September 11, 2022

On this 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we must note that this year it falls on September 11. As 9/11 was 21 years ago, there are many among us who have no firsthand knowledge of the events of that day. It would be good for all of us to solemnly remember this day, the tragic loss of life, and join in prayer that nothing like this ever happens again.

Religious Education begins in October, and here is how we look so far. There will be classes on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at the school. Second grade is the year preparing for First Reconciliation (confession), and third grade is preparing for First Communion. Classes are required for those who wish to receive their sacraments. First, fourth, and fifth grade will also meet on those two days, but these years are not required, but recommended.

Confirmation preparation begins for ninth and tenth graders in October as well. Tenth grade begins October 16, and ninth grade on October 23. They will meet in Saint Mary Church from 5:45 to 6:30 PM on those Sundays. Confirmation preparation is required for those who wish to be confirmed. Middle School programs for religious education will be announced in the future. If you have not received an email about classes beginning, please contact Tori Saxer at tsaxer@pbpmilford.org for details about how to sign up. Fees for all levels of religious education are as follows:

$90.00 for each child for the entire year. Any family with more than two children only pay for the first two children. Payment options are available in the email you will receive if you have registered in the past, or in the return email you will get from Tori Saxer.

August 28, 2022

In response to many questions, and lots of experience, we offer these thoughts on how to approach the death of a loved one. The Catholic funeral rite is divided into several parts, each with its own purpose. For this reason, we recommend following the complete structure and making use of each part.

Part I Vigil Service (Wake)
“At the vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence” (Order of Christian Funerals) The Vigil Service usually takes place during the period of visitation and viewing at the funeral home. It is a time to remember the life of the deceased and to commend him/her to God. In prayer we ask God to console us in our grief and give us strength to support one another. One of the priests or deacons will conduct the service.

Part II Funeral Liturgy
The Mass of Christian Burial is the central liturgical celebration of the Catholic Community for the deceased. The Church encourages this to be a Mass at church, a funeral liturgy outside of Mass can be celebrated at the funeral home. The funeral liturgy is an act of worship, not merely an expression of grief. At our parish, a tasteful brief eulogy is permitted, with a family member offering reflections on the life of their loved one.

Part III Rite of Committal
(Burial or Internment)
The Rite of Committal is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the remains of the deceased member. It is normally celebrated at the grave or the place of internment. In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses the hope that the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection, as we all do. While cremation is allowed, it is important that the remains of the deceased are kept together and buried together, it is not appropriate to have the remains (ashes) divided among family members or scattered elsewhere.

August 14, 2022

Last week in the bulletin, Father Aidan spoke about some reminders that would enhance the dignity and reverence of our worship together. I would like to follow up with some specific ideas for all of us to consider going forward.

First of all, perhaps you may consider taking on a more defined role when we gather for worship together. We are in need of lectors, those who do the introduction and the readings at Mass. We offer training and resources for those who might be interested. We would like to reintroduce the greeter ministry and will be looking for those who would like to serve as greeters before Masses. We will be bringing back altar servers and will be beginning training classes for new altar servers. We had begun classes right when COVID began and will start these classes anew.

The most important enhancement to our worship any of us can contribute is to be present. While COVID made worshiping together difficult, we need to recognize that it is in worshiping together that Christ becomes most present in our community. All of us have a responsibility to be part of this. If you would like to find out about being a lector, please contact Deacon John at Harold.john.hoffman@gmail.com. If you
would like to serve as a greeter, contact Deacon John as well. If you are interested in your child becoming an altar server, watch this space for when training classes will begin in September.

Thank you for your generous response to the mission appeal for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. It is gratifying to be part of such a generous parish. God bless you all.

July 17, 2022

In this weekend’s gospel from Luke, we have the familiar story of Martha and Mary, two sisters who are both friends of Jesus. They are the sisters of Jesus’ friend Lazarus, and Jesus would often spend time in their home. Luke lets us in on several revelations about Jesus, evident in how he treats Martha and Mary. Martha speaks to hm like a friend, indeed she tells Jesus what to do. "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” Jesus tells Martha not to be worried and anxious, that Mary has chosen the better part. What is the better part that Mary has chosen?

