What's New
A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
Dear Parishioners,
Thank you for the continued cards, prayers and well-wishes for my recovery. Also, thanks for the congratulation cards on the occasion of my 41st Anniversary of Ordination. Your thoughtfulness is really appreciated.
An update: The chemotherapy treatment that I’ve been undergoing, while working for a while, has stopped producing the desired effects. As a result, the Smilow doctors, with my consent, have started me on a new clinical trial program which is awaiting FDA approval. The purpose of this treatment is to isolate the mutant cancer cell that is affecting the other cells and then eradicate it specifically. I’m told that the results in other people have been promising.
It’s not exactly starting back on square one, but it will be taking me in a new direction regarding the administering and side-effects of this drug. And so your prayers, which never need FDA approval, will certainly be needed for this new path I’m following. Please add those prayers to the long list in the bulletin of our relatives, parishioners and friends who are also in need of them.
God bless,
Fr. Keefe
As our world and our wallets become increasingly digital, we realize that it makes sense for many of our parishioners to offer their support to the church not through the traditional envelope or the offertory boxes during Mass, but online. Online giving is a fast and convenient way to make a special one-time gift to the parish without even having to create any kind of formal "account" or to be used more regularly to make your weekly offerings to the church without having to use an envelope every Sunday. If you'd prefer to make your weekly offering in this way, we're happy to provide you with that option.
You can sign up for our safe and secure online giving system (or make a one-time "Quick Give" gift without signing up) by CLICKING HERE.
MASS LIVESTREAM & WORSHIP AIDS
Can't attend Mass? We have you covered!
We live-stream Mass every Sunday at 10:30AM on our
Facebook page and YouTube channel
You can also watch the replay anytime thereafter.
CLICK HERE for our November 2024 Worship Aids
CLICK HERE for our Advent/Christmas 2024 Worship Aids!
Upcoming Funerals
Aileen Alfano - Friday, November 29, 2024 at 10am at St. Mary
Eileen Leahy - Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 10:30am at St. Mary
Evangelus
We have adopted a new way of communicating with you! You may receive an email or text message from the parish sent from our new system, Evangelus, run by the same company as our Parish App. This is not spam. We encourage you to open the message and follow the link to create a profile and select your preferred form of contact. Get emails or text messages directly to your phone during this time of social distancing, such as the link for live-streamed Mass each week. There will also be groups for you to join, just like on the Parish App. Visit eva.us/johnbosco to sign-up and let us know if you prefer to receive emails or text messages from us!
FORMED
Our Christmas present from the parish to you this year is a FREE subscription to FORMED, a premier online platform filled with over 4,000 Catholic studies, movies, talks, e-books, and cartoons for children. You can watch online, on an app on your phone, or on a smart TV/device. Start by watching some of the Advent content this season!
- Go to https://signup.formed.org
- Enter our parish zip code of 06405
- Enter your name and email address
You can also get the free app by searching for FORMED Catholic in the app store.
How to Watch Daily Mass
The television Mass is broadcast seven days a week at 10:00 AM on WCCT-TV (WB20) and WCTX-TV (MyTV9). It can also be seen Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 AM on WCCT-TV. The Mass can also be found streaming live at these times on http://www.ortv.org/streaming/streaming.htm.
OCIA & ADULT CONFIRMATION
Do you know of anyone who is interested in learning more about the Catholic Church, or who is baptized but would like to complete their sacrament(s) of First Communion and/or Confirmation? In September our parish will begin hosting sessions for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and Adult Confirmation. Click here to learn more about OCIA, and Contact Nadine Toren at 203-671-8002 or nadine528@att.net to register.
ESCA Virtual Tour
Archbishop's Annual Appeal
Find Us On Social Media!
ST. JOHN BOSCO PARISH
www.youtube.com/saintjohnboscobranford
https://www.instagram.com/st.johnbosco_ym ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD |
Bible in a Year
Click here to see more information and links about "The Bible in a Year" Podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz!
Recent Scam Emails
Across the Archdiocese, some parishes have reported email scams which appear to come from the Pastor asking for money. At quick glance the email resembles a valid email address but in fact it is not. These email phishing scams falsely identify themselves as the pastor of the parish and may even reference his actual name. Under no circumstances do parishes or pastors ask for donations in this way and reference buying gift cards, wire transfers, or Bitcoin.
Parishioners in Branford have reported getting emails and even text messages from people appearing to be Fr. Keefe, asking for donations of gift cards. THIS IS A SCAM. If you have responded to any of these messages, consider changing your email passwords to ensure your own account safety. CLICK HERE to download a document "How to Tell if an Email is a Scam" to help you understand how to determine if an email is legitimate in any situation.
Promise to Protect
Please visit https://promise.archdioceseofhartford.org/, the Archdiocese of Hartford's website dedicated solely to responding to the sexual abuse crisis within the Church. Read the Archbishop's statements, watch video messages, find resources for the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance and Reporting, and download prayers.