IGNITE Youth Ministry is hosting a family night called Night in Bethlehem to bring the nativity story to life after the Vigil Mass on Saturday, December 3. Mark your calendars. It will be a night to remember!

Our 2nd Graders from the Religious Education Program and St. Mary’s School are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation this December. Once again we are asking parishioners to pray for our 2nd graders during this time of preparation. There are envelopes at each exit of the Church with the name of a 2nd grader and instructions inside the envelope. As it nears the date of their First Reconciliation please send them a card or note letting them know you have been praying for them. This is a wonderful opportunity to show these children that we support them as they prepare for the sacrament. Any questions please contact Judy Eagen (860) 658-5919.

Fr. Matera presented a series of programs this fall titled: "The Church in Crisis: Wisdom from St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians." The programs focused on the crisis that St. Paul faced in the church at Corinth and how he dealt with it. If you missed a session, click the title to see if there is a video of that program available.

The Haiti 180 Hurricane Relief bake sale was a huge success! In just one weekend our parish raised over $1300.00. Special thanks to all the children, teens, and families, who spent so much time making such yummy treats and to our teen volunteers who took the time to sell the treats after all the Masses. All left over treats were donated to the ABC house in Simsbury. Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers as they continue to rebuild.

Father Jeff Gubbiotti, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Hartford, will be visiting tonight. For more information, click the title.

Our adult enrichment series on Sunday mornings this autumn focuses on Interreligious Dialogue. We have invited a minister, a rabbi, and an Iman to speak about their faiths. Deacon Art will speak to us about the enduring importance of the Old Testament for Christian faith, and Father Matera will speak about Catholicism. Look at the website calendar and the bulletin for specific dates.

During the summer months and vacation weekends our offertory decreases because many of us are away. If you have been away, we would be grateful if you would make up your offertory contributions.

Our choirs are looking for new members. If you would like to sing at the 9:30 AM Mass speak with Patty Lepak after Mass. If you would like to sing at the 11:00 AM Mass, speak with Gena Sullivan after Mass. You can also contact the Parish Office for more information.

St. Mary's school began its 60th year this fall with a new principal, Mrs. Margaret Williamson. We are delighted to have Mrs. Williamson with us.

On the first weekend of October, we will inaugurate a fund drive for our Campus Connection Project that will run through the end of December. The outcome of this drive will determine how we can go forward with our project.

In August we received a generous bequest from the estate of Anna Forcucci. We have deposited this bequest with the money we received from the Magowan and Gabriel estates into a reserve fund that will be used for our Campus Connection Project.

Congratulations to Rebecca Lobo Rushin who will be inducted into the Connecticut Woman's Hall of Fame on Wednesday, November 2nd.

On Saturday, 10/29, St. Mary's will be volunteering with the Hartford affiliate of Habitat for Humanity building a house in Granby. No experience is needed, just a willingness to help. If you would like to help, please call Lou Basta at (860)651-9217.