February 23, 2025

We are quickly coming upon the season of Lent, a time for repentance and renewal. There will be multiple Masses and services for Ash Wednesday. In the spirit of the gospel for Ash Wednesday, we will impose ashes on the top of the penitents’ heads, sprinkling them as the last several years. Ash Wednesday and Lent are about our inner conversion, not about showing off our piety. Father Aidan will write more about this next week.

Lent is also about almsgiving, making a personal sacrifice of our wealth to benefit the poor. This year we will once again give all of the Ash Wednesday collections to the Beth El Shelter. This marvelous local organization does such good work, not only housing and feeding so many in need; but helping so many to transition to permanent housing. They provide childcare for young families, job skills for those who need them, and support to help those most in need. One of the testaments of Beth El is that some staff who work there were once clients. Clients who appreciated the help and encouragement they received, and give back to those in need now.

We hope you will join us on Ash Wednesday at one of our Masses or services to begin Lent in prayer. We hope you will join us in almsgiving by contributing to the collection going to the Beth El Shelter. Last year we contributed over $9,000 to Beth El from Ash Wednesday, and hope we can count on your generosity again. And we pray that your conversion will begin again, and your heart will be more open to following Jesus, and all the life of a disciple entails. All the clergy of Precious Blood Parish will pray for your continued conversion, please continue to pray for us, as we are all sinners. May we know that the Precious Blood of Jesus forgives our sins, heals our hurts, and leads us to the conversion we all need. God bless you all.

November 24, 2024

Deacon John’s Top Ten List of Things to be Thankful for at Thanksgiving

Here's a more detailed list of 10 things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving:

1. Family and Friends: The strong connections and love you share with them.

2. Good Health: Being physically and mentally well.

3. A Safe Home: Having a place to live that feels secure and comfortable.

4. Employment: A job that provides for your needs.

5. Nourishing Food: The ability to enjoy delicious meals and the joy of cooking.

6. Laughter and Joy: The simple pleasure of sharing laughs with loved ones.

7. Pets: The companionship and unconditional love from your furry friends. They add so much.

8. Nature's Beauty: The wonder of the outdoors and the changing seasons. God peaks through each day.

9. Acts of Kindness: The generosity and support you receive from others. Be sure to let them help you.

10. Quality Time with Loved Ones: The opportunity to connect deeply with family and friends on holidays.

11. This is eleven, but OK. Being able to worship together. We can find God in one another and in our worship of Him.

November 3, 2024

We often expect God to act in our lives. We ask God to fix the problem, to take away the hurt, to erase the pain. We neglect to see that our loving God, who chose to become one like us, knows our pain, knows our hurt, and walks with us in the pain, accompanies us in our hurt. Not taking it away, but making it graced because the struggle is filled with God’s presence. Our task is to be like God when confronted with troubles, and to walk with the person in their pain, their grief, their despair. Not to take away the pain, or grief, or despair, but to accompany them in the struggle, maybe even allowing God to work through us.

Jesus’ reply to us is that is dos not come that easily. “Whoever wishes to be great must become the servant, whoever wishes to be first must be the slave of all. And to give your life, like Jesus gives his life as the ransom for many. Which brings us to the homework for this week, for this fall season:

1. Look for opportunities to find someone in their pain and hurt. Don’t look to fix their pain, don’t look to eliminate their hurt, but look for a chance to be with them in their struggle. Make a phone call, make a visit, make time to be with them. That is how to start.

2. Allow someone to be present to you. Instead of retreating from the company of another, welcome them. Instead of insisting, “I can do this myself”, allow another to sit by your side. God wants to work in your life, allow him the room to do so.

3. Appreciate the special people God has directed to your life. Late in life is the best time to make a new friend, those of us ancient of days know that true friends are all that matter, just maybe you have not met your best friend yet.

4. Live like you really believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection has saved you. Live like you have been redeemed. Let the joy and peace of having a relationship with God show in your face, be evident in your posture, take hold of your heart. God and God alone can bring the peace that you seek, the love that you want, the joy that you desire.

