saint thomas church...2020/06/21 · of faith, honor, and commitment. to all the men who do that,...
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 Fax: 860-628-4942 Web Site: www.southingtoncathlolicschool.org
June 21, 2020
12th 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 [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: For Graduates & their Parents
Chapel: For Business Owners
Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM
SATURDAY, June 20—St. Immaculate Heart of the
Blessed Virgin Mary 8:00AM Anthony Renzi & Michael Volpe Requested by Maria LaPorta
4:00PM Antonio & Teresa Zacchia Requested by Mickey, Frank, Theresa
SUNDAY, June 21—12th Sunday of Ordinary Time 7:30AM Andrew Hubeny Requested by Fusco family
10:00AM Robert & Jeanne Plourd Requested by daughter
MONDAY, June 22—St. Paulinus of Nola, Bishop;
St. John Fisher, Bishop & Martyr,
St. Thomas More, Martyr 7:30AM Thomas & Gertrude Moriarty
TUESDAY, June 23—Weekday 7:30AM Those whose funerals were in May: Anna Marie
Lopiccolo, Eileen Wells, Richard Sheehan,
Gerald Riley, Tanina Tonnotti, Christine Aldieri,
Joseph Feeney, Michelina Denorfia, Rosa Berube,
Rocco Macri, Angelina Dudzik
WEDNESDAY, June 24—The Nativity of St. John
the Baptist
NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAY, June 25—Weekday 12:10 PM Emily Rose Requested by Kathleen Baldwin
FRIDAY, June 26—Weekday 12:10 PM Albert & Mary Gasecki Requested by family
SATURDAY, June 27—St. Cyril of Alexandria,
Bishop and Doctor of the Church 8:00AM The Parishioners of Saint Thomas Church
4:00PM Harry Kyle Requested by Sara Kyle
SUNDAY, June 28—13th Sunday of Ordinary Time 7:30AM MaryLou Derynoski Requested by John & Darlene Folcik
10:00AM Charlie, Bertha, Dwight, & Ronald Desell Requested by Tony Longo
Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,
He was born in Bolton, an industrial city in
Lancashire. The family’s flat was accessed by
a plank walk hanging over a stream. That
stream changed colors frequently, as factories
duped their dye lots. His parents eventually
made the decision to emigrate, going to the
United States for a better life. They settled in
Andover, north of Boston, to start their new
lives. As the boy became a man, his adopted
country erupted in the Civil War. He joined to
defend the Union, a nation that welcomed him,
educated him, and gave him opportunities he
would never have in his birthplace. He served in the United
States Navy on ships in the blockade of Southern ports. His
name was Joseph Thornley Robinson, and he was my great-
great-grandfather. I’m indirectly named for him.
What interests me most about Joseph is what happened
after he returned home from war. He had fallen in love with
a young woman whom he knew from town, Lavina Margaret
McDonough. After returning, he proposed to her. There was
a problem; she was an Irish Catholic woman who was born in
Derry. His family was English and Protestant. His mother
didn’t even like the Anglican Church, as she thought it too
“popish”. If he were going to marry ‘that woman’, they
would disown him. While he adored his family, he loved her
more. They were married in a Catholic ceremony at the
rectory of St. Mary’s Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
His parents and siblings would never again speak to him.
As a Protestant marrying in the Church in the 1860’s, he
had to promise to raise their children as Roman Catholic’s
(Today, the Catholic party makes a promise; back then, it was
the non-Catholic.) He took that oath seriously. The couple
had eight children, and it was Joseph who taught them their
catechism and brought them all to Mass. He eventually
converted, because he wanted to be buried with his beloved
wife and children, and he wanted them to be buried in holy
ground. He was going to be the loving and accepting parent
he didn’t have. While he died young, his
memory was treasured by his wife and children
for the rest of their lives.
Joseph Robinson did not just sire children, he
was a father. He honored the commitments of
his life and chose to be a man of kindness and
compassion. He was a person of faith, hope,
and love. His ability to bravely serve his
nation inspired his children to be devoted
citizens. His ability to see past the racist and
prejudicial views of his time allowed a family
to grow in the ability to respect and cherish
people of various backgrounds, ethnicities, and
religions. As a loving husband and devoted father, he made a
difference. He chose to live a way of life outside the rigidly
discriminatory views of his day. Those values passed to his
children, and his love and acceptance gave them visions of
how to raise decent families of their own.
