The 2025 Bishop’s Appeal provides the funds for the pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Bridgeport. This year’s theme, One In Christ, seeks to unite the diocese in service, compassion and faith as we work together to bring our sisters and brothers together to encounter and embrace the power of the Lord Jesus in our lives. This week you will receive a letter from Bishop Caggiano on this year’s Appeal, please take time to read the information thoroughly, give prayerful consideration on how you can help and make your sacrificial gift to the campaign. Thank you. For more than a century, Catholic Charities of Fairfield County has offered a wide range of social services to the greater Fairfield County community. Your gift to the Bishop’s Appeal will assist Catholic Charities to do the incredible work that it does for our most vulnerable neighbors in Fairfield County

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Parish Council

The Parish Council met on Saturday January 25th. The Council was asked by a parishioner to consider sponsoring a Parish Tag Sale in 2025. The Council had a lively discussion and concluded a response. The Council will gather a “Tag Sale Committee”. The committee will conduct a feasibility study, create a plan and report back to the Parish Council. if you are interested in joining the committee, contact Marie Radcliff by email at zerbini47@icloud.com.

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Save the Date Our Annual Marriage Jubilee Mass will be February 9th at the 11:30 am Mass. If you are celebrating a jubilee year please RSVP by completing this form.and return it to the church office by February 3rd. Thank you!

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“Women of Grace”

Save the Date!

The Women of Grace are making plans for the coming months. Save the date of Saturday, February 22nd for a family craft event. Watch for more information and click to see the flyer. The women will soon be announcing a Women’s prayer group, more information to follow. The next Women of Grace meeting will be Tuesday February 11th at 7 p.m. in Madonna Hall. We invite you to join the Women of Grace email list. Please send an email to Nancy Rosa (nancyrosa521@icloud.com)  

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Mission Statement:

Our Lady of Grace Church follows in the steps of the Mother of the Savior as disciples bringing Jesus’s love to all by proclaiming and living the Gospel as we build a community that serves others, respects human dignity, promotes justice, increases spirituality, seeks to provide for the vulnerable and poor, cares for all aspects of the environment, and welcomes all into its community. To view and read our vision statement click here

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Holy Year 2025 “Pilgrims of Hope”

The theme is an invitation to share the hope of the Christian faith with the world, which is suffering from the effects of war, poverty, climate change, and the COVID pandemic. The theme also encourages people to reignite their faith and share it with others.

Pope Francis’s message: Pope Francis said that the word “pilgrim” makes people think about walking, and that he wishes people to always be on the move and keep moving forward in life. He also said that the Jubilee should be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.

The Holy Year of Jubilee is an event that takes place every 25 years in the Catholic Church. The idea behind the Jubilee year is to allow the faithful to start afresh with a clean slate.

Holy Year Prayer

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom. May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.

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Called by Name

Sunday, January 12th iwas Called by Name Sunday! Bishop Caggiano is asking us to identify faithful young men (ages 16-40) who exhibit qualities of leadership and service, and who may be open to the priesthood. To submit names, please visit https://www.bridgeportpriest.org/called. Men you submit will receive a letter of encouragement from Bishop Caggiano, an invitation to a special dinner, and support from our Vocation Team. Thank you for your participation in this important campaign!

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Adult Confirmation

We are reaching out to adult parishioners (18 years and older). We are sharing with you a call for all those who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Diocese of Bridgeport, we have a tradition to offer the Sacrament in our parish on the Feast of Pentecost (June 8, 2025) For further information. Contact Msgr Ryan (msgrryan@olgstratford.com).

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Liturgical Volunteers

As the new year is ahead of us, we are in need of volunteers for our Sunday 11:30 am Mass. Can you assist us as Readers, Eucharistic ministers, and greeters. If interested contact Cathy Nucera.

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Please Support Our Future Priests

Bishop Caggiano would like to remind us all to consider participating in the Seminarian Appeal. The formation of our future priests is a critical responsibility for our Diocese, and we rely heavily on the support of generous donors like you to make this possible. The cost of educating and training a seminarian for the priesthood has risen to over $60,000 annually, and it is becoming increasingly challenging to meet these expenses without additional assistance from our faithful community. Please support our future priests who will serve our communities for many years to come! Please give at https://www.bridgeportpriest.org/give

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Diocesan Vocation Prayer

Heavenly Father, renew your presence among us through the gift of the ministerial priesthood, through which we are given the gift of the sacraments, most especially the Eucharist. Grant courage to those whom you are calling to serve at your altar as priests, 20 that they may receive your call with generosity and respond with their whole hearts. May the stewards of your mysteries grow in number and persevere in holiness of life. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Question of the Week – February 9th–5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Stretching Our Limits

Simon Peter fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” (Lk. 5:8,10b)

Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 • Call of Isaiah
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 • Christ’s resurrection
Luke 5:1-11 • Call of the first disciples

Adults: When have you felt inadequate to a task or role you were given? How did you respond?

Kids: When have you been asked to do something you felt might be too hard for you? What did you do?

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We would like to thank our on–line 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) 377–0928 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: There is no second collection for Feb. 9/10 or for Feb. 16/17

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CallingPost – Please watch for our calls each Friday night at 7pm. If you wish to receive our parish CallingPost call 203–377–0928 X113.

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