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 6, 2020

23rd Sunday of 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 (Church) Thursday & Friday: 12:10PM (Church)

Saturday: 8:00AM (Church)

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 Bonnie Guimond –Part Time Ron Lemire –Part Time 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

Custodian Rick Barrett

Sanctuary Candles

Church: Eugene Scott—25th Anniversary Remem. Requested by the Cello family

Chapel: Edward Sieruta—Anniversary Remem. Requested by daughter, Lou Ann

Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM

SATURDAY, September 5—Weekday 8:00AM The Brotherhood of Hope—40th Anniversary Requested by Zachary Janowski

4:00PM Mario, Antonietta & Stefano Votino Requested by daughter, Mary Nigo

SUNDAY, September 6 —23rd Sunday in Ordinary

Time 7:30AM Michael Hession—Anniversary Remembrance

Requested by family

10:00AM Deacon Thomas Lopatosky Req. by wife & family

MONDAY, September 7—Weekday (Labor Day) 9:00 AM Gaetano & Maria Sabino—Birthday

Remembrance Req. by grandchildren

TUESDAY, September 8—Nativity of the Blessed

Virgin Mary 7:30AM Parishioners of St. Thomas Church

WEDNESDAY, September 9—St. Peter Claver

NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAY, September 10—Weekday 12:10 PM Jon Bryda—2nd Anniversary Requested by Barbara

FRIDAY, September 11—Weekday 12:10 PM Gary Celella, Jr. Requested by family

SATURDAY, September 12—The Most Holy Name

of Mary 8:00AM Jennie Jordan Requested by Rob & Robin Bores

4:00PM Fred, Kenny, & Pat Gagliardi and Mathew

Florian Requested by the Gagliardi Family

SUNDAY, September 13 —24th Sunday in Ordinary

Time 7:30AM Deceased Members of the St. Thomas Church

Ladies Guild Requested by Ladies Guild

10:00AM Alfred Laone—Birthday Remembrance Requested by family

Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,

Slowly but surely, things are

starting again. While limited in

seating, we have Masses

offered. We are preparing to

begin school and catechism,

while following social

distancing and cleaning

guidelines. Last Sunday, we

finally welcomed our

catechumens and candidates

from the RCIA program. We should’ve had the Baptism,

Confirmation, and First Communion at the Easter Vigil,

but the quarantine prevented it. It was so good to welcome

the new parishioners. It lets me know life in the Church

continues to grow, even when it’s difficult to see it fully.

After beginning the process of joining the Church more

than a year ago, we are glad to welcome Julia Zaslavsky

and Julissa Ventura. They are now Catholics and join us

at the altar of praise. We also welcome Chloe, Sean, &

Seth Glidden, our young people who have received the

Eucharist for the first time. It was a joy to finally welcome

them to the font and the altar. Pray for them. We ask God

to help deepen their faith and appreciate the wondrous

gifts of the Spirit that have been poured upon them.

While we welcome new members, celebrate liturgies,

and slowly begin our programs, I’m still reminded that it

isn’t normal. We still wear our mask. We can’t greet each

other with handshakes or talk at the doors. Many of our

brothers and sisters are staying home in accord with

directives. We are all too aware of what has changed.

Before we give into fear or anxiety over what has changed,

let’s see it as an opportunity.

Life can’t always remain the same. If it did, there’d be

nothing new to bring us joy or challenges to help us grow.

Without change, we could never be forgiven. Our

religious identity as Christians depends on change. We are

called to newness of life. We

have to repent our sins and

accept the gift of healing love.

We are asked to carry our

crosses and strive to be better

human beings. All that requires

change. Well, here’s the time

for change.

Instead of lamenting how

different the world is today, let’s

see the opportunities at hand.

Instead of bemoaning the masks and contact precautions,

shouldn’t we rejoice that so many people are doing acts of

kindness to care for the most vulnerable? As a Church

dedicated to being a champion of life, can’t we be happy

to see so many people embrace a prolife cause to protect

the immune compromised and infirm? If the world seems

to be falling apart, then can’t we rebuild it in a more

perfect image of the Kingdom of God? This is not a

normal time, but that doesn’t mean it has to be terrible.

See what you can do to embrace change and bring God’s

love in new ways into the world. Wouldn’t that be a better

new normal!

Happily yours in Christ, Fr. Joe

Question: Father, I am still confused why we use the word

‘consubstantial’ in the Creed. What does it mean?

Answer: Well, consubstantial is the closest Latin word to the

Greek word homoousios used in the Creed. It means being of

the same substance or essence. The Son of God is

consubstantial with the Father. He is not something different;

he is not some new kind of being or entity. He is of the same

substance as God the Father. Both are fully God. Not only

does the word speak of matter, but also mind. The word also

implies being one in the same understanding. Not only are

they of the same being, but they actually think the same way.

