December 28, 2014

21 BRUSH HILL ROAD

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT. 06812

203-746-2200 VISIT US AT:

WWW.SAINTEDWARDCHURCH.ORG

SSSSTTTT. E. E. E. EDWARDDWARDDWARDDWARD THETHETHETHE CCCCONFESSORONFESSORONFESSORONFESSOR

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Mass Schedule Monday to Friday 7:30AM & 9:00 AM

Saturday Vigils 4:30 and 6:00 PM Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 AM & 5:15 PM

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays, 3:45 to 4:15 PM

Miraculous Medal Novena Saturdays at 8:00 AM Marriage

The proper time of preparation for Marriage is one year prior to the wedding. Please contact the Parish Office

as soon as possible.

PARISH HOURS Monday - Thursday

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Friday

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Closed Saturdays

Phone: 203-746-2200 Fax: 203-746-4856

www.saintedwardchurch.org

Feast of the Holy Family

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In the event you use a Welcome envelope, please be sure to write your

full name address & envelope # (if you know it) so you may get proper credit for your donation. Thank you!

New Year’s MassesNew Year’s MassesNew Year’s MassesNew Year’s Masses New Year’s Eve

Wednesday, December 31st 4:30PM New Year’s Day

Thursday, January 1st 2015 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 11:00AM

For the weekend of Dec. 13th & 14th we received $18,133.50 for a weekly

average of $18,511.15. Due to Christmas and New Year’s there was early

transmission of the Dec. 28th and Jan. 4th bulletins. The offertory numbers will be listed in the Jan. 11th bulletin.

Thank you for your financial support this year! We appreciate it!

The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth,

his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family. The primary purpose of

this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and

Joseph How many of you parents out there have gone to one of those parent-teacher meetings, only to come away

shaking your head in wonder. "Was that our kid she was talking about?" Little Junior who can't find the clothes

hamper, talks with his mouth full, and slugs his sister at home is one of the most delightful young students in Mrs.

Smith's class. Sometimes, are we standing too close to our children to really see them for who they are?

According to ancient Jewish laws, a woman who had given birth was not allowed into the temple for forty

days, where she was then given "purification" as described in today's Gospel reading from Luke. Most new mothers

would also offer a lamb and a dove for a sacrifice, or if the family was very poor, two doves or pigeons, as was the

case for Joseph and Mary.

It was Simeon and Anna, two faith-filled individuals from outside the family, who recognized with joyful

exclamations that the child Jesus was the Messiah. Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary "were amazed at what was

said about him." In today's seemingly secular world, where those of faith are greeted with disdain and even hostility,

the faithful family stands even more importantly as a center of life itself (CCC 1656). The Second Vatican Council

even recognized that parents are "by word and example” the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children.

They should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each child." Today is the feast of the Holy Family;

look at the children around you, perhaps for the first time, with amazement at these young gifts from God.

The parish office will be closed

Thurs. January 1st & Fri. January 2nd.

We wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

Offertory BlessingsOffertory BlessingsOffertory BlessingsOffertory Blessings

DECEMBER 28, 2014

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Feast of the Holy FamilyFeast of the Holy FamilyFeast of the Holy FamilyFeast of the Holy Family----December 28, 2014December 28, 2014December 28, 2014December 28, 2014

RRRREADINGSEADINGSEADINGSEADINGS FFFFOROROROR NNNNEXTEXTEXTEXT WWWWEEKEEKEEKEEK

JJJJANUARYANUARYANUARYANUARY 4, 20154, 20154, 20154, 2015

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Reading 1: Is 60:1Reading 1: Is 60:1Reading 1: Is 60:1Reading 1: Is 60:1----6666

Reading 2: Eph 3:2Reading 2: Eph 3:2Reading 2: Eph 3:2Reading 2: Eph 3:2----3a, 53a, 53a, 53a, 5----6666

GospelGospelGospelGospel: Mt 2:1Mt 2:1Mt 2:1Mt 2:1----12121212

Liturgical Year B

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn for Alice & Stanley Kozlowski at the request of the family. The Chapel Lamp will burn for Christopher Conner at the request of the family.

