WELCOME! From which source do I base my faith beliefs? Bulletin Deadline: Monday at 10:00 a.m. Website News: to:

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1 From which source do I base my faith beliefs? A Parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford Mass/Liturgy Schedule: Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, NO 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass) Daily Mass at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Wednesday, and Friday. (Yearly) Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Baptisms and Baptismal Preparation: Please call the parish office at Sacrament of Holy Matrimony: Please call the parish office at at least 6 months in advance Choir Practices: Adult Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Youth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Music Group Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Bulletin Deadline: Monday at 10:00 a.m. Website News: to: StCatherineWebMaster@Comcast.net 265 Stratton Brook Road, Box 184, West Simsbury, Connecticut Tel: /Fax: stcathy@comcast.net Website: Facebook Page: St. Catherine of Siena Parish-West Simsbury CT WELCOME! We welcome all visitors who are celebrating with us today. As is our custom at St. Catherine of Siena, please remain in your pew for the singing of the first and last verses of the recessional hymn. Parish Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. The St. Catherine Parish Legacy Fund is committed to ensuring the long-term stability of our parish and its ministries. Please consider a gift in lieu of flowers upon a loved one's passing as a way to ensure our community will thrive well into the future. Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time September 2, 2018 Pastor The Reverend Michael Whyte, PARISH STAFF Administrative Assistant-Parish Office Mrs. Lisa Cerchia or stcathy@comcast.net Director of Religious Education Mrs. Kathi Bonner or kathidre@aol.com Director of Youth Ministry Youth Ministry Office Manuela Hanshaw, or Manuelahanshawym@gmail.com Director of Music Ministry Mrs. Susan Zybert or susanzybert@comcast.net Facilities Manager Mr. Michael Grappone, Parish Council President Mr. Mike Coutinho or mikevinda@hotmail.com Finance Council Chairman Mr. Scott Muryasz Parish Legacy Fund Chairman Mr. Peter Pabich, Parish Lay Trustees Mrs. Ann Hoffman, Mr. Steven Moretta, Thanks for worshiping with us. If you would like to join our parish family, fill out a yellow membership form found in the vestibule or atrium and mail it to us, drop it in the collection basket or call us at We Welcome You to Our Family of Faith! 1

2 WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, September 5:00 p.m. Mass for Francis T. Gibson, requested by the Ruder Family; Sunday, September 8:00 am Mass for The Intentions of Chaz & Laurie Freutel, requested by the Peterson Family; Sunday, September 11:00 am Mass for Jim Sullivan, requested by his family; Monday, September 8:30 a.m. Mass for the Intentions of Carol Hay; Tuesday, September 8:30 Mass for Barbara E. Riccio-Woods, requested by Nancy O Connell; Tuesday, September 9 a.m., Adoration; Wednesday, September 8:30 a.m. Mass for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; Wednesday, September 9:00 a.m., Rosary for Peace; Friday, September 8:30 a.m. Mass for Charles Deye, requested by his family; Friday, September 9:00 a.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy; Saturday, September 5:00 p.m. Mass for Eileen & Harry Geary, requested by Janet Geary; Sunday, September 8:00 am Mass for Terri Ann Marolla Bernstein, for health, requested by her family ; Sunday, September 11:00 am Mass for Our Religious Education Teachers; and, Sunday, September 5:00 pm Mass for Leonard Ianzito. Offertory Collection Weekly Collection. $ 8, Loose Cash/Checks $ 1, Envelopes $ 6, Cathedraticum* -$ School Tax* -$ *Parish taxes (5.5%) paid to the Archdiocese for services to the parish. Repair & Refurbishment $30.00 (additional) Next week s second collection is for Repair & Refurbishment. Religious Education News RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES, K-10 begin on Sunday, September 16th! Classes meet at Henry James Memorial School, 9:30-10:30 am. Confirmation I & II Classes at HJMS begin at 9:15 am and end at 10:30 am. The evening classes meet at the church, Confirmation I (Grade 9) from 6 pm-7:15 pm and Confirmation II (Grade 10) from 7:15 pm-8:30 pm. Class lists will be posted on our website the first week of September. If you have not yet re-registered your child(ren) for classes, K-10, please complete the form that is attached to our weekly bulletin. New Students must be done in person using the blue New Student Form found in the atrium and vestibule of the church. Please contact Kathi Bonner, , Kathidre@aol.com, for an appointment or more information. Teens are needed for the first two Sundays of Religious Education Classes, September 16th and September 23rd to help new families and children navigate Henry James School. Confirmation hours will be offered. Please contact Kathi Bonner, Kathidre@aol.com to sign up! The Confirmation I Enrollment Mass (Grade 9 only) will take place at the 5 pm Vigil on September 8th. All Confirmation Candidates should sit with their families in church attire. There will be a mandatory Parent Meeting in the back of the church immediately following the Enrollment Mass. Teens do not have to attend the parent meeting. Confirmation II: The parent letter has been mailed with the Confirmation Calendar! Please note that the Confirmation II (Grade 10) classes remain with the same teacher and the same slot: morning classes stay together and meet from 9:15 am -10:30 am at Henry James Memorial School. The evening classes move to 7:15 pm-8:30 pm at the church and the teachers and groups stay the same. The Catechist Commissioning Mass will take place at the 11 am Mass on Sunday, September 9th. Our parish supports and prays for these faithful parishioners who teach and model our Catholic Faith for our parish children and teens. We are a blessed parish to have so many willing to walk this journey of faith together in our Religious Education program. Class Lists, K-10 will be posted this week on our website. The lists do not reflect changes or additions that have occurred after August 31st. Please view this list for Catechist contact information and class size, rather than requesting changes. 2

