ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN WESTON September 30, 2018 35 NORFIELD ROAD WESTON, CONNECTICUT 06883 We extend a warm welcome to all who worship at our church! We hope that you will find our parish community to be a place where your faith is nourished. Rectory: 203-227-1341 FAX: 203-226-1154 Website: www.stfrancisweston.org Facebook: Saint Francis of Assisi - The Catholic Community in Weston Religious Education/Youth Ministry: 203-227-8353 Preschool: 203-454-8646 RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday Through Friday 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. SUNDAY MASSES Saturday Vigil - 5:00 P.M. Sundays 8:00, 9:30 - Family Mass, 11:00 A.M. 5:00 p.m. Scheduled Weekly - Except for Christmas & Easter. WEEKDAY MASSES Monday - Friday- 7:30 A.M. Saturday & Holidays - 9:00 A.M. HOLY DAY MASSES 7:30 A.M., Noon, 7:00 P.M. NOVENA Novena prayers in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal every Saturday following the 9:00 A.M. Mass. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays, 4:00-4:45 P.M.; Sundays 4:00 P.M. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The Sacrament of Baptism is offered every Sunday at 12:00 noon. Please make arrangements for the Pre-Baptismal instructions after the birth of the child in person at the rectory. Pre-instruction for both parents is required. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Arrangements must be made at the rectory in person by the couple. Where possible, arrangements should be made one year in advance and no later than six months. SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING Communal anointings of the sick are celebrated. Individual anointings may be celebrated anytime by request. HOSPITAL AND HOME VISITATION Please notify the parish of any family member who may be ill at home or in the hospital. We welcome the opportunity of visiting them and bringing them the Eucharist. Our Mission Statement: In the spirit of Saint Francis, to know Jesus and make Him known.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH, WESTON, CT PASTOR S PAGE The Blessing of Animals October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis. Every year here at St Francis Church and many churches around the world we offer a blessing of animals. This custom is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi s love for all creatures. Francis loved animals so much that he and his early brothers, staying in a small shack, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey. Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures to God s living things. All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures. There was testimony in the cause for Saint Clare of Assisi s canonization that referred to her little cat! For many people, especially those who live alone like me, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. I know this even though I have only had Hope for one month. I could not imagine not having her. It is a comfort to have another creature wagging its tail or making noise of excitement when you come home. The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between the two is at its most basic. A man and his dog, or any person and their pet is a loving relationship. This love is not a romantic love or like any friendship, but one of unconditional love and of deep appreciation for God s creation. Therefore, let us ask God for His blessing upon all our pets and most of all, thank Him for giving us their companionship. Sincerely Yours In Christ, Rev. Jeffrey W. Couture Pastor Dear Parishioners- Do you know of someone who is infirm and/or homebound and would like a home visit? I would like to visit our homebound/hospitalized parishioners regularly, so if you know of someone who would like a visit, please let me know. There are also forms in the back of the church you can fill out and drop off to me at the rectory. Pastor s Wish List-Thank you for your past generosity regarding the Pastor s Wish List. My next item on the list is a donation of firewood for the rectory. If you would like more information or to donate firewood, please call me at 203. 227. 1341 or email me with the word Firewood in the subject line at frcouture@stfrancisweston.org My email is frcouture@stfrancisweston.org and please put Homebound Visit in the subject line. You may also call me at 203. 227. 1341, ext. 128. --Fr. Jeff
THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5:00 p.m. Nick Thierry (D) by George and Cathy Thierry Sunday, Sept. 30-Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Barbara Perchak (D) by the Karwowski Family 9:30 a.m. Amanda Field Piper (D) by Frank and Marie Michels 11:00 a.m. Sebastiano Strange (D) by Don and Louise Strange 5:00 p.m. Tony Pisani (D) by Gina Fleming Monday, Oct. 1st-St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church 7:30 a.m. Liam Odierna (L) Bday by the Odierna Family Tuesday, Oct. 2nd-The Holy Guardian Angels 7:30 a.m. The Odierna/Milone Families by the Odiernas Wednesday, Oct. 3rd-Weekday- 7:30 a.m. Maryann DeRaffaele (D) by Jane LaCorte Thursday, Oct. 4-St.Francis of Assisi 7:30 a.m. George Lord (D) by thewelsch-lehmann Family Friday, Oct. 5-Weekday- 7:30 a.m. Sr. Jane Bannon, CSJ (D) by the Eidt Family Saturday, Oct. 6th 9:00 a.m. No Morning or 5 p.m. Mass Next Week, October 6th and 7th Ushers/Greeters 5:00 p.m. Joe Kaddis 8:00 am. Mike McGlone 9:30 a.m. Bogdan Karwowski 11:00 a.m. Carmen Sabatelli Eucharistic Ministers 8:00 a.m. Pam Franco, Mike McGlone, Marge Sarno 9:30 a.m. Peg Bisceglie, Bogdan Karwowski, Carol Palumbo 11:00 a.m. Laurie Eidt, Mike Komar, Elizabeth Maglione 5:00 p.m. Karen Cornell Lectors 8:00 a.m. Joe Jordan 9:30 a.m. Martin Tubridy 11:00 a.m. John Crowe Altar Servers 8:00 a.m. Cole Mancinelli 9:30 a.m. Brendan Shanahan, Grace and Sophie Forte 11:00 a.m. Sofia Abreu and Krystian Babinski 5:00 p.m. Annie Cornell and Grace Cornell Counters Will and Judy Oakes Eucharistic Adoration is held every Weds. From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Adoration Chapel across from the Rectory. Adoration is also on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be sung at the Holy Hour of 3 p.m. on the second Weds. of each month. In the event either of these is canceled due to inclement weather or Holy Days of Obligation, we will send an email as soon as possible. THE FACE OF PRAYER recently launched phase two of its campaign to create an interactive video catechism based on the questions and concerns of young people. Visit www.thefaceofprayer.com to view over one hundred and forty questions answered by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano and other bishops, priests, religious and lay leaders across the country. Join the movement by texting PRAY to 55778 to receive daily alerts on your phone. No Ordinary Path: Holiness in Everyday Life God has called all of us to lives of holiness. No Ordinary Path will explore ways that we can be attentive, intentional, and cooperative with God s grace in serving the world. Together we will take a journey, with the hope of discovering that who we are and what we do matters. We ll reflect on how living an ordinary life of holiness can lead to extraordinary happiness and peace. The retreat begins with a buffet dinner on Friday evening and concludes with the celebration of Sunday Eucharist at 10:45 a.m. followed by a hot brunch at noon. Families of retreatants are most welcome to attend the Sunday mass and brunch at no extra charge. Offering: $325. For more info or to register please call 860.760.9705 or check our website at holyfamilyretreat.org Men s Retreat Date: November 2-4 Women s Retreat Dates: Sept. 28-30, January 4-6, Jan 25-27, March 1-3, April 5-7, May 31 June 2
Religious Education News SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Thank you, Atrium Parents, for taking time from your busy schedule to come to our Back to Religious Ed. Night. It was nice seeing all of you! REMINDERS Traditional Class Tuesday October 2nd at 7:00pm (except Confirmation) First Communion Monday, Oct. 15 th and 22 nd 7:00pm YOU ONLY NEED TO ATTEND ONE Confirmation Tuesday, Oct.16 th and 23 rd 7:00pm YOU ONLY NEED TO ATTEND ONE Religious Ed Office Hours Monday-Thursday 10:30 am 5:30 pm If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at (203) 227-8353 or gfleming@stfrancisweston.org. Thank you for your loving support! God Bless, Gina
Preschool News SFA Preschool is off to a great start! Our teachers are so happy to welcome all of your dear children to our classrooms for a new school year! SFA Preschool Mom s Night Out
September 30, 2018 The Grace Shop is Open! Informed...Inspired...Enriched. Shop at the Grace Shop! Find a special gift for a special friend. Questions? Please call Gloria Doino 203. 349. 5443. Parish Office Phone: 203. 227. 1341 Rel. Ed. Office: 203. 227. 8353 Preschool Office: 203. 454. 8646 www.stfrancisweston.org office@stfrancisweston.org Join us for a Coffee Social Sundays after 9:30 a.m. Mass How can you help? Host a Coffee Social-ask another family or two to cohost with you. It s easier and more fun hosting with others. If you d like to be reimbursed, give your receipts to Kimberley in the Parish Office or you may wish to donate the cost as a charitable contribution. Help the host with setup. Help the host by baking or providing refreshments. Come and enjoy the community building. Talk it up with your friends and come join the fun! St. Francis provides the coffee, tea, sugar, juice and paper products. For information or to volunteer to help, please contact Carol Palumbo at 203-227-3271 or candrpalumbo@gmail.com Hosts are needed for the following weekends: 10/7, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30 *Thank you to the Tubridy and Garcia Families for hosting this morning.