First, Mary has left the expected role of servant woman, and has taken the posture of a disciple, only reserved for men. Jesus tells Martha that he does not stand on the conventions of the time, and that Mary has chosen the better part. Mary has also chosen to listen to the words of Jesus, and respond to what he says. A powerful posture for us to consider. How often do we take this posture, and listen for what Jesus wants us to do? Do you know what it is like to sit home and wait for the phone to ring, awaiting news, good or bad? Maybe you are waiting to hear that someone has arrived at their destination, maybe that someone has gotten home safely. Maybe you are waiting for exciting news, that new life has been born into the family, or sad news that someone has this life for the next. And when we get the news, what is our response? Do we thank God for the good news, for the new life, for the life well lived? If we are busy and distracted like Martha, we may miss the opportunity for thanks. If we are listening for the word of God like Mary, then our first response might must be thanks. Meister Eckhart, the Dominican Mystic, says that if the only prayer you ever say is thank you, then that is enough. How do we measure up to that standard?

July 3, 2022

These are the commandments Deacon John had in his homily this past weekend:

Try these commandments for leaving the regrets in the past

1. Pat yourself on the back for what you have done not only seeing what you failed to do.

2. Let someone help you, even if they don’t do things the way you like, it may be their way of loving their neighbor

3. Do something nice for someone just because it is the right thing to do. Do it anonymously if you can.

4. Before you answer when angry, allow yourself to think, “what is the loving response to this?”

5. Share more of what you have with those most in need. We all have enough to share.

6. Look for the very best in your children, especially when they are at their worst.

7. Look for the very best in your parents, especially when thy are at their worst.

8. Decide what you need to leave in the past and never bring up to hurt someone again.

9. Allow someone to share their wealth, or their time, or their insight with you. Stop being the one who needs to have and know it all.

10. Allow for the possibility that someone else may be nearly as perfect as you.

June 19, 2022

Happy Father’s Day to all. Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, which is the patronal feast of the parish, now named Precious Blood Parish. The Body and Blood of Christ is the central focus of our worship, and the source and summit of our parish life. This coming year there will be renewed focus on the meaning and importance of Eucharist in our lives. May we all strive to become persons who act because the Eucharist is the center of our lives. Please make every effort to join us in person, our worship is enhanced by your presence, our worship is best expressed when we are together.

Several weeks ago, I suggested homework in a homily that some have asked for in print form, so here it is:

Listen without interrupting: Proverbs 18:13
Speak without accusing: James 1:19
Give without sparing: Proverbs 21:26
Pray without ceasing: Colossians 1:19
Answer without arguing: Proverbs 17:1
Share without pretending: Ephesians 4:15
Enjoy without complaint: Philippians 2:14
Trust without wavering: Isaiah 26:4
Forgive without punishing: Colossians 3:13
Promise without forgetting: Proverbs 13:12

May 29, 2022

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension and the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Underlying each celebration is the idea and the truth that Jesus and His Father are one. The Ascension shows that Jesus is once again fully joined with His Father, and our completing the Easter season shows that not only are Jesus and His Father one, but they desire that each of us are to become one with them. This is kind of heady stuff, but we can make it simple if we wish.

How will each of us live out this truth, that we can be one with God? As Jesus says, “If you love me, you will follow my commandments. This past weekend, the scripture had Jesus express it this way, “I give you a new commandment, love one another.” The Acts of the Apostles spells out clearly that they will know we are Christ’s followers if we love one another. The line from the familiar hymn puts it this way, they will know we are Christians by our love. May the way we love one another, the way we forgive one another, the way we lift up one another mark us as those who are one with Jesus and the Father. One in heart, mind, and soul.

Thanks are due to the Saint Joseph Men’s Society members who are taking on the project of refurbishing the kneelers at Saint Agnes Church. Thanks to these men for their efforts. A special thanks to our maintenance and grounds staff led by Robert Lynch. All three church campuses and our cemetery look great, due to their diligence and efforts. If you see some of these men, please let them know of your thanks. God bless you all.

May 15, 2022

As we are in the fifth week of the Easter season, we continue to celebrate with joy that Christ is risen. His presence with us continues, as was his promise to his disciples in the conclusion of the gospel of Matthew. “I will be with you until the end of the age.” His presence with us continues when we celebrate Eucharist together, his presence is with us in the blessed sacrament in our churches, his presence with us continues when two or more are gathered in his name.

As we notice the new life bursting forth around us in nature, may we be grateful for the new life renewed in each of us. May we find room in our hearts for the risen Lord, and may we bring his presence to all those we meet.

We are grateful this season for the many who celebrated their First Holy Communions. Over 80 children celebrated with family and friends, and we look forward to all of them developing a life of closeness with Christ, especially in frequent reception of communion when we celebrate together.

