There will be mask-making

and a PARADE for the kids!

Mardi Gras

St. Peter/St. Francis Gym

FREE for ALL

ENJOY DECADENT PANCAKES with SWEETS and TREATS

from our toppings bar...

STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES,

WHIPPED CREAM AND SYRUP ETC...

Faith Family

Friends Fun

Our Worship Sites St. Francis of Assisi - 160 Main St.

St. Peter - 107 East Main St.

Sacred Heart - 116 Grove St.

St. Mary - 85 Pulaski St.

Offices Pope Saint John Paul II

Pastoral Center

160 Main Street

Torrington, CT 06790

Office Hours Monday thru Friday

9am - 4pm

Phone: 860-482-4433

Fax: 860-489-4070

SaintJohnPaulTheGreatParish@gmail.com

Bulletin Requests: SaintJohnPaulTheGreatBulletin@gmail.com

JohnPaulGreatParish.com

4:00pm St. Peter Ann Vasko and Albert Vasko by family

5:30pm St. Francis Andrew Kandefer by family

7:30am St. Francis Marguerite Miller by Pauline Miller

8:30am St. Peter For intentions & prayers for all members of the

2018 USA Olympic Women’s Hockey Team

10:00am St. Francis Bon Trinh by wife & son

11:15am St. Peter Caterina Albini by the Calabrese family

12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish Intentions of all parishioners.

5:00pm St. Peter William A. Lovallo by wife

Saturday Vigil, February 10th 2018

February 11, 2018 2| 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saint John Paul the Great Parish

Sanctuary Candle is being burned

at St. Francis in memory of Bradford Tucker, Sr.

at St. Peter in memory of Edith M. DeFraneschi

4:00pm St. Peter Carol DiBerardino by Linda & Vincent DiBerardino

5:30pm St. Francis Joseph Oligny by wife children

7:30am St. Francis Deceased members of Murack & Biernacki families by Peggy Richard

8:30am St. Peter

10:00am St. Francis Frances Manley by the Anderson family

11:15am St. Peter Edith M. DeFranceschi by daughter Claudia

12:30pm St. Francis Mass in Spanish Intentions of all parishioners.

5:00pm St. Peter Robert Consolini by George & Terri Schram

Monday 2/12 8am St. Francis Heather Swabski by family

Tuesday 2/13 7am St. Peter

Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule 2/14

7:00am St. Peter Linda & Anthony Barber by family

9:00am St. Francis Bertha Poniatoski by Marilyn Trabold

12:10pm St. Peter Jean Grieco by husband & daughter

12:10pm St. Francis Thomas Zampini by family

5:30pm St. Peter Intentions of all parishioners.

7:00pm St. Francis (in Spanish)

Intensions of all parishioners.

Thursday 2/15 7am St. Peter Francis Granato by wife Joan

Friday 2/16 8am St. Francis

Margaret Hogan by friends

Weekday Masses

Sunday, February 11th 2018 Sunday, February 18th 2018

Saturday Vigil, February 17th 2018

Mass Intentions

View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 3| Saint John Paul the Great Parish

My Dear Friends,

This Tuesday is Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night

of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. It is also known as Shrove Tuesday,

which comes from the word shrive, which means to confess. The Lenten season in the Catholic and Orthodox

world was once more demanding in terms of the kinds of food you could not eat, so people would cook all the

“forbidden” foods between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday to prepare for the Lenten season. The main reason

for this is that most foods could not be preserved for long periods of time.

Sadly, Catholics have forgotten the Catholic roots of Mardi Gras, and this day has become a secular day of

decadence and debauchery. We as Catholics need to reclaim our days of observance from the secular world

Our lives are more than the sex, drugs and rock and roll mentality that has seeped into our cultural ethos.

Coming together to celebrate Mardi Gras is an opportunity to really enter into the discipline of Lent and to

seek to do works of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

I would like to extend a personal invitation to every one of you, to join with members of our parish family of

St. John Paul the Great for our first annual Mardi Gras party. Our hope is that we can continue to grow together

in faith and fellowship as a parish family here in Torrington. We will have pancakes with delicious toppings,

activities for the kids and live entertainment, all free of charge. And because to shrive means to confess, during

this season of Lent, we are offering confessions once again as the Archdiocese continues with their Lenten

program, ConfessionMondays. The Archbishop has asked that every parish throughout the Archdiocese offer

the sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings during the season of Lent. We will continue to offer that

opportunity on Monday nights in conjunction with Adoration from 5-7pm at St. Peter Church.

