229 Danbury Rd
Wilton, CT 06897
Tel: (203) 762-3928
Our Ministries
Our Lady of Fatima offers a diverse range of ministries and support services that cater to the spiritual and communal needs of our members. Each ministry provides a unique opportunity for individuals to grow in faith and connect with others who share similar beliefs and values. Through our ministries, we aim to foster a sense of belonging and encourage active participation in the life of the church community.
Liturgical
Adoration
DAYTIME EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - Our Lady of Fatima Parish invites you to join in a day of adoration each month. On First Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in our upstairs chapel for silent prayer. Everyone is welcome! Volunteers to commit to specific half-hours are always needed. NOCTURNAL ADORATION - On the First Friday of the month from October through May, men and women of the parish give an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Teams are assigned a designated hour during the night. If you are assigned 10:00 p.m. in October, your next assignment is 11:00 p.m. in November. There is also a group that has regular adoration at 9:00 p.m. each month. New members are always welcome. This devotion ends each First Saturday morning just before 8:00 a.m. Mass. For more information please contact Brian Highland at olfnocturnaladoration@gmail.com.
Altar Servers
Those in grade five and above, who are interested in becoming altar servers, are eligible after a period of training. The primary role is to assist the celebrant during mass and special celebrations. Servers are assigned weekend Mass duty based on family availability throughout the year. If interested, please contact Fr. Pawel at: pastor@olfwilton.org.
Bible Study
In Christianity, Bible study is the study of the Bible by people as a personal religious or spiritual practice. Some denominations may call this devotion or devotional acts; however in other denominations devotion has other meanings. Bible study in this sense is distinct from biblical studies, which is a formal academic discipline. The group will choose and explore different books of the bible each season. For more information, please contact Deacon Tony Conti at: A.M.Conti@outlook.com
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
An extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is, under the Code of Canon Law, "an acolyte, or another of Christ's faithful deputed", in certain circumstances, to distribute Holy Communion. The term "extraordinary" distinguishes such a person from the ordinary (normal, regular) minister of Holy Communion, namely a bishop, priest or deacon. Canon law permits that "[w]here the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, even though they are not lectors or acolytes, can supply certain of their functions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law." The term "lay people" does not distinguish between men and women. The extraordinary minister's function is to distribute Holy Communion, either within Mass or by taking it to a sick person, when an ordained minister (bishop, priest or deacon) is absent or impeded. In order to avoid confusion about this function, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion is not to be called a "special minister of Holy Communion", nor an "extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist", nor a "special minister of the Eucharist". Ten years before publication of the present Code of Canon Law, some of these expressions were used in the instruction of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments Immensae caritatis of 29 January 1973. They are now reprobated. For more information please contact Marie Jarboe at: olfeucharistic@gmail.com.
Spiritual Break
The Spiritual Break Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:30 am – 11:45 am. The group meets to pray, share our faith and discuss a book chosen by the group. All are welcome. Please contact Terry Lynn (203-858-8774) or Gale Roeder (203-762-3784).
