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 Morning: 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.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 Web Site: www.southingtoncathlolicschool.org

SATURDAY, JULY 28—Weekday

8:00AM Chesterine Ostasiewski Requested by The Sisters of St. Thomas

4:00PM Jennie Papallo Falco Requested by her Daughters

SUNDAY, JULY 29—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30AM Joseph, Adelaide, Joseph Jr, William, Robert &

John Casale, & Ann Sciola Requested by the Casale Family

10:00AM Frank Dunn, Jr.—In Memory Of Requested by his Wife Priscilla & Family

MONDAY, JULY 30—St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop &

Doctor of the Church

7:30AM Marion Carey—Anniversary Remembrance Requested by Dottie & Cara

TUESDAY, JULY 31—St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

7:30AM Parishioners of St. Thomas

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1—St. Alphonsus Liguori,

Bishop & Doctor of the Church

NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2—St. Busebus of Vercelli,

Bishop,St. Peter Julian-Eymard, Priest

12:10PM Charlotte Elsinger—Birthday Remembrance

Requested by her Family

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3—Weekday

12:10PM Arnold Furia, Jr. Requested by Eleanor Furia

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4—Weekday

8:00AM Michael Volpe Requested by his Granddaughter,

Maria LaPorta

4:00PM Marco Ingriselli,—23rd Anniversary Requested by his Wife & Children

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30AM Anna LoPreiato—1st Anniversary Remembrance Requested by her Husband Matthew

10:00AM Saveria Sabino.—Anniversary Remembrance Requested by Daughter Josephine & Famly

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 Stanley Maigarie

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 Candle Church: Victims of Human Trafficking

Chapel: Family Unity

Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM

Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,

I am travelling through France. I am here to see the art

and architecture I have studied all my life. I worked hard in

Paris to get to the sites I always wanted to see. I was

stunned by the beauty of Sainte-Chapelle, the amazing gem

of Gothic architecture. I was amazed by the space of the

Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve and how the structural iron

allowed for clear spans and light flooding the room. I was

happy to see the Arc de Triomphe at sunset when the light

in the city turns golden. There have been many

highlights and I am happy to be here.

I spent Friday museum hopping. After eight

hours in three museums, I got in a taxi to go

back to my hotel. The cabbie just looked at me

and said: “Museum fatigue?” “Oui! Museum

fatigue,” was my only response! The art was

most impressive, and I left rather overwhelmed.

I saw thousands of years of spectacular crea-

tions from around the world. It was a collection

of the finest artists across time. It was almost

too much to process, but I worked hard at it.

I found myself rather disgusted at the Louvre.

It wasn’t the museum – how could you fault such a spectac-

ular collection. It wasn’t the space, as I. M. Pei’s pyramid

and support spaces underground really made the place flow

in a way that was quite wonderful. I was just shocked at the

crowds who went through the place hitting a checklist. The

room where the “Mona Lisa (la Gioconda)” hung was

swarming with people. The crowd was thirty people deep in

front of a small portrait you couldn’t get near. It was a sea

of cell phone and selfie sticks! They all ignored “The Wed-

ding at Cana” by Paolo Veronese across the room – a won-

der of the Italian Renaissance. They also ignored three oth-

er paintings by Leonardo da Vinci in the room outside as

they passed. His “St. John the Baptist” is arguably a better

painting with the glazes, and the “Virgin of the Rocks” and

“Madonna and Child with St. Anne” are both better compo-

sitions. The crowds walked past the most amazing Cima-

bue, “The Madonna and Child in Majesty Surrounded by

Angels”, as if it were nothing. I stood for fifteen minutes

before the amazing painting, Caravaggio’s “Death

of the Virgin” almost alone. It was all a bit sad.

So many people entered the museum with a list of

items they had to see and then left. It was like a

gigantic art scavenger hunt! I get that you just

couldn’t see everything; however, it would be nice

for people to see other things and appreciate what

they like because they’re beautiful. Why pay hom-

age to things just because they were told to? They

missed so much.

Life is like that. We often just hit our punch cards

of must dos so that we miss so much. God has

made the most spectacular Creation. Do we really

take time to appreciate the stunning beauty of the world?

Do we miss amazing people in our lives because no one told

us how great they are? Take it in for yourself. See what

wonders surround you. Appreciate the beauty you walk

past every day. See those people in your life with eyes re-

newed. Don’t run through life looking to get it over; rather,

savor the great wonders of God in your life. It takes some

work, but it is well worth it!

