St Anthony Church Newsletter |
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Last week second grade students made Advent Wreaths in class. For more Faith Formation photos,
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The 3rd Sunday in Advent is Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin meaning “rejoice”!
The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard's Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy.
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Christ’s coming at the first Christmas was for all of humanity for all of time, which means he has truly come for you and for me and all of the moments in our lives that need healing and redemption. Let us make sure we know the voice of God, by reading Scripture and by spending time in prayer with Him. This way when he comes again, whether it is in quiet personal prayer this Christmas, or at the Second Coming, we can be ready and say, “this is the answer to all of my sufferings, this is the one who will free me.” Come, Lord Jesus! |
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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 .
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We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our Pastoral Minster, Evelyn Kiley, who was loved by all and an inspiration to many.
Originally an LPN, Evelyn Kiley has always been ministering to others. She began her career here at St Anthony almost 30 years ago when the pastor at the time, Father O’Dea, asked her to help at the parish center. She soon learned of an evangelization program run by the Archdiocese. Evelyn attended that program for one year and began to minister parishioners in need as well as reach out to others in hopes of bringing them back to the church.
This work led her to a Biblical study program, a Lay Ministry Bereavement internship and finally to the Pastoral Biblical School for Pastoral care. Her prayer life increased and the Lord led her to new ministries to serve others. Since then, she has been the Pastoral Minister at St Anthony Church until her retirement last month. The position was multifaceted to say the least. Her faith guided her through all these experiences.
During her time as Pastoral minister, Evelyn met the needs of many on a daily basis: She consoled the bereaved for almost a year past their loss; she visited the sick and elderly in hospitals and at home, bringing them Communion and company. For many years she ran the food pantry, organized the Christmas giving tree donations and helped destitute parishioners find outside resources.
Evelyn was also the first Parish Nurse in our parish through the Valley Parish Nurse Program. In 2015 she was recognized for twenty years of membership by Griffin Hospital Parish Nurse and Community Outreach Department.
As Father Gregory shared at Mass last weekend “Evelyn Kiley was, for our parish, our own Mother Theresa. She was so kind, so generous and warm. She was always smiling and touched so many people's lives. She brought Communion to the sick and encouraged them on her visits. She ran our food pantry and helped those in need.
We were blessed by her presence. Evelyn was a very faithful and spiritual woman. Now she is praying for us in Heaven, but we will also pray for her.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
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Father Gregory has blessed the Christmas Oplatki and they are available, one per family, in the parish center. We only ordered 50, so please call ahead to reserve one per household. On Dec 21st, if we have any remaining Oplatki, we can give out more than one per family. Offices will close on Wednesday Dec 23rd. This tradition began in Poland and is a sign of charity, unity and friendship. A custom shared by Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian families for centuries. Family traditions and customs, such as this, bring the truths of Faith into the home and remind us that we seek and obtain salvation with the help of others at all times.
- Prospect Memorial has donated Catholic Calendars for our parishioners. Please take one per family.
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This weekend please donate to the Retirement Fund for Religious. In good times and bad, senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have served our Church and world. Today they pray for a world that is hurting. Yet hundreds of religious communities do not have enough retirement savings and struggle to provide for aging members. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. Please be generous and be sure your check or envelope is clearly marked. Thank you. |
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HOPE Ministry
If you are having difficulty meeting your monthly expenses, maybe we can help, please call 203-758-4056. All calls are confidential. Or visit the website page for an application.
- The mission of the HOPE Ministry is to carry out our gospel call to enhance the quality of life and self- sufficiency of those in our community in need of financial and social services.
- It will provide monetary assistance for basic living expenses, referrals, education, practical assistance and spiritual guidance to strengthen and support individuals in need of assistance by fostering independence and personal responsibility with respect, compassion and accountability.
- Applicants must be actively registered parishioners or residents of Prospect.
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Giving Tree Information
Please return all unwrapped gifts to the Parish Center with the tag securely taped to it no later than Wednesday, December 16th.
Thank you for your generosity!
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Bingo is cancelled until further notice.
Unfortunately, BINGO will not be reopening as previously thought due to the state of Connecticut reducing gatherings to 25 people indoors.
Thank you for all who have supported us in the past and we look forward to when we can have a HUGE Jackpot again
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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 bring a face mask to wear, as it is required as you enter, while inside and as you exit. Please be sure to cover your mount and nose with the mask, not just your mouth.
- Pews will be marked off to assist with social distancing. Please use the side aisles to move from the front of the church to the back.
- Please use the center aisle to move from the back of the church towards the sanctuary.
- Singing has been shown to increase the spread of COVID-19. However, please feel free to hum to the music during Mass.
- Hand sanitizer is currently available, please have your own as well.
- We ask that you mark where you sit with a post-it-note, which will be available at the entrances.
- Missalettes will be removed from the pews, if you would like to take one home and bring it back with you each time you come to Mass, you may do that.
- The tape on the seats is not meant to be sat on. Every other pew is marked with either 2 spots in the middle or several spaces on the ends. Please only sit where there is no tape. (See photos below)
- When leaving, please leave in one direction down the side aisles or in one direction up the center aisle, towards the sanctuary, following the arrows. Please leave space between each other, allowing a little extra time to exit.
Collection Procedure:
- One of the guidelines is that we cannot have the ushers passing the basket to receive your offertory envelopes.
- Three collection boxes will be available inside the church and they will be emptied in the presence of 2 ushers, after every Mass, into a secure bag.
- If there is a second collection, please put your donation for that collection into a separate envelope. If it is a plain envelope, please mark it with the specific collection that it is for.
- If you put loose cash in the box, it will be recorded under the weekly offering. Thank you.
Communion Procedure:
- Please use the markers for distancing while in line. Families can stay together.
- Once in front of Father or Deacon, please extend your hands out flat to receive the consecrated host, as you walk away, pause at the X on the floor, lower your mask, consume the host, put your mask back on and return to your pew down the side outside aisle.
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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.
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Labonnes Cash for Charities Rebate Program
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Please save your Labonne's cash register receipts. (Keep an envelope in your car to easily save them)
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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.
- Thank you to everyone who has been sending in their slips, keep them coming!
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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!
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St. Anthony Church
4 Union City Road – Prospect, CT 06712
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