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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 Fax: 860-628-4942 Web Site: www.southingtoncathlolicschool.org
July 26, 2020
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
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).”
Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM (Church)
Sunday: 7:30AM & 10:00AM (Church)
Weekday Mass Schedule Monday & Tuesday: 7:30AM (Church) Thursday & Friday: 12:10PM (Church)
Saturday: 8:00AM (Church)
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.
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 Paul Miano
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: Maria DeBuono
Requested by Family
Chapel: For First Responders
Rectory Office Hours Monday—Friday 8AM-4PM
SATURDAY, July 25—St. James, Apostle 8:00AM Mary Olszewski—In Memory of Requested by Rita Gilbert
4:00PM Gino & Esterina Melillo
Requested by Tony Melillo & Family
SUNDAY, July 26 —17th Sunday of Ordinary Time 7:30AM Harry White, Sr. —Birthday Remembrance
Requested by Family
10:00AM Robert Gionfriddo—Birthday Remembrance Requested by his wife
MONDAY, July 27—Weekday 7:30AM Parishioners of St. Thomas Church
TUESDAY, July 28—Weekday 7:30AM Rosa Berube Requested by Angelo & Marilyn Coppola
WEDNESDAY, July 29—St. Martha
NO MASS ON WEDNESDAYS
THURSDAY, July 30—St. Peter Chrysologus,
Bishop & Doctor of the Church 12:10 PM Noreen Fragola Requested by Jeanne Lopatosky
FRIDAY, July 31—St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest 12:10 PM Linda Rungi Requested by sister, Patty
SATURDAY, August 1—St. Alphonosus Ligori,
Bishop & Doctor of the Church 8:00AM Alphonse D’Angelo Requested by Italian Students
4:00PM Gaetano & Lilla Caico
Requested by Vincenzo & Maria Caico
SUNDAY, August 2 —18th Sunday/Ordinary Time 7:30AM Virgilio Iacobucci Requested by Family
10:00AM Giovanni & Francesca Colaccino and Peter &
Immacolata Altieri Requested by Joe, Anna, & family
Father Joe’s Notes My dear friends,
Life appears to be getting back to more familiar patterns. I
notice now when I drive that there’s more traffic on the
roads. I can tell by the upswing in people seeking to make
appointments to come and talk or do sacramental paperwork.
I see more visitors at the hospitals and nursing facilities.
Each weekend, we see a small increase in people attending
Mass. People seem to be reemerging from the long
quarantine. It’s a good thing to see, but also a problem. The
more we “get back to normal”, the easier it is to forget why
we have been taking so many precautions. It is good to be
out, but we still need to be safe. That is the trick of balancing
concerns of living life and preserving life.
The same dangers exist in our lives as
Christians. We spend so long focusing on
sins and need for conversion in Lent, that we
often forget the same is just as true in July.
While we rejoice in the Salvation of Christ
in Easter, we forget that same power is
offered to us in August. The mystery of the
Incarnation is no less real or significant in
the fall than it is at Christmas. We
sometimes forget the full reality of the
mystery of Salvation is ever present and ever
challenging. Yes, we focus upon the seasons
of the Church with particular emphasis, but we still need to
remember all the elements of what Christ has done for us all
the time. It’s a work of balancing our spiritual lives.
As the normal routines of life start returning, don’t forget to
make God part of that pattern. Don’t get so caught up in the
busyness that we lose spending time with the Lord in prayer.
Don’t lose sight of the need for quiet time and solitude, even
as we eagerly return to visiting family and friends. Life may
see old patterns return, but that doesn’t mean we can take the
silence of our quarantine time and throw it away. Let’s
return to patterns of living, but do so with an appreciation for
the quiet times too!
Gratefully yours in Christ, Fr. Joe
Question: Was Jesus only speaking to his disciples when he
said “Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until
all these things have taken place? (Matthew 24:34, Mark
13:30, Luke 21:32)”
Answer: Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include the same
words and in much of the same context about the end of days.
The earliest Christians believed Jesus’ return was imminent.
St. Paul was so effective preaching because he thought he had
no time to lose. Since the Second Coming of the Lord would
happen any day, they had no time to rest. This motivated that
thinking. Since the end has not come, there have been many
explanations of what it means. Some say the word translated
as ‘generation’ actually means ‘people’ or ‘nation’, and so
Jesus was saying not until the Jewish people died will the end
of time come. (That wrongly caused Christians throughout
history to attack and kill Jewish people, and it’s NOT what
this means.) Some think Jesus is speaking of his own death.
Other hold the sign as the destruction of the Temple in 70AD.
