Keeping Us Connected Newsletter


October 11, 2024




Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness

without which no one will see the Lord.

– Hebrews 12:14


St. John Henry Newman


Dear Saint Mary Friends,


Bishop Caggiano asks that a collection be taken up this weekend for Hurricane Relief in Florida and the Carolinas. Funds will be sent to Catholic Charities USA.


Please note a Pre-election Holy Hour for our Country on Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 PM. Political candidates are ubiquitous and financial backers are spreading their cash, but most importantly, we need to put things in proper order: Love and Worship God, acknowledge Him as the Highest Lord, and ask for his wisdom, healing, and grace upon grace.


Also, I cannot recommend strongly enough the Disciples for Life Retreat coming up October 25-27. Parishioners have become new creations by making the retreat.


Saint John Henry Newman

Wednesday was the Feast of the great English Saint, John Henry Newman, a convert from Anglicanism, considered one of the finest minds of his time and perhaps the century’s greatest writer in the English Language.


His life spanned the 19th century (1801-1890). At 15 he had a religious experience that he described as an “inward conversion of which I was conscious (and of which I still am more certain than that I have hands and feet).”


He settled at Oxford University. There he saw the danger in the liberal thought that doctrine did not matter. The more that took hold, the weaker he saw faith and worship become. He was a leader in an Anglican movement to restore right worship and order. 

And then….


In doing a monumental translation of Church writings of the first Christian centuries, he realized that "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." He asked himself if the early giants of the Faith, Athanasius, John Chrysostom, Augustine, or Ambrose returned today, where would they recognize their church?


At the price of losing prestige, position and friendships, he was received into the Catholic Church and was ordained a priest. His writings and sermons are priceless insights regarding grace, the beauty of Christ and his Church, and human fallibility.

Some Examples


On God’s Providence: “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace…if I do but keep His commandments.


Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.” – (Meditations on Christian Doctrine, I)


On Mary: There is no part of the history of Jesus but Mary has her part in it. There are those who profess to be His servants, who think that her work was ended when she bore Him, and after that she had nothing to do but disappear and be forgotten. But we, O Lord, Thy children of the Catholic Church, do not so think of Thy Mother.


She brought the tender infant into the Temple, she lifted Him up in her arms when the wise men came to adore Him. She fled with Him to Egypt, she took Him up to Jerusalem when He was twelve years old. He lived with her at Nazareth for thirty years. She was with Him at the marriage-feast. Even when He had left her to preach, she hovered about Him. And now she shows herself as He toils along the Sacred Way with His cross on His shoulders. Sweet Mother, let us ever think of thee when we think of Jesus, and when we pray to Him, ever aid us by thy powerful intercession. (Short Meditations on the Stations of the Cross, 4th Station: Jesus Meets His Mother)


On Human Weakness: "The aim of most men deemed religious is not how they might please God, but how they might please themselves without displeasing God." (Plain and Parochial Sermons, IV,2 “Obedience Without Love”)

 

I encourage you to read him. He will not disappoint.

Blessings,

Msgr. Kevin T. Royal

Pastor

Weekly Bulletin

Sunday, October 13

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

VIEW

Reflection

The Gift of Family: Living as God has Called us to Love

by Deacon George Kain


READ

Video

Lead Kindly Light by St. John Henry Newman 

Special Collection This Weekend


INFO

Winter Clothing Drive for Refugee Family

Donation deadline - October 16 flyer



SIGN UP

Call for Table Hostesses

Advent by Candlelight, Dec 11



INFO

Hospitality Help...Bake...Buy



INFO
Sign Up

Deacon Sunday - Oct 13

A day to encourage vocations to the diaconate and to recognize the dedication of deacons and their families. Thank you Deacons Salvestrini, Lawlor, and Kain!



INFO

Parish Watch Party

The Chosen Season 4

October 13 & 20, School Hall

INFO

D4L Adult Retreat

October 25-27

A Reflection & Personal Invitation


INFO

Pre-election Holy Hour for Our Country

Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 PM in the Church

Mothers' Club Meeting

Second Tuesday of the Month

8:00PM in the Barn

INFO

High School Youth Group

No meeting this Sunday due to the Columbus Day holiday. We will be back October 20, 6:00 - 8:00pm

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PARISH LIFE

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LINKS & UPDATES

St. Mary Addiction & Recovery Group - Thursdays

Medicare Counseling

Mater Salvatoris Open House - Oct 18 - Middle School and High School

Are you Virtus Compliant?

World Mission Sunday - October 20

Catholic Charities Celebrity Breakfast, October 24, 7-9AM, Amber Room, Danbury

INFO

Birthright Needs Volunteers

Training provided. Locations in Norwalk and Danbury

INFO
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