Keeping Us Connected Newsletter
August 7, 2020
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Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father…
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Dear Saint Mary Friends,
Isaias wasn’t a hurricane, but he certainly disrupted many of us. I hope and pray you are all safe and well, and fortunate enough to have power in your homes. Fr. Damian, Fr. Lourderaj, and I rode out the storm in fine fashion and send out our prayers and blessings to you.
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Important Update on Weekday Mass
Below are changes to weekday Masses that are necessary as we coordinate with St. Mary’s School for sharing the building during the school year. Moreover, they are necessary as we share parent, teacher, Diocesan and state concerns for health and safety during this time of pandemic. We will continue to update you, but for now the most important details follow:
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Beginning Monday, August 17
New Location, Time & Days
WEEKDAY MASS
Bossidy Recreation Center (GYM)
Monday - Friday
12:30 PM
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Parking & Entering the Gym
Please park in the side lot, enter the building from the upper level and walk down the stairs to the gym
Handicapped entrance is through main doors on ground floor
(Handicapped parking is marked by signs behind the gym)
ONLY THOSE NEEDING HANDICAPPED ACCESS MAY ENTER THROUGH THE GROUND LEVEL DOORS
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The Feast of the Assumption is next Saturday. We will offer two Masses:
Vigil Mass, Friday August 14 at 4:30 PM
Feast Day Mass, Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 AM
There’s no obligation; the Masses are being offered for those who choose to attend.
Mass Registration will be required and will go live on Tuesday, August 11 at 9 AM on our website.
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Sacrifice of the Mass
Building on last week’s Newsletter, let’s continue to develop our understanding of the Mass as Sacrifice. Two videos (below) will help us. The first is on the great saint and bearer of the Stigmata (the wounds of Christ), St. Padre Pio. The second is by the great bishop and preacher, Fulton Sheen.
Yes, Mass is a gathering of Christ’s brothers and sisters (us) as the Mystical Body of Christ. Yes, it is a sacred meal in which we receive the Bread of Life, the sacred Body and Blood of the Lord as those same brothers and sisters, but the element of the Mass more often forgotten – or in some cases never taught – is the Mass as Christ’s sacrifice offering himself to the Father on our behalf, and we uniting ourselves to that offering. In Mass, we are present at Calvary, the one-time event that lives on through the ages. Simply in this regard, one basic point. Mass is made up of many words and gestures, but please note how often we are addressing God, the Father. Yes, we address Jesus also, but in the central moment surrounding the Consecration we are offering Christ, the perfect sacrifice, to the Father.
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· To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept and bless these gifts, these offerings,
these holy and unblemished sacrifices….
· On the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty Father….
· Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord, we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim, the holy Bread of eternal life and the Chalice of everlasting salvation.
· It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,
· Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord,
the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation….
· Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving Passion of your Son, his wondrous Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
· And, of course, culminating in: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
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Health and many blessings,
Monsignor Royal
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever. Amen.
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Also in today’s Newsletter: |
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MASS REGISTRATION
Saturday, August 8
Sunday, August 9
Registration for Sunday Masses goes live on our website each Thursday @ 9 AM
All changes to reservations must be made by Saturday @ 9 AM
The 10:30 AM Sunday Mass will be livestreamed
WEEKDAY MASSES
Parish Hall
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 12 Noon
No Registration Needed
Beginning Monday, August 17
WEEKDAY MASSES
Nancy Bossidy Rec Center (GYM)
Monday through Friday
12:30 PM
No Registration Needed
Feast of the Assumption
Vigil Mass, Friday August 14 at 4:30 PM
Feast Day Mass, Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 AM
Mass Registration will be required and will go live
Tuesday, August 11 at 9 AM on our website
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The Church is closed for renovations |
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Parish Hall Hours
- Weekdays 10 AM-4 PM for private prayer
- Wednesday from 1-4 PM for Adoration
- Weekends - for Masses only (registration required)
These hours are subject to change. Please watch your email or look on our website for future updates.
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Sacrament of Confession
Tuesdays - 12:30 PM
Saturdays - 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Nancy Bossidy Rec Center (GYM).
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Adoration
Wednesdays in the Parish Hall
1-4 PM
Please remember to wear a face mask and sit at a safe distance.
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Many thanks for your continued support of our Parish! |
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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.
Online Giving is an easy way to give with a click of a button.
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
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