saint thomas church · 4/14/2019 · pope gregory xiii (b.1502 – d.1585), the calendar had...
TRANSCRIPT
Rectory Office
Phone: 860-628-4713 Fax: 860-628-7341 E-Mail: [email protected] 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: [email protected]
Southington Catholic School
Address: 133 Bristol Street Southington, CT Phone: 860-628-2485 Web Site: www.southingtoncathlolicschool.org
April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday
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 (Church for Lent) 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.
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).”
Parish Staff
Priests Rev. Joseph R. Cronin—Pastor [email protected] 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: Paul Pieciuk, Jr. Requested by his family
Chapel: For Peace in the Holy Land
Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 13—St. Martin I, Pope & Martyr
8:00AM Imogene & Leo Paul Lacombe Requested by son Larry
4:00PM Robert & Eleanor Raby-61st & 15th Anniversary Requested by Vinny & BJ Raby
SUNDAY, APRIL 14—Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
7:30AM Vincenzo Cusano Requested by wife & children
10:00AM Jeanne & Robert Plourde Requested by daughter
MONDAY, APRIL 15—Monday of Holy Week
7:30AM Marie & Peter Nazruk Requested by nephew, Richard
TUESDAY, APRIL 16—Tuesday of Holy Week
7:30AM The Parishioners of St. Thomas Church
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17— Wednesday of Holy Week
NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAY, APRIL 18—Holy Thursday
7:00PM (Church) Mass of the Lord’s Suppper
FRIDAY, APRIL 19—Good Friday
3:00PM (Church) Service of the Lord’s Passion
SATURDAY, APRIL 20—Holy Saturday
8:00PM Easter Vigil
SUNDAY, APRIL 21—Easter Sunday of the Lord’s
Resurrection
7:30AM Priest’s Intention
10:00AM Priest’s Intention
Father Joe’s Notes
My dear friends,
“For though innocent, he suffered willingly for sinners and
accepted unjust condemnation to save the guilty. His death
has washed away our sins, and his Resurrection has
purchased our justification.” Those are the words from the
Preface at Mass today. These words remind us of the
powerful reason we gather here today. We recognize that
Jesus suffered and died for us, for me and for you, to save us
from sin. He took the guilt of the world upon himself out of
love for us all. As we read the Passion of the Lord this
Sunday, we are asked to reflect on that great gift.
That’s the beauty, but there’s an ugly side too. I’m not
speaking about the horror of the crucifixion; I’m speaking
about us. On Palm Sunday, I will see people sitting in pews
weaving crosses out of palm during the Mass. Rather than
paying attention to all Christ has done, many people choose
to make those little decorations. People seem more
concerned about going to the cemetery to place palm crosses
than actually hearing about the source of Salvation for us all.
It’s distressing. My hope and prayer is that I will see less of
that and more people attentive to the Word of God. We can
stop to hear the one we love.
This Holy Week, it is easy to get lost in the whirl of
preparing for a holiday. We have to run to the store to get
the groceries. People will be baking and cleaning. We have
chores to do. That’s fine, but don’t forget why we do them.
Holy Week is a sacred time to reflect on the immense love of
our God. We walk with Christ from his Last Supper, to the
Cross at Calvary, and then on to the tomb that is empty on
Easter morning. In the midst of all we have to get done for a
holiday, come share in true meaning of the week, the love
and salvation of Jesus Christ. Don’t miss out just because
you got distracted. Let’s pay attention to what Jesus offers.
Hopefully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe
Question: Father, the Orthodox celebrate Easter a week later
than we do this year. Why is it different than our Easter?
