1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

22 February 2015
First Sunday of Lent
CHURCH OF THE
ON SAUGATUCK
THE MOTHER CHURCH OF WESTPORT
• Celebrating 139 Years 1876-2015 •
Phone: (203) 227-5161
98 Riverside Avenue • Westport, Connecticut 06880
CLERGY
Fr. Thomas P. Thorne, Pastor
Fr. Lawrence A. Larson, Parochial Vicar
Dn. David P. Clark, Deacon
EMERGENCY 1-203-249-4383
(203) 227-5161
PARISH STAFF
Michelle P. Hankey, Pastoral Administrator
([email protected])
John P. Kondub, Finance Administrator
([email protected])
Christopher Mulliken, Volunteer Property Manager
Lee McGuire, Secretary (Monday & Tuesday)
Marilyn Price - Volunteer Receptionist (Wednesday - am)
Nancy Wright - Secretary (Wednesday pm, Thursday & Friday)
Dennis Stypinski, Custodian
Gerard Barreau, Part-time Custodian
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Office: (203) 226-5448
Cell:
(203) 939-8910
Catherine J. Romano, Director
Nhur Klasky, Rel. Ed. Assistant (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)
Ann Perce, Rel. Ed. Assistant (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Joseph Malaterra, Rel. Ed. Board Chair
YOUTH MINISTRY
(203) 222-8486
Michele Modugno, Youth Minister (Grade 6 - 12)
Michael O’Loughlin, High School Youth Ministry Board Chair
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS
Fr. Lawrence A. Larson
First Sunday of the month at 1:30pm
R C I A (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Marilyn Moran, Parish Director
Dolores Bacharach, RCIA Catechist
(203) 286-6939
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm)
Fax: (203) 227-1206
LAY MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION
Theresa M. Perry, Trustee
Thomas P. Leyden, Trustee
Edward J. Capasse, Esq., Trustee Emeritus
FINANCE COUNCIL
Nancy Axthelm, Chair (203) 227-6569
Maria Onorato, Esq., Vice-Chair
Joseph Cardello
Michael O’Loughlin
PARISH COUNCIL
Maureen Belford, Chair
Joseph Malaterra, Vice-Chair
Ronnie Estony, Secretary
Helen C. Thiemann, Chair Emeritus
SACRED MUSIC MINISTRY
Frank Matto, Director & Organist
(203) 335-0894
([email protected])
Donna Gambino, Flutist
Aidan Andrews, Cantor
Jim Andrews, Bassist (Sunday 9:00am & 5:00pm)
MASS SCHEDULE
Mon. – Sat.
7:30 am
Saturday
5:00 pm Vigil
Sunday
7:30 am, 9:00 am (Family Mass),
10:30 am (Choir Mass), 12:00 noon, 5:00 pm
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday 4:00pm – 4:30pm
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Michelle P. Hankey
(203) 227-5161
FUNERAL COORDINATOR
Catherine J. Romano
(203) 226-5448
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Monday
8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - Thursday 7:25am
Third Thurs. 7:00pm - 8:00pm
New Members: We welcome all new parishioners and those who wish to return to the Church or to learn more of what
we Catholic Christians believe. Visit our web site www.assumption-westport.org
Page 2
In Loving Memory/Honor
The Sanctuary candle burns in
loving memory of
Dominic & Elvira Lener
The candles at the Tabernacle
burn in loving memory of
Scott Harris
The candles at the Altar burn
in loving memory of
Mirella Macaluso
Pray for our men and women
currently serving our country
Sgt. Randy Ackerman, US Army
L.Cpl. Durry Becker, USMC
Matthew Bradstock, US Army
Tony Cuseo, USMC
Ryan J. David, USN
2nd Lt. Alex Deep, US Army
Sgt. Christopher Dietl, US Army
Pvt. Auriane de Sousa, US Army
Brodie Galloway, US Army
Col. Gerald E. Galloway, US Army
Sgt. Kimberly Gendreau, US Army
Sgt. Trevor Gilbertie, US Army
Sgt. Matthew Harwedel, USMC
Sgt. Joseph Kelly, USMC
2nd Lt. Karl Kuechenmeister
Cpl. Michael Linnen, USMC
Sgt. Andre Mercado-Divoff
P.F.C., Brad Myers, US Army
Spec., Jonathan Morris, US Army
LT Jonathan R. Nelson, USN
LTJG Ryan T. Nelson, USN
Sgt. Colin Santacroce, US Army
Maj. Devin A. Smiley, USMC
Sgt. Zachary B. Taylor, USAF
Patrick Tazella, US Army
Capt. James Tesauro, US Army
Cpl. Calvin Robert Wauchope, USMC
L.Cpl. Patrick Zingaro, USMC
Please pray for all those who
have been wounded or have
sacrificed their lives for the
cause of peace.
