Third Sunday in Ordinary Time—January 26, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ:

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK has arrived…each year during the month of January and in particular this last week of the month across the nation we celebrate Catholic Schools. How blessed we are here at Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish to have a parish school as part of the vibrancy and life of our parish family. I truly believe that parishes with a school are blessed in a particular way as a school provides unique opportunities for building up families and the parish family that parishes without a school do not have. I have seen this firsthand throughout my priesthood and, most especially, during my time here.

What a treasure we have here in our parish! Let’s make sure it is NOT a hidden one. When I first came to town some referred to the school as a hidden treasure. But we do not want the school to be hidden. Recently, while out to eat, I was soliciting for our annual school auction. While speaking to the owner of the restaurant someone seated near me asked where is this school? I said it is on the property of Saint Bridget Church near Rite Aid. He lived in town for over ten years but he never knew there was a school here. Obviously he was not a Catholic. This encounter provided me the chance to speak about our school and proudly share with him all that the school offers to our students and the many ways in which our students reach out to the wider community. At the end of our conversation, he said “I cannot believe I never knew there was a school there when you all do so much for others.” This was another sign to me of our need to speak about our parish school every opportunity we have.

What makes me most proud about our parish school is that our young people learn daily that faith in God is at the heart of their total education and has an essential place in their everyday lives. It is of course obvious to all that not all of our Catholic young people have the opportunity to attend a Catholic school, as I myself did not. In fact, the majority of our school-age children attend public schools and a fair number of families choose to educate their children at home. In these cases, they rely on the religious education that is so diligently provided in our parish and in our family homes. The Church’s regard for these students and their families is also clear and unambiguous.

For now, as we mark Catholic Schools Week in our parish school, we as a family of faith can only offer our admiration for the many fine teachers, administrators, staff, and benefactors of our parish school. They deserve our thanks for their commitment, and for the many sacrifices they make to teach and form the young people of our parish. And, I must personally express my gratitude to the many parents and families who make it possible, at times making sacrifices, for their children to attend Catholic schools. Without the high level of parental involvement that our school enjoys, they could not achieve the success we have seen for so many years.

Though NOT a product of Catholic Schools myself, I AM a strong proponent of Catholic Schools and not just simply because I am a priest. I am a proponent of Catholic Schools because I have witnessed firsthand what makes Catholic Schools, and particularly our own Saint Bridget School, such a wonderful center for faith-based learning and academic excellence.

Our parish school is ready and willing to assist ALL parishioners in educating your child or children. Saint Bridget School, which reopened in 1994, 25 YEARS AGO this school year, offers students a faith-based, challenging curriculum designed to promote academic excellence in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 8. Committed educators guide our students through the day with lessons in faith development, math, language arts, social studies, geography, science, Spanish (grades PreK-8), music, art, and physical education.

Our curriculum includes the use of state-of-the-art computer and science labs as well as an extensive library. We are thrilled with the presence of three religious sisters in our day-to-day operations: Sister Francesca and Sister Jeanne d’Arc, from the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist on faculty; and, of course, Sister Patricia Cigrand, ASCJ, our Pastoral Associate from the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose office is located in the school. In addition, Father Federico and I visit classrooms and visit our students as often as we can and we are privileged to celebrate Mass with the entire school community EVERY Friday at 9 AM.

I believe the academic success and the personal growth of our students is accomplished because we as a Catholic School are a family. We are a family of faith, where the students are part of a larger school family; where they are taught the importance of caring for one another, showing respect for one another; and where they are taught to live out Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you.” Nothing gives me greater joy than to see them caring for one another whether it be an older student helping a younger one with their homework in the after school program, or an older student sitting with our youngest students at weekly Mass and teaching them about Mass. It is truly heartwarming to see the care and concern for one another displayed by our students, our faculty, and all our families.

