Message from Father Joe

Dear Friends,

This weekend we gather around the Lord’s Table, not because we think we are better or more deserving of others, but because we know we are human and are sinners, we are sinners who need the Lord’s forgiveness. In our Gospel reading, Jesus dined with the tax collectors and sinners because he knew they needed the Lord’s compassionate forgiveness. We are welcomed to the Lord’s Banquet to nourish and fortify us for the trials and sufferings we will encounter as we go about our business.

For many of our parishioners, we are beginning our summer activities this weekend. Over the next few weeks schools will begin their summer break; young people will have graduated and will be preparing for their new challenges. Some will move to college, some will move to new high schools or middle schools.

Our summers, traditionally, have been times of rest, refurbishment and planning for new challenges. Vacation time, for some, will be a change of scenery but for others they will stay put. Yet every person must take the time to rebuild their lives. Don’t forget to worship each week regardless of where you are on this planet. Stop and visit a Church and join that community for its weekly celebration of Eucharist. You will be glad you did! Please remember your stewardship commitment to your parish. Because our work continues here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help!

Have a wonderful and refreshing summer!
God Bless you.

Father Joe 

Care Net Baby Bottles for Life 2008
Please help protect the unborn and contribute to the annual Baby Bottle Campaign to support Care Net – a pro-life pregnancy resource center.  Baby bottles are in the back of the church.  Take empty baby bottles with you on, fill them with coins, currency or check and return them on Fathers Day.

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

2008 Annual Bishop’s Appeal
“Bringing Hope To Those In Need”
We are pleased to report that, as of today, our Diocesan family has raised $2,840,033, which represents 84% of our 2008 ABA Goal of $3,400,000.  We are pleased  to report that our Parish family has responded most generously, thus far, as we have pledges totaling $39,861, which represents 99.6% of our Parish Goal for the 2008 Annual Bishop’s Appeal.  Your prayers for the success of the Annual Bishop’s Appeal and the ministries it supports are still needed, as are pledges and gifts.  If  you have not yet made your pledge, please add your gift, whatever the amount, in solidarity with those who have already given by returning your pledge envelope at your earliest convenience.  As you well know, one hundred percent of your ABA gift is used exclusively to support our shared Diocesan and Parish ministries across eastern Connecticut.  Please be as generous as your means allow.

THANK YOU              THANK YOU               THANK YOU
A special ‘thank you’ goes to all those who came to the Ladies Guild Tag Sale.  This requires a great amount of work and time and effort. Many, many people prepared by giving articles to the sale, to setting up the hall, by baking and preparing the food, by hard, unseen work.  Thank you to everyone who came to the Tag Sale and supported the work.  This is an important parish event and Father Whittel wishes to express his gratitude to the Ladies Guild for all they did and do and to all who support these annual events.
THANK YOU              THANK YOU              THANK YOU

“Bishop Cote has issued a proclamation making June, 2008, Leave a Legacy Month throughout the Diocese.  When we include a bequest to the church or a service ministry in our will, we give a gift that keeps on giving long after we are gone.  Celebrate the good fortune so many of us have enjoyed by adding to your will a bequest to the Parish or to a Diocesan ministry or to another non-profit service agency.”

June is the month set aside for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus knew and loved each of us and all of us during his earthly life, during his agony, and during his passion and death.  He gave his life for us. He has also loved us all with a divine love. The Heart of Christ is the chief sign and symbol of that love. Our divine redeemer continually loves his Father and continually loves all humanity. We rejoice in and honor that love the rest of June.

OPEN YOUR HEART TO HIS CALL TO EXPLORE A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD.

Announced Masses

Monday, June 9th     Saint Ephrem, deacon, doctor
7:30 A.M.  Newly Ordained Priests
Tuesday, June 10th   weekday of 10th week of Ordinary Time
7:30 A.M. Jane Seymour
Wednesday, June 11th  Saint Barnabas, apostle
7:30 A.M. Joseph & Josephine Walker 
                                                   (Carol & Sr. Michelle)  
Thursday, June 12th    weekday of 10th week of Ordinary Time
 7:30 A.M.  Parishioners of OLPH
 Friday, June 13th    Saint Anthony of Padua, priest & doctor
 7:30 A.M.  Intention of Celebrant