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ST. PAUL PARISH
A Franciscan Family of Faith
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Peace be with you! During this season of Lent, we are called to connect with God and trust in Him. We are called to "give up" some of our self-interests and desires and make meaningful sacrifices. We are called to look outwards and help those in need. May we all respond to this call wholeheartedly and enjoy the abundant fruits of this season at Easter! God Bless. | |
(Image above: The Angelus by Jean-François Millet. Learn more about The Angelus prayer here.) | |
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We hope you enjoy this March issue of our parish newsletter.
Be sure to let us know if you have any questions or comments!
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During Lent we are called to penance and reconciliation in addition to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Throughout the year we pray The Confiteor ('I confess') every time we go to Mass. Lent is the perfect time to look at this prayer more closely:
The Parts of the Mass: The Confiteor "There could be many areas where we’ve failed God. In fact, the Confiteor breaks it down into four things. It’s really beautiful..."
The Confiteor (I Confess) Friar Manny talks about the Confiteor where we say, 'I have sinned in my thoughts, in my words, in what I've done, and in what I have failed to do.'
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Where I find God by Larry Fleet. Some would say this song has a Lenten theme: we need God and prayer in every part of our daily lives. | | |
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FORMED for Lent
Most of you are aware by now that St. Paul parishioners have free access to great digital content at FORMED.
Here are a few suggestions for Lent:
Fearless: A 7-Week Lenten Video Series
Time and again, the people of God are called to ‘be courageous’ and ‘be not afraid.’ Yet, we live in a time where fear seems to guide our very existence. This series hosts a special guest each week.
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Divine Mercy Chaplet
Join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and asking God to shower his mercy upon us. This video, which features beautiful videography, was originally planned to be released closer to Divine Mercy Sunday (April 16), but the release date was moved up to encourage all people to pray that God's mercy helps to console the suffering, give peace to the anxious, wisdom to our pastors, and renew all people in their trust in the Lord.
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March 8 - Saint John of God
Patron of hospitals. As a 16th-century Spanish soldier, John gave up religion and led a wild life. When he left the military at age 40, he became a shepherd. John decided to make a radical conversion... read more.
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Of course, we also celebrate the feast days of Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick in March!
Sts. Joseph and Patrick are March's Mercy Men
March 17 - Saint Patrick, Patron of Ireland*
March 20 - Saint Joseph, Patron of the Church, fathers, workers, married people, persons living in exile, the sick and dying, for a holy death.
*Note this special statement from the Archbishop regarding dispensation on St. Patrick's Day since it falls on a Friday of Lent:
“I formally dispense those for whom this is an especially joyful celebration from the Lenten obligation to abstain from meat that day. Inasmuch as fasting is a spiritual good, meant, in the words of the Catechism, “to help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart,” I encourage them to choose another day during that week on which to transfer the Lenten abstinence.”
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Vocations
The Archdiocese of Hartford and Franciscan Friars will be highlighting the need for religious vocations throughout this year.
We will continue to share information and resources regarding vocations, and we invite you to keep this intention in your prayers.
Click here for more information from Franciscan Voice.
Click here for more information from the Archdiocese of Hartford.
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Archbishops Annual Appeal
February 25/26 weekend is the kickoff for the 2023 Archbishop's Annual Appeal. Click here for details.
If you have not received information in the mail, you should receive it shortly. Our goal for 2023 us $108,000, unchanged from last year. Thank you to all who donate to this important initiative.
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PROTECT LIFE
ACTION ALERT Governor Lamont has included $2 million in his proposed state budget to pay for low-income women from other states to receive abortions in our state. Connecticut taxpayers will cover not only the cost of the abortion, but also their travel and hotel expenses.
The public hearing on state taxpayer funding of abortions has been rescheduled to:
Tuesday, February 28 at 11:00 AM
Room 2E Legislative Office Building
Click here to learn more about HB 6618.
Since the hearing was rescheduled, the public can no longer register to speak. Written testimony may still be submitted using this link.
Please take a moment to oppose this "Abortion Tourism" legislation. Connecticut should not become a destination state for free abortions.
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The Connecticut March for Life will take place in Hartford on Thursday, March 22.
* 12:00 pm – Rally at Capitol
* 1:00 pm – March for Life around Bushnell Park
There will be a bus leaving from St. Dominic Church in Southington on the morning of the March. Click here for more information about bus ride options.
Join the March and help share our message of love for unborn children and their mothers. The March will be seen by every member of the legislature as they come to Hartford that day during the legislative session.
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The 40 Days for Life New Haven chapter is sponsoring a Spring/Lent campaign. It’s a 40-day, non-stop, prayer vigil outside a single Planned Parenthood from February 22 through April 2. "We are a peaceful and educational presence and called to stand witness." Click here or on the flyer for details.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more about our St. Paul Parish Culture of Life Ministry, please email Ashley at
respectlife@stpaulkensington.org.
