Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time—November 10, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ:

Last weekend I received some very disheartening and sad news. At the recommendation of her doctors, Mrs. Szerszen stepped down as Principal of St. Bridget School. In her short time with us, Mrs. Szerszen has been an invaluable member of our leadership team, worked to make St. Bridget School even stronger, led us through the NEASC accreditation, and has made a lasting impact on our school family. We extend our deepest gratitude to her for her leadership and promise her our prayers going forward.

I along with our dedicated administration, faculty and staff will continue to be fully committed to making sure that there is a seamless transition in the months ahead for the students of St. Bridget School. We are committed to ensuring that the positive year we are having continues to be a success.

I have asked Mrs. Marilu Rochefort, Assistant Principal of Academics, to take on the role of Interim Principal until the next Principal is appointed. I am most grateful to her for her willingness to fill this role as we begin the search process immediately for a new Principal for our beloved parish school.

Dr. Marge Palmeri and I are reaching out to the Principal Search Committee and asking them to reconvene to begin the process. We will be working closely with Sister Mary Grace, Provost for Education of the Archdiocese, and the staff of the Office of Education, Evangelization, and Catechesis as we begin this search. I am confident with Sister Mary Grace’s assistance, guidance, and support we will find the best candidate possible to lead our parish school.

I ask that you join us in keeping in prayer Mrs. Szerszen and her family. Please also pray for Mrs. Rochefort, Mrs. Rowinski, and the administration, faculty, staff, and students during this time of transition. I also ask that you pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the work of the Search Committee. Thank you for your prayerful support.

As announced last weekend we are in the process of replacing all of the SMART Boards thanks to the generosity of the John G. Martin Foundation and the donors to the St. Bridget School Annual Fund. Here is a picture of one of the boards the day it was installed. This past week we installed the first 13 of the 23 that will be replaced this coming year. The school was filled with excitement as the students came in each morning to see where the new boards were installed. Here you see the PreK3 SMART Board prepared to teach them a song, and you see the third graders so excited to show Frank Loehmann how to use the SMART Board.

Thank you, once again, to Frank Loehmann and the Board of Directors of the John G. Martin Foundation as well as to the many who donated to the Annual Fund who have helped to make this possible. You have made a difference in the lives of our students and for that I am most grateful.

The Annual Mass of Remembrance was held on Sunday, November 3rd. I express a distinct word of gratitude to Sister Patricia, our Pastoral Associate, and Joan Roczynski, from our Ministry for Hope and Healing, for all of their efforts in coordinating this

year’s Mass of Remembrance. At this Mass we lit a candle for each of the deceased parishioners who have died in the past year. Each candle had a picture on it of the Lord embracing another with the parishioners name below the picture. After the Mass, the families who were present were given these candles as a token of remembrance, and as a reminder of our prayers for them as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved one. If you have a relative whose funeral Mass was celebrated here in our parish this past year and you were unable to be present for the Mass you can obtain the candle from Tony Ginnetti in the Sacristy after Mass at Saint Bridget Church or you can call the rectory to arrange picking it up during the week. Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

All are invited to attend the Interfaith Thanksgiving Meal Project Assembly which will take place on Sunday November 17th from 2-4PM at the Cheshire Community Food Pantry at 175 Sandbank Road. Those present will form an assembly line and prepare the boxes for the clients of the Cheshire Community Food Pantry with the items collected from all the houses of worship in Cheshire.

Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish Family is responsible for collecting boxed mashed potatoes and canned fried onions. The baskets in front of the altar THIS WEEKEND are for the donation of such items; please help us help others! If you did not bring an item with you this weekend but would like to help out please drop it off at Saint Bridget Church on Monday. The Church is open 7AM until 4:30PM. Thank you for your generosity to the less fortunate.

JOIN US!!! Our "No Turkey Parish Thanksgiving Dinner" will be held on Saturday, November 23rd! Please sign up to join us by filling out the registration form on page 13 or by calling the rectory as soon as possible.

In addition to a delicious Italian dinner we will have activities for the children in the school gymnasium and entertainment for you to enjoy in the Parish Center. Please make an effort to come and join us as we gather as a parish family to give thanks to God for all His blessings.

Last year the children of the parish wrote essays about what they were grateful for, and a few were selected to be shared at the Parish Dinner. It was very well received so we are doing it again this year! We are asking all school aged children to write a paragraph or more about what they are grateful for this Thanksgiving. We will select a few of them to be read by the children at our No Turkey Parish Thanksgiving Dinner by the student authors themselves! Essays must be turned in by Thursday, November 14th, to be considered and children must be attending the dinner to be chosen. These can be turned in through the collection, dropped off at the rectory, emailed to office@stbridgetcheshire.org, or given to the school or religious education office.

Don’t forget this coming Saturday is the Saint Bridget of Sweden Women’s Society Shopper’s Delite in St. Bridget School from 9AM-3PM. Come and check out the many vendors who will be present! There will be over 50 vendors, a food truck for lunch, and a raffle of gift baskets throughout the day. You can get some of your Christmas shopping done early! Your participation assists the Women’s Society and their scholarship fund. Thank you for your support! Hope to see you there!

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.