St. Mary’s Church

Parish Office: 944 Hopmeadow Street (860) 658-7627 www.stmarysimsbury.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 - 3:00 PM Friday: 8:30 - 12:00 PM

Masses: Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM

Confessions: Saturday 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Visitors: Thank you for worshipping with us. To register with St. Mary’s Parish please call (860) 658-7627 or email us at parishoffice@stmarysimsbury.org

Rev. Frank Matera: Ext. 301

Deacon Arthur Miller: Ext.113

Parish Office: Ext. 306 Heather Benedetti & Kathy Hughes parishoffice@stmarysimsbury.org

Finance Manager: Joanne Dunn Ext. 307 financemanager@stmarysimsbury.org

Religious Education Grades 1-6:

Kathy Piggott Ext. 304

reled1-6@stmarysimsbury.org

Religious Education Grades 7-8:

Lori Ryan Ext. 309

reled7-8@stmarysimsbury.org

Youth Ministry Grades 9-10: Steve DiMotta Ext. 302 youthministry@stmarysimsbury.org

Stephen Ministry: Linda Duff Ext. 114

stephenministry@stmarysimsbury.org

Music Ministry: Gena Sullivan & Patricia Lepak

St. Mary’s School: Principal Margaret Williamson (860) 658-9412

Directory

Mass Intentions

Saturday September 28 2:00 PM Wedding of Allyson Pasquariello & Michael Fess 5:00 PM Joseph Bosco By: The People of St. Mary’s Sunday September 29 8:00 AM James St. Jean 9:30 AM Edgar Devoe By: His Family 11:00 AM People of St. Mary’s Parish Monday September 30 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday October 1 8:00 AM Special Intention Wednesday October 2 8:00 AM Carrolo Family By: Their Family Thursday October 3 8:00 AM Ryan Duff Birthday Remembrance By: His Loving Family Saturday October 5 5:00 PM Yvette Fillmore By: Theresa & Roman Mroczkowski Sunday October 6 8:00 AM People of St. Mary’s Parish 9:30 AM Matthew Heagney By: The Henault Family 11:00 AM Dolores Rodrick By: Her Family Deceased: Please pray for Joanna Vincent. May she rest in the peace of Christ.

Weekly Offertory: Last week’s offertory was $11,436. Of this amount, $4,343 came from 106 E-Givers, and $7,093 came from envelopes and cash. Please consider E-Giving. Thank you for your generous support of St. Mary’s Parish without which we would not be able to carry out our many ministries. Second collection for Catholic Elementary Schools was $3,294.

Property for Sale: If you know someone who would like to purchase the old Parish Office Building on 3 Massaco Street, please contact Rich Correia of RM Bradley, (860) 305-5622, rcorreia@Rmbradley.com.

Parish Announcements

Simsbury Food Pantry: This weekend, September 28-29, we will be collecting the following items at all Masses: canned or bottled juices, canned meats/tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, cereals, pasta and spaghetti sauce, tea, coffee and toilet paper. Contact lrippel@aol.com. Donation drop off locations are now located at the Magowan Center and at the entrance to the Church. Thank you!

Mercy Shelter: Desserts and fruits are needed to take to Mercy Shelter in Hartford next Sunday, October 6. All items can be dropped off in the Forcucci Faith Formation Center before 3:00 PM. Thank you for your donations!

Coffee after Mass: I would like to have coffee avail-able for parishioners after the 8:30 and 9:30 Sunday Masses in our new vestibule area, but I need volunteers to help set it up and oversee it. I am looking for parishioners who have not been actively involved in the parish but now would like to be. If you can help, please contact the Office (860) 658-7627. Father Matera

Blessing of the Animals: Join us next Saturday, October 5, at 1:00 PM to honor St. Francis of Assisi's Feast Day. We will gather in the corner of the North Lot by our St. Francis Garden for a special blessing of your pets. Bring your dogs, cats, lizards, fish, snakes, turtles and birds. All are welcome! All animals should be on a leash or in a carrier to preserve their safety.

Stephen Ministry News: We invite you to pray for the 16 people who are committed to the coursework to become Stephen Ministers. Please ask God to bless them as they prepare, study and learn. They will rely on your prayers!

Need A Listening Ear? Stephen Ministers are ready to listen, care, and pray. Please contact the coordinator to arrange a time to learn about this ministry at St. Mary’s. Questions may be directed to Mary Ann Pappano at (860) 658-7532 or St. Mary’s office at (860) 658-7627. All conversations remain confidential.

Parish Family Picnic A Great Success! Thank you to all who attended and to those who helped at the Parish Family Picnic last Sunday. It was a huge success, with a wonderful turnout of over 180 people and ideal weather! Special thanks to Kane’s Market for grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs, the Picnic Committee for organizing the day, and all who helped with set up, serving, and clean up. Our volunteers are a valuable and integral part of the parish - you are always welcome here, and we could definitely use more help! Thanks also to everyone who brought the delicious side dishes and desserts to share! It was a great way to bring summer to an end with friends!

Alive in Christ (2)

Your life is hidden with Christ in God!

Last week, I introduced the theme I am focusing on this year: Alive in Christ. In doing so, I said that I wanted to consider what is most important to our faith: being alive in Christ. But what does it mean to be alive in Christ? And, how does being alive in Christ change our lives?

Being alive in Christ means that we live in, with, and for Jesus Christ. For, when we are in Christ we share in the life of the risen Lord. When we are in Christ the risen Lord is present to us every moment of our lives.