Olivia Calistri, Michael Weiss, Frederick Weiss, Frank Rizzaro, Josephine, Teri, Lou, Richard, Michael Savino, Mary Foley, Gene, MaryEllen Rainard, Richard Senkow, Eddie Nielsen, Franca Lombardi, Eileen McParland, Tony, Claire Thibodeau, Jaye Anderson, Robert Gilchrist, Scott Blanchard, Martie Halas, Edward Sczepanski, Maureen Morgan Viola, Michelle Benson,, Linda Marquis, Loriana Aldama, Jane Muggeo, Maria Deamaral, Matthew Hatcher, Holly Smith,

Mary Baske, Olga Fiore

How generous are our parishioners of

St. Edward’s ?? Just take a look!

• They filled and returned 400 bags of food for the

food drive which supported 8 local agencies and put

food and nourishment on the holiday tables of those

less fortunate.

• They came and supported our Christmas Ministry

Fair which raised just about $5,500 for the parish.

• They purchased 416 gifts and gift cards for the

Christmas Project helping 7 local agencies and made

Christmas for so many a happier one!

• They filled our Jesus stocking for Faith Formation

to help local families in need stay warm with hats,

scarves & gloves.

• They purchased over a 100 wreaths and poinsettia’s

to help our Youth Group expand and help them on

their faith journeys.

Sometimes we are ready - as individuals, as a family, as a

couple - to have found some opportunities to experience Advent

with a different spirit. We were ready to have our hearts opened

and engaged by doing some service for others. We know from

past experience, or we've heard from others, that this is a very

rewarding and grace-filled way to go through Advent. It helped

us to prepare for Christmas because we focused on how grateful

we are and we enter into the spirit of sharing by allowing us to

imitate our Savior who simply gave of his very self for us. And, it

helps us get closer to the experience of the poor and needy of

our world. We think about their needs and we do something -

even if it is a small thing - to reach out. If you look below I

would say that, we, as a parish family, displayed the

giving nature of the Advent season which is what this

time is truly all about!! Thank you!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2014

7:30AM Agnes Gallagher R/B Bill & JoAnn Gallagher

9:00AM Peggy Bower R/B Gary & Lisa Remley

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2014

7:30AM Donald LeRose R/B Jane & Alan Liner

9:00AM Dorothy Anello R/B Bob & Marge Jano

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

7:30AM Jack Connors R/B The Family

9:00AM Claire Saparito R/B The Torre Family

4:30PM Alice & Stanley Kozlowski R/B The Family

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2015

7:30AM Pro Populo

9:00AM Victor & Augusta Naimoli R/B The Family

11:00AM William Gallagher R/B JoAnn & Bill Gallagher

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

7:30AM Luke Lyons

9:00AM Ruth Elizabeth Ryan R/B The Jones Family

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015

4:30PM Michael Rovello R/B Molly Rovello

6:00PM James Kawulicz R/B The Family

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015

7:30AM Pro Populo

9:00AM Catherine Morgan R/B The Allen Family

11:00AM Stanley & Stephanie Kafarski R/B Pat & John Curran

5:15PM Stephen Gall R/B Mary & David Hembree

MinistryMinistryMinistryMinistry

The combined ORDINARY TIME WINTER AND LENT

session of Making Music Praying Twice begins

Thursday, January 15th. This music education

program for children newborn to 5 years was devel-

oped to enhance your child's music aptitude and your

family's faith life while having fun with music. For

more informat ion contact Marlene at

mdrygas@saintedwardchurch.org or ca l l

203-746-1142 or pick up a flyer in the gathering

space.

You are called to stand up for life! To respect and defend

the mystery of life always and everywhere, including the

lives of unborn babies, giving real help and encouragement

to mothers in difficult situations. You are called to work and

pray against abortion." Pope John Paul II

Please continue to pray for the life of the unborn baby.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby whom I have you to spare the life of the unborn baby whom I have you to spare the life of the unborn baby whom I have you to spare the life of the unborn baby whom I have

spiritually adopted who is in danger spiritually adopted who is in danger spiritually adopted who is in danger spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion”. of abortion”. of abortion”. of abortion”.

The following are the 50/50 winners for December. Each winner receives $100.

