Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 20, 2017 CONFESSIONS (Saint Christopher Campus) Saturdays: 3:00 pm WEDNESDAY DEVOTIONS (Saint Christopher Campus) 6:30 pm Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration Scriptural Rosary Perpetual Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Benediction THURSDAY PRAYER GROUP (Our Lady of Peace Campus) 6:30 pm Prayer, Song, Scripture, Friendship FUNERALS Once arrangements are made with a funeral home, we will help you plan the Mass of Christian Burial. BAPTISM Saint Edmund Campion Parish By appointment; please call the parish office to schedule. The merged parishes of Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Peace and Saint Christopher MARRIAGE Our Lady of Peace Campus Saint Christopher Campus 370 May Road East Hartford, CT 06118 538 Brewer Street East Hartford, CT 06118 Mass Schedule: Sunday: 9:00 am Friday & Saturday: 9:00 am Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm Sunday: 7:30 am & 10:30 am Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am Rev. John P. Gwozdz, Pastor 860-568-5240 fr.gwozdz@aohct.org Rev. Joseph Moonnanappallil, Parochial Vicar 860-918-4022 fr.moonnanappallil@gmail.com Please contact the parish office at least six months in advance of your intended wedding date. PARISH OFFICE 860-568-5240 stchris-eh@sbcglobal.net Bonnie Szalay, Office Manager ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Mrs. Kathleen Welch, Principal Audrey Cesana, Secretary www.saintchristopherschool.org 860-568-4100 Mr. William Bartlett, Deacon deaconbill@yahoo.com Mr. Philip Gosselin, Deacon imgoose@comcast.net RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Maria Sousa 860-895-8692 stchrisre@gmail.com
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 20, 2017 Page 1 PARISH SUPPORT What We Collected (August 13): $ 6,675* Saturday, August 19 4:00 p.m. (SC) Louis & Angela Trevison (Daughter Mary Harden & Family) Pat & Dick Welch (Family) Sunday, August 20 7:30 a.m. (SC) Joseph Leonardo (Mom & Daughters) Sunday, August 20 9:00 a.m. (OLP) Deacon Ray Parenteau (Julianne Kelly) Sunday, August 20 10:30 a.m. (SC) Helen Little (Dave & Chickie Amberg) Monday, August 21 7:30 am (SC) Gennaro Viglione (Jean Walker) Tuesday, August 22 7:30 am (SC) Sophie Hobart (Rose Chitwood & Family) Wednesday, August 23 7:30 am (SC) Dinis Leonardo (Wife & Family) Thursday, August 24 7:30 am (SC) Ethel B. Hart 14th Anniversary and Harold L. Hart (Carolyn V. Kronen) Friday, August 25 9:00 am (OLP) Roberta Vroblick 1st Anniversary (Her Daughter Valerie Vroblick) Saturday, August 26 9:00 am (OLP) Rev. Theodore T. Raczynski Saturday, August 26 4:00 p.m. (SC) Jose Figueiredo 10th Anniversary (Wife Maria) Sunday, August 27 7:30 a.m. (SC) Mercedes Lucero (Son Christopher) Sunday, August 27 9:00 a.m. (OLP) Rev. Joseph A. Dilion Sunday, August 27 10:30 a.m. (SC) Robert Bobby Pettinato (Sister Marianna and Brothers Dino & Nino) (OLP) = Mass celebrated at Our Lady of Peace campus (SC) = Mass celebrated at Saint Christopher campus Parish School Collection: $ 1,424** *Includes $518 received through our Online Giving program and $330 from mail-in offerings. **Includes $110 received through our Online Giving program and $10 from mail-in offerings. Thank you for your support of our parish family! ENVELOPES FOR SEPT/OCT The September/October envelope set that includes the newly designed weekly envelope, as shown on page 4 of this bulletin, has started to arrive in the homes of all parishioners on record from the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Peace and Saint Christopher parishes. We will begin using this new envelope the weekend of September 2/3. If you have not received an envelope set at your home, please contact the parish office at 860-568-5240. Our Church is growing! We welcome into our Christian community through the holy waters of baptism: Avery Elizabeth Quinn KEEP THE FAITH With God, there s always an appointed time for things, and when you put Him first, trust in His timing, and keep the faith, miracles happen! Germany Kent SANCTUARY LAMP The lamps beside our church s tabernacles remind us of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The candle at the Our Lady of Peace campus burns this week That We All Have Great Faith in God s Infinite Wisdom The candle at the Saint Christopher campus burns this week In Loving Memory of The Deceased Members of the Garvey Family (Marion Sullivan)
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 20, 2017 Page 2 PARISH GREETERS MINISTRY As Director of the Parish Greeters Ministry of Saint Edmund Campion parish, I want to welcome all members from the merged parishes of Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Peace and Saint Christopher. This summer, as we begin a new chapter as the Saint Edmund Campion parish family, I offer you an invitation to join the Parish Greeters Ministry. Do you have a warm smile, a strong handshake and a hospitality spirit? If so, this ministry is for you! It is also a great service opportunity for Confirmation students. A training and information session is being held on Monday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Saint Christopher campus church hall. Please plan to join me. For more information, I can be reached at annemarievolowski@yahoo.com or at 860-680-4219. God bless! Anne Marie Volowski PART-TIME POSITION AVAILABLE Saint Christopher School has a part time position available in the After School Program. Monday - Friday from 2:00-5:30 pm when school is in session. Please call 860-568-4100 or contact Mrs. Welch at welchk@saintchristopherschool.org St. Christopher Church Hall Friday ~ September 15, 2017 1:30 6:30 p.m. Call 1-800-Red Cross to make an appointment. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: GRADES K-8 Religious Education classes for students entering Grades K-8 will begin on Sunday, September 17. Classes are held in Saint Christopher School from 9:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Please help us to prepare by registering your child as soon as possible. Returning families are asked to complete a new registration each year. Our First Communion program is a two-year program beginning in 1st Grade. To register your child, please contact our Religious Education Coordinator Maria Sousa at 860-895-8692 or at stchrisre@gmail.com. Evan Thorpe & Gabrielle Lawrence SAINT EDMUND CAMPION ADULT SOCIAL CLUB Thanks to everyone who made the first social club meeting and picnic that was held on August 14 th a great experience: to Father John for his participation in the candle ceremony and installation of officers; to Father Joseph and Deacon Bill Bartlett and his wife Denise for attending; to the members of the Hospitality Committee for setting up, cooking, and cleaning up; to the Saint Christopher campus custodian, Roger Dube, for setting up all the tables and chairs, to those who called members to confirm attendance and food donations; to those who worked the membership table; to the Board members of the Saint Christopher Social Club and Our Lady of Peace Retirees Club for their participation in a planning meeting; and especially to the 118 people who attended this inaugural meeting. It was your presence that helped make this a rousing success! Joan and Frank Perrone Just a reminder that the Adult Social Club does not meet in September. We will meet again on Monday, October 2, at 1:00 p.m. in the church hall at the Saint Christopher campus. In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like more information about becoming a member of the Adult Social Club, please contact Joan or Frank Perrone at 860-568-6229. ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY CELEBRATION On Sunday, October 15, at 2:00 p.m., the annual Archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph for married couples observing 25th, 50th, 60th and other special wedding anniversaries in 2017. Archbishop Blair will be the main celebrant. Mass will include the renewal of marriage vows, followed by a simple reception and an opportunity for a photo with Archbishop Blair. Family members and friends are encouraged to attend. In order for you to receive a special invitation in the mail and for your names to be printed in the program provided that day, you must respond to this invitation by September 11 by contacting the parish office at 860-568-5240. If you are celebrating a special anniversary this year, but you are unable to make it to the ceremony on October 15, please call the parish office in order to receive a special congratulatory certificate from Archbishop Blair.
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 20, 2017 Page 3 SAINT CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Looking for another option for educating your child? East Hartford has a Catholic school! Catholic education is available at Saint Christopher School. Our parish school has developed a strong academic program for students in Pre K 3 and 4 through 8th grade. Teachers at Saint Christopher School challenge all students and see measurable growth in both classroom work and standardized test scores. Students develop confidence and maturity as they prepare to face life s next challenge, whether it is moving up to Kindergarten or moving on to high school. Saint Christopher School is grateful to not only be able to pray and worship the Lord, but also to be able to perform acts of service that impact both the local and global community. The students pride in their accomplishments provide the impetus to continue to serve others in various ways throughout their lives. The Saint Christopher School community displays a prayerful life through both words and actions. Kindness generates kindness. Respect generates respect. These are words we live by. Please visit us to see faith and learning in action! To obtain more information about our parish school, please visit www.saintchristopherschool.org or you may contact Mrs. Welch, Principal, at 860-568-4100 or at welchk@saintchristopherschool.org. A MESSAGE FROM FATHER JOHN The Sacrament of the Sick Please, if at all possible, do not wait until a person is near death before requesting the Sacrament of the Sick, as this Sacrament cannot be administered to someone who has already died. All Sacraments are for the living. While the Sacrament of the Sick may include prayers for the Last Rites when such prayers are called for, the Sacrament may be given to a person at any stage of illness including those who are not terminal. It may also be given to someone who is elderly or about to enter surgery. SAVE THE DATE Saturday ~ November 4, 2017 First Annual Archdiocesan Women s Conference Hartford Marriott Downtown ~ 9AM - 5PM A day of inspiration, spiritual nourishment and sisterhood. www.catholicedaohct.org OUR NEW WEEKLY ENVELOPE As noted on page 1 of this bulletin, the September/ October envelope set has started to arrive at the homes of all parishioners on record. If you have not yet received your envelope set, please contact the parish office at 860-568-5240. The picture on this newly designed envelope is our Saint Edmund Campion Parish coat of arms. The meaning behind the symbols on our coat of arms is as follows: The Crown and Palms These symbols represent Martyrdom. Christian art adopted these two symbols to represent the martyr s victory in passing through torments to the blessed life in Heaven. Saint Edmund Campion was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. The Cross of Saint George Saint George was recognized as the patron Saint of England in 1348. It is his cross that can still be found on the flag of Britain along with the cross of Saint Andrew which is in the form of an X. The Seal of the Society of Jesus The symbol placed on the cross is the seal of the Society of Jesus, a religious congregation of the Catholic Church which originated in Spain. Its members are called Jesuits. Saint Edmund Campion became a Jesuit in April of 1573. The Campion Flower The Campion flower represents Saint Edmund Campion s surname. The Red Lion The lion is the national symbol of England. It was under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I that Saint Edmund Campion was persecuted for renouncing the Church of England.
