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Seventh Sunday of Easter
SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 17, 2015
PARISH STAFF
Rev. George F. O’Neill, Pastor
[email protected]
Msgr. Edward Scull, Retired - Weekend Liturgist
Deacon Peter J. Kuhn
[email protected]
Deacon William J. Shaughnessy
[email protected]
Rita Golaszewski, Parish Secretary
Spring Sacraments
Congratulations to the 64 2nd Graders who received
their First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 2, and
the 62 8th Graders who received the Sacrament of
Confirmation on Friday, May 15.
God bless our children!
[email protected]
PRAYING FOR PEACE
Andrea Woronick,
Director of Faith Formation and Ministry
We invite you to stay at the end of Sunday Mass –
following the closing hymn – and join in praying three
“Hail Marys” for Peace: in our World, in our Families
and in our Hearts..
[email protected]
EDJE & Cross Over 2 Jesus Administrator
Roseann D’Aureli
[email protected]
David Kendall, Music Director
[email protected]
Tory Gozzi, Choir Director
[email protected]
PARISH OFFICE
Phone: 203.775.1035
Fax: 203.775.1684
Web Site: www.stjosephbrookfield.com
Email: [email protected]
Mail:
163 Whisconier Road,
Brookfield, CT 06804
GPS Address: 1 Obtuse Hill Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
Office Hours:
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday-Thursday
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Friday
Mass Schedule:
Confessions:
Saturday Vigil – 5:00 PM
Sunday-7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM, 5:00 PM
Monday-Friday – 6:45 and 8:45 AM
Saturday morning – 8:00 AM
Saturday at 4:00 PM
HOLY HOUR FOR THE UNBORN
Sundays at 3:00 PM
SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL
Mr. Scott Bannon, Principal
Phone: 203.775.2774
Fax: 203.775.5810
Web Site: www.sjsbrookfield.org
SACRAMENTS
Baptism – The Sacr ament of Baptism is celebr ated on
Sundays at 12:30 p.m. A Pre-Baptism class is required for
both parents prior to the Baptism of their first child.
Register with the Parish Office: 203.775.1035.
Marriage – Weddings gener ally ar e celebr ated on
Friday evening or Saturday afternoon and must be
scheduled at least six months in advance. Please do not
make final arrangements for your reception prior to
contacting the Parish Office.
R.C.I.A. – Inter ested in Catholic Faith? Call the Par ish
Office.
HOSPITALIZED PARISHIONERS
Parishioners entering local hospitals are urged to advise
the Admissions Department that they are Roman
Catholic and that they wish to be visited by the Catholic
Chaplain. This is especially important if admission is
through the Emergency Room. In addition, you may
contact the Parish Office directly in order to arrange a
visit from a member of St. Joseph’s clergy.
THOSE FOR WHOM WE PRAY
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF GOD’S HEALING, STRENGTH
AND COMFORT: Bill Schappert, Carmine Mango, Pat Walsh,
Helen Fiddner, John Mainhart, Patricia, Sr. Sophia, Pete V., Bob
Murphy, Charles and Faye Thibodeau, and Matthew.
FOR THE PROTECTION AND SAFE RETURN OF THOSE
SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES: C.J. Arconti, Brendan
Cooney, Michael Ayala Lopez, Michael Moreira, Ryan Quintard
and John Suszynski.
BROOKFIELD, CT
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Don’t make a lot of decisionmaking
In biblical times, the people of God were
known at times to cast lots as a decisionmaking method—a little like flipping a coin
today. The belief was that “The lot is cast
into the lap, but its every decision is from the
Lord” (Prov. 16:33). After Judas’ death, the
Book of Acts tells us the remaining apostles cast lots to determine
that his successor would be Matthias. Soon after came the gift of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and references to the casting of lots
cease. With the Holy Spirit to call on for guidance, there is no
need to toss objects to arrive at a decision. Thoughtful prayer and a
sincere request for guidance should be enough.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26; 1 John 4:11-16;
John 17:11b-19 (60). “…the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was
counted with the eleven apostles.”
Seventh Sunday of Easter
By Gina Loehr
“They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world....As you sent me into the world, so I send
them into the world.” In His prayer to God the Father in
today’s Gospel, Jesus gives an interesting perspective on
what it means to follow Him. He suggests that—like Himself—His disciples have a mission in a world to which they
do not belong. Clearly, their “not belonging” doesn’t mean
not participating. It doesn’t mean being separated from the
world or avoiding the world. On the contrary, it means a
very real encounter with the world. Jesus came into the
world and sincerely engaged people and institutions by
teaching, serving, and praying. But all the while, as He told
Pontius Pilate, He knew that His kingdom did “not belong to
this world” (cf. Jn 18:36). Jesus’ work on earth had the
greater purpose of serving the kingdom of heaven.
