News - July 2012 RSS Feed

I will be away the weekend of July 28-29, as well as Monday and Tuesday, July 30-31. During those days I will be attending the 75th annual meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association of America at Notre Dame University, where I will be delivering a paper, participating in a seminar on Saint Paul, and meeting with former and present doctoral students. I apologize for being absent so soon after arriving, but this is a commitment that was made in the spring before I knew I would be appointed Pastor of St. Mary’s. My classmate and friend, Msgr. Gerard Schmitz will fill in for me during these days. Please welcome him and do all you can to assist him, especially at daily Mass. It is always difficult to find things in a new parish. I will be back in the office on Wednesday morning. Thank you for your understanding. Father Matera

I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of you for the “Welcome Reception” that the Social Committee held for me when I arrived at St. Mary's. It was a joy to meet and speak with so many of you. Each of you, without exception, made me feel immediately at home and a part of your Parish Family. One refrain appeared again and again in your words of welcome to me: “If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.” In the weeks and months ahead, I will need your help, but for the moment I simply want to say thank you for making me feel at home. It is good to be at St. Mary’s. Finally, I offer a special word of thanks to the members of the Social Committee who made the welcome reception possible: Annemarie Brimmer, Debbie and Peter Corbett, Helen and Uli Decher, Christine Egan, Peggy Furey, Camille Kilgore, Rhoda & Lou Obermeier, Jay Reynolds, and Jean Verdecchia. Thank for your work. I look forward to working with you in the weeks and months ahead. Sincerely, Fr. Frank Matera

Scripture encourages us to pray for one another and to cast all our cares on the Lord. Because we firmly believe in the power of prayer, St. Mary’s has an active Prayer Line. We invite and encourage parishioners—men and women—to join us in prayer and/or to call us with any special prayer requests you might want lifted up to our Lord. Please call Louise Carroll at 860-653-4088 or Carol Locandro at 860-658-2118 for information or with prayer requests.

DEFENDING OUR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Pope Benedict XVI has declared a Year of Faith from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013. It will be a unique time for Catholics to revitalize our faith and enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Consider your profound commitment over the past several months to defend our religious freedom, as a stepping stone to pursue this yearlong journey to reaffirm our Catholic faith.

St. Mary’s Ladies Bridge Group is looking for new players for the 2012-2013 season. Meet old friends and make new friends, possibly even win a prize. Contract bridge rules are followed. There are groups forming for both daytime and evening. All levels welcome. For additional information, please call Judy Goff at 860-653-7747.