January February 2-9, 2025
February 2: Presentation of the Lord
February 9: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thank You from the Prouty Music Association
The Prouty Music Association wishes to express our sincere thanks to Fr. Schipper and Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish for allowing us to hold our 3rd Annual Pasta Dinner Fundraiser and Concert last weekend. Thank you to all who supported our fundraiser and came to the concert. We had an amazing turnout and we are looking forward to next year!
This Week At a Glance
- February 1 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- February 1 & 2: Blessing of Throats
Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, is the patron saint of throat illnesses. Fr. Bill will be blessing throats on February 1 & 2 following Mass. [St. Blaise's Feast Day is February 3rd.]
- February 2 (Sunday)
- 12:00 pm: First Penance
- 5:00 pm: Youth Mass — all are welcome
- February 5 (Wednesday), 9:30 am, church hall: Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting
We are always looking for new members. Please join us and see what we are all about!
- February 8 & 9 (all Masses): 2nd Collection for Catholic Home Mission Appeal
See Bishop McManus' letter attached below for more information.
2024 Contribution Statement are available upon request.
Call Michele at 508-885-3111 ext.103 to have your statement mailed or emailed to you.
CPR and AED Training with UMASS Medical School At MQR ParishUMass Chan has partnered with the Worcester Diocese to provide Hands-Only CPR and AED training to parish members (FREE). The next training session is Saturday, February 15 from 9-11 am in our parish hall. Attendees will learn how to recognize and respond to signs of cardiac arrest. You will practice “Hands-Only” CPR and the use of the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for cardiac resuscitation in a small group setting with our CPR trainers. Please join us! In order for UMASS School to prepare and staff, please register on our website for this free training at
maryqueenoftherosary.org/cpr-aed-training.
In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances which would require a cancellation of this event, we will notify all registrants by email.
Jubilee 2025 Diocese of Worcester Celebrating 75 Years 1950-2025
The Worcester Diocese is celebrating its 75th Anniversary along with the Universal Church Jubilee Year of Hope. Part of the celebration is the opportunity to visit the 10 local churches Bishop McManus chose as pilgrimage sites, where those properly disposed can gain plenary indulgences. The sites were chosen for geographic and ethnic diversity and/or historical significance. The Jubilee 2025 Pilgram’s Guides and Jubilee Prayer Card can be found at the church doors to aid you in these pilgrimages. The guide features messages from Bishop McManus about Jubilees and pilgrimage churches, including his decree designating the local pilgrimage churches. There are also explanations about the Jubilee Year logo and obtaining a plenary indulgence. After visiting a pilgrimage church stamp your guide on the inside cover for the church you visited.
Mary, Queen of the Rosary Parish has been chosen as a pilgrimage site. On Sunday, February 23rd, confessions will be heard by local priests in our deanery from 3pm—4pm followed by Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 4pm, Robert J. McManus presider. Please join us!
Editor's Note
Our Pilgrimage center, including the official proclmation of MQR as one of the diocesan pilgrimage churches, is located at the back of the church near the elevator. You can pick up a Pilgrimage Prayer Card and booklet there.
What is Vespers?
Vespers [also known as Evening Prayer] is one of the prayers in the Liturgy of the Hours [Divine Office] — official prayers of the Church. These prayers are prayed all over the world! If you've ever been to a monastery such as the St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, you may hear them pray thea "Divine Office" during various times of day. [Morning Prayer, 6:00 am; Midmorning Prayer: 10:00 am; Midday Prayer: 12:15 pm; Midafternoon Prayer: 2:00 pm; Evening Prayer: 5:40 pm; Night Prayer: 7:40 pm]
The following breaks down the order of the Divine Office [Liturgy of the Hours] — the seven hours of prayer in the day and a night prayer.
- Office of Reading or Matins
- Morning Prayer or Lauds
- Daytime Prayer — one or all of the following
- Midmorning Prayer or Tierce
- Midday Prayer or Sext
- Midafternoon Prayer or None
- Evening Prayer or Vespers
- Night Prayer or Compline
More About Evening Prayer
We hope you will join us on February 23rd, as noted above, to pray Evening Prayer [Vespers] lead by Bishop McManus.
According to the US Conference of Catholic Catholic Bishops website:
"Evening Prayer (also called Vespers) is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church fulfills Jesus' command to "pray always" (Luke 18:1; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Through this prayer, the people of God sanctify the day by continual praise of God and prayers of intercession for the needs of the world.
The Liturgy of the Hours includes several specified times of prayer. The most important times, called the "hinge hours," are Morning Prayer (which takes place upon rising) and Evening Prayer (which takes place as dusk begins to fall). The other hours are the Office of Readings (a service with a biblical reading and a reading from the Fathers or Church writers or a reading related to a saint which may take place at any time of day), a Daytime Prayer (which may take place at Midmorning, Midday, or Midafternoon), and Night Prayer (said before going to sleep).
Bishops, priests, deacons, and many men and women in consecrated life pray the Liturgy of the Hours each day. Their work is organized around this prayer, keeping God always at the center of their days. Lay people are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours as well, especially Morning and Evening Prayer. Many parishes in the United States schedule communal Morning and Evening Prayer on a regular basis.
Evening Prayer gives thanks for the day just past and makes an evening sacrifice of praise to God (see Psalm 141:1).
The structure of Evening Prayer is as follows:
- Introductory Verse
The Prayer begins with the Sign of the Cross, a request for God's assistance, and a doxology of praise.
- Hymn
The introduction is followed by a hymn suited to the season or event.
