ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH center of unbroken praise 435 North Brooksvale Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410 Rev. Eugene J. Charman, Pastor, frgene@snet.net Rectory address: 511 Sharon Dr. Rectory Phone: (203) 272-3324 Parish Office: (203) 272-5777 Parish Fax: (203) 271-9210 Parish E-Mail : stboffice1@snet.net

Parish Secretary, Mrs. Margaret Irving, 203-272-5777; e-mail: stboffice1@snet.net
Coordinator of Religious Formation, Phyllis Provost McNeil, 203-272-5777 ; e-mail: stb-dre@snet.net
Web Site: http://www.stthomasbecket.org
Masses: Saturday Vigil - 4:00 P.M. (EST) Sunday - 8:00, 9:30, 11:00AM
Weekdays: 9:00 AM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday); Holy Days: as announced.
Confessions: Saturday, 3:00 – 3:30 PM (EST)
Rosary - Monday at 7:00 PM, daily after the 9:00 AM Mass, and before the Saturday Vigil Mass.

4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 1, 2009

Announced Masses:

AREA MASS SCHEDULE
St. Bridget - Daily (M-F) 7:00 AM, Sat. 9:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:30 PM, Sun. 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM
Epiphany - Daily (M,T,W,F) 8:30 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 AM
O.L. Mt. Carmel - (M-F) 7:30 & 9:00 AM, Sat. 8:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 5:00 PM, Sun. 8:00, 10:00 , 11:30 AM
O.L. Fatima, Yalesville (M,T, W) 8:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 AM

Financial Report. Offertory: $6,886 Memorial Donation (i.m.o. Joseph & B. Theresa Profitt) $1,000. Memorial Donations (i.m.o. Fr. Frisbie) $430. When preparing a funeral obituary notice please consider adding “donations may be made in his / her memory to St. Thomas Becket Church.” As you can see from these offerings above, many people like the opportunity of contributing to some good cause on behalf of a loved one. As always, thank you for your ongoing generosity to our parish and its good work.

Religious Formation . Classes this week: Monday – Grades 2 & 7; Tuesday – Grades 1 & 6.

Saturday Program - February 7^th AM -9:30, PM- 12:45 Pre-school Tuesday – 1:30 PM.

Children's Liturgy - The 3^rd grade students will take part in the Children's Liturgy next Sunday at the 11:00 AM Mass.

Defibrillator training Thanks to the generosity of memorial donations we now have a defibrillator for use in heart-related emergencies. Although anyone can use the device by following the automatic voice prompts, it would be helpful if a number of people could attend a training session. If we can have trained people at each Mass (not only doctors, nurses, and other health care providers) we can be prepared to minister to those with heart emergencies. At a recent meeting one doctor said he would rather have an Eagle Scout with this defibrillator than a dozen cardiologists without one. Our hope is that we will never need to use it. But I'm glad we will be in a position to help if need be. If you would like to attend a training session, date / time to be determined, please call the office 272-5777.

Pastoral Council will meet on Thursday, February 5^th at 7:15 PM in the Parish Center.

Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet on Friday, February 6^th at 10:00 AM in the Parish Center.

Women's Club Whist The Women's Club is sponsoring a Military Whist on Friday, February 6^th at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center. Cost is $5.00 per person. No prior knowledge or skills are necessary as it will all be explained that night. Sign-up sheet is available in the vestibule.

Postcard Campaign. A bill in Congress called the “Freedom of Choice Act” or FOCA, represents the most serious legislative threat to family life. It would overturn a broad range of pro-life policies currently allowed under the Supreme Court's ruling on abortion. Today parishioners have an opportunity to sign and send postcards to their representatives urging them to oppose FOCA and retain existing laws against government funding and promotion of abortion. Please take a few moments to sign the postcards in the vestibule and Parish Center. Together we can send an important message to our nation's Capitol to uphold the sanctity of human life.

Men's Retreat. The Men's Weekend Retreat begins on Friday the 20^th of February. It will be a relaxing weekend of peace and quiet. Good rest, good food and inspiring talks, workshops and music that will bring you closer to God. A Gift Certificate is available for a first time retreat. For more info contact Fred at 271-2838 or www.holyfamilyretreat.org.

Next Sunday, February 8^th World Marriage Sunday, we will renew wedding vows for all couples.
If you are celebrating a special anniversary this year, and would like to renew your vows on the altar, please call the church office 272-5777.

Family Perspective. Today's gospel reminds us “unclean spirits” still haunt our families. These “spirits” thrive inside our grudges, punishing silence, impatience and abruptness. Today Jesus offers you the “authority” to cast out these spirits from your life and your family.

If you want a record of your contributions for 2008 fill in the form below and put it in the basket.

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Contributions 2008
Name: ________________________________________________ Envelope # ____________

Address: ________________________________________________ Phone # ______________