St. Francis Xavier Parish

Transcription

1 St. Francis Xavier Parish 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. Gerald Dziedzic, Pastor PapaGer621@att.net Rectory Phone: Rev. Chacko Kumplam Parochial Vicar kumplam@gmail.com Deacon Roland Miller DeaconRoland@sfxnewmilford.org SUPPORT STAFF Chris Grenier, Administrative Assistant Parish Office & Faith Formation CGrenier@sfxnewmilford.org Jocelyne Verrastro St. Francis Cemetery/Finance Office JVerrastro@sfxnewmilford.org FAITH FORMATION Jessica Higgins, Coordinator Gr. K - 5 JHiggins@sfxnewmilford.org Sue Pullen, Coordinator Gr Edge (Gr. 6-8), LifeTeen (Gr. 9-12) & Confirmation SPullen@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 February 18, 2018 SATURDAY VIGIL - February 17 5:00 P.M. + Kenneth Stefanak Requested by Rosie Markstaller First Sunday of Lent SUNDAY - February 18 7:30 A.M. + Patrick Thomas Maguire Requested by Andrea Rush & Family 10:00 A.M. + Andrew Franco Requested by Bill Crowley 5:00 P.M. + Barbara Moore Poole Requested by Blanche & Bob Stuart MONDAY - No scheduled Mass TUESDAY - February 20 6:30 P.M. + George A. Lalak Requested by The Lalak Family WEDNESDAY - February 21 8:00 A.M. + Martha E. Lalak Requested by The Lalak Family THURSDAY - February 22 6:30 P.M. + Living & deceased members of The DeAlessio & Martin Families Requested by John DeAlessio & Family FRIDAY - February 23 8:00 A.M. + Fay Bellantoni Requested by Her Family SATURDAY VIGIL - February 24 5:00 P.M. + John J. Haran, Sr. Requested by Jo DeCosa Second Sunday of Lent SUNDAY - February 25 7:30 A.M. + Richard Landgrebe Requested by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Samoska 10:00 A.M. + Shirley Unangst Requested by Pat O Brien & Family 5:00 P.M. + Patrick Thomas Maguire Requested by Pat Ciccone St. Francis sends a final farewell to our dearly departed: Eileen Brenner Willig The Sanctuary Lamp for the week burns in memory of St. Francis Xavier Parishioners Requested by Fr. Gerry and Staff The St. Francis Xavier Memorial Window is illuminated this week for Casey Rose Shanahan Requested by The Staff of St. Francis Xavier EASTER LUMINARY SALES BEGIN Sales for Easter luminaries will begin this weekend after all the Masses at Church or stop in the office. Remember and honor someone. We are selling Luminary Bags that will be lit during the Easter Vigil and bring beautiful light to surround our Church grounds. You may purchase your luminary for $5 for one or $10 for three. All proceeds help our teens go to Steubenville. We thank you for your prayers and support. THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY The ladies of the Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Tuesday, February 20th at 1:00pm in the Parish Center Library. New/old members are always welcome to join. Lenten Fasting Regulations Abstinence on all the Fridays of Lent, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. No meat may be eaten on days of abstinence. Catholics 14 years and older are bound to abstain from meat. Persons with medical conditions, pregnant or nursing mothers are exempt. Fast on Good Friday: Fasting means having only one full meal to maintain one s strength. Two smaller, meatless and penitential meals are permitted according to one s needs, but they should not together equal the one full meal. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Catholics from age 18 through age 59 are bound to fast. Again, persons with medical conditions are exempt. LENTEN CONFESSIONS: If you have gotten caught up in the busyness of life and have fallen away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you can change that. During this Lenten season, in the Archdiocese of Hartford Monday will be confession day in every parish. Visit ConfessionMondays.com to look up parish locations and times. Our doors are open.

