November 21/22 2015

22 November 2015
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
CHURCH OF THE
ON SAU GATUC K
THE MOTHER CHURCH OF WESTPORT
• Celebrating 139 Years 1876-2015 •
Phone: (203) 227-5161
98 Riverside Avenue • Westport, Connecticut 06880
CLERGY
Fr. Thomas P. Thorne, Pastor
EMERGENCY 1-203-249-4383
(203) 227-5161
PARISH STAFF
Michelle P. Hankey, Pastoral Administrator
([email protected])
John P. Kondub, Finance Administrator
([email protected])
Christopher Mulliken, Volunteer Property Manager
Lee McGuire, Secretary (Monday & Tuesday)
Marilyn Price - Volunteer Receptionist (Wednesday - am)
Nancy Wright - Secretary (Wednesday pm, Thursday & Friday)
Dennis Stypinski, Custodian
Gerard Barreau, Part-time Custodian
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Office: (203) 226-5448
Cell: (203) 939-8910
Catherine J. Romano, Director
Nhur Klasky, Rel. Ed. Assistant (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)
Ann Perce, Rel. Ed. Assistant (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Joseph Malaterra, Rel. Ed. Board Chair
Fax: (203) 227-1206
LAY MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION
Theresa M. Perry, Trustee
Thomas P. Leyden, Trustee
Edward J. Capasse, Esq., Trustee Emeritus
FINANCE COUNCIL
Nancy Axthelm, Chair (203) 227-6569
Maria Onorato, Esq., Vice-Chair
Joseph Cardello
Michael O’Loughlin
PARISH COUNCIL
Maureen Belford, Chair
Joseph Malaterra, Vice-Chair
Ronnie Estony, Secretary
Helen C. Thiemann, Chair Emeritus
SACRED MUSIC MINISTRY
Frank Matto, Director & Organist
(203) 335-0894
([email protected])
Donna Gambino, Flutist
Aidan Andrews, Cantor
YOUTH MINISTRY
(203) 222-8486
Michele Modugno, Youth Minister (Grade 6 - 12)
Michael O’Loughlin, High School Youth Ministry Board Chair
MASS SCHEDULE
Mon. – Sat.
7:30 am
Saturday
4:00 pm Vigil
Sunday
7:30 am, 9:00 am (Family Mass),
10:30 am (Choir Mass), 12:00 noon, 4:00 pm
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS
John L. Patterson
First Sunday of the month at 2:00pm
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday 3:00pm – 3:30pm
R C I A (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Marilyn Moran, Parish Director
Dolores Bacharach, RCIA Catechist
WEDDING COORDINATOR
Michelle P. Hankey
(203) 227-5161
FUNERAL COORDINATOR
Catherine J. Romano
(203) 226-5448
(203) 286-6939
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Mondays & Wednesdays
8:00am - 5:00pm (in silence)
New Members: We welcome all new parishioners and those who wish to return to the Church or to learn more of what
we Catholic Christians believe. Visit our web site www.assumption-westport.org
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In Loving Memory/Honor
The flowers at Mary’s Statue are
in loving memory of
Jameson Daniel Conte
The candles at Mary’s Statue burn
in loving memory of
Mary & Luigi Izzo
The Sanctuary candle burns
in loving memory of
John & Mary Calzi
The candles at the Tabernacle
burn in loving memory of
Alice Pond
The candles at the Altar burn in
loving memory of
Bill Delano
Pray for our men and women
currently serving our country
Sgt. Randy Ackerman, US Army
L.Cpl. Durry Becker, USMC
Matthew Bradstock, US Army
Tony Cuseo, USMC
Ryan J. David, USN
2nd Lt. Alex Deep, US Army
Sgt. Christopher Dietl, US Army
Pvt. Auriane de Sousa, US Army
Brodie Galloway, US Army
Col. Gerald E. Galloway, US Army
Sgt. Kimberly Gendreau, US Army
Sgt. Stephanie Gilbertie, US Army
Sgt. Trevor Gilbertie, US Army
Sgt. Matthew Harwedel, USMC
Sgt. Joseph Kelly, USMC
2nd Lt. Karl Kuechenmeister
Cpl. Michael Linnen, USMC
Sgt. Andre Mercado-Divoff
P.F.C., Brad Myers, US Army
Spec., Jonathan Morris, US Army
LT Jonathan R. Nelson, USN
LTJG Ryan T. Nelson, USN
Sgt. Colin Santacroce, US Army
Maj. Devin A. Smiley, USMC
Sgt. Zachary B. Taylor, USAF
Patrick Tazella, US Army
Capt. James Tesauro, US Army
Cpl. Calvin Robert Wauchope, USMC
L.Cpl. Patrick Zingaro, USMC
Please pray for all those who have
been wounded or have sacrificed
their lives for the cause of peace.
