From the desk of Monsignor Bride
On Monday morning (October 9, 2006) news came across the wire services that North Korea had performed its first nuclear weapons test.  My mind immediately went back to 1983 and the publication of the American Bishops’ Pastoral letter:”The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response.”
This letter was written because of the explosion of nuclear weapons across this good earth. The Bishops stated there, “that Nuclear war threatens the existence of our planet; this is a more menacing threat than any the world has known. It is neither tolerable nor necessary that human being live under this threat.”
“Indeed, if the kind of weapons now stocked in the arsenals of the great powers were to be employed to the fullest, the result would be the almost complete reciprocal slaughter of one side by the other, not to speak of the widespread devastation that would follow in the world and the deadly after-effects resulting from the use of such weapons.”
“As indicated in a statement from the Holy See to the United Nations in 1976, the arms race is to be condemned as a danger, an act of aggression against the poor and a folly which does not provide the security it promises.”
In that letter the Bishops stated that one of the greatest dangers facing the world was the expansion of possession of nuclear weapons by bogus small states that feel they are outside the realm or boundary of the international agreements of the major powers on disarmament.  Since 1976, we have seen a broad based process of elimination of nuclear weapons by the super powers. The existence of multiple weapons pointed at one another –from east to west – has been nearly eliminated. Russia and the United States have  lead the way in the reduction of these weapons of mass destruction because they have seen the futility and terrible consequences which rise from the “possession” of these, as well as the danger possibility of accidentally firing and subsequent destruction from that firing of these weapons of mass destruction.
However, since that time the securing of these weapons by bogus states and bogus leaders has grown. These minor states see themselves outside the realm of international agreements. These countries and their leaders see the possession of these weapons of mass destruction has powerful instruments which enhance their power, prestige and ability to do what they want without confinement in the international community. They exist outside that realm and thus, become dangerous and a threat to the peacefulness of their neighbors and surrounding people.
The bishops’ letter stated, ”the arms race is to be condemned as a danger, an act of aggression against the poor and a folly which does not provide the security it promises.”
“We are now entering an era of new global interdependence requiring global systems of governance to manage the resulting conflicts and ensure our common security…Either we learn to resolve these problems together or we shall destroy one another.”
“The possession of nuclear weapons means we are the first generation since Genesis with the power to virtually destroy God’s creation. We cannot remain silent in the face of such danger.”  Korea has committed a grave and terrible deed.Monsignor Bride

Can you bake?
Please bake something special for the Food Table at the Bazaar. This is always a special booth during the Christmas Fair.  Everyone loves homemade goods. Please bake something and drop it off in the hall on Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning.

Banns of Matrimony:
First Time:  Brian David Ziolkovski and
                      Jennifer Merle Bysko

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, October 8, 2006

(Mid –October   2007)
Next Fall, in October of 2007, Our Parish Pilgrimage will travel to Paris with a visit to Notre Dame, Saint Vincent dePaul, St. Catherine Laboure, St. Theresa of Lisieux.   Travel to Chartres Cathedral, the eastern wine Country of France, the City and Cathedral of Tours (France),  Pau where we will stay for our visit to Lourdes (a trip highlight), then to Avignon and the former palace of the popes, to Paray le Monial and Saint Margaret Mary (Chapel of the Apparitions of the Sacred Heart) and then to Ars and Saint John Marie Vianney’s Church, his body and the Basilica, to Lyon and back to parish and Home.
Set aside mid October - 2007(10 days NOW)

         CRUSADE OF PRAYER
On Friday, September 15, 2006, we resumed our Crusade of Prayer for Vocations where we adore the Lord and pray for vocations to the priesthood and Religious Life. Please join this powerhouse of prayer to the Lord. We need additional members in the early hours of the afternoon.
Choir rehearsal Thursday, October 19th at 6:30 pm.  New members always welcomed.  For information call Eileen Button at 443-8242.

MARRIED COUPLES – The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend centers entirely on your relationship.  It is a positive, simple common sense, private experience between you and your spouse, that revitalizes marriage by helping you to see again those loving qualities in each other that you may be taking for granted.  The next weekend will be November 3-5, 2006.  For more information or to register call John & Bev Maley at 203-364-0836 or bikmaley@aol.com.

Outside the Parish
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 Southern Connecticut is actively recruiting for Volunteers. Call 848-5699 with any questions or visit their website at www.hospicesect.org.
A Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held in Litchfield, CT, November 3-5, 2006.  For more information, call Mary at (203) 882-1326 or email her at mmhdfc@sbcglobal.net or call the national toll=free hotline at 1-877-HOPE-4-ME.
Hospice Southeastern Connecticut offers grief-support groups open to anyone in the public grieving the loss of a loved one.  All are free of charge.  Pre-registration is required:  please call 848-5699. 
Grieving the Loss of a Spouse/Partner  Thursday, 6 to 7:30 pm – October 19, 2006 at L&M Hospital, Conference Room 3, New London.  ALSO  Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 pm – October 17, 24 & 31, 2006 at Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, Uncasville.
Seniors (60+) Grieving the Loss of a Loved One  Thursdays, 10:30 to Noon – October  19, 26 – November 2 & 9, 2006 at East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Rd., Niantic – (Telephone 739-5859)  

                                           
                  Announced Masses

Monday,  October 16TH      28th  week in Ordinary Time                         
7:30 A.M. Sr. Mary Concepta  (Family)
Tuesday,  October 17th     St. Ignatius of Antioch                    
7:30 A.M.  Intention of Celebrant
Wednesday,  October 18th   St. Luke, the Evangelist                    
7:30 A.M.   Rizalina Macapagal    (The Pritchett Family)
Thursday,  October  19th    28th  week in Ordinary Time            
7:30 A.M.  Philip B. & Frances E. Pasquale  (Estate)
Friday,  October 20th   St. Paul of the Cross                           
 7:30 A.M.  Peter Millaras  (OLPH Rosary Group)