Our Lady of the Hills

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree will again be set up this Holiday Season, on the weekend of November 25-26th for the children and families of 18 Degrees, (formerly called Berkshire Children and Family Service) of Hampshire County and all Western Ma.; the residents of the River Valley Rest Home in Florence and the Goshen Hilltown Food Pantry.

Any parishioner who is interested in providing a gift is asked to choose a tag off the trea and return the gift and place it under the tree.

The tag includes the first name, age, and size of the child, and the child's wish, and the first name and wish of the Rest Home residents.

We have been asked to follow a few guidelines by 18 Degrees and the Hilltown Food Pantry

First, all gifts or toys should be new items.

Second, please attach a separate, removable tag to each wrapped gift or gift bag (gift bags are preferred) indicating the following:

Staff name, child's name, age and sex, and the donor code (OLTH) and list complete contents.  The name tag should be securely attached to the gift.  (You may re-attach the original tag which was taken from the tree)  Please wrap your gift with one end left open so staff can check the package contents.

Third, no personal messages other than holiday greetings should be included inside or outside the wrapped gift or gift bag.

In order to help staff with timely delivery of these gifts, we have been asked to deliver the gifts to the Agendy by Monday, December 11, therefore, all gifts should be returned to the Giving Tree no later that Sunday, December 10th.  

The gifts for the Rest Home residents should also be wrapped and tagged with the recipient name and destination.  (Again, you may re-attach the original tag which was taken from the tree)  Delivery to the Rest Home will also take place on December 11th.

18 Degrees, River Valley Rest home residents, and the children of the Hilltown Food Pantry wish to thank you for your generosity and support of the Giving Tree.  We know it will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the children, and the elderly this Holiday Season.

Doll House Rafffle 

The Social Committee will be raffling off a slightly used, custom 3 story farm house style doll house.  It has 6 rooms, electrified for lighting.  Tickets will be on sale starting the weekend of November 18-19th thru December 2-3.  The drawing will December 10th at the 8 a.m. Mass.  Tickets will be $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.  The house will be on display at the back of the church starting November 18.

Faith Formation

Youth - See "Youth Faith Formation" under Ministries page.

Mass Class - Join our Faith Formation Families for a short presentation explaining parts of the Mass. The 2nd of this mini-series, Liturgy of the Eucharist, will be Sunday, October 15th starting with prayer at 9:15 am in the Parish Hall and moving to the Church at 9:20 am.

Adult - Tuesday Evening Program, starting September 12th at 6:00 pm, The Chosen - the first multi-season television series about the life of Christ, as witnessed through the eyes of those He impacted. See Adult Faith Formation Page under "Ministries" page.                                                                                                                     .                                

Coffee Cafe News

The Coffee Cafe is open on Sundays after the Masses.  We need volunteers to help with setting up tables, making coffee or donating a food item for the cafe.  Contact Louise Jasionkowsi at 413-527-5134 or RLjasionkowski@comcast.net if you want to help.  The cafe began in 2009 and has 20-30 people attending each Sunday. It is another way for us to build community in our Parish.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting

Do you knit, crochet, or weave?  Come join the Prayer Shawl Ministry, which is made up of volunteers who enjoy creating shawls to give comfort to those in need.  The shawls are blessed before being sent to their recipients.  Shawls may go to shut-ins, nursing home residents, or those struggling with health issues, as gifts to those undergoing medical procedures, comfort after a loss, in times of depression and stress, meditation, nursing a baby, a holiday gift.  The shawls comfort, hug, shelter and beautify recipients.   For more information contact Doris Jasinski at 413-657-6329 or email at dejasiski@gmail.com

Have a prayer request or a need for a pastoral visit?

If a Parishioner or someone close to you is in the Hospital, or at home, please call the rectory for a pastoral visit (413-268-7212) or to place someone on the prayer line call Joanne Parsons at 413-584-8199.  

Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction

Every Monday from 1-3 P.M. Eucharistic adoration will take place with Benediction at 2:50.  Stop in for however long you want.  

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