January 19, 2020

Dear Friends,

One of the most ancient and venerable practices in the Roman Catholic tradition is the offering of prayers for the dead. The basis for this practice is grounded in a text found, in all places, in the Old Testament Second Book of Maccabees (2 Mc 12:43 - 46) where it speaks of Judas Maccabeus taking up a collection among his soldiers so that it might be sent to Jerusalem where, in the Temple, an offering might be made for the sins of their deceased comrades, an offering that might atone for their sins and free them from the punishment due them.

In the Catholic tradition, it has been a custom from ancient times to remember the dead in our prayers each day. All the dead are remembered in prayer each day at every Mass and at evening prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours, prayed by the clergy and many laity as well. It is also a venerable custom to have Masses celebrated for our deceased loved ones, often on the anniversary of death, a birthday remembrance, or even a remembrance of a wedding day. It is also a worthy practice to arrange for Mass to be celebrated in thanksgiving for good health restored, a favor received, on a significant birthday of a loved one, or even a wedding anniversary. The Mass can be celebrated for intentions for the dead and also for the living.

Here at Precious Blood, Masses can be ar- ranged by contacting the rectory on Gulf Street, where the Mass Books are kept by mandate of the Archbishop. The office is open from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The schedule of offerings for Masses is the same one that was in place when I came to Milford in 2012. I have not changed any- thing in that regard, with one exception, that being a slight increase in the offering for a funeral so that we could align better with other parishes in the city and surrounding area.

That being said, the Mass Book for 2021 will be opening soon and there are a good number of open dates for the current year as well. If you are making an offering for Masses, please make the check payable to Precious Blood Parish and on the memo line indicate the date and time of the Mass so we can keep good records. Of late, a few problems have arisen with Masses being arranged for a given date after the bulletin for that week has been sent to the publisher. Unfortunately, the intention did not get communicated to the priest and the Mass was not celebrated and had to be rescheduled. To that end, to avoid this problem going forward, no Mass can be arranged for an open date if the bulletin for that week has already gone to the publisher.

I was remiss last weekend in the bulletin in that I did not thank Hilma Nolan for all the work that she did to see that the sanctuary at St. Agnes was decorated so beautifully for Christmas. Hilma does good work at St. Agnes not just at Christmas but all throughout the year and I want to acknowledge her work and thank her for it.

Have a good week!

January 12, 2020

Dear Friends,

With this weekend’s celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the liturgical observance of the Christmas season concludes, and on Monday we return to Ordinary Time, which we will observe for about six weeks until Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26.

In looking back over the seasons of Advent and Christmas, I do so with gratitude and no small sense of wonder. The liturgical celebrations of the season were beautiful & well􏰁attended. The number of confessions heard significant. I hope that these seasons of the Church year have served to bring many of you closer to God personally and closer to the people in your life whom you love, especially members of your family.

Some words of gratitude are in order as we look back over Advent and Christmas. I want to thank Bob Lynch and the parish maintenance staff for all the hard work they did to insure that both St. Mary’s and St. Agnes’ Churches were beautifully adorned. The decorations of the churches warmed our hearts and helped, if in a small measure, to connect with the spirit of the season. Thanks go also to Frank Zilinyi and Nancy Campaniolo, our organists, as well as the choir of St. Mary’s for the wonderful music provided for the season. Advent and Christmas are short in duration, but very rich in music and traditions, and these must be used and used well. Finally, thanks go to all of you for your presence during Advent and Christmas, the spirit of faith and devotion manifested by you, and for your ongoing generosity at this time of year but also all throughout the year.

A gentle, but pointed reminder: please take care to observe fire lanes. These must be kept free from any kind of obstruction and if they are not, there is a great potential danger if someone were to become ill or injured and in need of an ambulance, or if there were a fire and the needed fire apparatus could not gain access to the parish property. I ask that all refrain from parking in designated fire lanes at both churches.

As the weather can become problematic at this time of year, it is also worth repeating the snow day policy in place in the parish􏰁at􏰁large. If the weather is inclement and the Milford Public Schools are closed, there are no morning Masses in either church, and Mass intentions, if any, will be rescheduled. Also, if the schools are closed for the day or if they close early because of weather issues, all afternoon and evening meetings are cancelled for the day. The purpose is to insure the your safety. As for weekends, we will have Masses unless there is a dispensation announced by the Archbishop, normally not given except in case of a blizzard or other serious emergency. On weekends, please use common sense in attempting to come to Mass if the roads are hazardous.

December 15, 2019

Dear Friends,

Advent is advancing quickly toward its culmination at our celebration of Christmas, just ten days or so from now. Thus, today, Gaudete Sunday, the Church bids us to rejoice. The text from the prophet Isaiah speaks of the steppe rejoicing and blooming, the eyes of the blind being opened, the ears of the deaf being cleared, the lame leaping like a stag, the tongues of the mute singing. Isaiah in his time looked forward with longing to that day when there will be everlasting joy and gladness, when sorrow and mourning shall flee. At Christmas, we will celebrate the birth in time of the One who is the source of our true and lasting joy, the One who turns our sorrows and pain into joy. As Christmas approaches, at a time of year that can leave many of us stressed out and even depressed, may we ask God to pour light into our hearts so that we may grasp the true meaning of this season and find joy in Him who is closer to us that we are even to ourselves.