A question often posed is: “Why should I consider a Catholic school when the public schools offer a great education?” I always begin with the long standing tradition the Catholic Church has in educating our young people to a higher degree of success. Saint Bridget School is one of the highest scoring schools within the Archdiocese of Hartford in standardized tests. Catholic schools, and it is true for our parish school, establish a spirit of faith, family, and community in their students. The education our students receive at Saint Bridget School stays with them their entire lives and can be the basis from which they orient themselves with the world. It also encourages them to remain grounded in the Catholic faith while they reach to fulfill their dreams. Our students enter our school to learn and leave to serve as disciples of Jesus.

Catholic schools expect and guide their students to become successful citizens by

encouraging them to develop their God-given potential and use the talents God has blessed them with to further the building of their character. The institution of faith that our school and a Catholic education are built upon encourages the students to remain grounded in the Catholic faith while they reach to fulfill their dreams. From this strong foundation, we build our students’ character, their understanding of the world around them, and a strong sense of faith while we model for them how to see the needs of the less fortunate and motivate them to respond to those needs.

In recent years we have heard a lot about Common Core State Standards, and we have had many parents come to our doors with questions and concerns regarding the Common Core State Standards. I want to assure those with questions that Saint Bridget School, in keeping with the position of the Archdiocese of Hartford, does not adopt or follow those standards, we do not stop at minimum expectations for our students.

We are charged with exceeding national standards and so continue to implement curriculum that provides a challenging course, grounded in basic skills necessary for students to develop foundational skills that lead to higher, more complex thinking skills, rooted in Gospel values, and integrating Catholic social teaching across all disciplines, ensuring the development of the whole child. Students graduating from Saint Bridget School exceed state and national benchmarks, evidenced by our exemplary standardized test scores and high performance on high school placement exams. Most importantly, we truly educate the whole child: academically, socially, and spiritually.

What will you find in Saint Bridget School for your child or children?

· Faith Based Learning with a Real World Approach

· Spanish Language from PreK3 to Grade 8

· Advanced Studies and Curriculum Resources

· Smart Boards, 1 to 1 Chromebooks in the Middle School, iPads and other technology in all other grades

· Athletic Fields and a Gymnasium

· Sports Programs including Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Cross-Country, Cheerleading, and Soccer

· Air-Conditioning throughout our facility

· Extra-curricular activities such as Robotics Club, LEGO Club, & more

· A Diverse Student Body

· Small Class Sizes with Differentiated Learning at ALL Grade Levels

· Enrichment Programs and Family Events

· Tuition Assistance

· Weekly Mass as a school family and Adoration

I want every family, with school age children, in our parish to feel that Saint Bridget School is an option for them. We have an Open House TODAY, January 26, from 10AM until 1pm. This is a great opportunity for you to come and visit our school. I encourage all parents and extended family members to come and see all that Saint Bridget School offers. Our extraordinary and dedicated faculty and staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and tours will be offered by our current students. Please come and see what Saint Bridget School could offer your child or children. I hope to see you at the Open House!

Speaking of the School and our 25th Anniversary Year, I want to remind ALL of you that we are having our Annual School Auction and WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Saint Bridget School Home and School Association is gearing up for the annual Auction with this year’s theme Country and Cocktails! This is the major fundraiser of the year for our school.

WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!

We all need to come together and support our parish school and the Annual Auction. Ways you can help:

1. You can mark your calendars and plan to join us at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Friday, February 21st, 2020, for a great night of food and fellowship as well as the chance to win a raffle item or an auction item.

2. You can place an ad in the evening’s program book or become a sponsor. Ads run anywhere between $50-550 and the sponsorships cost between $500-5,000.

3. You can donate an item for the silent or live auction, such as sporting event tickets, theatre tickets, bikes, grills, jewelry, televisions or electronics of all kinds, golf foursomes to local golf courses or Country Clubs, overnight stays to a nice place, or any item you think will solicit support for our school.

