St. Francis Xavier Parish 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) PASTORAL TEAM Rev. Gerald Dziedzic, Pastor PapaGer621@att.net Rectory Phone: 860-799-7449 Rev. Chacko Kumplam Parochial Vicar kumplam@gmail.com Deacon Roland Miller DeaconRoland@sfxnewmilford.org SUPPORT STAFF Chris Grenier, Administrative Assistant Parish Office & Faith Formation CGrenier@sfxnewmilford.org 860-354-2202 Jocelyne Verrastro St. Francis Cemetery/Finance Office JVerrastro@sfxnewmilford.org 860-350-6753 FAITH FORMATION 860-354-5372 Jessica Higgins, Coordinator Gr. K - 5 JHiggins@sfxnewmilford.org Sue Pullen, Coordinator Gr. 6-12 Edge (Gr. 6-8), LifeTeen (Gr. 9-12) & Confirmation SPullen@sfxnewmilford.org HOLY INFANT NURSERY SCHOOL Marge Cooper, Director HolyInfant@sfxnewmilford.org 860-354-7284 Mailing Address & Office Location 1 Elm Street New Milford, CT 06776 Fax # 860-355-9485 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 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. SACRAMENTS CONFESSIONS Saturdays 4:00-4:45 p.m. BAPTISMS Call Parish Office - 860-354-2202. MARRIAGES Contact the priest 1 year in advance. MINISTRY TO THE SICK The parish clergy and Ministers of Holy Communion visit New Milford Hospital, Candlewood Valley Health & Rehab, Village Crest Center for Health & Rehab and some homebound regularly. For other specific visits, please contact the Parish Office. WELCOME We are glad you are here. If you would like to join the parish, please call the parish office.
Page Two January14, 2018 St. Francis sends a final farewell to our dearly departed: SATURDAY VIGIL - January 13 5:00 P.M. + James & Geraldine Matts Requested by Jo DeCosa Second Sunday in Or5dinary Time SUNDAY - January 14 7:30 A.M. + Marek Wisniewski Requested by Family & Friends 10:00 A.M. + Ray Plue Requested by the 10am Sunday Choir 5:00 P.M. + Dick Krosky Requested by Doreen & Adrian Gray MONDAY - No scheduled Mass TUESDAY - January 16 6:30 P.M. + Donald Nimphus Requested by Jeff & Marie Pomeroy WEDNESDAY - January 17 8:00 A.M. + Anna Chasler Requested by Bea Falk & Family THURSDAY - January 18 6:30 P.M. + Scott Rossell Requested by Bob, Adrienne & Ann Coppola FRIDAY - January 19 8:00 A.M. + Regina Mihm Requested by Daniela & John Esposito SATURDAY VIGIL - January 20 5:00 P.M. + Dorothy Coleman Requested by Betty Kraus Third Sunday in Ordinary Time SUNDAY - January 21 7:30 A.M. + George A. Lalak Requested by the Lalak Family 10:00 A.M. + Patricia Zona Requested by Adrienne Coppola 5:00 P.M. + Martha E. Lalak Requested by the Lalak Family Joseph Ploch Barbara Hyatt Mario Deluca Margaret Iacovitti Sister Rose Ann (Rose Anthony) Renna OSF The Sanctuary Lamp for the week burns in memory of Jean Bilodeau (4th anniversary) Requested by His Wife and Family ST. BLAISE - BLESSING OF THE THROATS: The Feast of St. Blaise is February 3rd. The special blessing of the throats associated with St. Blaise is due to a miracle attributed to him. We will be having the blessing the weekend of February 3rd and 4th after all the Masses. ASH WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE: Wednesday, February 14th 8:00 a.m. Mass with Ashes 4:00 p.m. Service with Ashes 6:30 p.m. Mass with Ashes STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Will take place at St. Francis Xavier every Friday during Lent following the 6:30 p.m. Mass CONFESSIONS: Will take place on Mondays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. beginning Mon.. Feb. 19th as well as Saturday from 4:00-4:45 or You may call for an appointment. The THIRD INTERNATIONAL ROSARY AND POTLUCK SUPPER will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11th following the 5:00 p.m. Mass in the St. Francis Xavier Church Hall. Please join us as we celebrate the many different cultural heritages which make up our community of Faith. Bring a dish which is representative of your culture to share with others. We will be praying an International Rosary together after our time of sharing and breaking bread. We are looking for volunteer to lead a decade in different languages. Salads, desserts and beverages will be provided. Sign up in the Church Hall after all the Masses. Any questions please call Sue defriesse at 860-355-8601.