If you worship at Saint Agnes Church, you will have noticed that we have removed two sets of pews in the middle of the church. This is to provide more seating for the mobility challenged and make the reception of communion there easier for those who cannot walk distances well. We know many of our parishioners want to come each week to Mass, and we do not want their presence impeded by difficulty in getting around the church. On that note, we can provide homebound communion visits for those in that need. Just call the rectory office and ask for this. God bless you all.

May 1, 2022

In the first part of today’s Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to His disciples and gives them a symbol of their mission in a miraculous catch of fish followed by a grilled fish breakfast prepared by Jesus himself. The second part is a dialogue between Jesus and Simon where Simon is asked three times whether he loves Jesus, and he answers that he does, as if in reparation for his triple denial of Jesus. The two metaphors used in the story, namely fishing and shepherding, are the duties of the Church in her missionary work. Peter, as a forgiven sinner, is chosen for the quality of his love to serve as leader in a community of brothers and sisters. As his primary mission, Peter is given the care of the vulnerable lambs and sheep, and he is told that fidelity to this mission will lead him to martyrdom.

Peter was called upon to prove his love: “If you love me, feed my sheep.” The same Risen Lord reminds us: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” ( Jn 14:15). What do our present actions and activities say about our love for Christ? The Risen Jesus accepts our apology, dismisses the charges against us, exonerates us of guilt, and forgives all our weaknesses. He continues to challenge us to demonstrate our love for him by faithfully, freely, feeding his sheep entrusted to our care.

We need to open our eyes, ears and hearts wide to see, hear, and experience the Risen Lord coming into our lives in various forms, circumstances, and events. We need to welcome the Risen Lord and allow Him to work on our hearts.

April 10, 2022

We find ourselves traveling with Jesus, into Jerusalem, for his final days and hours. We should all be pondering what it is we anticipate celebrating, especially this year. Jesus, fully human and fully God, offers himself totally for us, so His sacrifice frees us from sin and death, so we can access eternal life. What a gift He gives to us, what a gift for us to appreciate, what a gift to treasure. Please join us this week, in some part of the celebration of this Holy Week, as is outlined in the bulletin for us all this issue.

As we heard this past week, Jesus forgives the sinner, no matter what the sin, and this obviously extends to all of us. May we all celebrate this truth, may we all live this truth, may we all embody this truth, that; Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, dies no more. We can live free from sin and death because of the cross and the resurrection. May we accept our own crosses with humility, and may we focus on the joy that life lived in the Risen Lord can bring.

Come and pray with us, come and worship with us, come and celebrate with this community the truth that He is risen, and our joy may be complete. God bless you all.

March 13, 2022

We now find ourselves firmly in the season of Lent. There is so much in the world that cries out for forgiveness, as we are reminded of great and overriding evils that appear, especially in Ukraine. While we deplore the senseless violence, and pray earnestly for peace, we are faced with our own helplessness in the face of such evil and horror. In his Sunday address this past week, Pope Francis said: 'Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine. This is not just a military operation but a war which is sowing death, destruction and misery. He said of the conflict: 'True happiness and freedom do not lie in possessing, but in sharing, not taking advantage of others but in loving them, not in the obsession of power, but in the joy of service.

May each one of us strive to find ways to share, and not want only for ourselves. May we each find ways to love, and not ways to exploit. May we each find ways to serve, and not quest for power. May this Lent be a source of renewal for each of us, leading us to know the power of redemption, and the importance of the Cross in our own lives. May we pray fervently for peace, and pray that God will lead all to the ways of peace, and not war.

If you want a way to honor life, you may consider joining the Connecticut Right to Life March, to be held in Hartford on March 22, 2022. Information may be found at the link https://marchforlife.org/connecticut-march-for-life/. In whatever way you can, may your voice be raised in favor of life, in favor of peace, in favor of all that is good. Our loving God has created all of us to be good, may all of our choices lead us to seek the good, to find the good, and bring the peace that is found in Christ to all we meet.

February 13, 2022

Today, Sunday, February 13 is National Marriage Day, and we begin National Marriage Week. What is it that we are celebrating? It is not just Valentine’s Day. We celebrate that God himself ordains the sacrament of Marriage, and shares with us in the marriage relationship between husband and wife a glimpse of how Christ loves each of us, together His Church. The Book of Genesis tells us that “In the beginning God created them male and female, and for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh.” This has always been God’s plan to teach us how to love as we should, and with Him, to create new life so that life and love will continue to flourish.

