LAWRENCE — Two religious women with ties to the city celebrated their golden jubilee as members of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary order.
The Mass and reception was at the chapel of St. Joseph Convent in Biddeford, Maine for sisters Claire Ouellette and Simonne Janelle.
A Lawrence native, Sister Ouellette graduated from St. Joseph College in Maine. She is now coordinator of St. Joseph convent and had previously taught in schools in Maine and Massachusetts.
Sister Janelle was born in Biddeford and also graduated from st. Joseph College. A licensed social worker, she works at Esther Residence, a transitional home for women in Saco, Maine while also serving her fellow nuns at the convent.
She served at St. Ann's home in Methuen, St. Andre's Home in Bangor, Maine, and St. Andre Home Inc. in Biddeford. While in Biddeford, she was also superior at both St. Andre Home Inc. and Marie-Fitzbach Convent.
Churches celebrate saints' feast days
LAWRENCE — Two city churches are hosting programs in honor of patron's feasts.
St. Mary of the Assumption Church celebrates its patroness feast Aug. 6 to 15 with retreats, novena, Mass, singing contest, raffles, domino tournament and children's games.
The Portuguese community at Corpus Christi honors Santo Cristo feast Aug. 14 and 15 with music, food, a procession, and dancing.
St. Mary of the Assumption: Aug. 6, there will be a retreat based on the flame of love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 6 to 9 p.m. and Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A walking novena is at 5 p.m. followed by outdoor Mass at 6 p.m.; Aug. 9-13, food sale, novena and outdoor Mass, 4 to 9 p.m; Aug. 9-11, there will be a singing contest; Aug. 12, gathering for youth at 7 p.m.; Aug. 14, walkathon under the theme, "Forgiveness, Unity and Community," 2 to 4:30 p.m. From 4 to 9 p.m., there will be a food sale and outdoor Mass in Spanish; Aug. 15, food sale runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as well as games, yard sale, raffles, domino tournament, dance contest and children's game. A concert in honor of the Virgin Mary is at 3 p.m. There will also be a bilingual walking novena and an outdoor liturgy.
Santo Cristo Feast: Aug. 14, music by Energia band, 6 to midnight. There will be sale of Portuguese and American delicacies. Aug. 15, Mass in Portuguese and English at 11 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 35 Essex St. Luncheon follows. The Lowell March Band performs at 2 p.m. and a procession is at 4 p.m. with more music and dancing by dee jays Danny and David Melo from 5 to 9 p.m.
Religion listings
Ararat Armenian, 2 Salem St., Salem, N.H.: The church joins members from First Congregation for Vacation Bible School, Aug. 16 to 20, 9 a.m. to noon. The program alternates between the churches. On Aug. 20, children visit SalemHaven Nursing Home, then go to Field of Dreams.
Atkinson Congregational, 101 Main St., Atkinson, N.H.: Summer Kids' club continues with the Safari theme Sundays at 9 a.m. until Aug. 29.
Central Congregational, 9 Worthen St., Chelmsford: Area singers perform Dvorak Mas in D Opus 86 on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m., followed by ecumenical service. Fee is $5.
CenterPoint Community, 101 School St., Salem, N.H.: "High Seas" Vacation Bible School, Aug. 6, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Aug. 7, 9 to noon and 2 to 5 p.m.; Aug. 8, 9 a.m. followed by worship service with Vacation Bible School element.
Corpus Christi, 35 Essex St., Lawrence: Bible study on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the scriptures Wednesdays until Sept. 22, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
First Baptist, 122 Main St., Plaistow, N.H.: Vacation Bible School Aug. 9-13 9 to 11:30 A.M. Free Family Picnic Friday at 11:30 a.m.
First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen: Summer Sunday schools tomorrow at 10 a.m. with "The Travels of Paul."
First Congregational Church, 15 Lawrence Road, Salem N.H.: Wednesday worship services at 7 p.m. through Sept. 1. It is preceded by a buffet supper at 6 p.m. Cost is $3 per person; $8 per family.
First Presbyterian, 346 Broadway, Haverhill: The pastor nominating committee provides its final report and introduces their choice for new pastor tomorrow at the 9:30 a.m. service.
GAR Park, Main Street and Bailey Boulevard, Haverhill: Calvary Baptist hosts a tent revival with Deaconess Shirley Deramo today at noon. Speakers include Sister Deborah Brown of West Congregational Church, Jimmie Woods of Third Baptist Church, Lawrence, the Rev. Robert Flannagan of Brooks School, North Andover, Randy Bing of Alcatel-Lucent and deaconess Erika Moreno of Calvary-Baptist.
