Parish News

Saint Michael's

Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025
First Sunday of Advent

SAT., SUNDAY VIGIL, NOV. 29
4:30pm +Lorraine Piscioneri (10th anniv. 11/9 & bday 11/11) – children & grandchildren
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025
9:00 am +Deceased of the Ciola family – Wallace & Irene Loman & family
11:00 am (Pol.) +Babci Apolonia Nyzio, Dzidziu Alojze Nyzio – Nyzio grandchildren
5:30 pm + Deceased of Haldas & Madura families – Irene Haldas

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025
7:00pm + Karol i Agnieszka Zygadlo and Jan and Ewa Ulanecki – Wnuk
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025
7:00am + Lois Peck – husband, Richard

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025
7:00pm (Pol) + Ks. Roman Kmiec – Ryszard i Zofia Przydzial

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025
9:00am For Parishioners

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025
7:00 am + Mary & Walter Dziuba – choir
7:00 pm + Stefan i Wladyslawa Grzesko – Elzbieta i Czeslaw Zygadlo

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025
8:00 am + Mieczyslaw Krzywdzinski – Zbigniew i Teresa Drozdz

SAT., SUNDAY VIGIL, DEC. 6
4:30pm +John J. Madura
– Neil, Barbara & family

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025
9:00 am +Lucille Orloski (5 yrs. 11/30) – husband
11:00 am (Pol.) +Dziadziu, Babci, Martin & Catherine Kuna – Nyzio grandchildren
5:30 pm + Pope Francis – M. J. Draus

Polish Announcements

OGŁOSZENIA PARAFIALNE,
I NIEDZIELA ADWENTU, 30 LISTOPADA 2025

DZISIEJSZA DRUGA SKŁADKA przeznaczona jest na Opłacenie rachunków parafialnych.

WYMIANA DACHU KOŚCIELNEGO – PODSUMOWANIE.
Całkowity koszt remontu kościoła to znaczy: wymiana dachu, remont wieży, naprawa komina oraz dodatkowych prac takich jak; wymiana krzyża na wieży kościoła, wymiana cegieł i uzupełnienie ubytków w murze na froncie kościoła, plebanii i garażu, nakrycie komina stalą nierdzewną, wymiana blachy na wieży miedzią pokrytej ołowiem, malowanie wieży zabezpieczające przed deszczem wyniósł $513.650,00. Na dzień 12 listopada zebralismy $455,077.00.
Dziękuję z całego serca za dar modlitewny i finansowy. Ufam też, że będziemy kontynuować dalszy remont wenatrz kościoła. Bóg zapłać wszystkim ofiarodawcom.

MSZA ŚW. Z ARCYBISKUPEM. 7 grudnia bieżącego roku ks. Arcybiskup Coyne odprawi w naszym kościele Mszę św. o godz. 9.00.

OPŁATKI BOŻONARODZENIOWE są do nabycia w zakrystii i biurze parafialnym.

ROCZNICA. W tym roku, Zgromadzenie Księży Misjonarzy Św. Wincentego a Paulo obchodzi 400 rocznicę istnienia. Księża Misjonarze posługują w naszej parafii od dnia jej założenia w 1905 roku. Prośmy razem jako rodzina parafialna o Boże błogosławieństwo dla całego Zgromadzenia i o nowe powołania kapłańskie.

CCD Program

CCD PROGRAM

2025-2026 CCD Classes began Sunday 07September2025

Remaining class dates are as follows: December 7 and 21, January 11 and 25, February 8 and 22, March 8 and 22, and April 12 and 26.

Anyone wishing to attend 11:00 o’clock Mass may be excused 10 minutes early.

Any questions please call or text Margaret Mattei, DRE 203-530-2808.

POLISH SATURDAY SCHOOL CLASS
FOR CHILDREN AGED 4-7
A program/class is starting to learn-Polish for children aged 4 to 7 with classes held on Fridays from 4:30pm to 6:30pm in the school. To register your child or for more information please call the school principal, Alina Zawojski at 203-278-3512.

House Keeping Announcements

HELP NEEDED FOR CCD PROGRAM
Our CCD program is greatly in need of volunteer teachers. If you have a child in the program please consider offering to teach. There will be no tuition charges for your children. Materials and guidance will be provided and your service so appreciated.

