St. Roch Parish

Sister Parish—St. Anne of Chardonnieres, Haiti

2

The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

PARISH DIRECTORY

334 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540 Rectory Office …………………………..……(508) 987-8987 Fax ……………………………...……..……. (508) 987-8938 Religious Education Office……………..…….(508) 987-2382

Pastor Rev. Michael J. Roy Deacon Rev. Mr. Paul Connolly Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terry Ann Renaud Administrative Assistant (M-TH 9-4) Mrs. Teri Rawson Director of Music Ms. Anna Pizzolato St. Vincent de Paul Society.…..………Arlene (508) 987-2813

Cemetery ……..…………..Contact rectory at (508) 987-8987

Mass Schedule

Sat 4:00 PM Sun 8:30 & 10:00 AM M-W-TH-F 8:30 AM

The Sunday 10:00 Mass will also be LIVE-Streamed on the parish website.

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 9 am—4 pm

WEBSITE: strochoxford.com

EMAILS: Teri Rawson—Rectory Office: strochrectory@gmail.com Terry Renaud—Rel. Ed. Office: strochoxford@gmail.com

A Prayer in Time of Pandemic

O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffer-ing for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:

Be not afraid, for I am with you always.

Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

ST. ROCH NOVENA

Let us all continue to recite the Novena to St. Roch, the patron saint of those afflicted with infectious diseases, daily at home with the following prayers ~

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...

Litany in Honor of St. Roch

God our Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth...Have mercy on us

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior… Have mercy on us

Most Holy Spirit of God… Have mercy on us

Holy Mary, Mother of God… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church… Pray for us

Holy Mary and all the Saints… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Queen of Heaven… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Patroness of those in danger… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Protectress of our seas and land… Pray for us

Holy Mary, Comfort of the dying and sorrowing… Pray for us

St. Roch devoted servant of God… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of those afflicted with

infectious diseases… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the poor and hungry… Pray for us

St. Roch, our brother in Christ… Pray for us

St. Roch, Healer and caregiver… Pray for us

St. Roch, our brother in suffering and illness… Pray for us

St. Roch, our advocate in time of pain and

human misery… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the addicted… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the terminally ill… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of those in jails and prisons… Pray for us

St. Roch, Intercessor for the homeless… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of the afflicted… Pray for us

St. Roch, Patron of our parish community… Pray for us

St Roch, faithful witness to the healing

power of God… Pray for us

Lord God, make me an instrument of your healing; when I am weak and in pain, help me to rest; when I am anxious, help me to wait; when I am fearful, help me to trust; when I am lonely, help me to love; when I place you apart from me, help me to know you are near. Healing God, grant me not so much to demand every thing from myself as to let others help me; nor to expect others to cure me as to do my own part toward getting better. Grant me not so much to seek escape, as to face my self and learn the depths of your love. For it is in being uncertain and not in control that we find true faith; in knowing the limits of mind and body that we find wholeness of spirit; and in passing through death that we find life that lasts forever. We ask this, through the intercession of our patron, St. Roch and your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK :

Sept 5—Is 35:4-7a, Jas 2:1-5, Mk 7:31-37

Sept 6—Col 1:24-2:3, Lk 6:6-11

Sept 7—Col 2:6-15, Lk 6:12-19

Sept 8—Mi 5:1-4a, Mt 1:1-16, 18-23

Sept 9—Col 3:12-17, Lk 6:27-38

Sept 10—1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14, Lk 6:39-42

Sept 11—1 Tm 1:15-17, Lk 6:43-49

Sept 12—Is 50:4c-9a, Jas 2:14-18, Mk 8:27-35

3

The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

Mass Intentions for the Week

Saturday, Sept 4 4:00 pm Cheryl Malesky by Irene Allain

Sunday, Sept 5 8:30 am Henry Smolenski (24th Anniversary) by wife Frances

10:00 am No Intention

Monday, Sept 6 8:30 am Elaine Luzzetti (living) by Paula Miner & Ken Mills

Tuesday, Sept 7 8:30 am No Mass

Wednesday, Sept 8 8:30 am Deceased Members of the Class of 1965

Thursday, Sept 9 8:30 am Jeffrey Gentile & family (living) by Paula Miner & Ken Mills

