ST. JEROME CHURCH

23 Half Mile Road Norwalk, CT 06851 ~ 203-847-5349

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE NOVEMBER 22, 2015

SABBATH MASSES

Saturday 4:00 PM E.S.T. & 4:30 PM D.S.T.

Sunday 8:00 AM

9:15 AM Young Childrenʼs Mass

11:00 AM

6:00 PM Teen Mass

DAYS OF OBLIGATION

Vigil 7:00 PM

Holy Day 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM

WEEKDAY MASSES

Mon-Sat 9:00 AM

HOW TO FIND US……

Parish Website:

www.stjeromenorwalk.org

Parish Email:

norwalkstjerome@cs.com

REACH email:

reachstjerome@optonline.net

Facebook: St. Jerome Norwalk

Twitter: @StJeromeNorwalk

REACH & TOTAL Facebook:

REACH St.Jerome

REACH & TOTAL Twitter:

@REACHstjerome

PASTORAL STAFF

203-847-5349

Rev. David Blanchfield, Pastor

Rev. Rojin Zacharias K.M., Parochial Vicar

Rev. Michael Hoag, S.J., Weekend Assistant

Deacon Dean Finch • 203-246-3501

deacon.dean.finch@gmail.com

PARISH OFFICE

203-847-5349

Mrs. Pat Florio, Secretary

Office Hours, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (REACH)

203-846-2111

Mrs. Kathy Coyne, DRE

Mrs. Anne Groener

Mrs. Natalie Raduazzo

Mrs. Kathy Rohr

YOUTH MINISTRY (TOTAL)

Joe and Daniela OʼCallaghan

203-847-0321

jocallaghan@optonline.net

danielaoc@optonline.net

MUSIC MINISTRY

203-847-5349

Mr. Donald Nelson

Mrs. Joan McFarland

PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON

Robert Yap • 203-246-7447

FINANCE COUNCIL

Jerry Holdridge • 203-966-3658

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

203-847-3881

139 West Rocks Road

Norwalk, CT 06851

Mrs. Linda Dunn, Principal

FAITH DIRECT—ONLINE GIVING

866-507-8757 www.faithdirect.net

using our church code: CT46, or by mailing a

paper enrollment form available in the parish

office. Now on our website too:

www.stjeromenorwalk.org/Faith-Direct-

enrollment.pdf

MISSION STATEMENT

We the people of St. Jerome Parish, a

Roman Catholic community, proclaim

our belief in the message and mission of

Jesus Christ. As disciples of Jesus we are

called to proclaim the Kingdom of God

and to work for its values in the local

community and beyond. We are com-

mitted to: worship, religious education,

shared faith and service. We welcome

all people with respect, acceptance and

support.

Parish Staff

Altar Flowers

November 21/22—in memory of Isabella Crasta

donated by D’Souza family.

Altar Flowers may be memorialized for a donation

of $50. Please call the Parish Office several

months prior to your desired date.

Adoration & Silent Prayer Every day

between 4:00PM and 5:00PM.

Contemplative Prayer Wednesday evening

at 7:00 PM and Friday morning at 7:00 AM.

Come spend some quiet time with the Lord.

Widows’ Support Group

Meets at 9:30AM on the first Thursday of the

month in the Kevin Eidt Youth Room.

Perpetual Novena Our Lady of the

Miraculous Medal takes place each Monday

following morning Mass

Rosary & Divine Mercy Prayers

Monday through Saturday after daily Mass

Baptisms Every fourth Sunday at 12:15.

Please call the parish office to schedule.

Required Pre-Baptism Please contact

Deacon Dean Finch at 203-246-3501 to arrange.

Class is required for the first child baptized at

St. Jerome.

Reconciliation One hour before vigil on

Saturday. Also Anytime by appointment.

Marriages Please contact the Rectory at least

six months in advance.

Anointing of the Sick takes place on the first

Wednesday of each month, immediately following

the 9:00 AM Mass, in the sanctuary. Anyone

with an ongoing medical condition or who is

seriously ill, anticipating a medical procedure or

operation, is welcome to come.

11/21 9:00 am Anastasia Autela

(Regina Flaherty)

VIGIL FOR SUNDAY

4:00 pm Lorraine Lee

(Emmett Lee & family)

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,

KING OF THE UNIVERSE

11/22 8:00 am Michael Carella

(family)

9:15 am Isabella Crasta

(D’Souza family)

11:00 am Filomenia & William Pinto

(family)

6:00 pm Virginia Kinsley

(Helen & Chris Eidt)

11/23 9:00 am Joe Scalisi

(Women’s Scripture Group)

11/24 9:00 am Madeline Hayes

(Birthday Rememberance)

(Mary & family)

11/25 9:00 am Celine McCarthy

(Peter & Domenica Gioiella)

7:00 pm Vigil for Thanksgiving

11/26 9:00 am Jose Tomasio

(Mejia family)

11/27 9:00 am Carol Garvey

(John Garvey)

11/28 9:00 am Anastasia Autela

(Regina Flaherty)

VIGIL FOR SUNDAY

4:00 pm Steve Chocus

(wife & family)

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

11/29 8:00 am Paul Kennedy Jr.