God bless.

Fr. John

If you could offer just one particular hour each week

to sit with our Lord, in Eucharistic Adoration

Monday(5-7pm) through Friday 5-8pm,

or one hour each month for First Friday,

please call Peg Michaud 860-307-9356

† Mondays: 5-7pm at St. Peter

† Tuesdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis

† Wednesdays: 6:30-8pm at St. Peter

† Thursdays: 5-8pm at St. Francis

† Fridays: 5-8pm at St. Francis

(except 1st Friday of the month) _________________________________

***NOTE…Wednesday

Adoration will take place

immediately following

the 5:30pm Mass

at St. Peter Church

You are invited to join Fr. John

Mondays from 12-1pm

Sacred Heart for a holy hour

Praying for priests.

February 11, 2018 4| 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

FAST AND ABSTINENCE Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

A Reflection on Lenten Fasting If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.

NO DISPENSATION ON VALENTINE’S DAY This year Ash Wednesday falls on

St. Valentine’s Day February 14th.

Unlike a Friday in Lent, when a dispensation is some-times given from fast and abstinence on St. Patrick’s Day, Ash Wednesday is a more solemn and universal day of prayer and penance for Catholics and many other Christians as well. So there is no dispensation from fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday, February 14, in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Catholics may wish to anticipate

St. Valentine’s Day the day or evening before,

on February 13 - Mardi Gras!

Mondays 5-7pm St. Peter Church

Adult Catechism

Wednesdays

6-7pm

Sacred Heart Hall

Join Fr. John as he breaks open the

February 21st Part I

The Creed: Faith Professed

February 28th Part II

Sacraments: Faith Celebrated

March 7th Part III

Christian Morality: Faith Lived

March 14th Part IV

Prayer: Faith Prayed

Fridays

7-8pm

February 16th Traditional Stations

February 23rd “Mary’s Way of the Cross”

March 2nd Traditional Stations

March 9th Traditional Stations

March 16th LifeTeen Stations (for everyone!)

March 23rd Traditional Stations

Stations of the Cross

Reconciliation

What Is BEST LENT EVER?

It’s a free email program that will guide

you on an incredible 40-day journey to

become the-best-version-or-yourself,

Making this a truly life-changing Lent.

dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever

Sacraments Sacrament of Marriage: Arrangements for Marriage are made by calling the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with one of the priests at least six months in advance of desired wedding date.

Sacrament of the Sick: Anyone who is seriously ill, advanced in age or preparing for surgery may receive. Please call the Parish Office to arrange.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: For adults who wish to become Catholic or for Catholic Adults who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact the Parish Office for more details.

Sacrament of Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Preparation class is held on the first Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 pm at the Pope Saint John Paul II Pastoral Center.

Homebound or Hospitalized? If you, or someone you know is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, or hospitalized and would like a

Staff Pastor: Rev. John C. Granato

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Carlos Zapata

Deacons: Roy Dungan

Peter Hyde

Richard Hamel Religious Education Grades K-5 860-482-3121

Jen Owens Cell: 860-307-2291 Call/TEXT

JohnPaulGreatReligousEd@gmail.com

Office of Youth Ministry 860-489-7899

Middle School EDGE/Youth Group

Marlene Carrier: Cell 860-309-7855 Call/TEXT

JohnPaulGreatYouth@gmail.com

High School Confirmation Program

Donna Puzacke: Cell 860-309-1900 Call/TEXT

JohnPaulGreatConfirmation@gmail.com

Pastoral Minister: Peg O’Meara 860-309-1707

Music Director: Francine Gryniuk

Organist: Bill Mackstutis

Office Staff: Anita Ressel Toni Tavano, Rose McMahon

Trustees: John Janco Monica Diulio _____________________________________

St. Peter / St. Francis School Principal Jo-Anne Gauger 860-489-4177

In Need of Prayers? Please call... Cheryl at 860-618-3533 to be added to our Prayer Line.

