Saint Gregory the Great Parish 85 Great Plain Road

Danbury, Connecticut 06811 203 797-0222

Website: www.stgregdanbury.org

REVEREND MICHAEL L. DUNN, PASTOR Fr. Christopher Ford, Parochial Vicar

Deacons Robert Blankschen, William Murphy, Daniel Myott

The Eucharist Saturday: Vigil: 4:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12 noon Daily: 8:00 a.m. Friday: Mass: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. Holy Day Vigil Mass: 7:00 p.m. Holy Day Mass: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

Ministry to the Sick Please inform us about parishioners who are hospitalized or homebound; Communion for the homebound can be arranged by calling the Parish Office.

Baptism: Please call the Parish Office as prior registration is necessary.

Marriage By appointment; call the Parish Office. Arrangements must be made at least 9 months in advance for proper preparation.

Reconciliation Saturday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. By Appointment, anytime.

Parish Membership Registration Forms are available in the main entrance of the church or contact the parish office. Forms may be returned by placing them in the collection basket, mailing them to the office or placing them in the drop box at the office. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Father Dunn after mass.

Parish Office Hours:

Monday—Thursday: 9:00 a.m.— 3:30 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m.— 12:00 p.m.

Inclement Weather: The Parish Office Follows the Danbury Public

School Schedule: Late Opening: 10:00 a.m. Early Dismissal: 12:30 p.m. If schools are cancelled, the offices are closed. All activities are cancelled. The MASS STIPEND is $10 per mass request. We now offer Mass cards for The Intentions

Monday Sept. 9 8:00 a.m.

For the Parish

Tuesday Sept. 10 8:00 a.m.

Ginny Losito

Wednesday Sept. 11 8:00 a.m.

For the Parish

Thursday Sept. 12 8:00 a.m.

Lynn and Drew Carlson

Friday Sept. 13 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.

For the Parish Tina Botterio

Saturday Sept. 14 4:30 p.m. Samuel and Nina Drago Sunday Sept. 15 8:00 a.m. Evo Butera (Choir

Mass)

10:00 a.m. Ken Tracey

12:00 p.m. Patricia Flynn

Masses for the Week

September 8, 2019

23rd Sunday in

Ordinary Time

Presider Sat. Sept. 14 4:30 p.m. Fr. Dunn Sun. Sept. 15 8:00 a.m. Fr. Dunn 10:00 a.m. Fr. Dunn 12:00 p.m. Fr. Dunn

Parish Calendar

Sun. Sept. 8 5:00 p.m.

Youth Group Comm. Rm.

Mon. Sept. 9 12:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Woman’ Sewing Group Parish Council Meeting

Comm. Rm. Comm. Rm.

Tues Sept. 10

11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Rosary Boy Scouts Women of St. Gregory

Church School Comm. Rm.

Wed. Sept. 11 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

Adoration Benediction

Church Church

Thur. Sept. 12 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Aging Mastery Program Woman’s Craft/ Weaving Boy Scout Committee Choir

Parish Hall Comm. Rm. Parish Hall Church

Fri. Sept. 13 9:30 a.m. School Mass Church

Sat. Sept. 14

8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

Men’s Spirituality Confession AA

Church Church Parish Hall

The Tabernacle Candle burning in the Sanctuary of our Church beginning September 14 is for (Evo Butera) requested by (Frank Salvatore, Jr.).

The candle burning next to Mary the Mystical Rose beginning on September 14 is in memory of (), as requested by ().

A Life of Sacrifice and Self-Denial

All worthwhile things in life require sacrifice and self denial. To play a piano well, requires countless hours of practice and tedious exercises. For an athlete to become one of the best in his/her sport, requires putting one’s body through long days of strain, sweat and fatigue. For a marriage to be and good and successful, requires that a husband and wife sacrifice their personal interests and desires, and give entirely of themselves for the sake and good of the other. To be a good parent, one must be willing to spend the majority of their time loving, teaching and following through with their children. Jesus tells us today that the time and effort we put in to attain the worthwhile and joyous things of this world, must be surpassed when it comes to attaining the things of God. Why? A true relationship with God and the gift of eternal life, is far more valuable than anything the world can offer. That is why He tells us that, “Whoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” In other words, to attain the gifts and blessings of God and to obtain the prize of eternal life, takes sacrifice and self-denial. Only by carrying our crosses, will we find true peace and joy. The question is, what do we give to God? How much time do we give to Him? What sacrifices do we make out of love for Him? Have we picked up our cross and come after Him? The good news is that we will not be left to carry our cross alone, for our Lord will be there to help us. In fact, He will walk with us every step of the way, bear most of the weight, and lead us on to victory. Fr Dunn

Sick and Home-bound Ministry

If you, a friend, or a family member would like to be visited by a Sick and Home-bound Minister, please contact our Pastoral

Associate, Devon McCormick, at 203-797-0222.