(Brian Kennedy)

9:15 am Peter Pia

(Frank & Pay Hauptman)

11:00 am Antonietta Procaccini

(O’Melia family)

6:00 pm Clara DiMeglio

(MJ & Angelo Bruno)

RANDOM THOUGHTS…

I am happy to announce that Fr. Joe seems to have turned the corner and started getting back

to his old self, good news indeed. I spoke to him last Monday after he came into his house from raking

leaves! He has also been walking around the block and getting out in the car. Best of all, his voice is

beginning to sound like the Fr. Joe of old.

I told him that we would like to host an event for him in the New Year. It would most likely be to

have him come back for the 11AM Mass some Sunday morning followed by an open house in the hall. I

am open to ideas and when we have a plan will present it to Fr. Joe and his sister Grace, who has

taken great care of him. I will keep you posted.

Hard though it is to believe, this weekend is the Feast of Christ the King, Thursday is Thanksgiv-

ing, and the following Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. November is such an amazing month! It

starts on a high with All Saints and All Souls then goes into ever greater darkness as the days shorten

and suddenly, like a thief in the night, Christ the King, Thanksgiving and Advent are upon us.

Remember that here at St. Jerome, we celebrate Thanksgiving twice. On Wednesday evening

there is a 7 PM vigil Mass presided by Fr. Mike. This is our official parish celebration at which you are

encouraged to bring your bread and wine for a blessing. But as always, we have a 9 AM Mass on

Thanksgiving morning at which I will preside. Fr. Rojin will be away those days for his first American

Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is not an official holy day but I consider it a personal one for me. I have found that

they key to a deep spiritual life is to cultivate thankfulness. On those days when I have enough disci-

pline to review my day looking for the ways God wants me to give thanks, I am more at peace and

more focused. So, on Thanksgiving day, I say a special prayer of thanks for each and every person

who comes to enter into the ultimate prayer of thanksgiving, the Eucharist.

Finally, speaking of being thankful, I am

so pleased that we have three young men en-

rolled in our R.C.I.A. program, and I have a

team of five including Deacon Dean and my-

self. We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7 to

8:15 in the Resource Room, and anyone is wel-

come to join us.

THIS WEEK AT ST. JEROME….

Sunday 11/22 REACH Grades 1-6 meet in the morning

NIGHT IN A BOX concludes at 9:15 Mass and breakfast

Monday 11/23 Women’s Scripture & Prayer 9:30 AM

Giving Tree Tag Making at 7:00 PM in the Hall

Tuesday 11/24

Wednesday 11/25 Special Thanksgiving Eve Liturgy at 7:00 PM

Contemplative Prayer 7:00 PM

Thursday 11/26 Happy Thanksgiving!!

Friday 11/27 Contemplative Prayer 7:00 AM

Saturday 11/28 Men’s Ministry 7:00 AM

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

@Pontifex “As Christians we are called to imitate the Good Shepherd

and to help families experiencing difficulties.”

@BishopCaggiano “We offer prayers for France with the knowledge that one day,

there will be no more terror. There will only be God’s love for all eternity.”

WEEKLY OFFERTORY SUMMARY

November 15, 2015 $4,279

Faith Direct for November $19,684

November total to date $35,847

November offertory budget $45,735

As always, thank you for your generous support

of our parish especially during this Thanksgiving

season.

Christmas Wreaths

EXTENDED DEADLINE 11/29

Wreath orders will be taken at the

church entrances after Masses. 22”

decorated pine wreaths are $20 (same price as in

past years).

Do your Christmas shopping early and support the

parish at the same time. Orders can also be

dropped off during the week at the parish office.

Payment is due with your order. Wreaths will be

available for pick up the weekend, Dec. 5-6.

NIGHT IN A BOX

This weekend, November 21/22,

the TOTAL teens will participate

in a special afternoon and over-

night experience to think about

making a difference and serving

others. We will host a homeless-

ness awareness project

called NIGHT IN A BOX to raise

money and collect much needed items for the Open

Door Shelter. Teens will construct a cardboard shel-

ter and spend the night in that shelter to become

more aware of the homeless plight in Norwalk and

nationwide. TOTAL teens will be collecting cash do-

nations and toiletries for the Open Door Shelter after

all the masses. Please see the list below or check

the TOTAL bulletin board for a specific list of much

needed items. Please contact Daniela or Joe O’Cal-

laghan (danielaoc@optonline.net) for more informa-

tion.

Trial size items are requested of the following:

• Adult size toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Wide tooth comb

• 2 Body Wash

• Washcloth

• 3 Pack of tissues

• Shampoo & Conditioner in One

• Lip Balm

• Hand lotion

• Deodorant

HOW CAN WE HELP OUT??

NOVEMBER

FOOD DRIVE

TODAY

Our monthly food drive is

this weekend. Members of

the Social Concerns Committee will be in the hall-

way collecting $5.00 to purchase the most

needed food items. Your purchase will be added to

our food collection. In addition the Milk Fund

boxes will be at the doors. Thank you for your con-

tributions which help our Norwalk families

put food on their tables.

