St Anthony Church Newsletter |
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In this week's Gospel, Jesus reminds Peter and us that it isn’t only his journey. Jesus tells us exactly what is expected of anyone who is going to continue to journey with him: we must deny our own preferences and agendas and imitate him.
These are hard words, but their meaning is unmistakable.
We aren’t traveling alone. We aren’t being asked to forge a new path to God because that work has been done by the one whom we follow and who reminds us by his own life that the darkness of Good Friday is followed by the bright light of Easter morning.
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Join us September 4th for First Friday Mass at 12:15 pm followed by Adoration for 1 hour. |
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The 11:15 Mass will continue to be live-streamed for the time being.
Therefore St Anthony Church will broadcast on Facebook LIVE Sundays at 11:15 am .
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In light of continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state of Connecticut and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair has now extended this dispensation from the Sunday obligation through Saturday, November 28, 2020, which is the last day of the current liturgical year. |
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Faith Formation 20/21 is going to happen!
We are in the process of setting up a plan in accordance with Archdiocese guidelines, released to us in August, to resume classes while keeping everyone safe!
All who were registered in our program last year will be notified as soon as a plan is in place. If you are new to our program or parish, please contact our Faith Formation Director, Andrea Brown , or 203-758-4848, ext 19. for information.
If wanting to join our parish family, we require proof of all sacraments made outside of Saint Anthony Church. To participate in our Faith Formation program, families are required to be registered in our parish. Registration forms can be downloaded on our website . Thank you for your continued support and positive attitude as we strive to follow the guidelines from The Archdiocese.
God's blessings! Andrea
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A reminder for our grade 11 Confirmation students! Your completed paperwork is due by Monday September 14th to the Faith Formation office.
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Volunteers Needed for Usher Ministry
With a slow but steady increase in attendance at the weekend Masses we are looking to bolster the number of ushers we have. It is important for us to have volunteers available before Mass to help parishioners find safe seating and to answer any questions about our precautions during Mass. Ushers are asked to arrive at church about 20 minutes before the start of Mass to help set up and to be there as parishioners arrive. We also ask ushers to stay for a few minutes after Mass to take care of the collection and see that parishioners exit church safely. Orientation for all the procedures will be provided.
The Usher Ministry is open to all parishioners over the age of 18. If you would be willing to donate your time and talents please email David Byrne or call 203-758-4056 ext 17.
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In Lieu of Flowers
Often times when someone passes away, in lieu of flowers, they ask that donations be made to a specific nonprofit. We have been fortunate over the years to have our scholarship account funded, Hope Ministry, and most recently the refurbishing of the church hall.
All donations are appreciated and both the donor and the family receive a letter of acknowledgment. Just this month donations totaled over $1,000.00 for the church hall. This family used our hall for the last several years for their annual Christmas gathering so knew first hand of the condition and its need of repair. Thank you to those who honor their loved ones in this way.
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Guidelines for Attending Mass
While some might feel these guidelines are stringent, it is important that guidelines are followed, that we respect all parishioners and be sure that everyone feels comfortable attending Mass.
- Please bring a face mask to wear, as it is required as you enter, while inside and as you exit. Please be sure to cover your mount and nose with the mask, not just your mouth.
- Pews will be marked off to assist with social distancing. Please use the side aisles to move from the front of the church to the back.
- Please use the center aisle to move from the back of the church towards the sanctuary.
- Singing has been shown to increase the spread of COVID-19. However, please feel free to hum to the music during Mass.
- Hand sanitizer is currently available, please have your own as well.
- We ask that you mark where you sit with a post-it-note, which will be available at the entrances.
- Missalettes will be removed from the pews, if you would like to take one home and bring it back with you each time you come to Mass, you may do that.
- The tape on the seats is not meant to be sat on. Every other pew is marked with either 2 spots in the middle or several spaces on the ends. Please only sit where there is no tape. (See photos below)
- When leaving, please leave in one direction down the side aisles or in one direction up the center aisle, towards the sanctuary, following the arrows. Please leave space between each other, allowing a little extra time to exit.
Collection Procedure:
- One of the guidelines is that we cannot have the ushers passing the basket to receive your offertory envelopes.
- Three collection boxes will be available inside the church and they will be emptied in the presence of 2 ushers, after every Mass, into a secure bag.
- If there is a second collection, please put your donation for that collection into a separate envelope. If it is a plain envelope, please mark it with the specific collection that it is for.
- If you put loose cash in the box, it will be recorded under the weekly offering. Thank you.
Communion Procedure:
- Please use the markers for distancing while in line. Families can stay together.
- Once in front of Father or Deacon, please extend your hands out flat to receive the consecrated host, as you walk away, pause at the X on the floor, lower your mask, consume the host, put your mask back on and return to your pew down the side outside aisle.
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Help Needed
We need help to adhere to the directives of the Archdiocese regarding sanitizing the church after Mass, particularly after the 4:30 and 11:15 Mass.
This is not a long or difficult process and all the supplies and instructions are left in the Utility Sacristy (formerly the Food Pantry).
And if you are able to help and find that others are taking care of it one week, please don't assume that you don't need to check again. Each week different parishioners might be needed.
if you have any questions, please call the parish office.
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St. Anthony Church Meditation Garden Walkway Fundraiser is ongoing.
Thank you to everyone who has already ordered a brick!
Honor someone you love with a beautiful stone in our Meditation Garden Walkway.
Please download the form to order:
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Bingo is cancelled until further notice.
thank you for all who have supported us in the past and we look forward to when we can have a HUGE Jackpot again!
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When shopping Amazon, you can choose to use Amazon Smile* and a percentage of your order will be donated to St. Anthony Church, specifically for the refurbishing of the Church hall.
Click on the photo to get started!
*We encourage supporting local businesses, direct trade and fair trade partners as well as environment considerations when making purchases. If you do choose to use Amazon Smile and you don’t need your item immediately, please don’t choose overnight/rush delivery because this often forces people to work on Sunday.
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Labonnes Cash for Charities Rebate Program
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Please save your Labonne's cash register receipts. (Keep an envelope in your car to easily save them)
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Every couple of months submit them to St. Anthony Church, via the mail or by dropping them off at the parish center. We will receive 1/2% back.
- Thank you to everyone who has been sending in their slips, keep them coming!
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Please consider using online giving for your financial support.
The consistency from online giving is very helpful over vacation periods. You may still use your envelopes and mark “I gave online”.
Thank you and God bless you for all you do for St. Anthony Church!
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St. Anthony Church
4 Union City Road – Prospect, CT 06712
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