From the desk of Monsignor Bride
This is our third week of addressing our annual Stewardship Month which we conduct each November of the year.
In a word, Stewardship means each person (or family) doing his/her part in supporting the work of the Lord here in Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Stewardship is a program sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to assist local Churches in securing the necessary funds to support the work of the Lord. Stewardship is a multifaceted program. It is a program of Time, Talent and Treasure.  It outlines for the person of Faith, how each person can assist in doing the work of the Lord.  It helps individuals make themselves available to the various ministries and work that are necessary for the Church to do its work, accomplish its goals, and remain an active community of participating Catholics.  It is a program which came out of Vatican Council II, which called upon every member of the Church to become involved in building the Kingdom of God here. There was a time when Catholics thought that work belonged to Bishops, Priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers.  Then the Church revitalized the Diaconate so that lay men could also participate in the sacramental work of the Church as clergy. From this came extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Religious Education teachers, Finance councils etc. etc. Each person reviews his/her talents and sees how they can be put to use in a parish. Each person examines the time available to them, to see how much time they can give to the work of the Church. Treasure involves the financial support given to God through the Church.
This has been most successful here in Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  When the program was initiated in 1999 our collection ranged from $1,800, $1,900 per week to $2,500, $2,600. per week.  Now our collection can go from $3,600 to $4,100 per week. This increase is the result of our annual stewardship appeal and this is a parish where Stewardship works.
In the green flyer, I have borrowed from the Stewardship literature, a suggested giving guide when the program sets a goal of raising its income by 10%.  This is our goal this year and it is a handy reference for each person regardless of the amount one is able to give to the Church.  From a small amount of $5.00 a week up to $100.a week, the giving guide gives a suggested amount for how to increase your contribution. This shows each person a quick reference.
When every object we have to purchase rises in price year after year, it becomes crystal clear that the expenses of the Church rise, and each of us has to assist in meeting these expenses.   PLEASE HELP US ACHIEVE OUR GOAL.                                 Monsignor Bride

NO ADULT ED CLASS ON MONDAY NIGHT.
(Thanksgiving Liturgy in Church)

Lector’s Workbooks are available in the sacristy @ $15.00 per book.

Outside the Parish
Fifth Annual Christmas Fair by the Sea at St. Edmund’s Retreat, Enders Island, Mystic, CT on Saturday, November 25, 2006 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.  For further information, please call 860-536-0565 or email executiveoffices@endersisland.com

The flu season is almost here.  For information about where you can get your shot, call the American Lung Association of Connecticut’s statewide Flu Hotline toll free at 1-888-NO-TO-FLU (668-6358) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday during October, November and December.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Children’s Christmas Choir for the Sunday afternoon, (2:00 P.M.) December 17th, Christmas Musical Program in Church will meet for 3 practices after the 10:30 Mass on November 26th, December 3rd, and December 10th. If you cannot attend these practices, please call Andrea Deedy at 444-6350.

Next weekend is the Solemnity of Christ the King.  This is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The following weekend (December 2 and 3) is the First Sunday of Advent. We will have a new set of Breaking Bread hymnals, new Missalettes, we will read from Cycle C which takes us into the Gospel of Saint Luke, and Year1 for the first reading in weekday scriptures.

                                       
                 Announced Masses

Monday, November 20th    33rd   week in Ordinary Time                                                                          
7:30 A.M. John F. Cotter, Jr.   (Mother, Peggy & Family)
6:30 P.M. Parish Family Thanksgiving Mass
Tuesday,  November 21st  Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary                                                  
7:30 A.M.  Intention of Celebrant
Wednesday,  November 22nd    St. Cecilia                                                                       
7:30 A.M.   Parishioners of OLPH
Thursday,  November 23rd  Thanksgiving Day              
7:30 A.M. In gratitude to the Lord for His blessings
Friday,  November 24th    33rd   week in Ordinary Time                                                                                                                           
 7:30 A.M.  The  Faithful Departed --- Souls in Purgatory