Divine Mercy Sunday
Mass Intentions Saint John Paul the Great Parish Saturday Vigil, April 7th 2018 4:00pm St. Peter 5:30pm St. Francis Paul Ruzbasan by family Saturday Vigil, April 14th 2018 4:00pm St. Peter Norman Deneault Sr. - 6th Anniversary by wife and son Norman Jr. 5:30pm St. Francis Mary B. Shuhi - 9th Anniversary by Mary, Christine and grandshildren Sunday, April 8th 2018 Sunday, April 15th 2018 7:30am St. Francis Mass of healing for Peg Richard from the Church the body of Christ 8:30am St. Peter William & Raffaella & Nicholas Rosa & Anna Witkoski by Mark & Anita Rosa 10:00am St. Francis Emil Moe Renzullo by family 11:15am St. Peter Joseph & Susan Alicata by family 12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish Intentions of all parishioners. 5:00pm St. Peter Lifeteen Mass Giuseppe, Lisa, Tina Pullano and Antonio Christiano By Francesco and Giovannina Nania 7:30am St. Francis Kalman Nemeth - 1 year Anniversary by family 8:30am St. Peter Stefano & Adelina Frigo and son Robert, daughter Angela & grand daughter Regina & son Richard by David & Marlene Frigo 10:00am St. Francis Ursula Auer by Natalie & family 11:15am St. Peter Deceased members of the Zaffina, Abate & Hricko Families by family 12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish Intentions of all parishioners. 5:00pm St. Peter Lifeteen Mass Dante Casali by family Diana & George Doyle Weekday Masses Monday 4/9 8am St. Francis Dorothy Martinkus by Mary Ann Tuesday 4/10 7am St. Peter Chester Jablonski by Mary Ann Seiser Wednesday 4/11 8am St. Francis Lauren & family by neighbors and friends Thursday 4/12 7am St. Peter Stanley & Aniela Skrzypiec and Eugene Purcha by Janina Szymanski Friday 4/13 8am St. Francis Claudette Fragale by the Asselin Family Sanctuary Candle is being burned at St. Peter in memory of Dorothy Martinkus April 8, 2018 2 Divine Mercy Sunday Sacrament of Reconciliation Mondays 5-7pm @ St. Peter Saturdays 2:30-3:30pm @ St. Francis Our Worship Sites St. Francis of Assisi - 160 Main St. St. Peter - 107 East Main St. Sacred Heart - 116 Grove St. St. Mary - 85 Pulaski St. Offices Pope Saint John Paul II Pastoral Center 160 Main Street Torrington, CT 06790 Office Hours Monday thru Friday 9am - 4pm Phone: 860-482-4433 Fax: 860-489-4070 SaintJohnPaulTheGreatParish@gmail.com Bulletin Requests: SaintJohnPaulTheGreatBulletin@gmail.com JohnPaulGreatParish.com
My Dear Friends, Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, is also called by many, thanks to Pope St. John Paul II, Divine Mercy Sunday, many Catholics find spiritually uplifting. The Gospel reading at this Mass is the appearance of Jesus to the Apostles St. Thomas was missing. He doubted the other ten Apostles, claiming that he would not believe unless he touched his side. St. Thomas responds with the words, My Lord and My God. Between this Gospel passage of the Doubting Thomas and the prayers of the Mass itself, it is only fitting that the Octave of Easter ends with a Mass emphasizing Mass of Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter. St. John Paul II had written extensively on the Divine Mercy of God throughout his papacy. Pope Benedict also emphasized the Divine Mercy of God in his own papacy. And Pope Francis has continued this emphasis on mercy in his papacy. The criticism is that St. Faustina s writings are private revelation. Yes, her writings are private revelations. And we as Catholics do not have to believe that Our Lord spoke to St. Faustina. But Pope St. John Paul II did not do anything different than other popes, including himself, have done concerning private devotions. For example, our liturgy has three Masses for Our Lady s apparitions. On February 11th, we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. On May 13th, we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. And on December 12th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I do believe that Our Blessed Mother appeared at Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe, as well as other places that are not commemorated in our Liturgy. But apparitions of Our Blessed Mother are also private devotions. I will place my trust in Pope St. John Paul II who through a very intense prayer life was inspired to promote St. Faustina s writings. He was privileged to beatify and canonize St. Faustina, and, again through prayer, was inspired to declare the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. With all of the hate and rage and anger and a complete disregard for life from conception to natural death, we are in the need of Divine Mercy in our country more than ever. For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. God bless. Fr. John Cathedrals and parishes throughout the country are encouraged to join together in prayer and adoration seeking God s mercy for ourselves and for our nation. April 8th Divine Mercy Sunday Join us for a Holy Hour from 2-3pm as we pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy St. Mary Church 85 Pulaski Street 3 Saint John Paul the Great Parish View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
Thomas believed because he saw Jesus. What will it take for you to respond to God s call? To respond to God s call to you to serve as a priest or religious, call Fr. Michael Casey, 860-761-7457 or email vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at www.hartfordpriest.com St. Michael Prayer Group Join Fr. John Mondays from 12-1pm Sacred Heart for a holy hour Praying for priests. Pray for Priests Holy Hours for Vocations with Father Michael Casey, Vocation Director 7pm on April 16th at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish 1 East Main Street Thomaston After prayer for an increase in vocations to the priesthood a coffee and.. reception will provide a setting for socialization. Information is available at www.hartfordpriest.com We would like to extend our sincere Congratulations to Fr. William Agyemang who has been appointed to the position of Pastor of North American Martyrs Parish We warmly welcome Samuel Gonzalez Vallejo 15 Maplewood Avenue - East Hartford, CT 06108 Feel free to drop him a note. And please kindly keep him in your prayers. who was recently baptized at our parish! Please pray for Chiarina Mancini Anna R. Ohotnicky Virginia Renzullo Jean Bassarelli recently deceased members of our parish family. 4 Divine Mercy Sunday April 8, 2018 provides help to those in need! Together, we can and do make a profound difference in the lives of many individuals and families, in a way that exceeds anything we could hope to achieve on our own. Please consider supporting this important initiative. Every gift makes a difference. Organizations right here in our own town received funding from the Appeal s Vicariate Outreach Program which serves our local neighbors.
Contributions to our parish for the week of March 25, 2018 $17,382.02 Mondays: 5-7pm at St. Peter (w/ Confessions) Tuesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis Wednesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis Thursdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis Fridays: 5-8pm at St. Francis (except 1 st Friday of the month) I spend every free moment at the feet of the hidden God. He is my Master; I ask Him about everything; I speak to Him about everything. Here I obtain strength and light. - Sister Faustina Kowalski Could you keep watch for just one hour with Him? If you could offer one particular hour each week to sit with our Lord, who is waiting for you in the Holy Eucharist, Monday(5-7pm) through Friday 5-8pm, or one hour each month for First Friday, please call Peg Michaud 860-307-9356 This weekend April 7th/8th View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 5 Saint John Paul the Great Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. John C. Granato Parochial Vicar: Rev. Carlos Zapata Deacons: Roy Dungan Peter Hyde Richard Hamel Religious Education Grades K-5 860-482-3121 Jen Owens Cell: 860-307-2291 Call/TEXT JohnPaulGreatReligousEd@gmail.com Office of Youth Ministry 860-489-7899 Middle School EDGE/Youth Group Marlene Carrier: Cell 860-309-7855 Call/TEXT JohnPaulGreatYouth@gmail.com High School Confirmation Program Donna Puzacke: Cell 860-309-1900 Call/TEXT JohnPaulGreatConfirmation@gmail.com Pastoral Minister: Peg O Meara 860-309-1707 Music Director: Francine Gryniuk Organist: Bill Mackstutis Office Staff: Anita Ressel Toni Tavano Rose McMahon Irene Matava Trustees: John Janco Monica Diulio Parish Council JohnPaulGreatParishCouncil@gmail.com St. Peter / St. Francis School Principal Jo-Anne Gauger 860-489-4177 Sacraments Sacrament of Marriage: Arrangements for Marriage are made by calling the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with one of the priests at least six months in advance of desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill, advanced in age or preparing for surgery may receive. Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: For adults who wish to become Catholic or for Catholic Adults who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact the Parish Office for more details. Sacrament of Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Preparation class is held on the first Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 pm at the Pope Saint John Paul II Pastoral Center. Homebound or Hospitalized? If you, or someone you know is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, or hospitalized and would like a In Need of Prayers? Please call... Cheryl at 860-618-3533 to be added to our Prayer Line.
