SATURDAY EVENING

The SANCTUARY LAMP burns this week in memory of Dick Carroll and Rob Carroll at the request of Nick and Peg Urbano

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; Let Your perpetual light shine upon them forever.

PRE-BAPTISM CLASSES – Baptism classes help prepare first time parents (and others) for bringing their child up in the faith. Classes are held on the last Tuesday of each month, with few exceptions. The next class is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, at 7:00 PM in the Church Hall. Parents or soon-to-be-parents MUST BE REGISTERED MEMBERS OF HOLY TRINITY PARISH. Those wishing to attend a Tuesday class must call the rectory to register, 269-8791.

YOUTH GROUP will be in the Parish Center on Sunday, February 18 from 7-8:30 PM. The meeting will be preceded with a Mount 2000 Reunion Gathering from 5:15-7:00 PM.

ARE YOU A BAPTIZED CATHOLIC OVER THE AGE OF 18 WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION? Classes will be held 6 Thursday evenings at St. Joan of Arc Parish Center , 450 West Todd Street , Hamden . The dates are March 29, April 12, 19, 26, May 3 and 10 from 7 to 9 PM. The Confirmation Mass will be celebrated on May 21, 2007 at St. Joseph Cathedral Hartford. Don’t let this opportunity to encounter the Holy Spirit in a very special way pass you by! There is a $15 fee for books. Applications are available in the rectory office, and when completed must be approved and signed by Fr. Gary. Baptism and sponsor certificates will be needed along with the completed application.

Ava Lynn Fernicola, MaKenna Clare Fitzgerald, Isaac Martin Flood, Ronan Thomas Liu, Dominic Daniel Martinez, Anthony Kenneth Martorelli, Jason Tyler Newberry, and Brooke Catherine Patrissi.

JOIN THE CHRISTIANS IN ACTION COMMITTEE for their next meeting on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 PM in the Church Hall. If you would like to contribute to the collection for St. Francis Home for Children’s project, but can’t make the meeting, please drop off your donation at the rectory during office hours. St. Francis Home needs the following NEW items for the participants in the program: Walmart gift cards; irons, glassware, pots & pans, laundry baskets, hampers, tool sets, first aid kits, blankets, mixers, sewing kits, silverware, toasters, dish sets, baking sets, queen-size sheet sets, and standard pillows.

“NEW DAY” / OUR PARISH BEREVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP will get together on Wednesday, February 21. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM at the Parish Center . If you are experiencing the loss of a loved one, who has passed away recently, or even years ago, please join us in prayer and consolation. Call Eva Colon 294-9398, or Chick Kelman, 265-4546 for more information about the group.

Ash Wednesday, February 21, begins the Lenten Season. Masses will be celebrated at: 8:30 AM; 12:05 PM; 5:30 PM, and 7:00 PM in Spanish. Ash Wednesday is a day of Fast and Abstinence.

DAILY MASSES DURING LENT: Monday –Friday 8:30 Am and 12:05 PM (No 12:05 PM on Saturday)

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confession): Saturdays at 2:00 PM in the church

LENTEN REGULATIONS

Lent is the penitential season of the Church’s year. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. Lent has six Sundays. The sixth being call passion or Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. Listed below are the Lenten Regulations for 2007.

ASH WEDNESDAY (February 21) AND GOOD FRIDAY (April 6) are days of Fast and complete Abstinence from meat. There is a limit of one full meal on these days for all between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive.

DAYS OF ABSTINENCE: (ALL FRIDAYS IN LENT) – All who have reached their 14^th year are bound to abstain totally from meat on the Fridays of Lent.

EASTER DUTY OBLIGATION – All Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion, are bound by obligation of receiving Holy Communion at least once a year, preferably during the Easter Season. Catholics are also bound to confess their sins at least once a year, but this is not limited to the Lenten/Easter Season.

Traditionally the Lenten Season is a time of penance throughout the Catholic Church. Lent is a season in which prayer, the reception of the sacraments, charity and almsgiving are to be emphasized in the life of each Catholic.

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP will meet with Father Jeff in the Church from 7-8:30 PM on Monday, February 19^th. Everyone is invited to join in prayer. Upcoming dates are March 19, April 16, May 21, and June 18.

RECTORY OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Monday, February 19 in observance of President’s Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday, February 20at 9:00 AM.

SELLING A HANDICAPPED VAN? We have several parishioners interested in finding used handicapped vans (one for a child and one for an adult). If you know of some who is willing to sell, please call the rectory at 269-8791.

LENTEN PR0-LIFE PRAYER BEING OFFERED BY “PRIESTS FOR LIFE” (Please join in prayer with the “Priests for Life” and recite this prayer daily during the Lenten season in your home) Father of all mercy, we thank you for this season of grace and light. We know that sin has blinded us. Draw us ever closer to you, in prayer and penance. Give all your people a clearer understanding of the profound dignity of every human life, including the children in the womb. As we prepare to celebrate the death and Resurrection of Christ, strengthen our joy in the fact that life has already conquered death. As we prepare to renew the promises of our own baptism this Easter, grant that we may live more faithfully as the children of God and the People of Life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE LORD CALLS US TO BE MERCIFUL AS OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL. The Lord calls us to do God’s will. Pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life. If you feel God is calling you, call Father Al Fontana at the Archdiocesan Vocation Office, St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield , CT at 1-800-286-7670 or visit the web at www.vocationshartford.org.

