Imitate Our Fathers Love
There’s a story how one day a polar bear walked in to a bar and said to the bartender, “I’ll have a vodka….” he then paused for a while and added, “… and tonic.” The bartender asked, “Why the big pause?” “I don’t know”, the bear replied, “My father had them too.”
How much like our Heavenly Father are we? Do we love others like He loves us? Today Jesus reminds us that we should reflect the same love for others that God has for us. Every act of genuine love that we perform means that God is acting in and through us. What an honor and awesome thing this is, and yet what an incredible challenge this is for us as well!
St. Paul tells us that, “God is love”. Like a great river the Father’s love flows into Jesus and his love flows into us. This love is not meant for us to keep to ourselves, rather it is meant to continue flowing and be passed on to others. This we do by sacrificing our own concerns for the sake and good of others. This may sound one-sided, but not if we understand that this will bring us great joy. For when we pass on God’s love to others, Jesus assures us that his joy will be in us and our joy will be complete!
God Loves You,
Fr. Dunn
Parish Center Grand Opening!
Through your generosity and support, I invite you to our Parish Center grand opening on Friday, May 21st from 6-8 PM! The evening will include a tour of the building, blessing and thank you for helping to make our Parish Center a reality! Appetizers and drinks will be served as well (no admission charge), but we ask that you please sign-up ahead of time by calling/emailing our Parish Office, so that we have an accurate head count.
Also, for those who cannot make it but wish to see the new building,
we will open the doors for touring after every Mass on the weekend of May 22/23.
We are so proud and happy that this day has arrived and hope to see you there
The Cross of Daffodils and Begonias
Where has the daffodil cross gone? Have no fear, it has been resurrected. The bulbs were transplanted to form the “Jo Luicci” garden under the ST. Gregory Sign at the corner of Great Plain Rd. and Hawley Ave.
Twenty six years ago Jo fulfilled a gardener’s dream she had. With the pastor’s blessing she created a flower cross of daffodils and when they stopped blooming she filled the Cross with Begonias. Sometimes all white other times multi colored, which many parishioners enjoyed all summer. Jo is pictured in 2009 with her white Begonia Cross.
A thank you to Jo, for her 26 years of carefully tending to not only the Cross garden but also many of the church plantings. Jo is no longer able to work in the gardens, if anyone would like to help plant and maintain the “Jo Luicci” Garden please email Mary Consoli. mrsloo1948@gmail.com.
Adoration Every Friday after Mass!
Something that is very important to both Fr. Ford and I, is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We both are deeply devoted to Jesus in the Eucharist. Prayer, especially in front of the real presence of Our Lord, is what supports and blesses the work we do at St. Gregory. Without regular and devout prayer in the presence of Our Lord, a Parish will truly suffer. Therefore, we will offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for one hour (from immediately after the 8 AM Mass to 9:30 AM). Going forward this will continue every Friday. I encourage you to help bring blessings to both our Parish and your personal life by joining us for this Holy Hour.
Thank you ahead of time for your interest and prayers!
Weekly Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy!
The theme for our Parish and school this year will be, “Jesus I trust in You!”
These are the words found at the bottom of paintings of the Divine Mercy of Jesus.
In thanksgiving to Jesus and asking for His and Mary’s continued blessings and
protection this year, we’re adding two weekly devotions to our Parish Calendar. First, we will recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every Friday at 3 PM with the Blessed Sacrament exposed.
Second, we will pray the rosary every Monday at 9:30 AM, asking for our heavenly
Mother’s intercession. The children of our school will livestream and participate from our school (others may do so as well), and parishioners are encouraged and most welcome to attend. I truly believe in the power of prayer and that these additions will bring many blessings to our Parish and School!
Leadership Institute of The Diocese of Bridgeport
Sunday Family Rosary
Join other families in the Diocese in saying the Rosary every Sunday at 7:30 pm.
Visit www.formationreimagined.org and click on the praying hands.
If you have any questions, please email Rosary@diobpt.org
St. Gregory’s
New Parish Offices are now open and can be found in the New Parish Center.
Office hours remain the same:
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Walking with Purpose
This year’s study is
John’s Gospel
“Touching the Divine”
In person and virtual sessions are being offered on Wednesdays in the morning and evening.
For more information, contact Suzanne
scurra@diobpt.org or Rene 203-417-9865
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Starting in October the Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet every first and third Saturday of the month at 9:30. a.m. in the Parish Community Room.
Please join us with your yarn and needles.
Contact Stephanie Martin at
stephaniemartin@outlook.com for additional information.
The Women of St. Gregory
The Women of St. Gregory meet the 2nd
Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room.
New members are always welcome!
Women’s Sewing and Craft/Weaving Group meet
Monday at 12:00 p.m. and Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
in the Community room.
Questions, contact Isabel King
at 203 –512-7307 or
Evelyn De Felice at 203-792-0824
The Women of
St Gregory the Great
will sponsor a
non-perishable Food Drive
for the benefit of Daily Bread Food Pantry on
Wednesday, May 12th.
Our members will be in front of the church from 3 to 6 pm
to accept non-perishable food items.
Toiletries and cleaning products such as
shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent are also appreciated.
St. Gregory the Great School is Hiring!
Part Time Technology Teacher
Part Time Spanish Teacher
These are immediate openings.
Resumes should be sent to Suzanne Curra at sgs.curra@sgtgs.org
McGivney Council #29 is the Knights of Columbus chapter for much of Danbury, including St. Gregory The Great parish. Men (18+) are welcome and encouraged to join. In addition to numerous other charitable efforts, our Council has a focus on supporting Catholic education, Youth programs, and assisting the needy with our Coats for Kids and food donation programs.
Please visit our website at www.KoC29.org or our
facebook page at facebook.com/kofc29 for additional information.
voicemail at 203-744-9562
Our Council can also be contacted via email at
KofC29@gmail.com or by voicemail at 203-744-9562
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Eric Mandzuk, Irene Anderson, Tommie DeSantis, Robert
Carolan, Linda Salvador, Amandio Dos Santos, Vicki Denicola, Dave Sutton, Joe Vick, Isiah Matthew, Arlene Kuderna, Valerie Geerer, Ellen Boyle, Kenneth Towery, Dr. John Famigletti, Mark Cefaloni, Susan Gallagher, John Muro, Carol Gershkowitz, Dr. Ephram Rebong, Doris Ryan, Sharon Tharas, Mary Ann Petronio, David and Darlene Collins and the Rutledge and Houlihan Families.
BIRTHRIGHT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service offering free pregnancy tests, friendship counseling, and practical support. 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 Connecticut since 1972 and helped thousands of mothers and babies. There are 8 Birthright locations in our state. Please call 1-800-550-4900 for the Birthright nearest you. Training is provided. Spanish speaking volunteers are especially needed. If you have gently worn MATERNITY or BABY CLOTHING please call to arrange a drop off! Thank you!!!
Congratulations to all the Children who received
First Holy Communion May 1st
Sophia Abba-Aviles Jhenifer Assis Lily Bacovic
Jionni Battaglia Andrew Bell Augustus Mateo Benincasa
Hayley Brown Antonio Carr Brock Cefaloni
Briana E. Colon Ellie Domingos Colin Guidotti
Hannah Halas Leah Alexandra Lang Kristen Lazzara
Anakin Thomas Stephen Maugh Moria McKinney Davi Mineo
Carter Muniz Charlotte Orr Koloman Pasiak
Ava Grace Festa Peloso Amelia Rosario Henrique Silva
Carrie Tesbir Chiara Wanderley
Offertory
April 25, 2021
$4,587.79
There will be a second collection next week
for the Catholic Communication Campaign