God bless you all.

October 13, 2024

We are inviting all who are presently serving as a reader, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or ushers/collectors to stop in the sacristy and get a from to fill out, indicating which Mass they would like to serve at when the Mass schedule changes in January. A copy of the new Mass schedule appears below. We know this will involve change for many of you, and we will try and honor your choice of when to worship together.

As we get closer to January, we will have meetings of the various groups as necessary to coordinate the changes.

If any of you notice ushers counting the congregation during Mass, this is so we can report our October count, which assists us and the Archdiocese in planning for the future of parishes. Religious Education has begun and is off to a good start. If you child is in the middle school years, watch this space and the parish social media for announcements as to when programs will begin for this age group.

Congratulations to the Legion of Mary for organizing the “Living Rosary” on October 6. In beautiful weather, dozens of parishioners prayed the rosary together, and sang at the statue of Mary on the grounds of Saint Mary Church. Thanks to them for always being a prayerful presence in our parish.

September 22, 2024

As Summer moves into Autumn, we are reminded of the constancy of change. Life changes as we get older, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I am transitioning from full time work to retirement, looking to add more family time in my life.

Our parish is moving faith formation into capable hands. Lisa Monahan and Tania Armellino, who together will be heading up the effort, and both will be instrumental in promoting and fostering faith development in our Confirmation and Middle School programs. Our parish elementary programs remain strong, and are staffed by teachers from our parish elementary school. A real benefit to our children.

Watch for updates on the progress, and the new programs to be offered. And yes, some of it will be changed and new. Change is not easy, for any of us. We get comfortable in routines, and do not like the uncomfortableness of new and different circumstances. I believe that change is one of the ways God gets to work on us, to smooth out the rough edges, and open hearts to do more of His work.

May we all have hearts open to new paths from God, minds alert to the possibilities God has in store for us. We read in the Book of Revelation, “Behold, I make all things new”. This is always God’s plan, and we are the ones who need to be made new. I hope my stepping back from many duties affords others new opportunities for ministry, and that God’s work in our parish will only grow. I hope we all can embrace change as it comes, and not see it as a burden, but as an opportunity for God to help us be better. God Bless you all.

September 8, 2024

This weekend, almost 90 high school juniors are on retreat in preparation for their upcoming Confirmation in November. We are blessed to have an experienced and capable retreat leader, Bryan Mercier, who is also a parishioner. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

Registration is now open for religious education for the coming school year. Grades one to five meet on either Monday or Tuesday afternoon, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM in our parish school. We are lucky to have classes taught by our experienced Saint Mary School teachers. Children in second grade prepare for First Reconciliation (confession) in the spring, and third graders prepare for First Communion.

Ninth and tenth grade will register for Confirmation classes to be held monthly on Sunday evenings, following 4:30 Sunday Mass. Classes meet from 5:30 to 6:15 or 6:30 depending on the presentation.

Middle school programs are being developed, and a schedule of activities and classes will be announced soon. We are looking at various activities and service opportunities for this age group. More information will be available in the near future.

We are also exploring establishing a Youth Ministry program for the parish in the future. This would be a service and social group, based in Catholic identity and gospel values. Watch for information about this to come.

Lisa Monahan, a capable leader, is our new Director of Faith Formation. Please keep her in your prayers as she begins this new effort for her. We all pray for her success in leading our young people to a deeper and more lasting relationship with Jesus.

August 25, 2024

We are now at the last week the Bred of Life discourse from John’s Gospel. We can reflect on what we do because we are Eucharistic people, fed by the bread of life.

Our food pantry feeds the hungry, because we have been fed ourselves.

Our Helping hands ministry provides clothes and other essentials to those in need in their first year of life, because we have had our essential needs met in Eucharist.

Our Parish School touches the lives of so many children, who are taught to “live the message of Jesus”, because we can share in the life of Jesus in Eucharist.

Our parish reaches out to the families of those who have died, of those who are sick, and meets them in their hurt and pain, because our hurts and pains have been healed in Eucharist.

