Rectory Office

Phone: 860-628-4713 Fax: 860-628-7341 E-Mail: stthomassouthington@gmail.com Web Sites: www.stthomassouthington.org www.facebook.com/groups/104009621923

St. Thomas Convent

Address: 20 Eden Place Southington, CT Phone: 860-621-1904

Office of Religious Education

Phone: 860-628-9679 E-mail: stchurchre@gmail.com

Southington Catholic School

Address: 133 Bristol Street Southington, CT Phone: 860-628-2485 Web Site: www.southingtoncathlolicschool.org

March 10, 2019

First Sunday of Lent

Saint Thomas Church 99 Bristol Street, Southington, CT 06489-4599

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).”.

Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM (Church)

Sunday: 7:30AM & 10:00AM (Church)

Weekday Mass Schedule Monday & Tuesday: 7:30AM(Chapel) Thursday & Friday:12:10PM (Chapel)

Saturday 8:00AM (Chapel)

Our Parish Mission Statement

We, the Roman Catholic faithful of St. Thomas parish, nourished by God’s Word and by the

Sacraments, welcome and serve the Family of God. Through evangelization, education, and spiritual

development, we demonstrate the true meaning of God’s love by living in the image of Christ.

Parish Staff

Priests Rev. Joseph R. Cronin—Pastor fr.cronin@aohct.org Rev. John E. Cockayne—(Senior Status)

Deacons Angelo J. Coppola—(Senior Status) Vincent J. Raby

Music Ministry Emil Kopcha—Director Kathy Kopcha—Assistant

Office Manager Heidi Malley

Business Manager Marc Ingriselli

Trustees Susan Howard Paul Miano

Plant Manager Casey Potthoff

Custodial Staff Daniel Conant Bonnie Guimond Marty Lopatosky Harry Masterbone

Director of Religious Ed. Sr. Marie Roccapriore, MPF

Southington Catholic School

Principal Eileen Sampiere

Office Manager Loretta Putala

Advancement Director Mary Alexander

Sanctuary Candles

Church: For Peace in the Holy Land

Chapel: For Peace in our Homes

Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 9—St. Frances of Rome, Religious

8:00AM Michael Volpe Requested by Granddaughter, Maria LaPorta

4:00PM Ralph & Maria Parlapiano—Birthday

Remembrance Requested by Family

SUNDAY, MARCH 10—First Sunday of Lent

7:30AM Nicola & Saveria Sabino—Birthday

Remembrance Req by Teresa & Josephine & Family

10:00AM Helene & Vito Pace & Matthew James Carta Requested by the Vellucci & Carta Families

MONDAY, MARCH 11—Lenten Weekday

7:30AM Marjorie L. Mirto Requested by James Rusiecki

TUESDAY, MARCH 12—Lenten Weekday

7:30AM The Parishioners of St. Thomas Church

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13— Lenten Weekday

NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAY, MARCH 14—Lenten Weekday

12:10PM Vecchio, Sabino, & Ragozinno Families Requested by Daughter & Family

FRIDAY, MARCH 15—Lenten Weekday

12:10PM Giovanni & Carmela & Family Requested by grandchildren

SATURDAY, MARCH 16—Lenten Weekday

8:00AM Dorothy Bianchini Requested by Larry

4:00PM Gino & Esterina Melillo Requested by Tony Melillo & Family

SUNDAY, MARCH 17—Second Sunday of Lent

7:30AM The deceased members of the DiBenedetto

Family Req by Michele DiBenedetto & Family

10:00AM Annette Brown Requested by Joe & Cathy Miceli

Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,

Here we are in Lent. This is a time of prayer and

preparation. We get ourselves ready to celebrate Easter in

seven weeks. In this time, we fast, pray, and give alms.

We use this season to reflect upon the blessings of God by

putting aside the distractions in our lives. My hope and

prayer is that we all use this Lent as a productive time of

growth and renewal.