If you would are interested in teaching in the program, please contact Margaret Mattei, DRE, at 203-393-1755.

SPECIAL REQUEST
We kindly ask that you please not throw cigarette butts in our parking lots. We are constantly picking them and would appreciate it if you would use your car ashtrays for them. Thank you for your cooperation.

HOSPITAL VISITATION
If you have a family member who is in the hospital and he/she would like or needs a visit from our Priest, a family member must call the Parish Office. Years ago, personnel from the hospital would call the Rectory with the information of a hospital stay by one of our parishioners. Now this information is protected by HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996). This ensures the privacy of patients by ensuring certain types of information are safeguarded and not disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

VISITS TO SHUT-INS
Shut-ins of the parish who are not able to get to Church can receive a visit from our Priest. Those who are on the First Friday visitation list are already included. Please call the Parish Office as soon as possible to request a visit.

PARISH BULLETIN
If you missed any of our church bulletins, they are available online. either in the News Menu or on Facebook.

If any shut-ins would like a bulletin mailed to them each week, please call the office and we will add your name to the list. Bulletins may be found on-line at:
www.saintmichaelsderby.org

PARISH MEMBERSHIP:
If you wish to be considered a parishioner of St. Michael’s, you must have a registration card on file. If you do not receive the Christmas and Easter mailings from the parish then there is no registration card on file. Please note that we cannot issue a sponsor certificate for Baptism or Confirmation if you are not registered. Please call the office and a form can be mailed to you. Parish membership dues are $15 per year for an individual and $30 per year for a family.

Parish Registration is important – REGISTERING IN THE PARISH
A gentle reminder: If you do not receive the Easter and Christmas mailings then it means you are not registered in the parish (there is no registration card on file which generates the mailing list). If you are registered it means you are eligible to obtain sponsor certificates to be a godparent or sponsor for Confirmation. Without being registered, we cannot verify your membership in the parish and issue you the proper sponsor certificate. We often get requests from people who say they are members, but in reality, we have no record of their membership. You are not considered a member just because your grandparents went to school here or belonged here. Please call for a form.

*Fulfill your obligation to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and use your envelopes that allow us to track your attendance (this is not to see how much you give (which is kept confidential) but to see that you attend Mass.

*If you are an adult child of parents in the parish, register yourself here if you consider yourself a parishioner.

*If you move to a new location or change your phone number, please notify the office so that we can update our records.

The purpose of the Certificate of Eligibility is to show that we value the example and commitment of godparents and sponsors, and it is hypocritical to stand up for someone when you either do not believe or practice what you profess. The certificate assures the parish seeking it that the person providing it is serious about his/her Catholic Faith.

It is also suggested that you use the Sunday Offertory Envelopes. It is not to see who gives more or less than someone else. It’s confidential and this also identifies you as a member of the parish. You can be provided with a statement of your donations at the end of the calendar year for tax purposes.

Ten years ago new numbers were given to everyone to update the “envelopes list of users”. This year because there are several numbers no longer used (people have moved, died, etc.) we are paying unnecessarily for boxes not used within the numbers. So for 2025 we will be renumbering your boxes of envelopes alphabetically once again. We all become rather attached to the numbers we have, but it is wasteful to pay for boxes we end up throwing out. We will always have some extra boxes but far fewer than we have now. Thank you for your understanding.

And thank you to our team of collection counters who volunteer their time every week to count our collections. Great people!

Special Intentions / Pro-life Roses - Weekly

SANCTUARY LAMP INTENTION
In loving memory of the Przywara, Ziomek, Madura & Hlywa families who are in Heaven from Anthony & Christine Ziomek.

COMMUNION HOSTS INTENTION
In loving memory of Marlene Montgomery Flood on 9th anniversary in heaven from sister-in-law Sande & family. (Miss the laughter on those rides to the casino.)

SACRAMENTAL WINE INTENTION
In loving memory of all deceased parishioners.

PRO-LIFE ROSES
1. Happy birthday blessings (Nov. 30th) for Arlene Flood Gauvin from sister, Sande & family.

2. Asking God’s protection for son, Sergeant Billy Kowarik, who is stationed in the Middle East from parents John & Wendi.

3. In loving memory of Lucille Orloski on 5th anniversary from husband, Jack & family.

4. In loving memory of Ben Madura from Caroline.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA
The Rosary is prayed at 6:45 pm every Monday before the Miraculous Medal Novena and Mass and also on Wednesday in Polish at the 7:00 pm Novena and Mass.

