May 3-11, 2025
May 4th: 3rd Sunday of Easter
May 11th: 4th Sunday of Easter
May is a Month for Mary
From the National Catholic Register: “The idea of a month dedicated specifically to Mary can be traced back to baroque times. Although it wasn’t always held during May, Mary Month included thirty daily spiritual exercises honoring Mary. It was in this era that Mary’s Month and May were combined, making May the Month of Mary with special devotions organized on each day throughout the month. This custom became especially widespread during the nineteenth century and remains in practice until today.”
Mary is the patroness of our parish. I encourage all of you who normally don’t pray the Rosary to dust off your Rosary and pray for our parish and world peace.
Month of May Parish Kickoff — Sunday, May 4th
We will crown Mary, as we do each May, at the 10:15am Mass, After Mass we will have a procession to the Marian Shrine on our grounds and we will pray the Rosary together.
Calendar Raffle Update
The profit from our March Calendar Raffle was $4,748.00. These funds will be used to replace the tables in our parish hall. Thank you to everyone who participated in this raffle that helps make these improvements to our church possible.
This Week at a Glance
- May 3 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- May 3 (Saturday), 9 am - 3pm: Cemetery Cleanup/Community Service Day
It’s that time of year again—spring is here, and we’re planning a clean-up at our cemetery. It’s a great chance to come together, give back, and make sure the grounds are looking their best. We’d love your help! Bring your gloves, a rake, and leaf blower. We will begin at 9am and work until 3pm. Come for a few hours or the whole day! Good company; lunch will be provided. - May 4 (Sunday), 10:15 am Mass
- Crowning of Mary
- After the 10:15 am Mass: We will have a procession to the Marian Shrine on our grounds and we will pray the Rosary together.
- May 4 (Sunday), 6:30 - 7:15 pm in the church: Confirmation rehearsal
- May 7 (Wednesday), 9:30 am in the Church Hall: Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting
New members are always welcome to join this ministry. Come see what this "hidden gem" of our parish is all about! - May 8 (Thursday), 7:00 pm: Confirmation
There will be a reception following Confirmation in our chuch hall. All students and their families are invited! - May 10 & 11: Blessing of Prayer Shawls
The Prayer Shawl Ministry has been hard at work Knitting & Crocheting Shawls this past year. These beautiful Shawls will be blessed by Fr. Bill and will be available after the Masses on May 10 & 11. If you know someone who is ill or in need of the comfort a Prayer Shawl brings, please take one with you after Mass. Thank you to the members of our Prayer Shawl Ministry for generously giving their time and sharing the work of their gifted hands.
Food Pantry Notes
- Food Pantry needs: Canned vegetables
- 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.
To contact the food pantry call 508-885-3111 X110 or by email: foodpantry@mqrparish.org.
Parish Scholarships
Applications are available at the doors of the church for graduating seniors who are continuing their education after high school.
There are two different scholarships offered by the parish: The Frank and Kathryn Bartimo Memorial Scholarship and the Patricia Corson Memorial Scholarship. Each scholarship will have two recipients.
Scholarship application deadline: Applications must be returned to the parish office by Tuesday, May 20th.
Upcoming Events At a Glance
- May 14 (Wednesday), 5:30 pm, church hall: Monthly Meal
- Menu: Tacos, taco salad, rice pilaf, dessert, and beverage
- No reservation needed.
- A free will offering helps defray the cost of this ministry.
- May 20 (Tuesday): Deadline for Parish Scholarship Applications
Must be returned to the Parish Office by today. - May 27 (Tuesday), 5:00 pm: Baccalaureate Service
All graduating Seniors of Spencer and East Brookfield and their families are invited to attend a Baccalaureate Service, Tuesday, May 27th @ 5pm. This special event is organized by the Spencer churches and will be held at Mary Queen of the Rosary Parish this year. Graduates are asked to wear their cap and gown to this service. Please meet in the church hall by 4:45pm.
Ecumenical Scholarship
It has been a custom for the Spencer Ecumenical Association to offer small scholarships of $100.00 as part of the Baccalaureate Service. To obtain one of these scholarships, submit a short essay entitled “What My Faith Means to Me.” Some students may be asked to read their essay as part of the service. Students must be present at the Baccalaureate Service to receive this scholarship.
The deadline for submitting the essay is Monday, May 26th and can be dropped of at MQR Parish Office at 46 Maple St. or emailed to Fr. Bill at
wschipper@mqrparish.org - June 7 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- July 5 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- July 28 - August 1: Totus Tuus Summer Bible Camp
- August 2 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
Partners In Charity 2025 Annual Appeal Update
Parish Goal: $43,000
Donations to Date (04/13/2025): 61% of our goal
Donations to Date (04/13/2025): 61% of our goal
Once a year, we commit ourselves to this ongoing work by supporting this life-giving appeal. We reflect on God’s great generosity and respond with generous giving of our own. With your support, faith in action is visible every day in the compassionate outreach of Catholic Charities, to the least among us; in the prayerful witness of our retired priests and the joy of new priestly vocations; to the many diocesan ministries and programs that heal, teach and care for others. Watch the Appeal Video at home this week at www.partners-charity.net. If you have already made a gift to the 2025 appeal, we thank you. Your gift will help us in reaching our parish goal. You can also make your gift online at www.partners-charity.net. Thank you!
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 March's cover below!
Prayer Line Number
To reach our prayer line, call Sue Mellen at 508-885-2626.
Your intention will stay on the list for 30 days. Leave a message if there is no answer.
Calling All Pray-ers!
We are looking for more people to join the Prayer Line Ministry. Praying is done in the comfort of your home. Call Sue Mellen at n508-885-2626 for the list of intentions we are praying for and to be added to this Ministry!
— 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
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