I know that I’m happy for

a wonderful coincident in

my schedule as we come to

Lent. In our Bible study,

we will begin the study of

the Book of Joseph. It’s

the story found in the final

fourteen chapters of the

Book of Genesis. It’s the

longest contiguous story we have in the ancient text. It

tells us of how one man can rise from imperfect situations,

in a family divided by distrust, and surrounded by a world

that promotes revenge and self-aggrandizement, to achieve

great things for God. Despite all that goes against him, he

chooses to remain faithful to the Lord. He is a model

servant of God. He foreshadows the coming of Christ, one

who rises above the sins of humanity to bring us salvation.

Anyone who wants to come study the story of Joseph with

us this Lent and Easter seasons, I joyfully invite you!

As we come into Lent, find something to help you

rejoice in God’s love for you. Push aside the distractions

and fears; embrace the prayer and charity. Make this a

time to actively reflect upon all that the Father does for us

each day. Seek the strength and guidance of the Spirit.

Make the mind and heart of Christ your own. Enter the

silence and stark beauty of this time in our Church year.

Joyfully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe

Question: Father, we say that Lent is 40 days long, but it

looks a lot longer on the calendar. Am I missing something?

Answer: You make an excellent observation. If you counted

all the days from Ash Wednesday until just before Easter,

you would have 46 days. What you need to consider is that

Sundays don’t count as days of Lent, as they’re always

celebrations of Easter. So if you subtract the 6 Sunday

during Lent, you get 40 days. That sounds simple enough

when you understand. Having said this, we have a glitch in

the system. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday

collectively make up Triduum (Latin for ‘Three Days’).

Once we begin the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we consider

the celebration one continuous liturgy lasting three days.

(There is no closing of Holy Thursday Mass, no opening or

closing of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Friday,

and no opening for the Easter Vigil on Saturday.) That

would make those days count as one day, giving us 38 days.

Technically speaking, Triduum really isn’t part of Lent.

Triduum is its own thing with its own laws and regulations.

So if we discount Sundays and Triduum, Lent is 37 days, or

38 if you count the morning and afternoon of Holy Thursday

before we get to Mass in the evening. If that weren’t

confusing enough, you could count the Orthodox way. They

include Sundays, but they don’t begin with Ash Wednesday.

Lent begins for them on the First Sunday of Lent. If you

include the first half of Holy Thursday that way, you have 40

days. Then the lead in with Ash Wednesday doesn’t count.

Because of the odd category of those days, they are actually

labeled as days after Ash Wednesday, rather than Lenten

weekdays on our calendar. Why do we say Lent is 40 days?

Well, it’s a lot easier than singing, “Lord, who throughout

these forth days, or forty-six days, or thirty-eight days, or

thirty-seven days, or forty days without the week of Ash

Wednesday, for us did fast and pray.” No matter how we

count the days, it’s a season of repentance, prayer, and

almsgiving. Let’s not worry about counting the days;

instead, let’s concern ourselves with using the time we have

with getting closer to our God.

Ask Father

Readings for the week of March 10, 2019

Sunday: Dt 26:4-10/Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

[cf. 15b]/Rom 10:8-13/Lk 4:1-13

Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 [Jn 6:63b]/

Mt 25:31-46

Tuesday: Is 55:10-11/Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 [18b]/

Mt 6:7-15

Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10/Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 [19b]/

Lk 11:29-32

Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3,

7c-8 [3a]/Mt 7:7-12

Friday: Ez 18:21-28/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8 [3]/

Mt 5:20-26

Saturday: Dt 26:16-19/Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8 [1b]/Mt 5:43-48

LENTEN SERVICES

CONFESSIONS Mondays from 6:00PM through 7:00PM

Saturdays from 2:30PM through 3:30 PM (There are no confessions on Holy Saturday)

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fridays at 7:00PM in church

TEACHING MASS Sunday, March 24th at 4:00PM

Parish Information Devotions & Groups

Holy Hours In the chapel—rectory basement Tuesdays: 11:00AM—Noon (for vocations)

Thursdays: 11:00AM—Noon (with Benediction)

Eucharistic Adoration In the chapel—rectory basement

Thursdays 8:00AM—11:00AM

Miraculous Medal Novena In the chapel—rectory basement

Tuesdays at 7:00PM

Italian Rosary Group First Tuesday of each month—7:30PM (Parish Center)

Lap Blanket Ministry Parishioners make blankets for patients in local health

care facilities . Anyone who crochets is invited to join

us in the church basement. One Wednesday Evening a

month 7:00-8:15PM. Next meeting —March 27th

Ladies Guild The Ladies Guild meets the first Monday

of each month in the church basement at

7PM. They host hospitality after Sunday

Masses the first Sunday of each month.

Bible Study Group Our next class is on Thursday, March

14th. We will cover Genesis,

Chapters 39 & 40—Joseph is

Betrayed. Come, join the discussion!

Thursdays at 1:30PM and 7:00PM

In the Chapel (Rectory basement)

(Both classes cover the same material—you need only attend one)

Sacraments

Baptism Parents, contact the rectory to schedule a

baptism. There’s a preparation meeting for

parents having their first child baptized.

RCIA—Adult Sacraments Anyone interested in becoming Catholic, give us a call!

Reconciliation Confessions are Saturday from 2:30PM until 3:30 PM

and Monday from 6PM until 7PM in the reconciliation

room in the church, or call to make an appointment.

Marriage We need six months for marriage preparation. Couples

should contact Father Joe to schedule a meeting.

Sacrament of the Sick Should you, or someone you know, need an anointing,

please call Father Joe at the rectory to schedule a visit.

Homebound / Hospital Please, contact the rectory if you or a

family member is homebound or in the

hospital. We can arrange for a

Eucharistic Minister to bring you the

Blessed Sacrament at home.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

St. Thomas Cemetery

If you or your family are looking to purchase a plot or

niche in the columbarium, give us a call in the rectory

office. We will have our Plant Manager, Casey Pottoff,

meet with you and explain the options for graves and

markers. Please, call the rectory to schedule a meeting.

Sponsor Certificates

They’re available in the sacristy or in the rectory office.

You must be an active parishioner, registered with our

parish for at least 6 months. The use of the envelopes helps

verify that you’re an active parishioners. You must also

have completed your Sacraments of Initiation and be in a

valid marriage. If you have question, call us.

New Parishioners

Welcome to St. Thomas! We’re delighted to have you join

us. Introduce yourself to Father or the Deacons after Mass.

Parish registration forms are available in the sacristy and

the rectory office. Take one for the family, and a separate

form for each member. Once completed, mail them to us

or drop them in the collection basket.

Collections for March 3rd

Weekly—$6994/ Online—$1434

† Southington Catholic School †

St. Thomas Religious Ed. † ENROLLMENT NOW!

We are currently enrolling students for the

2019-2020 school year. Grades one

through eight will meet on Mondays in the

school at TWO TIMES. The first session

is 4:15-5:30PM and the second is 6:00-

7:15PM. We will have one class of each

grade offered during each session.

Confirmation students in ninth and tenth

grade will meet Sunday evenings in the

school 6:00-7:30PM. Registration forms

will be given to the children currently

enrolled, and they are available in the rectory

office. Registration forms must be

submitted by June 30th, or a late fee will

be added to the registration fee. Call Sister

Marie with any questions.

Middle School Open House

THIS Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Southington Catholic School invites you to come

experience the special community that awaits you at

SCS Middle School. From 6:30-8:00 PM. our teachers,

students and alumni will introduce you to the difference

that SCS can mean to your family. If you could not

attend, interested students may call to arrange to have a

"shadow day" on a Tuesdays or Wednesdays during

March. For more information, please call 860-628-2485.

Family Fun Event

THIS Saturday, March 16

Bring your child, entering kindergarten through grade 2,

to a fun morning of activities from 10:00 AM to Noon.

Prospective students can meet the teachers and the new

friends that await them at SCS.

