The Most Holy Trinity—June 16, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ:

First and foremost…on this Father’s Day Weekend I offer to all fathers, grandfathers, uncles, Godfathers, and to all those who fill the role of father in other people’s lives a very HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Please know that each of you are in our prayers.

For some in our parish this is a difficult day; some may be alone on this day away from their children, others may be mourning the recent death of their father or grandfather, and others may be struggling with the reality of not being able to be a father. I assure all of you of our prayers as well.

This is a celebration that has great meaning for me as well since I am not only godfather to my brother’s children and my best friend’s two children, but also as a spiritual father here in the parish. I take my fatherly role very seriously and pray that Saint Joseph helps me each day to make a difference in the lives of those I serve.

May Saint Joseph, foster father to Jesus, pray for all of us. Happy Father’s Day!

The end of the school year brings the excitement of summer and a lesson for us all…As I told the students of our school at the closing Mass for this school year this past Wednesday, summer is a time to relax, and enjoy some fun; but it is not time off from being a disciple. Summer is always a good time for each of us to wind down a little, to enjoy some time outside, to visit with family and friends, and to simply “be”.

Summer brings long days and lots of sunshine, and that is great for all our outdoor activities. But we must never forget that we are always students. We are always learning:

1. pick up a good book and read it at the beach or out on your deck or in your hammock.

2. stay in touch with the world news through your iPad, or any tool of modern technology.

3. and above all observe the example of those around us; emulate those things which you admire about them, and learn from their misgivings.

AND we are also disciples of Jesus all year, INCLUDING THE SUMMER! Summer can be a sort of spiritual retreat for those who have the time to enjoy some peace and quiet and spend time reflecting on our lives. Perhaps grab a spiritual book to read over the summer by the pool. But please never take a break from being a follower of Jesus, never forget that your words and actions are to reflect His presence in the lives of those around you, and never forget to attend Mass throughout the summer so that you can be spiritually fed by the Word of God and His Body and Blood in the Eucharist each Sunday. I know a lot of people travel during the summer, but please make the effort to make Sunday Mass, or daily if you can, a part of your summer experience. If you are traveling a great tool is www.masstimes.org to help you locate a Mass near where you are. My prayer for each of us throughout these coming weeks of summer is that we are rejuvenated physically and spiritually so that when the busyness of our Fall schedules starts up again we will have that strength we need to persevere.

SAVE THE DATES!!!

1. Family Movie Night…please mark your calendars and plan to join us for an Annual Family Movie Night on Saturday, July 20, 2019! We will be holding an outdoor (weather permitting—if it rains it will take place in the gym) movie night near the field. You can bring your own food and beverages or arrange for us to order pizza. Details are still being worked out regarding what movie will be shown and the cost for families with or without food. There will be plenty of time for socializing, and for games for our younger parishioners such as kickball or whiffle ball out on the ball field, and more prior to the movie time. Please save the date and plan to join us.

2. Parish Picnic…The volunteers are hard at work coordinating our Annual Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish Picnic for Sunday, September 15, 2019. We will, once again, begin with an Outdoor Mass on the field at 11AM, and the picnic will follow. I hope you will ALL mark your calendars and plan to attend with your families.

It is with profound joy and enthusiasm that I inform you that we have concluded the search for a new Principal for Saint Bridget School. I am thrilled to share with you that this past Tuesday we announced that I have appointed Mrs. Catherine Szerszen as the next Saint Bridget School Principal. I know the family of Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish and School will join me in welcoming Mrs. Szerszen when she assumes her role on July 1, 2019.

Mrs. Szerszen is a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She also obtained her 6th Year in Educational Leadership, Teacher Supervision, and Evaluation. She brings with her years of experience as a social worker in elementary and middle schools, as well as years of experience as a principal and assistant principal most recently at Pomperaug High School in Southbury.

Mrs. Szerszen brings a caring demeanor, a deep Catholic faith, a commitment to education, and an understanding through experience of what it means to lead the school community.

I am most grateful to our Search Committee including Dr. Margaret Palmeri, Mr. Carey Dupont, Mr. Mark Izzo, Mrs. Joan Roczynski, and Mr. Shawn Simpson for their dedication to our parish school and their assistance in this process.

I am also most confident that Mrs. Szerszen will help build upon the legacy of Saint Bridget School as we move forward seeking innovative ways to carry out our mission of attending “to the spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs of our students within a safe and nurturing environment based upon the Gospel message of Jesus to ‘love one another as I have loved you’ with the goal of empowering each of us to serve the parish and community and make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Mrs. Szerszen stated in her application that her “style has always been a caring one that quickly builds reciprocity with my students, parents, staff, and community stakeholders by demonstrating the Christian principles of respect, morality, integrity, valuing diverse opinions, honesty and commitment.” I am confident we will see this style of leadership prove to be most effective during her tenure as Principal of Saint Bridget School.

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.

Pentecost Sunday—June 9, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ:

This weekend we say goodbye and a BIG thank you to Father Philip O’Neill…These past couple of weeks have been filled with flashbacks from the past four years since receiving word from the Archdiocese of the Military regarding his upcoming officer training.

These flashbacks are sparked by comments made by colleagues, parish staff, and you the people to whom Father O’Neill has ministered to over these past three plus years. You know he has been here for three years as a priest and was here prior to that as a seminarian and as a deacon. My flashbacks or memories are countless. I am thankful for each of these moments of reflection.

Take a moment and think of all that Father O’Neill has done in his time among us. Think of the babies he baptized, the First Communions he celebrated, the number of people who experienced the mercy of God through his ministry both in Confession and in the Sacrament of the Sick. Think of the number of families he ministered to in their moment of grief at the death of a loved one, think of the comfort he brought them through his words and kindness, and think of the prayers he offered for them. Think of all the children who grew in faith through his priesthood both in our school and our religious education program. Think of the Bible Studies he led, the countless homilies he gave, and of course the moments he was present at parish functions both spiritual and social. He spent himself in service to us and for that we are most grateful!

