When people who love each other have to leave each other for a while, the two most common things they do are- they embrace each other and then leave something of themselves behind. In other words we’ve all read stories or seen movies in which before the main character leaves his girl, he hugs her and then gives her something of himself to treasure and remember him by- perhaps a picture, card or a precious piece of jewelry. And these things she treasures and touches as if she were touching him, until the day comes when they are reunited.

Jesus was in the same situation during the last supper, when he knew that he would be leaving his disciples. After dying and rising from the dead he knew that the day would come, when he would leave his disciples and ascend into heaven. That is why he told them earlier, “Where I am going, you cannot follow.” But because of the great love he had for them (and us), he wanted to leave something behind, some way of still remaining present, and not just to those followers of old, but also to all who would come to believe in him. He wanted a way for us to intimately know, see and feel that he is still here among us. And so he gave us the gift of the Eucharist- the gift of Himself. May we always treasure and cherish this wonderful gift!

God Loves You,

Fr. Dunn

With the lessening of Covid cases and restrictions, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays returns on the weekend of May 22/23.  

Governor Lamont has announced that vaccinated residents of Connecticut are  no longerrequired to wear masks indoors after May 19, 2021.

As a result Bishop Caggiano has made the following changes:

1. For those who are fully vaccinated, they are no longer required to wear a mask to attend Mass or any other liturgical or social function held on parish property.

 2. In an abundance of safety, pastors are encouraged to remind those who are fully 

vaccinated that they are free and welcome to continue to wear masks if they choose to do so.

 3. All those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks when attending Mass or any other liturgicalor social function held on parish property. 

While there is no way for us to enforce this requirement, please remember that this obligation, borne from our commitment to protect human life transcends the mandate of the state. It flows from our very belief in the Lord of life, who commands us to protect, defend and respect all human life, from natural conception to natural death.

Let us continue to pray for the health and safety of all, along with a return to normalcy and a vibrant parish life!

We encourage you to join us for evening prayer, on Thursday June 10^th at 6:30 PM in our Church to pray for victims of the Corona Virus and their families.  All the churches in the Diocese will be joining together in prayer either on Thursday June 10^th or Friday June 11^th on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, asking our Lord for his healing, comfort and protection.  We hope you can make it.

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 2:45 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!

Leadership Institute of The Diocese of Bridgeport

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

Please help those who are suffering from the wounds of abortion

and  join us June 12, 2021 for a Day of Prayer and Healing!                           Contact:

Diocese of Bridgeport Project Rachel Ministry 

203-416-1619

projectrachel@diobpt.org

Come back to God who is love & mercy

                         The June 13th 12:00 pm Mass will be in recognition of 

Please join us at a reception 

immediately following the Mass in our New Parish Hall!

The Women of St. Gregory meet the 2nd 

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

New members are always welcome!

Women’s Sewing  and Craft/Weaving  Group meet 

Monday at 12:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall  and 

Thursday at  7:00 p.m.  in the Church Hall.

 Questions, contact Isabel King  at 203 –512-7307 

or Evelyn De Felice at 203-792-0824

August 21st and 22nd

10 am to 4 pm in the Parish Center

We are seeking Craft Vendors.

If you would like to participate please contact 

Rosemary Bouffard - rosemary.bouffard@gmail.com

We are also seeking basket item donations and 

completed baskets for our basket raffle. 

For more information please contact 

Evelyn DeFelice - mrsde43@gmail.com. or 

Betty Finelli - bettyfinellimsw@att.net

More information will follow in the coming weeks

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 Church Hall.

Please join us with your yarn and needles. 

 Contact Stephanie Martin at 

stephaniemartin@outlook.com for additional information. 

     We have a new Men’s Group here at St. Gregory the Great:   Cornerstone.  This group will meet every first Tuesday of the month (with the exception of our upcoming July meeting which will be on Tuesday July 13^th at 7 PM), and will include prayer, Scripture, and topics of discussion to be determined by the participants.  We will be meeting in the Church Hall.  This will be an informal group, open to all the men of our Parish.   I hope to see you there!

 Come join us on Tuesday , June 8th anytime from 

6 to 10 PM at Prime Pub in Danbury (2 Nabby Road). 

 Prime Pub will donate 30% of all expenses back to our 

Parish and School that night! 

Please come and support our Parish and school, and at the same time enjoy what promises to be a fun filled evening at Prime Pub.  

We hope to see you there!

Advertisements can be purchased for a business, family, 

or a sponsor ad can be purchased supporting community service 

organizations like emergency pregnancy counseling or the battered women’s shelter, etc. 

We need and appreciate your help.

Thank you in advance for your generous support, and please patronize our advertisers!

Part Time Technology Teacher

Part Time Spanish Teacher

These are immediate openings. 

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

McGivney Council #29 Knights of Columbus 

10th Annual Charity Golf Outing – September 22nd 

Enjoy a fun day of golf at Danbury’s Richter Park while supporting the Charitable Works of McGivney Council #29 

Knights of Columbus! 

The outing is open to all men and women. 

For more information contact: KofC29@gmail.com or 203.744.9652 

                            Eric Mandzuk, Irene Anderson, Tommie DeSantis, Robert 

Carolan, Linda Salvador, Amandio Dos Santos, Vicki Denicola, Dave Sutton, Joe Vick, Isiah Matthew,  Arlene Kuderna, Valerie Geerer, Ellen Boyle, Kenneth Towery, Dr. John Famigletti, Mark Cefaloni, Susan Gallagher, John Muro, Carol Gershkowitz, Dr. Ephram Rebong, Doris Ryan, Sharon Tharas, Craig Studer, David and Darlene Collins and the Rutledge and Houlihan Families.

BIRTHRIGHT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!                       

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!!!

Please note that we will be having an "In-Pew" solicitation at all the Masses on the weekend of June 5/6.  Thank you so much for your past generosity towards our yearly Catholic Appeal and to those that already made a contribution this year.  This year’s Catholic appeal goal for St. Gregory the Great parish has decreased from $90,000 to $70,000.  The appeal helps support the poor, sick, aged, homeless, and other families and individuals of the Diocese.

                                       Total Pledged:                                          $840,215

                                      Total Collected (As of 5/6/21):               $404,493 (48%)

To Make a payment on your pledge, please visit

                             GiveCentral.org/WSWC or call 203-648-9050   

May 23, 2021

$5,551.79