Friday, Sept 10 8:30 am No Intention

Saturday, Sept 11 4:00 pm No Intention

Sunday, Sept 12 8:30 am Francis and Jason Bombard by Bob & Patty Bombard

*Note time change *11:00 am Assunto Conti by the Lane Family

There will be a second collection next weekend September 11 & 12 for Repairs & Mainte-nance. Thank you for your generosity!

AUG 28 & 29

Offertory Envelopes 3,445.00 Online Giving 18.00 Other sources of income 498.00 Total 3,961.00 Weekly Goal 5,872.00 Result Thank you! - 1,911.00

Your Sacrificial Offering

Online Giving Available on our website www.strochoxford.com

The St. Vincent de Paul Society will meet on Tuesday, September 7th at 6:00 PM in the church hall.

AMERICAN CHOP SUEY

may be dropped off in the church kitchen on Monday, September 13th before 3:00 PM.

Thank you!

The 2021 Worcester Catholic Women's Conference September 11th, 2021,

at St. Joseph School in Webster, MA

https://wcwconference.com/registration

Theme—“Joan Up with the Armor of God"

SCHEDULE September 11, 2021

7:00 AM - Registration/Coffee & Pastries/Exhibitors

8:30 AM - Music Program and Rosary

9:00 AM - Sr. Deirdre Byrne

10:00 AM - Break/Coffee/Exhibitors

10:30 AM - Fr. David Gunter

12:00 PM - Lunch/Exhibitors/Confessions

2:00 PM - Jesse Romero

3:00 PM - Mary Rice Hasson

4:00 PM - Brown Scapular Enrollment

5:00 PM - Holy Sacrifice of the Mass St. Joseph Basilica

Registration forms also available at the entrances to the church.

Kathy Perry, Al Sinkis,

Andrew Rivers, Raymond Joseph,

Craig Ladd, Chloe Barbara Jones, Roseanne Ferlito, John

Barton, Carol Violette, John & Bev Makowski, Dale Mahota,

Liz Iandolli, Stephen Rice, Maddy Desrosier, Phyllis Day,

John Hickman, Timothy Bowes, Anita Prunier, Judy Rodier,

Roger St. George, Ed Carpenter, James Sumerlin, Francis

DeSimone, Robert & Beverly Burns, Dawn Hoeg, Sean

Bushey, Richard Fleming, Noelle Silverstein, Edward

Wissell, Eric Lambert, James Quaiel, Yvonne Mathurin,

Deborah Mancini, Susan Gallant, Doris Prouty, Maureen

Germain, Dave Boucher, Daniel Ivascyn, Barbara Quaiel,

Pamela Rossley, Gary Ryan, Kathy B., Anne Englehard,

Karen Cowperthwaite, Jon Moore, Dave Shuster, Floyd

Supernault, B.J. Lapierre, Barbara Wessell, Cameron

Michael Sweeney, Dawn Clarkson.

OXFORD ECUMENICAL FOOD SHELF

Open on Thursdays from 4:15-6:45. A sign up sheet is available in the front of the church. The volunteer coordinator will contact you to set up the date that you can volunteer. Please

note the new time to volunteer. Face masks are required. Thank you for your support of the Oxford Food Shelf.

All parishes in the Diocese of Worcester took up a second collection last weekend, for disaster assistance for the Diocese of

Les Cayes, Haiti. St. Roch’s donations so far have ex-ceeded $6,000 and will exclusively benefit our sister parish, St. Anne’s of Chardonnieres. It was among those that were directly affected by the recent 7.2 earthquake. If you have not had the opportunity to make a donation, please consider doing so and continue to pray for all those in Haiti. Online donations may be made through our website.