- Psalmody
Singing or recitation of Psalms follows the hymn. At Evening Prayer, the psalmody consists of two psalms (or two parts of a longer psalm) and a canticle (or hymn) taken from the Epistles or the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. The Psalms are an important part of the Church's prayer. In praying the Psalms, the Church follows Jesus' example since he, too, prayed the Psalms (see, for example, Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 which quote Psalm 22 or Luke 23:46 which quotes Psalm 31). The New Testament canticles come from the earliest days of the Church.
Each Psalm is preceded by an antiphon. The antiphon calls attention to the spiritual meaning of the Psalm, particularly any meaning especially appropriate to the feast or season. When the Psalms are chanted, the antiphon gives the tone (or melody) for the singing.
Each Psalm is followed by a brief period of silent reflection. It may be followed by a short prayer highlighting important themes of the Psalm.
- Scripture Reading
The Psalmody is followed by a reading from Sacred Scripture (the Bible). This reading may be followed by a period of silence or a brief reflection.
- Responsory
A short responsory is sung or recited. This responsory highlights themes of the reading or the season and concludes with a doxology of praise.
- Gospel Canticle
At Evening Prayer, those assembled sing or recite the Canticle of Mary, also called the Magnificat after the first word in the Latin text of this prayer. This canticle comes from Luke 1:46-55. Mary sang this song upon meeting her kinswoman Elizabeth, a meeting that took place shortly after Mary assented to God's plan that she bear his Son, Jesus. This Canticle is treated with the reverence given to the reading of the Gospel at Mass. It is introduced with an antiphon and the Sign of the Cross and it concludes with a doxology of praise and the repeating of the antiphon. At celebrations of particular solemnity, it make be accompanied by incense.
- Intercessions
In the Intercessions, those assembled pray for the needs of the Church and the world. These Intercessions often include a prayer for those who have died.
- Lord's Prayer
The Intercessions conclude with the Lord's Prayer (also called the "Our Father" or the " Pater Noster"). Jesus taught this prayer to his disciples when they asked how to pray (cf. Mt 6:9-13, Lk 11:2-4). In this prayer, the people join their voices to pray for the coming of God's kingdom and to ask God to provide for our needs, forgive our sins, and bring us to the joy of heaven. Each day the Our Father is prayed by the Church at Morning Prayer, at Evening Prayer, and at Mass.
- Concluding Prayer
The celebrant then offers a final prayer of praise and intercession to God. This prayer is appropriate to the Church season.
- Dismissal
Unless a layperson is presiding, the celebrant blesses the people and dismisses them from the celebration, inviting them to "Go in peace." When a layperson presides, those present ask the blessing of God and are dismissed as usual."
Free Online Videos to Strengthen Families
Men and women, young and old, strengthen and grow in your faith for your families with five short videos produced by the Knights of Columbus called the “Mission of The Family”. The videos can be found on the Knights of Columbus website for free!
The five videos are less than 14 minutes in length. You can also find the original “Into The Breach” video series by rolling down on this webpage and under CATEGORIES click on “Into The Breach”. This series is also free of charge and is
Food Pantry Notes
- Food Pantry Needs: Chef Boyardee, lunch and breakfast snacks for kids
- The Food Pantry is open on Thursday each week and is serving clients living in Spencer & East Brookfield from 10am –12pm. Please remain in your vehicle as clients are served outside.
2026 Mass Book
The 2026 Mass book has arrived. Call the office to book Mass and Candle intentions for 2026! Please call 508-885-3111 ext.102.
Upcoming Events At a Glance
- February 12 (Wednesday), 5:30-6:30 pm, church hall: Monthly Meal — All are Welcome!
- Menu: TBA
- No reservation needed.
- A free-will offering helps support this ministry.
- February 23 (Sunday), 4:00 pm: Evening Prayer at MQR lead by Bishop McManus
Confessions: 3-4 pm
- March 1 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- March 2 (Sunday), 5:00 pm: Youth Mass — all are welcome
- March 5 (Wednesday): Ash Wednesday
- March 12 (Wednesday), 5:30-6:30: Monthly Meal — All are welcome!
- Menu: Beef stew, bread, dessert, and a beverage
- No reservation needed.
- A free will donation supports this Ministry.
- March 15 (Saturday): St. Patrick's Day Dinner, church hall
Details TBA
- March 23 (Sunday), 5:00 pm: Youth Mass — all are welcome
- April 5 (Saturday), DCU Center: Worcester Catholic Men's Conference
The Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the DCU Convention Center, 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA. Registration begins at 7:30 am with the first speaker beginning at 9:00 am. Men of all ages are invited to hear inspiring talks from Fr. Donald Callaway, MIC; Retired US Navy SEAL Sam Blair, Fr. Derek Mobilio, Dr. Edward Sri, and Mr. Artie Boyle. The day will feature an all-day adoration chapel; dozens of priests will be available for confessions at the lunch break; and over 50 relevant vendors will be present. The closing Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Robert McManus at 4:00 pm.
Tickets (which includes lunch) are $50 for adults through March 26; $60 thereafter and at the door. The parish will sponsor any student that would like to attend. Please contact the parish office. Tickets and further information are available at: www.catholicmenworc.com Any questions may be directed to: catholicmenworc@gmail.com or contact our parish liaison, Jim Pervier at 508-922-2395 Pick up a brochure at the doors of the church!
Bulletin
This week's bulletin is attached below and is
available on our parish website. Other attachments include the front cover of the bulletin (important information and phone numbers) Check out February's cover below!
Prayer Line Number
To reach our prayer line, call 508-885-0084.
— Editor's Note —
Please make sure mail@flocknote.com is included in your contacts list. If you don't, the Flocknote server may flag your account as spam and take you off our list. Suggestion for a name for your contact: MQR Flocknotes