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: (203) 272-3324 Parish Office: (203) 272-5777 Parish Fax: (203) 271-9210

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
Rosary - Monday at 7:00 PM, daily after the 9:00 AM Mass, and before the Saturday Vigil Mass.

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 2, 2008

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 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:00, 10:00 , 11:30 AM
O.L. Fatima, Yalesville (M-F) 8:00 AM, Sat. Vigil 4:00 PM, Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 AM

Financial Report. Offertory: $6,480. Thank you for your generous support of our parish.

Office Hours. Beginning March 3^rd the church office will be open from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Coffee/& and Blood Pressure Screening this weekend after all Masses

The Saturday Vigil Mass moves to 5:00 PM on March 15^th.

Religious Formation Classes scheduled this week: Monday – Grades 2 & 7; Tuesday – Grades 1 & 6 Wednesday – Pre-School. Friday, 7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross prayers led by Mrs. Sheehan's 6^th grade class. Today, Sunday, 11:00 Mass, 5^th grade class assisting.

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

Bereavement Group. A nine week seminar for the newly bereaved will begin on March 12, 2008, from 7-9 PM, at St. Bridget School Library. You need not grieve alone. The seminar is facilitated by two trained facilitators who help participants to work through the tasks of grief. To register call: 272-0070 or 271-2372.

Women's Club will hold a Ukrainian Egg Decorating on Wednesday, March 5^th in the Parish Center at 7:15 PM. Please bring a short candle about 6 inches or less and a candle holder. This year we will be doing a new design. A sign up sheet is in the vestibule. Limited to 40 people. Donation: $5.

St. Patrick's Day Dance: The Men's Club will be sponsoring the 10^thannual parish dance on Saturday, March 15^th. Fun will start at 6:30 – please join us for a great evening! Tickets ($22/person, $18 for seniors) will be on sale after each Mass the weekend of March 1/2 in the Parish Center or you can make reservations by calling Jim (272-0768) or Mark (272-9014) by March 9^th.

Family Perspectives. Failure to forgive blinds us to another’s goodness. Lent provides an opportunity to wash away our blind-spots in the pool of forgiveness. Listen to Jesus in today’s gospel: “Go wash and see”.

Parish Scholarships. Applications for the St. Thomas Becket Women's Club and Men's Club Scholarships are available in the church office and at Cheshire High School. Applicant must be a graduating senior and a practicing member of St. Thomas Becket Parish who will continue his/her education at a college or technical school. The awards ($1,000 each this year) are based on church and community service, a life that exemplifies Christian values, and an acceptable academic record.

Lenten Schedule:
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 leading the prayers)
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 white crosses provided and
attach them to the banner. Intentions on the banner will be prayed for during Lenten Masses.

Prayer Shawl meeting, this Friday, March 7^th, 10 AM, Parish Center. Shawl Knitting Retreat Day on March 8^th , Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford. Call Elaine at 272-7397 or H.F. Monastery (860) 521-0440 for more information. (First time retreatants may attend at ½ price.)