Prayer Shawl Ministry The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of women from St. John Paul the Great Parish who meet once a month and knit Prayer Shawls to be given to people who are ill, recuperating from an illness, have lost someone dear to them, are in a convalescent home, etc. The shawls are free of charge and anyone who would like one is asked to call Joan Colangelo 860-482-6294/Carmy Tromba 860-489-6460 or anyone in the Prayer Shawl group. The group also knits baby blankets to be given out at baptisms in the parish. The next meeting will be held at the home of Claire McDonald On Tuesday, April 17th at 1 p.m. Call Claire at 860-482-1280 for directions. Hope to see you all there! January 21-28, 2019 millions of young adults from across the world will join Pope Francis for the 34th World Youth Day in Panama. The Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis is organizing a Pilgrimage for young adults (ages 21-35) to experience this powerful opportunity. Total Cost: $2,500.00 *Please Note: $500 deposit is DUE April 15, 2018 What s included: roundtrip airfare from Bradley Airport, ground transportation in Panama, 4-star hotel accommodations, WYD package (up to $200 fee), all meals, and tour guide. Next payment due June 2018; final payment due September 2018. Call 860-242-5573 or Email: OEEC@aohct.org As a members of the Church, the Body of Christ here on earth, we are all called to share our gifts and talents, as the hands and feet of Christ, to care for those in need and also be good stewards of our planet. There are two events that we would very much like to be a part of in our community, but we are in need of a Team Leader. We would like to have a St. John Paul the Great Team for this years RELAY FOR LIFE SATURDAY, MAY 19th 10am - 10pm WHITE MEMORIAL - Litchfield, CT Together we can help the American Cancer Society save lives. Also for the past 3 years we have taken to the streets of Torrington for Torrington s Earth Day Clean up Saturday, April 21st Shrine of Lourdes GIANT TAG SALE 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and on from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm All donations from sales help with the upkeep of the Shrine. For more info call 860-567-1041 or email: lourdesshrinect@gmail.com Donations may be dropped off at Pilgrim Hall on Tuesday & Wednesday, April 10th & 11th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. PLEASE NOTE: NO upholstered furniture, box springs & mattresses, computers, monitors or paint will be accepted. All donated items must be in good condition and all electronic items must be in working order. Drop any Boxtops for Education into canisters found at the entrances of St. Peter and St. Francis Churches to benefit St. Peter/St. Francis School 9am Noon As church residents of downtown Torrington, we would like to have greater participation as a church family. WE THANK YOU for your continued support of Neither one of these events are require an exorbitant amount of time and as the body of Christ, if we could share the load many hands make for light work... St. Francis Garage 24/7. If you/a friend has an hour here or there that you d be willing to sort/count bottles/cans... If you might be willing to chair one of these events... Please call/text Marlene 860-309-7855 6 Divine Mercy Sunday April 8, 2018 our youth activities through the donation of your BOTTLES/CANS Redeemable Which may be dropped off in front of the Please stop by the Pastoral Center M-F 9am-4pm or call 860-482-4433
