MASS SCHEDULE
Monday – Friday: 6:30 & 9:00am
Saturday: 8:00am & 5:30pm (Vigil Mass)
Sunday: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am & 5:30pm
RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 4:00 – 5:00pm
STAFF
Father Corey V. Piccinino Pastor
Father Rolando Arias
Parochial Vicar
Father Chris Perrella
Parochial Vicar
John DeRoin
Deacon
Kate Fitzgerald: Parish Secretary & Bulle n Editor
Pat Jackson: Parish Secretary
Julie Doerner: Business Manager
Paul Orsino: Property Manager
ST. MARY SCHOOL (744-2922)
Sister Anne McCarthy: Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (743-4557)
Mary Ferri: Director
Elizabeth Cuneo: Secretary
RCIA: (203)744-5777 (Call if you are interested in
becoming a Catholic or comple ng your ini a on as
a Catholic with Confirma on and/or Eucharist)
YOUTH MINISTER
Dean Aufiero
MUSIC MINISTRY
Michael Ferrari: Music Director
Elizabeth Barnes: Choir Director
Karen Ma era: Children’s Choir
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Bob Kozlowski: Chairman (794-8512)
BAPTISMS
Most Sundays at 12:45pm. Please call the Rectory at
least six weeks in advance to schedule your Bap sm
and to sign up for the New Bap sm Class that is required for both parents and Godparents. These classes are oﬀered on the first Sunday of each month.
Anyone reques ng a Sponsorship form must be a
currently registered and prac cing Catholic, and they
must a end one of the New Bap sm Classes to receive it. There is a 3-month wai ng period for a sponsorship form for the newly registered. The Catholic
requirements for a Godparent/Sponsor are: you
must be at least 16 years old; received the Sacraments of Bap sm, First Holy Communion and Confirma on in the Catholic Church; a end Mass regularly
on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obliga on; receive
the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion
regularly; sincerely try to follow the moral teaching of
the Catholic Church; and if married, was married in
the Catholic Church.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARRIAGE
All couples must meet with a parish clergyman at
least six (6) months before the marriage is to be celebrated.
PASTORAL CARE AT DANBURY HOSPITAL
Prior to Your Hospitaliza on: You or a family member should no fy the Rectory.
Saint Mary Parish
26 Dodgingtown Road, Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: (203)744-5777 Fax: (203)744-3740
www.stmarybethel.org
Visit us on Facebook: StMaryChurchBethel
PARISH OFFICE HOURS:
9am –3:00 pm, Monday – Friday (Closed weekends and Holidays)
March 29, 2015
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Mary Catholic Church
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
FATHER COREY’S EPISTLE
♦ The following are some of the many Chris an symbols and their meanings:
The Cross symbolizes that Chris ans believe Jesus Christ died for everyone on a Cross.
The La n Cross, also some mes called the Roman Cross. The base of the Cross has three steps that symbolize faith, hope, and love.
The Irish or Cel c Cross is a normal cross with a circle in the middle to symbolize eternity.
The Triumphant Cross represents the earth with the cross on top. It symbolizes Jesus is triumphant over
anything we can face in the world.
The Jerusalem Cross was worn by the crusaders going to Jerusalem, in the middle ages. It can symbolize the
Four Gospels in the Bible, the spread of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth or the five wounds of Jesus
when he died on the cross.
The Eastern Cross is used by many Eastern or Orthodox Churches.
The Furca or Upsilon Cross comes from the Greek le er Y. It is also called The Thieves' Cross from the two
robbers who were crucified on each side of Jesus. It also symbolizes the choice between good and evil.
The Anchor Cross reminds Chris an's that Jesus is the anchor of their faith.
The Fish is one of the oldest Chris an symbols. The le ers, from the Greek word for fish (ichthus), stand for
Jesus (I), Christ (X), God (Q), Son (Y), Savior (S). Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen.
Alpha and Omega are the first and the last le ers of the Greek alphabet. Used together, they are the symbolize that Chris ans believe Jesus is the beginning and end of all things.
The Chi-Rho looks like a 'P' with an 'X' on top of it. These two le ers are the first two le ers of the Greek word
'Christos' which means Christ.
The Star of David, some mes called the Star of Crea on, is a symbol that Jesus was a Jew and a descendant of
King David.
A Five Pointed Star represents the five wounds of Jesus on the cross.
The Na vity Star is the symbol of the Star of Bethlehem or Epiphany, when the Wisemen visited Jesus.
An Eight Pointed Star represents bap sm and regenera on.
The Crown is the symbol that Jesus in King. It shows that Chris ans believe Jesus is ruler over heaven and the
earth.
