Saint Thomas Church 99 Bristol Street, Southington, CT 06489-4599

Telephone: 860-628-4713 Web Site: www.stthomassouthington.org e-mail: stchurch@snet.net

Fax: 860-628-7341 Religious Ed email: stchurchre@yahoo.com

Pastor Rev. Nicholas P. Melo

fr_nick.stchurch@snet.net

Deacon Angelo J. Coppola

St. Thomas Convent 860-621-1904

Director of

Religious Education Sr. Marie Roccapriore, M.P.F.

860-628-9679

Southington Catholic School Mrs. Eileen Sampiere, Principal

860-628-2485

Mass Schedule

Chapel Monday & Tuesday.................................................... 7:30 a.m.

Thursday & Friday ................................................... 12:10 p.m.

Saturday ..................................................................... 8:00 a.m.

Church Saturday Vigil ............................................................ 4:00 p.m.

Sunday ............................................... 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Reconciliation Saturday ................................................................... 2:30 p.m.

or by Appointment

Holy Hour (Chapel) Tuesday (for vocation) ............................................ 11:00 a.m.

Thursday (with Benediction) .................................. 11:00 a.m.

Eucharistic Adoration ....................... 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Miraculous Medal Novena (Chapel) Tuesday ...................................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Sponsor Certificates Sponsor Certificates are available in the sacristy of the Church or

the rectory office. You must be an active parishioner, registered

with our parish for 6 months or more. The use of the envelope

system assists in verifying that you are an active parishioner.

Baptism Parents are asked to contact Jean at the rectory to arrange for a

Baptism.

Marriage The Archdiocese requires a minimum of 6 months for marriage

preparation. Couples should contact Fr. Nick at the rectory.

RCIA - The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults If your faith journey has led you to think about the Catholic

Church or to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and

Confirmation, please join us in the RCIA. For more information

contact Sr. Marie Roccapriore, M.P.F. at the Convent.

ST. THOMAS CHURCH SOUTHINGTON

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 4:00 Julia Casale, req. by family

SUNDAY, JUNE 26

7:30 Betty Longo, req. by Tony Longo and children

10:00 Ferdinand Simone, req. by Tom and Marie DelSanto

MONDAY, JUNE 27 St. Cyril of Alexandria

7:30 Maria Donato, req. by Mario, Dawn and Anthony

Donato

TUESDAY, JUNE 28 St. Irenaeus

7:30 Sarah Kolosky Borelli, req. by Teresa Vecchio

THURSDAY, JUNE 30 The First Martyrs of the Holy

Roman Church

12:10 Mary and Albert Gasecki, req. by family

FRIDAY, JULY 1 St. Junipero Serra

12:10 Kathleen E. Collins, req. by Richard Collins and family

4:00 WEDDING: Caitlin Flanagan and Bryan Soltis

SATURDAY, JULY 2

8:00 Salvatore and Michlina Magnano, req. by their children

4:00 Paul Winston Thompson-Anniversary, req. by Maura

and Fred Davies

SUNDAY, JULY 3

7:30 Patrick Baker, req. by his wife, Patricia and family

10:00 Deceased members of the Chicone, D’Angelo and

Griffith Families, req. by Daniel Valente

BULLETIN

All bulletin announcements must be submitted in writing no later than the Monday prior to publication. Submitting well in advance of that date is greatly appreciated.

ST. THOMAS PRAYER LINE MINISTRY

To make a request for prayer contact Barbara Burke: 860-621-3129, Noreen Fragola 860-628-2500, or the Sisters at the

Convent: 860-621-1904.

NEW PARISHIONERS Welcome! We are delighted to have you join our parish. Please

introduce yourself to Fr. Nick after Mass. Parish registration forms

are available in the sacristy after Mass or at the rectory office during

the week.

WHY ONE SHOULD BE A REGISTERED PARISHIONER

1. To support your local parish Church and School. Your Church

is in the city in which you are domiciled.

2. To identify yourself with a worshipping community of faith.

Salvation comes to us by God in Community. Religion is not

meant to be individualistic. Membership in a parish community

is the norm.

3. To allow the priest of the parish to know you so that Letters of

Recommendation can be given when needed. (Sponsorship/

certificates)

LAP BLANKET MINISTRY

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 29th at 7pm in the church basement. Lap Blankets are distributed to the sick and elderly at home, in healthcare facilities and hospitals. For more information, contact Rita Gilbert at 860-620-0246 or Sr. Marie at the convent 860-621-1904.

FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Each year dioceses around the country arrange special events to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. The Fortnight for Freedom is from June 21--the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, to July 4, Independence Day. For further information on the Fortnight for Freedom search on-line at www.usccb.org. Please join Holy Hour on Thursdays at 11:00 and for Eucharistic Adoration from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in our Parish’s Chapel.

RCIA AND RCIC

Have you been thinking of becoming a Catholic or have you missed receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation? Do you know someone of another faith tradition who is interested in joining our Catholic Faith? Our parish community has a solution for you through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). RCIA is a process for faith conversion; a process for unbaptized persons to join the Catholic

Church; for Catholic baptized persons to receive the Sacraments of

Eucharist and Confirmation; and also baptized persons from other

denominations to come in full communion with the Catholic Church. RCIC is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children. Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith and possibly becoming a member of our parish community is invited to contact Sr. Marie at 860-621-1904.