3 FROM FATHER MICHAEL... So What Defiles Me and From Where Does It Hail? 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time What a timely question for today s secular culture and for our Church. This weekend s readings speak to the interrelationship between morality and truth and our lived lives as well as the building block of Truth and its inherent limitations. If something is an absolute truth, it is by its definition, limited in scope. A truth cannot be multiple things or be comprised of different hues of truth. Specifically, let us look to the second reading from the Letter of James where we hear that All good living and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. Consistency is the common denominator when it comes to the teachings of God. The meaning behind this statement is that God s Truths are absolute they (and God) are immutable unable to change God, and His Truths, is (are) who He Is. Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote extensively on the topics of Absolute Truths and Relativism. In his papal writings and to paraphrase the Holy Father he notes that the Truths of God are unchanging from age-to-age and that what was true in 33 AD or 490 BC remain true today even when culture and practice seek changes.. According to Merriam-Webster, Relativism is defined as the theory that knowledge is relative to the limited nature of the mind and the conditions of knowing; (b): a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them. To that end, Truth is flexible and dependent upon each particular circumstance. Do we want that fluidity in the Love of God for each of us dependent upon time, place and circumstance? If that be the case, then this logic would say that flexibility must apply to all issues from kindness and charity extended to one in need, to the more horrific issues of rape, murder, or even the very meaning and essence of our Christian vows in marriage or any other moral claim. Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the world about the Truths of God: His Divine Love, His hope for our soul s Eternal Salvation, the gifts of Charity, Compassion and Joy things that must, if they are true, be everlasting if they are to hold any real, absolute meaning. God is Love: A simple truth that cannot change if God is God. Today s modern culture calls truths to be ever-changing rather than ever-lasting, out of convenience or personal feelings, desires and wants. We see this illustrated when our culture demands acceptance and tolerance of everything the need to make things easier to handle and accept rather than to be a culture of standards and beliefs that benefit all life and seek to raise it to its highest dignity, including but not limited to a shared respect for life, and its sacredness. (The Letter of) James asks us to consider the absolute truths of God which are meant for all His children no matter what a certain time-or-place demands. Life is Sacred. The Family is the building block of humanity, mothers and fathers are of equal dignity and are complimentary in the way the Divine Image and Likeness of God is illustrated in the world, and that God s Love demands a response from us one of love for God and for neighbor without end. In our readings today we are told that what goes into us is not the source of defilement but rather what comes from within emanating from the heart is the source of corruptibility in our body, mind or spirit. The teachings we follow and accept are what pollute our Wills. Often times, as human beings we are wrapped up in the peripheral and not so much on the reality of our formation. From whom do we accept Truth? From: God and His teachings, politicians, professors, media, the Left or the Right, faith, movies? What or by whom are our hearts formed? We have personally chosen our Catholic faith for my formation. In today s second reading we hear: Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. The Catholic Church s Second Vatican Council, called by Pope John XXIII, asked the people of God to have a full, conscious, and active participation of the faith as their moral bearing. That the Truths of God, through Christ His Son, are meant to be the driving force or motivating factor behind all that we are: people of faith in the heart, which enables the eyes of faith to recognize a need and then motivates the body to accomplish the Will of God. Nothing from that foundation can defile the person. Only the world, when motivated by injustice, hate, or indifference can defile the good that God created in us. For faith is a choice, and our wills are free to be among the many who follow the Lord. 3

