Religion Notes: Oct. 23, 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.

Meat pies are back!

Ludlow – The much beloved meat pies have returned to the St. Elizabeth Parish. Orders are now being taken. and pies are available now through Nov. 6 while supplies last. Each individual size pie is $5. To place an order, call the rectory Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 413-583-3467. No online or voicemail orders will be accepted.

Be ready to choose your pickup date when you call. Pickup times will be between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 2:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Payments in full are required at the time of pickup with cash or a check made out to St. Elizabeth Parish.

Fall Festival

Holyoke – Our Lady of the Cross Church. will hold their Fall Festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26 at 67 St. Kolbe Dr. Saturday hours will be from 11 a.m.to 6 p.m. and Sunday hours will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be entertainment, Polish and American food will be sold and there will be various booths, games and vendors. For more information, please call 413-532-5661.

Silent movie

Monson – The Sanctuary Concert Series of First Church of Monson will present the 1924 silent movie “Peter Pan” on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. The film will be accomplished by Boston-based Organist Peter Krasinski who will play original improvised music. The music will be played on the church’s Johnson and Son 1892 Opus 781 pipe organ. Admission is Adults $10, Seniors/Students $5, children under 6 free, family cap of $40.

Annual Trunk or Treat

Wilbraham – Wilbraham United Church, 500 Main St., will hold their annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome.

Trunk or Treat

Westfield – UCC Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Ave. will hold their Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 26, 4 to 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.

ACC Trunk or Treat and Holly Wreath Bazaar

Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church located at 745 Main Street will host their annual family friendly Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 26. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. King Gray will host their Haunted Bus. Also, there will be multiple trunks decorated with Halloween and Fall themes. Come and enjoy candy, games and a chance to vote for your favorite choice in the categories of Funniest, Most Creative and Kids trunk. Enter a special raffle by bringing in either a jar of spaghetti sauce or elbow macaroni to support the local Loaves & Fishes ministry. If you are interested in having a trunk at this event, please email office@agawamcong.com or call our office at 413-786-7111, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 to 2 p.m., the Agawam Congregational Church will host its Holly Wreath Bazaar. 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.

JLI course on Kabbalah and Meaning in Life

Longmeadow – Rabbi Yakov Wolff will lead a six-session course, The Kabbalah of Meaning, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 5, at LYA, 1148 Converse Street at 7:30 p.m.

The course’s six sessions combine the study of classic texts with practical applications for modern living. Each session explores one fundamental aspect of meaning and purpose, providing tools that participants can immediately incorporate into their daily lives. This course is certified for continuing education credits for doctors, psychologists, social workers, LMFTs, and LMHC/LPCs in the state of MA.

Cost to attend is $100 a person. Interested students may call Rabbi Wolff at 413-348-4978 or visit www.myJLI.com to register or to access other course-related information. This course will be in-person and on zoom. The course will also be offered beginning on Thursday, Nov. 6 at law offices of James Smith, 1331 Main Street, Springfield for six consecutive weeks.

Craft Fair

Ludlow – The Rosary Sodality’s Saint Nicholas Craft Fair and Raffle on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Christ the King Church, 41 Warsaw Avenue, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. There will be a 50/50 raffle, and a new menu. All are welcome.

Sacred Heart Church Travel Club

Springfield – Sacred Heart Church Travel Club presents the following upcoming trip on Saturday Nov. 8, Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Cost: $180 per person. Includes: roundtrip bus from Sacred Heart Church parking lot, free time on your own in NYC (sightsee, shop, explore, lunch), orchestra seating at the 5 pm Christmas Spectacular (90-minute performance), and driver gratuity. 7:15 a.m. departure and return to parking lot at approx. 10:30 p.m. Payment is requested at the time of reservation. For all trips please contact Jim and Caroline McAleer (413)734-3676 or via email at mcaleer2006@verizon.net.

Catholic Women’s Club Communion Breakfast

Agawam – All Catholic Women are invited to join the Catholic Women’s Club of Agawam at their annual Communion Breakfast on Sunday Nov. 9. It will begin with members attending the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, 833 Main St. at which the Mass Intention will be for the deceased members of the club.

The breakfast will follow immediately after the Mass in the church parish center behind the church. Speaker for the event will be Michael Rogers, PhD., currently the Regional Director of Mission Integration for Trinity Health of New England. He will speak about his book, “Many Paths With Mary”, which was published in 2025.

The breakfast will be catered by Tansey Catering and will include Pastries, French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Home Fried Potatoes, Orange Juice, Coffee and Tea. Price for breakfast is $16. Checks, made out to C.W.C., or cash can be placed in the basket at weekend Masses, left at the parish office or mailed to Paula Raiche, 181 Leonard Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Payments must be received by Nov. 3, and there will be no refunds. It will be an open seating event with tables of 8-10 people. Members are reminded to gather in the reserved front pews for the Mass. Any questions or more information contact Katie at (413) 348-9698.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.