St. Francis Xavier Parish

Transcription

1 26 CHESTNUT LAND ROAD NEW MILFORD, CT Web Site: Office Hours: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Mon. - Thurs. (Closed on Friday) PASTORAL TEAM Rev. Joseph Lorenzo, OFM, Pastor FrJoe@sfxnewmilford.org St. Francis Xavier Parish September 25, 2016 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Br. Courtland Campbell, OFM Pastoral Associate BrCourtland@sfxnewmilford.org Deacon Roland Miller DeaconRoland@sfxnewmilford.org SUPPORT STAFF Doreen Gray, Administrative Assistant DGray@sfxnewmilford.org Jocelyne Verrastro St. Francis Cemetery/Finance Office JVerrastro@sfxnewmilford.org FAITH FORMATION Mary Vannucci, Coordinator Gr. K - 5 MVannucci@sfxnewmilford.org Sue Pullen, Coordinator Gr Edge (Gr. 6-8), LifeTeen (Gr. 9-12) & Confirmation SPullen@sfxnewmilford.org Chris Grenier, Administrative Assistant to Faith Formation CGrenier@sfxnewmilford.org HOLY INFANT NURSERY SCHOOL Marge Cooper, Director HolyInfant@sfxnewmilford.org Mailing Address & Office Location 1 Elm Street New Milford, CT Fax # MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at 7:30, 10:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. (Life Teen) Wednesday, Friday at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. SACRAMENTS CONFESSIONS Saturdays 4:00-4:45 p.m. BAPTISMS Call Parish Office MARRIAGES Contact the priest 1 year in advance. MINISTRY TO THE SICK The parish clergy and Ministers of Holy Communion visit New Milford Hospital, Candlewood Valley Health & Rehab, Village Crest Center for Health & Rehab and some homebound regularly. For other specific visits, please contact the Parish Office. WELCOME We are glad you are here. If you would like to join the parish, please call the parish office.

2 Page Two September 25, 2016 SATURDAY VIGIL - September 24 5:00 P.M. +Lucy Frisbie Req. by Dr. David & Nancy Lynch Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time SUNDAY - September 25 7:30 A.M. +Anna Funaro Req. by The Lalak Family 10:00 A.M. +Deceased members of the Tencza Family Req. by Ron & Jeff Kowalski 5:00 P.M. +Helena Fernandes Req. by Her Daughter & Family MONDAY - No scheduled Mass - September 26 TUESDAY - September 27 6:30 P.M. +Nancy Hyland Req. by Her Family WEDNESDAY - September 28 8:00 A.M. +Raymond O Brien Req. by Dennis & Sheila Brooks THURSDAY - September 29 6:30 P.M. +Michael Condon Req. by New Milford Hospital Surgical Services Staff FRIDAY - September 30 8:00 A.M. +Anthony Ottaviano Req. by A Friend SATURDAY VIGIL - October 1 5:00 P.M. +Paulyne Lynch Req. by Her Family Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time SUNDAY - October 2 7:30 A.M. Living and deceased members of Shugrue and Brennan Families Req. by Dan & Judy Shugrue 10:00 A.M. +John O Shaughnessy (4 th Anniversary) Req. by His Family 5:00 P.M. +Robert Gray Req. by The 5 O Clock Choir The Annual "Run for Joe" in memory of Joe Leto, who died in July 1999 during training in the U.S. Marine Corps, will take place on Oct. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. He was a 1997 graduate of Canterbury School. The "Run for Joe" will consist of a "fun run" of one mile, or a 5K run for more seasoned runners. Donations are sought for the Joe Leto Scholarship Fund, or you can donate through Canterbury's website: St. Francis sends a final farewell to our dearly departed: Joshua Adams The Sanctuary Lamp for the week burns in memory of John J. Haran, Sr. & John J. Haran, Jr. Requested by Jo DeCosa The St. Francis Xavier Memorial Window is illuminated this week for Paulyne Lynch (10 th Anniversary) Requested by Her Family RACHEL'S VINEYARD WEEKENDS FOR HEALING AFTER ABORTION If you are suffering from an abortion, experience the healing love of Jesus Christ on a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat weekend October 21-23, 2016 in Litchfield, CT. The weekend healing process includes discussions, Living Scriptures with meditations, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Memorial Service and Mass of Entrustment. The fee for the weekend is $ for meals, private room and all retreat materials. Scholarships are available for financial assistance. For more information contact Marie at , her at mlaffin@prolifeministry.org. The View From My Window - - Father Joe's book "The View From My Window" is available from major book sellers, including Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. The price is $ If you like Father Joe's writings in our Sunday bulletin, you will love his book. Blessing of the Animals NEXT Sunday :00 p.m. Mass Sunday, October 2 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. In honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals and the environment, we invite you to bring your pet to the 5:00 p.m. Mass where Fr. Joe will give them a blessing. We will sing and pray with all the birds and animals, God s wonderful creations that make our lives richer because of their presence. Please use leashes and cages as appropriate. If you are not able to bring your pet, please consider bringing a photo of them for the blessing.

