A successful collection. See how full the truck and a van was loaded, plus a second pick up was needed [Login to view all the photographs in the picture gallery].  The pictures do not include all of the confirmation students that helped - others left earlier.

Confirmation Community Collection: April 25, 2015 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Organizations benefiting from the collection:

A Hand Up, Inc (household items to help furnish apartments for people transitioning from shelters to independent living)
The Cromwell Home for Children (used books levels 3rd grade to high school for children in crisis and their families)
The Catholic Worker House (used bicycles)
The Food Pantry at St. Michael's Church (paper and plastic grocery bags)
House of Bread  (collectibles, costume jewelry and small household items and decorations for the Thrift Shop)

Looking for something fun to do over April break? All high school students are invited to come to Teen Night in the church hall for fun games, snacks, and a movie! We hope to see you all there.

The next meeting will be held in the church’s basement on Wednesday, April 29th at 7:00pm.

On Saturday, April 18th the construction of the garden beds will begin. Volunteers are greatly appreciated. The rain date will be on Saturday, April 26th.

The garden dedication will be on Sunday, May 17th after the 10:30 Mass.  Anyone is welcome to come and celebrate the blessing of the garden.

While it's Easter, our world still looks more like Good Friday. What makes the Good Friday story so devastating is that it is still so true . Politicians still are swayed by the mob (though we call it "poll driven agenda"); violence continues; goodness is mocked. Often those who are the outlaws in sports and media are preferred, becoming role models for our young. We repeat the cry of those in Jerusalem who shouted, "We want Barabbas!" instead of the one who healed, forgave and challenged people not to settle for outward show over interior depth.

I often wondered about the guy who showed up at every major sporting event with the sign saying “John 3:16.”  He was at the Masters, PGA, the World Series, Final Four, and others.  How did he manage to get tickets?  Was he rich?  He couldn’t have snuck in since he had an afro dyed in at least three colors.  He was almost always right in camera range, holding up his sign for all the world to see.  Talk about evangelization!

Easter Sunday, April 5

For all who have signed up to participate:

Food prep volunteers please arrive at the church by 2:00 pm on Sunday.

SVdP servers please arrive at church by 3:30 pm on Sunday.

Sealed hams can be left in the church fridge any time during Holy Week when the church is open during Parish Office Hours or for Holy Week Masses.

Salads and desserts can be dropped off Friday through Sunday when the church is open for Holy Week and Easter Masses.

Hot veggies and potatoes should be dropped off no later than 2:00 pm on Sunday.

Questions?  Call Paulette Adams at 860-295-8065

In 1967 Aretha Franklin recorded a song entitled “Respect.” That could be another title for the Ten Commandments, the Decalogue. They are all about respect:

    For God’s mystery, name and the Sabbath Day;
    for parents, elders, and those who have legitimate authority over us;
    for oneself and others;
    for life;
    for relationships;
    for reputations;
    for honesty;
    for property.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

For Christians, respect is not enough. It has to be followed with obedience.

~Fr. Sas, March 8 Homily

The 3rd Sunday of Lent

Great care has gone into the choice of readings during the Sundays of Lent. The Old Testament readings present some aspect of Israel's salvation history as it prepared for and prefigured the Christ event. The 2nd readings, drawn from the early Church's letters, focus on the way believers make the gift of salvation their own, especially through baptism. The Gospels of Lent center on Jesus and the moments of his ministry that led to the ultimate gift of himself on the cross and the victory of resurrection. Today's readings center on the themes of water, covenant and baptism.

"Alright everyone, get your foreheads ready because Lent is coming! ‘Tis the season of ashes, sacrifices, singing anything but “Alleluia,” and the color purple. You can usually tell because all of the Catholic websites and media sources in the galaxy (including us here at Life Teen) are posting blogs about what to give up for Lent."

Read the rest of this interesting article at http://lifeteen.com/7-reasons-to-use-your-phone-more-this-lent/

When we hear the word "greed", we almost automatically think about money or possessions. Certainly Qoheleth and Jesus are referring to them, Qoheleth about the vanity about working so hard to accumulate wealth with an anxious heart; Jesus speaking a parable about a man who used "I" more times than is found in Mississippi. Paul continues that theme by advising to "seek what is above, not of what is on earth" and "to put to death...immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry" which is like worshipping a false god.
 
Greed puts the emphasis on me, my ego, the big fat "I". That was the problem of the man in the parable. It was all about him, not sharing his good fortune with the people who worked his land for him but thinking of his own future comfort. He lived a life that was the very opposite of Christian ethos. Instead of giving, he was hoarding.  
 
But Jesus adds: "Take care to guard against all greed." What could he possibly mean? Again, greed puts the emphasis on me, my ego, the big fat "I".
 
For each of us, the answer to all greed might be a bit different, but here are some possibilities:

• Do I always have to be right?
• Do I always want my own way?
• Do I seek and ask of others perfection?
• Do I try to please everyone so everyone will like me?

It isn't all about me and mine. As we learned last week in praying the Our Father, it's about us and our.

“Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the Lord intends?”¹

In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem. The great crowd of followers expected him to be welcomed as the Christ, the Messiah; and, they were hoping to bask in his reflected glory.

Not so fast!

Jesus suddenly turns and cries out: