Saint Marianne Cope Parish

Rev. Stuart H. Pinette, Pastor

St. Catherine of Siena

6 Windsorville Road Broad Brook, CT 06016

Parish Office Hours -

Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

Social Action Outreach -

Loaves & Fishes Sandwiches: 1st Tuesday, 9am-noon

Mobile Foodshare: Bi-weekly - Fridays, 1:00-1:30pm

(Check bulletin & parish website for details)

St. Philip the Apostle

150 South Main Street East Windsor, CT 06088

Weekly Masses -

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Weekdays: Tuesday, 12:10 p.m.

Thursday, 8:00 a.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation -

Saturday: 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Parish Office Phone - (860) 623-4636 (ext. 101)

Parish Fax - (860) 292-8550

Parish Website - smceastwindsor.org

Parish Office email - office@smceastwindsor.org

Fr. Stu’s email - frstu@smceastwindsor.org

Pastoral Assistant - Theresa Jablow

Director of Music - Wendy Quinn

Pastoral Minister - Jan Albetski

Email - JanA@smceastwindsor.org

Faith Formation Office - (860) 623-4636 (ext. 106)

Parish Rectory - 150 South Main Street

East Windsor, CT 06088

Sacrament of Baptism

Please call the parish office to make arrangements for the celebration of the sacrament as well as a pre-baptismal session for parents and Godparents.

Sacrament of Matrimony

Please call the parish office at least six months in advance before making any other arrangements.

New Parishioners

Please call the parish office or registration forms are available on the church bulletin boards.

Christian Stewardship

We are a stewardship community. Parish members are invited to use offertory envelopes or Online Giving to support the mission & needs of our parish. Please call the parish office for more details.

Saint Marianne cope parish East Windsor

NEW PARISHIONERS – Welcome! There are registration forms on the bulletin boards in the church foyers. Just fill one out and drop it in the collection basket or return it to the parish office. You may also register by calling the parish office during weekday business hours.

YOUNG FAMILIES – At St. Philip Church, the quiet room is available for families with young children attending Mass, and at St. Catherine Church the foyer is available if your child needs a break.

PARISHIONERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - The first pew in both of our churches is available for parishioners that have any type of physical limitations, and you may also receive communion while staying in your seat if you’d like. At St. Philip, those in the quiet room may proceed in front of the first pew for communion as well.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK - can be celebrated at any time for those who are ill or infirmed. When someone’s condition worsens, please call the parish office to arrange for Fr. Stu to visit and celebrate the sacrament rather then waiting until the final moments of their life.

PLEASE PRAY FOR – Leona Bard, Joyce Benoit, Jeannie Bernier, Maria Brenza, Linda Brown, Inez Cabral, Helen Calsetta, Donald Daigle, Gabriel Desrocher, Donald Fitzgerald, Laurie Gallipo, David Gieseke, Joanne Gird, Ciera Green, Mae Grigely, Regina Jackmauh, Concetta Kopp, Auralie LaChance, Martha Leonard, Bill Mager, Ethel Morin, Rosemary Murak, Francine & Rita Nadeau, Mabel Ouellette, Laura Palmer, Donald Quist, Rob & Lilly, Bob & Gen Roy, Meghan Tully, Mary Winn, Heidi Wormstedt, Deborah & James Wrann, and Ellie Ziegler. Also, remember all health care workers, missionaries and those serving in the armed forces.