PLEASE help us make this year’s Annual Auction a SUCCESS. It is the 25th year since the reopening of our parish school and helping to make this year’s auction a success will be a great way to celebrate these past years and prepare for a bright future. For more information about the auction or to sponsor us, please visit the school’s website at https://stbridgetschool.ejoinme.org/sbsauction2020.

Last Saturday, Father Federico was able to visit the men from our parish family who were on retreat. Each year we, as your parish priests, make it a priority that one of us get to the retreat that our parish men and women attend, if possible, depending on funerals, weddings, and other commitments. This past Saturday Father Federico was pleased to join the men of our parish at lunch during their retreat and hear how much they were enjoying a little time away for spiritual refreshment and renewal. There is still to come in 2020 another weekend for the men of our parish in early May and a weekend for the women of our parish in mid-March. Would you consider joining them? Details will be in future bulletins.

As always, remember to pray for our parish families and ask God’s blessings as we build His kingdom here. Please know that I am praying for you, and I ask for your prayers for me, that together through the intercession of Saint Bridget of Sweden, our Patroness, and united in the Eucharist, we will reflect the presence of Jesus to the world.

The Church's big problem: A "Land of Confusion"

Who likes poking fun at their parents for their old music? I know I do! My parents grew up in the 1970s and 80s, and my dad especially listens to all kinds of stuff that sounds NOTHING like the music that's on the radio today. Bands with funky names like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and Fine Young Cannibals (then again, we have some pretty strange band names today, too). Now, don't hear what I'm not saying, this stuff is not bad music. I'm just saying that it sounds different than what we're used to today, and isn't necessarily a young person's first listening choice.

Now with all that being said, I'm going to talk about one of those "old" songs (apologies to anyone who's reading this and feeling super old themselves). The song is called Land of Confusion, and it came out in 1986. There's a link to the (kinda creepy) music video below, but the song itself is definitely worth checking out! Interestingly enough, the band who released it was called Genesis! If that's not a good enough reason to view their song through the lens of faith, I don't know what is. Fun fact, the lead singer of Genesis is Phil Collins, the guy who did the music for Tarzan! He's also responsible for the coolest measure of drums EVER (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA go to 3:07, just trust me).

But okay, why does this song matter? A lot of people, myself included, say that this is a really difficult time for the Church. But why is that? I would argue that the biggest problem the Church faces today, the one that's the root cause of many other problems, is that the world is in a state of intense and dangerous confusion. Confusion about what's important in life, confusion about what the Church actually teaches on hot-button issues, confusion on just about everything! As the pre-chorus of Land of Confusion goes, "There's too many men, too many people, making too many problems, and there's not much love to go around."

Now, I could sit here and rant about how crazy and confused the world is all day, but that wouldn't do us any good. Instead, our question is clear: what do we do about it? Genesis has us covered there, too! The chorus is as follows: "Now, this is the world we live in, and these are the hands we're given. Use them and let's start trying to make it a place worth living in." I find that kind of powerful! The world is the world. It is flawed and imperfect, and that's how it's supposed to be.

As Catholics, we believe that the Earth is simply a dim reflection of eternal life in Heaven. If that's the case, it makes sense that things are kinda rough down here sometimes! I think we're called to take a cue from Genesis (the band, as well as the book) and do something about it. Instead of griping about how much the world stinks, or how many people have left the Church, we should work to make things better! Volunteer at Mass, work to live out the teachings of Christ in your every day life as an example to others, even join your local youth group (gee, wonder where that could be).

The world is flawed, and will remain flawed. That ain't changing. What can change is us! Jesus tells us that His kingdom is "not of this world," and we are therefore called to bring His kingdom TO this world. One last line from Land of Confusion: "We're not just making promises that we know we'll never keep." Amen to that! We profess each Sunday that we are Catholics and that we aim to live out the teachings of Christ. Saying it is one thing, but actually doing it? Letting our faith direct our life decisions instead of merely influencing them? That's easier said than done.