But how do I become alive in Christ? How do I know that Christ lives in me? Saint Paul explains it this way. When we were baptized, we were baptized into the death and the resurrec-tion of Christ. This means that we were joined with Christ in the most important event of his life: his death to the power of sin and his resurrection to new life, which is God’s own life.

Something extraordinary has already happened to us, even though we are not always aware of it. If we are in Christ, the power of sin can no longer dominate our lives. And, if we have been raised up with Christ, we already have a share in his new life through the gift of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

Saint Paul explains it this way in his letter to the Colossians. He writes: If you were raised up with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God… For, you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Paul is telling us that we can and should live in a new way because we already have the power to do so: the power of Christ’s death and resurrection that lives within us.

The Christian life is not as complicated as we make it to be. And it is much more beauti-ful and powerful than we can ever imagine. It is about living in a new way because we are al-ready alive in Christ. Once we understand that we are alive in Christ our lives are changed and transformed. In Christ, we have the gift of new life, life in the Holy Spirit. It is this life that empowers us to live in a way filled with faith, hope, joy, and peace.

You are alive in Christ, even if you don’t fully realize it. Live in, with, and for Christ, and your life will be forever transformed.

Father Matera

Father Matera’s Fall Series

“The Life and Ministry of Saint Paul”

continues this Thursday, October 3, 7:00 PM

in the Forcucci Faith Formation Center

Thursday’s Topic: “The Gospel Comes to Asia Minor”

September 29, 2019

Tolton. On Friday evening, October 25th, 7:00 PM, Saint Luke Productions will present a live 90 minute production of the story of Father Augustus Tolton at St. Mary’s Church. Admission is free. Augustus Tol-ton was born in Missouri, the son of enslaved parents. Despite being rejected by every American seminary to which he applied, he was ordained in Rome in 1886, the first African American priest in the United States. Pope Francis has promulgated a Decree of Heroic Vir-tue, advancing the cause for Fr. Tolton’s sainthood. Tolton is a powerful multi-media live production, filled with music and drama. It brings a message of hope and healing for the wounds that plague our cul-ture. Jim Coleman plays the role of Father Tolton. This event is sponsored by the Fr. Nadolny Good News Fund. Women’s Guild Team Trivia Night: The St. Mary’s Women’s Guild is hosting their annual Team Trivia Night! This ALL church social event will be held next Saturday, October 5, at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center. Lite appetizers will be served. This is a BYOB event. Ticket prices are $20.00 per person. This event contin-ues to grow in attendance because it is so fun! Quick answering is the key to this event, so don’t worry if you think you’re not good at TRIVIA! Tickets will be sold this weekend, September 28-29, after all masses. What Is That? Is that a unicorn and butterfly in our church? Have you ever wondered about the symbols that are in our church and just what they represent? Join us after the 9:30 AM Mass this Sunday, Septem-ber 29, in the Reading Room of the Magowan Center as we dive into the beautiful symbols that adorn our sanctuary and beyond. Everyone, young and old, will leave with an even deeper understanding of St. Mary’s and the beautiful (and sometimes hidden) symbols that enhance our spiritual experience. Bible Study with Deacon Art: Please join us for our upcoming Bible Study this Wednesday, October 2, and on the following dates: October 16, November 6 and 20 in the Parish Center. We are reading John’s Gospel. Community prayer will begin at 6:45 PM with class following 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Lectio Divina will begin at 6:10 PM, please let Deacon Art know if you plan to attend. Bring a bible and a friend. All are welcome!

“40 Days For Life”: St. Therese Respect Life Ministry invites St. Mary's parishioners to participate in Adora-tion of the Blessed Sacrament for protection of life at all stages, this Tuesday, October 1 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM in the St. Therese Church Chapel, located in the St. Therese Parish Center. Participants are encouraged to commit to one hour of prayer, if possible. This is in conjunction with the 40 Days for Life international cam-paign of fasting, prayer, community outreach and peace-ful vigils in front of abortion businesses.

An Important Day for High School Youth: St. Cathe-rine’s is providing a program for all high school youth in the Simsbury area called “The Realities of Life Carni-val”. It will be an afternoon of fun and relaxation for all teens next Sunday, October 6, 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Enjoy games, entertainment, ice cream, life music, therapy dogs, and exciting prizes.

Religious Education Religious Education Grades 1-3 Family Mass: Next Sunday, October 6, at the 9:30 AM Mass our Grades 1-3 will be attending class mass with their families. Father Matera will bless the rosaries that our 3rd Grade children will be receiving.

Religious Education Program Reminder: There will be no religious education classes for Grades 1-6 this Sunday, September 29, and Sunday, October 13.

Junior High Faith Formation will meet next Sunday, October 6, 6:00 - 7:30 PM. The objectives for this week's class - Unit 2: There Are Three Persons In One God To review there are three persons in one God. To discuss person and nature as they apply to us and

to God. To study the transcendence of God. To learn how God acts within the Blessed Trinity

and how he acts toward us.

St. Mary’s School

National Blue Ribbon School A Bright & Shiny Thank You! to everyone who pur-chased tickets and came out to our 6th & 7th Grade Car Wash this past weekend!! It was a successful, squeaky clean Saturday. Your support is greatly appreciated!

What's in Your Wallet? CHOICE gift cards are availa-ble for purchase in the school office Monday thru Fri-day, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. One stop shopping for grocer-ies, oil, coffee, Amazon & more!!

Take A Look...at a National Blue Ribbon School every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Take a tour and see the difference a Catholic education can make. www.stmarysschoolsimsbury.org

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