ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH

MARCH 28, 2021

Pastor
Weekend Masses

Rev. Thomas B. Shepard

Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM (Winter) or 5:00PM (Summer)

Sunday: 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00AM
Director of Music Ministry

Anna Jedd
Daily Liturgy

Monday  Thursday: 8:00AM

Director of Faith Formation

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wanda Mascola


Saturday: 3:003:45 (Winter) or 4:004:45 (Summer)
Coordinator of Spiritual Care
or by appointment
Maryjane Calladio

Secretary
Debbie Benham

Bookkeeper
Karin Fuchs

Maintenance
George Blake
Lou Luskay



Office Hours
Monday Friday
9:30AM  2:00PM

Address
733 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT 06478

Parish Office: 2038882382
Parish Hall: 2038880837
Fax: 2038815518

Email: [email protected] Website: www.stthomasoxford.org
www.facebook.com/stthomastheapostleoxfordct
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
MARCH 28, 2021

MONDAY, MARCH 29TH
Lenten Confessions: 6:00 PM (Church)
Community Life: 6:30 PM (Church Hall)
Sunday, March 28th

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31ST
5:00 PM
(Vigil Mass) for all de- ceased members of the ZOOM  Wednesdays With Wanda Storytime:
St. Thomas Ladies Guild
Grades PK4: 6:00 PM | Grades 58: 7:00 PM

7:30 AM
for Ed Slonina  2nd Anniversary
FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND
(requested by The Slonina Family)
Lenten Confessions: 4:30 PM  5:30 PM (Church)
9:00 AM
for the intentions of St. Thomas Parish Family
11:00 AM
for Geraldine Hawks
In Our Prayers
(requested by Cheryl Walsh and Family)


If you would like to be prayed for or have a loved Monday, March 29th


one who would like to be prayed for, please call Debbie in the parish office at 888
2382 and let 8:00 AM
for Edward Spruck  1st Anniversary
her know. This week, please pray for all those (requested by St. Thomas Parish)
who are ill in mind, body or spirit and all those
who have died.
Tuesday, March 30th
8:00 AM
for John Bogucki
Please Note:
Names will appear in the bulletin for 4weeks and then (requested by Cheryl and Family)
removed unless their name is resubmitted by calling the
Wednesday, March 31st

parish office. Using this method we can keep names
current. Thank you for your cooperation. 8:00 AM
for Mary Giancarli
(requested by Liz and William Giancarli)


Readings for the week of March 28, 2021
Thursday, April 1st

Sunday:
Mk 11:110 or Jn 12:1216/Is 50:47/Ps 22:89, 7:00 PM
Mass of the Lord’s Supper 1718, 1920, 2324 [2a]/Phil 2:611/Mk 14:1N 15:47 or 15:139
Visits to the Repository until 10:00 pm
Holy Thursday Monday:
Is 42:17/Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 1314 [1a]/Jn 12:111

Tuesday:
Is 49:16/Ps 71:12, 34a, 5ab6ab, 15 and 17 [cf. Friday,
April 2nd
15ab]/Jn 13:2133, 3638
Wednesday:
Is 50:49a/Ps 69:810, 2122, 31 and 3334 [14c]/ 3:00 PM
Proclamation of the Passion Mt 26:1425
4:305:30 PM Confessions
Thursday:
Chrism Mass: Is 61:13a, 6a, 8b9/Ps 89:1, 23,
34, 56 [2a]/Rv 1:58/Lk 4:1621
7:00 PM
Way of the Cross
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Ex 12:18,
1114/Ps 116:1213, 1516bc, 1718 [cf. 1 Cor Saturday, April 3rd
10:16]/1 Cor 11:2326/Jn 13:115
Friday:
Is 52:13N53:12/Ps 31:2, 6, 1213, 1516, 17, 25 1:00 PM
Blessing of the Food
[Lk 23:46]/Heb 4:1416; 5:79/Jn 18:1N19:42
8:00 PM
Easter Vigil Mass
Saturday:
Vigil: Gn 1:1N2:2 or 1:1, 2631a/Ps 104:12, 56,
10, 12, 1314, 24, 35 [30] or Ps 33:45, 67, 12 13, 2022 [5b]/Gn 22:118 or 22:12, 9a, 1013, Sunday, April 4th


1518/Ps 16:5, 8, 910, 11 [1]/Ex 14:15N15:1/Ex 15:12, 34, 56, 1718 [1b]/Is 54:514/Ps 30:2, 4, 7:30 AM
for The Lapinski Family
56, 1112, 13 [2a]/Is 55:111/Is 12:23, 4, 56 (requested by Son and [3]/Bar 3:915, 32N4:4/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [Jn Daughter)
6:68c]/Ez 36:1617a, 1828/Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4 9:00 AM
for the gifts of the Holy Sprit in kindness
[42:2] or Is 12:23, 4bcd, 56 [3] or Ps 51:1213, to others
1415, 1819 [12a]/Rom 6:311/Ps 118:12, 16 17, 2223/Mk 16:17
11:00 AM
for the benefactors, living and deceased
Next Sunday:
Acts 10:34a, 3743/Ps 118:12, 1617, 2223 [24]/Col of St. Thomas Parish
3:14 or 1 Cor 5:6b8/Jn 20:19 or Mk 16:17 or Lk 24:1335
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
MARCH 28, 2021

JESUS’
PASSION AND DEATH
The last story hour Mrs. Mascola will host on
ZOOM for the Lenten season will be ... Palm/Passion Sunday, which we celebrate this week, Wednesday, March 31st
begins Holy Week. Palms are its symbol, the leafy 6:00 p.m. for Children in Grades PK-4 branches that citizens of Jerusalem broke off trees and 7:00 p.m. for Children in Grades 5-8 waved to welcome Jesus into their city. In its liturgy for Registration is required - Contact Mrs. Mascola Sunday, the Church first reads this peaceful Gospel and then follows with the Passion story. Before Mass, we Grades PK-4 Grades 5-8 bless palms and celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Meeting ID: 818 0428 2140 Meeting ID: 865 2370 6215 During Mass, we read the story of Jesus’ suffering, hu- miliation, and Death. When we participate in the reading TAKE IT TO of the Passion, it is hard to say the words, “Crucify him.” WONDER THE QUEEN: It reminds us that we all choose to sin and that Jesus by R. J. Pelacia A tale of Hope loves us anyway. He loves us so much that he died and One book will be by read in sections rose for us and our salvation.
over the entire Josephine Lenten Season. From earliest times, Christians remembered Jesus’ last Nobisso days by visiting the sites and remembering the happen- ings at them. Our Holy Week liturgies allow us to jour- ney with Jesus through the last events of his lifeNhis
Last Supper with his friends, his Passion, Death, and MOST Scholarship
Resurrection. In worship, the word “celebrate” means to
remember and make present in story, actions and sym- The Men of St. Thomas (M.O.S.T.) is bols. Visit www.usccb.org/bible/readings to read this pleased to offer scholarship opportu- Sunday’s Scripture.
nities to high school seniors who at-
TǘǟǥǗǘǤ ǟǖ ǤǘǕ WǕǕǛ
tend St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford, CT. When have you gone along with the crowd, even when Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who you knew it was not the right thing to do?
have demonstrated the most outstanding combina-
tion of academic excellence, community service, FǑǝǙǜǩ DǙǣǓǥǣǣǙǟǞ
church service, and school citizenship. To qualify  Who walks with Jesus to Jerusalem?
for this scholarship, student applicants must plan to  How does the crowd of people in the Gospel
continue their education at an accredited institution welcome Jesus?
in the fall of 2021 and submit an application and  What are some things that happen to Jesus
supporting documents to St. Thomas the Apostle during Holy Week?

Church by Saturday, May 1, 2021. Application
FǑǝǙǜǩ PǢǑǩǕǢ We want to choose you, Jesus! forms are available in the church vestibule and Show us how to do what is right, even when others want online at the St. Thomas Oxford website http:// us to do what is wrong. Amen.
www.stthomasoxford.org/menofstthomasmost)

Pray for Our Troops

Dear Heavenly Father, Hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.

Please stop a moment and say a prayer for our troops (land, air, and sea).
There is a sheet in the vestibule to sign for your loved one who is in the military. PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
MARCH 28, 2021

COMMUNITY LIFE
EASTER EGG CHARITY CAMPAIGN
Seymour  Oxford

Food Bank

Community Life will be passing out Easter Eggs with
slips for items needed to donate to Spooner House,
St Vincent DePaul, BHcare and the St. Thomas com- The SeymourOxford Food Bank is in need of the munity. We will collect the items on 3/203/21 and following items for APRIL. Please drop off in the 3/272/28 to package up and deliver on Monday 3/29. church vestibule.
All items are $1 $3 and anything you can give will be
appreciated. There will be a collection box in the


Ketchup
Oatmeal Canisters
vestibule.
Thank you for all you do to help others!





