Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales intends to live stream the 4 pm Mass on Saturdays. At the time of the live stream click the play button to begin watching. You can watch previous broadcasts by clicking on the play button and selecting “previous broadcasts” and then click the date you want to view.
About Us
This weekend, we gather in celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. While I leave the in-depth reflection on this profound mystery to scripture scholars, it's important to note that this feast invites us to contemplate the nature of our triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and how we're called to live in relationship with one another. I have the blessing of working with families through the Faith Formation program and sacramental preparation. The increasing presence of young families in church is truly heartening. Reflecting on my own journey, I recall the challenging, yet endearing days of self-described "baby wrestling" and engaging my boys with the simple wonder of spotting ladybugs in the windows at the church's entrance when they were restless sitting in the pews. These personal experiences make me appreciate even more the dedication of today's parents who bring their young children to Mass. I recently read a compelling article by Monica Portogallo from the Holy Cross Family Ministries, through the CatholicMom.com ministry. In it, she eloquently articulates what moms who bring their little kids to Mass need most from their fellow parishioners:
These young families and children are the future of our church. Pray for them, encourage them, and on the more challenging days, have patience and understanding that they have made the choice to share their faith with their families. Let's keep fostering a community that uplifts each other in faith, for in doing so, we're truly living out the love of the Holy Trinity. Blessings, Kathy Murphy, Director of Faith Formation |
MASS TIMES (Begining Monday November 28th)
Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales - Bennington:
Saturday 4:00 pm, Sunday 8:00 am
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 am
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, North Bennington:
Saturday 5:30 pm, Sunday 10:00 am
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am
First Saturdays 9:00 am
CONFESSION TIMES
(or by appointment)
Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales, Bennington:
Saturdays at 3:00-3:30 pm
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, North Bennington:
Confessions follow the First Saturday 9 am Mass 9:30 - 10:15 am
Sacred Heart St. Francis Office Hours
(802) 442-3141
Monday 8:30 am to Noon & 1:00 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday-Friday 8:30 am to Noon
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church’s Office Hours (802) 447-7504
Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
News:
If you can't join us for the Search after the 8 am Mass - find it on Formed.org.
Registering for FORMED is easier than ever:
On July 29, 1853, the Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, was formally created by papal brief under the leadership of the first bishop, Louis de Goësbriand. At this time there were 10 churches and approximately 20,000 Catholics being served by five priests. The Diocese was very much a missionary Diocese with limited resources and a small congregation of Catholics sprinkled throughout the vast state. The terrain was challenging, and the mostly Protestant state did not welcome Catholicism.
Bishop de Goësbriand spent most of his quarter-of-a million-dollar inheritance to travel throughout the state to spread the Good News and build churches, schools and homes for the most vulnerable. The fruits of his labor paid off. By 1891, the number of Catholics more than doubled to 48,000 with 78 churches. In addition, he helped found eight academies and 16 parochial schools in the Diocese with seven congregations of women religious to staff them.By the time he died in 1899, he had spent his entire fortune; he had only $2.12 to his name and a few old suits, noted Father Lance Harlow, rector of St. Joseph Cathedral who wrote a biography of the bishop in 2001. "Bishop de Goësbriand, even though he was raised in a well-respected and well-to-do household, lived in austere simplicity," said Kathleen Messier, assistant diocesan archivist. "In several biographical accounts of Burlington's founding bishop, his Christ-like love of the poor has often been noted."
Today we find the Diocese of Burlington is again missionary territory, similar to what Bishop de Goësbriand faced but with new challenges: Covid-19, declining population and a generation of young people disinterested in joining any type of formal religion.We must face these challenges with the same fortitude and faith as our first leader, Bishop de Goësbriand, and create new ways to engage young people and lay leaders, while keeping our faith community connected during the pandemic and continuing to support the most vulnerable among us. When the pandemic closed our churches, we increased our communication by live-streaming almost 200 faith engagement activities including weekly and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, daily rosary, daily scripture reflections and many other faith engagement opportunities. We continued to provide emergency aid to families — many impacted by Covid-19 — moved our Catholic education online and guided our parishes to safely open for the public celebration of the Mass when the stay-home-order was lifted.
The faith community of Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales welcomes new visitors as well as old friends to join us in prayer and celebration. Please join us for Mass, in prayer and fellowship or as a guest at one of the church community’s many special events.
We are a warm, vibrant parish and are always happy to see new faces. If you are new to the Bennington area and are interested in becoming a member of the parish, please stop by the parish office or for additional information. We are glad to have you with us.