Southington Catholic School

Annual Golf Tournament

In honor of Joe Angelillo

Friday, May 10th Southington Country Club

You’re invited to join with friends

and neighbors in honoring our

friend’s memory, Joe Angelillo, at

the Southington Catholic School

Golf Tournament. This wonderful

event features great golf, delicious

food, and the very important op-

portunity to support Catholic edu-

cation in our town. Sponsorships

are available by calling South-

ington Catholic School or email-

ing scsgolfcommittee@gmail.com. Register

your foursome today! Call 860-628-2485.

Annual Raffle

Our school is holding its annual raffle. Prizes are paid

with a check to the winner. The prizes are:

First Prize—$2,000

Second Prize—$1,000

Third Prize—$500

Fourth Prize—$500

Fifth Prize—$250

Tickets are $3.00 each, and they are available

individually or in books of ten tickets. The winning

drawing will be on Friday, April 26th at 7:00 PM in

the school cafeteria. Tickets are available at the

school office.

Human Trafficking

From Awareness to Action

Did you know that the

Department of Children &

Families has identified 477

children in Connecticut

who are victims of human

trafficking or at risk to

become victims?

A member of the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Human

Trafficking Task Force will make a presentation designed

to raise awareness about this issue and opportunities for

action. The presentation is appropriate for students in

high school and adults. Please join us to learn more about

the impact of Human Trafficking across our country and

throughout Connecticut. The presentation will be held at

Saint Thomas Church on Monday, March 18th at

7:00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Human Trafficking is a $32 billion dollar a year

industry, and is the second most profitable criminal

activity after drug crimes.

The National Trafficking Hotline handled almost 9,000

cases of Human Trafficking in the U.S. in 2017.

Ladies Guild Scholarship The Ladies Guild Scholarship is available

to High School Seniors from St. Thomas

parish who will enroll in college this

coming year. Applications are available

in the rectory office and are due by THIS

FRIDAY!

Volunteer Ministry

At the Advent Mission last

December 3rd, 4th and 5th, the

Stewardship Committee announced

the formation of the St. Thomas

Volunteer Ministry. This Ministry

is open to all parishioners.

Volunteers may sign up to be added

to a list of volunteers to help any St. Thomas Ministry

when needed. Ministry leaders may access the list for

one time help at functions or programs/projects. This

is a great way to experience some of our different

ministries and meet other parishioners. To sign up,

call or email Kathleen Baldwin 860-628-8465 or

kbaldwin7@outlook.com.

Women’s Retreat April 5th—7th

The World Will Be Saved by Beauty

Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center

Farmington, Connecticut

www.ourladyofcalvary.net

Husbands, fathers, sons, brothers...take note! Please,

encourage the women in your lives to take some time for

themselves at a weekend retreat. The peace and tranquility

of the experience is one of the greatest gifts you can offer

to someone you love. For more information, please call

our local organizer, Lori Armstrong, at 860-628-6108.

PASSION PLAY DATES

Saturday, April13th at 7:30PM

Palm Sunday, April 14th at 3:00PM

Monday, April 15th at 7:30PM

Tuesday, April 16th at 7:30PM

Wednesday, April 17th at 7:30PM

No performance on Holy Thursday

Good Friday, April 19th at 7:30PM

Knights of Columbus Scholarship

The Knights of Columbus Isabella

Council #15 is accepting applications

from high school seniors who are

registered members of a Catholic Parish

in Southington. Applicants must be

seeking to further his/her education in a recognized

institute of higher learning during the upcoming

academic year. Applications are available in the Rectory

office, and are due by March 30, 2019

PASTA FAGIOLI SUPPER

Beginning this week and all Lenten Fridays, Pasta Fagioli

(prepared by the Manor Inn), salad, bread, beverages &

desserts is served 5-7PM. in the school cafeteria. Cost:$7

per person eat in (children under 7 pay their age), $30 max

for family. Take out orders $8 per container. All proceeds

support Southington Catholic School.

Solace & Peace

This month’s meeting will be

held on Tuesday, March 12th

beginning at 6:30pm in the

Parish Center.

