Religion Notes: May 25, 2023

Thrift Shop

Springfield – St. Gregory Armenian Church, 135 Goodwin St., in the Indian Orchard section, offers a thrift shop on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gently used clothing and accessories, household items, books, children’s items, collectors’ items and more will be for sale. For more information, call the church office at 413-543-4763.

Upcoming programs

Chicopee – Mary’s House of Prayer, presents the following programs. “The Wild Goose,” was a term that the ancient Celts had for the Holy Spirit. Inspired by the Wild Goose, Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, presents the fourteen segments (on DVD) with a simple invitation to Christians into a more profound, life-giving relationship with the Holy Spirit. The program will be presented in the morning and in the evening, so you can choose which works best for you. In each session, there will be 2 segments, each about 25 minutes long. Discussion will follow. Cost is $15 which includes your study guide. The program runs from May 25 to July 6. For flyer and registration form, go to www.maryshousechicopee.org. The program will be held at Mary’s House of Prayer, 202 East Main St.

Giant raffle

Southwick – Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Road, will be holding their Giant Raffle 2023. Tickets will be on sale after each Mass, in the office (during office hours) and online at ollsouthwick.org. There will be 3 separate raffles. The drawing will be held at noon on Sunday, June 11. Grand raffle is a overnight trip to NYC with two tickets to see “The Lion King,” Amtrack tickets for 2 (will be purchased with winner’s names after the drawing) and a $100 Visa gift card. The event is scheduled for July 15-16, the show is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tickets for this drawing are $20 each.

Door prizes, there are three: First prize-jewelry basket worth over $1,000 retail. Second prize-2 Huffy Mountain bikes with 2 Bell helmets. Third prize-$250 Amazon Gift Card. Tickets for this drawing are $10 each. There will also be various basket raffles, each valued over $50. Each basket will have a jar in front of it and you will drop your ticket into whichever you like. Tickets for baskets are $5 each or 10 for $40. For more information, you can contact Kim Yourous at 413-569-0161 during office hours (Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. to noon) or email her at [email protected].

Church events

Sunderland – First Congregational Church of Sunderland, 91 S. Main St., Serendipity Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with items for sale at bargain prices.

Weekly Sunday church service is offered at 11 a.m. in-person or on Zoom. Email [email protected] or visit the church on Facebook for more information.

Sacred Heart Church upcoming trips

Springfield – Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut St. Travel Club is back. Jim and Caroline McAleer are the trip leaders. On Tuesday, Aug. 15, it the annual Hampton Beach Day. Cost is $50 per person and includes roundtrip bus and driver gratuity. The bus departs from Sacred Heart parking lot at 7:15 a.m. and the bus departs from Hampton beach, at 5:15 p.m. There will be a 15-minute stop in Charlton going up and a 15-minute stop in Charlton going back. Payment due with reservation ASAP. On Saturday, Nov. 18, Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Cost, they are awaiting ticket and bus prices, but anticipate approximately $175 per person to include round trip bus, orchestra seat to the 5 p.m. performance (lasts 90 minutes), time in NYC on your own, and driver gratuity. Short rest stop on the way to NYC and on the way home. The bus departs from sacred Heart at 7:30 a.m. and the bus departs NYC immediately following the show with approximately 10:30 p.m. return. Payment due as soon as price is finalized. For either trip, call the McAleer’s at 413-734-3676 or email [email protected].

Accepting vendors for the Christmas bazaar

Ludlow – St. Elizabeth Parish, Hubbard Street is now accepting applications for the St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar that will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18 in the pastoral center. Each 8′ table is $40 each-which the church will provide. To request an application or additional information, call Pat at 413-531-6997.

Additional adoration times

Agawam – St. John the Evangelist Church, 833 Main St. will offer weekly adoration ceremonies on Wednesdays between noon and 5:30 p.m. The Holy Mass takes place at 6 p.m. Lawn signs are available for Agawam residents announcing the Year of the Eucharist. Contact the parish office to obtain one, 413-786-8105, ext. 101.

Free weekly Veterans lunch

Holyoke – Community Roots Neighborhood Services offers a free hot lunch for Veterans and their adult immediate family (Parents or spouse). The lunches are every Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St. Questions? Email Gina Nelson at [email protected].