Sacramental Life

San Damiano Cross of St. Francis (enlarge)

Mission Statement

The People of God gathered around the Throne of the Word and the Table of the Lord to embrace the Paschal Mystery to Teach, to Preach and to Heal in Jesus’ Name. We strive to embody the Tradition and Teachings of the Church sharing in her many gifts and through the Spirit of Saint Emery/Saint Stephen to proclaim The Good News of Jesus the Christ to our sisters and brothers. May God Be With Us!

BAPTISM

The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on a date established ahead of time. Parents are required to attend a pre-Baptism instruction. Sponsors (godparents) must meet church requirements. Please call the office for more information.

RECONCILIATION

Please call the office to setup and appointment.

MARRIAGE

Before you book your venue please contact the office (203) 336-1835 at least 6 to 12 months in advance to set the wedding date with the Church first.

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A handcrafted replica of the famous San Damiano Cross of St. Francis is pictured above. This intricate Cross was made in Italy and imported from Italy during the 2000 restoration of the Church. The Cross is used for Mass and other processions.

Holy Family behind the Baptismal Fount

This shrine (right) of Our Holy Family is located behind the Baptismal Fount.

Our Franciscan Family

This shrine of Our Franciscan Family is located in the Church Transept ‘South’ (right).

From left, St. Francis, St. Clare, St. John of Capistrano, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and Saint Padre Pio.

Both these shrines were created by Italian sculptors from the northern regions of Italy. All statues are hand carved from lindenwood, which is wood indigenous to the northern Italian Alps. These shrines were imported from Italy during the St. Emery Church restoration in 2000.

St. Francis of Assisi founded the men’s Franciscan Order. St. Clare of Assisi co-founded the Order of Poor Ladies. St. John of Capistrano is Patron Saint of Jurists and Military Chaplains. St. Elizabeth, a Princess of Hungary founded the Order of the Poor, and St. Padre Pio who is famous for his bearing of the stigmata.

(Click on shrines to enlarge)

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History of the Priceless Stained Glass Windows

In 1981, St. Emery’s obtained six priceless antique stained glass windows from the Franciscan Order of the Province of the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Troy, New York. The Seminary was being turned into a hospital and thanks to Father Robert Nemeth, received permission from the Franciscan’s to remove and install the windows in St. Emery’s Church.

These windows were crafted in Europe (German artists) and are more than 130 years old. The window inscriptions relate to the Franciscans and St. Francis of Assisi.

Thanks to the efforts of Father Charles Allen S. J. of Fairfield University in 2012, an exact, elegant and inspiring translation of these very old Latin inscriptions has been provided for 6 Seminary window’s and for 2 original St. Emery windows. Translations are next to each window photograph.

(Click on windows to enlarge. Exact translation from Latin to English in quotes)

St. Francis (Seminary Window 1). Receiving the Holy Stigmata.

St. Francis (Seminary Window 2). Entering Heaven as a Poor Man.

“Covered with a canopy of bandages and warmed by the presence of Christ, he received the stigmata of Christ” (Window 1)

“The poor and the naked enter into heaven while the rich are leaving and spreading the protection of his wounds he protects the ill” (Window 2)

St. Francis (Seminary Window 3). Founding of the Franciscan Order.

“Your foot crushes the head of the envious dragon and notes the unique glory of your unsullied origin” (Window 3)

St. Francis (St. Emery Window 4). Prayer.

“Save us, O Lord our God that we might proclaim this day to all the nations and gather us in your holy name and we will glory in your praise” (Window 4)

St. Francis (St. Emery Window 5). Prayer.

“Light will shine upon us, because this day is born to us the Lord, and he shall be called Wonderful God, the Prince of peace, and the father of the future ages” (Window 5)

St. Francis (Seminary Window 6). Teaching a Holy Lesson.

“Three times the holy reading of the cross warned Francis and three times he opened the book through the evidence of virtue” (Window 6)

St. Francis (Seminary Window 7). St. Francis asking the Pope to approve the Vow of Poverty as Rule for the Franciscan Order.

“The high priest then orders the poor be called to Christ who answers their needs and tests them and being tested they pray in happiness” (Window 7)