August 2013 Volume 17 Issue 4 a Quarterly Newsletter of St
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August 2013 Volume 17 Issue 4 A Quarterly Newsletter of St. Mary Parish Family, Franklin MA 35 Years of Memories Till We Have Faces by Paula Coughlin Since I was new to the parish and by Joan McGuire had not yet begun to get involved in As I was thinking about this article I parish activities most of the names At St Rocco Festival, I enjoy watching began perusing old St. Rocco program then were unfamiliar to me. As the the children getting their faces painted. books. I have vague memories of the years went on and I became more They are so involved in the process and first few St. Rocco festivals. We had active, I got to know many of the intently watch the Face Painter. It always only been in Franklin for people who were reminds me of the title of a C.S. Lewis two years in 1979, the only names in a book book “Till We Have Faces.” I have never year of the first festival, in 1979. read the book but the title opens my and we had a young tod- mind to many aspects of my relationship dler. I remember attend- Once I began work- with God. ing but I am fuzzy on ing at the rectory 20 many of the details. years ago, I, of ne- God is the Divine Face Painter, and the cessity, but also en- many colored paint brushes are the peo- The early books reflect thusiastically, be- ple and the events-joyful, painful and both change and constan- came much more monotonous that we encounter in our cy. There was always involved with the St. daily lives. Like the children sitting be- good food, entertainment Rocco Festival. fore the face painter, we must lift our and activities for all ages. face and look intently into the face of In the early years, the Beginning around God as he gently applies the brush Opening Mass was held April each year, two strokes to create our persona. In order to on Thursday or Wednes- of the festival organ- be changed we need to imitate Christ in day instead of Sunday. izers, Peter Brunelli his ultimate vulnerability to people and The events at the festival and Vinnie DeBaggis situations. One only has to read his en- included a chicken barbe- became frequent visi- counters with the Syrophoenician wom- que and a Cabaret perfor- tors to the rectory. en (Mark 7:24-30), the woman with the mance. There was also a Vinnie DeBaggis. hemorrhage( Mark 5:25-34) and the Ro- dunk tank, a greased pole As I look back in the man Centurion (Luke 7:6-10) to mention and bocce. Some of the ads in the old books, Peter’s name first shows only a few, in order to see how he allows books are for businesses that are now up in 1980 as co-chair of the calzone his humanity to be effected by the people only memories. booth with Paul Ficco. with whom He comes in contact. After His Resurrection, He not only came to Many of the names in the books, both Peter is still involved as the “food the sorrowing people in the garden of volunteers and supporters are now also guru” of the festival. He always entombment but also to the discouraged memories. Some have moved away, knows how much to order. In good and disheartened on the dusty road to some are no longer able to participate weather years he’s on the phone late and many are no longer with us. (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 7) Summer Ends and Our Journey Continues page 2 inside... 35 Years of Faith, Family and Fun page 3 St. Rocco Schedule page 4 Welcome Father Anthony Le page 8 Page 2 Families’ Summer Ends and Our Journey Continues Corner by John M. Ristaino money for very worthy causes. Others The calendar tells us that the time for the will register for educational classes; by Katherine Ginnetty Feast of St. Rocco is close at hand. Sum- some for professional growth, some for mer is at its peak; flowers are in full personal growth and others for spiritual One of our traditions at St. Mary’s Par- bloom, vegetable gardens are exploding growth. We seek ways to fulfill our ish is the Baccalaureate Mass held eve- with bounty and vacations are in full need to connect and/or reconnect with ry year in June, in which parishioners swing from the mountains and lakes to people, organizations and activities we come together to pray for the graduat- the cities to the beaches. Soon though, it love. ing high school seniors in our communi- ty. Every year one of the seniors pre- will all quickly change. College students, St. Mary Parish offers us many different pares a short talk for the event, sharing home for the summer, will depart for types of opportunities to get involved, to his or her thoughts on faith with mem- their campus housing. Teachers will re- learn, to grow and to have fun in the bers of the graduating class and the turn to their classrooms to prepare for process. The coming weeks and months congregation in attendance. This year the arrival of this year’s students. School are exciting ones for our parish! Change Michaela Lonati delivered the speech busses will once again pick up students always carries with it the opportunity to which is reprinted here. in their neighborhoods and transport join and make a difference. Shortly after them to their schools. Vacations will Labor Day, the Music Ministry will wel- Everything happens for a reason. I have end. Beaches will be vacated. Gardens come a new leader. This new era in our been raised to believe that. I have been will start to fade. The days will grow Music Ministry provides the chance to raised to trust that saying, to know that shorter, and the sun will burn less warm- raise our voices in song at Mass and to even when we don’t understand why, ly. The end of the summer is a ritual of volunteer as a member of the choir. In there is a reason. And I have come to change. This change can be a time for us the past have you sung in the choir? take great comfort in believing that. to refocus our attention and energies to Perhaps now is the time to rejoin. Have There is a reason. And for those of us our journeys in Faith. you thought about joining the choir in with a strong faith and belief in God it the past and for whatever reason(s) you September is a month when our daily isn’t difficult. It helps me to accept so never did? Well, the door is open for and weekly routines return, reshape and many things, from the simple to the you to try. The existing choir and mem- transform our lives. We return to work frightening. Have you ever been in the bers of the Music Ministry are very tal- and to school with great anticipation and car, late to wherever you’re going and a ented and FUN people. Please consider renewed determination. September in school bus pulls out in front of you? many ways is the start of a “new year.” joining them. You are so frustrated knowing that now Our Faith journeys are reshaped and re- Earlier this year, in the quiet of winter, you will be even later. But if you be- energized too. We find ourselves again we lost a member of our parish family. lieve there is a reason for everything, attending Mass at St. Mary Parish on a Vinnie DeBaggis passed away in Janu- perhaps that school bus keeps you from weekly basis. The vacation and weekend ary after a brief illness. Vinnie was a getting a speeding ticket or even getting homes are closed up for the winter man I knew and admired my entire life. in an accident had you been further ahead. Our spare time changes too. It is My admiration was based on many fac- down the road. I like to believe God is at this time of year when we seek new ets of his life. One aspect of Vinnie’s watching out for me and whatever activities, new hobbies and new connec- life that shines forth in my memories of comes my way is part of His plan. tions. It can be a time when we seek out him is the service (the love) he gave to We’ve all had disappointments, not opportunities to become more involved St. Mary Parish. In his later years, Vin- making a team, not getting a part in a in our lives; to volunteer in areas which nie served as a Lector at Mass. This was play, not getting that job. But, there is a interest and challenge us. Some will take just one wonderful way he volunteered reason. If you think back over the last 4 on physical athletic challenges raising for St. Mary Parish. He and his wife years of high school, you can probably Alma started the Italian Pastry Booth at figure some of it out. Had you made that The Weave the annual St. Rocco Festival (a tradi- team, played that part or gotten that job, Published quarterly tion their grandchildren continue to this you would not have been available for a (February, April, August and November) day). Over the years Vinnie served as an better opportunity, one that put you on a by Saint Mary Parish, Franklin MA usher at Mass, a CCD teacher, and as a more successful path.