Dear Friends in Christ:
A REMINDER, first and foremost…as we continue to welcome our parishioners back to the celebration of “in-person” Mass, I think we need a little reminder of what the Bishops of Connecticut have asked for now…the past few days I have been hearing concerns that some of our children, who are not vaccinated yet, are not wearing masks in Church. PLEASE remember, on June 9th, Archbishop Blair issued a Statement saying, “effective, June 9, 2021, for those who are vaccinated, wearing masks will be optional while at Mass, at other liturgies, and at any indoor or outdoor events held at our churches. Those who remain unvaccinated should continue to wear masks, with particular attention being given to the safety of young, unvaccinated children.” I encourage EVERYONE who is unvaccinated, regardless of age, to see this call from our Archbishop as crucial to the safety and well-being of those around you. Please also note we have reserved the transept nearest the baptismal font as a MASKS REQUIRED section, not only for those with small children, but for all who are still uncomfortable being near others who are not wearing a mask at this time. As we continue to deal with the pandemic and the variants that arise, please be sure to adhere to these regulations for the well-being of all those in our family of faith.
IT IS SUMMER…as we begin the summer weeks and are in the midst of this heat wave this week I am reminded that the weeks of summer really provide a lighter schedule in many ways. Especially around here in the parish the weeks of summer provide an opportunity to clean off our desks, truth be told to clean out that junk drawer (you know you have one too!), catch up on projects that have been put to the side, and plan for the future!
I, for one, am grateful for this heat wave which causes me to want to stay in and not go play golf because it is enabling me to catch up on clearing my desk and getting organized for the weeks ahead! I hope you have all found a way to stay cool and maybe even have gotten caught up in your own paperwork and projects.
It is also a great time for someone to begin a new job…and how fitting it is that this week we officially welcome SISTER MARY ROSE as our new Pastoral Associate. Sister Mary Rose began with us on Tuesday and has been busy looking through the materials left behind for her by Sister Patricia. As you can see, Sister Mary Rose comes to us with such a joy for life. We are very excited that she is with us and look forward to seeing her ministry bear fruit for building up our parish family, and helping us all to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus.
Sister Mary Rose will be reaching out in the coming days to many of you who worked in a variety of ministries here in the parish to learn more about your ministry and how she might be able to assist you in what you do. Welcome Sister Mary Rose, we are excited to have you as part of our Pastoral Team.
We also received word in the last few weeks that one of our own St. Bridget School Robotics teams has been chosen for one of the 18 spots to have a rocket launched as part of the United Launch Alliance. We are so proud!
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is an American spacecraft launch service provider that launches spacecrafts for the US government, NASA, the Department of Defense, and other organizations. ULA holds an annual student rocket launch contest in which children from across the U.S. compete for 18 spots on a ULA sport rocket. To receive a spot, children must submit a detailed proposal describing a payload (devices, objects, experiments, instruments, etc.) that they designed to fit within ULA’s parameters.
The St. Bridget School Rocket Club submitted a payload proposal and was one of 18 teams accepted for integration into a ULA sport rocket. The rocket will launch on Saturday, July 17th 2021 in Pueblo, Colorado.
Two St. Bridget students and their parents will be travelling to Colorado to finalize preparation of the payload for launch and to observe the launch.
To view St. Bridget School’s recorded payload proposal video that was submitted to ULA:
For more information about the contest from United Launch Alliance (ULA)
St. Bridget School continues to serve its students with the mission to nourish the mind, body and spirit. To learn more about St. Bridget School and its academic programs, please visit our website at www.stbridgetschool.org.
CALLING ALL PARENTS! You can join the St. Bridget School Family! These weeks of summer may provide some respite and relaxation but for those with children it also brings the need to plan for the future. I hope and pray ALL PARISHIONERS consider our own SAINT BRIDGET SCHOOL for your child or children. It is a vibrant thriving parish school, which offers the very best in all aspects of educating our future generations. We build upon the legacy of our school each and every day as we seek to shape future citizens and future disciples. The greatest blessing is that we are a family who all do what we can with the gifts God has blessed us with to help one another grow academically, intellectually, physically, and above all spiritually. That is what makes our parish school the success that it is today!
If your child is preparing for school, from Pre-K to grade 8, please make an appointment so you may visit our school and see for yourself all that St. Bridget School has to offer, and see why Saint Bridget School should be your school of choice for your child or children. We still have room at all grade levels for the upcoming school year 2021-2022, (I heard there may be a waiting list for PreK3 so don’t wait to call) and I hope you will consider Saint Bridget School for your child or children, grandchild or grandchildren. Come for a tour and learn more.
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. St. 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.
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
1 to 1 iPads in the Middle School and technology in all other grades
Athletic Fields and a Gymnasium
Sports Program including Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Cross-Country, Cheerleading, and Soccer
Air-Conditioning throughout our facility
Extra-curricular activities such as Robotics Club, LEGO Club, Chess Club, French 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
Please consider Saint Bridget School for your child. Call today at 203-272-5860. Be sure to visit our school website www.stbridgetschool.org as well to take a Virtual Tour to learn more!
Don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for the upcoming PARISH PICNIC!!! I am so excited that we are able to hold our Annual Picnic this year! I missed seeing the parish family come together in such numbers and enjoy a day on our property of food, fellowship, and fun!
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR PARISH PICNIC! Our ANNUAL Parish Picnic will be on Sunday, September 19, 2021, beginning with the 10:30AM Mass that morning being celebrated on the field behind Saint Bridget School!
OUR PARISH PICNIC IS FREE TO ALL PARISHIONERS and will include games on the field, bounce houses, musical entertainment, tasty food, one or two surprises, and the opportunity to meet new friends and build up our parish family!!!
Plans are already underway!
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.
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