Shining light from Northborough

By Colleen McGoldrick | Special to The CFP 

 NORTHBOROUGH – Members of St. Rose of Lima Parish expanded an annual day-long event into a week this year, seeking to “let their light shine” and stay connected while having to remain apart physically. Due to concerns about the coronavirus, some changes were made to the parish tradition, including virtual and hybrid events.  

By registering for the 5K and Family Fun Week, held Oct. 31-Nov. 8, parishioners near and far could live out the parish’s mission of being a Christ-centered family.  

Those who registered received a kit with items needed to complete each day’s activities, including a cutout of Father James A. Houston, pastor. They were asked to send in photos of themselves with “Happy Houston,” as the cutout was called, at each activity.  

They were encouraged to do the 5 kilometer run or walk for individuals, organizations or causes that they wanted to “shine the light on” – and to shine their own light by serving them in some way. Submitted photos and messages were posted on the parish’s website (saintroseoflima.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StRoseofLimaParish).  

 Jackie Meschisen sent a photo of herself and her son Nathan with their dog Thunder and said, “We split our 5K into walking Thunder every day.  Today we finished for a total of 3.5 miles for the week. We walked for our love of animals and to bless and protect them.”  

The Rivard family  walked for children in Haiti and referred parishioners to a website where donations can be made for the children. 

The Cox family walked for an “end to racism and hatred in America” and “shared our message with those we encountered.”  

 “We stand in solidarity with those who are far too often marginalized in our society,” wrote the Fugardis, also walking for an end to racism. “We pledge to widen our own knowledge of racism in our country, to spread awareness and to work for justice. Thinking Happy Houston needed to take it easy with all this running, we took him for a casual walk around a lake.”   

“Moments like this make me grateful that I had the chance to grow up at St. Rose of Lima Parish,” said Allen Scholl, a former parishioner now living in Montreal, Canada, where he works as a medical writer. “Even during a tumultuous year, they found ways to bring everyone together and to remind us to share our voices, even when we have to stay apart. 

“In support of their virtual family fun week, I ran the virtual 5K, praying with my St. Rose family that, as we prepare for 2021, we remember to value people over property, truth over convenience, and justice over power,” Mr. Scholl said. 

In addition to the 5K, activities included virtual trivia and BINGO games, a food drive to benefit the Northborough Food Pantry, and a Halloween scavenger hunt around town in costume. 

Parishioners decorated pumpkins – and luminary bags with prayer intentions – at home, then displayed them at church. They had at an at-home family dinner with a thanksgiving prayer. At church, they participated in an outdoor Mass and living rosary with balloons representing the prayers. The rosary was on Facebook live for those not attending in person.  

A total of 274 individuals from 90 families took part and prizes were given out for the winners of some activities.  

 “When 2020 kicked off, no one could have anticipated the challenges that would be coming our way,” said Rod Pfannenstiel, committee chairman for the 5k and fun week. “The goal of this event was to find a way to connect and bring our St. Rose community together in this world where COVID makes it tough to be together.  

“With events canceled or changed, we lost the comfort of seeing friends and loved ones, including those friendships we share at St. Rose,” he said. “We also knew that our parishioners were longing for ways to help others, and so, when designing this week, we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to shine a light on a cause that was dear to their hearts. 

“From the very first communication that was sent out, the overwhelming number of responses was amazing,” Mr. Pfannenstiel said. “It quickly became apparent that people within the St. Rose community were eager to reconnect with one another, and the responses from those who participated was inspiring!” 

 – To see more messages and photos, visit www.saintroseoflima.com/how-fit-is-your-faith 

– Colleen McGoldrick is a St. Rose of Lima parishioner and Family Fun Week committee member.