PRESIDENT’S DAY BLOOD DRIVE (sponsored by the Most Holy Trinity Christians In Action Committee and the American Red Cross) will be held in the Church Hall on Monday, February 19 from 1:00-6:00 PM. As we begin this season of Lent we remember that Jesus shed His blood for us so that we may have Eternal Life… we hope that you will be able to make a donation of blood for others who are in great need of health and bodily strength. Give others the Gift of Life by making an appointment with the Red Cross by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE. Thank you!!!

CHOWDER POT FRIDAYS will take place on Fridays, during Lent beginning Friday. February 23, at 12:35 PM (following the 12:05 PM Mass) Gene Riotte, this year’s Chowder Pot Chair, and the Christians In Action Committee members invite everyone to spend this time enjoying a FREE warm delicious lunch (Clam Chowder; and Cream of Broccoli or Tomato soup; crackers, bread and butter and beverage and dessert) and the company of some great people. This has become an annual tradition in the parish. Make it a weekly Lenten mini-retreat of Mass and lunch. SEE YOU THERE!

NEW ARCHDIOCESAN DIACONATE CLASS TO BEGIN IN THE FALL – REGISTER BY MARCH 7 !The Archdiocesan Office of Diaconate Formation is now preparing to admit a new class of candidates for the Diaconate in the fall of 2007. Any Catholic man between the ages of 35-60 who may be interested in the Permanent Diaconate is encouraged to speak to Father Gary or Deacon Gene. Two inquiry sessions will be held at Sacred Heart Church , in Bloomfield ( 26 Wintonbury Avenue ) on Sunday, March 11, and Sunday, March 25 from 2:00-4:00 PM. Both sessions must be attended, and spouses must also attend. Please call the office at 1-860-843-1448, NO LATER THAN MARCH 7 in order to pre-register.

“PAINTING PARTIES”- BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE invites those who would like to volunteer their time to meet in the church hall between the hours of 6:00 and 9:00 PM on any, or all of the following dates: Tuesday, February 20; Monday, February 26; Wednesday, February 28; Thursday, March 1; Monday, March 5 and Thursday, March 8. Anyone having any questions is asked to call Marty Cassella, 269-1913 or Bob Selmecki, 269-1389. At the end of each scheduled “painting party” a light supper (soup, sandwiches, pasta, stew, etc.) is served to the workers. Anyone wishing to prepare and serve something is asked to please call Judy Cassella, 269-1913, for available dates.

MAY 5, 2007 AT ZANDRI’S STILLWOOD INN 6:30 – 11:30 PM DINNER – DANCING – RAFFLE

Make your pledge of $50 per person and enjoy a fun-filled evening, while contributing to the education of a young mind. Talk to your friends and make up a table! To obtain a pledge card, call the Religious Education Office at 265-6300.

LADIES, DEEPEN YOUR EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST’S PASSION THIS LENTEN SEASON. Please join us for a Lenten Gospel Reflection on Thursday evenings beginning March 1 for four consecutive weeks. The group will meet at the Parish Center from 7-8 PM. Suggested donation of $10 per person to pay for materials. Invite a friend and then please register by calling Michele Desjardins 679-0437 or Heather Voccola 949-1894. Hope to see you there!

ANNUAL ZITI FUNDRAISER (hosted by the Hospitality Committee) will benefit St. Francis Home for Children this year. The Dinner will be served on Wednesday, March 7^th in the Church Hall from 6-7:30 PM. Tickets will be on sale after Masses: $5 for adults and $2 for children 4-19 (children 3 and under are free). Tickets can also be purchased at the rectory during office hours.

ARTS & CRAFTS WORKSHOPS FOR THE BAZAAR COUNTRY STORE will take place on Monday, February 26 in the Church Hall; or IN YOUR OWN HOME should you want to work at home. If you can sew, cut, glue, etc, then your help is needed. Call Donna Mierjewski, Coordinator, at 265-0881. Anyone who has any ideas for crafts that can be made and sold at the bazaar is asked to please bring a sample to the workshop.

TRINITY LADIES CLUB will meet on Thursday, February 22, 7:00 PM in the church hall for a very informative business meeting. Remember… new members are always welcome, so why not invite a friend???

Following the meeting everyone is invited by FATHER GARY to join him in church for a LENTEN SERVICE. In preparation for our journey through Lent, Father will encourage us to “spiritually” cleanse ourselves so that we may properly celebrate the Promise of the Risen Christ. All members will proceed back down to the hall where a video entitled “A Piece of My Mind” starring comedian, Chonda Pierce, will be shown. Refreshments will be served.

REMINDER!!! On Thursday, March 22 Carolyn Massoni will host a Military Whist. Tickets are limited to 40 and will be available at the meeting on a first-come, first-serve basis. Donation: $ 4.00 members; $ 5.00 non-members. Tickets will not be available prior to the March 22 meeting.

First payment along with participant’s name, address and phone number will be due on: Saturday, March 3, 2007

For complete details call or stop by the rectory during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Please call Peggy and Nick Urbano at 630-9620 to make reservations for a table of 10 or sign-up individually to attend this gala event; or if you have any questions.

RALLY FOR MARRIAGE

On Wednesday, February 21, please attend the Rally for Marriage at 10:00 AM on the steps of the State Capitol sponsored by the Family Institute of Connecticut . This is an opportunity to show your support of marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman. Please come and invite others to join you. For more information, contact the FIC web site: http://www.ctfamily.org/