March 3, 2013
Transcription
March 3, 2013
Our Lady of the Snow Roman Catholic Church 175 Blue Point Avenue, Blue Point, New York 11715 The Pastoral Team: Rev. Edward R. D’Andrea, Pastor Rev. James Drew, Parish Administrator Rev. Diarmuid F. McGann, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Charles Pokoo, In Residence Deacon Robert Gronenthal Deacon Frank Hartmann Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults Mrs. Patricia Bartoldus, Director of Faith Formation, K-9 Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director of Outreach Mrs. Theresa Martin, Director of Music Third Sunday of Lent March 3, 2013 “Those who think they are standing secure should take care not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12) Mass Schedules: Weekend Masses Saturday Mass...5:00 p.m. – Large Church Sunday Masses...7:30 a.m. - Mother Church 9:00, 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon - Large Church Weekday Masses: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - Mother Church Summer Mass Schedule (July & August): Saturday, 5 p.m. in Large Church; Sunday, 7:30 a.m. Mother Church, 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Large Church Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) Saturday, 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Large Church Parish E-Mail: [email protected] Rectory Office: 363-6385 — Fax: 363-7394 Mrs. Irene Mauro, Office Manager, ext. 11 Ms. Lindsay Litcher, Parish Asst., ext. 10 Mrs. Loraine Gonzalez, Admin. Asst., ext. 10 Hours: Monday -Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed from 12:30-1 p.m. Monday - Friday Religious Education: 363-6394 Mrs. Eileen Mulry, Secretary, ext. 15 Office hours: Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. [email protected] Parish Outreach: 363-2417 Office hours and food pantry, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday in the cottage. Evening Hours Available by Appointment [email protected] Visit our NEW Website! www.ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com Prayer & Intentions Page 2 March 3, 2013 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 4 Monday 8:30AM Rosemary Sblendorio Tuesday 8:30AM John Gronenthal Wednesday Joe McCarthy 8:30AM Thursday 8:30AM Rosemary Sblendorio Friday 8:30AM Filemon Alcasabas Saturday 5:00PM Annie McCarrick Sunday 7:30AM 9:00AM 10:30AM 12:00PM In Sympathy For all who have died this past week, that they rejoice in the heavenly banquet… Mass Presiders for March 9—10 Schedule is subject to change Saturday: March 9 5:00 p.m Father Jim Drew Sunday: March 10 7:30 a.m. Father John Amoah 9:00 a.m. Father Jim Drew 10:30 a.m. Father John Amoah 12:00 p.m. Father Jim Drew Readings for the Week Parishioners Albert Babin Annamarie Tucci & Frank Ammirata Stanley Drake & Betty Jo Murphy Pray for Our Sick Monday 2 Kings 5:1-15b; Luke 4:24-30 Tuesday Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Matthew 18:21-35 Wednesday Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19 Thursday Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23 Friday Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14 Sunday Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Names submitted by immediate family members only will remain on list for 4 weeks. Amelia Sauerwein We pray for all who are sick, for their healing in both body and spirit. Saints & Special Observances Sunday: Third Sunday of Lent; First Scrutiny Monday: St. Casimir Thursday: Ss. Perpetua and Felicity Friday: St. John of God; Abstinence Saturday: St. Frances of Rome 2 Corinthians 5:17-21/ Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 A Message from The Administrator Page 3 March 3, 2013 Sunday, March 3, 2013 Third Sunday of Lent Belong More Deeply to Christ and His Church A Message from Father Jim Drew Dear Parishioners, God always wants our future to be bigger than our past. As we arrive at the halfway point of Lent, let us reflect on all the good ways God has blessed our lives in the past and remind ourselves no matter how good our past was—God has a bigger future planned for us. That bigger future may include a new relationship, a new job, some new insight, a powerful new habit, a pay raise, a dream vacation, or a love rekindled. It will be different for each of us and it almost never is what we think it will be. God loved to surprise us. The important thing is to pray imagining your bigger future. I have found that using some powerful promises, first from Paul’s letter to the Philippians—directed from God to you—can uplift your spirit and prepare you for a better future: 1. I AM a child of the living God— “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.” - Philippians 1:6 