Robert Hayden

Dugan/Pietrzkiewicz Bridget Mitcheltree Congratulations!!!Congratulations!!!Congratulations!!!Congratulations!!!

Take Time to Settle your mind and Take Time to Settle your mind and Take Time to Settle your mind and Take Time to Settle your mind and body down…..body down…..body down…..body down…..Holy Yoga classes are offered right here at St. Edward's! Come and connect with Christ with Holy Yoga. Mixed-level classes are of-

fered here at 8:30am Saturday mornings. Men, women and teens 13 and older are welcome. Drop-In rates are $12 or $10 with pre-paid class card. For more information contact Beverly Steiger at bsteiger@saintedwardchurch.org.

Be still and know, you have nothing to lose and only Be still and know, you have nothing to lose and only Be still and know, you have nothing to lose and only Be still and know, you have nothing to lose and only time with Jesus to gain. time with Jesus to gain. time with Jesus to gain. time with Jesus to gain.

St. Edward the Confessor, New Fairfield, CT. www.saintedwardchurch.org

MMMMarian MMMMovement of PPPPriests CCCCenacle

On First Friday, January 2, at 3:30pm in the Chapel,

the Rosary Cenacle will follow the Marian Movement of

priests prayers and is open to all who would like to join

in the Rosary and Consecration prayers. Prayer sheets

are available. We will meet every First Friday at

3:30pm.

Note: At 3:00pm every First Friday, there is the Divine

Mercy Chaplet in the Chapel. All are welcome.

EEEEUCHARISTUCHARISTUCHARISTUCHARIST AAAADORATIONDORATIONDORATIONDORATION First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday, Jan. 2nd, 2015 Jan. 2nd, 2015 Jan. 2nd, 2015 Jan. 2nd, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to

8:00 p.m. Please sign up for fifteen minutes of prayer in the Gathering Space this weekend.

DDDDIVINEIVINEIVINEIVINE MMMMERCYERCYERCYERCY FFFFIRSTIRSTIRSTIRST

FFFFRIRIRIRI. J. J. J. JANANANAN. 2, 2015. 2, 2015. 2, 2015. 2, 2015 THE DIVINE MERCY EXTENDED CHAP-

LET OF PRAYERS WILL BE HELD

FIRST FRIDAY AT 3:00PM.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION IN THE

CHAPEL. PLEASE BRING YOUR

ROSARY. PRAYER BOOKLETS ARE

AVAILABLE. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Join us for a special event….sponsored by Glory Gatherings

Group Worship Worship Worship Worship

Music Melody Music Melody Music Melody Music Melody will will will will be held on Friday Jan. be held on Friday Jan. be held on Friday Jan. be held on Friday Jan.

2, 2015 from2, 2015 from2, 2015 from2, 2015 from 7PM7PM7PM7PM----8PM8PM8PM8PM in St. Edward Church. At 8PM there will be Benediction, followed by prayer for anyone and their intentions they carry on their heart. Come to a beautiful hour with the Lord with background music, bringing peace, healing and a time of refreshment. All ages welcome. To arrange a

time using your talents in song and/or with a musical instrument for First Friday call Mary Lou at 203-746-5439.

"My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you;

my soul also, which you have redeemed." Psalm 71:23

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203-746-4270 GLORY GATHERINGSGLORY GATHERINGSGLORY GATHERINGSGLORY GATHERINGS

You are invited to the Glory

Gatherings Group which meets Tuesdays after the 9AM Mass in

the Cry Room. WE WILL NOT WE WILL NOT WE WILL NOT WE WILL NOT

MEET ON DECMEET ON DECMEET ON DECMEET ON DEC. 30. 30. 30. 30. To begin our meeting we

relax and listen to music and for the voice of the

Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads each week to

a higher, new work of His Glory with inner heal-

ings and physical healings, joy, prophecy, and

more! Ongoing world events are also lifted up in

group prayer to the Blessed Trinity. The core

group will pray for your intentions or those you

hold in your heart at the end of each gathering.

Bring a friend and your (NAB) Bible. All are

welcome!

