A Word on the Word for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2007

To listen click here.

Peace be with you. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA. Our pastor is Father Angelo Arrando. We have the Homily, plus news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican. Then we stand at the Crossroad, where generations meet, to reflect on the Word. We are so glad you could join us today.

This week please pray for Jean V., Virginia L., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists, the miners in Utah and all sick and deceased members of the parish. At the Crossroad, An Unsettling Truth. Our prayer this week is for THE PASTORAL PLAN.


The readings for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time are from Jeremiah, the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel according to Luke. But now here is Father Angelo...

• Hang in there.
• Today's readings hold a unique challenge, a challenge that is difficult to live.
• Jesus' message brings division among the listeners.
• Jesus came to bring peace but His message also brings division.
• Our world is: us and them
• In the end the message will bring unity
• God is Father to all of us.
• God loves us all the same.
• The divisions that humanity makes, keeps us apart.
• We are all priests of Jesus Christ.
• The task of Priesthood is to build a bridge between God and Humanity.
• Lord hear 'OUR' prayer.

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut August 19, 2007 Noon Mass. Thank you Fr. Angelo.


Announcements from the bulletin.

THANK YOU
The Dominican Sisters would like to extend their sincere thanks to the parishioners of St. Gregory’s for their generosity at the Bake Sale. Your donations will help them to buy many medical supplies for the leper community, which is their mission.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
We are again asking donations for LIGHTING and BATHROOM fixtures for a home being built in Danbury.
This weekend, August 18th and 19th there will be Housatonic Habitat for Humanity volunteers outside St. Gregory’s after Mass accepting donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

NEWS ALERT...
St. Gregory’s attic treasures returns to our winter craft fair on November 9 & 10! Why not do a fall clean-up and donate your discards to us. If you are an avid tag saler, make a donation so you can replenish by shopping at our booth! The times to Donate: clean items, in good condition are detailed in the bulletin. Sorry, donations will not be accepted after these times, so click on our link to set dates on your calendar. No damaged items, no furniture, and no exercise equipment please. Your support will be gratefully appreciated!

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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us at and we will forward your request.
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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...


We come to the Crossroad and find The Lord came to the aid of Jeremiah whose preaching brought him rejection and ill-treatment. For those who take the gospel seriously, misunderstanding and division must likewise be expected. So we ask Adults & Teens: When have I taken a strong stand on a moral issue that created division rather than healing in the short term? And Children: Is it important to do the right thing even if others are angry as a result? Why or why not?

Today’s gospel reading will most likely leave all of us feeling a bit uncomfortable. As Jesus gave His disciples some final instructions, they are realizing that discipleship is becoming a stormy affair. Conflict was reaching into families. Christians need to be fortified to remain strong and assert their priorities and we can be fortified by each other.
The peace that Jesus brings is not peace as we usually understand it. Peace means different things to different people and in different times. To some, peace means that everything is quiet - there are no disturbances - law and order prevail. These may be signs of real peace - yet maybe not. Underneath the surface tranquility, there may be injustice, racism, sexism, ageism, economic exploitation and other kinds of oppression. There may be laws passed to perpetuate violence disguised as respectability. The command to love our neighbor obliges us to protest against mistreatment and to struggle for justice. This can create division.
Our nation is united against terrorism but not in how to overcome it. When millions in our nation go without health insurance, minorities are treated differently by law enforcement, women paid less than men for the same kind of work, unborn children deprived of their right to life, special interest groups allowed to destroy our environment, gentrified neighborhoods leave whole families out on the street - our world is not just.
Jesus asks us to speak out against injustice. When we try to speak out, we are often treated as outsiders or ignored by the powers in our world. We shouldn’t be surprised. Prophets have always been treated this way. What would Jesus say about how we live today? He would certainly see much that is good, but also much that still needs to be done. What can you do to rally others to speak out about the injustice you see around you?


Our music is peace, war and happiness by Rory. Rory was born in 1989 in Rotterdam and arranges and composes his own songs. When he was 17 years old, in order to perform his songs live on stage, he formed a band. They are all members of the "school of art" in Rotterdam. To listen to more check out the PodSafe Music network. Follow the links at our site.


PRAYER FOR THE PASTORAL PLAN

This week our prayer is from Bishop Lori's BLOG, on August 16, 2007.
Father of love,
You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to proclaim the Good News, to redeem us from sin, and to call us to discipleship in Your Church.
Look with love upon Your family of faith in the Diocese of Bridgeport as we implement a Pastoral Plan for Evangelization.
In the power of the Holy Spirit, grant us unity, wisdom, and love so that we may follow in the footsteps of Your Son by bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed.
Grant this through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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Well that's A Word on the Word for Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Thank you for joining us.


A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Bruce and his wife Patti. Please let us know what you think. If you have questions or answers, we want to include your comments. Please drop us a line. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you.

A Word on the Word for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2007

To listen click here.

Peace be With you. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA. Our pastor is Father Angelo Arrando. We have the Homily, plus news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican. Then we stand at the Crossroad, where generations meet, to reflect on the Word. We are so glad you could join us today.

This week please pray for Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. At the Crossroad, The One Who Seeks, Finds. Our prayer this week is from the Parishioners of Saint Gregory the Great.

The readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time are from the book of Genesis, a letter from Saint Paul to the Colossians and the Gospel according to Luke. To hear them click on our link. But now here is Father Raymond Petrucci .

• The act of prayer should be for the coming of the Holy Spirit
• Every person involves the Holy Spirit
• Pray that that Spirit involves us
• The good and the bad coexist but we can be a people of joy because of the Spirit
• The love of God can make a person more than they would be without the Spirit

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut July 29, 2007 noon Mass. Thank you Father Ray.

From the bulletin:


PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN FOR ADULTS
ALL parish and parochial school volunteers are required to attend a training session: “Protecting God’s Children for Adults”. Any interested adult is invited to attend the saint Gregory session; Saturday, September 22, from 9 to 1. It is important that we all learn how to recognize a predator so we may stay alert and take preventative measures to protect our children.
If you currently volunteer or plan to volunteer during the 2007-08 school year as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Choir Member, CROSSROADS team member or a faith formation or parochial school volunteer in any capacity, you MUST take training.
Details are found at the Saint Gregory the Great web site.
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CONFIRMATION, 2007
The sacrament of Confirmation at Saint Gregory the Great will be Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. with Bishop Daniel A. Hart. Keep all of the candidates in your prayers.
If you are new to our parish and wish to enroll your child in our Faith Formation process, please contact Mary Ann at the Office of Faith Formation. Informational brochures are available at the Church entrances.
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"FAMILY DAY," SEPTEMBER 24:
Did you know that eating dinner frequently with your children reduces their risk of substance abuse? Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. The conversations that go hand-in-hand with dinner will help you learn more about your children's lives and better understand the challenges they face. "Family Day," a national effort to promote family dinners, which will be celebrated on Monday, September 24. Please make a special effort to eat together as a family on this day. The symbolic act of regular family meals should be promoted and celebrated inside and outside the home throughout the year.
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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us at our web site and we will forward your request.
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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio


CROSSROADS Opportunities
We come to the Crossroad and find, In bargaining with God, Abraham demonstrates a real persistence in prayer. Jesus invites us to persist in prayer as well - to “ask..seek..knock.”
So we ask Adults & Teens: What are the deepest desires of my heart that I should be pouring out to God in prayer? And Children: What is it that I would like to pray to God for - this week?


This week’s readings are all about the power of prayer. In the first reading, Abraham pleads with God to spare the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the gospel passage, Jesus urges us to ask His Father for what we need and assures us that our prayers will be answered. But what about the times when we don’t get what we asked for?

This is a good question and Jesus doesn’t try to explain it. But Jesus is very clear about what we are supposed to do. He tells us to ask, to search, to keep knocking on the door and He assures us that the door will be opened. So what about the times when we don’t get what we asked for? Those of us who have children know that sometimes they ask for things that are not good for them. That is also true with our requests to God. Every prayer is answered, but perhaps not in the way we expected.

Each day this week take a phrase from The Lord’s Prayer and reflect upon it. Pray this one line several times through the day. At the end of the week, pray the entire prayer and see if there are any new insights from your week-long meditation.
Knock and the door will be opened - but we are not told what is behind the door. The one thing that we do know is that behind the door is a loving, caring God who is faithful, who will never abandon us and who has our best interest at heart. It takes our entire lifetime to discover what it is.


Our music today is from Steffen Coonan, a musician from Ireland. He is a producer of all genres and always open for remixes. This track is found at the posdafe music network. Additional information about Steffen is found at his website.


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Well that's A Word on the Word for Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found right here or the Saint Gregory Home page.
Thank you for joining us.


A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory, Bruce and his wife Patti. Please let us know what you think. If you have questions or answers, we want to include your comments. Please drop us a line at our E-Mail address, on the left. God bless and Peace be With you.

A Word on the Word for the thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary time 2007

To listen click here.

Peace be with you. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA. Our pastor is Father Angelo Arrando. We have the Homily, plus news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican. Then we stand at the Crossroads, where generations meet, to reflect on the Word. We are so glad you could join us today.

This week please pray for James W., Junior, Nicola D., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. The CROSSROADS Opportunity: Getting Our Priorities Straight. Our prayer this week is for Christian Unity.

The readings for the thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary time are from the first book of Kings, the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians and the Gospel according to Luke. To hear them click on our link to the left. But now here is Deacon Bill ...

• Travel in the US is at an all time high
• There are always variables to take into account whenever we travel
• The people in today's readings all encounter changes to their journey
• The call of Gos to all people
• We must put God's priorities first. Leave the past behind us and conform our lives to His values.
• Follow the path less traveled.

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut July 1, 2007, noon Mass. Thank you Deacon Bill.

Announcements from the bulletin

PLEASE NOTE
The Summer Mass schedule for Saint Gregory the Great became effective on Monday, June 11th. We will celebrate ONE daily Mass at 8:00 am during the summer months and the Parish Office will be open from 9:00am - 12 Noon, Monday - Friday.

CARNIVAL NEWS
SAVE THE DATES, July 11 through the 14th.
The Carnival is almost here!! If you are in the Danbury area stop by and have some fun. Rides, games, and lots of food are gathered onto the church grounds for you to enjoy. Check the bulletin for exact times. If you are a parishioner, please return your raffle tickets, so we can reach our goal of $20,000. And we need volunteers to work Wednesday thru Saturday nights and also Saturday afternoon.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Bishop William Lori continues his "blog" to share news, perspectives, and information about the Church directly and frequently. The blog is for everyone with an Internet connection. Simply log on to read the latest post or ask a question. Bishop Lori intends to have a new post each week and answer some questions from previous posts. Please visit and participate in this new way to communicate and share perspectives on our faith!
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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us at and we will forward your request.
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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...
list the segment file names here
1Imigration_00081189.MP3
2ElectionRules_00080895.MP3
3GeneralAudience_00080970.MP3


We come to the Crossroad and find Jesus insists that those who follow Him must abandon all material or physiological securities and walk ever forward without looking back. It is the Lord alone who is to hold our attention. So we ask Adults & Teens: What action can I change this week to become more global in my decision-making process? And Children: What can I do this week to become a stronger follower of Jesus?

In today’s gospel, we encounter a Jesus who rebukes His friends and is uncompromising with those who seek to accompany Him, but first want to tend to prior and valid commitments. This Jesus has clearly made His choice to fulfill His mission and is fully committed to the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. He will not be deterred or even slowed.

We too are faced with making choices and setting priorities that are valid and necessary to our lives and the lives of those we love. When the option is between something that is life-giving and something that is not, the decision is easy. However, when the competing priorities are all good, our decision-making takes on a new complexity.

As followers of Jesus, the proclamation of the Kingdom of God is meant to be central to our lives. It is also our mission. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is at hand. However, is it meant to be a competing force vying for our time, energy or hearts? Or are we challenged to live our lives through the lens of the Kingdom? Do our choices, decisions or priorities help to construct a world where all can experience a taste of the life of the Kingdom, especially the poor and the marginalized?

When we go about our daily lives, do we make decisions based on “what is best for the entire world or universe?” or are decisions based solely on “what is good for me and those I love?”? If each of us, individually and collectively, would think and act more frequently with the entire world in our thoughts, issues like global warming, rain forest disappearances, world hunger, lack of clean water, etc. would get addressed. If this is our priority, then we too can aspire to be fit for the Kingdom of God.

This week we return to the music of Rob Costlow. Music lovers of all ages will find there is nothing more simple, yet complicated and moving as Rob's original piano music. For this track stop by the Podsafe music network. For more about Rob and additional tracks.


This week a prayer for Christian unity.
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Eternal Father, we praise you for sending your Son to be one of us and to save us.
Look upon your people with mercy, for we are divided in so many ways, and give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love.
We ask this gift, loving Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Well that's A Word on the Word for the thirteenth Sunday in ordinary time. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found here.
Thank you for joining us.


A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory, Bruce and his wife Patti. Please let us know what you think. If you have questions or answers, we want to include your comments. Please drop us a line at our e-mail address on the left. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you.

A Word on the Word for the Fifth Sunday of Easter 2007

To listen click here.

Hallelujah. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA. Our pastor is Father Angelo Arrando. We are so glad you could join us today.

This week please pray for Frank D., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. At the Crossroad, Jesus wants us to love one another. Our prayer this week is An Act of Love


The readings for this the Fifth Sunday of Easter 2007 are from the Acts of the Apostles, the book of Revelations and the Gospel according to John. To hear them click on our link to the left. But now here is Father Angelo.

Happy Easter

• Where is Jesus now?
• The risen Christ is in our midst's today.
• You and I are a people who make Jesus present in the here and now in our actions.
• We are part of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
• We are the body of Christ.
• Jesus' presence is a continuing presence in the life of the church.
• "Love one another" is part of what it means to be a Christian.
• You and I don't have to do great things to be great disciples.
• Jesus tell us, "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another."
• The power of love is to know first and foremost that we are loved.

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut May 6, 2007 7:45 A.M. Mass. Thank you Father Angelo.


Announcements from the bulletin


OCTOBER PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND, EGYPT AND JORDAN
Our Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, still has openings available for 1 male, 2 females and 3 couples or double occupancies.
The cost of the trip is $2,850 per person for 15 days. Please call the Saint Gregory the Great parish office as soon as possible if you are interested in this once in a lifetime experience. See the itinerary enclosed in the bulletin.

MOTHER’S DAY
Mother’s Day is next Sunday, May 13th.
On the tables in the vestibules, you will find Mother’s Day Spiritual Bouquet cards for all Mothers, living or deceased.
Please pick one up and drop the offering in the collection basket. Nothing says “I love you” like prayer.

PERMANENT DIACONATE FORMATION PROGRAM
We are seeking men for preparation for the Permanent Diaconate. Men who are interested in applying for admission to the program must be between 31 and 60 years old. Applicants should be men of faith and of good character. They must be disposed and willing to give the required time and effort to the Diaconate Formation Program. Married and single men may apply. A married man must be validly married and must have the approval of his wife for acceptance into the program. Applications are to be submitted between now and August 31, 2007.
If you feel that the Lord is calling you to the diaconate, please discuss the matter with your pastor. Admittance into the formation program must be pursued through your pastor.
To learn more about the Permanent Diaconate contact Deacon Tony, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program at the Diocese of Bridgeport office.

For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us and we will forward your request.

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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio.


We come to the Crossroad and find; At the conclusion of their missionary journey, Paul & Barnabas tell the Antioch community all that the Lord has accomplished. This kingdom will be marked by our love for one another. So we ask Adults & Teens: When have I seen the power of love overcome a bad situation? And Children: What can you do this week to show God’s love to others?

In today’s gospel, Jesus has made it very clear what kind of love He is passing on to His disciples: a love that requires the offering of our very selves to one another AND to the larger community. This selfless love is impossible without the conviction and commitment of faith as its foundation. Jesus is our model and example of this love.

Jesus’ command to “love one another” often calls us to work together to accomplish a greater good. We are called to work together, to collaborate, call forth, respect, recognize and encourage each other’s gifts. This kind of love is the product not of emotion but of conviction and will. We don’t necessarily have to like the other, but we do have to love him or her. We don’t have to love improper or immoral actions, but we still have to love the person committing these actions. By ourselves we cannot love in this way. But with prayer and help from others, God’s grace will give us the courage and commitment to do so.

The beautiful words in our second reading give us a message of hope for the future. They tell us that Jesus is our hope--He is the “One” who makes all things new. The way of life that God intended from the creation of the world and the way that Jesus came to show us is one and the same. And each of us is needed to “love one another” to make this happen.

In the first reading we hear how God helped the apostles “open the door of faith” for others, especially for the Gentiles. With God’s help, we can do the same thing. With your household, think of people you know who may be searching for the right “door” of faith. Invite the person to come with you to Mass or to a parish event. Listen to his or her ideas or questions about the Catholic faith. Be a loyal friend. Your actions as a loving person will speak louder than words!

This week the music comes from Michael Mucklow and his tune Loves Way. When asked about what inspired him to write this piece he said, "There are times when God expresses His love for us in a more gentle way. He is comforting and wooing us. When I began writing the lead melody line for this song it began to feel like I myself was being reminded of how gentle God's love has been toward me. I'm very thankful for those times." This selection is from the PodSafe music network. Additional selections can be found through the link on the left.


This week's prayer is an act of love.
O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen
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Well that's A Word on the Word for fifth Sunday of Easter 2007. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found to the left. The Saint Gregory Home page is here.
Thank you for joining us.


A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. Please let us know what you think. If you have questions or answers, we want to include your comments. Please drop us a line. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you. Hallelujah.

A Word on the Word for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd and Vocation Sunday 2007

To listen click here.

Hallelujah. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA. Our pastor is Father Angelo Arrando. We are so glad you could join us today.

This week please pray for Margaret P., Rose M., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. At the Crossroad, Jesus knows us and calls us. Our prayer this week is for vocations.

The readings for this the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday are from the Acts of the Apostles, the book of Revelations and the Gospel according to John. To hear them click on our link to the left. But now here is Father Phil.

• We are very selective in our hearing, seeing and the way we feel things.
• Jesus insists that sheep know the shepherds voice.

• Don't trust so much in yourself, but trust in Jesus. "Follow Me" and I will lead you to happiness.

• You will have eternal life, you will not perish.

• What belongs to the Father no one can take away from the Father.

• The relationship between us and our pets is a functional relationship
• The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is an organic relationship.
• A shepherd will do anything for his sheep, lead them to clean water and good grass even die for them.

• Those who have heard and accepted the words of Christ become like Paul, a preacher of the Word.

• Paul's message is that Jesus, the Messiah, was put to death but is now alive and invites everyone to hear his voice.

• At an inner city Boston church, Father Gaudette brought everyone of different backgrounds together, to become a whole parish. That is the Gospel message: that Christ is calling us to come together, to see His image in everyone. He is a living God.

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut April 29, 2007, noon Mass. Thank you Father Phil.


Announcements from the bulletin

NEW TO OUR CHURCH
Please join us next Saturday, May 5th at the 4:30pm Mass to welcome all newly-registered families to our parish. If you have no church of you own feel free to stop by at Saint Gregory the Great and see how you like it. If you are not in our area stop by any local church or house of worship and get that extra feeling of God's love for yourself.

MOTHER’S DAY
The Sunday after that is Mother’s Day, May 13th. On the tables in the vestibules of Saint Gregory the Great, you will find Mother’s Day Spiritual Bouquet cards for all Mothers, living or deceased. Please pick one up and drop the offering in the collection basket. Nothing says “I love you” like flowers. If your church does not have a formal offering or if you do not belong to a church take a few moments to remember your mother and offer her a prayer or kind thought.

Vocation Sunday
This is also Vocation Sunday and as reported in First Coast News: Roman Catholic convents around the country say they are experiencing an upturn in new nuns for the first time in decades. The Church is drawing from a millennial generation, inspired by Pope John Paul II and looking for an alternative lifestyle that draws them closer to God. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate says sisterhood has dropped dramatically since its peak about 40 years ago, from about 180,000 US nuns in 1965 to just over 66,000 in last year.
If you hear the Holy Spirit calling you, stop and listen. God has a plan for men and women. Take the time find out what it is. One place that can help is the office of Vocations for the Diocese of Bridgeport. There is also an ongoing story at the Daily Breakfast, where Father Roderick recounts his call to the priesthood.

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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us and we will forward your request.

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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...


We come to the Crossroad and find you must know that Jesus is the Lord who shepherds His flock and gives them eternal life. Paul & Barnabas proclaim the Word of God to Jew & Gentile alike. So we ask Adults & Teens: When can I take time this week to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd? And Children: Who helps you feel safe and protected? Whom can you take care of and help to feel safe?

Our CROSSROADS Opportunities
The Easter season is a season of new life. Many people have celebrated the sacraments of initiation. We all renewed our baptismal promises at Mass on Easter Sunday and often during the Easter season. Today’s second reading tells us that the Lamb, the center of the throne, will lead us to life-giving water. What are some of the “springs” of life-giving water that have made your faith come alive?
Discuss this question at dinner with your household. You could mention receiving the Eucharist each Sunday; the sacrament of Reconciliation; reflecting on the liturgical readings; the example of other people; the help of parish ministers; family prayer together; personal prayer and/or personal quiet time. How can your household continue to draw life from these springs?
In today’s gospel reading Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow Me.” Jesus is our Good Shepherd. What are some of the things you have heard from Jesus that have been helpful in your life and the lives of your household members? How have your lives been enriched by following Christ?
By virtue of our Baptism we all share in the precious gift that is greater than all else-we share the vocation to care and to be cared for-to shepherd each other. We are all that special someone called to watch over our beloved-and that includes all of humankind.
Today has been designated “World Day of Prayer for Vocations”. Please pray this week for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.



The background music is Shepherds Serenade by The Brobdingnagian Bards, playing Scottish and Irish folk songs combined with the Lord of the Rings music and a wee bit o'Celtic fun. This is The Original Celtic Renaissance music duo from Austin, Texas. Their unique brand of folk music on the autoharp, recorder, and mandolin has made them one of the most-popular Celtic music groups online where they give away thousands of free Celtic MP3 downloads daily. This selection is from the Podsafe Music network.




From the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops; English Prayers for Vocations.
Father, we're your people, the work of your hands. So precious are we in your sight that you sent your Son, Jesus. Jesus calls us to heal the broken-hearted, to dry the tears of those who mourn, to give hope to those who despair, and to rejoice in your steadfast love. We, the baptized, realize our call to serve. Help us to know how. Call forth from among us priests, sisters, brothers and lay ministers. With our hearts you continue to love your people. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.


Well that's A Word on the Word for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found to the left. The Saint Gregory Home page is www.danbury.org/stgreg.


A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. Please let us know what you think. If you have questions or answers, we can include your comments if you drop us a line by clicking under"About Me' on the left. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you. Hallelujah.

A Word on the Word for the Third Sunday of Easter 2007

Click here to listen.

Hallelujah. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA Third Sunday of Easter 2007. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week Music from Paul Lisney at the PodSafe Music Network, the Homily from Deacon Bill, plus news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican. There is the Crossroad message: Jesus feeds us so we can feed and serve others, and a Prayer for Eternal rest. Please pray for Margaret P., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists, the 32 students and faculty of Virginia Tech and their families, and all sick and deceased members of the parish.

The readings for this week are from the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation and the Gospel according to John. To hear them click on our link. But now here is Deacon Bill.

• How often do we see the face of Jesus in those around us?
• Look more carefully to see the face of God in those around us.
• The most challenging words of today's Gospel are the last two, "Follow me".
• Respond with action to the calls of Jesus.
• Break the cycle of violence and retribution in our world.
• Show the Lord we love him by reaching out with the same love and kindness He showed to us.
• Take the Easter message of love and hope, peace and forgiveness, out into our families, our community, our nation and the world.

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut April 22, 2007. Thank you Deacon Bill.


Announcements from the bulletin.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” PRESENTATION
Immaculate High School will present The Sound of Music on May 11 and May 12. A Character Luncheon will also be offered on May 12 at 12 noon before the matinee. Tickets go on sale April 23.

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St. Gregory the Great School, one of the Danbury Catholic elementary schools, was established for the purpose of giving students a God-centered, Catholic outlook on life. We are committed to academic excellence, self-discipline and Global service. Please contact Danbury Catholic Schools to set up an appointment and additional information about Catholic schools.


The Superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport was singled out this week by U.S. President Bush for the fine work being done in Catholic education. At a press conference President Bush said, "... we just heard from Margaret Dames who has got a marvelous school program in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We want all schools to be excellent. We want every school, public or parochial, to meet expectations and to give our children the skill sets necessary to realize the great promise of the country." The President continued, "One thing is for certain, if you're interested in educational excellence, you can look at the Catholic schools in the United States of America, because they provide it -- and for that, this country is very grateful."
Thank you President Bush and Doctor Dames.


And look for One Family in Faith, the Diocese of Bridgeport's new TV show, airing throughout Fairfield County and on Danbury Cable, Channel 23. Check for local times.

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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us by following "About me" on the left.

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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio.


We come to the Crossroad and find Jesus appears to seven of His disciples: among them Peter who proclaims his unfailing love for the Lord. Jesus commissions him to feed His sheep. And so we ask Adults & Teens: In what ways can I answer Jesus’ command to Peter to “feed my sheep”? And Children ask yourselves: What can I do to take care of others as Jesus asked Peter to do?

The celebration of Christ’s Resurrection continues with festivity and joy. Each year on the Third Sunday of Easter, the Gospels proclaim a post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus in which He shares a meal with His disciples. The Eucharistic theme is obvious and we celebrate the fact that through the Paschal Mystery, Christ found a way to remain with us through this mystery of our faith.
John’s Gospel recounts the breakfast that Jesus shared with His disciples at the seashore. In the first reading we hear Peter’s response to the Sanhedrin’s charge to cease preaching in the name of Christ-- [Peter answers] ”We must obey God rather than men”. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in the apostles. This remarkable change in the disciples three days after the crucifixion of Jesus is a most convincing argument for the power of the Resurrection. How will belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus change the actions in your household?
Today is also Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 when people came together all over the United States to show their concern. The Environmental Protection Agency was created as a result of these concerns. Today the problems may be different but the concern is still warranted. Air pollution, climate change or global warming, clean water - a staple for life - is not available to over one billion people.
Have a discussion with your household members. Think of the products you consume on a regular basis.

• What can you use less of - Reduce?
• What can be used again before discarding -- Reuse?
• What can be made into something else - Recycle?

How can you preserve God’s creation?
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... God looked at everything He had made, and He found it very good.”

The music is from Paul Lisney and his Triumph Of The Lamb. Paul is a Catholic singer/songwriter, writing and performing for 30 years. This song is located at the Podsafe Music network. His other music can be found on his website.


This prayer of Eternal Rest is offered for those who lost their lives at Virginia Tech, their families and friends and all those who have died.
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."


Well that's A Word on the Word for the Third Sunday of Easter. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found to the left. The Saint Gregory Home page.
Thank you for joining us.
A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. Please let us know what you think, click the e-mail link. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you. Hallelujah.

A Word on the Word for the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday 2007

To listen click here.

Hallelujah. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA for the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week the Music is Belief from The Svengali Project at the PodSafe music network; the Homily from Father Angelo; news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican plus the Crossroad message: 'Belief Demands Action'; and a prayer from Saint Faustina.

The readings for this week are from the Acts of the Apostles, the Book of Revelation and the Gospel according to John. To hear them click on our link. Here is Father Angelo' message:

• Thomas was not a doubter.
• Revelation is not about the future but about the Resurrection.
• Jesus is already victorious. He has defeated death and has risen to Heaven.
• Jesus is Lord and God.
• Be faithful to Him as He is faithful to us.
• Be His Witness.
• Forgive as we want to be forgiven
• Be accepting and loving to all.
• Thomas is witness to the Christian Community.

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut April 15, 2007 noon Mass for the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. Thank you Father Angelo.

Announcements from the bulletin.

THANK YOU
A special “Thank You” to all the generous hearts who gave to our Easter collection. May our risen Lord shower you with His blessings.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP !!!
Would you like to know about the stories in the Bible? What do they tell us about God’s relationship with His earliest followers? Would you like to be more comfortable discussing the Bible with others? Please join with other members of the parish in a study of Israel’s Story. We meet Wednesday mornings in the parish office community room between 9:30 and 11:00 A.M.

