Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

From the desk of Monsignor Bride
This Sunday we celebrate Mothers’ Day. This is a national observance, in which our country pauses from its usual routine and celebrates and honors our Mothers.
Mothers are a gift from God. Only God in heaven could have created such an entity as the Person of a Mother. Here, in the womb of every mother, human life is conceived and nurtured for 9 months and a new life comes into being. Flesh from Flesh and then in the Sacrament of Baptism –Divine life from Divine Life.
I write this column in honor of all mothers, for the mothers who have given birth to babies they have never seen because they were unable to bring them up. But they gave birth. Loving and caring mothers adopted them because they could not have children of their own. Both mothers are angels in our world.
This is for all the mothers who knew their children were going to be handicapped or physically disabled and still brought them into this world and loved them, because they knew God had given them these angels. This takes deep faith and much support from husbands, family and friends. But it is the mother who bore the heavy burden and these wonderful angels in our society are the backbone and strength of what we call family life.
Many mothers are heroes in the little things they do (which in reality are big things). This is for the Mothers who teach their children their prayers; who dress them on Sundays and bring them to Church, who drive them to CCD classes, who teach them about God and make sure they know and understand what religion is all about. There is no greater responsibility for a Mother than to insure their children know God and practice religion. A former first lady once said, “If you fail as a Mother, nothing else matters.” Teaching a child about God is the most important thing a mother does. I feel so sorry for those who do not do this, because their reward will not be great in heaven.
This is for all the mothers who read “Goodnight stories” to their little ones and then read it “just one more time”. This is for the mothers who teach their children how to tie shoes, put on their winter jackets and find missing gloves when the winter is strong.
This is for the mothers who answer those difficult questions: Why did Jeff’s mother have to die? Or why did Grandma get so sick? Or where is Heaven? Or why can’t we get new bikes? Or who says we have to go to Church?
I know the answer. The answer is “MOTHERS”. Where did they come from? God gave them to us. Didn’t you know that? They are God’s special ambassadors who teach us what he wants us to know. That’s why we have Mothers and that is why we have Mothers’ Day.
Monsignor Bride

Ascension Thursday is this week. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. All Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on each Holy Day. Masses on Ascension Thursday are:
7:30 A.M. in the morning
6:00 P.M. in the evening.

2007 Annual Bishop’s Appeal
“The gift you have been given, give as a gift”
If you have not yet had the opportunity, please return a pledge envelope with your response today. Please assist the works of Vocations, Catholic Charities, Pastoral Care, Family Life and all the other services implemented by our Diocese. Each gift is important to the mission of our Diocese; it takes many people to form the Body of Christ. Every gift is important to the success of this Appeal. Thank you.

Easter water is available in the front of the Church in our beautiful crystal bowl. Stop there and take some Easter water to your home. Renew your home supply of Holy Water. You will need it when you least expect. Every Catholic should have holy water in his/her home. This is the time to secure it. (a container is also available outside the door of the sacristy.)

CRUSADE OF PRAYER ON fRIDAYS
                7:30A.M.   Morning Mass
8:00A.M. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                 followed by Morning Prayer
8:15 A.M. to 4:45 P.M. Individual Adoration and
                  Praying for Vocations all day in Church
4:45 P.M.   Evening Prayer /Benediction/Closing

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our Religious Education Program has been completed for the school year of 2006-2007. Sincere thanks to Mrs. Melody Costello, Mr. Kevin Burke, Mr. Chris Schuh, Mrs. Mary Grace Dougherty, Mrs. Michelle Roscover and Mrs. Elaine Schleicher for their dedication in instructing our children so faithfully through the course of the year. Your weekly sacrifice is greatly appreciated by your parish family.
Thank you to all the parents who have been so faithful in making Religious Instructions a priority in your children’s life. Because of your Christian principles, your children are following your example of making Christ a real presence in their daily lives.
God bless all for making our Religious Education Program one blessed by dedicated service and love.
Monsignor Thomas R. Bride
Sister Mary Michelle Sokol

Scripture Study in the Morning
Ann Megan wishes to begin a study of scripture one day a week in the morning for women. If interested, telephone Ann at 447-3488.

Saint Bernard School is inviting parents to come at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23rd, in the school auditorium for a presentation entitled, “myspace.com: a place for friends… or a tool for predators?” Lieutenant Bill McKenna and Mr. Richard Batt for the Family Services Unit of Middletown police with Dr. Robert Polselli from the Middletown Board of Education and Technology Coordinator will present the program free of charge. Topics: Dangers of blogs, chat rooms, etc., How to monitor your child’s use of the internet, How to protect your child from becoming a victim.

Ladies Guild Tag Sale
is Saturday, June 16th, 2007. Items for the sale may be brought to the hall anytime after Monday, May 7th. Bring to side door and leave in hall.

Ladies Guild Installation Mass and Supper is THIS Tuesday, May 15th. Mass is at 5:00 PM in Church with supper following.
UPCOMING DATES

Tuesday, May 15th Ladies Guild Installation Mass at 5:00 P.M. and Dinner following..
Thursday, May 17th Ascension Thursday - A Holy Day of Obligation.! Masses here at 7:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Ordination to the Diaconate for Tomasz Albrecht, Richard Breton, and Gregory Jednaki at 7:00 P.M., Saint Joseph Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic. All parishioners are invited.
Sunday, May 27th   Pentecost Sunday!   10:30 Mass is for the Holy Ghost Society of New London.
Monday, May 28th Memorial Day   Mass in Saint Mary Cemetery celebrated by Bishop Cote. 10:00 A.M.
Sunday, June 3rd Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity!   Monsignor Bride’s Annual Retreat begins today in San Alfonso Retreat House, New Jersey. Monsignor will return to Rectory on Sunday, June 10th.
Saturday, June 16th   Ladies Guild Tag Sale and Bread Sale in our Hall. (Bring items for Sale to the Hall anytime now.)

Sixth Sunday of Easter   (Mothers’ Day)    May 13, 2007
9:00 A.M. Memorial Mass for Henry Malinowsky
5:00 P.M.   Kitlinski & Pongetti Families
                          (Deacon Ron & Donna Kitlinski)
Duane Perkins   (Gladys Longo & Family)
8:00 A.M. Novena for Mothers
10:30 A.M. Peter John George (Wife, Mary)

Monday, May 14th    Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M. Novena for Mothers’ Day
Tuesday, May 15th   Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M. Novena for Mothers’ Day
5:00 P.M. Ladies Guild Installation Mass
Wednesday, May 16th   Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M. Novena for Mothers’ Day
Thursday, May 17th    ASCENSION OF THE LORD
7:30 A.M.   Novena for Mothers’ Day
6:00 P.M.     Parishioners of OLPH
Friday, May 18th Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M. Novena for Mothers’ Day

Seventh Sunday of Easter                            May 20, 2007
5:00 P.M.   Clara Montesi    (Daughter, Vera)
8:00 A.M. Sisters of St. Joseph, T.O.S.F.
                           Living & Deceased   (Sr. Michelle)
10:30 A.M. Novena for Mothers’ Day