ST. JEROME CHURCH

23 Half Mile Road Norwalk, CT 06851 ~ 203-847-5349

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 26, 2017

SABBATH MASSES

Saturday 4:00 PM E.S.T. & 4:30 PM D.S.T.

Sunday 8:00 AM

9:15 AM Young Children's Mass

11:00 AM

6:00 PM Teen Mass

DAYS OF OBLIGATION

Vigil 7:00 PM

Holy Day 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM

WEEKDAY MASSES

Mon-Sat 9:00 AM

HOW TO FIND US……

Parish Website:

www.stjeromenorwalk.org

Parish Email: norwalkstjerome@cs.com

REACH email: reachstjerome@optonline.net

Parish Facebook:

St. Jerome Norwalk

REACH & TOTAL Facebook:

REACH St.Jerome

Parish Twitter: @StJeromeNorwalk

REACH & TOTAL Twitter:

@REACHstjerome

Instagram:

reach.total.stjerome

PASTORAL STAFF

203-847-5349

Rev. David Blanchfield, Pastor

Rev. Rojin Zacharias K.M., Parochial Vicar

Rev. Michael Hoag, S.J., Weekend Assistant

Deacon Dean Finch • 203-847-6397

deacon.dean.finch@gmail.com

PARISH OFFICE

203-847-5349

Mrs. Pat Florio, Secretary

Office Hours, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (REACH)

203-846-2111

Mrs. Kathy Coyne, DRE

Mrs. Natalie Raduazzo

Mrs. Kathy Rohr

YOUTH MINISTRY (TOTAL)

Joe and Daniela OʼCallaghan

203-847-0321

jocallaghan@optonline.net

danielaoc@optonline.net

MUSIC MINISTRY

203-847-5349

Mr. Donald Nelson

Mrs. Joan McFarland

PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON

Robert Yap • 203-246-7447

FINANCE COUNCIL

Jerry Holdridge • 203-966-3658

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

203-847-3881 Pre K—Grade 8

139 West Rocks Road

Norwalk, CT 06851

Mrs. Linda Dunn, Principal

FAITH DIRECT—ONLINE GIVING

866-507-8757 www.faithdirect.net

Sign up using our church code: CT46, or

by mailing a paper enrollment form available in

the parish office. Also available on our website at

www.stjeromenorwalk.org/Faith-Direct-

enrollment.pdf

MISSION STATEMENT

We the people of St. Jerome Parish, a Ro-

man Catholic community, proclaim our

belief in the message and mission of Jesus

Christ. As disciples of Jesus we are called

to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to

work for its values in the local community

and beyond. We are committed to: wor-

ship, religious education, shared faith and

service. We welcome all people with re-

spect, acceptance and support.

Parish Staff

Altar Flowers

Altar Flowers may be memorialized for a donation

of $50. Please call the Parish Office several

months prior to your desired date.

Adoration & Silent Prayer

Every day between 4:00PM and 5:00PM.

Contemplative Prayer

Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.

Come spend some quiet time with the Lord.

Widows’ Support Group

Meets at 9:30AM on the second Thursday of the

month in the Kevin Eidt Youth Room.

Perpetual Novena

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal takes place

each Monday following morning Mass

Rosary & Divine Mercy Prayers

Monday through Saturday after daily Mass

Baptisms Please call the parish office to

schedule.

Required Pre-Baptism Please contact

Deacon Dean Finch at 203-847-6397 to arrange.

Class is required for the first child baptized at

St. Jerome.

Reconciliation One hour before vigil on

Saturday. Also anytime by appointment.

Marriages Please contact the Rectory at least

six months in advance.

Anointing of the Sick takes place on the first

Wednesday of each month, immediately following the

9:00 AM Mass, in the sanctuary. Anyone with an

ongoing medical condition or who is seriously ill,

anticipating a medical procedure or operation, is

welcome to come.

Gluten Free Hosts are available at all Masses. If

you require a gluten-free host, please see the

officiating priest before Mass.

3/25 9:00 am for Veterans

VIGIL FOR SUNDAY

4:30 pm Wally Regan (12th Anniv)

(family)

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

3/26 8:00 am Marion Pollastro

(family)

9:15 am Marco Monteiro

(Tucci & Monteiro families)

11:00 am Tony Scinto (2nd Anniv)

(family)

6:00 pm Sean Sullivan

(Craw family)

3/27 9:00 am Maureen Palinkas

(Peggy Staak)

3/28 9:00 am Jeanne Orlowski

(St. Jerome Parishioners)

3/29 9:00 am for deployed soldiers

3/30 9:00 am for the People

3/31 9:00 am for Deceased parents

4/1 9:00 am for deceased parishioners

VIGIL FOR SUNDAY

4:30 pm Bob Horton

(Nancy & Rit Jordan)

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

4/2 8:00 am Richard Baluha (1st. Ann)

(family)

9:15 am Kelly Devine

(Jean Marie Hauptman)

11:00 am Vincenzo Iannone, Jr.