Please pray for our sick
Catherine Alter
Mary Ann Andronaco
Noelle Anastasia
Joan Bailey
Bob Barker
Ryan Brewster
Kathy Bridges
Mary Bulakites
Victoria Callas
Sr. Lucy Caporaso
Joseph Cardello, Sr.
Bill Chadwell
Aida Ciferri
Tonino Covatta
Andrea Charboneau
Connie & Howard Danner
Nicholas DeMatteo
Matt Dudzik
Colette Dunham
Gail Eichinger
David Ellison
Dr. Harry Engel
Angela Farricielli
Marge Gabriele
Katarina Hale
Julie Halka
Jane Hawley
Logan Howard
Frank Illuzzi
Angela Izzo
Marie James
Bernadette Juoan
Nancy Kelly
Bernadette Kenney
Laura Kesling
Mary Louise Krone
Frank Kropf
Mary-Ellen Kuhn
Michelle Lombardi
Jack Allen Loshuk
Cara MacDonald
Frank Machi
Helen Maggio
Nancy Marino
Gabriella McCrae
Kristina Miller
Rhoda Miller
Marianne Monopoli
Clarissa Moore
Jana Moorman
Danielle Murrugarra
Denise Murtha
Reverend Frank Nuss
Rennie Nourie
Donna Olsen
Frank Palmieri
Tom Pellicano
Kim Preston
Bella Price
Brian Richards
James Rosati
Deanne Ryan
Sandra Ryan
Teresa Sacouto
Adrian Sandiford
Bill & Charlene Surette
Carmela Tornatore
Cheri Travis
Nicholas Valas
Ron & Pat Viesti
James Dominick Zwolinski
Mass Intentions for the Week
Saturday, February 21
Vigil 5:00PM
Dorothy Hall
Sunday, February 22
7:30AM
Theresa Falasco
9:00AM
Anthony Wilcox
10:30AM
Eva Popowich
12:00PM
Claire Ann Kinney
5:00PM
Patricia Hiro
Monday, February 23
7:30AM
Peter & Jenny Palmer
12:00PM
Susan Crook
Tuesday, February 24
7:30AM
Joyce Cain
12:00PM
Frank Vitacco
Wednesday, February 25
7:30AM
Deceased Members of
The Bell Family
12:00PM
Helen Morrow
Thursday, February 26
7:30AM
Anita Mesa
12:00PM
Charles Vaughn
Friday, February 27
7:30AM
Alberto Mesa
12:00PM
Robert Ritch
Saturday, February 28
7:30AM
Michael Sutton
Vigil 5:00PM
William Belford
Sunday, March 1
7:30AM
Theresa Loiacono
9:00AM
Theresa Falasco
10:30AM
Stephen Chacho
12:00PM
Robert Johnston
5:00PM
Family of Assumption
Pray For Our Recently Deceased
Horace Lanute
David Sullivan, Jr.
Melvin Shaw
Ann Rimby
George Moreo
Joseph Manzi
Ethel Ann McMahon
May they rest in peace.
Page 3
Stewardship Report
•
•
Sunday Offertory $ 7,144.00
Online Giving for the month of January $8,089.00
God bless you for you charity. Thank you!