4

The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

My Dear Parishioners, Once again I am deeply moved by the generosity of my parishioners. Last week we took up the collection in support of our sister parish, St. Anne’s in Chardonnieres, and we will now be able to send them $6,700. I am sure that this will give those poor long-suffering people some comfort knowing that not only are we praying for them at every Mass but we are expressing our solidarity by this exceptional act of generosity. I am still waiting for some word from Fr. Gulber Brutus directly. You can imagine the enormity of the task that he is facing. How vital is his role right now, to encourage the faith of his people. A line from our second reading this Sunday comes to mind, “Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5) I really want to strengthen the lines of communication with our sister parish, especially if what we hear is true, that Fr. Brutus is being transferred. If you would be willing to be part of an Outreach to Haiti committee, please let me know. Another witness to the generous support that is characteristic of our parishioners, we will at last be able to put in place the pew cushions that have been given to St. Roch’s as memorial gifts. These cushions were given by the fami-lies of Frank Baril, Joseph Tagg and Russ Gagnon, in hopes that all will be little more comfortable. They will be recog-nized at the Masses on September 18 & 19. We recently received a beautiful card from a long-time parishioner, Barbara Dusoe. “Hello St. Roch’s! I’m trying to be positive with my greeting, however I am sad with my news—I can no longer live alone. I have transferred from Care One rehabilitation facility to an assisted living in Auburn. I will be encouraged to be as independent as safety allows. I know working day by day I will gain strength and confidence.” “Best of all I feel the love an support of all your prayers, cards and the beautiful prayer shawl. When I was transferred I wrapped myself up in the shawl, it was comforting. I am grateful I am part of a loving, caring parish family.” Barbara’s new address is: Brookdale Eddy Pond West, 669 Washington St., Auburn, MA 01501.

Serra Club of Southern Worcester County is now in the process of reorganizing so that their much needed ministry praying for vocations and encouraging our seminarians is not lost. The first meeting of the new club will be next week, September 15 here at St. Roch. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayers for vocations at 5 pm fol-lowed by Mass at 5:30. Then we will go to Point Breeze Restaurant, for introduction of new members. I’ve been asked to speak of “My Journey to the Priesthood.” I hope my parishioners will support this effort. Application forms are availa-ble at the entrances. I think that it was a small inspiration of the Holy Spirit that I thought of the sign in front of the church— ABANDON GRUMBLING / ADOPT GRATITUDE. I needed to see that this week, because LIFE IS MESSY.

Let Us Continue to Love and Pray for One Another,

Fr. Roy

5

The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

Adult Ed include Teacher Training

You may want to help as a teacher &/or aide in class or simply want to learn more for your own growth. Dedicated adults & teens work together to bring love of God to our families. Pray if you

can spare an hour or two? If so, please call 508-987-2382 or E-mail strochoxford@gmail.com.

For Fall 2021—Spring 2022 Sessions and send fees, as you are able. Despite growing costs, registration fees remain $85 per student & $110 per family of 2 or more. Fees for Sacramental Preparation and/or Retreats are discussed at the parent meetings. Scholarship money is accepted for re-treats. As always, no student is ever refused due to financial hardship. PLEASE NOTE: it is required all children grades 1-12 take part in some form of religious study. Please notify the Reli-gious Education Office where they are enrolled. Parochial school student’s registration form is required to keep records current at the parish. All students attend the parish program for sacramental preparation. Questions call 508-987- 2382 or e-mail Terry Ann Renaud strochoxford@gmail.com. Online https://www.strochoxford.com/religious-education

Religious Ed Office Closed Friday & Saturday until Sept 12

Family of Friends Youth Ministry

Teens willing to take part in St. Roch’s Family of Friends Youth Service Team, call Terry Ann Renaud 508-987-2382 (or email strochoxford@gmail.com) to plan youth events & help our parish & community.

