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.
Pumpkin patch
Wilbraham – Wilbraham United Church presents their pumpkin patch, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31. The church is located at 500 Main St. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Drive through collection
Springfield – Foster Memorial Church will hold their monthly drive through collection of non-perishable food in the church’s back parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. The church is located at 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres section. All donations will go to the Emergency Cupboard of the Open Pantry. This month, they are also collecting donations of pet food, toys and gently used blankets for the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, in honor of their “Blessing of the Animals,” to be held on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. For more information, please call our office at 413-782-2112.
Jewish New Year
Longmeadow – Join Lubavitcha Yeshiva Academy for the High Holidays that will include traditional services with meaning and melody. On Saturday, Oct. 12, Yom Kippur services will begin at 9 a.m. The closing services of the day will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a break-fast following Yom Kippur’s ending. LYA is open to all members of the community regardless of affiliation. A special children’s program will be held at 10 a.m. on Yom Kippur. The children’s program will include games, activities and snack. Services will be held at LYA, 1148 Converse St.
Celtic Services
Longmeadow – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 335 Longmeadow St., presents their Celtic services for the 2024-2025 season. On Saturday, Oct. 12, theme: “Harvest and Hope” with the Springfield Kiltie Band. All services begin at 5 p.m. For more information visit www.st-andrews-longmeadow.org.
Lasagna and baked goods sale
HAYDENVILLE — Homemade lasagna and a wide variety of baked goods will be on sale Oct. 13 and 14 at Haydenville Congregational Church. The lasagna and baked goods will available both Sunday and Monday of the Oct. holiday weekend. Baked goods will include cookies, brownies, quick breads and assorted cake and pasties. The lasagna will be fully based and ready to heat or freeze. It will be available in either meat or spinach, half-lasagna (4 servings) or quarter-lasagna (2 servings). All pre-orders will be filled first and remaining lasagna will be sold to walk-ins while supplies last. To pre-order go to haydenvillechurch.org. Sale hours are Sunday, Oct 13 or Monday, Oct 14 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the church at 143 Main St, Haydenville. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, a portion of the proceeds will go to support the Ohketeau Cultural Center in Ashfield.
Meat pie project
Ludlow – St. Elizabeth Parish, Hubbard Street annual meat pie project takes place from Oct. 14 through 31. Individual pies sell for $5 each. Orders are being taking and must be placed by calling the parish rectory only at 413-583-3467 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. No email, online or walk in orders will be taken.
Cranberry Fair
Amherst – First Church Amherst’s Cranberry Fair will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both floors of the church will be filled with bargains on everything from toys, clothing, housewares, books, and antiques to baked goods, games and puzzles, children’s books, and baked goods.
In addition, fair-goers will be able to bid on gift cards, vacation get-aways, home-baked goods, and services at the Silent Auction. One new feature at this year’s fair will be raffle baskets for dog lovers, cooks, chocolate lovers, and child artists. As always, a hearty lunch, plus coffee, tea, and cider, will be offered in the Fair Cafe. The church is located at 165 Main St.
Turkey dinner
Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church, 745 Main St. the church will hold a turkey dinner on Saturday, Oct. 19. The menu includes turkey with gravy, stuffing, butternut squash, roll, cranberry sauce and a gingerbread square with whipped cream. Dinner tickets are $17 and can be purchased Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon in the church office or Sunday mornings after service. Take out is available.
Church trip
Springfield – St. Catherine of Siena presents the following upcoming trip: A trip to Blithewold Mansion in Bristol, RI. Enjoy Christmas decorations and lights with tours and high tea. Cost is $173 per person. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of Blithewold Mansion. This 45-room mansion on 33-acres is a seaside estate that has been charming visitors for years and is filled with family heirlooms and is framed with gardens. Sit back and delight in a cup of tea, freshly baked scones with sweet cream, a 3-tiered tray filled with sweets and savory treats. Next, depart for downtown Bristol.To book your seat or seats please call Betty. Deposit of $100 is due at booking and final payment is due by Nov. 1 or you can pay the whole amount at time of booking. The bus will depart from the church’s parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
Catholic Women’s Club Oct. Rosary
Agawam – Everyone is invited to join the Catholic Women’s Club of Agawam in praying the Rosary on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in St. John the Evangelist Church at 6:30 p.m. It is located at 833 Main St., Agawam, MA. Members are requested to arrive at church by 6 p.m. Refreshments will follow in the parish center located behind the church, and the club’s monthly business meeting will follow.
