Deadline approaches to apply for the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships, one in the sum of $3000 and the second $1000 scholarship.  

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2025 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/university.  All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 28, 2025

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org  or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/  

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to

Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 1847

St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan 

38 Madison Ave. 

Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed, please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792 

St. Mary's Catholic Women's Club will be hosting their annual brunch - March 30

LADIES OF ST. MARY PARISH, LET’S BRUNCH NEXT SUNDAY!

 annual brunch - March 30

St. Mary's Catholic Women's Club will be hosting their annual brunch on Laetare Sunday (March 30, 2025) at Restaurant 3 located at 461 West Central St. in Franklin.

The cost is $30 per person. ALL women of St. Mary Parish are invited to attend.

Please email Pat Tomasetti if you are planning to attend at ptoma2245@gmail.com.

Make your check out to "St. Mary's Catholic Women's Club" and mail it to: Patricia Tomasetti, 3 Mackintosh Street, Franklin, MA 02038.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bpf2csziA/

Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter

via Franklin Fire Dept:

"Thank you to Archbishop Henning, Rev. Poitras, and the St. Mary’s Parish community for your continued support of the Franklin Fire Department. We greatly appreciate the kind words. We are glad to see the parish back in the renovated church."

Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15xqWv9RSU/

Still time to apply for the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships, one in the sum of $3000 and the second $1000 scholarship.  

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2025 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/university.  All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 28, 2025

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org  or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/  

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to

Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 1847

St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan 

38 Madison Ave. 

Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed, please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792 

It is time to apply for the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships, one in the sum of $3000 and the second $1000 scholarship.  

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2025 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/university.  All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 28, 2025

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org  or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/  

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to

Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 1847

St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan 

38 Madison Ave. 

Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed, please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792 

St Mary's reopening weekend confirmed for Saturday, Mar 1 & Sunday, Mar 2, 2025

St Mary's reopening confirmed for Mar 1 & Mar 2

We have GREAT NEWS!

We WILL be using our primary worship space upstairs starting NEXT WEEKEND! (March 1 and March 2)

On Saturday, March 1st, at the 4 PM Mass, Boston Archbishop Richard Henning will celebrate the reopening and consecrating of our beautiful church.

A reception will follow immediately after the Mass in the Sacred Heart Hall.

We are anticipating that Live Stream access will begin again at this Mass.

Please keep praying for our parish and our restoration project as some tasks remain to be completed. But, nothing will prevent us from using our church again.

We thank you for your patience with this project. Your prayers and patience contributed to this success.

#StMaryStrong

#stmarys02038

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1KsY7hWbjC/

St Mary's update on restoration as of Feb 14, 2025

Cleaning up and getting ready for MARCH 1st!  

LOTS of cleaning happened this week and the new floor and the new cabinetry has been installed in the Sacristy!  

The damage caused by the smoke was extensive. Great progress has been made. 

Here is a list of some of the work which has been accomplished:  

• The walls and ceiling have been cleaned. 
• The walls and ceiling have been sanitized. 
• The walls and ceiling have been painted.  
• 
  New electrical wiring has been installed. 
• New overhead ceiling fans have been installed. 
• New sound equipment wiring has been installed. 
• Work on putting down new flooring has begun. 
• Many of the church furnishings have been cleaned. 
• The scaffolding has been taken down and removed. 
• New speakers have been installed. 
• Hardwood floors in the Sanctuary have been installed.   
• Choir loft floor was stripped, sanded, resealed and polished. 
• New lighting in the Sacristy has been installed. 
• New flooring has been installed in the Sacristy  
• New cabinetry has been installed in the Sacrsty  
• The entire church has been cleaned AGAIN
• The back altar, statues, tabernacle and pews have been unwrapped and cleaned  
• The storage attic has been reorganized  

Here are a few tasks which are being worked on:  

• Replacement drapery panels for the Sanctuary are being made. 
• A new organ has been ordered. 
• Some of the furniture has been returned from the storage area. 
• New carpet for the aisles will be layed.  
• New area rugs for the Sanctuary have been ordered.   

Though insurance will cover many costs, it will not cover the replacement and restoration costs of everything in our church.  

The St. Mary Parish Fire Fund has been established to help us restore our church.  

If you are able to give online, please use the following link:  

https://www.osvhub.com/.../funds/saint-mary-parish-fire-fund 

If you prefer to give by check, please make your check payable to St. Mary Parish (mention the St. Mary Parish Fire Fund).  You can mail it to; St. Mary Parish, 1 Church Square, Franklin MA, 02038 or drop it by the Rectory.  

Thank you in advance for your kind and generous financial support of this effort. 

May God continue to bless you.

🎯Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 are the target dates for our first Masses in our primary worship space “upstairs.”

#StMaryStrong

#stmarys02038

Additional photos can be found in the posting to Facebook -> 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F3J2Qxhgh/

Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

The Knights of Columbus 1847 St Mary Parish Franklin is accepting applications for The Robert Simmler PGK, Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council Scholarships. They are offering two scholarships, one in the sum of $3000 and the second $1000 scholarship.  

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2025 and progressing onto their first year of study at a 2- or 4-year college/university.  All interested applicants please submit a completed scholarship application postmarked on or before the application deadline of March 28, 2025

The application form is available from the banner on the St Mary parish website www.stmarysfranklin.org  or on the Knights of Columbus website https://www.kofc1847.org/  

Please fill in ALL information accurately and clearly, and then submit the completed application to

Knights of Columbus Scholarship Program 2025

Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 1847

St Mary’s Parish c/o Michael Swan 

38 Madison Ave. 

Franklin MA 02038

The scholarship recipients will receive payment upon completion of their 1st semester of studies and upon proof of enrollment in the 2nd semester.

If more information is needed, please contact Mike Swan: 508-404-4792 

St Mary's update as of Jan 31, 2025: new speakers installed as part of the restoration work being done

St Mary's Parish update (1/31/25)

WE HEARD YOU AND SOON YOU WILL HEAR BETTER WHEN ATTENDING MASS!  

New speakers (and more of them) have been installed in our primary worship space. Each central column will now hold a speaker. 

 

The damage caused by the smoke was extensive. Great progress has been made. 

Here is a list of some of the work which has been accomplished:  

• The walls and ceiling have been cleaned. 
• 
  The walls and ceiling have been sanitized. 
• The walls and ceiling have been painted.  
• New electrical wiring has been installed. 
• New overhead ceiling fans have been installed. 
• New sound equipment wiring has been installed. 
• Work on putting down new flooring has begun. 
• Many of the church furnishings have been cleaned. 
• The scaffolding has been taken down and removed. 
• New speakers have been installed. 

Here are a few tasks which are being worked on:  

• New hardwood floors are currently being laid in the Sanctuary. 
• The choir loft floor is being sanded and restored. 
• Replacement drapery panels for the Sanctuary are being made. 
• The Sacristy has been gutted and is now being rebuilt. 
• A new organ has been ordered. 
• Some of the furniture has been returned from the storage area. 

Though insurance will cover many costs, it will not cover the replacement and restoration costs of everything in our church.  

The St. Mary Parish Fire Fund has been established to help us restore our church.  

If you are able to give online, please use the following link:  

https://www.osvhub.com/stmarysfranklin/giving/funds/saint-mary-parish-fire-fund 

If you prefer to give by check, please make your check payable to St. Mary Parish (mention the St. Mary Parish Fire Fund).  You can mail it to; St. Mary Parish, 1 Church Square, Franklin MA, 02038 or drop it by the Rectory.  

Thank you in advance for your kind and generous financial support of this effort. 

May God continue to bless you.

🎯Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 are the target dates for our first Masses in our primary worship space “upstairs.”

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNHq6qQdY/ (additional photos can be found by following this link)

St Mary's has their re-opening weekend targeted for Mar 1-2

via St Mary's Parish Facebook update 

St Mary's has their reopening weekend targeted for Mar 1-2

"We have GOOD NEWS!

The weekend of March 1 and March 2 has been established as the TARGET date for our returning up the stairs to our primary worship space.

Please keep praying for our parish and our restoration project.

We will keep you updated as we get closer.

#StMaryStrong

#stmarys02038"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/12DA9KAR9j6/ 

St Mary's restoration status update 1/10/25

Via St Mary's posting to Facebook:

St Mary's restoration status update 1/10/25

"Here’s a look at the restoration work of our primary worship space upstairs.

The damage caused by the smoke was extensive.

Here is a list of some of the work which has been accomplished:

The walls and ceiling have been cleaned.

The walls and ceiling have been sanitized.