Page Three January 14, 2018 The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield, 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield Starting Saturday, January 6th, the shop will be open on weekends only from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., weather permitting. A 30% discount will be given on selected Christmas items during this time. Regular hours will resume in March. For further information, call 860-567-1041 or email: lourdesshrinect@gmail.com The Prayer Shawl Ministry Will meet this Tuesday, January 16th at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Center (school building). Bring a friend, new members are always welcome to join. Any questions please call and ask Mrs. Jo DeCosa 860-355-0342. THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights of Columbus will be having their annual Membership Drive THIS Sun., Jan. 14th following the 7:30 am and 10:00 am Masses in the St. Francis Xavier Church Hall. For more information regarding the Knights of Columbus, please feel free to call Bill Byrd at 860-350-6263. Their next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 6th at 8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall OFFERTORY - = $4,399.00 5 ½ % CATHEDRATICUM = $242.00 5 ½ % CATHOLIC SCHOOLS = $242.00 ST. FRANCIS SHARE = $3,915.00 MONTHLY COLLECTION = $2,505.00 WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER; Samuel answered, Speak, for your servant is listening. Let us practice listening better to God and our spouse by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekends are Jan. 19-21, 2018 in South Kingstown, RI and Feb. 9-11, 2018 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call Dennis & Jane Lamondy at 860-481-3720 or visit them at https://wwmectw.org/. 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. SOCIETIES/MINISTRIES/ORGANIZATIONS Parish Pastoral Council President - Christine Zona 860-210-7892 Liturgical Ministries: Altar Servers - Peter Tagley 860-868-7821 Children s Liturgy - Jessica Higgins 860-354-5372 Eucharistic Ministers - Al Gambone 860-946-9776 Greeters - Noreen Fanella - nafanella@att.net 860-355-2625 Lectors - Barbara Mullen - 860-354-6436 Music Ministers-Doreen Gray, Tina Haddad, Christian Martirano Ushers - Herman Izzard - 860-354-0430 Prayer/Catechetical/Service Ministries: Confraternity of the Rosary-First Monday -Noon, Church Hall Knit for Life - Patty Snodgrass - 860-355-4578 Knights of Columbus - For info call Bill Byrd 860-350-6263 Lay Missionaries of Charity - Joan Kick 860-354-1323 Maintenance Ministry - Tom and Cathy Valedes 914-843-5193 Our Lady Queen of Peace Prayer Group - Thurs., 2:00 p.m. Church Hall Parish Prayer Line - Terri Lucente - 860-355-8143; Debbie McLachlan - debhmcl@gmail.com Prayer Shawl Ministry-Jo DeCosa - 860-355-0342 Pro-Life Ministry - Deacon Roland Miller - 860-355-3737 R.C.I.A. - Robert & Barbara Mullen 860-354-6436 Women s Guild - Second Tuesday of Month - 7 p.m., Church Hall Youth Ministry - Sue Pullen 860-354-5372 LIFETEEN (High School Youth) Jr. Youth Group (Gr. 6-8) Outreach Ministries: Beautification Committee - Joe Caruso 860-355-0670 Community Garden Ministry - Steve Fugardi - 203-770-4103 Mass Taxi - need a free ride to Mass? Mark Speede 860-210-0289 Martha & Mary Community Care - Chris Grenier - 860-354-2202 Meals Ministry - Chris Grenier 860-354-2202 Affiliated Groups: Recovery Anonymous - 7 pm, Thursday, 3rd FL Boy Scout Troop 66 - Darrin Thorndike 860-799-0730 Cub Scout Pack 66 - Steve Morris 203-526-6254
Page Four January 14, 2018 DONATIONS: APPLE JUICE: LIFE TEEN MASS Every Sunday 5:00 P.M. SPONSOR SATURDAY: For all second year Confirmation Students and their sponsors (parent or guardian can fill in). This is on the calendar for Sat., Jan. 20th from 1:00-6:00pm (includes the 5pm Mass) at St. Francis Xavier Church. You are required to attend this special day together sharing and preparing for your upcoming Confirmation on Sat., June 9th. Refreshments will be served. Any questions call Sue Pullen at 860-354-5372 or email her at spullen@sfxnewmilford.org Our Youth Group BINGO will be held on Sat., Jan. 20th from 1:45-3:00pm at Village Crest. Please call Sue if you wish to join. All high schoolers and a few adults are welcome to join us. We provide the prizes, but we need your help. Come and have a good time. Our LIFETEEN LIFENIGHT for grades 9-12 will be held on Sun., Jan. 21st following the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Our theme is Happy Birthday ; a celebration of LIFE. Dinner and dessert will be served, bring a friend along for the party. Parent pick up is 8:30 p.m. The next JR. YOUTH GROUP event for grades 6, 7 & 8 will be held on Sun., Jan. 28th. Detail to be announced in the next bulletin, but for now SAVE THE DATE. SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION We have received our date and it will be administered here at St. Francis Xavier Church on St., June 9th at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., without Mass. Our Celebrant is to be determined. We will be assigning the AM or PM celebration at a later date for each student. FAITH FORMATION SUBSTITUTES: If you can volunteer to help in the classroom after school and/ or evenings please contact the Faith Formation office and let us know of your availability. Thank you for taking the time to consider this vocation, God bless. The Faith Formation program is once again in need of apple juice. Large