Saint Thomas Church · 30.12.2018  · God’s love by living in the image of Christ. Saint Thomas Church 99 Bristol Street, Southington, CT 06489-4599 ... His every hope and dream

Rectory Office

Phone: 860-628-4713 Fax: 860-628-7341 E-Mail: [email protected] 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: [email protected]

Southington Catholic School

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

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Feast of the Holy Family

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.

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).”.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29—Fifth Day within the

Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

8:00AM The Parishioners of St. Thomas Church

4:00PM Christopher Hjerpe Requested by his Parents

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30—The Holy Family of Jesus,

Mary and Joseph

7:30AM “V” Jennie Chamberlain Requested by Marie DiBenedetto & family

10:00AM Louis Avitabile, Sr. Requested by his daughter, Karen

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31—Seventh Day within the

Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

7:30 AM The Parishioners of St. Thomas Church

4:00PM Joseph & Mary Zacchio Requested by Theresa, Mickey, & Frank

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1—Solemnity of Mary, the Holy

Mother of God

9:00AM Joe Adanté Requested by a friend

12:10PM Patrick Baker Requested by family

WEDNESDAY, January 2nd—Saints Basil the Great &

Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors

NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3—Most Holy Name of Jesus

12:10PM Josephine Falco Fusco Requested by niece,

Josephine Orofino Palmieri & Family

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4—St. Elizabeth Seton, Religious

12:10PM(Church) Joe & Irene Vecchio Requested by Maria &

Pasquale DiChello

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5—St. John Neumann, Bishop

8:00AM Marta & Guiseppe Scirocco Requested by son

Vincenzo & family

4:00PM Maria Parlapiano —In Memory of Requested by

Family

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6—The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary

and Joseph

7:30AM Alfred Laone -10th Anniversary Remembrance Requested by wife & children

10:00AM Michael Mongillo—1st Anniversary Requested by Tonia, Evo, & Charlene Mongillo

Parish Staff

Priests Rev. Joseph R. Cronin—Pastor [email protected] 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 Stanley Maigarie

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: Louis Avitable Requested by daughter Karen

Chapel: Fannie Janazzo—First Anniversary

Remembrance Requested by Joe & Angelina Della Porta

Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM

Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,

Merry Christmas to you all! We continue our

celebration of Christmas as we celebrate the Feast of the

Holy Family. It is there with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

that we see the love of God made manifest in the world.

It’s in their union that we see the power of God to

transform us. In their devotion to one

another, we find our blessing. We honor

them, but do we give them much thought?

Think of Jesus. Here, the Son of God has

been born and placed in a trough to feed

animals. Why would he endure this? He

should be in the best suite of the grandest

hotel. He should be surrounded by

sycophants tending to his every whim, not

surrounded by smelly animals in the

middle of nowhere. Why would he come like this?

Think of Mary. This is the Mother of God, but she

isn’t surrounded by an entourage doing all her work.

This teenager has just accepted the challenge of

bringing the Savior of the world to humanity. She

should be blest with an easy life for this, but she will get

anything but that. Why would she say yes to this?

Think of Joseph. Here is a man who finds out his

fiancé is pregnant with a child, and he knows it isn’t his.

Why would he accept the responsibility of raising this

child? His every hope and dream have been shattered,

and yet he does everything for Mary and Jesus. He will

have to flee his home and leave forever the family and

friends he knew just to protect this baby who isn’t his.

Why would he endure so much?

We look at the Nativity and forget about that real

story. This is a family who were the objects of ridicule

from everyone who knew them. Shepherds came and

Magi arrived, but where were the family and neighbors

to help them? They would face oppression from the

king and flee as refugees to Egypt. When they return to

their own people, it will not be to their home. They will

reestablish themselves in a new community far from

where they lived. They would work hard and endure a

cruel occupation of an enemy invader.

Nothing about their lives would be simple,

easy, or pretty. Despite all this, they loved

one another. They defy the norms of what

we see as a family, living a comfortable

life, or knowing the blessings of

prosperity. Despite all this, they were

happy in the love they offered to each

other.

We thank Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – the Holy Family

– for showing us how to live in love. We make our own

families through the bonds of devotion and compassion.