All those are interesting ideas, but they somehow seem to
miss the mark. Interestingly, Luke puts this line in context:
“So also, when you see these things taking place, you will
know that the kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:31)” We are
told in the Gospels that the kingdom of God is at hand. The
Resurrection and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
change everything. Christ’s kingdom is here on earth, and so
the passage is true. They would see the dawn of a new day,
the time of Christ as King. More importantly, we have to
understand that Jesus was speaking prophetically when he
spoke these words. Luke lets us see the term ‘generation’ is
not used to describe all people born into an era, but all people
who are evil and unresponsive. (Luke 7:31; 9:41;11:29,30,31,
32,50, 51; 16:8; 17:25)” The term genea is more inclusive in
prophetic literature. It speaks more openly than the people of
a specific time or date. There are people born of a sinful
world, and they are always around. They won’t disappear
before Christ returns in glory. Believers are born of the Spirit,
and so they are of the generation of the Kingdom of God on
earth and in heaven. They are always in the presence of God,
and so they do not pass away. Both generations are always
present, and so the saying takes on broader prophetic
significance. Having said this, just beware people who quote
this line in connection to our own era of time. They are
twisting the meaning of Scripture to their own end, and
should be avoided. To take the verse out of context is a
mistake. If we understand this as a broader prophetic call to
become people born of God and not of evil, we will get the
message. That is Christ’s true intent when he speaks these
words. No matter the era or the people, we want to stand
with the Lord at any time: whether it is the beginning, middle
or end of days!
Ask Father
Readings for the week of July 26, 2020
Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12/Ps 119:57,72,76-77,127-130/
Rom 8:28-30/Mt 13:44-52
Monday: Jer 13:1-11/(Ps)Dn 32:18-21/Mt 13:31-35
Tuesday: Jer 14:17-22/Ps 79:8-9,11,13/Mt 13:36-43
Wednesday: Jer 15:10,16-21/Ps 59:2-4,10-11,17-18/
Lk 10:38-42 or Jn 4:7-16
Thursday: Jer 18:1-6/Ps 146:1b-6b/Mt 13:47-53
Friday: Jer 26:1-9/Ps 60:5,8-10,14/Mt 13:54-58
Saturday: Jer 26:11-16,24/Ps 69:15-16,30-31,33-34/
Mt 14:1-12
Next Sunday: Is 55:1-3/Ps 145:8-9,15-18/Rom 8:35,37-39/
Mt 14:13-21
Parish Information Devotions & Groups
Holy Hours In the chapel—rectory basement
CURRENTLY ON HOLD
Eucharistic Adoration In the chapel—rectory basement
CURRENTLY ON HOLD
Miraculous Medal Novena In the chapel—rectory basement
CURRELY ON HOLD
Italian Rosary Group CURRENTLY ON HOLD
Lap Blanket Ministry Parishioners make 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. Canceled until further notice.
Ladies Guild The Ladies Guild meets the first Monday
of each month, and hosts hospitality in
the church meeting room each first
Sunday after both 7:30 & 10:00 mass.
Bible Study Group We will be taking a break over the
summer. We will resume in
September. We will be reading the
Book of Joshua. We will start fresh
for any new participants. We hope to
have an in person class and also live-
stream. See you this fall!
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 Saturdays 3:00 PM until 3:30 PM in
the reconciliation room in the church (you must wear a
mask when coming), or call to make an appointment.
Marriage We need a minimum of six months for preparation.
Couples should contact Father Joe to set up 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’ll have our Plant Manager, Casey Potthoff,
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 questions, 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 July 19th
Weekly—$4661 / Missions—$955 / Online—$2593
† Southington Catholic School †
St. Thomas Religious Ed. † ENROLLMENT NOW!
We are currently enrolling students for the 2020-
2021 school year. Grades one through eight will
meet on Mondays in the school at two times. The
first session is 4:15-5:30PM and the second is 6:00
-7:15PM. We will have one class of each grade
offered during each session. Confirmation
students in ninth and tenth grade will meet
Sunday evenings in the school 6:00-7:30PM. Registration forms will be given to the children
currently enrolled, and they are available in the
rectory office. Registration forms must be
submitted by July 10th, or a late fee will be added
to the registration fee. Call Sister Marie with any
questions.
Breakfast
Cupboard:
Southington Catholic
School is collecting
boxes of breakfast ce-
real to help Southington
Community Services
meet the increased
need during the sum-
mer months. Please
consider adding an ex-
tra box of cereal to your weekly grocery list.
Your donation will be collected in the lobby of
SCS at 133 Bristol Street on Monday –
Thursday mornings. Please call for more infor-
mation 860-628-2485.
Thank you for helping to ease the pain of hun-
ger In our community.
Welcome Back!
Southington Catholic School anticipates a return to the classroom and is
working to secure a safe and healthy environment for all our students
from pre-k3 to grade 8. Our large classrooms and small class sizes will
assist in the providing social distancing. The health and safety of each
student is paramount in planning for our reopening. Please contact us at
860-628-2485 for more information on our full time, 5 day a week
reopening. New registrations for the upcoming school year are welcome.