Please pray for our sick
Chandra Allen
Catherine Alter
Mary Ann Andronaco
Noelle Anastasia
Joan Bailey
Bob Barker
Ryan Brewster
Kathy Bridges
Mary Bulakites
Victoria Callas
Sr. Lucy Caporaso
Bill Chadwell
Aida Ciferri
Tonino Covatta
Andrea Charboneau
Connie & Howard Danner
Nicholas DeMatteo
Matt Dudzik
Colette Dunham
Gail Eichinger
David Ellison
Angela Farricielli
Marge Gabriele
Katarina Hale
Julie Halka
Jane Hawley
Logan Howard
Joseph Izzo
Geraldine Jackman
Marie James
Bernadette Juoan
Nancy Kelly
Bernadette Kenney
Laura Kesling
Frank Kropf
Mary-Ellen Kuhn
Pam Leyden
Michelle Lombardi
Cara MacDonald
Frank Machi
Frances MacIlvain
Helen Maggio
Dorothy Matto
Ed Marcarelli
Nancy Marino
Gabriella McCrae
Kristina Miller
Rhoda Miller
Clarissa Moore
Jana Moorman
Danielle Murrugarra
Denise Murtha
Rennie Nourie
Lisa O’Connor
Donna Olsen
Kevin Palaez
Frank Palmieri
Tom Pellicano
Therese Potter
Kim Preston
Bella Price
Brian Richards
Jose Romero
James Rosati
Deanne Ryan
Sandra Ryan
Teresa Sacouto
Adrian Sandiford
Bill & Charlene Surette
Paul Taylor, Jr.
Dr. Walter Thompson
Carmela Tornatore
Cheri Travis
Nicholas Valas
Ron & Pat Viesti
Phyllis & Bob Wentworth
James Dominick Zwolinski
Janusz Zwolinski
Mass Intentions for the Week
Saturday, November 21
Vigil 4:00PM
Mary Izzo
Sunday, November 22
7:30AM
Fr. Patrick Carroll
9:00AM
Johanna Wimmer
10:30AM
Vera Sauerman Kaiser
12:00PM
Albert J. Copersino
4:00PM
Marie Coyne
Monday, November 23
7:30AM
Luis Araujo
Tuesday, November 24
7:30AM
Sawyer Sweeten
Wednesday, November 25
7:30AM
Patricia White
Thursday, November 26
7:30AM
Mary Carroll
Friday, November 27
7:30AM
Catherine Cappello
Saturday, November 28
7:30AM
Lourdes Angeles
Vigil 4:00PM
Lois K. Ruisi
Sunday, November 29
7:30AM
Julia Kondub
9:00AM
Joseph Benincaso
10:30AM
Lois K. Ruisi
12:00PM
Jean Montaperto
4:00PM
Family of Assumption
Pray For Our Recently Deceased
Norman Lepine
Kenneth Makowka
Josephine Pellicano
Aelish Flynn
Marianne Hegedus
Richard Brown
Alice Chappa
Joseph Shapiro
May they rest in peace.
Page 3
Stewardship Report
•
•
•
Sunday Offertory $ 9,221.00
Online Giving for the month of October $8,469.00
This weekends Second Collection is for the Catholic Campaign for Human
Development
‘
God bless you for your charity. Thank you! Fr. Tom
WINTER MASS
SCHEDULE CHANGE
Our parish offers Online Giving, a web-based
electronic application that allows you to start,
stop and change your contributions at any time.
Now also available as an App for your Apple and
Android products! You can download it for free
in the App Store, Google Pay Store or go to
OLGapp.com and register with our church ID
#1429.
We are providing this service so that you have
the option to manage your contributions online,
view reports on your contribution history and
generate tax statements at each year’s end. This
service is safe and secure. Sign up for Online
Giving by visiting our parish website at
www.assumption-westport.org and selecting
the Online Giving link.
If you wish to support the Parish by having your
bank mail a check directly, you are welcome to
do so. Please have checks payable to
Assumption Church.
Please remember Assumption Church in your
estate planning. If you wish to make a
donation of appreciated stock to the Parish,
you may do so by crediting UBS DTC # 0221 for
further credit to Church of the Assumption,
Westport, CT
Daylight Savings ends
November 1, 2015 and begins
March 13, 2016.