I gave you a couple of examples earlier, but only you can decide how to live out your faith and make the world a better place. That's the beauty of Catholicism, there are infinite ways to live out your faith for the Glory of God! That's one of the main focuses of this Youth Ministry program, to help you find ways to express and live out your faith that work for YOU, personally! Ways to rise above this "Land of Confusion" and show the world what it means to be a Disciple of the Living God. That fires me up, and my prayer is that it will fire you up in your faith as well.

See you soon and God Bless,

Regis

Land of Confusion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq7FKO5DlV0

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time—January 19, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ:

Well, here we are gathered for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time…while I love

Christmas and all that occurs during the Christmas Season it is good to be back into Ordinary Time. I love Christmas! If you stopped by the rectory at all during Christmas you would have noticed in a small way that I love to decorate the house for Christmas. Over the years I have gathered quite a collection of nativity scenes from throughout the world and a large number of snowmen. In some way I wish the Christmas Season were longer to enjoy the collection I have gathered, but since it is so short I have decided there is no harm in leaving a few nativities up throughout the year to remind us that God loved us so much He sent His only Son into the world to show us the way to the Father! Jesus is Emmanuel, God is with us, and that is something we can celebrate throughout the year not just during the short weeks of the Christmas Season.

Sometimes we as Catholics can feel perhaps a bit disappointed when we arrive at Ordinary Time. After all, think what we just celebrated in rapid succession: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. WOW. We really celebrated during those weeks that God is with us! But you know what? God is with us in Ordinary Time, too. God is with us in the ordinary events of every day as well. There really is nothing ordinary about life as a Christian if we truly seek to find the Lord in one another whom we encounter. For me as a priest, this is one of the privileged moments of encounter. Whether it is a hospital visit, a sick call, a house blessing, or a simple meeting with a parishioner in the parish office, I am often awed by how Jesus is present in the midst of these moments of encounter. Do you see His presence in your daily encounters? Are you searching for Him like the magi? Look for Him for He is there!

So let’s make Ordinary Time this year Extraordinary! How? Here’s some things we can do to make this happen:

· Attend Sunday Mass as a family

- If you have young children sit in front so the children can see what is happening

· Plan ahead which Mass you will attend

· Read the Sacred Scriptures and get to know the Lord Jesus

- You can locate the daily Mass readings on our myParish app

· Come to daily Mass and begin your day at the Altar of God

· Read about and reflect on the lives of the Saints

· Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and experience the mercy of God

This year why not make Ordinary Time anything but ordinary. Be intentional about your growth in the spiritual life! Visit our parish website for a variety of other programs and events through which you can grow in your faith!

Speaking about Extraordinary encounters…this past Tuesday Father Federico and I gathered with about a dozen of our young adults to share with them our plan for Young Adult Ministry here at Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish. We were excited to share with them about our planned partnership with id 9:16 Ministry whose very existence is to form young adults into intentional disciples of Jesus Christ! We had a chance for them to hear from Peter Burak, Director of id 9:16, who has come to the Archdiocese a few times this past year to speak on a variety of topics including most recently at the meeting of the delegates for the Synod 2020: Grow and Go. Pete shared with them that this Ministry would be more than an event-based ministry. Through this Ministry, we hope to introduce people to Jesus Christ who is the door but also the path that leads to salvation. One of the aims of this ministry is to give young adults the tools necessary to grow in holiness. This will consist of prayer, study, connecting with others, and mission. PLEASE pray for our Young Adults as this group discerns whether God is calling them to be part of our leadership team as we launch this new Ministry in our Parish.

As will be announced this weekend, at this time we are suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood at all Masses. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has indicated that the Influenza Activity is NOW widespread in the State of Connecticut. Therefore, at this time, I have decided that it would be prudent to suspend the distribution of the Precious Blood until such time that it appears the flu outbreak is over.

Other precautions for you to consider during this time include:

1. If you are ill or suspect you are ill with a contagious illness, to stay home and watch the Mass on television. You can get the local Mass from the Office of Radio and Television on WTXX(Channel 10 or 11 on most providers) and also on EWTN.