Book launch
Chicopee – On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the College of Our Lady of the Elms will host the launch of the book, “An Uncommon Love: The Life, Legacy, and Lessons of Sisters Mary and Eleanor Dooley”. The book launch will take place at 2:00 p.m. in Veritas Auditorium on the Elms College campus, 291 Springfield St.
The book is a collection of essays and meditations by collaborators who have been influenced by the life and ministry of Sisters of St. Joseph Mary and Eleanor Dooley. The book was edited by Father Mark Stelzer, S.Th.D., professor of Humanities at Elms College and Pastor of Saint Mary’s Parish in Hampden, MA.
For over forty years, Srs. Mary and Elanor Dooley served as faculty members and administrators at Elms College. Of particular significance the book, will be launched on Founders’ Day, Oct.15, which commemorates the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1650 in LePuy, France. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield founded Elms College in 1928. Books will be available for purchase for $24.95 at the event and on Amazon starting on Oct. 15. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Compassionate Hearts Fund, which subsidizes college service-learning trips for students during the semester break.
Community program
Wilbraham – “Regenerative Farming: Growing healthy soil for climate change”. On Oct. 18 at 7 p.m., Christ the King Epiphany Church in Wilbraham is hosting guest speakers, Alice & Brian Coleman of Stony Hill Farm, to discuss the changing climate and how it is affecting agriculture locally. They will also discuss their efforts to build the health of soil to make farming more resilient to the effects of extreme temperatures and precipitation. This is a free event and refreshments will be offered afterwards. The church is located at 758 Main St.
Frozen Polish food sale
Springfield – Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker St., in the Indian Orchard section will hold a frozen Polish food sale on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in their church hall. Featuring pierogi (cabbage, potato & cheese, sweet cheese, blueberry), golabki and kapusta. All are welcome to come and purchase.
Annual Parish Bazaar
Chicopee – St. Stanislaus Basilica will host their annual Parish Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Stanislaus School, 534 Front Street. The Bazaar will feature a Polish-American kitchen serving a Polish plate with pierogi, golumbki, kielbasa, and kapusta. They will also have hamburgers, hot dogs, and kielbasa grinders fresh from the grill along with home baked pastries. Various activities including games of chance, basket raffles, items from Poland, religious items, holiday decorations, and children’s games will be available. Heritage “Pops” Polka Band and a DJ will provide entertainment for adults with Polish and American music; “Magic Al” and a balloon-making clown will entertain children. There will also be representatives from Wreaths Across America accepting donations to decorate veterans’ graves in Dec. and a van from the PNCU collecting non-perishable food for their local soup kitchen. Free admission and free parking. For more information, contact the Parish Office at (413) 594-6669 or email at contact@ststansbasilica.org.
Church events
Springfield – Holy Cross Church is planning a fall trunk tag sale on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot. Sellers may secure a spot in the lot for $20. For more information call either Frank at 413-231-7473 or Sue at 413-262-7880.
The church is seeking crafters for its holiday Craft Fair to be held on Saturday, Nov. 30. The fair will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school gymnasium. For $50 the parish will provide an 8-foot table. For more details, contact Elaine Bloniasz at erbl529@aol.com. Checks should be made out to Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118.
Italian dinner
Amherst – St. Brigid Parish will host an Italian dinner and dance night on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 11 p.m. in their parish center, located at 43 N. Prospect St. The event will begin with a cash bar and appetizers at 6 p.m., an Italian buffet feast at 7 p.m. and dancing to live music by Frank Sinatra impersonator Patrick Tobin and his big band from 8 to 11 p.m. Cost of tickets is $65 per person and $120 per couple. Tables of 8 can be reserved for $500. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling the St. Brigid Parish Office at 413-256-6181 or by emailing saintbrigidsamherst@gmail.com. No tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call 413-256-6181.
Mystery, Comedy and dinner
Southwick – The Knights of Columbus Rev. Thomas a. Shea Council #11178 presents Mystery, Comedy and Dinner show on Saturday, Oct. 26, 5 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 224 Sheep Pasture Road. Tickets are $48 per person. Proceeds to benefit K of C charitable works. For tickets, call or text 413-569-8440 or email dinnertheater@KofC11178.org.
Fall festival
Holyoke – Our Lady of the Cross will hold their fall festival at 67 St. Kolbe Drive on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live entertainment on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and Magic Al the Magician on Sunday from noon to 12:45 p.m. There will be Polish and American food, various booths, games and vendors. Please call the Parish office at 413-532-5661 with any questions.
Craft fair/holiday bazaar
Granby – Immaculate Heart of Mary, 256 State Street will hold their annual craft fair and holiday bazaar on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring many vendors, basket raffles, lottery raffles, food and more.
Crafters wanted
Southwick – The Southwick Congregational Church will be having their annual Holly Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is a call for crafters who are interested in being a part of this community event. To rent table space and receive a registration form, please call the church office at 413-569-6362.
Rummage Sale
Wilbraham – Saint Cecilia Women’s Club will hold their rummage sale on Friday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Cecilia’s Parish Center, 42 Main St. Featuring adult and children’s clothing, toys, games, puzzles, jewelry, household items, linens, and holiday items sold at very reasonable prices. Saturday is Bag Day. Fill a provided bag for a minimum price.
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. The church will move its Sunday services from the sanctuary to the air-conditioned Parish Hall for the summer months, through Sept. You will experience their warm welcome, fine music program, and engaging coffee hour immediately following worship. Childcare is also available.
The Bible Study group on Zoom will now take place on Mondays at 7 p.m. (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.
Weekly programs
Holyoke – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Ave., offers the weekly programs. Sunday’s: 9:30 a.m., worship and Sunday school, worship Facebook live; Monday’s: 10:30 a.m., Bible Study at church; Tuesday’s: 6 to 8 p.m., crafts group at church; Wednesday’s: 10:30 a.m., prayers with Pastor, Facebook live; Thursday’s: 7 p.m., worship at church. All are welcome.
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. Following all Sunday services, there is a friendship gathering in the church hall. The church is handicap accessible with a large parking lot. The church live stream’s on YouTube each week. Visit https://agawamcongregationalchurch.com. For more information call 413-786-7111 or email at 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.
Crafters wanted
Ludlow – Christ the King Parish is looking for crafters for their annual St. Nicholas Craft Fair that will be held in the parish hall on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A non-refundable $40 for a 8 foot table, provided by the parish. Make checks out to The Rosary Sodality. To reserve a table(s), contact Debbie Martell at 413-547-8739, Cheryl Orszullak at 413-583-2123. The parish is located at 41 Warsaw Ave.
Crafters wanted
Agawam – The Agawam Congregational Church is seeking crafters and vendors for their Christmas Holly Wreath bazaar to be held on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, pick up an application at the church, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. For more details, call the church at 413-786-7111 or email at office@agawamcong.com. The church is located at 745 Main St.
Vendors wanted
Springfield – South Church is seeking vendors for their upcoming Christmas Fair, to be held on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 45 Maple Street in Springfield. For info and to apply to be a vendor contact Janice at janicehills110@gmail.com
Church events
Wilbraham – Wilbraham United Church at 500 Main St., welcomes 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. Following all Sunday services, there is a Friendship gathering in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee, and other refreshments are served and all are welcomed. Wilbraham United is a merged congregation of the Congregational and Methodist Societies. They celebrate as both a congregation that recognizes the traditions and values of both the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist denominations. Wilbraham United Church is a place where someone from any walk of life can feel comfortable. They are committed to service and sharing their space for the good of the community and to the glory of God. The church is especially welcoming to children, who are gladly received in the worship service. There are church school classes for children who wish to attend for ages 3 through 13 during the worship service time. The church is handicapped accessible with a large parking lot in the rear. For any questions contact the church administrator at 413-596-2511 ext. 100 or email admin@wilbrahamunitedchurch.org.