Lectors
Lectors have a critical role in the celebration of the Mass. Since the Lector proclaims not just any word, but the Word of God, it is essential that they develop the skills required to communicate God’s message competently. In the fullness of time, the Word of God took flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. That Word continues to take flesh again and again whenever a man or woman stands up to proclaim it to the community of believers. God chose to work through human instruments, to play his song of love to the world. The ministry of the lector calls for a person to grow in a warm and loving knowledge of Scripture, the living word of God. He or she is invited to enter into a relationship with a Word that is creative, powerful and effective. The call to be a Lector is something that demands preparation. No one should get up to read to the community gathered for worship without this preparation. In becoming a Lector, you are accepting the responsibility to do your best, to practice, to make frequent self-evaluations and to continually look for ways to improve your ability to communicate the Word of God clearly to the congregation. As a Lector you are entrusted with some of the most wonderful stories to come down through the ages, and it is through these stories that God continues to speak. These are stories about the rainbow that sealed God’s covenant with Noah; about the bush whose flames revealed a God on fire with love for his people; about the rib that became a woman. As a Lector you must understand each story simply as a story. The ministry of a lector is a wonderful work, and an extremely rewarding ministry. Through your own sacrifice of time, effort, and preparation, God’s living Word continues to be proclaimed to all of his people; the young, the old, the troubled, the hopeless, the happy and to those in need of comfort. To be a lector is to be given an opportunity for your own personal growth in Jesus Christ. We welcome all newcomers to our ministry. May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim His holy Word. For more information, please contact Louis Furlo at louis.furlo@morleynet.com
Music Ministry
Our Lady of Fatima music program offers something for everyone. Our Music Director & Youth Choir Director is Daniel Alasuvanto and he can be reached at music@olfwilton.org. THE ADULT CHOIR sings hymns, psalms, and anthems in a wide variety of musical styles at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. before Mass. All who are high school age and older are welcome. THE FAMILY CHOIR sings contemporary songs of praise at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, accompanied by guitars, keyboard, and other instruments. Families, singles, couples, young and old are welcome. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. before Mass. THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR is open to all children in grades K through five. The children sing periodically at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and on special occasions such as Christmas Eve. They rehearse every Thursday that school is in session from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. Our Children's Choir Director is also our Music Director, Danial Alasuvanto at music@olfwilton.org
Services
Bereavement Ministry
After the death of a parishioner, a sympathy note is sent to the family offering private counseling or the option of speaking to someone from the bereavement ministry team. Each November a Mass is offered for those who have been buried from OLF in the previous year, and family and friends are invited to this event, followed by a breakfast reception. And when the need is apparent, a bereavement support group is formed, meeting for four evening sessions in the spring or fall. Please contact Fr. Hrebenko at pastor@olfwilton.org for more information
Respect Life
The parish Respect Life Ministry fosters respect and legal protection for every human life from the moment of fertilization until natural death. The ministry educates parishioners about current pro-life issues including abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, cloning, assisted suicide, death penalty, and end of life medical issues. Please contact Kathleen Dineen, 203 762-7674 for more information.
Elderly & Homebound
With the help of parish volunteers, this program reaches out to the unique needs, concerns and hopes of this important segment of our parish. The scope of this ministry includes Ogden House, Wilton Meadows, The Greens, Brookdale Place of Wilton, Meadow Ridge in Redding, as well as our homebound parishioners. If you or someone you know has needs, and we are able to help, please contact the Parish Office at 203 762-3928. We are always in need of new volunteers in this most worthwhile and valuable ministry.
Funeral Hospitality
Our Lady of Fatima’s Hospitality Committee is available to assist you in the planning and preparation of a luncheon or reception in our Parish Center following your loved one’s funeral. For more information or to volunteer please contact Jeannie Rubsam at therubsam5@sbcglobal.net.
Our Lady's Association
We welcome all women of the parish to demonstrate their devotion to our Blessed Mother through prayerful and enriching activities as well as through social gatherings. Our activities include retreats, trips, lunches and brunches as well as gathering for Mass and saying the Rosary at Our Lady of Fatima. See the bulletin for our meeting dates and events. We don't meet during the summer. Please contact Joyce Ploder at rploder@plodercm.com or Anne Novitsky at yiayia907@icloud.com.
Spiritual Break Group
This group meets in the Parish Center once a month on the 4th Tuesday from 10:30 - 11:45am for prayer, reflection and discussion on how to incorporate God in our daily lives as the gospels teach us. All are welcome to join us for one month or every month September through May. Join us in sharing your faith with others spiritually and socially. Contact Kathleen Kalamarides at 203-834-0222.
Separated / Divorced Group
This group meets in the Office Conference Room at 7 pm, as the need arises, on various dates, (see the parish bulletin for actual dates) with our pastor Father Reginald Norman. Come and learn about the healing process, how we are welcomed in the Catholic Church, the Annulment process and a variety of related topics. This group is open to anyone interested or in need of love a Contact Fr. Hrebenko at pastor@olfwilton.org.