Fr. Tom
Our parish now offers Online Giving, a web-based electronic application that allows
you to start, stop and change your contributions at any time. We are providing this
service so that you have the option to manage your contributions online, view reports
on your contribution history and generate tax statements at each year’s end. This
service is safe and secure. Sign up for Online Giving by visiting our parish website at
www.assumption-westport.org and selecting the Online Giving link.
•
•
If you wish to support the Parish by having your bank mail a check directly, you are welcome to do so. Please
have checks payable to Assumption Church.
Please remember Assumption Church in your estate planning. If you wish to make a donation of appreciated
stock to the Parish, you may do so by crediting UBS DTC # 0221 for further credit to Church of the Assumption,
Westport, CT Acct. UN R5454-17.
New PLS Fund replaces Roncalli House Fund: The Roncalli Fund is now closed but you
are most welcome to designate our new PLS FUND as recipient of your charity. This new fund will help us cover the
cost to paint (P) the interior of the Church, to put in place 14 micro spot lights (L) on the 14 Stations of the Cross as
well as update/upgrade our Sound System (S). Thank you.
Abstinence and Fasting
This week we begin the 2015 Annual Catholic
Appeal to provide the funds for the pastoral,
educational and charitable ministries of the
Diocese of Bridgeport. This year’s theme,
Building Communities of Faith, calls us to
come together as a people of God to live
and share the faith we profess as we carry
forth the mission of Jesus Christ. When you
receive your Appeal mailing this week, please
take time to read the information thoroughly,
how you can help and give prayerful
consideration when contemplating your
sacrificial gift to the campaign. Thank you.
Fr. Tom
Abstinence is a Lenten practice of refraining from
the consumption of meat and is to be observed by
all Catholics age 14 years and older on Ash
Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays during
Lent. Pastors and parents are encouraged to see
that those who are not bound by the obligation to
abstain are led to appreciate an authentic sense of
penance. In addition to abstinence, fasting is to
be observed by all Catholics between the ages of
18-59 years old. On days of fasting, one full
meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to
maintain strength, may be taken according to
one’s needs, but together they should not equal
another full meal. Eating between meals is not
permitted, but liquids are allowed.
Note: If a person is unable to observe the above
regulations due to ill health or other serious
reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of
self-denial that are suitable to their condition.
Page 4
2015 Lenten
Schedule
Lenten Daily Mass Schedule
Monday - Friday: 7:30am and 12:00pm
Saturday: 7:30am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Tuesdays: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturdays: 4:00pm - 4:30pm
(No Sacrament of Reconciliation,
Holy Saturday, April 4)
Communal Penance Service
Wednesday, March 25, 7:00pm
Stations of the Cross
Lenten Friday evenings at 7:00pm
(Deacon David Clark)
Sunday Lenten Evening Prayer 6:00pm
February 22 - Deacon David Clark
March 1 - Sr. Marie Lucie Monast, S.S.T.V.
March 8 - Dr. Joan Kelly
March 15 - Fr. Juan Gabriel Acosta
March 22 - Damian O’Connor
Communal Anointing of the Sick
Saturday, March 21 - after the Vigil mass
Sunday, March 22 - after all masses
Palm Saturday, March 28
First Sunday of Lent
Reflecting on God’s Word . . .
I suspect that the real reason we avoid the desert is
because in all that monotony there are no hiding
places, no paths to crawl out way behind some kink of
hill, no busyness that allows us to duck beneath the
rippling surface of honesty, no phone calls to undo the
silence that echoes our real selves. Curious that we
should be afraid of the nothing rather than of the
something. Yet it is the nothing, in the end, that
makes the revelation happen. Such is the unsettling
power of any desert, to reveal what we most fear in
life, the real self that is perhaps less known and more
imposing than anyone else’s self. Deserts do that, and
so we avoid them like kids dancing about their
homework.
Over the years we learn that it’s safer to fritter about
on the fringe of Lent than to get lost in its vast and
desert emptiness. We’ve grown good at frittering, at
tinkering with days stripped of television or meals that
have surrendered their dessert. This frittering goes on
simply because when it’s all over and done we are able
to go back to the lives we’ve come to enjoy and
treasure and nothing has been redone, least of all our
real selves.
Jesus, however, risked the desert. Never just a
tinkerer, he dared to trek about the emptiness for forty
days and nights. This week’s first scripture is a piece
from Noah’s tale in the bobbing ark. Thus we might
wonder which desert was more daunting, forty days
and nights of Noah’s deluge or of Jesus’ drought. Yet
both found themselves in new and different worlds,
neither of which had ever before been mapped.
- Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis -
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Egg Hunt to follow
Palm Sunday, March 29
Palm Sunday Lenten Food Collection
6:30pm - Lenten Play with Frank Runyeon, Actor
“Signs: The Gospel of John”
Lenten Alms for the Poor may be placed in the
basket in the center aisle of the Church throughout
Lent at all Masses. These offerings will go directly
to the poor. Thank you.
Attention All Lectors!
Save the date . . .
Lector Refresher Workshop
Saturday, April 11th
9:00am - 10:30am
More information to follow!
Page 5
Sunday Lenten
Evening Prayer
6:OOpm
Please join us!
Evening Prayer, Scripture
Readings, Hymns, Reflection
and Benediction
Every Sunday during Lent
February 22 - March 22
Speakers
All are invited and
welcomed!
February 22
Deacon David Clark
Seminarian Diocese of Bridgeport
March 1st
Sr. Marie Lucie Monast, S.S.T.V.
Special Care Coordinator Notre Dame
Convalescent Home
March 8
Dr. Joan Kelly
Faculty of Sacred Heart University and
Director of Evangelization Studies Program,
Danbury, CT
March 15
Fr. Juan Gabriel Acosta
Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Norwalk
March 22
Damian O’Connor
Diocesan Director of Religious Education
Evening Prayer is an occasion
to give thanks for the blessings
of the day and for
redemption in Christ.
Please join us in the
Parish Hall at
6:45pm
for delicious
homemade soup, salad,
bread and dessert.
Page 6
Fr. Tom, Marilyn Moran and Cathy Romano along
with nearly 350 delegates to the Synod were at the
Third General Session and voted to approve the
final pastoral and temporal challenges in the ongoing
renewal of the Catholic Church in Fairfield County.
The adoption of the five global challenges followed
months of studies by Synod delegates, consultative
meetings held throughout the diocese and listening
sessions with the laity that began last spring.
Using a digital voting system, the delegates
approved the following global challenges for action:
• Every Catholic is called to “fully conscious,
and active participation” (Sacrosanctum
Concilium 14) in the worship life of the Church.
• There is a need to strengthen and support
family life and empower and assist parents to
be the primary teachers of the Catholic Faith.
(Family Life)
• We must create concrete plans for
evangelization in, with and through our
parishes, schools, ecclesial movements, and
communities.
• There is a need to continually call, form,
and support clergy, religious and laity in active
leadership roles in the life of the Church.
(Leadership)
February 7, 2015
We must renew the
ministry of faith formation
throughout our Diocese,
leading each person to a
deepening relationship with
the Lord Jesus in and
through His Church.
(Catechesis and Education)
The Bishop empowered delegates to now begin
researching solutions and best practices to address
the many problems such as reaching out to alienated
Catholic, inspiring youth, and becoming more
welcoming communities of faith.
During the afternoon session, Michael Gecan,
National Co-director of Industrial Areas Foundation/
CONECT (Connecticut Affiliate), said the Church
would benefit from using “organizing “ principles as
it seeks renewal. Noting there is an inherent tension
between “bureaucratic and relational” models of
institutions, he urged the Church to experiment and
take risks in order to revitalize its outreach to people.
“There has to be some disorganizing if you’re going
to effectively reorganize,” he said. “We’re all for reorganizing but disorganizing can be painful, “
because institutions tend to do things the same way,
whether they work or not. He said one reason that
parishes end up with a few leaders doing all the work
is because, “We do things any way, even if people
don’t want to do it. We don’t listen.” Mary Ellen
O’Driscoll, Regional Director of the Ignatian
Volunteer Corp, said Catholics are called to “act on
the common good and to see God’s presence in the
midst of the poor and suffering.
In a humorous and insightful presentation Msgr.
James P. Lang, Episcopal Vicar for Parishes, Diocese
of Syracuse, spoke about parish planning, visioning
and excellence. “If it’s not working, stop doing it,’
he said, noting, “We need to see things in a new way.
“ Msgr. Lang said that as the Church seeks to change,
it’s important “not to throw the baby out with the
bath water. Engage your tradition and be true to
yourself and don’t forget the core values that have
guided the Church for over 2,000 years.”
Page 7
Parish Rel. Ed. Children help
Merton House
High School Youth Group
The next High School Youth Group gathering is set
for Sunday, March 8 from 3:15PM to 5:00PM in
McGrath Hall with Youth Mass at 5:00PM in the
church. We will once again work with the 8th
grade Confirmation students to work on their
service projects. We need your help with setting
up McGrath Hall, working on the projects and
then clean-up. So, please mark your calendars.
Jim Meehan, parishioner and a Knight of
Columbus, handed out Valentine bags at the
Merton House in Bridgeport on Valentine’s
Day. The bags were made by our Parish
Religious Education children!
Next Weekends Priest Mass Schedule
Saturday, February 28
Vigil 5:00pm
Fr. Tom
Sunday, March 1
7:30am
Fr. Larry
9:00am
Fr. Tom
10:30am Fr. Tom
12:00pm Fr. Larry
5:00pm
Fr. Tom
— Subject to change —
Serra Club Corner
The Diocese of Bridgeport is in the process of
establishing a diocesan Serra Club chapter. A Mass of
Organization and Installation of Officers is scheduled
for April 2015. If you are interested in joining, contact
David Flynn at [email protected].
Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father and Mary
Immaculate, grant to our young people the generosity
necessary to follow Your call and the courage required
to overcome all obstacles to their vocation. Give parents
that faith, love, and spirit of sacrifice which will inspire
them to offer their children to God's service and to
rejoice whenever one of their children is called to the
priesthood, diaconate, or religious life. Let your example
and that of your Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph
encourage both young people and parents and let your
grace sustain them. Amen.
The High School schedule for Sunday, March 8:
• 3:15PM – 5:00PM – Service Projects with the 8th
graders in McGrath Hall
• 5:00PM – 6:00PM – Youth Mass in the church
• No Youth Group gathering after mass!
Please contact the Youth Ministry Office to let us
know that you will be joining us on Sunday,
March 8th. Just call the Youth Ministry Office at
(203)
222-8486
or
via
email
at:
[email protected]
Middle School Youth Group
ALL 8th Grade Confirmation students will be
attending a special Middle School Youth Group
meeting on Sunday, March 8 from 3:30PM to
4:45PM in McGrath Hall (basement of the church)
as they will be working on two special service
projects. Parents: once we complete our projects,
together we shall all go up to the church for youth
mass at 5PM. We ask all parents to join us for
mass! This a terrific opportunity for all 8th graders
and their families to attend mass together. If you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact the Youth Ministry Office via phone: (203)
2 2 2 - 8 4 8 6
o r
v i a
e m a i l :
[email protected]
Youth Mass
Our next youth mass is set for Sunday, March 8 at
5:00PM!
Our youth musicians will rehearse
starting at 4:15PM in the choir loft with our music
director, Frank Matto.
Michele Modugno, Youth Minister
Page 8
On a spiritual note . . .
The Bible: A Text in Travail
Experience the Journey
The Bible is a record of Jewish and early Christian experience of God's gradual self-revelation. The
Great Mystery can only be absorbed in small doses. But it is always based on someone's experience.
