Online Evangelization and Spiritual Resources 

               MAY IS MARY'S MONTH
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Why is May the month of Mary?
For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of May to honor Mary, Mother of God. The custom spans both centuries and cultures, with roots going back as far as the Ancient Greeks. The idea of a month dedicated specifically to Mary can be traced back to baroque times. Although it wasn’t always held during May, Mary Month included thirty daily spiritual exercises honoring Mary.  
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It was in this era that Mary’s Month and May were combined, making May the Month of Mary with special devotions organized on each day throughout the month. This custom became especially widespread during the nineteenth century and remains in practice until today.

​In 1945, Pope Pius XII solidified May as a Marian month after establishing the feast of the Queenship of Mary on May 31st. After the Second Vatican Council, this feast was moved to August 22, while May 31st became the feast of the Visitation of Mary.
The month of May is one rich in tradition and a beautiful time of the year to honor our heavenly mother. 

Join us every Wednesday to pray the Rosary at 7:00 pm via Zoom.  Go to: www.zoom.us 
​Click on join a meeting;  Meeting ID: 824 8725 0708; Password: AABwf5

Click here to learn about many Marian devotions.
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​We invite you to explore the following resources and hope they help you on your journey to becoming a disciple of Jesus through continued
PRAYER, STUDY AND SERVICE:     NOTE:  Items in red are links you can click to access the respective resource
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• ​​​PRAYER:


• Catholic TV - Watch Daily and Sunday Masses
• Daily Mass Readings 
• Stations of the Cross
• Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Pray the Rosary 
• Pray a Novena
• Spiritual Communion Prayer - During this difficult time when we’re not able to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, we encourage you to say the Prayer for Spiritual Communion, where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with Him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.
















• ​​​STUDY:

 

• Bishop Barron's Word on Fire Institute - Study programs, books
• Dynamic Catholic - Books, Study programs, Gospel reflections
• FORMED - Movies, Study programs, books and more.  Click here for a free subscription
• Join our Parish Book Club - We meet monthly, via Zoom, and share in discussion and fellowship.  Please call our Parish Office to join.
















•       ​SERVICE:


•         Become a Year of the Eucharist Missionary.  For more information about this program, please click here
•         Donate to or volunteer at our Friends of Francis Food Pantry.    
•         Join one of the many ministries in our parish - Click on the "GET INVOLVED" tab of our website on the blue ribbon at the top of the page.
•         NOTE:  We are looking for volunteers to join our Mass Hospitality Committee: to help as greeters and ushers at all our weekend Masses.  We would be so grateful for your participation and assistance in making every Mass a welcoming, safe celebration.  If you would like to join this committee, please call our Parish Office at 781-396-0423 X103.

       
            
                      
          
         
         

Medford Collaborative Prayer

Merciful Father,
We thank You for sending us Your Son and for the countless blessings
you have bestowed upon St. Joseph and St. Francis of Assisi Parishes.

With gratitude for our Catholic Faith we look toward the future with hope.
Impress upon our hearts and minds Your will for our two great parishes,
for Your plan is far more beautiful than anything we could imagine.
Breathe new life into our ministries and inspire creative and bold initiatives. 
Like St. Peter, may we have the courage to “put out into the deep” (Luke 5:4).

May each parish become stronger as a result of our collaboration.
Deepen and strengthen the bonds of friendship within and between our communities
as together we live and proclaim the joy of the Gospel.

Gracious Father, send Your Spirit of Peace upon our homes, our parishes and our city.
We trust in the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary,
and our patrons, Saints Joseph and Francis as we pray:

For those who founded and built our parishes so many years ago,
and for those who have supported and maintained our parishes through the years,
that they be rewarded for passing on to us the Catholic faith and our parish churches.

That we, too, may pass on to the next generation the gift of our Catholic faith
and two beautiful churches who work together for the glory of God and service to His people.

We ask these things through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. 
Amen.

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