Rectory Office

Phone: 860-628-4713 Fax: 860-628-7341 E-Mail: stthomassouthington@gmail.com Web Sites: www.stthomassouthington.org www.facebook.com/groups/104009621923

St. Thomas Convent

Address: 20 Eden Place Southington, CT Phone: 860-621-1904

Office of Religious Education

Phone: 860-628-9679 E-mail: stchurchre@gmail.com

Southington Catholic School

Address: 133 Bristol Street Southington, CT Phone: 860-628-2485 Fax: 860-628-4942 Web Site: www.southingtoncathlolicschool.org

September 29, 2019

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saint Thomas Church 99 Bristol Street, Southington, CT 06489-4599

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).”

Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM (Church)

Sunday: 7:30AM & 10:00AM (Church)

Weekday Mass Schedule Monday & Tuesday: 7:30AM (Chapel) Thursday & Friday: 12:10PM (Chapel)

Saturday: 8:00AM (Chapel)

Our Parish Mission Statement

We, the Roman Catholic faithful of St. Thomas parish, nourished by God’s Word and by the

Sacraments, welcome and serve the Family of God. Through evangelization, education, and spiritual

development, we demonstrate the true meaning of God’s love by living in the image of Christ.

Parish Staff

Priests Rev. Joseph R. Cronin—Pastor fr.cronin@aohct.org Rev. John E. Cockayne—(Senior Status)

Deacons Angelo J. Coppola—(Senior Status) Vincent J. Raby

Music Ministry Emil Kopcha—Director Kathy Kopcha—Assistant

Office Manager Heidi Malley

Business Manager Marc Ingriselli

Trustees Susan Howard Paul Miano

Plant Manager Casey Potthoff

Custodial Staff Daniel Conant Bonnie Guimond Marty Lopatosky Harry Masterbone

Director of Religious Ed. Sr. Marie Roccapriore, MPF

Southington Catholic School

Principal Eileen Sampiere

Office Manager Loretta Putala

Advancement Director Mary Alexander

Sanctuary Candles

Church: For Marco Ingriselli

Chapel: For the sick

Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM

SATURDAY, September 28—St. Wenceslaus, Martyr;

St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions, Martyrs

8:00AM Deacon Wes Baxter—10th Anniversary Requested by Terry & Lester Bouchard

4:00PM Marco Ingriselli—Birthday Remembrance Requested by his wife & children

SUNDAY, September 29—26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30AM Alfonso & Maria Fragola Requested by their daughter

10:00AM Stanley & Elizabeth Cop—Anniv. Remembrance Requested by Anthony & Melissa Cop

MONDAY, September 30—St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church

7:30AM The Parishioners of St. Thomas Church

TUESDAY, October 1—St. Therese of the Child Jesus,

Religious and Doctor

7:30AM Anna & Matthew Lopreiato—Wedding Anniv. Requested by Matthew Lopreiato

WEDNESDAY, October 2—The Holy Guardian Angels

NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAY, October 3—Weekday

12:10PM James Fasulo Requested by Michael Fasulo

FRIDAY, October 4— St. Francis of Assisi, Religious

12:10PM Gary Celella, Jr. Requested by Christopher Gaudette

SATURDAY, October 5—Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest

8:00AM In Honor of Our Lady of the Rosary Requested by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gagnon

4:00PM Frank Levanti—10th Anniversary Requested wife, Jeanne & family

SUNDAY, October 6—27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30AM Stephen Britton—2nd Anniv. Remembrance Requested by the family

10:00AM Frank Dunn, Jr. Requested by wife, Pricilla & family

Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,

Last Sunday was the picnic. The

weather could not have been better.

We had a large group come. Some

were recent additions, while others

have lived here their whole lives. The

burgers and hot dogs were great. The

dishes people brought were delicious.

Valentine the Clown entertained the

crowd and painted the children’s faces.

The DJ was playing oldies but goodies.

The Confirmation class did a great job

of washing cars to raise funds for

hurricane relief. It was a grand event.

What makes a party so wonderful? Is it the planning?

It helps, but even if the details had not all worked so

perfectly, it would still be good. Is it meeting new

people? That is always a nice thing, though many folks

sat with their family and friends they see all the time. Is

it the weather? That helps, but it could have been just

as nice if it were cloudy or cooler. So what makes it

special? I have been to some events where every piece

of planning and execution was flawless, but I still had a

terrible time. I have been at others that were slapped

together with little planning and things went wrong, but

it was still most enjoyable. What makes the difference?

