St. Therese Parish Newsletter
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St. Therese Newsletter St. Therese ParishPage 1 Newsletter Volume 15, No. 3 120 West Granby Road Granby, CT 06035 Phone: 860-653-3371 Volume 15 Number 3 Off the Top of My Head by Fr. Tom Ptaszynski Summer 2017 n how many homes have you ized that I actually lived in that house for only ten lived? It is probably unlikely years, until I moved to St. Thomas Seminary. My I that adults live in the same youngest sister has no memory of my presence home they did when they were during her childhood! Over the years, my resi- children. Moving is difficult, espe- dence has changed eight times. And each time, cially whene so many happy grateful for what had been, I looked forward to new memories are associated with the challenges and opportunities. home, apartment or building we are leaving. So, it is with our “new” parish family. We welcome those whose home was St. Bernard’s for many Meeting with the St. Bernard’s cemetery committee years. May we be a family of hospitality, faith, and on May 16, we talked about the sadness associat- love. We will share many celebrations – joy-filled ed with the closing of the building that housed so and sad. But, we will always be the Body of Christ, many celebrations—joy-filled and sad. I reflected making Him present in Tariffville, the Hartlands, on how 62 years to the day, my family moved into and all the Granbys. Remember, “we make the house my mom and dad would call home for Church together.” All are welcome! almost 50 years. Reflecting on those years, I real- Instead of being just a Church that welcomes and receives by Pope keeping the doors open, let us try, also, to be a Church that finds Francis new roads, that is able to step outside itself and go to those who Says ... do not attend Mass, to those who have quit or are indifferent Holy Days of Obligation by Stan Walczewski e know that the Saturday Vigil and the Sunday Assumption of Mary (August 15); celebrates that Masses are obligatory Masses for Catholics to Christ’s mother was taken up, both body and soul, into W attend. There are also other Masses for Catholics Heaven which are referred to as Holy Days of Obligation. On De- All Saints Day (November 1); to honor all our departed cember 13, 1991, the United States Conference of Catho- saints lic Bishops (USCCB) decided to have six Holy Days of Ob- ligation. These days were selected to honor specific indi- Immaculate Conception (December 8); for Mary, the viduals or events of the Church, and are described below. mother of Jesus, who was born free of original sin Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God Christmas (December 25); when Jesus Christ was (January 1); when Mary receives special rev- born. erence If the Holy Day falls on a Saturday or Monday, the faithful Ascension Thursday (40 days after East- are not obligated to attend Mass. The Holy Day obligation er); celebrates Christs ascension into Heaven to attend Mass is moved to Sunday. St. Therese Newsletter Page 2 Volume 15, No. 3 Congratulations to Our Newly Confirmed! by Jackie Wielgoszinski reparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Evan Bernard Holm Therese Parish is a two-year process. The cele- *Erin Elizabeth Jennings bration of the Sacrament is held in the spring for Catherine Ruth Kelly Pstudents in tenth grade (or higher). On April 21, 2017, the following Confirmandi from our St. Therese Parish and St. Melena Joan Kopf Bernard’s Parish received the Sacrament of Confirmation, James Francis Kuhnly conferred by Most Reverend Archbishop Emeritus Henry Abigail Cecilia Larson J. Mansell, D.D. Congratulations to all! Ashley Leah Longest *Jessica Guadalupe Barry *Marlie Patricia Marzo Andrew John Bean Aleksander Luke Morawiec Paulina Agnes Blanchette Jameson Sebastian Morris Gregory Michael Bradshaw Steven Francis Muller *Jeffrey Joseph Briand Tess Anne Myers Charles Charles Brinegar *Lauren Francis Roderick Elizabeth Cecilia Cappelli Rebeca Catherine Russell Beckett George Cashman Alexander Andrew Steele Haley Martin Clark Garrett George Strain Terence Francis Cotsonas *Caitlin Rita Strzegowski Jenna Catherine Dauria Serra Elizabeth Tickey Erin Valentine Gilhooly Ryan Christopher Ziemnicki *Rachael Brigid Griffin William Conor Sebastian Hogan *= from St. Bernard’s Parish More Congratulations by Aimee Menapace e are proud to present St. Therese Parish’s First Communion Class of 2017. The stu- W dents worked tirelessly this year at home with their parents, participated in STAFFF meetings, and pre- pared for their First Communion review classes. Congratulations to all of our Communicants! St. Therese Newsletter Page 3 Volume 15, No. 3 Parish Picnic & More! by Tony Allen he Shindig Social Committee