|
Please note that some browsers may not show this entire email, so you may need to click on the 'View entire message' link below to read the complete newsletter.
|
|
|
The Epistle Online
St. Paul Catholic Parish
A Franciscan Family of Faith
|
|
We hope this newsletter will be a helpful resource, providing information about our parish and sharing content on spiritual and practical matters related to our Catholic faith. The Epistle is so named as a tribute to St. Paul, our patron, whose letters to the earliest Christians still guide and inform us today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Franciscan Family of Faith
|
Peace be with you. We hope you will join our Franciscan friars this weekend as we celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi!
Transitus - Saturday, October 3rd at 6:30pm in St. Paul Church
The Transitus is a Franciscan devotion to remember the death of Saint Francis and his passing from this life to heaven. It is celebrated each year on October 3rd, the date of his death. The Transitus service will be relatively simple and is not a Mass. All are invited and are most welcome to join this prayerful celebration of St. Francis' passing from this life to eternal life. (Please wear a mask and social distance.)
Outdoor Mass - Sunday, October 4th at 12:00pm on the Parish Green
 |
| |
School Mass outside in Sept.
|
Please bring your own chairs or blankets and find a space on the grass facing the gazebo. Please remember to sign up online as we are currently still limited to 150 people outside. Please wear a mask and social distance. If the weather is inclement, Mass will be held in the church with overflow in the church hall.
Blessing of Animals - Sunday, October 4th at 2:00pm in the parking lot
Because of St. Francis' special appreciation for all of God's creation, it is traditional for a Blessing of Animals be held near the Feast of St. Francis. The Blessing of Animals will take place in the school parking lot near the playground/side entrance to the church on October 4th at 2pm.
|
|
Saint Francis of Assisi
|
The Prayer of Saint Francis
Fake News!?
This prayer is beautiful, but did you know it was NOT written by Saint Francis?
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.
Turns out you can't believe everything you read on the internet.
|
| |
What Did St. Francis REALLY Say?
|
Saint Francis The name Saint Francis of Assisi reminds most people of a cute lawn figure surrounded by birds or of a man who had a great love for animals, nature, and poetry; others may know that St Francis also founded three religious orders, had a great love for the poor, especially for lepers, and that he was a man of peace. All these noble characteristics rightly describe St. Francis but they are in no way the cause of his great sanctity. They flow from ... [more]
|
|
COVID-19 Update
|
Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan takes effect on Thursday, October 8th. At that time, the capacity limit for religious services will be 50% or 200 people, whichever is less (an increase from the current limit of 25% or 100 people), so we will have an indoor capacity of 200 people at St. Paul Church (with masks and social distancing). In addition, there will be no limit to the number of people at our outdoor events.
For weekend Masses, please continue to sign up in advance using our signup page or by calling the parish office at 860-828-0331.
Reminders:
Weekdays - no signup required:
- Daily Mass (M-F) at 7am and 5pm, Holy Hour Tuesdays 4-5pm
Weekends - please sign up* in advance:
- Vigil Mass Saturday at 4pm
- Sunday Mass at 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am and Noon
- All Masses are live streamed on our website
- 9am Mass also streams on our Facebook page
*Your sign up helps us to prepare. Should we exceed capacity in the church, we will live stream the Mass to the church hall, and then if needed, we will set up a second worship site in the school gym.
The obligation to attend Mass has been suspended through Nov. 28th and will resume on the First Weekend of Advent, November 28/29.
|
|
God Bless America
| |
During these difficult and uncertain times, the need for prayer may be the one thing on which all of us can agree. We ask you to join us in prayer, publicly or privately, for an end to the COVID-19 crisis and for peace in our country and in the world.
- Million Rosary March Join thousands of Catholics who have committed to praying the Rosary for 100 days for our nation. This effort began on August 15 and continues through December 8, with new commitments welcome at any time.