I find that when people come with their best intentions

and engage in the celebration, that makes for the

greatest factor of success. When we want to be with

each other, instead of having to be with each other, it

makes for a more enjoyable time. When people come

with a desire to laugh with old friends and

meet potential new friends, it make for a

great event. When people share what they

love and get to see what others love, it

opens up the celebration. All that

happened at our picnic, and it made for a

wonderful time.

I think we can learn something from the

picnic and apply it to our liturgical life.

What makes a parish more welcoming and

a Mass more engaging? It’s the

congregation. When we come because we

want to gather in prayer to our God, not

because we have to, it’s a better

experience. When we catch up with old

friends and meet the new person in our pew, then it

enhances our connection. When we share our gifts and

talents, it makes the celebration more personal. When

our parish is vibrant and special, and not just generic

parish number 4, it makes all the difference in the

world. We are people who believe in the Incarnation of

God, and so we believe that certain people, places, and

times are significant and special. Let’s make this a

place where we want to engage in worship of our God

with the parish family we have. So when I forget a

prayer, or a lector mispronounces a name, or someone

announces the wrong number of the hymn, those things

matter less than the desire of all to give what we have.

We are the difference in making a vibrant and engaging

community. Let’s enjoy doing just that!

Joyfully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe

Question: Father, as a child, I was taught that we should be

looking down when the priest elevates the host after the

Consecration. I see others looking at it. Which is correct?

Answer: The priest elevates the host so that that you can see

it. There was a time in the Church’s history when people

very rarely received the Eucharist. Since they did not

consume it, there were special blessings for them if they saw

it. That’s why the priest would elevate it high above himself

and the server would ring bells. You would know when to

look and you were able to see it. I’m not sure why you would

have been told to look down. That’s wrong. At the elevation

at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, we even hear “Behold

the Lamb of God." You have to look at something to behold

it.

Ask Father Readings for the week of September 29, 2019

Sunday: Am 6:1a, 4-7/Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 [1b]/

1 Tm 6:11-16/Lk 16:19-31

Monday: Zec 8:1-8/Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23 [17]/

Lk 9:46-50

Tuesday: Zec 8:20-23/Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 [Zec 8:23]/

Lk 9:51-56

Wednesday: Neh 2:1-8/Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 [6ab]/

Mt 18:1-5, 10

Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [9ab]/

Lk 10:1-12

Friday: Bar 1:15-22/Ps 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9 [9]/Lk 10:13-16

Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29/Ps 69:33-35, 36-37 [34]/

Lk 10:17-24

Next Sunday: Hb 1:2-3; 2:2-4/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 [8]/

2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14/Lk 17:5-10

Parish Information Devotions & Groups

Holy Hours In the chapel—rectory basement

Tuesdays: 11:00AM—Noon (for vocations)

Thursdays: 11:00AM—Noon (with Benediction)

Eucharistic Adoration In the chapel—rectory basement

Thursdays 8:00AM—11:00AM

Miraculous Medal Novena In the chapel—rectory basement

Tuesdays at 7:00PM

Italian Rosary Group First Tuesday of each month—7:30PM (Parish Center)

Lap Blanket Ministry Parishioners make blankets for patients in local health

care facilities . Anyone who crochets is invited to join

us in the church basement. One Wednesday Evening a

month 7:00-8:15PM. Next Meeting—October 23rd

Ladies Guild The Ladies Guild meets the first Monday

of each month, and hosts hospitality in

the church meeting room each first

Sunday after both 7:30 & 10:00 mass.

Bible Study Group This week, Oct. 3rd, we will read

Exodus 7 & 8 – Conflict with

Pharaoh. All are welcome to join us

in our examination of Scripture!

Thursdays at 1:30PM or 7:00PM

in the Chapel (Rectory basement)

(The classes cover the same material—you need only attend one)

Sacraments

Baptism Parents, contact the rectory to schedule a

baptism. There’s a preparation meeting for

parents having their first child baptized.

RCIA—Adult Sacraments Anyone interested in becoming Catholic, give us a call!

