Religion Notes: Sept. 4, 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.

Celebration Sunday at Federated Church of Hampden

Hampden – The Federated Community Church of Hampden at 590 Main St., invites members of the church and community to their “Celebration Sunday” cookout on Sept. 7. It will be held just after Sunday Service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be outside on the church grounds, or if it rains, in Libby Hall. This event will introduce and welcome our new Pastor, Eunji Lee to the church members, their extended families, and to our neighbors in the community. This event will also be for the Annual Registration for Sunday School and will be held inside the church before Sunday Service from 9:30 to 10 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the cookout. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and beverages along with their featured dessert: apple crisp. You will be able to make your own apple crisp with ice cream or whipped cream. For questions or information, the church office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please call, or leave a message after hours, 413-566-3711.

Upcoming church events

Springfield – Foster Memorial Church, UCC, 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres section will resume their worship time back from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. as of Sunday, Sept. 7. Nursery care and church school are provided. For more information about the church, please visit their website: fostermemorial.org or their Facebook page.

The church will hold their monthly Food Drive on Saturday, Sept. 13 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 very much appreciated.

The church will hold their annual “Rally Sunday” on Sunday, Sept. 14, beginning at 10 a.m. Rally Sunday marks the beginning of a new Sunday school year. There will be special faith-based and fun activities for children from pre-school through teens, followed by an ice cream social for the whole congregation. Please join us and share this information with families with school-aged children. For more information, please call the church office at 413-782-2112.

Summer Social

Ludlow – St Elizabeth Parish, Ludlow, will have a Summer Social on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 12 to 3 p.m. on parish grounds and the Pastoral Center. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children 3 and up, and children under 3 are free. The Summer Social will be catered by Margarida Aniceto and will have hot dogs, hamburgers, potato and/or pasta salad, chips and soda. Parishioners should bring a dessert (cupcakes, brownies or cookies) to share with all). Entertainment will be provided by the Ludlow Community Band 12 to 1 p.m. then Billy Eagen 1:30 to 3 p.m. In addition, there will be outdoor activities for adults and children. Tickets will go on sale after all masses at St Elizabeth Parish starting Aug. 2 until the event. You may also purchase tickets at the rectory Monday-Friday from 8 to 4 p.m. For additional questions please call Richard Landry at 209-0813 or Jim Meehan at 547-8822.

Kids’ Carnival and upcoming pie event

Westfield – UCC 2nd Congregational Church, Western Avenue on Monday, will hold “Pie Day,” Sept. 8, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. All pies $15, featuring apple, blueberry, cherry and more. There will also be dinner pies such as shepherds pie and spaghetti pie (homemade). Quantity is limited. Come early.

Monthly spaghetti supper

Ludlow – St Elizabeth Parish, Hubbard Street, will start Spaghetti Suppers again on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from Sept. to June at the Pastoral center. The first spaghetti supper is Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under with a $25 max for immediate family. All are welcome.

9/11 Memorial Mass

Chicopee – The Annual deanery-wide Memorial Mass, honoring the memory of the innocent victims and selfless heroes who perished in the tragic terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will be offered at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11 at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Basilica. This liturgy is sponsored, annually, by the Catholic parishes of Chicopee & Ludlow – 9/11 Memorial Mass Committee. This year marks the 24th annual observance of the horrific events that took place on that fateful day in our nation’s history. Please join us, as we gather, to offer our thoughts and prayers, not only for the innocent victims, including those first responders, fire, police and emergency medical technicians who, simply, went to work on that day … and never came home but, also, for the families and friends whom they have left behind. Light refreshments will follow after the Mass in the vestibule of the Basilica.

Dinner and concert

Monson – On Saturday, Sept. 13, First Church of Monson, 5 High Street, will hold a concert to celebrate the Restoration of the Swell Division of the Johnson, Opus 781, 1892 Organ. The recitalist will be Robert Greene, a nationally known organist and composer. The concert will be preceded by a baked ham dinner at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall followed by the recital at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Dinner and concert tickets of $20 may be obtained by contacting Gail at 413-267-4818. Concert tickets will be available at the door at the cost of $5. The event is sponsored in part by the Monson Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the MA Cultural Council, a state agency.

End of life presentation

Holyoke – Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1945 Northampton St. will host a presentation on “End of Life Issues,” on Monday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. A panel of speakers consisting of a funeral director, an attorney, a hospice worker, and a cemetery employee. They will each give a short presentation. Each speaker will then answer questions. For any questions about the program, call the Rectory office at 413-532-0713. The program is free and open to all.

Vendors & Crafters Wanted

Westfield – UCC Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Ave., is looking for Vendors and Crafters for their event on Oct.11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested, please reach out to the church office at 413-568-7557.

Crafters wanted

Ludlow – Crafters Wanted for 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. The cost is a non-refundable $40 fee for an 8-ft table, which will be provided by the church. To reserve a table/s or for more information contact Debbie Martell at 413-547-8739 or Lorraine Bernier at 413-519-7658. Light refreshments will be available.

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.

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.