As the Parish of Saint Catherine of Siena we are a community of disciples of Jesus Christ. In communion with our Archbishop and the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world, we proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
Through our life of worship, we acknowledge our need for the love and mercy of God and we welcome all to share in them. Through our ministries and service, we seek to form our members more deeply as disciples of Jesus and to make present, in our own times, the love and peace of the dawning Kingdom of God.
The gospel this weekend is from St. Luke who speaks to us about preparation for the “…day that will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth…be vigilant…” That Last Day, like taxes, will come. Will you and I be prepared, as good Catholics, to meet the Lord and be judged? Will the outcome of eternal life be a real “surprise to me?”
Advent is a liturgical season that lasts four (4) weeks, which also marks the beginning of the Church Year—so Happy New (Church) Year! It is structured as the fourth Sunday before Christmas for its beginning and is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus on Christmas Day. The predominate color for this liturgical season is purple, symbolizing penance and preparation. However, on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Rose is the color of the liturgies (Masses, prayer services, etc.) used to signify Joy and Hope.
This solemnity is celebrated to emphasize the Kingship of Christ and to extol His authority over all creation. It is interesting that we celebrate this solemnity on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and right before the beginning of the Season of Advent; and immediately after all the hoopla of the US presidential elections. A little perspective here for our human condition
I want to express my sincerest and most appreciative thanks and gratitude to those involved with planning and executing the November 16th 50th Anniversary Gala dinner and celebrations at The Riverview in Weatogue last Saturday night.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
Gospel Mt 7:21, 24-27
Parish Happenings...
PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th...This year, join Santa as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Hot cocoa and candy canes will be served while you write your letter to Santa. Please bring a nonperishable food item for our food pantry.
After you mail your letter, visit and take a photo with Santa, and don't forget to pick up your special "surprise" on your way out.
In order to accommodate all of our parishioners, this event is open to parishioners only. For more information or for questions, please contact Katie Vayda at katievayda@gmail.com
Altar Servers Please! Reminder: Altar Server sign-up sheets are in Atrium and Vestibule-If you are in 4th Grade or higher, please consider being an altar server at the Mass and work with the greatest priest in the Archdiocese. Great pay—eternal, and serve your God and parish while at Mass, open to all boys and girls. For more information, call Fr. Michael at 860 658 1642. Thank you!
Women’s Service Ministry We invite all senior parishioners to our "Celebrate the Season - Senior Luncheon". Please join us Wednesday, December 4th at 12 noon in Russell Hall for an afternoon of friendship and community, faith, a delicious homemade lunch, music and more, as we prepare our hearts for the coming season. . SIGN UP HERE!
Count Your Blessings service project Please join us on Thursday December 5that 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. to make blessing bags for ladies at the shelters. These bags will be made from t-shirts and will be filled with both useful and fun items. Feel free to bring fun fillers. Please call Diane Whittemore @ 860-913-0241 if you plan to attend. Refreshments served.
Parishioner’s Corporal Works of Mercy
Pantry Partners- has seen a 50% increase in the number of recipients compared to this time last year, now serving 30 families facing food insecurity. Recipients consistently commend the parish for its generosity, noting the significant impact it has on their lives. The next distribution will be December 21st. Please consider a donation to the Brigade
St. Elizabeth’s HouseSunday, December 15th St. Elizabeth House is a transitional housing program for previously homeless adults who are looking to change their lives. Our church is privileged to serve this community for over 25 years. Please join us in preparing and serving a meal to the residents at St. Elizabeth House. Thank you for your service! St. Elizabeth House Sign Up
FEED THE HUNGRY Lunch Service on Sat, Dec 21st. Please sign up by Weds, Dec 18th. Thanks for volunteering, "Your reward in Heaven will be great!"
There are 4 ways to help: 1. Serve Lunch In-Person: Carpool from St. Catherine's at 9:45 am to St. Elizabeth's House in Hartford. At the shelter we will serve a meal for residents as well as for other food insecure guests. We will be done by 1:00 p.m. 2. Prepare a hot dish: We'll supply the ingredients for you to make a hot dish at home for us to bring to Hartford. Pick up the ingredients on Thursday, 12/19 at Fitzgeralds and drop off the hot meal to Russell Hall kitchen on Saturday, 12/21 between 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. We'll contact you ahead of time with the recipe and more information if you haven't done this before. 3. Make Cupcakes: Make 12 cupcakes and drop off on Sat, 12/21 to Russell Hall kitchen between 8:30-9:30 a.m. 4. Make sandwiches: Please see the weekly bulletin "Street Sandwich Ministry" section to sign-up. Feed The Hungry Sign Up
DECEMBER STREET SANDWICH MINISTRY Our next Street Sandwich Ministry is scheduled for Saturday, December 21st, Sunday, December 22nd and Monday, December 23rd (until 9:30 a.m.). Please no condiments or lettuce! A sign up of 1 means 1 dozen or 12 sandwiches. Please individually wrap sandwiches. PB&J sandwiches need PB on both sides of the bread so the jelly doesn’t soak the bread. Earn Confirmation Hours too! To sign up, please click on the link: Street Sandwich Ministry Sign Up
Comitas is a parish ministry created to give families nutritional support and to allow them to focus on other important needs such as bereavement or recovery from illness. Comitas volunteers receive occasional requests for help in providing meal assistance to and can choose to assist if it works with their schedule to the family in need. Please consider joining this amazing volunteer ministry. Prayerfully consider joining the 20+ year ministry. If you are in need of support or know someone in need of meal assistance help, please reach out to the office or to Karen Corriveau at stcathycomitas@gmail.com.
The Parish Prayer Line Do you have a special intention or know someone who needs special prayers? Our Prayer Ministry has over 40 people who daily pray for the intentions submitted to our Prayer Line. To request prayers, please call the parish prayer line at 860-658-1642/option 8 and record your request. All requests are kept confidential.
Want to join our Ministry, call Eileen Landi at 860-490-5472 or email at eileenlandi@gmail.com