PAGE JUNE 17, 2018 OUR LADY OF GRACE PARISH SABBATH MASSES Saturday 4:00 pm & 5:30 pm. Sunday 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm. Daily Masses Monday - Friday at 9:00 am. Confessions Monday - Friday, 8:30-8:50 am. Saturday, 2:45-3:45 pm. Monsignor Martin P. Ryan, D. Min. Pastor Fr. Kumar (Fr. Udayakumar Xavariapitchai) Parochial Vicar Deacon Rob McLaughlin Parish Manager Mrs. Denise Bartelson Director of Faith Formation Preschool Director Mr. George Zamary Pastoral Assistant Mrs. Stacey Breyan Office Staff Mr. Matthew Roumeles Director of Music Ministry Ms. Tina Manus Choir Director Mr. Howard Wardlow Finance Council Chairman WELCOME TO OUR LADY OF GRACE PARISH Please join us to Pray, Smile, Listen, Encourage, and Invite Others to Come Home! June 17, 2018 Sacrament of Baptism If you wish to have your child baptized at Our Lady of Grace, we ask families to register in the parish and attend Growing-up Catholic, our parish baptism program. For information regarding dates and times of baptisms, please speak with Stacey at the Parish Office: (203)377-0928 during the week or email: staceybreyan@olgstratford.com. For additional information regarding Growing-Up Catholic, contact Melissa Lembo: 203-556-0611 or email: baptismprogram@olgstratford.com. Sacrament of Matrimony Those wishing to enter the Sacrament of Matrimony, please contact the Parish Office (203-377-0928) one year prior to the date of your wedding. The couple must meet with the parish priest to review all the legal and canonical requirements. 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, CT 06614 Office/Rectory 203-377-0928
PAGE 2 JUNE 17, 2018 Office/Rectory: 203-377-0928 FAX: 203-377-5235 PARISH INFORMATION Parish Hall/Gym: 203-375-2005 Religious Education: 203-375-6133 Preschool: 203-375-6610 Finance Council Chairman: 203-745-6655 Parish Website/ E-mail: www.olgstratford.com PRAYER INTENTIONS Please pray for: Baby Valerie, Baby Verona, Susan Beatty Ambrose, Bernard Ardry, Lois Balga, Nick Burruano, Matthew Coleman, Robert Doucette, Marilyn Gallagher, Sal Gentile, Peter Kiman, Elaine Lagor, Marge Martire, Barbara McLaughlin, Helen Miller, Meritt Maillowy, David Oleynik, Sal Pace, Mary Roviello, Carol Ruggio, Stella Soisson, Rev. Leo Spodnik, Laura Tutunjian, Shirley Tutunjian, Jennifer Volturno, Ann Ward, Andrew Yankowski, George Zamary, Sr. +Mary Jane Jennings, +Ernest Recchia Annual Catholic Appeal for 6/17/2018 We are hopeful that 100% of our registered households will respond to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal. While the level of sacrifice will differ from parishioner to parishioner, an Appeal gift this year is within reach of the majority of our people. Please prayerfully consider supporting the Annual Appeal with a pledge or a one-time gift as your means allow. Your support is much needed and will be greatly appreciated! + Parish Update + Our Lady of Grace, Stratford has raised $73,031 from 291 donors bringing the parish to 82.99% of its $88,000 goal. June 2018: Text to Donate Month for the 2018 ACA Make your gift today, text, Sharing to 50555. Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. SMS subscription service. Up to 4msg/mo. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to 50555 to STOP. Full terms: mgive.com/e Privacy Policy: mgive.org/p FROM THE PASTOR S DESK Dear Friends, Today is Father s Day, It is a day to remember our fathers living and deceased. I will be remembering my father today for all those life-pointers he would teach. The coaching in church with the clearing of his throat when I forgot to do something as an altar-boy. The encouragement he gave when I made my first error on the baseball field. I also remember his being proud when I graduated from college, but I never will forget when he taught me how to pray when my mother was in the hospital and I was so frightened. May we say a special prayer for our fathers today. May God bless them! Peace, Monsignor Martin P. Ryan, D. Min. Thank you for your response! Thank you for participating in our Church Sound System Survey. I will be discussing the results with the parish Liturgy Committee on Wednesday, June 20 th. Here are some information points that were gathered: 187 people responded to the survey, 144 stated no problem with the system, while 44 people responded that they felt there was a problem with the system. A majority of the responses asked for on-going training for those who speak from the altar and ambo. Maybe we should tweak the level of sound, assist speakers to adjust