Message to the Parish

Dear Friends,

On this first weekend of September we look forward to a resumption of activities for the fall season. Everything begins with our Mass of Remembrance on Thursday, September 11, 2008. There is still time to sign up to participate or to volunteer to assist with the parish supper after the Mass. The sign up sheets are in the back of the Church.

On Friday, September 12, 2008, we will resume Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations which is held each Friday of the year. Adoration and Morning Prayer will begin after the 7:30 A.M. Mass and it will conclude with Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 4:45 P.M. We would like to have a minimum of two individuals serve as adorers at all times after Morning Prayer until Evening Prayer. There is a flyer enclosed with the bulletin this week to indicate the time you wish to participate. Christ said to St. Peter and his disciples, “Can you watch one hour with me?”  Our schedule is broken down into half hour segments. Please pick a time and sign up. There is a listing of the names of our seminarians elsewhere in the bulletin.

Each week, we have been publishing the names of priests (active and retired) of our diocese and priests who are serving in our diocese. The Contemplative Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood, from Portland, Maine, publish a listing of priests that they pray for in our diocese. They request that you join them in praying for the priests each day.

Father Joe

Apostolate of Prayer for Priests
 This week please pray for:
Sunday: Bishop Michael R. Cote
Monday: Rev. Nicholas M. Mbogo, Rev. Gregory P. Galvin
Tues: Rev. Ted F. Tumicki, Rev. Eugene L. Pilatowski
Wed.:  Rev. William J. Olesik, Rev. Jacob Kayalaparambil
Thurs:  Rev. Wojciech Kowalski SDS, Rev. Paul Hebert
Friday: Rev. Raymond D. Introvigne, Rev. Zenon Smilga
Sat:   V.Rev. Gregoire J. Fluet, Rev. Mark D. O’Donnell               

Congratulations to Kyle Palmer
Kyle Palmer, who is one of our young lectors, on earning his Eagle Scout Award which was presented to him by the local scout troop of the Boy Scouts of America.  This award is earned by hard work and study and completing a special project which he designs and builds.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Religious Instructions for the School Year 2008 and 2009 will begin on September 11, 2008 at the 5:00 p.m. Liturgy.  The schedule for classes may be found on the cover of the Church Bulletin.
Registration Forms that have not been returned should be done as soon as possible.  (No registration forms on September 11th or the first class, September 22, 2008.) 

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Offertory $3,960.23
Monthly Aug. $1,713.00       Energy Aug. $1,079.00
This weekend is September Monthly Collection.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
IS THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW  YORK CITY, WASHINGTON, DC  AND PENNSYLVANIA IN 2001.  WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR IN OLPH on September 11th.  EVERYONE IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.  AS IN THE PAST, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL PARISH ACTIVITIES.  Let us know number attending the supper of hot dogs and  hamburgers, etc. in the hall following the Mass.  
                Volunteers are needed – sign-up in back of the church.

Silent No More

The Silent No More Awareness campaign is an effort to raise awareness about the physical, emotional, and spiritual pain women and men experience after Abortion. Their chief objective is to alert women and men who are silently suffering to know help is available. A rally will be conducted at the State Capitol in Hartford on Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. For more information contact Nicole Peck, jnpeck@mac.co. or 860-537-6981.

DAY OF REFLECTION/RECONCILIATION
The Parish Family Group is sponsoring a bus trip to the beautiful St. Edmund’s Retreat on Enders Island in Mystic on Saturday, October 4th, 2008. 
The bus will leave the lower church parking lot at 9:15 am and there will be light refreshments upon arrival at Enders Island.  The day includes two conferences that should interest everyone (one on “forgiving/forgiveness”
and the other on “how/why we pray”).  There will be a luncheon and time to wander the beautiful gardens and grounds of this picturesque island retreat.  Mass will be offered before returning to OLPH.  The cost is $50 which includes the bus and the day’s activities.  There are a limited number of reservations available.  Please Call Judy Strutt at 848-1386 as soon as possible.  Reservations will be on a first-paid basis.

Outside the Parish
The Office of Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Norwich is seeking individuals interested in volunteering for Prison Ministry.  There are many ways in which you can share your Gifts:  Scripture Study & Sharing; Sacramental Preparation; Prayer Groups; Religious Education; Retreat Days; Small Christian Communities; Music for Liturgies; and Visiting Inmates.  There will be training programs, “Gift of Grace” for those interested in volunteering on Sat., September 13; Sat., September 20; Sat., September 27; Sat., October 4, 2008 at Bishop Flanagan Ministry Center in Montville, CT.  Pre-Registration is required.  Parish Teams are encouraged.  If interested, please contact Sheree Antoch at (860) 848-2237, ext. 212 or prison@norwichdiocese.net.

Adoration resumes this Friday, September 12th, 2008.

     CRUSADE OF PRAYER ON
                   FRIDAYS
     7:30A.M.   Morning Mass           
     8:00A.M.  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                 followed by Morning Prayer             
     8 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

SILVER AND GOLD JUBILEE DAY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008
Inviting all couples married 25 and 50 years along with those celebrating other significant anniversaries.   Bishop Cote will celebrate a Pontifical Mass at 2:30 PM at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich.  Family and friends are also invited to attend.  Bishop Cote will share in this special day and light refreshments will be provided in the Cathedral Hall after the Mass.  Please call the Rectory 443-1875 to respond to this invitation.  The Office of Family Life can also answer any questions (860) 889-8346, ext. 284.