ST. PAUL PARISH


A Franciscan Family of Faith

Peace be with you on this Eighth Day of Christmas!


Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God,

New Year's Day 2023, and World Day of Peace!


Holy Mother, please guide us and pray for us throughout this new year. We ask you to bring us ever closer to your Son, the Prince of Peace, and to help us turn away from temptation and sin. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! We hope you enjoy this January issue of our parish newsletter. Be sure to let us know if you have any questions or comments!

Pope Benedict XVI

 

The news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was announced by the Vatican yesterday.


Click here for a Statemen from Archbishop Leonart P. Blair.


With 'sorrow and gratitude', USCCB president reflects on the death and legacy of Benedict XVI


Please join us in this prayer for the repose of his soul.

The Days of Christmas

 

In contrast to what our secular culture seems to indicate, the Christmas season actually begins on Christmas day and continues to the Feast of the Epiphany, next weekend.


Holy feasts such as Christmas (and Easter) simply require more than a single day to celebrate!


So the Nativity of the Lord officially lasts for a full week, until the 8th day, or the 'octave day'.


The 'octave' gives us time to impress upon our souls the mysteries, joys and graces of the principal feasts of the Church year... click here to learn more about The Octave of Christmas.



What about the '12 Days of Christmas' song.. what's that about?


Apparently, it goes back to the 1500s when it was illegal and very dangerous to be a Catholic.


Click here for details or click here for a printable page that includes a school vacation craft for kids!

Saints of the Season


Upcoming feast days:


January 4 - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.


Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first Catholic schools in the US and is the patron saint of widows, grief and more.


Click here to watch a short film about her life: Seeker to Saint.


The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is located in Emmitsburg. MD. Click here for information.


January 5 - Saint John Neumann, patron saint of children and immigrants.


Saint John Newmann, who was born in what is now the Czech Republic, had learned six languages and finished his studies for the priesthood by the time he was 24 years old!


Like Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, he was also instrumental to the growth of Catholic schools in the US. In Philadelphia, he opened nearly 100 Catholic schools in eight years.


Click here to visit the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann (Philadelphia).

Vocations


Our Archdiocese will be highlighting the need for religous vocations throughout the upcoming year.


We'd like to share a few compelling vocation stories with you...


This video offers a parent's perspective.


"Parents tend to ask children, 'what do you want to be when you grow up?'... and I really look at it differently... it's 'What does God want of you, and how does He want you to serve Him?'"

This video from Bishop Robert Barron offers a unique view on women's vocations.


"...most Catholics, when asked about this, would probably say that being a religious sister is just not a viable prospect in our feminist age. Nonsense!


If you’re looking for a feminist hero with remarkable courage, faith, perseverance, and sheer moxie, look no further than Mother Alfred Moes, without whom we would have no Mayo Clinic."


If you know a young woman who would make a good religious, who is marked by smarts, energy, creativity, and get-up-and-go, share with her the story of Mother Alfred Moes.

True Presence


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a National Eucharistic Revival in June 2022 which will continue through 2025.


The Mission of the four-year program is to "renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist".


In light of this effort, now is the perfect time to learn more about the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.


Consider watching this powerful Spanish film: Alive: The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist (English subtitles)


The movie presents the compelling testimonies of five men and women with unique stories of how their lives were completely transformed by experiencing the True Presence.


It is available through Formed.org.


All St. Paul parishioners have FREE access to the digital content at Formed.org!


To create a new account, click on this link and then select "Sign up as a parishioner". Type in "St. Paul Kensington CT" and follow the simple prompts.

Resolutions?


If you are the New Year resolution type, we have a few suggestions.


If not, maybe just say a little prayer for 2023, and skip to the next block :)


Here are a few resources we came across that might interest you:






Free Throw Contest!


The Knights of Columbus Msgr. Thomas L Greylish Council # 3675 is hosting their annual Basketball Free Throw Contest

Saturday, January 21, 2023.


The event will be held in the Saint Paul School Gym at 12:30pm.


Registration to start at 12:00pm


All Boys and Girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in this competition!


Winners progress through Local, District & State Competition. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.


If you should have any questions, please contact Thomas P. Sullivan at 860-505-8128.