We are called to live as they did. Our lives may never

be simple or perfect, but we can know true love and the

happiness it brings. God works in this. That is the

blessing of this feast.

Happily yours in Christ, Fr. Joe

Question: Father, my ex-husband died. Does that mean

I can be part of the Church again?

Answer: You have always been part of the Church,

unless you formally renounced your faith. You are not

excommunicated if you were divorced. (That’s a

common misunderstanding about the Church.)

Divorced Catholics are full members of the Church who

are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the

Church. The one caveat is for divorced and remarried

Catholics. They are not to participate in the reception

of the Eucharist, unless they have an annulment and

have their current marriage blessed. A person who is

divorced and not remarried can receive the Eucharist or

even be a Eucharistic Minister. Divorce does not

separate a person from the Church in any way. So you

need not ask about rejoining the Church; you are

already one with us. You are always welcome here. If

you have any concerns, just come to Confession. We

can help you out with any questions you might have

there.

Ask Father

Readings for the week of December 30, 2018

Sunday: 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 [cf. 5a]/1

Jn 3:1-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52

Monday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Ps 96: 1-2, 11-12, 13 [11a]/Jn 1:1-18

Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27/Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 [2a]/Gal 4:4-7/

Lk 2:16-21

Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [3cd]/

Jn 1:19-28

Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29—3:6/Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6 [3cd]/

Jn 1:29-34

Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9 [3cd]/Jn 1:35-42

Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 [2a]/Jn 1:43-51

Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

[cf. 11]/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12

Parish Information Prayers / Devotions

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 share their talents making 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

Our next meeting is January 30th.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Bible Study Group

Our next class is on Thursday, January 3rd. We will

cover Genesis, Chapters 22 & 23—The Binding of

Isaac and the Death of Sarah. All are welcome to join

us!

Thursdays at 1:30PM—Chapel (Rectory basement)

Thursdays at 7:00PM—Chapel (Rectory basement)

(The 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

(for Advent) in the reconciliation room in the church,

or call Father Joe 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 December 23rd

Collections not available when bulletin sent to print.

† Southington Catholic School †

St. Thomas Religious Ed. †

GROCERY AND SCRIP CARDS

You can order grocery cards, gas cards, department

stores gift cards, movie tickets, etc. Every purchase

you make earns us rewards for Southington Catholic

School. Gift cards are great for birthdays, thank you

gifts and holidays. Please call the school (860-628-

2485) for more information and to obtain a complete

list of participating retailers. This list is also available

at the rectory. THANK YOU!

Southington Catholic School

Open House

Mark your calendar for Sunday,

January 27. Starting at Noon, you

are invited to visit Southington

Catholic School to meet the

dedicated faculty and to discover

the reasons why our students

excel academically in grades K

through 8. Current students and

families will greet you and share their

endorsements of learning in a small class

environment without distraction. For more

information, please call the Advancement Office

at 860-628-2485 ext.114. We hope to see your

family on January 27th.

SAVE THE DATE!

We have just received

word from the

Archdiocese about

Confirmation this

year. It will be on

Friday, May 10, 2019

at 7:00PM. The

ceremony will take

place at Our Lady of

Mercy Church in

Plainville.

Archbishop Blair will

be presiding, and we

will have Mass with

the ceremony.

Car Decals Show your support of Catholic

education in our community by adding

one of our Southington Catholic

School magnetic decal to your vehicle.

These attractive and easy to apply

magnets are a great way to spread the

word that Catholic education is a

wonderful option in Southington.

Available for

$2.00 each,

they can

purchased by

calling 860-628

-2485 ext 114.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS - HOLLY

The name of the shrub itself is from the word “holy”. Another name for holly is “Christ’s Thorn”.

The sharpness of the prickly, pointed leaves of these shrubs and trees recalls Christ’s crown of thorns,

and the red berries remind us of his blood. The holly maintains its bright green leaves and rich red

berries throughout winter, speaking of hope in the midst of winter. The bush is able to endure the

hardships of bitter cold and heat, and holds up well in drought.. They are generally immune to insect

damage.. There is little that affects it. Ancient Romans believed the holly could ward off all kinds of

evil. The Druids not only believed the holly warded off malice, but thought it actually attracted good

spirits. Because of these factors, it became a natural symbol for Christmas. The evergreen in winter

is a sign of eternal life in the face of death. The association of repelling sin and bringing good spoke

of the Incarnation of the Son of God who came to free us from sin and unite humanity with the divine.

Sprigs and wreaths of holly on doors became a common custom throughout all of northern Europe as

part of the Christmas holiday. In Ireland, the holly sprig on the door came down at the end of

Epiphany and was burned in the fire.

PASSION PLAY

MISSION

We will eventually need a

new administrator for the

Passion Play. It would be

beneficial if this person

could work with the present

administrator for the 2019

season to see what is

involved. For information,

contact Bonnie Peterson at

860-621-7005.

Thank You!

Epiphany Open House

We will have an open house

in the rectory after Masses on Saturday, January 5th and

Sunday, January 6th. All are we lcome to see the decorations, have some

refreshments, and get to talk with your fellow parishioners! We hope to see you there!

Join us!!!

Passion Play News

Please consider helping us spread Gods message of love

through this Lenten prayer. There are lots of ways to

help from on the stage to behind the scenes. This year,

we need someone to help with administrative duties and

someone to learn the lighting system. Mark these

important dates on your calendar. Auditions, Women -

January 30th and Men - January 31st, will be held at

7pm in the cafeteria at Southington Catholic School.

February 6th a gathering night for all members past,

present and future. Please join us at 6:30pm in the

cafeteria to pray, visit with friends and for the cast

introduction.

For a complete schedule check our web site

stthomassouthington.org/passionplay

Or email Bonnie Peterson at [email protected]

or call her at 860 621-7005.

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

Giovanni’s Pizzeria 860-621-2299

www.giovannisofsouthington.com

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

ATD Home Security 1-888-862-6429

www.parishstore.com

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

Su

pp

ort our A

dvertisers—

Tha

nk th

em for h

elpin

g u

s!

William & Helen Spring Joan Whitaker

John & Julia Spring Paul Whitaker

Charles & Emma Herzy Elaine Simone

Anton & Mary Heberstreet Lucille Marquis

Charles & Josefa Herzy Frank Levanti

Stanley, Anna, & Agnes Borawski Kara DeCorb

Edward & Florence Podhajski Gloria Gombar

Carol & Jack Potter Rosaire Michaud

Sophie Mongillo Evo J. Mongillo, Sr.

Michael D. Mongillo AnnMarie Cocozza

Robert Herzy Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Zbikowski

Levanti Family Lavallee Family

Frank & Bernice Bogush Gina Metts

Francis Fitzsimons Ernestine Fitzsimons

Robert Zbikowski Mr. & Mrs. Louis Petrucci

Pat & Anthony Petrucci Terry Don Cima

DMO Cocozza & Cicarelli Families Maureen Scott

Alexander & Ann Cima Josephine Walsh

Pierina & Angelo Carnaghi Angela Melican

Elvige Re & Theresa Colcutterra Lauren Bernier

Alexander & Margaret Cima Anthony Vecchio

Robert & Mary Vachon Mr. Anthony Serafino

John, Aline, & Sandra Roderiques Caryl G. Morgan

Robert L., & Robert M. Govoni Richard F. Billings

Warner and Pat Allare Theresa Besescheck

Joe & Joan Campion Otto Besescheck, Sr.

Gaetano & Maria Sabino Joseph & Louise Lerz

Sabino & Ragozzino Familly Mary Brunalli

Giovanni & Carmela Vecchio/Family Bruno Bunalli

Peter & Emily Olear Anna & Art D’Agostino

Ralph & Maria Parlapiano John & Viola DeCaprio

John R. Morgan , Sr. & Jr. Thomas & Ruth Lessor

Mr. & Mrs. James Serafino Lucille Adshade

Mr. & Mrs. Emile Ouellette Helen Kaftan

Thomas Nedjoika & Family Raymond Derynioski

Mr. & Mrs. Galliher & Family Louise Eisenbeiser

The Adolph Billings, Sr. Family Thomas Albert

Jacob Hanecak The Faraone Family

Katerina Hanecak Raymond Kuley

The Aldi Family Fannie Janazzo

Continued next weekend

Christmas Flower

Intentions