St. Mary’s Parish Provost

05/31/2026

05/30/2026

🙏 Join Us for the Rosary for Peace with Pope Leo XIV
From the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens to Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception invite you to come together in prayer for peace.
📍 National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
Stockbridge, MA
🕐 Saturday, May 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Join us in person or by livestream.
Together with Pope Leo XIV, we will pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, offering each decade for those suffering from the wounds of war and violence throughout the world:
The first decade will be offered for the victims of war.
The second decade will be offered for those who bring words of hope and the comfort of faith to populations living under conflict.
The third decade will honor medical personnel, paramedics, and volunteers providing humanitarian aid in war zones.
The fourth decade will be dedicated to prisoners, those enduring violence, and all who suffer humiliations that violate human dignity.
The fifth and final decade will be offered for an end to war and the establishment of lasting peace throughout the world.
Let us entrust the world to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace.
🙏 Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

04/17/2026

Please join us for our Spring Supper this Sunday, April 19th

04/12/2026

Today is a beautiful day of grace in the Church: Divine Mercy Sunday.

In the 1930s, Jesus appeared to a humble Polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska, with a message of unimaginable, overwhelming love for the world. He didn't come with judgment, but with a gentle invitation to experience His peace, telling her:

📜 "Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet."

When we look at the image of Divine Mercy, we see Jesus actively stepping toward us. He isn't waiting for us to perfectly clean up our lives from afar; He is moving closer with open arms to heal us right where we are.

The two rays shining from His heart represent this profound gift. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous, and the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls - both gushing forth from the depths of His tender mercy.

The Grace of Today

Jesus promised that on the Feast of Divine Mercy, the very depths of His compassion are open to everyone. It is a day where the floodgates of heaven are unlocked. The only response He asks of us is to turn to Him with an open heart, accept His forgiveness, and simply trust in His unfathomable goodness.

May your Sunday be filled with the deep peace and joy of knowing how incredibly loved you are.

🙏 Jesus, I trust in You.

04/06/2026

🕯️ The Importance of the Paschal Candle at the Easter Vigil

✨ Christ Our Light in the Darkness

The Paschal Candle is one of the most powerful symbols in the Catholic Church. It represents Jesus Christ—risen, victorious, and the Light of the world who conquers sin and death.

🌑 1️⃣ From Darkness to Light

The Easter Vigil begins in total darkness, symbolizing a world without Christ.

A new fire is blessed, and from it, the Paschal Candle is lit.

This moment proclaims:

Light has overcome darkness
Life has conquered death
Christ is risen

As the candle enters the church, the priest proclaims:

“The Light of Christ”

And we respond: “Thanks be to God.”

🕯️ 2️⃣ The Light Is Shared with All

From the Paschal Candle, the faithful light their own candles.

Slowly, the entire church is illuminated.

This beautiful moment shows:

Christ’s light is not kept—it is shared
Every believer is called to carry His light
The Resurrection touches every life

✝️ 3️⃣ Rich Symbols on the Candle

The Paschal Candle is marked with deep meaning:

✝️ A Cross – Christ’s sacrifice

🔤 Alpha & Omega – He is the beginning and the end

📅 The current year – Christ is present now

🔥 Grains of incense – His sacred wounds

These remind us that the risen Christ is the same Jesus who suffered and died for us.

🎶 4️⃣ The Exsultet: A Song of Victory
During the Vigil, the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) is sung.

It celebrates:

Christ’s triumph over death
The light that leads us out of darkness
The night of salvation

The Paschal Candle stands as the visible sign of this victory—like the pillar of fire that guided God’s people.

🌅 5️⃣ A Living Symbol Beyond Easter Night

The Paschal Candle continues to shine throughout the Easter season and beyond:

🕊️ Baptism – A candle is lit from it, symbolizing new life in Christ
⚰️ Funerals – It stands near the coffin, reminding us of resurrection
⛪ Mass – It represents the living presence of Christ

✨ Final Reflection

The Paschal Candle is more than a candle—it is a message:

No darkness is too great
No sin is too powerful
No death has the final word
Just as its flame pierces the night,

🌅 Christ brings light into our lives.
And now, we are called to carry that light into the world.

🕯️ Christ our Light—thanks be to God!

04/05/2026

Easter Sunday Mass Time- 9:00am

Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
It marks the victory of life over death and the promise of new beginnings.
This day is filled with joy, hope, and renewal.
We celebrate the power of faith and the gift of salvation.
It’s the heart of the Christian story—alive and full of hope.

04/04/2026

Easter Vigil Service- 9:00pm

The Easter Vigil holds space for reflection between loss and victory.
It’s a sacred pause where we remember that hope can feel distant—but it’s never gone.
This night reminds us that even in silence, God is moving.
There is purpose in the waiting.
And soon, everything changes.