Sunday, 3/29
Monday, 3/30
Tuesday, 3/31
Wednesday, 4/1
7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am,
12:00n, 5:30pm
6:30am Mass
6:30am Mass
6:30am Mass
9:00am Mass
9:00am Mass
7:00pm Confessions
4:45pm Children’s Choir
9:00am Mass
6:30pm Senior Youth Group Knots 9:30am Confessions
& Prayers
5:00pm Confessions
St. Mary Catholic Church
March 29, 2015
FATHER COREY’S EPISTLE
The Shepherd's Crook or Staﬀ remembers that Jesus some mes called himself a shepherd. It can also represent the shepherds who were the first people told about the birth of Jesus.
Both of these symbols represent the Chris an 'Trinity' of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Triquerta (on the
le ) is made of three loops making a triangle represen ng the three parts of the trinity. The Trefoil (on the
right) is three equal circles intertwined to form a whole.
Hands in Prayer help Chris ans remember that they should pray to God.
The Scroll represents the Bible.
The Dove is the symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. It is shown poin ng down to represent the Holy Spirit
that appeared as a Dove when Jesus was bap zed.
The Lamp and The Candle both represents that Chris ans believe Jesus in the Light of the World.
The Shell is a symbol for bap sm. It reminds Chris ans of the water that they are bap zed in. It is also a sign
of Pilgrimage, as Pilgrims to the Holy Land (Israel) would use a shell as a drinking vessel.
The Keys are a symbol for the Church in all the world. Jesus told his friend Peter that "I will give you keys to
heaven", so this means that Chris ans have to tell other people about Jesus.
The Ship is also a symbol of the Church, sailing towards heaven.
The Cup or Chalice is a symbol of the Mass, Eucharist or Communion. It also represents God's forgiveness.
The Angel reminds Chris ans of the angels who told the shepherds about the birth of Jesus. It can also represent the second coming of Jesus, which the bible says will start with an Angel blowing a trumpet.
The Lamb is a symbol for Jesus who is some mes called 'The Lamb of God'.
The Bu erfly is a symbol for transforma on and the immortal soul.
The Heart is a symbol of love and reminds Chris ans that God is love.
The Lion is a symbol for Jesus who is some mes called 'The Lion of Judah'. Jesus is also represented as Aslan
the Lion in the Chronicle of Narnia books by C S Lewis.
The White Rose is a symbol for purity and can represent Mary.
Thursday, 4/2
Friday, 4/3
Saturday, 4/4
9:00am Morning Prayer
9:00am Morning Prayer
9:00am Morning Prayer
7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper 12:00n Ecumenical Way of the
Cross
with Adora on in the Parish Hall
un l 11:00pm
3:00pm Celebra on of the Passion
of the Lord
7:00pm Sta ons of the Cross
Sunday, 4/5
6:00am Sunrise Mass at Blue Jay
12:00n Blessing of the Easter Food Orchards (weather permi ng)
7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am, 12:00n
8:00pm The Great Vigil of Easter
The Parish Oﬃce will be closed Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
ST. MARY MEN’S MINISTRY Our next mee ng is on Sat., April 4
at 8:30am in the Parish Hall. For info, call Eric Keener at (203)
730-0468 or [email protected].
DOROTHY DAY VOLUNTEERS
turn to Cook.
Wed., April 1: Our
The 2015 MASS INTENTIONS BOOK will be open on Tues.,
March 31. Come in and schedule your masses for next year.
ST. MARY BOOK CLUB: Our next book is “Time for God” by Fr.
Jacques Philippe. Join us on Wed., April 8 at 7:00pm, in the
Children’s Room.
On Good Friday, April 3, please meet at 12:00 noon on the sidewalk in front of the Bishop Cur s Homes for our annual ECUMENICAL WAY OF THE CROSS. In the event of inclement weather, we will meet at the First Congrega onal Church of Bethel.
For more details please call Tony Caraluzzi (203-730-0804).