Go forth from here today, and live like you have been fed. Live like you have been forgiven.

Live like you have been loved.

Don’t react in anger when insulted, react in the love you have been given.

Don’t exclude someone from your group, include them as you have been included.

Don’t make your needs the center of attention, focus on the other’s needs, the needs of the

poor, the sick, those without hope, as Jesus does in His gift of Eucharist.

Don’t focus on what is insignificant, focus on what is essential. Jesus focuses on us and our hearts, let Him into your heart today.

When you arrive next week, or after, see your self, made new and whole, healed and refreshed by the power of Jesus Christ in His gift of Himself. Be the transformed person God has called you to be.

August 4, 2024

So how do we honor the living Jesus we are privileged to stand before, we are humbled to receive here in this Eucharist? How do we best live out the truth we celebrate here? Let us all decide to take Jesus with us when we leave here, and live our lives as if he is with us always, as he is. Make decisions to safeguard your health and the health of others by the choices you make. Make choices to honor his presence in the poor you encounter, in the broken and marginalized you meet, in the lonely and the outcasts around us, in the unborn whose lives are as precious as anyone.

Jesus has no hands but yours, Jesus reaches out in your love and care. Be his hands, be his heart for all those who need him in their lives. If you are humbled to be in his presence, how can you not go out and do all you can to make someone’s life better this day? We begin our celebration in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In his name, as we have all signed ourselves this day, we go forth from here to lift up, to comfort, to heal where we can. We do this because we carry Jesus with us. Honor him today and everyday in the way you live out this truth.

May we become like the gift of the young boy, who offered his five loaves and two fish and be the small beginning Jesus uses to feed all those who come to him who are hungry. Jesus fed the multitude because they were hungry, not because they were worthy. Jesus fed them because they needed nourishment, not because they merited his gift. We, the most unworthy servants, should go from here with the greatest gift of his presence to begin to change everyone we meet. We are called to do no less than this.

June 23, 2024

A great sailing ship was tossed about in a violent storm. The crew had to abandon the ship as it was breaking up. Retreating to a life boat, they survived, and drifted for days. Consumed by thirst for lack of fresh water, they were near despair. They awakened one day, in sight of land, and could call to those on the shore. “Water, they cried, we need water.” From the shore came the reply, “Dip your buckets in the water where you are, the water will save you.” They did not know that they had drifted into a fresh water cove, and were in the midst of the very nourishment they needed.

We are in the midst of the nourishment we need when we celebrate Eucharist together, and share in the body of the Risen Lord. Our challenge is to now make those choices that show we are Eucharistic people, doing the work of Christ. May His presence lead us to know we are where we need to be, and may we be led to go from here doing His work in all the ways that we can. We are blessed to be in a parish dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. If w can all pour out ourselves for one another, then we can model what Jesus has modeled for us. Come and be fed at the table of the Lord, and the go and share what we celebrate here with all the who need His presence. We are called to do this, we need to do this, we are doing what we are meant to do whenever we do this. God Bless you all.

June 16, 2024

This weekend is Father’s Day. We celebrate all fathers, and the roles they play in our lives. We celebrate our own fathers, and are grateful for the difference they make and have made in who we are today. We celebrate the Fathers who serve us here in our parish, Father Aidan, Father Lijo, and Father Alen. We thank them for being such good fathers, ministering to us, and leading us closer to our heavenly Father.

We celebrate today all the fathers who have served us as priests in our church. We are all better people because of so many of these selfless men who have answered the call to ministry. We pray for all who may be discerning a call to ministry and may someday be called Father. We thank God, our Father for these gifts in our communities.

We pray today for those without fathers, for those who mourn the loss of their father, and we ask God, our Father to lead us all to know and appreciate the fathers in our lives. May God our Father bless us with all that is good, and lead us all to honor our fathers, biological and spiritual. May we all strive to live as children of the same Father, our one true God. God bless you all.

