Where is Your Allegiance?
In regard to the tremendous influence that one group can have on another, someone once said, “Even if we lose we shall win, for our ideals will have penetrated the hearts of our enemies.” If I asked you who said this, some might think that it was Gandhi or Martin Luther King. Surprisingly, Joseph Goebbels, who was Hitler’s minister of propaganda, said this. The point is Goebbels knew that ideas and ideals could move hearts and change nations. Of course Jesus knew this as well. However, whereas Goebbels wanted to impress Nazi rule upon the world, Jesus wanted the world to welcome the rule or reign of God into their hearts.
In answer to the Pharisee’s question, “Is it lawful to pay tax to the emperor or not?” Jesus famously answers, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” To be a true follower of Christ, our response to God must be total and undivided. If our allegiance to God is absolute and our first priority, the state or one’s country will still get their due. In other words Jesus was not denying or encouraging us to deny “Caesar” or the state their coins of tribute, rather, he was affirming the fact that we owe God the total tribute of our minds, hearts and souls. Before we are citizens of this earth, we are citizens of heaven.
God Loves You,
Fr. Dunn
Sunday Mass
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano would like to announce that beginning October 8th capacity inside our parishes has increased to 50% or 200 people. In those parishes that are ready to follow our established norms, the celebration of weekday Masses, Funeral Masses and Nuptial Weddings within our Churches may also resume.
The weekend schedule is as follows:
- Saturday Vigil @ 4:30pm
- Sunday @ 8am 10am & 12pm
By attending the parish service, you recognize the obligation to (i) wear a mask or face covering when required; (ii) adhere to all required direction regarding social distance spacing when participating in the service and (iii) not attend service if you are sick, experiencing any symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, or are otherwise required to be quarantined.
Confession Saturday 3:00—3:45pm
Adoration Every Friday after Mass!
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!
Weekly Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy!
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!
Immaculate High School
Placement Exams
Saturday, Oct. 31 & Nov. 14
Applications Now Open!
Immaculatehs.org/apply
The Women of St. Gregory
The Women of St. Gregory will have their next meeting Tuesday October 20th at 7:00pm in the Church. New members are always welcome!
Questions, contact Isabel King
at 203 –512-7307 or
Evelyn De Felice at 203-792-0824
The Women of St. Gregory will host Father Dunn on October 20th at 7:30pm in the church for a presentation on Sister Faustina and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.
All our welcome!!
For those who are unable to attend the presentation will be livestreamed on
facebook at https://facebook.com/stgregsdanbury/
PLEASE JOIN US!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
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.
Walking with Purpose
This year’s study will be John’s Gospel
“Touching the Divine”
In person and virtual sessions are being offered in the morning and evening starting October 21st.
Faith Formation
If You Have Not Registered
Your Child for our Faith Formation Program,
Please Call the Office at
203-797-0222
October -
Thursday, October 22 @ 6:00pm: Confirmation Rehearsal
Friday, October 23: Forest of Fear (Social Event)
Saturday, October 24 @ 12:00pm: Confirmation
Saturday, October 24: Forest of Fear (Social Event)
Friday, October 30: Forest of Fear (Social Event)
St. Gregory the Great School Virtual Auction!
Save the Date November 6, 2020! We will host our first virtual auction. This years event will feature silent auction baskets, raise the paddle, and our $10,000 raffle winner. More details to follow with steps to login to the auction. Mark your calendars!
The Bottle & Can Truck
will not be at St. Gregory during the weekend of October 16th- 19th. Future dates to be announced.
Forest of Fear!
Our highly anticipated “Forest of Fear” is back! Come walk our haunted trail, if you dare (behind St. Gregory the Great School)! Cost is $15 per person and proceeds will benefit our parish/school. The Forest of Fear will continue from 5:30-9 PM on both Friday and Saturday nights, on the weekends of Oct. 16/17 and 23/24 and Friday Oct. 30th (children’s hour is from 5:30-6:30 and is not as scary). Rain dates will be on the Sunday’s of Oct 18th and 25th at the same time. This promises to be both a fun-filled and scary event! For more information, please visit forestoffear.com or call our Parish Office at (203) 797-0222.
Hope to see you there!
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Irene Anderson, Tommie DeSantis, Glen Skok, Robert Carolan, Linda Salvador, Robin Brundage, Jr., Vicki Denicola, Dave Sutton, Joe Vick, Isiah Matthew, Arlene Kuderna, Valerie Geerer, Ellen Boyle, Kenneth Towery, Carole Salvatore, Dr. John
Famigletti, Brother Ronald Giannone, Mark Cefaloni, Susan Gallagher, John Muro, Carol Gershkowitz, and David and Darlene Collins,
Offertory
October 4, 2020
$4,406.00