E-News

Farewell and Best Wishes! Please join us for Deacon Tony's farewell receptions on Pentecost weekend: May 22nd after the 4:30 pm Vigil Mass and on May 23rd after the 11 am Mass. Deacon Tony will preach at all Masses that weekend. As he prepares to move to Tennessee with his son and family, we wish Deacon Tony many blessings for all the years of his faithful and dedicated service to the diocese and to St. Marguerite Parish. Congratulations to our Choir Director Tory Gozzi, her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Ceci, who welcomed Mackenna Marie to their family on Sunday, May 2nd! May God bless them! Bishop Frank Caggiano has renewed the appointment of Fr. Shawn W. Jordan as Pastor of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish effective July 1, 2021 for a second term of six years. The letter from the Bishop can be read on page two of E-News. The Ascension of the Lord is Thursday, May 13th. Masses will be at 8:30 am and 6:30 pm. Service of Remembrance for those lost to COVID-19 on June 11th. Bishop Caggiano has asked each parish to celebrate Vespers on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 11th) for the repose of those who died from COVID-19 and for the consolation of their families. Our parish will be combining with St. Joseph in Brookfield for this special remembrance. Everyone is invited to come to St. Joseph on Friday, June 11th, at 7 pm as we pray for and remember our loved ones. If you would like their name mentioned during this prayer service, please call Linda or see Fr. Shawn. A Tiny Saints® Fundraiser will be held online, May 1-31. Tiny Saints sells colorful and vibrant charms, rosaries, plushies, board books, and lanyards, all themed around the saints. Priced between $5-$15, Tiny Saints® products make fun and affordable gifts. To support our fundraiser, select “St. Marguerite Bourgeoys” from the dropdown menu at tinysaints.com and 25% of every order from our supporters will go to the parish! See the flyer on page three of E-News or under Breaking News at stmarguerite.org for information. Register your child for Faith Formation classes for 2021-22! Classes begin in First Grade as the Diocese of Bridgeport requires children to receive two years of instruction before receiving the Sacrament of Communion. Questions? Contact Faith Formation Director Mary Ellen Tiernan at (203) 775-5117, x215 or metiernan@stmarguerite.org. Interested in becoming a Catholic? Classes for RCIA/T (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults/Teens) begin in the Fall. It includes several stages marked by study, prayer and rites at Mass. Contact Mary Ellen Tiernan at (203) 775-5117, x215 for more information. Thank you! We are always appreciative of your donations but are especially thankful for your continued support of the parish during these challenging times.

M A S S I N T E N T I O N S

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER ⋅ 9 MAY 2021

Mon, May 10: St. Damien de Veuster 8:30 +Edith Bruce by Caraluzzi family Tues, May 11 8:30 +Anthony Nacinovich by family Wed, May 12: Sts. Nereus and Achilleus 8:30 +Rosemary Berry by family; and +Robert F. Gallagher by Fr. Jordan Thurs, May 13: Ascension of the Lord 8:30 Liv./Dec. StMB Parishioners 6:30 +Grace Gray by Getzinger family Fri, May 14: St. Matthias 8:30 +Edward and June Kreger by Vincent and Lindsay Trezza

Sat, May 15: St. Isidore 4:30 +Eva M. Bernier by family; Ints. of Megan Henderson & family by Tami Nimer Sun, May 16: Seventh Sunday of Easter 8:30 +Jane Clarkson by Caraluzzi family 11:00 +Dr. Richard Caskey by Lou and Amy Pontillo +Carmella Fargelli by Feeney family 12:30 +Anthony and Florence Parisi by Vincent & Lindsay Trezza 5:00 +Ryan White by Biasetti family

ST. MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS

PARISH

PASTOR: REV. S.W. JORDAN IN-RESIDENCE REV. DONALD L. KLOSTER

138 Candlewood Lake Rd

Brookfield, CT 06804 (203) 775-5117

stmarguerite.org

Mass Schedule

• Saturday: 4:30 pm Vigil • Sunday: 8:30 am; 11 am; 12:30 pm (Traditional Latin

Mass); 5 pm (no music) • Monday-Friday: 8:30 am

Confession

Saturday: 3:30-4:15 pm or by appointment

Church is open

9 am-5 pm daily

Divine Mercy Chaplet Sunday-Friday at 3 pm

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9 am-3 pm Friday: 9 am-noon

Offertory

May 1/2: $4.499.00 OLG: $2,525.00

Maintenance: $514.00 Thank you!

Staff Deacons: Anthony J. Detje Joseph P. Cann Faith Formation Director: Mary Ellen Tiernan metiernan@stmarguerite.org Office Administrator: Linda Diorio ldiorio@stmarguerite.org Communications Director: Jean Piccorelli jpiccorelli@stmarguerite.org Choir Director: Tory Gozzi Music Director: Jack Basso

To subscribe to E-News, email: jpiccorelli@stmarguerite.org.

Offering: Mass-$15; Altar Candles-$20; Hosts-$15; Sanctuary Candle-$10; Sacramental Wine-$10. To request Mass intentions, email Linda at ldiorio@stmarguerite.org.

WE’RE HAVING AN ONLINE FUNDRAISER WITH TINY SAINTS!

MAY 1 – MAY 31

We are so excited to announce that we have teamed up with Tiny Saints® to host a contact-free, online fundraiser! What is Tiny Saints? Tiny Saints® sells colorful and vibrant charms, rosaries, plushies, board books and lanyards, all themed around the saints. Priced between $5-15, Tiny Saints® products make fun, affordable gifts and offer something for everyone. They are perfect gifts for upcoming First Communions and Confirmations! See all they have to offer at www.tinysaints.com From May 1-31, parishioners, family and friends can shop from the comfort of home to support our fundraiser. All you need to do is select St. Marguerite Bourgeoys name from the dropdown menu at www.tinysaints.com. With that, 25% of every order from our supporters will go directly to our fundraiser. It’s that simple!

The Diocese’s Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) has begun with this year’s theme of ARISE. We all certainly hope 2021 brings renewal and recovery to our diocese, our nation, and our community. To help in this effort of renewal and to aid our Lenten call to give alms to help those beyond we may see directly in need, the Annual Catholic Appeal provides works of mercy and charity through pastoral services, formation in our faith, and on-going education and catechesis that benefit many people all throughout our diocese and Fairfield county. Our gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal impacts the lives of many people, and our prayer is that our charity will form so many lives for the better who will, in turn, pass the compassion of Jesus seen in our good works onto others who they meet. The literature you received in the mail outlines in greater detail the works accomplished through the ACA. As in past years, you can target where you would like your donation to go. To help you to prayerfully consider your gift to the ACA, the following information may be helpful: Why should I give to the ACA? This Appeal extends the good works we do beyond just St. Marguerite’s. The Church is not a collection of self-enclosed parishes working independently from one another. We are all connected to the Body of Christ. Our parish joins with all parishes in our diocese to extend Christ’s charitable works beyond what any one parish could do. What is the goal for St. Marguerite’s? Our parish’s goal is $65,700. If every registered family contributed to the ACA, what would be the amount to reach our goal? If every family contributed, they would only have to give $66 for us to reach our goal. (We have nearly 1,000 families registered). Does every family contribute to the ACA? Many parishioners have not given in the past. However, we would like to see much more participation in the ACA this year to benefit the parish. What amount should I give? Every family’s financial situation is unique. We have provided a benchmark of $66 if every family were to contribute. However, many families are generous in contributing more as a reflection of what God has given them. Some families are stretched even to give $66. We ask that you prayerfully consider what amount you would like to give as a meaningful sacrifice to God passed onto others. God will not be outdone in generosity! Thank you for seriously considering your gift to the ACA. The ways to give are on our parish website and included in the literature Bishop Caggiano mailed earlier this month. We pray that we may all have a generous spirit and heart toward others. As Jesus taught, “The measure with which you measure will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:2). May we reap as the Lord also said, “a hundred, or sixty, or thirtyfold” for our generosity gratefully shown to all our brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:8).

Annual Catholic Appeal Update Thank you to our parishioners who have given to the Annual Catholic Appeal. We have currently raised 137 gifts worth $30,669 from 120 donors bringing the parish to 46.68% of its $65,700 goal. Please consider giving to this Appeal during this season of almsgiving and charity toward our fellow brothers and sisters. Parish Goal: $65,700.

May the joy of the risen Lord be with you as we celebrate this Easter season. The ministries and programs of Arise, the2021AnnualCatholicAppeal are assisting thousands of people every day because of the generosity of the faithful. With God’s love in our midst, we leave behind the past and look to the future with the promise of His divine gift of joy that comes to the heart of every person who believes His love will never fail. We are slowly moving beyond the challenges faced by all as a result of the pandemic. As we do so, I am reminded of the poignant image of Lazarus who was set free from the chains of death that held him in the tomb. In this moment of rebirth, we too are being invited to be freed from the chains that held us this past year and to begin anew to preach, teach, innovate and set a ire in the hearts of all people. In that same thought, the Diocese is building on its strengths with new initiatives as we provide for a strong pastoral life, works of charity, and the formation of faith, education and catechesis. I wrote to you earlier this year that we are embarking on new initiatives that ensure the vitality of our ministries and include a Eucharistic renewal; a new strategic plan for education and faith formation; and the creation of four pastoral centers focusing on family life, culture and arts, young adult entrepreneurship and evangelization. I am devoted to serving and providing for others in faith, hope and love. I ask you to join others and me to meet the immediate needs to reach the poor and homeless, feed the hungry, help people regain control of their lives, and ind purpose, meaning and faith through the ministries of the Church.Whatever your means and circumstances allow, I am grateful for your continued support. Make your pledge at www.2021ACABridgeport.com. You may also donate by texting the word APPEAL to 475–241–7849. Please visit the website to view the 2021 Appeal video and learn more. Together, we are celebrating the Gospel and the healing power of the Eucharist through our generosity and service, and I thank you for your generosity in doing the profound work we do here within and beyond the boundaries of our individual parishes. I ask the Lord’s blessing upon you and your family. Faithfully in Christ, Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano Bishop of Bridgeport The Diaconate Formation Program supports the vocation and ministry of the deacon, beginning as an Inquirer through his journey to ordination and beyond. The Diocese of Bridgeport provides an integrated four-and-a-half-year program that is structured around the four pillars of human, spiritual, academic, and pastoral dimensions—all supported through gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal.