Special Thanks
A tree fell into our large parking lot recently and was voluntarily cleaned by up Charlie Stochmal and his son Matthew of “See More Tree Service” (our parishioners). Grateful thanks for the speedy and perfect job. Our parish is so lucky to have so many volunteers on the “unpaid payroll”! Deep appreciation to all who pour their time, energy, and love into so many acts of service. Please know that all this help is the backbone of our parish community! Bog Zaplac!

ALTAR SERVERS
Thank you to our altar servers who have returned to serve at Mass. We welcome and encourage all our altar servers to resume serving as they did before Covid.

OPLATKI – CHRISTMAS WAFERS
Oplatki are now available in the Sacristy or at the Parish Office. A donation is kindly requested.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Co-ordinated by CWV Post #1562
Please consider sponsoring a wreath so all the gravesites of veterans laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery are honored and remembered. Go to Wreath Across America.org/CT0121. All are invited to the program and wreath laying on Saturday, December 15 at noon. For info call the Post at 203-734-9748 or visit the website.

OFFICE NEWS
Please note: with the holidays quickly approaching, it is important if you wish to have pro-life rose intentions, Sanctuary Lamp, etc. in the bulletin, that they are submitted at least two weeks before they are to appear as there are early bulletin deadlines in the next few weeks.
Office hours are Monday 9:30 – 2:30
Wednesday 9:30 – noon and Friday 11:30 – 2:30.
Please call ahead to ensure our volunteer staff is available.

(The middle front doors of the Church will now be open for weekend Masses should you wish to enter the Church that way.)

Bulletin notices, pro-life rose requests, etc. can be emailed to stmichaelsderby@sbcglobal.net, mailed in, placed in any collection basket or dropped off in the basket of the front door of the rectory. Because our parish bulletin is once again being published by our bulletin company, all notices, requests should be into the office two weeks before the Sunday you wish them to appear in the bulletin. Thank you.

VINCENTIAN FATHERS ANNIVERSARY
This year, 2025, marks an important milestone for the Congregation of the Mission world wide which celebrates its 400th anniversary of its official establishment. The Priests and Brothers, with gratitude and a renewed commitment to follow Christ will celebrate by renewing in their hearts the foundational spirit which St. Vincent and his first followers had in their hearts 400 years ago.

BAPTISMS
Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives us access to the other sacraments. To schedule a Baptism please call the office for the date you are seeking. Requirements: If you are not a member of the parish and not known to the staff and have not baptized a child here previously, then you must meet with the Priest. If you are not registered as a parishioner here then you must provide a letter from your home parish granting permission to baptize here. Required: A copy of the child’s birth certificate. Godparents must be 16 years of age and have been confirmed. If you are seeking a sponsor certificate to be a godparent and are not registered with our parish we cannot issue you that document which states you are a member of the parish and a practicing Catholic. If you do not receive our Easter and Christmas mailings, then it means you are not on our parish membership list. If you do consider yourself a member of St. Michael’s and have never filled our a registration form, please do consider contacting the office to register. OFFICE HOURS: Mondays – 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Tuesdays closed but call to check as sometimes staff is in the office, Wednesdays – 9:30 to noon, closed on Thursdays no staff available, Fridays – 11am to 3pm. We will make every effort to accommodate your requests.

Parish Office News

A NOTE OF CAUTION
IMPORTANT!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Last Sunday during the 9:00 am Mass a car, which unfortunately was not locked, (and usually is) had a wallet and cash stolen. The car was parked in the small parking lot near the Rectory so location doesn’t seem to deter these thieves. Please be sure to lock your cars and do not leave valuables in them. (Hopefully the wallet will turn up).

SPECIAL OFFICE NEWS
…Info regarding Cemetery plots, etc., such as purchases, please call the parish office.

OFFERORY ENVELOPES
Church offertory envelopes will remain in the back of the church until the first week of December. After that they can be picked up in the rectory.

Office Hours: Mondays 9:30am to 2:30pm. Wednesdays: 9:30 am to noon. Fridays: 11:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Inclement weather closes the office.

Phone messages may be left at any time.

…Initial Offering for the church envelopes may be put into any collection basket. Your $5 donation helps to defray the cost of the box of envelopes. Thank you.

…During the winter months, the parish office may be closed in the event of inclement weather. When in doubt, please call ahead to see if the office is open.

Items for the upcoming bulletins should be sent to the Parish Office at least two weeks ahead of the Sunday you wish the item to be in the bulletin. This is necessary due to earlier deadlines and the possibility of inclement weather. Thank you.

…Phone messages may be left on the answering machine – and calls will be returned as soon as possible.

…Update of telephone numbers. Occasionally the office needs to contact a parishioner for various reasons and many times now the phone number we have on file is no longer in service. We will never share your number with anyone, but we would appreciate being updated.

…The Mass Book for 2026 will be available at end of March. Please note: no Masses will be scheduled without payment of the Mass Stipend. It amounts to too much record keeping to keep track of owed Mass Stipends. Weekday masses are $20 and all weekend Sunday masses are $30. Thank you for understanding.

SCHEDULING MASSES
…If you have any special date(s) for weekend Masses that you wish to schedule for 2026, please consider doing so soon. Many Sunday Masses have already been reserved. There are only a few Masses left in the Polish language. The Mass stipend remains the same: $30 for a Sunday Mass and $20 for weekday Masses.
…Please keep in mind that Pro-life rose intention etc. should be into the office at least two weeks ahead of date you wish it to appear.

SPECIAL ANOUNCEMENT REGARDING
MASSES FOR 2025
Please note there are no more Masses available for intentions this year. The Archdiocese has approved the revised schedule of Masses: Beginning in 2025 the Mass times are: Saturday Vigil will remain at 4:30pm in English. Sunday Masses:
9:00am in English, 11:00am in Polish, 5:30pm in English. We are now accepting Mass intention for next year. If you have a long list, please get it to the office (mail, in the collection basket or drop it off) so they can be entered when it is convenient. Sunday Masses $30, weekday Masses $20. Weekday Masses remain at the same times.
Sanctuary Lamp and Pro-Life Rose intentions can also be scheduled for 2025.

…When there is inclement weather, if you plan to stop at the office, please call ahead to be sure our volunteer staff is in.

Please note the first Mass on Sunday is now at 9:00 am.

Weekend Masses are $30 and weekdays are $20 Chapel Masses here at St. Michael’s are $20 each. There are only a few 5:30pm Sunday Masses left for 2024. No other weekend Masses are available.

PLEASE NOTE: Mass Intentions may now be given for Masses to be celebrated in the Chapel in the Rectory. Masses will be scheduled during the week of (Mondays through Fridays) instead of by a particular day as there are times when only one Priest is home and must celebrate Mass in the Church. Masses can be scheduled for the remaining days of this year and for next year. Please send in request at least 2 weeks in advance. Mass intentions will be published in the bulletin. The stipend will remain at $20. Checks are to be made payable to St. Michael Church for Chapel Masses. Any questions call the Office.

ST. MICHAEL CEMETERY
Anyone wishing information regarding the purchasing of plots is asked to please call the Parish Office and the message will be passed along to cemetery personnel who will return your call. Special thanks to the volunteers who cut and trim at the cemetery. Their help is so much appreciated! Please remember to keep plantings and decorations within a ten inch space in front of the monument. Thank you.

Safe Environment

We are mandated by the Diocese to inform you…
HOW TO REPORT AN INCIDENT OF SEXUAL ABUSE
TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD
If you have knowledge or suspect that a minor or vulnerable adult (an adult with an intellectual disability) has been sexually abused, in any manner, by personnel of the Archdiocese of Hartford, you are urged to report this information to: Faith Vos Winkel, Victim Assistance Coordinator at: 1-860-541-6475 (faith.voswinkel@aohct.org).

In addition, you will be asked to follow up in writing with a detailed description of the facts involved in the incident. Specifics of this written report can be found in the Policies and Procedures of the Archdiocese of Hartford Relating to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Involving Minors and Vulnerable Adults. This document is available online at https://www.archdioceseofhartford.org. The Archdiocese of Hartford will report any and all incidents to the proper authorities.

Mandated reporters in the State of CT are required by law to report any incident of sexual abuse involving a minor or vulnerable adult. We encourage any Non-Mandated persons to report such incidents to the proper authorities as well. Your right to do so is supported.