Additional pro-life resources:
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Saint Paul School
Saint Paul School's 27th Annual Auction Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023!
Save the date and click here to visit the auction website.
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Registration for Saint Paul Summer Camp 2023 is now open! Click here for forms and details.
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Eucharistic Revival
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a National Eucharistic Revival in June 2022 which will continue through 2025. “Our world is hurting. We all need healing, yet many of us are separated from the very source of our strength. Jesus Christ invites us to return to the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.”
Click here to learn more.
Registration is now open for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis in July 2024. Click here for details about this event.
[The Eucharistic Congress event scheduled for March 4th in Springfield, MA is sold out. Click here for the event website. ]
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Young Adult Event
Calling All Young Adults! Join other young adults from across the state for a “weekend away” of rest, rejuvenation, and exploring the faith! The Crossroads 4 Christ Young Adult Retreat will take place on March 10th-12th at the Immaculate Conception Center in Putnam, CT. Enjoy inspiring talks, small groups, social time, Mass, Adoration, and opportunities for Confession. Registration opens on February 3rd. Cost: $150 per person. Open to young adults, ages 18-39. Check out crossroads4christ.org for more info and registration!
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Scholarship Opportunities
The Knights of Columbus Msgr. Thomas L Greylish Council # 3675 will award college scholarships to graduating high school students:
* Alfred Greco Scholarship—student is required to live in Berlin and have father or grandfather who is a Knight. Click Here for the application.
* Terrence Lescoe Scholarship—student is required to live in Berlin. Click here for the application.
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The New Britain Council of Catholic Women is pleased to offer two, $1,000 scholarships to either 8th graders planning to attend a Catholic High School or high school seniors planning to attend college.
The Council is only accepting digital applications which can be obtained by emailing a request to the NBCCW at nbcouncilcatholicwomen@gmail.com or to the parish office at ourchurch@stpaulkensington.org. The deadline for submission is May 5th.
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Children's Rosary
Our Children's Rosary Group meets on the first Saturday of each month at 10am at Sacred Heart Church. The next prayer group will be held on March 4th. All are welcome! The children lead the Rosary while others in attendance pray along. For more information, contact Cheryl Batter at cherylbatter@att.net.
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Children's Choir
Our Children's Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings in St. Paul Church from 6:00-6:30pm. All are welcome! If your child would like to sing in the choir or if you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Kramer-Tierney at 19ckt64@gmail.com.
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Scripture Study
An Information Session on our upcoming Spring Scripture Study program will be held on Thursday, March 2 from 7:00-8:30pm in the St. Paul Church Hall.
The Spring Session will cover the Book of Genesis, Part 2 - Chapters 26-50.
All are welcome to attend the Information Session and learn more about our Scripture Study Groups. There is no need to have attended the Fall Session in order to join the Spring Session!
Click here to learn more about the Little Rock Scripture Study program.
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Helping Hands
If you would like to learn more about joining our Helping Hands Ministry which offers support for our local seniors, please contact Mark or Mary-Jane Duplin at mfduplin@outlook.com or 860-666-0162.
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Women of Faith
All women of the parish are invited to join our Women of Faith group.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 7pm. For this March gathering, Fr. Martin will lead the group in Stations of the Cross in St. Paul Church.
For more information, visit our Women of Faith page or email Cheryl, Lynn and Karen: womenoffaith@stpaulkensington.org
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That Man Is You!
The Spring 13-week session of our TMIY! Men’s Group is underway!
New members are welcome! Join us for food, fellowship, and faith on Saturday mornings at 6:30am in the St. Paul Church Hall.
To learn more, visit the TMIY website or visit our parish TMIY page.
Click here for a printable flyer with more details.
Full of dynamic speakers sharing insights into our faith, this season will enlighten your mind with spiritual truths that will help transform the world.
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Catholic High School
It's not too late! If you have an 8th grader or high school student who may want to attend one of our nearby Catholic High Schools, contact Admissions today! Learn how your child can receive an excellent education and so much more!
Ask about financial assistance!
* East Catholic, Manchester
* Mercy, Middletown
* Northwest Catholic, West Hartford
* St. Paul Catholic, Bristol
* Xavier, Middletown
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May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you. | |
This Epistle Online newsletter aims to be a helpful resource, providing information about happenings in our parish and sharing content on both spiritual and practical matters related to our Catholic faith. The Epistle is so named as a tribute to Saint Paul, our patron, whose letters to the earliest Christians still guide and inform us today. Thank you for reading our newsletter. God Bless. | | | | |