The book did not fall from heaven in a Glad Bag. It was written by people listening to God. The Hebrew
Scriptures (otherwise known as the Old Testament) were written by the people of Israel, God's
"Chosen People" over maybe as much as a thousand years. It was not so much that God loved Israel
more than all the other peoples of the earth, but somehow they were a people who were slowly
trained in how to listen to and to hear God speaking--through very secular and political events of their
history. And although God called and used individuals, it was always the whole of Israel that God was
liberating and loving. Our exclusively anthropocentric and individualized notion of salvation comes
much later, and is a major loss and regression.
In the stories of the Hebrew people we see Yahweh gradually revealing the God Self to be the hope
and promise of Israel. Their history became an illustration of how God works on earth, leading them
forward into an ever-greater unity and maturity as a community of faith--but finally for the salvation of
all the nations (Isaiah 45)!
Then why, you may well be wondering, has the Bible seemingly caused so much strife and division in
the world? Indeed, the Scriptures are both the best book in the world and the worst book in the world.
They are the worst when they are used for bullying and self-satisfaction. They are the best when they
are used for the healing of the world and for the transformation of the self. It all depends on how we
read them and how we use them. The "who" that you bring to the Bible will determine "how" you
understand it and how you use it.
The Bible was written in faith and it can be understood only in faith. In other words, it cannot be read
cynically (liberals) nor literally (conservatives), which are merely two different forms of rationalism to
keep ourselves in control. Our faith is not in the words of the Bible. Our faith is in the Triune God who
is very subtly and slowly revealing the Divine Mystery in space and time--and yes through words and
stories, parables and biographies.
The Bible is not an answer book, so we can somehow "know" God as an intellectual exercise. It is only
in walking the journey of faith, hope, and love itself that we come to know the real answers. As the
Spanish poet Antonio Machado wrote, "No hay camino, se hace camino al andar" ("There is no road,
the road is made by walking.")! Thus Biblical answers are not usually direct answers. They are hardly
ever "head" answers. They are most often "heart," "gut," and "soul" answers. They are first of all
meaning and vitality. For what we really seek and what we deeply need--and all that God finally
promises us--is meaning and life, and that is not at all the same as giving answers! In fact, too-quick
answers normally destroy depth, meaning, inner vitality, deep purpose, and very often, compassion
and patience too.
Adapted from The Great Themes of Scripture: Old Testament
Page 9
Family Life
Lenten Outreach
From now until the end of Lent, we
will be collecting toiletries and
individual size snacks for the
homeless in Bridgeport.
Some suggestions are:
Shampoo & Conditioner
Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Dental Floss
Mouthwash
Soap
Deodorant
Band-Aids
Tissues
Lip Balm
Moisturizer
Shaving supplies
Comb/Brush
Gallon Size Ziplocs
New Socks
Q-tips
Hand Sanitizers
Individual size snacks such as:
Applesauce, Fruit
Cups, Chips, Crackers,
Pretzels, Cookies
Hot Chocolate Packs,
Juice Boxes,
Granola & Fruit Bars,
Envelopes of Soups,
Wrapped Easter Candy
Please bring your donations to the
designated boxes at the entrances of the
church or the bin on the front porch of
Roncalli House anytime. The bags will be
packed as items come in. They will be
delivered to the Soup Lady’s clients in
time for Easter.
Thank you for your generosity and caring
for those in need.
Religious Education
News & Information
Sunday 9:00am Confirmation
Class Schedule
February 22 - No class (Winter break)
March 1 - class
March 8 - no class, 3:30 service project (students only)
follow by 5:00pm mass with parents and sponsors
March 15 - class
March 22 - class
March 29 - class
Grades K-7
Sunday & Tuesday Class Schedule
Sunday, February 22 - No class (Winter break)
Tuesday, February 24 – class
Sunday, March 1 - class
Tuesday, March 3 - class for all grades except Grade 2.
who will meet in the church for First Reconciliation
Sunday, March 8 - class
Tuesday, March 10 - class
Sunday, March 15 - class
Tuesday, March 17 - class
Sunday, March 22 - class
Tuesday, March 24 - class
Sunday, March 29 - Last class except for Grade 2
Tuesday, March 31 - Last class except for Grade 2
Sunday, April 5 - No class Easter Sunday
Tuesday, April 7 - class for Grade 2 only
Sunday, April 12 - No class Spring Recess
Tuesday, April 14 - No class Spring Recess
Sunday, April 19 - No class Spring Recess
Tuesday, April 21 - class for Grade 2 only
Sunday, April 26 - Last class for Grade 2
Tuesday, April 28 - Last class for Grade 2
Office Hours: The Religious Education Office
hours are Monday - Thursday, 9:00am to 4:00pm
(closed on Fridays)
Snow Cancellation Information
Please check your email or watch Channel 3 or
Channel 12 News for snow cancellations. If
the Westport Public Schools cancel classes on
Tuesday due to inclement weather, our Tuesday’s classes
will be cancelled as well.
Page 10
Adoration
There is an opening on Thursday mornings from
4:00am - 5:00am. If you are interested or have
any questions please contact Andrea Remlin
(203) 227-5477.
Knights of Columbus
- Council 3688 Meeting Information: The Knights
of Columbus meet the first Tuesday of
the month at Assumption Church at
7:30pm in McGrath Hall, beneath the church. The
next meeting will be held on March 3. For more
information, please contact Walter Avitabile at
(203) 981-3083 or by email [email protected]
New members are always welcome!
2014 Tax Contribution Statements
Contribution statements for the 2014 tax year have
been mailed to all parishioners who gave $250.00 or
more to the parish. If you did not receive a
statement and you made contributions to the parish
during 2014, please call the office at (203) 227-5161
and a statement will be mailed to you. Thank you!
Hospital & Nursing Home Visitations
Due to current privacy rights of patients, the priests do
not have any way of knowing if and
when parishioners are hospitalized. Therefore, if you
wish to be visited by one of our priests while in the
hospital, please have a family member notify the parish
office and Father Tom or Father Larry will be happy to
visit, bring you Holy Communion and share with you the
Anointing of the Sacrament of the Sick. Thank you.
High Blood Pressure Screening . . .
The first weekend of the month
Know Your Numbers: Body Mass Index & Waist
Circumference: Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of
body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult
men and women. A BMI below 18.5 is underweight. A BMI of
18.5-24.9 is normal. A BMI of 25-29.9 is overweight and any
BMI over 30 is obesity. The higher your BMI the higher your
risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood
pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems
and certain cancers. Waist circumference measurement
helps screen for possible health risks that come with
overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is around your
waist you’re at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2
diabetes. This risk goes up with a waist size that is greater
than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for
men.
Know Your Numbers: Blood Pressure: High blood
pressure, sometimes called “the silent killer” is very
common. You can have high blood pressure and still feel just
fine because high blood pressure often does not cause signs
of illness that you can see or feel. One way to find out if you
have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure
screened. Your blood pressure is high when it measures
140/90 or higher. You have pre-hypertension when your
blood pressure is between 120/80 and 139/89. Normal
blood pressure is less than 119/79. If you have high blood
pressure it is important to see a doctor. Uncontrolled blood
pressure can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems,
kidney failure and other health problems.
Know Your Numbers: Blood Cholesterol: Cholesterol
is a waxy, fat-like substance which circulates in your
bloodstream. The liver removes the cholesterol from your
body. Too much cholesterol in your blood is called high
blood cholesterol and can be serious. It increases your
chances of having a heart attack or getting heart disease.
High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms so
many people don’t know they have it. It is important to find
out what your cholesterol numbers are because if you have
high blood cholesterol, lowering it reduces your chances of
getting heart disease or having a heart attack.
Know Your Numbers: Blood Sugar: Diabetes means
Assumption Parish
Bereavement Group
Come, share and heal with others.
We meet each Wednesday from 3:30pm- 5:00pm
in the Beard Room at the Roncalli House (the
parish center at the end of the parking lot.) Helen
Thiemann will lead the group.
For more
information, please call her at (203) 227-6318 or
email [email protected] .
Blessed are they who mourn . . . they
shall be comforted.
your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Glucose comes from
the food you eat and is also made in your liver and muscles.