The walls and ceiling have been painted.

Here are a few tasks which are being worked on:

New electrical wiring is being installed.

New sound equipment is being installed.

New floors will be installed soon.

It is taking time but soon (no date yet) we will celebrate Mass together in this beautiful space!"

Additional photos can be found with the posting -> 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15vrnexPPK/

Boston25: "‘A difficult hurdle’: Parishioners gather at Franklin church while repairs continue"

"Together, on the Sunday before Christmas, parishioners at St. Mary’s Church in Franklin gather in the church basement for mass. Not their typical home of the stunning church upstairs, but it will be due for now. Back in October, the church was set on fire forcing them to have to make a temporary home here in the basement.

“There’re a lot of folks were confused and hurt and still a lot of pain from having their main church missing and it’s been a difficult hurdle,” said Father Bob Poitras.

Now the inside of this beautiful church looks like a construction zone almost unrecognizable after smoke and water damaged the inside. Investigators say the cause of the fire was arson. They are still trying to find out who did it. And why."

Watch the video segment -> https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/difficult-hurdle-parishioners-gather-franklin-church-while-repairs-continue/NZW3I3R4PNFBHK6AESOCYH5XWQ/

Boston25: "‘A difficult hurdle’: Parishioners gather at Franklin church while repairs continue"

St Mary's Christmas Mass Schedule for Dec 2024

St Mary's Christmas Mass Schedule for Dec 2024

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/14RSibifkp/

Women's Faith Formation: next meeting scheduled for Dec 7 at 9:00 AM

The St Mary Women's Faith Formation group will hold monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month (with the exception of December which will be the 1st Saturday) from 9:00 - 10:00 AM in person. 

Since the fire recovery efforts are underway, the meeting will be held using the modular unit attached to the school. Please take the ramp to enter.

Women's Faith Formation

We plan to watch a short video and then break into small groups for discussion. Light refreshments will be served. This is an informal, welcoming group of women open to sharing insights with each other. 

We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones!

Note:  Meeting dates will be December 7th, January 11th, February 8th, March 8th, April 8th, and May 10th

Reminder: Last day to Order your KoC Thanksgiving pies is Nov 3, 2024 !!!

The Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847 St. Mary Parish Franklin MA is running their 7th Annual Thanksgiving Pie Sale.  

• Online order form opened Oct 15 and will remain open until Nov 3, 2024   https://www.kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale

We have teamed up again this year and are proud to announce we are working with LYMAN ORCHARDS.  Lyman Orchards is a quality orchard that produces an EPIC Pie. The flavors we will be offering this year are - Apple, Pecan, Pumpkin and Blueberry. These Pies are fantastic.... outstanding flavor, aroma, and taste. We have held the price and again this year are offering a quality pie for $18.00 per pie. It is no secret prices have increased everywhere and we worked hard to find a Quality product at a reasonable price.  

We have done our BEST to bring you a great product at the best possible price.  As was last year you will be able to DONATE a pie. All donations will be donated to the Franklin Senior Center and Franklin Food Pantry for distribution at Thanksgiving time.

Why bake when the Knights can do it for you? Order your KoC pies now !!!

This year there will be 2 means by which you may purchase your Thanksgiving Day pies. 

1 - Please visit our website https://www.kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale   or on Facebook…… Knights ofColumbusCouncil1847.  

You will find a link to purchase and pay for your order. The site is open now till November 3rd. We will also be taking Pie orders in the back of church on November 2,3, after all the Masses at St Mary.  Cash, Check or Credit Card will be accepted.  ALL online orders will accept Credit Card only.

You will be able to Pick Up your order of Thanksgiving Pies on Tuesday, November 26th from 3 PM – 6 PM at the CCD Offices at the old St. Mary's School on the 1st floor. You will see our signs.

We are excited again this year to bring this quality product to St Mary Parish community and all our Franklin neighbors. Please support this most worthy cause, help a senior and make your Thanksgiving Day special with a Pie (or2) from Lyman Orchards on your dinner table this year.

 

Any questions, please call Jim Campbell at 508-848-8681 or Jim Lane at 774-571-9804 or Mike Swan 508-404-4792.

 

Thank You for your generosity and “giving back” ...

