Weekends

Saturday Vigil – 5:00 p.m.

Brazilian Mass – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday – 7:30, 9:00 Children’s Liturgy and Choir,

10:30 a.m. with Adult Choir and 12:00 N

Spanish Mass – 5:00 p.m.

Brazilian Mass – 7:30 p.m.

Weekdays

Monday through Saturday - 7:30 a.m.

Monday through Friday -12:10 Noon

(HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE)

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

Saturday - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

and by appointment

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

Couples planning to be married must begin to make ar-

rangements at least 8 months prior to their wedding date

by contacting the Rectory.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Attendance at pre-Baptism class is required before the

Sacrament is celebrated. Classes are held on the second

Sunday of the month at 1:15 p.m. in the Rectory. Please

pre-register by calling 203-743-2707. Baptisms will

take place every Sunday at 1:15 p.m. except the second

Sunday of the month.

PASTORAL STAFF

Rev. Gregg D. Mecca, Pastor

Rev. Bernardo C. Rodriguez, Parochial Vicar

Rev. Paul Merry, In Residence

Rev. David J. Riley, In Residence

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - MONDAY through FRIDAY

104 Main Street, Danbury, CT

OFFICE NUMBERS

Phone: 203-743-2707 and Fax: 203-794-1928

Email Address - office@stpeterdanb.org

Website - www.stpeterdanb.org

PARISH STAFF

Dr. Glen Segger, Music Minister

gsegger@stpeterdanb.org

Dr. Nancy Engel, Children’s Choir - 914-741-1670

LATINO COMMUNITY

Rev. Bernardo Rodriguez—203-695-7665

QUASI PARISH OF

OUR LADY OF APARECIDA

Rev. Leonel S. Medeiros,

Episcopal Vicar for Brazilians

203-730-9071

SAINT PETER SCHOOL OFFICE

Mary Lou Torre — Principal - 203-748-2895

School Fax: 203-748-5684

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND FORMATION

Barbara Siano—Director of Religious Education K - 8

203-743-1048 or stpeterfuture@stpeterdanb.org

YOUTH MINISTRY

Michael Falbo—Youth Group Director

203-743-1048 or ygstpeter@gmail.com

Chairman of Parish Council – Fred Visconti – 203-744-2311

Chairman of Finance – Arthur Mannion - 203-733-0183

Homebound Ministry– Sr. Mary Bernard Wiecezak, CSFN

203-743-2707, Ext. 22

Saint Peter Church, Danbury, CT

Baptism of the Lord

ST. PETER PARISH DANBURY, CT

Our weekly goal ………………………………………..$ 10,500

SACRIFICIAL GIVING—January 5, 2020……….…$ 8,860

Online-Giving—January 5, 2020 ………………….….$ 2,745

Thank you for your support. Father Mecca

Please remember St. Peter Parish when preparing

your will. A legacy to the church eases your tax bur-

den and helps continue the good works of our parish.

Today’s column is dominated by funeral talk.

I have been quite delinquent, and I have to

make up for my oversight. On the Feast of Our Lady of

Sorrows, September 15, 2019, our Diocese issued ―Norms

for the Order of Christian Funerals.‖ The norms went into

effect on All Saints Day and are ad experimentum for one

year, meaning that we try them out for a year and amend

where necessary before promulgating them. The pastors

were required to make public the parish’s policy on words

of remembrance at the Funeral Mass. I totally forgot about

this duty until I read a memo from the Bishop sent last

week. I was supposed to not only publish my decision but

to also send it to the chancery and say how I communicated

it to you. Oops. So, here is the policy: words of remem-

brance are allowed at the funeral Mass at St. Peter Parish

and families are expected to adhere to the conditions con-

cerning them. I have put it all together in the box that fol-

lows. I will make copies of the statement that either I or

funeral directors can hand out when we meet with families

about the liturgy.

Here is some of the background to the genesis of

the Norms in general and specifically the words of remem-

brance issue. In late 2018, the Bishop told the priests that

he wanted to draft up-to-date norms for funeral Masses so

that everyone is on the same page. One would think that a

funeral Mass is the same everywhere, but some priests took

liberties with the Order of Christian Funerals which con-

tains the official rite of the Church. Some priests sprinkled

at the end (we are not to if we are proceeding to a burial

where we do it) while others did not; some incensed the

casket at the offertory (we are not to) while others did not;

some abbreviated the prayers of commendation after Com-

munion. I always adhered to the norms for the Mass and

committal at the grave which are quite clearly printed. If

you can read instructions, it’s a no brainer. I was guilty,

however, of straying from the official wake service, most

notably by praying a decade of the Rosary (the Resurrec-

tion) in place of the liturgy prescribed. Under the diocesan

norms, we can pray the Rosary but not to the exclusion of

the liturgy.

