Coffee & Donuts Sunday is back!

Join us for Coffee and Donuts Sunday, a welcoming time for fellowship and refreshments after both morning Masses. It's a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow parishioners and enjoy some light treats!

Date: Sunday, October 6

Time: After both Masses

Location: Parish Hall

Blessing of the Animals

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we invite you and your pets to join us for the annual Blessing of the Animals. As the patron saint of animals, St. Francis expressed his profound love for all of God's creatures, and this blessing is a cherished tradition to honor that connection. Bring your beloved pets—whether they swim, crawl, fly, or run—for this special ceremony, where they will receive a prayer for health and happiness. This event is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the joy that animals bring into our lives and to give thanks for their companionship.

Please ensure all pets are safely restrained (leashes, cages, or crates as needed) to ensure the comfort and safety of all participants. We welcome all creatures, great and small!

Date: Saturday, October 5

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: St. Therese Parish

Take some time for spiritual renewal at the annual St. Therese Men’s Retreat at Holy Family Retreat House. Open to men of all ages, this weekend retreat provides a quiet, reflective environment where you can step away from the noise of everyday life and find fellowship with a great group of men. This year's theme, "In My Love, Abide," will guide discussions and reflections, focusing on living a life rooted in God’s enduring love. Whether you actively join in or simply listen and reflect, the retreat promises a time of peace, personal growth, and spiritual enrichment. Flyers are available at the church entrances, and you can find more information online.

Date: January 10-12, 2025

Location: Holy Family Retreat House, West Hartford

Contact: Pete Jalbert at 860-653-7187 or jalbertp@cox.net

Donate Online

The Feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is celebrated on October 1st. Known as "The Little Flower," St. Thérèse is a beloved saint in the Catholic Church, recognized for her "little way" of spiritual childhood—offering small acts of love and sacrifice in daily life. She is the patron saint of missionaries, florists, and those seeking simplicity in their relationship with God. Her legacy reminds us that holiness can be achieved through small, everyday acts of kindness and devotion. This feast day is a special time to reflect on her teachings and ask for her intercession.

Saint Therese Picnic

Mark your calendars and plan to spend an afternoon with the St. Therese family for fun, fellowship, laughter, and good food. The picnic will start at noon, featuring music, dancing, games, a bounce house, and a chance to beat Father William at ping pong.

All are welcome! Please sign up on the parish website by September 24, providing the number of adults and children attending so we can plan accordingly. Volunteer opportunities for service hours for Confirmation candidates will be available. Call the parish office for more information.

Archbishop Coyne will celebrate the 10:30 AM Mass that morning and join us afterward.

More information to follow.

· Date: September 29

· Time: 10:30 AM

· Venue: Saint Therese Campus

Learn more

More Info

Look for Our Table at the St. Therese Church Picnic! This Sunday, join us for games, prizes, and fun! We can't wait to meet you all.

Annual Car Wash Fundraiser

Teens from both Junior and Senior High will be washing cars, grilling for a free hot dog lunch, and helping with various tasks. It’s a great opportunity to earn service hours and have a good time. Remember to wear your new YM shirt!

Parent volunteers are still needed to ensure we have a safe and successful event.

Date: Sunday, September 29

Time: 12-2 p.m. (Teens arrive 15 minutes early)

Location: St. Mary’s on Hopmeadow Street

Senior High Events

Bonfire and Night Games

Relax after a long day with some night kickball, gaga ball, and cornhole by the bonfire at St. Catherine of Siena. Bring an appetizer to share—drinks and dessert are provided.

Date: Sunday, September 29

Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Location: St. Catherine of Siena

Manhunt Night

Bring a nonperishable food item for our pantry and join us for pizza and a fun night playing Manhunt (tag in the dark)!

Date: Sunday, October 6

Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Location: St Catherin of Siena

Junior High Event

Pumpkin Carving

Join us for pumpkin carving at St. Therese Parish. Make sure to sign up by Sunday, October 6, so we have enough pumpkins and supplies. Parent volunteers are needed!

Date: Monday, October 7

Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Location: St. Therese Parish Center, 120 W Granby Rd, Granby

More Info

Our Lady’s Rosary (October 7)

The rosary is a prayer that our church members say every day. It is divided into fifteen mysteries. Each mystery meditates on the deeds of the Lord Jesus and the Virgin Mary. When the church members read the rosary, they meditate on these mysteries, give love to God, praise God, thank God, and determine the teachings of the Virgin Mary.

The prayers of the rosary are very simple, and every member of the church can recite. The origin of this ritual is as follow: In 1572, Pope Saint Pius V was awarded an annual ceremony to commemorate the "Virgin of Victory", asking God to look after his church and the parishioners, and thank God for protecting the church and the parishioners. In the year before, Turkey fought against the Catholic National Army, Rome held a rosary salute, and the Church of the Virgin Mary protected the church from the infidels and protected the believers from the enslavement of the infidels.

One year later (1573), Pope Gregory XIII named the mass on the first Sunday of October each year "The Virgin Mary Rose" to commemorate the grace of the Virgin. On August 5, 1761, Pope Gregory XIII established the Virgin of the Snow Temple was, and there was a parade for the Virgin. On that day, the church members defeated the Turkish army and won gloriously. Therefore, Pope Clemens IX, ordered the church to celebrate this mass.