June 9, 2024

I heard two young people talking about the perfect selfie. How it is essential to have the right image out there, so everyone can see your “perfect” self. No wrinkle, no blemish. And there of course is an app for that, you download it to your phone, place a certain device over your camera lens, and the perfect selfie would be taken.

Having the perfect image seemed important to Adam and Eve as well. They feared the exposure of their true selves, they feared they would be rejected by God, and so hid themselves. They were hiding from the exposure that their nakedness would cause.

What we need to be certain of is that God knows our true selves, and is pleased and proud of who we are. God looks past the faults to the goodness. We struggle with hiding because of events in our past, we struggle with hiding because of our fears and assumptions, we struggle with a general lack of acceptance of who we are.

God looks and sees us clearly, knows us intimately. God knows and sees every blemish, very fault, and calls us to see the good, and to look past the faults. At our core, we are created to be one with God, that is what Holy Communion is. We are called to be better than we think we are, we are called to goodness that God has placed in us. Our goodness is rooted in Eucharist, our communion with Jesus, who leads us always to our better self.

Imagine the selfie you could take if it were you and Jesus? Imagine what that would be like.

May 12, 2024

This week we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, an important lesson for us all in our faith. In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we read “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven”. In Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, we read, “My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you”.

In the gospel from Matthew, Jesus told his disciples to “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Teach them to do everything I have told you.” And then he promises them, “I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.”

So what can we learn from these readings? First, don’t look for Jesus up in the sky, he is right here with us. Jesus is here in the eyes of those who love you. Jesus is here, in the friend who needs your help. Jesus is here, in the poor and sick and suffering. Second, Light will flood our hearts when we understand the hope that has been given to us. We have hope because Jesus is our friend. We have hope because Jesus wants us to have friends and families. The hope that has been given to us is in the promise Jesus made in the gospel: “I will be with you always”. Third, we have the command Jesus gives his disciples, and he gives today to us:

“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Teach them to do everything I have told you.” We do this by treating everyone with kindness. We do this by understanding that Jesus lives in each one of us, and so we are all sisters and brothers.

So today, don’t look up to the sky. Look into your heart, knowing that God has chosen you. Look into your heart, knowing that you can be better each day. Look into your heart, and teach others by the way you live everything that Jesus has taught you. God has chosen you. Jesus loves you. Go and be the best person you can so everyone will believe this good news. God bless you all.

April 21, 2024

A few notes for the Easter Season:

The opening of the Mass books for 2025 has gone very well. Virtually everyone who wanted to book Masses has been able to do so. When we see the pace of booking slow down, we will make Masses available to anyone who wishes, even if you have already booked your five allowed Masses. Thanks to all for your patience and understanding.

The most important thing is that we have two churches open, and Masses at each one, and these will continue, even if schedules change and Masses are fewer. Our parish community will continue, and will thrive, because Jesus is at the center, and we celebrate His presence whenever we gather to celebrate Eucharist.

Over 40 children from Saint Mary School celebrated First Holy Communion this past Saturday, a joy for our parish. Over 50 children will celebrate First Holy Communion on next Saturday from our CCD program, a sign that we are a vibrant and growing parish. We should all pray for these children, and pray that First Communion is the first of many Holy Communions to come.

We are blessed with so many good people in our parish. Three adults were Baptized at the Easter Vigil, and four adults were received into the church and Confirmed this Sunday. Good people want to join us, and that is a reflection on all of us, and the community that we are. God has blessed us in so many ways, and the most important way is how He has blessed us with one another.

April 14, 2024

A pastor asked an old farmer, decked out in his bib overalls, to say grace for the morning breakfast. “Lord, I hate buttermilk”, the farmer began. The pastor glanced over at the farmer, wondering where this was going. The farmer then prayed louder, “Lord, I hate lard.” The pastor was a bit concerned. The farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t care much for raw white flour.” The pastor could see others were becoming uncomfortable as well.

Then the farmer prayed, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm biscuits. So, Lord, when things come up we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we feel abandoned and alone and can’t find you, help us to relax until you are done mixing. It will probably be better than biscuits. Amen.”

The risen Lord Jesus, is here with us. He is always here with us, walking with us each and every day. He walks with us, and carries us when we need him to be our strength. He is in the smile of a friend, the embrace of a child, the presence of someone you need, just when you need them. We are all called, by our Baptism, to be the presence of Christ to those around us. He is risen, rejoice in this truth! And bring him to all those you meet.

Earthquakes may happen, eclipses come and go, and we are all still intact. We have more to do, more that Jesus wants us to do. Start today to do what Jesus is calling you to do. You are just the one He has in mind. God Bless you all.

March 17, 2024

Saint Brother Andre Bessette, a brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross, was the moving force behind the Saint Joseph Oratory in Montreal. Many miracles of healing are attributed to his intercession on behalf of many who came to him in need. Our parish is blessed to be hosting a relic of this Saint here in our parish on April 11, 2024. There will be exposition of the relic with a power point presentation on the life of Saint Andre Bessette at 6:30 PM, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00 PM. At 7:30 PM there will be Mass, a Eucharistic Liturgy for the people of Precious Blood Parish, followed by veneration of the relic and blessing of the faithful with the oil of Saint Joseph.

Please make plans to join us for this special evening. This is a distinct honor for our parish. Anyone who attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven was taught by the same order of Brothers. You can visit this link to find out more about Saint Brother Andre Bessette: https://holycrosscongregation.org/holy-ones/st-andre-bessette/

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all!

March 3, 2024

Reflections and thoughts, Third Sunday of Lent

We are winding our way through Lent this year, and we should take time to assess how we are doing. Are we taking time to pray each day? Are we fasting from those things and behaviors that hold us back? Are we recognizing the poor among us, and responding to their needs? Let us take the last one first:

Here at Precious Blood Parish, our Ash Wednesday collection stands at $9,591.00 as of this writing. That means we as a community are contributing these “alms”, gifts for the poor, to the Beth El Shelter. This is a very good start to our alms-giving during this Lenten season.

Only you can assess how you are doing with your fasting. I try very hard to fast from hurtful words, and this leads me to pause and think before I speak. How often is our first response one that comes from our selfishness, our self-centeredness, and not one that reflects how we truly feel? We need to put love in our responses, and then Jesus is there in the response as well.

Let should be a time of increased prayer; of talking and listening to God. May each one of us have a heart open to what God is saying to us, and may each of us respond to that message from our loving God. Our response can only lead us to do what is good.

Next weekend, March 9 and 10, if you use the envelope system, there are three envelopes in the box. Regular, Monthly, and Catholic Relief Services. There will only be two collections, Regular and Monthly. Please put the envelope for Catholic Relief Services in either collection, there will not be three collections.

February 18, 2024

As we are now in the season of Lent, some homework for this Lenten season:

Make special time for prayer this Lent. Pray for those around you in need of healing. Pray for those in our community in need of shelter. Pray for peace in this world, in our community, in our families, in our own hearts. Jesus will listen, and respond to our faith.

Make an effort to fast this Lent. Fast from too much food, that is easier. Fast from gossip, that is harder. Fast from being judgmental, that is challenging. Fast from all those things that hold you back from bringing the peace you are praying for.

Give to those in need. Contribute to our Ash Wednesday collection for Beth El. Give to the John Rigley Food Pantry. Give of your time to someone in need. Give of your ear to someone who needs you to listen. Give what you can from whatever you have.

Remember the parable of the Pearl of great price? The man sold all he had to purchase the pearl. Jesus gave all he had, all he was, so that we can be saved. We are the Pearls of great price. Believe you are worth the sacrifice of of Jesus, he does.

May this Lent find you more in prayer, and may your prayer bring you closer to Jesus. May this Lent find you fasting from all that holds you back, and may your fasting lead you to become a better per- son. May this Lent find you being more generous, so we can all model how generous God is with us.

December 24, 2023

Thoughts for the end of Advent, and the celebration of Christmas and the New Year to come:

As we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation, that God chooses to become human and live among us, bringing us a path to salvation, we reflect on this past year and look toward the New Year with hope. May each of you, as you look upon the manger scene here in our churches, or in your home, remember that we are each called to be a manger for the Christ child, a place where He can live, and our hearts should be ready to be His home among us still.

