On Wednesday of this week, (July 4th) we will celebrate the 231st Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. This is the birthday of our country, which until that time was a colony of Great Britain.  Let us pray for the U.S.A.  As is true of all institutions made up of human beings, there is much about our country that needs fixing and much which is very good. But it is here that we have been given the gift of freedom and here we are called to love one another, serve one another, and help one another. Let us thank God for the blessings we receive through this country.
Happy Birthday, USA!
                 
This Fourth of July, the American Red Cross invites you to give back by giving blood!
The summer months – and holidays in particular – are a time of low blood donations. It seems folks are just too busy. We must remember that patients can’t take a vacation from the treatments they need. There are operations, there are accidents, there is a need– premature babies … organ transplants…cancer patients…burn victims…heart patients…car accident victims…the list goes on.
Please consider giving blood this July Fourth week.  Donating will only take about an hour of your time, and costs nothing.
Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

Saint Francis of Assisi
Last weekend, Pope Benedict XVI visited Assisi and celebrated a Papal Mass  beginning the celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the ‘conversion’ of Saint Francis from a life of wealth and power to that of a ‘humble servant.’ I was given the DVD Movie, “Brother Son, Sister Moon” which is the story of Saint Francis’ Conversion and also of Saint Claire  If you are interested in seeing this wonderful movie in our hall on some summer night, please speak to me and let me know your intentions. We have a beautiful new “50” inch DVD player. It would be a wonderful experience and a very worthwhile viewing, in the midst of some awful public movies today.  Please…let me know.  (I will supply the popcorn.)

Dates to Remember
“Pan” Franek & Zosia and their family will be here from Muskegon, MI on Sunday, JULY 29, 2007 at 10:30 to celebrate a Polka Folk Mass., This will be a wonderful celebration and all are encouraged to attend.

TUESDAY, September 11th, we shall again celebrate our Day of Remembrance, renewal and rededication.

Crusade of Prayer for Vocations
will resume on September 14th

THANK YOU
In April, (during the heavy rainy period) we found a bad leak in the lower level of the rectory.  Water was coming in from the land outside the rectory foundation (facing the parking lot). We feared the septic system was overflowing.  Ted Olynciw checked it out and discovered that the “seal” around a water pipe was weak and there the water was seeping in. Gregory Jednaki worked out a temporary arrangement with the plan to wait until early summer to permanently seal the pipe so there could be no additional seepage.  In the meantime, Kyle Palmer approached me with a desire to set forth an “Eagle” scout project. I explained two matters, one of which was the “sealing” of the pipe.  Charlie Palmer, Kyle’s Dad, said this could be accomplished. Ted set forth the plan for the sealing of the pipe and the Palmers dug the ditch. I am happy to tell you that the pipe has been sealed, the dirt which was dug out for the sealing has been returned, and all is well. Special “Thank You” to Ted Olynciw, to Kyle and Charlie Palmer for their hard work and successful project.  What would a Pastor do if he did not have people, generous with their time, to assist in matters which would be a terrible cost to the parish.
THANK YOU ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Another Thank you!
We always try to save the Easter flowers, which grace our sanctuary during the Easter Season. The problem is that we save them and then they often sit outside, sometimes dry out, and die.  I mentioned my problem to Don and Amy Morris. They removed the Easter lilies from the wall outside the Church and planted them in back of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” white statue in front of the Church.  Our hope and prayer is that these will “bloom again” and we will have beautiful white Easter lilies sometime in the summer.  So when you come to Church sometime in August and I step into the pulpit and say “Happy Easter,” you can also say “thank you” to Don and Amy Morris for their work in saving these gorgeous plants. 

Outside the Parish
21st Annual Rummage Sale – St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Baltic is seeking donations for its annual rummage sale.  Donations of furniture, household items, clothing, etc. will be accepted through July 25th.  Please call St. Mary Rectory at 860-822-6378 to arrange for pick-up of larger items. Visit them as listed below.
GIANT RUMMAGE SALE – Thursday, July 26th – 5 to 8 P.M.  Early Bird Shopping – Admission $10.00.   Friday, July 27th – 9 AM to 7 PM  Free Admission.  Saturday, July 28th (same as Friday).
Friday, August 3rd  9 AM to 3 PM and Saturday, August 4th  9 AM to 2 PM.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is scientifically sound and fully consistent with God’s plan for marital love.  NFP enhances communication and intimacy, is easily learned, and is 99 percent effective – both for conceiving a child or for responsibly postponing conception.  A two-part NFP course will be offered at St. John Church in Old Saybrook from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 22nd.  Both married and engaged couples are welcomed.  If interested call Steve or Lisa Collison (Certified Instructors) at 860-399-8265.
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut offers grief-support groups open to anyone in the public grieving the loss of a loved one.  All groups are FREE of charge, but pre-registration is required.  Please call 848-5699 to register.
Grieving the Loss of a Spouse/Partner
Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 pm  July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7 & 14 at Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, Uncasville, CT
Seniors (60+) Grieving the Loss of a Loved One.  Thursdays, 10:30 to Noon – July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16 & 23 at East Lyme Senior Center, East Lyme, CT
Parents Grieving the Loss of a Child
1st Tuesday of each month, 6 to 7:30 pm – July 3, August 7, September 4 at Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, Uncasville, CT
Adults Grieving the Loss of a Parent
Wednesdays, 5:30 to 7 pm  July 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15 & 22 at 481 Gold Star Highway, Groton, CT

Announced Masses

Monday, July 2nd       weekday of  13th week of Ordinary Time
7:30 A.M.  Isabel Rosa  (Friend)
Tuesday, July 3rd     Saint Thomas, Apostle
7:30 A.M.  Fr. Leo Sutula   (Sr. Michelle)
Wednesday, July 4th    INDEPENDENCE DAY
7:30 A.M.  Welfare of the people in USA
Thursday, July 5th    weekday of  13th  week of Ordinary Time        
7:30 A.M.   Parishioners of OLPH
Friday, July 6th    weekday of  13th  week of Ordinary Time              
7:30 A.M.   Intention of Celebrant