Thrift shop
Springfield – The thrift shop at St. Gregory Armenian Church, 135 Goodwin St., in the Indian Orchard section, is open Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, go online to saintgregoryarmenianchurch.org.
Church events
Sunderland – First Congregational Church of Sunderland, 91 S. Main St., Serendipity Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with items for sale at bargain prices.
Weekly Sunday church service is offered at 11 a.m. in-person or on Zoom. Email scc1717@wordpress.com or visit the church on Facebook for more information.
Lenten retreat in Polish
Chicopee – St. Stanislaus Basilica 2024 Lenten Retreat in Polish will be held on Sunday, March 3 at 9 a.m. and will end with the Holy Mass at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7. The retreat will be led by Father Jacek Lisowski, Franciscan Missionary from Peru. From Monday to Thursday, there will be Mass in Polish at noon and 7 p.m., with the exception on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when Fr. Lisowski will lead Stations of the Cross. There will be opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) in Polish and Spanish one hour prior to each Mass. The church is located at 566 Front St.
Lenten mission
Agawam – Feeding Hills Congregational Church is challenging it’s parishioners to donate 40 non-perishable food items in 40 days. Items can be dropped off at the church weekly or following Easter. All donations are to benefit the West Springfield Parish Cupboard which services families in need throughout West Springfield, Agawam, and Feeding Hills. The church is located at 21 North Westfield St., in the Feeding Hills sections.
Saint Jerome Parish hosting a Novena to Saint Patrick
Holyoke – Saint Jerome Parish in Holyoke will host a city-wide Novena to Saint Patrick with priests who serve in the Diocese as Mass celebrants. The Novena begins Thursday, March 7 and concludes on Friday, March 15. Weekday Masses will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m.; the Saturday Novena Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m.; and the Sunday Novena Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. For further information, contact the Saint Jerome Parish Office at 413-532-6381. The Church is located at 169 Hampden Street.
Lenten lunches
South Hadley – All Saints Church, will hold Lenten lunches on Fridays, March 8 and 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a choice of two lunches: lobster roll and chips, a choice of clam chowder or vegetable soup and crackers and a dessert brownie; a choice of clam chowder or vegetable soup and crackers, and a dessert brownie. To make a reservation, email in advance: l.marsh1250@yahoo.com. All are welcome. The church is located at 7 Woodbridge St.
Corned beef and cabbage dinner
Holyoke – United Congregational Church of Holyoke next Community Meal will be on Friday, March 8 at 5 p.m. All are welcome to come and enjoy a festive St. Patrick’s feast, complete with corned beef and cabbage, followed by a family movie at 6 p.m. both events are free. The Community Meal is hosted on the second Friday evening of each month at the church located at 300 Appleton St. The menu changes monthly, all are welcome and is free of charge. Parents must accompany their children.
Corned beef and cabbage dinner
Ludlow – Tickets for the K of C corned beef and cabbage dinner will take place on Saturday March 9 at 5 p.m. at St Elizabeth Pastoral Center located on Hubbard Street. Tickets are $20 (dine in and take out) and will be sold after masses. Cut off date to purchase tickets is March 4. Tickets are limited and will not be sold at the door. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Jim 413-547-8822, Dave 413-427-6584 and Tony 413-364-6518. There will also be raffles and entertainment.
Polish plate dinner
Springfield – Immaculate Conception will hold a Polish plate dinner (4 pierogi, 1 golambki, kielbasa, kapusta, rye bread) on Saturday, March 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the church hall, 25 Parker St., in the Indian Orchard section. Eat in or take-out, $20 per plate. For tickets, call Maria Kowalski, 413-222-6229, Irena Wurszt, 413-427-5846, Maryla Bukowski, 413-427-9464.
Irish Night fundraiser
Holyoke – St. Jerome Parish presents Irish Night Fundraiser at Our Lady of Guadalupe Community Center, 340 Chestnut St. with secured parking, on Saturday, March 9. Live music by Deirdre Reilly, corn beef sandwiches, potato balls, refreshments, cash bar, chips, popcorn, soda, coffee and water. Doors open at 6 p.m. There will also be raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Admission is $16 adults and teens, $7 children 7-12 years old, ages 6 and under free. Tickets can be purchased at the end of all weekend masses and tables of 8 may be reserved in advance by contacting Jennie McGiverin at 413-250-2093 or John Kelley at 413-650-0493. Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance will perform at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming church events
Springfield – Foster Memorial Church, 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres section will hold their next monthly outreach “Drive-In Collection of Donations” on Saturday, March 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the church’s back parking lot. They will be collecting non-perishable food for the Emergency Food Cupboard of the Open Pantry. All donations are greatly appreciated.
The church will be holding a corned beef dinner on Saturday, March 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children under 10 years old. There is a vegetarian option available. There will also be a Gift Basket Raffle. Reservations are required, call Lori at 413-626-9040.
