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St. 23 Half Mile Road Norwalk, CT 06851 ~ 203-847-5349

Christmas Pageant 2019 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 5, 2020 MISSION STATEMENT Staff We the people of St. Jerome Parish, a Ro- man community, proclaim our be- PASTORAL STAFF ~ 203-847-5349 Rev. Rojin Karickal, Pastor lief in the message and mission of Rev. Blanchfield, In-Residence Christ. As disciples of Jesus we are called Rev. Hoag, S.J., Weekend Assistant to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to work for its values in the local community PARISH OFFICE ~ 203-847-5349 and beyond. We are committed to wor- Office Hours, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM—1 PM Summer Hours Mon—Fri 9:00 AM—12 Noon ship, religious education, shared , and [email protected] service. We welcome all people with re- Kathy Coyne, Parish Ministries Coordinator spect, acceptance and support. Natalie Raduazzo, Administrative Assistant Kathy Rohr, Administrative Assistant

SABBATH MASSES BULLETIN/SOCIAL MEDIA Saturday 4:00 PM Kathy Rohr Sunday 8:00 AM [email protected] 9:15 AM Family Mass RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 11:00 AM REACH 6:00 PM (September—June) [email protected] DAYS OF OBLIGATION TOTAL Joe and Daniela OʼCallaghan Holy Day 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM Youth Ministers 203-847-0321 WEEKDAY MASSES [email protected] Mon-Fri 9:00 AM MUSIC MINISTRY HOW TO FIND US... Tom Sullivan • 203-847-5349 Parish Website: www.stjeromenorwalk.org Parish Email: [email protected] PASTORAL COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON REACH email: [email protected] Nicole Tobin • 203- 856-6436 TOTAL email: total @stjeromenorwalk.org [email protected] Bulletin/Social Media: FINANCE COUNCIL [email protected] Bill Sweeney • [email protected] Fr. Rojin: [email protected] Fr. David: [email protected] ALL 203-847-3881 Pre K—Grade 8 Parish Facebook: stjeromenorwalk 139 West Rocks Road REACH & TOTAL Facebook: Norwalk, CT 06851 REACH.TOTAL.stjerome Linda Dunn, Principal Parish Twitter: @StJeromeNorwalk REACH & TOTAL Twitter: FAITH DIRECT—ONLINE GIVING @REACHstjerome 866-507-8757 www.faithdirect.net Sign up using our church code: CT46 or visit our

Instagram: stjeromenorwalk website at www.stjeromenorwalk.org/Faith-Direct- enrollment.pdf

Altar Flowers Altar Flowers may be memorialized for a donation of

$50. Please call the Parish Office several months prior to your desired date. VIGIL FOR SUNDAY 1/4 4:00 pm Lucille Correnty Adoration & Silent Prayer (Kenneth & Nancy Craw) Every day between 4:00PM and 5:00PM.

Contemplative Prayer EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 1/5 8:00 am Vincenzo Iannone, Jr. Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM. (family) Come spend some quiet time with the Lord.

9:15 am Sahara Calisaya Lopez Perpetual Novena (daughter) Our Lady of the takes place each Monday following morning Mass 11:00 am Helen Loch (Annette & Richard Maiberger) & Divine Mercy Prayers Monday through Friday after daily Mass 6:00 pm Raffaele Iacono (Balestriere family) Please call the parish office during regular office hours 1/6 9:00 am Barbara Blanchfield to schedule. (Fr. Dave) Required Pre- 1/7 9:00 am Elzbieta Kwapinska- Class at 7PM third Tuesday of the month. Please Zwierzchowska register ahead of time by calling the office. (Dina Howe) Reconciliation 1/8 9:00 am DiPreta One hour before vigil on Saturday. Also any time by (Laura DiPreta) appointment.

1/9 9:00 am Pat Currie Marriages (Sheila & Tom Rietano) Please contact the parish office at least six months in advance. 1/10 9:00 am Sr. Daria Gencarelli (Zapata family) Anointing of the Sick First Wednesday of each month, immediately VIGIL FOR SUNDAY following the 9:00 AM Mass, in the sanctuary. 1/11 4:00 pm Lucille Correnty Anyone who has a chronic medical condition, who is (Brian & Linda Stone) seriously ill, or who is anticipating a medical procedure THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD or operation, is welcome to come.

1/12 8:00 am Camille Cardone Gluten Free Hosts (Barbara Vlach) If you require a gluten free host, please see the 9:15 am Michael Hefferan officiating priest before Mass. (Anna & Lee L’Archevesque) Bringing up the Gifts at Mass 11:00 am Diane O’Malley If the Mass intention has been requested by you or for (Andrea & Joe Licek) your loved ones, and you would like to bring up the

6:00 pm Theresa & Joseph Gifts at the Offertory, please let the ushers know that (Carmela Bruno) you are present and would like to bring up the gifts.