the microphone and speak slowly. One person was very honest and said, It s not the system, it s my hearing! Ministry of Support for the Widowed We have begun a Ministry to the Widowed, which continues to grow in our parish There are more than 250 widowed people in the parish and we hope to grow a community of support and socialization. As one journeys through transitions of bereavement there is a need to seek answers in our journey. There are members willing to assist. Please feel free to call any of our Caring Team.. Elaine Penny: 203-378-0766 Carol Ruggio: 203-375-5168 Doreen Siwicki: 203-375-4016 Toni Velasquez: 203-386-1141 Greet Others at Mass As a priest, I have found that most Catholics sit in the same seat each week! Do you know the persons sitting around you! The challenge is to have you name five people that sit near you each week. Please help us build the Body of Christ!
PAGE 3 JUNE 17, 2018 MASS INTENTIONS CELEBRANT SATURDAY, JUNE 16 4:00 pm Feliks Swietodrowski r/b Goddaughter Fr. Kumar 5:30 pm Charles Siwicki r/b Doreen & Family Msgr. Ryan SUNDAY, JUNE 17 - FATHER S DAY 8:00 am Our Parishioners Fr. Kumar 10:00 am Anthony & Regina Falkowski r/b Family Msgr. Ryan 12:00 pm Shaker, Halim & Sassiu Saloomey, Barbar Hraoui, William McCauley, John Stromer & Mel Beiderman r/b Marhaba Saloomey Fr. Kumar MONDAY, JUNE 18 9:00 am Austin Sasso r/b The Pace Family Msgr. Ryan TUESDAY, JUNE 19 9:00 am Ann Catalano r/b Joan & Mert Pruzinsky Msgr. Ryan WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 9:00 am Arthur Miller r/b Carol Ruggio & Family Msgr. Ryan THURSDAY, JUNE 21 9:00 am Souls in Purgatory Fr. Kumar FRIDAY, JUNE 22 9:00 am Lillian Fisette r/b Carol Ruggio Fr. Kumar SATURDAY, JUNE 23 4:00 pm Jan Janueik r/b Niece Msgr. Ryan 5:30 pm Arthur Miller r/b Joanne Giba Fr. Kumar SUNDAY, JUNE 24 8:00 am Anthony & Eleanor Benefico r/b Anthony Benefico, Jr. Msgr. Ryan 10:00 am Our Parishioners Fr. McDonough 12:00 pm Deceased Members of the Pierto Aiello Family r/b Constance Aiello Fr. Kumar Volunteers Needed The ministry to the sick and shut-ins helps in ministering a continuing Catholic faith connection to our parishioners who can no longer attend Mass at church. (This includes nursing home, assisted living, hospital and private home settings). We are looking for volunteers who can utilize their time and energy with our homebound. This includes friendly home visits and phone calls. It would also include being a minister and bringing communion to these parishioners. Training in this ministry is available for all these positions. Virtus training is required. Please call George Zamary at the parish office 203-377-0928, if you are interested in volunteering with this important parish ministry. Nursing Home Information If a parishioner is admitted to a nursing home for a short stay and would like a visit from a Eucharistic Minister, please call the Parish Office and make arrangements with George Zamary at 203-377-0928. At the nursing home, please inform the nursing station that you requested Communion from your parish. When we visit, we will check with the nurses to verify your medical status and to get approval for the visit. Sanctuary Lamp Intentions June 17 - June 23, 2018 Lamp 1: Charles Rader r/b Twin granddaughter, Nicole Lamp 2: Lucy C. Scelfo r/b Joan & Mert Pruzinsky Call or come to the Parish Office during the week to reserve a 7 day candle for your prayer intention. We request a donation of $10.00 per candle. Legacy Corner Planned gifts take on many forms and might involve a bequest in one s will, a revocable trust, a gift placed I trust, a pooled income fund, a charitable gift annuity, a gift of property in which you retain a life interest, or a life insurance policy that designates Our Lady of Grace Parish as the beneficiary. Ministry to the Widowed Person Our Lady of Grace Parish is offering a Bereavement Group for those whose spouse s have died. The group will meet weekly for eight sessions begin the week of July 16 th through the week of September 10 th. The sessions may be morning, afternoon, or evening depending on the individuals who register. The sessions will meet in Madonna Hall in the Parish Center. There is no charge for the group sessions. The sessions will be guided by a licensed psychologist, Dr. Joan Coroso. The focus will be on working through issues of emotional pain and loss as well as how to begin to find meaning and contentment in the next phase of life. For more information and registration please contact the Parish Office, 203-377-0928.