On Saturday, November 7, 2015 and
Sunday, November 8 the two 5:00pm Masses
will be moved to 4:00pm. Confessions will
be from 3:00pm - 3:30pm.
On Saturday March 19, 2016 and Sunday,
March 20 (Palm Sunday weekend) the two
4:00pm Masses will be moved back to 5:00pm
and confessions will be from 4:00pm - 4:30pm.
ICP Fund
Our ICP Fund (Interior Church and Parking)
is used to help the parish pay for the painting
and restoration of the interior of our church
and future plan to restore and beautify our
parking area. Please designate “ICP Fund”
on your checks or envelopes. Thank you and
God bless.
Fr. Tom
Next Weekends Priest Mass Schedule
Saturday, November 28
Vigil 4:00PM Fr. Tom
Sunday, November 29
7:30AM
Fr. Rob
9:00AM
Fr. Rob
10:30AM
Fr. Tom
12:00PM
Fr. Tom
4:00PM
Fr. Tom
— Subject to change —
Page 4
THE SOUP LADY IS UP AND
RUNNING . . .
Sponsored by the Social Concerns Ministry
Please choose a Christmas Angel
from the trees. Each angel is a
request from a needy member of
our community.
As in the past, all of the gifts will
be given to agencies and
individuals who are in need.
Thanks to the charity of our Parish and help
from parishioners . . . The Palumbo family,
Paul Travers, and Linda Cervero of
Bridgeport affectionately known as “The
Soup Lady” is feeding the poor and hungry
on John Street underneath I-95 overpass.
Linda Cervero, Ryan and Michael Palumbo
Please return your gifts to the
truck in the parking lot on the
weekend of December 12 & 13.
Thank you for your generosity! If
you have any questions, please call
Connie at 203-852-9937.
Please note . . . the truck will leave
the Assumption parking lot for
deliveries at 1:00pm Sunday,
December 13th.
Ryan Palumbo
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Confirmation Hunger Awareness Banquet
Siobhan Lidington speaks about
Social Concerns Ministry
Paul Travers represents Linda Cervero “The Soup Lady”
On Sunday, November 15, our 84 Confirmation Students, with their parents and sponsors,
experienced a Hunger Awareness Banquet which speaks about hunger locally and in the
world. Siobhan Lidington, a member of the Social Concerns Ministry, spoke about how this
parish ministry helps our local outreach programs. Paul Travers, one of our parishioners,
spoke about Linda Cervero and her ministry as The Soup Lady of Bridgeport. Thank you to
our catechists, Marilyn Moran, John Patterson, Joe Malaterra, Gracemary Avitabile, Mary
Kokias and Julie Dizon for journeying with our students as they continue preparing for
Confirmation. Thank you to Henry Pietras, our computer technician, for his assistance.
Cathy Romano, DRE
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2015 Interfaith
Thanksgiving
Celebration
Tuesday,
November 24
at 7:00pm
Saugatuck Congregational Church, UCC
245 Post Road E., Westport
203-227-1261
Led by the Interfaith Clergy Association
of Westport/Weston with preacher:
Rabbi Michael Friedman, Temple Israel
High School Youth Group
The Assumption High School Youth Group will
meet on Sunday, November 22 from 11:00am to
1:30pm as we will be helping out with the Advent
Wreath making activities on that day. You can also
make your own advent wreath for your home.
Please come out and join us in McGrath Hall
(basement of the church) with our parish family as
we prepare for Advent! Just let us know that you
will be attending by sending an email to:
[email protected] or call the
Youth Ministry Office at: (203) 222-8486.
Michele Modugno
Youth Minister
Join the Interfaith Choir led by
Ed Thompson, Unitarian Church
Contact Dr. Heather Hamilton [email protected]
Please donate COATS - new or gently
used and clean
Sponsored by the Clergy Council of
Westport/Weston
Reception by the Interfaith Council of
Westport/Weston. The service is free.
Refreshments will be served.
You are invited
to Assumption’s
Christmas
Senior Luncheon
Wednesday,
December 16th
12:00noon Mass followed
by lunch in McGrath Hall
Andrew Conrad Pallai
Emerson Grace Pallai
Jack William Pallai
Congratulations & welcome
to the parish family.
Please R.S.V.P to the Parish
Office by Mon., Dec. 14th
at 203-227-5161
Page 8
98 Riverside Avenue,
Westport, CT
Christmas Fair
December 5,Saturday 10am to 5pm
December 6, Sunday, 8am to 1:30pm
Free Admission
Coffee and cookies
while you shop
A Visit From
Santa
Local Vendors
Melissa Handcrafted Soaps
Afghans by Mrs. Carusone
Leaf & Ardor Teas
Woodstock Hill Preserves
Knits by Phyllis - Gifts by Netiza
Pre-Owned Jewelry & Silk Scarves
Popurwreath—Handmade Wreaths
Henri Lepetit —Oil Paintings
Rose Carroll—Gifts & Things
Knights of Columbus—Teddy Bears
Theme Baskets Silent Auction
Ornaments, and much more.
ASSUMPTION
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT 2015
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Presented at the 4:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve
ONLY TWO (2) ALL
ALL-CAST REHEARSALS
For this reason, it is REQUIRED for your children to attend both rehearsals.
They are: SATURDAY, 12/19,
12/19,10:00am-11:15am (Blocking rehearsal for all participants)
TUESDAY, 12/22, 4:45pm-6:30pm (Final Run-thru & short Pizza Party afterwards)
Additional rehearsals for principal roles only will be scheduled on an individual basis.
If you have any questions—please email me, Aidan Andrews, at [email protected]
I look forward to working with your children on this exciting Assumption tradition!
PLEASE RETURN completed form to the Parish or Rel. Ed. Office by Friday, Dec. 11th. .
Girls grades K-6 are welcome to be angels; Boys grades K-2 are welcome to be sheep;
Boys grades 3-6 are welcome to be shepherds. Please fill out participation block below.
Any children in grades 4 - 8 who would like to be considered for a principal role (Mary,
Joseph, Archangel, King, Narrator, Shepherd Leader, Donkey, Camel, Camel Leader),
please indicate below under “role interested in”.
CHILDS NAME
Grade
Female / Male
Role interested in:
Parent/Contact Name:
Cell Number:
Parent Name
Cell:
Email:
PARENT HELP NEEDED! (Thank You, Thank You in advance!!)
Email:____________________________________
REFRESHMENTS & CLEAN
CLEAN-UP 12/22: Refreshments & Clean-up for 12/22 rehearsal
Yes, I can help with: Refreshments
Clean-Up
CROWD CONTROL 12/19,12/22, & 12/24 (for both rehearsals 12/20 & 12/22 and during
actual pageant on 12/24). You must be able to help for all three days (4-5 parents needed)
Yes, I can help with CROWD CONTROL on 12/19, 12/22 and 12/24
Please return the completed form by Friday, Dec. 11th to the Parish Office.
Page 10
Assumption Parish
Social Concerns Ministry
Social Concerns is an active ministry formed to
respond to the problems of social justice, the
physical and spiritual needs of the Assumption
parish family, and to those in need in the
neighboring communities. Some of the projects we
are involved with are:
Christmas Angels
Collection, Thanksgiving Gifts of Plenty, Towels
Collection, Lenten Alms, Blankets/Winter Warmup Collection, and Easter Food Baskets. The
Prayer Network and A.C.T.S. are additional
services to our parishioners. The Ministry meets
on the third Monday of the month (September
through June) at 7:00pm in Roncalli House. If
you wish to contact us, please call (203) 227– 5161
ext. 125.
New members are needed and
always appreciated. We would be delighted
to have you join our team!
Parish Prayer Network is
a network of
over 70 members.
When someone needs pray or a special intention,
please call the Social Concerns Ministry at (203)
227-5161 ext. 125 and leave the request,
intention and first name of the person to be
prayed for. Intentions are forwarded via
the telephone and email to the network.
Members respond by praying in their
homes. The network is always open to
new members.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the
Universe
Reflecting on God’s Word . . .
Political power meets spiritual power in today’s
conversation between Jesus and Pilate. “Are you the King
of the Jews?” Pilate asks Jesus (John 18:33). Pilate is
concerned about whether Jesus is a threat to Roman rule,
just as the Jewish leaders see Jesus as a threat to their
authority.
Jesus is thus either guilty of fomenting
insurrection as a militant messiah or of speaking blasphemy
by presenting himself as one who inaugurates the reign of
God.
Jesus, however, speaks not about himself as a king but
about a kingdom that “does not belong to this world” (John
18:36). This kingdom may not be of this world but it is in
this world. God’s kingdom is present in Jesus as one who
comes to bear witness to the truth. And what is this truth?