3 Page Three February 18, 2018 STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Will take place at St. Francis Xavier every Friday during Lent at 7:00 p.m. beginning Fri., Feb. 16th. Children s Stations will take place on Fri., March 2nd Teen s Stations will take place on Fri., March 9th *CONFESSIONS: Will take place on Mondays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. beginning Mon.. Feb. 19th as well as Saturdays from 4:00-4:45 or You may call for an appointment. Confession Mondays: The Archdiocese will once again sponsor its Lenten Confession Campaign, although with some modification of past practice. Monday will be confession day in every parish throughout the Archdiocese, but visit ConfessionMondays.com to look up parish locations and times. Our doors are open. Shut off your phone and let God call your heart. Phone Fast Fridays During Lent #PFF ArchdioceseofHartford.org ITEMS FOR THE MISSIONS: If you have any of the following items: rosaries, prayer cards, medals, small religious books, Bibles, etc. to send to the missions, please contact Judy at DONATION TAX STATEMENTS: If you use the parish envelope system and would like a printout of your yearly donations for 2017, please call Chris in the Parish Office at or her at cgrenier@sfxnewmilford.org. Please include your name, address, phone number and envelope number. Thank you. St. Francis Xavier Scholarship Fund We began last week to build up our Scholarship Fund for this year through your very generous donations. The opportunity to help a teen achieve their goal of furthering their education with the aid of this tax deductible fund is still available. Anyone who would like to support our young parishioners as they begin their college career or technical school is welcome to contribute to the St. Francis Xavier Scholarship Fund. Your checks may be mailed to the Parish Center at 1 Elm St. made payable to St. Francis Xavier Church with Scholarship Fund in the memo. Scholarships are awarded in June to graduation seniors who are continuing their education. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office. Thank you in advance. OFFERTORY - = $4, ½ % CATHEDRATICUM = $ ½ % CATHOLIC SCHOOLS = $ ST. FRANCIS SHARE = $4, Scholarship Fund Collection = $2, Soup for the Soul The Our Lady of the Lakes Women s Guild is pleased to bring back Sr. Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP from Wisdom House. This year the presentation is: Jesus: A Life Without Pretense or Constraint Men and women are welcome to join us at this free program and luncheon Where: Our Lady of the Lakes Church When: Saturday, March 3, 2018 Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 noon Snow Date is Saturday, March 17th Soup lunch to follow. Please call the office at if interested DONATIONS OF APPLE JUICE ARE NEEDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROSITY. SOCIETIES/MINISTRIES/ORGANIZATIONS Parish Pastoral Council President - Christine Zona Liturgical Ministries: Altar Servers - Peter Tagley Children s Liturgy - Jessica Higgins Eucharistic Ministers - Al Gambone Greeters - Noreen Fanella nafanella@att.net Lectors - Barbara Mullen Music Ministers-Doreen Gray, Tina Haddad, Christian Martirano Ushers - Herman Izzard Prayer/Catechetical/Service Ministries: Confraternity of the Rosary-First Monday -Noon, Church Hall Knit for Life - Patty Snodgrass Knights of Columbus - For info call Bill Byrd Lay Missionaries of Charity - Joan Kick Maintenance Ministry - Tom and Cathy Valedes Our Lady Queen of Peace Prayer Group - Thurs., 2:00 p.m. Church Hall Parish Prayer Line - Terri Lucente ; Debbie McLachlan debhmcl@gmail.com Prayer Shawl Ministry-Jo DeCosa Pro-Life Ministry - Deacon Roland Miller R.C.I.A. - Robert & Barbara Mullen Women s Guild - Second Tuesday of Month - 7 p.m., Church Hall Youth Ministry - Sue Pullen LIFETEEN (High School Youth) Jr. Youth Group (Gr. 6-8) Outreach Ministries: Beautification Committee - Joe Caruso Community Garden Ministry - Steve Fugardi Mass Taxi - need a free ride to Mass? Mark Speede Martha & Mary Community Care - Chris Grenier Meals Ministry - Chris Grenier Affiliated Groups: Recovery Anonymous - 7 pm, Thursday, 3rd FL Boy Scout Troop 66 - Darrin Thorndike Cub Scout Pack 66 - Steve Morris