PAGE 4 JUNE 17, 2018 SOAR... Serve Others And Rise Faith Formation Class Registration Weekend Saturday, June 23, 2018 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 3:30-5:30 pm Sunday, June 24, 2018 9:00 am 1:00 pm Registration will take place at the Parish Center. If you have had a child or children in the program, please come and register for the new school year 2018-2019. If you have a child entering first grade, are new to the parish or have a child that has missed classes in the past, please come and register your child. The different options available can be discussed during this time. If you have any questions call the Faith Formation Office at 203-375-6610 or email Denise at denisebartelson@olgstratford.com Purple Green Red & Blue There is a lot of fun in store for you! The Faith Formation Fundraising committee is hosting a Paint and Sip Night! Join us on Friday evening, June 22 nd at 7:00 pm in Madonna Hall for a night of fun and friendship! You don t have to be artistic to get creative. Mix it up and mess it up, fun is the only requirement. The cost is $35; all paint supplies will be provided, a guest artist will be on hand to instruct, we will be painting 2 stemmed wine glasses with a summer theme just in time for the warm weather! Bring your own beverage/ wine! Space is limited to the first 25 paid reservations. Checks should be made out to Our Lady of Grace and can be dropped in the Collection Basket in an envelope marked Paint Night, drop it off at the Faith Formation Office or mail it to the Rectory at 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, CT 06614. All proceeds to benefit the OLG Faith Formation. Youth Group News The youth ministry team has planned the following: Sunday, June 24, 2018: Youth Group Family Picnic 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Sunday, August, 26, 2018: Youth Group Bonfire 7:00 pm 9:00 pm. Our Lady of Grace Preschool Congratulations to Our Lady of Grace Preschool students that graduated last week. The preschoolers gathered on stage to perform a variety of songs and poems they learned throughout the year. They ended their program singing special graduation songs, receiving their diploma and a yearbook. The theme of the Graduation was: Each one of us is UNIQUE, but when we work together, the picture is COMPLETE! The Crayon Box That Talked. After the Graduation program the children and their families came together for a celebration. We wish all the children blessings and happiness as they continue on to Kindergarten. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. Adult Faith Formation "All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be" -- St Francis de Sales. Journey with fellow parishioners during this Easter Season in Rediscovering Catholicism, helping us become the best version of ourselves!! Our next session concludes our book with Part Four; "Now Is Our Time" discussing chapters nineteen, twenty and twenty-one: Time for a Change / Leadership / Return to Virtue, Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Madonna Hall. Call Terry Morgan at 203-913-7225 or Lynn Corra at 203-374-9094 for further information. Growing Up Catholic How do you introduce your child to Jesus? You won t find it in a book. You experience Jesus with your child when you bathe your child; you introduce your child to God s creation of water! When the flowers bloom your child is introduced to God s glory in living color! Come help us build the People of God, Growing Up Catholic is a way for young families to join us. Please contact Melissa at: baptismprogram@olgstratford.com Re-Imagining Faith Formation As a child growing up, Faith Formation was done in a classroom style. The challenge for today is to have a parish provide individual and personal out reach for you. In the coming weeks watch for offerings which will be helpful in your faith and spiritual development. Examples: Receive by email a weekly spiritual prayer and reflection to prepare for next Sunday s scripture! A weekly email with a Parenting Pointer! Receive a Faith Fact!
