Holy Trinity Catholic Church 15 Route 37 Center Sherman, CT 06784 PARISH MISSION STATEMENT We are Holy Trinity Catholic community of faith. We are a diverse and welcoming community of believers in Jesus Christ. We are energized and empowered by Christ s love, forgiveness and healing. We strive to experience and make Him known to others through joyful worship, heartfelt prayer, formative education, life giving service and supportive fellowship. October 21, 2018 ~ The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Pastor Rev. Richard J. Gemza frgemza@htrccsherman.org Director of Faith Formation Michele Curnan mcurnan@htrccsherman.org Director of Music Rob Brereton rbrereton@htrccsherman.org Parish office email parishoffice@htrccsherman.org Web Site www.htrccsherman.org Office phone 860-354-1414 Faith Formation phone 860-355-1483 WEEKEND MASSES: Sat. vigil 5:00pm, Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am WEEKDAY MASS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8:00am BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGS: Please contact the parish office SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4:15pm or by appointment AUGUST OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, & Thursday 10am-2pm
Holy Trinity Church Sherman, Connecticut Dear Parishioners: Pastor s Corner Saturday, October 20 5:00pm Fr. Stan Kennedy Sunday, October 21 Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am For Holy Trinity parishioners 11:00am Frank Marici r/b Ann O Hara & Paul Jaehnig Monday, October 22 8:00am Denis Sullivan r/b The Dwyer Family Tuesday, October 23 8:00am Helen & Frank Byrne and the Cleary Family Wednesday, October 24 No Mass Thursday, October 25 8:00am Marie McGuiness for health and healing Friday, October 26 8:00am Bredan McGuiness for health and healing Saturday, October 27 5:00pm Elizabeth McGrath r/b Christine Fazio Sunday, October 27 Thirth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am Mary Butler r/b Niall & Betty Bresnan 11:00am For Holy Trinity parishioners Readings for the week of October 21, 2018 Sunday: Is 53:10-11/Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 [22]/ Heb 4:14-16/Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45 Monday: Eph 2:1-10/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4ab, 4c-5 [3b]/Lk 12:13-21 Tuesday: Eph 2:12-22/Ps 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14 [cf. 9]/Lk 12:35-38 Wednesday: Eph 3:2-12/Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 [cf. 3]/Lk 12:39-48 Thursday: Eph 3:14-21/Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 [5b]/Lk 12:49-53 Friday: Eph 4:1-6/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 6]/Lk 12:54-59 Saturday: Eph 4:7-16/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 [1]/Lk 13:1-9 Next Sunday: Jer 31:7-9/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 [3]/Heb 5:1-6/ Mk 10:46-52 In the Gospel this weekend, Saints James and John ask Our Lord to give them places of honor when He enters into His glory. Once again, the disciples clearly show that they aren't just not grasping what Our Lord is all about. But, they also show that they don't grasp what Our Lord Himself is all about. It almost seems that they are rather selective in what they hear Our Lord say and teach. They want to share Our Lord s glory, but do not appear to understand that this glory will be preceded by great suffering and great personal sacrifice. Our Lord again points out to them their lack of understanding and predicts the suffering they will endure for the sake of their belief in Him. Jesus then says that the honor they seek is not His to give away and when the other ten hear what James and John have asked the others become indignant. Naturally, Our Lord takes this opportunity to again teach them. The lesson for us is the same: if we want to share in The Lord's Glory, then we must also put our faith in Him into action through: following Our Lord (ie: active participation in the Life of the Church), the service of others according to our abilities and the needs of others, and yes, self-sacrifice on behalf of others. And in some cases at least, this will mean also taking on some share of suffering for Our Faith in the Lord and His Way. God bless you, Fr. Gemza HOLY TRINITY OFFERTORY Will be listed in next week s bulletin. Thank you for your continued support.
