St Catherine of Siena

New Scrip Program Now Available at St. Catherine's

The Scrip (another name for substitute money) program is a shopping cart fundraising program that utilizes gift certificates from national and local retailers.  With this program, participating retailers agree to sell gift certificates to our organization at a discount.  Member families buy the certificates for full face value, retailers redeem them for full face value, and our church keeps the discount as revenue.  The beauty of scrip is that you put your regular household shopping dollars to work. You earn money for our church without spending a single additional penny.

You can get started today in one of three ways. Whichever option you choose, more detailed instructions are below to help you with the process.  In addition, you will see below the time table for ordering and receiving your gift cards through the month of December.  Please check the bulletin for future changes and updates.

Order Online at ShopwithScrip.com

Looking for convenience?  Log into the www.ShopwithScrip.com and create a new family account using our Parish enrollment code: 7A65C56C279L1.  Once in, you can begin shopping online.  You have the choice to pay for your purchase via check or you can use their secure, online tool called Presto Pay.  If you pay by check you will need to deliver a check to the office, attention Scrip Coordinator.  Please make checks payable to St. Catherine of Siena and put “scrip” on the memo line.  Should you use Presto Pay, which is similar to Pay Pal, you can do secure electronic funds transfer from your checking or savings account, whichever you choose to designate.  Please follow the online instructions to set up Presto Pay.  All orders placed online are stored in our Parish ‘Shopping Cart’ until they are released for processing. To have your order released, you must have paid via Presto Pay or your check needs to be at the Parish office the day prior to processing. 

Order via the Scrip Order Form

Please fill out the form and deliver, with your check, to the Parish office the day prior to processing.  Please ensure your envelop is addressed to the attention of the Scrip Coordinator.  As above, make checks payable to St. Catherine of Siena and put “scrip” on the memo line.  Please look for additional order forms in the Vestibule, Atrium and soon to online on the Parish website.

Purchase Cards after Mass

We will be selling cards for the most popular retailers like Stop and Shop, Wal-Mart, CVS, Dunkin Donuts, etc. after one of the Masses each weekend.  As we will be unable to sell cards/certificates after every Mass, please check the Bulletin for the upcoming weekend sale schedule.  We accept cash or check for direct purchase.

PLEASE NOTE:  For the Christmas season, orders will be processed weekly on Monday evening and ready for pickup on Friday after 2:00 PM in the Parish office.  In addition, orders will be available for pickup after the designated weekend Mass where cards are being sold.  Lastly, make sure to check the bulletin to confirm the Mass time for card sales each week. 

If you have any questions about placing an order or about the Scrip program, please email Mary Chappano at mchappano@comcast.net or call her at 860-748-6960. 

 

Check out the full list of ShopwithScrip retailers by clicking here or go to the ShopwithScrip site under the shop tab!

Advent 101

Advent means coming, and this season of Advent is all about the coming of the Lord. In fact, the prayer we will pray, “Come, Lord Jesus!” is not just a prayer for Advent but a prayer that is meant for a way of life. This is a three-fold prayer: first, we pray to commemorate Christ’s coming in the flesh, His birth of the Virgin Mary in that little town of Bethlehem. Second, we pray for ourselves for His second coming at the end of time, the parousia. And yet again, we pray a third time, not a prayer of the past or one of the future but a prayer of the here-and-now, as Christ comes to us in the graces of the sacraments of the Church. Advent, then, has many meanings and like the Sacred Scriptures it is alive and means many things to us at different times in our spiritual journey and yet it always has a sense of coming…of the Lord Jesus.

Liturgically speaking, the earliest sign of Advent hails from Tours, France in the fifth century when the faithful fasted from the memorial of Saint Martin (November 11) until the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. These weeks were a time of preparation for the sacraments since the Epiphany was the key time for baptism in the Church. In France this was known as “Saint Martin’s Lent,” and in fact in Paris the color purple is not as prevalent as black for this seasonal celebration. In other parts of the world the focus was less on baptism and more on the eschatological meaning (the end times), the Last Judgment. In Rome during this same period the focus was more historical as it was the first time the readings of the Gospel which depict the Incarnation of God made man were proclaimed in preparation of the great solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.

Advent, as it is liturgically celebrated today during the first two weeks is a blend of all these traditions and rituals and yet it still has as its primary focus the coming of the Lord at the end of time. From December 17 onward, our celebration or fo-cus on Advent shifts a wee bit to the birth of the infant child in Bethlehem. While there is definitely a flavor of penitence (after all, we omit the Gloria) the overriding theme is that of a joyful expectation of the coming of Christ.