As Christians, we should also have our eyes on this eternal kingdom. Through our baptism, we are members of the
heavenly realm, and through this sacrament we are also
equipped to bring a taste of heaven to earth. Our place in this
world is to make connections to God’s kingdom. We are not
called to ignore the activity of the world and just wait until
eternity comes around. Rather, we are called to share the
love of God through our acts of service, our dedication to
our vocations, and our commitment to making the world a
better place for everyone. A proactive approach like this
keeps us rooted in our fundamental identity as followers of
Jesus. The world may try to distract us from our mission or
convince us that it’s not important. But we shouldn’t buy the
lie. After all, we Christians have been “consecrated in truth.”
© Liturgical Publications Inc
MONDAY, MAY 18
JOHN I, POPE AND MARTYR; EASTER WEEKDAY
Live strong
The holy and apostolic church is also a human institution, subject
to the complexities of human nature. Pope Saint John I was caught
in a web of sixth-century intrigue. Charged with improving
relations between Rome and Constantinople, he became the object
of imperial paranoia that led to his death. What keeps you strong
when facing complex questions in our world? If you take a
position, is it on the basis of study and prayer or on the basis of
“party” loyalty? The hymn says “the church’s one foundation is
Jesus Christ her Lord.” Cling to that Rock.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33 (297). “In the
world you will have trouble. But take courage, I have conquered
the world.”
TUESDAY, MAY 19 — EASTER WEEKDAY
Know the God of the unknown
It’s hard to know what each day holds. Sure you have a schedule
and to-do lists, but there’s no telling who you will encounter or
what will be called forth from you in any given situation. As you
face the unknown in your life remember that God is with you in
the mystery of it all. Catholic theologian Karl Rahner identifies
God as the Absolute Being who is Absolute Mystery. With faith
and trust, you open yourself to what God reveals in moments of
mystery. What you do know is that being rooted in Christ brings
both comfort and challenge. God will provide no matter what
today holds. Believe and let your life show the world the Way.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a (298).
“Father, the hour has come.”
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
BERNARDINE OF SIENA,
PRIEST,
RELIGIOUS,
MISSIONARY
Avoid mixed messages
The legacy of renowned 15th-century Italian preacher and reformer
Bernardine of Siena cuts both ways. He inspired moral reform that
was well overdue in lax times—hosting “bonfires of the vanities”
Continued next page ...
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Continued from preceding page …
into which townsfolk would toss their mirrors, fancy clothing,
playing cards, dice, anything that smacked of the slightest
diversion. But he also preached a message of hostile intolerance
toward Jews, homosexuals, moneylenders, and many others who
did not fit into the “moral majority” of the day. Can we find a way
to distinguish moral essentials—honesty, kindness, and generosity
for example—from moral neutrals such as ethnicity, occupation,
orientation? The reform we need starts at home, in our own hearts.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19 (299).
“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.”
THURSDAY, MAY 21 — CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES,
PRIEST, MARTYR, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS
The trials of martyrdom
One common feature in the stories of many martyrs is that they are
accused and condemned without a fair trial. From the time of the
earliest martyrs to 20th-century ones such as Christopher
Magallanes, who was put to death without trial in Mexico during
the 1920s church-state conflict, martyrs usually find themselves
accused and condemned in the same breath. People of faith are
most often killed not because of their great faith, but because of the
great fear of those of little faith. Honor those who have the courage
of their convictions.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; John 17:20-26 (300).
“The commander . . . ordered the chief priests and the whole
Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made
him stand before them.”
FRIDAY, MAY 22— RITA OF CASCIA, RELIGIOUS
Faith makes the impossible possible
By the time Rita of Cascia was 36 years old, she had faced
enormous challenges in her life, including great violence. Her
husband was killed amid strife between families in Italy at the turn
of the 15th century. Her two sons desired to avenge his death, a
move their mother entirely opposed. Before they could carry out
vengeance, however, they became ill and died. In the face of
violence, loss and grief, Rita remained a woman of great faith. She
believed, in the words of scripture, that with God all things are
possible. Canonized in 1900, she is recognized as a patron saint of
impossible causes.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19 (301).
“Lord, you know everything.”
SATURDAY, MAY 23 — EASTER WEEKDAY
Faith is not a competitive sport
In communities of faith, it can be hard not to compare yourself to
others. Who’s holier? Who gives more time? Who has a deeper
prayer life? Who cares more? The problem with these questions is
that they aren’t productive; they only lead to judgment and
division. Communities grow when you care for one another. A
defining value of what it means to be Catholic, according to St.
Mary’s Press, is a profound sense of discovering, experiencing,
and responding to God in union with other believers—that is,
within community. Why not ask how you can help another
grow and how they can help you?
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; John 21:20-25 (302).
“There are also many other things that Jesus did. . . .”
©2015 by TrueQuest Communications.
WAYPOINT Teen Group News
Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s
WHEN: Sunday, J une 7, 8:00 to 9:45 AM
WHERE: Applebee’s Neighbor hood Gr ill
57 Federal Road, Danbury
PRICE: $7/adult, $4/child, $25/family maximum
TICKETS: After Mass or at the door
Summer Clothing Needed
For Waypoint’s Midnight Run
Waypoint - St. J oe’s teen gr oup - will be making their third
Midnight Run to New Yor k City on May 30 to distr ibute clothing and sandwiches to the street people and others in desperate
need. Please support our teens who will make real the love of
Christ for the poor and marginalized of our society.
We are looking for donations of gently used summer-weight
clothing in good condition. (No bathing suits, please!) Clothing
should be placed in a plastic bag and deposited in the tan clothing
drop shed in the lower parking lot behind the school. Receipts are
available at the shed.
Thank you for your support.
Birthright’s Baby-Bottle Fundraiser
Birthright has served pregnant women in Greater Danbury
since 1972. Thousands of mothers and babies have been helped!
Please fill the baby bottles distributed last weekend with
check, cash or coin and return them to St. Joe’s next week, May
23-24. Thank you and God bless you.
Women’s Day of Reflection:
“The Rosary of Our Lives”
Join us at the Women’s Day of Refection, “The Rosary of our
Lives” with Amy Ekeh on Saturday, May 30, at Saint Margaret
Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport.
Begin the day with morning Mass at 8:15 AM, breakfast, then
talks, discussions, meditations, and lunch. The day will conclude
at 2:30 p.m. The cost is $25/person; bring a rosary or one will be
provided if you do not have one.
RSVP by Friday, May 22 to Gina Donnarummo at 203-4161446 or [email protected]. To register, mail check,
made payable to: “Office of Faith Formation,” Attn: Gina, 238
Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606.
MAY 17, 2015
Our Gifts to God
And His Church
2015 blessing of the bikes
WEEKEND OF MAY 9-10, 2015
Sunday Offertory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,839.50 *
* Includes average weekly electronic contributions of $3,200
St, Joseph School . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,704.00
TODAY, MAY 17, AT 1:15 pm
St. Joseph’s Parking Lot
Blessing * Ride * Food & Drink
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
MASS SCHEDULE CHANGES
Only a few weeks remain in the 2015 Annual Catholic Appeal
— formerly the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. If you have not yet done
so, please prayerfully consider making your gift today. Pledge
envelopes are available at the church entrances, or pledge online
via the Diocesan Web site, www.bridgeportdiocese.org.
***Save the Date***
2015 Saint Joseph School Annual
Golf Outing
Candlewood Valley Country Club
Thursday June 11, 2015
All skill levels are welcome!
Registration now online at:
https://sjshsa.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/
SJSGolfOuting2015/tabid/688695/Default.aspx
Contact outing chairman Pat Conlon at
[email protected] for registration and sponsorship information.
Smiles from
Lourdes
St. Joseph parishioners and local
physicians Matt Farrell and Joanne Magner pose during their
pilgrimage
to
Lourdes with the Order of Malta.
The Order, founded in the 11th century to care for sick
pilgrims, continues its founding promise to this day.
Knights, Dames and Auxiliaries of the Order of Malta from
all over the world convene each spring on pilgrimage to
Our Lady of Lourdes.
SUNDAY, MAY 24—NO 5:00 PM MASS
MONDAY, MAY 25—WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM ONLY
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
Praying the Psalms with Lectio Divina
Our women’s bible study group invites all women of the
parish to their bible study follow-up meeting on Tuesday,
May 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory basement meeting
room. We will be sharing some of our favorite Psalms with
the group in the traditional prayer technique of Lectio
Divina, allowing the words from these beautiful songs to
deepen our relationship with God and His meaning in our
lives. Feel free to bring your favorite journal to record your
reflections.
Vacation Bible School
July 13 thru July 17, 2015
At Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
All school-aged children (entering grades Kindergarten
through 6th grade) are invited to be part of the excitement as
Brookfield’s only Ecumenical Vacation Bible School gears up for
another year! Each year, representatives from Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Congregational Church of Brookfield wor k together to pr esent
God’s word to local children. The theme this year is Gospel
Light’s SonSpark Labs!