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 20, 2017 Page 4 WHY PRAY? The foreigners as Isaiah calls them, the Gentiles as Paul calls them, or the Canaanites as Matthew calls them are called to worship the one true God in prayer. As we listen to today s readings, perhaps we are tempted to ask: Why pray? The question is rhetorical; it is tantamount to asking why should friends talk to one another or people in love kiss one another. Prayer is a way of relating to God, a way of talking to God. The apostles had the opportunity to talk to Jesus in the flesh. We have the opportunity to talk to Jesus Christ in prayer. Our relationship with him must be enthusiastic; it cannot be faint-hearted. John Donne, a fifteenth-century poet, knew what the qualities of good prayer were. Donne asks God to treat him differently from most Christians. The poet does not want God to merely knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend, but also to break, blow, burn, and make me new (Holy Sonnets, XIV). It takes a dynamic faith on our part to come to God in prayer. As Jesus once said, Knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). It may take pounding the door down, but if we are as persistent as the woman in today s Gospel, the results will follow. Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. LECTIO DIVINA & DAILY READINGS Sunday 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7 Judges 2: 11-19 Judges 6: 11-24a Judges 9: 6-15 Revelations 21: 9b-14 Ruth 1: 1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22 Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 Isaiah 22: 19-23 Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8 Psalm 106: 34-37, 39-40, 43ab, 44 Psalm 85: 9, 11-14 Psalm 21: 2-7 Psalm 145: 10-13, 17-18 Psalm 146: 5-10 Psalm 128: 1b-5 Psalm 138: 1-3, 6, 8 Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32 Romans 11: 33-36 Matthew 15: 21-28 Matthew 19: 16-22 Matthew 19: 23-30 Matthew 20: 1-16 John 1: 45-51 Matthew 22: 34-40 Matthew 23: 1-12 Matthew 16: 13-20 What is Lectio Divina? While reading sacred scripture, read the words with a love and sense of discovery until something seems to strike home. Sit with the passage as one would with a good friend-not just thinking or analyzing, but instead remaining in a quiet, listening spirit, so the word can nurture and challenge you. Call to Prayer: Let us take a moment in the midst of all our activity to prepare ourselves for prayer. Excerpts from SNOW FALLING ON SNOW Copyright 2001 by Robert J. Wicks Used with permission of Paulist Press The Word of God: Choose one of next Sunday s readings. One person reads the scripture aloud as others are attentive to a word, phrase, or theme that is meaningful to them. Allow for a minute of silent reflection. Have another person read the same scripture a second time. Faith Sharing: Begin with an open ended question such as What strikes you from this reading? and/ or you can use the Reflection Question found below. Allow time for reflection & sharing. Closing Prayer: At the end of the faith sharing, invite participants to pray aloud for any particular petitions or praises they may have. Feel free to close with: The Lord s Prayer or spontaneous prayers or a faith-based song. Reflection for Next Sunday, August 27, 2017 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time The Lord made Peter the rock of his Church, and gave him the keys which made him the shepherd of the whole flock. After the resurrection and Pentecost, Peter confessed and proclaimed Jesus messianic kingship to the People of God. Each member of the flock (= the laity) is established and empowered with the mission of witnessing and leading others to faith, both by word and the testimony of their lives. Witnessing is not an option; it is a command!