or small, all donations are greatly appreciated. You may drop off the apple juice to the Parish Center during operating hours OR you may leave them in the Church Hall. Again we thank you for your generosity to the many children of the program Faith Formation 860-354-5372 The Faith Formation office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9:00a.m. - 12:30p.m. (closed for lunch) and 1:30-5:00 p.m. We are closed on Fridays. The Faith Formation office will be closed on Mon., Jan. 15th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tues., Jan. 16th at 9:00 a.m. CLASSES FOR THIS WEEK: Tues., 1/16 3:30-5:00 p.m. Grades K-2 Wed., 1/17 3:30-5:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 Thurs., 1/18 3:30-5:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 CLASSES FOR NEXT WEEK: Sun., 1/21 11:30a.m.-1:00 p.m.. Grades K-5 Sun., 1/21 11:30a.m.-1:00 p.m. Confirm.gr. 9&10 Sun., 1/21 2:45-4:15 p.m. Grades 6-8 Sun., 1/21 2:45-4:15 p.m. Confirm. Gr. 9&10 Mon., 1/22 3:00-4:30 p.m. Confirm. Gr. 9&10 Mon., 1/22 6:30-8:00 p.m. Grades 6-8 Tues., 1/23 6:30-8:00 p.m. Grades 6-8 Wed., 1/24 6:30-8:00 p.m. Confirm. Gr. 9&10 *Thurs., 1/25 3:30-5:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 *make up for snow day on 1/4; busing as usual CHILDREN S LITURGY: Please come and join us Sunday, Jan. 14th at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. After the opening prayer all the children in grades K-5 will be invited to hear the Liturgy of the Word with adult and teen leaders in the Church Hall. The children will return to their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist after the petitions. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to hear the Gospel and its meaning in words they understand, as well as give their parents a chance to experience Mass with fewer distractions. Please call Jessica Higgins at 860-354-5372 with any questions or you may email her at jhiggins@sfxnewmilford.org FIRST COMMUNION PARENT MEETING: Will be held on Wed., Jan. 17th. A parent or guardian must attend either the 10:00 a.m. OR 5:45 p.m. meeting to be held at St. Francis Xavier Church. At this time we will go over dates, times, dress codes, ceremony details and other requirements. The THIRD final INTERGENERATIONAL RECONCILIATION PREPARATION for all student (receiving confession) AND each student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian will be held on Sun., Jan. 28th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Church. For those that missed the SECOND class the LAST and final makeup for that will be held on Sun., Jan. 28th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Church. Any questions please call Jessica Higgins or email her.
Page Five January 14, 2018 Defending Our Religious Liberty: As Dignitatis Humanae, which was adopted by the Second Vatican Council in 1965 states, religious freedom means that not only individuals, but also families, communities, and institutions enjoy the space to live out religious convictions. As parents have a fundamental right to teach their children their faith, companies should also have the right to contribute to the common good by expressing their religious practices. Ultimately, religious freedom belongs to groups as well as individuals. Let us pray that legislators who work to replace the federal health care mandate will read and be inspired by Dignitatis Humanae. Sponsored by our Knights of Columbus Every Monday night VFW Hall (Avery Road, New Milford) Doors open at 5:45 p.m. BINGO begins at 6:30 p.m. THE OFFICES OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JANUARY 15TH IN OBSER- VANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY. WE WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 16TH AT 9:00 A.M. FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Will be held at St. Francis Xavier on the odd months (January, March, May, July, September and November), following the Friday 8:00 a.m. Mass. And it will be held at Our Lady of the Lakes on the even months (February, April, June, August, October and December), following the Friday 9:00 a.m. Mass. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH FAITH FORMATION 860-354-5372 BAD WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY 2017-2018 As winter approaches, the following policy is in place for delays/cancellations of parish activities, etc. 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 affect Sunday Masses or Masses on Holy Days of Obligation. MASS will always be at the regularly scheduled time. Please use your discretion in inclement weather. For information about school closings and delays, please check our website at: OR watch your local Connecticut T.V. news stations OR like St. Francis Xavier Parish on facebook to receive notifications and cancellations OR we will send out text/emails, but the BEST way to be notified immediately is with the Parish App. If you have not signed up please do so right BEQUESTS We appreciate the thoughtfulness of parishioners who have made a bequest to St. Francis Xavier Parish. These charitable gifts build our parish endowment to help pass on our Catholic faith to future generations. WOMEN S GUILD The Women s Guild will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 14th 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. Bring a friend, new and old members are always welcome and encouraged to join. Come find out the many ways you can be involved in our Parish.