Preventive Care, Peace of Mind. Simple screenings for stroke risk, heart disease, cancer and more to live a longer, fuller life. Friday, October 2, 2026 Saint Brigid's Church 43 N. Prospect St, Amherst, MA 01002 Life Line Screening is offering a special cardiovascular health screening package for only $129.The package includes screenings for Carotid Artery Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Peripheral Artery Disease, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.To schedule your appointment call 800-324-9458 and use code: HABC001. Or visit Take advantage of this opportunity to prioritize your health—early detection can make a difference!

Join us for a relaxing, but event filled autumn trip to Pennsylvania Amish Country. Sit back while the luxury coach navigates toward Lancaster for the stage production of Joshua to "kick off" the tour. Other local attractions are planned over the next two days including the historic St. Mary's Church. Lodging for 2-nights is included at Double Tree Resort by Hilton, also provided are several meals. Limited to 53 Individuals $825 Per Person (Double Occupancy) / $799 if paid by June 1st Presented by Agawam Knights of Columbus Questions or concerns? Contact Bill Bathel 413-537-6755

First Friday Prayer Breakfast will be held Friday, October 2, at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. Mass begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Sacred Heart devotion and a free continental breakfast. Bishop William Byrne will be the speaker. All are welcome to attend and bring a friend or family member.

The Office of Missionary Discipleship invites women from Western Mass and beyond (ages 18+) to join us for the 2026 Diocesan Women’s Day on Saturday, October 3, from 9am to 2pm at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Springfield, MA. The Day themed “Everlasting” will celebrate 800 years of St. Francis of Assisi, with talks by Sister John Mary Sullivan, FSE, LMFT and St. Stanislaus Basilica Rector Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. The day, which costs $25, will include Mass with Bishop William Byrne, Adoration, Confession, a hot lunch buffet, vendors and much more. To register, find a paper registration form at your local parish or the diocesan offices downtown during business hours or go to westernmasscatholic.regfox.com/womensday.

The Agape lay Catholic community invites you to its 38th Annual Feast of St. Francis Celebration on Saturday, October 3, in Hardwick, MA. The gathering will celebrate the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis and feature keynote speaker Shane Claiborne, with an introduction by Fr. Brent Otto, SJ. The day will focus on Gospel values, Catholic Social Teaching, peace, care for creation, and solidarity with immigrants. The event is free, with a suggested donation, and will take place rain or shine.

Blessing of the Animals — Join Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Westfield, MA, to honor St. Francis of Assisi and celebrate the special bond between people, animals, and all of God’s creation.

Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills will hold the Annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4th, at 9:30 AM in honor of St. Francis of Assisi in front of the Parish Center. The Blessing of the Animals celebrates the important place that pets hold in the lives of our families; it also reminds us of the blessing of all God’s creatures. Please keep all pets on a leash or in crates so they do not disturb other animals or people. Children who are unable to have a live pet may bring their stuffed animals for a blessing also. We will be collecting items for the shelter, food, blankets, towels, or toys. Thank you in advance.

The Dominican Nuns of West Springfield cordially invite all to take part in their annual Rosary Sunday devotions at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026. This will include the blessing and distribution of roses, recitation of the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The monastery is located at 1430 Riverdale Street.

Addiction is not only a physical or psychological disease, but a Spiritual disease. With God all things are possible, without God we can do nothing. Perhaps no one knows or understands this quite like someone struggling with substance abuse disorder or addiction and those who love them. Every month we pray for those who are struggling with this disease and those who love them. Addiction and substance abuse can be a stark reminder of our own struggles, weaknesses and failings and that it is only in, with, and through God, we overcome them and are healed. Join us Sunday October 25th at 12-noon at St. Patrick’s Church, 30 Main St, South Hadley in the church as we pray for all those suffering with this illness and those who love them All Are Welcome

The wisdom and guidance we need for this time of tragic ecological and political collapse will not be found in the dominant ways of thinking. Over fifty years ago, Thomas Berry urged us to turn and face these challenges by pointing to the root cause of the problem, “We are talking only to ourselves. We are not talking to the rivers, we are not listening to the wind and stars. We have broken the great conversation.”

Join Victoria Loorz for a weekend retreat exploring wild spirituality and our sacred relationship with the natural world. Through prayer, contemplation, sacred listening, and time in nature, participants will rediscover a deeper sense of kinship, reverence, and renewal. October 9–11, 2026, at Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Granby, MA is having a Craft Fair on Monday, October 12th (Columbus Day) from 9 AM to 3 PM. In addition to over 50 vendors, we will have Basket Raffles, a Lottery Tree Raffle, as well as breakfast & lunch available. Stop in, say hello & support small local businesses, and get some Christmas shopping done! Hope to see you there. Immaculate Heart of Mary, 256 State St., Granby, MA 01033

Cold Spring Country Club, 330 Chauncey Walker Street, Belchertown. 8:30 AM Shotgun start. For more information email: Jim Phaneuf at [email protected]. More details to come. All proceeds support our much-needed Parish Center.