View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 5| Saint John Paul the Great Parish

____________________

Contributions to our parish for

the week of January 28, 2018

$13,451.00

____________________

Make the story of salvation history public! Tell the world what Jesus has done for you. Consider a life of preaching, teaching, and service as a priest, deacon, sister or brother.

Call Fr. Michael Casey, Director of Vocations

Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 860-242-5573 or email vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at www.hartfordpriest.com

Please pray for Ralph Carbone

Neves Filosi

Charles Stannard

recently deceased members

of our parish family.

Have you not yet been Confirmed?

Make this Lent the year to complete

your Sacraments of Initiation...

Adult Confirmation Classes This 6 week program is for Adults 18 yrs & older

who have been Baptized and have received First Holy Communion.

Adult Confirmation ceremony will be held Tuesday, April 10th

at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

Classes will begin Sunday, February 25th

9:30am-11am To register or for more information contact:

Donna Puzacke 860-309-1900

or JohnPaulGreatConfirmation@gmail.com

February 11, 2018 6|6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Solidarity Council #55

Go to http://www.kofc.org/newjoin/en/index.html to learn about a new program and how you can help the

Knights in our mission - worldwide and in your own parish. This program allows you to participate in meetings and events at your pace. However, if you still have questions about this program or the Knights, call

860-307-5204 or 860-489-2924 for more information.

Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry will be facilitating a

Focus Group for

Parish Social Justice Ministry on Tuesday, February 20th

at St. Peter Church Hall

from 6:30-8:30pm There is no fee but we ask that you

PLEASE REGISTER by Monday, February 19th by calling (860)-242-5573 ext. 2686

or email Patrick.Laorden@aohct.org ALL those interested in Social Justice Ministry are WELCOME! This is an opportunity to hear how parish social ministry is going in your parish, discuss challenges and best practices,

St. John Paul the Great Parish Annual

Men’s Retreat March 9th-11th

Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center - West Hartford, CT

We have FREE Gift Certificates for 1st time Retreatants

Register online @ www.holyfamilyretreat.org

For more info call the retreat house 860-521-0440

Or Mark Bournival 860-482-1748

Prayer Shawl Ministry The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of women from St. John Paul the Great Parish

who meet once a month and knit Prayer Shawls to be given to people

who are ill, recuperating from an illness, have lost someone dear to them, are in a convalescent home, etc.

The shawls are free of charge and anyone who would like one is asked to call

Joan Colangelo 860-482-6294/Carmy Tromba 860-489-6460 or anyone in the Prayer Shawl group. The group also knits baby blankets to be given out at baptisms in the cluster.

The next meeting will be held at the home of Joan Colangelo

On Tuesday, February 20th at 1 p.m.

Call Joan at 860-482-6294 for directions . Hope to see you all there!

To quote Saint John Paul the Great, “The suffering of one’s neighbor, the suffering of another man, the same as oneself in

everything, always causes an uneasiness, almost a sense of embarrassment, in those who are not suffering.

A question arises instinctively: why he and not I?” You can help area food banks feed the hungry in our community by

Items such as PASTA, PASTA SAUCE,

RICE, TUNA, MAC & CHEESE, CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, BEANS, JUICES, PEANUT BUTTER, JELLY and CEREAL may be left at St. Francis or St. Peter the weekend

of February 24th-25th Gift cards to area grocery stores are also greatly

appreciated. Many stores donate additional items when food banks make purchases with gift cards.

Thank you for your continued support!

There will be an important meeting for all active

(Interviewers, Greeters & Servers) at the JPII Pastoral Center on

February 21st @ 2pm ___________________________________________

at 4pm at the JPII Pastoral Center there will be a meeting for all

Eucharistic Ministers that bring Holy Communion to

Nursing Homes and the homebound. Please bring a list of the places that you go.

If you are unable to attend please call Peg O’Meara 860-309-1701

View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 7| Saint John Paul the Great Parish

St. Peter/St. Francis School ANGEL FUND

Our Angel Fund is a used for tuition assistance for our students. Any size gift would go far to help a family afford Catholic education.

Checks may be made out to St. John Paul the Great Parish

Please note that it is for the Angel Fund. ___________________________________________

The Cursillo Community (ENGLISH) of the Archdiocese of Hartford

is looking to reconnect with all who have attended a three day Cursillo weekend.

We are interested in keeping you informed of the revitalization efforts in the Archdiocese

and to provide support in your spiritual journey of prayer, study and action.