The Father and Son are not just alike, they are the same.

They are one God, united in their being and in their love.

Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He is not just a little

of each. He is one with the Father, and his humanity unites

us with God. While they are of the same being, they are

distinct persons in the Trinity. The complexity of the

theological reality needs a complex word to describe it. It

gets us thinking about our Triune God and the natural of

Christ. No one ever asked about ‘one in being’ in the past, so

this is a good thing. It’s a good thing to get us thinking about

our beliefs and trying to understand even better our God. So

embrace the word consubstantial.

Ask Father

Readings for the week of September 6, 2020

Sunday: Ez 33:7-9/Ps 95:1-2,6-9/Rom 13:8-10/Mt 18:15-20

Monday: 1 Cor 5:1-8/Ps 5:5-7,12/Lk 6:6-11

Tuesday: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30/Ps 13:6/

Mt 1:1-16,18-23

Wednesday: 1 Cor 7:25-31/Ps 45:11-12/Lk 6:20-26

Thursday: 1 Cor 8:1b-7,11-13/Ps 139:1b-3,13-14b,23-24/

Lk 6:27-38

Friday: 1 Cor 9:16-19,22b-27/Ps 84:3-6,8,12/Lk 6:39-42

Saturday: 1 Cor 10:14-22/Ps 116:12-13,17-18/Lk 6:43-49

Next Sunday: Sir 27:30-28:7/Ps 103:1-4,9-12/Rom 14:7-9/

Mt 18:21-35

Parish Information Devotions & Groups

Holy Hours In the chapel—rectory basement CURRENTLY ON HOLD

Eucharistic Adoration In the chapel—rectory basement

CURRENTLY ON HOLD

Miraculous Medal Novena In the chapel—rectory basement

CURRELY ON HOLD

Italian Rosary Group CURRENTLY ON HOLD

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. Canceled until further notice.

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, September 10th, we

will be beginning our study of

the Book of Joshua. Read

Joshua, Chapter 1. All are

welcome! Thursdays at

1:30PM in the church and

streamed on our Facebook pg.

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 Saturdays 3:00 PM

until 3:30 PM in the reconciliation

room in the church (you must wear a

mask when coming),

Marriage We need a minimum of six months for preparation.

Couples should contact Father Joe to set up 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 August 30th

Weekly—$4988 / Online—$1477

† Southington Catholic School †

Due to the quarantine for corona

virus back in the spring, all of our

sacramental celebrations were

postponed. We have now

rescheduled them for this fall. Please

mark your calendars with these new

dates and times.

First Reconciliation For all catechism students - Friday,

September 25th at 6:00 PM in church.

For all SCS school students - to be

scheduled during school in September.

First Holy Communion For SCS school students – Saturday,

September 26th at Noon with rehearsal

during school the week prior in church.

For our catechism students with a last

name A-L – Saturday, October 3rd at

10:00 AM with a rehearsal Sunday,

September 27th at 2:00 PM in church.

For our catechism students with a last

name M-Z – Saturday, October 3rd at

12:00 PM with a rehearsal Sunday,

September 27th at 4:00 PM in church.

Confirmation Friday, October 23rd at 7:00 PM with a

rehearsal on Sunday, October 18th at

7:00 PM in church.

Should there be a problem with one

of these dates, please contact the

rectory office.

Sacramental Make

Up Sessions

STEPS TO

SAFETY—5K Please register for a safe and fun 5K

that will help Southington Catholic

School defray the costs of safety supplies needed for opening

school in September, under COVID 19 precautions. Visit our

website:www.southingtoncatholicschool.org to register and

order your special 5K tee shirt. With a minimum donation of

$25.00, you will be able to wear your shirt on the weekend of

September 18-20 as you walk/run/bike your own 5K course.

Help us keep Catholic education a viable option in Southington.

For more information, call 860-628-2485 ext 114..

REGISTRATION & CLASSES

We will make some changes to the program for this year.

Confirmation will meet on Sundays in the school cafeteria

6:00 and 7:30 PM. They will be divided into smaller groups.

All students in grades 1 to 8 will meet on Mondays between 5

and 6 PM. Go directly up to the classrooms (not in the

cafeteria). This will allow ample time to sanitize rooms after

school and after catechism. We must follow all guidelines of the

state, Archdiocese of Hartford, and the local board of health.

These changes allow for this.

For anyone uncomfortable sending a child to classes this year,

we have a few options.

Register a child (not in sacramental preparation) for home

study. You will be given the book. When the lesson is

finished, the student completes review questions. Every other

month, you will send in the completed answers.

