Dear Friends,
Last weekend at St. Mary’s and this weekend at St. Agnes, we showed a video at all Masses regarding the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. The Appeal funds the works of the Archdiocese of Hartford, its offices and agencies, all of which seek to promote the Gospel and its values and to serve the poor and needy across Hartford, New Haven and Litchfield counties. Last year, over one million dollars from the proceeds of the Appeal was given in the form of grants to help local agencies and organizations who serve the poor and needy. Here in Milford, our own John Rigely Food Pantry, as well as the Beth-El Shelter were among local charitable organizations that received funding from the Appeal.
Our goal for the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal as the newly-formed Precious Blood Parish is $110,000, which may seem like an exorbitant sum. In actuality, the goal represents a combining of the goals of the former St. Mary Parish and the former St. Agnes Parish, $70,000 and $40,000 respectively. As of this writing, we have as a parish pledged some $103,000. So we are well along the way to making the goal. I thank those who have made a contribution and ask those who have not yet done so to consider making a pledge or gift. I do not ask this only so that we might achieve our parish goal, as good as that is. I also ask this mindful of how much good our gifts and pledges to the Appeal do for so many.
I remind you that the Mass books are open and available. There are a number of Sunday Masses available, especially at St. Agnes, and a number of weekday Masses available at both churches. Masses are traditionally offered for the deceased, often on the anniversary of death, the birthday of the deceased person, or even in commemoration of a wedding anniversary for one’s deceased parents. Masses can also be scheduled for living people in celebration of birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or as a means to praying for good health or a special intention. In recent weeks, a disturbing trend has emerged in that there are weekday and even occasionally a Sunday Mass with no intention at St. Mary’s. I have not encountered this before, and I wonder just what this may be signaling. If there are any questions or concerns that you may have about the scheduling of Masses at either church, please speak to me in person or you can email me at fr.aidan.donahue@aohct.org.
Finally, we are in the midst of graduation season. I offer my warmest congratulations to the Class of 2018 of St. Mary’s School, who received their diplomas at graduation ceremonies on June 6. I also congratulate those who have graduated or will graduate from local high schools, Catholic, public, or private, as well as those who will graduate from middle school in the coming days. May God’s blessing be poured out abundantly on them all and may the future for all our graduates be bright and filled with hope and endless possibilities.
Have a wonderful week!
