Religion Notes: Nov. 13, 2025

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.

Weekly schedule

Holyoke – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church weekly schedule, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Worship and Sunday School, Facebook Live Worship Service; Monday, 10:30 a.m. a.m. Bible Study; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Prayers with Pastor, Facebook Live; Thursday, 7 p.m. Worship at church. The church is located at 34 Jarvis Ave.

Documentary about Post 9/11 veterans, moral injury to be shown

Northampton – A documentary about Post 9/11 veterans’ experiences will be screened at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence on Saturday, Nov. 15. “What I Want You To Know” is an intimate journey alongside Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as they share deeply personal stories from their deployments, exploring truth and justice in the context of their wars. The screening will start at 6 p.m., followed by a discussion and Q&A with Afghanistan War Veteran Tommy Furlong and Filmmaker and Director Catie Foertsch. The Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence is located at 220 Main St., Northampton. Sponsors are Indivisible Northampton-Swing Left Western Massachusetts and the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence. Tickets are $10 or pay what you can; a suggested additional donation of $5 will benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to support our neighbors, many of whom are veterans.

Holiday Fair

Ludlow – The First Church in Ludlow, 859 Center St., will hold a Holiday Fair on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The fair features raffles, handmade crafts, shopping, bake shoppe, and decorative holiday logs. There will also be soup and sandwich lunch.

St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar

Ludlow – St Elizabeth Parish will be holding their annual St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Pastoral Center, 201 Hubbard St. Over 40 vendors selling many one of a kind hand-crafted items and more. St. by St. Nick’s Café for a light lunch at a nominal price. Parking and admission are free.

Frozen Polish food sale

Springfield – Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker St., will hold a frozen Polish food sale on the following Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 15, 22; Dec. 13 and 20. Food for sale will be golabki (3) $12; Kapusta (large) $10; pierogi (12) cabbage, potato & cheese $14, sweet cheese, blueberries $15. All are welcome to come and purchase. Credit cards not accepted.

Fall into winter craft fair

Enfield, Conn. – The Women’s Guild of St. Jeanne Jugan Parish is hosting its annual “Fall into Winter Craft Fair” on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Family Church Hall and Classrooms, 23 Simon Road, Enfield. This event will feature a wide array of the original work by 46 artisans and crafters. A Teacup Raffle and refreshments are also available, and admission is free. This fundraiser benefits both the members of the parish and the greater Enfield community.

Local drop-off locations opening soon for Operation Christmas Child

Agawam – Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 17 to 24. Nearly 5,000 drop-off locations will open across the country in November, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations in Massachusetts. Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups! Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.

Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation by going to the website www.samaritanspurse.org. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Babka bake

Springfield – Join Chabad Women’s Circle for a Babka Bake. The event will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center at 1160 Dickinson Street.

The Big Bold Babka Bake will include a live demonstration of making babka. There will be a variety of fillings for participants to choose. This event is designed for ladies who have expertise in making babka, as well for ladies who have never baked babka before. Participants will leave with their own babka to bake at home and a recipe booklet.

Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. You may register online at LYA.org or your check is your reservation. Checks are payable to: Chabad Women’s Circle, c/o 1148 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA. Women are invited to create their own table of 8 for $180 or be a patron at $72 and a gold patron at $180. All sponsors and patrons will be listed in the program booklet. Refreshments will be served. The Big Bold Babka Bake is open to the public. For more information, please call Chanie Cohen at 413-731-1381 or email at info@lya.org.

Annual Christmas Bazaar

Agawam – The St. John the Evangelist Parish annual Christmas Bazzar, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will take place in the parish center, directly behind the church, at 833 Main St. For sale there will be Christmas Treasures, baked goods, assorted candy, jewelry, books and media. Try your luck on the gift card and basket items. A variety of food will be available at the snack bar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa will be visiting from 9 to 11 a.m., so bring your camera/devices to create a special memory. Proceeds from this event will be used for the parish center. Admission and parking are free, and the center is handicap accessible. Come, bring a friend, all are welcome.

St. Christopher’s Craft Fair

Brimfield – On Saturday Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, St. Christopher Church will hold its annual craft fair. Located at 20 Sturbridge Road (route 20) it has easy access and plenty of parking. The hours of the fair are Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free. The craft fair offers a wide variety to choose from including unique pieces of handcrafted jewelry, primitives, Christmas decorations & ornaments, organic lotions & soaps, resins, watercolors, stained glass, pottery, sea glass, wreaths, mugs, and more. Also the clubs bargain tables that offer an array of goods especially for those on a tight budget. Our strolling caroler Lauren helps bring the Christmas spirit.

The kitchen is open throughout the day and will offer a breakfast menu and a variety of sandwiches, soups, chili, chowder, meat pies, and desserts. Whole meat pies can be purchased to take home. A cookie walk on Saturday starts at 9 a.m.. It sells out quickly so go early. There are also raffles available.

ACC Holly Wreath Bazaar

Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church located at 745 Main Street, will hold its Holly Wreath Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 to 2 p.m. Men! don’t forget there will be cards for sale (sports and famous people). The bakery at the country store will feature sumptuous homemade pies, cakes, cookies, bars, and candy. There will be something for everyone at Santa’s seconds. Also, you can participate in raffles. Stay for lunch at the cafe.

Church Craft Fair

Springfield – Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, is hosting its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school gymnasium. This event will feature dozens of Crafters, a Bake Shop and Tasty Kitchen Treats. The Fair is all on one floor and there is plenty of free parking.

Upcoming church trips

Springfield – St. Catherine of Siena Church, Parker St., is sponsoring a trip On Dec. 9, the church is sponsoring a trip to the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville Conn., for a Christmas special featuring The Cartels. The cost is $149 per person and your fee includes a welcome snack of coffee and donuts, musical entertainment and a family style dinner and driver gratuity. The bus leaves the parking lot at 9:50 a.m. and returns approximately around 4:30 p.m. These trips with first choice tours cancellation insurance is available. For reservations, call Betty at 413-896-8801.

Patrick Tobin Concert and dinner

Chicopee – The Knights of Columbus, Fr. Lucjan Krolikowski Council of Chicopee, invites everyone to a evening of great food and live entertainment featuring internationally acclaimed Frank Sinatra tribute artist Patrick Tobin on Saturday, Dec. 6.. The event will be held at St. Stanislaus School, 534 Front Street. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under and include chicken dinner, dessert, coffee, and the show. Doors open at 5 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres served to start the evening. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the St. Stanislaus Basilica Parish Office at 413-594-6669.

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.

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.

Church service hours

Springfield – Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St., Weekly Sunday service hours are as follows: 8 a.m.-Holy Eucharist with no music; 10 a.m.-Holy Eucharist with music; 12:15 p.m.- service in Spanish with music. A healing service is held at the church on the first Sunday of each month.