(family)

6:00 pm Otto Guhl, Jr.

(Gaudio family)

Bringing up the Gifts at Mass— If

the Mass intention has been requested by

you or for your loved ones, and you would

like to bring up the Gifts at the Offertory,

please let the ushers know that you are

present and would like to bring up the gifts.

Thank you!

You will be reading this on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, traditionally known as Laetare Sun-

day . The name comes from the first word of the opening prayer - Rejoice. This Sunday is a turn-

ing point in Lent. Prior to today, Lent has been trying to make us aware of our sinfulness and

need for repentance. From today until the end of Lent, the focus will be on Jesus and all he has

done for us - cause for rejoicing indeed.

In this A cycle, the Gospels are especially rich and rewarding. This Sunday, it is John’s

story of the man born blind. Jesus, who is the light of the world, makes clay with his saliva,

smears the clay on the eyes of the bind man, tells him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. Je-

sus then waits for the outcries from those who had a vested interest in the man remaining blind.

It is a great story of coming to see physically, leading to spiritual sight.

Next week is the story of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus who is the Lord of life, waits until

his friend Lazarus has been dead many days. Jesus then calls him out of the tomb and Lazarus

comes out alive. It is not Resurrection, but restoring the former life. Jesus demonstrates that he

has the power here and now to give eternal life. It is a story of hopefulness preparing us for the

days ahead to hear about death and Resurrection.

On a more personal note, Murphy, our dog, thought I should fill you in on something. He

thinks I am turning into a tired, cranky old man, so let me explain! Last fall I was diagnosed with

prostate cancer. It is nowhere as bad as it first seems. My gleason score came in at 7 out of 10

(from 1 to 6 they just monitor you). Since I am at 7, I have had a hormone shot, am on medica-

tion and will start 8 weeks of radiation at the Whittingham cancer center. This is not life threaten-

ing and already my PSA has gone down significantly. Murphy just worries that I will become

grumpier! I told him not to worry because all of you would keep me straight.

Last Sunday night, I had the 7

th

and 8

th

graders join with Fr. Rojin who anointed me with

the oil of the sick. I wanted them to have the experience of praying communally for someone.

We do it all the time after many of our Sunday Masses. Watch and you will often see a small

group in the sanctuary surrounded by a priest and people praying for that person. It is a powerful

experience.

THIS WEEK AT ST. JEROME…….

Sunday 3/26 REACH—Grades 1-6 meet in the morning

REACH—Grades 7 & 8 check your email

TOTAL—meets in the evening

Monday 3/27 Women’s Scripture Group 9:30 AM

Tuesday 3/28 Bible Study 9:30 AM

RCIA 7PM—Resource Room

Wednesday 3/29 Contemplative Prayer 7:00 PM

Women’s Scripture Group 7:30 PM

Thursday 3/30

Friday 3/31 Soup & Bread 6PM

Saturday 4/1 Men’s Ministry 7:00 AM

LENTEN REGULATIONS

Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of

age but not yet 59. Fasting means one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted.

Abstinence from meat is to be observed by everyone 14 years or older on Ash Wednesday, Good

Friday and on all Fridays of Lent.

WEEKLY OFFERTORY SUMMARY

March 19, 2017 $4,181

March Total to Date $33,318

March offertory budget $38,000

As always, thank you for your

generous donations to St. Jerome

especially during this Lenten season.

Fast. Pray. Give up your Envelopes! We invite you

to help your parish save money by giving up your

offertory envelopes this Lent! Enrolling with Faith

Direct will provide St. Jerome Parish with consis-

tent support and simplify your giving without the

wasteful envelopes. Join us in giving up enve-

l o p e s t h i s L e n t e n s e a s o n !

Visit www.faithdirect.net and use our church code:

CT46 Thank you for your continued support of

our parish family!

Sacred Heart University

Theatre Arts Program

presents

Jesus Christ Superstar

April 6-8 at 8 pm

April 9 at 3 pm

Edgerton Center for the

Performing Arts

Palm Sunday Weekend-

Live the Story!

Trinity Catholic High School

Annual Spring College Fair

Thursday, April 6 6:30—8:30pm

926 Newfield Avenue

Stamford, CT 06905

*Held in school gymnasium

Youth Formation exists to advocate and assist par-

ishes and youth ministry leaders in the formation of

young people. Guided by the USCCB Document

“Renewing the Vision”, we form parish youth ministry

leaders to offer a comprehensive youth ministry pro-

gram to, with, by, and for young people. We advocate

for the needs of young people at all levels. Some of

the special Diocesan programs and activities sup-

ported by the Annual Catholic Appeal are: Catholic

Service Corps, World Youth Day, SHU Journey, and

March for Life, CONVIVIO, the National Catholic

Youth Conference, High School Apostles and Catholic

Scouting. Please prayerfully consider making your

gift today.

