St. Edward Church

MASS TIMES

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE NO PUBLIC MASSES OR PARISH GATHERINGS AT THIS TIME.

WEEKDAY (Monday - Friday):
8:00 am
No Mass on Thursdays.

WEEKEND
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am

REMINDER: When school is delayed or closed due to snow, there will be no morning Mass.

CONFESSIONS: Saturdays, 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. or by appointment.

The Church will be open from the conclusion of daily Mass until 3:30 p.m. to give parishioners the opportunity for private prayer in these challenging times.

ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR, STAFFORD

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The Parish Family of St. Edward The Confessor, a Roman Catholic faith community, strives to be the living expression of Christian faith in our worship and in our community by welcoming all who seek to enrich their relationship with our one true God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

PARISH BULLETINS

Sun, May 31st

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WELCOME

***FROM THE PASTOR'S* *DESK***

March 19, 2020

My dear Parish family,

As many of you already know, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the Diocese of Norwich has suspended all public celebration of Mass until further notice.

During this most difficult time, we need to turn to our Lord in prayer and petition. Although we cannot celebrate Mass as a congregation, our church will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. seven days a week for all those who would like to spend time in private prayer and devotion. The church will also be open from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings for those who would like to come in after work. The side door by the ramp will be open for you. Please use the hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the church, and practice social distancing. We will continue to make the church available unless the civil authorities place further restrictions on movement (such as a shelter in place). Also, please note that the Parish Office will be open 8:30 a.m. until noon until the crisis abates.

Although we cannot physically celebrate Mass together, there are numerous options on both TV and the Internet. Mass is televised daily at 10:00 a.m. on both WCCT-TV (WB20) and WCTX-TV (MyTV9). Mass is also available throughout the day on EWTN. Live-stream Mass is also available widely on the Internet, at sites such as Bishop Robert Barron’s “Word on Fire” (www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass). Most on-line Masses are available to watch at your convenience.

As Catholics, we always unite spiritually whenever we watch Mass; recite the Rosary and ask for Our Lady’s special protection and intercession; pray the Stations of the Cross; read the daily readings (available on-line); and say novenas and seek the intercession of the saints.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly tells his disciples “Do not be afraid”. He tells us also “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). In these times of uncertainty, God is our strength and hope. Let us continue to pray for all those who will contract this disease and for those who will succumb to it. Pray also for all health care workers and first responders, the poor and all those who livelihoods and sources of income are jeopardized.

Please know that you and your families are remembered in prayer daily. We look forward to the time when we can all come together once again around the table of the Lord to worship in community and receive our Bread of Life in the Eucharist.

In 1901-1902, Father O’Neill also closed the church because of a diphtheria epidemic. Our faith community survived that crisis, just as we will survive this current one. Faith always prevails!

In the hope that churches will re-open in time, our Holy Week and Easter schedule is on the reverse side of this letter. If you have any questions or spiritual needs, please do not hesitate to call the church office at 860-684-2705.

Yours in Christ, Father Peter Liszewski

WE ASK THAT EVERYONE CONTINUE PRAYING FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, ALL HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL, ALL THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH COVID-19 AND THAT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE STAY CALM AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE PARISH - A mailing has gone out to all parishioners regarding the financial status of the Parish and the project to restore the windows on the front of the church. Your prayerful consideration of the requests in the letter is greatly appreciated. NOTE: We have reached our financial goal to restore the windows on the front of the church.

Click here for donation letter and form

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

No current fundraising events planned.

