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Welcome
to
the web site of
Saint Vincent Ferrer Church
A Roman Catholic Community of Faith and Good Works
Begun as a Mission in 1971 & Established as a Parish in 1975
1006 New Haven Road (Route 63)
Naugatuck, Connecticut
06770-4731 USA
☼ NEW! ► Visit our “Travel Services” section
(fundraiser)
and our Gallery & color Bulletin
pages. Enjoy!
(Because the navigation column to the left disappears,
to return to the parish
website,
simply click the back button)
Contact us:
(Note:
convert the [at] to @ in the addresses below)
Church email: stvincentfer[at]sbcglobal.net
Pastor email: KevinJForsyth[at]hotmail.com
Telephones:
Church: 203-723-7497
Fax: 203-729-2978
Child
Care:
203-723-9094
Religious
Education:
203-723-0782
Youth
Ministry:
203-723-8735
Family Center: 203-723-7591
Parish web
site:
www.saintvincentferrerchurch.org
Our
Patron Saint:
Vincent Ferrer was born in Valencia, Spain on 23 January 1350 of
English and Scottish parents who instilled in him a deep devotion to the
Lord Jesus and the Blessed Mother and a great love for the poor. He joined the Dominicans, receiving the
habit in 1367 at age 18 against his family’s wishes. He was a brilliant preacher and speaker
(and for being quite handsome). Everywhere
crowds flocked to hear him, innumerable conversions and miracles
occurred. He converted thousands in Spain, France,
Italy, Germany, Holland,
England, Scotland, and Ireland. He had the gift of tongues. He was offered an appointment as bishop,
but declined it.
During an illness, the Lord Jesus
appeared to him along with Saints Dominic and Francis and was told he would
live to preach repentance like the two saints. After the three departed from him,
Vincent was instantly restored to health.
His titles include: Doctor of theology,
Priest, and Missionary. He taught
theology. He was an Adviser to the
King of Aragon and a Counselor to Pope Benedict XIII. He traveled throughout Spain, France,
Switzerland and Italy to
end the Great Schism, and was instrumental in reconciling the divisions in
the Church at the time of “the three popes.”
He died Wednesday of Holy Week in 1419
at age 70 at Vannes,
Brittany, France. In 1455 (or 1458) he was canonized a
saint. His feast day is April 5th. In addition to being our parish’s patron
saint, he is also the patron saint of brick makers, builders, construction
workers, pavement workers, plumbers, and tile makers.
In art, he is often
represented in his Dominican habit, holding an open book while preaching;
or with a cardinal's hat; or with wings, a pulpit, a trumpet, a crucifix;
or with a flame on his head; or on his hand.
In his book, “On the Spiritual Life”, he
writes:
If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor,
you should approach God first with all
your heart.
Ask Him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest
of all virtues;
with it you can accomplish what you
desire.
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