4 YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS Youth Ministry kicks off next weekend-its eleventh season! Everyone is welcome. Join us for a fun-filled evening, meet new friends, or bring an old friend! See what is new this year and hear about some of the fun programs we have grown to love! You will also have the chance to sign up for our annual Car Wash, learn about our fall service projects, the Teen Weekend Away and much more. At our KICKOFF meeting, pizza will be served, you will hear about this year s theme, play some games, and receive a free Youth Ministry tee-shirt. Come see for yourself what all the youth ministry buzz is about! Join the fun and bring a friend or two! All youth are welcome to participate, especially parishioners new to St. Catherine. Pre-registration is not required, you can register at the KICKOFF. Registration forms can also be found in the atrium and vestibule and on line. We hope to see you there!! SAVE THESE DATES SENIOR HIGH KICKOFF Sunday, September 9 th, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in Russell Hall. Pizza will be served. JUNIOR HIGH KICKOFF (7th and 8 th grade) - Monday, September 10 th, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Russell Hall. Pizza will be served. Women's Club WELCOME BACK Opening Pot Luck Supper will take place on Thursday, September 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Russell Hall. We look forward to seeing you there, welcoming all new and returning members. Look for sign-ups in the Atrium. Sanctuary Lamp Memorial This week it burns for Tony & Elizabeth Drapelick. Parishioner s Corporal Works of Mercy & Parish Ministry News Bible Basics! Back by popular demand! Wednesday, September 19th, 7pm- 9 pm. This a repeat of the class offered in July offering a Catholic perspective on the Bible. Find out what the Bible is, what it isn't, some easy Biblevocabulary, how to locate the books, chapters and verses. We will learn the differences between the Old Testament and New Testament. We will learn how Catholics are to read the Bible. We will make sense of challenging texts, contradictions, weird references. We will have fun! Please register by to Kathidre@aol.com. Pantry Partners Saint Catherine Pantry Partners distribution date is September 16th. This ministry is fully supported by the generosity of our parishioners. Envelopes are located in the atrium and the vestibule for your donation. St. Elizabeth House St. Elizabeth House-next service date is September 23rd. Food needs to be ready to serve (casseroles hot, salad pre-cut) and at the church by 3:45 p.m. Please sign up in the atrium. Questions, please contact Leila Bruno at (860) Thank you! FEED THE HUNGRY Please consider signing-up for Feed The Hungry service dates as a family event. The homeless are always in need of your generosity. Thank You! 4

5 ***SAVE THE DATE*** FEED THE HUNGRY CAR WASH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 th 12:00 2:30 p.m. in the St. Catherine Parking Lot. St. Catherine Youth Group is raising money to feed 200 homeless people monthly, all year long. This is a self-funded program, so every donation makes a difference! Our goal is to raise $5000! How can you help? Buy a ticket for a car wash! The event is on Sunday, September 23 rd from 12:00pm to 2:30pm in the St Catherine parking lot! Tickets are $5 and are on sale after all Masses in the Atrium on Sept. 15 th and 16 th. In addition to the car wash, we accept donations to help us wash out hunger. THIS IS THE ONLY FUNDRAISER ALL YEAR! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! The St. Catherine Welcome Ministry invites you to join us at the 11am Mass on Sunday, September 16 th to welcome back new and returning parishioners! Light refreshments will be served in Russell Hall following Mass. 5

6 You Are Invited to the Festival of Lights. National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette Attleboro, MA December 1, 2018 Largest religious holiday display in the East International Creche Museum, Lighted Shrines, Gift Shop Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration Dinner & Bus - $68 On sale after Masses starting this weekend. Sponsored by St. Catherine of Siena Women s Club Ministry - Call Ann ( ) for info. A Weekend with Dan Schutte, October 26th-27th. An National Pastoral Musician Managed Event Friday, 7:30 p.m.: An Evening of Music and Reflection Much more than a concerts, this evening of prayerful music is more like an spiritual evening of prayer than a concert performance. In the course of the evening Dan invites people to join him in singing some of the pieces that have shaped and inspired the faith of so many. He includes songs that have been part of our faith journey for many years and introduces new works that exhibit that same enduring quality of deep faith and relationship with God. Minimum donation: $10 person; $25 per family. Saturday, 9 a.m Noon: Choir Workshop Join Dan for a morning workshop for Parish Music Ministers-singers, cantors, choir directors and instrumentalists. In addition to singing through some of Dan s music, there will be time to nurture our own spirituality of being good ministers, imagine how we might improve our ministry as well as plenty of time to ask questions and share mutual wisdom. Let s gather to enrich the ministry we do for the People of God. Registration at 8:30 a,m.$5.00 per person with MPM individual membership of $20.00 or Parish Membership of $ Both events here at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Registration info to follow. 6