- A couple weeks ago, Deacon Don as the first part of his homily offered the following words concerning the upcoming election:
"There are no perfect candidates. In the media frenzy, bitter attacks and lies fly in both directions. Please: rise above Facebook, pundits, ads and personalities. Prayerfully look at party platforms, endorsements and track records - especially protecting human life at all its stages, true social justice, the well being of human persons - and the Gospel. Tune out the wild rhetoric and emotion, pray with an open mind, vote in good conscience. Our American Bishops' document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, is a useful resource. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth. Amen."
The USCCB invites you to watch these short videos on Faithful Citizenship:
|
| | Catholics Protect Human Life & Dignity |
|
| | Catholics Participate in Public Life |
|
| | Catholics Promote the Common Good |
|
| | Catholics Love Their Neighbors |
|
| | Faithful Citizens Work with Christ as He Builds His Kingdom |
|
|
Religious Education
| |
Our 2020-2021 Religious Education program is underway!
The first Confirmation classes of the year took place on Sunday, September 27th, and classes for Grades 1-8 begin next week on October 5th.
Visit our Religious Ed page for information about the new "Blended Learning" model, class schedules, resources and more.
Please keep all of our Religious Ed students, catechists and staff in your prayers.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Robin Veronesi and Christina Norton for all of their hard work and dedication! Educating our children in the faith is one of the most important things we do!
|
|
Saint Paul School
|
Saint Paul School will host an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 1:00-3:00pm for Pre-school to Grade 8.
Come visit with our teachers, principal, admissions director and parents. Prospective families will have the opportunity to visit classrooms and learn what Saint Paul School has to offer.
We will begin accepting applications on November 1st for the 2021-2022 academic year. For more information please visit our website or contact Kelly Esposito at 860-828-4343 x136.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep a look out for these two adorable photos. They will appear on area billboards as part of our 2021-2022 marketing campaign.
Our marketing campaign also includes our annual lawn sign challenge and a new parent testimonial video that will be shared soon on our school website and social media pages! Pictured below with the video crew from King Wolf Creative is one of our SPS parents, Aaron Hairston.
We are so proud of all of our SPS students and how well they have adjusted to the re-open plan, new desk shields and wearing their face masks. Pictured is third grade student, Kylie Fraello, working behind her desk shield on a math assignment. The mask can't hide her smile!
|
|
Adult Faith Formation
|
Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.. . [more]
- Has someone you know expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
- Do you know someone who was baptized Catholic but who never received the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation?
- Do either of these situations describe you?
St. Paul Parish offers an opportunity for all who are interested to come together in a small group to learn more about our Catholic faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of the Church and on preparing individuals for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist during the Easter season. You are invited and are most welcome to participate in the process with your questions, your insights and your faith story in a warm accepting setting. For more information, please contact Fr. Raymond at 860-828- 0332 or [email protected]. Meetings begin in October once/week in the evening. Social distancing/ face mask guidelines will be followed.
If you have yet to be confirmed but have received Baptism and First Eucharist, join us for our new Adult Confirmation Program.
It will be a six (6) week program that focuses on what we believe and also why we believe. You will learn the essentials of the Catholic Faith while also learning how important it is that we live these essentials in the right way, with as much love as we can possibly pour forth. The lessons will be dynamic and rely on witnesses and video mediums to teach the faith.
The program will be led by our Director of Youth Ministry, Dan Tome. If you are interested, please contact Dan by October 8th at [email protected]. We hope you will join us and look forward to meeting you. God bless!
- Who: Catholics who are at least 18 years old, have received Baptism and First Communion, but have yet to be confirmed.
- When: Six Thursdays, October 15 to November 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: St. Paul Parish Hall (Tentative)
- Why: To complete your Sacraments of Initiation and to strengthen and Confirm your Baptismal promises and to have the aid of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in living an adult Catholic life on the journey to life eternal. Catholics who are being asked to be a Godparent for Baptism or a Sponsor for Confirmation must themselves have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Couples marrying in the Catholic Church also should be Confirmed.
|
|
40 Days for Life
| |
40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and peaceful vigil.
