St. Stanislaus Parishioners in Chicopee, Massachusetts Reach out to Their Isolated Brothers and Sisters

Every human being deserves to know tha he or she is loved and needed

During Advent at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr in Chicopee, Massachusetts, parishioners will find Advent Caring Baskets at every entrance to the basilica. Inside these baskets are pieces of paper with names and contact information of persons who are in need of prayers and companionship. Parishioners can visit, call, or even send a card to their chosen persons. Prayers are also always helpful.

A depiction of St. Francis of Assisi by Francisco de Zurbaran

The Advent Caring Baskets project at St. Stanislaus reflects the parish’s Conventual Franciscan influence.  There are several friars – including the pastor Friar Michael Zielke - serving the parish. Their Order’s founding father, St. Francis of Assisi created a community of men who imitate Jesus by serving others. After his conversion, Francis reached out to the sick, the poor, and all persons who were cast out of society and forced to wander the country alone and broken. Francis gave these people companionship and reminded them of God’s eternal love for all His children.

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr in Chicopee, Massachusetts and www.wikipedia.org.)