PALMS AMID THE PANDEMIC
Palms are available at the Parish Center (180 Laurel Street), Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 12 pm.
Please call before coming in (860) 582-8169.
A message from Father Fontana:
Dear Parishioners of St. Francis de Sales:
As I write this I feel great sadness that Masses have been cancelled until at least April 30th. During Lent we are asked to do penance and fast from ordinary food. Because of the Covid-19 (Corona) Virus, the Catholic lay faithful now must fast from the food of Eternal Life, the Eucharist. The Church is a good mother and for our safety She asks us to refrain from worshiping as a community until this crisis has ended. This is difficult for the faithful and difficult for me too because I miss my parish family. I pray with great urgency that this tragedy will end soon. At the same time I pray that it ultimately brings about a renewal in the Church and greater appreciation of the sacraments especially the Eucharist. Please know that I will be celebrating Mass alone everyday for you. It is not the same without you but the Mass is foremost about the sacrifice of Jesus and that gives me comfort.
The Corona Virus has taken its toll on the world in so many ways. Many people have lost their jobs and as a result their income has been drastically diminished or they have no income at all. This is such a great stress on families. My prayers go out to them. Still others have been blessed to retain employment and income. If your situation allows you I implore you to help those in need especially those closest to you. Be generous with God’s gifts! I implore you as well to please remember your Parish. I ask that, to the extent that you are not adversely affected materially by the pandemic, you not forget the needs of your parish and the wider church so that we can fulfill our obligations to pay our employees, to maintain our facilities, and to carry out our mission. With the cancellation of weekend Masses, the parish is no longer able to rely on weekly envelopes of its parishioners. Many other religious organizations are no doubt experiencing something similar, and all will rely on their supporters not to forget to continue their support during this time.
One simple and very effective way of contributing to the parish is through our Online Giving Program. This is a safe and secure way of contributing to our parish from anywhere at any time. To contribute online please click the link “Giving to St. Francis de Sales”. However, if you wish to mail your contribution to the parish, please use your church envelopes and mail them directly to us at: “St. Francis de Sales Parish, 180 Laurel Street, Bristol, CT 06010”.
As we go forward as a family of faith let us storm heaven with our prayers and ask our Patron St. Francis de Sales to intercede for an end to the Corona Virus. Please know that I will be praying for you and I look forward to the day when we can be together again soon.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Reverend Alphonso Fontana, Pastor
*DUE TO THE COVID19, The Parish Office is closed. If you need assistance, please call (860) 582-8169 between 8 am and 12 pm. Sorry for the inconvenience.*
Coronavirus Updates for St. Francis de Sales Parish:
In light of directives from the State of Connecticut and the Archdiocese of Hartford, St. Francis de Sales Parish is announcing the following:
*Confessions are now cancelled.
Weekday and weekend Masses have been suspended through April 30th.
Stations of the Cross and Eucharistic Adoration have been cancelled.
*The Mother Theresa Food Pantry will be closed until further notice.
Father Fontana will celebrate Holy Mass alone during this time and will honor any Mass intentions. So please be assured that the Holy Mass is still being offered here at St. Francis de Sales Parish, so we can all be united spiritually as a community.
Both St. Anthony and St. Ann Churches will be open during the following hours for private prayer only: DAILY – 3 pm to 5 pm
Lastly, please note that Mass is broadcast each day on EWTN, and also at 10 am daily on ORTV.
We understand this is a very difficult time for our parish and the situation remains very fluid, so we will continue to keep you updated.
* Please see the link below from the City of Bristol if you are in need of social services or other support during this Coronavirus public health emergency:
PARISH FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2019:
