S E P T E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 9

Welcome to our Church!

If you are new to the area or looking for a spiritual home, you can register at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales parish by stopping in the Parish Office to fill out a brief census card. Or call the Parish Office and we’ll be happy to mail you a form.

Welcome to the family of God and Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church!

Sacred Heart St Francis de Sales

And Liturgical Celebrations for September 14 - 22, 2019

(Numbers next to a name indicate Anniversary of death)

Sat./Sun., Sept. 14/15 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 p.m. Our Parish Family

7:30 a.m. † Constance, Edward & Bernard Kuhn - The Family

† Pat Farnum - Tomasi Family

† Richard Sleeman - Daughter, Juliet & Son, Timothy 9:30 a.m. Deceased Members of the Knights of Columbus Council #307

† Julia Duffy - Her Family

Monday, Sept. 16 Saints Cornelius & Cyprian

8:00 a.m. † Rosalie Morgan - Vicky & Julie 5:30 p.m. Our Parish Family Miraculous Medal Novena

Tuesday, Sept. 17 Saint Robert Bellarmine

8:00 a.m. † Rosalie Morgan - Betty Tange

Wednesday, Sept. 18 Weekday 8:00 a.m. In thanksgiving to the Totus Tuus Team Tammy Buckley, Mary Drew, Kathy Murphy & Jessica O’Connell

Thursday, Sept. 19 Saint Januarius

8:00 a.m. † Elizabeth Mahon - The Buckley Family

Friday, Sept. 20 Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon & Paul Chong Ha-sang

8:00 a.m. † Jonathan Peat (2nd) - The Family

Sat./Sun., Sept. 21/22 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

4:00 p.m. † Erin Watson-Holland - Penny & Brennan Holland

† Eva Glode - Henry

† Brian Parmenter - The Pembroke Family

† Edna Skinner - Arthur, Linda & Donna Mary Sennett (Living) - Jo-Anne & Dennis Amadon 7:30 a.m. Our Parish Family

9:30 a.m. † Alfred J. LaCroix - The Family

Question of the Week

How can I pray?

“HAVE NO anxiety at all,” the Letter to the Philippians says, “but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Right there Saint Paul identified both the need to pray and also two of its forms, petition and thanksgiving.

From formal to informal to spoken to silent, the Catholic faith offers a wealth of ways to pray. Traditionally prayer has been divided into five types:

Blessing and adoration, like the Gloria at Mass. We acknowledge God’s greatness and power—and mercy—in saving us from evil. Prayers of petition: Prayer for any need we have (especially forgiveness) but also praying that God’s kingdom come and God’s will (not necessarily ours) be done. Intercession: Ask-ing on behalf of another or oneself that God will show mercy and favor. Thanksgiving: Words/thoughts of gratitude for all things or anything—in the spirit of joy that Christ has set creation free. Praise: Giving glory to God, recognizing God is God, testifying we are God’s children.

In the end the ways to pray are endless. But no matter which prayers or prayer forms you make your own, remember, the Trappist monk Father Thomas Merton said, to “ground” your prayer in desire and surrender. Joel Schorn

Sunday Summary

Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 Even the divine patience has limits, but Moses talks God out of judgment. Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19 Cleansed of our guilt, we can hope for the grace of a new heart. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul’s sins were serious, but God’s grace abundantly covers them. Luke 15:1-32 Jesus is cr iticized for keeping compa-ny with the unworthy.