 Can you spend an hour with Our Lord? Join us on Monday, October 12th for Eucharistic Adoration in St. Paul Church. Adoration will take place from 7:30am to 7:30pm. PLEASE SIGN UP for an hour (or more!) during these 12 hours of Adoration to pray for an end to abortion, for pregnant mothers and for their babies in the womb.
During the Marion Month of October, we also hope to have a daily prayerful presence at the Statue of Mary located near the Peck Street parking lot to pray for expectant mothers and their babies in the womb. PLEASE SIGN UP to spend some quiet time in prayer - pray the Rosary if you know how, or simply pray in your own words.
The Annual Respect Life Mass will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm with Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, Principal Celebrant, at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish Church, 175 Main Street Cheshire. Click here to sign up to attend.
|
|
College Care Packages
| |
It's time to send Care Packages to our College Students!
CLICK HERE to register your child(ren) to receive a care package. Please register by Oct. 21! Packages will be sent to students who are living on campus and to remote students who are living at home.
CLICK HERE to sign up to Donate and/or to Volunteer.
|
|
Social Action
| |
Please note that our Thanksgiving Food Collection sponsored by our Social Action Ministry will continue through November 7th. This collection provides Thanksgiving dinners for 30 Berlin families (in addition to approximately 120 people our Pantry assists year round). The Food Pantry is currently in need of the following Thanksgiving seasonal items: instant potatoes, yams, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pie filling & crust mixes, sugar, flour, baking mixes etc.
The Social Action Ministry will also be sponsoring our annual Angel Tree Collection! The collection will begin earlier this year and will be modified due to COVID19. More information on this will be shared soon!
|
|
October Saints and More
| |
Fr. Michael McGivney is to be beatified on October 31st.
Father Michael McGivney is a documentary that brings to life the story of one of America's most extraordinary Catholic priests. Born in Connecticut of Irish immigrant parents just a few years before the Civil War, Michael McGivney grew up at a time when millions of Catholic immigrants were struggling to overcome poverty and prejudice....[more]
----------------------------------------------------------
Trunk O' Treat? Although it will NOT be possible to host our traditional Trunk O' Treat event this year due to COVID19, discussions are underway about the possibility of hosting a drive-through event instead! It will be "tricky" but we are hoping to hold an alternative event that will be fun and safe for everyone. Stay tuned!
----------------------------------------------------------
In addition to Saint Francis of Assisi, these saints (and many others) also have feast days in October:
|
| |
St. Teresa of Avila
|
Saint Theresa of Jesus - October 15th, Patron of the sick (headache sufferers and religious)
|
| |
St. Luke
|
Saint Luke - October 18th, Patron of Physicians and Surgeons
|
|
Catholic High School?
| |
If you are considering Catholic High School for your child/children, now is the best time to schedule an in-person visit or virtual tour, attend an open house, and register for the entrance exam. Take a look to see all that these great schools have to offer. Ask about financial assistance as well... it may be more affordable than you think!
Take a quick look at these Test Results for Catholic High Schools - reported by the OEEC. Very impressive!
|
|
Family of Faith
| |
 We were so happy to see Fr. Charles last week! With Fr. Peter away in Poland, Fr. Charles came to help out for a week. He was excited see everyone and to catch up with the staff and with parishioners! He seems to be enjoying retirement and filling in at parishes in the Buffalo area.
We hope to see him again soon. We miss you Fr. Charles!
|
|
QUICK LINKS
| |
Did you know you can receive the bulletin by email each week?
Thank you for your continued support of St. Paul Parish!
Please note that the Parish Office will be closed on
Monday, October 12th for Columbus Day.
|
|
The Epistle Online
|
As always, we value you and your opinions and feedback about this newsletter!
|
"For it is in giving that we receive."
-Saint Francis of Assisi
A Ministry of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, Our Lady of the Angels Province
|
|
|
|
|
|