is a newly formed social group here at St. Therese Church. This group was created to hold various social events so that fellow parishioners can get to know T each other better. Headed by chair-persons Tony and Emily Allen, members include Lenny DeGray, Rosemarie Pilvenis, Linda Nave, Teresa Thomas, Rita and Corey Wood, Joan Kyle, Phyllis Dunleavy, Maura Fleming, Marie Martusis, and Nancy Jackson. Recent events have included Paint Night/Tea Cup Auction, and the International Day of Happiness Potluck Dinner. Watch for future planned events which will include a Parish Picnic/Field Day (save July 9th on your calendars!), and possibly square danc- ing and a live-music coffee house. We are always looking for additional members to share their time and talents as we fulfill our mission to be stewards of fellowship at St. Therese Parish. Summer Reading Ideas by Beverly Baird hether you’re planning a “stay-cation” or to travel Consulate in NYC, this summer, tucking a good book into your bag or expediting visa W backpack is a great idea. Here are some sugges- approval for people tions for great reads to take along wherever you go! trying to get out of France during Hit- Sugar Queen; by Natalie Baszile (fiction) ler’s reign of terror. When the borders An African-American teacher and city girl uproots her are closed, she 12 year old daughter and moves to the deep south continues raising when she inherits her father’s sugar plantation. the funds for food, clothing and blankets. She actually glitch(s): She knows zip about farming. The proper- hand-made clothing for orphans, and those children ty is a neglected disaster. The help won’t work for a with missing parents. An amazing and impressive black female. If she doesn’t cover costs from her first book and one I’ll re-read. crop, the land will revert to the trustees at the Old Southern Bank. The whole town is waiting for her to The Letters; by Suzanne Woods Fisher (fiction) fail. moral: Never underestimate the strength of a challenged woman. Amazing book with complex fami- Step into the lives of the Amish as they struggle with ly dynamics, physical and emotional challenges, and bankruptcy, elderly parent care, the unexpected death the determination of a single mother. A must read for of the young father, and major legal problems. An eye both male & female readers! -opener, into the reality of living the Amish ‘simple life.’ My Sister’s Keeper; by Jodi Picoult (fiction) Night; by Elie Wiesel (non-fiction … warning: this book may be too graphic for some) A well-researched, non-judgmental fiction about a fam- When the author was 15 years old, he and his entire ily forced to deal with devastating genetic results on family were deported to Auschwitz. He and one sister their unborn child. They emphatically refuse to have were the only family survivors of this infamous and an abortion. Follow their lives as they realize their brutal concentration camp. How does one survive af- special needs newborn and go on to have a second ter surviving the Holocaust? To paraphrase a quote child. Very moving and thought provoking. Another from Elie Weisel, “What allows evil to continue in the must read! world is when people look away and are afraid to speak up or defend the victims.” The Lilac Girls; by Martha Hall Relly (non-fiction) An inspiring example of getting involved when you see Finally, summer is a great time to revisit some of the clas- cruelty or injustice. Caroline volunteers at the French sics and old favorites. Happy reading! Pope The Lord is knocking on the door of our hearts. Have we put a Francis sign on the door saying “Do Not Disturb?” St. Therese Newsletter Page 4 Volume 15, No. 3 Day Trips in New England by Vickie Dirienzo f you are looking for a day or overnight trip in our area, Enfield, NH – Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette the Religious Travel Planning Guide has a wonderful Founded in 1951, the I list of the top Catholic shrines in New England. The list Shrine of Our Lady of includes six in Massachusetts and one each in Connecti- LaSalette is a holy cut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Below place of prayer, and are short descriptions of five of these shrines on this list meditation in an envi- from author Carly Meminger. ronment of peace and beauty. The shrine is In Massachusetts: a replica of the apparition site at LaSalette in France, Boston – Madonna, Queen of the Universe National complete with a rosary pond, outdoor Stations of the Shrine Cross, and a Calvary scene with holy stairs and a The front view of the statue of peace walk. Madonna, Queen of the Universe was inspired by the same statue Litchfield, CT -- Lourdes of Litchfield in the Don Orioe Center in Monte A stunning feature of Mario (Rome, Italy).