Community Events

Updated Weekly	Enrich your relationship by attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend.  Upcoming weekends are September 19 – 21 and November 7 – 9, 2008.  For more info, contact Joe and Jane Staszowski at 860-644-7260 or meweekend@gmail.com or visit www.wwme.org.   Celebrating Life, a concert to benefit the Thomas Merton Family Center, Bridgeport and the Malta House of Good Counsel, Norwalk, will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 19 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Stamford.  For ticket info, please call 203/857-0088, ext. 18.
FR. MC KENNA ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY	The Father McKenna/St. Vincent de Paul Society is in need of grocery gift cards for their Christmas baskets.  Gift cards may be dropped off at its store (237 Roosevelt Drive, Derby) The food pantry at the Spooner House will be supplying needy families with a basket of non-perishable food and a frozen turkey at Christmas.  Donations may be dropped off at Spooner House (119 Caroline Street, Derby) or placed in the box in the back of our church.
BIRTHRIGHT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS	Birthright needs a special someone…YOU!  Would like to help offer pregnant women the alternative to abortion?  Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service staffed by volunteers dedicated to helping pregnant women in crisis.  Our guiding principle is:  “It is the RIGHT of every pregnant woman to give BIRTH and the RIGHT of every child to be BORN.”  Birthright is located in Derby.  If you would like to volunteer, please call 734-6545.
CATHOLIC PRAYER BOOK FOR MOTHERS	Encouraged by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, “Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers,” by local author, Donna Cooper O’Boyle is available at local book stores.  A signed copy is available through the author’s website www.donnacooperoboyle.com. or by sending $9.95 which includes shipping to:  P.O. Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776.
CATHOLIC NETWORKING GROUP	The Catholic Networking Group is for Catholics in Connecticut in their 20s, 30s and 40s, married or single, who want to participate in spiritual, social and volunteer activities.  Membership is free.  For more info, please call Callista Gould at 637-3731 or email callista@intertechmedia.com.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST	Can you donate a couple of hours a month on a Monday or Friday??  The Pastoral Care Office of St. Joseph Church is looking for additional volunteers to assist at a monthly Mass or to distribute Communion and recite the Rosary weekly.  Mass is celebrated in the afternoon, on the second Monday at Hewitt Health Care and the fourth Monday at Shelton Lakes.  Recitation of the Rosary and distribution of Communion is held Monday mornings at Hewitt Health Care and Friday mornings at Shelton Lakes Health Care.  If you can help, please call the Pastoral Care Office (924-7885) on Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-12 noon.
THE CATHOLIC NETWORKING GROUP	The Catholic Networking Group, based in Connecticut, is for Catholics in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, married or single, who would like to participate in social, spiritual or community service activities.  The group affords a wonderful opportunity to network with other Catholics and encourages members to be active in their parishes.  To get on our regular email list, contact Callista Gould at Callista@intertechmedia.com or visit our website at www.catholicnetworkinggroup.com.
TRAVELING MERCIES	So often we pray for God’s protection as we head out for vacation. Are we really relying on Him for anything? We’ve tried to prepare for planned activities and emergencies. Often the only space left for God to affect our travels is when accidents don’t happen. Perhaps there is a lesson to learn from the disciples as Jesus sent them out. With empty pockets and only a walking stick, these early believers put total faith in God’s ability to provide. They truly knew the meaning of “traveling mercies” dependent on Him for their very survival. And although today’s Christian travelers wouldn’t consider leaving our credit cards or suitcases behind, the question still stands:  What are we depending on Him for?
COMPASSION FRIENDS SUPPORT GROUP	Compassionate Friends is a support group for bereaved parents which provides the setting to share one’s feelings of fear, anger, and pain after the death of a child.  For more info, please call the Family Life Office at the Catholic Center (372-4301, ext. 314).
ST. ANTHONY’S BOOK & GIFT SHOP	St. Anthony’s Book & Gift Shop, Seymour has moved around the corner to a new location, 131 Main Street, (the old Jerry’s Meat Market), effective July 17. Hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed Wednesday and Sunday). For more information, please call 888-3390.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY CATHOLIC	Every Catholic household in the Diocese of Bridgeport is entitled to receive a free subscription of the Fairfield County Catholic, the official newspaper of the Diocese. If you are not receiving the newspaper in the mail each month, please call 203/372-4301 ext. 452 or email your name and address to www.fccatholic@snet.net.
MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS	Mercy Volunteer Corps is a program sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy for women and men over 21. It offers the opportunity to give a year or two of direct service to people in need while living in a prayerful community. Volunteer opportunities include teaching, nursing, working in homeless shelters and social service agencies in urban or rural settings. Room and board, medical insurance and a small stipend are provided. Student loan deferments are available. For an application or for more information, please call 860/232-8602, ext. 309 or 362.
CONNECTICUT HOSPICE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES	Connecticut Hospice is seeking volunteers in several areas. If you would like more info about how you can help with administrative tasks, as a friendly visitor, with the arts or by helping with transportation needs, please call Diane Bell, volunteer coordinator (944-0900 or leave a message at 1-888-600-7423, ext. 530.
UMBRELLA "ADOPT A CHILD" PROGRAM	The Umbrella, Birmingham Group Health Services’ program for abused woman and children, is sponsoring their "back-to-school adopt-a-child" program again this year. Through this program, you can make a difference in the life of a child by helping a boy or girl affected by domestic violence start the school year on a positive note. Individuals and/or families "adopt" a child and provide them with a "head-to-toe" outfit, coat and a backpack filled with school supplies. Or, a cash donation can be made for the Umbrella to shop for a child. For more info about the program, please call Arlene Greco (736-2601; ext 321).