St. Stanislaus Basilica invites everyone to join them for a day filled with good food, great music, games, prizes, and plenty of fun on Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Stanislaus School, 534 Front Street, Chicopee. The Polish-American Kitchen will be serving up a delicious Polish plate featuring pierogi, golumbki, kielbasa, and kapusta, along with hamburgers, hot dogs, and kielbasa grinders fresh from the grill, plus an assortment of home-baked pastries. There will be something for everyone, including games of chance, basket raffles, items from Poland, religious items, unique holiday decorations, and children’s games. Eddie Forman will keep the adults entertained with Polish and American music, while a Magician/Balloon Artist will delight the children. Bring your family, invite your friends, and come celebrate this special 50th anniversary with us! Admission and parking are FREE! For more information, call the Parish Office at (413) 594-6669 or email [email protected]. We can’t wait to see you there!

Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker Street, Indian Orchard, MA, will host a Polish Dinner on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 1:00–5:00 p.m.; dinners are $25 per plate and include four pierogi, gołąbek, kielbasa, kapusta, and rye bread, with eat-in or take-out available. Tickets may be purchased by calling Maria Kowalski at 413-222-6229, Irena Wurszt at 413-427-5846, or the Parish Office at 413-543-3627, by emailing [email protected], or after all Masses. A Polish Food Sale will also be held, featuring gołąbki (3 for $12), large kapusta ($12), and a dozen pierogi ($15) in cabbage, potato & cheese, sweet cheese, or blueberry varieties.

The Berkshire Hills Knights of Columbus presents a Murder Mystery Dinner on Saturday, October 17, at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s School in Lee. Tickets are $45, with limited seating. Enjoy a locally catered dinner and raffle prizes. For tickets or information, contact 413-441-6504 or [email protected].

The parishes of Ludlow and Indian Orchard will gather at the Our Lady of Fatima outdoor shrine to pray the Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. One decade will be prayed in Polish, English, Ukrainian, and Portuguese. The service will move indoors if it rains. Faith Formation students, families, and parish youth groups are encouraged to attend.

Wondering if there’s a way back to the Church? Divorced, remarried, married outside the Church, or simply unsure where you stand, you’re not alone—and you may have more options than you think. Join Msgr. John Bonzagni, Judicial Vicar & Civil Lawyer, for an open, honest conversation about returning to the Church, receiving the sacraments, annulments, and what the Church really says about your situation. No judgement. Just answers. Bring your questions. Bring your doubts. Come find answers and a way forward. Tuesday, October 20 • 6:30 PM Our Lady of Peace, Turners Falls 863-5397

It’s not too early to stock up on holiday decorations and gifts. Our Lady of the Valley Mission Committee is hosting 30 vendors at its Craft Fair Saturday October 24, 2026 from 9-2 PM at 33 Adams St, Easthampton, MA. If you are looking for indoor or outdoor holiday décor, hand-knit and crochet items, jewelry; paper, leather and wood crafts, greeting cards; soaps and body creams, baskets, 100% maple products, Avon, Color Street, and more, you can find it here! Pick-A-Prize raffle and light refreshments are for sale, as well. The Mission Committee supports two sister parishes (local and international) and other outreach work. Prepare for the holidays, or buy yourself a treat, and support a good cause while you are at it. Weather is no object, as this is an indoor fair; handicapped accessible. All are welcome.

Our Lady of the Cross Church annual Fall Festival will be held on October 24th and 25th at St. John Paul Social Center, 67 St. Kolbe Dr. Holyoke Ma from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There will be Polish and American food, Games and Prizes for all ages, Various booths, Vendors and Entertainment. For more information, please call (413) 532-5661.

St. Mary's Parish in Longmeadow will host the Singing Priests in Concert on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. in the church at 519 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. All are invited to come celebrate the reopening of the church following their recent renovations.

A sea-glass window-making workshop will be held in the parish hall at Our Lady of the Valley in Easthampton between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Participants may make windows with 5x7 frames for $35, or 8x10 frames for $55, using materials to create an autumn-themed scene (payments may be provided the day of the event). This workshop will benefit OLV's Take & Eat program that delivers meals to the homebound on weekends. To register, please email [email protected], or call 413-429-1941.

Safety courses will be offered at the Easthampton Safety Complex on 32 Payson Avenue in Easthampton, MA on Thursday, October 29, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. These courses are free; participants may register for one or both. The first course will be adult and pediatric CPR, and the second will be adult and pediatric first aid. Certification cards are available for $25 upon completion of a course. To register, please email Katie at [email protected], or call Our Lady of the Valley Easthampton's parish office at 413-527-9778.