Finally, Pope Leo XIII included this celebration on the second-class ceremony to get church members calling more for the protection of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Church now has the date of the Virgin Mary Rose, which is October 7th of each year. (That is the date when the church members defeated the Turkish in 1571.)

Priest Convocation

Monday, October 7-9, the priests in the Archdiocese of Hartford will have priests’ convocation at Mystic CT. This is a special period for all the priests to come together to pray, listen to the state of the archdiocese, and to strengthen the bond our priestly fraternity.

The Priests' Convocation is a significant event for Catholic priests, serving as a gathering for spiritual renewal, professional development, and community building. It is a period of spiritual renewal. The convocation provides an opportunity for priests to recharge spiritually, engaging in prayer, reflection, and worship together. This is crucial for priest’s personal faith and ministry. Again, convocation helps in the formation and ongoing education for the clergy within the Archdiocese. We do have sessions often include workshops and talks on theological topics, pastoral practices, and current issues facing the Church. This ongoing formation helps priests stay informed and effective in their ministries.

Another significant factor of convocation is that it fosters community and Support. Gathering with fellow priests fosters a sense of camaraderie and support. It allows us to share experiences, challenges, and successes, reinforcing our commitment to the priesthood. It is a period which encourages collaboration among priests and with the broader Church. It promotes dialogue on best practices and strategies for addressing parish needs.

And finally, it strengthens our mission. By focusing on the Church’s mission and the role of priests within it, the convocation helps priests renew our commitment to serve our communities and spread the Gospel. As we begin this all time important gathering, please pray for us as your priests that the Holy Spirit will guide, refresh us, and continue to make us His faithful servants called to live what we preach.

Saint Jerome (September 30) Saint Jerome was born at Stridon around 342 A.D, and he grew up and went to school in Rome. He was baptized in 360 A.D. by Bishop Bonosus. When he was young, he was interested in experiencing books on religion and traveling around the world. Since 366-370 A.D., after traveling through all the cities in the West, he traveled to the East again. When he arrived in Antioch, he had a serious illness. During one of these illnesses, he had a vision that led him to lay aside his secular studies and devote himself to God. When he called himself a Christian, he had a voice saying, "You lie. You are a believer in Cicero, not a follower of Christ, because your treasure is there, your heart is there!" In 374 A.D., he went to the wilderness to concentrate on theology and the Bible, learned Hebrew, and practiced in the distance not far from Antioch. In 379 A.D., he went to Constantinople to pursue a study of Scripture under Gregory Nazianzen. He returned to Rome in 382 A.D. to preach his claims and doctrines. There is still some opposition to monasticism in the West even though at the end of the fourth century, there were Jerome, Apollo and Hippo's Augustine who advocated and preached. When Jerome spoke of the merits of monasticism, it was accepted particularly by the noble women in Rome. However, some people in the vocations disagree. In 385 A.D., Jerome left Jerusalem forever and settled in Bethlehem after pilgrimages throughout Jerusalem. Later, he became the lead of the monastery built by Paulinus who inspired him in Rome in the same year, and he died in384 A.D. He was about 80 years old.

40 Days for Life

Help save our innocent American children.

Maybe you have heard about 40 Days for life but you are not sure what it is. 40 Days for Life is a pro-life campaign that focuses on prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion. The campaign typically lasts for 40 days, reflecting the biblical significance of this number and symbolizing a period of prayer and sacrifice. During this period, thousands of faithful Catholics gather in their numbers wherever is convenient to pray and create awareness of God incessant call to protect innocent humankind right from conception to natural death.

One key factor is prayer. As Catholics, we are called and encouraged to dedicate time to prayer and fasting, seeking spiritual guidance and strength to support the pro-life cause. We can do this sometimes by holding peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, raising awareness and offering support to women in crisis pregnancies. This public presence is meant to be rooted in compassion.

This initiative is to encourage local communities to get involved, fostering solidarity among pro-life advocates. This can include organizing events, educational efforts, and outreach. Many of our youth are sometimes naïve and so by creating awareness and educating them will go a long way to save many lives. The 40 Days for Life aims to educate the public about the impact of abortion and promote alternatives, such as adoption and resources for expectant mothers. It is heartwarming to hear that not only in the United States, but across the globe global, there are millions of Catholics who are praying to end the practice of abortion. Thanks be to God that participants in various countries are joining the effort to protect innocent babies.

You can protect mothers and children by joining this worldwide mobilization to pray and fast for an end to abortion. Through prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils and community outreach, 40 Days for Life has inspired 750,000 volunteers! With God’s help. It is important this prayer has saved 14,643 babies saved from abortion, 177 abortion workers converted, 96 abortion centers closed.

Making Good Food Choices: The Role of Fats in a Healthy Diet

Dietary fats are often misunderstood and poorly regarded as part of a healthy diet. While it's true that excessive consumption of certain fats can be detrimental to good health, it's also important to recognize that fats play a crucial role in supporting good health and well-being. That being said, it's important to understand the different types of fats and what sources of fat are more conducive to good health than others.

Unsaturated fats, found in foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and oily fish, are considered heart-healthy fats. They can help reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) levels, decrease inflammation, and support brain function. On the other hand, saturated fats, primarily found in animal products and some tropical oils, should be consumed in moderation as they can raise LDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease when consumed in excess.

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