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.

First Sunday of Lent, March 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
St. Vincent Ferrer, Naugatuck (M,T,W,F) 7:30 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:00, 10:30 AM 4:15 PM

Financial Report. Offertory: $6,083 Donation: $200. Memorial Donation (i.m.o. Fr. Frisbie) $370.
10% Slots / Poker: $120. Thank you for your support of the parish and for sharing your good luck.

Religious Formation . Classes scheduled this week: Monday – Grades 2&7; Tuesday – Grades 1&6.
Pre-school – Tuesday – 1:30 PM. Mr. Podhorn's class will assist with Stations of the Cross on Friday at 7:00 PM.

Youth Group will meet this evening (Sunday) at 6:30 to start rehearsals for the Living Stations. All high school students are welcome to participate. Bring a friend. (Food served as always.)

Service Project. Our 8^th graders are collecting returnable cans and bottles during Lent as a service project for the needy. Collection containers will be available at the doors of the Parish Center.

Operation Rice Bowl is a Lenten program sponsored by Catholic Relief Services to assist those most in need in our country and abroad. Students in our Religious Formation program will receive Rice Bowls in class this week. Again this year we are asking all parishioners to join our students in this endeavor by putting whatever you can into the large jug marked “Operation Rice Bowl” that will be on the table in the vestibule. All monies collected will be sent to Catholic Relief Services at the end of Lent.

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

St. Patrick's Dinner. Our Youth Group will hold a corn beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday March 21^st at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center. Tickets will be sold after Masses on 3/7 and 3/14. No tickets at the door. Save the date and plan to come and support our youth.

Special Recognition. On March 22^nd at 3:00 at the Cathedral, Dr. Thomas and Elizabeth DeLuca will be awarded The Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation for their years of dedication to our parish. They have been the backbone of our Youth Group Ministry for more than 15 years: Living Stations on Good Friday, pasta suppers, Christmas and Halloween parties for the children of the parish, community and spirit building activities for the teens, and so much more. (When you get a chance ask Dr. Tom how many people can be fed with $400 of Chinese food.) Our thanks and congratulations to Tom and Liz.

Parenting Workshop. Is one of your goals for 2009 to relate more effectively with your children? If so consider participating in a Parenting Workshop with other parents from our parish. This Franciscan Life Center educational program is for parents with children 13 and under. Dr. Thomas Finn, a clinical psychologist will direct the workshop. Date – March 11 and 18 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Cost: $40 per person and $60.00 per couple. For more information call Tricia at 271-9131.

Bereavement Group. You need not grieve alone. St. Bridget Bereavement Group begins March 11^th for 9 weeks. Grieving is work and is faced more clearly with the support of others. The group meets on Wednesdays, from 7-9 PM, at St. Bridget School Library. To register call 272-0070 or 271-2372.

Lenten Schedule: Ash Wednesday – February 25^th
Ash Wednesday - Mass & Ashes – 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM; Scripture Service & Ashes – 3:30 PM
Daily Mass: Monday through Friday (except Wednesday) 9:00 AM
Stations of The Cross: Fridays - 7:00 PM ( 6^th grade CCD classes will assist)
Lenten Regulations: For those 14 and older Abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all
Fridays during Lent and Good Friday. For those aged 18 to 59 Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday are to be observed as days of fasting. Fasting means eating only one full meal
and two light meals during the day. No eating between meals; liquids are permitted.
Lenten Prayer Banner. Please write your prayer intentions on the colored crosses provided and
attach them to the banner. Intentions on the banner will be prayed for during Lenten Masses.

With Daylight Savings Time the Saturday Vigil Mass will move to 5:00 PM on March 14^th.