Today, October 10, our parish prayer ministry gathered on Bedford Town Common to pray for world peace and the protection of human life. Through our prayers, we entrusted to God all those affected by war, violence, and suffering, asking that every human life be cherished and protected, from conception to natural death.

October is the month of the Holy Rosary, a special time to draw closer to Jesus through the loving guidance of our Blessed Mother. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, Mary teaches us to trust in God, remain faithful in times of difficulty, and open our hearts to his love.

May Mary, Queen of Peace, watch over our families, our parish, and our world, and lead us ever closer to her Son, Jesus. May our prayers bear fruit in our daily lives, inspiring us to become instruments of peace, offer compassion to those who suffer, and uphold the dignity of every person.

On Monday evening, October 5, our parish Women’s Club gathered for line dancing. It was a wonderful time of exercise, laughter, and fellowship.

This joyful gathering reminds us that a healthy and fulfilling life includes caring for both body and soul. Just as physical exercise strengthens our bodies, prayer and the sacraments nourish our spirits. Meaningful relationships also help us grow, reminding us that God created us to share life, support one another, and rejoice together.

On Sunday September 20, our Youth Group held its monthly gathering following the 4:00 p.m. Mass. The young people came together for prayer, Scripture sharing, and spiritual reflection, followed by games, fellowship, and joyful conversation.

It was wonderful to see them growing not only in friendship, but also in their relationship with Jesus and their connection to the parish community. Our youth are not only the future of the Church, they are also a vital and beautiful part of the Church today. We are deeply grateful for their faith, enthusiasm, and participation in the life and ministries of St. Michael Parish.

We also sincerely thank the adult leaders and volunteers , especially Annmarie Silver, the coordinator of youth ministry,  who generously offer their time, guidance, and loving support to accompany our young people on their journey of faith.

September 19 was Bedford Day, the town’s annual celebration of community life. Various town departments, institutions, and community organizations set up booths to introduce their programs and services.

The Knights of Columbus from St. Michael Parish sold hamburgers and hot dogs to raise funds for scholarships benefiting the young people of our parish.

St. Michael Parish also hosted another booth to introduce our faith community and its many ministries, warmly welcome our neighbors, invite them to join us, and share the Good News and the joy and love of Christ.

It was a wonderful day filled with joy, friendship, and community spirit. We are deeply grateful to the many volunteers who generously offered their time and energy to staff the St. Michael booths and make our participation possible.

May God bless the Town of Bedford, and may St. Michael Parish continue to be a beacon of faith, hope, and love in our community!

On September 17, sixty-two of our young men and women received the Sacrament of Confirmation through the laying on of hands and anointing by Archbishop Henning. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to them and their families on this joyful and grace-filled occasion. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide them, strengthen their faith, and fill them with wisdom, courage, and love. May they always remain close to Christ and boldly bear witness to the Gospel through their words, choices, and daily lives.

Many thanks to Steve Laurencio, owner of DeSousa Electrical Services, for his extraordinary generosity and support in installing the beautiful lighting behind our sanctuary wall. The new lighting has truly enhanced the beauty and reverence of our sanctuary, helping to create an even more prayerful and sacred atmosphere for our worship.

We are especially grateful that Steve not only generously volunteered his own time and the time and expertise of his workers, but also personally provided all the materials needed for the project. This represents an incredibly generous contribution to St. Michael Parish and is a wonderful example of stewardship—sharing one’s time, talent, and treasure in service to God and His Church.
 
Steve, thank you again for your kindness, generosity, and continued support of our parish community. Each time we gather around the altar to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, the beauty you helped bring to our sanctuary will remind us of the many generous hearts that help make St. Michael such a vibrant and welcoming spiritual home.
 
May God reward you abundantly for your generosity, bless your family and your work, and return your kindness to you a hundredfold.

We, the parish of Saint Michael, are people who are united in faith and nourished at the Eucharistic table. As members of God’s family, we strive to grow in our daily commitment to be Christ-like to one another.