PAGE 5 JUNE 17, 2018 Sunday Offertory Income for the week of 6/1/18-6/7/18 PARISH NEWS, COLLECTIONS PARISH FINANCES* Actual Budget Over (Under) $8,942. $8,700. $242. Actual to budget Fiscal year to date $394,859. $425,720. ($30,861.) Second collection last weekend: Parish Capital Improvement Fund: $2,452. Make up envelopes: $550. Please note: Due to the printing deadline, the Parish Finance Report will be delayed by one week. Parish Financial Issues I have been writing to you in recent weeks, pointing out a very serious issue facing our parish community. Our parish budget has been running $30,000.00 in arrears. This has occurred for many reasons but the most obvious is the reduction in donations. We have asked over the past two years for a weekly donation of $15 to $18 a week. We are consistently falling short of our goal. I need your help to meet our budget and continued service to our community. We also have a $14,900.00 deficit for this year s Annual Catholic Appeal. I will be sending a request to you in the mail next week. Please help us make our goal! The additional deficit will only make the future decisions more difficult to make. Parish Registration Information Why do I need to register in our parish? Through your participation as a Parish Steward, you continue to help a community of faith grow. You gain services when you need them, such as Baptism, Visitation of the Sick, Sponsorship Certificates and a place for a Funeral. You will receive updated information regarding the parish by email or CallingPost (an auto-call system). How do I register? Please stop by the Parish Office! Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Parish Stewards Plan giving by envelope, check or EFT and are recognized for their time and talent. They do not give out of pocket but rather give a sacrificial gift to their parish. Assist the parish, pastor and parish leadership. They are easily recognized and often invited to be parish leaders, liturgical ministers and needed volunteers of the parish. In a day when there are many requests put upon the parish, it would be helpful to have all of our participating members as Parish Stewards. PARISH MINISTRIES New Liturgical Music This summer we will be introducing new music into our Liturgy. Musical Mass parts such as the 'Glory to God,' the ' Holy, Holy, Holy,' and others will be included in this renewal process. You are encouraged to give your feedback to our Music Director Matthew as these changes occur. Lord s kitchen The OLG volunteers will be serving the meal at the Lord s Kitchen on Monday, June 25 th. Thank you for supporting this parish ministry. The volunteers ask your assistance by donating tooth paste, tooth brushes, and toilet paper. You may leave your donations outside the sacristy on June 16/17. Thank You! Blood Pressure Screenings at OLG Our friendly parish nurses will be conducting blood pressure screenings on: Sunday, June 17, 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Monday, June 18, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Sunday, July 15, 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Screenings are held in Madonna Hall in the Parish Center. There will be no blood pressure screenings on Mondays for the months of July and August. Offertory Gifts We invite members of the community to join in our liturgy celebration by participating in the offertory procession. Please contact the head usher before Mass if you wish to volunteer to bring up the offertory gifts. Special Note: If you have requested the Mass Intention and would like to bring up the offertory gifts, please see the Head Usher as early as possible before Mass begins. Solar Panel Project Update The Parish Center roof is nearing completion. The Parish Hall A/C unit and venting system has been rebuilt and re-positioned. The trenching for electrical connections between buildings has been dug, and the connection boxes have been positioned. Please keep praying for more sunshine! In our parish, one of the best ways to communicate with our parishioners is still by phone. CallingPost enables us to prepare a recorded message and send it to you within minutes. Some of you have blocked the parish messages. CallingPost will continue to call until the message is received. Please help us to provide you with good information and watch for our CallingPost messages!