We Love having you in our Flock! Keep in Touch with us via

email and text! Text StGregs to 84576

Or Connect with us online at:

StGregoytheGreatCT.flocknote.com

YOUTH GROUP We will be hos ng a Youth Group Kick-off party on Sunday, September 8th at 5pm. It will be a fun night with pizza, ice cream, and a chance to see our new program!

More informa on will be announced as it draws nearer.

Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering to

help with Faith Forma on, Youth Group, or visi ng the Sick & Home-bound, please contact our Pastoral

Associate, Devon McCormick, at 203-797-0222. All are welcome to volunteer!

2019 St. Gregory the Great Carnival! Save the date for this year’s Carnival, Saturday Sept. 21st from Noon till 6 PM (Rain

Date Sunday September 22nd). Carnival includes inflatable rides, games, music, food, drink and much more! Wrist bands for unlimited rides can be purchased for $20.

Proceeds to benefit our Parish/School. If you wish to volunteer for this event, please call our Parish Office at (203) 797-0222 or email us at sgbulletin@aol.com.

Please note there will be no 4:30pm Mass Sept. 21st due to the Carnival!

Forest of Fear! New to St. Gregory the Great Parish this year is our Halloween Event, “Forest of Fear”. Come walk our haunted trail, if you dare (behind St. Gregory the Great School)! Cost is $10 per per-son and proceeds will benefit our parish/school. The Forest of Fear will be open from 6-9 PM on both Friday and Saturday nights, on the weekends of Oct. 18/19 and 25/26 (children’s hour

is from 6-7 and is not as scary). Also, refreshments will be served in the school gym. This promises to be both a fun-filled and scary event! Hope to see you there! For more information or if you wish to volunteer for this event, please contact Fr. Dunn at:

frdunn@diobpt.org. Volunteers must at least be high school age. A mandatory meeting for all volunteers is scheduled for Monday September 16 at 7 PM in the Church Hall.

Homemade baked goods are needed for the Carnival. If possible, please wrap in individual size portions which will be sold for $1 each. Items can be brought to the community room next to the parish office Friday night

September from 5:30 to 8.

TABERNACLE OR STATUE CANDLE FOR LOVED ONES

New to our Church beginning with the new year, is the opportunity to remember and honor a loved one, by sponsoring the lighting/burning of our Tabernacle Can-dle. The cost is $20 for the candle that lasts 7 days and will begin and end on a Saturday. The name of your loved one and family will appear as follows in the bulletin: The Tabernacle candle burning in the Sanctuary of our Church this week is in memory of (name), as requested by (individual or family name). OR we will place a candle stand and candle next to our statue of St. Gregory or the Statue of Mary the Mysti-cal Rose, asking for St. Gregory’s or Mary’s special intercession and graces for a loved one. The cost is $20. You pick the date you want the candle to be lit and which statue, and it will be placed there and burn-ing for 7 days. This will also appear in the bulletin as follows: The candle next to (St. Gregory the Great or Mary the Mystical Rose) beginning on (date), is in memory of (name), as requested by (individual or family name). If you are interested in remembering and honoring a loved one in either way, please contact the office at sgbulletin@aol.com or calling the office at (203) 797-0222. *Also, due to the fact that donations aren’t covering the cost of the votive candles on our candle racks, we will be increasing the donation amounts to $2 for the small votives, and $5 for the large votives.

Be a Carnival Sponsor! If you or someone you know would like to sponsor our St. Gregory the Great Carnival, please be sure to pick up a sponsor form in the back of the church.

Current sponsors include:

Diamond NY-Conn Union Savings –Brookfield Branch DPS—Diversified Solutions

Stony Hill Wines & Spirits Platinum

Cornell Memorial Funeral Home Danbury Septic Contractors MJM P.C. Civil Engineer Westchester Modular Homes

Gold Allied Pollution Control Hefferon Heating & Cooling Law Offices of Peter Buzaid

Prime Pub Silver

Frank Salvatore Jr. Bronze

Frank & Maryann Bachyrycz Irene Anderson Saint Gregory the Great’s Story Gregory was the prefect of Rome before he was 30. After five years in office he resigned, founded six monasteries on his Sicilian estate, and became a Benedictine monk in his own home at Rome.

