21 B H RUSH ILL ROAD, NEW FAIRFIELD, CT. 06812 203-746

21 BRUSH HILL ROAD, NEW FAIRFIELD, CT. 06812203-746-2200Monday to Friday 7:30 & 9:00 AMSaturday Vigils 4:30 and 6:00 PMSundays-7:30, 9:00,11:00 AM & 5:15 PMSacrament of ReconciliationSaturdays, 3:45 to 4:15 PMMonday - Thursday9:00 AM to 4:00 PMClosed daily for lunch from12:00-1:00Fridays 9:00 AM to 12:00 PMClosed SaturdaysWWW.SAINTEDWARDCHURCH.ORG

Here we are, mere days from Christmas, and we hear a Gospelanticipating the birth of another child. Mary has received word that hercousin Elizabeth is with child. Pregnant as she is, Mary "set out andtraveled to the hill country in haste." She has recently received the greatest news of her life - thatshe is to be mother to the Messiah by the power of the Holy Spirit - but her concern is for hercousin in need. Through God's grace, Elizabeth turns it into an opportunity to honor the comingChrist. "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Yet Mary'sexample of selflessness should inspire us.As Christmas draws near, there is plenty of goodness to anticipate for many of us. We'll reunite with familyand friends, uphold time-honored traditions, swap stories old and new, exchange gifts, and welcome Jesus at theChristmas liturgy. These are wonderful things! Of course, they probably all come with their own to-do list. Shopfor last-minute gifts, pick up recipe ingredients, ready the guest room, or pack your own bags. Mary probably hadthings to do as well. She had a lot to consider, for one thing. How do you plan to tell your parents you'repregnant, but no man was involved? When Joseph finds out, who will care for the practical needs of you and yourchild? Into what may have been a chaos of questions, Mary receives news that someone is in need. She goesimmediately.In these final days before Christmas, stay watchful and awake! You never know when God might invite youto welcome, hospitality, and compassion. It might be tempting to reject the opportunity for your own needs.Follow the example of Mary! If God is providing you an opportunity to love, He will provide the means toaccomplish all your other tasks. This Christmas season, may you too hear, "Blessed are you who believed thatwhat was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."Nov 18, 2018Thank you for the endof the year gifts to helpcontinue the goodworks of our parish!Due to early submittal ofthe Christmas bulletin, theoffertory forDecember 16th will bedisplayed in next week’sbulletin. Thank you for allyour support of ourparish!Marriage:The proper time of preparation forMarriage is one year prior to thewedding. Please contact the ParishOffice as soon as possible. No Sunday Weddings . Baptisms:1st & 3rd Sundays at 12:30pmPASTOR Rev. Nick Cirillo 203-746-2200, x.16, Frnick@saintedwardchurch.orgASSOCIATE PASTOR Rev. Harry Prieto 203-746-2200, FrHarryPrieto@saintedwardchurch.orgDEACON Patrick Shevlin pshevlin@saintedwardchurch.orgOFFICE MANAGER/CALENDAR Luanne Hogan 203-746-2200, x.11 lhogan@saintedwardchurch.orgFRONT DESK/SAFE ENVIRONMENT Eileen Burke 203-746-2200 eburke@saintedwardchurch.orgFAITH FORMATION DIRECTOR Kathryn LaRegina 203-746-4270, x.20klaregina@saintedwardchurch.orgADULT EDUCATION Carol Zinser 203-746-2200, x.24 czinser@saintedwardchurch.orgMUSIC AND LITURGY DIRECTOR Dan Kean 203-746-2200, x.28 dkean@saintedwardchurch.orgBULLETIN EDITOR, CENSUS, ENVELOPES, F.F. BILLING, TAX LTRS, WEBSITEDebra Tomasetti 203-746-2200, x.14 dtomasetti@saintedwardchurch.orgYOUTH GROUP Victoria Vas 203-746-2200 sryouth@saintedwardchurch.orgINDIVIDUAL,COUPLE & FAMILY COUNSELOR Dr. Daniel Joynt, Ph.D. djoynt@aol.com;860-354-9164 or 203-746-2200, x.21LAY LEADERSHIP Trustee (s) - Arlene Callahan - 203-312-0918 & Peter Greco - 203-746-0744LAY LEADERSHIP Finance -Bill Rilley - 203-313-4378PRAYER LINE 203-746-2200, x. 17DANBURY HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT OF SPIRITUAL CARE 203-739-7885

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 23, 2018READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK:DECEMBER 30, 2018FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OFJESUS, MARY AND JOSEPHREADING1: SIR 3:2-6, 12-14READING 2: COL 3:12-21ORCOL 3:12-17 OR 1 JN 3:1-2, 21-24GOSPEL: LK 2:41-52MONDAY, December 24, 20187:30AM For Deceased Children4:00PM6:00PM10:00PM12:00 AM MidnightLiturgical Year BTUESDAY, December 25, 2018 Merry Christmas!9:00AM11:00AM12:30PMWEDNESDAY, December 26, 20189:00AMMichelle Luongo R/B The FamilyThere will be a mass ofremembrance for all deceasedchildren on Christmas EveMonday, December 24th at7:30am with a pot luck breakfastreception to follow in the hall.THURSDAY, December 27, 20187:30AM9:00AMRon LyonsJack Pisello R/B Denise & Harry FredaFRIDAY, December 28, 20187:30AM9:00AMNEW MASS TIMES:As of January 5th, 2019 the newMass times will take effect forSaturdays: 4:00pm & 5:30pmConfessions: 3:15-3:45pmJoseph & Joe Joe Jablonski R/B The FamilyJames Murphy R/B The FamilySATURDAY, December 29, 20184:30PM6:00PMBarry Cummins R/B Kevin McCarthyDiana Ford R/B The FamilySUNDAY, December 30, 20187:30AM9:00AMStanley Jablonski R/B The FamilyOlive P. Herring R/B The Godbout FamilyMembers of the McDermott & Thibodeau Families11:00AMR/B Bill & Doris McDermott5:15PM Chris Kerbe R/B Bernadette KerbeThe Sanctuary Lamp will burn for Christopher Connersrequested by the family.The Chapel Lamp will burn for Ron Lyons.If you, or are a loved one is sick and wouldlike to be on our prayer list please contact theparish office at 203-746-2200. Thank you!Joe, Sara Mitchell, Jennifer, Pat D., Richard, Gene, NoahSantiago, Rosemary, Dan Kerbawy, Rich, Eddie Nielsen,Carrie, Greg, Neil Torstenson, Loriana, Kelly Raines, PatArgentina, Peter Doyen, Kate Elizabeth Thorne, Mary Baske,Jim Shepard, Jim Siniscalchi, Walter Leon, Ryan McGlinchey,John Denault, Jenny, Cal M., Tom S., Terry, John, SueMonaghan, Greg, Steve, Laura, Vinnie, Rudy Hanna, MaddiePlease pray for those who have died in themonth of NOVEMBER- Elizabeth PohlotWe also pray for consolation and healingfor their grieving family.2Christmas Eve-Monday,December 24th 4:00 p.m.,6:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.,Midnight with anoverflow Mass in Hall at 4:00 p.m. ifnecessaryChristmas Day-Tuesday, December25th 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and12:30 p.m.New Year’s Day Masses in honor ofOur Blessed Mother (Holy Day ofObligation) on Monday, December31st-4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass & Tuesday,January 1, 2019 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.Parish Holiday Office Hours:Mon. Dec. 24th 9:00-12:00pmTues., Dec. 25th –ClosedMerry Christmas!Wed. Dec. 26th-ClosedInclement Weather Cancellation Policy:If New Fairfield Schools are delayed, therewill only be a 9:00am daily mass. If school iscancelled, then there will be no masses as theroads will not be safe to travel on.

The St Edwards Knights ofColumbus would like toinvite all members of theParish Community toparticipate in their FamilyRosary Program. The Knights will pray theRosary after the 11:00AM MassNEXT Sunday, December 30th.The Knights will holda “Novena for Life”the weekend ofJanuary 12 & 13th.They will hand out prayer cards after mass.We ask that you pray the Novenafor 9 days until the 22nd.Attention allEucharistic Ministers & Lectors:On Sunday Feb 24 lunch will beprovided after the 11:00am mass inthe hall. Afterwards, At 1:00 p.m.The Diocesan video will be shown, withexplanation of new norms forministers. After that, we will reviewSt. Edward parish procedures fortraining for all ministers and lectors. Byattending this meeting, ourEucharistic ministers and lectors willfulfill training and formation requirement to continue in that ministry.“Testimonies”You are cordially invited on Saturday,January 5th, immediately after the 5:30PMMass in the church, to hear excitingpersonal testimonies where God steppedin and changed the course of a situationthat seemed hopeless and impossible. Aswe remember that with God all things arepossible. “Testimonies” is a new outreachthat explains the benefits, wonder, aweand thanksgiving of listening to the “stillsmall voice ” of the Holy Spirit. There willbe prayer time available for your needs, orfor others that linger on your heart at theend of the testimonies.All ages are welcome.

3rd, 4th & 5th grade will not meet weekly in the month ofJanuary. Instead, they have assigned retreat dates as follows:3rd Grade: Sunday Jan. 6th starts with the11:00mass and a retreat to follow for the childrenfrom 12:00-2:30pm in the hall.4th Grade: Sunday Jan. 13th starts with the11:00mass and a retreat to follow for the childrenfrom 12:00-2:30pm in the hall.5th Grade: Sunday Jan. 27th starts with the11:00mass and a retreat to follow for thechildren from 12:00-2:30pm in the hall.St. Edward the Confessor Church, New FairfieldAdult Faith Formation – Jan 2019 seriesTuesday or Wednesday afternoons2:30 – 4:00 pmDAVID THE KINGExperience how the whole Bible opens up once it’sviewed through the person of King David.David’s kingship recalls the kingship of Adam inthe Garden of Eden and also foreshadows the kingship of Jesus Christ. Adam was the first king andsteward of the rightly ordered Garden of Eden, buthe failed. Later, David emerged as hope of Israelwho sought to restore order in the Garden andbring the world under the lordship of God.But being imperfect, David did not fullyaccomplish this task.Save the Date! The next teacher meeting/retreatwill be on Thurs. Jan. 3rd, 2019 from5:30-6:30pm in the hall. Teachers for Grade 3, 4& 5 are encouraged to attend. Materials will be So God promised to send a son of David who wouldhanded out for the upcomingbe the perfect and eternal king .3rd, 4th & 5th grade retreats.Carol Zinser, 70 x24-----------------------------------DAVID THE KING (Return this portion with your check by 1/2/19)Check which afternoon you prefer:Tuesdays or WednesdaysCheck included?DAVID THE KINGBishop Robert Barron, video presenterTuesdays or WednesdaysNameJan 22 or 23 – Introductionemail:Jan 29 or 30– The Law of the GiftPhoneFeb 5 or 6– Your Servant is ListeningRegister by 1/2/2019 - 50 for entire seriesFeb 12 or 13 – Warrior of GodFee covers course materials and refreshmentsFeb 19 or 20– Gathered in Jerusalem[late registrations - 55 -to cover extraFeb 26 or 27– The House of BreadMarch 5 or 6– Absalom, My Son!shipping]5

Parish Counseling Dr. DanJoynt Ph. D. is a WCSUprofessor and a CT LicensedProfessional Counselorworking with individuals, couples andfamilies. Specializing in Anxiety,Depression, Grief, Stress, Relationshipand Communication issues. He can bereached either at 860-354-9164 or by amessage to the Parish Office203-746-2200. There is no cost for a firstsession. Special consideration is availablefor subsequent services. What a great4 resource right in our parish!!Prayer Shawls and lapblankets are great gifts forthat hard to buy for person.It is a lasting and meaningful gift.Please stop by the parish office if youare interested! The next Prayer Shawlmeeting is: Sat. January, 5th from9-11:00 am in CR C. We will have aNew Year’s Party. Please bring abrunch item to share!! All skill levelsare welcome we are always looking for newmembers! Please join us!

Monday, December 24, 20187:30 AM Mass of Deceased Children/Church/Reception to follow in the HallTuesday, December 25, 2018Merry Christmas!Wednesday, December 26, 20187:00 PM Adult Choir/ChurchThursday, December 27, 20187:00 PM Contemporary Choir/CR AFriday, December 28, 201810:00 AM Abilities Beyond Disabilities/Hall8:00 PM Women's AA/Hall & KitchenSaturday, December 29, 20187:30 AM The Men of St. Edward's Fellowship/CR C8:00 AM Miraculous Medal Novena/Chapel9:00 AM Rosary Prayer Group/ChapelSunday, December 30, 201810:00 AM Special Needs Class/CR C12:00 PM Knights of Columbus Rosary/Church12:00 PM RCIA/ CR B

Dec 04, 2018 · ADULT EDUCATION Carol Zinser 203-746-2200, x.24 czinser@saintedwardchurch.org MUSIC AND LITURGY DIRECTOR Dan Kean 203-746-2200, x.28 dkean@saintedwardchurch.org BULLETIN EDITOR, CENSUS, ENVELOPES, F.F. BILLING, TAX LTRS, WEBSITE Debra Tomasetti 203-746-220