Religious Ed


The next Children's Mass is scheduled for Sunday, January 8th at 9:00am. Please join us!


Our Family Faith activities for January include Chalking your Door, baking Three Kings's Cake, and more.


Religious Ed families, please visit our Family Faith Activities page to sign up!


Please say a prayer for our First Year Confirmation students who will attend a retreat on January 8th.

Culture of Life


A national '9 Days for Life' novena for the protection of human life will be prayed from January 19-27, 2023. Please join us in prayer and help save the lives of innocent babies. Click here for details.


The national March for Life will be held in Washington DC on January 20, 2023!


Our friends from the St. Mary's Respect Life Committee (New Haven) will be sponsoring a bus trip. Click here for all the details, and please contact Ashley from our St. Paul Culture of Life Ministry at respectlife@stpaulkensington.org if you have any questions.


*Note that the deadline to reserve a bus seat is Jan 4th!


Additional pro-life resources:


Ministry Opportunities


St. Paul parishioners are invited to consider serving as Readers or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) at Mass. There will be a day of reflection and training session on Sunday, February 19 for new and current members.


Click here to learn more about these special ministries and how you can join.

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, January 12, 2023 at 7pm in the St. Paul Church Hall.


This group offers a place where women come together once a month to share common threads, journeys in life, difficulties, strengths, sorrows and attributes, and how our faith helps us get through it all.


For more information, please visit our Women of Faith page or email Cheryl, Lynn and Karen: womenoffaith@stpaulkensington.org

That Man Is You!


Our TMIY! 'All Things New' Men’s Group will begin a new 13 week season on January 21, 2023.


Full of dynamic speakers sharing insights into our faith, this season will enlighten your mind with spiritual truths that will help transform the world.


Join us for food, fellowship, and faith on January 21 at 6:30 AM in the St. Paul Church Hall. All men are welcome. 


To learn more, visit the TMIY website or visit our parish TMIY page.


Click here for a printable flyer with more details.


New members welcome!


Click on the image to watch the video about the "All Things New" program for this semester.

Men's ACTS Retreat


The ACTS Retreat team at St. Luke's Parish in Southington (formerly St. Dominic Church) is sponsoring a Men's Retreat from January 26-29, 2023 at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat House in Farmington.


Click here to view the flyer.

Quiet Works of Mercy


Sometimes a few of our parish ministries join together 'behind the scenes' to do our Lord's work.


On Wednesdays, parishioners from St. Paul Parish visit the residents at Ledgecrest Convalescent facility in Kensington and recite the rosary with a group of them. This is part of the scope of our Helping Hands Ministry, as well as our Culture of Life ministry.


On Sundays, a group of parishioners visits Ledgecrest and goes room-to-room socializing with residents and distributing Holy Communion to the Catholics. This Sunday activity brings together efforts of our Eucharistic Ministry, Helping Hands Ministry, and Culture of Life Ministry.


The total time spent in these activities is minimal (30-45 minutes for the Rosary, and 2 hours for the Sunday visiting).


If you would like to participate in these activities, please contact Mark or Mary-Jane Duplin. They are active in all three ministries and would welcome you to join them! mfduplin@outlook.com or 860-666-0162 

Adult Bible School


The New England Catholic Biblical School offers accredited two year and four year certificates in Biblical Studies for adult learners and is now enrolling virtual and in-person classes for the 2023-24 academic year.


Find out more at www.CatholicEdAOHCT.org, or contact: catholic.biblical.school@aohct.org


Saint Paul School


Saint Paul School will host the following upcoming events!


"What to Expect in Middle School" Open House on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 3:15pm


Schoolwide Open House on Sunday, January 29th from 1:00-3:00pm


Come see all that our parish school has to offer!


SPS is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic year. Visit our website or contact our Admissions Director, Kelly Esposito, to learn more. To download an application, click here.


Save the dates for Catholic Schools Week: January 29-February 4, 2023

Catholic High School


Parents, are you considering Catholic High School for your child? Our local Catholic High Schools offer an excellent education and so much more.


Contact them today to schedule a visit.

Ask about financial assistance!



Be sure to read our weekly bulletin for all the latest news!


Wishing you many blessings in 2023.

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.

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