We are hopeful that 100% of our registered households will respond to the 2025 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! To learn more please visit: https://www.2025BishopsAppeal.org Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your generosity We have received 57 donations for the 2025 Annual Bishop’s Appeal in the amount of $20,395.00 or 30.08 % of our goal. Thank you

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Stations of the Cross

We will celebrate the Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent. The Stations will be prayed at 12:00 noon on each Friday.

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Meeting with Volunteers

The Parish Liturgical Volunteers will meet on Tuesday, March 25th, at 7pm in the Church. We need to discuss our plans for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. We will also discuss the renewal of receiving The Precious Blood at Sunday Mass, the collection process at Mass, and inviting new volunteers and ministers.

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First Reconciliation

May the Lord bless our children who recently received First Reconciliation. Please pray for them as they continue to prepare for the Sacrament of First Communion in May. More photos can be seen in our Parish Photo Gallery!

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Lenten Activities Sponsored by CCS

Into the Desert: Lenten Series in CCS March 8, March 22, April 5, 2025 – 10:00am – 12:00pm –  Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, CT 06614

During Lent, the Church invites us to pray, fast and give alms. But how exactly do we do that? Join us for Into the Desert, a faith-sharing series among adult parishioners in the Stratford parishes. March 8, March 22, and April 5, from 10am-12pm at Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall. Each session will include light breakfast, prayer, and reflection. Suggested offering: $50. Email Lorena to RSVP – lmelgar@setoncollabrative.org.

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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/loaves. 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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“Women of Grace”

The next Women of Grace meeting will be Tuesday March 18th at 7 p.m. in Madonna Hall. The Daily Prayer Group phone line is now open. You can leave your intention request by calling 203-377-0928 x117. The Rosary Group will be forming every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm starting March 26, in the Church followed by scriptural Meditation & reflection. All are Welcome to participate. Save the Date – We will be holding a Family Game Night on May 16th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. More information coming

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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 24, 2025. We ask our parish family to keep our volunteers in their prayers as they take care of those who are in need. Our volunteers also ask the help of 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 the weekend of March 15th and 16th receive your donations. The buckets will be placed outside the rectory garage.

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Parish Council

The Parish Council will meet on Saturday, March 22nd from 10am to noon in Madonna Hall. The Council invites parishioners to make suggestions for Council discussion. Please leave your questions or suggestions in the drop box outside the Penance Room.

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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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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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The prayer intention for the Catholic Holy Year of 2025 is to reawaken hope for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Prayer intention

“Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom” Pray Daily!

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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Question of the Week – March 16 –Second Sunday of Lent – Transformed by Christ

But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20)<

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 • The covenant with.Abram
Philippians 3:17–4:1 • Christ our goal
Luke 9:28b-36 • Jesus transfigured

Adults: How are your priorities affected by your faith in Jesus Christ?

Kids: When you have important choices to make, do you and your family pray to make the right choice?

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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: March 22/23 – Hope for the Future; March 29/30 – Catholic Relief Services Central-Eastern Europe. 

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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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