Keeping Us Connected Newsletter
October 23, 2020
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves….So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
– James 1:22, 2:17
Dear Saint Mary Parishioners,

There are so many things to present this week, that I’ll try to briefly capture each.
Bishop Caggiano Coming to St. Mary’s for 10:30 Mass on Nov. 1.
We’re blessed to have the Bishop pray with us and offer Mass on All Saints Day. As per our change last week, 10:30 AM Mass is now in the Nancy Bossidy Recreation Center. Registration for this and all Masses is still essential, which leads to the following change in registration timing.

Mass Registrations will now go live THURSDAYS @ 6:00 PM
At the most recent Pastoral Council Meeting we discussed the best time to open registration. Our practice of going live at 9:00 A.M. made it difficult for some Parishioners because of work or other responsibilities. Since most Masses fill up very quickly, it is more equitable to change that practice. Starting next week, registration will go live Thursdays at 6:00 P.M.

Children’s Chalk Rosary -- 2:00-3:00 PM, Saturday, October 24
There is still time to register for this event, a simple, but much needed safe gathering, especially for families with young children. We will pray a decade of the Rosary, have some play time, and safe treats. This event will be held in the back playground area of St. Mary’s School.

Congratulations to George Kain
This past Saturday, Parishioner George Kain was installed a Reader of the Church by Bishop Caggiano at St. Augustine Cathedral. George is a candidate for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese, and Reader is the second of three steps leading to ordination in a few years. Congratulations and continued prayers to George, wife Marilyn, and their family.
George Kain kneeling before Bishop Caggiano

Girl Scout Diaper Drive – Sunday Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Town Hall, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Girl Scout Troop 50723 is sponsoring a drive to help mothers and their babies in these times of COVID. They’re collecting diapers, pull-ups, and wipes in front of Ridgefield Town Hall for the next two Sundays – rain or shine. MORE INFO They intend to divide the items between two groups: The Malta House of Good Counsel and Sisters of Life. Due to COVID restrictions, only new items in unopened boxes can be accepted. Each group’s self-description follows:

Malta House - It is our mission to promote the dignity of God-given life by providing a nurturing home environment, support services and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths and their children. Since 1998, we have been blessed by the grateful support of many individuals, businesses and organizations whose kind generosity has helped make a significant difference in changing the course of women’s lives and their future. www.maltahouse.org
 
Sisters of Life - The mission of Sisters of Life is to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life. The Sisters serve about 1,000 pregnant women each year in person and over the phone at their Missions in Manhattan and Toronto. The Visitation Mission in Manhattan serves women experiencing crisis pregnancy and seeks to provide them with both emotional and practical resources. The Sisters of Life rely solely on donations of diapers, clothes, baby supplies, and money to run the Visitation Mission. https://sistersoflife.org/

Pope Saint John Paul II
Yesterday, October 22, was the feast day of Pope St. John Paul II. We include two brief videos to remember him, but if anyone would like to watch a wonderful full-length film on his early life, I highly recommend part I of “Karol: A Man who Became Pope.” I don’t know if it’s on Netflix or Amazon, but it can be watched here.
 
As I stated earlier, there are many good things to communicate and promote. Clearly, grace is plentiful and powerful at St. Mary’s, even in a pandemic.

Health and Blessings,
Monsignor Royal

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever. Amen.
Also in today’s Newsletter:

COMING UP...
October 24
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Preschool Virtual Open House
November 4
7:30 PM

Virtual Celebrity Breakfast
"Let Me Be Frank"
benefitting Catholic Charities
November 12 - ALL DAY
Missed or want to share our Mondays with Mary session on Our Lady of Kibeho? Click below for the presentation link.
Password: 4OurLady!
FAITH & FAMILY
All Saints Bonfire!! 
for families of 1st - 5th graders

Friday, October 30th @ 6-8pm


RSVP NOW! Space is limited.
PRAYER AND SACRAMENTS
MASS REGISTRATION

Saturday, Oct 24

Sunday, Oct 25

Mass reservations will now open Thursday at 6 PM

Mass Registration Closing Times
Saturday 4:30 PM Mass - closes Saturday at noon
Sunday Masses - close Sunday at 8 AM

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!

The 10:30 AM Sunday Mass will be livestreamed
Watch LIVE and afterwards (anytime) on our Facebook page and website
WEEKDAY MASSES
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

SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION
Tuesdays - 4:15 PM

Saturdays - 3:30 to 4:15 PM

Nancy Bossidy Rec Center (GYM)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Please remember to wear a face mask

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.
PRAYER LIST
SUPPORT & OUTREACH
YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Girl Scout Diaper Drive
for Malta House & Sisters of Life

Oct 25 and Nov 1


Babies & Moms need your help!
Are you Medicare eligible?
Ridgefield's Department of Social Services offers free counseling services.
Many thanks for your continued support of our Parish!
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