PAGE 6 JUNE 17, 2018 Knights Corner Msgr. Mooney Council #13228 at Our Lady of Grace Parish HAPPY FATHER S DAY! In Italy, Father's Day is celebrated on March 19 - The Feast Day of St Joseph, in German it's Ascension Thursday, while Australian's recognize it on the 1st Sunday in September, and other nations designate different dates to celebrate Father's Day, but they all have one thing in common - Recognizing the importance of a loving father. Knights of Columbus, in a special way, recognize the importance of fathers. In fact, our Fraternal Benefit Society was founded by Venerable "Father" Michael J. McGivney to help strengthen men's faith and help provide for their families in the event of his untimely death. As members we also provide by example what it means to care for others; in our families and beyond, into our parishes and communities. Officers and members of Msgr. Mooney Council at Our Lady of Grace wish all fathers a happy and blessed Father's Day. God bless you for all you do. Visit FATHER'S FOR GOOD, a great "Dad" resource by the Knights of Columbus, at fathersforgood.org and this Father's Day consider discovering why our Order has attracted almost 2 million men by contacting Grand Knight Jerry Rynich at 203-874-8789 or Terry Morgan at paxterry@gmail.com or dropping a note in the collection basket. Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic Are you being called to a deeper understanding of Faith and Truth? Come follow us in the footsteps of St. Dominic through prayer, study, community and apostolate. We are establishing a new chapter of Lay Dominicans in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Please join us for an Informal Informational Inquiry Meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull at 7:00 pm in the Lower Convent/ Parish Center. For more information, call, text or email Stefano Santilli: ste.santilli@gmail.com/2033-524-4945) or Michelle Rowe: orapronobis20@gmail.com/203-218- 6882. WWW. MASSTIMES.ORG If you will be traveling, please use the above mentioned website to find Churches and their Mass schedules in the areas you are visiting. Just Visiting? Please use our Welcome envelopes located in the pews when attending our parish. We would enjoy putting your name on our active list. Meetings & Events Blood Pressure Screening, Sunday, June 17, 9:30 am - 11:30 am (MH) & Monday, June 18, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. (MH) Parish Pastoral Council Meeting, Monday, June 18, 7:00 pm. (MH) Parish Bingo, Tuesday, June 19. Doors open at 4:30 pm; first game at 6:30 pm. Food and beverages available for purchase. Parish Liturgy Committee Meeting, Wednesday, June 20, 11:00 am. (MH) Adult Faith Formation Class, Thursday, June 21, 7:00 pm. (MH) Paint n Sip Night, Friday, June 22, 7:00 pm. (MH) Faith Formation Class Registration, Sat. & Sunday, June 23/24. (MH) High School Graduates The parish family would like to recognize and congratulate all our parishioners graduating in June. We pray that the Lord will bless you in your achievement! Good News Info We hope you were able to complete the good news info sheet. Being able to update our parish census, we will have better tools for planning for the future. Thank you!. Sheets are available in the Church book racks for those who have not yet to complete the form. You may drop them in the basket on the weekend. Parish Leaders Meeting The Parish Leaders will be meeting on Tuesday June 26 th at 7:00 pm in Madonna Hall. This is the annual calendar meeting with discussion of dates of events and parish policies and procedures. We ask the parish leaders to be present! Thank You! SAVE THE DATE! Relay for Life of Stratford Including Milford, Trumbull, and Bridgeport Saturday, June 23, 2018 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Bunnell High School, For more information, to register for free as a Survivor, Caregiver, or Participant, visit our website at: Relayforlife.org/stratfordct You can also follow us on Facebook Relay For Life of Stratford. Email: Stratfordctrelay@gmail.com Holy Name of Jesus Parish Vacation Bible Camp for K - 5th Grade The camp operates from July 16-20, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Registration now open until July 6. The cost is $25.00 per child. Additional info & registration: hnojchurch.org or call: 203-375-5815.
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