Parish Office Hours
We have very dedicated people working in the Parish Center. So I have decided to give them an additional day off to be with their families and celebrate the Easter Triduum. The Parish Offices will be closed from Holy Thursday, April 21st, to Easter Monday, April 25th. The Easter Mass Schedule will be on our Parish website, stpaulkensington.org. If you don't have a computer or the internet, you can simply call 860-828-0331 and when the voice mail answers, press 2 for the Mass and Confession Schedule. If you have an emergency, please listen to the prompts and press the number of the priest you wish to speak with and you will be connected to his private line and voice mail. I hope you agree that our staff deserves this extra day and I apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
Parish Registration Night
Our first Parish Registration Night went very well. There were 17 people present and every family signed up to become members. One person wrote “I look forward to having our son’s Baptism at St. Paul Church. We felt so welcome at registration night. St. Paul has such a warm and welcoming family, I could not imagine a more friendly community.” I want to thank the Pastoral Council for organizing this excellent initiative.
It's time to put the bags down.
As you can see from the parish schedule, the Lenten Confessions for our parish community will be next Monday at 7:00 PM. We don't care how big you think your sins are and we don't care how long it has been since you went to confession. All we want is for you to experience God's mercy and God's forgiveness. Lots of us carry baggage from the past. It's time to put the bags down and rest. One of the most beautiful gifts that God has given us is the ability to ask for and receive forgiveness. Why not make confession a part of your life again. Don't worry if you can't remember how to go to confession, the priest will help you. Please consider going to confession. Your friars are praying for you.
A special thank you to our teenagers
Last Tuesday we had an evening of reconciliation for our young people. There are those who would say the numbers were light. I don’t believe that for a second. I would have been pleased if even one of our young people came to confession and there were many more than that. To be honest, the friars don't get much of a chance to see our young adults. They work, are immersed in relationships, they play sports, act in plays and do tons of other things. Their lives are so full. Sometimes they even study on occasion. To have a chance to sit with them and listen to them and encourage them and forgive them their sins is a wonderful privilege indeed.
Hmm Not Many Takers...
We are still looking for some men of the parish to help with the friary bathroom repairs. We specifically need volunteers to help remove the tile and fixtures so that the contractors can come in and do the needed repairs. If you can help, please call the parish office 860-828-0331 or email Fr. Robert at [email protected].
A word or two about our principal search.
As you know from past articles in the bulletin (March 27th), we have already begun our search for a Principal for next year. The Search committee has reviewed many applications and has already chosen those to be interviewed in the first round. There was a wonderful consensus in the process and I am very pleased at how things are moving ahead. In an effort to include as many constituencies in the selection of our next Principal, last week members of the search committee met with the Faculty and Staff. In their meeting they discussed the qualities they hoped to find in the next Principal at St. Paul School. In the evening the search committee met with parents to give them the same opportunity. The people on the committee have been working very hard on this very important task. They have very generous hearts.