Pastor’s Message: December 18, 2020

Dear Parishioners,
On this fourth Sunday of Advent we read in Luke’s Gospel, of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. We reflect upon Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which permitted her to receive the angel’s message that God’s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us.
The story of the Annunciation tells us of God’s wondrous action in human history. God chose a human person to give birth to his Son so that all humanity would know God’s salvation. Mary, already full of God’s grace, was able to cooperate in this great plan for our salvation. Thus Jesus was born as one of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation. The Gospel is also an invitation to us all to say yes to God’s call and to show by our lives that, in Jesus, God becomes Emmanuel—God with us.
This year we all have faced so much chaos and uncertainty. The peace of Christ is something we need to onto more than ever. May God’s spirit transform the days leading up to Christmas into a time to joyfully await our King!
 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
God’s Blessings
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: December 11, 2020

Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. We call this Sunday Gaudete, which means “Rejoice” in Latin. In this Sunday’s Second Reading, Saint Paul tells us to “Rejoice always.”
Join your Assumption friends and family for a festive event as we move closer to Christmas. We want to spread a little joy during this Third Week of Advent.
We will be gathering outside on the church lawn to light our Christmas tree and bless the Crèche this Sunday at 5:30pm, rain or shine.
We hope you can join us for this festive, parish tradition. Jr’s Food Track will be on hand to serve up hotdogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot tomato soup, hot chocolate, wine and dessert.
Santa will be there too.
To help keep you warm we have rented outdoor heaters, so come and enjoy and remember to dress warm.
We will follow all the CDC guidelines and for social distancing and mask wearing.

God’s Blessings,
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: December 4, 2020

Dear Parishioners,
This second week of Advent includes several feast days that honor Mary. These feasts begin on Tuesday, December 8, with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.
We also honor Saint Juan Diego on Wednesday, December 9, and Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday, December 12. A relatively new feast honors Our Lady of Loreto on Thursday, December 10.
As we move closer to Christmas, it is natural that we think of Jesus’ mother and the final weeks of her pregnancy as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth. We encourage you and the children in your care to pray the Hail Mary every day this week.
Join us in person or live streamed for the Holy Day of Obligation
Holy Day Vigil Mass Monday, December 7th, 5:30pm
Masses on the Holy Day Tuesday 7:30am, 12:15pm, 5:30pm

 

God’s Blessings,
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: November 29, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we begin the season of Advent, The word” Advent” is taken from the Latin” Adventus” which means” coming”. The season of Advent helps us to prepare ourselves not only for the feast of Christmas, but also for the second coming of Christ.

Our readings for the first week of Advent tell us to, “Wake up! Get ready!” and offer us some practical advice as we enter into this season. The Gospel, from Luke, tells us to “be vigilant” and “pray for strength to sustain us.

May this season be for us a time to prepare ourselves for the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus. Given the ever-increasing hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take time to pause in the midst of our busy lives to deepen our relationship with Jesus, who is true light in the darkness.

Let us pray for the grace to reflect on the joyful mysteries of our faith. Let us “walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5)” and become true instruments of the Lord’s peace.

I invite you to sign up for or watch via live streaming our Masses, our Parish Advent Day of Reflection, or the online Day of Retreat listed here in our newsletter.

God’s Blessings

Fr. Cyrus

 

Pastor’s Message: November 20, 2020

Dear Parishioners,
From The OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
For a number of years during the month of December, a special collection has been taken up at all parishes for the benefit of consecrated men and women who belong to religious orders. Your generous contributions have helped communities of religious priests, sisters and brothers throughout our nation to spend their retirement in security and comfort.

While that national collection serves the needs of many who have served the Church faithfully, and while it will continue, it does not assist our own retired priests of the Diocese. Therefore, I am asking you now to consider helping support our own retired priests as well.

This weekend of November 21/22, a special collection called the “Health and Welfare Collection for the Retired Priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport ”

God Bless – Fr. Cyrus