Answer: Sometimes they fall on the same day and
sometimes they don’t. It all has to do with the calendar. The
Orthodox Churches use the Julian calendar. Julius Caesar
reformed the Roman calendar in the year 46BC. It has 365
day divided into 12 months. It adds a leap year ever four
years in February, because they had observed the year was
365.25 days long. It was a great advance, but it was slightly
off the true year by 0.002%, because and solar year is
365.2425 days long. That may not seem like much of a
difference, but it added up over 1600 years. By the time of
Pope Gregory XIII (b.1502 – d.1585), the calendar had
drifted off schedule 10 days. Since Easter is tied to the
Vernal Equinox, it meant the celebration of Easter was at the
wrong time. In order to correct for the discrepancy, Pope
Gregory called for a new calendar. The Gregorian calendar
has a leap year every 4 years except for those years roundly
divisible by 100, but there is a leap year every century when
the year is cleanly divisible by 400. As of this year, the
Julian calendar is 13 days behind us. Since Easter is
calculated by the Paschal Moon, on a calendar developed
after the Council of Nicaea in the early fourth century, the
change has caused a division. Since Easter falls on the first
Sunday after the Paschal Moon and the Julian calendar is 13
days behind ours, Greek and Russian Churches sometimes
get a date that is much later than our Easter. Their dates are
no longer lined up with the astronomical Vernal Equinox as
our calendar is. That’s why we don’t always celebrate Easter
on the same date. It’s all part of the confusion of linking a
lunar calendar to a solar calendar, and one calendar had
drifted off schedule over the centuries from true time. We
have been confused by the difference for over 400 years
Ask Father
Readings for the week of April 14, 2019
Sunday: Lk 19:28-40 (37)/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-
24 [2a]/Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14--23:56 or 23:1-49
Monday: Is 42:1-7/Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14 [1a]/Jn 12:1-11
Tuesday: Is 49:1-6/Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17 [cf. 15ab]/
Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a/Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34 [14c]/Mt
26:14-25
Thursday: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9/Ps 89:21-22, 25
and 27 [2]/Rv 1:5-8/Lk 4:16-21
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14/Ps 116:12
-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 [cf. 1 Cor 10:16]/1 Cor 11:23-26/Jn 13:1-15
Friday: Is 52:13--53:12/Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
[Lk 23:46]/Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9/Jn 18:1--19:42
Saturday: Vigil: Gn 1:1--2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a/Gn 22:1-18 or 22:1-2,
9a, 10-13, 15-18/Ex 14:15--15:1/Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18 [1b]/
Is 54:5-14/Bar 3:9-15, 32--4:4/Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28/Rom 6:3-11/
Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23/Lk 24:1-12
Holy Thursday—April18th Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7:00PM in church
Repose of the Blessed Sacrament—After service until
Midnight in the chapel (Rectory basement)
Night Prayer—10:00PM in chapel
Good Friday—April 19th Service of the Lord’s Passion—3:00PM
Stations of the Cross—7:00PM
Holy Saturday—April 20th Easter Vigil—8:00PM
Easter Sunday—April 21st Masses at 7:30AM and 10:00AM
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 —April 24th.
Ladies Guild The Ladies Guild meets the first Monday
of each month in the church basement at
7PM. They host hospitality after Sunday
Masses the first Sunday of each month.
Bible Study Group We are OFF Holy Thursday. Our
next class is Thursday, April 25th.
We will cover Genesis, Chapter 45—
Reconciliation. Please, join us!
Thursdays at 1:30PM and 7:00PM
In the Chapel (Rectory basement)
(Both 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 2:30PM until 3:30 PM
and Monday from 6PM until 7PM in the reconciliation
room in the church, or call to make an appointment.
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 will have our Plant Manager, Casey Pottoff,
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 question, 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 April 14th
Figure unavailable at the time of printing.
† Southington Catholic School †
St. Thomas Religious Ed. † ENROLLMENT NOW!
We are currently enrolling students for the
2019-2020 school year. Grades one
through eight will meet on Mondays in the
school at TWO TIMES. The first session
is 4:15-5:30PM and the second is 6:00-
7:15PM. We will have one class of each
grade offered during each session.
Confirmation students in ninth and tenth
grade will meet Sunday evenings in the
school 6:00-7:30PM. Registration forms
will be given to the children currently
enrolled, and they are available in the rectory
office. Registration forms must be
submitted by June 30th, or a late fee will
be added to the registration fee. Call Sister
Marie with any questions.
Southington Catholic School
Annual Golf Tournament
In honor of Joe Angelillo
Friday, May 10th Southington Country Club
You’re invited to join with friends
and neighbors in honoring our
friend’s memory, Joe Angelillo, at
the Southington Catholic School
Golf Tournament. This wonderful
event features great golf, delicious
food, and the very important op-
portunity to support Catholic edu-
cation in our town. Sponsorships
are available by calling South-
ington Catholic School or email-
ing [email protected]. Register
your foursome today! Call 860-628-2485.
Annual Raffle
Our school is holding its annual raffle. Prizes are paid
with a check to the winner. The prizes are:
First Prize—$2,000
Second Prize—$1,000
Third Prize—$500
Fourth Prize—$500
Fifth Prize—$250
Tickets are $3 each, and they are available individually
or in books of ten tickets. The winning drawing will
be on Friday, April 26th at 7:00 PM in the school
cafeteria. Tickets are available at the school office.
Create a Legacy
Southington Catholic School is
grateful to the friends who
include support of Catholic
education in their estate planning.
Memorial donations are a
beautiful way to create a legacy
of fostering Catholic faith based
values in the next generation.
For more information on bequests
and memorial giving, please
contact SCS at 860-628-
2485 ext 114. Your
generosity is remembered in
the prayers of our school
community.
PASSION PLAY TICKETS
The contact names and phone numbers to call
to obtain tickets for the Passion Play are:
Diane 860-628-4197 Lois 860-621-0411
Joan 860-426-3841 Janet 860-621-6347
Tickets are also available online at
www.stthomassouthington.org/get-tickets
PASSION PLAY PERFORMANCES
Saturday, April13th at 7:30PM
Palm Sunday, April 14th at 3:00PM
Monday, April 15th at 7:30PM
Tuesday, April 16th at 7:30PM
Wednesday, April 17th at 7:30PM
No performance on Holy Thursday
Good Friday, April 19th at 7:30PM
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
Sharing the Joy of the Gospel
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
changes lives through service. In
addition to assisting the underserved of
our communities, your gift helps those
discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
Your gift to the Appeal is an
investment in the future of our Church.
To learn more or make an online donation, go to
www.archdioceseofhartford.org and follow the links
to the Appeal. Thank you for your prayerful support!
HEALING MASS With anointing of the sick Sunday, May 5th at 2:00PM
We have a healing Mass with anointing of the
sick in church Sunday, May 5th. We’ll offer
the Sacrament to anyone who needs healing in
body, mind, or spirit. Bring your family and
friends. All welcome—not just for parishioners.
Knights of Columbus
Pancake Breakfast Sunday, April 28th
7:00-11:30AM
The Calendar House
Divine Mercy Sunday Services
Mary Our Queen—Southington A holy hour will between 3 and 4PM will include
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Chaplet of
Divine Mercy with meditations, the Litany of Mercy,
Benediction, and Veneration of a relic of St. Faustina.
Divine Mercy Parish—Hamden A procession will begin at 2:00PM from St. Stephen’s
Church (400 Ridge Road) and then walk 1.3 miles to
St. Rita’s Church (1620 Whitney Avenue). At
3:00PM, in St. Rita’s Church, they will recite the
Divine Mercy Chaplet with Eucharistic Adoration.
Confessions will be heard before the procession
between 1:00 and 2:00PM in St. Stephen’s Church.
Knights of Columbus
Easter Flower Sale
The Knights are holding their annual Easter Flower
Sale on Friday, April 19th through Sunday, April 21st.
Hours are: Friday and Saturday
8:00 AM through 5:00 PM and
Sunday 8:00 AM through 2:00 PM.
The flower sale is held across from
the Southington Drive-In on
Meriden-Waterbury Road. Come,
support the council! THANKS!
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
Steve’s Family Restaurant 860-621-7116
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
D’Amato Construction Company, INC General Contractors 860-583-3489
Patrick Baker & Sons Religious goods and supplies
1-800-243-6385 www.ChurchGoods.com
Bill’s Auto Body Clinic, INC 860-628-8627
V.Nanfito Remodeling & Repairs 860-621-6898
CV Tool Company 860-621-0494
Catholic Match.com/CT
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.
Su
pp
ort our A
dvertisers—
Tha
nk th
em for h
elpin
g u
s!
Saints Corner
During the Easter Vigil, we
sing a litany of saints. We
seek the intercessions of those
in heaven with Christ for those
about to be baptized. The
hope is that the baptized will
join the saints forever praising
God’s glory. This weekend, we look at a few saints
who were present at the Passion of the Lord
St. Veronica: As Christ walked to his execution at
Golgotha, a woman stepped forward and took her veil
to wipe his face covered in sweat and blood. Her
name was Veronica. The image of Christ was left on
the cloth. (Veronica’s name means ‘true image”.)
Today, the veil is one of the great relics in St. Peter’s
Basilica in the piers below the dome facing the altar.
Her feast day is July 12th. She is the patron of dying
people, photographers, seamstresses, and for
protection from bleeding.
St. Simon the Cyrene: He was from the Libyan
town of Cyrene, a Greek settlement in North Africa
with a large Jewish population. The Gospels of
Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that he was in
Jerusalem for the Passover when Jesus was crucified.
He was a bystander in the crowd forced to carry the
cross for Jesus to Golgotha. Tradition tells us that
after this he converted to the faith of Christ along
with his family. His sons, Alexander and Rufus,
would become early missionaries. He is the patron
saint of those who work with the outcast or heavily
burdened. A piece of the cross he carried for Christ
is in St. Peter’s Basilica, in the pier marked with a
statue of St. Helena of the Cross. His feast day is
December 1st.
St. Longinus the Centurion: He was the Roman
Centurion at the foot of the cross when Jesus was
crucified. It is this soldier who thrust the lance in the
side of Christ when he died. After witnessing the
crucifixion, he said, “Truly, this man was the Son of
God.” He was so moved by what he saw that he
converted to Christianity and returned to his home in
Cappadocia; there he converted many others. He was
later arrested and executed by order of Pontius Pilate.
The lance head from the spear is one of the great
relics at St. Peter’s Basilica and a statue of him is
below the dome in the pier facing the altar. His feast
day is March 15th. He is the patron saint of soldiers.