Join Our Team: Southington Catholic School is a seeking a
responsible and caring adult to supervise students in the before school
program AND the popular afterschool program. Please contact
Southington Catholic School at 860-628-2485 for additional information
about this part-time 5 day a week position.
Stewardship Thought
“The law of Your mouth is to
me more precious than
thousands of gold and silver
pieces,” says the psalmist
today. Does the amount of
our offering suggest that we
can honestly say the same?
Our Sunday Visitor, Stewardship by
the Book: Bulletin Bits Based on the
Sunday Readings, by Sharon Hueckel, Second Edition 2004, page 12).
Bulletin Notes
Please note that all bulletin
announcements must be
submitted in writing no
later than MONDAY prior
to printing, but you’re
encouraged to send your
submissions 2 weeks in
advance. It’s best to send
them by email to the
rectory. Thanks!
The five Catholic parishes of Southington are
currently in the stages of discussing collaboration of ministries. Since this town is one of the few that
was not reorganized three years ago, we have to find
solutions to meet changing needs in the Archdiocese
of Hartford. Given the shortage of active priests and
deacons (which will only increase in severity over the
next decade), declining Mass attendance, and the need
to steward our resources well, we have to find a
solution to ensure sacramental life will continue in
this community for years to come. With the
encouragement and blessing of the diocese, we have
undertaken the discussion of plans to meet the needs
as priests retire and changes happen. The pastors and
trustees have agreed to a framework that needs further
discussion on details. We want to inform you of the
plan on the table.
1) The five parishes (Immaculate Conception,
Mary Our Queen, St. Thomas, St. Dominic, and
St. Aloysius) would agree to join ownership of
Southington Catholic School for the 2020-2021
school year. All five would subsidize the school,
promote enrollment, and be part of the spiritual
and sacramental formation of the students.
2) All five parishes would operate a combined
religious education program for the 2021-2022 school year. This current year would be a time to
line up timing of preparing our students for
sacraments in the same grade level and trying to
find ways to offer virtual classes, at least for the
sacramental preparation years. We hope to offer
that option this year.
3) All the parishes would offer a joint youth
ministry program for all Catholic teens in town. This would most likely take place in the 2021
calendar year, when all Covid 19 precautions and
restrictions are lifted.
4) All the parishes would offer common daily
Mass schedule. We would chose one church,
mostly likely Immaculate Conception, and offer a
morning Mass (perhaps at 8:00 AM) and a Noon
Mass Monday through Friday, and a morning
Mass on Saturday. Each of the pastors would take
turns covering those Masses. This means no one
needs to run from church to church during the
week to find better Mass times or cover a priest on
his day off. Each parish would continue to operate
their weekend and holy day Masses separately,
following their own schedules.
We hope that being able to combine efforts and
collaborate in ministry will promote the growth
and stability of the parishes, education programs,
and youth outreach. Knowing the changes that will
be coming, we believe it is better to work together
than compete against one another. No one wants to be
the church that is told to close and merge with another
because of some unforeseen staffing issues. By
actively working together now, we create a viable
mission to minister in the face of changing times and
demographics.
If you should have any questions or comments,
please let us know. Drop a note, send an email, give
us a call. Thank you for your consideration.
Southington Catholic Parishes Collaborating
Su
pp
ort our A
dvertisers—
Tha
nk th
em for h
elpin
g u
s!
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
Plantsville Funeral Home 860-621-4656
www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com
Giovanni’s Pizzeria 860-621-2299
Dow Gutters 860-726-0045
Landscapes Unlimited Residential and Commercial 860-621-7820
Pest Control 2000,LLC 860-628-8783
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
Showcase Realty Inc. 176 North Main Street—Southington 860-276-2000
Landino Landscaping Residential and Commercial
860-620-2133 www.landinolanscaping.com
PN Auto Body & Repair 860-793-1999
V.Nanfito Remodeling & Repairs 860-621-6898
CV Tool Company 860-621-0494
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
Plantsville Family Dental 860-621-2700 www.plantsvillefamily dental.com
Connecticut Casualty Company 1-800-922-2886 www.ctcasualty.com
Catholic Cemeteries Association of the
Archdiocese of Hartford, Inc.
PLEASE HELP FEED
THE HUNGRY IN
OUR COMMUNITY!
Bread for Life’s food donations are down
42% this quarter. Without the help of our
community, this puts an extra burden on the
food pantry. There is a need right now for the
following items listed below.
tuna fish in
cans or pouches
baked beans
fruit in cans or
individual cups
chili in a can
jello box or in
individual cups
stuffing
We understand that this is a
difficult time for many
people. If you are able to
give, and would like to
donate, you can drop items
off on the front porch of
Bread for Life between the
hours of 8am-4pm,
Monday-Friday, at 31
Vermont Ave. Thank you
for your generosity!