Readings for the week of September 15, 2019 Sunday: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14/1 Tm 1:12-17/Lk 15:1-32 Monday: 1 Tm 2:1-8/Lk 7:1-10 Tuesday: 1 Tm 3:1-13/Lk 7:11-17 Wednesday: 1 Tm 3:14-16/Lk 7:31-35 Thursday: 1 Tm 4:12-16/Lk 7:36-50 Friday: 1 Tm 6:2c-12/Lk 8:1-3 Saturday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Mt 9:9-13 Next Sunday: Am 8:4-7/1 Tm 2:1-8/Lk 16:1-13 ©LPi

"'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." - Lk 15:6c-7

Bennington, VT

Faith Formation Program

“Growing In Faith Together”

For more information contact the parish office at 442-3141 or 1kathy.murphy@gmail.com

You are invited to join us on Facebook – SHSF Faith Formation

The School of

Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales 307 School Street

Bennington, VT 05201

Mr. David Estes, Principal 442-2446, Ext. 3

Providing excellence in academics and a deepening faith in God and Gospel Values in an environment that is caring, challenging, and respectful, striving to develop in every student the habits of thinking critically and acting responsibly in daily life.

Faith Formation Registration This Sunday following the 9:30 Mass

Registration for Faith Formation classes for grades 1 through 8 will be held on Catechetical Sunday, September 15 after the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 29 following the 9:30 a.m. Mass. For more information please contact Kathy Murphy at 442-3141 or:

1kathy.murphy@gmail.com.

Pre-School and Kindergarten

Faith Formation Opportunity Begins soon! Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Update

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd ("CGS" ) will be offered again this year for SHSF and SJB families. CGS is a Montessori hands-on method of faith formation that utilizes a prepared space for children called the “atrium.” The atrium, a space where both the children and catechists can hear, ponder and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith, contains models representing people, places, and objects found in scripture and liturgy.

Class times will be Sundays (2 times per month) 9:15 - 10:30 am OR weekly Tuesdays 10:30 am - noon in the atrium at the SHSF Parish Center beginning late September.

GCS is widely endorsed across the country -- and I am so excited that we have the opportunity to bring this extraordinary program to our parish! Please contact me at the SHSF Parish Office 442-3141 or 1kathy.murphy@gmail.com for more information. Please keep our catechists and our children in prayer!

Newsworthy Notes

CHROMEBROOK FUND— We are working hard to get more Chromebooks for our

students, especially in Grades 2 through 5. We have a donor who is willing to give us a $10,000 gift if we can match that amount in other donations. If you would like to make a tax deductible gift, please email Mr. Estes at david.estes@sacredheartbennington.org HANDBOOKS— Our Handbooks for the 2019-2020 school year are now online! www.sacredheartbennington.org MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER—Students in Grades 5-8 who want to play soccer should contact Coach Ted Rivers (GIRLS) 802-733-5250 or Coach Chris Bevin (BOYS) 802-447-3638. Practices will begin soon. Coaches will have the information packets to give to their teams BEFORE SCHOOL CARE— We will be running a before school program from 7:30 AM-8:00 AM for parents who absolutely need to be at work by 8 AM. Participation is by permission only and a note from an employer is necessary. Please contact Mr. Estes if you are interested. CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Bersaw on the birth of their son, Timothy.

Please remember the sick, including ~ Charlie Cook, A.J. Morton, Eden Jeannine Beckwith, Cindy Levitte, Francis “Pete” Roy, Christopher Rubino, Lena Reap, Dolores Pruden, Helen Whitman, Ruth Emaish, Matthew Rubino, Sharon Marino, Abigail Grace Lamar, Wilfred LaBonte, James Feeney, Robert & Therese Long, Gloria VanDerzee, Jo Cadiz, Adrianna Dewey, Kenneth Swierad, Robert Condon, Kathy Keenan, and this week we remember the residents of Walloomsac Apartments.

September 15, 2019

Prayer Events this Week

Mon., Sept. 16 10:15 am BPI Mass Tues., Sept. 17 9:30 am Fillmore Pond Mass Tues., Sept. 17 6:30 pm Prayer Group (Chp) Wed., Sept. 18 10:30 am CLR Rosary Wed., Sept. 18 3:00 pm Vets’ Home Mass Thur., Sept. 19 10:30 am CLR Mass Fri., Sept. 20 10:00 am Mass at School

Meetings/Events this Week

Mon., Sept. 16 7:00 pm Adult Enrichment Wed., Sept. 18 1:00 pm HIS Pantry (downstairs) Wed., Sept. 18 6:30 pm Adult Choir Practice Fri., Sept. 20 10:00 am HIS Pantry (downstairs) Sat., Sept. 21 5:30 pm Cancer Crusaders Dinner

“The Eucharist, in the Mass and outside of the Mass,

is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and is therefore

deserving of the worship that is given to the living

God, and to him alone.” – Pope John Paul II Adoration Fridays in the chapel from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Sign-up sheets for one hour shifts are in the chapel.

You are invited to

Celebrate the Life of Hildegard of Bingen Abbess, Mystic, Healer, Poet, Composer, Ecologist

In these Adult Enrichment sessions, she will come to life through the Illuminations of her Visions, her Theological and Scientific Writings, her Letters, her Musical Compositions, her concept of Viriditas and her Prayers. Considered a Saint by inhabitants of the Rhineland since the 12th Century, she was formally canonized and made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012

Three Sessions will be offered on the following dates:

Monday, September 16 Monday, September 23 Monday, September 30

Morning Sessions at St. John’s:

9:45-11:00 AM

Evening Sessions at Sacred Heart St. Francis:

7:00-8:15 PM

Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions. Refreshments will be served.

For further information, contact Wilma Ann Johnson at johnsonwa7@msn.com or 802-681-7290

This Sunday, September 15 is

The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows Patroness of Holy Cross

Priests, Brothers and Sisters Holy Cross is the congregation to which Fr. Hugh and Fr. Bob belong.

Children’s Choir Weekly Rehearsals

Begin in October The angelic voices of children in chorus with the heavenly saints and angels is a treasure beyond

compare! The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a great opportunity for them to develop their skills and find their voices. The choir loft is a wonderful vantage point from which to sing and experience the beauty of the liturgy. Weekly rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the chapel of Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Church (please use the parking lot-side entrance). The children sing throughout one Saturday afternoon Mass each month, from October through May (dates TBA). The children's choir is directed by Donald McMahon. Carol Roaf is present at all rehearsals and Masses to share her special gifts and offer encouragement. For further information, please call the Office of Music Ministry at (802) 442-3141, Extension 5.

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Thank you to the businesses that sponsor our bulletin and make its weekly publication possible.

Reprinted from “The Inland See” for the Diocese of Burlington September 14—20, 2019

Saturday, September 28, 2019 • Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee

“As we move forward with the recommendations of the Diocesan Synod to evangelize, build vibrant parishes and communicate the Good News, let us all honestly consider what gifts and talents we have to offer the Church here in Vermont.”

— Bishop Coyne, Christ Our Hope 2018 Synod Declaration

The Diocese of Burlington is excited to announce the 1st Annual Diocesan Pastoral Ministries Conference. This annual conference is designed to carry forward the recommendations of the Diocesan Synod, especially in regards to our parish ministries. The conference is open to everyone.

KEYNOTE Ron Huntley works internationally with church leaders to build passion and get results. Ron’s love for Christ, people and the church drive him to make a difference in the lives of pastors, priests and ministry leaders everywhere. Ron Huntley and Fr. James Mallon worked side-by-side to bring about the divine renovation of Saint Benedict Parish in Halifax, Canada. Ron has expanded to parishes around the world through international speaking engagements, the divine renovation podcast, and the divine renovation coaching network where Ron coaches and mentors pastors who seek to bring their parish from maintenance to mission. www.divinerenovation.tv/authors/ron-huntley

BREAKOUTS In addition breakout sessions will be held focusing on religious education, youth ministry, marriage and family life, worship, RCIA, and communications.

ATTENDEES Who should attend? Anyone. Especially those involved in parish ministries, those involved in implementing the Diocesan Synod in the parish, those with a heart of evangelization, those interested in vibrant parishes, those seeking to be more involved.