Incidents involving sexual abuse of minors (under the age of 18) should be reported to: State Dept. of Children and Families Care-line at 1-800-842-2288.

Incidents involving sexual abuse of vulnerable adults aged 18-59 should be reported to the Connecticut Dept. of Developmental Services – AID DIVISION for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities at 1-844-878-8923.

Incidents involving sexual abuse of vulnerable adults aged 60 and over should be reported to the Department of Social Services for the Elderly at 1-888-385-4225. Once a written report of an incident of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult has been received an investigation will be undertaken by, or on behalf of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
How to report an incident of sexual abuse to the Archdiocese
If you have knowledge or suspect that a minor or vulnerable adult (an adult with intellectual disability) has been sexually abused in any manner by personnel of the Archdiocese of Hartford, you are urged to report this information to Kathleen D. Nowosadko at 1-800-541-6475 (she is the Victim Assistance Coordinator). The Diocese will report any and all incidents to the proper civil authorities. You will also be asked to follow-up in writing with a detailed description of the facts involved. When that report is received an investigation will be undertaken by or on behalf of the Archdiocese.

Archbishop's Annual Appeal

ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL
2025-2026

Donations may still be made to this year’s Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

Arbishop’s Annual Appeal Statistics as of 11/3/2025
Parish Goal: $22,000.00
Total Pledged: $17,512.75
Total Paid: $16,512.75
Total Gifts: 112
Average Gift: $156.36
Percent of Goal: 79.60%
Participation Rate: 15.41%
Total Parishioners: 727

Forward With Faith

Just a gentle reminder to continue to make pledge payments to this campaign. Any donations can be sent through the Parish Office. And please remember to mention that you are a member of St. Michael Parish Derby so that the parish gets credit for your gift. To date we have received grant monies based on the parish’s share of payments in the amount of $39,000. In our parish “case for support” application we were granted these funds with the intention of providing financial support to replace our church roof.

They have been placed in a restricted account. We are still waiting for approval from the Diocese to begin this project.

St. Michael's Church Facebook Page

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming Live Stream events on Facebook.

Go to the Facebook page now using the link above and “Like” the page to receive notices of these events.

FR. RAFAL’S ADDRESS IN ITALY
Rev. Rafal Kopystynski, CM
Via dei Capasso, 30
00164 Rome, Italy

VOCATION REFLECTION:
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
Perhaps you know someone who might be considering a call to consecrated life (as a Religious Sister or Brother. Sometimes it is a family member, a colleague in ministry, or a friend who asks the simple question: “Have you ever considered that you might have a vocation?” Your ‘ask’ just might be the spark that encourages someone to follow the whisperings of the Spirit. That spark may be all a person needs to take a next step on a faith journey. Fan the flame as you invite them to call the Archdiocesan Office of Religious and speak to Sister Barbara Mullen, CSJ (Delegate for Religious) at 860-242-5573, ext. 7492

BULLETIN ADVERTISERS
Our bulletin is supported through the generosity of the advertisers listed on the back of it. It does not cost the parish one cent for this weekly newsletter. Many of the advertisers have been loyal supporters for years and are members of our local communities. Please consider supporting them with your patronage and let the business know that you appreciate their support of our parish through their advertisements. We are so grateful for this wonderful gift to our Pairsh.

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 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

CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS
POST 1562 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
St. Michael’s Post (our good neighbors) is seeking new members to join in their mission to honor and support local veterans and their families through civic works. They are a community organization that provides support and resources for all veterans focusing on camaraderie and service and offers a space for vets to connect and engage in activities and events. The Post is located at 112 Derby Avenue and welcomes members from the surrounding communities. There is a great line-up of exciting events this Fall that offers a great opportunity to lend a hand and make new friends. From educational programs for school children to the Wreaths Across America program and a grassroots fundraiser for the Tunnel to Towers organization.

Please stop by the Post Hall to fill out an application for membership, email them at www.cwv-post1562.org or call 203-734-9748
for information.

The Post will hold a Tag Sale on Sept. 13 (limited number of tables to rent for $25 to sell your own items) and in conjunction with the tag sale they will be collecting recyclables – cans and bottles on Friday, Sept. 13 from 4 to 9pm and on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10am to 4pm). Proceeds will help to build a home for veterans in Connecticut with the help of the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

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