From the Pastor
Site
Updated 3/9/2010
Spring
Forward This Weekend!
Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday,
March 14 at 2:00 am. Before retiring for the evening this Saturday,
set your clocks one hour ahead.
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2010 Living Our Faith Annual Bishop's
Appeal
The Annual Bishop’s Appeal supports the Office of Pastoral Services,
Parish Life and Ministries programs throughout the Diocese. Damien O’Connor,
Director of Adult Formation oversees the RCIA Process and adult catechetical
programs.
Damien plays a vital role in working with RCIA Coordinators who need
assistance in executing the Diocesan program. He is responsible for
ongoing formation of the Coordinators and develops and carries out all
aspects of the Adult Confirmation Program, including classes, retreats
and the ceremony. He also coordinates Diocesan-based catechetical opportunities
for adults including on-line and classroom learning. “I am deeply honored
to know that I may be of assistance to the Coordinators and Directors
of Adult Catechesis. Their unselfish work to evangelize is extremely
important and inspiring. The ABA gives tangible assistance to ministries
that provide life-changing encounters with Christ,” says Damien.
Your gift is so important to the work of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Thank you for your support to the 2010 Annual Bishop’s Appeal.
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Recommended
Lenten Activities
- Attend daily Mass: Scheduled at 9:00 am, Mon. thru
Sat.
- Attend the Novena to our Blessed Mother: Mondays,
7:00 pm.
- Attend the Stations of the Cross & Benediction:
Fridays, 7:00 pm.
- Make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Mondays thru Saturdays: 8:30 am – 8:50 am.
During Lent, Tuesday Evenings: 7:00 - 9:00 pm.
Saturdays: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm.
- Participate in Loaves & Fishes Program (*See Explanation
Below).
- Recite the Rosary privately each day.
- Visit the Blessed Sacrament in church during the
day.
*Loaves & Fishes Program This is a voluntary
Alms Giving Program which benefits needy individuals and families in
our area. How to participate? Eliminate some food item at daily meals
during Lent and offer the cost of that item for the hungry poor or offer
the cost of one weekly meal. Your alms may be placed in the collection
basket weekly or at the end of Lent. Loaves & Fishes envelopes were
included with your monthly envelope packets that were sent home. Specially
marked envelopes for this collection will be available in the bulletin
racks beginning next weekend.
Easter Duty
Catholics are expected to receive Holy Communion at least once between
the first Sunday of Lent (February 21) and the Feast of the Holy Trinity
(May 30).
+ + +
H1N1 Virus and the Celebration of
Mass
Since it has been recently reported that the H1N1 Virus
is still being contracted by people, the Diocese of Bridgeport recommends
the following:
1) Refrain from holding hands when praying the Our Father,
2) At the Sign of Peace, reverence one another by a bow of the head,
smiles, or meaningful eye contact,
3) Receive Holy Communion in your hand rather than on your tongue,
4) If you have a cold or other symptoms (sneezing, sore throat, chills,
etc.) avoid receiving Communion from the cup.
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An Important Announcement for Our Parishioners
Regarding Admission to a Hospital or Convalescent Home
If you are admitted to a hospital and would like a visit from the parish
clergy during your stay, inform the Admissions Office that you are a
Roman Catholic and a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church in Stratford.
Your name will then be added to a confidential list for visiting clergy.
If a person is admitted to a convalescent home, a family mem-ber must
call the parish office at 377-0928 in order to notify the clergy of
the situation. The convalescent home will not contact the parish.
Parish Registration
Many times parishioners request letters of recommendation for educational
or employment purposes, as well as Sponsor Certificates to be Godparents
at Baptism or sponsors at Confirmation, and other special needs. It
is difficult for the Pastor to fulfill these requests, when a parishioner
is not registered in our Census. The parish census also helps the parish
staff to plan pastoral activities. To register in our parish, call the
parish office at 377-0928, or, fill out the form in this bulletin entitled
"INFORMATION FOR THE PASTOR" and return the form to the parish office.
____________
Use of Parish Facilities and
Equipment
1) All arrangements MUST be made ONLY through the Parish Office.
Please do not ask another group already scheduled, to move to another
location in the Parish Center. For security reasons, we must know
at all times: by whom, where and when the Parish Center is occupied
by someone.
2) For security reasons and insurance purposes, our Parish will
not RENT space in our facilities, and will not LOAN any equipment
for use outside of our facilities.
Why is it important that all parishioners
are registered in our Parish Census?
Many times parishioners request letters of recommendation for educational
or employment purposes, as well as Sponsor Certificates to be sponsors
at Baptism or Confirmation, and other special needs. It is difficult
for the Pastor to fulfill these requests, when you are not registered
in our Parish Census. The Parish Census also helps the pastor and staff
to plan pastoral activities. Please be sure that you are registered
adequately in our census files. Call the Parish Office at 377-0928.
(NB - If you receive our parish mailings you are registered).
Also, don't forget
When you are admitted to the hospital, remember to tell the Admittance
Office at the hospital that you belong to Our Lady of Grace Parish.
If the sick person being admitted cannot articulate this information,
a family member should do so. With the recent confidentiality laws in
place this is the only means we have to know who is Catholic and with
what parish the sick person is affiliated. This is important for the
parish clergy making visits to our parishioners at the hospital.
Are You Planning to Change Your Address?
Please notify the Parish Office so that we may alter your census information
and our mailing list. Thank you.
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