Please contact Jim Brzezinski at 203-888-8615 or jbrzwest@yahoo.com

2018 Engaged Couples Conferences

The on-line registration forms can be found at: HartfordMarriage.com or at ArchdioceseofHartford.org

by going to the Office of Family Life, which can be found on the menu tab under “Ministries.” In 2018, there is no

fee charged to the couples for attending these conferences.

Tickets

as of June the new price will be $1 2

Please note: NOW for pizza only

All previously sold $10 Dinner/Pizza tickets will gladly be honored at

Available at the Pastoral Center or call

ITALIAN CHICKEN PARM

Homemade Chicken Parmesan, Pasta, Garlic Bread and Dessert

Tickets: Adults $12

Children 5-12 $8

Under 5 are FREE

Kid’s BINGO 4:30 to 6:30pm

Cool Prizes! Admission to Bingo will be two non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food bank.

Duncan & Albert Families—Co-Chairs

860-489-4212 Text/Cell berg3@prodigy.net 860-606-4085

SCRIPTURE DISCUSSION GROUP

Please join this fun-filled and inspiring group as we enrich

our understanding of the readings from last weekend’s

Holy Mass. Scripture Discussion Group meets on

Mondays from 6 – 7:30pm At the JPII Pastoral Center.

Please enter through the kitchen door. For more information

please call Mary Cashman @ 860-489-7568.

St. Jude Telethon Food and Bake Sale

on Sunday, March 4th

at the Torrington High School Cafeteria. A delicious selection of home-baked items as well as an abundant variety of foods to enjoy on site or take home.

Live entertainment in the auditorium will be on hand all day for your viewing pleasure.

Also… we are in need of bakers! If you would like to contribute a food dish or baked item

(pies, cakes, breads, cookie, sausage/peppers, meatballs, etc.) for the benefit of this worthy cause it can be

dropped off at THS on Sunday, March 4th between 9-10am. You can call Becky Mogob @ 860-489-0728 if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there! Once again thank you for your generous support!

St. John Paul the Great Parish Invites you to join us for our Annual

Friday, March 9th

4:30-7pm

Sacred Heart Church Hall Dinner catered by LaMonica’s Restaurant Includes baked fish, mashed potatoes

green beans, coleslaw, beverage & dessert

Take-out is available

Donation $16

Tickets may be purchased after all Masses Or at the JPII Pastoral Center—160 Main Street

Limited ticket availability at the door

Sponsored by the Angels and Ministers of St. John Paul the Great Parish

BAKE

February 11, 2018 8| 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

† EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL

SERVICIOS: POSIBILIDAD DE CONFESIONES,

DIRECCION ESPIRITUAL, INSCRIPCION DE INTENCIONES PARA LA EUCARISTIA DOMINICAL, INFORMACION SOBRE LOS SACRAMENTOS DE BAUTISMO, PRIMERA COMUNION, CONFIRMACION, MATRIMONIO, QUINCEAÑERAS Y CATEQUESIS PARA ADULTOS.

________________________________________

Todos los Martes 5:30 – 6:30PM

Centro de Pastoral Juan Pablo II ________________________________________

CHARLAS PREBAUTISMALES Requisitos: Asistir a la clase padres y padr inos. Traer el acta de nacimiento del niño (a). Si los padrinos son pareja, deben estar casados por la Iglesia. Llegar puntuales a la conferencia. Llenar el formato para la inscripción bautismal. Dar una donación voluntaria a la Parroquia por el Sacramento. Traer fija la fecha y la hora de la ceremonia del Bautismo.

(Por favor llamar a la oficina para registrarse o al 860-307-7343 - Lourdes -

Charla Pre-Bautismal: 3er Viernes de cada mes.