HELP OUR HOMELESS WITH WELCOME BASKETS
Let us try to help Danbury’s homeless families. Leave the following items in the baskets by the chapel. Needed are: Laundry baskets, laundry detergent, liquid chlorine bleach, all fabric bleach, dish towels and sponges, anti-bacterial spray, trash bags, food storage bags, aluminum foil, bathroom cleaner, dust pans, adhesive bandages, First Aid cream, cotton balls and q-tips, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, bath soap, hand soap. Bring one item or bring many. The homeless will be so grateful. To paraphrase Saint Mathew: “When I was homeless, you gave Me a home.”

DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY
Also located at the doors of the Church are large baskets, there to collect your donations for The Daily Bread Food Pantry. The Food Pantry operates year round with your generosity. Please bring cereal, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit and fruit juice for use by Daily Bread. Thank you for your continuing weekly donations of food. Your contributions help relieve the hunger that is with us year round.
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For more information, details or questions, about Bulletin announcements go to the Saint Gregory the Great web site or contact us at A Word on the Word at G-Mail dot com and we will forward your request.

Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...


We come to the Crossroad and find: As Thomas believed - because he saw the risen Jesus, so too were many brought to faith through the various signs and wonders wrought by the apostles. We ask Adults & Teens: What doubts do I experience about my faith? What can I do to strengthen my beliefs? And Children: When have you felt afraid? When do you feel peaceful?
The fifty days of the Easter Season are an invitation to explore more deeply “the weather of the heart” to awaken our memory of God’s presence and power in our lives, to look more closely at all the rich and varied textures of creation. In short, Pentecost is a time for learning how to say yes to God’s calling in a culture that wants us to keep on saying no.

This season is a time to grow in our understanding of the paschal mystery and to make it part of our lives - through our renewed attentiveness to God’s Word, that we hear each weekend; through our participation in the Eucharist; and through our renewed dedication to acts of charity and justice. As we celebrate this season, we become more deeply aware of Christ’s abiding presence with us that is daily transforming us into the image of Jesus.

Since the Easter season is 50 days long, it will take some effort on our part to extend its celebration for the full seven weeks - until May 27th. One way to turn Easter into a series of celebrations and to keep its spirit alive is to connect ourselves to the long chain of Christian witnesses who have preceded us. Gather your household and read aloud First Corinthians Chapter 15 verses 1 through 11. Invite your household to update this chain of witnesses from Paul’s time to your present time by naming those who have been most important in handing on the living traditions to you and yours (Be they: family, friends, mentors, spiritual persons you have admired, patron saints, etc.) Write down the names to create your household’s unique connection to the Easter tradition of spreading the good news.

The readings for this weekend show us how belief spurs people on to a new relationship with God and others. In trusting God’s goodness, their actions change the lives of those around them.

In the first reading, the believers bring their sick to the apostles, certain of healing. The gospel tells us of doubting Thomas as we reluctantly admit that we sometimes have doubts. It also shows us that by accepting Jesus, Thomas had to find ways to live out his faith. We too are called to action in living out our faith and by doing so we are led closer to God and to one another.

The music is Belief from The Svengali Project. The Svengali Project is Aaron Jackson with help from friends. The project was designed to take one look at the expanding world of downtempo music. There is more of this and other musical styles at the PodSafe Music network.


This week's prayer, The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, is from Saint Faustina:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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Well that's A Word on the Word for Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and Evening prayers, music and more can be found to the left. The Saint Gregory Home page is triple dub danbury.org/stgreg.
Thank you for joining us.

A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. Please let us know what you think, click the e-mail link. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish. God bless and Peace be With you. Hallelujah.

A Word On The Word for Easter Vigil- The Resurrection of the Lord 2007

To listen click here.

Hallelujah.
This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA for Easter Vigil- The Resurrection of the Lord 2007. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week the Music of Charlie Crowe from Music.Podshow.com, the Homily from Father Angelo, news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican plus the Crossroad message: New Life in Christ and a prayer from the priests of our Parish.

The readings for this week are from the Book of Genesis, the Book of Exodus, the Prophet Isaiah, the Prophet Baruch, the Prophet Ezekiel, the Epistle from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans, and the Gospel according to Saint Luke. To hear them click on our link.
Father Angelo' message:

• The resurrection is the core center of what it means to be a Christian.
• Every evil power has been defeated in the resurrection.
• The trouble is we don't believe it.

• No evil power in the world is more powerful than the risen Christ.
  
• The power of the resurrection does not lie in the empty tomb. The power of the resurrection lies in the empty room.
• The Apostles left the locked room and went out into the world and testified that Christ was resurrected.

• The power of the resurrection is your power given to you in baptism. Live as He asks us to live: agents of mercy and love.
  

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut Easter Vigil Saturday night 8:00. Thank you Father Angelo.

Announcements from the bulletin

Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, the central mystery of our Christian Faith. We have journeyed to Easter.

ALLELUIA!

Along the way we listen to the account of the Easter story and we are reminded that Jesus, our Hope, has been raised from the dead. Let us enter this Eastertide celebrating with Faith, Hope and Love.
A BLESSED EASTER TO ALL!!
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A special THANK YOU to our musicians, the Choir, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Servers, Ushers and all who helped decorate the Church for the Easter Season.
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Located at the doors of the Church are large baskets. The baskets are there to collect your donations for The Daily Bread Food Pantry. The Food Pantry operates year round with your generosity. Please bring cereal, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned fruit and fruit juice for use by Daily Bread. Thank you for your continuing weekly donations of food. Your contributions help relieve the hunger that is with us year round.
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We wish to welcome all visitors, members and children who worship with us today. We pray that worshipping with us will give you a sense of fellowship with Jesus and with us as God’s people, as well as comfort and strength for all your needs. If you have no Church of your own, we invite you to make this your home Church. But above all, we invite you to come to worship with us at any time.
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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio.


We come to the Crossroad and find On this day of days, we offer joyful praise to the Father who raised His Son from the dead. Let us focus upon the life Christ offers us; Christ, our Passover, who has been sacrificed. The question for Adults & Teens: In What way have you risen from “deadness” in your life? And Children: What is good and new in your life?
During the Easter Season, we are invited to renew our baptismal promises after the proclamation of the gospel and the homily. We should note that these promises unfold into two distinct parts. First, we renounce evil and its hold on us and acknowledge that this takes us away from the loving relationship we wish to have with God. Second, we express our belief in our Triune God and in all that God has done for us, especially His giving us the new life of faith.
In the two parts of our baptismal renewal, we are reminded of the dying and rising of the paschal mystery into which we are plunged at baptism. We are also reminded of the truth of ourselves, of our humanity-that we are sinners but at the same time loved by the God who saved us. We, too, share in Christ’s humanity and divinity, in His suffering and death as well as His resurrection.
The observance of the forty days of Lent is better known than the longer and more festive Easter Season. Many people think Easter is over when the sun sets on Easter evening. Actually, the celebration of this greatest of feasts lasts fifty jubilant days. Fifty days are a week of weeks, plus a day-a symbol of eternity. Fifty days are a seventh of the year. The Easter Season is the most joyous time of our liturgical year-and we should continue the celebration by enjoying the new life of spring that is seen in all of God’s creation. Let these signs of new life all around us be an endless reminder of Christ’s gift to us of everlasting life by His death and resurrection.
Our RCIA candidates, who celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter Vigil, now take on the title of “neophytes”- beginners or novices in our expression of faith. They enter into the Period of Mystagogia (which can last as long as a year) as they slowly adjust to the responsibilities they have taken on as full members of our Church. The RCIA team continues to encourage and support their efforts as does the entire parish community.


This week the music Joy played by Charlie Crowe. In Feb. 2006, Charlie Crowe resigned as lead guitarist for mega-duo Brooks & Dunn. After 12 years of touring, his final B&D gig was in Omaha opening for the Rolling Stones. As an accomplished instrumental guitarist and BMI award-winning songwriter, Crowe now focuses on family, writing, and guitar. Hear more of his music at the PodSafe Music Network. Follow the link on our page.


This week's prayer comes from the priests of Saint Gregory the Great, Danbury; Fr. Angelo Fr. Ray and Fr. Phil.

We pray that the joy of Easter may fill your hearts and homes. May you always rejoice in the Father’s Love.



Well that's A Word on the Word for Easter Vigil- The Resurrection of the Lord 2007. This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found in our show notes. Tthe Saint Gregory Home page is danbury.org/stgreg.

Thank you for joining us.

A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you.

He has risen. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

A Word On The Word for Holy Thursday Mass of Lord's Supper 2007

To Listen click here.

Peace be with you. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA for Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. Today the Homily from Father Phil, a tour of Gethsemane from Vatican Radio and the Saint Gregory the Great Choir opening the way for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.


The readings are from the Book of Exodus, the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, and the Gospel according to Saint John. To hear them click on our link.
Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut April 5, 2007 during the 7:30 Mass of the Lord's Supper. Father Phil reminds us:

• There is great symbolism in Holy Week.
• These symbols are the glue which hold us together.
• Without the Eucharist we are not a community.
• We have to be the Saviors of one another.
• If we don't do that we are not the disciples of Christ.
• We have to develop a special relationship with the Lord in the Eucharist.

Thank you Father Phil.


Vatican radio gives us a tour of the garden of Gethsemane.

Following Mass, it is traditional to remain for a time in the presence of God in the form of the Blessed Sacrament. The Saint Gregory the Great Choir leads the congregation with the hymn Sing, My tongue, The Savior's Glory.

A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek. Drop us a line. From Saint Gregory the Great parish, God bless and Peace be With you.

A Word On The Word for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion 2007

To listen click here.
Produced for Saint Gregory the Great Danbury, Connecticut April 1, 2007

Peace be with you. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week Music from Citizen Six, in place of the Homily: Vatican Radio describes Palm Sunday at Saint Peter's Square, news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican plus the Crossroad message; 'Jesus shows us how much He truly loves us' and a message from Pope Benedict for Holy Week. Please pray for Marion R., Arthur B., Edmund S., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish.

The readings for this week are from the Prophet Isaiah, the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians plus the Gospel and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. To hear them click on our link.

Bulletin announcements include:
This is Holy week. Take a look in the bulletin in your parish and find out when the Holy week services are to be held. There is a link to the Diocese of Bridgeport there as well. If you are from another church check your local listings. And note that many Parish Offices will be closed Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
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MANY THANKS to the volunteers who prepared and completed the necessary but laborious task of the parish Easter mailing last week: Kora A., Tori A., Nick C., Jonathan D., Olivia D., Rachael D., Stephanie D., Alex F., Megan H., Allison I., Richard M., Devan N., Stephanie S., Nicole S. and Justin W. We are grateful for your effort and time commitment. Thank you so much!
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KNOW GOD’S LOVE AGAIN
Are you someone who regrets having an abortion and believes that you’re not welcome in Church anymore? Do you feel the pain of your decision and long to feel the Lord’s love and mercy once again? If so, then a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat can restore you and help you feel the loving touch of our Lord.
This retreat will be held from 7:00 pm Friday, April 13, through 4:00 pm Sunday, April 15, in a private, small and confidential setting. For more details. All contacts are kept in the strictest confidence.
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Following in the footsteps of the Vatican and Saint Gregory the Great parish Bishop Lori has embarked, this week, onto the World Wide Web. Find his entry at BishopLoriBlog.org. As he says in his first entry: Pope Benedict has urged that "we must use the modern methods of making ourselves be heard in a reasonable way - or better yet, of making the voice of the Lord accessible and comprehensible ". So good luck Bishop Lori as we all travel this road together.
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Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...
The faith is for everyone, This is world youth day, There are symbols of faith all around us, and this is the 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI encyclical on the Development of Peoples.

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We come to the Crossroad and find Jesus, humbling Himself out of love for us. He did not shield His face from buffets and spitting but offered His life on the cross. He relied on His Father’s love. So we ask Adults & Teens: When have I betrayed the confidence of another; as Peter did when he denied Jesus? What can I do about this?
And Children: How and when can I share my love for each member of my family this week?

Today begins Holy Week - the week that has as its purpose, the remembrance of Christ’s passion, beginning with His Messianic entrance into Jerusalem.
In today’s gospel, when Jesus announces that one of the apostles will betray Him, it causes great anxiety among them. They ask each other, “Which of us would do this?” We learn about Judas and Peter and we know that almost all of Jesus’ friends betrayed Him by abandoning Him. Beneath their question is the suspicion that anyone of them could fall short and betray Jesus’ call to truth and love, if the cost is too great. It reminds us that we, too, can and have betrayed Jesus’ mission of love and service.

Jesus understands our struggle. Later in the gospel, He says “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do.” We are called again and again to love and to serve, to fall and to rise in the hope and knowledge of the resurrection. We are called to accept God’s love for us-so much that He gave His only Son to save us.

The Triduum, which is Latin for “three days”, comes at the end of Holy Week and comprises the three-day period of prayer - leading to the Easter feast: the fulfillment of the entire liturgical year.
On Holy Thursday, the Church celebrates the Lord’s Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. The custom of footwashing, recalling how Jesus washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, is often observed.
Good Friday is the only day of the year on which Mass is not celebrated. Our Liturgy consists of proclaiming John’s passion account, intercessions, veneration of the cross, and a communion service.
The The Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday ends the Triduum and begins our celebration of the Resurrection. It is at this liturgy that our RCIA candidates enter the fullness of our Church by receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

Our music this week is the Arrival by Citizen Six; who writes score music for movies that do not exist.

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This week we end with a wish from Pope Benedict XVI as he spoke to the crowd at the general audience the day before Maundy Thursday last year.
"This is what I wish all of you from my heart, dear brothers and sisters, hoping that you will prepare with faith and devotion for the imminent Easter celebrations. May you be accompanied by Mary Most Holy, who, after having followed her divine Son in the hour of the passion and cross, shared the joy of his resurrection."
For the entire message.

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Well that's A Word on the Word for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion 2007. The production is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Please drop us a line, let us know what you think at A Word on the Word [at] gmail.com.

A Word on the Word Executive producer is Father Angelo Arrando, and is produced by Gregory Wencek, on behalf of Saint Gregory the Great parish. God bless and Peace be With you.

A Word On The Word For The Fifth Week Of Lent 2007

To Listen click here
Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut March 25th 2007 - noon Mass.

Peace be with you. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA for the fifth Sunday of Lent 2007. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week Music from Edj at the Podsafe Music network, the Homily from Father Angelo, news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican plus the Crossroad message: God’s Love and Forgiveness plus a prayer for peace from Pope John Paul II, Asking for the intercession of Mary to bring an end to evil in all its forms and to reveal the light of hope to all the world. ... Please pray for Wilhelmina S., Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish.