Through prayer, study, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, the candidate undergoes a transformation of heart and mind as he prepares himself to be minister of the Word, Altar, and Charity. There are now 52 active deacons, 39 retired, most who continue to serve, and 8 men in formation. Our discussions with those interested in knowing more about our formation program is ongoing. When you give to the Annual Catholic Appeal, you support the formation of men who serve in our parishes and communities throughout the diocese for many years to come. “Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, our men in formation are accompanied and supported, without the nancial burden to ful ll their “call” to the diaconate. This allows the men to focus on their studies and discern their vocation in preparation for supporting their assigned parishes upon ordination.” - Deacon Jerry Lambert, Director of the Diaconate and serving at St. Theresa Parish, Trumbull. For more information, contact the Development Of ce at (203) 416-1312 or 2021ACA@diobpt.org. Thank you for your support of the Appeal.

Online Giving allows you to make donations through the parish website (www.stmarguerite.org). This convenient option for giving to your parish makes use of current technology and security standards and allows you to easily set up recurring contributions. There are many benefits for you and your parish. To sign up, visit www.stmarguerite.org and click on the “Donate” tab. Contact Linda in the Parish Office at 203.775.5117, ext. 212 with any questions. Thank you for your support!

Parishioner Benefits: • Secure and confidential. Adheres to

banking security standards • Flexible. Start, stop, and change your

contributions at any time • Simple and easy account setup • Contribute using direct withdrawal or

credit card • Functional. You receive reminders

and notifications about transactions

Parish benefits: • Stabilize contributions. Allows parish

to effectively manage monthly expenses, based on consistent support

• Secure and confidential. No need to store parishioners’ account information

• Convenient. Easy for everyone to contribute to the parish

When shopping at Amazon, remember to shop at AmazonSmile and select “St Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish” as your charity. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish by shopping. Enter the following link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/06-1074254 and donate while shopping! On our list: banker boxes; file organizer boxes; card file organizer; 8 1/2x11 copier paper - 20 lb., 92 bright Thank you to all our very generous donors for their support of the parish! Always needed: gift cards to BJs and Costco, first class flag stamps

The following protocols remain in place for anyone attending a liturgical service at St. Marguerite (Mass, Baptism, Confession, etc.). Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we continue to deal with the effects of COVID-19.

These protocols are for everyone — parishioners and visitors:

1. We purchased a sanitizing machine that is used prior to and after Mass to sanitize

our church. Parishioners are encouraged to bring their own wipes if they would like

extra assurance in the pew where they sit.

2. We now have automatic touchless hand sanitizing machines at both entrances.

Hands should be sanitized before Mass and when leaving the church.

3. Collection boxes are located at each entrance so there is no physical passing of

baskets.

4. Bulletins are no longer in paper form and can be accessed online at stmarguerite.org.

5. Each entrance has a sign-in book for attendees at every Mass.

6. Extra seating is placed around the perimeter of the church to accommodate social

distancing. Additional chairs are located in the narthex for extra seating outside the

nave.

7. Once you leave your car to enter the church, you need to wear a mask or face covering before coming into the church. Masks are to be worn throughout Mass — parishioners and visitors — except to receive Communion. Communion is received single file and one section at a time. If you are receiving on the tongue, you receive only from Fr. Shawn.

8. Bathrooms are open but are limited to one person at a time. Please try to attend to

your needs before coming to Mass.

9. Social distancing is to be observed in all the seating, as well as, when in a line to

receive Communion.

10. During the Mass, if there is music, the assembly is not singing.

11. As with all state guidelines, if you are feeling ill or have any of the COVID-related

symptoms, stay home. The bishop has also reiterated that "the obligation to attend

Sunday Mass will remain dispensed for the time being."

12. Although our office is open, it is best to call ahead to be sure that someone is able

to meet your needs. The church remains open for prayer, 9 am to 5 pm, each day.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS