ANNOUNCEMENTS

Online giving is now available!

We heard you during the Walking Together initiative.  One of the requests was to adopt Online Giving.  With the help of several resources we have been able to make it happen.  Please visit our giving site at Give Now

 


RCIA

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

We also provide instruction for adults who would like to receive the Sacraments of First Communion and/or Confirmation. 

Sessions begin in early September.  For information please contact Corinne Lorenzet (phone: 860-684-2666 or email: [email protected]) or contact the Parish Office at 860-684-2705.


 

 

Visit the Knights of Columbus page for photos of the Hartford Yard Goats trip on 9/10.

https://www.stedward-stafford.org/Knights-of-Columbus

 


 

The St. Clare Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans invites you to join us to celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, in St. Edward Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. 

We hope you can join us for this joyous evening.  All are welcome!!!!


WINE & CHEESE SOCIAL

You are cordially invited to attend the Second Annual Saint Edward Church Starlight Wine & Cheese Social on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 6 PM to 9 PM.

Tickets are $30.00 per person and must be purchased no later than October 1.

Call (860)684-2705 or (860)306-9419 for further information.


The Knights of Columbus Council 1395 will be sponsoring a Pancake and Sausage Dinner on Saturday, October 14th at 5 PM in the Parish Hall. 

Tickets are $10 per person or $20 per family. 

Tickets will be available after Masses or by calling the Parish at (860)684-2705.

MASS TIMES

REGULAR MASS TIMES
Saturday Vigil Mass - 4:00 P.M.
Sunday - 9:00 A.M.
Monday - 8:00 A.M.
Tuesday - 8:00 A.M.
Wednesday - 8:00 A.M.
Thursday- No Morning Mass
Friday - 8:00 A.M.
CONFESSIONS: Saturday, 3:00 - 3:30 P.M. or By Appointment.
ADORATION: Tuesdays, 9 A.M.-12 Noon in the Church. 
CANCELLATION INFORMATION: There is no morning Mass on the days that the Stafford School System cancels or delays school.

The Parish of St. Edward the Confessor is pleased to welcome you to our website. If you need additional information, please call the Church Office at 860-684-2705 or send us an email through "Contacts" and with God's help, we will gladly assist you with all your religious needs!

OUR  MISSION

Blessed by the grace of God and nurtured by the Eucharist as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, our mission as the Roman Catholic Church of St. Edward the Confessor is to support the spiritual needs of our community.  We engage in outreach guided by the Holy Spirit, using our time, talent, and treasure to serve God's people.

OFFICE INFORMATION

ST. EDWARD CHURCH OFFICE
Address: 27 Church Street
Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
Phone: 860-684-2705
Monday-Friday, 8:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Email: [email protected]
Website Help: stedward-stafford.org

ST.EDWARD PARISH STAFF

ORGANIZATION CONTACTS

Parish Council - Laurel Stark and Steve Kelly ; President and Vice-president  [email protected] or [email protected] 

Trustees - Sandra Comarella or David Syzch; [email protected] or [email protected]

Finance - Sandra Comarella or David Syzch; [email protected] or [email protected]

Knights of Columbus Council 1395 - David Broer; Grand Knight [email protected]

Ladies' Guild - Pat Saunders; President

WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?

"Why do we .... kneel?"

Kneeling is a sign of humility.  It's a common posture for personal prayer and worship (think being taught as children to kneel by the side of our beds to say our prayers before going to sleep).

We kneel after the singing of the Holy, Holy, Holy until after the Amen at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer.  Kneeling reflects our adoration and reverence of the Real Presence of Jesus made present during the consecration.  Kneeling also demonstrates our spirit of repentance.

After the Our Father and Sign of Peace, for which we stand, we kneel again in preparation for receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.  After receiving Communion, we kneel in prayer for the gift of the Eucharist.

“WHY DO WE...sit?”

We sit several times during the Mass, most notably for the readings before the Gospel, the homily, and the preparation of the gifts. The posture of sitting demonstrates receptivity and attentive listening.

By sitting, we open ourselves to receive the Word of God in the first two readings and responsorial psalm. After the priest has reposed the Blessed Sacrament after Holy Communion, we sit for a moment of silent reflection on the gift of the Eucharist we have received.

“WHY DO WE...stand?”

For those who attended St. Edward School (or any Catholic school), you may remember that we always stood when a priest entered our classroom. Standing, in many cultures and situations, is a sign of respect and honor. During Mass, standing reflects our attentiveness and readiness to participate and to respond, so we stand during most of the prayers. We always stand for the reading of the Gospel, for these are the words of Jesus himself.

From the earliest days of the Church, standing has been understood as the stance of those who have risen with Christ and seek the things that are above (USCCB, 2010). Standing is a posture meant to represent the resurrection; we have risen with Christ and seek things from above.