Rosary Prayer Group

Come join us for the Rosary. The Rosary is a

powerful prayer where we can meet the

Blessed Virgin Mary. We can meditate on

the mysteries of the lives of Jesus and

Mary. We meet on Saturday mornings in the chapel at 9:00

am. Come relax and enjoy this very therapeutic ritual!

On Jan. 4th (the Epiphany) there will be

a Nazareth Family Mass at 11:00 and a

mandatory family retreat to follow in the

hall from 12:00-4:00pm.

There will be a First Reconciliation

welcome mass on Jan 11th at 9:00am

with a short meeting to follow.

There will be a retreat for Faith

Formation children in Grades 3, 4

& 5 on Sunday, January 11th in

the church hall from 1-4pm.

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PARISH COUNSELING Dr. Dan Joynt Ph. D. is a WCSU Professor and a CT Licensed Professional Counselor working with individuals, couples and families. He can be reached either at 203-770-3171 or by a message to the Parish Office (746-2200). There is no cost for a first session. Special consideration is available for subsequent

counseling services.

TO SCHEDULE A BAPTISM OR WEDDING: Baptism:

If you wish to have your child baptized, we

request that parents register with our parish

and attend Mass regularly so as to be an ac-

tive member of the parish community that

you want your child to be a part of.

Marriage: For those who wish to celebrate

the sacrament of marriage we request that you be registered

members of the parish and regularly attend Sunday Mass. We

suggest you register for marriage at least 9 months in advance

of your wedding date.

SPONSOR CERTIFICATES:

• Must be an ACTIVE member of the church.

• Must attend Mass regularly

• Must participate in the Life of the Church

• Must be a registered member of St. Edward’s parish for a

minimum of 6 months.

• If married, marriage must be recognized by the church.

In order to receive a Sponsor Certificate, the above must be

met to be a godparent for Baptism or a Sponsor for Confirma-tion.

Start your New Year off right with a retreat at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford. The path leading to balance, wellness, and peace. To register visit our website at

www.holyfamilyretreat.org or call 860.760.9705, or call Gene Cassavechia at 203- 746-6329/Bill O’Keefe at 203-746-5520 to register or obtain additional info.

Women’s retreat Women’s retreat Women’s retreat Women’s retreat dates are January 2-4; January 23-25,

and March 6-8. Men's retreats Men's retreats Men's retreats Men's retreats are January 9-11; Janu-ary 16-18; January 30- February 1; February 6-8, and

February 20-22.

MMMMENENENEN’’’’SSSS MMMMINISTRYINISTRYINISTRYINISTRY

Come join the men of the parish at our weekly

discussion group. It is a wonderful opportunity for

prayer and fellowship. We meet every Saturday

morning from 7:30AM to 8:30AM in the Hall.

Monday, December 29, 2014 Friday, January 02, 2015

7:30 PM Al-Anon/MR 9 Floor Waxing/Hall

7:30 PM Prayer Group/Cry Room 9:30AM First Friday Adora�on/Chapel

Tuesday, December 30, 2014 3:00PM Divine Mercy Chaplet/Chapel

Floor Waxing/Hall 3:30PM Marion Movement of Priests/Chapel

6:30 PM AA Mee�ng/Hall 7:00PM Worship Music Melody/Church

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 8:00 PM Women's AA Mee�ng/Area 9

Floor Waxing/Hall Saturday, January 03, 2015

4:30 PM Mary Mother of God Vigil Mass/Church 7:30 AM Men's Ministry Mee�ng

Thursday, January 01, 2015 8:00 AM Miraculous Medal Novena/Chapel

Floor Waxing/Hall 8:30 AM Holy Yoga/MR 1-4

7:30 AM Mary Mother of God Mass/Church 9:00 AM Prayer Shawl Ministry/Hall MR 7-8

9:00 AM Mary Mother of God Mass/Church 9:00 AM Rosary Prayer Group/Chapel

11:00 AM Mary Mother of God Mass/Church Sunday, January 04, 2015

6:00 PM Contemporary Choir/CR A 9:00 AM Cherub Choir at 9AM Mass

10:00 AM Special Needs Class/CR C

11:00 AM Nazareth Family Mass

12:00 PM Nazareth Family Retreat/Hall

6:30 PM Sr. Youth Group/Hall