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On March 13, 2020, every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Hartford was dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair due to the potential danger of the coronavirus pandemic. In May, the dispensation was extended through Labor Day and then in August, the dispensation was again extended through the end of the church's liturgical year (November 28). In light of the recent increase in coronavirus cases within the state of Connecticut and continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair has now extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for all the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Hartford through Tuesday, February 16, 2021, which is the eve of Ash Wednesday. The Archdiocese continues to monitor the severity of the situation surrounding the pandemic and will provide updates regarding decisions reached for the archdiocese as they are made.

If you are attending Mass by yourself, it would be helpful if you would sit at the center of the pew, when possible. This will make room for others to sit in the pew. Thank-you.

A great deal of maintenance work has been done and is being done on our Church Campus. The bell tower on the rectory side of the church has been repaired, and we are now in the process of painting the exterior of all the stained glass windows. Repair work has been done in the North Parking Lot and we are in the process of trimming many trees throughout the campus.

In October the Archdiocese requires us to count the number of parishioners who attended Mass. Our count shows that 312 parishioners attended Mass. This is a lower number compared to past years because of the pandemic. Many people, however, join us in prayer through Live Streaming every weekend.

SMS Knights United Family & School Association is sponsoring a Lyman Pies & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough fundraiser. With the Donate-A-Pie feature, you can support this fundraiser even if you do not want a pie or cookie dough for yourself. You may purchase a pie and it will be delivered to an area food pantry for you! Click the title for more information.

For the next few weeks our piano will be undergoing a tune up! Tony Hulme, our piano tuner, is graciously donating his services for repair work to the piano in honor of Ethel Melanson. Mrs. Melanson was the benefactor who made the purchase of the piano possible many years ago. We look forward to hearing our beautiful Steinway piano again in a few weeks!

The Donor Recognition Board for our Parish Connection Project has been installed. You will find it in the corridor of the Magowan Center, which connects the church and school. It lists the names of all who so generously contributed to our Parish Connection Project. Thank you!

If you would like to have prayers said for a family member or a friend, please submit their names to the Parish Office via email at parishoffice@stmarysimsbury.org.

People often ask, “What is a Stephen Minister?” One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the ‘after people’. They are there after the phone call you hoped you’d never get. After the funeral, when everyone has left. After the pink slip with your final paycheck. Are you experiencing something like this? Call the office (860) 658-7627 or Stephen Minister coordinator, Mary Ann Pappano at (860) 658-7532 to inquire about the ministry.

The Archdiocese of Hartford will participate in the 40 Days for Life International Campaign from September 23-November 1. The mission is to concentrate the church’s witness, ministry, and outreach for the defense of all human life. Click the title for more information and to read a letter from the Archbishop.

Attention High School Juniors and Seniors. Even though you are confirmed, the church still needs you! Young people can make a huge difference in a faith community, and our confirmation students need good role models, which means we need you.  Click the title to read more about this great opportunity!

If you have recently moved to the Simsbury-Granby area and are new to St. Mary's, please register with us so that we can better serve you. You can register by visiting or calling the Parish Office at (860) 658-7627 during business hours (8:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Monday - Thursday). We look forward to having you be a part of our faith community.

It is time for our annual Mum sale. Place your orders by September 11th and we will have the mums at St. Mary’s School for Pickup in the Parish Center on September 18th from 2 to 4 pm or after masses the weekend of September 19th and 20th. Order forms are in the Magowan Center by TV.

In light of continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state of Connecticut and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair has now extended this dispensation from the Sunday obligation through Saturday, November 28, 2020, which is the last day of the current liturgical year.

This year out of an abundance of caution and to ensure we keep with guidelines set by the CDC, state, and the local health department, the Religious Education team has decided to offer classes using a hybrid model.  What this means is that the majority of classes will take place virtually, however, there will be some events that will take place in person.  Those in person events will have reduced numbers, face coverings, and social distancing. More information will be communicated to all registered families.

In February 2020, Father Matera nominated Joanne Russell to receive the Archdiocesan St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation. Today we celebrated our co-worker but more importantly our friend, Joanne Russell. Congratulations on receiving The St. Joseph Medal. Your talents, your kindness, and support that you share with The Parish of St. Mary's encompasses all that this Medal represents.

Open to those students being confirmed this fall. Since many of the confirmation students have not seen one another since March, we decided to have a Social Distance Picnic. At Trinita Retreat Center, on 8/28, 5-8PM. RSVP to youth ministry required.

May is a month that the church dedicates to Mary and we honor her each year by crowning the statue that sits outside our church and school with flowers. This year, given the circumstances, our May Crowning took on a virtual form, with students from St. Mary's School and First Communion families from our St. Mary's Religious Education program combining to honor Mary as the Queen of Heaven. Click to the video

In light of the request to maintain physical distancing, it will be necessary to postpone our Granny's Attic Thrift Sale and the prerequisite donation drop off timetables. We hope that you are able to hold on to your donation items until a new date can be set for this important fundraiser. For those of you who have kindly volunteered to help, we thank you and hope to see you soon!! Please keep watch for more information. Stay safe and God Bless! Your Granny's Attic team, Peg, Ann, Jane and Stephanie.

We will install plaques with names of all who donated toward the Campus Connection project. There are lists in the Reception area for parishioners to review and initial that your information is correct. The lists will be available through Sunday, March 8th.