Why so joyful? Just as Jesus was born of Mary, in baptism we are reborn as children of God. And that, my friends, is all that needs to be said. We are God’s children—all of us—and we are all called to joyfully await (which does not mean we are called to inactively wait for) His second coming in glory, the creation of the fullness of His Kingdom. It means that we are all called to make His Kingdom present in the here and now. Advent is a time to learn more deeply how we are all called to participate in His call to build-up the Kingdom of God in the material world.

The signs of Advent. While it happens every year, the changes in the church are dramatic and powerful, and they are well worth reiterating so that we not only see but understand what these signs and symbols call for (remember from last week that signs and symbols always point to a greater reality): The color purple isn’t just a movie. Purple vestments, candles, altar cloths and bows and the green and grapevine wreaths all symbolize the reality of penitence, a time to look introspectively at our lives, our faith formation, and refocus our spiritual journey so that we are on the path to righteousness. In ancient times, the color purple was also a sign of royalty but for the Church we employ it as a sign of penitence and deep inward thinking. The Advent Wreath symbolizes in the four weeks of Advent in the gift of everlasting life. Made of greenery, tradition-ally boxwood, which never dies but remains green the entire year, the wreath which is an unbroken circle highlights the unending Christian life, the gift of eternal life. The four candles, three pur-ple and one pink, are the four weeks of Advent with the pink candle representing Gaudete Sunday, the third week, a time of great joy which comes from the Entrance Antiphon (in Latin) Gaudete in Domino semper, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” The grapevine wreaths which we hang on the large back wall of the church are unique for many reasons. First, they are dried grapevine to signify the frailty and mortality of human life. It does end. They are also not perfect circles, highlighting our weaknesses and our tendency to imperfection, or sin. And they are not hung uniformly as that too has a meaning—our lives are different and not always “on track” due to our sinful nature. But all is not lost. The weakness, the sins, the frailty which is our humanness will be changed by the sacramental graces we receive from Christ in His Church and our lives will be changed, transformed from the dried and frail grapevines to the strong and ever-so-lively greenery of the Advent Wreath, symbolizing our transformation in the Resurrection.

Our sacred music at Mass will also change this Advent season. Gone is the Gloria, not to be sung again until Christmas. All music has a “less is more” quality about it, though that does not mean that new songs cannot be introduced but rather that the music is to be simple. The entire Advent season calls us to gradually build-up our excitement of the coming of the Lord.

And finally, our Jesse Tree, which holds a proud place in the center of the church. The dead pine tree, last year’s Christ-mas tree from the rectory’s living room, becomes the holder for decorations that will represent the history of the Old Testament and people who foretold the coming of the great Messiah, and the life of Christ, and His people to follow. The first week of Advent we will provide homemade Jesse Tree decorations for children to place on it during the offertory procession. After that, I invite the children of our parish to make some decorations at home and to bring them to church so that we can use them throughout the sea-son. Ideas for decorations can come from any of the Old Testa-ment stories or the people and places of the Old Testament. Be creative! Noah’s Ark or the Ark of the Covenant, an apple, an-gles, prophets, the River Jordan, A scribe or a Pharisee, a rainbow, a pharaoh or King David, Sarah, Isaac, David, Goliath, Job or any other person, place or thing from the ancient readings. Color paper, popsicle sticks, cardboard and any other item in your art kit or from around your home.

Let us joyfully and peacefully celebrate Advent and not rush too fast into Christmas!

NEW PARISHIONER WELCOME TEAM

There will be a brief meeting on Monday, November 29th, @ 7PM in Russell Hall. If you are interested in helping welcome new families to St. Catherine of Siena, we invite you to attend.

ANNUAL MEN’S RETREAT

SAVE THE DATE - February 11-13, 2011

Each year, the men of St. Catherine of Siena Parish join together to participate in a Weekend Retreat at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford. This year’s theme “God Changes Everything” explores our capacity to adapt gracefully to change. The retreat provides an opportunity for rest, reflection, interactive workshops, inspiring music, good food and great fellowship. To join your fellow parishioners, register online at www.holyfamilyretreat.org. Call Jim Peters at 651-3143 or Steve Cerchia at 658-6862 with any questions you may have.

USHERS MEETING

All new and veteran ushers are asked to attend a meeting in the Church on Sunday, December 5th, at 6:00PM.

Upcoming Parish Meetings

Mon., Nov. 29th @ 7PM - New Parishioners Welcome
Committee Mtg. - Russell Hall
Tues., Nov. 30th @ 7PM - RCIA - Library
Tues., Nov. 30th, @ 7PM - Building & Grounds - Music Room
Sun., Dec. 5th @ 6:00PM - Ushers Meeting. - in the Church

The Saint Catherine of Siena 2010 Christmas Project

Our 2010 project has begun! Trees are in the vestibule and atrium adorned with envelopes. We are supporting several different needs this season: the Sacred Heart Church in Hartford, the Seniors of Simsbury, Angel Food Ministries, as well as the St. Joseph Cathedral Food Pantry in Hartford.
Look for a flyer that will be coming home with your children from Religious Education and Confirmation
classes. We appreciate your help and generosity!

ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES

Thank you for the blessing of the food we eat. All families on the community list
for Simsbury Social Services received a Thanksgiving meal because of the generosity
of St. Catherine’s parishioners and friends. Our shared time, effort, and finances made this possible.

PLEASE NOTE: December menu items, including Christmas boxes, are on display and order forms are available. Members of the AFM will be at all Masses the weekend of December 3/4 to take orders/donations so that we can provide a Christmas meal for those in need. This is a condensed ordering period from now through December 7th. Also, remember this is first quality food that we are all entitled to order and enjoy while saving money at the same time.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Saturday, December 4th, from 8 -10:30AM
No tickets will be sold at the door.
Please bring an unwrapped toy or gift card for Simsbury Social Services (preferably for a child older than 5). Contact Susan @ smnapolitano@hotmail.com or call 651-9749 for more info.

High School Youth Group News

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH - Mrs. Pluta invites our youth group to go with her and Mr. Sheary to the “Feed the Hungry” shelter visit in Hartford. We’ll gather at 9:30AM in St. Catherine’s parking lot, drive to Mercy Shelter, make and serve lunch, and return to St. Catherine’s by 1:30PM. If you have always wanted to participate in the “Feed the Hungry” shelter visit but didn’t want to do it alone, now is your chance. You must, however, let us know your plans to attend so that rides can be arranged. Please RSVP to Mrs. Pluta at Judy-PlutaYM@gmail.com

YOUTH MINISTRY SMALL GROUP DINNERS - we invite you to bring a friend and come join the fun for a relaxed social evening. We will gather on Friday evening, December 10th, in the St. Catherine’s kitchen. In smaller groups of 10 or 12, we will prepare a dinner and sit to eat together. This first event will be a “girls night.” If you would like to reserve your spot at the table, please RSVP to Mrs. Pluta this week so a menu can be prepared. Relax and unwind from your busy school week and meet a new friend.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

On Saturday, December 11th, Wreaths Across America will be coming to Simsbury. This organization
lays wreaths on thousands of veterans graves throughout the world. Hundreds of veterans are buried in
Simsbury Cemetery. If you would like to sponsor a wreath, please contact Angie Bautista @ 408-9022 or abautista@me.com. The deadline to sponsor a wreath is November 29th.

THE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE MINISTRY

We are looking for 3 new leaders to run the ministry. This ministry involved setting up 2 trees (1
in vestibule, 1 in atrium), getting the children’s names from Sacred Heart parish in Hartford, hanging the names on the trees, gathering the gifts for transport to Sacred Heart and attending the party in early January. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Sheila Rae Vendetti at 860/658-5304 or
email SRV8641@comcast.net.

“FEED THE HUNGRY” Youth Group

“FEED THE HUNGRY” Youth Group served lunch to 175 people at St. Elizabeth House on Saturday, November 13th. The Halloween candy was greatly appreciated and winter coats for six children were distributed. The NEXT SHELTER VISIT will be on Saturday, December 11th. Contact Mrs. Sheary at lisasheary@remax.net if you are available to help.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE

Monday, December 13th, at 7:00PM

Please join us as we celebrate the season of Advent and God’s merciful forgiveness by receiving the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. Four priests will join Fr. Whyte to hear confessions. All are welcome!

Religious Education News

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PARENTS: there are openings for upstairs Hall Monitors at Henry James during Religious Education classes. Please sign up on the sheet provided on the bulletin board on Sunday mornings. Thank you!

NO CLASSES on Sunday, November 28th, due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Classes will resume on Sunday, December 5th. Confirmation I & II also meet on December 5th.

GRADE 3 PARENTS - CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - please return the bottom portion of the letter your child(ren) brought home to their teacher or Kathi Bonner. Thank-you!

Weekly Mass Intentions

Saturday, November 27th, @ 5:00PM, Mass for Bill Shea, requested by Fay Shea.
Sunday, November 28th, @ 8:00AM, Mass for Elizabeth & John Gaiser, requested by Barb & Ben Nascimbeni.
Sunday, November 28th, @ 11:00AM, Mass for Louise Patti, requested by her children.
Sunday, November 28th, @ 5:00PM, Mass for Phyllis Sullivan, requested by Matt Sheehan.
Friday, December 3rd, @ 8:30AM, 3rd Anniversary Mass for Thomas West, Jr., requested by Mom & Dad.
Saturday, December 4th, @ 5:00PM, Birthday Remembrance for George Duane Martensen, requested by Family.
Sunday, December 5th, @ 8:00AM, 1st Anniversary Mass for Jack Bradley, requested by the Harper Family.
Sunday, December 5th, @ 11:00AM, 6th Anniversary Mass for Astra Cerchia, requested by the Family.
Sunday, December 5th, @ 5:00PM, Birthday Remembrance for Gary Loftus, requested by the Family.
Tuesday, December 7th, @ 8:30AM, Mass for Thomas Zile and Lorraine Zile, requested by Bob Zile.
Saturday, December 11th, @ 5:00PM, Mass for Raymond, Edith & Brian Coyne, requested by Sheila Rae & Charlie Vendetti.
Sunday, December 12th, @ 8:00AM, Mass for Louis Corsetti, requested by Betty & Tom West.
Sunday, December 12th, @ 11:00AM, Mass for Kieran Horan, requested by Julia & Myles McCabe.

Please call the office @ 658-1642 for Mass Intentions . If you would like to bring up the gifts in the offertory procession, please let the usher know when you arrive at church.

Angel Food Ministries December Menu

Each month a new menu of food box options are offered that can be viewed at www.angelfoodministries.com  or printed copies can be found in the atrium at St. Catherine of Siena Church or other neighboring locations. Decide what you would like to order. Complete the online order process using a credit card, enter your zip code and select St. Catherine’s as the selected Host Site. On Distribution Day, pick-up your pre-paid order at Russell Hall

(265 Stratton Brook Road, West Simsbury).  Order one month, two months, as many or as few times as you wish; there is no obligation.

December, 2010 orders are due by December 7^th  for Distribution on December 18^th.
****** DISTRIBUTION TIME – 9:00 – 10:30 A.M.******

In person orders are taken on

Sat., 12/4 at 6:00 p.m.  and on Sun. 12/6 at 9 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. A representative is available in the atrium of St. Catherine’s for 20 minutes. If a community center would like a representative to take orders at your site, please contact us.

 If you have any questions call 860-658-1642 x12 or email afm.lpd2010@gmail.com. You can also check the St. Catherine of Siena website for additional information, www.stcatherine.info.

Download Dec Menu_AFM

Download Dec_Holiday Offerings

The Solemnity of Christ the King

Last weekend I mentioned that our parish would embark on a new program known to many folks as a
Scrip Program which essentially allows parishioners to shop at their regular places of business and from their normal purchases provide a percentage cash rebate to the parish. Many parishes and Catholic schools, and other public non-profit organizations use this method of revenue raising since it does not cost the parishioners any additional money.

Here’s how it works: an individual or family buys a Scrip card for a face value of $25, $50 or $100, for
example, and then uses that Scrip card for purchases at a given store (i.e., Stop and Shop, Borders Books and Music, Dunkin Donuts, Subway or Big Y, etc.) and the merchant gives a percentage of the sale to Saint Catherine of Siena. Your $100 Stop and Shop Scrip Card yields 5% or $5 to the parish. You are only spending the money you would normally spend at a given merchant and the merchant provides a rebate to the parish. It is a win-win situation.

Why do it? It is a way for the parish to raise funds for a particular need, say the replacement of the
parking lot, without seeking a special collection or a grand annual collection. As a matter of routine, we all regularly shop for groceries or go to Borders or Dunkin Donuts or Subway or Panera or buy our oil from a local dealer. In order to participate in this program that helps build customer loyalty many merchants are willing to return some money spent in their stores to a non-profit, participating organization such as our parish. In all honesty, it is a great way to raise revenues without asking our parishioners to dig deeper into their wallets and pocketbooks.

What might we expect to raise from our participation in this program? Many Catholic and
other religious communities, both parishes and schools, use Scrip programs and statistics show that an organization with just 150 members can expect to generate some $30,000 a year. Saint Catherine has nearly 1000 registered families and if just one third participated we are looking at a fairly significant revenue stream. I think it could be a very positive solution to some major projects we have before us (i.e. the parking lot, new and improved lighting in the parking and around the church, etc.).

How will we manage this program? Parishioners Mary and Ralph Chappano have experience with
this program and have offered to help get the program started. If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to Mary and Ralph. Scrip cards can be purchased via direct sales after Masses or parishioners may go online and automatically order Scrip cards by using a St. Catherine of Siena code. Either way, the purchase is safe and secure and the parish benefits.

What kind of local and national merchants participate in this Scrip Program? Scrip cards may
be used at grocery stores and many restaurants, coffee shops, and at major retail outlets such as Brooks Brothers, Borders, Barnes and Noble, gas companies, airlines, and more local (a detailed list of national and local merchants will be inserted in next week’s bulletin) merchants. Whether you are making everyday household purchases or doing your Christmas gift shopping, the Scrip cards avail
you with a convenient, easy and safe way to do your business that will also benefit the Saint Catherine of Siena community.

More information to follow in next weekend’s bulletin.

Sunday, November 21, Christ the King! This is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time for this year, the 34th Sunday, and it is the Solemnity of Christ the King, which was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, as a time which the Church and all the faithful would celebrate an aspect of Jesus’ identity rather than His life. We come to understand the type of Kingship of Christ, not one of royal robes or glided carriages drawn by six white horses and footman surrounding and aiding a royal’s every move, but rather the
identity of a King whose title was hung over His head on the Cross—I.N.R.I.—IESUS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM— Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

We see a Kingship of service, not of being served. We see a Kingship of offering, one that offers Himself in love and humility and compassion and caring as the weapons of choice, not military troops, prisons, or nuclear weaponry. A Kingship that calls others to follow in like manner. A Kingship that is eternal, not one limited to time and space upon the earth or by hereditary distribution or by the
“ballots” of guns. Not a “God Save the King, but rather, God is our King!” Not a long live the king, but rather our King is life itself!

A special thanks to the Men’s Club and to their point man, Mike Reilley, for coordinating and organizing
our parishioners for last weekend’s 7th Annual Leaf Rake. What a great success! What a great parish!!!

NEW PARISHIONER WELCOME TEAM

There will be a brief meeting on Monday, November 29th, @ 7PM in Russell Hall. If you are interested in helping welcome new families to St. Catherine of Siena, we invite you to attend.

Upcoming Parish Meetings

Tues., Nov. 23rd @ 7PM - RCIA - Library
Tues., Nov. 23rd @ 7PM - Men’s Club Mtg. - Russell Hall
Mon., Nov. 29th @ 7PM - New Parishioners Welcome
Committee Mtg. - Russell Hall
Tues., Nov. 30th @ 7PM - RCIA - Library
Sun., Dec. 5th @ 6:00PM - Ushers Meeting. - in the Church

ANNUAL MEN’S RETREAT

SAVE THE DATE - February 11-13, 2011
Each year, the men of St. Catherine of Siena Parish join together to participate in a Weekend Retreat at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford. This year’s theme “God Changes Everything” explores our capacity to adapt gracefully to change. The retreat provides an opportunity for rest, reflection, interactive workshops, inspiring music, good food and great fellowship. To join your fellow parishioners, register online at www.holyfamilyretreat.org. Call Jim Peters at 651-3143 or Steve Cerchia at 658-6862 with any questions you may have.

USHERS MEETING

All new and veteran ushers are asked to attend a meeting in the Church on Sunday, December 5th, at 6:00PM.

PARISH ITALY TRIP

No info meeting in November. Go to www.explorica.com and under students type in tour ID
o’hara-8601. If you would like more info, please contact Rosanne O’Hara at rohara110@gmail.com or 651-7388.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Saturday, December 4th, from 8 -10:30AM
SAVE THE DATE! Tickets will be sold after all the Masses throughout November. Volunteer sign up sheets are in the atrium. Raffle donations needed! Contact Susan @ smnapolitano@hotmail.com or call 651-9749 for more info.

The Saint Catherine of Siena 2010 Christmas Project

Our 2010 project will kick off on Thanksgiving weekend. There will be trees in the vestibule and atrium adorned with envelopes. We are supporting several different needs this season: the Sacred Heart Church in Hartford, the Seniors of Simsbury, Angel Food Ministries, as well as the St. Joseph Cathedral Food Pantry in Hartford. Look for a flyer that will be coming home with your children from Religious Education and Confirmation classes.