4 Page Four February 18, 2018 Faith Formation :00 P.M. The Faith Formation office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9:00a.m. - 12:30p.m. (closed for lunch) and 1:30-5:00 p.m. We are closed on Fridays. LIFE TEEN MASS Every Sunday A TEEN VAPING PROGRAM will be presented to Parents/ Guardians of High Schoolers (grades 9, 10, 11 & 12). Get the Facts. Vaping is Smoking. You are invited to learn about the dangers and risks of vaping! This program will be held on Wednesday, February 21st from 7:00-8:00 p.m. (while some of the kids are in Faith Formation class) at the St. Francis Xavier Parish Center (school building). The presentation will be given by Jason O Connor, Youth Advocate at the New Milford Youth Agency. Any questions please call Jason at or him at Jason@youthagency.org or contact Sue in our office. CONFIRMATION RETREAT TEAM INFORMATION The preparation/practice schedule for the TEAM is Thurs., Feb. 22 at 7:00pm, Wed., Mar. 14 at 6:30pm, Wed., Apr. 18 at 6:30pm and Fri., Apr. 27 at 6:00pm. All will take place at the Parish Center. It is very important to be at most (preferably all) the meetings. Call Sue with questions. The retreat itself will be on Sat., April 28th. It will not be an overnight, but a one day experience ending with a Mass here at the Parish Center (school building) on the third floor. We have sent out letters to a few to be on retreat TEAM and you will need to be here 8:00am - 12:00 midnight. HAITI FUND RAISER PAINT & PRAYER Will take place on Sat., Feb. 24th following the 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church in the Church hall. This is open to anyone ages 10 and up. This is a group paint experience guided instruction by Mrs. Geri Kayfus (and will benefit the St. Francis Xavier Mission Trip to Haiti through Haiti 180.org). We will provide appetizers. The cost is $25. payable at the door and all art supplies are included. Please RSVP to Sue Pullen at or you may her at spullen@sfxnewmilford.org. A sign up table will be made available in the Church Hall after all Masses. Our next LifeTeen LifeNight will take place on Sun., Feb. 25th following the 5:00pm Mass. Our theme for the night will be LOL Living Our Lent. Dinner and dessert will be served. Parent pick up will be at 8:30pm. RSVP to Sue. TEEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS CAST CALL We are still looking for anyone in grades 6-12 to help with the Teen Stations of the Cross which will be presented on Fri., March 9th at 7pm. We will need readers, actors and state crew, as well as adults to help volunteer. Please contact Sue at or you may her at spullen@sfxnewmilford.org There will be a practice on Thurs., Mar. 1st at 5:30pm at the Church. Carpenters needed to help with construction of the set and we are also looking for donations of materials. CLASSES FOR THIS WEEK: Wed., 2/21 6:30-8:00pm Confirm. Gr. 9 & 10 CLASSES FOR NEXT WEEK: Tues., 2/27 3:30-5:00pm grades K-2 Wed., 2/28 3:30-5:00pm grades 3-5 Thurs., 3/1 3:30-5:00pm grades 3-5 CHILDREN S LITURGY: Please come and join us Sundays at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. After the opening prayer all the children in grades K-5 will be invited to hear the Liturgy of the Word with adult and teen 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, as well as give their parents a chance to experience Mass with fewer distractions. Please call or Jessica with any questions. THE FIRST RECONCILIATION CEREMONY will take place on Saturday February 24th at 10:00am and 1:00pm. If you do not remember which time your child has been assigned or if you have any other questions please call Jessica. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Will take place on Saturday, March 3rd following the 5:00pm Mass. This is a FREE event. We will be watching the movie, WONDER. Pizza and snacks will be available for purchase. The proceeds from this event will help our teens go to their Steubenville retreat this summer. Any questions please call Sue. CHILDREN S STATIONS OF THE CROSS The Children s Stations of the Cross will be presented on Friday, March 2nd at 7:00pm. The children will be presenting and family, friends and all parishioners are encouraged to attend. PRAYER FRIEND The Prayer Friend Mass for children receiving their First Holy Communion takes place the weekend of March 3rd and 4th at ALL the Masses. The First Holy Communion children will give their prayer friend booklets to parishioners of St. Francis Xavier. We will have extras at Church if you need them. Any questions call Jessica in the office.

5 Page Five February 18, 2018 Defending Our Religious Liberty The original health care federal mandate tried to force faith-based employers -- including religious charities, schools and pro-life advocacy organizations such as the March for Life -- to facilitate the coverage of drugs and contraception devices that go against our religious beliefs. When changing the mandate, let us pray that the administration safeguards religious freedom. 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. THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights of Columbus will be having their next meeting on Tuesday, February 20th at 8:00pm in the Church Hall. For more information regarding the Knights of Columbus, please feel free to call Mr. Bill Byrd at REGISTRATION AND OPEN HOUSE for Holy Infant Nursery School for the school year will be held on Monday, February 26th from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be a non-refundable registration fee. Parents of alumni please call before February 23, 2018 if you wish to register your child. (Snow date for Registration is: Wednesday, February 28th, 10:30am until 2:00pm). Come join us! Loaves & Fishes Hospitality House EMPTY BOWL DINNER on Sat., Mar. 24 from 4:30-7:30pm at St. John s Episcopal Church Hall on 7 Whittlesey Ave. in NM. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For ticket information, contact them at or them at loavesfishes@charter.net. Your participation will help them Build Their New Home! Confirmation Date: Saturday, June 9, 2018 RACHEL S VINEYARD RETREAT WEEKENDS F O R H E A L I N G A F T E R A B O R T I O N If you are suffering from an abortion, experience the healing love of Jesus Christ on a Rachel s Vineyard Retreat weekend March 9-11, 2018 in Litchfield, CT. The weekend healing process includes discussions, Living Scriptures with meditations, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Memorial Service and Mass of Entrustment. Participation is totally confidential and offers a beautiful opportunity to experience God s love, forgiveness and compassion. Both women and men have participated in past retreats and have ranged in age from teens to mid-eighties. 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, or visit our website at BEQUESTS We appreciate the thoughtfulness of parishioners who have made a bequest to St. Francis Xavier Parish. These charitable gifts build our parish endowment to help pass on our Catholic faith to future generations. This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand. Let us reform our lives and believe in the Good News. Consider becoming an instrument of God s Good News through the ministry of priesthood. Call Fr. Michael Casey, Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, Tel , vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at It is that time of year...join us for the St. Francis Xavier 4th Annual Fish Fry. It will be held on Friday, March 2nd from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Church, 26 Chestnut Land Rd. The cost is $8 per person / $15 for two. Fish, cole slaw and baked potato will be served. Proceeds will benefit the St. Francis Xavier Scholarship Fund. Donations of dessert items are welcome the night of, thanks. Tickets will be available at the door. We are hoping and praying to see many of you there!!