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9 Days for Life Novena - Day 6
January 23, 2018
Intercession: May those near the end of their lives receive medical care that respects their dignity and protects their lives.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: When Maggie's active father suffered an accident that eventually led to his passing, he taught her that pain and loss of autonomy doesn't diminish our human dignity, and that life—however much is left—is worth living.
As a 50-year-old wife and mother of three, Maggie needed this message when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Instead of giving up hope, she embraced her father's legacy: "[M]y life is, always has been, and always will be, worth living."
Meet Maggie in a 3-minute video ( www.goo.gl/SGF7rP ), and read the brief article it inspired: " Maggie's Story: Living like Dad " ( www.usccb.org/maggies-story ).
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Pray a decade of the Rosary ( www.usccb.org/rosary
) for your deceased friends and family, as well as those who have no one to pray for them.
- We look forward to eternal life by preparing now, in hope, for our passage from this life to the next. Spend some time prayerfully reflecting on " Catholic Considerations for Our Earthly Passing
" ( www.usccb.org/end-of-life-considerations
). Several considerations are given as starting points for understanding and preparing for our earthly passing in a way that respects God's gift of human life.
- Read and reflect upon " Caring for Loved Ones at Life's End " ( www.usccb.org/endoflifecare ). Ten suggestions anchored in unconditional respect for human life help readers know how to provide authentically compassionate care. (Supplemental information: www.goo.gl/Ji3n35 )
One Step Further: Proponents of doctor-assisted suicide try to draw a sharp (and tragic) distinction between those with a mental illness who want to end their lives and those already nearing death who express the same wish. Although polls indicate the public is receptive to the general concept of assisted suicide, when people understand the associated dangers, they are less likely to support the practice.
Learn seven compelling reasons you can share for opposing assisted suicide: " Top Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide " ( www.usccb.org/reasons-against-assisted-suicide ).
Copyright © 2018, 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.