News & Events

Upcoming Events - Updated 2/24/2008
Special Announcements - Updated 2/09/2008
Welcome Letter from Father Ortiz
Farewell Letter from Father Dorais
Father Dorais' New Address

Upcoming Events
Holy Week Schedule:

• Holy Monday - March 17, 2008
  • Mass at 8AM
• Holy Tuesday - March 18, 2008
  • 8 AM Mass (St. Francis)
  • 10:30 AM Holy Chrism Mass (Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester)
• Holy Wednesday - March 19, 2008
  • 8 AM Mass
  • 6:30 PM - Movie: "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson in the Parish Hall
• Holy Thursday - March 20, 2008
  • Mass at 8AM (English)
  • 7PM (Bilingual) - At the 7PM Mass there will be a Candle Offering. Deacon William Colon and his wife, Maria, are asking parishioners to offer a candle ($10) for the Candle Offering to the Lord on Holy Thursday night right after the Last Supper Mass. Your intention will be labeled on a candle and there will be a procession to the tabernacle before the silent vigil. For more information, please talk to Deacon William.
• Good Friday - March 21, 2008
  • No Mass
  • 12PM - Bilingual Ecumenical Way of the Cross at Noon beginning at St. Anthony's and ending at St. Francis.
  • 6PM - Good Friday services (Veneration of the Holy Cross, Liturgy of the Word, and Communion).
• Holy Saturday - March 22, 2008
  • 10AM - Rehearsal for those who are going to receive the Sacraments at Easter Vigil.
  • 7:30PM - Easter Vigil Mass
• Easter Sunday - March 23, 2008
  • 9 AM - Mass in English
  • 11 AM - Mass in Spanish

Special Announcements
Census Forms: We need to update our files and it is necessary for all members of the parish to fill one out. We have Census Forms at the church entrances and in the sacristy. Please fill one out and return it next week or by mail to the rectory. Thanks!

Children's Choir : Tim, our organist and Jessica, member of the choir, are having meetings on Thursdays at 6:30pm in the church for those children who would like to be members of the St. Francis Children's Choir. Your kids are welcome to join them anytime.

Special Program: We plan to offer a special children's readings and activities program during the time of the readings and sermon at the 9am Sunday Mass. This program will be similar to the "Little Shepherds" program from several years ago. We encourage families with you children, Pre-K through around the 3rd grade to participate.

Bowling: St. Francis Bowling League is now forming its Friday Fall/Winter League which will begin on September 7th. If you are interested in joining us on Fridays for a night of fun and fellowship, please contact Marilyn Dufort or Brian Biglow for further information.*
* (Webmaster's Note: Parishioner's phone numbers will not be published on the Internet for privacy reasons - please call the rectory at 978-342-9651 if you need Marilyn or Brian's phone number).

Bingo: Help is needed for the bingo kitchen and on the bingo floor. Contact Suzanne Rufiange or the Rectory for more information: 978-342-9651.

Bulletin Deadline: Please submit all articles or announcements before 4pm each Tuesday.

Parishioners Unable to Attend Mass: If you know someone who needs a home visit, please call the rectory (978-342-9651). Also, please let us know those who are sick at the hospitals or nursing homes.

Letter From Father Ortiz - from the June 30, 2007 bulletin
My dear parishioners,
     This weekend I'm beginning my appointment as your pastor. It is with joy and enthusiasm that I come here to serve you. It is my first appointment as pastor and I promised Our Lord, Our Lady, and St. Francis that I will be serving you with zeal, love, and devotion.
     As Father Dorais said to you last week, last Christmas after the Spanish Mass here at St. Francis, while having dinner with Father Dorais, Rita, Deacon William Colon and his wife Maria, I spoke of how beautiful the Christmas Pageant was and Father Dorais prophesied saying "Deacon William, we found our new pastor." I did not expect it but i has happened. Brothers and sisters in the Lord, I'm here to serve you, to pray with you and for you. As Mother Theresa of Calcutta said "To me, Jesus is the Life I want to live, the Light I want to reflect, the Way to the Father, the Love I want to express, the Joy around me. Jesus is everything to me."
With Love, Father Ortiz

Letter From Father Dorais - from the June 24, 2007 bulletin
My dear Parishioners,
     I'll be leaving St. Francis Parish on June 30th in order to begin my new ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Gardner. It's always difficult for me to leave an assignment - especially this one at St. Francis of Assisi after 23 years - but God has always given me the favor of settling in and finding happiness in every assignment; and I'm confident that will be the case as I move to Sacred Heart in Gardner.
     When I left Holy Rosary Parish 23 years ago to come to St. Francis of Assisi for my first (and only) pastorate, my former pastor, Msgr. Joseph Sirois, told me I would be very happy here, AND HE WAS RIGHT!
     I didn't know I had the gift of prophecy. Last Christmas Father Emerito Ortiz came to celebrate the Spanish Mass here at St. Francis of Assisi. I concelebrated with him and during the Mass I could sense his admiration and awe for our Church. Afterwards I told him he could be the pastor here some day - AND IT HAS HAPPENED! The best gift you could give me as I leave this wonderful Parish, is that you receive him as graciously and devotedly as you received me 23 years ago.
With much love, Father Gerald Dorais