Ordained a priest, Gregory became one of the pope’s seven deacons, and also served six years in the East as papal representative in Constantinople. He was recalled to become abbot, but at the age of 50 was elected pope by the clergy and people of Rome.

Gregory was direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from office, for-bade taking money for many services, emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners of the Lombards and to care for persecuted Jews and the victims of plague and famine. He was very concerned about the conversion of England, sending 40 monks from his own monastery. He is known for his reform of the liturgy, and for strengthening respect for doctrine. Whether he was largely responsible for the revision of “Gregorian” chant is disputed.

Gregory lived in a time of perpetual strife with invading Lombards and difficult relations with the East. When Rome itself was under attack, he interviewed the Lombard king.

His book, Pastoral Care, on the duties and qualities of a bishop, was read for centuries after his death. He described bishops mainly as physicians whose main duties were preaching and the enforcement of discipline. In his own down-to-earth preaching, Gregory was skilled at applying the daily Gospel to the needs of his listeners. Called “the Great,” Gregory has been given a place with Augustine, Ambrose, and Jerome, as one of the four key doctors of the Western Church.

An Anglican historian has written: “It is impossible to conceive what would have been the confusion, the lawlessness, the chaotic state of the Middle Ages without the medieval papacy; and of the medieval papacy, the real father is Gregory the Great.”

Reflection Gregory was content to be a monk, but he willingly served the Church in other ways when asked. He sacrificed his own preferences in many ways, especially when he was called to be Bishop of Rome. Once he was called to public service, Gregory gave his considerable energies completely to this work. Gregory’s description of bishops as phy-sicians fits in well with Pope Francis’ description of the Church as a “field hospital.”

Saint Gregory the Great is the Patron Saint of: England Epilepsy Musicians

Hospital Visitations & Home Visits

Due to the Federal health privacy laws (HIPPA), hospitals can no longer issue

names of admitted patients to area parishes unless it is requested by the patient. You or a family member must let the Admissions Office know of your

desire to have us visit during stay. If you would like a visit at home or at a

rehabilitation center, call the Office at 203-797-0222.

Hospitality & Fellowship

Volunteers are needed.

We are looking for volunteers to act as Mass Greeters (Welcoming people) at each door of the Church. Please consider helping us to promote a warm and welcoming church atmosphere. If you are interested in helping out, providing supplies for the Coffee Break or being a church greeter please contact Fred & Linda Ray at 203-794-1101 or e-mail us at fray125@comcast.net. . Please give them your contact information (phone or e-mail) and they will contact you for the next Coffee Break.

We continue to collect Tab Tops for Shriners’ and Box

Tops and Labels for Education. The Tab Tops support Shriners’ Hospital

for Children and The Box Tops and Labels support St. Gregory the Great

School. Collection baskets are at both side entrances of the church. We

appreciate your continued support.

The Women of St. Gregory The Women of St. Gregory will be meeting the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

in the Parish Community Room starting September 10th. Please join us!

Women’s Sewing and Craft/Weaving Group meet Monday at 12:00 p.m. and Thursday

at 7:00 p.m.

For questions, contact Carolyn Piellucci our President

at 203 –297-4253

FOOD DONATONS We alternate between Daily Bread and Cath-olic Charities with our food donations. In this way we can reach a broader number of people who need assistance. We ask that you be as generous as possible to help feed the hungry. The baskets are located at all the church entrances, and all items should be non-perishable.

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SCHOOL Pre-K--Grade 8

Phone # 203-748-1217 E-mail: sgsoffice@saintgregoryschool.org

Website: saintgregoryschool.org Mission Statement: St. Gregory the Great Catholic School develops students who achieve their full potential by be-coming life-long learners, problem solvers, and leaders. A strong moral foundation rooted in Gospel values, along with rigorous academic preparation, empowers students to make a difference in an ever-changing world. St Gregory the Great :30am. A unique opportunity to explore our commitment to nurturing growing learners in an education for School invites you to tour our school Tues-days from 9:30am-11ward and faith-based environment, you'll be able to experience our school community and cul-ture firsthand and learn about our programs from Pre-K to 8th Grade. For more information, contact us at nfo@sgtgs.org or 203-748-1217. We look forward to seeing you!

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on Saturdays at 9:30. a.m. in the Parish

Community Room. Please join us with your yarn and needles.

