St. Francis Xavier Parish New Milford, CT March 6, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Lent Saint of the Month: St. Matthew the Apostle 26 CHESTNUT LAND ROAD NEW MILFORD, CT 06776 860-354-2202 Web Site: www.sfxnewmilford.org Email: sfxparish@sfxnewmilford.org Office Hours: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Mon. - Thurs. (Closed on Friday) MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at 7:30, 10:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. (Life Teen) Wednesday, Friday at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 7:30 a.m.
Page Two March 6, 2016 SATURDAY VIGIL - March 5 5:00 P.M. +Helen & Blanche Babiyan Req. by Dorothy DeCosa Fourth Sunday of Lent SUNDAY - March 6 7:30 A.M. For Susanna Martin Req. by The Dwyer Family 10:00 A.M. +Edward and Grace Martini Req. by Tom & Cathy Valedes 5:00 P.M. For The People of St. Francis Xavier & The Immaculate Conception Province MONDAY March 7 7:30 A.M. +James Kessler Req. by Rose Markstaller TUESDAY - March 8 7:30 A.M. +Juana Rosillo Req. by Her Daughter WEDNESDAY - March 9 6:30 P.M. +Francisco Rosillo Req. by His Niece THURSDAY - March 10 7:30 A.M. +Martha E. Lalak Req. by The Lalak Family FRIDAY - March 11 6:30 P.M. +Charles Benson Req. by John & Diane Kuck & Suzie Williams SATURDAY - March 12 7:30 A.M. For the living and deceased members of the Shugrue and Brennan Families Req. by Dan & Judy Shugrue VIGIL 5:00 P.M. +Deceased members of the Kearns and Tougas Families Req. by Bob & Diane Kearns Fifth Sunday of Lent SUNDAY - March 13 7:30 A.M. For The People of St. Francis Xavier & The Immaculate Conception Province 10:00 A.M. +Jack McPartland Req. by His Family 5:00 P.M. +Santo Lipari Req. by The Esposito Family St. Francis sends a final farewell to our dearly departed: Vincent Ives, Sr. HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING TO BEGIN Is this your time to do something special? New Milford VNA and Hospice will be holding its Annual Hospice Volunteer Training Program beginning Tuesday, March 29th. Training will be held five consecutive Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8 pm. Trained volunteers are needed to provide various supportive services for terminally ill patients and their families. Those services may include errands, family respite, patient support, transportation, paperwork, child care, bereavement programs and more. Advance registration for this training is required. Please contact Nancy Cronin, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, at New Milford VNA and Hospice by phone (860) 354-2216 or email ncronin@newmilfordvna.org for further information. The Confraternity of the Rosary will hold their next meeting on Monday, March 7 at 12 noon in the Church Hall. Guest speaker will be Angela Dimmitt from the Connecticut Ornithological Association. The Connecticut Ornithological Association is the only statewide organization devoted to birds and birding in Connecticut. Since its founding in 1981, its membership has grown to well over 500 people who range from beginning birders to professional ornithologists. New members are welcome to attend this informative presentation. Come join the Women's Guild to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by wearing green to our meeting on Tuesday, March 8th at 7PM in the Church Hall. We'll be eating a few jelly beans too! All women of the parish are invited for coffee & cake & the fellowship of a little time out. Please join us. For more information, call Ellen Cote 860-354-5883 or ebcote@yahoo.com Delicious Challah Bread on sale! Easter Weekend, March 26 & 27 Life Teen is once again sponsoring the sale of "Resurrection Bread" this Easter Weekend after the Masses to benefit our Steubenville Retreat fund. This bread makes wonderful French toast, and makes a lovely gift if you are visiting family or friends to celebrate Easter. ($7.00 per loaf.)
