News and Announcements
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May 20 Event
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In the Easter Season
- Will There Be Beer in Heaven? Come join us for dinner, drinks, and a discussion about the resurrected and glorified body at Scotch Hill Brewery in Fair Haven. Easter Wednesday, 4/20/22, 6:00 pm. Dinner is covered, drinks are on you. Sign-up sheets are in the back.
- Short Stories, Poems, and Community- on the rectory porch after Sunday Vespers. Begins Easter Sunday. Bring whatever snacks you'd like to share. We'll start with Oscar Wilde's story "The Happy Prince."
- Please note the daily Mass schedule during the Octave of Easter- Mass on Monday morning is in the evening and there is also an evening Mass on Wednesday.
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Holy Week in Our Parishes
Palm Sunday - normal Sunday schedule
Holy Monday - 8:00 am SJB
Holy Tuesday - 8:00 am OLSD/ Chrism Mass in Burlington at 11:00 am
Spy Wednesday - 8:00 am SJB
Maundy Thursday (4/14) -
Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper, 6:00 pm at OLSD
Stripping of the Altars
Adoration at the Altar of Repose until Midnight
Compline at 11:45 pm
Good Friday (4/15) -
Morning Prayers at 7:00 am
Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion - 2:00 pm at OLSD
Stations of the Cross - 6:00 pm at OLSD
Holy Saturday (4/16) -
Morning Prayers at 7:00 am
Solemn Easter Vigil - 8:00 pm at OLSD
Easter Sunday (4/17) -
9:00 am Mass at SJB
11:00 am Mass at SP
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Lent in Our Parishes
Ash Wednesday (March 2nd):
Holy Mass with Distribution of Ashes: St. John the Baptist at 8:00 am
Distribution of Ashes Services: Our Lady of Seven Dolors at 7:00 am
St. Paul's at 6:00 pm
Stations of the Cross- All Fridays of Lent:
St. Paul's- 6:00 pm, confessions at 5:00 pm
Castleton/Fair Haven- 7:30 pm, confessions following
Lenten Mission:
Fr. Peter Gautsch of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) will be preaching a Lenten Mission for our parishes from Sunday, March 6th - Wednesday, March 9th at the Church of Our Lady of Seven Dolors. The four conferences will be preached at 7:00 pm. Holy Mass will be offered beforehand at 6:30 pm. Adoration and Confessions will follow each conference.
Night Prayer (Compline) by Candlelight:
Wednesdays of Lent at Our Lady of Seven Dolors.
Compline at 8:00 pm, confessions available afterwards
Saturday Morning Mass- 8:00 am at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, all Saturdays of Lent
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Various Announcements for February
- Wednesday, February 2nd- The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord- 8:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, beginning with a blessing of candles and candlelit procession. Feel free to bring candles to have blessed.
-Thursday, February 3rd- The Feast of St. Blaise- blessing of throats after the 8:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Seven Dolors. This blessing will also be available upon request all day!
-There are no daily Masses from Monday, February 7th through Friday, February 11th, as Fr. Chalifoux will be away on retreat, returning Friday evening.
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Various Announcements for January
- Epiphany House Blessings and Chalking of Doors- please call the rectory to schedule a time for Fr. Chalifoux to come and bless your home for the new year.
-Epiphany Water, blessed on the vigil of Epiphany, is available in the back of our churches. You are most welcome to take some home for your private devotional use.
-Catecheses resume on Tuesday the 11th and Thursday the 13th.
-Religious Education classes resume on Saturday the 14th at 5:15 pm.
-There will be no public Mass on Tuesday, January 18th.
-Fr. Chalifoux will be away on retreat at the beginning of February. There will be no public daily Masses on February 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11. Fr. will be back for the weekend Masses of February 12th and 13th.
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The Octave of Christmas
Wednesday, December 29th-
Vespers at OLSD, in honor of St. Thomas Becket who was martyred during Vespers on this date in 1162, followed by Christmas Caroling in the town green. Please dress warmly!
Friday, December 31st-
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 10:00 pm until 12:30 am at OLSD
The Te Deum will be chanted at 11:30 pm
The Veni, Creator Spiritus will be chanted at 12:15 am
A plenary indulgence is attached to both of those prayers, under the usual conditions
Light refreshments will be available in the rectory after Benediction at 12:30
Saturday, January 1st- Mary, Mother of God
Holy Mass at 8:00 am at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Fair Haven
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Upcoming Events:
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service- St. Paul's, Orwell; Tuesday, November 23rd; 7:00 pm
St. John the Baptist Altar Society Bazaar- Saturday, November 20th, 9 am - 2 pm, bake sale and tag sale
Our Lady of Seven Dolors Christmas Bazaar- Friday, December 3rd, 12pm-7pm; Saturday, December 4th, 10am-2pm
OLSD Thrift Store will be closing for the season after the Christmas Bazaar.