2. “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” - Philippians 4:13 3. I WILL decide today to make God’s dream for my life my dream too! “It is God at work in you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.” - Philippians 2:13 4. I BELIEVE that with God’s help I can become the person that He wants me to be! “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of good and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11 Let us draw strength and courage from our faith in Christ our teacher and healer. Matthew Kelly’s book “Rediscover Catholicism” is worth reading during these times of change. I encourage you to pick up a copy and begin reading it—5 pages daily. March 2013 Your Faith and Easter St. Paul declared: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). Our faith is anchored in the good news of the resurrection. The resurrection is the Father’s response to the cross, his defiant answer to a world that hoped violence could keep Jesus in its hold. If death had spoken the final word about Jesus, it would have been only a matter of time before everything about Jesus had been reduced to a curiosity, a forgettable footnote in the crowded history of lost causes. But God had the last word. In raising Jesus from the dead, God raised every value that Jesus cherished, every story that Jesus told, every preference that Jesus made, every purpose that Jesus followed. All this was given new life and new significance. The resurrection of Jesus was not a hysterical invention of people who refused to accept Jesus’ death. The Father’s act of raising Jesus from the dead is the Father’s way of accepting his Son’s death. Jesus is wakened to glory by the applause of his Father, by the sheer energy of his Father’s love, by the loud shout of his Father’s gratitude. The Father refuses to write RIP over Jesus’ grave. Our faith focuses not on an empty tomb but on the everlasting presence of Jesus as Lord. PRAYER THE YEAR OF FAITH October 11, 2012—November 24, 2013 Here is one man’s story on becoming the best version of himself: Nick Vujicic MY FAITH IN ACTION I have discovered time and again that when we ask for God’s help and then take action, knowing in our hearts that He is watching over us, there is no reason to be fearful. My parents taught me this, mostly in the way they lived each day. They are the greatest examples of faith in action that I have witnessed. Though I arrived on this earth missing, as my mother says, “a few bits and pieces,” I am blessed in many, many ways. My parents have always been there for me. They did not coddle me. They disciplined me when I needed it and gave me room to make my own mistakes. Most of all, they are wonderful role models. I was their first child and definitely a surprise package. Despite doing all the usual maternity tests, my mother’s doctor detected no indication that I would come into the world with neither arms nor legs. My mother was an experienced nurse who has assisted in hundreds of deliveries, so she took every precaution during her pregnancy. Needless to say, she and my father were quite stunned that I arrived without limbs. They are devout Christians. In fact, my father was a lay pastor. My parents prayed for guidance while I underwent many days of testing after my birth. Like all babies, I did not come with an instruction book, but my parents sure would have welcomed a little guidance. They knew of no other parents who’d raised a child without limbs in a world designed for people with a complete set. They were distraught at first, as any parents would be. Anger, guilt, fear, depression, despair—their emotions ran away with them for the week or so. Many tears were shed. They grieved for the perfectly formed child they’d envisioned but did no receive. They grieved, too, because they feared that my life would be difficult. My parents could not imagine what plan God had in mind for such a boy. Yet, once they’d recovered from their initial shock, they decided to put their trust in God and then to put their faith in action. They gave up their attempts to understand why God had given them such a child. Instead, they surrendered to His plan, whatever it might be, and then went about raising me as best they could, the only way they could: pouring into me all their love one day at a time. Look, we beseech you, O Lord, upon the people of this land who are called by your holy name: grant to us all that, laying aside our divisions, we may be united in heart and mind to bear the From the book Unstoppable– The Incredible Power of Faith in Action, by Nick burdens that have been laid Vujicic upon us and enjoy the new “Perhaps the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead life you grant us. This we pray through the risen