This is the Year of Eucharistic Renewal, and in this regard, two major programs are underway in the Town of Stratford. Please read Father Birendra’s important messages regarding the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit and The 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration. These two articles are posted here and will be printed in the bulletin starting weekend April 28. Please mark your calendars for these two very important events.
Here’s what’s happening around the parish as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter:
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: There is one collection this weekend: Stewardship.
2024 BISHOP’S APPEAL IN-PEW COLLECTION WEEKEND APRIL 20 AND 21:
This weekend our parish will hold its In-Pew Weekend for the 2024 Annual Bishop’s Appeal. To date we have reached 80% of our total goal of $110,000. I, as your pastor, thank all those who have already made their commitment to the 2024 Annual Bishop's Appeal. However, this amount comes from only 146 donors. Last year, 2023 Bishop’s Appeal Saint Mark reached 99.38% of our total goal of $110,000. This amount came from only 288 donors. I thank you for your continued support of our parish and our diocese. I request all parishioners who have yet to make their gift, to prayerfully consider making your sacrificial gift or pledge to the 2024 Appeal to reach our goal. We are about 1400 households in our parish. I, as your pastor, request that a greater number of our parishioners prayerfully consider participating, even in a smaller amount to support our bishop in his 30+ projects across Fairfield County. Thank you.
Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit
Blessed Carlo Acutis – Patron for the Eucharistic Congress
Blessed Carlo Acutis was a regular young boy who loved soccer, playing video games, and going to the movies with his friends. While living a relatively normal life, there was something truly remarkable about him. He possessed a deep love and devotion to Christ in the Eucharist. As the internet was gaining popularity in the early 2000s, he helped form websites for parishes, the Vatican, and made a website with information on Eucharistic miracles. He begged his parents to take vacations to 17 different countries and journaled and took copious notes on everything he witnessed. Over a span of two-and-a-half years, he documented 187 Eucharistic miracles. In the midst of his travels, he and his family prayed before hosts that had turned into blood.
He is quoted as saying: “If we stand in front of the sun, we get a tan, but if we stand before the Blessed Sacrament, we become saints.” Carlo put the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the center of his life and called it “my highway to heaven.”
From Thursday, May 23rd through Sunday, May 26th St. Mark will host the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit. The exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles include 166 displays of the 187 Eucharistic Miracles that Carlo Acutis researched before his death (from dolloping leukemia) at the young age of 15 in 2006.
The 40 Hours Eucharistic Adoration
The Forty Hours Devotion is a special forty-hour period of continuous prayer made before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. During this period, the consecrated Eucharist is exposed on the altar in a monstrance for adoration for 40 hours.
The 40 Hours Devotion represents the time that Jesus spent in the tomb; from His burial after His death around 3pm Good Friday, until His resurrection around 7am Easter Sunday is 40 hours. 40 is a significant number in the Bible, as seen in many trials and/or suffering: the rains during the time of Noah lasted 40 days and nights; 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert, and Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the desert before the beginning of His public ministry.
At the heart of the Forty Hours Devotion is the Holy Eucharist, the very Real and True Presence of God himself. Christ our Lord is really and substantially present in this great Sacrament, and through our participation in the devotion we enter his presence, remember the salvation he won for us, rejoice in him, and become signs of his divine renewal in our world.
The Catholic Community of Stratford is hosting 40 Hours devotion from Monday, May 20th through Friday, May, 24th. Instead of having this devotion in one parish, pastors of this town have decided to spread it across five parishes and made the adoration available during the daytime only. We encourage our faithful to participate in this devotion and pray for our country and your own intentions.
Following are the dates and times of this devotion for Stratford parishes:
Monday, May 20 – 11:00 am – 7:00pm - Our Lady of Peace
Tuesday, May 21 – 10:00am – 6:00pm - Our Lady of Grace
Wednesday, May 22 – 11:00am – 7:00pm - St. James
Thursday, May 23 – 8:00am – 4:00pm - Holy Name of Jesus
Friday, May 24 - 11:00am – 7:00pm - St. Mark
BIJOU THEATER PRESENTS ‘TOUCH AND LIVE’: This musical about the life of Christ was composed by our very own Don Brelsford, Director of Music. This DVD presentation is approximately two (2) hours long and depicts scenes from the bible from Creation, the life and ministry of Jesus, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and up to Pentecost. Admission is FREE. Please join us at the Bijou Theater, 275 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ***ALERT: Due to a lot of interest, the Bijou Theater needs to make most of their tickets available to the cast and crew of Touch and Live. Therefore, anyone who wants to attend should call the theater and let them know if you were a member of the cast or crew and give your name. If you were not a member of the cast or crew your name(s) can be placed on a waiting list. There are only 190 available seats. The Bijou phone number is 203-296-2875.
PENTECOST SUNDAY: It is never too early to reach out to our parishioners asking if anyone who speaks a foreign language would like to participate in reading during Pentecost Sunday masses. Please let the rectory office know! Contact Paula at 203-377-0444 or pmollica@stmarkstfd.org.
SAINT MARK LADIES CROWNING OF THE MAY QUEEN: Please join the St. Mark Ladies Guild in church for its beautiful Crowning of Our Blessed Mother Ceremony on Monday, May 13 at 7:00 pm. A Scriptural Rosary will be prayed followed by the Crowning and ending with the shower of roses. Refreshments will be served after the service in the upper room.
OUR LADY OF GRACE CROWNING OF THE MAY QUEEN: The Women’s Ministry of Our Lady of Grace is holding a May Crowning and Candlelight Rosary on May 1st and all women of the Catholic Community of Stratford are invited to attend.
Additionally, OLG will be holding their annual plant sale the weekend of May 3rd – 5th. A large variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs will be available to choose from and this is a very popular plant sale here in Stratford! Flyer attached.
NEWS FROM THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:
1. The St. John Paul II Knights of Columbus Council #8 will host a prayer devotion that includes a traveling Icon of St. Joseph. The devotion will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. All are welcome.
2. In addition, the Knights will begin their month-long Rosary and Litany devotion to the Blessed Mother beginning Wednesday, May 1 through Friday May 31, 2024, at 7:00 pm weeknights, at 6:00 pm Saturday nights (after the 5:00 pm Mass) and at 12:30 pm on Sunday afternoons (after the 11:30 am Mass) (all in the Church, with the exception of Baptism Sundays, when you will pray in the Upper Room).
CATHOLIC HOME MISSION APPEAL AND BLACK AND INDIAN MISSIONS: Weekend of April 27 and 28 is our special collection to support the Catholic Home Missions Appeal and Black and Indian Collection. Nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its territories are unable to fund the essential pastoral work their communities need. This appeal assists our brothers and sisters, both here in the United States and elsewhere, who do not have access to basic pastoral services like Mass, the sacraments, and religious education. Through your support, help is available for mission dioceses to form vibrant faith communities, which strengthens the Church at home and also Black and Indian missions through grants to African American, Native America, and Alaska Native Catholic communities. Thank you for your generosity.
ST. MARK YEARLY RESPECT LIFE DIAPER DRIVE: We are pleased to announce that our yearly diaper drive for families in need in our local community will take place for two weekends: May 11/12 and May 18/19. Bins will be placed at the entrances of the church. Thank you for helping young families in our community.
PARISH NURSES: The Parish Nurses will be taking blood pressure screenings this weekend after all the Masses.
LONG HILL GARDEN CLUB: Long Hill Garden Club is having its' yearly Plant and Tag Sale on Saturday May 4, at the Trumbull Library grounds from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Many home-grown sun and shade plants from members’ gardens are available, along with herbs, tomato plants, and new this year, trays of flowers for purchase. The Tag Sale portion will feature an assortment of garden tools, vases, baskets, and ornaments for sale. There is a children’s table with crafts and spider babies to be adopted. This is the Clubs major fund raiser so join us for a gardening extravaganza!
THE BISHOP’S LECTURE SERIES 2024: The most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano is to deliver the second Bishop’s Lecture on Wednesday, May 15, 204, at 7:00 p.m., at Greenwich Catholic School. The topic is “Come Let Us Worship.” All are welcome.
85th ANNUAL ANNA FUSCO MEMORIAL PILGRIMAGE HOLY SHRINES OF CANADA: Father Peter Adamksi is the Spiritual Director for the 85th Anna Fusco Memorial Pilgrimage to Canada July 12-15th. It is a 3-night, 4-day, all-inclusive roundtrip motorcoach from St. James Parish. The cost is $650.00 per person/ based on double occupancy. We do not have any single rooms available so you will need a buddy/ roommate for the trip due to the limited rooms at the Inn. This trip is a labor of love for Our Lord and St. Anne and the Fusco family does not make a profit from this pilgrimage. The trip is 50% full currently and there is still room for others to join us. Anyone interested may contact Michelle Rowe at St. James. See attached fliers.
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL WITH BOBBY ANGEL! St. Pius X Catholic Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield, CT, invites us all to attend Eucharistic Revival with Bobby Angel for a two-night revival on “The Power of Jesus,” April 25-26, or, for Catechetical leaders such as Youth Ministers, DREs, and Catechists, the morning of April 27. Contact Paola Peña at ppena@st-pius.org. Flyer attached.
SAINT DYMPHNA: The Diocese will be celebrating a diocesan-wide Mass Intention for those afflicted with mental health issues and for their health practitioners. St. Dymphna’s feast day is May 15, and we will include a Mass Intention for the weekend of May 18-19. Please read the story of St. Dymphna in the attached Word file.
