Keeping Us Connected Newsletter
June 24, Issue XLII
Did not our hearts burn within us as he walked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?... And they knew him in the breaking of the bread."
--Luke 24
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Dear St. Mary Friends,

Please allow me to take time in this Newsletter to step away from reflecting on pandemic life or various social tensions and divisions to personally and publicly acknowledge the Lord’s many graces for this priest, your pastor.

35 years ago, on June 22, I was ordained a priest. I don’t tell you this fishing for a card or gift (though I must thank so many of you who sent me best wishes), but to request prayers.
The world has changed a lot in 35 years. If you're married that long or longer, or simply have been alive at least a few decades, you know it well. But while the world changes, there is one constant. And that constant leads me to a personal reflection.
When a man is ordained, he prints a holy card to give out as a keepsake. I printed two: the first is of the Blessed Mother, without whom I would be hopelessly lost (and therefore am so grateful to be pastor at a parish dedicated to her). The second has a picture of Jesus at table with the disciples on the road to Emmaus that first Easter (Luke 24). Hearing that passage as a young boy, I was completely thrilled by it. And today it moves me still.

The back of that holy card reads: "Did not our hearts burn within us as he walked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?... And they knew him in the breaking of the bread."
Yes, the world has changed in many ways, but while life changes, may you keep those three Emmaus constants: May your hearts burn with the loving presence of Jesus every day; may the Holy Spirit open the Scriptures to you in a regular reading – even of little daily snippets; and may you know the Lord in the breaking of the bread – the Eucharist we celebrate together.

And so, I am grateful to the Lord, Our Lady, and to my parents, who instilled in me the foundations of faith and love for the Lord. And now also to and for all of you with whom I can pray and work together here at St. Mary’s on our way to heaven.

Many blessings to everyone,
Monsignor Royal

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever. Amen.
Also in today’s Newsletter:
A written reflection by Fr. Damian:
FAITH & FAMILY


Weekly Reading - Discussion Questions

PRAYER AND SACRAMENTS
Registration
Parish Hall Masses

Saturday, June 27

Sunday, June 28

Registration closes Friday at noon

*The 10:30 AM Mass will be livestreamed
Watch LIVE and afterwards (anytime) on our  Facebook page  and  website

Sacrament of Confession

Tuesdays - 12:30 to 1:30 PM
Saturdays - 3:30 to 4:30 PM


NEW LOCATION: Nancy Bossidy Rec Center (GYM). Enter from the Greenfield Avenue entrance, then bear left, driving alongside the main entrance to the gym. Confessions will be held there. Exit to the left onto Barry Avenue.

Church Bells Ring Noon Each Day for the Angelus

Whether you can hear them or not, let’s try as one community in the Lord to pray the Angelus together at that time, wherever we are. If you don’t know the Angelus, you can pray 3 Hail Mary's (or take this opportunity to learn it  here ).

Adoration 2:00 to 6:00 PM

Please remember to wear a face mask and sit at a safe distance.
for all the sick, deceased, health care workers, pharmacists, and first responders

Church Open Hours
Monday - Saturday, 8 AM - 6 PM
Sunday, 11 AM - 6 PM

The Church is sanitized daily at 7 AM 
Many thanks for your continued support of our Parish!
WAYS TO CONTINUE YOUR WEEKLY OFFERTORY

Your support helps maintain our Parish facilities and bring the Eucharist and God's Word to our community - plus it helps those in need through our many ministries. 

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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