2. Perhaps not hold hands with those around you during the Lord’s Prayer.

3. At the Sign of Peace consider a verbal greeting to those around you, or exchange peace with a bow and smile instead of a handshake.

That being said, it should also be noted that the whole and entire Christ and the true Sacrament are received under either species as the Council of Trent points out in its document Doctrine on Communion Under Both Species and on Communion of Little Children. “If one, therefore, receives either the Precious Blood or the Sacred Host, he or she receives the fullness of the grace of the Sacrament. That said, when we approach the altar of the Lord and receive the Body of Christ, the Sacred Host, we receive the full grace of the Eucharist just as if we had shared in the Cup of His Blood as well. So receiving only one species, either His Most Sacred Body or His Most Precious Blood we receive the whole Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity.”

The Annual School Auction…The Saint Bridget School Home and School Association is gearing up for the annual Auction with this year’s theme Country and Cocktails! This is the major fundraiser of the year for our school. WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!

We all need to come together and support our parish school and the Annual Auction. Ways you can help:

1. You can mark your calendars and plan to join us at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Friday, February 21st, 2020, for a great night of food and fellowship as well as the chance to win a raffle item, or an auction item.

2. You can place an ad in the evening’s program book or become a sponsor. Ads run anywhere between $50-550 and the sponsorships cost between $500-5,000.

3. You can donate an item for the silent or live auction, such as sporting event tickets, theatre tickets, bikes, grills, jewelry, televisions or electronics of all kinds, golf foursomes to local golf courses or Country Clubs, overnight stays to a nice place, or any item you think will solicit support for our school

PLEASE help us make this year’s Annual Auction a SUCCESS. It is the 25th year since the reopening of our parish school and helping to make this year’s auction a success will be a great way to celebrate these past years and prepare for a bright future.

For more information about the auction or to sponsor us, please visit the school’s website at: https://stbridgetschool.ejoinme.org/sbsauction2020.

SPEAKING OF OUR AMAZING CATHOLIC SCHOOL, I am reminded that next Sunday we celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Saint Bridget School will be holding an OPEN HOUSE NEXT SUNDAY from 10AM-1PM. I personally invite every parishioner to come and visit our school during this open house. Our extraordinary and dedicated faculty and staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and tours will be offered by our current students. Please come and see what Saint Bridget School could offer your child or children or grandchildren. I want every family in our parish, with school age children, to feel that Saint Bridget School is an option for them. Hope to see you at the Open House!

St. Bridget School Principal Search…as you are aware we are still searching for the next Principal of St. Bridget School. I am most grateful to Mrs. Rochefort who has been serving the school as Interim Principal through this time of transition in leadership. The school is running smoothly and it is thanks in large part to her efforts, the support of our administrative team, and our extraordinary faculty and staff.

As announced in November, we are working closely with the Office of Education, Evangelization, and Catechesis. Recently we were given three resumes of experienced principals as potential candidates. We have scheduled the interview process to begin the last week of January. I am most grateful to the members of the Principal Search Committee for their willingness to serve our parish and school through this process.

The Search Committee members are:

Dr. Margaret Palmeri, Chair of Search Committee, Vice-Chair St. Bridget School Board

Mr. Carey Dupont, President and Chief Administrator, Saint Paul Catholic High, Bristol

Mr. Mark Izzo, Trustee of Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish, Business Manager Derby Schools

Mrs. Joan Roczynski, Parishioner and Retired Educator

Mr. Shawn Simpson, Parishioner and Assistant Superintendent Wolcott Public Schools

Please pray for our efforts during this process. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us to the best possible candidate to lead our parish school in the coming years.

As always, remember to pray for our parish family and ask God’s blessings as we build His kingdom here. Please know that I am praying for you, and I ask for your prayers for me, that together through the intercession of Saint Bridget of Sweden, our Patroness, and united in the Eucharist, we will reflect the presence of Jesus to the world!