Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Last weekend, Father Emanuel Azike, O.P., a Dominican Friar representing the Dominican Province of Nigeria was scheduled to speak on behalf of the missions for his Order. Through the “Perils of I-95,” Father never arrived on time for our Saturday evening Vigil liturgy. He began his trip very early Saturday morning in Maryland. On Sunday, Father provided a moving homily on the Lord always being available for us.

He concluded his homily with an appeal for assistance for the young men, some 45 strong, who are studying to be ordained priest and work as Dominicans Friars among the poor and in both Nigeria and Ghana. Father Emanuel is currently working in a parish in Seattle, Washington. And for his vacation, he is traveling each weekend to speak for the Dominican missions.

If you did not have an opportunity to contribute to Father’s mission appeal, he would welcome your support! You can put a donation into an envelope and mark it for the Dominican Missions and the parish will forward it to Father’s office in Maryland. If you have made a donation, Father Emanuel has expressed his thanks for your generosity and his apologies for the traffic problems on his journey to Quaker Hill.

The Thirteenth Annual Diocesan Mass for Those Dedicated to Education will be celebrated on Sunday, September 7, 2008, in the Cathedral of St. Patrick, at 9:00 a.m. Bishop Cote will celebrate this Mass for all teachers and support staff (public, parochial, and private, active and retired, of all faiths.) The Reverend George J. Richards, J.C.L., Pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Church and Judge in the Diocesan Tribunal will be the homilist. Following the Mass, a reception will be held in the Cathedral Hall. All are welcome.

Registration Forms for the Religious Education Program for 2008-2009 have been sent to all registered families of students already attending classes. New First Graders of registered CCD families should be included on the forms received.

THESE FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY August 18, 2008.

New families to the CCD Program and Parish
are asked to call Sister Mary Michelle at 447-3550 regarding registration. Registration forms will be sent to you along with pertinent information regarding the Religious Education Program.

Thank you for your concern in the Spiritual Education of your child.
Sister Mary Michelle

SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
IS THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW YORK CITY, WASHINGTON, DC AND PENNSYLVANIA IN 2001. WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR IN OLPH on September 11th. EVERYONE IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. AS IN THE PAST, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL PARISH ACTIVITIES. Please see flyer.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!

Do you know anyone who wishes to become a Catholic? Do you know anyone who wishes to renew their knowledge of the faith?
We have the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in our parish. Call either Father Whittel at the rectory or Alton Button at 443-8242.

Outside the Parish
The ACTS weekend is presented by a team of lay Catholic men (30 on this team) who have accepted the direction of the Holy Spirit to present this retreat. The goals are to strengthen your faith and its application in your daily life, to renew yourself spiritually, and to build community through lasting friendships. The next men’s retreat begins the evening of Thursday, September 11th at the Immaculata Retreat House and ends with the 10:30 Mass at St. Mary’s in Groton on Sunday, September 14th. The theme for this weekend is 3:16-NUMBERS OF HOPE. Applications are available in the back of the church or on their website: www.actsct.org.
The Office of Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Norwich is seeking individuals interested in volunteering for Prison Ministry. There are many ways in which you can share your Gifts: Scripture Study & Sharing; Sacramental Preparation; Prayer Groups; Religious Education; Retreat Days; Small Christian Communities; Music for Liturgies; and Visiting Inmates. There will be training programs, “Gift of Grace” for those interested in volunteering on Sat., August 23; Sat., September 13; Sat., September 20; Sat., September 27; Sat., October 4, 2008 at Bishop Flanagan Ministry Center in Montville, CT. Pre-Registration is required. Parish Teams are encouraged. If interested, please contact Sheree Antoch at (860) 848-2237, ext. 212 or prison@norwichdiocese.net.

Apostolate of Prayer for Priests
This week please pray for:
Sunday: Priests who have left ministry
Monday: Rev. Edward J. Wisneski, Rev. Paul J. Gaumond
Tuesday: Rev. C. Paul Boudreau, Rev. George J. Richards, Jr.
Wed.: Rev. John Marciniak, Rev. Sylva P. LeCours
Thurs: Rev. Bazyli Cendrowicz OSPPE, Rev. William J. McNulty
Friday: Rev. Thomas F. Hoar SSE, V.Rev. Douglas L. Mosey CSB
Sat: Rev. Joseph F. DeCosta, Rev. Baiju Avittappally MS

Are you interested in becoming a Lay Minister at OLPH? We are currently looking for additional Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors. As a result of normal attrition, 2007 saw a decline in the active list of ministers. If you or someone you know might be interested, please telephone Father Whittel at 443-1875. This is a wonderful way to serve Our Lord and OLPH parish.

An Afternoon with Kimberly Hahn
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 12:30 to 3:30 PM, Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich, CT. Kimberly Hahn is a mother, author, and convert to Catholicism. She has written numerous books on many varied topics, including Mary, marriage, and home schooling. Kimberly has been married to Dr. Scott Hahn since 1979. Mrs. Hahn will give two presentations: Mary, Full of Grace, and Born Again: What the Bible teaches about Baptism. Cost per person is $12, for students $6. To order tickets send a check made payable to the Cathedral of St. Patrick, your name, address, number of tickets, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Beverly Brown, 2 Julian Terrace, Norwich, CT 06360. For additional information call 860-887-7804.

Ladies Guild will hold their first monthly meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 2nd   at 6:00 P.M. in the hall. This begins with a Pot Luck Supper. Ladies whose last name begins with, please bring:
A to F:    Salad
   G to L:    Vegetable or Casserole
                  M to S:    Casserole
                  T to Z:     Dessert

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week for
The Gawerecki & Stiehl Families
Requested by
FamilyAnnounced Masses

Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time              August 17, 2008
  5:00 P.M. Peter Millaras (Family)
Walter Kent, Sr. (Family)
                Richard Gressler & Barbara Donoghue (Family)
  8:00 A.M. Walter & Helen Sokol (Carol & Sr. Michelle)
10:30 A.M. Sadie Gawerecki (Marie & Marvin Gawerecki)

Monday, August 18th St. Jane Frances de Chantal, religious
Tuesday, August 19th St. John Eudes, priest
7:30 A.M. Robert Donahue (The Whittel Family)
Wednesday, August 20th St. Bernard, abbot, doctor
7:30 A.M. Balys Kondratas (OLPH Ladies Guild) Thursday, August 21st St. Pius X, pope
7:30 A.M. George Peabody (Wife, Eleanor)
Friday, August 22nd Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
7:30 A.M. Jan, Bronislawa & Isabel Rosa (Estate)

Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time          August 24, 2008
  5:00 P.M. Robert Niedojadlo (Mother & Family)
Clara & John Montesi (Daughter, Vera)
  8:00 A.M. Intention of Sr. Grace Briskey on her
                           70th Anniversary (OLPH Ladies Guild)
10:30 A.M. Bronislaw Niedojadlo (Wife & Family)