Groveland Congregational, 4 King St., Groveland: "High Seas Expedition" Vacation Bible School, Aug. 9-13, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $30 per child.
Free Christian, 31 Elm St., Andover: "High Seas Expedition" Vacation Bible School for students in first to sixth grade is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $35.
Mary Queen of Peace, 200 Lawrence Road, Salem, N.H.: Vacation Bible School, Aug. 9-13 from 9 a.m. to noon.
New Creation Healing Center, Hunt and Newton Junction Roads, Kingston, N.H.: A four-week Bible study series "Deliver Us From Evil," focusing on the Lord's prayer Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
New England Bible, 60 Chandler Road, Andover: "SonQuest Rainforest" Vacation Bible school is Monday through Friday, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
North Parish, 190 Academy Road, North Andover: Mark Lemire, Phil Malloy, Susan Malloy and John Weaver all members of Great Pond Sangha lead service tomorrow at 10 a.m. Theme is "Loving-Kindness and Meditation" and includes readings and meditation. Jo-Dee Gentile provides music.
Pilgrim Congregational, 27 Church St., Merrimac: Vacation Bible School, "High Seas Expedition" on Aug. 16 to 20, 9 a.m. to noon, for children in kindergarten through grade 6. Cost is $25 per child.
Presentation of Mary, 209 Lawrence St., Methuen: The sisters host adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel of St. Claire residence Monday to Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.
Religious Society of Friends, Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen: Quaker meeting is Sundays at 2 p.m. Details or directions call 978-397-6340 or go to www.lawrence-andover-quakers.org.
Rolling Ridge Conference Center, 660 Great Pond Road, North Andover: Summer retreat for women Aug. 27 and 28, featuring meditation, prayer, fellowship and time to walk the labyrinth. The program is presented by the Martha and Mary Productions led by Julia Steer of St. James Episcopal in Groveland and Jen Acorn of All Saints Episcopal in West Newbury. St. Augustine, 43 Essex St., Andover: "High Seas Expedition" Vacation Bible School is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, for children, ages 4 to kindergarten. The program is sponsored by Andover Baptist, Free Christian, GracePoint Community all of Andover and St. Michael of North Andover. Cost, $35.
St. Augustine, 526 Lowell St., Lawrence: "Son Quest Rainforest" Vacation Bible School is Aug. 16-19, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Closing day is Aug. 20, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Breakfast and lunch served.
St. James, Winter Street, Haverhill: Students in second to eighth grade can participate in a music camp, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is $15. Concert is at 5 p.m.
St. John the Baptist, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill: Deacon Tom Anthony leads exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by prayers Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Anthony celebrates prayer services Thursdays, 9 a.m.
Mary, Mother of the Church of St. Luke the Evangelist parish, 12 Amesbury Road, Newton, N.H.: The national statue of Our Lady of Fatima which was blessed by Pope Paul VI will be at the parish Aug. 22 beginning with Mass at 9 a.m. William Sockey, the statue custodian explains Fatima's message. The Rev. Michael Monette leads a healing Mass Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery and Mausoleum, 29 Barker St., Lawrence: Mass for the deceased buried in the cemetery or entombed in the mausoleum is Aug. 7 at 8:30 a.m.
St. Michael, 196 Main St., North Andover: "Awesome Summer Camp" is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $35. To register, log on to www.andovervbs.com.
St. Monica, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen: Mass in Latin is celebrated Wednesday at 7 p.m.
St. Patrick, 114 Center St., Groveland: Rosary for peace group meets Thursdays at 7 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, N.H.: "Baobab Blast" Vacation Bible School is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Register, 603-432-5000.
Salvation Army, 250 Haverhill Street, Lawrence: Vacation Bible School explores the parables of Jesus, Aug. 9-13, 5 p.m. Sponsored by Communities Together,
Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Open house for prospective members is Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to noon. There will be information on membership along with refreshments.
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Open house for prospective members to the temple and religious school is Sept. 12, 9 a.m.
Third Baptist Church, 22 Warren St., Lawrence: Vacation Bible School explores the parables of Jesus on Aug. 2-6, 5 p.m., sponsored by Communities Together.
Trinitarian Congregational, 72 Elm St., North Andover: Church hosts Wednesday worship services at 7 p.m. The title for the informal service is, "Come as You Are ... Leave Refreshed." It features the Rev. Richard Knight on guitar and guided meditation.
Universalist unitarian, 15 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill: Group meets for Buddhist meditation tomorrow at 5 p.m.
West Congregational, 767 Broadway, Haverhill: Men's Bible study on the First Book of St. Peter Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. A study on the women in the bible is Thursdays, 6:45 a.m. Mark Evans leads a six-week study on worship based on the scriptures beginning tomorrow at 10 a.m.