On behalf of Father Aidan, our pastor, Father Lijo and Father Alen, Deacon Nick and myself, and all the members of our parish staff who make us the vibrant parish we are, we wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a blessed and peace-filled New Year. As we continue to worship together as God’s family here in Milford, may our prayers join together to promote peace in our families, our community, our nation and our world.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the extraordinary generosity of our parishioners throughout this past year. Your continued support of our parish and its charities, especially the Food Pantry, Giving Trees, and others is heartwarming. So many others have benefited from this support to have their lives improved, especially those who struggle right here among us in Milford. We could not continue to do all we do without this support from all of you.

Please know you all have the promise of our continued prayers for you and your families. May the peace of Christ be with you all and may your smiles and open hearts bring His presence to all you meet. Our witness together as a parish is that God has truly visited His people, and we will be His witnesses; bringing His love and care and empathetic presence to all that we meet. Again, Merry Christmas to all.

December 10, 2023

Thanks to so many who have contributed to our annual fund collection this year. As of this writing, over $57,000 has been donated so far. This allows us to have done the refinishing of the doors at Saint Mary, we have ordered the new statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph for Saint Agnes and are reviewing bids for the auto-opening doors for the handicapped at each church. If you have not donated so far, and still wish to before year end, please do so. Checks made out to Precious Blood Parish and write annual fund in the memo section. Again, thanks to so many.

This past weekend, our Day with Mary, held at Saint Agnes Church, was a great success. Over 250 people attended the retreat day, and over 150 confessions were heard. Thanks to all those in the Legion of Mary here that arranged for and promoted this day. Thanks t o the Franciscans of the Eucharist who conducted the day, and their team of volunteers who helped so much. What a blessing this day was for our parish. Know that all the priests and deacons of our parish continue to pray for all of you and are always grateful for your continued support and prayers. Thank you so much.

November 19, 2023

This Saturday morning, November 18, almost 90 of our young parishioners were confirmed at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Hartford. They celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with our present Archbishop Leonard Blair, and our next Archbishop Christopher Coyne. Congratulation to these newly confirmed, and may the Holy Spirit lead them to many good things in service to God and others.

As we all approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I offer some reasons to be thankful this year:

• First, expressing gratitude is good for us. Counting our blessings helps us to focus on what is good, helps us sleep better, and puts God in the right place in our lives.

• Second, be thankful for where you are able to live. So many struggle with homelessness, and have no security about where they will live day to day. If you have a home, be thankful.

• Third, friends and family bring meaning to our lives. Whether with your biological family or your family of choice, sharing a meal together is one of the most sacred things we can do. Let God be part of what you celebrate.

• Fourth, maybe not for all, but all of us can appreciate the creatures God puts in our lives, and be thankful for them. Your dog, your cat, whatever your companion, be thankful for the gentle reminder of God’s unconditional love.

• Fifth, be thankful for the health you have, whatever shape you are in. Maybe you can run a marathon, maybe you can just go up three steps. But you can do it. Thank God for the health you have.

• Sixth, be thankful for the food. Holidays bring out special foods and traditions of food. Be thankful for the food you have each day, and the gift it is in your life.

• Seventh, be thankful for time to rest. We all need time…..time to step out, time to refocus, time to let God speak to our hearts. Don’t discount the value of a good nap.

• Eighth, be thankful for the beauty around us. Last night I watched a meteor shower, not by plan, but by accident. It was magnificent. God reaches out to us through nature in so many ways each and every day. Take time to notice.

• Ninth, be thankful for the gift of yourself. God cared enough to bring you into His marvelous creation, take time to be thankful that you are you.

To be a top ten list, we need a tenth thing to be thankful for. That is your task, to decide what you are thankful for. Let me know what it is you are thankful for. Email me, or drop a note. Maybe a future column can be a compilation of the many things we are all thankful for.