Contact Stephanie Martin at stepha-niemartin@outlook.com for additional in-

formation and next meeting date.

Please watch for the start of our Walking with Purpose Bible Study. The group is in need of a Keurig coffee machine. Please contact Rene

at renaissancebh@sbcglobal.net if you have one to donate. Thank you!

T The next Bottle & Can Truck will be at St. Gregory’s during the weekend of October 4-7. Thank you for your support.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle,

be our defense against the wicked-ness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,

by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan

and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Offertory Sept. 1, 2019

$5,752.77

Counters are needed for the Sunday collec ons. It is a 3-4 hour commitment one Sunday a month. Please contact the office if

you are able to volunteer.

New Liturgical Norms Ministry Meetings

Attention all lectors and readers – there will be brief meetings following each of the masses on the weekend of September 7th and 8th to discuss the implementation of the new Diocesan Liturgical norms here at St. Greg’s. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Ford.

Attention all Eucharistic Ministers – there will be brief meetings following each of the masses on the weekend of September 14th and 15th to discuss the implementation of the new Diocesan Liturgical norms here at St. Greg’s. If you have any questions or con-cerns, please contact Fr. Ford.

September and October schedules for

Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers are complete and can be picked

up in the Sacristy.

HELP WANTED Eucharistic Ministers are needed on Sunday

mornings to bring the Eucharist to some of our fellow

parishioners who are residents of local convalescent homes. If you can

devote as little as an hour a month, your gift of time will make a great difference to our

brothers and sisters in the Lord. THE BENEFITS ARE HEAVENLY. Please see

Deacon Bill or call the parish office if you are interested.

SCOUT NEWS

CUB SCOUT PACK 9 - For information, call Cub Master, Stephen Martin at pack9danbury @gmail. com or 203-794-6589. BOY SCOUT TROOP 9 - If you are a boy between the ages of 11-17 and would like to join Scouting, please email Armen Stauffer at www.t9danbury.com/

Celebrate the Lectionary Celebrate the Lectionary normally taught at the 10:00 a.m. Mass has ended for the summer. We look forward to seeing your

children again next fall. Please contact Mary Tracey with

any questions. (marytracey@hotmail.com) .

Important Faith Formation Dates October - 8th @7pm– Faith Formation Social November - 12th @7pm– Catechesis - Eucharist & The Mass 17th @11am– Catechesis - Eucharist & The Mass

**ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN CHURCH HALL**

If You Have Not Registered Your Child for our Faith Formation

Program, Please Call the Office at

203-797-0222

On the first Sunday of each month,

Father Dunn will conduct a Children’s Liturgy at the 10:00

a.m. mass. The homily will be tailored so children will understand God’s

word.

St. Gregory’s Intercessory Prayer

Group Our Intercessory Prayer Group meets the first and third Monday of each month at

8:00 p.m. in the church. All our welcome to come and pray for your own personal

intentions and those of the parish. Meetings last about one half hour.

For more information call Bruce or Patty Barrows at 203-746-3232.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS 46 STONE STREET

DANBURY, CT 06810 Conducts the Sacrament of Reconciliation

every Thursday evening between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (year round).

If you cannot make the scheduled

Reconciliation, this may be an alternative that fits into your schedule.

Men’s Spirituality

meets every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. in the

church. Come join us!

Adoration at St. Gregory the Great! Our weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays from 8:30 till 12:30 has been going very well! Prayer is what supports and blesses the work we do at St. Gregory. With-out regular and devout prayer, a Parish will tru-ly suffer. I’m looking to increase the length of Adoration to either 2:30 or 3:30 PM. If you have any interest in coming to pray at our Church in the presence of our Lord, for either a half or full hour, anywhere from 12:30 to 3:30, we can use your help and prayer! If you can commit to this every Wednesday, please call Patty Barrows at (203) 746-3232 or email her at patricia.barrows@frontier.com. I encourage you to help bring blessings to both our Parish and your personal life. Thank you ahead of time for your interest and prayers!

Faith Community Nursing Program

Blood Pressure Screenings will take place in the Parish Hall after the 4:30 p.m. mass on the following dates:

September 7, 2019 October 5, 2019

Bulletin Due to submission deadlines, notices to be placed in the bulletin must be received by 10:00 a.m. on the Thursday of the week prior to publication. During weeks where there is a holiday in which the office is closed, please call the office for deadlines. Note that there can be no exceptions. Thank you for your continued assistance.