Knights of Columbus, 

Sacred Heart Council 1847 

Franklin, MA 02038

St Mary's ready to resume services in chapel (not main church)

Dear Parishioners of St. Mary’s,

I’m happy to announce to you that, thanks to our friends from Service Master, our Chapel and Sacred Heart Hall are now clean and safe for use again! 

Therefore, starting this Saturday, November 2nd, we will begin using our Chapel and Sacred Heart Hall for all our Masses, both weekend and daily, and all other liturgies, meetings and events. 

We will resume our regular weekend Mass schedule in the Chapel and Sacred Heart Hall on Saturdays at 4 PM and Sundays at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM THIS WEEKEND (November 2nd and 3rd).  

For weekend and daily Mass parking, please use the school parking lot, Franklin Senior Center parking lot, Daniel McCahill Street, Union Street or Main Street. The Oak St. parking area and Rectory driveway will not be available as our renovation team is working 7 days a week in the Main Church. Also, please do not give in to curiosity and wander upstairs for any reason. There is still a lot of soot and smoke damage that is strongly discouraged breathing in to our bodies. 

Our Daily Mass at 7 AM in the Chapel on Mondays through Fridays will resume on Monday, November 4th. 

Confessions will resume in the Chapel on Saturdays from 8 AM - 9 AM beginning Saturday, November 9th. 

All Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings will be held as scheduled in the Chapel and Sacred Heart Hall beginning on Saturday, November 2nd. 

All meetings and activities including St. Vincent DePaul can resume in the Sacred Heart Hall beginning Saturday November 2nd. However, whomever is coordinating those events will need to plan for use without tables as the chairs will be in place for Masses, like we have set at Christmas and Easter.  

This is great news that we can at least return to some use of our church so quickly. While it will not always feel ideal, at least we can join together again in our church in some form and fashion. We will all need to have patience as we continue to move forward and make the best of what we have. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We have launched a St. Mary’s Fire Relief Fund. If you or anyone you know would like to help us with some of the upfront costs for our renovations, repairs and overall parish expenses please use our online giving at https://www.osvhub.com/stmarysfranklin/giving/funds.  

Peace and Blessings,

Fr. Bob

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/oBZeFtbSCXEWSLKa/

St Mary's ready to resume services in chapel (not main church)

Event in support of St. Mary’s, Sunday, Oct 27 at 4 PM

Franklin Celebration of Love and Diversity:  Responding to violence with compassion and unity

In the wake of suspected arson at St Mary's, this is a time to be together, to support each other, to pray and to sing. Sunday, October 27 at 4 PM on the Franklin Town Common

Sponsored by the Franklin Interfaith Council and the Franklin Freedom Team

Franklin Town Common

St Mary's schedules Sunday Mass outdoor at 10 AM, Oct 27, 2024

St Mary's schedules Sunday Mass outdoor at 10 AM, Oct 27, 2024

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/oXueTS1mL6tkbMPE/

"Based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, and other evidence gathered throughout last night and this morning, they collectively determined that the fire was intentionally set"

See the following statement from @massdfs : https://www.mass.gov/news/fire-in-franklin-church-being-investigated-as-arson 

UPDATE: The ATF this afternoon informed State Police fire investigators that they would match up to $5,000 in Arson Watch Reward Program funds in connection with last night’s fire. That would raise the maximum reward for information to $10,000.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call 1-800-682-9229.

the maximum reward for information to $10,000

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhCvnZR1k0/

The Boston Globe also provides coverage of the fire and arson investigation -> 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/24/metro/franklin-church-fire-arson/

Franklin Fire & mutual aid respond to fire at St Mary's Wednesday

At 5:46 PM the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center received a Fire Alarm from a central station monitoring company for 1 Church Square followed by a caller reporting a fire at the back of St. Mary's Church. Franklin Fire units were dispatched and a working fire assignment was quickly struck bringing in mutual aid from Norfolk, Wrentham, Medway, Bellingham, and Plainville.

A fire in the rear sacristy was quickly extinguished by the initial arriving crews. There was a significant amount of smoke throughout the entire Church. Personnel remained on scene for a period of time to ventilate the building.

fire at St Mary's

This fire is under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department, Franklin Police Department, The State Fire Marshal's Office, and the ATF.

The Foxboro Fire Department provided station coverage.

Contact:

James McLaughlin, 

Franklin Fire Chief 508 553 5570

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/9BJc154Zno4oWaH9/