That “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so
that everyone who believes in him might not perish but
might have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Jesus is the Word become flesh who made his dwelling
among us, so that we might see his glory, “the glory of the
Father’s only Son, / full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
The hour of glory was the hour of the cross, the hour not of
political power, but God’s power shining through human
weakness, bringing light into the darkness, revealing selfsacrificing love so that we might have life.
Political power tends to be an upward climb into dominance
and authority that must be protected at all costs. It
frequently leads to isolation and abuse, to clinging to power
as its own end. Spiritual power is having the strength to
trust God and surrender so that God can reign, not by
conquest or political alliances, but through human weakness
and surrender to God.
- James A. Wallace -
Assumption Cares Through Service
The purpose of A.C.T.S. is to build a more
caring and comforting community within
the parish. It is designed to hear and
answer simple requests for – a ride to
church, to a doctor’s or other
appointments; to do grocery shopping or other
errands. A.C.T.S. can also offer a simple meal to
aid in recuperation or for a family with a new baby.
A phone call or a visit to a shut-in can also be
arranged.
To request or offer help, please call
(203) 227-5161 ext. 125
Knights of Columbus
- Council 3688 -
Meeting Information
The Knights of Columbus meet the
first Tuesday of the month at
Assumption Church at 7:30pm in
McGrath Hall, beneath the church.
The next meeting will be held on December 1.
For more information, please contact Walter
Avitabile at (203) 981-3083 or by email
[email protected]
New members are always welcome!
Page 11
Assumption Parish
Devotions
Bereavement Group
Please note . . . there will be no meetings on
November 18 and 25. We will begin again on
December 2.
We meet each Wednesday from 3:30pm - 5:00pm
in the Beard Room at the Roncalli House (the
parish center at the end of the parking lot.) For
more information, please contact Helen Thiemann
at (203) 227-6318 or email [email protected]
Miraculous Medal Novena:
following the 7:30am Mass.
Wednesdays
Daily Rosary of Peace - at 7:00am before daily
Mass
Silent Adoration: Monday and Wednesdays
8:00am – 5:00pm. Please call Andrea Remlin
(203)227-5477 if you would like to take ½ - 1 hour
of Adoration.
Blessed are they who mourn . . . they
shall be comforted.
Baptismal Prep Class
Elderly Woman Needs A Visit
An elderly woman would appreciate a friendly visit
on Sunday afternoons. She is a resident at the
Westport Health Rehab. Center on Burr
Road. Family members live far away and have
current health problems of their own. She loves
reading and chatting. If you can do this once a
month or so, call Dolores Bacharach at 203-2275782. Need more information call or e-mail at
[email protected]
Hospital & Nursing Home Visitations
Due to current privacy rights of patients, the priests do
not have any way of knowing if and
when parishioners are hospitalized. Therefore, if you
wish to be visited while in the hospital, please have a
family member notify the parish office and Father Tom
will be happy to visit, bring you Holy Communion and
share with you the Anointing of the Sacrament of the
Sick. Thank you.
Communion for the Sick & Homebound
Dear Parishioners, especially those homebound,
The Parish has recently commissioned Ministers of the
Eucharist to help during mass share the Body and Blood
of Christ. Some, at their request, asked to Serve, to bring
Communion to the Sick and Homebound. If you know
someone or are someone who is ill, homebound or in a
Nursing Home, please call the rectory with your name
and phone number. Someone will call you to find out
when it is convenient for you to be visited and receive
Communion. Thank you for letting us know of your
need. The parish is delighted to respond.
Fr. Tom
Mothers and Fathers who are parents for the first
time are required to attend a Pre-Baptism class.
Classes are held at 2:00pm once a month. The
next Pre-Baptismal Class will be held on
Sunday, January 10 in the Oscar Romero Room
at Roncalli House (the parish center at the end of the
parking lot.)
Please call the Parish Office at (203) 227–5161 to
register for the class. Please note, Godparents
must be practicing, Confirmed Catholics and
age 16 and over.
Sacramental Information
Marriage: Arrangements are to be made a
minimum of six months prior to the wedding date.
Please call the Parish Office.
Baptism: Please call the Parish Office to make
arrangements for your child’s Baptism. Baptisms
are on Sundays at 1:15pm, one to four families.
Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Communion: We welcome the opportunity to visit
our homebound parishioners. Please call the Parish
Office.
Anointing of the Sick: Please call the Rectory prior
to surgery or at the onset of an illness.
RCIA: The process by which an adult joins our
Catholic Faith Community. Contact Marilyn Moran
at (203) 286-6939.