The Pastor’s Desk Each year for my annual retreat I choose a different setting. But about every 5 years I find myself seeking out a Benedictine Monas-tery. Some of it has to do with the ancient tradition of the monks blessing different times of the day with prayer, scripture and song. The cloistered Trappists of Spenser, MA even get up at 3am to praise God while we sleep. I’ve always found that to be real comforting. The first time I retreated with the Benedictines was at St. Mary’s Abbey Delbarton in Morristown, NJ. Its part monastery, part Catholic Prep School where many of the monks teach the high school teen guys. It was a few months before I was to be ordained a transitional deacon, the first part of holy orders before priestly ordination. Not surprisingly I had lots churning up inside me. I felt called to ordained ministry but it was a big decision, so the first few days were filled with prayer time with the monks and many things to ask the Lord about. I was doing all the talking. Until about mid-way through the week when I visited the state park butting up against the property (General Washington spent a few winter weeks there during the Revolutionary War). Twice I walked the paths, pausing here and there in the woods or near the creaks. The next morning I got up early and went walking again, and the only thing I said to God was that I would let him do the talking. As St. Benedict once said, there’s times when we need to “listen with the ears of our hearts.” Well I tried it and felt at peace with my choice for ordination. I still had things to find out but I had been still and let the Holy Spirit move and talk for me. Holy sighs flowed out in the silence. I think that’s what St. Paul was getting at in Romans 8 when he writes that the Spirit comes to our aid when we most need it and lets out inexpressible words to the Father on our behalf. Paul did a lot of talking in his ministry of spreading the Good News in his 3 missionary journeys around the Mediterranean as he founded those first Chris-tian communities outside of Jerusalem. But I think he knew there were times he had to let the Spirit teach him what to say and how to say it. Those Greeks were a frisky bunch and they had never heard about Christ, let alone his resurrection. So Paul had to be wise, thoughtful, and persuasive while not losing his famous temper if the seeds of faith were going to take He had to leave room for the Spirit. Its not easy to leap in faith and let the Spirit take control. Especial-ly now when there’s so much pain and searching and many have things to say, often loudly and not always caring. We can understand why. The coronavirus is ripping through our land with hundreds dying every day, alone as their family yearns to be by their side. So many are unemployed, worried how they’ll pay the bills and provide for those they love. And there’s others who are trying to understand at this challenging time how we can be a community again, with a sense of belonging and fairness for all. These are the times when folks shout out “enough already, lets tend to each other!” Words thrown out into the night, some whispered, some not at all – we run out of words. Those are the moments when we have to try to let the Spirit blow while we patiently wait for a response. That’s why Jesus said the weeds and wheat have to grow together, because God has much to do, blessings to share, answers to give us. And if we’re quick to point our finger at those we see as too weedy while ignoring the weeds inside ourselves, the wheat of the kingdom can’t grow. In the end, we’re all weeds and wheat and we need to grow together. But we have to be quiet and let the ears of our aching hearts catch the sounds of the Lord in the mixed fields nearby. That’s when God can finally start moving towards us as the sighs and searching continues, and in the stillness, the Spirit speaks.

Scripture Readings - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 55:1-3 Romans 8:35, 37-39 Matthew 14:13-21

New Mass Practices at SMC

Our new weekly Mass schedule has begun, with three weekend Masses and two weekday Masses at St. Philip Church. Everyone is invited to select a Mass as your sabbath time with the Lord. It may be a weekend liturgy, when more people will be gathered together, or one of the weekday Masses which will be smaller and a bit more quiet. Please feel free to choose the worship time that suits you best while continuing to practice good stewardship in the Giving Boxes & Baskets, mailing in your offering to the parish office, or joining the Online Giving team.

Here’s some other helpful practices as we join in worship.

Entering/Departing Church – Everyone will be asked to wear a face covering. Enter through one of the two side doors in the main foyer so you can be greeted and helped as needed. Then walk down the sloping aisles to pick out a marked row to sit in. At the end of Mass, all will leave, 6ft apart, one row at a time, down the side aisles and out the side foyer doors. Seating & Social Distancing - Seating will be in every other row with no more than 4 in each pew (such as: 3 singles; or 1 couple and 2 singles; or 1 family of 3 and 1 single; or just 1 family of 4+). Rows to sit in will be marked at the end of each pew with a colored sheet of paper. Communion Time – Ministers of the Eucharist will wear face coverings and hand-sanitize before serving at communion. Those who would like to receive communion can come-up wearing face coverings, one person at a time & one row at a time, 6ft. apart. Communion will be received in the hands, flat and extended towards the minister, mindful of the red marker strips in the carpet. After receiving the host, each person is asked to step to the side, lower your face covering, consume the host, replace the covering, and return to your seat. Thanks for being careful and safe.

New Mass Ministries We continue to make good progress transitioning to our “new normal” worshipping at our communal Masses at St. Philip Church. Everyone seems to feel comfortable and safe, as we practice social distancing, don our face coverings, and sing out silently within (we miss the real thing but it’s a small price to care for one another). With the new weekly Mass schedule now in place, the church will be used more and we’ll need additional members of our community to foster a spirit of welcome and safety for all. Two new ministries will be created to help this happen during the weekend Masses.

Greeter Team – This ministry will be about helping folks feel welcomed and informed as they enter the main foyer of the church. Ministry members will answer questions and point out items of interest (such as the Giving Boxes, safety items, and where to proceed to be seated). Using a hand-counter, a tally will also be kept of how many folks gather at each Mass. Team members will be asked to arrive 15 minutes be-fore Mass as they greet and remind folks of our safe practices,

Set-up Team – To keep the church safe & tidy when we come together, this ministry will make sure everything is clean and set-up for the next Mass. Team members will gather in the sacristy through the left side door to take up their cleaning supplies and safety items in order to wipe down all the “touchable parts” of the church. Used towels and latex gloves can then be dropped off in marked bins in the sacristy when finished.

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Living the Lectionary Today

“In the reading from the book of Wisdom, we hear that ‘Those who are just must be kind (Wis. 12:19).’ For me, this is the opposite of the message of today's dominant world cultures. And if I examine world history, it seems that kindness often takes a back seat to aggression, selfishness, and an endless hunger for more control. There are notable exceptions - they stand out because their stories inspire us by offering us a glimpse of what is possible when we choose to be kind. When I pause and look around, I see many people that act justly and practice kindness. Sometimes the kindest among us have not necessarily experienced the kindness of others. Instead, they have experienced times of great difficulties and many challenges. For example, the veterans of the Vietnam War. Many of them still struggle to cope with life because of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. Individuals dealing with PTSD often have difficulty integrating into society. Sometimes they find themselves living somewhere at the margins. Many veterans have chosen to cope with their struggles by performing acts of kindness. These are the men and women their friends call for a ride to a doctor's appointment or a trip to the grocery store. If someone needed to talk, they stop and listen. They make room in their lives for the "strays," the homeless person, or the abandoned kitten or puppy. For them, there is always room for one more. Need help fixing the lawnmower, cleaning the kitchen, or with the car that refuses to start? They step up, never asking for payment or kindness in return. They generously give their time and talent. These veterans, acting with compassion and empathy, are the "unsung American heroes" that we will never read about in history books. These men and women exemplify the book of Wisdom's definition of a just person. They respond to others with kindness.”

Gladyce Janky, Creighton Univ. Online Ministries, July 19, 2020. All rights reserved.

In scripture, especially the parable of the weeds and the wheat, reminds us that God looks on this world with all its problems with compassion, love, and patience, not panic, hatred, and violence. God invites us to look on the world in the same way and act accordingly.

- Education for Justice

“Renewal is an ever-present need. Wherever the gift of

healing and liberation, however partial, reaches the

winterized or damaged earth, or peoples crushed by war

and injustice or individual persons weary, harmed, sick or

lost on life’s journey, there the new creation in the Spirit

is happening.” – Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ

Mass Intentions

Saturday, July 25 4:00PM +Memorial for Raymond Merlo Sr., Anna Merlo, and Raymond Merlo, Jr. req. by the Merlo family

Sunday, July 26 8:30AM +Memorial for George Matulis requested by Helen & Frances

10:30AM +Memorial (Birthday) for Joseph A. Balch II requested by his family Tuesday, July 28 12:10PM +Memorial for Leah Rigott requested by her family

Saturday, Aug 1 +Memorial for Daniel Ehrhardt Jr. (10th Anniverary) requested. by Theresa Ehrhardt & the Topazio family

Sunday, Aug 2 8:30AM +Memorial for Ernesto Ainzuain requested by his family

10:30AM +Memorial for Cheryl Steinmetz requested by Stephen Regina & Rosanne Wilcox

Tuesday, Aug 4 12:10PM +Memorial for Emery Berube requested by Irene Belanger Thursday, Aug 6 8:00AM +Memorial for Carol Rodrigue requested by Benoit

The sanctuary light at St. Philip Church

burns for the glory of God and in memory of:

Donald “Spike” Dzen, Sr.

requested by his wife, Linda

Parish Sharing & Support (July 12 & July 19)

Weekly Offertory - $5,202 Online Giving - $1,495 Monthly Offertory - $2,011 Mission Co-op - $436

Thank you for sharing your gift of treasure with our parish.

Thanks to everyone who has been able to take part these past months and those who have been able to make up for our time away. We are a faithful, generous community of Christian stewards.

First Eucharist @ Saint Marianne Cope Our parish celebration of First Eucharist will take place on Saturday, August 1 at 10:30 am at St. Philip Church. Young ones from our Faith Formation Ministry will come to the Lord’s table for the first time with the prayers and support of their family and friends to inspire them. As a way of showing our bond with these kids of Christ, please keep them in prayer in the days ahead. May the Holy Spirit be with them as they prepare to celebrate the sacrament together.

Gentle God,

you teach, by Jesus’ example,

that justice is kind,

that power can

be mild.

Let us learn from you.

- Anne Osdieck