There will be NO NOCTURNAL ADORATION on Good Friday.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
was declared by Pope John
Paul II in the year 2000 to be
celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter each year. The
celebra on is based upon the
words of Jesus, who appeared
several mes to a Polish nun
(now declared a saint) named
Faus na Kowalska. He spoke
to her about His love and mercy for all persons. In
several of His messages to St. Faus na, Jesus described His desire for a special day dedicated to
His Mercy. Please join us on
SAT., MARCH 28
5:30 + Kerri Holbrook — Friend
SUN., MARCH 29 (Palm Sunday)
7:00 + Kathleen Pa erson — The Fesh Family
8:30 + Richard Becher — Friend
10:00 + Dianne Hoeppel — Lawrence Havey
12:00 + Clay Hines, Sr. — The Briscoe Family
5:30 + Judith Pla — The Viebrock Family
MON., MARCH 30
6:30 + Dorothy Warden — Deanna & Joe Mossa
9:00 + Cathryn Z. Costello
TUES., MARCH 31
6:30 + Maureen Major Ullah — Pat & Joe Jackson
9:00 + Vito Fanelli — Maureen Po er
WED., APRIL 1
6:30 + John Stocks, Jr. — The Stocks Family
9:00 + Donald Calcaterra — Family
THU., APRIL 2
9:00 Morning Prayer (No Mass)
7:00 Mass of the Lord’s Supper
FRI., APRIL 3
9:00 Morning Prayer (No Mass)
3:00 Celebra on of the Lord’s Passion
SAT., APRIL 4
9:00 Morning Prayer (No Mass)
8:00 The Great Vigil of Easter
SUN., APRIL 5 (Easter Sunday)
6:00 Sunrise Service at Blue Jay Orchards (weather permiƫng)
7:00
8:30
10:00
12:00
Sunday, April 12
“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about
it.”
~G. K. Chesterton
at 3pm in the Church
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP - Knots & Prayers a er the 5:30pm
Mass on Sunday, March 29.
for a Holy Hour including Song, Adora on and the
Divine Mercy Chaplet
For more informaƟon about our youth group or to volunteer
contact our youth minister, Dean Aufiero at
[email protected]
I I—Alex Durling & Deanna LeRoux
Religious Ed Oﬃce hours
Mon., Tues., Wed., and Thurs. 9:30am-2pm
I I — Thomas Forshey & Ashley Cunningham
Welcome to those newly Bap zed
Caiden Phillips
Fr. Corey invites all children grades 3-6 to par cipate in the Holy
Thursday 7:00pm MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER as part of the
Procession on April 2. Meet in the Parish Hall at 6:45pm and
wear your Sunday best.
PALM SUNDAY (March 29)
Masses are celebrated on:
Sat. evening (March 28) at 5:30pm
Sun. at 7am, 8:30am, 10am, 12 noon, 5:30pm
CONFESSIONS: Monday, March 30:
9:30–10:00am
Tuesday, March 31:
7:00 — 9:00pm
Wednesday, April 1: 5:00 — 6:00pm
(last opportunity before the Triduum)
DAILY MASSES:
(Mon., Tues., & Wed.) 6:30 & 9am
HOLY THURSDAY (April 2)
9:00am – Morning Prayer (no morning Mass)
7:00pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
AdoraƟon in the Parish Hall unƟl 11:00pm
GOOD FRIDAY (April 3)
9:00 am – Morning Prayer (no morning Mass)
12:00noon – Ecumenical Way of the Cross beginning at Bishop CurƟs Homes.
3:00pm – CelebraƟon of the Lord’s Passion
7:00pm – StaƟons of the Cross
(Day of FAST and ABSTINENCE – no eaƟng between meals
and no meat)
HOLY SATURDAY (April 4)
9:00am – Morning Prayer (no morning Mass)
12:00n – Blessing of Easter Food (Parish Hall)
(No 5:30pm Mass)
8:00pm – The Great Vigil of Easter
EASTER SUNDAY (April 5)
Masses are celebrated at:
6:00am Sunrise Mass at Blue Jay Orchards
(weather permiƫng)
7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am, 12:00noon at the
Church (No 5:30pm Mass on Easter Sunday)
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (April 12)
Masses are celebrated on Sat. evening at 5:30pm
and on Sun. at 7am, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am,
5:30pm
3:00pm – Holy Hour including Song, AdoraƟon and
the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the Church
ST. MARY SCHOOL 21ST ANNUAL AUCTION
FUNDRAISER DINNER DANCE is “Coming
Home”! It will be held on
Sat., April 25th
from 6pm to 11pm in the school gym. $40 per
person or $75 per couple which includes Fresh
Seasonal Fruit & Vegetable Crudité, Imported & Domestic
Cheese Display, Buffet Dinner, Dessert & Coffee, Cash beer &
Wine, Live & Silent Auction, DJ & Dancing. Fill out the form
and send to St. Mary School, c/o Auction Committee, 24
Dodgingtown Road, Bethel, CT 06801
JELLY & JAM COLLECTION BEGINNING ASH WEDNESDAY and
con nuing each Sunday through Lent benefi ng “The Li le
Sisters of the Poor”.
DAILY MASSES during LENT
9:00am; Saturday: 8am.
Mon. – Fri.:
6:30am and
PENANCE: Tuesdays from 7-9pm, Saturdays from 4-5pm
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Fridays at 7:00pm
Days of FAST and ABSTINENCE (no ea ng between meals and
no meat): Ash Wednesday & Good Friday (The norms of
fasƟng are obligatory from age 18 unƟl age 59. When fasƟng,
a person is permiƩed to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals
may also be taken, but not to equal a full meal. The norms
concerning absƟnence from meat are binding upon members
from age 14 onwards.)