On this Fathers’ Day, we honor all fathers. There is more
to it than just having children. To be a real father, one has to
choose to love. One has to actively teach children the values
of faith, honor, and commitment. To all the men who do that,
we offer out profound respect, gratitude, and love. Happy
Fathers’ Day to you! You do make a difference in the world.
Gratefully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe
Question: Father, I see we will be celebrating the Feast of the
Nativity of St. John the Baptist, this week. It made me recall
that you said something about him being born sinless. How
is that possible?
Answer: Well, we believe that three people were born
without sin: Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist. Jesus is the
Son of God. Since his humanity and divinity are closely
united, he does not turn away from God nor does original sin
affect him. He is God, so how and why would he reject God?
He is sinless. Mary, the Mother of God, was conceived
without taint of original sin, and so was preserved from the
effects of sin from the first moment of her life. She is sinless
her entire life. St. John the Baptist is unique. While he was
not conceived without sin, he is born sinless. How does that
happen? While in his mother’s womb, he’s baptized with the
Holy Spirit. At the Visitation, Elizabeth is overcome by the
Spirit and the child leaps for joy in her womb. His sins are
forgiven, and so he is born without sin. This is a special
blessing for him as the one who announces the coming of the
Messiah. That is why we celebrate his birth along with his
death, and he takes a prominent position among the
Communion of Saints. These are the only three whose births
we celebrate as feasts, for each is born without sin.
Ask Father
Readings for the week of June 21, 2020
Sunday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 69:8-10,14,17,33-35/Rom5:12-15/
Mt 10:26-33
Monday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8,13-15a,18/Ps 60:3-5,12-13/Mt 7:1-5
Tuesday: 2 Kgs 19:9b-11,14-21,31-36/Ps 48:2-3ab,3cd-4,
10-11/Mt 7:6, 12-14
Wednesday: Is 49:1-6/Ps 139:1-3,13-14,14-15/
Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80
Thursday: 2 Kgs 24:8-17/Ps 79:1b-5,8,9/Mt 7:21-29
Friday: 2 Kgs 25:1-12/Ps 137:1-6/Mt 8:1-4
Saturday: Lam 2:2,10-14,18-19/Ps 74:1b-7,20-21/Mt 8:5-17
Next Sunday: 2 Kgs 4:8-11, 14-16a/Ps 89:2-3,16-19/
Rom 6:3-4, 8-11/Mt 10:37-42
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 9:00AM—11:00AM
Miraculous Medal Novena In the chapel—rectory basement
Saturdays after the 8:00 a.m. Mass
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. 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 At a later date, we will be studying
Joshua 4:19-5:12—The Encampment
at Gilgal. Please continue to check
here for updates. See you this fall!
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 until 3:30 PM in the
reconciliation room in the church, or call to make an
appointment.
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
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 June 14th
Weekly/Maintenance—$4217 / Online—$1850
† Southington Catholic School †
St. Thomas Religious Ed. † ENROLLMENT NOW!
We are currently enrolling students for the 2020-
2021 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 July 10th, or a late fee will be added
to the registration fee. Call Sister Marie with any
questions.
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!
These are some local companies that match
donations to Catholic Schools: AETNE; Cigna;
Bank of America; Travelers; Eversource;
Stanley/Black and Decker; ING; Barnes Group
Foundation; United Health Group.
If your employer isn’t listed, ask them if they
would match your donation!
Get on board with us! Registering for the
2020-2021 school year!! There is still time to get on board with
Southington Catholic School—Fall 2020!
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.
Stewardship Thought
“Nothing is concealed that will not be
revealed,” Jesus tells us in the Gospel
today, “and nothing hidden that will not
become known.” May our stewardship of
God’s gifts be such that we would not be
ashamed if it were seen in the clear light
of day. Our Sunday Visitor, Stewardship by the Book: Bulletin Bits Based on the
Sunday Readings, by Sharon Hueckel, Second Edition 2004, page 11).
