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ST. PAUL PARISH
A Franciscan Family of Faith
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Peace be with you! We hope you will join us during this most sacred week to remember the sorrowful passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to celebrate His glorious Resurrection.
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Please let us know if you have any questions or comments about this April issue of our parish newsletter!
Note that some browsers may truncate this email, and you may need to click "View entire message" at the bottom to read all the news!
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The image above shows Michelangelo's famous Pieta at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The sculpture depicts the Blessed Mother "cradling the dead body of her son Jesus in her loving arms...." Click here to read more about this "most perfect block of marble".
As the weather turns warmer and the days get longer, come sit by our Pieta statue in the Prayer Garden near the Parish Green!
"Look at Mary’s left hand. Exposed, it softly invites us to meditate on the death of her Son."
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Holy Week
The complete schedule for Holy Week and Easter can be found here.
This holy season presents us with an opportunity to pray for people in our lives who are away from the Faith.
Consider inviting a family member or friend to join you this week or on Easter Sunday!
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Ushers and Greeters Needed
Our Usher and Greeter Ministry is looking for a few more volunteers to help out during Holy Week.
If you are interested, please click here for the SignUp. Thank you!
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Chrism Mass
Archbishop Leonard Blair will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. All are welcome to attend.
Click here to read Fr. Joe's explanation of this special Mass (in case you missed it in the bulletin).
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The National Shrine of Divine Mercy is located nearby in Stockbridge MA, less than two hours away. Click here to learn more about the Shrine or to plan a visit.
Also, located on the grounds of the Shrine is The Divine Mercy Intercessory Prayer Ministry, an apostolate of the Association of Marian Helpers.
Click on the video or here to see behind the scenes and hear how the intercessors offer an ear and a prayer to countless people who call the Prayer Line.
"No matter how upside down our world gets, God is still in control."
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The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday and continues until Divine Mercy Saturday.
You can join together with thousands of people in praying this novena!
Click here for the prayer.
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Vocations
It's a miracle! We got all four of our friars together in one place for a group photo!
For those who are new to our parish or who don't know who's who - pictured left to right are Fr. Martin, Fr. Michael, Fr. Joe and Fr. Raymond.
The Archdiocese of Hartford and the Franciscan Friars will continue to highlight the need for religious vocations throughout this year.
We invite you to keep this intention in your prayers.
Here is the Vocations Prayer that we will pray together during Mass for the rest of the year.
Click here for vocations information from Franciscan Voice.
Click here for vocations information from the Archdiocese of Hartford.
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We recently came across an incredible vocation story of a West Point grad.
Click here for the article or click on the image to watch the YouTube video.
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Saints of the Season
April 29 - Saint Catherine of Siena
Patron against fire, people ridiculed for their piety, nurses, sick people, miscarriages and more
Click here for 11 Fascinating Facts about the Life of St. Catherine of Siena
Known for her holiness, St. Catherine was a mystic, theologian, philosopher, and spiritual advisor. Famously, she helped convince Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome (the papacy had resided in Avignon, France for decades). Today, she is generally revered as one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church.
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” -Saint Catherine of Siena
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CULTURE OF LIFE
There has been a lot of activity this year on issues related to the protection of human life.
Thank you to our Culture of Life Ministry for keeping us updated on these issues, especially in cases where the public is given very little time to react to scheduled hearing dates.
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HB 6618 "Abortion Tourism" legislation would force Connecticut taxpayers to cover not only the cost of abortions for low-income women from other states, but also to pay for their travel and hotel expenses. Click here to learn more.
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SJ 42 would amend the State Constitution to allow for abortion at any time during pregnancy. Click here to read the resolution.
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Members of our Culture of Life Ministry participated in the 2nd Annual Connecticut March for Life on March 22, 2023! Click here or on the image to see photos and a video!
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Assisted Suicide: Coming for Connecticut?
On May 1st at 6:30pm, our Culture of Life Ministry will host a special presentation about Assisted Suicide by Peter Wolfgang, Executive Director of the Family Institute of CT.
The event will be held in the school gym. Click on the image for details.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more about our St. Paul Parish Culture of Life Ministry, please email Ashley at
respectlife@stpaulkensington.org.