This Sunday afternoon, at 2:30 PM in St. Agnes Church, we will have our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. This affords us all the opportunity to step back from the rush of this time of year, to sit in quiet, listening to selections from the Scriptures, and singing hymns and carols of the season. We need this kind of time. It lasts but an hour. I hope that many will take advantage of it.

As Christmas approaches, there are increased opportunities available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please check the bulletin or be sure to take one of the cards available at the church doors so that you may have a reminder of times for confession. A good confession is a worthy way to cap any proper observance of Advent. Please consider taking advantage of the opportunity, even if, especially if it has been some years since you last went to confession.

Finally, the Annual Collection is doing quite well. At this writing, some $46,000 has been given and we are well on our way to our goal. If you have not made a gift, please do so before December 31 if you wish that gift to be credited for tax purposes. As always, thanks to all who are so generous to the parish and the work it does throughout the year.

December 1, 2019

Dear Friends,

With this First Sunday of Advent, we once again begin a new liturgical year in the life of the Church, a new “year of grace” as it is called. This new Church year will find at its center the more or less complete reading through the Gospel of Matthew, the longest of the four Gospels (at least in terms of chapter length). The Gospel of Matthew is written from a strongly Jewish background and it presents Jesus as the “New Moses” who presents the Law of God in a new and definitive way. The Gospel is centered on five lengthy addresses, or discourses, of Jesus, which are meant to be the basis of a new and definitive presentation of what God expects, paralleling the five books of the Law, the Torah, the Pentateuch. In the Gospel of Matthew, we find some unique stories and traditions. For example, Matthew focuses on Joseph (and not Mary) in the stories of Jesus’ conception, birth and early life. He alone presents the story of the visit of the Magi. He offers us the beloved well-known version of the Beatitudes (cf. Matthew 5:3-13). He also presents the parable-allegory of the sheep and the goats (cf. Matthew 25:31-46). A good suggestion for your personal prayer for this coming year is to take time each day to read, study, and pray with a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

Deacon Nick Genovese has been granted senior status by Archbishop Blair in conformity with Church law, which mandates that each priest or deacon, on reaching his 75th birthday, submit a letter requesting senior status. This happened for Deacon Nick on November 8, his 75th birthday. What this means practically is that Deacon Nick will continue to remain active in his ministry as he is able to do so. There are no changes planned or contemplated at this time. His presence and his ministry in the parish are both invaluable and very much appreciated by me, as they were by Father Callahan before me. Happily, Deacon Nick remains healthy and will, I hope, be around, active among us for many years to come. We congratulate him on reaching this milestone in his life. We also offer him our deepest gratitude and esteem for all that he has done for St. Agnes Parish for so many years, and for the past two and a half years, for Precious Blood Parish. It should also be said that no priest or deacon ever “retires” from the ministry, for the gift of the ministry bestowed by the Spirit at ordination does not depart at the attainment of any age. Thus, we no longer speak of “retired” priests or deacons. Rather, we refer to them as “senior” priests or deacons.

Finally, even though I have spoken about this before in this column, it warrants repetition. There are some parishioners who insist on parking in fire lanes both at St. Mary and at St. Agnes. Besides this being a violation of the law, it also endangers all of us as it may happen that, in the case of a medical emergency or a fire, an ambulance or fire apparatus might not be able to gain access to the parish plant. I must ask those who do this to cease doing so immediately. We will be speaking to the Milford Police about taking steps to enforce the law if compliance is not forthcoming. I am sorry to be so sharp about this, but I must insist on this for the safety of all who come to Mass and other services at our churches.

November 24, 2019

Dear Friends,

With our national observance of Thanksgiving Day this coming Thursday, we launch into the holiday season, a time of hectic activity, celebrations and gatherings of one kind or another, and preparations small and large. As the song sings, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” May this Thanksgiving be a day when all of us stop to consider and count our many blessings, offer heartfelt prayers of gratitude to God for those blessings, and consider how we can share from our abundance with those who lack the basic necessities of life. Thanksgiving Day must not be reduced to a day of feasting and football. It must continue to focus on God and the abundant blessings we receive from him, blessings in the form of food, yes, but also family and friends, health, a career or livelihood, and so much more. A true awareness of what we have received, an honest assessment of our blessings also helps us to avoid the pitfalls of jealousy and envy, which can do real harm to our lives, spiritual and corporal.

For those who might wish to use it, I supply a Table Prayer for Thanksgiving:

“O Gracious God, we give you thanks for your overflowing generosity to us. Thank you for the blessings of the food we eat and especially for this feast today. Thank you for our home and family and friends, especially for the presence of those gathered here. Thank you for our health, our work and our play. Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick, and suffering war and violence. Open our hearts to your love. We ask all of this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen. ”

Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving morning at 9:00 AM at both St. Mary and St. Agnes Churches. The annual Milford Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service will be held on this Tuesday evening, November 26, at 7:00 PM at the First Church of Christ, Congregational located at 34 West Main Street.

