Keeping Us Connected Newsletter
November 25, 2020
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“I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you,
praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you…"
--Philippians 1:3-4
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A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to
all of our Saint Mary Family
Thanksgiving is a holiday set deeply in the minds and hearts of Americans. We all know the story of that first Thanksgiving. But some may not know of other – even earlier Thanksgivings – than the one in Plymouth Colony in 1621. We may forget that there were earlier encounters between explorers, missionaries and Native Americans. While all these encounters had their lights and shadows, it is important to continue the act of giving thanks to God. In that vein, here are some Thanksgiving tidbits.
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The Real First Thanksgiving? The first Thanksgiving was September 8, 1565 (Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary) in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. The participants were Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles, 700 of his men, 100 civilian families and the native Timucuan Tribe. That day they celebrated the first Mass in what would become the United States. This Mass of Thanksgiving was followed by a feast of oysters and clams (provided by the Timucuans) and bean soup, bread, pork and wine from the Spanish ships.
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The Next Thanksgiving to follow, was recorded in what is now El Paso, Texas on April 30, 1598, The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord) The Spanish explorer Don Juan de Onate, declared: “In the name of the Most Holy Trinity…I take possession of this whole land in honor of Our Lord Jesus Christ, on this day of the Ascension of Our Lord ….” Franciscan Missionaries celebrated Mass in Thanksgiving for their survival, which was followed by a turkey-less feast of geese, cranes, and ducks. Then Entertainment followed with a play the Franciscans put on to honor the Native American converts.
Squanto, the Catholic! Remember learning about Squanto, the Patuxet Native who shocked the Pilgrims when he came to them speaking the King’s English? We probably also learned he was instrumental in helping them survive and encounter other natives. But we may not have learned that Squanto acquired English when years earlier he was imprisoned in Spain set free by Spanish priests who brought him into the Catholic Faith, and then sent him to England. So a native convert contributed to the Plymouth Thanksgiving. The Governor of Plymouth Colony, William Bradford, wrote that Squanto was “a special instrument sent of God for their good, beyond their expectation.” (For more on Squanto, see the video below)
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Thanksgiving is the one national holiday that’s undeniably religious in character. We take the time to thank the Lord, not just for a particular or yearly blessing, but rather for all his blessings in our lives.
Recall the technical word we use for Mass, is Eucharist (Greek: Eucharistia) meaning “Thanksgiving”. In #1360 of the Catechism, we read “The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all ‘thanksgiving.’” And it is important for we Catholics and Americans to know that receiving this great gift of Jesus himself at Mass, we are reminded to serve the neediest in the “fullness of charity.”
Passing of John Snakard
In conclusion, I would like to share with you the passing of a beloved Parishioner, John Snakard. His daughter, Ellen O’Connor, informed us that her dad passed away on November 4. John and his wife Alicia were among the original volunteers and supporters that helped found and sustain our Perpetual Adoration Chapel. It was very near and dear to their hearts. Alicia passed away in 2018 shortly after they moved from Ridgefield. While at St. Mary’s, John was involved in many Ministries beyond the Adoration Chapel. He was a Homebound Minister, Usher/Greeter, a member of our Respect Life Ministry and St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus outreach. Our sincerest love, condolences, prayers and thanksgiving go out to John and the Snakard family.
Health and many blessings,
Monsignor Royal
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever. Amen.
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Also in today’s Newsletter:
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Ordered Advent Wreath Materials?
Pick Up
After All Weekend Masses
November 28-29
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ADDED PICKUP DATE!
Drive-thru ornament pickup Sunday 11/29 from 3:00 - 4:00 pm in front of the Adoration Chapel
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St. Mary Parish
Giving Tree
Gifts are due on DECEMBER 7th!!
Thank you to all who took an ornament last weekend. We thank you again for your generosity! We have many more wishes and families that need our help.
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UPDATED DATE: December 13 |
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MASS REGISTRATION
Saturday, Nov 28
Sunday, Nov 29
Click on a Mass time above to register.
Registration opens Wed at 6 PM
If you need to cancel your reservation, please make every effort to cancel well before closing so others have an opportunity to take your spot. Thank you!
*PLEASE NOTE: The 11 AM Sunday Mass will be livestreamed
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Nancy Bossidy Rec Center (GYM)
Monday, 12:30 PM
Tuesday, 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 12:30 PM
Thursday, 5:00 PM
Friday, 12:30 PM
No Registration Needed
Please do not arrive earlier than 12:15 PM to the 12:30 PM Mass
THANKSGIVING DAY: 9 AM only - registration required and now closed
Friday, Nov 27 - 9 AM only - no registration required
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Tuesdays - 4:15 PM
Saturdays - 3:30 to 4:15 PM
Nancy Bossidy Rec Center (GYM)
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Please remember to wear a face mask
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Adoration Chapel
OPEN DAILY
10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Limited to 4 people at any one time
If the 4 places are full, a visitor must wait outside or return at another time.
Chairs and kneelers are safely distanced and the air conditioning and air circulation system works well.
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Many thanks for your continued support of our Parish! |
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Your support helps maintain our Parish facilities and bring the Eucharist and God's Word to our community - plus it helps those in need through our many ministries.
WAYS TO CONTINUE YOUR WEEKLY OFFERTORY
Online Giving is an easy way to give with a click of a button.
You may mail your offertory to the Parish office as well; mail is picked up every day. St. Mary Parish, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877
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