Bishop William Byrne will celebrate the annual respect life mass and march will be held here at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. The mass is organized each year by Pope Francis preparatory school and Pro-life of Pioneer Valley, Inc. Following the mass, participants are invited to take part in a march to Springfield city hall where students will lead petitions for life.

All are invited to an information meeting for the July 6 to 17 Diocesan Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage to Rome and Italy. Join us on Thursday Jan. 23 at 6pm at the Bishop Marshall Center, behind St. Michael's Cathedral, in Springfield. Fr. Gary Dailey, the pilgrimage leader, will be available to answer your questions and discuss the pilgrimage's itinerary. You can also find out more at www.johnpaulpilgrimagesandtours.com/project/springfield25/ or you can request information by calling 413 452-0643.

Looking for something fun to do on a Saturday night. Join us at the St. Patrick's Social Center, 30 Main St., South Hadley, for a night of fun. There will be many board games and card games to choose from. Come on out and have some fun.

On Saturday, January 25, the Springfield Thunderbirds will host Catholic Faith and Family night as the T-Birds take on the Providence Bruins at 7:00pm in the MassMutual Center. Special group pricing tickets are available but selling fast. Please share the attached flyer with your parish/department so that those who are interested in attending will benefit from the special pricing. This game is expected to sell out so act now!

For anyone looking for a volunteer opportunity, Harmony House of Western Massachusetts has openings for many functions. A Volunteer Recruitment Event is scheduled for January 29th, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:15 P.M at the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front Street in Chicopee. Current volunteers and staff will be on hand to discuss their experiences at the home and answer questions. Harmony House is a social model home for hospice care located in Chicopee. The organization is currently in need of caregivers and people who would enjoy the opportunity to support our residents in other ways; for example, companionship, cleaning, outdoor work, helping to stage and promote fundraising events, and so many more purposes. Whether it’s a few hours a week or a few hours a month, Harmony House is a welcoming place for people looking to help people. Please join us on January 29th or email [email protected].

Marriage Help Program (local) – January 31 - February 2nd A happier marriage is possible! If you want to improve your marriage in the new year, this local program can help. Retrouvaille, a Catholic-based ministry, provides tools to help you communicate better, resolve conflicts, and rediscover a loving marriage. The next local weekend starts January 31st. For information, call confidentially 1-800-470-2230, email [email protected] or go to our website www.helpourmarriage.org.

Fathers/father figures are invited to join us with their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, etc. on Friday, January 31 at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center. Tickets will be sold after all the Masses on the weekends of January 18/19 and January 25/26. Tickets are $20.00 per family and must be purchased in advance. For more details/information, please contact Rosemary Oldread [email protected] or 413-596-4232, ext 113.

Hosted by St. Charles Parish, 89 Briggs Ave., Pittsfield. $20 for Father Figures and daughtesr are free. Admission includes desserts and beverages as well as a digital keep sake photo.

Come to our Faith on Fire "coffee social hour", Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 pm in the Sacred Heart Parish Center located at 1061 Springfield St., Feeding Hills. We need united volunteers graced by the Holy Spirit to help guide the Faith on Fire event for 2025. Come and see if you want to be a part of this amazing event. Questions? Call Joanne at 413-998-3454

With Deacon Donald Higby, M.D. speaking on the topic if cancer, with music by Doris Poirier & Robert Keliher. Mass begins @ 7:30 a.m. with a free continental breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and talk begins at 8:30 a.m., Prayer Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus after Mass. Please attend- Bring a friend, an associate or family member. Ample Parking. In case of inclement weather cancellation will be on 22 News and Channel 560

On Friday, February 7, Mater Dolorosa School, Maple St, Holyoke will hold a Father Daughter Dance. This dance is for fathers/fathers at heart and daughters of all ages. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $5.00 per person and may be purchased at Mater Dolorosa School as well as Nick’s Nest. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The Office of Youth Ministry invites all middle to high school aged youth from across the diocese to the third annual “The Path that Leads to You” diocesan youth rally at 5:30pm on February 8 2025 at Pope Francis Prep high school in Springfield, MA. The exciting day will feature Bishop Joseph Espaillat, America’s youngest bishop, national youth speaker, and rapper. Enjoy live music, fun games, dynamic talks, and a powerful experience of Eucharistic Adoration. The rally is organized by the Diocesan Youth Ambassadors, a group of high school leaders, who have spent nearly a year planning the event. Don’t miss this chance for the young people in your life to grow in faith, connect with others, and be inspired!

Knights of Columbus, Father Shea Council will hold a Winter Picnic at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Fr. Shea Hall, 224 Sheep Pasture Rd., Southwick. 13 to Adult / $10.00, 5 to 12 yrs / $5.00, Under 5 yrs / free, Max price per family is $25.00.

As part of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, the Basilica of St. Stanislaus in Chicopee, MA, invites everyone to a special evening celebrating Mary, Mother of Hope on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This inspiring event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a Scriptural Rosary reflecting on The Joyful Mysteries, including a Marian presentation by Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., and a selection of Marian hymns. The evening will take place at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, located at 566 Front Street, and will conclude with a light reception. As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope, this celebration offers an opportunity to deepen our faith and draw closer to Mary, who leads us to the heart of her Son. Sponsored by the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Rosary Society, this event is open to all. Come and experience the hope and joy of this Jubilee Year! All are welcome.

St. Brigid Parish, Amherst presents "St. Valentine Dance & Dinner with Fr. Valentine" onFriday, February 14 at the Monsignor Lane Pastoral Center, 43 N Prospect St, Amherst, MA 01002 Join us for a night of dancing and food celebrating St. Valentine's Day. Donations are $50 per person or $90 per couple. Credit cards, cash, and checks are accepted. For tickets and more information: 413-256-6181 or [email protected]. Come and have a night of fun!

As part of the Jubilee Year, Our Lady of Peace in Turners Falls, MA has invited Frank Runyeon, nationally acclaimed speaker and well-known Hollywood actor, as well as a longtime Catholic and Seminary graduate (with honors!) to speak about Hollywood vs. Faith - the struggle to live faithfully in the media age. Mr. Runyeon's presentation will be held during Lent on Saturday, March 8 at 7pm sharing his first hand experience in Hollywood and the media's allure and pitfalls. His website states,"Everyone is hotly debating the influence of the media today…But few people are speaking a language that captures the attention of youth and adults, sheds new light—and ignites laughter. Frank helps his audience see “the man behind the curtain,” telling fun stories from a lifetime in the entertainment industry. He may change the way you (and your kids) see the media forever."

Saint Jerome Parish in Holyoke is hosting a Novena to Saint Patrick beginning Sunday, March 9 and concluding on Monday, March 17. Priests who serve throughout the Diocese will be the Novena Mass celebrants, with Bishop Byrne serving as the celebrant on Sunday, March 16. Weekday Novena Masses will be celebrated at 12:15 p.m.; the Saturday Novena Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m.; and the Sunday Novena Masses will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. For further information, contact the Saint Jerome Parish Office at 413-532-6381. The Church is located at 169 Hampden Street.

Come join St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 12 Park St., Belchertown, in the fun, as comedian Dave Kane brings you a laugh filled presentation of jokes, one liners and stories that celebrate the warmth and resilience of the Irish sense of Humor. Show time: 2:00 PM and Doors open at 1:30 PM. Tickets are $20 For tickets call Roseann Montefusco (413) 364-8161. Tickets will also be sold after Masses or stop by the Parish Office at 10 Park St.

All are invited to a Mass on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2025 for all alumni, faculty and staff, living and deceased, of Pittsfield’s St. Joseph Central High School. The Mass will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, 414 North St. at 5:30 p.m.

Singing Priests - Summer Concert in Turners Falls. Thursday, May 22nd, 7pm. Come enjoy the beautiful voices of our own priests of the Diocese of Springfield hosted by Our Lady of Peace in Turners Falls. This live concert is sure to please all and it is a first time appearance in Franklin County in recent history! These talented priests come together to sing a variety of songs that may include sacred ballads like Ave Maria as well as classics from the Carpenters, Beetles, Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul & Mary and everything in between! Come early as their concerts always fill quickly! No tickets are needed but a donation of $10 is suggested for a worthy cause to be selected.