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Keeping Us Connected Newsletter
September 27, 2024
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Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
--Hebrews 13:2
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Dear Saint Mary Friends,
Let’s reflect on angels. But first, please be sure to check below for specifics regarding Friday’s Midnight Run needs, Saturday’s Shredding Truck ($1.00 per pound), and next Saturday’s (Oct. 6) Rosary in Ballard Park – along with many other opportunities to deepen our life in Christ.
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Welcome back Fr. Michael Novajosky
Many parishioners will remember Fr. Michael Novajosky’s brief stay with us 2 years ago before Bishop Caggiano sent him to study canon law at the Catholic University of America. Father has completed his studies and will be working full-time as a canon lawyer in our Chancery.
Fortunately, the Bishop has appointed Father Novajosky to live at St. Mary’s, but with no assigned duties. However, he’s a generous priest, so you will see him at Mass and around the parish.
Two Feasts: September 29: Holy Archangels and October 2: Guardian Angels
To my mind, our sense of angels is an indicator of the maturity of our faith. Until recent centuries, an angel was seen to elicit fear and awe. Some examples:
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“Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
(Luke 1:30)
“The angel of the Lord appeared to [the shepherds]….they were struck with great fear. The angel said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy.”
(Luke 2:9-10)
“The angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah’.”
(Luke 1:13)
[At the tomb] “An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men.”
(Matthew 28:2-4)
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Angels are before the Throne of God singing “Holy! Holy! Holy!” (Isaiah 6:1-3). They contend with demons (St. Michael).
Angels ministered to Jesus at the beginning and end if his earthly ministry. At the Temptation in the Desert: “Then the devil left him and behold, angels came and ministered to him. (Matthew 4:11). The Agony in the Garden: “‘Father,…take this cup away…still, not my will but yours be done. And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.” (Luke 22:42-23)
There are Guardian Angels: “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
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Angels have been witnessed by many saints – too many to list (Padre Pio, Faustina, Catherine of Siena, and others).
The children at Fatima saw the Angel of Peace/the Angel of Portugal in preparation for seeing Our Lady. Sr. Lucia said, “He shone like a crystal struck by the rays of the sun…“Once he drew near us, he said, ‘Fear not! I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me.”
The Church has a belief that angels surround our altars at every Mass. This belief is often represented artistically, as in the angels on our High Altar, the stained-glass windows in our Adoration Chapel, as well as the doors opening to the Monstrance.
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Angel of Portugal and Children at Fatima
What can we conclude? Our God is supernaturally creative and fruitful. His creative Love overflows in all his creation. Angels are rational spirits created in his Love - “all things visible and invisible.” They may have different roles, but in all things they glorify God - Praising, Instructing, Healing, Guarding, Protecting.
Some educated people may say angels are the product of superstitious and primitive minds from millennia past, but in reality, as we began this reflection, they are clear and present to the spiritually mature. And spiritual maturity takes joy in all God’s creation.
G.K. Chesterton pithily writes: “Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly…. laughter is a leap. It is easy to be heavy: hard to be light. Satan fell by the force of gravity.” (Orthodoxy). They are models for us, and they reflect the humility of their and our Lord.
Lastly, at her Funeral Masses the Church commends her faithful departed to the Lord with the chant “In Paradisum” (May angels lead you into Paradise). See the video below, and make sure “closed caption” is on.
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Msgr. Kevin T. Royal
Pastor
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Weekly Bulletin
Sunday, September 29
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Reflection
Beautiful Blue Skies
by Deacon Rick Lawlor
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Hospitality Hour - After 9AM Mass
Please join us for refreshments and fellowship this weekend, hosted by the Mothers' Club.
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Addiction & Recovery Group Weekly Book Study
Thursdays 7-8:30PM, in the old Adoration Chapel
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Shredding Day Fundraiser
To Benefit St. Mary Parish
September 28, 9AM - 12 Noon
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Bible Study
Calling all Women! Thursday mornings 10-11:30 am in the Barn. Starts October 3.
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Rosary in the Park
October 6, 1:15PM, Ballard Park
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Seniors Lunch
Tuesday, October 8, Noon in the School Hall
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Parish Watch Party
The Chosen Season 4
October 13 & 20, School Hall
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D4L Adult Retreat
October 25-27
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HS Youth Group Meeting
Saturday, Sept 28, 5:30-8PM, Sisters of Life Retreat House in Stamford. Join us for our first meeting of the new school year. Bonfire and cookout. RSVP by 9/26. Info
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St. Mary CYO Travel Basketball Program
Teams: Boys 5th, 6th & 8th / Girls 7th & 8th
Coaching opportunities for Boys 7th and Girls 5th and 6th
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Children's Choir
Rehearsals Tuesdays at 5:30PM Starting October 8 signup
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St. Mary Pre-School Open House
Thursday, October 10, 9:30AM
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Meals on Wheels 50th Anniversary
October 6, 4-7PM, Lounsbury House
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Life Chain
October 6, 2:30-3:30PM, Danbury
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Birthright Needs Volunteers
Training provided. Locations in Norwalk and Danbury
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St. Mary Parish
55 Catoonah Street
Ridgefield CT 06877
203-438-6538
www.smcr.org
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