Reconciliation Confessions are Saturday from 3:00 PM until 3:30 PM

in the reconciliation room in the church, or you could

call to make an appointment with Father Joe.

Marriage We need six months for marriage preparation. Couples

should contact Father Joe to schedule a meeting.

Sacrament of the Sick Should you, or someone you know, need an anointing,

please call Father Joe at the rectory to schedule a visit.

Homebound / Hospital Please, contact the rectory if you or a

family member is homebound or in the

hospital. We can arrange for a

Eucharistic Minister to bring you the

Blessed Sacrament at home.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

St. Thomas Cemetery

If you or your family are looking to purchase a plot or

niche in the columbarium, give us a call in the rectory

office. We’ll have our Plant Manager, Casey Potthoff,

meet with you and explain the options for graves and

markers. Please, call the rectory to schedule a meeting.

Sponsor Certificates

They’re available in the sacristy or in the rectory office.

You must be an active parishioner, registered with our

parish for at least 6 months. The use of the envelopes helps

verify that you’re an active parishioners. You must also

have completed your Sacraments of Initiation and be in a

valid marriage. If you have questions, call us.

New Parishioners

Welcome to St. Thomas! We’re delighted to have you join

us. Introduce yourself to Father or the Deacons after Mass.

Parish registration forms are available in the sacristy and

the rectory office. Take one for the family, and a separate

form for each member. Once completed, mail them to us

or drop them in the collection basket.

Collections for September 22nd

Weekly—$6789 / HOPES—$1848 / On Line—$1999

† Southington Catholic School †

St. Thomas Religious Ed. †

Classes Have begun!

Grades 9 & 10

Sundays

6:00-7:30pm

Grades 1 thru 8

Mondays

4:15-5:30pm or

6:00-7:15pm

**Students will only be allowed to begin

class AFTER they are registered and

payment is received.**

Southington Catholic School

has a wonderful middle

school program!

Our current 8th grade

averaged a 12th grade

6th month level on all

the standardized tests of

the Iowa Exam last year.

Each student has an individual Chrome Book

for use in the school.

The students take Spanish as an academic

course four times each week and are well

prepared for high school foreign language

programs.

With small classes, your child will receive

more one on one time with teachers to help

in achieving academic excellence.

We are enrolling now for

the current academic year. Give us a call! Feel free to ask us questions

about the school or to take a tour. Arrange to

have your child shadow a class for a day.

HELP OUR SCHOOL!!!

MATCHING GRANTS

Does your employer participate in a

“matching” donor program? Several

large corporations in our region will

match your donation to a verified

non-profit, such as a Catholic school.

Is your company one that will

reward their employees for volunteer

hours to a non-profit? You might be

surprised! Please call the

Advancement Office (860-628-2485 ext. 114) at

Southington Catholic School for more information on

how you can partner in supporting Catholic education in

our town. OUR STUDENTS THANK YOU!

Breakfast Cupboard Our school is supporting the Southington Community

Services Food Pantry by collecting boxes of breakfast

cereal. Needy children and families throughout our

community depend on this outreach for nourishing

food during difficult times. Please consider adding an

extra box of cereal to your weekly shopping list.

Donations can be left in the school foyer. Parents can

model our mission statement of “compassionate

hearts” to their students by engaging the family in this

collection. Thank you.

This year, the 40 Days for Life Campaign

will be from September 25th through

November 3rd, 2019. The annual

Archdiocesan Respect Life Mass celebrated

by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, is scheduled

on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at

the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. The

40 Days for Life Campaign is now

international and continues to grow. Please

join in this historic campaign to end abortion,

through Eucharistic Adoration prayer, and/or prayerful

vigil for one hour at the Hartford GYN Center (abortion

clinic) on Jefferson Street in Hartford, CT. Sign-up

posters are available at the ramp entrance to our church,

and also at the door leading into our Parish Chapel.

A 12-hours of Eucharistic Adoration for pro-life is

scheduled at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt Street,

Southington, on Monday, October 7th from

7:00 A.M. through 7:00 P.M. Please

consider spending one half to one hour in

prayer before the Blessed Sacrament for

building a culture that cherishes every

human life. Sign-up posters are available at

the ramp entrance to our church, and also at

the door leading onto our Parish Chapel.