Additional pro-life resources:
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Religious Education
In case you missed it, our Religious Ed program sponsored a Host Making presentation for our 3rd grade students on March 18th.
The event received excellent reviews by students and parents alike!
Sister Jeanne d’Arc and Danna of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden guided our students in making hosts while imparting to them the great importance of this incomparable sacrament of our Faith.
These hosts made by the students will be used at their 1st Communion on May 13!
Click here to see pictures!
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Upcoming dates:
Confirmation - Saturday, May 6 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford
First Holy Communion - Saturday, May 13 here at St. Paul Church
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Our Parish School
Saint Paul School will host an Open House on Sunday, April 23 between 9am and 11am.
Come see all that Saint Paul School has to offer!
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Registration for Saint Paul Summer Camp 2023 is now open!
Click here for forms and details.
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Eucharistic Revival
The National Eucharistic Revival which began in 2022, will continue through 2025.
It is incredible that during this movement, a possible Eucharistic miracle has been reported at a Connecticut church, St. Thomas in Thomaston.
Click here to read the story and hear Fr. Joseph Crowley explain.
The Archdiocese of Hartford is looking into the story. Their March 28 statement on the potential miracle includes the following:
"What has been reported to have occurred at our parish church in Thomaston, of which Blessed Michael McGivney was once Pastor, if verified, would constitute a sign or wonder that can only be attributed to divine power to strengthen our faith in the daily miracle of the Most Holy Eucharist. It would also be a source of blessing from Heaven for the effort that the U.S. Bishops are making to renew and deepen the faith and practice of our Catholic people with regard to this great Sacrament. Until the investigation is complete, however, any judgment or further comment would be premature."
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In another fascinating story of the Eucharist, an Australian lawyer-turned-filmmaker Ron Tesoriero, explains how science indicates the miraculous and real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Click here to watch the interview on LifeSite News. | | |
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Youth Retreat
Our parish Youth Ministry is excited to present an opportunity for a retreat this summer, July 21-23. The retreat, open to youth 13-18 years old, will take place in North East, Maryland.
Click on the flyer for details, and if you are interested or would like more information, email Dan Tome at d.tome@stpaulkensington.org
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HomeFront
This year's HomeFront project sponsored by our Social Action Ministry will take place on Saturday, May 13.
This volunteer-driven program provides free home repairs to low-income homeowners, enabling them to remain in their homes. Volunteers work with professionals to repair, paint, and improve yard conditions.
If you would like to volunteer, please click here to sign up!
All volunteers age 14+ are enthusiastically welcomed. You can work the entire day (begins at 7:30 a.m.) or any window of time that works for you. Lunch and snacks are provided.
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Helping Hands
Our Helping Hands Ministry provides support to our senior citizens, many of whom are alone or homebound or separated from their loved ones.
Volunteers are needed to make occasional phone calls to our seniors, to stop by to check on them once in a while, to help them with some simple chores and to let them know we care about them.
If you would like to volunteer or if you or a loved one need a Helping Hand, please contact Mark or Mary Jane Duplin at mfduplin@outlook.com or 860-666-0162 or click here.
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Catholic High School
Considering Catholic High School for your 7th or 8th grader, or for your current high school student?
Contact Admissions today to learn how your child can receive an excellent Catholic education and so much more!
Ask about financial assistance!
East Catholic, Manchester
Mercy, Middletown
Pre-Placement Test on April 29th!
Northwest Catholic, West Hartford
Open House on April 23rd!
St. Paul Catholic, Bristol
Open House on Monday April 3rd!
Xavier, Middletown
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Archbishops Annual Appeal
Just a reminder that the 2023 Archbishop's Annual Appeal is underway. Click here for details.
Our parish goal for 2023 us $108,000, unchanged from last year. Thank you to all who donate to this important initiative!
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Visit our website and social media pages to stay informed on all that's happening in our parish! | |
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"if then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
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This Epistle Online newsletter aims to be a helpful resource, providing information about happenings in our parish and sharing content on both spiritual and practical matters related to our Catholic faith. The Epistle is so named as a tribute to Saint Paul, our patron, whose letters to the earliest Christians still guide and inform us today. Thank you for reading our newsletter. God Bless. | | | | |