JOB OPENING—CUSTODIAN
We are currently looking for someone
to fill a full-time, second shift position
as a school custodian. If you, or
anyone you know, is looking for
employment, contact us. We are
seeking someone who would do
cleaning at the school, lock and
unlock for events and programs, and
be available for snow removal and
other tasks on the property. If you
have questions, please call and leave a
message for Casey Potthoff, our Property Manager.
Ladies Guild Scholarship
We are happy to announce our St.
Thomas Ladies Guild Scholarship
recipient for this year is Morgan
Derynioski. Morgan has volunteered
in many of our church group activities,
and we are blessed to hear her cantor at
mass. She will attend the University of
Maine in the fall. Congratulations &
good luck on your next adventure!
Franciscan Land-based
Experiences and Youth
Leadership
The Franciscan Life
Center will be holding its
Franciscan Land-based
Summer Experiences and
Youth Leadership
programs June 29 - July
3, 2020, from 9:30 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. A second
outdoor experience will
be July 20 through 24.
Precautions due to Covid
-19 will be in effect to protect your children and the
counselors. If you are interested in having your 6-12
year old child/children attend the land-based program or
your 13-14 year old attend Youth Leadership, please
contact Sister John Frances at [email protected] or
203-237-8084. You may also visit flcenter.org/events
for registration forms.
Confessions
Now that we’re open for weekday Masses,
but not yet for Sunday liturgies, there is
the issue of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. The prohibition for
hearing Confessions has now been lifted.
We may start hearing Confessions,
meeting all criteria of social distancing,
wearing masks, and sanitizing. What we will do at the
parish is until we return for Sunday Masses is to resume
hearing Confession in my car. It provides distancing
and avoid many of the contact prohibitions needed for
the Reconciliation Room. On Saturday afternoon,
between 2:30 and 3:30 PM, I will park on the side of
the rectory, next to the hill facing the school (by the
entrance to the chapel). I will be in a green Toyota
Camry. Pull up to the passenger side window, lower
your window, and confess. I won’t be looking, for
those who prefer to go behind a screen. If it should be
raining, we will postpone for another day. If the
demand is great, I may add other days and times, posted
on myParishApp, Facebook, and the parish website.
When we open the church for Sunday liturgies, we will
return to using the Reconciliation room in the church. A Fathers’ Day Blessing
God, our loving Father, in your
great wisdom and love you have
made all things. Bless these men,
that they may be strengthened as
Christian Fathers. Let the
example of their faith, hope, and
love shine forth for all to see.
Support them in their calling and
give them the patience and peace
they need. Grant that we, their
sons and daughters, may always
honor them with a spirit of
profound respect and affection.
Su
pp
ort our A
dvertisers—
Tha
nk th
em for h
elpin
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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
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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
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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.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
Great News! Marriage Encounter has gone “Virtual”
To support married couples
during social distancing,
Worldwide Marriage
Encounter is sponsoring a
virtual 3 week marriage
experience called "Restore
– Rekindle – Renew"; it
aims to restore a married
couple’s communication, rekindle romance and renew
their commitment to one another.
The program will meet online for seven sessions on
Thursday and Monday nights July 9-30 from 7-9:30
P.M. Couples will explore their individual personality
styles, improve listening and communication skills,
understand God’s plan for their marriage, and how to
keep their relationship a priority. No group
discussions are involved. Registration is limited, and
a $50 application fee is required. For more
information or to register, call or email Frank and
Margie Pearson at 860-337-2447
RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND
If your marriage has become troubled and stressed,
unloving or uncaring; even if you are divorced or
separated but want to try again, the Retrouvaille
program can help. Retrouvaille provides tools to
communicate better, resolve conflicts fairly, and
rediscover why you fell in love. The next local
Retrouvaille weekend is September 21-23, 2018.
For information, call confidentially 1-800-470-
2230, email [email protected], or go to our
website www.helpourmarriage.com for information
& registration. Retrouvaille is a Catholic-based
program, which recently received Canonical
recognition, and is an avenue for couples who are
experiencing difficulties in their marriage.