Widows’ Support Group If interested please contact the office.

Sanctuary Candle Our sanctuary candle may be memorialized for a week. Suggested donation $25. Please contact the office to reserve your date.

This weekend is special for us! We celebrate the feast of the Epiphany today. Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”), especially by Eastern Christians. The and Protestant churches emphasize the visit of the Magi when they celebrate the Epiphany. Christ revealed himself in the form of a newborn babe to the Three Wise Men who traveled from their countries to pay tribute to the Son of God. As we com- memorate the feast of Epiphany, let us also pay tribute to Our Lord. The parish was exceptionally busy during the Christmas season. First of all, let me mention our REACH Christmas celebration held on December 22. It was a great event where our REACH fami- lies joined together and celebrated Christmas as a community. The participation was beyond ex- pectation! I want to thank Kathy Rohr, Natalie Raduazzo, and all the people who helped to set up the breakfast. After that morning, I could see a ray of hope for the future of our beloved parish. Looking at the young parents along with their children coming together, celebrating together, with children singing and wishing Merry Christmas was an amazing experience! I want to applaud and appreciate the positivity that our REACH parents and children showed towards this gathering. We had a colorful Christmas! It was colorful with the participation of people in the Holy Masses along with the decorations at the Church and rectory. I would like to thank John Kuczo and his son, John, for making the extraordinary effort to decorate our Christmas trees both at the Church and at the rectory and for helping to arrange everything for the Christmas Eve Mass. I know that I could use this whole page to name all of our loving parishioners who selflessly dedicate themselves to the parish. In every parish, there are always some hidden people who volunteer to help the church but would never let their name be upfront. Honestly, there are several of that kind in our parish! I thank you all. Without you, I would be at a loss, and St. Jerome could never be what it is right now. It is our responsibility to invite our younger generation to join us and to motivate us to continue the lega- cy of St. Jerome. Today, at REACH, we have our guest speaker. Holly from ‘Filling in the Blanks’ will be talking to our children and parents. Next week, our parents and children will participate in a packing event at Fill- ing in the Blanks. Let this service project help our children to be aware of the hunger plight of school children right in our own neighborhood. Let me also mention the upcoming preparation for the First Communion and First Reconciliation. The first meeting is scheduled for January 10. I request all the candidates and parents attend the session. Let us begin to pray for them!

THIS WEEK AT ST. JEROME…… Sunday 1/5 REACH Grades 1-8 -9:15 Mass then Guest Speaker TOTAL—6:00 PM Mass followed by session Monday 1/6 Women’s Scripture 9:30 AM Tuesday 1/7 Wednesday 1/8 Women’s Scripture 7:30 PM Thursday 1/9 Friday 1/10 Saturday 1/11 Men’s Group 7:00 AM Sunday 1/12 REACH Kindergarten -9:15 Mass then class REACH Grades 1-8 -9:15 Mass then project TOTAL—6:00 PM Mass followed by session WEEKLY OFFERTORY SUMMARY We pray for those Offertory as of12/23 $18,968.50 who bravely serve Faith Direct December $21,458.75 our country. God bless them and their TOTAL December as of 12/23 $40,427.25 families. Our service December Budget (including Christmas) $72,000 people include: Thank you for your support of our parish. LT Jeffrey Bari, USN . ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST COMPLETE PFC Devon Barker, United States Army VIRTUS TRAINING!! Sgt. Andrew Chimento, United States Army SAFE ENVIRONMENTS SSgt. Jason Kulik, United States Army All volunteers 18 years and over must be in com- SSgt. Cameron Prescott, USAF pliance with the diocesan mandate. Pvt. Patrick Ruther, CTARNG Please see the VIRTUS website SSG Hendrik P. Sorensen, ARNG (www.virtusonline.org) click “First-time registrant”, click ABH3 Lauren A. Sorensen, USN “view a list of sessions”, search ‘Bridgeport, CT LCpl. Jack H. Whitney, USMC (Diocese)”. The website has a complete listing of train- ing. “Take-A-Look Tuesdays" Some upcoming training dates: All Saints Catholic School New Covenant Center (Stamford) 1/8 at 6:00 PM Interested in finding out more about All Greenwich Catholic School 1/14 at 10:00 AM Saints Catholic School in Norwalk? Stop by our "Take-A-Look Tuesday" Open House, held every Tuesday from 8:30-

10am. Each week, parents and students are on- We have many available times hand to give tours and answer questions about our for Mass intentions curriculum, activities, after-school program and tui- (memorial or celebratory). tion assistance. No appointment necessary. PreK Please stop by or call through Grade 8 the office to 139 West Rocks Road, Norwalk arrange for Masses. 203-847-3881 www.allsaintsnorwalk.com

