PLEASE BE COURTEOUS
and TURN OFF CELL PHONES during Mass. Thank you!
AN UPDATE REGARDING MASSES AT ST. MICHAEL’S
St. Michael’s will begin the celebration of Sunday Masses in Church the weekend of July 4/5 with our regular schedule of Masses: 4:30 pm Sat. Vigil, and on Sunday, Masses at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am (Polish) and 5:30 pm. The 4:30 pm vigil Mass will continue to be live-streamed.
Fr. Rafal recently received a letter from the Archbishop regarding the celebration of public Sunday Masses, which states in part:
Masses indoors can accommodate 25% capacity or 100 persons, whichever is less, socially distanced. This is the number set by the State of Connecticut as of June 19. All requirements that the Archdiocese has established for parishes to open safely must continue to be carefully observed, including the elimination of singing. There will be no missalettes, hymnals, or bulletins. (an abbreviated bulletin can be found on-line).
“There can be no more than a total of 100 socially distanced (6 feet apart) persons. You must wear a face mask and must observe all the required precautions, that is; practice social distancing upon entering and exiting the church by staying at least 6 feet from people who do not live in your household.
Use the hand-sanitizer dispenser provided. Sit only in the designated pews. Do not shake hands with others. Do not congregate or socialize before or after Mass.”
Please follow all precautions to stay safe.
Parishioners are reminded that they are still dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and that the elderly, the sick, and those who care for anyone who is vulnerable are encouraged not to attend at this time.
Requirements for Returning to Mass
For everyone’s protection:
Parishioners:
- Masks at all times, except after receiving communion
- All to sanitize upon entering the Church
- Social distance upon entering and exiting (and in parking lot)
- While receiving Communion, maintain social distance, receive, step to side, remove mask, consume, replace mask, return to pew
- IF YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS SICK, PLEASE STAY HOME
Priests:
- Sanitize at Sacristy door
- No Procession/Recession (except from Sacristy to altar and return)
- Not supposed to sing
- Hosts should be on side of altar, not directly in front of the Priest
- COMMUNION:
- Remind of no obligation to receive Communion
- Drop Communion into hands – they get in hands, step to side, remove mask, consume host, replace mask, return to pew
- If touch parishioner’s hand, stop and sanitize
- Communion on tongue excluded, BUT If parishioner INSISTS, at end of Communion, sanitize if touch mouth
- After Communion, sanitize vessels and hands
- PENNANCE:
- Tape where to stand while waiting
- Appropriate distance away to maintain confidentiality
- PRIEST
- Mask
- Can let Penitent know no obligation to do penance in church
- 6 feet of separation
VOLUNTEER:
- ALL MASSES
- Sanitize at door
- Put on gloves to give out sanitizer to all who enter
- GREET THOSE ENTERING
- Only those with masks allowed (show the notice from the Archdiocese)
- Ask how they’re feeling (confirm not ill without asking if they’re sick)
- Keep Count of All who enter – if more than 100, not allowed to enter
- Complete Mass Attendance Log
- At end of Mass:
- Spray all pews used (those not blocked off) with alcohol
- If parishioner has touched some other item (candles, etc), spray with alcohol
- Spray Restrooms with bleach, making sure to spray all handles
- Spray metal on doors to church with alcohol
- CONFESSION:
- ALL MUST WEAR MASKS
- Sanitize hands
- Maintain confidentiality and social distance so remind those seeking Confession to sit in non-blocked pews or stand in line, 6 feet apart
- Remind those seeking confession that if they are ill or have a fever, should not participate
- Clean chairs, kneelers, any pews used for waiting at end
Announcement at end of each Mass
Anyone who would be available to help greet those attending this, or any other weekday Mass, or who would be available to help with the clean-up at the end of Mass, please socially distance yourself at the back of the Church after Mass and give us your name and day or days you could help.
We need volunteers to make sure we comply with all the rules or we will not be allowed to have public Mass.
CELEBRATION OF THE MASS – Live Stream Schedule
Good Afternoon,
Please join us, virtually, as we Celebrate Mass at:
Saturday, July 04, 2020 at 4:30PM – Live Streamed
Note that all Live Streamed Masses are available afterwards so you can view them at your convenience)
Also, we are recording the Mass in tandem with the Live Stream so that if anything goes wrong with the
Live Stream we can switch out the Live Stream version with the recorded version. That will be done as
soon as humanly possible.
The Masses will be live streamed on Facebook. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates.
Note that the Masses will be bilingual.
God bless you all! We continue to pray for all of you.
Deacon Bob
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.
COLLECTIONS
Thank you to everyone who has been sending in their envelopes and thank you to everyone for their donations at the distribution of the blessed palms last Sunday. An accounting of all will be given at a future date.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
Much of the content below this point on this page is out of date but will be updated as soon as there is more information.
Thank you for staying with us during this difficult and unprecedented time. God Bless and Stay Safe! We are pray for all our parishioners and the whole world.
PARISH DUES
…should be paid at this time. Dues are $15 for a single parishioner and $30 for a family.
Dues are one way to verify that you are a member of the parish along with using offertory envelopes. Thank you.
Parish dues may be paid at any time by placing the envelope in the collection basket, mailing the dues to the Parish Office or stopping in the Office. Please do not include dues with your offertory donation as dues are deposited separately. Dues are $15 for a single parishioner and $30 for a family. Dues are one way to verify that you are a member of the parish along with using offertory envelopes. Thank you.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
Boxes for 2020 envelopes are in the Church. They are arranged alphabetically. If you do not find your box, please contact the parish office and a box will be left for you the following week. NOTE: 2020 envelopes are in the Parish Office. You may pick them up there.
END-OF-YEAR CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
If you requested an end-of-the year statement in 2018 for your offertory donations (weekly parish envelopes), you will automatically receive one for 2019. If you did not receive one last year and you would like one, please call the Parish Office. For those who called in late last year, your name may not be on the list and you will have to make another request this year. Please note that any other donations made to the parish are not included in this statement. Refer to your cancelled checks for those donations. Thank you.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE CONCERNING
SCHEDULING MASSES FOR 2021
The Mass Book for 2021 is ready to schedule Masses at the office. Mass offering is: Sunday Masses $20, weekday Masses $15. If you have any special dates for masses in 2021, please schedule them early – especially Sunday masses.
2020 ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL
The Appeal has begun and donation packets have been mailed to all registered parishioners. If you did not receive one, there are packets on the bench at the side entrance for you to take so that you may make a donation to the Appeal. Thank you.
The Appeal supports many important ministries and programs. Gifts are allocated towards religious education programs, youth ministries, local charities, the education of seminarians, retired clergy, Catholic Schools and the many ministries provided by the Archdiocese of Hartford. Your gift is important.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will not be meeting again until the spring. However, donations of yarn are always gratefully accepted and may be left on the back porch of the Rectory. Donations of completed items that are being done at home may also be left at the Rectory anytime. Thank you to all who support this ministry. Over the course of the years, many blankets, shawls, winter hats, and baby blankets have been made and donated and are always gratefully received by the recipients.
RECITATION OF THE ROSARY
Every First Saturday evening of the Month, the Rosary will be recited in Church at 7:00 pm in Polish. Next date is to be determined . Everyone is invited to participate. The Rosary is recited every Saturday morning after the 8 am Mass in English.
WHAT IS CATHEDRATICUM
Cathedraticum is a specified sum of money paid annually to the Archdiocese. It is based on a percentage (11%) of our offertory collections. This money helps to support the running of the Archdiocese and is an obligation of all parishes within the Archdiocese. It is comparable to “income tax” and the figures will now be published in the bulletin so that you will know exactly how much of our weekly collection stays in the parish.
CHURCH ROOF
The Church Roof has been leaking and deteriorating for quite some time. There is damage visible in the Church proper and in the Choir Loft. Several small repairs have been made over the years but problems still exist. To totally replace the roof would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and a project of that magnitude is just not possible at this time. However, “New England Masonry” of Naugatuck (experts in repairing/replacing slate roofs) is going to do a bit of serious preventative maintenance. The cost will be somewhere in the vicinity of $10,000. It is hoped that this work will fix some of the leaky areas and prevent more damage to the interior of the Church.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
In our church we will have an hour of Eucharistic Adoration every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA/MASS
The rosary is prayed at 6:45 pm every Monday before the Miraculous Medal Novena and Mass and also on Wednesdays in Polish at the 7:00 pm Novena and Mass.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
A change has been made regarding intentions for the Communion Hosts and the Sacramental Wine. You may now give for birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. (Previously, intentions were only accepted in memory of the deceased.) The offering for the week remains at $15. If you have any questions regarding this change, please call the parish office.
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.
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.
LECTORS
Lectors are needed for the Sunday morning and evening Masses. This is a wonderful way to serve and help out the parish. The schedule is made according to your convenience. Please call the parish office to volunteer. Call the Parish Office to volunteer.A background check will also be conducted and attendance at a Safe Environment Program is required (several offered throughout the state – evenings – about 2 hours).
SPONSOR CERTIFICATES
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Parish Office receives many requests for sponsor certificates for Baptism and Confirmation. The paper that is given states that you are a parishioner of St. Michael’s in good standing and a practicing Catholic. To verify that you qualify to be a sponsor you must attend weekly Mass, have a registration card on file, pay yearly parish dues, and contribute to the support of the church. Children not pursuing additional education who are twenty-one years old and gainfully employed should be registered individually and not listed on their parent’s registration card.
Please contact the parish office if you are unsure if you are registered or not. Also, by using envelopes you can receive an end-of-year donation statement for tax purposes.
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.
ALTAR SERVER MINISTRY
Boys and girls of the parish are invited to become Altar Servers. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve the parish. Parents should contact Fr. Jan if their child would like to serve.
Adult Altar Servers: Any adult who would be willing to serve at funerals should contact the parish office. You do not have to be a Eucharistic Minister (we do have one who serves at our funerals and an altar server would complete the team.) Thank you.
Lectors needed: There is a need for Lectors for our weekend Sunday Masses. It is not a difficult “job” but a great help to the Parish if you will volunteer your time for this ministry. Please contact the Parish Office. The schedule for reading at Mass is set up according to your availability.
PLEASE NOTE: The bus trip to Washington, DC ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR April 25/26 IS BEING POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS OUTBREAK. We will keep you posted. It is open to any parishioner who would like to go on the trip. $250 per person includes the bus (with wifi), one-night stay and tours. Itinerary available at the Parish Office. SPACE IS ALMOST SOLD OUT.
ST. MARY – ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL NEWS…
203-735-6471
For registration information for the 2020-2021 school year, please call the school office.
BINGO is temporarily postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Please stay tuned for updates.
Internet safety: requires extra diligence with your children. Please talk with them about the dangers of the internet and ensure that parental controls are in place.
CCD PROGRAM
CCD Classes begin at 8:30AM
ALL CLASSES TEMPORARILY CANCELED.
SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ON T.V. FOR UPDATES LISTED AT NEWS STATIONS.
April 5–confession
April 9, Holy Thursday–First Holy Communion & Confirmation classes attend 7pm service
April 19–Divine Mercy Devotion 3pm in
For information regarding our CCD Program, please contact Margaret Mattei, DRE, at 203-393-1755.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
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:
Kathleen D. Nowosadko Victim Assistance Coordinator 860-541-6475 kathleen.nowosadko@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 also available online at www.archdioceseofhartford.org. The Archdiocese of Hartford will report any and all incidents to the proper civil authorities.
Mandated reporters in the State of Connecticut 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. We support your right to do so.
Incidents involving sexual abuse of minors (persons under the age of 18) should be reported to: State Department of Children and Families Care-line 1-800-842-2288
Incidents involving sexual abuse of vulnerable adults aged 18 – 59 should be reported to the: Connecticut Department of Developmental Services – AID Division for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities 1-844-878-8923
Incidents involving sexual abuse of vulnerable adults aged 60 and over should be reported to: Department of Social Services for the Elderly 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.
REGISTERING IN THE PARISH
If you do not receive the Easter and Christmas Schedule mailings then it means you are not registered in the parish (there is no registration card on file which generates our parish 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 a sponsor certificate.
We often get requests from people who say they are members, but in reality, we have no record of their membership. To be considered a parishioner in good standing, you need to be registered and should use offertory envelopes.
PARISH OFFICE NEWS
Any boxes of offertory envelopes are now in the back of the Church for 2020. Anyone wishing a box of 2020 Offertory Envelopes may pick them up at the Parish Office.
…Young adults age 21 and over, who are not students and are working, should fill out a census card and, use envelopes and pay parish dues. Individual dues are $15 per year.
…The Mass book for 2020 is available for your requested mass intentions, pro-life roses, and memorial intentions for the hosts and wine. If you have a special date you wish to reserve, please do so as soon as possible as weekend masses, in particular, get reserved quickly.
…Parish Dues: Please make out a separate check for parish dues (do not include with offertory contribution). Dues envelopes may be placed into any collection basket. Family dues are $30 per year and individual dues are $15. Anyone over 21 years of age should register on their own and pay parish dues. The office often receives requests for sponsor papers and if you are not registered we have no way to verify that you are a parishioner.
…Change of Address: It’s stressful to move your residency – there is a lot to do and think about. However, we ask please, if you do move, to please call the Parish Office and give us your new address. The only way we often find out that you’ve moved is when the Post Office returns mail we have sent you. Thank you!
…Registering in the parish: If you attend church here regularly but have never received any mailings from us, it indicates that we do not have a current registration card for you or you have moved and we don’t have a current address. It is a simple matter to fill a card out. You may stop in at the Parish Office or call and we will send you one if that is more convenient. If you are not registered the parish is not obligated to provide you with sponsor certificates for baptisms or confirmations.