St. Paul's Christmas Basket Raffle- tickets are available for purchase in the back of the Church
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Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve:
4:00 pm Mass at St. John the Baptist, Castleton
preceded by a Christmas Pageant at 3:30 pm
Midnight Mass- St. Raphael's, Poultney
Christmas Morning:
8:00 am Mass at St Paul's, Orwell
10:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Fair Haven
Sunday, December 26th: The Holy Family
9:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Fair Haven
11:00 am Mass at St. Paul's, Orwell
5:30 pm Mass at St. John the Baptist, Castleton
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Advent in our Parishes
Please note the following additions to our schedule during Advent:
• 6:30 am candlelit Mass at OLSD on Saturdays, December 4th, 11th, and 18th. Feel free to bring your own candle!
• Extra Confessions, Friday evenings, 7:00 - 8:00 pm OLSD, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th
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Important Announcement
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Solemnity of Christ the King
One may gain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, by publicly reciting the Act of Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Sunday, November 21st.
The consecration, written by Pope Pius XI, will be recited after Vespers at 4:00 pm. Please join us in praying Vespers and offering our homage to the King of Kings!
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Catecheses Schedule
Each week Fr. Chalifoux will offer 20-25 minute catecheses on the doctrines of the faith. During the month of November, we will study The Last Rites of the Church and Preparation for Death.
St. Paul's, Orwell- Sundays after Mass- November 7, 13, 20, 27
St. John the Baptist, Castleton- Thursdays, 7:30 pm- November 4, 11, 18
Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Fair Haven- Tuesdays, after Mass- November 2, 9, 16, 23
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Indulgences for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Plenary indulgences are granted (under the usual conditions) to the faithful who:
-on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed (indulgence applicable only to the Poor Souls). This has been extended this year to any eight days of the month of November.
-on All Souls' Day, devoutly visit a church and recite an Our Father and the Creed (indulgence applicable only to the Poor Souls)
-requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence: detachment from all sin, sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the Pope's intentions, and completion of the indulgenced act--Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.--
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All Saints and All Souls
All Saints Day (Monday, November 1):
Mass at 8:00 am, St. John the Baptist
Mass at 5:30 pm, Our Lady of Seven Dolors
All Souls Day (Tuesday, November 2):
Mass at 8:00 am, Our Lady of Seven Dolors
Mass at 12:15 pm, St. Paul's
Mass at 5:30 pm, St. John the Baptist
After each of the Masses on Tuesday we will visit the nearby cemetery to pray for the faithful departed. A brief catechesis will precede the cemetery visit in Fair Haven.
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Catecheses Schedule
Each week Fr. Chalifoux will offer 20-25 minute catecheses on the doctrines of the faith. During the month of October, we will consider the subjects of Original Sin and Justification. These will begin on October 10th.
St. Paul's, Orwell- Sundays after Mass: Oct. 10, 17, 24
Our Lady of Seven Dolors, Fair Haven- Tuesdays after morning Mass: Oct. 14, 21, 28
St. John the Baptist, Castleton- Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Oct. 12, 19, 26
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The Holy Rosary
2021 PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY RALLY
Our nation is in great need of public prayer, repentance and conversion. We ask God to save and bless America through the Rosary of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. Please join us in praying for our nation on October 16th, 2021 at 12:00 noon. Our Public Square Rosary Rally will take place in the OLSD church parking lot. Please bring your own chairs if you'd like one. For more information, please contact Cherin Swinington (802) 287-1722.
ROSARY FOR LIFE
The Rosary will be prayed after Holy Mass on Thursday mornings. Please stay with us to ask our Lady to intercede powerfully for the defense of life from the moment of conception until natural death.
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Forty Days for Life
The 2021 Autumn Prayer Vigil begins September 22nd and continues through October 31st, 6 am to 5 pm every day, on the sidewalk across the street from Planned Parenthood in Rutland.
If you are interested in praying with Father Chalifoux and other parishioners outside of the abortion clinic, please join them for the Rosary every Tuesday morning at 9:45 am.
More information can be found in the back of the Church or at 40daysforlife.com/Rutland.
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Women's Bible Study
All ladies of the parishes are invited to a Walking With Purpose Bible Study entitled "Opening Your Heart." We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7 pm to 8:15 pm at St. Mary's School. The substantial study book is discounted to $20. Please call Mary Alice Patten at 785-456-5258 or 802-265-8385 to order a book as soon as possible and with any questions. Please also invite a friend! For more info: walkingwithpurpose.com
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Fundraising Opportunities
Bottle Drive
Please remember that the bottle drive to raise funds for the foundation work at the Church continues at Liberty Street Market. We thank Dawn O'Neil for her generous assistance. This is a wonderful way to contribute to this important cause and we sincerely thank all those who participate!
Quilt Raffle
Mrs. Pat Dollar is generously raffling off a beautiful homemade bear paw quilt to raise funds for the fuel collection at Our Lady of Seven Dolors. Tickets are $1 or six tickets for $5. The drawing will take place on December 4, 2021.
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Women's Retreat
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, SHELBURNE
How's your prayer life? Sister Barbara Cline, of the Fransciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, will share how prayer brings us into closer relationship with God and the different forms of prayer. As there will be a limited number of attendees, the deadline for registration is November 6, with a $30 payment. For the registration link, please contact Terri McCormack at tmccormack@vermontcatholic.org or (802) 658-6110, Ext. 1451. Learn more: vermontcatholic.org/event/womens-retreat
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Blessing of Animals
In honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of Secular Franciscans are sponsoring the annual blessing of pets. Fr. Chalifoux will be happy to bless your animals on Sunday, October 3rd in the yard in front of the rectory. The blessing will be at 2:00 pm.
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Homilies
Please note that audio recordings of Fr. Chalifoux's homilies are now available on the parish website. Simply click on the "Homilies" link at the top of the page to find them.
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Holy Water
In the back of each Church, Holy Water is available in the large dispensers. There are also small bottles available there, so you are always welcome to take some Holy Water home with you.
"From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again... I often reflect on the great importance of everything ordained by the Church and it makes me very happy to find that those words of the Church are so powerful that they impart their power to the water and make it so very different from water which has not been blessed."
~St. Teresa of Avila
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Patronal Feast Day- September 15th
Please note the following regarding September 15th, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows:
-There will be a quiet Mass at 8:00 am at Our Lady of Seven Dolors.
-In the evening, there will be a solemn sung Mass at 5:30 pm at Our Lady of Seven Dolors followed by a Marian Procession around the Village Green.
-After the procession, there will be a potluck dinner in the parish hall, where the drawing for the Raffle will take place.
-There is a plenary indulgence offered, under the usual conditions, to all those who visit the Church of Our Lady of Seven Dolors on Wednesday, September 15th, and recite the Creed and the Our Father. The usual conditons to gain an indulgence are sacramental Confession within one week, reception of Holy Communion within one week, detachment from all sin, and prayers for the Pope's intentions.
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Sunday, July 18th:Collections and Vespers
Please note that the practice of taking up a collection during the Offertory will resume the weekend of Sunday, July 18th. We are most grateful for your generous support of our parishes!
Beginning this Sunday, July 18th, Vespers of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be prayed in the Church of Our Lady of Seven Dolors every Sunday at 4:00 pm. It will conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Come, join us in prayer, and learn more about this beautiful part of the Church's liturgy!
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Weekly Schedule Changes
Please note that henceforth, there will be no publicly scheduled Mass on Wednesdays. Fr. Chalifoux will be offering Mass privately on that day.
Beginning the week of Sunday, July 18th, all daily Masses will be offered at 8:00 am, both in Fair Haven and in Castleton. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we also hope this will prove helpful to those who might like to go to Mass before getting to work.
Holy Mass will be offered on the first Saturdays of every month, beginning in August, at 8:00 am at the Church of Our Lady of Seven Dolors.
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Mass Intentions
Please note that all Mass intentions are now being scheduled at the rectory in Fair Haven. Please call or visit Fr. Chalifoux at the rectory to request a Mass intention.
Please pray for the sick and homebound of our parish communities.
Please pray for the souls of the faithful departed, especially those who have recently died or who have anniversaries at this time. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
If you would like a name added to the above lists in the bulletin, please contact the rectory or parish office. These lists will be updated every several weeks.
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Bishop Coyne Reinstates the Sunday Obligation
I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord:
That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works.
I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth.
[Psalm 25]
Dear parishioners, please note that beginning the weekend of July 3rd and 4th, Bishop Coyne is reinstating the solemn obligation to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. I will preach about this update during the Masses this weekend but I sincerely ask for your assistance in alerting your friends and family to this news. Beginning that weekend, all baptized persons who have reached the age of reason are obliged under penalty of serious sin to assist at Holy Mass on all Sundays and holy days, apart from circumstances of moral or physical impossibility. Far from seeing this as simply another duty to fulfill, we rejoice at this announcement from our Bishop and we ought to courageously remind all of our fellow Catholics about the great gift it is to worship God each week in spirit and in truth.
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