February 22nd: 1st Sunday of Lent
March 1: 2nd Sunday of Lent
Faith Formation Lenten Wisdom…
The First Sunday of Lent kicks off a 40-day journey to Easter, focusing on getting ready by praying, helping others, and following Jesus.
Like Jesus in the wilderness, we can trust God is with us always, even when we try to make better choices. It’s a time to clear away bad habits and plant seeds of kindness.
A Message from Fr. Bill…Let's All Make Space for Grace this Lent
As we enter this sacred season of Lent, we are invited to slow down, listen deeply, and turn our hearts toward God. Lent is not simply about giving something up — it is about making space for grace. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, we open ourselves to transformation, allowing God’s love to renew us from within.
This year, let us focus on:
- Listening — to God in prayer, to one another in compassion, and to the quiet stirrings of our own hearts.
- Fasting — not only from food, but from harsh words, impatience, and distractions that pull us away from what matters most.
- Giving — of our time, our kindness, and our resources to those in need.
May these forty days be a journey of conversion, drawing us closer to Christ and to one another. Let us walk together toward the joy of Easter, carrying the light of hope into our homes, our parish, and our community.
Our Parish Lenten Charity is for Visitation House
Support Visitation House by filling a baby bottle with your spare change during the Lenten Season as a Lenten sacrifice.
Support Visitation House by filling a baby bottle with your spare change during the Lenten Season as a Lenten sacrifice.
Your gift is essential in helping Visitation House lives its mission: to provide a safe harbor for courageous women who have chosen life for their babies. Visitation House affirms the choice of life while providing support and guidance, empowering moms to transition into motherhood with all its challenges.
Our present site at 119 Endicott Street in Worcester opened its doors on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31, 2005. Since that time, we have welcomed over 300 women and their children to our home.
Empty baby bottles will be at the church doors on February 21 & 22.
Return you baby bottle to the church by March 29th, Palm Sunday
This Week at a Glance — February 21-March 1
- February 21 & 22 (Saturday and Sunday):
- Empty baby bottles will be available for our parish Lenten charity for Visitation House.
- Tickets go on sale for annual St. Patrick's Day dinner on March 14.
- The will also be available at the parish office Monday-Wednesday.
- Tickets: $15 per person or purchase a reserved table of 8 for $100.
- February 22 (Sunday), 5:00 pm: Youth Mass for grades 6-10 and Confirmation students with class following until 7:15 pm. All are welcome to join us for this Mass.
- February 25 (Wednesday), Lenten Masses
- 8:00 am
- 5:00 pm
- Lenten supper following the 5:00 pm Mass: Sponsored by our Martha Mary Ministry. Menu: Hot dogs, beans, and coleslaw
- February 27 (Friday), 8:00 am: Stations of the Cross
- February 28 & March 1, all Masses: 2nd collection to benefit the Church in Latin America
See Bishop McManus' letter below for more details - February 28 (Saturday, 5:00-7:00 pm, church hall: Scouts BSA Troop 238 Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
- Menu: Pasta, meatballs, bread, salad, drink, and dessert
- Tickets
- Adults (ages 11-64): $12
- Children (6-10) and seniors (65+): $10
- Children 5 and under: FREE
- Tickets will be on sale after all Masses on February 21st & 22nd, or contact Jean Josti at 508-612-1304.
- March 1 (Sunday): no coffee hour following the 10:15 Mass
- March 1 (Sunday), 12 pm - 6pm: Multi-Parish Confirmation Retreat
- Lunch and snacks provided
- Mass at 5 pm for Confirmation students and families
Food Pantry Notes
Food Pantry needs: Kids' cereal, Easter treats for kids, boxed dessert mixes
Open on Thursday each week from 10am –12pm serving clients living in Spencer & East Brookfield . Please remain in your vehicle as clients are served outside. To contact the Food Pantry call 508-885-3111 X110 or by email at foodpantry@mqrparish.org
Upcoming Events At a Glance
- March 4: Wednesday Lenten Masses
- 8:00 am
- 5:00 pm
- Lenten supper following the 5:00 pm Mass
- March 6: (Friday), 8:00 am: Stations of the Cross
- March 7 (Saturday): First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- March 11: Wednesday Lenten Masses
- 8:00 am
- 5:00 pm
- Lenten supper following the 5:00 pm Mass
- March 13 (Friday), 8:00 am: Stations of the Cross
- March 14 (Saturday), church hall: Annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner
- Appetizers: 5:00 pm
- Dinner: 6:00 pm followed by entertainment
- Menu: Corned beef and cabbage, ham, potatoes, carrots, salad, Irish soda bread, appetizers, and desserts
- Cash bar: Water, soda, beer, and wine
- Volunteers are needed to help prepare & cook food, make desserts, bake Irish soda bread and setup/decorate hall for this event. If you would like to help please call the Parish Office at 508-885-3111 X102 or speak with Sandy Fritze.
