Moved by Compassion

     There was a famous British actress of the 19^th century known as Ms. Kendal.  She appeared as a character in the powerful film, “The Elephant Man”, which you may recall is the true story of a man who was horribly disfigured.

     In the film, Ms. Kendal went to see John Merrick (the elephant man), and when she saw him she simply held out her hand to take his.  As he extended the less deformed of his two hands, Ms. Kendall stood there, looked him straight in the eye, and shook her head (no).  John Merrick paused a long time, then drew his more 

deformed hand out from his coat pocket.  Ms. Kendal took his hand in hers and smiled.  With tears in his eyes John Merrick said to her that this was the first time in his life that a woman had held his hand.  He was so struck by and grateful for her kindness and compassion.

     Jesus, despite the reactions of disgust and fear on the part of others, touches and heals a man with leprosy who sought to be made clean.  Jesus not only healed his body, but his genuine compassion and love for him healed his soul as well.  Jesus filled the man’s heart with a sense of worth and dignity that he most likely never knew before.

     What does it take to stir up compassion for others in our own hearts?  If we can see others with the eyes of Jesus, we will naturally feel compelled to respond with compassion to their needs.  When we do we can change hearts and lives, and bring joy to God’s heart as well.

God Loves You,

Fr. Dunn

Ash Wednesday February 17th Masses, 8 and 9:30 AM , 12 and 5:30 PM

Good Friday  and All Fridays in Lent are days of fast and abstinence

Stations of the Cross: Every Friday at 6 PM with the exception of Good Friday at 7 PM

Confessions:  Every Saturday from 3-3:45 PM (except Holy Saturday)

And Sunday’s in Lent 11-11:45 AM

Confessions will also be heard Monday March 29th from 3-9 PM at

St. Josephs in Brookfield, St. Peters in Danbury and St. Edwards in New Fairfield

Theology on Tap: Tuesday March 9th at 7 PM in the Church Hall

Loves & Fishes envelopes for the hungry in the Diocese are in the vestibule  of the church

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper Thursday April 1st at 7:30 PM

Good Friday Service, Friday April 2nd at 3 PM

And Stations of the Cross, at 7 PM

Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday April 3rd at 8PM

Easter Sunday Masses, April 4th at 8 and 10 AM  and 12  PM

*Sunday,  February 21st  at 11 AM and Tuesday February 23rd  at 7 PM - Catechesis on the Creed

*Sunday,  March 21st at 11 AM and Tuesday March 23rd at 7 PM – Catechesis on St. Joseph 

Something that is very important to both Fr. Ford and I, is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  We both are deeply devoted to Jesus in the Eucharist.  Prayer, especially in front of the real presence of Our Lord, is what supports and blesses the work we do at St. Gregory.  Without regular and devout prayer in the presence of Our Lord, a Parish will truly suffer.  Therefore, we will offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for one hour (from immediately after the 8 AM Mass to 9:30 AM).  Going forward this will continue every Friday.  I encourage you to help bring blessings to both our Parish and your personal life by joining us for this Holy Hour. 

 Thank you ahead of time for your interest and prayers!

 The theme for our Parish and school this year will be, “Jesus I trust in You!”  

These are the words found at the bottom of paintings of the Divine Mercy of Jesus.

     In thanksgiving to Jesus and asking for His and Mary’s continued blessings and 

protection this year, we’re adding two weekly devotions to our Parish Calendar.  First, we will recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every Friday at 3 PM with the Blessed Sacrament exposed. 

Second, we will pray the rosary every Monday at 9:30 AM, asking for our heavenly 

Mother’s intercession.   The children of our school will livestream and participate from our school (others may do so as well), and parishioners are encouraged and most welcome to attend.  I truly believe in the power of prayer and that these additions will bring many blessings to our Parish and School! 

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Please note when our school is closed due to inclement weather, there will be no weekday 8 AM Mass as well. If the roads are considered too dangerous for children to come to school, they are dangerous for people to come to Mass. If there is a school delay only, Mass will still take place at the regular 8 AM time.

This applies to weekday Masses only.

A private Mass will still be said for any scheduled intention sometime that day.

Also, any parishioner who scheduled an intention for a cancelled Mass, is welcomed to schedule another Mass at no cost. Weekend Masses are never cancelled, but please use caution in inclement weather.  Call the office if you have any questions.

The Women of St. Gregory meet the 2nd 

Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the 

 Community Room. 