EVENTS

May
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
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3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31

May 31 2020 10:00 am - Coffee and Donuts
May 31 2020 6:00 pm - Adoration
Jun 1 2020 8:00 am - Daily Mass

View all events »

STAFF - (see Office Contacts and Hours for administrative information)

Rev. Peter Liszewski, Pastor
Mary Lucia, Parish Secretary
John Talbot, Sexton
Lida Miller, Director Music Ministry
Andrea Broer, Coordinator of Religious Education
Nicole Ladd, Coordinator of Religious Education

OFFICE CONTACTS AND HOURS

ST. EDWARD CHURCH
Phone - 860-684-2705
Monday thru Friday - 8:00 to 1:00 and 2:00 to 4:00
Email: [email protected]

For the safety of everyone, due to the coronavirus, the church office will be closing at noon until further notice. You may mail your weekly offerings to: 27 Church Street, Stafford Springs, CT 06076 or you may also drop off your envelopes in the white mail box next to the office door.. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

CHURCH OFFICE has moved to its new location at 27 Church Street in the hall.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BIRTHRIGHT CARING CRADLE - The “Caring Cradle” project for Birthright, begins on Mother’s Day weekend, 5/9-5/10, and concludes on Father’s Day weekend, 6/20-6/21. In the cradle are slips of paper which indicate a Birthright need. Please take one of the slips, purchase the item mentioned, and return the article by Father’s Day , 6/21/20. If you prefer, you may make a monetary donation. Last year, Birthright of Windham County in Willimantic, helped over 1,400 women who were experiencing difficult pregnancies. Many of these women Choose Life for their unborn child because Birthright is dedicated to the well-being of both mother and child. At this time we hope to replenish their “Baby Closet”, which supplies needed baby clothes, diapers, ointment, shampoo, and other items. This year, because there are no Masses, there will not be a Cradle near the tabernacle. There is an oval basket with a Birthright label in the back of the Church. The Church is open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You may drop off any donations in that basket during those hours. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Stauffer at 860-684-1447, or by email at [email protected] We thank you in advance for your generosity. Your support in the past has saved and enriched the lives of many babies. Many blessings to you.

WEEKLY OFFERINGS - For the safety of everyone, due to the threat of the coronavirus, the church office will be closing at noon until further notice. You may mail our weekly offerings to: St. Edward Church, 27 Church Street, Stafford Springs, CT 06076.

ADULT CONFIRMATION - Classes for adult members of our faith community who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation and are interested in doing so will begin on Monday, February 10, 2020. Please contact Corinne Lorenzet at 860-684-2666 or the Parish Office for more information.

ST. EDWARD PRAYER AND PLAYGROUP (Sponsored by the St. Edward Faith Formation Program) Most Fridays from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (see weekly bulletin for dates) in the Church Hall. Moms, of all ages, and especially Moms of children at home (babies, tots, preschoolers, and homeschooled of all ages) are invited to a Prayer and Play Group. Children can plan while Moms pray with one another, maybe read a book together, or do a rosary. Rain, snow or shine, children can play in the Church Hall gym, the upper parking lot and playground. Come when you can! (Child still napping? Feel free to bring a pack n play, the Hall meeting room will be set aside for napping tots.)

RCIA - The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program has begun meeting.. Are you or someone you know seeking to know Jesus better and become a full member of his Church? Looking to explore or have questions about what this means? Then RCIA is for you. If you or someone you know is interested in RCIA, please contact Corinne Lorenzet ([email protected] or 860-684-2666) or call the Parish Office. .

FAITH FORMATION - You can reach us at the email address: [email protected] Thank you. Please keep the St. Edward Faith Formation Program in your prayers.

BIBLE STUDY - The Bible Study meets on Thursdays at 6:30 in the Parish Hall. We watch videos and then review questions from a workbook. Everyone is welcome, even if you just want to drop in and see what we are studying. Contact Andrea Broer at: [email protected]

CHILDREN'S LITURGY PROGRAM - If your child is interested in participating in the Children's Mass, please contact Melanie Frye at 860-643-8195.

DIOCESE OF NORWICH

FAITH SPARKS is a new column in the Four County Catholic newspaper. Last month's column was about everyday blessings, encouraging us to recognize the many blessings in our lives. To read this article and find more prayers, visit: NorwichDiocese.org/FaithSparks