Insulin is a chemical (a hormone) made by the pancreas.
Insulin helps the glucose from the food get into your cells. If
your body does not make enough insulin or if the insulin
doesn’t work the way it should, glucose can’t get into your
cells and stays in your blood instead. Fasting blood glucose
is taken in the morning after not eating for at least 8 hours.
Diabetes is a fasting blood glucose level of 126 or higher;
pre-diabetes is a fasting blood glucose of 100-125 and
normal fasting blood glucose is under 99. Diabetes that is
not well controlled causes serious damage to the eyes,
kidneys, nerves, heart, gums and teeth.
Source: The National Institutes of Health Website This information is provided by
the Assumption Parish Social Concerns Ministry and the St Vincent’s Parish Nurse
Program.
Page 11
Assumption Parish
Social Concerns Ministry
Social Concerns is an active ministry formed to
respond to the problems of social justice, the
physical and spiritual needs of the Assumption
parish family, and to those in need in the
neighboring communities. Some of the projects we
are involved with are:
Christmas Angels
Collection, Thanksgiving Gifts of Plenty, Towels
Collection, Lenten Alms, Blankets/Winter Warmup Collection, and Easter Food Baskets. The
Prayer Network and A.C.T.S. are additional
services to our parishioners. The Ministry meets
on the third Monday of the month (September
through June) at 7:00pm in Roncalli House. If
you wish to contact us, please call (203) 227– 5161
ext. 125.
New members are needed and
always appreciated. We would be delighted
to have you join our team!
Parish Prayer Network is
a network of
over 70 members.
When someone needs pray or a special intention,
please call the Social Concerns Ministry at (203)
227-5161 ext. 125 and leave the request,
intention and first name of the person to be
prayed for. Intentions are forwarded via
the telephone and email to the network.
Members respond by praying in their
homes. The network is always open to
new members.
Assumption Cares Through Service
The purpose of A.C.T.S. is to build a more
caring and comforting community within
the parish. It is designed to hear and
answer simple requests for – a ride to
church, to a doctor’s or other
appointments; to do grocery shopping or other
errands. A.C.T.S. can also offer a simple meal to
aid in recuperation or for a family with a new baby.
A phone call or a visit to a shut-in can also be
arranged.
To request or offer help, please call
(203) 227-5161 ext. 125
Devotions
Holy Hour, Exposition and Sung Chaplet of
Mercy: March thru December every month on the
Thursday before the first Friday from 7:15pm to
8:00pm in the Church. Dian J. Mayo (203) 9382113.
Miraculous Medal Novena: Wednesdays
following the 7:30am Mass.
Daily Rosary of Peace - at 7:00am before daily
Mass
First Saturday Holy Hour: following the 7:30am
Mass.
Adoration: Monday 8:00am – 5:00pm and
Wednesday 8:00am thru Thursday 7:25am (24 hrs.)
Please call Andrea Remlin (203) 227-5477 if you
would like to take ½ - 1 hour of Adoration.
Holy Hour and Exposition: Third Thursday of the
month 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Baptismal Prep Class
Mothers and Fathers who are parents for the first
time are required to attend a Pre-Baptism class.
Classes are held in the new parish center at 1:30pm
once a month. The next Pre-Baptismal Class
will be held on Sunday, March 1 in the Roncalli
House, Oscar Romero Room. Please call the
Parish Office at (203) 227–5161 to register for the
class.
Please note, Godparents must be
practicing, Confirmed Catholics and age 16 and
over.
Sacramental Information
Marriage: Arrangements are to be made a
minimum of six months prior to the wedding date.
Please call the Parish Office.
Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to make
arrangements for your child’s Baptism. Baptisms
are on Sundays at 1:15pm, one to four children.
Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00pm – 4:30pm
Communion: We welcome the opportunity to visit
our homebound parishioners. Please call the Parish
Office.
Anointing of the Sick: Please call the Rectory prior
to surgery or at the onset of an illness.
RCIA: The process by which an adult joins our
Catholic Faith Community. Contact Marilyn Moran
at (203) 286-6939.