The weekend mass schedule is:

 Saturday – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday – 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 

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Our 4:00 pm Saturday sabbath mass will be live-streamed and available on our Facebook and YouTube pages beginning at 4:00pm. It will be posted here on our home page usually by 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening and available on all three throughout the weekend.The readings for this week’s mass can be found by clicking on this link.

 


Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 17,2024

Please give or sign up today – your donation is now more important than ever – Thank you!

To signup please click on “On-Line Giving Button” on our website or by clicking this link, https://www.osvhub.com/olgstratford/funds.

For customer assistance please call 1-800-348-2886 and choose option 1.

Pastor's Message

  • Dear Friends,

    We have reached a pivotal point in dealing with

    our parish finances. Our Sunday Offertory collection continues to be in deficit and calls for direct action. Our parish offertory is $50,000.00+ in deficit. We are in need of a miracle!

    Here are some of the facts:

    -In 2023, the parish did not receive a recognized donation from 61% of our registered families.
    -We have lost the weekly donation of more than 125 households due to Death, people moving to Nursing Facilities, or joining their Families!

    -50% of our Sunday attendees have not returned to Church during and after the pandemic.
    -The parish bills are very similar to your bills, they have increased.

    What will the miracle be:

    • Welcoming the many new faces we see at our masses. If you are a new parishioner, please call the parish office and register!
    • Intentional giving, meaning increasing your Weekly Offering
    • Responding to our Easter Mailing and making a sacrificial gift on Easter.
    • If you are going to be away for Easter, please remember to send us your Easter gift.
    • If you are new, you may use the visitor Envelopes in the pew, make a donation and note you want to be contacted by the parish staff.

    On Easter Sunday we will sing Alleluia the Lord is Risen! And our parish will be working to gain “financial stability.”

    Peace,

    Msgr. Ryan

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Mass Times & Reconciliation

SABBATH MASSES


Saturday – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday  Masses are at 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

We invite parishioners to present the Offertory Gifts! Our 4:00 p.m. Saturday sabbath mass will be live-streamed. The mass will continue to be available on our Facebook and YouTube pages beginning at 4:00pm on Saturday and throughout the weekend! It will be available usually by 6:00 p.m on Saturday on the homepage of our website.Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14th

The Ash Wednesday schedule will be
• 9 AM Mass with Ashes
• Noon Mass with Ashes
• 6:30 PM Family Prayer Service with Ashes

Stations of the Cross will be each Friday at Noon

.DAILY MASS

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday at 9:00 a.m.Holy Days.

HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE

Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother. The Feast is a Holy day of Obligation. Masses will be on Thursday, December 7th at 5:30 PM, and Masses on the Holy day are at 9 AM and Noon.

Masses will be at 5:30 pm on the Vigil of the Holy Day and Masses on the Holy Day at 9:00 am and Noon.

ADORATION

Wednesday mornings, Deacon John Piatak will hold a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. to begin Eucharistic Adoration. Please come and join us for prayer and adoration weekly from 9:30 a.m.-Noon.

.PARISH ROSARY

  Join us weekday mornings at 8:30am to pray the rosary of the Blessed Mother.

CONFESSION

Saturday 1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m.

Church is open for prayer Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Winter Weather Policy

We have developed a policy that safeguards our parishioners and will allow time for our parish contractors to clear the property during storms

Weekdays

:When the schools are delayed or closed or the Town or State has advised against travel, Daily Mass will be cancelled for that day. The parish will announce the cancellation on WFSB Channel 3.

Weekends 

When severe weather occurs during weekend Mass times, please check WFSB Channel 3. Your safety is important to us! Any Mass intention effected by the cancellation will be said during the next week.

Handicapped Parking

The four spaces directly in front of the Church on Second Hill Lane are handicapped parking spaces. These spaces are for our parishioners who have a handicap parking sticker.

Wheelchair Seating

We invite you to be seated in the front area of the church. You and your family can be seated. Communion will be brought to you at the beginning of Communion time

Why be a Member of the Parish? Not a registered member of OLG! Many parishioners seek Mass cards, sacramental certificates, and/or sponsor certificates. We invite you to become a parishioner filling out the Become A Parishioner form found in the bulletin and emailed as attachment to cnucera@olgstratford.com dropped in the Drop Box by the rectory or by using the on-line registration link. If you prefer NOT to register online call the Parish Office at 203-377-0928 x 113.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Are you or do you know someone who is looking for personal growth in their Catholic Faith?

If you are an adult who has never been baptized

If you are an adult who has been baptized in a non-Catholic community

If you are an adult who has been baptized in the Catholic Church but never received Eucharist or Confirmation

If you are an adult interested in finding out more about the Catholic Faith, RCIA may be for you. For further information or questions you may call Linda Skowronski at 203-375-8992

Bishop Caggiano's Podcast

Why be a Member of the Parish?

Not a registered member of OLG! Many parishioners seek Mass cards, sacramental certificates, and/or sponsor certificates. We invite you to become a parishioner filling out the Become A Parishioner form found in the bulletin and emailed as attachment to cnucera@olgstratford.com dropped in the Drop Box by the rectory or by using the on-line registration link. If you prefer NOT to register online call the Parish Office at 203-377-0928 x 113. 

 

2024 Mass Book

Mass book 2024 

The 2024 Mass book is open. Please note the following changes when scheduling your masses for 2024:

  • Mass for Parishioners will be scheduled for weekdays during 2024.
  • You may only schedule 5 weekend masses for 2024
  • Masses with Collective Intentions will be scheduled for the first Saturday of the month beginning July
    6th, 2024. The parish Council will develop the implementation of the Collective Intention Mass in our parish.

Please consider having a Sanctuary Lamp lit for your intentions. The stipend is $10.00 per Lamp. Mass cards can be picked up in the Parish Office during office hours. Parish Memorial Books – When you wish to remember a special someone, remember that Our Lady of Grace Parish has a Memorial Program. The purpose of the Memorial Program is to provide the funding of small projects within the parish. For example, vestments, ritual books, and other liturgical needs. This is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone living or deceased or in thanksgiving for a prayer answered. The Memorial Books are displayed in the Chapel area by the Tabernacle. For information on the OLG Memorial Program or to make a donation please call Cathy at the Parish Office (203) 377-0928 x 113. 

The Diocese of Bridgeport has asked us to pray for our priests. They publish a monthly list  of priests to pray that month. We have added a Pray for Our Priests page to our website with the names of the priests bring prayed for during the month. Each week on our home page we will list the names of the priests to be prayed for that week. The priests we are asked to pray for this week are: March 10 – Fr. Robert Post;;  March 11 – Msgr. Joseph Potter;;  March 12 – Msgr. Thomas Powers March 13 – Fr. Harry Prieto;  March 14- Fr. Joseph Prince;  March 15 – Fr. Tomasz Przbly, SVD;  March 16 – Fr. William Quinlan;  March 17 – Fr. Jake Rachwalski; March 18 – Fr. Justin Raj, IMS;  March 19- Fr. Alfred Riendeau.

A message from Msgr. Ryan: As your Pastor,  Iwant to let you know that I am in complete support of the Appeal, and I am asking that you join with me to do everything we can to make the Bishop’s Appeal successful in our parish. I am counting on you, members of our parish family, to participate sacrificially in this vital appeal for the good of the Diocese of Bridgeport and its ability to address urgent needs and build new ways to advance our mission as the Body of Christ in Fairfield County.

Click here to visit the Bishop’s Appeal Website

We are hopeful that 100% of our registered households will respond to the 2024 Bishop’s Appeal. While the level of sacrifice will differ from parishioner to parishioner, an Appeal gift this year is within the reach of the majority of our people. Please prayerfully consider supporting the Bishop’s Appeal with a pledge or one-time gift as your means allow. Your support is much needed and will be greatly appreciated! We will be asking for your support next weekend March 9th & 10th.

Our Lady of Grace Parish

2024 Bishop’s Appeal as of 2/21/2024

ABA Goal: $67,800.00

Total Pledged: $21,265.00 / 31.36%

Donors to Date: 46 Donors

Welcome!

Parish Happenings

                 Reconciliation Monday, March 25th

On Monday, March 25th, Reconciliation for the Catholic Community of Stratford will be held at St. James Church, 2070 Main St. from 3pm to 9pm. The priests from the five parishes will be offering confessions during this time.

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We have added a new tab on our website. This tab, Religious Resources, will include the Diocese of Bridgeport, the Fairfield County Catholic (latest edition), the Leadership Institute, seasonal resources (Lent Easter, Advent, Christmas) and other resources, This will allow us space on the opening website page for parish news, information and activities!

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The K of C will once again sell the beautiful Palm Crosses – Available for only $13.00 each! Contact Pat O’Keefe at 203-400-8712. Visit our website to download a form at:  https://msgrmooneycouncil13228.weebly.com/news.html  or complete an online form by visiting this page:” https://forms.gle/mUoyibqtxynaEDXV7. Payment may be via Cash or Check. Proceeds benefit the Msgr. Mooney Scholarship Fund. Proceeds support our Annual High School Graduate Scholarship as well as a local seminarian, Dylan Schilace. The first seminarian you’ve helped us support for years is now Father Matt Lowman who was ordained in May of 2023!
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LENTEN FISH DINNERS ARE BACK, AND WHAT A CATCH!!!!!! Pre-order today using QRC.
Fridays – Friday, March 15 – CURBSIDE ONLY, serving 6pm till 7:00pm
Our Lady of Grace, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, 06614. Click on the link to order:
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Loaves and Fishes Campaign – Will you and your family consider the Lenten sacrifice of a “meager meal” once a week during Lent and donate the money you would have spent on a more substantial meal to feed local families who can’t afford to put food  on their table? Please consider supporting Catholic Charites Loaves and Fishes Lenten campaign to feed our most vulnerable neighbors. Food insecurity continues to be the number one issue impacting people in our community and your family’s Lenten sacrifice can make a significant impact! Donations can be made online via the Catholic Charities website at  https://www.ccfairfield.org/donate/.  Checks made out to Catholic Charites may be mailed to: Catholic Charities ATT: Finance Dept/L&F Campaign 238 Jewett Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06606.

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CRS Rice Bowl – During this holy time, we are called to pause and pay closer attention to our relationship with God and our neighbors. Reflect on how the Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving can guide your journey and how the Eucharist helps us to live in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world. Visit https://www.crsricebowl.org to learn more and read this week’s Story of Hope.

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Catholic Youth Ministry – Catholic Community of Stratford

Are you interested in being part of a committee that will help revitalize and grow youth ministry in the Catholic Community of Stratford? Our five-parish collaborative has been accepted into the Accompaniment Project with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. As part of the steering committee for this new initiative, an NFCYM-appointed coach will train us (Accompaniment Steering Committee) to lead the work of the project for a period of three years. In that time, we will help educate the adults in our communities on what it means to accompany young people in faith as well as to provide them with the practical skills they need to do so. If you are interested please reach out to Colin Petramale at: colin.petramale@setoncollaborative.org.

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Call for Ministers to Sick and Shut-in

We are looking for volunteers who will visit our homebound parishioners with Holy Communion.The parishioners who are looking for visits may live incBridgeport, Shelton, and Stratford. Volunteer Visitors will be trained!

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Parish Family Mass – On Sunday March 25th, we will celebrate “Palm Sunday”. We would like to invite our children to participate in the Procession of the Palms. We will begin at the back door of the church with the blessing of the Palms. The children will follow Msgr. Ryan in passing out the palms and the palms will be blessed. I hope many children will join us!

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We are seeking to begin a new ministry within the parish. Our Prayer shawl ministry would gather women from the parish who are talented in knitting and/or crocheting would gather for prayer and mutual support. They would create for the parish baptismal blankets for our children being baptized and prayer shawls for our homebound. For further information please contact Cathy Nucera at 203-377-0928 x113.

Special Thank You – A special thank you to the women of the Stratford Baldwin Center who have been knitting and crocheting baby blankets for our newly baptized children. Your talent is a blessing to our parish and our young families.

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Lord’s Kitchen – The volunteers from Our Lady of Grace Parish will be serving the meal at the Lord’s Kitchen on Monday, March 25th. Our volunteers ask the help of our parishioners by donating bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet tissue. We are accepting monetary donations to assist with the meal expense! The collection buckets will be available March 16/17 to receive your donations. The buckets will be placed outside the rectory garage.

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Questions of the Week March 10th – Fourth Sunday of Lent

Through the Eyes of Faith

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 • Dissolution of Judah
Ephesians 2:4-10 • Generosity of God’s Plan
 John 3:14-21 • Jesus’ Teaching to Nicodemus

Adults: Do you see the world as basically evil, or as good? What difference does this make in the way you live?

Kids: Where do you see goodness in God’s world?

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We would like to thank our online donors for their support of our parish. We would like to ask our donors to check their accounts. We have noticed that your credit card may have expired or you have changed account numbers. Your financial support to our parish are important! Please call (203) 3770928 x113.

Click on “On-Line Giving Button” on our website or by clicking this link, https://www.osvhub.com/olgstratford/funds. For customer assistance please call 1-800-348-2886 choose option 1 or the Parish Office at (203) 377-0928 x113.  To insure the proper date for your donation, we will be announcing each month the second collections and their dates. March 16 – Easter Flowers.

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CallingPost Please watch for our calls each Friday night at 7pm. If you wish to receive our parish CallingPost call 2033770928 X113.

Thank you for receiving our CallingPost message on Friday evening at 7pm. Did you know 86.6% of our parishioners are receiving our CallingPost message? Please listen to our message during Lent!

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The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, March 13th.

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Our Lady Of Grace

Roman Catholic Parish

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