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. 16 8:00 a.m.

Linda Ray

Tuesday Sept. 17 8:00 a.m.

For the Parish

Wednesday Sept. 18 8:00 a.m.

Mary Ellen T.

Thursday Sept. 19 8:00 a.m.

For the Parish

Friday Sept. 20 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.

For the Parish John Botterio

Saturday Sept. 21 4:30 p.m. NO MASS Sunday Sept. 22 8:00 a.m. Edward McKenzie (Choir

Mass)

10:00 a.m. Anthony Festa

12:00 p.m. Matthew Rogers

Masses for the Week

September 15, 2019

24th Sunday in

Ordinary Time

Presider Sat. Sept. 21 4:30 p.m. NO MASS Sun. Sept. 22 8:00 a.m. Fr. Dunn 10:00 a.m. Fr. Ford 12:00 p.m. Fr. Ford

Parish Calendar

Sun. Sept. 15 5:00 p.m.

Youth Group Comm. Rm.

Mon. Sept. 16 12:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

Woman’ Sewing Group Intercessory Prayer Group

Comm. Rm. Church

Tues Sept. 17

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

Rosary Boy Scouts

Church School .

Wed. Sept. 18 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

Adoration Benediction

Church Church

Thur. Sept. 19 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Aging Mastery Program Woman’s Craft/ Weaving Choir

Parish Hall Comm. Rm. Church

Fri. Sept. 20 9:30 a.m. School Mass Church

Sat. Sept. 21

8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m.. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.

Men’s Spirituality Prayer Shawl Carnival NO CONFESSION NO MASS AA

Church Comm. Rm. Parish Hall

The Tabernacle Candle burning in the Sanctuary of our Church beginning September 21 is for (Gamal Saad) requested by (Carolyn Piellucci).

The candle burning next to Mary the Mystical Rose beginning on September 21 is in memory of (Anthony Festa), as requested by (Agnes Festa).

Someone Loves You!

There’s a story about a young woman, Miss Smith, who lived a quiet and introverted life. She lived alone, and no one paid much attention to her. Others said of her, “She’s the kind of person that likes to keep to herself.” One day Miss Smith was working in her garden when the postman came and delivered her a package. Inside was a beautiful bracelet with a note that said, “Someone loves you.” Miss Smith couldn’t think of anyone that would send her such a gift. She thought about it all day- “Someone loves you”, until eventually she thought, “I must have a secret admirer!” And the thought of this brought a seldom seen smile to her face. So Miss. Smith decided to dress up and take a walk into town. She said “hello” to those she passed and helped strangers along the way- hoping she would meet the person who sent her the gift/note. As days went by, she got more and more involved in the community. Then, for the first time, she decided to throw a party. He sent out invitations to her neighbors and cooked up a feast fit for a king. Everyone laughed, danced and had a wonderful time. When the party was ending, the postman said to Miss. Smith on the way out, “Oh, remember that package I gave you last week- do you still have it? I delivered it to the wrong address.” Miss. Smith handed the postman the box with the bracelet, along with the note that said, “Someone loves you”, and thought to herself, “I was right from the start, no one loves me after all.” Miss Smith went back inside his house and once again, “kept to herself.” Love, or even the thought of love, has the power to heal, the power to transform. A simple smile, card, hug or kind word can change a person’s heart and life. There are many lost sheep, lost coins, and lost sons and daughters of God in our midst- people who go unnoticed and unloved. We all see and know those people who don’t seem to fit in, who keep to them-selves, and no one bothers with them. Our Lord calls us to, like Him, seek out those that are lost and help restore their dignity and self-worth. As God refuses to give up on seeking out and restoring those that are lost and forgotten, so too, we are called reach out to the “Mr. Kane’s” in our midst and show them that indeed, “someone loves you.” Fr Dunn

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 Confession or 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 person and proceeds will benefit our parish/school. The Forest of Fear will be open from 5:30-9 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. If you have any Halloween Props, Decorations or Costumes/Masks that you would like to donate, please call Fr. Dunn at the Parish office or email him at

frdunn@diobpt.org.

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

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 the Friday night prior from 5:30 to 8.

Hear Ye. Hear

Calling all High Schoolers! Join us every Sunday at 5pm for Youth Group in the

Parish Offices! Each week will feature, food, activities, and a brief

conversation about our faith. Bring your friends and join us!

We are looking for volunteers who are willing to cook for our Youth Group once a month. If you are interested, please contact

Devon McCormick at dmccorm17stgregs@gmail.com,

or at 203-797-0222!

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 A.M. Rizzo Electric Contractors

Danbury Septic Contractors MJM P.C. Civil Engineer Hawley Companies Sergi Builders

Westchester Modular Homes Gold Silver Bronz Allied Pollution Control Frank Salvatore, Jr. Frank and Maryann Bachyrycz Hefferon Heating and Cooling Irene Anderson Law Offices of Peter Buzaid Prime Pub Commercial Tire WCSU

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 Teachers

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 meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the

Parish Community Room. 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

stephaniemartin@outlook.com for additional information and next meeting

date.

The next Bottle & Can Truck will be at St. Gregory’s during the weekend of October

4-7. Thank you for your support.

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 date:

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.

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 $8,764.99

New Liturgical Norms Ministry Meetings

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.

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.

SAVE THE DATE -- Once again, St. Gregory the Great will be hosting our annual vendor event with "Heavenly Holiday Shopping" on November 9th and 10th. Many new vendors will be participating and some of your old favorites. Hourly raffles will be drawn and food will be available for purchase, plus some surprises! If you are interested in participating as a vendor, please send an email to SJest2@aol.com. Also, we are in need of prizes for this event. If you are able to make a prize donation and/or can lend a hand soliciting donations (gift cards, small appliances, home goods, toys, etc.), we could really use your help. Contact Sandra Jester at SJest2@aol.com.

Pastor’s Wish List

Thank you so much for your past generosity and support in regard to my “Pastor’s Wish List!

What we are currently in need of are new or used (in good condition) refrigerator for our

Community Room in our Parish Office. If you would like to donate new or gently used

refrigerator, please email (frdunn@diobpt.org) or call me at (203) 797-0222. I greatly

appreciate your help and support! Thank you and God Bless You!

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