Click here to view the video of this weekend’s Mass
Pastor's Message
Dear Friends,
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano announced today that there will be no public Liturgical Celebrations for Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter or through April 30, 2020. To read the announcement please click here. As Bishop Caggiano sends the pastors updates, i will share them with you. We are looking into the best ways to share Sunday masses, Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter with you. We will keep you informed. As of now Bishop Caggiano has said, “Blessed palms can be distributed at a later date that will be designated; tentatively Pentecost Sunday, so all parishes can distribute blessed palms on the same day. The Diocese is also inviting everyone to join in Nine Days of Prayer. For more information and to join click here.
I continue to offer Mass each day for scheduled intentions and to remember you in my daily intentions. Our Church is open each day from 10am until 2pm for private prayers. Please practice social distancing We tried to videotape this weekends Mass but had some technical issues. We hope that you will find the weekend Mass on our website starting March 29th.
The parish office is closed to the public as we practice social distancing. We invite you to call and leave your messages. We will return your calls in a timely manner. The parish will continue to publish the weekly bulletin. We will email a copy to the 527 email addresses that we currently have on our census. If we do not have your email address please call the office so we can add you to the list. You may also view the bulletin on-line at our website <www. Olgstratford.com>. Bulletins are available outside the parish garage in a folder box. Please read the bulletin for Up To Date information.
Offertory Donation – To make donations during this time of masses being cancelled please consider:
1. Mailing your donation to the Parish directly.
2. Dropping off your donation in lock box that has been installed outside the garage located next to the rectory sidewalk.
3. Go online to our EFT/Online Giving and sign up temporarily. Click here for the link.
Please call Stacey at the Parish Office (203) 377-0928 x13 with any questions or concerns.
Click here to read Bishop Caggiano’s letter to us, the faithful of the Diocese.
Msgr. Ryan
Mass Times & Reconciliation
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano announced on March 25, 2020 that there will be no public masses including liturgical celebrations for Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter through April 30, 2020. To read his announcement click here.
Weekday Masses will be celebrated in private by Msgr. Ryan. The Church will be open from 10am until 2pm daily for prayer.
SABBATH MASSES
Saturday – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday – 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.
DAILY MASS
Monday – Friday at 9:00 a.m.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Friday mornings at the 9:00 a.m. mass
CONFESSION
Friday 8:30 a.m.–8:50 a.m. Saturday 1:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
The church is open from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for those who wish to stop in to pray in front of the Tabernacle or the Marion icon.
Prayer Time in Church between March 17th until April 3rd
With Public masses being suspended the church will be open for prayer from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm daily. Please use this time to visit the Marian Chapel and/or the Blessed Sacrament. Please respect the social distancing requests of the President and do not disturb areas in the church being cleaned.
HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE
Vigil Mass – 7:00 p.m.
Holy Day Masses – 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon
LENT
Lenten Fasting and Abstinence during Lent
The rules for fasting and abstinence in the United States are: Every person 14 years or older must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. Every person between the age of 18 and 59 (beginning of 60th year) must fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is one full meal and two smaller meals and fast between meals.
Parish Lenten Services
Due to the Corona Virus Parish Lenten Services are cancelled until further notice.
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!
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 or email Denise at denisebartelson@olgstratford.com
Bishop Caggiano's Corner
Welcome!
Join us to pray, smile, listen, encourage, and invite others to come home.
Be Still and Know that I am God – Psalm 46:10
On-line Giving Program )
Please sign up today! 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.
PARISH REGISTRATION
Why register? Through your participation as a “Parish Steward”, you continue to help a community of faith grow. You gain services when you need them, such as Baptism, Visitation of the Sick, Sponsorship Certificates and a place for a Funeral. You will also receive updated information regarding the parish by email or by our auto-call system.
To register, stop by the Parish Office or fill out the Become A Parishioner form and drop it in the offertory basket during mass
Office hours: M–F, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Parish News
Parish Life During the Corona Virus & Spiritual Resources
Dear Friends,
The Coronavirus has created a world of chaos. Please keep yourself healthy! Please pray for those who have been infected by the virus. Especially pray for the caregivers and medical professionals who are serving us!
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano announced today that there will be no public Liturgical Celebrations for Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter or through April 30, 2020. To read the announcement please click here. As Bishop Caggiano sends the pastors updates, i will share them with you. We are looking into the best ways to share Sunday masses, Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter with you. We will keep you informed. As of noe Bishop Caggiano has said, “Blessed palms can be distributed at a later date that will be designated; tentatively Pentecost Sunday, so all parishes can distribute blessed palms on the same day
To read Bishop Caggiano’s letter to the faithful of the Diocese click here.
This week has been very challenging. Masses have been suspended and I am saying Mass each day for the intentions that have been scheduled.It took me 44 years to say a quiet mass! The Church is open each day from 10am to 2pm for private prayer however we need to keep the number of visitors within the limits of the directives. We are hoping to video Sunday’s mass and have it available on our website and/or YouTube – check back for more information.
I will be communicating with you by Calling Post (robo-call) and email. If you have previously blocked the Calling Post (405-308-4474) please consider unblocking it at least during this time. I also ask you to check this website (www.olgstratford.com) for information.
Please follow the health directives of the Town and State. Wash your hands! Pray for me and I’ll pray for you! May our faith by stronger than our fear!
Msgr. Ryan
The Mass is on TV every day on Cablevision (Optimum)
Channel 24 has the Mass from Hartford everyday at 10 am
Channel 135 EWTN Daily Mass at Noon
Channel 137 Catholic Faith Network from Rockville Center NY at 11am
On Frontier Vantage the Mass from Hartford can be seen at 10 a.m. on Channel 20 or 1020 in HD.
Channel 562 EWTN
On the web the mass can be seen at the time listed or viewed later
Catholic TV at 9:30 a.m- http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass
The Mass from Hartford at 10:00 a.m. – http://www.ortv.org/
Please pray the following prayer at Communion Time
An Act of Spiritual Communion
Those who are unable to attend Mass or receive Holy Communion may make an Act of Spiritual Communion. The Act, which can be offered for all those have died or are suffering from the Coronavirus, can be a simple prayer, such as “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen”
Parish Daily to Our Lady of Prompt Succor
V: Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
O Mary, Mother of God, who amid the tribulations of the world, watch over us and over the Church of your Son, be to us and to the Church, truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Make haste to help us all in our necessities, that in this fleeting life you may be our succor, and obtain for us (here ask the particular favor you desire). As you once saved our beloved city from ravaging flames and our country from an invading army, have pity on us and obtain for us protection from hurricanes and all other disasters. Be to us truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor now and especially at the hour of our death.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Hasten to Help Us.
A PRAYER IN TIME OF PANDEMIC (Bishop of Worcester, MA.)
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial. Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son: Be not afraid, for I am with you always. Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Time in Church between March 17th until April 3rd
Weekday Masses will be celebrated in private by Msgr. Ryan. The church will be open for prayer from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm daily. Please use this time to visit the Marian Chapel and/or the Blessed Sacrament. Please respect the social distancing requests of the President and do not disturb areas in the church being cleaned.
Stations of the Cross
This devotion will be missed by many during this time of social distancing, but you may continue your devotion on-line. If you open: You Tube and search “Stations of the Cross” you will find a prayerful presentation.
Stations of the Cross with Fr. Reed or click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Stations of the Cross from the National Shrine of Divine Mercy
Stations of the Cross with Bishop Barron
Stations of the Cross from the Holy Land
The Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center is offering a Messages of Hope Series in an effort to keep communities connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. They offer offer the following homilies, reflections and musical selections to provide support and hope during these difficult times. Click here to view the series.
The Knights have cancelled the Food Drive scheduled for April 4/5. For more information and information regarding the Palm Crosses and their distribution click here.
The Lent 2020 page of this website has links and resources including a YouTube video of the Stations of the Cross for those who cannot attend the Stations on Fridays at noon. Check it out!
Hey Daddy…..Hey Mommy Did you know?? This ite has moved and is now a page on the Faith Formation tab! Click here to see what’s new on the page!
Faith Formation invites everyone to join them on their Prayer Walk!
THE FRIEND OF JESUS PRAYER
Don’t walk behind me because I may not want to lead. Don’t walk ahead of me I may not want to follow. Walk aside me and be my friend!
Hope you will join us on our Prayer Walk! Click here for more information.
Be sure to check out the Our Spiritual Life tab on this website for resources to help deepen our faith.
Virtus Training and Background Checks – Creating a Safe Environment for our Parish. We need all of our parish volunteers to be Virtus Trained, and to take a Background Check!
If you are a new volunteer or are considering becoming a volunteer contact George Zamary at 203-377-0928 X9 for further information.
Parish Finances
Parish Finances
MAKE-UP ENVELOPES
When you miss mass, due to weather or sickness or because you were out of town, may we ask you to make up your offering envelope. Your weekly donation is important to us, so that we can continue to serve our parishioners.
2020 Mass Book
Remembering Someone Special
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 Stacey at the Parish Office (203) 377-0928 x13.
The 2020 Mass Book is available for your Mass intentions. Masses can be said for either “living” or “deceased”. Mass stipends are $10.00 for Masses said during the week and $20.00 for weekend Masses. If a specific day is unavailable, please consider having a Sanctuary Lamp lit for your intentions. The stipend is $10.00 per Lamp.