3 Page Three September 25, 2016 Confraternity of the Rosary Meeting The Confraternity of the Rosary will hold their next meeting on Monday, October 3 at 12 noon in the Church Hall. There will be a speaker from the Connecticut Commission on Aging. We will learn about safety issues and devices available. The Connecticut Commission on Aging, an independent agency of the State Legislature, advocates on behalf of Connecticut s present and future generations of older adults and serves as an objective source of information on issues that affect them. Bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. All are welcome! Confraternity of the Rosary-Altar Duty Schedule Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 29 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 19 Nov 26 Dec 3 Dec 10 Dec 17 Dec 24 Dec 31 Sally Adams/Jeanne Dingee/Rosie Markstaller Sally Adams/Jeanne Dingee/Rosie Markstaller Sponsored by our Knights of Columbus Every Monday night VFW Hall (Avery Road, New Milford) Doors open at 5:45 p.m. BINGO begins at 6:30 p.m. NEXT WEEK S SECOND COLLECTION will be our regular Monthly Collection used to offset the cost of utilities. OFFERTORY - September 18 = $5, ½ % CATHEDRATICUM = $ ½ % CATHOLIC SCHOOLS = $ ST. FRANCIS SHARE = $4, Aid for Louisiana Flood Victims = $1, Threshold Bible Study: Divine Mercy BEGINS THIS WEEK!! The six week Bible Study will be offered Thursday's 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm and 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm on the following dates: Sept. 29 th, October 6 th, 13 th, 27 th, November 3 rd and10 th. The Women's Guild is planning a Holiday Fair in the Church Hall on Saturday, Nov. 19th from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20th from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. There are a limited number of spaces available at $20/space. Please contact Ellen Cote (860) or ebcote@yahoo.com if you wish to have a space at the Holiday Fair. LIFE CHAIN - After 25 years, the New Milford Life Chain will permanently join ranks with the Danbury Life Chain on Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 2:30-3:30 pm, rain or shine. All are welcome to pray and witness to the sanctity of life in front of Planned Parenthood at 44 Main Street, Danbury. The 4th Annual Memorial Mass of the Guardian Angels will be Monday, October 3rd at 7 p.m. at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish in Brookfield. All are invited to this special Mass to celebrate the lives of our deceased children before God. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Are you thinking about what it would be like to be a Catholic? Our program is for anyone wishing to become a Catholic and for a baptized Catholic who has not received the sacraments of Holy Communion or Confirmation. We invite you to join our program. Anyone interested please contact Father Joe at FrJoe@sfxnewmilford.org. If you do not have , call the parish office at & leave your phone number. Father Joe will get back to you. Our classes will start in October on Wednesday evenings. The Ninth Annual Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, Saturday October 22, 2016, at Goodwin College in East Hartford CT. Begins 8:30 AM. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the continuous support of the archbishop of Hartford and bishops of Bridgeport and Norwich, the organizers of the annual Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference hope to offer vibrant speakers to address the contemporary issues that affect Catholic men in an atmosphere of true Christian fraternity. for registration, tickets, and information.

4 Page Four September 25, 2016 LIFE TEEN MASS Every Sunday 5:00 P.M. CONFIRMATION YEAR 1 RETREAT Our Gone Fishing 9 th grade Confirmation Year 1 retreat will take place THIS Sun., Sept. 25 th from 1pm 8:30 p.m. in the Church Hall. LIFETEEN LIFE NIGHT: on Sun., Oct. 2 nd following the 5pm Mass Challenge your friends and Core Team to a Lip Sync Karaoke contest. Enjoy some laughs, great food and good times. But wait there s more Also catch your friends hiding in the shadows with a game of Extreme Flashlight Tag! Please note: we supply the light!! Dinner will be served following Mass. Parent pick up at 8:30 p.m. Questions? Call Sue Patriotic Rosary: The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring the Patriotic Rosary at our Parish. It will be held on Saturday, October 15 th following the 5pm Mass. We need 5 teen readers for this service. If you would like to be a reader, please contact Sue Pullen or SPullen@sfxnewmilford.org. (This can be applied to your Confirmation Service hours.) CHILDREN S LITURGY BEGINS: Join us next Sat., 10/1 at the 5:00pm Mass. St. Francis will be sharing the special Children s Liturgy on the first Saturday of each month. After the opening prayer all the children in grades kindergarten grade 5 will be invited to hear the Liturgy of the Word with teen and adult leaders in the Church Hall. The children will return to their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist after the petitions. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to hear the Gospel and its meaning in words they understand. If you have questions please call Mary Vannucci at the Faith Formation office Faith Formation CLASSES FOR THIS WEEK: Tues., Sept. 27 th for grades 1&2 NES 3:30-5:00pm Wed., Sept. 28 th for grades 3-5 SNIS 3:30-5:00pm Thurs., Sept. 29 th for grades 3-5 SNIS 3:30-5:00pm CLASSES FOR NEXT WEEK: Sun., Oct. 2 nd for grades K-5 11:30am-1:00pm Confirmation yr. 1&2 11:30am-1:00pm Grades 6-8 2:45-4:15pm Confirmation yr. 1&2 2:45-4:15pm Mon., Oct. 3 rd Confirmation yr. 1 3:00-4:30pm Mon., Oct 3 rd for grades 6-8 6:30-8:00pm *Tues., Oct. 4 th for Gr. 1&2 NES 3:30-5:00pm *classes meet 2 weeks in a row due to no school; *busing as usual Tues., Oct. 4 th for grades 6-8 6:30-8:00pm **Wed., Oct. 5 th for Gr. 3-5 SNIS 3:30-5:00pm **classes meet 2 weeks in a row due to no school; **busing as usual Wed., Oct. 5 th Confirmation yr. 2 3:00-4:30pm Wed., Oct. 5 th Confirmation yr. 1&2 6:30-8:00pm Volunteers needed: Sundays 2:45-4:15 p.m. Confirmation grade 10 Assistant GRADE 1 MASS AND MEETING: with Fr. Joe will be on either Saturday, October 1 at 5:00 pm Mass or Sunday, October 2 at 10:00 am Mass. Children will sit with their families during Mass. Father will speak to the children immediately after Mass. SNACKS: Apple juice and goldfish, cheese its, pretzels, animal crackers or cookies are needed for our Faith Formation program. These donations may be left in the Church hall or brought to the School building. This is for use for ALL (grades K-10) Sunday Thursday classes, thanks. Attention Girl Scouts: Would you like to earn a Catholic Religious Certificate & Medal? If the answer is YES! then we d like you to join us for the annual Catholic Girl Scout Program Day at St. Bridget School (74 Main Street, Manchester) October 29, from 9am to 4pm. Our program covers all Girl Scout levels (Daisy thru Ambassador) with appropriate material and coaching for all. The members of the Archdiocesan Catholic Girl Scout Committee will help you complete some of the work required and answer your question. Join our Committee members and fellow Girl Scouts from all over the Archdiocese for a day of fun and faith. For a registration form, please contact the Archdiocesan Office of Education, Evangelization & Catechesis, Scouting Coordinator Jennifer McClintock (jennifer.mcclintock@aohct.org) for more information.

5 A Great Time of the Year The fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Besides the cooler weather which I enjoy, it is also my favorite "sports" season. The baseball season is winding down, with playoffs coming very soon. This year, my Yankees made a good run at the end, and I think have a promising future with the many young players who have proved to be so talented this season. Also, running simultaneously is the football season. My favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are looking good this year, and perhaps this will be the year for their seventh super bowl win. Recently, I was reflecting on one of the most exciting (and frightening) football games I had ever been to. Now please know that I have been to a lot of NFL games. When I lived in Pittsburgh, I would attend almost every Steeler home game as a season ticket holder. I had even attended a Steeler game sitting in the Mayor's box at Three Rivers Stadium, as my good friend, the late Richard Caliguiri, the Mayor of Pittsburgh, invited me to join him. I almost went to the Super Bowl in January of 1980 in Pasadena, California to see the Steelers win their fourth crown in six years. I was prevented from doing so due to a family commitment (that is another story and a half). I had also been to several games at Giants Stadium, coming into the city to see one of our neighborhood kids play center for the Jets. But of all the football games I attended, there is one that stands out above all. It was December 13, 1997, and the Steelers were playing the New England Patriots at Foxboro Stadium. At the time I was pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry, New Hampshire, yes, in the middle of Patriots territory. A few weeks beforehand, I had received a phone call from one of my best friends, Father Mike Bercik, a fellow friar with whom I had been stationed in Pittsburgh for ten years. Father Mike was pastor of St. Ann's Church in Marlboro, Massachusetts, and he was a native of Clairton, Pennsylvania, thus also a lifelong Steeler fan. Father Mike asked me if I would like to go to the Steeler-Pats game. I jumped at the opportunity. The Steelers and Patriots were both heading toward playoff berths, and this game would be very important in their efforts to get to the Super Bowl. The day finally arrived. It was a cold, blustery day, and we knew it would be a long afternoon. The game started at 4PM. Despite going into "enemy" territory, Father Mike and I were fearless. We came with our full Steeler regalia- black and gold Steeler hats, sweats, gloves, scarves, and, of course, our Terrible Towels. We were looking forward to a fun-filled afternoon. We sat in a section with many of Father Mike's parishioners and friends and knew we were in for a lot of ribbing and teasing. The game started pretty slowly without any scoring in the first quarter. The quarterbacks for both teams, Drew Bledsoe for the Pats and Kordell Stewart for the Steelers, seemed to be a bit tentative. In the second quarter, the Patriots' offense came alive and before we knew it, they were leading The Steelers did manage a touchdown before half time and went to the locker room with a 14-7 score. The third quarter was pretty insignificant, with only a Steeler field goal for the scoring. It was now The crowd seemed to get more rowdy as the beer drinking intensified, and Father Mike and I did our best to smile and be gracious with the teasing, even enduring some beer and debris being thrown our way. In the fourth quarter, the Patriots did their best to put the Steelers away. The most dramatic play was a 49 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe to Dave Meggett, and it was now with only 4:29 left in the game. At 3:33, after the Steelers offense seemed to go limp, the Pats had the ball back and things seemed pretty hopeless for our Steelers. The Steelers began burning their time-outs as Bledsoe led the Pats down the field. At 2:10, the Pats needed only one first down the ice the game. We graciously received the condolences of the Pat fans sitting near us even though we were very disappointed. Then, on a 3rd and 7 play, Bledsoe attempted a pass to Dave Meggett across the field to his left. It was intercepted by the Steelers. After facing a 4th and 15 at 1:32, Kordell Stewart quickly completed a touchdown pass. With just 30 second left in the game, Stewart threw for a two-point conversion, and suddenly the game was tied With the customary coin-toss at the beginning of sudden death overtime, the Steelers would get the ball first. Stewart started off with a screen pass to Courtney Hawkins who ran 41 yards to place the Steelers in field-goal range. The rest is almost a blur. A quick field goal and the game was over. The Steelers won At first, the Pats crowd seemed totally stunned. In the last two minutes of the game, the Patriots went from a sure win to a loss. The stadium was eerily silent. As Father Mike and I attempted to blend into the crowd, hoping that no one would notice our black and gold, I whispered to him, "Let's get out of here before we get killed." We made our way to the exits, keeping our heads down, not making eye contact. Inwardly we were celebrating. Outwardly, we kept quiet and were growing fearful as we made our way to the parking lot. Outside the stadium, crowds were erupting in anger. People were screaming, swearing. It was obvious that there was a lot of beer drinking at this game, despite the cold weather. Several phone booths were turned over, and there were some attempts at vandalism to cars. Quietly (and luckily) we got to our car and got in. We were able to get out of the parking lot without incident, and proceeded north on Route 1. It was only after several miles did we finally get to celebrate and smile and to talk about the game. We agreed that things were turning ugly at the end of the game and we were lucky to escape without getting beat up. We decided to have a celebratory meal, but thought it would be best to get back to Marlboro first, where we would be on Father Mike's home turf. Less than one month later, the Steelers would play the Pats again in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, defeating them 7-6 in a defensive battle. And, of course, with all the sports over the next few months, we can't forget those things that go great with all of this- a nice cold bottle of Coors and a bunch of delicious chicken wings from "First and Ten." Love Fr. Joe