Murder She Float- A Mardi Gras Mystery

Mardi Gras is supposed to be a lot of fun after a lot of hard work, or before a lot of hard work, or during a lot of hard work. The Krewe Du Wild Chalupas are holding a Krewe party to choose a queen to ride on their float. One of the contestants doesn’t make it to the parade as someone decides she doesn’t deserve it. Could it be Maude E Graw? How about Matty Door? Maybe Jim Teacher or Dick C Lee. Who knows? Hopefully you will. Come along for the ride and help figure it out and have a lot of laughs.

NO TICKETS WILL BE SENT OUT.  NAMES WILL BE PLACED ON A RESERVATION LIST LOCATED AT THE CHECK IN TABLE THE EVENING OF THE EVENT.

DEADLINE FOR EVENT REGISTRATION IS TUESDAY, MAY 26

THERE WILL BE A 50/50 RAFFLE!!!

ALL PROFITS GO TO PAY FOR THE FAITH ON FIRE RALLY EXPENSES, WHICH IS TAKING PLACE ON AUGUST 20 AND 21, 2026

QUESTIONS? CONTACT LINDA AT 413-949-3741

THE EVENINGS SCHEDULE:

5:00 – 5:20      Guest Arrival Time

5:30 – 6:00      Actors Mingle And Salad Is Served

6:00 – 6:30      Act 1     No Food

6:30 – 7:15      Dinner (ROTISERRE CHICKEN, BAKED POTATO, GREEN BEANS, ROLL)       

7:15 – 7:30      Act 2

7:30 – 8:00      Sleuth Time And Dessert   

8:00 – 8:30      Act 3   The Mystery Is Solved!!!

COST IS $45 PER PERSON

Have you ever wondered why Catholics cross their forehead, lips, and heart before the Gospel at Mass? How many of us go through the motions of Mass and not fully understand the significance of what we do?

Within the Catholic liturgy, gestures are never empty actions. They are embodied prayers that express interior beliefs. One such gesture occurs at every Mass just before the proclamation of the Gospel. At that moment, Catholics trace a small cross with their thumb on their forehead, lips, and heart while responding, “Glory to You, O Lord.” Though simple in appearance, this action contains deep theological meaning and expresses the proper disposition we are called to have when receiving God’s Word.

When the priest or deacon announces, “A reading from the holy Gospel according to…,” the faithful recognize that what follows is more than sacred text—it is the living voice of Christ Himself speaking to His Church. The Gospel is not merely a record of past events or religious instruction; it is the active and present Word of God. This is why the Church instructs us to stand during its proclamation, to listen attentively, and to mark ourselves with three small crosses. The sign of the cross, in any form, proclaims faith in the redemption won by Jesus Christ and expresses belief in the Holy Trinity into which we were baptized. Thus, the triple cross made before the Gospel recalls our identity as children of God and prepares us to receive Christ’s Word with humility and obedience.

The meaning of this gesture becomes clearer when we consider what we are asking God to do within us. The first cross is traced on the forehead. This action is a prayer that the Gospel will enlighten our minds. We seek purification in our thoughts, guidance in our decisions, and clarity in discerning truth from error. In a world filled with confusion, superficial opinions, and moral ambiguity, Catholics pray that Christ’s Word may illumine our intellect and shape our worldview according to His truth.

The second sign is made over the lips. This expresses our desire that our speech may be sanctified by the Gospel. The Christian disciple is called to speak truthfully, compassionately, and courageously. By signing our lips, we ask that the Word we hear may be spoken through us—not only in prayer, but also in daily conversation, witness, and evangelization. We pray for freedom from harmful speech, from gossip or slander, and instead seek to speak words that uplift, heal, and proclaim Christ’s saving love.

The third sign is traced over the heart. The heart is the place of devotion, love, and desire. When we mark our chest with the sign of the cross, we ask that the Gospel may penetrate beyond our intellect and our speech, reaching the deepest part of who we are. We pray that it may transform our affections, purify our intentions, and strengthen our love for God and neighbor. In this way, the gesture is a silent invitation for the Sacred Heart of Jesus to reshape our hearts so that we may love with His love.

This understanding is closely reflected in the words of Scripture. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God separates truth from falsehood, exposes hidden motives, and calls us to conversion. The triple sign of the cross acknowledges that the Word we are about to hear has the power to divide darkness from light within us, if we make ourselves open to its grace.

Liturgical gestures like these remind us that faith is not only intellectual belief, but active participation in the mysteries of God. Catholics pray with their voices, their minds, and their bodies, because we are whole persons made to worship God with every dimension of our being. Thus, this small action is profoundly sacramental—it is an outward sign pointing to an interior disposition.

Although prayed silently, the Church traditionally understands this gesture to express a prayer such as: “May the Word of the Lord be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.” It is a prayer asking God to help us not merely hear the Gospel, but to think according to it, speak from it, and love through it.

The next time one stands at Mass during the proclamation of the Gospel, one should not rush through this gesture mechanically. Instead, one should make the sign slowly and consciously, praying that God’s Word may dwell richly within. In doing so, we allow the living Gospel to shape our identity as believers, strengthen our witness as Christians, and deepen our love for the One who speaks to us. The triple sign of the cross prepares us to receive Christ Himself—who is the Word made flesh—and challenges us to let that Word transforms our minds, sanctify our speech, and renew our hearts.

The presentation will be held in our Marian Hall with refreshments at 6:30 on Wednesday, May 21,2025.

Please join us as we will have an opportunity to walk alongside the journey Cecile was blessed to experience.

This presentation is free to everyone but if you could bring a donation for the Food Pantry, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions please call Deb Briancesco at 413-786-9131.

GATHER WITH OTHER MEN OF THE DIOCESE ON THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH

Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 7:00 PM

Bishop Byrne invites men of all ages to a Men’s Night Jubilee celebration at St. Michael’s Cathedral, to be held on Wednesday, March 19th, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, beginning with the Holy Mass at 7pm with Bishop.

Following the Mass, we are pleased to have Michael Cutone, a former Green Beret and retired Massachusetts State Trooper, speaking about his own personal conversion as well as tips on how to live the Catholic faith as a husband, father, co-worker, and man of God.

This is a great way to enter more deeply into the Lenten season as well as gathering with our Chief Shepherd in the Cathedral Church as men journeying towards hope.

2. Don’t tell people your weakness. They will use them against you.

3. Don’t tell people your failures. They will always see you as a failure and never give you the opportunity.

4. Don’t tell people your next big move. Move in silence, Take action , and shock them with your results.

5. Don’t tell people your secrets. Only a fool reveals secrets.

6. Don’t tell people your income or the source of your income. Always make them wonder.