Della Vecchia Funeral Home 860-628-2293 www.dellavecchiafh.com

Manor Inn 860-628-9877 Manorinnrestaurant.com

Al Joy Tire Service 860-628-2728

Youssef B. Khawaja, MD Internal Medicine & Endocrinology

860-621-9353

Plantsville Funeral Home 860-621-4656

www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com

Steve’s Family Restaurant 860-621-7116

Ragozzino’s Deli & Catering 860-621-6979

Serfafino Pharmacy, INC 860-628-7979

www.stores.healthmart.com/serafinopharmacy

Religious Teachers Filippini 860-621-1904 www.filippiniusa.org

Waste Material Trucking Company, INC Residential & Commercial 860-747-6816

D’Amato Construction Company, INC General Contractors 860-583-3489

Patrick Baker & Sons Religious goods and supplies

1-800-243-6385 www.ChurchGoods.com

Bill’s Auto Body Clinic, INC 860-628-8627

V.Nanfito Remodeling & Repairs 860-621-6898

CV Tool Company 860-621-0494

Catholic Match.com/CT

Volpe & Sons Automotive 860-628-0067

Della Porta EyeCare, LLC 860-582-0702 www.bristoleyes.com

Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care 203-238-1441 www.FranciscanHC.org

Paul Gregory’s—Bistro & Catering 860-621-9999

Plantsville Family Dental 860-621-2700 www.plantsvillefamily dental.com

Connecticut Casualty Company 1-800-922-2886 www.ctcasualty.com

Catholic Cemeteries Association of the

Archdiocese of Hartford, Inc.

Su

pp

ort our A

dvertisers—

Tha

nk th

em for h

elpin

g u

s!

Saints Corner

During the Easter Vigil, we sing

a litany of saints. We seek the

intercessions of those in heaven

with Christ for those about to be

baptized. The hope is that the

baptized will join the saints

forever praising God’s glory.

Throughout Lent, we’ll review a

few of the saints’ names you

may hear that evening.

St. Arianell: Born into the Welsh royal family in the sixth

century, she became possessed by an evil spirit. Saint

Dyfrig performed an exorcism and healed her. Arianell

then left her wealth and privilege to become a nun and

student of the saint who healed her. Her feast day is June

27th.

St. Isabella of Portugal: She was born a princess of the

Kingdom of Aragon in 1271, and was named for her great-

aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Isabella was married at the

age of twelve to King Diniz of Portugal. Isabella was a

pious woman devoted to her prayers, while her husband

was widely known for his lack of morals. He was abusive

of his wife. She responded by praying for his conversion

and caring for the poor and sick. When her son, Affonso,

rebelled against his father, she rode out onto the battlefield

and remained between the two armies until father and son

were reconciled. With the death of her husband, she gave

away all her wealth to the poor and entered the Poor Clare

convent in Coimbra. She died July 4, 1336. Isabella is the

patron saint of brides, widows, people in difficult

marriages, charitable workers, and peace makers. Her

feast day is July 4th.

Blessed Jakob Gapp: Born in 1897 to a working class

family in Tyrol, Austria, he fought in World War I on the

Italian front. After the war, he entered the Marianists and

was ordained a priest in 1930. He worked as a teacher,

director of religious education, and school chaplain. He

often collected food for his poor students. With the rise of

Nazism, be preached that it was incompatible with

Christianity. After the Germans occupied Austria, he was

ordered not to preach against the Nazis. He continued to

teach the love of all people, regardless of nationality,

religion, or race. Father Gapp was commanded to leave

the country. The order moved him first to France and then

to Spain. When he heard Jews were fleeing from Berlin

for France, he went to help. When he crossed into France,

the Nazis arrested him. Jakob was tried in Berlin and

condemned to death. He was guillotined in prison and

authorities refused permission to bury him. They feared

his grave would be venerated as the tomb of a martyr. His

body was sent to the University of Berlin as remains for

research in the anatomical biology department.