Ongoing Faith Formation is part of the Catho-lic Christian journey that br ings each of us towards our goal of life: to know God, love God, and serve God in this life, and be happy with God in the next. The Sacraments given to us by Jesus Christ help

us to make our journey, by His grace, an easy trip. Parents bring children to Baptism, First Reconciliation & First Eucha-rist so they may choose Confirmation in the Faith them-selves. Friends and family members invite adults to come into the Faith through RCIA. Together the whole Church prays for candidates continue always to know God, love God, and serve God in this life, and be happy with God in the next.

Children grade 2 or above register now for Sac-raments, of Reconciliation & Eucharist. High School candidates for Confirmation are invited to write a letter to Father Roy by Sept 1, to re-quest acceptance into the fall sessions.

Second year candidates will return October 3, 6:30-8 with new candidates, sponsors & parents of all candidates. Parents, Please Call 508-987-2382 or E-mail Terry Ann Re-naud at strochoxford@gmail.com; Adults, Please Call 508-987-8987 Fr Roy for Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, or Matrimony.

Finding God in Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches by Julianne McCullagh

When I was in school, especially high school & college, my focus was on building a ca-reer. I envisioned myself dressed for success in a well-cut business suit & smart leather shoes, carrying a briefcase filled with im-

portant papers, & presiding over meetings where very im-portant issues were discussed. An alternate vision of the future was that I would become a modern-day St. Francis, humbly & happily devoting myself to the wretched & neglected of the world while unassumingly working my way to sainthood. I spent little to no time envisioning rushed mornings in my pa-jamas, hair wild & unbrushed, pouring cereal into bowls & orange juice into glasses, finding socks & clean shirts, & spreading peanut butter & jelly on 16 slices of bread.

What’s that expression? We plan & God laughs. Somehow, in the multiplication of days that turned into a life & a lifestyle, I had to let go of what I thought I wanted out of life & not only accept but rejoice in the life God had given me. Instead of business suits & heels, most of my days are spent in tennis shoes, jeans, & a sweatshirt. Instead of presiding over meetings attended by others dressed in the professional corpo-rate uniform, I supervise homework, transfer endless piles of laundry from the washer to the dryer, & make sandwiches.

God’s Invitation in the Everyday This letting-go of what my plans were, of what I thought of as my mission, was far from easy. I remember reading with some skepticism what St. Therese of Lisieux wrote about holiness being achieved in the little things of life. St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote often of finding God in everything. Everything? Even peanut butter & jelly sandwiches? Well, yes. I have discovered over the years that sacramental moments are to be found everywhere. As I spread the peanut butter & jelly over eight sandwiches for my four children, I pray that I am not giving them just something to swallow at lunch during their hectic days at school. I pray that they recog-nize the love & care that envelops them always, in the ordinary moments & in the anxious moments. I make sure I am there at the door when they leave for school, to be sent off with a hug & a kiss & a have a good day. It still amazes me that every day they thank me for lunch, even if it is just an ordinary PB & J.

It is in these simple but loving exchanges that we are invited to see the presence of God in our lives. God is everywhere in eve-rything. It is our mission to find Him.

Religious Education Schedule For September 2021 12 Parent Meeting - 1st Sacraments - 9:40 - 10:50 am 12 Grandparents Day Breakfast - 8:00 - 11:00 am 19 Parent meeting - Grades K-8 - 9:40 - 10:50 am 19 K-8 & 1st Sacraments - 1st session - 9:40 - 10:50 am

Catechist Training, Fall, 2021 Intro to the Ministry of the Catechist --- 3 ses-sions at St. Cecilia, Leominster . Oct. 2nd, 7th, & 14th. It is not necessary to attend all 3 sessions at

one time. Echoes Emmaus Online Courses: Liturgy & Sacraments, Sept. 19 – Oct. 16 Catholic Morality, Oct. 24 – Nov. 20 Advent Catechist Retreat--Date & Location TBA Further information is available by calling the Religious Educa-tion office 508-987-2382

6

The Church of Saint Roch, Oxford, MA THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

334 CLUB WINNERS — Week 14

# 389 Kathy Perry # 317 Evonne St. Germain # 112 Anna Pizzolato # 168 Armand Morneau

CONGRATULATIONS!!