Good news to share, more young people are coming to be married in our parish this year than last, and the interest is greater as well. More and more young people are coming to know the true freedom that a permanent commitment brings and are not as caught up with the fleeting idea that freedom means always doing what ever you wish. It is truly when one makes a commitment for life, one to the other, that love is enhanced and able to completely be manifest. We all pray this week for those who are married, for those who have been married, for those contemplating marriage. May God encourage all to make the choice to love, and if you are called to make the choice to love another in fidelity to each other, open to God’s plan for expanding His creation with new life, may you be blessed with His presence each and every day. May we all be led to have hearts filled with love.

January 2, 2022

At Epiphany, the Magi brought precious gifts to the new born King. Gifted as we are, we must be moved to give ourselves, and accept the challenge to be Eucharistic people, to be the living presence of Jesus Christ for others. This seems like the perfect time to challenge us all
with homework for the coming year:

First, start with family. Start by trying to overlook the faults of those you love the most. After all, their faults are minimal compared to our own, just ask them. If we could all do just this, families would be graced and gifted so much more.

Second, let someone help you this year. Maybe with help you do not even need, or think you need. Accept the gift that you have those who are willing to help, even when the help is a cause of frustration for us.

Third, translate your thanksgiving here in Eucharist into action. Be willing to show off the presence of Christ that we celebrate here. Be generous with the poor, help to feed the hungry, do with less yourself so that others may have more.

Fourth, pray with all your heart. Pray for peace, pray for justice, pray for what you need, pray for the needs of those around you, pray for all God’s family, pray for the health of all. A chorus of prayer would show to all our connectedness to God and our willingness to place ourselves in His care.

Follow the star with the Magi, the wise men who came bearing gifts to someone they had never met. Let your celebration be authentic because you are bringing your gifts, and presenting them to Jesus himself when you encounter Him in those around you. Those who are vulnerable in their poverty, vulnerable in their loneliness, vulnerable because they think they are forgotten by God or not connected to Him. Be their connection, be their reminder, walk by the light. Then, as Isaiah says, you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, you will be making the presence of God a reality. May God bless you all in this New Year.

December 19, 2021

As we approach Christmas and the New Year, just a couple of reminders. Since January 1 falls on Saturday, it is not a holy day of obligation. There is no vigil Mass New Year’s Eve, and a 9:00 AM Mass in each church on New Year’s Day, January 1. There are regular Saturday vigil Masses on January 1, and a regular Sunday schedule on January 2. There are no vigil Masses on Christmas Day at either church, but a regular Sunday schedule on December 26. All parishioners should have received a mailing with this information, or will receive it shortly.

We thank all our parishioners for their continued generosity to our parish, and the prayers of all the priests and deacons will be with all of you in this season of joy. May the coming of the Christ child among us remind us all that our loving God chooses to bless us by His presence among us as one like us. Our lives continue to be blessed because our God has chosen to be one with us. Let us all rejoice that Emmanuel, God with us, comes to our hearts and remains with us each day. Merry Christmas to all!

December 5, 2021

On this Second Sunday of Advent, we continue our journey toward the welcoming of the birth of the savior, Christ the Lord. Here are some things to keep in mind for the upcoming week ahead:

Wednesday, December 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation. There is a 7:00 AM and 12:05 PM Mass at Saint Mary Church, and a 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM Mass at Saint Agnes Church. There is a 9:00 AM School Mass at Saint Mary, and our large school takes up the whole church, so we ask parishioners who plan on the 9:00 AM time to please attend at Saint Agnes Church, where there will be plenty of room.

Many have asked for the address for Father Sam John. It is Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119. Father Sam is very grateful for all who were able to see him at his reception and promises his continued prayers for all in our parish community.

The Scout can and bottle collection, which had been held on the Saint Mary Campus, has changed location to 247 Broad Street (on the green) in downtown Milford. They will be collecting recyclables from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on December 12 and continuing the second Sunday of each month. Additionally, the Milford Elks have a recycle collection form 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the first Sunday of each month.

As we all make our various preparations for the coming of Christmas, may we all make room for prayer and worship. All that we are, all that we do is because Jesus came to us, lived among us, and offered himself for us all. Let us all keep Christ at the center of our celebrations.

November 21, 2021

The Latin phrase is Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi. With apologies to the Latin scholars, it loosely means, the way we pray is the way we believe. As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, it is good to reflect on how we pray and worship, and how that marks us as the Catholics we say that we are.

