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Given the pandemic, it was difficult for us to say a proper goodbye to our students who graduated high school over the past couple of years. We are doing a little outreach from St. Mary's to students who are away at school -- to let them know we are thinking of them (and to encourage them in their faith!). If you would like your student to receive a little care package in the mail, please click the title and fill out the Google form

This past week in the news, the Supreme Court was considering the reinstatement of the death sentence on Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted of assisting in carrying out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. That bombing killed three people and injured 260, no doubt a heinous crime that was planned and executed with clear intent to harm, maim and kill. Could there be a more appropriate application of the death penalty? Click the title to read more.

Parishioners are invited to join our Faith Formation Program’s (K-6) participation in Cross Catholic Outreach - Box of Joy program by providing 100 boxes for children around the world. The kick-Off is on Sunday, October 17. We will hand out boxes to participating families: Faith Formation families, a sign-up genius was sent to request boxes; for our parishioners, email Kathy Piggott to request the number of boxes you would like. Click the title to watch a video with more information.

Buy delicious Lyman Orchard Pies and yummy Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies for the upcoming holidays and support St Mary’s School. Easy ordering online or order forms are available in the school office or Magowan Center. Order by October 20, pick up on November 15 in the Parish Center. You can also donate pies to Eno Hall in Simsbury to benefit their Senior Center. Click the title for the online link.

Continuing our reflection during this Respect Life month, let us focus on yet another area that we often don’t readily associate with being a threat to life: violence. Violence to persons, whether it be from war or terrorism, gang or drug related violence, mass shootings in schools, workplaces or shopping venues, or domestic violence, threatens the gift of life. Often such violence begins with a lack of respect for one’s self on the part of the perpetrator. If I don’t value my own life, how can I value the lives of others? Having a healthy self-image and self-respect goes a long way in decreasing potential violence against another. Click the title to read more.

In last weekend’s column, I mentioned October as being “Respect Life” month and noted that the protection of life in the womb is foundational to all other rights we have as human persons. Once a person is born though, he or she becomes vulnerable to other threats against his or her life. As we progress through this Respect Life month, I’d like to focus on some additional threats to life besides abortion that we may not always think of, so that we might be attentive to them as we seek to respect and protect all life from womb to tomb. Click the title to read more.

The month of October brings two important Catholic themes to our attention. It is the month of the Rosary and Respect Life month. October 7th is the traditional day which honors Our Lady of the Rosary. Click the title to read more.

If your ministry/group is planning to utilize parish space to meet in person this fall and winter, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible via email with your room request.

Given the current health situation and mandates in our region and state, we ask that you please wear a mask when attending Mass. This is an effort to not only curb the potential spread of the virus but to also protect those among us -- particularly the young, who are not eligible for vaccination at this time. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

When I was young, my mother often used the phrase tempus fugit “time flies”. It is a phrase that is so true, and as I have discovered becomes even more true as we age. In just a few days, I will have been with you here at St. Mary’s for three months already! Where has the time gone? I thought I’d use this marker of time as an occasion to provide a little update on things since my arrival on July 1st.    Click the title to read the full message.

The Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry's Annual Dinner & Awards will be held Tuesday, October 19 at 5 PM at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Tickets are $75 per person or $520 for a table of 8. Click the title for more information.

All those in the Archdiocese of Hartford who observed or will be observing 25th, 50th, 60th and other special wedding anniversaries in either 2020 or 2021 are invited to join Archbishop Blair for this special Anniversary Mass on October 10th at 2:00 PM at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. Click the title to register.

Get ready! Join us on September 25th for a spiritual reflection day with time to experience the camaraderie of your fellow Catholic men. The day includes Mass, Eucharist Procession, Adoration, Confession, Speakers and Lunch. The event will take place at the New Britain Stadium on October 19th. Make sure to bring a hat, umbrella and light jacket. For more information, click the title.

We welcome Sharon Locandro to the St. Mary's Stephen Ministry Leader Team. Sharon was commissioned at the 5:00 PM Mass on September 12th. She joins Linda McGurn and Linda Duff who will be recommissioned as leaders. Congratulations to all three women!

Thank-you to the Parish families who have made a gift or pledge commitment to the 2021 Archbishop's Annual Appeal. Our parish has already raised $172,119. This means we are now OVER 90% of our parish goal, and I am incredibly grateful. I am also hopeful that our parish will be able to exceed this year's goal. If you have not yet made your gift to this year's Appeal, there is still time, and I ask that you please consider doing so in the coming days. Your gift will help continue the vital services, ministries, and programs that help so many throughout our Archdiocese.

Click on the title to find the Concluding Report of the 2020 Synod, as well as the full video of the Synod Closing Mass, which took place at the Oakdale Theatre on Friday, August 13, 2021.

Our Archdiocesan Consecration starts on Saturday, September 4th through October 7th. Join Archbishop Blair and other Shepherds in making a Consecration to Jesus through Mary. To learn more about the Consecration journey and for the link to watch daily Consecration videos at 8 PM, visit www.childconsecration.com.

Order your lovely chrysanthemums from St. Mary's 8th grade! Order information is on the school website and forms are available in the Magowan Center. Orders are due by September 10th with delivery September 17/18.

Father Stephen Sledesky became our pastor in July, following the retirement of Fr. Matera. Born in Hartford and raised in East Hartord, Fr. Stephen has served the past six years as pastor of St. George in Guilford. His nearly three decades as a priest have also included a pastorate in Manchester (St. Bridget & St. Bartholomew) as well as assignments at the four parishes in Torrington and Sacred Heart in Suffield. Fr. Stephen's path to the priesthood even included time here at St. Mary's -- his first seminarian internship was here with us in the summer of 1990, under the guideance of our co-pastors Father Lawrence Bock and Father William Dudack. As Fr. Matera said: "I could not be more delighted with this choice. St. Mary’s is fortunate to have such a talented and seasoned pastor who will lead this faith community in the years ahead, and I am sincerely grateful for his appointment." We welcome Fr. Stephen back to St. Mary's with open arms and open hearts!

Season Two of "The Chosen" was released Easter 2021 part of it will include our own Jeff Ryan. Jeff thanks everyone for the prayers and well wishes for his journey and thankful for the opportunity to have represented our parish community on this adventure. Click the title to read more information.