May 10: 6th Sunday of Easter
May 17: 7th Sunday of Easter
May 9 & 10 (after all Masses): Blessing of Prayer Shawls
The Prayer Shawl Ministry has been diligently knitting and crocheting shawls throughout the past year. These beautiful creations will be blessed by Fr. Bill and will be available following Masses on May 9 & 10. If you know someone who is ill or could benefit from the comfort and care a prayer shawl provides, we invite you to take one after Mass.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry for their generosity, dedication, and for sharing their time and talents so graciously.
April 2026 Calendar Raffle
Thank you to everyone who took part in our April 2026 Calendar Raffle. We are grateful to share that the raffle raised $5,132.11 in support of our parish. These funds will be used to help upgrade the church lighting, enhancing our worship space for all. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and continued support.
May is a Month of Mary…Le Mois de Marie
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.
— On Sunday, May 3rd at the 10:15am Mass, we will crown Mary. After Mass we will have a procession to the Marian Shrine on our grounds and we will pray the Rosary together. —
This Week at a Glance — May 9-17
- May 9 (Saturday), 9 am - 3 pm: MQR Cemetery Cleanup 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. Rain date: May 16th
— Please remove winter decorations from graves. — - May 9 & 10, following all Masses: Blessing of Prayer Shawls
See note above. - May 11 (Monday), 7:00 pm: Confirmation
- May 13th, 5:30 - 6:30 pm: Monthly Meal
Menu: Tacos, taco salad, quesadillas, dessert, and beverage.
No reservations needed. A free-will offering helps support this ministry.
- May 14 (Thursday): Feast of the Ascension — Holy Day of Obligation
Holy Day Mass schedule:- Wednesday, May 13th — Vigil Mass: 7:00 pm
- Thursday, May 14th, 8:00 am
Baccalaureate Service: May 26, 5 pm
All graduating Seniors of Spencer & East Brookfield and their families are invited to attend a Baccalaureate Service, Tuesday, May 26th @ 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 & gown to this service and meet in the church hall by 4:45pm.
Ecumenical Scholarship Opportunity
The Spencer Ecumenical Association is pleased to offer two $100 scholarships in conjunction with the Baccalaureate Service. To be considered, students are invited to submit a short essay titled “What My Faith Means to Me.” Scholarships will be awarded based on originality and sincerity. Selected students may also be invited to read their essays during the service. To receive the scholarship, recipients must be present at the Baccalaureate Service. Submission Details: To ensure each submission reflects the student’s personal voice and experience, essays must be written independently without the use of AI tools or generated content.
Deadline: Wednesday, May 20 Drop-off: MQR Parish Office, 46 Maple Street Email: wschipper@mqrparish.org (Attn: Fr. Bill)
We encourage all interested students to participate and share their reflections.
Food Pantry…
Needs: boxed dinner mixes (such as Hamburger Helper), as well as other dry packaged meals that help families quickly prepare a full dinner.
- Open on Thursday each week, 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 ext.110 or by email at foodpantry@mqrparish.org
2026 Partners in Charity Appeal
- Parish goal: $52,000
- Status as of 05-10-2026: 71% [Total raised to date: $38,080. With $14,920 still needed, every gift brings us closer—thank you for helping us continue this important work.]
As you may know, Partners in Charity Appeal is a lifeline for more than two dozen agencies and ministries which provide charitable, pastoral, and educational services that complement what we can provide at the parish. We help those in need, regardless of race, creed or circumstance, to find hope. Please consider making a pledge or gift to this year's Appeal. We can't do it without youl
You can also make your gift securely online at https://partners-charity.net/donate. Please note your parish so that it is counted towards our target. You can even make your gift from a Smartphone by texting DONATE to 84576! Thank you! If you have already made a gift to the 2026 appeal, we thank you.
Watch the Appeal Video at home this week at https://partners-charity.net/media.
Parish Scholarships
Applications are now available at the church entrances and in the parish office for graduating seniors who plan to continue their education after high school.
Upcoming Events At a Glance
- May 25 (Monday — Memorial Day): Mass schedule change
- 8:00 am: No Mass in church
- 10:30 am: Annual Memorial Day Mass at the MQR [Pray For Us] cemetary chapel
- May 26 (Tuesday), 5:00 pm: Baccalaureate Service
All graduating Seniors of Spencer & East Brookfield and their families are invited to attend a Baccalaureate Service, Tuesday, May 26th @ 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 & gown to this service and meet in the church hall by 4:45pm. [See note above for information about the Ecumenical Scholarships.] - June 6 (Saturday):First Saturday Mass and Adoration
- 8:00 am: Mass followed by Exposition, Confessions, and Adoration
- 12:00 noon: Benediction
- July 6-10: Totus Tuus…Save the Date!
We need college, high school,and junior high school volunteers for Totus Tuus. Reach out to Mrs. Sullivan for more information and to volunteer at ksullivan@mqrparish.org - August 15 (Saturday): Annual Yard Sale
It is that time of year once again to begin preparations for our Annual Indoor Yard Sale! When everyone pitches in, the job gets easier!
We truly depend on the generosity of our parish community to make this event a success. Volunteers are needed in the weeks leading up to the yard sale to assist with sorting, pricing, and organizing items that have been donated. Volunteers can work during the day or in the evenings. Help is also needed for setting up and taking down the hall, as well as assisting throughout the day of the sale. We will also need volunteers to organize raffles and for the Café. If you are able to commit some of your time to this event we would be most grateful.
— For more details and to add your name to our volunteer list, please call Michele at 508-885-3111 X103.—
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 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 [508-344-3307]
- Letter Writing Ministry Barbara Braney [508-801-3285]
- 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]
Office of Healing and Prevention
As a reminder, our parish follows the guidelines of the National Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People approved by the US Bishops and the policies of the Diocese of Worcester.
If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, we encourage you to come forward and speak out. The Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Worcester is Judith Audette. A report can be made by phone to a confidential line, 508-726-2880 or by email jaudette@woresterdiocese.org.
If the report is made by mail, please send it to: Judith Audette, Victim Assistance Coordinator, The Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609
— 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
Do you know someone who could use an extra blessing?
Let them know we care! Bring them a prayer shawl.
These will be available after all Masses on May 9 & 10.
