Attention High School Students Graduating in 2026: Applications for Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program are open

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 $1500 scholarship.  

The applicants must be a registered member of St Mary’s Parish in Franklin and must be graduating from High School in Spring 2026 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 27, 2026

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/ .  

Knights Of Columbus Scholarship Program opens for 2026

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

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 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 15, 2026 ???

Thursday, January 15

• Senior Center closed all day

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour - CANCELED (Senior Center Closed today)

10:00am Traffic Advisory (St. Mary's Parish & Town Common area)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

Senior Center closed all day

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, January 15 Time: 6:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01152026-2088 

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 15th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/545?fileID=7509 

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Franklin Police share info on road closures & timing for Weds/Thurs wake & funeral at St Mary's

The following information pertains to the upcoming wake and funeral services for Officer Stephen A. LaPorta. A significant police presence is expected in the vicinity of St. Mary’s Church and the Franklin Town Common during these services. Road closures and traffic detours will be in effect.

Residents and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area if possible. We recognize that these disruptions may be inconvenient, particularly for those who live nearby, and we sincerely appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation.

Your understanding and support will help ensure a dignified and respectful farewell for Officer LaPorta and his family.

Franklin Police share info on road closures & timing for Weds/Thurs wake & funeral at St Mary's

Wake:

• St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA, Wednesday, January 14th, from 2p-6p.  
• Church square and surrounding streets will be closed from approximately 11am - 7pm.  

Funeral:

• St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA, Thursday, January 15 at 11am.  
• Church square and surrounding streets will be closed from approximately 9am - 2pm.  

Road Closures:

• Church Square

• Beaver St from West Central St to Church Square

• Union St from School St to Church Square

• Daniel McCahill St. from Church Square to Senior Center

• Main St from School St to Highland St

• Pleasant St from Moore Ave/Hillside Rd to Church Square

• Crescent St, Garfield, Martin, and Queen will be limited access

Parking / Staging Areas:

• Public Parking: 

o Davis Thayer School, 109 W. Central Street, Franklin;

o Dean College Campus Center lot (located next to Davis Thayer on W. Central Street);

o Dean College Jones Lot off of School Street;

o Dean Hall Lot off of Emmons Street

Shuttle buses will be provided for those with difficulty walking.

• Police Staging (Officers will be bused to church):

o 55 Constitution Blvd, Franklin

o Wake staging opens at 10am.  Busing starts at 11am.  Police walk through is at 1:45 pm.

o Funeral staging opens at 7am.  Busing starts at 8 am.  

• Media Parking:

o Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street, Franklin

Download a copy of the Police press release as a reminder or to share

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fLbrc8XFVc-2rgphjId7PENwAGK6k0MW/view?usp=drive_link

Traffic alert for St Mary's/Town Common area on Wednesday & Thursday

Be aware:

"Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen A. LaPorta will be laid to rest Thursday after he was killed when he was struck by a tractor-trailer while assisting a driver at the site of a crash last week, officials said.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary Parish in Franklin followed by a private burial, State Police said in a statement. A wake is scheduled for Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. also at St. Mary Parish, according to State Police."

What does this means for Franklin?

• 

  Traffic alert for St Mary's/Town Common
  area on Wednesday & Thursday

  Franklin Public Schools have early dismissal on Wednesday

• Franklin Senior Center closes at noon on Wednesday, AND all day Thursday.

• Traffic will be stopped from using the Town Common area in front of St Mary's Church

Continue the Globe article -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/11/metro/uxbridge-police-officer-funeral/?s_campaign=sharetool_copypaste_view

Knights of Columbus Christmas Pancake Breakfast - Dec 14

In the Sacred Heart Hall from 8 AM to 10 AM

Knights of Columbus Christmas
Pancake Breakfast - Dec 14

Please join the Knights as they provide a Free Pancake Christmas Breakfast!

Delicious pancakes, sausages, coffee, orange juice, and water will be served.

All are welcome, especially our youngest friends because our special guest is Santa Claus!

https://www.stmarysfranklin.org/event?id=213128592&cat=1684856325&pg=&refer=knights-columbus&title=Knights+of+Columbus+Christmas+Pancake+Breakfast

St. Mary Parish Men’s Faith Formation - Nov 15 at 8 AM

St. Mary Parish Men’s Faith Formation - Nov 15 at 8 AM

St. Mary Parish Men’s Faith Formation is meeting THIS SATURDAY, November 15!

Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Sacred Heart Hall
Frequency: monthly (every third Saturday)

All men, wherever you are on your faith journey, are welcome.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/17aDBGFCnR/

St Mary's live stream re-enabled (finally)

It's a very busy weekend here at St. Mary Parish. 

