From the desk of Monsignor Bride
Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.  This week the Church is at prayer, praying the ancient, traditional and beautiful Novena to the Holy Spirit.  A Novena is nine days of prayer and the Holy Spirit Novena  begins on the day after Ascension Thursday.
Day 1 – Friday after Ascension.  The Church reminds us that the only thing necessary in earthly life is ETERNAL SALVATION.  Thus, only one thing is to be feared – SIN! Because sin takes away eternal salvation. Therefore, the Spirit makes us aware of the need for good and the power of evil which we must avoid. 
Day 2 – Saturday after Ascension.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF FEAR.  This is not a human fear, afraid of the dark, etc.,  but rather a profound respect and awe of God.  We only fear offending God because he is so good and so worthy of all our love. Let us pray for this.
Day 3 – Sunday before Pentecost.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF PIETY so that each person may have a filial affection for God as our most loving Father.  It inspires us to love and respect him and respect all the things that belong to God.  How greatly our world needs this gift.
Day 4 – Monday before Pentecost.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF FORTITUDE.  Here each soul is strengthened and supported against natural fear and filled with the desire and the zeal to undertake all good things for the Lord and not to hesitate in doing good.
Day 5 – Tuesday before Pentecost.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE.  Here each person is able to evaluate created things for their true worth.  This gift enables us to find God in every aspect of life and to know and see the good that God brings about in  us and the world. In a word, we must know God.
Day 6 – Wednesday before Pentecost.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING.  This is deeper and more necessary than knowledge because it gives us the meaning of the truths of God and our Faith.  With understanding,  we appreciate and relish the truths of God and the things of God.
Day 7 – Thursday before Pentecost.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF COUNSEL.  This enables the soul to have prudence and guidance, and give assistance to others in the ways of God, enabling all to judge promptly and wisely how to find God in a godless world.
Day 8 – Friday before Pentecost.  Today the Church prays for the GIFT OF WISDOM.  This gift embodies all. Wisdom encompasses knowledge, understanding, and counsel and then produces a fullness of truth in the things seen and unseen. The follower of the Lord is the person who cultivates wisdom so that there will be conformity to the ways of the Lord, never seen, but understood as coming from Him who made us, loves us, and redeems us.
Day 9 – Saturday before Pentecost. Today the Church prays for the FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT so that each one is open to the fullness of the Spirit, letting the Spirit guide and perfect us so that God is known and seen in each one’s actions and for the common good of all.
COME HOLY SPIRIT !                                                       Monsignor Bride
The Parish Council will NOT meet this Tuesday night, May 22nd, because of the Diaconate Ordination in Willimantic at 7:00 P.M.   This cancelled meeting will be rescheduled in order to prepare for the Fall agenda of the Council.

PENTECOst  - WEAR SOMETHING RED !
Next Weekend,  we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost.  This is the Birthday of the Church, the anniversary of God the Father and God the Son sending the Holy Spirit into the Apostles, into the early Church and thus, into the world so that we might give testimony to the Lord, Jesus Christ.
WEAR SOMETHING RED NEXT WEEKEND TO MASS TO CELEBRATE THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN EACH ONE OF US.
WEAR SOMETHING RED
NEXT WEEKEND.

2007 Annual Bishop’s Appeal
“The gift you have been given, give as a gift”
If you have not made a gift or a pledge to the 2007 Annual Bishop’s Appeal, please make one 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. 
We need your help to make our parish goal which is, as of yet, far removed. Thank you.

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

      COLLECTIONS – Sunday, May 13, 2007
             Offertory $ 6,264.20
Monthly $ 1,465.00    Energy (May)$ 45.00

PLEASE MAKE A PLEDGE TO THE
2007 ABA,
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO!

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.
Important Dates
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Ordination  as Deacons 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.)

Announced Masses

Monday, May 21st    Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.    Novena of Masses for Mothers
Tuesday, May 22nd   Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.  Intention of the Celebrant
Wednesday 23rd     Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.  Sister M. Concepta   (Family)
Thursday May 24th   Easter Weekday        
7:30 A.M.  Novena of Masses for Mothers
Friday, May 25th   Easter Weekday 
7:30 A.M.   Parishioners of OLPH