MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK MON., NOV. 24 TUES, NOV. 25

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
MON., NOV. 24
TUES, NOV. 25
WED., NOV. 26
THU., NOV. 27
FRI., NOV. 28
SAT., NOV. 29
SUN., NOV. 30
6:30
9:00
+
6:30
+
9:00
+
6:30
+
9:00
+
7:30pm
6:30
9:00
+
6:30
+
9:00
+
8:00
+
5:30
+
7:00
8:30
10:00
11:30
5:30
+
+
+
+
Barbara Cafferty (Health & Blessings) – Matilda & Colin Cafferty
Andrew Scalero (10th Anniv.) – Wife
John & Anna Hafner – Daughter, Asta
Paul Morton – Keough Family
Bruno DeLuca – Family & Friends
Kathleen Healey – McDonald Family
Ecumenical Service
NO MASS
Edward Trotta (9th Anniv.) – Family
Rev. Michael J. Byrne (1883 – Former Pastor)
Daphne Boyle – Eleanor Roche & Family
Derry Kenning – Family
John Bonacci (12th Anniv.) – Family
Chad & Sheila McCollam (In Honor of 50th Wedding Anniversary)Family
George Viebrock, Sr. – Chamberlin Family
Ruth & Vincent O’Rourke – Grace O’Rourke
Sandra Clemens – Folan Family
Joe Quatraro – Fitzgerald Family
WELCOME TO THOSE WHO WERE NEWLY BAPTIZED
Edward Hayes Abdella
I – Michael Nagy & Stephanie Lawlor
This weekend, 11/22 & 23, there will be a second collection for the
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
GOAL: $15,000
COLLECTION: $14,401
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PARISH OFFICE (744-5777)
Sheila Kurjiaka: Bulletin Editor
Kate Fitzgerald: Secretary
Paul Orsino: Property Manager
Steve DeMarco: Parish Council President
Jane Shannon: Cemetery Administrator
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (743-4557)
Mary Ferri: Director
Peggy Gavin: Secretary
Dennis Nauheimer (RCIA): 794-9488
MUSIC MINISTRY
Mike Macelletti: Music Director
Elizabeth Barnes: Choir Director
ST. MARY SCHOOL (744-2922)
Sister Anne McCarthy: Principal
Linda Curry: Secretary
MASS SCHEDULE
Monday – Friday: 6:30 & 9:00am
Saturday: 8:00am & 5:30pm
Sunday: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am & 5:30pm
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday: 11:30-12:00noon; 4:00-5:00pm.
BAPTISMS: Every Sunday at 1:00pm.
(Call the Rectory to Schedule.)
PRE-BAPTISM CLASSES: Twice a Month.
(Call the Rectory to Schedule.)
ARRANGEMENT FOR MARRIAGE:
Couples must meet with a parish clergyman at
least six (6) months before the marriage is to be
celebrated.
Fr. Corey’s Comments
¾ As you all know, St. Mary Parish is a most wonderful place. Each day I keep you all in my prayers.
I thank God always for the gift that God has given me in all of you and for the blessing of being the
Pastor of this exceptional parish. This Thanksgiving I am most grateful for the blessings God has given
to me: family, friends and parish. I am grateful for YOU!
¾ I am sure you all remember the old B.J. Thomas song: “Raindrops keep falling on my head”. It was
all about the woes of a man having a lot of problems in his life. But, in the end, all things worked out.
Our good Sister Alberta and Sister Anne have had Mr. Thomas’s song as their national anthem lately….
literally. This past year has been difficult for the Convent. The remnants of last summer’s hurricane was
the straw that broke the camels back. In the Convent, in the words of Chicken Little – “the sky was
falling”. Besides many leaks, there were wet carpets, and parts of the ceiling falling in. I know you all
agree with me that our wonderful Sisters must have a safe, comfortable and dry home in which to live.
Unfortunately, the leak cannot be found. To make a long story short we have to fix the roof. It was
thought that we may have to put on a new roof, and this may still be the case. Currently, tests are being
done, options are being weighed, and the Diocese has been contacted for signatures and approval for this
project. (The Diocese gets involved when projects meet a certain price point.) In the meantime we have
discovered a process that will fix the problem until all the paperwork and signatures have been processed.
The good news is that the company, which provides the “fix-up” material, feels that this might be a
permanent solution, and a new roof may not be necessary. Hopefully, this material will have miracle
properties and keep our Sisters warm and dry. The leaking seems to happen when there is a wind-swept
rain. The last line of the song is “nothing’s worrying me”. From B.J. Thomas’s lips to God’s ear.
¾ As we come to the close of the Liturgical year and the calendar year, I would like to share with you
some thoughts concerning the Liturgy.
Beginning the First Sunday of Advent (11/30), we shall distribute the Body and Blood of Christ at ALL
weekend Masses. Both the 7:00am and 5:30pm Mass will now have both Species. Since this is a beautiful
and full expression of our worship together, it is most fitting that we make this change. If you are an
Extra Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please keep an eye out at these Masses in case you are
needed.
I would also like to chat with you about the 6:30am daily Mass. We currently have a faithful
congregation at this Mass that ranges from 10 to 20 people. Some have mentioned to me that if the Mass
were later, say, 7:00 or 7:30, they would be able to attend on their way to work or after they get the kids off
to school. So, I ask you to pray about this issue. Would you come to Daily Mass if it were at 7:00, 7:15 or
7:30am? NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS ISSUE! I simply ask you to think, consider
and pray. In a couple of weeks there will be a survey in the bulletin that will ask the following question: I
would attend Daily Mass if it were at 6:30, 7:00, 7:15, 7:30. I am going to put the survey in for two
consecutive weeks and ask you to check one choice and place your choice in the passing of the offertory
basket or send it to the rectory. This will be a completely democratic process, and I ask you to choose only
one, and only if you think this would be a good time for you. Please, let’s just pray about this for now. If
the 6:30 gets the most amount of votes, then Mass will remain at 6:30. Let’s keep this issue in prayer and
then make your vote heard.
More Comments
It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here and
that the season of Advent is right around the corner.
As you know, Advent has a penitential spirit and also
reflects the joy of anticipation. The expectation not
only recalls Christ’s first appearance on earth but
also reflects His second coming. For the people of
God there should be a third coming between these
two, namely, His current presence in the hearts of all
the faithful by His grace. Since Advent is this time of
preparation, it becomes a time of desire, longing and
expectancy. If you had to describe the season of
Advent in one word it would be BUSY. Christmas
shopping, decorating, parties, visiting and everything
in between makes it nearly impossible for this to be a
season of reflection, prayer, calm and peacefulness.
So, during the Friday’s of Advent, we shall offer
Peaceful moments with the Lord. After the 9:00am
Mass until 12:00noon we shall have adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament, with Benediction at 11:30am.
There will be no homilies or public prayer, simply
some quiet music and Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament. Perhaps even if you work you can spend
a small time of your day in stillness with the Lord. I
hope many will attend, as it will be wonderful
preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
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ST. MARY ANNUAL COLLECTION
is being taken up this month. Please be
generous to this collection and drop your
envelope into the offertory anytime this month.
The month of November is dedicated to the
Departed Souls. The Book of Names will
be in the Sanctuary, to the right of the
altar. Please write the names of your
departed loved ones, and we shall keep them all in
our prayers this month.
Envelopes to remember our deceased may be
returned any time during November. Masses are
offered through the year for Souls in Purgatory.
ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE
on WED., NOV. 26th, at 7:30pm, will be
here at St. Mary Church. Come share
with us in Thanksgiving.
LECTOR WORKBOOKS, to be
used beginning next Sunday, are
available in the Vestry. Please sign
the sheet provided when you pick one up.
I have a couple of Catholic definitions for you:
Holy Water – A liquid whose chemical formula is
H2OLY
Incense – Holy Smoke.
Jonah – The original Jaws story.
Kyrie Eleison –The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize besides gyros and baklava.
Magi – The most famous trio to attend a baby
shower.
Pew – A medieval torture device still found in Catholic Churches.
Procession – The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass, consisting of altar servers, the celebrant and late parishioners looking for seats.
Recessional – The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass led by parishioners trying to beat
the crowd to the parking lot.
Ten Commandments – The most important Top Ten
list not produced by David Letterman.
ST. MARY BOOK CLUB – NOV. BOOK
“Dangerous Memories: A Mosaic of
Mary in Scripture”, by Elizabeth A.
Johnson C.S.J. Please join Deacon
John in the Childrens’ Room at 7:30pm, on
TUES., NOV. 25th, for discussion.
NO DECEMBER MEETING. JAN. BOOK:
“My Life with the Saints”, by James Martin, S.J.