Church concert
Springfield – South Congregational Church is sponsoring a free concert featuring the Meadow Flute Quartet on Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m. Featuring Kimberly Figueroa, solo flute, and Larry Picard, piano and organ. This chamber concert will happen in the new space in the back of the sanctuary. A free will offering will be accepted, but there is no admission charge. Contact Larry Picard at lpicard@sococh.org with any questions. The church is located at 45 Maple St.
Italian dinner
Westfield – St. Joseph’s National Catholic Church at 73 Main Street is hosting a Community Italian Dinner on March 10 at 12 noon. This Community Dinner will feature traditional baked cheese lasagna, meatballs with marinara sauce, salad, fresh Italian bread and an Italian dessert along with hot coffee and cold beverages.
Dine-In or Take-Out tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for children under 12. For tickets, contact (413) 562-3067 and leave a message with number of tickets requested (Dine-In or Take-Out) along with your name and telephone number. The deadline for purchasing tickets is March 7. Take-Out Dinners will be available for pick-up at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Hamentash Bake
Longmeadow – Grab your apron and we will provide the ingredients, as well as the rolling pins! Chabad Women invite you to a grand Mega Hamentash Bake on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at LYA, 1148 Converse Street. Bake your own hamentash for the holiday of Purim with unique fillings. Get ready for the holiday of Purim and learn how you can provide Mishloach Manot in Israel.
Refreshments will include a Royal-Tea. RSVP Chanie Cohen 413-731-1381 or chaniecohen@gmail.com Cost for the evening is $20. Admission includes all hamentash supplies and refreshments.
St. Patrick’s Day corned beef dinner
South Deerfield – St. Anne’s Sodality of the Holy Family Parish at 29 Sugarloaf Street in South Deerfield will host a traditional St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Sunday, March 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The menu is green pea soup with corned beef, corned beef and cabbage, red potatoes, carrots, onions, rye bread, grape nut pudding, and coffee, tea, or bottled water, catered by Kathleen Tomaus.
Tickets are available at the parish office on Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by calling 413-665-3254 for further information. You may also purchase tickets from a Sodality member after masses only until March 7th.
Church events
Springfield – South Congregational Church, an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ in downtown Springfield, invites everyone to its regular worship services, Sundays at 10 a.m. in person at 45 Maple Street in Springfield or on Zoom. Find the Zoom link and more information about us on our website at www.sococh.org.
You will experience their warm welcome, fine music program, and engaging coffee hour immediately following worship. Childcare is also available. Join the Bible Study group on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Zoom (use the Zoom worship link) — whether you are new to bible study or have a lifetime of experience, you are welcome. Other programs include regular knitting and quilting circles as well as an upcoming Lenten Book Group. In addition to church services and events, South is particularly engaged in the downtown community, and many public programs are offered in their spaces. If you’d like to know more, receive our weekly email newsletter, or have any questions, please email admin@sococh.org or call (413) 732-0117. Find them on Facebook or Instagram.
Sunday services
Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church, 745 Main St., invites the community to Sunday morning services at 10 a.m. On the first Sunday of every month communion is served with bread and grape juice or with individually packaged wafer and grape juice. Following all Sunday services, there is a Friendship gathering in the church hall. Coffee, tea, and water are served along with various goodies and packaged treats. Juice is, also, available, especially, for children in attendance. Children can, also, visit the “Mural Room” where many animals are painted floor to ceiling on an entire wall. The church is handicapped accessible with a large parking lot. If anyone may need a ride or assistance, contact the church at 413-786-7111 or email office@agawamcong.com.
Additional adoration times
Agawam – St. John the Evangelist Church, 833 Main St. will offer weekly adoration ceremonies on Wednesdays between noon and 5:30 p.m. The Holy Mass takes place at 6 p.m. Lawn signs are available for Agawam residents announcing the Year of the Eucharist. Contact the parish office to obtain one, 413-786-8105, ext. 101.
Free weekly Veterans lunch
Holyoke – Community Roots Neighborhood Services offers a free hot lunch for Veterans and their adult immediate family (Parents or spouse). The lunches are every Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St. Questions? Email Gina Nelson at crnsholyoke@gmail.com.
Easthampton veterans’ lunch
Easthampton – The Easthampton Coalition for Veteran Wellness invites area veterans to a complimentary meal every first Wednesday of the month at noon at Easthampton Congregational Church. Attendees are encouraged to park behind the church’s Main Street entrance at 112 Main St.
The initiative was started to bring veterans together to celebrate their service and to meet fellow veterans and members of their community in a spirit of camaraderie. In partnership with the Building Bridges Veterans Initiative, the meals are complimentary to any military veteran and a guest. The Easthampton veteran coalition also seeks volunteers and sponsors.
Sponsorship opportunities help the Coalition with covering the expenses of monthly meals, which cost about $250 each month. The Coalition highlights sponsors at each monthly gathering and recognizes their generosity to the Easthampton veteran community. Volunteers needed include cooks, servers and general help with set-up and cleanup. To inquire about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, contact Emma Reilly at 413-527-1212 ext. 1171.