Lord. and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and entertaining to consider Source: Your Diary for the Year of Faith Author: Dennis McBride CSsR Used with Permission of the Author 11/12/12 that at least once in the world’s history those words might have been said with complete conviction, and that was on the eve of the resurrection.” Dorothy L. Sayers Our Lady of the Snow Lenten Journey PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING BACK YOUR LENTEN JOURNEY CARDS EACH SUNDAY PLACE IN BASKET IN FRONT OF CROSS IN THE LARGE CHURCH (ON THE STAGE) Wednesday, March 6 Our Second Session of the Rediscover Catholicism Book Discussion will be at 10 a.m. in the Large Church or 7:30 p.m. in the Mother Church Basement. If you missed the first session you are welcome to come to this session. Please come and be ready to discuss Part One We Become What We Celebrate (Chapters 1-5) Friday, March 15 Sta ons of the Cross with our Level 3 students, all parishioners are welcome at 7:30PM in the Mother Church. Wednesday, March 20 The Third Session of our Rediscover Catholicism Book Discussion is at 10 a.m. in the Large Church or 7:30 p.m. in the Mother Church Basement. If you missed the first two sessions you are welcome to come to this session. Please come and be ready to discuss Part 2: The Authen c Life (Chapters 6-11) Our Journey continues...keep posted each week to see the Lenten Opportunities for you. Page 6 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Hollywood has given us an image of Moses slipping off his shoes before a burning bush. God has just called Moses by name, and so that Moses doesn’t miss the meaning of this breakthrough in human history, God requires that all barriers to the experience be eliminated. If you’ve ever tried to maneuver barefoot across hot sand, or pick your way along a rocky beach, you know how sensitive feet can be. Within the Church, there are religious orders with a custom of going barefoot, not merely to show poverty, but to be an outward sign of a desire for connection with creation, a desire to go through life alert to what God is doing. In early days, when reconciliation was a once in a lifetime possibility, penitents often went barefoot for a long period of time as a sign of their conversion. Even today, people follow an ancient practice of slipping off their shoes to walk in the procession to the cross on Good Friday. It is striking that the first use of our newly scrubbed feet from Holy Thursday night is to walk resolutely in the footsteps of Christ to the cross. —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. March 3, 2013 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME Don’t forget to adjust your clocks one hour forward on Sunday, March 10th! Banns of Marriage Robert Aliperti—Patricia Voetter Joseph McManus—Dawn Gaynor Second Collection For Catholic Relief Services Next weekend, our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection. This collection supports six Catholic agencies that touch more than 100 million lives around the world. The funds from this collection help provide food to the hungry, welcome and support displaced refugees, and advocacy for the voiceless. How will you help? Next week, please give generously to The Catholic Relief Services Collection and Jesus in disguise. RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY General Meeting—March 8th @ 2PM / Cottage Prayer Presence March 9th / Planned Parenthood Facility— Waverly Avenue/North of Sunrise Highway 10:30-11:30AM Religious Education Page 7 March 3, 2013 OUR LADY OF THE SNOW Religious Education Office 363-6394/[email protected] Hours Monday to Thursday 9:30-4:30 or by appointment “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed … Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matt 17:20,21 WEEK OF MARCH 3 The Diocese of Rockville Centre celebrates Religious Education Week! March 3 – 10 The students will be participating in the Parish Lenten Journey by joining in the Penitential Practices of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving OUR CLASSES Children’s Liturgy of the Word and Pre K-K during the 9am Mass Level 2 – 8 Classes in session this week. No Level 4 classes – Reconciliation on Thursday or Saturday. Wednesday March 6 – Confirmation Class 7:30 – 9pm CELEBRATIONS Confirmation Service Liturgy – 12 Noon Mass on Sun. Mar. 3 Confirmation Candidates will present their Service Reflection Sheets Level 4 Reconciliation – Thurs. Mar. 7 at 7:30pm or Sat. March 9 at 11am Level 3 Stations of the Cross – Fri. Mar. 15 at 7:30pm in Mother Church Mark Your Calendars Mon. March 11 – Level 6 - Temple Tour Tues. March 12 – Level 8 – Generation Life Presentation 7:30pm Boys will attend at Our Lady of the Snow in the