St Mary's live stream re-enabled (finally)

Here is some long-awaited great news: our livestream is back up and running.

Masses in our primary worship space will be shared via livestream starting Saturday with the 4 PM Mass. 

The new service requires viewers to download Twitch. 

Here is the link: https://m.twitch.tv/stmarysfranklin/home

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1Nd3uhbZnS/

Have you ordered your Thanksgiving pies yet ???

The pies are back and better than evah!

Apple, Pumpkin, Blueberry, Pecan, Cherry!!

Order Pies for your Thanksgiving table or donate pies to benefit the Franklin Senior Center and/or the Franklin Food Pantry for the Thanksgiving tables of those they serve.

You can order pies in the front entrance of the St. Mary Church after all Masses on the weekends of October 26 & 26 as well as November 1 & 2.

Save time and order online now:

Have you ordered your Thanksgiving pies yet ???

https://kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale

A couple of changes this year:

Cherry pie is a new choice to complement the delicious Apple, Pumpkin, and Blueberry pies.

The price this year is $20 per pie except for Pecan which is priced at $25 per pie.

Pie orders can be picked up at the St. Mary Family Faith Formation Office on Tuesday, November 25 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Mike Swan at 508-404-4792 or mbswan@comcast.net or Jim Lane at 774-571-9804.

Proceeds to support the ongoing charitable efforts of the Knight

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1DnDmA2wYZ/

St Mary's Women & Men Faith Formation session updates for October 2025

Men’s Faith Formation

via St Mary's Parish

The October meeting dates for both the Men’s and Women’s Faith Formation sessions have been announced.

Men’s Faith Formation will meet this Saturday, October 18, at 8 a.m. in Sacred Heart Hall.

Women’s Faith Formation will meet next Monday, October 20, in the Faith Formation Building.

Women’s Faith Formation

All are welcome.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fg7SucEp4/

Hold the date to place your order for the 8th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Sale by the Knights Of Columbus, Franklin

Why bake when the Knights can do it for you?

Once again this year the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council 1847 St. Mary Parish Franklin MA is running their Thanksgiving Pie Sale.  Our famous bakery (same as last year) is Lyman’s Orchards.  

A couple changes this year, we are adding Cherry as another choice to complement the Apple, Pumpkin and Blueberry. These Pies are fantastic.... outstanding flavor, aroma, and taste. 

8th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie Sale – Knights Of Columbus, Franklin

The price this year is $20.00 per Pie. We will have PECAN also, at a cost of $25. As was last year you will be able to DONATE a pie. 

All donations will be distributed through the Franklin Senior Center and Franklin Food Pantry network for distribution at Thanksgiving time. The goal of the donated pies is to put a pie on a table for a family that may not have that opportunity otherwise. 

QR code for pie sale

This year there will be 2 means by which you may purchase your Thanksgiving Day pies. Please visit our website https://www.kofc1847.org/payments-thanksgiving-pie-sale    or utilize our QR code. 

The site is open October 12th thru November 2nd. We will also be taking Pie orders at the back of the church, the weekends of October 25-26th and November 1st and 2nd, after all the Masses.  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 25, from 2 PM – 6 PM at the Religious Ed Offices at the St. Mary's school. You will see our signs. (same as last year)

We are excited to bring this quality product to St Mary Parish community and all our Franklin neighbors. We thank you for your generous support over the years and the support you lend to help a senior and make your Thanksgiving Day special with a Pie (or 2) from Lyman Orchard’s.

 

Any questions, please call Jim Lane 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

Reminder: Friends of the Poor Walk, Saturday, Sep 27 on the Town Common

Reminder: Friends of the Poor Walk,
Saturday, Sep 27 on the Town Common

St. Mary Parish, St. Vincent de Paul Conference is sponsoring its annual fund raiser on Saturday, September 27, on Franklin’s Town Common. Registration begins at 8:30 AM. The Walk begins with a Blessing for the Walk at 9:00 AM. 

Participants can collect donations and walk with us beginning at the Franklin Town Common. 

Additionally, donations are accepted online at:  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=T6EQV6EC25NR6

All money raised will stay in Franklin to assist those in need. Thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCgBcfj4W/

St Mary's teen movie night Sep 21

St Mary's teen movie night Sep 21

ONE WEEK AWAY!

Just one week from today, the St. Mary Youth Ministry is premiering their second year!

• Sunday, September 21 is the date.
• 5:00 p.m. is the start time.
• The field next to our parking lot is the place (Also known as the former Rocco Festival Grounds)
• ALL students in grades 9-12 are invited.
• Admission is free!
• Movie
• Cookout
• Giveaways

The more who attend, the more FUN there will be so, plan to come and bring your friends!