New members are always welcome!

Women’s Sewing  and Craft/Weaving  Group meet Monday at 12:00 p.m.  and 

Thursday at  7:00 p.m. in the 

Community room.

 Questions, contact Isabel King 

 at 203 –512-7307 or

 Evelyn De Felice at 203-792-0824

This year’s study is

     John’s Gospel 

    “Touching the Divine”

In person and virtual sessions are being offered on Wednesdays in the morning and evening.

For more information, contact Suzanne 

scurra@diobpt.org or Rene 203-417-9865

Starting in October the Prayer Shawl  Ministry will meet every  first and third  Saturday of the month at 9:30. a.m. in the Parish  Community Room.  

Please join us with your yarn and needles. 

 Contact Stephanie Martin at 

stephaniemartin@outlook.com for additional information. 

Please join the Women of Saint Gregory

in spreading the love of Christ this Valentine’s Day.

Drop off your non-perishable foods 

(please check expiration dates)

outside the main doors of the Church on 

Saturday, February 13th 3:00-4:30 pm and

Sunday, February 14th, 9:00 am-12:00 pm.

Donations will help support Daily Bread in Danbury.

Thank you for your generosity!

Join other families 

in the Diocese in saying the 

Rosary every Sunday at 7:30 pm. 

Visit www.formationreimagined.org 

and click on the praying hands. 

If you have any questions, please email 

Rosary@diobpt.org

Part Time Technology Teacher

Part Time Spanish Teacher

These are immediate openings. 

Resumes should be sent to Suzanne Curra at sgs.curra@sgtgs.org

 Faith Formation

                                              If You Have Not Registered

 Your Child for our Faith Formation Program,

 Please Call the Office at  203-797-0222

                     Wednesday, February 17: Ash Wednesday 

· Friday, February 19 @ 6:00pm: Stations of the Cross 

·Sunday, February 21 @11:00am: Catechesis on the Creed     Session 1 

·Tuesday, February 23 @7:00pm: Catechesis on the Creed      Session 2 

·Friday, February 26 @ 6:00pm: Stations of the Cross 

McGivney Council #29 is the Knights of Columbus chapter for much of Danbury, including St. Gregory The Great parish. Men (18+) are welcome and encouraged to join. In addition to numerous other charitable efforts, our Council has a focus on supporting Catholic education, Youth programs, and assisting the needy with our Coats for Kids and food donation programs.

Please visit our website at  www.KoC29.org  or our facebook page at  facebook.com/kofc29  for additional information.

Our Council can also be contacted via email at KofC29@gmail.com  or by voicemail at 203-744

                                PARISH PRAYER LIST                                     

Irene Anderson, Tommie DeSantis, Patti Skok, Robert Carolan, Linda Salvador, Robin Brundage, Jr., Vicki Denicola, Dave Sutton, Joe Vick, Isiah Matthew,  Arlene Kuderna, Valerie Geerer, Ellen Boyle, Kenneth Towery, Dr. John Famigletti, Barbara Janseen, Brigid Guertin, Mark Cefaloni, Susan Gallagher, John Muro, Carol Gershkowitz, Dr. Ephram Rebong, Michael Jaber, Doris Ryan, Sharon Tharas, Mary Ann Petronio and David and Darlene Collins

Thank you!            BIRTHRIGHT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!         Thank you!                Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service offering free pregnancy                          tests, friendship counseling, and practical support.  Our guiding principle: It is the RIGHT  of every pregnant woman to give BIRTH and the RIGHT of every child to be BORN. Birthright has served in Connecticut since 1972 and helped thousands of mothers and babies. There are 8 Birthright locations in our state. Please call 1-800-550-4900 for the Birthright nearest you. Training is provided. Spanish speaking volunteers are especially needed. If you have  gently worn MATERNITY or BABY CLOTHING please call to arrange a drop off! Thank you!!!

A campaign such as We Stand with Christ does not simply end when all the pledges are collected. Now is the time when we start to see the wonderful effects of our effort. As a reminder, our parish will receive over $300,000 to help complete our new parish hall and offices. With your compliance, St. Gregory the Great will be able to realize the funds necessary to complete our projects. Please be sure to send your pledge payments in by mail to the Campaign Office or sign up for online payments at  www.givecentral.org/wswc. 

    January 31, 2021

$4,609.54

* January online-giving  $17,212.00