Dignity of Life Seminar St. John Paul the Great Parish along with The Catholic Cemetery Association, will be hosting a presentation focused on the challenges facing practically every family: Maintaining the Dignity of Life during end-of-life discussions. The Catholic Cemeteries Association will conduct the program with the assistance of an Elder Care Attorney, Long-Term Care Provider, and Funeral Director. They will answer questions on how to manage these elements of the golden years. It is for age 50+ parishioners and/or the children of mature parishioners who are worried about them. Choosing and Managing costs of Cemetery Space and Funerals Managing costs of Elder Care Managing Wills and Final costs St. Peter Hall Thursday, April 12th at 1pm again at 7pm The Seminar will last about an hour. Refreshments will be served, kindly register. Registration forms can be found at the doors of the church. The Torrington Chapter of UNICO National will sponsor a Torrington Council of Catholic Women April meeting will be held on Thursday, April 12 6pm at Sacred Heart Hall. We will be viewing a movie of the transition and assimilation of a Syrian family into Western society. The movie is a fun, romantic comedy that puts the human endeavors of change to the test. Refreshments will be served. We invite all women of faith to join us. Por favor esta invitación es para nuestras hermanas hispanas, también. INDOOR TAG SALE Saturday, April 21st 9am-2pm St. Peter Hall 107 East Main Street A Wide Variety of Items Sponsored by St. John Paul the Great Holy Rosary Society St. John Paul the Great Holy Name Society Save the Date Wednesday and Thursday April 25th and 26th $8 Adults $4 Children 12 and under Scripture Discussion Group Mondays from 6 7:30pm in the John Paul II Pastoral Center Please enter through the kitchen door. Join this fun-filled and inspiring group as we enrich our understanding of the readings from last weekend s Holy Mass. For more info call Mary Cashman @ 860-489-7568 7 Saint John Paul the Great Parish View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com for our famous MACARONI SUPPER Buon Appetito!!! Week at a glance... Sunday 8th Divine Mercy Sunday 2pm Holy Hour St. Mary Church Monday 9th St. Michael Holy Hour Scripture Discussion Thursday 12th Dignity of Life Seminar Torrington Council of Catholic Women Sunday 15th UNICO Pancake Breakfast Two Heart Awards Dinner See bulletin for details.
Comunidad Hispana EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL Providing a free community meal on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 4pm St. Peter Hall, 107 E. Main St., Torrington The next meal with be provided on April 8th All donations can be made to our Parish. Please put Kevin s Place in the memo on checks and mail to 160 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790 For more info, contact: Christine Delgrande 860-307-2969 email: Christine.delgrande@gmail.com Shrine of Lourdes 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118. will be open from SERVICIOS: POSIBILIDAD DE CONFESIONES, DIRECCION ESPIRITUAL, INSCRIPCION DE INTENCIONES PARA LA EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL, INFORMACION SOBRE LOS SACRAMENTOS DE BAUTISMO, PRIMERA COMUNION, CONFIRMACION, MATRIMONIO, QUINCEAÑERAS Y CATEQUESIS PARA ADULTOS. Todos los Martes 5:30 6:30PM Centro de Pastoral Juan Pablo II CHARLAS PREBAUTISMALES Requisitos: Asistir a la clase padr es y padr inos. Traer el acta de nacimiento del niño (a). Si los padrinos son pareja, deben estar casados por la Iglesia. Llegar puntuales a la conferencia. Llenar el formato para la inscripción bautismal. Dar una donación voluntaria a la Parroquia por el Sacramento. Traer fija la fecha y la hora de la ceremonia del Bautismo. (Por favor llamar a la oficina para registrarse o al 860-307-7343 - Lourdes - Charla Pre-Bautismal: 2018 Engaged Couples Conferences The on-line registration forms can be found at: HartfordMarriage.com or at ArchdioceseofHartford.org by going to the Office of Family Life, which can be found on the menu tab under Ministries. In 2018, there is no fee charged to the couples for attending these conferences. Worldwide Marriage Encounter Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us keep our ears open to the love from our spouses and God by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. July 6-8, 2018 in Manchester, CT For more information, call Pat & Mary-Jo McLaughlin at 860-315-2127 or visit them at https://wwmectw.org/. RETROUVAILLE of Connecticut If your marriage has become troubled and stressed, unloving or uncaring; even if you are divorced or separated but want to try again, the Retrouvaille program can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to communicate better, resolve conflicts fairly and re-discover why you fell in love. The next Retrouvaille weekend is April 20-22, 2018. For information, call 1-800-470-2230, email cherylandsteve@cox.net or go to our website www.helpourmarriage.com 8 Divine Mercy Sunday April 8, 2018 3er Viernes de cada mes. Centro de Pastoral Juan Pablo II 6:00 7:00PM Ceremonia De Bautismo: 4to domingo de cada mes a la 12:30pm Grupos Apostolicos Y Coordinadores Pastoral Hispana Servidores del Altar / Monaguillos: Elvia Orellana 860-459-1837 Legion de Maria: Jose Guambana 860-485-5473 Evangelizacion: Orlando Orellana 860-806-4522 Liturgia/Sacristia: Roberto Castillo 860-491-0200 RICA/Ministerios Musicales/Catequesis: Lourdes Rodriguez 860-307-7343 Pastoral Social: Doris Ramirez 860-459-6658 Ministros Extraordinarios de la Comunion: Carmen Fernandez 860-921- 3408 Monitores y Lectores: Sonia Sanchez 860-307- 8349 Ujieres/Ministros de Acogida: Honorato Nunez 860-459 - 0036 Pastoral Familiar: Yuneris Owens 860-307-2291 Movimiento Juan XXIII: Maria Colon 860-387-8133 Movimiento Juan XXIII 7 PM Martes. En las instalaciones de Sacred Heart Church (ubicada detrás del templo de Sacred Heart) El Movimiento Juan XXIII busca trabajar por aquellos alejados de la Iglesia y marginados de la sociedad, anunciándoles el Evangelio, mediante una espiritualidad de auténtico servicio, enmarcada en el Amor, la Entrega y el Sacrificio y expresada en esta opción de vida: Con Cristo Todo, Sin Cristo Nada.
Annual Celebration and Awards Dinner SUNDAY, APRIL 15 4-8pm CHATTERLEY'S BANQUET FACILITY 371 Pinewoods Road, Torrington The Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center will be holding its third annual dinner to celebrate its 6th year helping mothers and their children. Two Hearts is the pro-life message of the Catholic Church in action. Calendars can be found at JohnPaulGreatParish.com GUEST SPEAKER Fr. James Sullivan HONOREES Father Brian Jeffries Gospel of Life Award The Volunteers of Two Hearts Pregnancy Center Volunteer of the Year Award Elisa C. Bauer MASTER OF CEREMONIES Bill Dunn For further information and to reserve a seat go to www.twoheartscenter.org or call 860-482-0673 on Tues., Thurs., Sat. between 10am and 2pm Join us in the Upper Room @ ENROLL BY APRIL 15 FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR SPSFSCHOOL.NET 860.489.4177 9 Saint John Paul the Great Parish View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com St. Peter Hall for our TEEN SOCIAL NIGHTS with Volleyball/Basketball/Dodgeball Wii Just Dance/Air Hockey/Foosball Middle School High School April 7th April 14th 1st Saturdays 6-9pm 2nd Saturdays 6-10pm $5 Donation Pizza/Soda/Ice cream MUST RSVP by noon on day of event Middle School EDGE Program Marlene Carrier Call/Text 860-309-7855 JohnPaulGreatYouth@gmail.com High School CONFIRMATION Program Donna Puzacke 860-489-7899 Cell 860-309-1900 JohnPaulGreatConfirmation@gmail.com