Keeping Us Connected Newsletter
September 2, 2022
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord
– Colossians 3:23
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Dear Saint Mary Friends,
I’ll be leaving for the Camino Pilgrimage Walk to Santiago de Compostela on Sunday and will be carrying you and your intentions with me along the Way. For today’s Newsletter, a few items must be highlighted. Fr. Brendan’s departure, a Labor Day Reflection, and reminders about Faith Formation and our Choir. When I return, I will address a disturbing video that came out this week regarding the candid remarks of the assistant principal at Cos Cob Elementary School in Greenwich. In short, he says he would not hire teachers with traditional human virtues and especially faithful Catholics. If you aren’t familiar with this you can be brought up to speed HERE. Parents of our public school children take special notice.
Farewell to Fr. Brendan
Fr. Brendan’s last day with us is this Sunday. It’s not easy coming to a parish knowing that you will only be there for one year. Fr. Brendan did this very well and established himself as a vital part of our parish life. Speaking personally, he has been a wonderful younger brother in the rectory in our common prayer, reflecting, talking, laughing and being together. We will miss him greatly, but it’s an important and good thing for him to return to Rome to finish his studies. We send him with our love, gratitude and prayers.
Labor Day
We’ve all read articles or seen news stories on the difficulty businesses are having in finding employees. The common wisdom says it’s because of government handouts, effects of COVID shutdowns or working from home, and even sloth on the part of some (think of the new “quiet quitting” movement). Something far from the example of the Son of God who became one of us and worked long hard hours. Who can forget this beautiful scene from “The Passion of the Christ”?
But there’s a deeper wisdom about work itself – the wisdom of the Church and her scriptures. Yes, work at certain points in our lives can be a struggle, laborious and tiring – a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve, but there’s more. Simply put, work is part of our being created in the image of God who created all things and keeps them in existence. J.R.R. Tolkien thought of many aspects of human work as “sub-creation.”
Work is also a moral obligation in terms of service, relations with co-workers, or as the Compendium on Catholic Social Teaching states, it is a moral obligation ‘with respect to one’s neighbor, which in the first place is one’s family…the society to which one belongs, the nation of which one is a son or daughter, and…the entire human family of which one is a member…We are heirs of the work of generations and at the same time shapers of the future of all who will live after us.” (#274)
Sign up your Children for Religious Education
The world is moving and changing faster than we ever thought possible. How much more critical is it then that our children be formed in our Faith and religious education (See the above on the Cos Cob School fiasco). I urge parents who have not yet registered their children to please do so. Our lives here and in eternity are at stake. To register click on this link.
Choir
Our St. Mary’s Choir will be starting up soon. Praise and worship of the Lord is a fundamental need for every one of us. Those among us blessed with voices to sing his praises should contact our music director, Darren Motise. Click here for more information and contact info.
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Msgr. Kevin T. Royal
Pastor
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Also in this newsletter... |
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Farewell to Fr. Brendan
This past Tuesday we had a farewell lunch for Fr. Brendan who will be returning to Rome this month (for a year). Our Parish was so blessed to have him here this past year. We will miss you, Father! God bless you!!! If you would like to stay in touch with Fr. Brendan, you may email him at frblawie@diobpt.org.
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On Labor Day Monsignor Royal will be joining his brother and sister-in-law on what many know as “The Camino” (“The Way”). This Queen of all Pilgrimages is a network of paths from all around Europe to the Shrine of the Apostle Saint James in Compostela Spain. They will be walking the Portuguese leg of the Camino. People walk the Camino for deeper faith, for the healing of a loved one, to do penance and be restored, and for many other reasons. You are part of the reason for his pilgrimage. He's also like to walk with your intentions. Please submit them by the end of day, September 2, link below. |
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Knight Talk is BACK!
Thursday, September 8th
Is God Calling ME?!?
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Scripture Study Begins September 29 - Morning and Evening Sessions |
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Join Us Monday Evenings - Starting September 12 |
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IMPORTANT DATES
- MS/HS Youth Parent Info Night- Wed, Sept 14th @ 7pm in the Hall
- High School Kickoff- Sunday, Sept 18th @ 6-8pm in the Gym/back parking lot
- Elementary Open House & Teacher Meet & Greet- Sept 18th & 20th
- Elementary First Day of Classes/Parent Orientation- Sept 25th & 27th
- Middle School (EDGE) Kickoff- Monday, Oct 3rd @ 7-8:15pm in the Gym/back parking lot
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Confirmation Parent/Student Orientation- *MOVED* to Sun, Oct 16th/7:00pm & Mon, Oct 17th/6:00pm in the Hall.
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Labor Day, Sept. 5: One Mass at 9 AM in the Church & no Confessions.
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Monday - Friday
11:30 AM
Wednesday
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Saturday
3:00 - 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Church
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Adoration Chapel
Open Daily
6:00 AM- 10:00 PM
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Check our website for upcoming funerals and memorials |
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So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
--Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
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RCIA
Baptism Update
Baptisms will take place on Saturdays at noon (instead of Sundays) starting in November 2022. We will have up to two baptisms each Saturday of non-holiday weekends.
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Many thanks for your continued support of our Parish! |
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Our Online Giving has been upgraded to a newer, easier-to-use platform!
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
Or drop your offering in the basket at Mass.
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