Page Three March 6, 2016 Monday, March 21 Confessions 6:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 Confessions 5:00 6:00 p.m. Holy Thursday, March 24 9:00 a.m. - Morning Prayer 7:00 p.m. Liturgy of Our Lord s Supper Good Friday, March 25 9:00 a.m. - Morning Prayer 12 noon - Faith Walk on the Green 3:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m. - Liturgy of Our Lord s Passion Holy Saturday, March 26 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer 8:00 p.m. - Easter Vigil Mass Easter Sunday, March 27 Masses 7:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. (There is NO 5:00 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday.) A Spring Healing Service will be held on Monday, April 4th, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, 138 Candlewood Lake Road, Brookfield. Fr. Larry Carew will celebrate the mass that begins at 7:30 pm. Since Religious Education classes will be in session, please use the Church entrance from the first parking lot. No one will be allowed in the Narthex unattended until children are dismissed to their parents at 7:20 pm. ITEMS FOR THE MISSIONS: If you have any of the following items: rosaries, prayer cards, medals, small religious books, Bibles, etc, to send to the missions, please contact Judy at 860-354-7254. OFFERTORY February 28 = $7,035.00 5 ½ % CATHEDRATICUM = $387.00 5 ½ % CATHOLIC SCHOOLS = $387.00 ST. FRANCIS SHARE = $6,261.00 You Can Change the Life of a Teen Dear Parishioners: The Steubenville Retreat is an amazing opportunity for a teen to grow in faith and encounter God in a large community of teens celebrating their Catholic Faith. There are professional speakers and several opportunities to receive God s love in the Sacraments and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Please pray about financially supporting our group that is traveling to UMass Lowell to attend this Retreat in July. We are sending approximately 30 teens this year and we are looking for support to offset the cost of the bus and retreat. The total cost for one teen is $325 this year. God Bless you for all the many ways you have supported our endeavors already. We have several fund raising activities planned in the coming months, but we ll need additional funds to meet our goal. A donation in any amount to the Steubenville Retreat Fund is greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to St. Francis and write Steubenville on the memo line. You can put your donations in the collection basket or mail them to the Parish Office, 1 Elm Street, New Milford, CT 06776. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Divorce and Beyond Support Group Spring Session Our Lady of Loreto Church Hall, Waterbury CT Beginning Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. (Deadline to Register: March 8) Contact Barbara: 203-910-1561 Archbishop s Annual Appeal 2016 This weekend marks the start of the 2016 Appeal in our parish. If you haven t already, you will receive a letter from Archbishop Blair seeking your support. Together we can change the lives of thousands. The Good Works of the Church in social services, healthcare, and pastoral services are exciting, challenging and fulfilling. Through the generosity of individuals in our community, we helped provide more than 8,500 clients with mental health counseling, 140,000 meals to the hungry, 39,000 free patient visits to those without healthcare, hundreds of families were kept from homelessness through the Emergency Assistance Fund, and more than 240 local organizations are supported annually through the Vicariate Outreach Program. These are some examples of how your gift to the Archbishop s Annual Appeal is used. Please respond generously.
Page Four March 6, 2016 LIFE TEEN MASS Every Sunday 5:00 P.M. What is Life Teen?? What is a Life Night?? Life Teen is a Catholic movement for teens to grow closer to Christ and experience the love of God in a Faith filled community. ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME!! Life Nights are gatherings of teens and a group of adults called Core Team that spend time having fun, eating dinner, hanging out, being involved in service to others, having socials and praying all while growing in Faith. It is a safe place to make friends that have similar values and grow in holiness. Sometimes we all need a place to discuss and share what is going on in our lives, the world and receive the grace to figure out what God is calling us to do. No peer pressure to be involved in things that aren t healthy for your body and soul. There are also leadership opportunities if you choose. All Life Nights begin with Sunday 5 pm Mass. We also include dinner following Mass. Parent pick up is no later than 8:30 pm unless it is a movie night. We also have a group on Facebook to let you know what is going on!! Our next Life Night will be held Sun., Mar. 6 th and our theme will be a Special Lenten Experience. Any questions please call Sue Pullen at 860-354- 5372 or email spullen@sfxnewmilford.org REMINDER: The Confirmation ceremony will be held on Sat., MAY 14 th at 10am and 1pm. Come to JR. YOUTH GROUP!! Our next event the GLOW PARTY will take place on Sat., Mar. 12 th at the Church following the 5pm Mass. Please join us for Mass and then stay for the party; it will include pizza and games. Parent pick up is at 8:30pm. Bring a friend, all 6 th, 7 th & 8 th graders are welcome. Please bring a snack to share. Help us also plan our next big project! You may reach Sue Pullen at spullen@sfxnewmilford.org or 860-354-5372. GRADE 8 SPECIAL REQUIRED PROGRAM: will be held on Thurs., Mar. 31 st at the Church with our presenter, Mary Ronan from 7:00-9:00pm. Mandatory to attend with a parent or guardian. A letter has been sent out with further details. Faith Formation 860-354-5372 Classes THIS week: Sun., Mar. 6 th grades K-5 11:30am-1:00pm Sun., Mar. 6 th confirmation year 1 11:30am-1:00pm Sun., Mar. 6 th grades 6-8 2:45-4:15pm Sun., Mar. 6 th confirmation year 2 2:45-4:15pm Mon., Mar. 7 th grades 6-8 6:30-8:00pm Tues., Mar.8 th NES grades 1&2 