Message to the Parish

Dear Friends,

Over the last few months, there has been a great deal of news about human life. Some of the news, in the form of laws, is against the principals of Natural Law and the teachings of the Catholic Church. During the last three decades, there has been a continual erosion of the sacredness of human life. Last year, a grass roots movement began in the United States and Canada called “40 Days for Life” was founded to counter act this erosion of the principles of life. The Diocese of Norwich supported this initiative developed by the laity of our diocese. This program of peaceful prayer, fasting, vigil and outreach was successful.

On Tuesday, September 23, 2008, there will be a vigil Mass to kickoff this effort of “40 Days for Life”. The peaceful prayer, vigil and outreach  will begin on September 24, 2008 and end on November 2, 2008. The focus on these forty days will be to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity with prayer fasting and peaceful activism. The major strength of the effort is its simplicity. The three components are: Prayer and fasting – inviting all faiths to join; Peaceful Vigil – standing for life through a peaceful public witness outside a local facility; and, Community outreach – taking a positive message to all areas. Each participant will be asked to sign a statement of Peace during the campaign.

I would encourage our parishioners to participate on October 15th at the clinic. The prayer and outreach can be done on that day and any other day. You can join other groups on other days if it fits your schedule. For more information contact Lisa Martin 447-3753.

Father Joe

Apostolate of Prayer for Priests
 This week please pray for:
Sunday: Our Holy Father
Monday:  Rev. Roland C. Cloutier
Tues: Rev. Tomasz Sztuber, Msgr. Robert L. Brown
Wed.:  Rev. Anthony DeMarco, Rev. Stephen S. Gulino
Thurs:  Rev. John J. O’Neill MS, Rev. Benjamin Soosaimanickam
Friday: Rev. Gregory C. Mullaney, Rev. Dennis M. Perkins
Sat:   Rev. James Thikolttathil, Rev. Joseph Koch               

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, September 7, 2008

Please pray for our Diocesan Seminarians:
Deacon Chis Schuh – 4th year Theology
Christopher Feeney – 3rd year Theology
Henry Agudelo – 2nd year Theology
Jonathan Ficara – Pre-Theology
Ian Bothur – Pre-Theology
Brain Maxwell – Pre-Theology
Michael Salerno and Andrew Sparks
Year of Discernment
Please pray for those starting  the process of discerning a call to either the diocesan priesthood or religious life.

Sixteenth Annual Mass for Firefighters/EMS Personnel, Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. with Bishop Cote as celebrant.  Assembly at Chelsea Parade for the line-up and the procession of all personnel and apparatus will begin at 3:00 p.m.  All companies, departments and personnel and their families are cordially  invited to participate.  For more information, please call Firefighter Matthew Traber (860-208-2554, Firefighter Mark Sicuso (860-886-1378) or Monsignor Brown at (860-887-9294, ext. 232).

Outside the Parish
St. John the Evangelist Church Uncasville will have their 17th Annual Fall Craft Show, October 25th from 9 am to 4pm.  Craft tables are still available.  Cost $25 per table.  For more information, please call Janet at 848-1257, evenings or weekends 848-9058.
Bible Study – Paul: “Contending for the Faith”
A four week series with a DVD presentation by Steve Ray takes  you on the road with St .Paul through Israel, Syria, Turkey, Greece and Italy, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 17th thru Oct. 8th, at 1:00 pm.  Facilitated by Nancy Delaney at the Spiritual Renewal Center in Norwich.  To register call 887-0702.

 Adoration resumed  Friday, September 12th, 2008.

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.