For the sacramental preparation, we’re looking into an

online course. We will notify you on this as it progresses.

Class sizes will be limited to about 12 children per class

for in person classes.

Classes begin Sunday, September 13th and Monday,

September 14th. Register at the rectory.

St. Thomas Religious Ed. †

http://www.southingtoncatholicschool.org/

Southington Catholic Parishes

Collaborating All five parishes will take ownership of Southington Catholic School. They will support the school with a monthly subsidy.

An allocation committee will determine the best way to divide the

subsidy based on proportionality to population and resources.

This common agreement will be reviewed annually to adjust for

population, finance, subsidy needed, and any other changes to the

parishes. Their recommendations will be given to the pastors.

All five parishes will combine for a joint religious education

programs for the 2021-2022 school year. This year, we will

discuss location, personnel, and programs for that time. We will

align all the programs to coordinate sacramental preparations.

We agree to prepare children for First Reconciliation and First

Holy Communion in third grade. Confirmation programs will

begin in eighth grade and continue through ninth. Confirmation

will be in fall of tenth grade.

With covid restrictions, no youth activities will be held at this

time. We plan to operate a joint youth ministry in 2021 when

group meetings are deemed safe, hopefully in spring. In the

meantime, Deacon John Thorpe will meet with people from the

various parishes to plan what shape a new youth ministry program

may take. Any parishioners interested in this should contact us

this month.

A common daily Mass schedule will begin in January of

2021. Masses will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception

Church. Monday through Friday, there will be Masses at

7:30 AM and Noon. On Saturday, there will be a 7:30 AM

Mass. All priests will take turns covering the Mass schedule, and

Immaculate Conception will be responsible for booking the

weekday Mass intentions. (Each parish will print the intentions in

their bulletins.) We will look into offering extra times for

Confessions before or after these Masses during the week to

expand on times the Sacrament is offered. Exact times are still to

be determined. Immaculate Conception was chosen since it is

centrally located, is smaller and easier to heat and air condition,

and creates activity at the site. Other parishes will host other join

programs as they begin to operate.

We will look into creating a common Southington Catholic website. We can use this to place common announcements, post

news for the school, religious education, youth ministry, and

Masses. We could see about using it to stream the daily Masses

online, increasing our digital presence. This will not only be

useful during times of restriction for the virus, but also for the

future growth of the Catholic community in town. It could be a

useful means of evangelization.

We thank everyone who has prayerfully worked so hard to

develop the plan do far. Thanks go to all those participating. We

will inform you as additional information is available.

RCIA: Rite of Christian

Initiation for

Adults

Are you an adult who

was never baptized but

what to belong? Are you

a Christian of another denomination

looking to become part of the Catholic

Church? Were you baptized Catholic

but never completed your other

Sacraments? We can help! We have a

group that can help you explore the

options to join the Faith. Call us at the

rectory and Deacon Vinny Raby will

speak to you about the options we have

available. We will have a groups

forming this fall meeting all proper

social distancing requirements.

Stewardship

Thought

Am I my brother’s keeper? All three readings

today suggest that for the Christian steward the

answer is “Yes!”

Our Sunday Visitor, Stewardship by the Book: Bulletin

Bits Based on the Sunday Readings, by Sharon Hueckel,

Second Edition 2004, page 13

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Online Giving

At this time when churches

are closed, it’s impossible to

pass a basket. Despite this,

we still have expenses. If you

want to help your parish, this

is a great chance still to make

your contribution! Online

giving is a great way to support

our parish. Signing up is easy if you can use a

computer, tablet, or smartphone. Go to our

webpage: www.stthomassouthington.org and

click the Online Giving Logo. To keep costs

down, we ask that you make your donations

scheduled for Saturday or Sunday. For online

support, call them at 1-800-348-2886, Ex. 2.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Rosaries for Peace In response to the violence and rioting

across our country, parishioners from the

Southington Catholic churches have been

uniting in praying the Rosary for Peace &

Racial Healing on Saturday mornings,

socially distancing outside of the churches.

Come join in praying the most powerful

weapon against evil for our country asking

for our Lady’s intercession.

Immaculate Conception- 9/12/20 at 9am

St Aloysius- 9/19/20 at 9am

St. Thomas- 9/26/20 at 8:30am, after 8am mass

St. Dominic- 10/3/20 at 9am

Prayer for Peace and Racial Healing

God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in

your image, without exception. Through your goodness,

open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of

every human being. Open our minds to understand that all

your children are brothers and sisters in the same human

family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes,

behaviors, and speech which demean others. Open our ears

to hear the cries of those wounded by racial

discrimination, and their passionate appeals for change.

Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices

and to right the wrongs of history. And fill us with courage

that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive

and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in

our communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.