- March 15 (Sunday), 5:00 pm: Youth Mass. All are welcome
- March 18: Wednesday Lenten Masses
- 8:00 am
- 5:00 pm
- Lenten supper following the 5:00 pm Mass
- March 20: (Friday), 8:00 am: Stations of the Cross
- March 21 (Saturday), DCU Convention Center: 25th Annual Worcester Diocesan Catholic Men's Conference "Be Not Afraid" — Brochures are available at the church doors
- Adult tickets: $60 (through March 11)
- Student tickets: $30m (The parish will cover the admission for any student who would like to attend. Please contact the parish office at 508-885-3111.)
- All tickets include lunch.
- For more information regarding this years conference & speakers, please visit our website catholicmenworc.com or contact Jim Pervier, our parish liaison for this conference, at 508-922-2395
- March 25: Wednesday Lenten Masses
- 8:00 am
- 5:00 pm
- Lenten supper following the 5:00 pm Mass
- March 27: (Friday), 8:00 am: Stations of the Cross
- March 28th/29 (Saturday/Sunday): Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
- March 29 (Sunday), grades 6-10 Retreat: Begins with Mass at 10:15 and ends at 1:00 pm
- March 29: Last day to return your baby bottle for Visitation House
- April 1: Wednesday Lenten Masses
- 8:00 am
- 5:00 pm
- Lenten supper following the 5:00 pm Mass
- April 2 (Thursday): Holy Thursday (details TBA)
- April 3 (Friday): Good Friday (details TBA)
- 3:00 pm: Stations of the Cross
- 3:00 pm: Stations of the Cross
- April 4 (Saturday): Holy Saturday & Vigil of the Lord's Ressurection (details TBA)
- April 5 (Sunday): Easter Sunday (details TBA)
- April 12 (Sunday): Divine Mercy Sunday (details TBA)
- April 12 (Sunday), 5:00 pm: Youth Mass. All are welcome. Class follows Mass.
- April 26 (Sunday), 5:00 pm: Youth Mass. All are welcome. Class follows Mass.
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 the February cover below!
Prayer Line Number…To Request Prayers.
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.
Parish and Faith Formation Offices
- Office hours: 9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
- Parish Secretary: Michele Bouvier 508-885-3111 Ext.103, mbouvier@mqrparish.org
- Parish Email: maryqueen@mqrparish.org
- Website www.maryqueenoftherosary.org
- Faith Formation Office
- Kelly Sullivan, Director of Religious Education 508-885-3111 Ext.105
- ksullivan@mqrparish.org
- Food Pantry: 508-885-3111 Ext.110 or by email: foodpantry@mqrparish.org
Blessings Are Yours When You Become Part of One of Our Ministries
Looking for ways to give back and become more involved in our parish community? There are many wonderful ministries to join, and may ways to give your time and talents to the Lord! Below is a list of ministries and contact persons. We invite you to reach out to learn more — or join today!
- Martha Mary Guild Cheryl Benoit [508-612-2648]
- Monthly Meals Ministry Sandra Fritze [508-414-7779]
- Prayer Shawl Ministry Linda Angers [774-272-1634]
- Men's Group Fr. Bill [508-885-3111 x104]
- Choir Sandra Fritze [508-414-7779]
- Sunday Coffee Hour Darcy Simons [508-334-3307]
- Writing Ministry Sylvia Berthiaume [508-885-3688]
- Altar Servers Fr. Bill [508-885-3111 x104]
- Lectors Fr. Bill [508-885-3111 x104]
- Eucharistic Ministers Fr. Bill [508-885-3111 x104]
- Food Pantry Moe Wilson [508-885-3111 x11
- Prayer Line [to join] Suzanne Lamoureux [508-885-0840]
- Thanksgiving Community Dinner Sandra Fritze [508-414-7779
- Fundraising Committee- Gen Strakosz 508-885-3111 x102
- Family Wellness Fund Gen Strakosz 508-885-3111 x102
- General Volunteer Assisting office as needed [508-885-3111]
— Editor's Note —
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