Joyfully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe

Ask Father

Question: Father, do all people have to go to Purgatory when they die?

Answer: The answer to that is no. We do not have to go to purgatory. Purgatory is a cleansing of the soul to

prepare ourselves for God’s eternal love and mercy in Heaven. We all need to be a right relationship with God to

enter Heaven. If we seek hard to achieve that here on earth, we will be properly disposed to see God. In that

case, there would be no need of Purgatory. We can receive forgiveness through the Sacraments of Reconciliation

and Anointing of the Sick. We can strive to reflect on the mercy of God and live the Law of Love. If we have

not found the help we need to build our relationship with God as we should before we die, there is a chance to do

so in Purgatory. This is not a punishment; it’s a cleansing of our souls to repair and restore our relationship with

the Lord. God’s intent is to offer love and salvation. Jesus died to redeem us all; it’s not our place to judge. We

leave judgment of souls to God. So we let the Lord choose who is ready for heaven and who needs more help.

This is why we entrust the dead to God’s merciful care. Christ gathers all people to himself, whether directly into

Heaven or after some cleansing in Purgatory. We pray for those who have died to know God’s grace. We do not

say if they go straight to Heaven or not, for only the Lord knows. That is why we rely on the mercy of Jesus

Christ who is a far more forgiving judge than we could be. So, do we have to go to Purgatory? No. Could we

go? Yes. In all things we seek union with the Lord and put ourselves in Christ’s hands, trusting in his love. So

don’t be afraid and do not despair. For those who truly seek God, there is always joy. The Lord will do what is

best for us to have the best relationship with God

Parish Information Prayers / Devotions

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Bible Study Group

We have completed our study for this year. We will

begin a new study in September when we will study the

Book of Genesis. All are welcome to join us.

Thursdays at 1:30PM—Chapel (Rectory basement)

Thursdays at 7:00PM—School Cafeteria

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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 If you’ve never been baptized or you belong to another

denomination and want to join the Catholic Church, we

can help you! Any Baptized Catholic adult who hasn’t

received other Sacraments, we can help you. Call us!

Reconciliation We hear Confessions on Saturday afternoons from

3:00PM until 3:30 PM in the reconciliation room in the

church, or call Father Joe to make an appointment.

Marriage The Archdiocese of Hartford requires a minimum of

six months for marriage preparation. Couples should

contact Father Joe at the rectory 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.

Sponsor Certificates

They are available in the church sacristy or in the

rectory office. You must be an active parishioner,

registered with our parish for 6 months or more. The

use of the envelope system helps us in verifying that

you’re an active parishioners here. 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 are delighted to have

you join our parish family. Introduce yourself to

Father or the Deacon after Mass. Parish registration

forms are available in the sacristy and the rectory

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

form for each family member. Once completed, mail

them to us or drop them in the collection basket.

Collections for July 22nd

Weekly—$5393 / Online—$1374

† Southington Catholic School †

St. Thomas Religious Ed.

†

Do you have a child who has not made any or

all of his or her sacraments? We will have a

class, beginning this fall, for any child who

needs to prepare for Baptism, Reconciliation,

and First Holy Communion. It’s not too late.

We can help. We are enrolling students from

4th grade through high school for special

sacramental help. Call Sister Marie for info!

Get on board with us! Registering for the

2018-2019 school year!! There is still time to

get on board with

Southington Catholic

School—Fall 2018!

The Admissions Office

at Southington Catholic

School will continue to

accept registrations over

the summer months.

Call 860-628-2485 to

arrange a convenient

time to visit and explore

the advantages of small

class sizes with very

challenging academics at SCS. We enroll students from

PreK 3 through 8th grade.

Things you should know about Southington Catholic School

Our students, on average, test at least two grades ahead of their actual year in skill levels. 7th grade social studies students tested at the same level as college freshmen!

Our students learn Spanish in every grade level from Pre-K through 8th grade. Our graduates have gone on to be nationally ranked and honored in the study of the language.

Students in our school learn to read and write in cursive.

Every student has personal access to a computer in class (iPads for lower grades & Chrome Books for upper grades). Every room has a smart board and technology is integrated.

We have smaller class sizes with more one on one attention from the teachers, helping us achieve higher standards.

Visit the school to see the difference for yourself! The office is open this summer.

