ST. VINCENT DEPAUL THRIFT SHOP AND FOOD BANK
237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby
203-734-7577
Gratefully accepting donations of food for their food bank. They provide food for many families every week and are always in need of non-perishable food to distribute. Gift cards to supermarkets are also welcomed. The Thrift Shop accepts gently used clothing, household items, books, etc.
A sincere thank you to everyone who donates food to their food bank. Many Valley families benefit from your generosity. The thrift shop also gratefully accepts donations of gently used clothing and household items which are offered for sale at very reasonable prices. Proceeds from the thrift shop sales are used to help supply the food bank.
Very truly yours, with great thanks,
Remy Kocurek, Executive Director.
From Remy Kocurek, Executive Director
To Fr. Sadowski, and our dear friends and parishioners at St. Michael Church,
Regarding the recent $1,910 donation, we would love to share with you our record setting levels of food assistance given this year in our beloved community. With your generous help we have given food to 3,115 Valley neighbors from January to the end of May thus far. These folks coming for help are so grateful and relieved to have their concerns over enough food for themselves and their families satisfied.
This allows them to fully concentrate on other aspects of their lives.
Here’s a story from our pantry. In June a Mom and Dad with two teen children at home called for emergency food. They didn’t have enough left for the weekend. Dad has developed congestive heart failure and can’t work now, so they are down to Mom’s hourly wage and part-time work of the older teen. They had received help back in 2023 until they found their situation improved but now this recent health set-back came sudden and unexpected. It felt so good to give them six bags of good, healthy food including eggs, frozen chicken, fresh vegetables, bread and some non-perishables like, coffee, cereal, pasta sauce and soup.
We want to convey some of that gratitude so that you feel good too. Thank you because there is such value in your regular support of our pantry.
CAROLYN’S PLACE
A Pregnancy Care Center
137 Grandview Avenue
Waterbury, CT 06708
Thirty years ago, a small but passionate group of individuals gathered and after much research, discussion and prayer established “Carolyn’s Place” which has had a profound impact on thousands of young women, men, babies and the unborn since 1992. Due to the pandemic, Carolyn’s Place was unable to hold their usual fund-raisers and has felt a loss of nearly one-third of its annual operating budget – more than $100,000. They are asking you to prayerfully consider a donation to help offset the income loss of the past two years to ensure that Carolyn’s Place continues to move forward as an advocate for life. Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted and can be sent to:
Carolyn’s Place, 137 Grandview Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06708. (Fr. Robert Rousseau, founder; John L. Lynch, Executive Director, and Diana O’Rourke, Esq., Chair Board of Directors).
LOURDES IN LITCHFIELD – GROTTO GIFT SHOP
The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine in Lourdes,
50 Montfort Rd., Rte 118, is now open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30am to 4:00pm, and Sunday, 11:30am to 4:00pm. New spring items are in stock and there is a large selection of outdoor statuary as well as Baptismal, First Holy Communion, Confirmation gifts plus medals, rosaries, and gifts for all occasions. For further information please call 1-860-567-0891 during regular business hours. You may also e-mail: lourdesshrinect@gmail.com.
HOSPICE, BRANFORD IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS.
Patients and families are in need of your care and support. If you have an interest in volunteering in Reception or Patient Companionship, please call Joan Cullen, Director of Volunteers, 203-315-7510.
OLD GREETING CARDS CAN BE REPURPOSED
You can send your old greeting cards to children in need at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children which is a center for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. They collect the covers of old greeting cards and the children cut out the pictures and paste them into new cards which are then sold and helps them to raise funds for the center.
They can be mailed to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s Street, Boulder City, NV 89005. For more information about the organization, you may correspond to them at P.O. Box 985.
VALLEY LITERACY PROGRAM
For information about classes or to volunteer for the program please call Corinne Fucci at 203-551-9831 or e-mail corinnefucci@lvagnhy.org. There are classes held throughout the Valley. Phone 203-551-9831.
FROM TEAM, INC. ELDERLY SERVICES
Volunteer Caregivers are needed for the “Volunteer Caregivers Program” to help older adults. Team is seeking volunteer caregivers who are dedicated individuals to help meet the needs of older adults living in our communities of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. Volunteers will provide services for individuals who are isolated, frail, disabled, or elderly. These free of charge services enable residents who are elderly or disabled to remain independent. Some of the services frequently requested are: transportation and escort to medical appointments and stores, telephone reassurance – at least one call a week preferred, grocery shopping – taking or shopping for clients. Volunteers must be age 18 or over who have an interest and compassionate concern for older adults in our community. All those who volunteer go through a background check screening process and, once approved, the scheduling is flexible.
Please contact TEAM to apply at
203-736-5420 ext. 4225 or 4226.
Your help will be a rewarding experience and make a meaningful difference in the life of an isolated, elderly, or disabled person.
JOB OPPORTUNITY LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
ENFIELD, CT 860-265-1844
Certified nursing assistant – night shift, full time; nurse’s aide – evening shift, part-time; dietary dining room aide – weekend, some holidays, part time; dishwasher – evening and morning, weekend, some holidays, part-time; activity aide/life.
CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS OF THE USA
Membership and Support
St. Michael’s CWV Post 1562 is seeking new Catholic Veterans to join their ranks. All Catholic Veterans with 90 days honorable service are eligible. *no specific ‘war time’ service is necessary.* Our Auxiliary is also seeking new (male & female members). For
information contact Mike Kasinskas at :
CWV@Post1562.ComcastBiz.net
CLELIAN ADULT DAY CARE CENTER
261 Benham Center
Hamden, CT 06514
203-288-4151
This is a ministry of the Sisters of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Center has been operating in Hamden since 1988 and continues to provide an invaluable service to seniors and their caregivers. The center provides compassionate daytime care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other medical needs, as well for people in need of daytime companionship. Their lively programming helps keep seniors active and healthy and allows their loved ones a needed break from the challenges of caregiving. The Center is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm and fees includes transportation, meals, and nursing services. Tours are available.
WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
Coming up: Sessions to be held….
August 15-17 at the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford.
Registration is limited. There is a $100 application fee. Please call Frank and Margie Peterson for information:
800-337-2447
SAVE THE DATES
CATHOLIC CRUISES AND TOURS
Catholic Cruises Sponsored Trip
“The Camino, A Walking Journey for the Soul”. The history of the Camino de Santiago goes back to the 9th century when the tomb of the evangelical apostle, St. James, was discovered. Since then, pilgrims from all over the world have walked St. James’ Way. Land costs start at $2964 based on double occupancy. An $850 deposit per person is required to hold your place. Please call Catholic Cruises and Tours for more info: 1-860-399-1785.
UKRAINE SOLIDARITY FUND
The Knights of Columbus Charities is still accepting donations for the Fund which will help to provide shelter, food, medical supplies, clothing, communication, and religious supplies to these displaced people. 100% of your donation will go directly to the Ukrainian people. Please note on your donation that it is for the Ukraine Fund. Donations should be mailed to:
Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc.
P.O. Box 1966
New Haven, CT 06510
St. Anthony’s Book and Gift Shop, 461 Derby Ave., Orange, CT. 203-888-3390
If you are looking for Catholic books, sacramental gifts, First Communion/Confirmation items and more please stop in and visit or call 203-888-3390 or go to the web-site: www.stanthonygift.com.Shop hours are: Wed., Thurs., Friday noon to 6pm and on Saturdays 11am to 4 pm.
VIRTUAL/ IN-PERSON BIBLE SCHOOL
St. Thomas Seminary
NEW ENGLAND BIBLE SCHOOL
ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN FOR
NEW ENGLAND CATHOLIC BIBLICAL SCHOOL
Enroll in the New England Catholic Biblical School to study all 73 books of the Bible. In-person and online classes begin Sept. 7, 2024
Class locations for Year 1 Class at Our Lady of Loreto, Waterbury, Thurs. 6:30-8:30pm.
There are other locations in Bloomfield and Plantsville or
Online, Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm.
The New England Bible School invites you to come to visit a virtual class to see how studying all 73 Books of the Bible can change your life. Visit
www.New England Catholic Biblical School.com or call 1-860242-5573 for more information.
PROJECT HELP NEEDED
A retired photographer and member of our parish has many photo negatives – of our church and other churches, etc. and is asking if anyone would be willing to help him separate the negatives so they could be passed along to the appropriate institutions, etc. If you would like to help this gentleman, please call the parish office and we will put you in touch with him.
FROM THE DIOCESE OFFICE
OF VOCATIONS AND SEMINARIANS
2025 Vocations Campaign: Rosary 100K
How many rosaries will you pledge
to pray for vocations?
Rosary 100K invites the entire Archdiocese of Hartford to unite in bold prayer by pledging 100,000 rosaries for new vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious and consecrated life, holy Catholic marriage, and the generous single life.
The campaign launched on Sunday, May 11, which is
both the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Mother’s Day – a providential alignment for invoking the intercession of our Blessed Mother.
On the bench by the side entrance you will find
ROSARY 100K PLEDGE CARDS (this is a prayer pledge – not a monetary donation pledge). Please visit
www.hartfordpriest.com/rosary-100k, call the Office of Vocations at 1-860-761-7456 or email: vocations@aohct.org to submit your rosary pledge. Each pledge will be tracked and help to progress toward the 100,000 rosary goal across the Archdiocese.
Let us entrust this campaign to Our Blessed Mother and pray for a rich outpouring of new vocations across the Archdiocese.
ST. MARY – ST, MICHAEL SCHOOL
(203) 735-6471)
Principal: Ms. LaMattina
Welcome to the new principal!
If you are interested in registering your child in our parish school, please check out the website at stmarystmichael.org.
Pre-K (3-4 year olds), Full-day kindergarten, small class size, technology-centered classrooms, Spanish K-8, extended day program (7:00am to 6:00pm), full accreditation. Call 203-735-6471.
…For information regarding registration for the 2023-24 school year please call the school office at: 203-735-6471. Enrollment for Grades Pre-K and 8 are now being accepted.
NEEDS…adult size masks, Clorox wipes, and liquid hand-sanitizer. Please call the school as to when you may deliver any of these items you may wish to donate.
…For information regarding registration for the 2024-25 school year please call the school office at:203-735-6471.
SACRED HEART ACADEMY, HAMDEN
Sacred Heart Academy –
Tour SHA’s beautiful campus, visit classrooms and meet our teachers and students, and to learn more about our challenging academic program, competitive athletics, interesting clubs and activities. Prospective students of all ages are invited with their families to learn more about our special, all-girls’, Catholic School community. Visit sacredhearthamden.org to register.
www.SacredHeartHamden.org.
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL, Waterbury…
For more information call: (203-757-9248)
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL, West Haven –
Call for registration information 203-937-3251.
ST. MARY/ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL
