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9 Days for Life Novena - Day 4

Jan 22, 2018

Intercession:  May all people embrace the truth that every life is a good and perfect gift, and is worth living.

Prayers:  Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Reflection:  Our culture is obsessed with perfection—a superficial perfection. Photos are edited, and social media sites depict seemingly perfect lives. God calls us to seek perfection, too. He does not call us, however, to perfection of appearance or abilities, but to perfection in love.

In " A Perfect Gift " ( www.usccb.org/perfect-gift ) one parent shares about the experience of raising a child with Down syndrome, contrasting it with what onlookers might perceive: "It's like looking at a stained-glass window from the outside: The colors look dark, and you can't quite make out the figures. From the inside, however, with the sun shining through it, the effect can be brilliant. From inside our family, love illuminates our life with Charlie.* What may seem dreary to others, perhaps even unbearable, is actually filled with beauty and color."

May each of us experience the power of God's transforming love, that our eyes may be opened to the incredible beauty of the people the Lord places in our lives.

Acts of Reparation  (choose one):

  • Pray the short prayer " Every Life is Worth Living " ( www.usccb.org/worth-living ), reflecting on how you can bring Christ's love to others today.

  • Read " Supporting Families Who Receive a Prenatal Diagnosis " ( www.usccb.org/prenatal-diagnosis ), then spend some time praying for babies who have been given an adverse prenatal diagnosis and for their families.

  • We can sometimes forget how blessed we are to have many of our daily comforts. Give up sleeping on your pillow tonight.

One Step Further:  Charlie's mother shares in "A Perfect Gift" that when people say, "I could never handle a child with a disability," she explains to them, "[Y]ou aren't given  a child with a disability. You are given  your  child with a disability. …You are not called to 'handle' a disability. You are called to love a particular person, and caring for him or her grows out of that love. …Our [family's] hearts…have become larger [by caring for Charlie]."

She also talks about the "secret" that is the fundamental truth of our existence, which she and other parents of children with Down syndrome share. Find out what it is in "A Perfect Gift" ( www.usccb.org/perfect-gift ). 

*Name changed for privacy.

Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

09 Apr, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald Gerard Proulx on April 6th, 2024 with his loving family by his side. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May Ronald's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Friday, April 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
28 Feb, 2024
Sister Jeanne T. Hubert, 93, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2024. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Sister Jeanne's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Monday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
28 Feb, 2024
Gloria J. (Sedelow) Fredette, 80, passed away at her home on February 23, 2024. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Gloria's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
By Donna Laviolette 26 Jan, 2024
Martha E. Fredenburgh, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family at Baystate Medical Center on January 18, 2024.  Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Martha's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
By Donna Laviolette 19 Jan, 2024
  David S. "Dave" Paul, 78, passed away January 17, 2024 with his loving wife by his side. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May David's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
By Donna Laviolette 16 Jan, 2024
Kathleen A. Francis passed away peacefully on January 13, 2024 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Kathleen's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
By Donna Laviolette 20 Dec, 2023
Dr. Lawrence Roberge, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on Dec 14, 2023. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and may Lawrence's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Friday, December 22, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Sampson Funeral Chapel.
By Donna Laviolette 16 Dec, 2023
Ellen (Real) Campbell, 69, died at home on December 13, 2023, due to complications from ALS. She was surrounded by her loving family. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may Ellen's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, on Wednesday December 20, 2023 at 11 A.M. Friends and family may meet at the funeral home at 10 A.M. Click here for more information from Beers & Story Funeral Home.    
By Bulletin Editor 25 Oct, 2023
Rita M. Butler, 96, passed away at Vantage of Wilbraham on October 21, 2023.  Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may Rita's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Click here for more information from Beers & Story Funeral Home.
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