To learn more or to register, please visit www.vermontcatholic.org/MinistryConference2019

Grades 8 through 10

Confirmation Welcome Mass and Dinner The summer is winding down all too quickly and the fall school schedule will soon be upon us. Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales and St. John the Baptist have been preparing and praying for our Confirmation and Youth Discipleship Program which begins next month. We invite you, your families, and your sponsor to join us on Sunday, September 15 at 5:00 p.m. for Mass followed by dinner and an information session at Sa-cred Heart St. Francis de Sales. Registration forms are available in the Parish Center and the entrance to the church.

RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Do you know someone who is interested in joining the Catholic Church or has questions about our Catholic Faith? Someone who: Has never been baptized? Has been baptized, but is not a practicing Catholic? Has been baptized, but never been confirmed?

If you know of someone like this please ask them if they would be interest in becoming a full member of our Catholic Church. Please contact either Scott Murphy at 802-245-4990, or Patty Dailey at 802-345-9555. Or you may call the parish office at 442-3141.

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

HIS Pantry “Seeing Christ in the hungry”

Phone Number: 442-1720 hispantryshsf@gmail.com

HIS Pantry at SHSF (Facebook link) Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm Fridays 10:00 am – 11:30

HIS pantry is a volunteer-run parish ministry which assists those in need of food in our local community. We are very grateful for the continued donations and assistance from all who are able to lend a hand!

Here are some ways you can help: - Financial support: cash donations, VISA or store gift cards (you can bring these to the parish office or place in the collection basket in an envelope marked for HIS Pantry.) - Groceries: rice, spaghetti, pasta sauce, healthy cere-als, coffee; canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned beans, shelf stable juices, tuna, canned chicken. - Personal hygiene items: deodorant, shampoo, bars of soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine products. - Miscellaneous: laundry detergent, clean plastic or reusable bags, diapers (all sizes).

If you would like to become a volunteer at HIS Pantry, please call 802-442-1720 or email hispantryshsf@gmail.com. All new hands and hearts are welcome!

Parish Resources Baptism - Contact Kathy Murphy at the Par ish Office.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the communal process through which non-baptized men and women become members of the Catholic Church. It is also suitable for those baptized in different faith traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic, or, for those who were baptized Catholic, but have yet to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation.

Faith Formation for Children To register your child for our Faith Formation Program, please contact Kathy Murphy in the Parish Office.

Marriage Couples who wish to prepare for marriage should contact the pastor a minimum of 6 months prior to the requested date of marriage.

Care of the Sick To arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, for Holy Communion to be brought to those unable to attend the Sunday celebration, or for Viaticum for the Dying (Holy Communion for those in danger of death), please contact the Parish Office. It is always possible to anoint the sick during regularly scheduled liturgies.

“As we walk the road of our spiritual journey, let us not miss the opportunity to offer a smile and a word of kindness to every person we encounter,

for we are welcoming the presence of Christ among us.”

The Second Collection this weekend is for Catholic University.

The Second Collection next weekend is for Vermont Catholic Magazine.

Thank you for your generosity!

Benefit Cancer Center Community Crusaders

Roast Pork Dinner Saturday, September 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Parish Center Admission—$12.00

Purchase tickets at “Bringing You Vermont” Call Elinor Hyjek at 802-447-7632 or

Alison Wyman at 5184247482 Door Prizes ~ 50/50 ~ Doves ~ Raffle Baskets

Two weeks ago, on Sunday September 1, members of our Parish answered our call to lend a hand with the Interfaith Dinner at the Second Congregational Church. A special thank you Peg Daly, Dan & Janet Lucy and Carolyn & Gerry McMurray. We truly appreciate your willingness to lend your time, talent and treasure to this worthwhile community outreach. If you (or a group) would be interested in hosting one of these dinners, just give the office a call at 442-3141. Thank you.