9 Days for Life Novena - Day 2
January 19, 2018
Intercession: For the end to abortion.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: More women and girls consider abortion than we may realize. They are our relatives and friends, people who work with us or for us, married or unmarried. Even if someone identifies as being pro-life, the shock of an unexpected pregnancy, the devastation of a difficult prenatal diagnosis, shame, pressures, or fears may influence her to consider abortion.
If someone shared with you she was pregnant and hadn't ruled out having an abortion, would you know how to respond in a loving way that is life-affirming for both her and her baby?
Learn about the four steps of the L.O.V.E. Approach™*: Listen and Learn , Open Options , Vision and Value , and Extend and Empower ( www.usccb.org/l-o-v-e ).
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Go to an abortion clinic and pray, or set aside an hour today to pray for those who are struggling with a decision of life or death for their unborn child.
- Read “ What to Do When a Friend Is Considering Abortion
” ( www.usccb.org/l-o-v-e
), and spend some time reflecting on it. Would someone in a difficult pregnancy situation know she could turn to you for loving support?
- Donate needed items to a pregnancy care center, or volunteer an hour of your time at one. Find a center near you at www.heartbeatinternational.org/worldwide-directory . . . .
One Step Further: Find out other simple tips on how to provide loving, life-affirming support for a friend who is unexpectedly pregnant: "10 Ways to Support Her When She's Unexpectedly Expecting" ( www.usccb.org/support-her ).
*The L.O.V.E. Approach™ is trademarked by Heartbeat International, Inc. and may not be adapted or modified. The L.O.V.E. Approach™ is used in "What to Do When a Friend Is Considering Abortion" with permission from Heartbeat International, Inc. Copyright © 2017, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
Theresa Simone Murray, born Pepin on August 24, 1934, in Chicopee, MA, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2025, at the Arbors in Westfield. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Theresa's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A Memorial Mass will be held in her honor at St. Francis of Assisi, where family and friends will gather to celebrate her life and legacy on April 28, 2025 at 11am. Click here for more information.
Sheilamae M. (Marchessault) Cole, 86, of Ware, MA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on April 4, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Sheilamae's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. The family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 Visitation will be at Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Church in Belchertown at 12:30 pm, with Interment to follow at South Cemetery in Belchertown. Click here for more information.
James Leonard Scott, 78, passed away March 25, 2025, at his home with his wife by his side. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May James' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 from 9:30-10:30am at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi. Burial will immediately follow in New St. Williams Cemetery in Ware. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
On February 24, 2025, six days after her 85th birthday, Patricia Ann (DeSantis) Squires passed away at Cooley Dickinson Hospital following a brief illness. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Patricia's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 28, 2025 at St. Francis Church, 24 Jabish St., Belchertown from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. followed by the Liturgy of Christian burial at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow in South Cemetery in Belchertown. Click here for more information.
Thomas T. Soja, 82, of Belchertown passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Tom's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 12 from 9:30-11:30 am at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home with a Funeral Mass at 12pm at St. Francis Church. Burial will be at the MA Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at 2pm. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Denise O. (Grondin) Cote, who peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on February 10th, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Denise's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home during calling hours on Wednesday, February 19th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Francis Church. Following the Mass, the burial will take place at West Cemetery in Granby. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Dennis Louis Riel, 72, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Dennis' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A calling hour to honor Dennis' memory will be held on Monday, February 17th, from 9:00am -10:00am at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am at St. Francis Church, Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Veronica C. Shea (née Higgins), born April 7, 1941, in Holyoke, MA, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, in Springfield, MA. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Veronica's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be on February 6 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple St. A Funeral Mass will be conducted on February 7 at 11 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 24 Jabish St in Belchertown, followed by her interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Gerald "Jerry" J. Millen, 84, passed away January 26, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Jerry's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 1-3 pm at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to join the funeral procession on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 11 am to St. Francis of Assisi Church, where Jerry’s life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 12pm. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at 2 pm. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Michael J. Lamoureux passed away on December 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Michael's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A celebration of Michael’s life will commence with a period of visitation on Monday, December 23, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.