We pray for those who bravely serve our country

in the military and those deployed in dangerous

locations. Thank God for those who have re-

turned home safely. Our service people include:

Spec. Jason Kulik, United States Army

PFC Andrew Chimento, United States Army

PFC Devon Barker, United States Army

If you or a family member are on active duty and

would like to be prayed for, please let the office

k n o w ( 2 0 3 - 8 4 7 - 5 3 4 9 o r

reachstjerome@optonline.net)

LENTEN SOUP & BREAD

THIS FRIDAY

This Friday, March 31, we will

have our next free Soup and

Bread supper in the church hall

with a Witness Talk. We have had

30-40 parishioners each Lenten

Friday enjoy the delicious soups and hear deeply

moving Witness Talks. Supper is at 6:00 PM. At 7:00

PM Judy Dennehy will give the third Witness Talk. We

will end with evening prayer in the church sanctuary.

Save the date for our last Lenten Witness Talk by

Dick Maiberger on April 7. And please sign up in the

church hallway for making meatless soups for our

Lenten Fridays. We need many soup-makers. Please

bring your soup in a crock pot or large pot with a heat-

ing plate if you can. Please bring beverages. We’ll

supply the breads, coffee, and tea.

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

@Pontifex “I invite you not to build

walls but bridges, to conquer evil with

good, offense with forgiveness, to live

in peace with everyone.”

@BishopCaggiano “For Christ, it is never too

late for anyone to turn to him. Even if the world

considers us to have “struck out”, the Lord does

not think so.”

@JameMartinSJ “Gospel: St. Joseph is given

no lines to speak in the Gospels. Most of life re-

mains hidden. Yet that quiet life was essential for

the world.”

March 26— Grades 1-6 meet at the 9:15 Mass

followed by class.

-Grades 7 & 8—check your email!

TOTAL meets tonight with rehearsal for the Four-

teen Steps which will be presented on Good Fri-

day at 8:00pm. All TOTAL teens are welcome to

participate. Parents, we will need your help with

food and props during the long rehearsals

on April 2, 9, and on Good Friday, April 14.

Please check your email for a link to sign

up. Water and soda are always welcome at the

other rehearsals. Dads are needed to help with

putting away the props after the rehearsals at

8:45. Rehearsals will go until 9:00 pm.

SAFE ENVIRONMENTS

******IMPORTANT ******

All volunteers 18 years and over must be in com-

pliance with the diocesan mandate.

P l e a s e s e e t h e V I R T U S w e b s i t e

(www.virtusonline.org) click “first time registration”,

click “view a list of sessions”, search ‘Bridgeport, CT

(Diocese)”. Some upcoming sessionsH.

Catholic Center (Bridgeport) 3/28 at 5:30 PM

Come see the All Saints Catholic School Drama

Club performance of "Annie Jr." on Friday, March

31 at 7pm and Saturday, April 1st at 2pm. Tickets

are $10 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets

are now on sale at All Saints (139 West Rocks

Road, Norwalk) and a limited number will be sold

at the door. Don't miss it!

Fr. Reggie of Our

Lady of Fatima, Wil-

ton will be hosting a

trip to Fatima, Por-

tugal October 9-15.

Reservations are being

accepted now. We are limited to 42 slots as the

hotels are full. If you are interested, please call

the OLF office ASAP (203-762-3928) to reserve

a spot or get on the waiting list. Do you want to

miss the opportunity to be where Our Lady ap-

peared for the final time over 100 years ago? Re-

serve your spot today! Full itinerary and details

are available in the OLF parish office.

OUR LENTEN CROSS -

TAKE A TAG OR TWO

EACH WEEK

At the rear of the church, the

large wooden Cross hung with

colored tags invites us to partici-

pate in prayer and giving of our-

selves during Lent. Blue tags are

Donation tags and go to benefit these agencies: Malta

House (young, low-income, unmarried pregnant

women), Manna House (the Norwalk soup kitchen),

AmeriKids (children with HIV/AIDS), Notre Dame Con-

valescent Care Center residents, and Syrian refugees

in Connecticut. Purple tags on the Cross are Prayer

Requests, pink tags are Acts of Kindness ideas, off-

white tags are Acts of Prayer suggestions, and yellow

tags are 40 Ideas for Lent. You may take one or more

tags at any time during Lent and complete the action

on the tag. The Cross is refilled with tags throughout

Lent, so please take a tag or two each week. Thank

you for your continued prayers, kindnesses, and gen-

erosity!

Social Concerns

March Meeting will

be held at 7:00pm

Monday, March 27th

in Room 5. All Committee members are reminded

to attend. Any interested parishioners are always

welcome to come & participate.

Our Special Lenten Food Drive will take place on this weekend!!

This is our annual invitation for parishioners to give a hungry neighbor one week's

worth of non-perishable groceries. All food collected helps to stock the shelves of three

Norwalk food pantries run by: Person-2-Person (P2P), Mid-Fairfield AIDS Project, and

Open Door Shelter. If possible, please consider donating your food items in a reusable

grocery bag. Thank you for making life better for our hungry Norwalk families.