Do you have plastic bags left over

from shopping? If so, here’s a

great recycling idea. Person To

Person is in dire need of plastic

bags. We can never have too

many. The are used for Clients to

take home food they receive at Person To Person.

Please bring your usable plastic bags and place in

marked Plastic Bag collection box located behind

the curtained alcove close to the rear church en-

trance.

Again, we need several volunteers to prepare

and serve the midday meal at the Open Door

Shelter on the day before Thanksgiving

(Wednesday, November 25th). If you can

help, contact Francie Mansager at 853-6489

or email jfman02@hotmail.com

GIVING TREE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

• Volunteers (12-14 people

needed) will be completing tags

for annual Giving Tree this Mon-

day, 11/23 - 7PM in the Hall.

• Sorters needed to sort Giving Tree Gifts

on Sunday, 12/6 in the Church – 4PM.

• Drivers needed to help deliver Person To

Person gifts to their location at 76 South

Main St., So. Norwalk on Monday, 12/7,

anytime between 9AM to 4PM.

• Sign up sheet located on the Social Con-

cerns bulletin board.

• There is no TOTAL this Sunday due to NIGHT

IN A BOX. Parents and teens please check your

email for upcoming events at TOTAL.

• IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION REMIND-

ERS: Confirmation Rehearsal will be held

on Tuesday, December 1st at 7 PM in church

for candidates and sponsors. Confirmation is

Sunday, December 6 at 2pm.

REACH 2015-2016

• REACH—November 22—

Grades 1-6 meet in the morning

• Volunteers needed each week for REACH

to function—please check out our easy volun-

teer sign up at: http://stjerome.ivolunteer.com/

• Registration forms or payments can be

dropped off in the office any time.

• On the horizonPPPP

11/29—no class

ST. JEROME GIVING TREE

Would you like to share your

Christmas giving spirit with a

child? You can, by selecting a

GIFT TAG FROM THE GIVING

TREE in the church sanctu-

ary. Be sure to pick up a GUIDE-

LINE SHEET in the basket by the tree, explaining

DETAILS of this year’s program. This is our way

of sharing the giving, hopeful spirit of the Christ-

mas Holiday.

Giving Tree gift tags are for Julie’s Kids with

Education and Hope in Guatemala, and locally for

the Person To Person Toy Store where clients are

able to shop for items for their children.

GIFTS SHOULD BE RETRUNED UN-

WRAPPED, WITH THE TAG FROM THE GIVING

TREE ATTACHED, by Saturday, 12/5 at noon

(WE NEED TO KNOW IF GIFT GOES TO A PER-

SON TO PERSON FAMILY OR JULIE’S KIDS

with the number & CHILD’S NAME, FOR SORT-

ING PURPOSES.) No wrapping paper is neces-

sary for any of the gifts this year. This year Person

To Person’s gift requests include 3 items only: a

Toy, a Family Game and an Age Appropriate

Book. Tags will be available for selection on

the Giving Tree next weekend.

SAFE ENVIRONMENTS

******IMPORTANT ******

All volunteers 18 and over must be in compliance

with the diocesan mandate.

P l e a s e s e e t h e V I R T U S w e b s i t e

(www.virtusonline.org) click “registration”, click “view a

list of sessions”, search ‘Bridgeport, CT (Diocese)”.

Some local training dates:

St. Cecilia (Stamford) - 11/24—3:00 PM

GIVE THANKS AT

THE 7:00 PM

THANKSGIVING

EVE MASS!

Before you celebrate at

your Thanksgiving Day

table, join us at the table

of the Lord the evening

before for a special Lit-

urgy of the Mass, this Wednesday, November 25, at

7:00 PM. In addition to the Gospel, we will have a dra-

matic, multi-voice, narrative story of that Gospel, a

Witness Talk on gratitude, a Litany of Thanks for peti-

tions, and an opportunity for you to express personal

thanks for all that you are thankful for. Bring your

Thanksgiving Day bread and wine for a spe-

cial blessing!!

For those who like to go to Mass on Thanks-

giving Day itself we will have our usual 9:00 AM Mass.

The eve of Thanksgiving and the day itself are always

a time of great blessing. Join us to celebrate at the

table of the Lord.

ADVENT WREATH

MAKING EVENT

November 29

Next Sunday, November 29,

the first Sunday of Advent,

families with children are in-

vited to the church hall after

the 9:15 Mass for a Family Advent Workshop.

Families will learn about Advent traditions, make

family Advent wreaths, Hope ornaments, and take

home Advent calendars along with their wreaths

and ornaments – all for free. Light your Advent

wreath’s candles during Advent. Open the windows

of your Advent calendar day by day and place your

Hope ornament on your Christmas tree. Celebrate

Advent at home with what you learn and create at

the St. Jerome Family Advent Workshop. Families

and children of all ages are invited! November 29 is

a non-REACH Sunday.