You don’t want to miss this premier!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hi7kC8k42/

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group - Sep 20

St Mary's Women's Faith Formation Group - Sep 20

"Summer is winding down and autumn schedules are starting to fill.

The St. Mary Faith Formation Meeting for September is set for September 20th from 9 AM to 10 AM in St. Mary School.

All women are welcome.

Plan now to attend and enter it on your calendar!

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

Elle Bonacci & Eiley Cinelli announced as winners of Robert Simmler PGK, Sacred Heart Council 1847 Knights of Columbus College Scholarship 2025

The Knights of Columbus 1847 Franklin are proud to announce the winners of this year’s Robert Simmler PGK, Sacred Heart Council 1847 Knights of Columbus College Scholarship 2025.   

Elle Bonacci & Eiley Cinelli 

Congratulations to Elle Bonacci, $3000 and Eiley Cinelli, $1000.  Elle and Eiley are both graduates of Franklin High School. Both accomplished students and are active members of the St Mary’s Parish Community. Their achievements were especially noteworthy amongst the many wonderful talented candidates that applied for the 2025 scholarship award.  

We wish Elle the best of luck as she goes onto the University of Pittsburgh in the fall and Eiley will attend University of Colorado Boulder in the fall.  

The Robert Simmler PGK Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council 1847 Scholarship is named in honor of Mr. Robert Simmler, he was a very active and accomplished member of the Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Council and the Franklin Community.

St Mary's to say Thank You Mrs. Karen Ackles for 30 Faith-Filled Years

Please join in thankfully celebrating the 30 years of service that Karen Ackles (aka Mrs. Ackles) has provided, and the thousands of seeds of the Catholic Faith she planted in her leadership roles in the St. Mary Parish Religious Education Program.

(L-R) Liz Coyne Bertoni, Karen Ackles
(St Mary's photo)

After many years of dedication and hard work planning for, and providing Catholic religious education to, the children of St. Mary Parish, Karen is retiring at the end of June. We thank her and wish her much luck and offer many prayers for the future as she enjoys her retirement with her family and friends.

We will be thanking her for het service and contributions at the 4:00 PM Mass THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025

There will be a reception immediately following the 4:00 PM Mass in the Sacred Heart Hall. All are invited. Please stop by to say THANK YOU!

St Mary's to celebrate Mass at 9 AM on Memorial Day in the St Mary's Parish Cemetery

On Memorial Day (Monday morning) at 9 AM, Mass will be celebrated in the St. Mary Parish Cemetery to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country, those who have been laid to rest in our cemetery as well as all deceased loved ones. 

St Mary's to celebrate Mass at 9 AM

Please bring your lawn chairs for sitting. 

In the event of rain, Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel of our church at 9 AM.  

At 10 AM in St. Mary Cemetery, United States Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and St. Mary clergy will participate in a service to honor those who gave their life in service to our country.  

The Franklin Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 AM from Horace Mann School.  It will head up Oak Street (which turns into Daniel McCahill Street) and then proceed down Union Street.  The parade will then turn left onto West Central Street (Route 140), then make another left turn onto Emmons Street and then a left onto Main Street and it will head to the Franklin Town Common. 

Please plan to attend Mass and the other Memorial Day events to commemorate the day.  

We thank the Knights of Columbus for hosting our 9 AM Mass on Monday in the cemetery. 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, May 10, 2025 ???

Saturday, May 10

Stamp out Hunger (leave bag for Postal Carrier pickup)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)

10:00am Main St closed for Dean Commencement 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am Dean College 159th Commencement (Dean College)

1:00pm Italian film Festival - "Luca " (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:00pm 3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (Tri-County Regional Vocational Tech HS)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

St. Mary's 8th grade CYO players recognized: Tommy Flynn & Danny Abdilmasih

Tommy Flynn & Danny Abdilmasih

 

St. Mary's Franklin CYO Basketball 🏀 (@St_MarysCYO) posted  Apr 29, 2025:

 

Congratulations to St. Mary's 8th grade CYO players, Tommy Flynn and Danny Abdilmasih! https://t.co/QCxrQlicpD

Annual Electronics Recycling Event - Saturday, May 17

 Annual Electronics Recycling Event - Saturday, May 17

SAVE THE DATE: 

Annual Electronics Recycling Event!

Join us on Saturday, May 17th for our annual electronics recycling event! This is a fantastic opportunity to responsibly dispose of all your unwanted electronics, appliances, items with a plug, batteries, and even bicycles in any condition.

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DVYzcC1sC/