I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope that you will be safe if traveling to be with family and friends.

November 10, 2019

Dear Friends,

At long last, we welcome this weekend to our parish Fr. Lijo Thomas, who replaces Fr. Deny Varghese who left us in June to take up advanced theological studies in Rome. Both Fr. Sam and myself warmly welcome Fr. Lijo to the parish and we look forward to his presence and ministry. Fr. Lijo (pronounced LEE-Joe) is a young priest, just thirty-one years old. He is a native of India, coming from the same state, Kerala, as both Fr. Sam and Fr, Deny. He is well educated in philosophy and theology. He also holds a licentiate degree (S.T.L.) from the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. He was ordained as a priest on February 22, 2014 and has served in a number of positions in his own diocese in India, ranging from parochial vicar (associate pastor) to pastor. He also has served as a vice principal and as director of the Family Apostolate in his home diocese. As you can see, Fr. Lijo, even as young as he may be comes to us with a wealth of experience. Fr. Lijo will celebrate the Masses at St. Agnes this weekend and will be at St. Mary’s next weekend. I know that you will welcome him warmly.

The Annual Collection is now underway and I am gratified by the early returns. Already at this early stage, we have received over $20,000 toward our modest goal of $55,000. The proceeds from this collection are used to make improvements and needed repairs on the parish plant. Your generosity is much appreciated, and not only for this collection, but for all the many ways that you support the parish and its mission throughout the year. Know that I am grateful for whatever you can do.

A change in the way the weekday Mass is celebrated at St. Mary’s took effect on Saturday, November 2. Whereas in the past, we always began and ended the Mass with a hymn sung without musical accompaniment, we no longer sing hymns at the weekday Masses. The reason is quite simple. The practice has been that the reader for the Mass also selected the hymn and led the singing of it. This practice has kept some from reading at the morning Mass because they either could not or did not want to lead the singing. In actuality, the ministry of leading song is distinct from that of proclaiming the Word of God. They should not be linked together. A perceived inability to sing or a fear of singing publicly should not keep one from exercising the Ministry of the Word if they feel called to do so. While singing at Mass, especially on weekdays, is optional, the worthy proclamation of the Word of God is not. So, for now, we have suspended the practice of singing at the weekday morning Masses at St. Mary’s. We will consider other options as we go forward, but it should be noted that very few parishes have morning Mass each day during the week as we do, and very, very few parishes sing hymns at weekday Masses. While I understand that a few may be unhappy with this, I ask that you understand my reasoning behind the decision. I also would appreciate your cooperation with it.

Have a good week!

October 6, 2019

Dear Friends,

The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation last Saturday at St. Mary’s was an occasion to re- member. That day, over one hundred and ten young people and adults affirmed the promises made for them at Baptism, and accepted their new place in the Church as fully initiated Catholics who are called to be witnesses to Christ by the example of their lives. Msgr. Joseph Donnelly, who conferred the sacrament, spoke in a way that seemed to really connect with those being confirmed. We congratulate all the newly confirmed.

Next Saturday, October 12, at 12:30 PM, be- hind St. Mary’s Church near the statue of St. Francis of Assisi, we will hold the annual Blessing of the Animals. This blessing is given usually on or near the feast of St. Francis, which falls on October 4. Our pets matter to us. They are our companions. They offer us unconditional love and we offer them love in return. For those who are pet owners, the benefits of having a pet far outweigh any cost or burden that a pet might incur. Please be sure that all animals are on leashes or in crates. The whole ceremony should take less than half an hour.

Looking forward, the annual Mass for the Faithful Departed will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday, November 6, at 7:30 PM. During that Mass, the names of all parishioners who died and were buried from our parish, at either St. Mary or St. Agnes, will be read and they will be remembered in prayer as a candle is lighted in their memory. Family members will be notified by letter in the next several weeks and they are asked to respond so that appropriate preparations can be made. A reception will follow the Mass that evening in Father Cronin Hall.

Also by way of reminder, in your packet of envelopes for October, you probably received an envelope for All Souls’ Day. You are invited to write the names of loved ones who have died whom you want to remember on the envelope, enclose whatever offering you would like, and drop it into any collection basket during the month of October or even into early November. The envelopes will be collected and placed on the altars in both churches and those whose names are written on them will be remembered in Masses throughout the month of November, in keeping with the tradition of the Church in observing the month of November as the month of the Holy Souls.

Have a good week!

September 22, 2019

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,

It has been said that one of the signs of a healthy, vibrant parish is the presence of children in the assembly at Sunday Mass. Here at Precious Blood Parish, there are signs of such health and vibrancy, and we all should welcome it and encourage it. Of course, at times, young children can “act up” at Mass. When faced with that reality, we have two options. The unhelpful option is to roll our eyes and show irri- tation at the child and the parents. The more helpful option is simply to be patient, to smile, and to let it roll off our backs. The clergy of the parish warmly welcome the presence of young children at Mass and we encourage all to do so. There may be times, though, when a child might be particularly difficult at Mass, and it is for the parents to decide when to take the child out of the church so as to calm him or her down.

