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9 Days for Life Novena - Day 1
January 18, 2018
Intercession: May a culture of life grow ever stronger in our communities.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: From each tiny child waiting to be born, to people nearing death, all are precious and deserve our care and protection. Women and men suffering after abortion, individuals tempted to end their lives, expectant mothers facing challenging pregnancies, people pushed to the margins of society by a "throwaway culture," and every other person—each "has a place in God's heart from all eternity" ( Amoris laetitia , 168).
As Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us in The Gospel of Life , we are asked not only to love and honor human life, but also "to work with perseverance and courage" to establish "a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love" (no 77).
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- "Unplug" for some time praying in silence with a short reflection on this year's Respect Life theme, "Be Not Afraid" ( www.usccb.org/be-not-afraid
).
- Use one of our Respect Life social media toolkits ( www.usccb.org/prolifetools
) to build up a culture of life on social media.
- Do you love your cup of tea or coffee? Fast from caffeine today, or try your coffee black.
One Step Further: Watching the news and reading the headlines, we may sometimes feel helpless seeing the heartbreaking lack of respect for human life. How do we respond to Pope Saint John Paul II's invitation when our efforts to make a difference feel small? "How to Build a Culture of Life" ( www.usccb.org/culture-of-life ) briefly explains where to start.
Evangelium vitae ( The Gospel of Life ), no.77 © 1995; Amoris laetitia ( The Joy of Love ), no. 168 © 2016, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Denise O. (Grondin) Cote, who peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on February 10th, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Denise's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home during calling hours on Wednesday, February 19th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Francis Church. Following the Mass, the burial will take place at West Cemetery in Granby. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Dennis Louis Riel, 72, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Dennis' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A calling hour to honor Dennis' memory will be held on Monday, February 17th, from 9:00am -10:00am at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am at St. Francis Church, Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Veronica C. Shea (née Higgins), born April 7, 1941, in Holyoke, MA, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, in Springfield, MA. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Veronica's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be on February 6 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple St. A Funeral Mass will be conducted on February 7 at 11 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 24 Jabish St in Belchertown, followed by her interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Gerald "Jerry" J. Millen, 84, passed away January 26, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Jerry's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 1-3 pm at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to join the funeral procession on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 11 am to St. Francis of Assisi Church, where Jerry’s life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 12pm. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at 2 pm. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Michael J. Lamoureux passed away on December 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Michael's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A celebration of Michael’s life will commence with a period of visitation on Monday, December 23, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Karol Wozniak Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Karol's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation at Beers and Story Funeral Home, Belchertown, MA. Tuesday December 3rd 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be held immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown, MA Burial to follow at Saint Stanislaus cemetery, Chicopee, MA
Frances E. (Wilson) Genereux, 89, passed away November 16, 2024, at River Mills Assisted Living in Chicopee. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Frances' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Services will be held Friday, November 22, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown with a period of visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. A funeral mass will be directly following visitation at 11:00 am. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Monica N. Ouellette of Belchertown was called home on October 12, 2024 at the age of 90. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Monica's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Services will be held Saturday, October 23, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown with a period of visitation from 9-10am. A funeral mass will be directly following visitation at 10:00 am. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Walter J. Miffitt, 85, died peacefully on September 23, 2024, at the Veterans' Home in Holyoke, MA. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Walter's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Donald "Don" R. Como, 91, passed away on October 3, 2024. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Donald's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.