By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – St. Rose of Lima Church in Northborough distributed over 700 Resurrection Bags to parishioners at Easter Masses, which will be filled with non-perishable food donations to benefit the Northborough Food Pantry.
The project is in its eighth year and the idea was originally brought to St. Rose of Lima by Pastor Father Jim Houston. The idea was expanded so the bags include artwork and quotes focused on a central theme.
For the past few years, the themes have been ones of importance to Pope Francis. This year’s theme was the environment.
“Each year we come up with a different theme,” said Religious Education Director Susan McGoldrick. “After a theme is chosen, we look for quotes, tweets, or other statements from Pope Francis for the tag lines on the bags. A parent volunteer then coordinates the quotes and artwork that will be used to decorate the bags, purchases the supplies needed and makes a sample bag for each classroom.”
Religious education students have the fun of decorating the bags and each grade is assigned different artwork.
The bags are available in the gathering space, and parishioners are asked to take a bag home after Easter Mass, fill it with food donations, and return it to the church any time before Pentecost, which is Sunday, May 20.
“Fr. Jim has said that the bags are prized artwork,” said McGoldrick. “The children all enjoy personalizing the bags.”
The Resurrection Bag project is an example of how St. Rose of Lima continues to be committed to helping one another and those in need in the community and involving parishioners of all ages as part of that ministry.
More information about St. Rose can be found at www.saintroseoflima.com.