When the priests met, the biggest issue about fu-

neral Masses was words of remembrance. Many priests

wanted the diocese to issue a blanket rule so that no pastor

had to take the rap for saying no to them. Many priests re-

counted horror stories of people in the pulpit out of control,

telling inappropriate stories or jokes with inappropriate lan-

guage in a sacred place, people going on and on for 20 min-

utes, and the like. There was large support for telling the

Faithful that words of remembrance had to be done at the

wake, or at the grave once the liturgy is completed, or at the

luncheon that followed. The Bishop decided that because

The Order of Christian Funerals in paragraph 170 makes

provision for words or remembrance and not all the pastors

were of one mind, he would leave the decision to the indi-

vidual pastors.

11 SAT 5:00 PM † Mary Burns Smith

7:30 PM Brazilian Mass

12 SUN 7:30 AM † Rita Talarico

9:00 AM † Julia Macelletti

10:30 AM Our Parishioners

12:00 N † Mary McNulty, Henry Kilby and

James McGarrigle

5:00 PM Spanish Mass

7:30 PM Brazilian Mass

13 MON St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

7:30 AM † Emilien J. Beland

12:10 N † Nicholas Olivo

14 TUE 7:30 AM † Joseph Smith

12:10 N † Father Joseph Parampath

15 WED 7:30 AM Msgr. Kevin Wallin

12:10 N † Dorothy Pane

16 THU 7:30 AM † Marita Ryan

12:10 N † Mary McLachlan Lee

17 FRI St. Anthony, Abbot

7:30 AM † Souls in Purgatory

12:10 N † Agnes Thampoe

18 SAT 7:30 AM † Thomas Pepin

5:00 PM † John Quattrocchi

7:30 PM Brazilian Mass

19 SUN 7:30 AM † Michael A. Palanzo

9:00 AM Our Parishioners

10:30 AM † Thomas Pepin

12:00 N † Antoinette and Richard Galla

5:00 PM Spanish Mass

7:30 PM Brazilian Mass

On the weekend, if the intention of the Mass is yours,

please see an usher about bringing up the gifts.

JANUARY

This Week the Sanctuary Lamp Burns

In Memory Of

The Pannozo Family

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

***OTHER EVENTS***

March for Life 2020—-on Friday, January 24, 2020.

This year’s theme is: Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-

Woman. Buses depart from three locations—Bridgeport,

Norwalk and Stamford. Cost is $75.00 pp/RT. Register

o n l i n e b e f o r e J a n u a r y 1 7 a t h t t p s : / /

www.bridgeportdiocese.org/faith-formation.

If you are unable to travel to Washington, D.C., please join

us in prayer the night before on Thursday, January 23 at

6:30 p.m. for the March for Life 2020 Mass celebrated

by Bishop Caggiano at St. Augustine’s Cathedral in

Bridgeport.

Confirmation Candidates:Rite of Covenant Mass Sunday January 19 at 9:00 am, please meet in the parish hall at 8:30 am. Attendance is mandatory. Confirmation Registration Forms and Fees:Just a gen-tle reminder that registration forms and fees are past due. Please bring completed forms and fees to the religious education office. First Communion Registration Forms and Fees : Regis-tration forms were mailed during the Christmas break if you have not received the form please come to the religious education office for a form. Forms and fees are due by January 26. Upcoming Family Catechesis Sessions January 12 – Cancelled Upcoming Events Jan. 12 – Mid-term assessment for all classes using My Catholic Faith Jan. 19 – No Class Jan. 19 – Rite of Covennt Mass – 9:00 am All Confir-mation students must attend Jan. 19 – Saint names due and interviews begin

January 26 – Section IV, Pre RCIA Feb. 16 – No class Mar. 14 – First Reconciliation Mar. 15 – No Class

—-Barbara Siano, Director of Religious Education

WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE

AT FUNERAL MASSES

POLICY OF ST. PETER PARISH

ACCORDING TO DIOCESAN NORMS

Saint Peter Parish recognizes the desire of mourners to

speak lovingly about their family member at the funeral

and, therefore, allows for Words of Remembrance at the

celebration of the Funerals Mass. Family members or

friends of family must adhere to the norms for Words of

Remembrance as stipulated in the Diocese of Bridgeport’s

―Norms for the Order of Christian Funerals.‖

§ Words of Remembrance are not a eulogy. They are to

provide the opportunity for the family to speak in loving

remembrance of the deceased person’s characteristics

which manifested their faith in God and how they at-

tempted to live the Christian vocation to love God and

neighbor as Christ taught us.

§ Words of Remembrance can be offered a various mo-

ments throughout the funeral rites. It is most preferred that

such words be offered at the end of the Vigil Service or at

the Burial.

§ If the family desires to have words of remembrance of-

fered during the Funeral Mass, the following norms must

be observed:

-the words of remembrance must be written out

-the cannot exceed three minutes

-they must be submitted to the priest celebrant or

the funeral director at least one day in advance of the Fu-

neral Mass.

§ It is never permitted to have more than one person offer

such words of remembrance. Rather, the family must have

one person speak on all their behalf.

§ The words of remembrance follow the Prayer after Com-

munion and before the Final Commendation begins.

In all honesty, in the 12 years that I have been here,

there have been a good many overly long ones, but I can

count probably no more than a handful of bad and inappro-

priate words of remembrance, and all of them came at fu-

nerals where the families were not church going parishion-

ers. In contrast, I have heard some beautiful and even in-

spiring words that captured how the individual possessed a

lively Christian faith. For this reason, I am not inclined to

prohibit words of remembrance here, but with this allow-

ance families or friends have the responsibility adhere to the

guidelines now stipulated by the Diocesan Norms.

—-Fr. Mecca

JANUARY 12, 2020

COMUNIDAD HISPANA SAN PEDRO Saint Peter Calendar

Sun Jan 12 Religious Education Classes.

Mon Jan 13 Latino Prayer Group. 7:00 p.m. in Church

Tue Jan 14 Prayer Group of Reparation. After 12:10 Mass

Brazilian Prayer Group. 7:30 p.m. Church.

Wed Jan 15 Bingo.

Novena of Miraculous Medal. After noon Mass

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Thu Jan 16 Parish Choir. 7:30 p.m. Music Room.

Fri Jan 17 Latino Choir. 7:00 p.m.

Sun Jan 19 No Religious Education Classes.

Mon Jan 20 Latino Prayer Group. 7:00 p.m. in Church

Tue Jan 21 Prayer Group of Reparation. After 12:10 Mass

Brazilian Prayer Group. 7:30 p.m. Church.

Men’s Society Meeting. 7 p.m. PH

Wed Jan 22 Bingo.

Novena of Miraculous Medal. After noon Mass

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Thu Jan 23 Parish Choir. 7:30 p.m. Music Room.

Fri Jan 24 Latino Choir. 7:00 p.m.

Sun Jan 26 Religious Education Classes.

Catholic Schools Week

Mon Jan 27 Latino Prayer Group. 7:00 p.m. in Church

Tue Jan 28 Prayer Group of Reparation. After 12:10 Mass

Brazilian Prayer Group. 7:30 p.m. Church.

Wed Jan 29 Bingo.

Novena of Miraculous Medal. After noon Mass

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Thu Jan 30 Parish Choir. 7:30 p.m. Music Room.

Fri Jan 31 Latino Choir. 7:00 p.m.

Sun Feb 2 Religious Education Classes.

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Mon Feb 3 Latino Prayer Group. 7:00 p.m. in Church

Tue Feb 4 Prayer Group of Reparation. After 12:10 Mass

Brazilian Prayer Group. 7:30 p.m. Church.

Wed Feb 5 Bingo.

Novena of Miraculous Medal. After noon Mass

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Thu Feb 6 Parish Choir. 7:30 p.m. Music Room.

Fri Feb 7 Latino Choir. 7:00 p.m.

Sun Feb 9 Religious Education Classes.

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Mon Feb 10 Latino Prayer Group. 7:00 p.m. in Church

Tue Feb 11 Prayer Group of Reparation. After 12:10 Mass

Brazilian Prayer Group. 7:30 p.m. Church.

Wed Feb 12 Bingo.

Novena of Miraculous Medal. After noon Mass

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Thu Feb 13 Parish Choir. 7:30 p.m. Music Room.

Fri Feb 14 Latino Choir. 7:00 p.m.

Sun Feb 16 Religious Education Classes.

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Mon Feb 17 Latino Prayer Group. 7:00 p.m. in Church

Tue Feb 18 Prayer Group of Reparation. After 12:10 Mass

Brazilian Prayer Group. 7:30 p.m. Church.

Wed Feb 19 Bingo.

Novena of Miraculous Medal. After noon Mass

Bible Study with Fr. Bernardo 1 pm PH

Bautizos Cuartos Domingos de cada Mes. Contacten con Ana

Espìnal para el formulario y la información sobre la

clase prebautismal.

Bodas Deben contactar con el P. Bernardo al menos con 6

meses de antelación. Es necesaria la preparación re-

querida por la Diócesis.

Horario de Oficina De Lunes a Viernes, de 1:30 p.m. a 3:30 p.m. En espa-

ñol pregunten por Ana Espinal.

De miércoles a viernes a cualquier hora previa cita te-

lefónica con el P. Bernardo

Grupo de oración Todos los lunes en el Hall a las 7:00 p.m. Líder: Jorge Ordoñez

Coro Parroquial El coro parroquial tanto de niños como de adultos se reúne

para ensayar todos los Domingos a las 3:30 p.m. bajo la

dirección de Alejandro Servin.

CONFESIONES

Todos los domingos de 3:30-4:30 p.m. en la

Iglesia. También pueden llamar a la Rectoría y

hacer una cita con el P. Bernardo.

La próxima Hora Santa

será el 23 de enero a las

7:00 p.m.

¡Alabemos a toda hora al Dios que

nos salva!

JANUARY 12, 2020

KINDLY REMEMBER THE SICK OF THE PARISH

Richard Botelho Marie Carroll Nubia Dekker Lissette Delgado

The Gentile and Murphy Families Elizabeth Ianelli

Neil Kochan Luba Krumseyn Teddy Marchione

Christopher McLaughlin Rev. Paul Merry Joseph O’Donnell

Linda Ray Patrick Ruth Ann S.

Rick Sarcia Elias Warchak

***SAINT PETER SCHOOL NEWS***

Last week information about the proposed model

for St. Peter School was shared. This week's

focus is on the attributes of a St. Peter School

graduate. Here is what a St. Peter School gradu-

ate looks like: A Moral and Ethical Person

Formed in the Catholic Faith; A Reflective, Creative

and Holistic Person; An Effective Communicator; A

Caring Family Member; A Collaborative Contributor;

A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner; and A

Responsible Citizen. As adults who are responsible for the

formation of a St. Peter School graduate, all the staff at the

school take their job seriously and responsibly!

Catholic Schools Week is January 26-February 1. Open

House is scheduled for January 26 from 10:00 AM -

12:00 Noon at St. Peter School. That is also the day

where we celebrate our parish community. Please drop by

St. Peter School for a cup of coffee and a sweet treat af-

ter Mass! Thank you for all of your support!

We offer our condolences to the family of

Joan Morrissey

who passed away last week.

Looking for a fun

event this Valen-

tine’s Day?

The classic silent film,

Speedy (Harold Lloyd),

will be showing at St. Pe-

ter Churchon February 14

at 7:30 pm. Live organ

accompaniment will be

provided by Boston-based

organ virtuoso Peter

Krasinski.

Speedy, Harold Lloyd’s last silent film, is a delightful

romantic comedy set in New York City. Highlights of

the film feature scenes of Coney Island’s Luna Park,

andHarold Lloyd speeding through the streets of NYC

as they were in 1928. The film also features a cameo

by Babe Ruth, and a spectacular car crash at the

Brooklyn Bridge (unplanned but left in the film).

Ticket pricesrange from $15(students and seniors) to

$42 (entire families), and are available online at Event-

bright or at the door.For full details, visit

www.stpeterdanb.org/events/speedy-silent-film-with-

organ-accompaniment. This event is supported in part

by the Danbury Cultural Commission.

Thank you, St. Peter Parishioners—-We are humbled by

the generosity ofmembers of the St. Peter community. Once

again, we thank you for providing Christmas gifts for Re-

newal House clients. The extra care that is evident in the

beautiful gift wrappings is further proof of kind and gener-

oud hearts.

You will be responsible for many smiles and graeful

heartas obn Christmas day.

Our thanks to you for helping to sustain our wok and for

being a long-time partner in our success. We continue to

be grateful for your support.

With best regards,

Janice Wiggins, Executive Director, Renewal House

Dear Parishioners of St. Peter: I thank your Parish Com-

munity for your donation of $2,777.00 for the 2019 Pontifi-

cal Mission Co-Op good works. These funds assist the

works of so many of our faith family in both Latin and East-

ern Churches in Third World Countries

Your gift will be used to further the charitable outreach

to countless hundreds of our brothers and sisters in these

areas. This work of the Lord assists in providing basic hu-

man needs, e.g.: food, clothing, housing, etc; and also helps

train leadership personnel.

Please know that your gift advances the fundamental

ministry of making the Good News of Christ felt by many. I

pray that Christ will continually bless your parish.

One with you, In Christ Jesus,

Fr. Michael A. Boccaccio, Director

***PARISH EVENTS***

"I am thankful for the St. Peter School Community because

we all believe in Jesus Christ. All of the people at the

school are loving, caring, and respectful to others. I am so

thankful to be going to this wonderful school."(A St. Peter

School soon-to-be graduate...)

—Mary Lou Torre, Principal