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|  St. Paul Church 485 Alling Street Kensington CT 06037 The Epistle Online: February 6, 2016 |
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The Epistle Online
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We hope this newsletter will be a helpful resource, providing information about what's
going on 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 our patron, Saint Paul, whose letters to the earliest Christians still guide and inform us today.
Thank you to those who have provided feedback, letting us know that you appreciate
The Epistle and sharing thoughts on what you'd like to see in the future editions.
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Lent 2016
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Ash Wednesday
February 10th, 2016
7am, 9am,
5pm & 7pm
Prayer Service at Noon
Ashes will be distributed at the masses
and the prayer service.
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Our Faith
Lent and Tim McGraw
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Lent begins on February 10th....
If you need a refresher, take a look at this video,
"Ash Wednesday and Lent in 2 Minutes":
There are many ways to observe this season of penance and prayer.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Pray the Stations of the Cross.
(If you're a new Catholic or if you're unfamiliar with these practices, click on the links for more info.)
All are welcome to come to the church every Monday, 7-8 pm throughout Lent & the
Year of Mercy. The Friars will be in the church to hear confessions, to pray with you, to listen to you, to give advice, etc.
No appointment needed. Just come!
- Practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
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Corporal
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Spiritual |
| Works of Mercy |
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Works of Mercy |
| * Feed the hungry |
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* Counsel the doubtful |
| * Give drink to the thirsty |
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* Instruct the ignorant |
| * Clothe the naked |
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* Admonish the sinners |
| * Shelter the homeless |
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* Comfort the afflicted |
| * Visit the sick |
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* Forgive offenses |
| * Visit the imprisoned |
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* Bear wrongs patiently |
| * Bury the dead |
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* Pray for the living & the dead |
Check out this beautiful video:
T
im McGraw, Humble and Kind.
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Although most practicing Catholics are familiar with the regulations for fasting & abstinence, it's always good to review the rules.
Fasting*: All those 18 and older, until their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and
Good Friday. This means only one full meal is allowed on these days. Two smaller meals, may also be taken according to one's needs, but together, they should not equal a full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted. Liquids are allowed.
Lenten fasting can also accompany Corporal Works of Mercy. For example, we can give up meals and donate the cost of those meals to help those who don't have enough to eat.
Abstinence: All who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday.
*Fasting does
not apply to those whose health or ability to work would be seriously affected. Feel free to contact one of our Friars if you have questions about fasting or abstinence.
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For Families
A few simple ideas
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Here are some family-friendly ways to share a meaningful
Lent and Easter:
Fast from electronics... Send a card to a friend...
This
Lenten calendar
offers daily suggestions to help you and your family have a more meaningful Lenten season. Print and post the calendar in your home. The kids can even put stickers on the calendar for each day or for each one of their good works...
"Resurrection Eggs" are a fun, even
frugal, way to celebrate Easter.
Take a peek at how you can make your
own set of Resurrection eggs with your children.
Enjoy a little time with your parish family over a good meal and a few laughs. This event will take place in the Church Hall and is sponsored by the Family Life Committee.
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Faith and Knowledge
Creation and Rediscovery
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What does Genesis really say about Creation?
Grab a cup of coffee and check out this video ....
Join Fr. Charles and fellow parishioners for a discussion on
Rediscover Jesus
, the gift you received from St. Paul at Christmastime.
Wednesdays, Feb 17th and 24th at 7pm.
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Catholic Schools Week
Why choose Catholic Schools?
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Catholic Schools Week was celebrated during the last week in January, and we want to thank everyone for supporting our parish school and for participating in the activities.
If you're thinking about choosing St. Paul for your child/children or if you're curious about the current state of Catholic schools, take a moment to read these articles:
Why My Kids Go to Catholic School
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Undoubtedly, this school prepares the mind. But by God, it prepares the soul as well. To paraphrase my dad, "Catholic schools are proud of what our kids do, but love them for who they are....
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Ministry of the Month
Our Parish Nurse Ministry
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The
Parish Nurse Ministry encourages and promotes health of the mind, body, and spirit of the church and community through education and prayer. The nurses in this ministry develop educational programs and provide other activities such as blood pressure screening, presentations, flu shot clinics and support groups. The nurses also help connect parishioners with community resources that are available to them.
Many thanks to Judy McCormack and Linda Colella for leading this important ministry! Keep an eye out in the bulletin an on our website for their helpful tips and information.
Click here for ideas
on Lent and Healthy Living.
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Instead of or in addition to giving up something for Lent, consider adding to your health and fitness routine...."
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Our Church Community
Get to Know the Staff
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We hope this section of the newsletter will help you put names with faces and help everyone in our parish family get to know each other better.
Bill DiCicco, our Facilities Manager, has been keep
ing everything up and running here at St. Paul for the past six years. From setting up for events to fixing plumbing issues, Bill's your guy. Having owned his
own plumbing business for many years, Bill knows how to fix things.
Bill works here at the church every weekday until 2:30pm.
Bill is also a Marine Corp veteran, serving for six years and working primarily in the area of avionics/electronics.
Thank you for your service Bill!
Although the parish work keeps him very busy, Bill also finds time to work as a plumbing handyman and to enjoy his favorite hobby, cars. He's pictured here with his 1968 Plymouth Road Runner, which he drives from MD to NH for 'stock appearing' and drag racing events. (Note the large trophy.) Bill and his wife Pamela live in Bristol with their teenage son, Derek.
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You may know that we missed our budgeted End of the Year Appeal goal by around $10,000.
Once again, I attribute this to the impact of the Capital Campaign. People are still completing their pledges.
With the $55,000 we raised, we will abate the second floor of the school and replace some floor finishes. We will also replace some of the doors in church, which are 50 years old and beyond repair.
As always, thank you for your contributions. We are now able to begin working on some needed projects. We could not complete these tasks without you. God bless you for your participation in our End of the Year Appeal.
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February 2016 Calendar
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| Feb 8th |
Mercy Monday, 7 -8 pm in the church |
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Feb 8th
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Registration for New Parishioners, church hall, 7 pm
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| Feb 10th |
Ash Wednesday (See Mass Schedule, above)
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| Feb 12th |
Stations of the Cross, 7 pm |
| Feb 13th |
(Saturday) 13th of the Month Rosary, Noon |
| Feb 15th |
Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, 7 - 8 pm Mercy Monday |
| Feb 17th |
Parish Discussion -Rediscovery of Jesus, 7 pm church hall
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| Feb 19th |
Stations of the Cross, 7 pm |
| Feb 20th |
Family, Food and Fun (All are invited after the 4 pm Mass)
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| Feb 22nd |
Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, 7 - 8 pm Mercy Monday
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| Feb 24th |
Parish Discussion -Rediscovery of Jesus, 7 pm church hall |
| Feb 26th |
Stations of the Cross, 7 pm |
Feb 29th
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Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, 7 - 8 pm Mercy Monday
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| Mar 5th |
Knights of Columbus Annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner |
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Check our web calendar for details on all our events! |
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PASS IT ON
Please forward this Newsletter to a family member or friend so they too will have an opportunity to learn something new and to see all the great things that are happening at
Saint Paul Church.
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"For it is in giving that we receive."
-Saint Francis of Assisi
A Ministry of the Conventual Franciscan Friars,
Our Lady of the Angels Province
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