March 24, 2024

Dear Friends,

We have entered into a deeply spiritual week that challenges us. I hope you will join us for the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Here is the schedule and an explanation of the prayer events.

Holy Thursday – The Lord’s Supper begins at 7:30pm. – The mass is the remembrance of the last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. Traditionally the priest washed the feet of parishioners reminding of Jesus’ teaching his disciples to be of service to others. We will wash the hands of our Parish staff, who will wash parishioner hands. The Mass will end with the procession from the Church to the Altar of Repose in Madonna Hall. Adoration until 10pm.

Good Friday – At 1pm The Knights of Columbus and our Faith Formation children will lead our parishioners in the outdoor Stations of the Cross.
At. 3pm the Passion of the Lord will be celebrated. There will be the Reading of the Lord’s Passion. The veneration of the Cross, and Communion celebrated. The Church will be open until 7pm, for anyone to pray before the Cross of the Lord!

Holy Saturday – The Blessing of Easter Food will take place at noon. The Easter Vigil will begin at 7:30pm.
We will light the new fire and the procession with the Paschal Candle. The Exultet will be sung with the “New Light” entering into the church. The Liturgy of the Word will take place! The new water will be blessed! Our Parishioner Sarah will be welcomed into the Catholic Church. She will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, & Holy Communion. We will renew our Baptismal Promises and be blessed with the Easter Water!

Easter Sunday – Masses will be at 9am and 11:30am. We will have the renewal of Baptismal promises and the sprinkling with Easter Water!

Come and join us for a very special Liturgy.

Peace, Msgr. Ryan

March 17, 2024

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

March 10, 2024

Dear Friends,

On the weekend of March 16/17, we will hold our Annual Easter Flower Collection. Your donation will assist in creating a beautiful holy place for Easter. In past years, our budget has allowed us the ability to fund the Easter flowers. This year we face a much larger deficit in our parish budget. I ask for your generous response.

Peace,

Msgr. Ryan

March 3, 2023

Dear Friends,

We are asking for your assistance. We are being overloaded with information for our parish bulletin. Starting this week we have developed a new policy to assist in keeping you informed. The parish bulletin has been our main communication tool because of our older community members. We will be prioritizing the information that is being sent to us. The priority list will be parish programs and information, Diocesan programs and information, Information from the Stratford Catholic Community, and finally other groups. When needed we will put a section in the bulletin referring you to the parish bulletin boards, the parish website or Facebook page. We will continue with our CallingPost messages on Friday. Our hope is to keep you informed.

Peace,

Msgr. Ryan

February 25, 2024

Dear Friends,

On Monday, March 25th, the Catholic Community of Stratford will celebrate “Reconciliation Monday” at St. James parish from 3pm until 9pm. All the priests of Stratford will be available that afternoon and evening for confessions.

Peace,

Msgr. Ryan