What is the Light of the World Retreat? At the Light of the World Retreat you will encounter Jesus & the message of the Gos-pel in a truly fresh way. The opportunity to meet Jesus personally allows you to allow Him give new purpose, meaning, & direc-tion to your life. It is a chance to make a

retreat right in your own backyard on a weekend away to renew your faith while still sleeping in your own bed! Topics Covered: God’s Love for Us,

Our Enemies, Jesus Christ: The Light of the World, Making Jesus the Lord of Your Life,

Surrendering Your Life to the Holy Spirit, Renewing your Baptism

Retreat Dates – Weekend of

September 24-27 Hosted at St. Roch Parish

334 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540 Friday: 6:30 - 9 PM

Saturday: 8 AM to 8 PM

Sunday: 8 AM to 8 PM

Monday: 6:30 - 9:30 PM

LIGHT OF THE WORLD RETREAT REGISTRATION

SEPTEMBER 24-27

Name_____________________________________________ Address____________________________________________

Phone_____________________________________________

Cell_______________________________________________

E-mail _____________________________________________

Male [ ] Female [ ]

Married [ ] Single [ ]

Age: 16-25 [ ] 26-30 [ ] 31-40 [ ] 41-50 [ ] 51-60 [ ]

61-70 [ ] 71 + [ ]

Who recommended the retreat to you?__________________

What do you expect to gain from this retreat?

___________________________________________________

Special needs: dietary…wheelchair... childcare… transporta-

tion…______________________________________________

I am a returning retreatant; I wish to help at the retreat…

yes [ ] not this time [ ]

Return to St. Roch 334 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01570 Attn: LOTW Coordinator Terry Ann Renaud

or E-mail strochoxford@gmail.com

YARD SALE

October 2!!

Donations will be accepted until Sept 26th.

Items accepted include clean undam-aged gently used household items, books, tools, yard equipment, sporting equipment, children’s toys & games, clean quality clothing or shoes. Furniture—on review for approval.

No electronics—no TV’s, computers, printers, monitors, keyboards, etc. No mattresses of any size or tires. These items incur a cost to us for disposal. Thank you!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Name_________________________________________

Address _______________________________________

Phone ________________________________________

E-mail ________________________________________

I want to help…

To work in garage every Wednesday 6-8 PM

for pricing / sorting / ticketing, etc. ______

Friday, October 1 TBA to set tables out ______

Saturday, October 2 to set up, 7 - 9 AM ______

Saturday, October 2 to work the tables:

8-10 AM _______ 10-12 noon ________

Noon to 2 PM _______ 2-4 PM _______

Saturday, October 2 to breakdown 3-5 PM _______

Saturday, October 2 to prepare & serve food

Morning _____ Lunch ________

Clean up _____ Pickup & deliver supplies ______

DATE CHANGED

It is a little more than coffee &, but a just few hours together with a few other people can become a cornerstone to build community among our parish family. We are able to do more together to bring about good for our parish and

the whole community.

If you like to have fun, have an idea of how to be a more welcoming parish, are willing to help plan breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, and other social events call 508-987-2382, or email strochoxford@gmail.com.

***Help with the 334 Club Dinner needed! Please call Teri Rawson in the rectory office at 508-987-8987.

Beware of email scams! If you ever receive an email CLAIM-ING to be from our parish, our pastor, or pastoral staff asking you to buy a gift card online or make an online donation for some noble cause, please STOP and DELETE it. This is not how we would ask for help. If you are not sure, call the rectory and speak to us. Too many people are being scammed by these emails and we have no control over them. Thank you.