Keeping Us Connected Newsletter

October 1, 2021

I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.

– Psalm 122:1

Dear Saint Mary Friends,

1. When will the Church reopen?

Please God, we’ll be in later this month. So for this week’s Newsletter all videos are brief glimpses inside the Church to give you a tantalizing taste of things. We have to get back in. With that in mind, a reminder of what was said at Masses this weekend: we won’t have everything completely in place on opening day. Some stained glass, art, and other items will not be 100% complete, but most everything will be done. Click below for 3 video updates: Nave and Stations, Gathering Space, Adoration Chapel

2. Welcome Fr. Brendan Blawie

Bishop Caggiano has appointed Fr. Brendan Blawie to St. Mary Parish. I asked Fr. Brendan to write a brief biography by way of introducing himself to our Parishioners.

My name is Fr. Brendan Blawie, I was born and raised in Newtown, and received all of my Sacraments at St. Rose of Lima parish.

I love sports, playing basketball, baseball, and football growing up, and I lettered in Varsity Football at Newtown High, class of 2010. I also earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 70.

After Newtown High, I enrolled in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech in the Marine Corps ROTC program, before transferring to Franciscan University of Steubenville where I earned my degree in accounting. While there, I still pursued a commission with the Marine Corps, graduating from Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, VA the summer of 2012. This fulfilled a dream I had from childhood of being a Marine Officer, but in the end, it was clear to me that it may have been my plan, but not the Lord’s. Instead of commissioning as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, I entered seminary for the Diocese of Bridgeport.

I completed my Pre-theological studies at our St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford, before being sent to the Pontifical North American College in Rome where I received my theology degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Bishop Caggiano ordained me to the Sacred Priesthood on January 2, 2021. I plan to return to Rome Fall of 2022 to finish my Licentiate of Sacred Theology in Dogmatics.

It is a joy to have this opportunity to serve at this great parish, and I thank you for welcoming me!

Health and blessings,

Monsignor Royal

Deacon Bob Reflection

COMING UP...

Disciples 4 Life

October 22-24

More Info

YOUTH & FAMILY

RE Begins...

Elementary School Sunday, October 24th @ 9:30-10:15am; Tuesday, October 26th @ 4:30-5:15pm in the School classrooms (students), Hall (parents)

Middle School (Edge) Monday, October 25th @ 7-8pm in the Gym (students), Hall (parents)

High School Sunday, October 24th @ 6-7pm in the Hall (students) Stay tuned for an October calendar with some one-off events--we hope you’ll be able to join us