BEREAVEMENT: Our Parish community is ready to help you cope with
the loss of a loved one. Please call Deacon Oles
(203 733-5880) if you need any assistance.
DOROTHY DAY – The response for
more cooks has been wonderful. We’d
like to thank all who have volunteered to
prepare soup for those in need of a nutritious meal.
Thank You! to everyone who participated
in our WINE TASTING EVENING.
It was a great event!
Students will attend the 9:00am Mass on
WED., NOV. 26; early dismissal at 11:15.
School closed: THUR., NOV. 27th and
FRI., NOV. 28th.
St. Mary School will host its
CHRISTMAS GALA & CRAFT
FAIR on SAT., DEC. 6th, in the School Gym,
from 9:00-4:00. Come browse the handmade
crafts, have your picture taken with Santa (10:002:00), and have breakfast or lunch at the Holiday
Café. From 10:00-2:00 children can make a
gingerbread house or a special Christmas craft.
There will also be baked goods and raffle tickets
available. Interested vendors may call Kathy
Iorfino (744-2714).
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
NEXT REGULAR MEETING:
MON., NOV. 24th, at 8:15pm, in the Parish Hall.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s
fraternal society dedicated service. If you are 18
or older and are interested in joining, please visit
http://pavia48.tripod.com/ or call Paul DiMarzio
(778-2840) for more info.
SR. YOUTH GROUP will meet in the
Parish Hall next SUN., NOV. 30th,
from 6:30–9:00, for a family dinner and
movie. Join Annie at the 5:30 Mass before dinner.
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP will meet
on SUN. DEC. 7th, at 6:30-8:00, in the
Parish Hall to make Christmas Gifts
for the residents of the Bishop Curtis Homes.
If you have any questions, please email Annie at
smbygroup@gmail.com.
The mission of our new CARITAS PROGRAM,
which is now underway, is to reach out to
members of the St. Mary Parish community to
offer physical, spiritual and emotional support. At
this time 50 people have volunteered to help. We
hope to support every person in need whether it is
a ride, a visit for someone who is homebound, a
meal for a family, an extra set of hands for a
family with a newborn, a respite for a caregiver or
any of the thousands of needs that each of us has
at some time in our lives. If you are in need, or
you know someone who is – We can help! Please
call the Rectory (744-5777).
OCTOBER RECOGNITIONS:
Knight Of The Month: Fred LaBua;
Family Of The Month: Granacker Family.
SANTA’S WORKSHOP for Dorothy Day
DEC. 20th, 2008
Santa’s Workshop is a great way to
help make this a Merry Christmas for the poorest
kids in the Danbury area. If you want to get
involved, please call Deacon Oles 733-5880).
PANCAKE BREAKFAST – After Mass today,
SUN., NOV. 23rd, walk over to the
Gym to enjoy pancakes, sausage,
donuts, coffee, and juice anytime from
7:30-11:30am. Adults: $8.00; Children 5-13:
$6.00, under 5: free. Family maximum: $20.00.
CT. MASTER CHORALE presents its
Holiday Concert today, SUN., NOV.
23rd, at 3:00pm in the Church. All are
invited to start off the holiday season by enjoying
a relaxing afternoon listening to holiday music.
On NOV. 14th, Pavia Council celebrated the 120th
year of its founding at St. Mary Parish. All are
invited to a Mass to honor our deceased members
on MON., NOV. 24th, at 7:30pm, in the Church.
THE RECTORY WILL
BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY,
THURSDAY and FRIDAY.
ST. MARY JOINS MIDNIGHT RUN TEAM
“Midnight Run is a volunteer organization dedicated to finding common ground between the housed and the homeless.”
Friday, November 28th, St. Mary Parish will participate in
a second Midnight Run, and we need your help.
There are several ways you can do this:
™
Help make sandwiches and pack lunch bags;
™
Help assemble toiletry bags
(Great way for middle school age to help);
™
Go on the actual Midnight Run to New York
(We will take a max of 12 – 8 Adults and
4 High School age – so sign up quickly);
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Make a Monetary donation
(Each run will cost approximately $200-$300);
™
Donate Toiletries
(soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, wash cloths);
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Donate gently used items
(men’s coats, hoodies, pants, shirts, hats, gloves, backpacks, and blankets);
™
Donate new items
(men’s socks, underwear and thermal underwear).
For more info. or to volunteer, call Mary Ferri: 730-2726