 

SEPTEMBER INTENTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS

For people living on the margins

We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.

WALKING TOGETHER UPDATE

Walking Together Logo

 

Our parish council continues to work on the hopes and concerns that have been brought up during our Walking Together sharing sessions. We will continue to update you on our progress.

Please continue to forward your comments, your hopes and concerns, as well as any time and talents you can share with our parish to the Walking Together email  [email protected].

As always thank you for your time and your efforts to invigorate our parish!

Click this link to view the final report

Walking Together Final Report

 

Prayerfully submitted,

The Walking Together Team

Andrea Broer, Sandy Comarella, Joanne Deskus, Zofia Fitzgerald, Corinne Lorenzet, Laurel Stark

PROJECT WISH LIST

The St Edward Building Committee is working on developing a list of work and / or projects that we would like to see done here on our campus.  So far the list is in a brainstorming stage and includes the big ticket items as well as small things that could be accomplished by volunteers in a few hours or days.  It also includes projects that may be cost prohibitive right now but we want to be sure we have everything in front of us so we can begin to prioritize.  This is the list we have right now.

If you have ideas that are not on this list or would like to volunteer some time please contact the Parish Office at (860)684-2705 or email [email protected]

  • Heat for the hall
  • Church air conditioners
  • Roof for Parish Center
  • Roof for hall
  • Repair inside Parish Center
  • Replace / repair crumbling ramp
  • Replace / repair crumbling front stairs
  • Finish repairing remaining stained-glass windows
  • Reliable Internet access throughout campus
  • Repair damaged garage roof
  • Fix storm drain in lower lot
  • Repave parking lots
  • Paint parking lines to include handicapped parking
  • Install recorded / monitored security cameras
  • Handicap access to Sanctuary
  • Paint ceiling of church
  • Replace pews and flooring in church
  • Paint exterior of church (window frames, etc.)
  • Update kitchen
  • Repair fascia on hall
  • Repair old hall ramp
  • Paint inside of hall
  • Repaint outside of church doors
  • Fix front rail from sidewalk
  • Repaint church railings
  • Repaint rail to Parish Center
  • Remove ivy from wall behind church Thank you Garden Angels
  • Remove stuff from garage table
  • Clean church radiators
  • Add lights to church sign on lawn
  • Repair top step to the upper lot behind church
  • Replace paneling inside church
  • Clean up/touch up finish on pews
  • Repair rotten sills in garage/shed  Thank you Paul Sierra
  • Paint shutters and denticles on rectory
  • Replace damaged windows in rectory
  • Replace wood parking guardrail with curb stops or bollards

 

 

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH

Anniversary Mass
 

2023 MASS BOOK IS OPEN:  The 2023 Mass Book is now available for parishioners to schedule memorial Masses.  Please call the Church Office anytime to schedule your Mass(es).  860-684-2705.

A REMINDER  FOR  THOSE  WHO  CANNOT  ATTEND  MASS  IN  PERSON:  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.


DIOCESE OF NORWICH NEWS AND EVENTS


Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Christopher Coyne as Coadjutor Archbishop of Hartford


Knights of Columbus State Deputies and State Chaplains Assemble in New Haven for Annual Meeting


St. Mary Church in Norwich to Receive $800K State Grant for Restoration and Preservation Work


Catholic Family Services

The Catholic Family Services office provides resources and support to parishes and families to promote and celebrate happy and holy marriages and families. The office provides programs in the areas of marriage preparation, marriage enrichment and support, natural family planning, chastity for teens and serves as a resource for various diocesan support groups.

Learn More

HOPE AND FAITH VIDEO SERIES -

Let the Office of Faith Events brighten your Wednesday mornings by signing up for the weekly Hope and Faith video series.  Throughout the year be inspired with varied reflections on Lent, Advent, the Saints, Gratitude and much MORE! There are two easy ways to receive our weekly video… Simply send your e-mail to [email protected] Or have the videos sent right to your cell phone by texting @lentvid to #81010.

Additional events and legal notices are listed under the Diocese Menu Tab.

 

PARISH HAPPENINGS

 

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS - The Saint Edward Parish Council is seeking nominees for the positions of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary as well as additional new members. Our next meeting will be September 12th at 7 PM in the Parish Center. All are welcome to attend. If you are interested in one of these roles or would like additional information, please contact Stephen Kelley at [email protected] or by phone at 860-810-8096. Become a leader in our Parish Community!!


PLEASE ACCESS THE CURRENT LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION FROM THE DIOCESE OF NORWICH UNDER THEIR MENU ITEM ON THIS WEBSITE.  

https://www.norwichdiocese.org/


WEBMASTER NEEDED - Saint Edward's is looking for a new webmaster.  Duties will include weekly updates of the web site.  If you are interested please contact the Parish Office at 860-684-2705.