9 Days for Life Novena - Day 6
January 23, 2018
Intercession: May those near the end of their lives receive medical care that respects their dignity and protects their lives.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: When Maggie's active father suffered an accident that eventually led to his passing, he taught her that pain and loss of autonomy doesn't diminish our human dignity, and that life—however much is left—is worth living.
As a 50-year-old wife and mother of three, Maggie needed this message when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Instead of giving up hope, she embraced her father's legacy: "[M]y life is, always has been, and always will be, worth living."
Meet Maggie in a 3-minute video ( www.goo.gl/SGF7rP ), and read the brief article it inspired: " Maggie's Story: Living like Dad " ( www.usccb.org/maggies-story ).
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Pray a decade of the Rosary ( www.usccb.org/rosary
) for your deceased friends and family, as well as those who have no one to pray for them.
- We look forward to eternal life by preparing now, in hope, for our passage from this life to the next. Spend some time prayerfully reflecting on " Catholic Considerations for Our Earthly Passing
" ( www.usccb.org/end-of-life-considerations
). Several considerations are given as starting points for understanding and preparing for our earthly passing in a way that respects God's gift of human life.
- Read and reflect upon " Caring for Loved Ones at Life's End " ( www.usccb.org/endoflifecare ). Ten suggestions anchored in unconditional respect for human life help readers know how to provide authentically compassionate care. (Supplemental information: www.goo.gl/Ji3n35 )
One Step Further: Proponents of doctor-assisted suicide try to draw a sharp (and tragic) distinction between those with a mental illness who want to end their lives and those already nearing death who express the same wish. Although polls indicate the public is receptive to the general concept of assisted suicide, when people understand the associated dangers, they are less likely to support the practice.
Learn seven compelling reasons you can share for opposing assisted suicide: " Top Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide " ( www.usccb.org/reasons-against-assisted-suicide ).
Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
Norma D. (Vosburgh) Lofland, 73, of Springfield, MA passed away peacefully at home on February 15, 2026. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Norma's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation March 8th 3pm-5pm at Beers & Story Funeral Home in Belchertown, Funeral Mass March 9th 11am at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Burial will take place with her parents at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Palmer. For more information please see here.
Ann Elizabeth (Connally) LeBrun, passed away on February 12, 2026, at the age of 63. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Ann's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and again from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. A Funeral Mass will take place the following morning at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at a later date. For more information please see here .
Gilles Andre Gagnon, age 92, died peacefully at home on February 7, 2026, in Belchertown, Massachusetts Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Gilles' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Calling hours are Saturday, February 21st from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, February 21st 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gill’s life. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be offered to the American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/ . For more information please visit www.beersandstory.com
Douglas J. Rogers, of South Windsor, CT passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 16, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Douglas' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. On January 12, 2026 a memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown at 11:00 am. Followed by a Celebration of Life at McCarthy's Pub in Belchertown.
It is with deep sadness and great love that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary T (Kusek) Kos on October 9, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Mary's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Services will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Motyka Funeral Home, 2186 Main St. Three Rivers, MA. There will be a calling hour from 9AM-10AM, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St Francis of Assisi Parish, 24 Jabish St, Belchertown at 11AM, and Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery, Fuller Rd, Palmer.
Anita C. (Roy) Coulombe, entered eternal rest on Sept. 12, 2025, at the age of 92, at home with her son Roy by her side. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Anita's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A calling hour will be held on Mon., Sept. 22, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. This will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Francis Church. Burial will be private, at the family's request. For more information see here .
Patricia (Barney) Skaza, passed away on August 31, 2025, at the age of 77 in New Bedford, MA. 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 Funeral Mass in Patricia's honor will take place on Saturday, September 13th, at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Church, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Chicopee. For more information see Legacy.com
Marilyn R. (Claus) Brunelle, 84, of South Hadley, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Pioneer Valley Nursing Home in South Hadley. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Marilyn's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Calling Hours for Marilyn will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 4:00pm – 6:00 pm in Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street, Ware, MA 01082. A Funeral Service will be held the following morning, on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 10:00 am in Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, 24 Jabish Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. Entombment will be held at 12:30 pm in St. Michael's Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109, following the church service. An online tribute page is available at www.charbonneaufh.com .
Jean Baptiste Bangoret Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Jean'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 his honor at St. Francis of Assisi, where family and friends will gather to celebrate his life on Saturday, July 5th at 1:00pm.
Elizabeth Smola passed away earlier this year. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Elizabeth'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 on June 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.