Annual Collection Resounding Success

Holy Redeemer conducted our 2021 Annual Collection in August and September. Congratulations to those parishioners who supported the yearly special appeal. It was very successful. We received a few donations from stragglers in last Sunday’s collection. So, as of Monday, contributions were $81,317.50. That is just short of a $15,000 or 22% increase over last year’s total. Two hundred thirty-three parish households contributed to this year’s collection. That was an increase of five from last year.

The Annual Collection’s proceeds supplement our regular weekly budget collections and stabilize parish income over the winter months after our summer residents have left. I am grateful for the financial support of both full-time and part-time parishioners to this year’s efforts.

While we’re reflecting on parish finances, I’d also like to thank parishioners who use our online giving program WeShare. You have been a godsend during the pandemic. Without your support, the parish would be in a dire financial situation. These parishioners signed up to make automatic contributions from their bank accounts or credit cards. So, regardless of their being in church on Sunday, they can still make their weekly contribution. Throughout the pandemic, they have continued to support the parish.

I want to encourage all parishioners to consider enrolling in WeShare online giving. It is easy to do and allows you to set your donation and forget it. Go to our parish website www.holyredeemerchatham.org. In the upper right-hand corner, click on the “Giving” tab. A drop-down list will appear. Follow the steps, and you can enroll in online giving. You can change your preset donation level at any time just by going to the site. If you have problems registering, please call the Parish Office (508)-945-0677, and we will assist you.

November Book of the Dead

November is the month Catholics make efforts to pray for the repose of the souls of the faithful dead. This week parishioners received a letter from Fr. Sullivan inviting them to forward the names of their beloved dead for inclusion in our November Book of the Dead. Throughout the month, we will reverence the book with incense at the beginning of weekend Masses.

We encourage a donation of $1 per name to be included in the All Souls envelope. Proceeds from the envelopes will go to the Chatham Children’s Fund. Please forward your list of names to the Parish Office as soon as possible.

We will celebrate our annual Memorial Mass for Holy Redeemer parishioners who died in the last year on All Souls Day, Tuesday, November 2, at 7:00 PM. If a member of your family or a friend has died this year, send their name to the Parish Office, and we will include them on our list. We will also remember the deaths of all Covid victims at that Mass. Please plan to come to our All Souls Mass to pray for the dead.

Bishop Releases Pastoral Letter

On Friday, September 24, Bishop da Cunha issued his fourth pastoral letter, Journeying Together: With Jesus on the Path of Faith & Hope. The bishop shares,

“God is calling us to move forward and not stand still. My hope in this pastoral letter is to offer you a vision for how we can do this and how you can join us in moving forward into the future as a Diocese.”

The letter focuses on three areas: Invitational Witness, Sacramental Living, and Vocational Pathways, with each section offering mission steps-the actions that individuals, parish communities, and diocesan ministries need to take to make the vision a reality over the next four years. Please take the opportunity to review the letter along with the accompanying guidebook at www.fallriverdiocese.org/journeying-together.

Scientific Evidence of God

The secular world often tries to contend there is a conflict between faith and science. They overlook the reality that many great scientists have been and are people of faith. The Catholic Schools Alliance of the Diocese of Fall River is sponsoring a talk by Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, on There is Scientific Evidence of God’s Existence. The lecture will be at the Bishop Connolly High School Auditorium, 373 Elsbree Street, Fall River, MA, on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 7-8:30 PM. There is no admission charge. The topic is interesting to students in grades 6-12, college students, parents, grandparents, and educators.

Fr. Spitzer is a renowned Jesuit philosopher of ontology and science. He has made numerous television appearances on programs such as Larry King Live, The Today Show, The History Channel’s “God and the Universe, PBS “Closer to the Truth,” and his own EWTN series “Father Spitzer’s Universe.” To reserve a seat, RSVP to info@catholicsa.org or call (508) 687-7301.

Bereavement Ministry Plans New Series

“We do not grieve as those who have no hope.”

The Holy Redeemer Bereavement Ministry began its next series of support group sessions, “Journey from Grief to Hope,” on Tuesdays in the Parish Center.

Sessions are from 10:00 AM-11:30 AM for the next six weeks. The death of a loved one is an intense and painful experience for most people. Having the proper support makes all the difference, and here at Holy Redeemer, we want to make the difference by reaching out and helping members and families through their grief.

Participants will follow CDC COVID guidelines for social distancing and mask-wearing.

Attendees, RSVP to Marilyn Whelden at mawhelden@comcast.net or call 508-776-6795.