Sunday, Sept. 30 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass 9:30 a.m. Sunday Family Mass 10:15 a.m. Coffee Social 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass 5:00 p.m. Youth Mass Mon., Oct. 1 Tues., Oct. 2 Weds. Oct. 3 8:00 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration Thurs., Oct. 4 Fri., Oct. 5 Sat. Oct. 6 No 9:00 a.m. Mass 11:00 a.m. Blessing of the Animals 12:00 p.m. Carnival-No 5:00 p.m. Mass Sunday, Oct. 7 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Respect Life Sunday 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass 9:30 a.m. Sunday Family Mass 10:15 a.m. Coffee Social 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass Mon., Oct. 8 ColumbusDay Parish Office Closed 9:00 a.m. Daily Mass Tues., Oct. 9 Weds., Oct. 10 8:00 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration Thurs., Oct. 11 Fri., Oct. 12 Sat., Oct. 13 9:00 a.m. Daily Mass Immaculate Conception Novena 4:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Sunday Vigil Mass St. Francis of Assisi Parish The Catholic Community in Weston 35 Norfield Road Weston, Connecticut 06883 Parish Office: (203) 227-1341 Rev. Jeffrey W. Couture, Pastor frcouture@stfrancisweston.org Thomas J. McManus, Deacon tjmcpa123@sbcglobal.net Kimberley Del Corso, Parish Administrator kdelcorso@stfrancisweston.org Gina Fleming, Director of Religious Education gfleming@stfrancisweston.org Caitlin McElroy, Director of Youth Ministry cmcelroy@stfrancisweston.org Jennifer Garvey, Religious Education Administrative Assistant jgarvey@stfrancisweston.org Marianne Keith, Preschool Director mkeith@sfapreschool.com Mary Odierna, Preschool Program Coordinator modierna@sfapreschool.com Don Rickenback, Music Coordinator drickenback@stfrancisweston.org William Smith, Maintenance Parish Pastoral Council Mike Byrnes, Chris Eidt, Pam Franco, Ann Garvey, Maria Garcia, Missy Iatesta, Keri Kelleher, Andrew Knuth, Elise Major, Leigh Meccay, Lisa Moskal, Stephen Odierna Parish Trustees Mike Byrnes and Elise Major Worship Ministry Coordinator: Stephen Odierna (544-8834) worship@stfrancisweston.org Altar Servers: Mary Jones altarserver@stfrancisweston.org Arts & Environment: Joan Curran, environment@stfrancisweston.org Eucharistic Ministers: Peggy Shaeffer ministers@stfrancisweston.org Lectors: Chris Eidt (762-7987) lectors@stfrancisweston.org Spiritual Formation Coordinator: Pam Franco (227-5821) Religious Education: Gina Fleming (227-8353) Adult Education: Gloria Doino, Anita Field adulted@stfrancisweston.org R.C.I.A.: Pam Franco rcia@stfrancisweston.org Community Outreach Coordinators: Melissa & Robert Iatesta (227-4668) outreach@stfrancisweston.org Soup Kitchen: Linda Nash (226-7680) Network of Care: Carina Silvestri (226-0884) Pastoral Care Ministry: Anita Field (938-0874) reddingglen2@optonline.net Communications Ministry Coordinator: Leigh Meccay communications@stfrancisweston.org Webmaster: Rosa Lagana admin@stfrancisweston.org Social Events Ministry Coordinator: Nancy Sturgis socials@stfrancisweston.org Grace Shop Coordinator: Gloria Doino graceshop@stfrancisweston.org Finance Council Members: Mike Byrnes, Joe Jordan, Andrew Knuth, Chairman(226-9178), Blandine Lewine finance@stfrancisweston.org Knights of Columbus Mike Purdy mikepurdy62@gmail.com