Christmas in Europe Across Europe, the annual cele- bration of Christ’s birth has formed traditions that have be- come part of the cultural fabric of its nations and regions. Christmas in Europe is the TWEETS OF THE WEEK theme of the Knights of Colum-

@Pontifex “(12/26)Today we cele- bus Museum’s 15th annual Christmas exhibition, brate the feast of St. Stephen, the showcasing the art and customs of the continent. Through February 2, 2020 the museum will exhibit first . The young servant of the more than 80 Nativity scenes or crèches, icons, and Gospel, filled with the , knew how to religious artworks representing 30 countries across speak about Jesus in word, and above all with Europe, including its signature 120-square-foot Nea- his life.” politan (Italian) crèche.

@Diobpt “Christ’s love is everlasting, even if our European artists, from the great masters to local craftspeople, have depicted the Nativity for centuries, love falters or even fails—Bishop Caggiano.” often integrating and showcasing regional clothing, @JimSichko “Remember Peeps: Don’t ask God architecture, and raw materials. The show also ex- to guide your footsteps if you’re not willing to plores the traditions and festivities that have devel- move your feet.” oped across the continent to celebrate the Christmas season. @JamesMartin,SJ “Gospel: 12/26 The day after In addition, the museum will host its annual Christmas Christmas we mark the Feast of St. Stephen, the Tree Festival, through February 2, 2020. Each year, first Christian martyr. It’s a reminder that even Connecticut Catholic school children make ornaments with the coming of Christ into our lives, the way and decorations in the theme of the museum’s Christ- of discipleship can be hard. But as Jesus says in mas show, then visit the museum to trim its two dozen today’s Gospel, “Whoever endures to the end trees. The museum is open daily (except Thanksgiv- ing, Christmas Eve and Christmas) from 10 a.m. to 5 will be saved.” p.m. with free admission and onsite parking. 1 State Street in New Haven 203-865-0400 th • TOTAL meets on January 5 . The TOTAL team Today, Sunday, January 5— would like to wish you all a blessed, peaceful, Grades 1-8 9:15 Mass followed by guest speaker and joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy Next Sunday, January 12— New Year. Kindergarten—Mass at 9:15 followed by class • Applications are being accepted for Emmaus Grades 1-8—Mass at 9:15 followed by project 42 taking place on January 17, 18, and 19. This To register for our next service project at Filling in weekend is open to sophomores, juniors, and the Blanks 1/12 (age 8 and older please), follow seniors. If you are interested in attending, this link https://www.schedulista.com/schedule/ please contact Joe or Daniela O’Callaghan. fillingintheblanksfightingchildhoodhunger/jop9r- • Any teen who has already attended a weekend khv6o is welcome to attend this year as a team mem- ber. You can help with Kara, Liturgy, Auxiliary, Malta House is an in- or in the kitchen. dependent nonprofit or- • We have some t-shirts leftover from Night in a ganization that serves Box. If you’d like to purchase one for $10, pregnant mothers by giv- please contact the REACH office or Daniela ing them a stable home, O’Callaghan at [email protected]. We independent living skills, have long and short sleeved t-shirts available. and the opportunity to build a better future. Your Your Child’s Future support provides babies a safe and loving Starts at start, gives educational and employment opportu- All Saints Catholic School nities to young mothers, and strengthens our community. Thinking About Next Year? For more information, to hear about our volunteer Come and see what we are all positions, or to schedule a tour, please contact about! Natalie Schanne at [email protected] Discover what makes All Saints Catholic School or visit www.maltahouse.org. exceptional at our Winter Open House. Now ac- cepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Openings in Grades Pre-K to 8th. Many thanks go to all of our Open House: Sunday January 26, from 12-2pm parishioners for their gener- and Monday January 27, from 8:30-10am. osity throughout December!! 139 West Rocks Road, Norwalk. All gifts for Education & www.allsaintsnorwalk.com. Hope have been packed and ready for their return to Gua- Prep for temala. First Reconciliation & All toys were delivered to Al’s Angels the week- Frist Communion! end prior to Christmas for delivery to sick children An email was sent to all First Rec- throughout the holiday season. onciliation and First Communion The lovely knit blankets, hats, and crocheted parents regarding the upcoming items left in the hallway were delivered to the preparation classes. If you did Open Door Shelter for use with their clients. not receive this email please con- tact the office ASAP! ALERT!! First class is this Friday, January 10 at 6:30 PM. Fr. Rojin’s name has been used in Attendance is mandatory for children and a parent. emails asking for money. THIS IS The children will place their stickers in the Big Gold A SCAM. Please do not respond Book on Sunday, January 12, at the 9:15 Mass to to these emails! signify the beginning of their journey to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion. Please alert the office if you receive one. ([email protected]). Thank you!