I cannot help but express my personal thanks to Father O’Neill not only for his assistance in expanding the ministries, programs and events of our parish, and for his constant support through the times of change and transition, but also for his personal friendship, support, and encouragement to me. I am most grateful that God blessed us with him as our Parochial Vicar these past years, and I am sincerely grateful to God for the friendship we have developed.

What a blessing it has been to be his first priestly assignment and to watch him grow in his ministry and in the experience of his share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Through these past three years, he learned by experience what it means to be a parish priest. There is an old ancient prayer that really describes the life of a parish priest that I want to share with you. I have shared it with you in the past but at a moment such as this it seems appropriate to share it again. I have prayed with this prayer since I myself was in Seminary. It was written in the nineteenth century by Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire, OP. Here it is:

“To live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasures; to be a member of every family, yet belonging to none; to share all sufferings; to penetrate all secrets, to heal all wounds; to daily go from men to God to offer Him their homage and petitions; to return from God to men to bring them His pardon and hope; to have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity; to bless and to be blest forever. O God, what a life, and it is yours, O Priest of Jesus Christ!”

Thank you Father O’Neill for your ministry among us, thank you for being a great example to all of us, and know that we will miss you! God’s blessings upon you in your new assignment.

PLEASE JOIN US THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON FROM 12-3PM. We will host a “good-bye reception” for him in the Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish Center. We will be serving wine and cheese, as well as some appetizers. Please come by and say thank you and wish him well!

With the departure of Father O’Neill impending I have been asked countless times “so when will we know who is coming?” I have no answer to that question! I wish I did. I have been informed by the Archdiocese that they are working on assigning a replacement but that I should plan to be alone for at least a month. I have made arrangements to help me cover the weekend Masses through mid-July but I will be alone for all weekday obligations!

What does this mean for you? How will this impact your life as a parishioner of Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish? I will continue to do my best as I have tried to do throughout my time here to meet the needs of the families I am here to serve, but being alone in such a large parish will certainly mean that I will need your patience, understanding, and cooperation. It may mean a need for some flexibility in scheduling funerals, meetings, and events. I ask for your prayers for me and for your cooperation. I also ask you to consider how you might be able to pitch in to help in any of the ministries of our parish family and get involved to help make our parish a vibrant presence of faith in our community. Thank you for all you already do, for your support, and for your understanding in the coming weeks. I ask for your prayers!

The priests shortage is real! There is no question about it. In these coming weeks, thanks be to God it will only be a few weeks, I will be alone to serve the Town of Cheshire when only four years ago there were four priests to serve the town. Think about that! Just four years ago! We need to pray! Please consider joining the St. John Vianney Vocation Prayer Society and flood heaven with prayers for more priests!

This program seeks to respond to our Lord's invitation to "Pray to the Master of the harvest to send more laborers." Members of this prayer apostolate commit to pray daily for vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life in whatever way is most comfortable for them:

• Offer the daily prayers for vocations on the holy cards that will be sent to you.

• Pray the Rosary daily for vocations or offer a decade of the Rosary daily.

• Pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament and ask the Master of the Harvest to send more workers for the vineyard.

• Include vocations in your Mass intentions.

• Pray with the Sacred Scriptures using lectio divina for 15 minutes each day and pray that the Word of God burn in the hearts of priests.

• Offer a share of your sufferings/work of penance for the perseverance of priests, deacons, married couples, and consecrated men and women.

• The possibilities are many … it’s up to you!

Members of the society ask the Lord for an increase in the response to God’s call and for the perseverance of priests, deacons, married couples, and those in consecrated life. Members also promise to encourage people to seek their vocation and live it courageously by personal invitation as moved by the Holy Spirit.

There are no dues or mandatory meetings.

Why is prayer important for the work of vocations? Prayer is the support that brings to fruition the seed of the vocation within the men and women who offer their lives to serve Our Lord. It is through the power of prayer that those seeking the priesthood and the consecrated life are sustained and nurtured. It is through the grace of daily prayer that you will partake in the work of building the culture of vocations. You will be a prayerful participant in the priest’s ordination and will have made a key contribution to ensuring that there are priests in the Archdiocese of Hartford to serve future generations. For more information or to register please visit https://www.hartfordpriest.com/prayer-society.html.

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.

Ask Father: What is the proper way to dispose of palms?

The Blessed Palms that we are given on Palm Sunday are sacramentals. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacramentals are “sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church.”[171] Other sacramentals include relics, holy oils, the rosary. Palms are blessed and distributed to the faithful during the celebration of the Passion of the Lord, on Palm Sunday, commemorating the multitude bearing palms who triumphantly led Christ in procession on that day in Jerusalem.

The tradition of blessing palm can be found in writings as far back as the time of Saint Bede the Venerable, 673-735. The liturgy of Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, refers simply to branches. In the prayer of blessing, the priest says, "Almighty ever-living God, sanctify these branches with your blessing, that we, who follow Christ the King in exultation, may reach the eternal Jerusalem through Him. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever." During the procession with the palms the people walk in joyous public demonstration of their loyalty to Christ.

Given that Blessed Palms are sacramental, the Church teaches that they can be disposed of in two ways. First, some parishes will announce, usually just after the beginning of the new calendar year, that they are looking for old palms to be turned in. These parishes then burn the old palm to make the ashes used for the upcoming Ash Wednesday services. The second way to dispose of old palms is to burn the palm yourself and return the ashes to the ground, perhaps by spreading them in a garden.