BIRTHRIGHT OF GREATER HARTFORD

Birthright needs volunteers. Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service offering the alternative to abortion—LIFE! Our guiding principle: It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born. Birthright has served in CT since 1972 and has ten locations. We help any pregnant girl or woman who calls us. We offer free pregnancy tests, friendship counseling and practical support. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-550-4900 for the Birthright nearest you. Training is provided. Thank you.

VOCATION DISCERNMENT NIGHTS FOR MEN 16-35

Have you figured out yet what you want to be when you “grow up”? More importantly, have you figured out why? We invite you to join us for an informational gathering where there will be a short talk with practical suggestions for “discerning” the call that God has in store for you, some time for prayer before the Blessed sacrament, a chance to hear the story of the vocation journey form a few of our seminarians, and we will play a round of “Stump the Seminarian” giving you the chance to bring your questions to them. Please call 860-761-7457 or email the Vocation Office at: vocations@aohct.org, or use the form on our website at www.hartfordpriest.com. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Southington Community Services is in need of additional volunteers to work in our food pantry, checking donated food items, stocking shelves, and distributing food packages to our clients. Anyone interested in donating time can get more information by contacting Mark Fazzolari at 860-628-3761 or by stopping by our offices at 91 Norton Street, Plantsville from 9-4.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JUNE 26, 2016

The Church Sanctuary Candle is offered this week in memory of Eugene Manware, requested by his family.

FATHER’S DAY

SPIRITUAL BOUQUET ~ MASS REMEMBRANCE

LIVING: con’t

Robert Yorski Michael McHenry

BRAKE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY

On Tuesday June 28th, the Brake the Cycle of Poverty team will present their ongoing mission to spread awareness of poverty, at St. Thomas Church in Southington. That day will be the 4th day of the team’s weeklong bike ride throughout Connecticut to increase the awareness of poverty. Did you know that the poverty rate in CT is 10.8% which translates to close to 375,000 people living in poverty, in the richest state, in the richest country in the world? Since 2003, Brake the Cycle has traveled throughout CT to parishes bringing their message of awareness of poverty. During this Year of Mercy, come and see how you can make a difference to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. Everyone is welcome. The presentation will take place at 7:00pm in the St. Thomas Parish Center. You can check out the organization’s website http://brakethecycleofpoverty.org for more information.

SOUTHINGTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL

PROVEN SUCCESS! The results of the national standardized tests are in and Southington Catholic students excelled well above their grade level in this standardized measure of math and language achievement. For example, our Fifth grade students overall, scored on an eighth grade reading and writing level while our seventh grade students on average scored on a tenth grade math and writing level. Call Southington Catholic to learn more about our successful Pre-K thru 8th grade program and outstanding faculty. Information on tuition assistance and registration are also available by calling the Advancement Office at 860-628-2485.

BULLETIN ADVERTISERS

Please remember to support the businesses who advertise on the back of the weekly bulletin. We wish to thank our advertising sponsors for making this publication possible.

PASTOR’S CORNER...

We welcome Anthony Federico for a seven week internship. He has finished his 1st year of theology at Catholic University in Washington D.C.

� � � � � Fr. Nick

3rd Banns-Caitlin Flanagan and Bryan Soltis

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHISTS

The ministry of catechist is a ministry of God’s Word. Being a catechist takes a willingness to see and hear the message within the Word. The acceptance of this wonderful ministry testifies to the openness to the Word. Being a catechist is something that stirs and happens within you as you allow God’s Word to bear fruit in your own life and in the lives of others. The catechists who teach the children of Saint Thomas Parish in grades 1-10 are: Elaine Ainsworth Dorothy Fontana Edward Baker Janice Infante Maura Baker Sandra Ingriselli Ruth Benham Diane Kolosky Keri Coombs Joanne Labbie Melissa Cop Donna Pasciutti Amy DelDebbio Dora Rusiecki Patricia DelGiudice Gloria Stich Angela Fiorello Lisa Uba Irene Fojtik Roberta Vendetti William Welch, III Assisting the catechist as aides, helpers and substitutes are: Courtney Benham Ralph Mastroianni Richard Benham Kelly McKenna Anthony Cop Paul Miano Bozema David Vina Nadeau Michael DeFrancesco Karen Nelson Rita Gilbert Jennifer Passarelli Cynthia Goodrich Domenic Perone Jean Graff Sister Gina Piazza Cindy Lubrico Caterina Pond Salvatore Magnano, Jr Deborah Rycki Victoria Magnano Lori Roccapriore John Wojenski Sue Zazzarro

SAINT THOMAS CEMETERY

Pre-need graves are available for purchase, by appointment, at Saint Thomas Cemetery. Columbarium niches for cremains are also available. To schedule an appointment, please call 860-628-4713, Monday—Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Readings for the Week of June 26, 2016 Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21/Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11/Gal 5:1, 13-18/Lk 9:51-62 Monday: Am 2:6-10, 13-16/Ps 50:16-23/Mt 8:18-22 Tuesday: Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12/Ps 5:4-8/Mt 8:23-27 Wednesday: Acts 12:1-11/Ps 34:2-9/2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19 Thursday: Am 7:10-17/Ps 19:8-11/Mt 9:1-8 Friday: Am 8:4-6, 9-12/Ps 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131/ Mt 9:9-13 Saturday: Am 9:11-15/Ps 85:9-14/Mt 9:14-17 Next Sunday: Is 66:10-14c/Ps 66:1-7, 16, 20/Gal 6:14-18/Lk

10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9