The readings for this week are from the prophet Isaiah, the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians and the Gospel according to John. To hear them click on our link to the left. But here is Father Angelo ...

Welcome visitors to our New England Spring
Sometimes it takes something shocking to wake us up, to cause us to focus.
We encounter an extravagant Jesus in his dealings with the woman.
Jesus knows people change when they are accepted and loved.

Announcements from the bulletin

Holy Week is approaching. Please check with your local parish for the times of sacraments and additional services. At Saint Gregory the Great, as in most parishes, the information is in the bulletin. In the diocese of Bridgeport you can also look to Fairfield County Catholic for many of the schedules.

Attention Senior Citizens, Every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through April 11th, AARP volunteers will prepare federal and state income tax returns for seniors for free at the Danbury Senior Citizen Center, 10 Elmwood Place in Danbury. Call for an appointment.

The last Soup ‘AND’ will be hosted on Wednesday, March 28th at the King Street United Church of Christ, 201 South King Street, Danbury, Connecticut.

Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...

We come to the Crossroad and find - True freedom is rooted in the person of Jesus, not in observance of the law. It is Jesus who challenges us to examine our own hearts before self-righteously judging others. So we ask Adults & Teens: From whom among my family and friends do I need to ask forgiveness so I can experience true freedom? And Children: When have I had to say “I’m sorry” this week?

In today’s gospel John recalls the story of the woman caught in adultery and Jesus’ challenge to the religious norms that governed such situations. Jesus teaches that we are all guilty of sin, and as such in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The abundance of God’s willingness to forgive is exemplified in Jesus’ response to the Pharisees.

Jesus chose mercy as His solution to judgment. Our sins are all around us; others see what we do not. Our challenge is to remain mindful of our own vulnerabilities and arrest our tendencies to reduce another. We are to judge actions as good or evil, not the people doing the action. Through thoughtful awareness of our own inclination to sin, we discover that we share the same humanness of the ones we judge. When we cultivate compassion and forgiveness toward ourselves, we become less likely to pick up that stone and throw it at others.

Repentance for our transgressions includes both a dying and a rising. Making changes to our actions is the dying; a new relationship with Christ is the rising. Encountering Christ and desiring to be more like Him changes our attitude. The closer we become to Christ, the more able are we to recognize our sinfulness and repent of our ways.

Sometimes we feel that we live in the same old rut, day after day; that there is never anything new in our lives. Yet in our first reading, the prophet Isaiah says that God is always doing something new if we can truly SEE. Ask each member of your household to try this: Live today or each day this week in greater awareness. Make a list of every “new” gift of God you see, both small and great. Watch for things like: a child’s smile, a sunset, the call of a bird, a conversation with a friend. Take turns sharing your lists at the end of each day. Read one gift aloud, taking turns, until all gifts have been named. Then say a prayer of thanks for the newness of everyday life.

Today's music is from Edj and his composition Forgiveness Of A Fathers Sins which can be found at the Podsafe Music Network

Edj's style, is like Edj himself, quirky, original but with that underlying hint of danger. Never wanting to be in the spotlight, but he was never far from it's shadow.

Our prayer this week written by Pope John Paul II.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.

From famine and war, deliver us.

From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.

From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.

From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.

From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.

From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.

From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.

From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.

From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.

Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies.

Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit conquer all sin:individual sin and the "sin of the world," sin in all its manifestations.

Let there be revealed once more in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the redemption: the power of merciful love.

May it put a stop to evil.

May it transform consciences.

May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope. Amen.

This PodCast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. On behalf of Saint Gregory the Great Parish and Father Angelo, thank you for joining us. God bless and Peace be With you.

A Word On The Word For The Fourth Week Of Lent 2007

To listen click here...

Peace be with you. This is A Word on the Word for the fourth Sunday of Lent. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week the Music is from Guardian Mind Mix at Music[.]PodShow.com, the Homily from Father Phil, news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican plus the Crossroad message: Reconcile and Rejoice and a prayer from prayerbook[.]com. Please pray for Genevieve T, Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. ...

The readings for this week are from Joshua, the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and the Gospel according to Luke. To hear them click on our link. Here is Father Phil ...

Love involves forgiving.
It is easy to forgive those who are part of us, our family.
It is harder to forgive those who are not as close to us.
Yet we must forgive all who have wronged us.

It is very hard but we must forgive those who hurt us in order to follow Christ.


From the Saint Gregory the Great Bulletin:

Bishop William Lori will celebrate a Mass, to commemorate significant marriage anniversaries, at Saint Theresa Church, Trumbull, Connecticut on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 3:00 pm. Bishop Lori will be the homilist and will administer both the renewal of marriage vows and the presentation of commemorative certificates.
Couples who were married between January and June who will be celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary are invited to participate with their family and friends. Interested couples in the Bridgeport diocese should register with your parish office as soon as possible. The deadline for registration is May 24, 2007. For more details and which additional anniversaries qualify for this celebration look in the bulletin.

This weekend, we remember in a special way, the members of our parish family who have died over these past few weeks. We celebrate their past presence and the knowledge of their embrace by our Father. We also want their bereaved to know that they do not have to grieve alone.
This week we especially remember Donata B., Virginia (Ginny) L., and Leonard S.
Please remember them in your prayers. Fr. Ray with the Bereavement Ministry of St. Gregory the Great Church is here to support you.

The social concerns committee wants you to know the Annual Catholic Relief Services collection is going on now. The Catholic Relief Services has provided core funding for the work of five separate Catholic social ministry agencies in the United States.


The annual appeal provides an opportunity for Catholics to support the less fortunate as part of Lent. Catholic Relief Services supports agencies that aid the powerless and impoverished, victims of earthquakes, floods, war and religious and ethnic persecution.
Catholic Relief Services asks Catholics to see “Jesus in disguise” in the faces of the poor, the hungry and the disadvantaged and to support ongoing efforts to respond to their needs through the Church’s international social ministry.
Some specific examples of how these funds are used include:
*Providing emergency aid--shelter, water, sanitation, education and food to thousands of Sudanese refugees and internally displaced people in the midst of civil unrest.
*Resettling refugees from countries like Afghanistan, Burma, and Liberia who have fled persecution.
*Offering life-saving legal services to victims of torture to help them obtain asylum in the U.S.More info about Catholic Relief Services is available at usccb.org/.

Now here is a word from Vatican Radio...