GYMNASTIC SLOVAK SOKOL, INC., Assembly No. 2 of Slovak Gymnastic Sokols: Lodge #2 of the Sokol USA District of GBU Financial Life will award up to two $1,000 scholarships each year to high school seniors accepted for admission to an accredited college/university who are of Slovak or Carpatho-Russian descent and residents of Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull, Milford, or Shelton, Connecticut. Founded in 1895, Sokol USA was established to promote physical culture, education, patriotism, and support and aid to its members. Applicants must complete the official Application for Scholarship Award and submit it with requested documentation to the Lodge’s Secretary by April 30. The Award must be applied to tuition or the purchase of textbooks in the pursuit of higher education. Applications are at the rectory office.
Criteria to be used in judging: overall merits of applicant, cumulative grade average, community activities, college acceptance, financial need, and essay content.
WELLSPRINGS: Wellsprings, a self-care retreat for women, will be held Saturday, April 27 from 8:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church Hall. Women are encouraged to set aside this time to care for themselves. Presenters are Betsy Redgate, Janine Kyburz and Maria Aguirre. Fee is $30, which includes lunch. Visit www.virtuehealthLLC.com/wellsprings for information and registration.
DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT VIRTUS SAFE ENVIRONMENT: The Diocese of Bridgeport is committed to the safety and welfare of our children! As all volunteers are aware, an updated background check and five-year renewal training session is imperative to keeping our children and community safe. For your information, you may visit the St. Mark website, click on “links,” click on “Diocese of Bridgeport” tab, click on “Safe Environment,” and read and review the most current data regarding safety for our children, and elderly, in the community. For those who are volunteers, please make sure you are updated in VIRTUS by visiting your existing account at www.VIRTUSonline.org. Or you may phone the Office of Safe Environment at 203-416-1407.
APARTMENT NEEDED: A healthy, hard-working male, senior citizen, seeks apartment or room in private home (possibly an “in-law” setup) for rent in the St. Mark area of Stratford. References are available, including Father Birendra and Father Russ. Please call Ed at 203-375-2719.
2025 MASS BOOK:
The 2024 Mass Book is open for bookings beginning the week of Monday, April 22.
Our Mass schedule is:
5:00 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. Sunday
- Each family is allowed two weekend masses and one weekday mass.
- We DO NOT take Mass intention requests over the phone.
- Bookings are done via eMail or regular mail.
- Mass intentions are booked on a first come/first served basis
- In-person requests, if necessary, are to be made on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Business Manager (Joan) does not take in-person requests on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Her work is exacting, and she must concentrate on the finances of the parish.
- Please forward your written requests to pmollica@stmarkstfd.org; or mail to the office at 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614; or drop in the collection basket on the weekend.
- Bookings will not occur until payment is made.
- According to the Bishop’s instructions, multiple names for a mass intention are to be put in the Collective Mass book, which occur twice a month at 8:00 a.m. Masses. (I.e., John and Susan Smith, Sam and Betty Brown, John and Ruth Miller cannot be issued as a single mass intention).
- You must provide the name of the person to be remembered in legible handwriting.
- You must explicitly write how you want the “RB” to be written in legible handwriting.
- You must provide the exact date you wish to have a Mass intention celebrated, as well as the time. If a date and time are not provided, your request will be mailed back to you for completion.
- You must also provide “alternate” dates for your requests. Other parishioners may have already booked a date/time that you have chosen.
- No, we do not phone other parishioners and ask them to change their dates to accommodate your request.
- We will continue to celebrate at 6:00 p.m. Masses during Lent 2025, which begins Thursday, March 6, 2025, and runs through Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
- Don’t forget you can also request a Mass for any of the 2024 Holy Days: 5:30 vigil, 8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, or 7:00 p.m. Mass. (A List of 2025 Holy Days of Obligation is provided below.) One of these dates would be your “weekday” mass intention, except Christmas, which would be a “weekend” mass intention.
- Weekday and weekend masses remain at $10 per mass.
- Collective masses are $10 per each name placed in the collective mass.
- The weekly candle is also available for booking. The cost remains at $10.
- Checks are to be made payable to St. Mark.
Thank you!
HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION 2025
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Thursday, May 29, 2025 Ascension of Jesus
Friday, August 15, 2025 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday, December 8, 2025 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday, December 25, 2025 Christmas Day (Masses at 8:30, 10:30, and 12:00)
Best,
Paula (and Joan too)
P.S. Beautiful forecast for the coming weekend! That means gardening!
We have company coming for dinner on Saturday. Making this wonderful casserole dish called chicken marengo. So easy to make, filling, and delicious. Throw some mashed potatoes and salad on the side, and dinner is done! I’m still thinking about dessert. I think because the casserole is on the “rich” side I may go with something light for dessert. Perhaps a mousse….chocolate?
Anyway, everyone please have a fabulous weekend and see you all in church!