7 Upcoming Parish Meetings & Events for September -Sat, 1st, Sun, 2nd Tickets on sale for the LaSalette Trip, Atrium, after Masses (Women s Club) -Mon, 3rd Labor Day, Office Closed. (No McLean Home Mass, Confession or Rosary.) -Sat, 8th Enrollment Mass for Confirmation I, 5 p.m. -Sun, 9th Coffee & Donuts, after Masses. -Sun, 9th Religious Ed Teacher Commissioning Mass, 11 a.m. -Sun, 9th Contemporary Group Choir Rehearsal, MR, 4 p.m. -Sun, 9th 5 p.m. Mass resumes. -Sun, 9th Sr. High Youth Ministry Kick-Off, RH, 6.m -Mon, 10th Confession, church, 6 p.m. -Mon, 10th Jr. High Youth Ministry Kick-Off, RH, 7 p.m. -Mon, 10th PC Exec. -Tues, 11th Children s Choir Rehearsal, MR, 6 p.m -Tues, 11th Virtus Training, RH, 7 p.m. -Tues, 11th Adult Choir Rehearsal, MR, 7:30 p.m. -Wed, 12th Men s Club, RH, 6 p.m. -Thurs, 13th Women s Club Pot Luck, RH, 6:30 p.m. -Sat, 15th Pantry Partners, Vestibule, 9 a.m. -Sat, 15th & Sun, 16th Car Wash tickets for sale after Masses in the Atrium. -Sun, 16th Welcome Event, RH, 12 Noon. -Sun, 16th Contemporary Group Choir Rehearsal, MR, 4 p.m. -Sun, 16th Confirmation, all rooms, 6 p.m. -Mon, 17th Mass at McLean Home, 11 a.m. -Mon, 17th Confession, church, 6 p.m. -Mon, 18th Mom s at Mass, 8:30 a.m. -Tues, 18th Children s Choir Rehearsal, MR, 6 p.m -Tues, 18th Adult Choir Rehearsal, MR, 7:30 p.m. -Wed, 19th Bible Basics, RH, 7 p.m. -Sat, 22nd Feed the Hungry -Sun, 23rd CAR WASH, parking lot, 12 Noon. Around Our Archdiocese of Hartford THANK YOU!! To the more than 37,900 generous donors have pledged over $9,527,056 to the 2018 Archbishop s Annual Appeal, Our Faith, Our Future!! In response to inquiries received over these past weeks, we again assure you that 100% of the funds donated to Archbishop s Annual Appeal are distributed as published in the annual report. Not a single cent collected from donations to Archbishop s Annual Appeal are used for settlements of sex abuse cases or legal fees. To view the complete accountability report, please visit this link: appeal-impact-2. Little Sisters of the Poor in Enfield 1. 28th Annual Golf Tournament on September 10th at the Ellington Ridge Country Club, 56 Abbott Rd, Ellington, CT. Registration at 10 a.m., Lunch & Putting Contest, 11 a.m.; Shotgun Start at 12:30 p.m. Cocktail hour & Live Auction at 5 p.m., Dinner & Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information please contact the Little Sisters Development Office, before September 5th. 2. Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, October 12th from 5-8 p.m. $10/adults, 5/children (12 and under). At the St. Joseph Residence, 1365 Enfield St, Enfield, CT. 3. Craft Fair, October 13th from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Food, local vendors and raffles. At the St. Joseph Residence, 1365 Enfield St, Enfield, CT. And, lastly, they are seeking unwanted jewelry which may be dropped off to Sister Frances or Christina. For more information or tickets please contact the Little Sisters, The Catholic Relief Services Parish Ambassador Corps is forming in our archdiocese. How can this benefit your parish? Here s what one pastor had to say: "Having parishioners serve as part of the CRS Ambassador Corp has enabled the faithful of our parish to be better connected to those in need in other parts of the world. More than just putting a band-aid on one problem or another, we get to be part of CRS's work, even if indirectly, with local communities throughout the world, to collaborate in developing infrastructure and sustainable systems--all in the name of Jesus and in support of his Mission." Fr. Todd O. Strange, Pastor, St. Joseph Catholic Church & School Seattle. Contact the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry to learn how your parish can participate. Archdiocese of Hartford s Second Annual Women s Conference To be held on November 3rd, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Hartford Marriott Farmington. The keynote speaker is Kerry A. Robinson. Vigil Mass with Bishop Peter Rosazza. Workshops, spiritual breakouts and more!for information and to register: wwwcatholicedaohct.org., Sponsored by the Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis. 7

8 Support your parish bulletin! Reach a whole new market? Place your business ad in our bulletin by calling the parish office, This Bulletin is paid for by our Advertisers And for our part, Please shop local! 8