Come experience the adventure! Registration forms are available at the St. Joe’s Parish office, or email [email protected] to have a form emailed to you. Cost is $25 per
child with a maximum $75 per family. Classroom experiences are
for those children entering grades Kindergarten through 6th grade,
and a CIT program (including service hours) for those entering
grades 7 and 8. Assistant teaching opportunities are available for
those in high school and we are always looking for adult volunteers in other areas.
Questions?
Contact: Leanne Fuccillo at [email protected]. “Like” us on Facebook at Brookfield Ecumenical Vacation Bible School .
MAY 17, 2015
More Silly Signs
Monday, May 18
6:45 a.m. - Alan Ready, Sr ., r eq. by the Rosequist family
8:45 a.m. - Denise LaJoie, req, by Joan Elston & family
Tuesday, May 19
6:45 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, May 20
6:45 a.m. - Intentions of our Par ishioner s
8:45 a.m. Thursday, May 21
6:45 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Friday, May 22
6:445 a.m. - Intentions of Mar ia Suess, r eq. by the Suess family
8:45 a.m. - Bar bar a O’Lear y, r eq. by Betty & J ohn Stahl
Saturday, May 23
8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. - Cor inne Zanzano, r eq. by the Ander son family
Sunday, May 24 - Pentecost Sunday
7:30 a.m. - Esther Simo, r eq. by her family
9:00 a.m. - J ames O’Connor , r eq. by Eugene Rinaldi & Mar cie
Wolosoff
11:00 a.m. - Luciano Spr ovier o, r eq. by his family
5:00 p.m. - No Mass—Memorial Day
SANCTUARY LAMP INTENTIONS
To request a sanctuary lamp memorial or intention,
please call the Parish Office at 203.775.1035.
Week of May 17-24, 2015
Sunday - Coffee & Donuts after 9 AM Mass - Parish Center
Sunday - Holy Hour for the Unborn - 3 p.m. - Church
Mon. - Fri. – Rosary for Life – 8:20 a.m. – Church
Sunday - Coffee & Donuts after 9 AM Mass - Parish Center
NOTE: 5 PM Mass on Sunday, May 24,
Cancelled for memorial Day
On a restroom door:
“TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR
BELOW.”
In a laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE
ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT
In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS
In a London office:
AFTER TEA BREAK, STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE
TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE
DRAINING BOARD
Outside a second-hand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING
MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG
AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Notice in a health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
In a safari park:
ELEPHANTS, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR
PARISH MINISTRIES
Liturgy
Altar Servers – Mr. Patrick Jennings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203.740.7133
Dir. of Music – Mr. David Kendall. . . . . . . . . . . . .203.775.1035, ext. 177
Eucharistic Ministers/Lectors – Mike & Joanna Charecky . 203.775.6612
Faith Formation and Sacraments
Religious Education (Grades 1-8), RCIA and other Sacramental
Preparation – Mrs. Andrea Woronick . . . . . .203.775.1035, ext. 105
Scheduling Baptisms – Mrs. Rita Golaszewski. . . 203.775.1035, ext. 101
Marriage Scheduling/Prep – Deacon Peter Kuhn. .203.775.1035, ext. 104
Prayer & Devotion
Men’s Retreat – Mr. Jeff Roeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203.740.9428
– Mr. Andy Pacuk ([email protected]) . . . . 917.514.5974
Women’s Retreat – Mrs. Barb Roeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203.740.9428
Men of St. Joseph – Mr. Carl Monti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203.740.9544
Centering Prayer – Mrs. Michele Curnan
Parish Councils and Administration
Parish Council – Mr. Andy Pacuk, Chairman. . . . . . . . . . . .917.514.5974
Finance Council – Mr. Frank Cavalea, Chairman. . . . . . . . .203.482.5563
SJS Home & School Association
Theresa Mitchell, Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860.799.7571
Other Ministries & Organizations
8th Station Bereavement Ministry
Mrs. Mary Shaughnessy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203-775-9138
Mrs. Pat Tharrington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203-775-4836
55-Plus Club (Seniors) – Mrs. Helen Fiddner . . . . . . . . . . . 203.775.9613
Knights of Columbus – Mr. Patrick Jennings.. . . . . . . . . . . .203.740.7133
Mary-Martha Ministry – Mrs. Pat Font. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203.775.2335
MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) – Mrs. Barb Roeder203.740.9428
Outreach to Sick/Shut-In – Sr. Mary Ann Socha, CMGT. . 203.794.1486