The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 21, 2018 REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS Amos Munch, Caitlin Pallas, Jack Lago, Theresa Pepe, Nancy Grenier, Michael Norel, Jane Smith, Patricia Boyle, Patricia Repko, Joyce & Bob Kenney, Glenn Hawley, Stephen & Joan Roll, Paula DeSimone, Matthew Hatcher, Alison Thomas, Katie McLaughlin, Tim Cornelis, Kim D Esposito, Sylvia Bunyon, Rich Scampoli,Dominic Fazzone, Irene Sakal William Jayne, Carol Gershkowitz and for all of their caregivers. The men and women in the Armed Forces, their families and loved ones, and all who protect us. May they be shielded from danger. For Jonathan Seeger, Matthew Frizzell, Rachel Berger, Corey Celik, Megan Meenan, Mark Francis Erhardt, Katie Hogan and Brendan McGrath HOLY TRINITY RELIGIOUS FORMATION Welcome to the 2018-2019 Formation Year! Please watch the bulletin for schedule as well as for special Masses with the children. CONFIRMATION SUNDAYS October 21,28.12:15-1:45 Sunday October 21, 2018 Commitment Sunday at the 11am Mass for all Confirmandi November 4, 11,18.12:15-1:45 Grades 1-4 SUNDAYS October 21,28....9:45-10:45 November 4, 11...9:45-10:45 Grades 5,6,& 7 TUESDAYS November 6, A....5:15-7:30 November 13, B....5:15-7:30 Sunday Nov. 11 830am Mass 5,6,7 in A week Tuesday November 20, at 7pm Talk on Reconciliation Please keep the children and their catechist in prayer Welcome Visitors & New Families!! Welcome envelopes are on the table in the church foyer. New family registration forms can be found on our website or call the parish office at 860-354-1414. Welcome!!
Holy Trinity Church Sherman, Connecticut MAGNIFICAT A Ministry to Catholic Women invites you to a prayer breakfast on Saturday November 10, 9:30-12:30 at Ethan Allen Hotel 21 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, CT 06811, Our speaker is Laila, as she gives her testimony on her conversion back to the Catholic Church. Cost $25 Pre-register by Saturday, November 1 No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call Fran Hood 203-744-1856 or email s.m.hood@sbcglobal.net. Invitation available on Bridgeport Diocese Website under Woman s Ministry section, also tickets are available on Eventbrite. Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center 31 Colton Street Farmington,CT 06032 2018-19 Theme Retreat for Women: The World Will be Saved by Beauty The World Will be Saved by Beauty, is a weekend women s retreat that will take place at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, in Farmington, CT. It begins Friday evening on October 26, 2018 at 7:00pm to Sunday, October 28 at 12:00 PM. The powerful and timely theme encourages us to spend tie looking for what is beautiful, and to focus on those things that lift us up and help us feel closer to God, the One who sends beauty to refresh, nurture, and sustain us. The Retreat concludes with Mass at 11:00 am followed by brunch. Families and friends may join retreatants for Mass and brunch. Offering is $265. To register and view our other available Women s Retreat dates: contact OLC at 860-677-8519, olcretreat@sbcglobal.net or visit www.ourladyofcalvary.net. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish in Brookfield is holding their 26th Annual Fall Festival (Craft Fair & Bazaar) on Saturday, November 3rd, 9 am-4 pm with a Preview Night of Friday, November 2nd, 5-8 pm. Almost 40 vendors will be present with many unique items including vendors of crafts, food from Vermont, chocolate, alpaca wool products, jewelry, hand made cards, essential oils, holiday de cor, hand painted signs, team blankets, bibs, knitted and crocheted items, recycled paper jewelry made by women in Uganda, wreaths, landscape paintings, Avon, Christmas ornaments, clothes, bottle lights, direct sales, hand blown glass ornaments, and a local author of Civil War books. St. Marguerite's is located at 138 Candlewood Lake Road in Brookfield, CT. For more information, visit www.stmarguerite.org or call 203.775.5117.