Readings for the Week of July 29, 2018

Sunday: 2 Kgs 4:42-44/Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

(cf. 16]/Eph 4:1-6/Jn 6:1-15

Monday: Jer 13:1-11/Dt 32:18-19, 20, 21 [cf. 18a]/Mt

13:31-35

Tuesday: Jer 14:17-22/Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13 [9]/Mt

13:36-43

Wednesday: Jer 15:10, 16-21/Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17,

18 [17d]/Mt 13:44-46

Thursday: Jer 18:1-6/Ps 146:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab [5a]/Mt

13:47-53

Friday: Jer 26:1-9/Ps 69:5, 8-10, 14 [14c]/Mt 13:54-58

Saturday: Jer 26:11-16, 24/Ps 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

[14c]/Mt 14:1-12

Next Sunday: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15/Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25,

54 [24b]/Eph 4:17, 20-24/Jn 6:24-35

Altar Flowers The floral arrangements in our sanctuary

enhance our liturgical setting. The donation

for flowers is $100.00. If you would like to

sponsor or dedicate the floral arrangements

in memory of someone, please contact the

rectory. The dedication and donation will

be acknowledged in the bulletin that week.

This Week’s Flowers: In Memory of Daniel Charamut

RCIA Class is being formed

Are you interested in becoming a Catholic or

know someone who is? Are you a baptized

Catholic, but you never received your other

Sacraments? We can help!

We will be forming a new

group for our RCIA group

(Rite of Christian Initiation

for Adults). This class will

prepare people for baptism,

reception in the faith, and

Confirmation at the Easter

Vigil. Call the rectory with

questions or to register.

BABY BLANKETS FOR BAPTISMS

Do you know how to quilt or sew?

Please consider using your

talent to make baby blankets for

baptisms here at St. Thomas.

For more information, call the

Rectory at 860-628-4713.

GOLF OUTING

St. James Council #10651 will hold it’s 2nd Annual

Golf Outing on Friday, September 28, 2018 at

Timberlin Golf Club, Berlin CT. $125 per player

includes: 18 holes of golf w/cart,

lunch, registration, & buffet

dinner. For more details or to

reserve a spot, contact either

Mike Lombardo 860-869-2231,

gottago1969@sbcglobal.net or

Mike DiBattisto 860-713-9070,

mdibattisto@cox.net

Dear Saint Thomas family,

It was absolutely wonderful to see so

many of you while serving at Mass

over the past couple of weekends

while also enjoying some vacation. This summer I have

been blessed to be part of several "outside the classroom"

mission opportunities: assisting M.S.A. priests on retreats in

California and Vermont; helping chaperone 15 high

schoolers on a Group Mission trip to Syracuse, NY to repair

homes for poor people; and upcoming, serving as an English

teacher in an immersion program for our Vietnamese

seminarians at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in

Cromwell, CT. The upcoming fall semester will be my

fourth and final semester of pre-theology at Holy

Apostles. God willing, nine months of novitiate will follow

in 2019, and after that four years of theology

studies. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all

your continued prayers, love, and generous support of my

vocation. I am blessed by each one of you, and your witness

of love for both God and neighbor. Hope to see all of you

again at Christmas. Peace and prayers united in the Lord

Jesus,

Daniel Valente

Postulant, Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles

(M.S.A.)

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

Giovanni’s Pizzeria 860-621-2299

www.giovannisofsouthington.com

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

ATD Home Security 1-888-862-6429

www.parishstore.com

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

Su

pp

ort our A

dvertisers—

Tha

nk th

em for h

elpin

g u

s! Share Your Voice!

The Archdiocese of Hartford is

beginning the process of a

Synod ( a local council of the

Church tasked with issues of

administration and application

of doctrines). All parishes are

asked to have a listening

session to gather information

for the Archbishop. Our

meeting will be in the church

here on Thursday, August

16th at 7PM. All parishioners

are invited. Each person is limited to about 2 minutes

per topic. You are asked to consider three questions:

1) What are we, as an Archdiocese, doing well?

2) What are we, as an Archdiocese, doing not so

well?

3) What are we, as an Archdiocese, not doing that

we should be?

I hope you will come and share your thoughts and

insights to help the Synod move our Archdiocese

toward a positive future. Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS The following Xavier High School students have made the 4th quarter honor roll. Their hard work and dedication has paid off. Enjoy your summer!

2019 Honors James Rusiecki 2020 High Honors Jakob Slason