St Anthony Church Newsletter
Our Monday afternoon students have started their garden of "good deed seeds". The children are bringing "new life" to each classroom by their kindnesses. This, of course is how Jesus teaches us to treat one another. Click for more photos
The inconvenience, discomfort, sadness, and pain we may feel if we open our hearts and pay attention to what is happening in and to the world around us are the only real antidote to indifference, because those feelings should call us to action. Palm Sunday and Holy Week reveal for us a God who, in Jesus, was anything but indifferent.
Although Palm Sunday’s real grace is in the opportunity it provides for us to renew our commitment to life in Christ. The days of Holy Week challenge us to envision a life in which we take responsibility for our indifference, our self-preference, and our sins to become free to grow in love and our care about what we do to others, to creation, and to our own bodies, psyches, and souls.
The 11:15 Mass will continue to be live-streamed for the time being.
Therefore St Anthony Church will broadcast on Facebook LIVE Sundays at 11:15 am.
The video of the Mass will be available on this page of our website after the Mass is complete.
Visit the LENT 2021 page of our website for all information
Blessed Palms will be available after Mass during this weekend. Weather permitting, they will be left on a table outside the Angel Doors on the side of the church. We ask that you only take a few as our supply of Palms is limited. Please maintain social distancing when you are picking them. Parishioners are encouraged to attend Mass that weekend when Palms will also be available.
When disposing of last year's palm that has been blessed, you can bury it or burn it.

Volunteers Needed to help decorate the church for Easter on Saturday April 3rd at 9:00am. If you are able to help please email David Byrne leave a message at 203-758-4056 ext 17.
Lenten Fish Dinner – PICK UP!
If you ordered a Fish Dinner, pick -up is TODAY, 3/26, from 4pm-7pm in the Hope Room.
Please wear a mask and try to have correct change if possible.
Adult meals, $10; Children meals, $8.
Checks can be made out to "St. Anthony Church"
We appreciate the continued support of our parish events.
Please join in for a virtual evening of song, praise and prayer TONIGHT at 7:30pm
Hosted by Leanna and Karl Hinger on Facebook LIVE
Following the program, a video will be on our website.
Passion (Palm) Sunday: March 28th
Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 pm
Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:30, 11:15 am*

   Holy Thursday: April 1st
Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 6:30 pm
Adoration until 10:00 pm

   Good Friday: April 2nd
Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion: 3:00 pm

   Holy Saturday: April 3rd
Blessing of Food: 12:00 noon in church foyer
Confessions at 3:00 pm

   Solemn Vigil of Easter: 8:00 pm

   Easter Sunday: April 4th
Masses: 7:30, 9:30, 11:15 am*

* the 11:15 am Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday will be Live streamed on Facebook
  • There is no need to register for any of our Masses or the Good Friday service.
  • We ask that when you enter the pew from the center aisle, you move to the end of the pew near the windows and fill the middle area next, keeping a 6 foot distance from those not in your household. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
2021 ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL
REACHING OUT, HEALING TOGETHER