Centro de Pastoral Juan Pablo II 6:00 – 7:00PM

Ceremonia De Bautismo: 4to domingo de cada mes a la 12:30pm

Servidores del Altar / Monaguillos: Elvia Orellana 860-459-1837 Legion de Maria: Jose Guambana 860-485-5473 Evangelizacion: Orlando Orellana 860-806-4522 Liturgia/Sacristia: Roberto Castillo 860-491-0200 RICA/Ministerios Musicales/Catequesis: Lourdes Rodriguez 860-307-7343 Pastoral Social: Doris Ramirez 860-459-6658 Ministros Extraordinarios de la Comunion: Carmen Fernandez 860-921- 3408 Monitores y Lectores: Sonia Sanchez 860-307- 8349 Ujieres/Ministros de Acogida: Honorato Nunez 860-459 - 0036 Pastoral Familiar: Yuneris Owens 860-307-2291 Movimiento Juan XXIII: Maria Colon 860-387-8133

Grupos Apostolicos

Y Coordinadores Pastoral Hispana

Movimiento Juan XXIII 7 PM Martes. En las instalaciones de Sacred Heart Church (ubicada detrás del templo de Sacred Heart)

El Movimiento Juan XXIII busca trabajar por aquellos alejados de la Iglesia y marginados de la sociedad,

anunciándoles el Evangelio, mediante una espiritualidad de auténtico servicio, enmarcada en el Amor,

la Entrega y el Sacrificio y expresada en esta opción de vida: “Con Cristo Todo, Sin Cristo Nada”.

Drop any Boxtops for Education into canisters found at the entrances of

St. Peter and St. Francis Churches to

benefit St. Peter/St. Francis School

Comunidad Hispana

Monday 12th Confessions

Tuesday 13th Mardi Gras

Wednesday 14th Ash Wednesday

Friday 16th Stations of the Cross

Saturday 17th Chicken Parm Dinner

Week at a glance...

See bulletin for details.

Vendors are needed for the very popular and long-awaited

17th Annual Flea Market to support the preservation of

Historic St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel Saturday, February 24th

8:30am to 2pm

St. Thomas Church Hall Route 63 North in Goshen. Tables are $21each. Call Diana 860-491-2504.

2018 Pilgrimage to Ireland with Fr. James Sullivan August 17-31, 2018

Join us for an informational meeting: Sunday, February 18 at 1pm

Sacred Heart Church Hall

For more details, please contact: Matthew or Aurora Daly 860.489.4186 or traveldaly@gmail.com

Providing a free community meal on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 4pm St. Peter Hall, 107 E. Main St., Torrington

The next meal with be provided on

February 11th All donations can be made to our Parish. Please put “Kevin’s Place” in the memo on checks and mail to

160 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790

For more info, contact:

Christine Delgrande 860-307-2969 email: Christine.delgrande@gmail.com

WE THANK YOU for your continued support of

our youth activities through the donation of your

Redeemable BOTTLES/CANS which may be dropped off in front of the

St. Francis Garage 24/7. View our bulletin online: JohnPaulGreatParish.com 9| Saint John Paul the Great Parish

The Steubenville Youth Conferences, an outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville, are a series of 25 conferences across North American that help teens encounter the love of Christ every summer.

Each summer, Life Teen hosts six Steubenville Youth Conferences with the hopes of strengthening and inspiring teens and youth groups in their collective journeys to Christ. Join us in Lowell, MA for Steubenville East 2018!

Open to all students entering in the fall. $150 With a commitment to FUNDRAISING Financial assistance is ALWAYS available.

$50 Deposit – followed by 4 monthly installments of $25 (3 Faith Commitments) Register TODAY!

Join us in the Upper Room at St. Peter Hall

1st Saturday - February 3rd Middle School 6-9pm

2nd Saturday - February 10th High School 6-10pm

Volleyball/Basketball/Dodgeball Wii Just Dance/Air Hockey/Foosball

Contact… Marlene Carrier 860-309-7855 JohnPaulGreatYouth@gmai l .com

or Donna Puzacke Cell 860-309-1900 JohnPaulGreatConf i rmat ion@gmai l .com

Hosted by TEEN

UMass Lowell - Lowell, MA

July 13-15, 2018

Social Night

$5 Donation Pizza/Soda/Ice cream

MUST RSVP by noon on day of event

Marlene Carrier Cell 860-309-7855 call/text

What is the meaning behind it and why do we

eat pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday?

Shrove Tuesday is the day that precedes

Ash Wednesday . This year Pancake Day

takes place on

Tuesday, February 13.

Shrove is the past tense of shrive, meaning “to hear the confession of,

assign penance to, and absolve.” On the Tuesday before Lent began, the same bell that called people to

use your eggs, milk, and butter now, because once the day is out,

we must begin the fast.

When is

Pan cake DAY 2018