Parish Office: 203-797-0222 Fr. Michael Dunn frdunn@diobpt.org Fr. Christopher Ford frford@diobpt.org Pastoral Associate Devon McCormick Parish Administrator Darlene Rabito E-mail address: sgbulletin@aol.com Bulletin Notices: sgbulletin@aol.com

Please submit bulletin notices on the Thursday one week prior to publication

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.) 9:00 a.m. - Noon (Friday) Corporate Trustees: Anthony Lucera, Michael Mazzucco

St. Gregory the Great Information Center

Office of Faith Formation: 203-797-0222 Religious Education Devon McCormick 203-797-0222 Catholics Coming Home: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-744-3927 Youth Ministry: Devon McCormick 203-797-0222 E-mail: dmccorm17stgregs@gmail.com Celebrate the Lectionary: Mrs. Mary Tracey, 203-790-4223 Pre-Baptism: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-797-0222 Pre-Cana: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-797-0222 R.C.I.A. Bruce & Patty Barrows, 203-746-3232 Walking with Purpose Susanne Curra 203-748-1217 scurra@diobpt.org Rene Hellmann 203-417-9865

St. Gregory the Great School: 203-748-1217 Principal: Mrs. Suzanne M. Curra Secretary: Mrs. Terri Kennen

Parish Contacts Alcoholics Anonymous: Susan, 203-770-7928 Facilities Calendar: Darlene Rabito 203-797-0222 E-mail: sgbulletin@aol.com Catholic Singles: Parish Office, 203-797-0222 Faith Comm. Nursing Mary Consoli 203-792-9740 Finance: Stephanie Martin - 203-743-3783 Parish Advisory Council: Peter Buzaid, 203-743-5504 Pro-Life: Rose Mary Peat, Scouts (Girl): Claudette Novella, 203-746-9771 Scouts (Boy): Keith Vinchkoski, 203-794-9094 Scouts (Cubs) Stephen Martin - 203-794-6589 Seniors: Parish Office, 203-797-0222 Women of St. Gregory: Carolyn Piellucci, 203-297-4253

Parish Ministries Adoration Patty Barrows , 203-218-6830 Altar Care: Mrs. Ruth Lucera, 203-794-0947 Altar Servers: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-744-3927 Bereavement: Fr. Ford, 203-797-0222 Choir: Ms. Jenny Li - 203-695-1322 (cell) E-mail: flutedouble@gmail.com Eucharistic Ministers: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-744-3927 Hospitality: Mrs. Kathleen Kelly, 203-792-1833 Lectors: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-744-3927 Shut-Ins: Mrs. Mary McCormack, 203-792-7611 Ushers: Deacon Bill Murphy, 203-744-3927

FULFILLING YOUR OFFERTORY COM-MITMENT THROUGH ON-LINE GIV-

ING

Our parish is offering an additional option for giving to your church. Online-Giving is avail-able for parishioners who would like to make do-nations online. As technology continues to pro-gress, there are more ways that these advances can be utilized for the well-being of our parish. While I understand this means of giving may be met with some hesitation, let me assure you that it is fully secure and private and you are in com-plete control of the process. Your information is solely yours and appears no where else but in your hands. The reasons for Online Giving are many:

Consistent Collections Eliminates Writing Checks

Flexible Options You are in total control

Simple Enrollment

Begin making your offertory contribution through Online-Giving

IT’S SIMPLE TO SIGN UP.

1) Log on to our parish website: www.stgregdanbury.org 2) Double click on 3) Double click on “Sign up for a New Account”. 4) Fill out the information and click “submit”. 5) Your account has been created. You will be directed to go to your email to verify your ac-count. To do this, please open the email that will be sent to you and click on the link. This will make sure the email address you provided is valid. 6) This will bring you to the “Sign on” page. Sim-ple log in with your new I.D. and password. 7) From here you can totally manage your ac-count. To set up your Offertory Contributions simply click “Manage My Payment Method”. Fill out the requested information. 8) Once your payment method has been filled in click on “Give a New Gift”. Choose each category and choose “Recurring”. The account you desig-nate will be made available to the Parish accord-ingly.

I HOPE YOU WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS OFFERTORY OPTION. May God bless for your ongoing generosity.

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Gregory the Great Church #257600 85 Great Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811 TELEPHONE 203 -797-0222 CONTACT PERSON Robin Maynard SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2013 Adobe Acrobat DC Windows 10 PRINTER HP Laserjet 1200 TRANSMISSION TIME Tuesday 12:00 p.m. SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION May 12, 2019 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 10 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS