PARISH NEWS

There will be a Backpacks for Life Donation Drive to help homeless veterans on Saturday, April 27, 2024, 9:00am to Noon at the Catholic Center, 46 North Eagleville Rd, Storrs CT. The BFL pack provides a unique and personalized support system to homeless and at-risk veterans. A backpack is not only a symbol of hope for our veterans but also their mobile home and something that they are very familar with. The BFL pack consists of 3 kits listed below. Kit #1 (regular size containers) Shampoo/Conditioner combo, body lotion, shaving cream, razors (2-blade minimum), deodorant, dental floss/picks, hairspray/gel, toothpaste & toothbrush, bar soap with container, hand sanitizer (travel size). Kit #2 (clothing sizes L-2X) Socks, t-shirts, hand & foot warmers, gloves, watch cap (hat), rain poncho, umbrella (small), gallon-size storage bags. Kit #3, nail clippers, lip balm, body wipes, hairbush/comb, notebook & pens, mini flashlight with batteries, first aid kit (small travel size), gift cards for food/gas ($10-$25). Monetary donations can also be made to support the kits valued at $50, or the cost of the backpack valued at $100 per pack.

The Knights of Columbus sponsered the annual Easter Egg Hunt for all children of the parish on Saturday, March 30th. 45 children between the ages of 1 and 13 took part in the many activites which included the Easter Egg Hunt, Crafts Table, Easter Games, and more. Easter Baskets were awarded for the boys and girls in each age group that collected the most eggs. There were snacks and goody-bags for all children who particpated, and chocolate bunny's for those who found the "Golden Eggs." All ages were given an equal chance to win one of the six new bikes that were given out by the Knights (see picture of the winners). The Knights wish to thank Alex & Kelly Whitham, Omar Kouatly, Rick Parr, Ken Boutin, Mike Whitham and the Confirmation Students who helped with the event.

OLQOP Baby Bottle Collection for the Women's Center of Eastern CT Pregnancy Center. We will be collecting from April 13 - May 12. Thank you to our parish family for your wonderful response to the OLQOP collection of very much needed baby items for the Pregnancy Center. You made a difference to the mothers and their babies. May God bless you for your generosity! Baby Bottles are now available at the Greeters' tables at both churches. Please take one, fill it with your monetary donations, and return to the designated boxes by Mother's Day, May 12th. Money will be used to help purchase much needed items for the new moms and their babies. What a beautiful way for you to show your support to these women who chose life in the midst of the challenges they face. God bless you all!

Haitian Ministries annual Wine and Food Pairing event will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 5:30pm. It will be held at the St. Mary Church Hall. The ticket price is $45 and all tickets musr be purchased in advance. To purchese tickets call Eileen at 860-742-0681, contact Lou Friedrich at 860-872-4189, purchese tickets have certain Masses or see a Haitian Committee member. Sample six different wines paired with six different foods. All proceeds help support our secondary school in Les Palmes, Haiti. Come have fun and support a good cause! 

There has been many articles and reports of the violence and unrest in Haiti. Most of the unrest is in Port au Prince, the capitol. Please pray for peace. We are happy to report that our school in Les Palmes is in operation and over 400 students are attending classes. By supporting our school, we hope that the students will have the background to help their country to establish a goverment that serves the people.

There will be a Divine Mercy Celebration on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 2:00pm-3:30pm at St. Mary Church, Coventry. There will be Adoration, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Benediction and other devotions. Presided by Deacon Kim Thompson.

St. Monica Ministry of Hope will be meeting Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30pm at the St. Mary Rectory. Praying to bring our loved ones back home. Meeting the 2nd Tuesday of every month at St. Mary's rectory after the 6:00pm Mass. St. Monica persevered in prayer for many years for the conversion of her lost son, St. Augustine. Her example of prayer, kindness, and patience eventually led him home.  Many of us can relate to St. Monica with the challenges of modern society and keeping our loved ones grounded in faith. This prayer service is an opportunity to come together and pray for one another, for our loved ones and for the conversion of lost souls. We welcome ALL men and women, parents, grandparents, god-parents, anyone with a heart intent on praying to bring our loved ones back home. If interested or have any questions, send to denisewojtyna@gmail.com. 

Attention men of OLQOP Parish! The Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council invite all men of our parish to join us at the Cor Gathering, a new faith formation and fraternity opportunity for OLQOP. The purpose of our Cor Gathering is to form and strengthen Catholic men in faith and virtue, drawing them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The next meeting will start with the 6pm Mass on Tuesday, April 9th at St. Mary's and continue with a gathering in the St. Mary Church Hall after Mass. Come join us for pizza, fraternity, and faith formation.

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The peace of the risen Lord be with you and all whom you love. On this Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the Lord's victory over sin and death. Assembled with their companions, the Eleven apostles first heard the good news of Jesus' Resurrection. While they were discussing all this, Jesus stands among them. In their fright, in their guilt, and in their wonderment and awe, the Risen Lord greets them, "Peace be with you!" (cf. Luke 24:36-37) While the mere sight of Jesus would easily recall their guilt, His presence and His greeting of peace changed all of that. They heard His greeting: "Peace be with you!" They did not need an explaination. They knew exactly what Jesus meant. All is forgiven! Why are you so upset? (cf. Luke 24:38) In that moment, His disciples passed from death to life; they went from the sin and despair of betrayal and denial to the joy and hope of the victory of new life that Jesus shared with them. Through the Church, Jesus continues to share that joy with us. In His Risen Presence, the Lord greets us with His peace and we rejoice in His gift of new life. At times we betray, deny, and turn away from the Lord but in the same way that Jesus greets His disciples on the day of His Resurrection, He reaches out to us. He embraces us with His love. He touches our hearts with His peace. Just as that short but powerful greeting of peace bestowed new life on His disciples, Christ's peace embraces us with mercy and forgiveness. His peace gives us a rebirth to new life. It shares with us the power of the Resurrection to begin living in a new way. The old way of living-of selfishness, indifference, pettiness, and sin-passes away and in it's place, God's love fills our hearts. On this Easter Sunday, Jesus stands before us and He greets us with His Peace. The power of sin and death is destroyed. His greeting is as much a sign of His Resurrection and His desire to share His life with us today as it was when He first appeared to His disciples and spoke that greeting to them. How can we fail to to rejoice and to celebrate His Resurrection? How can we not return to the Lord and share in His victory? In the light of faith, we celebrate the Eucharist on Easter and we renew our belief that Jesus is Risen. Through the power of the Spirit, Jesus abides with us today and every day. Easter celebrates the great truth that we are forever changed, forever made new through Jesus' Resurrection. With full heart, we renew our Baptismal commitment to serve God faithfully and live as faithful witnesses to Our Lord Jesus Christ. As we renew our commitment to the Lord, Jesus embraces us with His love and changed our hearts with His gift of peace. Peace be with you! Happy Easter!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Michael R. Cote

Bishop of Norwich

Saturday, April 13th at 9:00am at St. Thomas. Father would like the garden taken apart at St. Thomas and moved over to St. Mary. So, if you could bring your hammers, heavy duty staple removers, cordless drills, and any other tools you think we may need please join us. Many hands make light work. Thank you!

The St. Jude Council will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, April 7, after the 10:30am Mass in the St. Mary Church Hall. The cost for the breakfast is $5 ($20 family max), and includes your choice of regular, blueberry, chocolate chip, or gluten free pancakes, with butter and syrup, sausage, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade. Take-out will be available.

We are in need of people willing to assist us with the Muffin Ministry for the UConn students at the Catholic Center. If you are intrested in being involved with this, please contact Eileen at 860-742-0681.

All Christmas decorations, wreathes, and any other Christmas related items need to be removed from the cemetery by April 1st. Thank you.

The Liturgy Schedule for Holy Week will be as follows.

Tuesday, March 26 - 10:30am Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick

No 12:20 Mass

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord's Supper - 7:00pm at St. Mary

Good Friday: Liturgy of the Lord's Passion - 3:00pm at St. Mary.

7:00pm Stations of the Cross (at both churches), confessions to follow

Holy Saturday: 11:30am Blessing of Easter Baskets at St. Mary. Easter Vigil - 8:00pm at St. Mary

Easter Sunday: 8:30am at St. Thomas, 10:30am at St. Mary, 7:00pm at St. Thomas

Attention all Legion of Mary Auxiliary members and anyone interested in becoming a member: you are cordially invited to our annual spaghetti dinner! We will also have a speaker and information about the Legion of Mary. Where: St. Mary Church Hall. When: Saturday, April 6th, at 5:00pm (after the 4:00pm Mass). If you are currently an active member, auxiliary member, or interested in finding out more about the Legion of Mary, please come and join us!

This year, Bishop Michael R. Cote D.D., invites you to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:30am. The Chrism Mass is the liturgy during which the sacred Chrism is consecrated and the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens are blessed. These oils are sanctifed for use at the Cathedral and in all parishes in the Diocese of Norwich for Baptism, Confirmation, the Anointing of the Sick and for Ordination of Priests. Together the three oils symbolize the sacramental life of the Church. Since the Chrism Mass is truly a Diocesan event ALL parishioners are invited.

Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 4313 presents our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Saturday, March 23, 2024, starts at 10:00am, at St. Mary Church. Open to all children of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish as well as children/grandchildren of council knights, between the ages of 1-13 years old. A new toddler catagory ages 1-3 has been added for this year. In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt, children can enjoy snacks and participate in crafts and games. Prizes will be given to boys and girls by age group and all children will receive goody bags. We will also be giving away serveral brand new bikes! The event is rain or shine, but we will be praying for shine! For more information, please contact Alex & Kelly Whitham at alexandkellywhitham@gmail.com or 860-302-1685.

Friday, March 8 & Saturday, March 9, there will be extra opportunites to receive the Sacrament of Penance throughout the diocese, the schedule for our parish is below. 

Friday, March 8: 7:30am-8:30am, 3:30-5:30pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm at St. Thomas. 10:00am-12:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm at St. Mary.

Saturday, March 9: 9:00am-10:30am at St. Thomas. 11:00am-12:30pm, 2:15-3:45pm at St. Mary.

Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 4313 invites you to our annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. Our Corned Beef and Cabbage will be served on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 5:00-6:00pm. Eat in or take-out available. Where: St. Mary Church Hall, 1600 Main Street, Coventry CT. Our menu includes: Corned Beef and Cabbage, Red Bliss Potatoes, Carrots, Bread, Dessert, (Hot and Cold Beverages included for eat in only). Price: $20 per dinner (cash or cards accepted). Proceeds to benefit OLQOP Faith Formation Office and BirthRight. For more information contact: Dan Garafola at dgarafola.smpc@live.com or Jim Rivers at papasbees12@gmail.com or 860-539-2975. Hope to see you there!

OLQOP Pro-LIfe Committee Collection for the Women's Center of Eastern CT. Beginning March 1st and continuing through March 24th. The Pregnancy Center helps women and their babies with much needed basics. They need our help. What a wonderful opportunity to help these mom's and their little ones during this Lenten season. The Pro-Life Committee of OLQOP will have collection boxes available at both churches for the month of March for your donations of the following items. Acceptable donations include: diapers, wipes*, baby toiletries*, teething toys, baby clothing (newborn-18 months), moniters, pack n plays, crib and mattress*, car seat*. *= highly needed item. Thank you and may God bless you for your generosity!

Stations of the Cross will be held at 7:00pm at both St. Mary's and St. Thomas during Lent on the following days: February 16, February 23, March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, & March 29 (Good Friday). 

Join us every Friday in Lent for Soup and Stations. Your Knights of Columbus Council 4313 invites all parishioners to our annual Soup before Stations Meal every Friday at 6:00pm during Lent in the St. Mary Church Hall. Soups will be prepared, from scratch, on site and different every week. Soups will be provided free of charge (free will donation to benefit the Food for Families would be greatly appreciated). Feb 16: Minestrone. Feb 23: Pasta Faggioli. Mar 1: Clam Chowder. Mar 8: Cabbage Potato and Tomato. Mar 15: Broccoli and Cheese Soup. Mar 22: Chunky Vegetable Soup. Mar 29: No Soup (Good Friday). Consider observing the three pillars of Lent with us every Friday during Lent by joining us for Soup and Stations.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Please join us for a prayerful Lenten experience as we learn about this ancient prayer, explore more of the roots of the prayer, word for word, and apply it in our everyday lives. Based on the book, "The Jesus Prayer," and the teachings of John Michael Talbot. The book is not required but may be helpful. Come join us and discover how the Jesus prayer can renew and enrich your spiritual life. Presented by OLQOP Retreat Team. Sunday's 6:30-8:00pm on Zoom. February 25, March 3, March 10, March 17, & March 24. Please register in advance by February 21st by contacting Elizabeth at tiggpercy@gmail.com.

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14, with Ash Wednesday. A reminder that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. No Catholic Christian will lightly excuse himself from so hallowed an obligation on the Wednesday which solemnly opens the Lenten season and on the Friday called "Good" because on that day Christ suffered in the flesh and died for our sins. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves more fully and to celebarte more readily his Resurrection. Those who are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically and mentally ill, including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregant and nursing women. For more information on the Lenten observance of fasting and abstinence go to the usccb.com

Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule

7:00am at St. Thomas

9:00am at St. Mary's

12:20pm at St. Thomas

5:00pm at St. Thomas 

7:00pm at St. Mary's

Save the date - February 13th! Come for Mass at 6:00pm and stay for dinner at 6:30pm in St. Mary Hall. We invite all people and families and friends to come together and have an awesome night of feasting before our Lenten fasts. We will follow the Shrove Tuesday tradition of having pancakes/breakfast for dinner as well as have music and games/activites for kids! Save the date and hope to see you there!

If you need a 2023 contribution statement for your tax return, please contact Jennifer at jennifer@olqop.com or at 860-742-0681 ext 202.

Valentines Day approaches and... Nothings says romance like an exquisite 7 course candle-lit French dinner. May we make a reservation for the two of you? But, of course... We'd be DELIGHTED to! Our Lady Queen of Peace Couples Club is hosting a ROMANTIC DINNER! Mark your calender for Saturday, the 10th of February at 7:00pm to come and enjoy the company of your spouse and be treated to a special night out to include a delicious 7 course meal with personal wait service, wine, and dessert and all at your own private, candlelit, flower-adorned table for two. Cost per couple is $50. Reservations are required. Seating is limited. Please contact Frank & Margie Pearson at FPearsonJr@gmail.com by the February 7th deadline. 

The St. Jude Council will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, February 4, after the 10:30am Mass in the St. Mary Church Hall. The cost for the breakfast is $5 ($20 family max), and includes your choice of regular, blueberry, chocolate chip, or gluten-free pancakes, with butter and syrup, sausage, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade. Take-out will be available.

On Sunday January 21st, St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Storrs is delighted to host Bishop Michael Cote for the 6th Annual Diocesan Young Adult Mass & Reception. All young adults (18-39, single & married) are invited and encouraged to attend and are encouraged to invite friends to join us. Mass with Bishop Cote will begin at 7:00pm and following the liturgy there will be a small reception in the Catholic Center.

The St. Jude Council will be hosting a French Meat Pie Dinner on Saturday, January 27th, at 5:00pm in the St. Mary Chuch Hall. The cost for the dinner is $15, and includes French Meat Pie, carrots, cole slaw, bread and butter, dessert, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or lemonade. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Take out is available and reservations are not required. Proceeds to benefit our Haiti Committee and Seminarians. For more information, contact Rick Parr at rick.parr@hotmail.com, 860-742-9818 or Dan Garafola at dgarafola.smpc@live.com.

The OLQOP Couples Club gathered recently for a Ugly Sweater themed Christmas Yankee Swap party. You probably heard the laughter from your house. While the favored swapped gift was a toy armadillo (yeah, you read that correctly), the best part of the evening was the sharing of wonderful food & friendship among members of our group. Pictured is the ugly sweater group. Couples Club sponsers monthly "Date Night" events to foster the joy of the Sacrament of Marriage among married people in our parish. If you would like to know more about joining the fun, contact either Frank & Margie Pearson (fpearsonJr@gmail.com) or David Imhof & Mary Manton (mantonm@aol.com). We'll be glad to welcome you and tell you more. Our next event will be at the ChilliFest to benefit Ecole Agape School in Haiti at St. Phillip Church in Ashford on Saturday, January 13th at noon. Fun, food, friends, music - all for students in Haiti. Please join us!

The St. Jude Council will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, January 7th, after the 10:30am Mass in the St. Mary Church Hall. The cost for the breakfast is $5 ($20 family max), and includes your choice of regular, blueberry, chocolate chip, or gluten-free pancakes, with butter and syrup, sausage, and coffee, teac, hot chocolate, or lemonade. Take-out will be available.

Are you a registred parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace, attending at one of our two locations of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and St. Mary Church? If you are an Alumnus/Parishioner willing to get further involved, Fr. Greg needs your help. We have St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel entering into its 75th anniversary and the Catholic Church is celebrating three major events from the life of St. Thomas Aquinas. We can be involved with two of the upcoming events in 2024 and 2025, but to do so I need your assistance. If intrested in learning more and possibly assisting in the planning of the 75th anniversary celebration for the Chapel and the Holy Year celebration focused on St. Thomas Aquinas O.P, please contact Eileen at eileen@olqop.com or call her at 860-742-0681. Please provide your full name, email address, graduation year from UConn and your degree title.

Christmas Eve- December 24th

4:00pm Vigil Mass at St. Mary's

Christmas Day- December 25th

12:00 Midnight at St. Thomas

8:30am at St. Thomas

10:30am at St. Mary's

The OLQOP Nativity Pageant will be held on Christmas Eve before the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Vigil Mass. Doors will open at 3:00pm and our students will retell the story of the Nativity promptly at 3:15pm. ALL are welcome! Please come and join the celebration.

Starting Monday, December 18 and continuing through Monday, January 15, the weekday Mass schedule will change to: 9:00am Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and 6:00pm on Tuesday, at St. Mary's. The Saturday morning Mass at 8:30am will continue to be offered at St. Thomas.

Friday, December 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be offered at 9:00pm (Vigil) at St. Thomas, 7:00am at St. Thomas, 12:20pm at St. Thomas and 7:00pm at St. Mary's.

The Advent/Christmas Gift Card Campaign for our seminarians is back! Each year the Vocation Office of the Diocese offers each parish the opportunity to help support the men studyin for the priesthood in a more direct and personal way. The giving of Gift Cards collected from around the diocese is a great way to let these men know they are being thought of, prayed for, and appericated for what they are preparing to do for all of us. The parish as a family has purchesed a gift card for each of the seminarians, (4 in number). We invite you to support one or more of the seminarians in the same manner, please choose a name: Alex Richards, Deacon Eric, Deacon Alex, or Deacon Julian, buy a gift card as listed below and drop it off to Eileen at the office of St. Mary's in Coventry by December 21st. We will mail all the gift cards collected to the Vocation Office and the seminarians will receive them when they gather with the Bishop in the winter or shortly after. The gift cards preferred include: Dunkin Donuts, Walmart, CVS, Amazon, Gas Cards, Visa & MasterCard gift cards.

Please join the Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council for the Annual Children's Christmas Party and Pancake Breakfast with St. Nick at 11:30am, in the St. Mary Church Hall. Everyone is welcome for the pancake breakfast which includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade, sausage, and your choice of regular, blueberry, chocolate chip, or gluten-free pancakes, with butter and syrup! Cost is $5 for adults and children eat free. There will be music, and arts and crafts. Children 12 and under will receive a special gift from St. Nick. RSVP to Ken & Ruth Anderson (860-742-5221) by 12/16 with the child's name and age for the gift.

Each year our parish donates gifts to those in need, in honor of the birth of Jesus. We are pleased to say that we will be continuing this annual gifting program again this year. On three Saturdays, December 2, 9, and 16, we will be holding a drive-by drop-off at St. Mary's inside the main church entrance, from 1-3pm for anyone who would like to drop-off gifts. In addition, there will be boxes at both churches for those who cannot make the drive-by, and those gifts must be put in the boxes by Friday for that weekend's charity. HOWEVER, gift cards must be delivered during the Saturday drop-off or dropped off at the parish office at St. Mary's by noon on Friday. The charites for which we will be collecting are as follows: December 2: St. Joseph Living Center, WAIM. December 9: Catholic Charities, Coventry Human Services. December 16: Holy Family Home & Shelter. St Joseph's needs gifts for older adults: coloring books and supplies, 8"x10" word search books, body wash and moisturizer, custume jewelry, decorative items for a window sill or door, 500-1,000 piece puzzles, neck pillows or throws, fuzzy socks or slippers with non-slip soles, gift cards. WAIM has requested items, new or gently used, that children can give to their caregivers. If you wish to give a gift card for their Teen program, please conatact WAIM. Catholic Charities has a priority for coats of any size (new or gently used). They would also appreicate arts and crafts items, nonviolant toys, music and sports items, games, gift cards (CVS/Walgreens, Dollar Stores), in any denomiantion. Coventry Human Services needs gifts for all ages-children, teens and adults. Holy Family Home & Shelter needs twin sheets and towels (which are their priorities), clothing for moms, combs, brushes, gifts for teens and toys, such as puzzles, legos, dolls. They are requesting that we do not donate books or toiletries. If you have any question, contact Barbara Sloan at 860-978-2737 or Cathy Kennelly at 860-670-9490.

At Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford, CT. Friday, January 5 - Sunday, January 7, 2024. In a age of division, tension and change, enjoy a weekend of peace and reflection exploring the theme Only Say The Word. Through prayer together, presentations, and small group discussions, we can explore where healing is needed in us and in the world. The retreat begins with a buffet dinner Friday evening and concludes with Mass and brunch on Sunday (to which family members are invited at no extra cost). Retreatants can also enjoy home-cooked meals, recitation of the Rosary, uplifting music, and free time. The cost is $350, more if you can, less if you can't. Contact Cathy Kennelly at 860-670-9490 or cakennelly@hotmail.com for more information. You can also go to www.holyfamilyretreat.org  to register for the retreat and see detailed information on other retreats and programs.