Days of ABSTINENCE (no meat): Fridays of Lent
There will be NO CLASSES Thursday April 2nd through Monday
April 6th in observance of the Holy Days of Easter. Classes will
resume on Tuesday, April 7th.
SAVE THE DATE – Our ANNUAL ST. MARY SCHOOL AUCTION is
Coming Home! It will be held on April 25th from 6pm to 11pm
in the school. Buﬀet dinner, cash bar, dancing, and fun! Tickets
are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Contact Juliana Rioux
203-470-7519 for addi onal informa on.
St. Mary School is proud to present THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
This year’s play will be held on May 1st and 2nd. More informa on to follow soon.
REGISTRATION for students entering Pre-school through Grade
8 is ongoing. Please call the school at 203-744-2922 or email
our
Admissions
Coordinator
Linda
Garvey
at
[email protected] for informa on. You can also visit
our website at www.stmarybethelct.org for school and registraon informa on.
New for 2015! The BISHOP’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND provides
tui on assistance for students and families enrolling in our
Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport for the
2015-2016 school year. For more informa on on how to apply
visit: www.bishopscholarship.org or call 203-416-1629.
Name:_____________________ Phone: _________________
Email: _____________________ Amount Enclosed: ________
Number of attendees: ________ Please seat me with the following
people: ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________
___ YES, I’d like to sponsor the Auction, please send me information
___ YES, I’d like to donate an item/service
I am unable to attend the Auction, but would like to support St. Mary
School with the following donation: $______________
2015 ANNUAL CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County dispenses life’s material essentials through a comprehensive network of 35 ministries each year to thousands of individuals and families regardless of their health, age, race, religious belief or economic status. Sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, counseling the troubled, attending to the elderly, infirm, disabled
and incarcerated, assisting newly-arrived immigrants, and so
much more, all are made possible through Annual Catholic
Appeal funding. Your gift will enable these life-changing
ministries and services to continue without interruption
whenever and wherever this outreach is most needed.
The next mee ng of the Knights is Monday, April 6
at 8:15pm
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS APPLICATIONS FOR
THREE SCHOLARSHIPS at $4,000 each, to be
awarded by Pavia Council #48, are now available.
An eligible applicant must be a resident of Bethel
or a daughter/son of a current or deceased member of Pavia
Council, as well as an ac ve Catholic. High School seniors may
pick up an applica on at their school guidance oﬃce or at the
Rectory. For informa on contact Eric Keener at (203) 739-0468,
or by email at [email protected]. Deadline: 4/6/15.
AROUND THE DIOCESE
DEFENDING OUR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY The Catholic Church has
always been a provider and advocate for accessible, aﬀordable
and life-aﬃrming health care. Had the federal government
made accommoda ons to protect religious freedom for all
Americans, dozens of lawsuits filed around the country challenging it could have been avoided. If you haven’t done so already, please voice your opposi on to the federal health care
mandate by calling U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Sylvia Mathews Burwell at 202-205-5445. Let her know that the
mandate is in viola on of our First Amendment right to religious
freedom.
LENTEN CONFESSION CAMPAIGN This Tuesday at 7-9pm will
be the last opportunity to take part in the Diocesan-wide Lenten Confession Campaign. Even if you have been away from the
Sacrament for some me or are unfamiliar with the “steps” of
the Sacrament that is fine. Pope Francis gives us a gi when he
tells us not to be “afraid” to go to confession. Come to Easter
with a sense of peace from the Risen Lord. Christ appointed his
Apostles, his priests, to con nue His mission of healing, forgiveness and reconcilia on — His mission of bringing peace.
Peace is the “gi ” of the Sacrament of Reconcilia on. It is because of this we can say that the Sacrament of Reconcilia on is
a celebraƟon. There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents. Let
us open our hearts to the boundless love of Christ and celebrate
the joy of the Resurrec on of the Lord with a reconciled heart.
BROTHERHOOD IN ACTION is collec ng food for
the needy in our area throughout the Lenten Season. Please drop oﬀ your dona ons in the Parish
Hall and be as generous as you can!!! Thank You!!
OFF THE STREETS is always in need of basic household items for
homeless persons moving into a small room (basic things such
as kitchen utensils, pots/pans/dressers/ beds/tables/chairs
etc.). We especially need kitchen brooms, dustpans and pillows. Bring such items to the United Methodist Church parking
lot (across from the Bethel Municipal Center) on Sat., April 4
from 10:00 – noon.
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