a picnic the past two years. More than having a bounce house and more games for all ages than we have had in recent memory. Even more than having four live music acts, including the return of the Berkshire Valley Boys, and the concert debut of our young cantor and vocal prodigy, Ansley Palermo. All of these, the good food and the beautiful weather, were outward expressions of the joy we have in being able to come together as the Family of God, receive Christ in the Word and Communion, and live Christ’s love in support of one another in our parishes! Everyone who participated is grateful to the dozens of adults and teens who volunteered under the leadership of Kathy Parker and her Big Event committee who worked seamlessly to make this beautiful experience possible! Please join me in also thanking the fifty assembly and delivery who worked with the Communications Committee to prepare over 2,600 gift bags, hand delivering almost 2,000 of those to people’s homes in the weeks leading up to the Big Event! These bags are more than an invitation to the Big Event: they are a simple yet sincere gesture of our prayers for all of our parishioners, and of our desire to connect with them in more meaningful ways. We embraced these successful events with trust that these are what God wanted us to do. If you or someone you know is in a position to defray these costs, please let me know.

Looking ahead, the St. Martha Parish Fair is back and only days away!! Among the many things we missed doing last year, the St. Martha Fair was second only to the Mass that I heard most often that people really missed. Some new elements have been added, including a raffle calendar that was very popular at the Big Event, and the favorites are back too: crafts, Claire’s Corner where you can find other people’s treasures, and of course the famous, overflowing gift baskets that bring people from all over the area! See the bulletin cover for days & times. Even as the virus numbers are declining in our state, we have safety precautions in place to make sure everyone can feel good about attending – please bring your face covering so those who are vulnerable can stay safe too.

If you attend the 4 o’clock Mass next weekend, you will get a special opportunity to taste a part of our other special event. The return of our local presentation of the Transformed in Love marriage preparation program is a blessing where several married couples from our parishes share the blessings and challenges, they experience in the Sacrament of Matrimony. The last major part of this program is a “Teaching Mass,” which has been so popular we are including the regular congregation. The brief explanations interspersed during the Mass will extend the Mass about 15 minutes, so plan accordingly and enjoy this opportunity to grow in understanding and appreciation of the liturgy we celebrate each week.

Why not invite a friend to the St. Martha Parish Fair or the Teaching Mass next weekend and share the experience?
- Fr. Joe