Mustard
Popcorn Sleeves


Pancake Mix
Rice Pouches


Pancake Syrup

Thank you for helping us stock the shelves.
St. Thomas Book Club  April Meeting

St. Thomas Book Club’s April book selection will be:

“Treadmill to Oblivion”
by Fred Allen
2021

Archbishop’s
We will be meeting through ZOOM on:

Annual Appeal
Tuesday, April 6th


6:30 pm
It is important that when you give to any charitable organization, you are confident that the funds re-
ceived are being used wisely. Be assured that your If you would like to join us, please gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal supports the contact Maryjane in the parish office.
ministries and programs indicated in the 2021 Appeal literature! Organizations such as Seymour  Oxford Food Bank, Carolyn’s Place (Waterbury), St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop and Food Bank (Derby), Little BEREAVEMENT GROUP, SPRING 2021
Saints Daycare  Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Waterbury) right here in our own communities re- St Thomas Parish of Southington will be offering an ceived funding from the Appeal’s Vicariate Outreach online bereavement workshop using Zoom meetings. Program that makes a difference in the lives of our The New Day process consists of nine facilitated local neighbors. Please visit the Appeal website at online workshops, and the spring 2021 group is being www.archdioceseofhartford.org to learn more and formed. The first meeting will begin Tuesday, April 6 at make your gift today.
6:30 PM. To enroll, or for more information, contact All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual
Deacon Vinny Raby by phone 8606289425 or Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes out- email
[email protected].
lined in the Appeal literature, which can be found at https://archdioceseofhartford.org/appeal/. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.
DAYTIME Monthly Bereavement Meeting
In
Person Tuesday, April 13th
1:30 PM  3:00 PM
The Parish Office
Reservations Required. No walkins accepted.
Participants must wear mask.
will be Closed

RSVP by 4/9/21
Good Friday
Contact: Maryjane at 2038882382 ext 104.
(April 2nd)
PRAYER
BEFORE
A CRUCIFIX

[In this week, Christians call HOLY, the Church invites us to meditate and reflect on the power of the Father’s love for us in the Crucifixion of His beloved Son, Jesus. We are called to spend a few quiet and contemplative moments alone, looking at the image of our savior on the Cross. And you may conclude this exercise with the prayer below…..]
Dear Jesus, I cannot properly know how to share my feelings when I gaze upon the image of your death on the Cross. There are mes in my life when I feel the pain of abandonment, and fear, and wonder if anyone cares. But then I stand below your cross, and I try to fathom the limitless love you have for me, and then I know there is someone who cares for me, above all others. I wish I could do the same for you Tbut I am weak. And then I hear your voice whispering to me by my name:
I DO LOVE YOU, AND IF YOU WERE THE ONLY HUMAN BEING ON EARTH

I WOULD DIE FOR YOU AGAIN !

REMINDERS ABOUT HOLY WEEK IN THIS TIME OF THE PANDEMIC
Although there is some leeway regarding protocols in Connecticut, Saint Thomas the Apostle Church
Houses of Worship, must follow these requirements: LENTEN and HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

 All parishioners must wear masks indoor the church Mondays of Lent
 Liberal use of hand sanitizers should be used 6:00 p.m. (Confessions)
 If you are not feeling well – please stay home
 Stay six feet away in pews from people with whom you do not live with Palm Sunday, March 28
 Communion is single file – row by row 5:00 p.m. (Saturday Vigil)
 No singing during Mass. 7:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 11:00 a.m.

It is our hope that we shall have LIVE STREAMING at one Mass on Palms to be distributed a er Mass
Easter Sunday via Facebook and the Parish Webpage.
Holy Thursday, April 1
7:00 p.m. (Mass of the Lord’s Supper)
LENTEN FAST and ABSTINENCE Guidelines

Visits to the Repository unl 10:00 p.m.
From earliest days of the Chrisan church, bapzed Chrisans and those pre-
paring for bapsm have observed the disciplines of fasng, almsgiving, and Good Friday, April 2
prayer in preparaon for the celebraon of Easter. Roman Catholics are asked 3:00 p.m. (Proclamaon of the Passion)
to connue this form of preparaon with the following guidelines. For reasons 4:30R5:30 p.m. (Confessions)
of health and wellRbeing, observance may not be required by some.
7:00 p.m. (Way of the Cross)
ABSTINENCE from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and
all Fridays of Lent by Roman Catholics 14 years of age and older. Holy Saturday, April 3

FASTING is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by Roman Catho- 1:00 p.m. (Blessing of Food)
lics 18R59 years of age. On these days, one full meal and two smaller meals are 8:00 p.m. (Easter Vigil)
permied.

Easter Sunday, April 4
Some have also adopted the custom of a Paschal fast on Good Friday unl the 7:30 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 11:00 a.m.
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