We stand at the Crossroad, where generations meet.
Christ, our Passover, has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. Let us forgive one another and celebrate the unconditional and abundant love of God our Father.
This week we ask adults & teens: When have you been generous enough to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply? And children: Who among your family or friends do you need to ask forgiveness of or to forgive?
Come home. Please...just come home. Forget our disagreements; don’t let them separate us anymore. Just come home. What parent who deeply loves his or her child would not echo the sentiment of the Father in our gospel today? But the older son is locked up with jealousy and resentment.
As we go through our lives, we resonate with the different characters of this story. In our youth, we understand the gambling young man who experiments and risks it all. Later on as we toil and sweat, we identify more with the older son, critical of the behavior of others. And in our elder years, we stand in the shoes of a seasoned parent, putting aside obstacles and wanting loved ones close by. God asks us to love always,regardless of circumstances.
Our experience of God may go through similar transitions. Our images of God can become transformed gradually in our human encounters throughout life. Gradually we discover the generosity of God, the hospitality of the One who yearns for us to come home. This can also affect the way we treat ourselves. Slowly, if we let it, we gradually begin to forgive ourselves for our shortsightedness in our choices, our resistance to reconciliation and our distance from God, and often from others.
At the 9:00am Mass this weekend, the second of three scrutinies is celebrated with our RCIA catechumen and candidate. These scrutinies are rites of purification and strengthening for the sacraments to be received at the Easter Vigil. All over the world those approaching the sacraments of initiation come before their communities to be prayed over by the Church-the whole Church not just their individual communities.
Today marks the mid-point of Lent-traditionally known as Laetare, Latin for rejoice, Sunday. We joyfully anticipate the Easter mystery. Our journey leads us to recognize that God lives within us and is all around us. Let us pray for each other that we will be given the eyes to see and the wisdom to ask for the life-changing moments that affirm this recognition.

The background music is Michael Guardian and Going Home. Michael Guardian Music Productions has been producing and recording since 1989. Michael is a vocalist, synth player and recording artist working both in the studio and on stage. For more of his music stop by Music[.]PodShow.com.

We close this week with a prayer for A Death in the Family and the Pope's blessing:
Dear Lord, sometimes it is hard to understand the pain that comes into our lives. This is most true when we lose one we love. At this time, we remember that life is a circle. You have given us eternal life. In dying, our loved one has come back to you; as will we all, in our time. The mystery of life is - that sadness brings us to our greatest happiness. Bless, with your presence, those we love and miss. Amen.

Well that's A Word on the Word for fourth Sunday of Lent. The Podcast is released under a Creative Commons license, some rights are reserved. Links to the Daily readings, Morning and evening prayers, music and more can be found in our show We would love to have your comments at A Word on the Word@gmail.com, or the Saint Gregory Home page is danbury.org/stgreg.

Thank you for joining us.

A Word On The Word for the Third Sunday in Lent 2007

To listen click here.

Peace be with you. This is A Word on the Word recorded live at Saint Gregory the Great, the Diocese of Bridgeport - Connecticut USA for the Third Sunday in Lent 2007. I'm Gregory Wencek. Our pastor is Fr. Angelo Arrando. This week Music from Strange Ensemble at Music dot PodShow dot com, the Homily from Fr. Raymond Scherba, news from Saint Gregory the Great and the Vatican plus the Crossroad message and a prayer written by Monsignor Nicholas V. Grieco of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish. Please pray for Victims of the Iraqi Conflict, Victims of terrorists and all sick and deceased members of the parish. ...

The readings for this week are Exodus, the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and the Gospel from Luke. To hear them click on our link to the left. But now here is Father Ray ...

Can we presume to walk right in, past the Pearly Gates?
What does it mean to do the will of the Father?
Today's Gospel reminds us we have to be productive, to reduce suffering in this world.
We can't do it all but we must do something. Say a prayer for those in need.
Think of what the Lord is calling us to do? What is He saying to each of us?

Recorded at Saint Gregory the Great - Danbury, Connecticut March 11, 2007, noon mass. Thank you Father Ray.

Announcements from the bulletin

Soup ‘AND’ continues every Wednesday during Lent. Future hosts are:
on Mar. 14-St. James Episcopal Church
Mar. 21-First Congregational Church
and Mar. 28-King St.United Church of Christ

Within each of us is a failure to live up to the Gospel values. Evil does exist in and around us. We are not as steadfast as we are called to be. Ash Wednesday began our journey to Easter. We acknowledge our weakness and our need for grace and strength, for mercy and blessings in order to grow.

ASHES, signifying dust, old ways, former sin, and are used as a reminder that our old sinfulness is done away with through forgiveness and conversion. The ashes we received have only as much meaning as we give them. Make this symbolism a beginning. Our actions during Lent will reinforce our resolve to become a new people.

The St. Gregory the Great Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt will be this October. If you are considering being a part of this wonderful once in a lifetime event, we need to have a deposit of $250 per person so that we can finalize the plans. Please make checks payable to St. Gregory the Great Church and put “Pilgrimage” in the memo spot. Deposits are refundable if circumstances change. Tentative dates are October 8 - October 22, 2007. To help you decide here is a word from Vatican Radio.

Now here is another word from Vatican Radio...


As we stand at the Crossroads we know that: From the burning bush, Moses is called by God to lead his people out of slavery into freedom. Like the Hebrews of Scripture, we too often fail to heed God’s call. So we ask Adults & Teens: What “cultivating” do I need to do in order to bear good fruit as a disciple of Jesus? And Children: What will I do this week to show that I am a follower of Jesus?

In today’s second reading, St. Paul shows how the early church interpreted the sacred books of Israel, especially our first reading from Exodus. According to St. Paul, God’s help and punishments of Israel during the Exodus “happened to them as an example and they have been written down as a warning to us”. St. Paul finds Christ in the Exodus even though He is not explicitly mentioned. He concludes that this account is aimed at Jesus’ followers in the time of St. Paul. It is also for our time.

In the gospel, Luke recalls the parable of the fig tree. Barren of fruit for the last three years, the owner calls for it to be cut down. Yet the gardener asks for one more year. Such is the tolerance of God who waits “one more year” for us to repent and to bear the fruit of the kingdom.

At the 9:00 Mass this weekend, the first of three scrutinies is celebrated with our RCIA catechumen and candidate. These scrutinies are rites of purification and strengthening for the sacraments that will be received at the Easter Vigil. All over the world during the next three weeks, those approaching initiation into the death and Resurrection of Jesus come before their communities to be prayed over by the Church-the whole Church-not just their individual communities. As one community, we are reminded of our own Baptism and the unique status it gives to each of us, leading us to a deeper understanding of and appreciation for our status as sons and daughters of God.
This is a good time to review our Lenten journey.
Are we on target with our promises to God when Lent began? What changes are needed to correct our direction?
How is your household doing with silence and/or listening space? Discuss these questions with each other and make adjustments.
If you have questions drop us a line at AWordOnTheWord@gmail.com.

Music used this week is Winter Song by Strange Ensemble from Music.PodShow.com. Strange Ensemble is a Japanese designer looking for a "Strange sound".


We close this week with a prayer written by Monsignor Nicholas V. Grieco of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish. Monsignor is a member of the Pastor Advisory Committee

God, our Father in heaven, life itself and all we have are gifts you have freely bestowed upon us in love. It is from your hand that we have received all that we have… all that we are … and all that we will be. We praise you and we thank you.

In baptism you have called each of us to be a faithful disciple of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Living our faith and working together, may we become what we are called to be — the Catholic Community in Fairfield County — bringing a message of love, hope, justice and peace to all through the good works of our ministries and apostolate.

Bless us with generosity that in love we may freely share our gifts with others. Bless us with understanding that we may recognize that everything we have is God’s gift. Bless us with wisdom that we may wisely use the gifts God has given us. Bless us with a true sense of joy — the fruit of generous and grateful giving.

May the Holy Spirit inspire us to respond to the 2007 Annual Bishop’s Appeal with generous love. May Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, be with us to inspire, guide and protect us.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Well that's A Word on the Word for the third Sunday of Lent. Thank you for joining us.

God bless and Peace be with you. From Saint Gregory the Great parish, and Father Angelo.