From the desk of Monsignor Bride
We celebrate today the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  My plan is to give the annual report of the parish today and because of this, I am going to devote this column to the scripture reading of this Sunday.  Since my homily will not be addressed to the particular readings for this day, I thought it good to present here a message the Church and the Lord sets aside for us in these particular scripture passages. 
For the past several weeks, Jesus has told the apostles twice he must suffer and die and they reacted with apropos response. Peter argued with Jesus and was told to stop tempting the Lord away from the task for which his Father had sent him. Two weeks ago, when Jesus again spoke about his suffering and death, the apostles were arguing about which among them was the greatest. They simply could not grasp the concept of suffering and death for all. Last week, the disciples got angry because some, who were NOT of their group, were casting out demons. They complained and Jesus silenced them because he stated wisely, “Do not worry! Whoever is not against us, is for us.” Position was not important. The state of one’s intention is what matters in membership in the kingdom of heaven.
Today, the question of divorce and remarriage comes to the front. The Pharisees ask, ”Can we divorce?”  Jesus sets the record straight. The question is not of division, it’s of the intention of marriage.  Men and women leave father and mother, fall in love, and commit themselves to each other and to God to create a new family, to become united in flesh and in the Spirit to reflect God to each other and to advance the kingdom of God through their marriage.  Every person is called to do the same, whatever the state in life. Marriage is not only for the couple themselves. Marriage is for each other, for the family unit created, for the love which binds the family together, for the love which the family expresses in the Church and in society. This unit is a gift of God because the family unit of the married couple and the children are a reflection of the Lord’s love for them and for each other.  From this the kingdom of God comes into being; the kingdom of God is served and made real, and witness is given by the entire unit to the presence of the Lord in our midst and in their midst.
The most important unit created by God is the marriage unit from which comes the family unit. From difference to unity, and a unity that is the fruit of the differences.
Look back to the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament and see the words of God. “The Lord God created humanity in his own image, in the image of God he created it, man and woman he created them.” (Gen 1:27) Here two lives are intertwined to bring about love, a privileged place in which God Himself is found. Thus, the image of man and woman in marriage is far away from the story of the Pharisees. Their question about divorce dirties the cleanliness of this primary vocation. Do not be lost in the negative. Rejoice in the positive.
How beautiful it is that this passage of the Gospel ends with an exultation of children, the product of married love. When Jesus says you must welcome a child and at the same time welcome the kingdom of God, it is the story of an expansive love – from man and woman to mother and father. Therein is the Kingdom of God and from it, we are all born and reborn into God’s kingdom. Let us pray for marriages and for families.
                                          Monsignor Bride
                                

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, October 1, 2006

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.

(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)

Saint Bernard High School 50th Golden Jubilee
This Sunday, October 8, 2006 – 5:00 pm Mass concelebrated by Bishop Michael Cote and Bishop Daniel Reilly and the Priests of the Diocese of Norwich, followed with a Jubilee Reception, catered by Alumni Chefs from the Class of ’80, Timothy Grills & Anne Griffin Crooks. Buffet Dinner Stations:  Ticket Price $35.  Call Ruth Kilburn in Main Office at 848-1271.  Win Toyota Corolla with $500 gasoline card.  $100 per ticket.  Ticket holder need not be present to win:  Call Sue Griffin 848-1271, ext. 143 or Ed Javor 860-608-0318. 

             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 12th at 6:30 pm.  New members always welcomed.  For information call Eileen Button at 443-8242.

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 love one.  All are free of charge.  Pre-registration is required:  please call 848-5699. 
Grieving the Loss of a Spouse/Partner  Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 pm – October 12 & 19, 2006 at L&M Hospital, Conference Room 3, New London.  ALSO  Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 pm – October 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2006 at Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, Uncasville.
Seniors (60+) Grieving the Loss of a Loved One  Thursdays, 10:30 to Noon – October 12, 19, 26 – November 2 & 9, 2006 at East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Rd., Niantic – (Telephone 739-5859)  

                                           
                  Announced Masses

Monday,  October 9TH      27th  week in Ordinary Time                         
7:30 A.M. Catherine & Alexander Tuneski ( M/M Edward Tuneski)
Tuesday,  October 10th     27th  week in Ordinary Time                    
7:30 A.M.  Sr. Mary Daniel   (OLPH Ladies Guild)
Wednesday,  October 11th   27th  week in Ordinary Time                    
7:30 A.M.   Parishioners of OLPH
Thursday,  October  12th    27th  week in Ordinary Time            
7:30 A.M.  Andrew Sanislo   (Wife, Ruth)
Friday,  October 13th   27th  week in Ordinary Time                           
 7:30 A.M.  Intention of Celebrant