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2026 Bishop’s Appeal

Our Diaconate Formation Program provides support for men who feel “called” to the diaconate at all phases of their discernment. From inquiry through formation, we support and guide our candidates through four and one-half years of study, prayer, and discernment. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, those chosen to participate in the diaconate formation program, focus on the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions of their development – all supported through gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal. We have fifteen men currently in the formation program, three in their 4th year of discernment, eight in their 2nd year and four new aspirants in their first year along with nine new applicants, who are hoping to start their formation journey in May 2026. Following ordination, we continue to support the newly ordained with three additional years of continuing formation focusing on Bishop Caggiano’s vision of encounter and accompaniment with Jesus Christ through Truth, Goodness and Beauty. From this point through retirement, we offer ongoing opportunities for deepening spirituality on retreats, ongoing formation and in our annual convocation. In total, we have 81 deacons in our diocese: 48 who are active and 33 retired, many who continue to serve in their parishes. “Through your donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal, the financial burden of our formation program is minimized. This allows our deacon candidates to focus on their studies and discern their vocation in preparation for supporting our Bishop, the diocese and serving in their assigned parishes upon ordination and beyond.” – Deacon John DiTaranto, Director of the Diaconate, currently serving at St. Stephen Parish, Trumbull. To learn more please visit: www.2026BishopsAppeal.org. Thank you for your support.

We are hopeful that 100% of our registered households will respond to the 2026 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: www.2026BishopsAppeal.org. Thank you for your support.

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Marian Procession & Rosary

Please join us on May 30 following the 4:00 PM Mass fora special procession in honor of our Blessed Virgin Mary. Together, we will pray the Rosary as a parish community, entrusting our intentions to her loving care. All are warmly invited to take part in this beautiful expression of our faith.

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CARNIVAL RAFFLE

To help offset the expenses of our upcoming June Carnival, we will be starting a parish raffle. Your support will go a long way in making this joyful event possible for our community. Tickets are $10 each. Drawing to be held Sunday, June 14th at 5:00pm. If interested in buying a ticket please call or stop by Parish Center. More information in church bulletins.

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Adoration Schedule Update!

Please note that we will no longer have Adoration on Wednesdays. Our last Wednesday Adoration will be on April 29. Beginning in May, Adoration will take place on Fridays following the 9:00 AM Mass with Fr. Paul from 9:30 to 10am. We will also have the healing mass and anointing of the sick blessing on Fridays. We invite all parishioners to join us in this time of prayer and reflection. Please note there will no longer be a prayer service on Wednesday mornings.

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Altar Servers Needed!

Do you have a child who would like to serve at the altar? We are inviting children who have received their First Communion to consider becoming Altar Servers. Serving at Mass is a beautiful way for our young parishioners to grow in their faith, learn more about the Mass, and actively participate in our parish community. Training will be provided. If your child is interested in becoming an Altar Server, please contact the Parish Office at 203-377-0928 X 113 for more information. We would love to welcome new servers!

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Our Parish Bingo is almost ready to get off the ground! With just a few more volunteers, we’ll be able to make this a fun and successful event for our community. Please consider signing up—volunteer sheets can be found in the bulletin at the front and side entrances of the church. Thank you for your support!

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Bible Study

Join us for our Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1-2:30 pm in Madonna Hall or Thursday at 7-8:30 pm in Madonna Hall. Walk Ins Welcome! Can’t commit to every week, stop in to either session!

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Rosary Prayer Group

The Rosary group meets each Wednesday from 6:30pm to 7:00pm in the Church. The Rosary is prayed, and scriptural readings are shared. The group welcomes women and men of the parish to join in prayer.

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Daily Prayer Group

Do you need prayers for yourself, or a loved one? We would love to pray with you and for you! Please call our prayer line at 203-377-0928×117 to leave your prayer intention. We invite both women and men to join our Prayer group. For more info leave your name & number on the prayer line.

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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, May 25th. We ask our parish families to keep our volunteers in their prayers as they take care of those who are in need. Our volunteers also ask the help from parishioners by donating bars of soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet tissue. We are accepting monetary donations to assist with the meal expenses! The collection buckets will be available outside the rectory garage on May 16 & 17 to receive your donations. Thank you for your support

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“Women of Grace”

SAVE THE DATES::

– Sunday, May 8-10. Plant sale. Annual flower and flour ( bake sale)

– Sunday, May 17. May Crowning.

                          .Tuesday, May 19 – 7:00 pm is our monthly meeting in Madonna Hall. All women of the parish are                 welcome to join us. No registration required. Call Nancy (203)767-5994 for questions.

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Eucharistic Ministers

Will you answer the Lord’s call to ministry? The parish is in need of your assistance. We are asking you to join our Eucharistic Ministry. There will be training. This call to ministry will help us renew ministers and add a Communion Station at our larger attended masses. For further information, please contact Cathy Nucera at 203-377-0928 x113.

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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 post the second collections here. May 23/24 – Hope for the Future

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Perpetual Adoration

As part of Bishop’s Frank’s vision for “The One” Each Deanery is to have a place for “Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist. For the Stratford Catholic Community, Perpetual Adoration is held at St. Mark Parish.

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