…Regarding notices, rose requests, etc. for the Bulletin, please note that because of deadlines and keeping a proper page format, that all notices, requests should be received at the parish office at least ten days prior to the Sunday you wish it to appear. Thank you.
…Please note: In the event of inclement weather, the Parish office may be closed. Office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Closed on Fridays and Holidays.
…Weekend Masses for next year (2020) are quickly filling up. If you have any special dates to request please contact the parish office as soon as possible.
,,,Items for the upcoming bulletins – roses, etc. should be received in the parish office at least two weeks in advance at this time of the year due to early bulletin deadlines and weather conditions.
The bulletin for Dec. 22 will be transmitted on Monday, Dec. 16 and the bulletin for Dec. 29 will be transmitted on Tuesday, Dec. 17. the office is closed on Fridays. Due to weather conditions the office may be closed if there is inclement weather. Please call ahead when in doubt.
PARISH REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF PARISH DUES
provides us with the information that you are a member of the parish. This is important if you need a sponsor certificate to be a godparent for baptism or for a sponsor for Confirmation. We frequently get requests for sponsor papers but we have no registration card on file or record of use of offertory envelopes and no payment of dues. Those things indicate that you are a member of the parish in good standing. Attendance at Mass is also a requirement that you are a practicing Catholic. Parents should keep this in mind when choosing godparents or sponsors for Confirmation.
SPECIAL NOTE – PARISH OFFICE NEWS
…Parish Dues may be paid at any time now. Those who use Offertory Envelopes may place their dues envelope in any collection basket. Family dues are $30 per year. Individuals $15. Please make out a separate check for dues (do not include with offertory contribution.) Anyone over the age of 21 should register on their own and pay parish dues, especially if they are no longer in school. Registration and payment of dues provides us with the information that you are a member of the parish. This is important if you request a sponsor certificate to be a godparent or for Confirmation.
…Items for the bulletin should be sent in two weeks ahead of the Sunday you wish them printed in: i.e., Pro-Life Roses, Sanctuary Lamps and Communion Hosts and Sacramental Wine intentions. This is sometimes necessary due to early deadlines. Thank you.
ST. MICHAEL’S CEMETERY
-For information, plot purchases, etc. regarding our cemetery, please call the Parish Office and the Office will have your call returned by cemetery personnel.
Christmas decorations should be removed at this time (if you wish to save them) before the spring clean-up begins. Anyone interested in purchasing a grave(s) at the Cemetery should call the parish office.
For information regarding plot purchases, etc. please call the parish office. Cemetery Manager: Joe Iacuone Jr. 203-996-6417.
BULLETIN SPONSORS
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. Some 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 owner know that you appreciate their support of our parish through their advertisements. We are so grateful for this wonderful gift to our parish!!
OGŁOSZENIA PARAFIALNE
5 NIEDZIELA WIELKIEGO POSTU
29 MARCA 2020
DRUGA SKŁADKA jest przeznaczona na pokrycie kosztów związanych z utrzymaniem naszych budynków parafialnych. Druga składka w ubiegłym tygodniu była przeznaczona na wspieranie dzieł charytatywnych prowadzonych przez papieża Franciszka. Zebraliśmy $919.
REKOLEKCJE WIELKOPOSTNE w j. polskim rozpoczniemy 29 marca, w piątą niedzielę Wielkiego Postu. Rekolekcje poprowadzi ks. Jakub Hiler CM
DROGA KRZYŻOWA w każdy piątek Wielkiego Postu w j. polskim po Mszy św. o godz. 19:00, a w j. angielskim po Mszy św. o godz. 17:30.
GORZKIE ŻALE w każdą niedzielę Wielkiego Postu po Mszy św. o godz. 11:30.
SAKRAMENT POKUTY w każdy poniedziałek Wielkiego Postu od 18:00 do 18:45 oraz w czasie podanym w biuletynie parafialnym.
WIELKOPOSTNĄ OFIARĘ DLA UBOGICH można składać przez cały okres Wielkiego Postu w naszym kościele do specjalnie przygotowanej skarbony. Niech to będzie nasz wielkopostny dar dla ubogich.
W tym roku na THE ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEL mamy zebrać $20.000. W tym roku rozpoczniemy także kampanię FORWARD WITH FAITH na którą w przeciągu pięciu lat mamy zebrać $ 270,000. Więcej informacji w naszym biuletynie.
Bulletins online/Facebook… If you miss any of our bulletins, you can find them online at Facebook or at www.stmichaelsderby.org. Biuletyn parafialny dostepny jest na jaszej stronie internetowej https://saintmichaelsderby.org
