Dear Fellow Parishioners, We gather together for what most people celebrate as the “official” beginning of summer. Memorial Day weekend begins our summer mass schedule; Saturday is at 4:00 P.M. as usual, and on Sunday we have one Mass at 9:30 A.M. I am hoping that all of us, when we are not traveling will make the effort to attend one of these two Mass times so that we as a community continue to support each other during these vacation times. Remember, there is no vacation from our vocation as Disciples of Christ. I find the relaxed atmosphere on Sundays at Coffee and…to be a great time for bonding and community building to take place. Often times arrangements are made for people to get together for trips to Tanglewood, and waterslides and local concerts at the park. Growing as a parish community is certainly important. It is Memorial Day weekend, and we gather to pray for those who have died in service to our country. I like to pray for all those who lost their lives in war. We will have Mass Memorial Day at 9:00 A.M. before the parade begins at 10:00 A.M. I continue to pray that we may not “glorify” war; but that we remember those who have died in war, and that we will turn our weapons of destruction into tools of construction. Sometimes as I lead the prayers at the cemetery I feel like “a voice crying out in the wilderness.” But someone needs to remember the damaging nature of war and remind us to strive to be peacemakers in our world, the role we are called to as Disciples of Christ. Msgr. Doran will be celebrating the 4:00 P.M. Mass May 25th as I gather for a big family wedding in Connecticut as my grand-niece Erin Konicki is wed to Zachery Sears at 3:00 P.M. at St. Joseph’s Church in Norwich. They are a wonderful couple and it will be great to celebrate and dance the night away in honor of their commitment to each other. The Baccalaureate Celebration takes place Wed. May 29th at 7:00PM, at the Unitarian Church. We gather at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 10:00AM Saturday June 1st for Tom’s ordination. Many others will gather for graduation that same day. Lots of reasons to celebrate! Don’t forget to register kids for Vacation Bible School, which takes place July 22nd to 26th; it is a wonderful experience for all involved, including the many “staff” who make it all possible. May we continue to journey together as a community of faith and enjoy a super summer! Fr. Bill |