Message from the Pastor

Dear Friends,

On this beautiful 4th of July weekend, we give thanks for the freedoms we have as a people living in a democratic society. While we attempt to keep all things in balance for a good and productive life, some times we must move out beyond our comfortable existence with our family and friends and participate in the community-at-large.

As we thank God for our fortunate freedoms, we must always protect those freedoms to insure that all people will be able to live and be protected by our constitution and our government. In order to accomplish the goals of a good democratic society we must actively participate in the political process.

I have included a handout prepared by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops entitled, “The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” As the Presidential election season begins in earnest this summer, each one of us is encouraged to participate in the election process. The election process also includes the requirement to learn as much about the entire slate of candidates as possible.

This document will help us to develop a well formed conscience in order to make proper moral choices during the election process. The information will help us to recognize our positive duty to contribute to the common good and act in solidarity to do good and avoid evil consequences. As a Church, we can not recommend any particular candidate but we can study and determine their positions on critical issues facing our society and then vote accordingly.

Please read this document and discuss it with your fellow citizens. Be prepared to understand the issues and to vote to retain our participative democratic process.

Father Joe

Altar Servers Training
will begin on Thursday, July 10th
at 4:00 PM in the Church.

CRUSADE OF PRAYER has ended for the summer. It will resume Fri., September 12th.

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, June 29, 2008
$3,645.90
Monthly June $1,529.00 Energy June $1,017.00
This weekend is July Monthly Collection.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
REGISTRATION OF STUDENTS
Registration Forms for the Religious Education Program for 2008-2009 are being sent out the second week of July. We are asking that all families please fill out the enclosed registration forms and return it in the envelope provided. Please make checks payable to: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, memo: Religious Education Program.
Registration Forms must be returned by August 18, 2008.
New First Graders of registered families are asked to include them on the form. Their Baptismal Certificates are needed on the first day of class if baptized in another parish.
New families to the parish are 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!
Sister Mary Michelle

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.

Apostolate of Prayer for Priests
This week please pray for:
Sunday: Bishop Michael R. Cote
Monday: Msgr. Bronislaw A. Gadarowski, Rev. Michael Gill
Tuesday: Rev. Robert Washabaugh, Msgr. Henry N. Archambault
Wednesday: Rev. Christopher Zmuda, Rev. Robert F. Buongirno
Thurs: Rev. John d’Anjou SJ, Rev. Robert Murphy MSA
Friday: Our Holy Father
Sat: Rev. Krzystof Bogdanski SDS, Rev. Gerard R. McKeon, SJ

“Pan” Franek & Zosia and their family will be here from Muskegon, MI on Sunday, JULY 27, 2008 at 10:30 to celebrate a Polka Folk Mass., This will be a wonderful celebration and all are encouraged to attend.

Outside the Parish
Sacred Heart Learning Center at the Academy of the Holy Family is having summer school from June 30, 2008 to July 31, 2008. All ages are welcome. All subjects are offered. Call Sister Mercedes at (860) 822-8241 or (860) 822-8242. Reasonable rates for individualized instructions. Their address is 54 West Main St., Baltic, CT 06330.

Sacred Heart School – Groton is seeking former staff and students and their families to invite them to a 50th Anniversary Cook-out on July 13, 2008 (rain or shine) at 1:00 pm. RSVP 860-445-0611 (the School) or e-mail alumni@sacredheartgroton.org.

Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) Benefit Concert, Friday, July 11, 2008 at St. Bernard High School, Uncasville, CT from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM to battle the current food crisis in Jeremie, Haiti. Tickets will be sold at the Gate: Adults $10.00, Ages 12-18 $8.00, Children under 12: Free. For more information, call 860-537-1424 or e-mail Danzo29@msn.com.

YOUNG ADULTS (Age 25-40 yrs.): Are you looking for opportunities to socialize with other people who share you faith? Please pick up a registration form in the back of the church from The Office for Faith Formation for Member Registration. Go aboard the Schooner Argia while it docks in Mystic (15 Holmes Street), on Friday, September 20th, from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. Wine, cheese and other refreshments will be served as you enjoy an evening of conversation and fellowship.

22nd Annual Rummage Sale: St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Baltic will hold its 22nd Annual Rummage Sale on Thursday, July 24th from 5 to 8pm (Early Bird Shopping $10 Admission), Friday, July 25th from 9am to 7:30pm (Free Admission) and Saturday, July 26th from 9am to 2pm (Free Admission) and Friday, August 1st from 4pm to 7pm, Saturday, August 2nd from 9am to 12noon. Donation of furniture, household items, clothing, etc. will be gratefully accepted through July 20th. Please call St. Mary Rectory at (860) 822-6378 to arrange for pick-up of larger items.

MARRIED COUPLES – Give your marriage a well deserved vacation. Plan to go on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and come back with a marriage that is refreshed and full of energy! The next weekend will be July 18-20, 2008. For more information or to register contact Joe and Jane Staszowski at (860) 644-7260 or meweekend@gmail.com or visit www.wwme.org.

Spiritual Renewal Services will have a Mass of Healing & Hope at St. John Church, Old Saybrook, on Friday, July 18th at 7:00 p.m. Fr. Ray Introvigne will be the main celebrant and Mrs. Judith Hughes will lead the healing prayer. Individual prayer teams will be available after the service for each individual. For more information, please call the Spiritual Renewal Center at 887-0702.

The National Cancer Institute answers questions about cancer by providing informational materials and other resources. Visit their website www.cancer.gov or call (800) 422-6237.

Hospice Southeastern Connecticut Grief Support Group Schedule for summer, 2008.
All are free of charge. Pre-registration is required: please call 848-5699. For Dates, Day/Time and Locations please see bulletin board in the vestibule of the church.

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week for
Izydor & Jozefa Sokol
Requested by
Carol & Sister Michelle

Announced Masses
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time July 6, 2008
5:00 P.M. Joseph & Eleanor Sudol (Children)
Joseph Dymnicki (Son, Henry)
8:00 A.M. M/M William V. Struzinski (Son)
10:30 A.M. John & Victoria Zoladz
(Daughter, Millie Gula)

7:30 A.M. Rose Koniecko (Fr. Whittel)

7:30 A.M. Jan, Bronislawa & Isabel Rosa (Estate)
Wednesday, July 9th St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest,

7:30 A.M. Parishioners of OLPH

7:30 A.M. Charlene Lat (The Pritchett Family)
Friday, July 11th St. Benedict, abbot
7:30 A.M. Alberta Fidler (her children, Peggy & Ronnie)
4:30 P.M. Wedding : Kara Lynne Kill &
Robert Andrew Burns
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time July 13, 2008
5:00 P.M. Anna Potkay (Kay Savitski)
8:00 A.M. Walter Sokol (Carol & Sr. Michelle)
10:30 A.M. John & Catherine Gula (Gula Family)