3:30-5:00pm Tues., Mar. 8 th grades 6-8 6:30-8:00pm Wed., Mar. 9 th confirmation year 1&2 6:30-8:00pm Thurs., Mar. 10 th SNIS grades 3-5 3:30-5:00pm Classes NEXT week: Wed., Mar. 16 th SNIS grades 3-5 3:30-5:00pm FIRST COMMUNION RETREAT: will take place on Sat., Mar. 12 th from 8:45am-1:00pm at the Church (reconciliation will take place beginning at 12 noon, parents are requested to come back and join us). Please bring a wallet sized photo with you for our banner project. Arrive promptly so we can begin on time. Snack will be served, if you would like you may donate apple juice and nut free cookies, crackers or pretzels. Attention: We are in need of APPLE JUICE for our Faith Formation Program. Please drop off donations at the Parish Center or the Church Hall. BAD WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY 2015-2016: as winter approaches, the following policy is in place for delays/cancellations of parish activities: If school is cancelled, all parish functions are cancelled except MASS. For grades K-10, each class will be allowed one snow day for the year. The lesson missed in classes K-8 are to be completed at home. We will notify you if it becomes necessary to makeup additional snow days. If school is delayed, (e.g. delayed 90 minutes), afternoon functions such as Faith Formation classes, evening meetings/events will still take place at their regular time. This policy does not effect Sunday Masses or Masses on Holy Days of Obligation. MASS will always be at the regularly scheduled time. Please us your discretion in inclement weather. For information about school closing and delays, please check our website at www.sfxnewmilford.org or watch your local Connecticut T.V. news stations. Like St. Francis Xavier Parish on Facebook to receive notifications and cancellations.
Page Five March 6, 2016 Defending Our Religious Liberty After promising that the Little Sisters religious beliefs would be protected, the government created a new regulation requiring the Little Sisters to change their healthcare plan to offer services that violate Catholic teaching. But 1 in 3 Americans do not have a plan that is subject to the mandate HHS is fighting so hard to force the Little Sisters of the Poor to follow. Exxon, Chevron, and Pepsi -- as well as other large corporations -- are exempt from the mandate, because they never changed their plans and are grandfathered. And the government is not even requiring our own US military to provide these services through their family insurance. The government is arguing that since it has offered to reimburse the costs of the services it wants the Little Sisters to provide, they should have no moral objection to offering them. The Little Sisters are saying this is not about money, but conscience, and whether they should be forced to change their healthcare plan to offer services they have a moral objection to when those services could be provided more effectively through the government s healthcare exchange. If you haven t done so already, please voice your opposition to the federal health care mandate by calling U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell at 202-205-5445, and your elected representatives. Let them know that the mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right to religious freedom. If you haven t done so already, please voice your opposition to the federal health care mandate by calling U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell at 202-205-5445, and your elected representatives. Let them know that the mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right to religious freedom. St. Francis Xavier Scholarship Fund We have begun to build up our Scholarship Fund this year through your very generous donations. The opportunity to help a teen achieve their goal of furthering their education with the aid of this tax deductible fund is still available. Anyone who would like to support our young parishioners as they begin their college career or technical school is welcome to contribute to the St. Francis Xavier Scholarship Fund. Your checks may be mailed to the Parish Center at 1 Elm Street made payable to St. Francis Xavier Church with Scholarship Fund in the memo. Scholarships are awarded in June to graduating seniors who are continuing their education. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office. Thank you in advance. Parking Lot Re-Paving Pledge Drive Our parish pledge drive is well underway for the re-paving of our church parking lot. We deeply appreciate the tremendous support from those who have already responded. As you have heard at Mass, we have a pressing need to repave the Church parking lot. The current lot is several decades old and patching it is no longer an option. We all share in the ownership of our parish, and as such, we are asking for your help with the considerable cost of repaving the Church parking lot. We have set a goal of raising $50,000.00 over the next six months through pledges from parishioners. We ask you to prayerfully consider your family s financial situation to contribute in a manner that is appropriate for your family. Each member of our parish family is integral to the success of this critical fundraising endeavor. We turn to you, our parish family, because your special generosity is needed. Please give consideration toward making a generous pledge or one-time donation to this vital effort. All contributions from the smallest to the largest will be gratefully appreciated. We ask you to join together as we move forward in faith pledging to maintain our church property honoring this sacred house of God. Thank you to the 131 families who have responded pledging a total of $36,713.00. Every donation gets us closer to our goal of $50,000 for this project. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name: Address: Phone: Amount of Pledge: $ Down Payment: $ Balance: $ I wish to pay the balance over a 6 month period as follows: Weekly $ Monthly $ Other $ Please make checks payable to St Francis Xavier Church with Parking Lot in the memo.