At St. Mary’s, there is no so called “cry room,” but at St. Agnes there is one. It is in need of cleaning, an update, and some serious attention. At present there is a wide variety, hodgepodge of toys and other items in the room. It has been decided to replace those items with toys and books of a religious nature, age appropriate, for the use of children when in the cry room. If anyone has put toys or other items in the cry room at St. Agnes and would like them back, please remove them by October 1, for after that date, they will be discarded. Going forward, all are kindly asked not to place any items in the cry room that are not for children and religious in nature. If any such articles are found there, they will be discarded.

In the Gospels, there are several stories which tell of the great affection that Jesus had for children. As followers of Jesus, we are called to have the same attitude. We must be a parish community that wel- comes families with young children, for their pres- ence among us is a sign of hope for the future and of vibrancy in the present.

This Saturday, September 28, we will welcome Msgr. Joseph Donnelly, the Episcopal Vicar [official representative of the Archbishop] for the western region of the Archdiocese as well as the pas- tor of Sacred Heart Parish in Southbury, to our parish for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. On that day, ninety six young people and fourteen adults will be confirmed. We congratulate them on achieving this milestone in their Christian life and we pray that the Spirit of God will be with them always and bless them, empowering them to be effective witnesses to Christ wherever they may be.

Have a great week!

September 1, 2019

Dear Friends,

As we mark Labor Day this Monday, September 2, we remember the contributions that generations of workers have made to the development and progress of life both within the United States and around the world. While the unemployment rate has been dropping in recent years, we know all too well how fickle the economy can be and that a recession can come at any time, placing jobs at risk. As we mark Labor Day, we pray for all who work to support them- selves and their families, that God will bless their ef- forts and bless the business world so that there can be a proper balance between profits and the welfare of employees. We ask God to bless our economy and the world economy at large so that as many as possible may find enriching and meaningful work.

The daily Mass on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, is at 9:00 AM at both churches. There will be no 7:00 AM Mass at St. Mary on Monday. We wish all who may be traveling for the holiday week- end a safe journey.

School has once again begun and students of all ages, from pre􏰀school to graduate school, are hard at work with their studies. We ask God’s blessings on all teachers and their students, with particular prayers for the teachers, administration, and students of our own St. Mary School. May this new academic year of 2019 - 2020 be one filled with successes and achievements.

For those who may be interested, the address for Sean Yates, the seminarian who spent this summer with us, is as follows:

Mr. Sean Yates

Sacred Heart Major Seminary

2701 Chicago Boulevard

Detroit, Michigan 48206.

Have a good week!

August 11, 2019

Dear Friends,

This week finds at the mid􏰁point of August. The summer is passing quickly and we are beginning to turn our thoughts to the fall season ahead. Schools will open in two weeks and the pace of normal life will resume. I would like to call your attention to sev- eral upcoming events here in the parish.

This Thursday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation. On this day we celebrate the dogma of our faith that holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary, owing to her unique and graced status as the Mother of God, at the end of her earthly life was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Her body did not undergo the corruption of the grave, and as such she was the first to share in the fruits of the redemption wrought by her Son. Masses will be celebrated at St. Mary’s on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM, and on Thursday morning at 7:00 and 9:00 AM. Masses at St. Agnes will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 9:00 AM and Thursday evening at 5:30 PM.

With the coming of the fall season, the annual St. Mary School Carnival will be held on the weekend of September 2022. In conjunction with the carnival, the traditional raffle will take place. This year, the grand prize is a Chevrolet Trax. Tickets are $5.00 each and are available after Masses on the weekend and the rectory on Gulf Street. The drawing takes place at the end of the carnival on Sunday afternoon.

Next Saturday, August 17, is the annual Mil- ford Oyster Festival, and with that, there will be hoards of visitors in town. The traffic in our area of town, particularly here on Gulf Street, could prove to be a nightmare. While we will still have the 4:30 PM Mass at St. Mary’s, it is suggested that many who go to that Mass consider going to the 5:30 PM Mass at St. Agnes. It should prove to be far easier and more expeditious getting in and out of there on Saturday.

As regards the Oyster Festival, the Santa Maria Council of the Knights of Columbus will be offering parking here on the grounds of St. Mary’s for $5.00 per car. This is an important fund raiser for the council and if you are going to the festival we urge your sup- port of it.

We have received word that the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated here on Saturday, September 28. There will be two ceremonies, both outside of Mass, and the sacrament will be conferred by Msgr. Joseph Donnelly, the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Southbury and the episcopal vicar for the western portion of the Archdiocese, representing the Archbishop.

Finally, this is the final weekend we will have Sean Yates, our seminarian, with us. He must report to Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit on Tuesday, August 20. He will be leaving here on August 15. We have

enjoyed having him with us and we hope that his time with us has been beneficial to him. It certainly was for us. We wish him well in his studies for the priest- hood and as soon as we have an address for him we will publish it in the bulletin.

Have a good week!

July 7, 2019

Dear Friends,

It hardly seems possible that the month of June passed so quickly and here we are at the beginning of July with the Fourth of July celebration already behind us. Notwithstanding the old saying that when the Fourth of July is over, there goes the summer, in reality the summer has barely started. Seven or eight weeks lie ahead of us before school begins in late August, the signal that the summer is over and the fall season has come.

The summer is a time for “down time,” a time for relaxation, for catching up on reading, for doing things that we cannot do during the rest of the year. Many of you will be traveling on vacation to various destinations. I wish you safe travels to and from your vacation spots. Of course, the summer is not a time for vacation from God, from prayer, from our spiritual life. Please make every effort to participate in Sunday Mass wherever you might go, and do not neglect daily prayer, our life line to God, a great source of sustenance and strength for the stresses and strains that life throws at us, even in the summer months.

As regards the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, the news for Precious Blood Parish in encouraging. As of last week, the people of our parish have pledged some $112,000, which means that we have exceeded our goal by $2,000. I am grateful to all who have made a gift or pledge. On the level of the wider Archdiocese, the Appeal is down some $700,000 from the same time last year. The reasons for that could range from changes in the federal tax laws, to the disturbing news of past sexual abuse of children in the Church, to a sense of dissatisfaction with the recent merger of so many parishes in the Archdiocese. While these reasons are understandable, the needs of the Archdiocese for funding its ministries and helping local agencies across the Archdiocese serve the poor and needy remain. No funds from the Appeal are allotted to settlements or legal fees. All funds are used for the purpose for which they are collected. If you have made a gift in the past but not yet have done so for this year, please consider doing so. If we all make an effort, God can turn what we offer into a real miracle of love and service to so many across the three counties that make up the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Have a great week!

June 9, 2019

Dear Friends,

Our celebration of Pentecost this weekend brings to a climactic end our fifty days long celebration and pondering of the mystery of Easter. Pentecost, one of the great liturgical festivals in the Church year, is outranked in importance only by Easter itself and Christmas. We remember today the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples and the beginning of the life and mission of the Church, a mission which goes on even now, and of which we are all part.

Pope Francis likes to speak of Christians as “missionary disciples,” and rightly so. All of us, by virtue of our baptism and confirmation, have been clothed in Christ and sealed with the power and the grace of the Spirit of God so that we can live effective lives of witness, lives built on the fundamental commandment of love that the Lord asks of all of us. Each day, more through our actions and the way of life that we model, the moral choices we make and defend, we can actually become missionary disciples, leading others to Christ and in the process, leading them to salvation. This is not the task only for clergy and religious. The laity, more and more, have to step up and make Christ and his presence in the world known by their way of life. The laity can b e so much more effective in this since they live and work in areas where clergy and religious cannot go.

So, as the Easter Season ends, and as Ordinary Time begins anew, we ask the Holy Spirit to remain with us, to give us strength, to deepen our faith, and to help us grow in love for God, a love that is best shown by the love, the care, and the reverence we show for others, especially the lowliest and most vulnerable in our society who are often marginalized and forgotten.

I am happy to say that I received word from Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt this week that we will be privileged to have seminarian assigned to Precious Blood Parish for this summer. Sean Yates, who comes from South Windsor, has completed his pre- theology studies, which largely consist of courses in philosophy, at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and will begin his theological studies this fall at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.. During the eight or nine weeks that Sean is with us, he will participate as much as possible in the life of the parish, assisting at Masses, reading, distributing Communion, visiting the hospital and convalescent homes, sitting in on meetings, and more. All of this is meant to help him come to an appreciation of what

life is a parish is like for a priest. I am sure that you will give him a warm welcome. We are happy to have him!

Have a good week!

May 12, 2019

Dear Friends,

Traditionally, the Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” and takes that designation from the Gospel read on that day, usually from the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John. The image of a shepherd and his sheep is probably foreign to our experience, given the fact that we live in an urban environment. But the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is grounded in trust, loyalty, and a willingness to follow wherever he leads them, wherever he goes. The shepherd supplies access to sufficient food and water, security from attacks by coyotes or wild dogs, and care when wounded or sick. The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep was so intimate that the sheep could recognize the shepherd by his smell and by the sound of his voice. Jesus himself, in the Gospel today, indicates this whenhesays,“
  à   and they follow me.”

The Lord is our shepherd indeed, our Good Shepherd. He supplies all that we need. He gives us life, food, protection from danger, love, hope for the future, and so much more. All we are asked to do is to recognize him, to hear his voice, and to follow him wherever he leads us. It takes an act of trust and faith to do so, yes, but again, as he is the “Good” Shepherd, we have no reason to fear following him or doing whatever he tells us.

This Sunday is also a day given to prayer for vocations to the priesthood, as well as the religious life (the consecrated life) and the diaconate. The Church is weathering some difficult times as we all know. The sins of some clergy and religious of the past have been laid bare and the Church as a whole has been wounded by it. Nonetheless, the Church, as we believe it to be, is holy, even if there is sinfulness in her members, because the Church is the very Body of Christ in the world. As the Body of Christ, the Church has to be holy in itself. Some have said that the Church is a community of sinners on its way to sainthood, or as Pope Francis calls it, a “field hospital” for sinners.

In order to do the work entrusted to it by the Lord, the Church has great need for priests, consecrated religious and deacons. These do not grow on trees, nor do they drop down magically from the heavens. The seed of a religious vocation is sown in family life, in devout Catholic living, in a simple invitation to a young person who seems so disposed to consider life as a priest, consecrated religious, or deacon. Pray for more vocations, but also keep your

eyes and ears open looking for signs of a possible vocation in young (or not so young) people you may know.

On this Mother’s Day, we pray for all mothers and grandmothers, be they living or deceased. May we not forget, too, those women who have been like mothers to us at one time or another in life, those who have helped us and inspired us in their roles as teachers, day care workers, nurses, doctors, counselors, and more. May God bless them all!

April 21, 2019

Dear Friends,

Now that our forty-day observance of Lent has ended, we launch into the celebration of Easter, a celebration that extends across a period of fifty days, ending with Pentecost on June 9. Easter is the culmination of the entire liturgical year, the bedrock of our faith, the hinge on which everything else we do and believe as Christians swings. As St. Paul puts it so well in his First Letter to the Corinthians: “For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins. And what is more serious, all who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people” (cf. 1 Cor 15:17-19). St. Paul was writing to a community of Greek Christians who had great difficulty accepting in faith the truth of bodily resurrection after death. They had serious doubts about it and questioned not only the truth of Christ’s resurrection, but that of themselves and their loved ones as well. For his part, St. Paul does a masterful job in setting the record straight. On this Easter Day we affirm the ages-old faith proclaimed by the Church, namely that “Christ has died, Christ is risen from the dead, and Christ will come again.”

I welcome warmly all who gather for worship with us this Easter Sunday, especially the occasional or first-time visitor. Your presence with us is a blessing. Please know that you are always most welcome and I hope that many of you will come to see Precious Blood Parish as your spiritual home, be it at either church, St. Mary’s or St. Agnes’.

Next Sunday is the Second Sunday of Easter. It is also celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday and at 2:00 PM at St. Agnes Church, there will be Divine Mercy devotions offered. I hope many will participate in these devotions.

I have looked at the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal progress report, and I am encouraged by what I saw. As of this writing, our parish has raised some $58,000 toward its goal of $110,000. If you have not yet made a gift or a pledge to the Appeal, please consider doing so. The monies raised serve to fund the ministries of the Archdiocese and a significant portion also goes to help local charitable efforts. Here in Milford, our own John Rigely Food Pantry as well as Helping Hands for Hurting Hearts receive funding from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If we all contribute something, a great deal of good can be done for so many people throughout the three counties that comprise the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Finally, as there have been more than ample opportunities for confession, especially in the last week or two of Lent, there will be no confessions heard Monday night, April 22, at St. Mary’s. Regular Monday evening confessions will resume April 29.

Have a great week!

March 24, 2019

Dear Friends,

Included in this week’s bulletin is an important insert which I encourage all of you to read with care. The insert details the financial state of the parish for 2018. A reading of this report will indicate several things.

First of all, we are all members of a very large and complex parish community. Our parish hosts a wide variety of ministries for the benefit not only of the people of the parish but also people outside of the parish. All of this requires adequate funding, and I am pleased to note with deep gratitude that you once again have risen to the challenge. Your support of Precious Blood Parish during the past year has been generous, even exceptional. I thank all who have contributed from their means to help us keep our parish both alive with vigor and financially sound.

A second point to note is that, looking forward, we face some challenges. Costs are increasing for us, as they are for you. A significant cost increase is to be seen in the provision of benefits to the full-time employees of the parish. Health care and retirement costs are rising, and we have to be able to meet those expenses.

Thirdly, our parish plant, now consisting of two parish complexes, is aging and in need of constant upkeep and repairs. This, too, costs money as we seek to repair parish facilities and replace things as needed. As we do that, we try our best to look for savings through the purchase and installation of more energy efficient items. To that end, I would ask that, if at all possible from within your means, that you consider a small increase in your weekly offertory contribution. If everyone would consider donating an additional five dollars per week, the result would go a long way toward helping us meet our financial obligations. If you cannot contribute that much more, an increase of even two or three dollars more per week would be most appreciated. In any event, please know that I am aware of the sacrifices you make on behalf of the parish and that I deeply appreciate your generosity.

I am pleased to announce that Diane and Tony Candido have been selected to receive the St. Joseph Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation. They will receive the medal from Archbishop Blair at a ceremony next Sunday, March 31, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. On behalf of our parish, I congratulate them both and thank them for all that they do for us.

March 3, 2019

Dear Friends,

Each year the pastor is required by Church law to supply a report to the people of the parish on the financial and spiritual state of the parish. We have just completed the annual financial report required by the Archdiocese of Hartford and in the near future I will speak to the people of the parish at both St. Mary and St. Agnes about the financial state of the parish. This will take place when a summary regarding parish finances is ready for distribution.