The 20th Annual Pro-Life Conference

presented by Our Lady Queen of Angels Outreach

Ministry will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019

from 8:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M., at Holy Angels Center,

585 Main Street, South Meriden, CT 06451. Please

register by calling 203-235-6381. The conference

includes keynote speakers, Pro-Life Mass presided by

Father Glen Dmytryszyn, Pro-Life Director of the

Archdiocese of Hartford, and lunch.

40 Days for Life

A Day of Reflection for

those Affected by Suicide

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Chiara Center, 275 Finch Avenue, Meriden

9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Presented by Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE

It is a profound spiritual experience to contemplate our

loved one with the eyes of God and to see Christ in him

or her. Our loved ones merit our complete attention

since they possess infinite dignity as an object of the

Father’s immense love.—Pope Francis, Joy of Love

We invite all who have been touched by the suicide to a

day of reflection, sharing, questioning, and prayer.

Lunch included. Sponsored by Franciscan Life Center

RSVP (203) 237-8084

Visit flcenter.org for more information

BLESSING OF ANIMALS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4th 6:00PM - Ramp entrance of the church

Friday, October 4th is the Memorial of

Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint

of animals. On this day, is is customary

in the Catholic culture to bless animals.

So, bring your pets for a blessing to the

ramp entrance of the church.

Birthright needs you!

Birthright needs gently worn MATERNITY and

BABY CLOTHING. Birthright is an emergency

pregnancy service offering free pregnancy tests,

friendship counseling, and practical support. Our

guiding principal: It is the RIGHT of every pregnant

woman to give BIRTH and the RIGHT of every child

to be BORN. It has served in Connecticut since 1972

and helped thousands of mothers and babies. There are

8 locations in our state. Please call 1-800-550-4900 for

the Birthright nearest you to arrange for drop off.

Thank you.

Su

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Tha

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Stewardship Stewardship Thought:

“[Abraham] said to [the rich

man], ‘If they do not listen to

Moses and the prophets, they will

not be persuaded even if someone

rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:31

The dead rich man was afraid that

his five brothers would not learn

the lesson he had learned.

Abraham replies that not even

miracles will soften the heart of

someone blinded by selfishness.

The focus of stewards is always

on Christ.

Based on reflections prepared by

Reverend Thomas Gentile and the

Office of Mission Advancement

Knights of Columbus, Isabella

Council 15

invites all to a

Family Rosary

and Holy Hour

Date: Sunday, October 13, 2019

Place: St. Aloysius Church

254 Burritt Street

Plantsville, CT

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Join us as we seek to build faithful

families and communities through

prayer and a deep, personal encounter

with God

Della Vecchia Funeral Home 860-628-2293 www.dellavecchiafh.com

Manor Inn 860-628-9877 Manorinnrestaurant.com

Al Joy Tire Service 860-628-2728

Youssef B. Khawaja, MD Internal Medicine & Endocrinology

860-621-9353

Plantsville Funeral Home 860-621-4656

www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com

Giovanni’s Pizzeria 860-621-2299

Dow Gutters 860-726-0045

Landscapes Unlimited Residential and Commercial 860-621-7820

Pest Control 2000,LLC 860-628-8783

Ragozzino’s Deli & Catering 860-621-6979

Serfafino Pharmacy, INC 860-628-7979

www.stores.healthmart.com/serafinopharmacy

Religious Teachers Filippini 860-621-1904 www.filippiniusa.org

Waste Material Trucking Company, INC Residential & Commercial 860-747-6816

Showcase Realty Inc. 176 North Main Street—Southington 860-276-2000

Landino Landscaping Residential and Commercial

860-620-2133 www.landinolanscaping.com

PN Auto Body & Repair 860-793-1999

V.Nanfito Remodeling & Repairs 860-621-6898

CV Tool Company 860-621-0494

Volpe & Sons Automotive 860-628-0067

Della Porta EyeCare, LLC 860-582-0702 www.bristoleyes.com

Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care 203-238-1441 www.FranciscanHC.org

Paul Gregory’s—Bistro & Catering 860-621-9999

Plantsville Family Dental 860-621-2700 www.plantsvillefamily dental.com

Connecticut Casualty Company 1-800-922-2886 www.ctcasualty.com

Catholic Cemeteries Association of the

Archdiocese of Hartford, Inc.