Volunteers of the Week
Trudy Higgins

When Trudy and Gary Higgins moved to Prospect 24 years ago they joined the St. Anthony Parish and Trudy immediately joined the Ladies Guild. “I didn’t know anyone in town,” she explained “so I joined the Ladies Guild” and she has been a member ever since, most recently serving as President for three years. “I love the connection I make with other women of faith. We come together to learn, to share our personal faith experiences and to contribute to our parish”
Indeed, the Ladies Guild has been a major contributor to our parish family in time, talent and fundraising. Each year they run a Christmas Bazaar, making Christmas baskets for auction. When the pandemic broke out the members sewed hundreds of masks for our church mask campaign. This year they are joining with the Knights of Columbus to host a Lenten Fish Fry. Later In May they will participate in the Town Wide Tag Sale. And these are just a few of the projects they have been involved in.
If it seems that this would be enough to keep Trudy busy, you would be mistaken. Trudy serves on the parish Hope Ministry, is a catechist for the 4 th and 5 th grade, volunteers at the St. Vincent DePaul Kitchen each week, and used to volunteer in the Pumpkin Patch.
Before she retired Trudy was a mental health counselor with a Master’s degree. In her retirement she has transferred that work to the Pro Life Ministry of which she is the Leader. She now volunteers with Caroline’s Place to work with unwed mothers considering abortion. “I love my involvement with the Caroline’s Place Ultrasound Van where I get to counsel young mothers and hopefully persuade them to avoid abortion. It is my calling.”
We thank you Trudy for everything you do for our parish and our Church.
Special Lenten Prayer for Seminarians
 During this Lent, we ask that you remember in prayer the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Hartfod highlighted this weekend. 
 Prayer for Seminarians
Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for these men whom You have called to discern priesthood. We beg Your continued blessings on our Archdiocese and families. Call forth even more men of generous spirit and fervent love whom You desire for this holy work. Amen.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Sean Coyle, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury, CT
Pierre Doumbouya, Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Stamford, CT
Juan Carlos Fernández, Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Stamford, CT
Lenten Rice Bowl Recipes
Since we are not able to meet for soup suppers this Lent, we would like to share recipes from the Rice Bowl program each week. 
We encourage you to make the meal and share photos and thoughts about it. Let us know which recipe was your favorite and we will publish the most liked meal. Please call us or email. We do enjoy hearing from you!
This weeks recipe:
SHAKSHOUKA RECIPE from GAZA
3 T fair trade olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 7oz can green chilis
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
1 T ketchup
2 t salt
4 eggs
Heat oil in a large pan. Sauté onions and garlic. Add chilis including juice and cook until soft. Add tomatoes, ketchup and salt. Cook tomatoes down to a sauce. Make four holes in the sauce with a spoon. Crack the eggs into the holes and cover until the eggs cook. Leave yolks runny. Makes 4 servings

** editors note - I switched week 4 with week 5 so this is different than the bulletin. the photo above was contributed by Lisa White who made the dish last week.
Thanks for playing along, Lisa!
LAST WEEK TO VOTE!
CLICK HERE if you are an Ion Bank customer to vote
Voting continues until March 31, 2021.
  • Voting is open to all Ion Bank customers. One vote per customer; however, for accounts with multiple owners, each owner may vote.
Guidelines for Attending Mass
While some might feel these guidelines are stringent, it is important that guidelines are followed, that we respect all parishioners and be sure that everyone feels comfortable attending Mass. Please go to our website for the current guidelines.
Bingo is cancelled until further notice.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list to keep up to date please email stanthonychurchcc@gmail.com

Thank you for all who have supported us in the past and we look forward to when we can have a HUGE Jackpot again
When shopping Amazon, you can choose to use Amazon Smile* and a percentage of your order will be donated to St. Anthony Church, specifically for the refurbishing of the Church hall.
Click on the photo to get started!
*We encourage supporting local businesses, direct trade and fair trade partners as well as environment considerations when making purchases. If you do choose to use Amazon Smile and you don’t need your item immediately, please don’t choose overnight/rush delivery because this often forces people to work on Sunday. 
Labonnes Cash for Charities Rebate Program
  • Please save your Labonne's cash register receipts. (Keep an envelope in your car to easily save them)
  • Every couple of months submit them to St. Anthony Church, via the mail or by dropping them off at the parish center. We will receive 1/2% back. 
  • You can put your receipts in the Parish Center mailbox, in the collection boxes or mail them to 4 Union City Rd, Prospect, CT.
  • Thank you to everyone who has been sending in their slips, keep them coming!

Please consider using online giving for your financial support.
The consistency from online giving is very helpful over vacation periods. You may still use your envelopes and mark “I gave online”. 
Thank you and God bless you for all you do for St. Anthony Church!
Parish Mission Statement
St. Anthony Church is a parish where God’s love nourishes the soul to actively minister to people and share the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
St. Anthony Church
4 Union City Road – Prospect, CT 06712
203-758-4056 .  www.stanthonyprospect.org