The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 21, 2018 GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE October 21, 2018 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time "What do you wish me to do for you?" Jesus asks a similar question in different Gospel passages, but the request of James and John is not repeated on any other occasion. "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." They ask not for knowledge of God, not for crooked limbs to be straightened nor for the blind to see. They ask for power and authority. Jesus' response should trouble them. "You do not know what you are asking." "Can you drink the cup that I drink?" Jesus asks. "They said to him, 'We can.'" But what is Christ's cup? Could James and John have possibly known it or understood it here at the height of Jesus' ministry? Jesus' cup is the cup of trial, of difficulty, of public ridicule. His final, thirsting sip occurs as he hangs on the cross. In Christ's kingdom, drinking his cup and participating in his life are not the sharing of power the way we are accustomed. Jesus flips their paradigm. "Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all." The cup of Jesus is the cup of giving oneself. "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." As Christians, how easy it can be to want the acclaim of good deeds, the gratitude for volunteering, the attention for donating to the church. "It shall not be so among you." If you are overlooked, offer thanks to God for imitating Jesus, rather than bitter complaint at someone else's oversight. Look for opportunities to do good needs unnoticed. This week, consider one way you can drink the cup of Jesus! Everyday Stewardship This past Father's Day began with my youngest son asking me for money. As the day went by, he continued to ask me for things. It was actually quite humorous as it was supposed to be my day and I hadn't asked him for one thing. It was all about what he wanted. Finally, after his latest request, I responded, "It's Father's Day! What I want from you is a day where you don't ask me for anything." I would have to say that he does not constantly ask me for things all the time and he is a good kid, but this day he did have me reflecting on how much a child asks from a parent. We ask quite a lot from our Heavenly Father as well. I don't think He begrudges us anything due to all our requests. However, like any human parent would, I think God would love it when He asks something of us that we can respond with a "yes." We like to do all the asking, but too often we are not very responsive when we are being asked. It is an important aspect to reflect on in any relationship. If you seek to receive more than you are willing to give, what kind of lopsided relationship is that? God doesn't want that type of relationship. Any father wants to give his son or daughter anything they ask for within reason, but offering the same back is what a real relationship is all about. -Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
Holy Trinity Church Sherman, Connecticut Hello Friends and Parishioners, As we start nearing toward this year's Annual Christmas Fair, we are counting on you, our friends, to help make this community event a successful fundraiser for our wonderful Parish. I know you are now asking your self "How can I and my family help?" Well, we invite you to help by donating any items for our curiosity shop, donating your time and creative talents, along with helping to sort, set up, and clean up day of the Christmas Fair. We could not do this without you! A sign up sheet will be posted starting next week on the Bulletin Boards. Aside from knowing that you will help spread the word about the Christmas Fair, contributing with your wonderful and selfless donations for our Curiosity Shop, Silent Auction and Raffles, this year promises to be lots of fun for the whole family! This is an Exciting fundraiser for our parish! We have a few NEW Vendors along with some friendly favorites. Please come and enjoy the fair, and bring your family and friends! We have some wonderful raffles for great family fun, a ONE Week Getaway to Orlando, Florida, along with a few terrific getaway packages, one of which is a Rome Vatican VIP Trip for 2 people for 5 nights. We are ever so grateful for your support and hope you will find something for someone special and maybe a little something for yourself too while shopping at our Fair this wonderful Christmas Season. We need and are counting on you, our parishioners and friends! Thank you!
The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 21, 2018 Sharing the Gospel Do you ever catch yourself being bossy? That is a mistake grown-ups make, too. It is no fun to work or play with bossy people. They don't honor God when they order people around. In today's Gospel, Jesus told his friends to be kind, not bossy. God wants us to help and serve other people. Prayer Dear God, when I want to get my own way, help me to stop. Show me ways I can help other people instead. Mission for the Week Invite a friend over to visit, and think of ways to serve her. Hang up her jacket, offer her something to eat, and ask her what she would like to do. Share your best toys with her, and let her have the first turn.