We celebrate Eucharist together, gathered as a community, because in the context of that gathering, Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord, is present. He is present in the Word proclaimed, He is present in the bread and wine transformed, He is present in the community gathered in His name. As more and more are comfortable returning to worship in person, I hear from many, “I missed this so much”.

We all need to acknowledge that we need to be fed at the Lord’s Table, that His presence strengthens us and sustains us in all of life’s trials. His gift to us of His abiding presence should bring us all to affirm that worshiping Him as the one true King, as the one who guides our lives and provides all we need, should bring us comfort, not fear. Let us all determine to make a concerted effort to be part of our Eucharistic celebrations, gathered with all in our community, worshiping the Risen Lord and Savior. We cannot hope to be brought to our eternal salvation unless we surrender ourselves to Him.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, may our gratitude for our many blessings be properly grounded in the gifts that flow from Christ the King.

November 7, 2021

As we embark into November, change is in the air, we see the change in the trees, we need to wear a jacket or sweater all the time. The change of time makes the days noticeably shorter. Reflecting on our own lives, we are reminded of the temporary nature of our human existence and our thoughts are led to our eternal lives. We question if we are prepared for life eternal. Some thoughts:

The death and resurrection of Jesus has shown us that death is not the end, Jesus promises each of us that life eternal is a new and better life. His example manifest in the Paschal Mystery is that giving all one has is the key to attaining the reward of eternal life. May w all reflect in this season how we can better offer ourselves for our families, for our friends, and especially for those in need. Next weekend’s collection for the Deacon John Rigely Food Pantry is a tangible way to start. Drive up on Saturday during the day, donate after any one of the weekend Masses. Make your small tangible gift be the start of offering yourself more and more.

October 24, 2021

Several items to mention by way of news in the parish. Neighbors of the Christ the Redeemer property may notice parish workers on the property, and cosmetic landscaping work being done. The goal is to make the property visually attractive, and easier to maintain on an ongoing basis. Outdoor lighting has been serviced and upgraded, and shrubbery and trees removed and trimmed to enhance safety. None of the work being done indicates any decisions have been made about the property. A committee made up of predominately former members of Christ the Redeemer parish will begin meeting in November to assess all options for the property and make recommendations to the pastor. We will keep you all informed.

There have been several funeral services held at the Christ the Redeemer parish since the merger, and families can request to have baptisms and weddings there as well. Contact Deacon John to make arrangements. Speaking of communication, there was a significant and lengthy outage of the Archdiocesan email, and several weeks’ worth of emails were left unretrievable. Please use harold.john.hoffman@gmail.com to contact Deacon John. Sorry for any missed emails. As always, you can call the office at 203-878-3571, and messages will get to the contact you need.

May God bless you all in this change of season and may the colors of fall remind us of all of the wonder and awesomeness of our loving God, the author of the beauty of nature that surrounds us.

October 10, 2021

October is the month of the rosary, and this past Thursday our entire school prayed the rosary together. Most people trace the origin of the rosary to Saint Dominic, and our principal, Deacon Dominic Corraro, has fostered this prayerful devotion in our school. Everyone in our school has been participating in the Child Consecration to Jesus through Mary, a 33 day spiritual journey. What a blessing to have a school where devotion to Mary and regular prayer are part of each day. Thanks to the Legion of Mary who have supplied sets of rosary beads for all our children to use in school. I include this prayer for your reflection in this month of October:

Stella Maris
Our Lady, Star of the Sea

Star of the Sea, Mother of our Savior
From the angel’s simple greeting
You came to birth our Lord.
Open us to the healing of your Son
The One who was first sheltered
in your womb.
As you have brought our Lord to us,
May you always lead us to Him.
As you have cradled Him in your arms,
May you show us the way to His peace.
May your example of saying yes
to what God asks
Inspire us to find our “yes”
responding to our God.
Lead us all to follow your Son
more closely each day.
Amen

September 26, 2021

Practice forgiveness every day — even when it is too hard to forgive.

Stop comparing yourself to others — they are never a good measure of who you are.

Refuse to pursue material things — it is all just stuff anyway.

Find your passion — what you love will make it worthwhile to involve yourself.

Fill your life with those who love — those who refuse to love cannot make you content.

Your purpose in life may not be you occupation — it may just be that one person whose heart you touch.

Live in gratitude for all the gifts you have — everything good is a gift from God.

Never lose the child within — Jesus tells us unless we accept him like the innocent child does, we cannot understand our place in the kingdom.

In your prayer, tell God how you feel — say it aloud, you may need to hear it yourself.