This weekend, I will supply a brief report on the spiritual state of the parish, both in terms of numbers and an overall assessment of the state of parish life now that we are well into our second year as a newly-merged parish community. Precious Blood Parish is one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Hartford with a census approaching five thousand households and Mass attendance in excess of 2000 people per weekend. We are an active parish with many events taking place, almost it seems on a daily basis. I once heard that a pastor said that one sign of a healthy parish (surely there are others) is seen in that the lights are on most week nights in one building or another with cars in the parking lot. While there have been challenges in the merger of St. Mary’s and St. Agnes’ parishes, I think that the overall spirit of understanding and cooperation has been exceptional. The combining and strengthening of the parish religious education programs is one highlight, as is the merger of two parish ladies’ guilds into one. I also note with happiness the number of people originally from either St. Mary or St. Agnes who, when necessary, feel comfortable going to either church for Mass. All of this underscores the fact that we are a new parish with two churches for worship and other activities.

For the year 2018, we baptized ninety (90) infants and two (2) adults. We received into full communion with the Catholic Church eleven (11) adults and children. These were baptized originally in other Christian churches and communities and they decided to become members of the Catholic Church. One hundred thirty-six (136) young children received their First Communion. Sixty-six (66) young people celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Peter Rosazza in October. Twelve (12) couples were joined in marriage, and one hundred fifty-one (151) parishioners were commended to God as their funerals were celebrated.

This Wednesday, March 6, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the annual season in the Church for repentance and spiritual renewal. Please take a bulletin by way of reminder regarding Masses and times for the distribution of ashes. Please note that the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Mary’s will be exceptionally crowded as the children from the school will be present. There is another Mass, also at 9:00 AM on Wednesday at St. Agnes. A collection will be taken at all Masses and services on Ash Wednesday. In the spirit of almsgiving, an important Lenten practice, the entire proceeds will be donated to the Beth-El Shelter for serving the poor here in Milford.

Through the weeks of Lent, there will be an additional Mass at 12:05 PM at St. Mary’s each weekday, Monday through Friday. For the month of March, there are still a number of Masses available for intentions. One can have a Mass celebrated in memory of a deceased loved one, in thanksgiving to God for favors received, and on the occasion of a birthday or wedding anniversary as well. Contact the rectory at (203) 878-3571 to make arrangements for a Mass to be celebrated.

May this season of Lent be one of spiritual refreshment and renewal for us all!

February 3, 2019

Dear Friends,

As I announced at Masses last weekend, the news coming from the Chancellery on Tuesday, January 22 regarding the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy was sobering. Thirty-six priests of the Archdiocese have been listed as credibly accused of minors since the establishment of the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1953. In addition, six priest from other diocese and six more from religious orders who served at one time or another in the Archdiocese have also been credibly accused. Twenty-three of the thirty-six Archdiocesan priests have died, and number of those still alive have been removed entirely from priesthood. Again as I stated last weekend, we must continue to pray for all victims of abuse of any kind, and support the efforts of the Archdiocese to help victims and to take steps to prevent abuse from happening again in the future.

By way of transparency, there are five priests named who at one time or another have been assigned to either the former St. Mary Parish or the former St. Agnes Parish. The priest named who were assigned to St. Mary include Joseph Rozint, Robert Ladamus, and Stephen Byzdyra. Those who were assigned to St. Agnes include Howard Nash and George Raffaeta. Of these five, four are deceased, and one Stephen Byzdyra has been laicized. which means he has been returned to the lay state from which he came prior to ordination. As such, he can no longer represent himself as a priest in any way and he cannot celebrate the sacraments. I have no personal knowledge of any improper behavior having taken place on the part of any of these men while they were assigned to either St. Mary or St. Agnes.

Please be assured that the Archdiocese has put into place an extensive series of requirements and expectations for all who work for the Archdiocese in any way, be they members of the clergy(priests or deacons), religious, laity, or even volunteers. These requirements include background checks which must be renewed every five years, participation in VIRTUS training, and adherence to a strict code of ministerial conduct. These requirements have been in place since 2003, and it is important to note that in the 16 years since, only two cases of sexual abuse have surfaced, and both cases resulted in criminal prosecution.

If you have any concerns, please feel free to speak with me, to call me at the rectory, or to contact the Archdiocesan Director of Safe Environment, Kathleen Nowosadko, at (860) 242-5573.

January 27, 2019

Dear Friends,

We have concluded our annual celebration of Christmas and its accompanying feasts and now we return to what is known liturgically as ordinary time. The word “ordinary” does not mean ho-hum, so-so, or uneventful. Rather it is used to denote those Sundays of the Church year, some thirty-four in all which are number ordinally, such as that which we celebrate this weekend, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The weeks of Ordinary Time have us, in the reading of the Gospels, accompany Jesus in his ministry from its beginnings in Galilee immediately following his baptism by John, and then through Judea, ending just before he enters in triumph into Jerusalem to accomplish the wonder of our salvation through his death and resurrection.

In these weeks of Ordinary Time, we are invited to walk along with Jesus, to see what he does, and to hear what he says by way of teaching. It is an ongoing invitation to discipleship, which essentially is an invitation to get to know Jesus better and better, to model our lives on his own example and teaching, and in turn to become better signs of his presence and activity in the world of our day. As we work our way through these weeks of Ordinary Time, a salutary spiritual discipline we can all undertake is to read the Gospel passage of each day and to spend some time in quiet prayer and reflection, inviting the Lord to come into our hearts through his word and to help us conform ourselves to him by putting his word into practice concretely in our own ordinary daily lives. All we have to do is to take the time, open the door, and let the Lord in, and then watch what can happen. You can be sure that if we do that, our experiences during these weeks may well be anything but ordinary.

Next Sunday, February 3, liturgically is the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, but also traditionally the memorial of St. Blase, who is invoked as the protector against diseases of the throat. At all Masses next weekend, there will be a general blessing of throats over the whole assembly that will take the place of the ordinary blessing that concludes the Mass. According to the regulations of the Church, such a blessing can now be given and it is no longer absolutely required to give the blessing individually with crossed candles.

Have a good week!

January 20, 2019

Dear Friends,

Now that our annual celebration of Christmas and its attending feasts has concluded, I want to thank all those who helped to make this Christmas both beautiful and special here at Precious Blood Parish. The decorations at both churches were magnificent and festive, worthy of the mystery we celebrate at Christmas. The music in both churches was also beautiful and served to help us lift our hearts to God in wonder and worship. To all who helped to decorate and to clean both St. Mary’s and St. Agnes’ churches, and to all who worked to make the music of the season so beautiful, in the name of the parish I offer profound gratitude. I also want to thank you, the people of the parish, for your ongoing presence and generous support of our parish.

The first two weekends under the revised Mass and confession schedule have gone quite well. It seems that we all have adapted and adjusted to a new situation with very few glitches. Your understanding, cooperation, and flexibility are most appreciated.

As I write these words, the meteorologists are warning of a possible major winter storm that will affect this weekend. By way of reminder, we have a policy in effect regarding weekday Masses and parish meetings. If the Milford Public Schools are closed because of inclement and dangerous weather conditions, the morning Masses at both St. Mary’s and St. Agnes’ will be cancelled as will all parish meetings. If the Masses have intentions attached to them, the intentions will be moved to the next available Mass. Regarding Saturday evening and Sunday Masses, we will celebrate them as scheduled. Weekend Masses will be cancelled only on the rare occasion that the Archbishop dispenses the faithful from the obligation to attend Mass due to severe weather conditions. All of this is aimed at insuring the safety of everyone. Of course, if there is ever a question of personal safety on a given weekend, use your best judgement with a good conscience.

Have a good week!

January 13, 2019

Dear Friends,

With this weekend’s celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the liturgical celebration of the fullness of the Christmas mystery draws to a close. We hear today the story of Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan by John. John’s baptism was a “baptism of repentance for sin,” and we well may wonder just why Jesus, who was sinless, accepted such a baptism. The answer to that question is found in who Jesus really is and what his mission is. In accepting the baptism of repentance by John, Jesus is accepting his role and his mission as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The baptism of Jesus in the waters of the Jordan foreshadows another baptism of which Jesus himself speaks, the bloody baptism that he would undergo on the cross so that sins might be forgiven and the world might be saved. We would do well to remember also that in the Fourth Gospel, John reports that “blood and water” came forth from the pierced side of Jesus, the blood being a symbol of the Eucharist, the water a symbol of baptism.

Additionally, the Gospel today tells us that the Spirit descended upon Jesus “in bodily form like a dove” and that he was proclaimed to be the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased. This dimension of Jesus’ baptism is another “epiphany” story, a manifestation or showing forth of Jesus to the world. He is anointed by the Spirit, and thus is the “Christ” which means “anointed one.” He is also clearly identified as Son of God, who comes in the flesh to save us and show us the way to salvation.

On this Sunday when we remember the Lord’s baptism, we would do well to remember that each of us, too, has been baptized. We, too, have been anointed with the Holy Spirit, both at Baptism and again at Confirmation. We, too, are beloved children of God, brothers and sisters one to another and to Christ himself. We, too, have a mission, and that is to, in some way, be the eyes, the ears, the hands, the feet, the very heart of Christ in the world of today.

Next weekend, January 19-20, at St. Agnes we will be celebrating the feast of St. Agnes. After the 10:30 AM Mass next Sunday, the parish hall at St. Agnes will be formally dedicated to the honor of Father Francis X. Callahan in recognition of and gratitude for his many years of dedicated service as the pastor of St. Agnes’ Parish, The St. Joseph’s Men’s Society will be supplying coffee and refreshments at that occasion.

Finally, I want to announce that I have appointed two new trustees who will serve as lay members of the parish corporation for a term of up to two years. They are Suzanne Beliveau and Earl Whiskeyman. I thank them for their willingness to serve the parish in this capacity and I also thank the outgoing trustees, Mary Bissell and Jay Mraz, for their service.

Have a great week.