Mother Church Girls will attend at St. Lawrence in Sayville Thurs. March 14 – Level 2 Parent/Child Celebration - 7pm in Large Church For class schedules and information please visit us on the Parish Website ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com Page 8 Financial Matters SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION Returns from the weekend of February 23—24 Mass Env. w/ Chks Env. w/ Cash Loose 64 1337 95 41 170 Att. Env 5:00 pm 244 7:30 am 9:00 am Total Cks. Loose Cash 313 387 260 2297 730 255 130 101 1216 62 1267 392 435 273 2367 210 94 1539 439 195 210 2383 12:00 pm 190 51 1027 138 145 160 1470 TOTAL 909 312 5900 1537 1292 1004 9733 10:30 am March 3, 2013 LENTEN REGULATIONS Weekdays of Lent: There is no obligation to fast, however, voluntary acts of self-denial are recommended. Days of Abstinence: (All Fridays of Lent) All who have reached their 14th year are bound to abstain totally from meat. Ash Wednesday & Good Friday: All Catholics who have reached their 14th year are bound to abstain entirely from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. All Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive are also bound to observe the law of fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Two other light meals, which together do not equal a full meal, may be taken during the day. Illness or other serious reason excuses from the obligations of fast and abstinence. Easter Duty Obligation: After receiving First Holy Communion, Catholics are bound by the obligation to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This precept should be fulfilled during the Easter Season. Catholics are also bound to confess serious (mortal) sins at least once a year, but this is not limited to the Lenten/Easter season. Marriage: Arrangements must be made at least six to twelve months in advance. It is advisable to call the church prior to arranging the reception. Baptisms: Are celebrated on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month. Please call the rectory at least 3 months in advance. Baptisms cannot be planned until the baby is born. Christian Initiation: Persons interested in becoming Catholic and adults who have not received Confirmation or First Eucharist, please contact the Rectory office. For older children who have not received sacraments, please call the Religious Education office. New parishioners: Please register at the Rectory or call 363-6385, ext. 10 for information. Communion for the Homebound: To make arrangements to have Communion brought to the home, please call the Rectory at 363-6385, ext. 10. For emergency sick calls, please call the Rectory at any time. Ministry to the Homebound The Ministry to the Homebound are Extraordinary Ministers who bring Communion to the sick and others who are confined to their homes. If you, or a loved one would like to request a Minister to the Homebound to make a visit to your home, please contact Beth at 363-2416. Parish Outreach & Local Events Page 9 Parish Outreach News FOOD PANTRY ALERT Upcoming Events During the winter months, donations to our food pantry drop drastically. Due to these tough economic times, we are helping an increased number of our neighbors in need. We are currently in need of all food items, but especially: pasta sauce, cookies, crackers, boxed milk, canned meats, tuna, mayonnaise, tea, coffee, all juices, cereal, pancake mix and syrup, paper towels, laundry detergent, baby wipes, chili, stew, chicken, jelly, rice, all toiletries, but especially tissues, shampoo and conditioner. We are also in desperate need of size 5 and 6 diapers, supermarket gift cards in $10 denominations to all area supermarkets, also CVS and Costco gift cards are needed for pharmacy assistance. Food can be dropped off at the outreach office Monday—Thursday 10AM—1PM or in the food bin outside the pantry door in the foyer of the large church before or after every Mass. BETHPAGE VITA PROGRAM The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, running from January 30th through April 13, 2013 is celebrating its 10th anniversary and offers free tax help for low, to moderate income (generally $49,000 and below) individuals and families. Bilingual Tax Assistors are available at VITA locations and times are as follows: Wednesday, 5PM—7PM and Saturdays at 3PM—6PM: Bay Shore, Farmingdale, Freeport, Patchogue, Riverhead and West Babylon. Wednesday, 6PM—8PM and Saturdays 3PM—6PM: Central Islip, Hempstead, Massapequa, Roosevelt and Westbury. For more information, please call 800-628-7070. March 3, 2013 L.I. Bohemian Singles For singles ages 60+ meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 3PM at the Henrietta Acampora Rec Center, Montauk Highway, Blue Point. Admission is $6, coffee, cake at each meeting. For more info, call Mary Ann at 563-8982 Bishop Molloy Retreat House Annual Men’s Retreat A weekend focusing on your relationship with God. This annual men’s retreat is to Bishop Molloy retreat house in Jamaica, NY on February 22-24. For more information, contact Brian McAuliff at [email protected] or at 472-4233. “Mommy & Me” Group Held Tuesdays, from 10AM-11AM at Mary Immaculate Church, in the Mary Hughes Cottage, Bellport. For more information, contact Theresa at 714-5400. St. Joseph’s Renewal Center, Brentwood “Mid-Lenten Day of Prayer” March 13, 2013 10AM-3:30PM. $30 includes lunch. For more information, and reservations, call 273-1187 x123. Hofstra University 15th Annual Irish Experience Festival Sunday, March 10 from 11AM-5PM, Mack Physical Education Center, North Campus. Music, dancing, crafts and more. For more information, please call 516-463-6582 or visit Hofstra.edu/festivals. Family, Marriage and Individual Therapy provided by New York State licensed professionals is available to our parish under the direction of Dr. George Giuliani. Information and appointments can be made by calling Dr. Giuliani at ( 6 3 1 ) 2 4 3 - 2 5 0 3 o r thecatholiccounselingcenter.com 2013 Catholic Ministries Appeal Serving God by Serving Others Our Lord is grateful to those who sacrifice in His name to build the Kingdom of God. No gift is too small when it is offered with love to serve others. DID YOU KNOW? More than 500,000 meals are delivered or served to seniors and families in need through Catholic Charities More than 100,000 people are provided with food, clothing and support through Parish Outreach programs. More than 10,000 young people participate in Parish Youth Ministry programs across Long Island. More than 110,000 of our students in public schools participate in religious education programs taught by 12,000 dedicated catechists. All funds raised support the Appeal and its Ministries You can make a difference in your parish and in the lives of those around us by making a gift to this year’s appeal. Visit the web site at www.catholicministriesappeal.org for more information, or to view the video. Page 11 BE A PART OF OUR PRE CANA PROGRAM Would you enjoy the opportunity to spend time with couples in our parish who are beginning their marriage journey; to share the story of your marriage; talk, laugh, cry and walk with these young couples? And you only have to set aside one weekend a year to do so? Then the Pre Cana Ministry may be for you! Our Pre Cana Program is set for Saturday, April 6, 2013, here at Our Lady of the Snow. If you would like to join our married couples as facilitators for any part of this program, please contact Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults at 363-2416. It is an enriching experience for both engaged and married couples who participate and we welcome you! March 3, 2013 Living Stewardship We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who love actively. How? By serving in a soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless shelter, hospital or assisted living facility. Did you miss the first session of our “Rediscover Catholicism” Discussion Group? YOU CAN STILL JOIN US FOR OUR SECOND SESSION! Wednesday, March 6th 10a.m. in the Large Church or 7:30 p.m.in the Mother Church Basement Please come ready to discuss Chapters 1-5. Bulletin Reflection The parable in today’s Gospel clearly warns that we, like the fig tree, will be judged by our fruit. While God mercifully provides us with time and opportunity, let us give witness to our faith with deeds of kindness and generosity. Page 12 Snow and Inclement Weather Precautions Special Catholic Relief Services World Awareness Quiz A Self-Assessment for Your Fun and Enlightenment! (Permission granted by Catholic Relief Services) This educational self-assessment is a fun way to see how much you know about Catholic Relief Services and your World Awareness. Answers can be found on the bottom of this page. 1. 53% of ______ in the world are not enrolled in school. (a) all children; (b) boys; (c) girls 2. Catholic Relief Services is the _________. (a) largest private network of social service organizations in the US; (b) international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States; (c) Neither 3. Through CRS Rice Bowl you are helping people _________. (a) around the world; (b) in your community; (c) Both 4. Nearly 20% of the world’s population supports their families through ____. (a) day labor; (b) small business; (c) agriculture; 5. 13% of the world’s population does not have access to this resource. (a) water; (b) land; (c) clean air; Catholic IQ Answers: 1. c; 2. b; 3. c; 4. c; 5. a March 3, 2013 When there is severe inclement weather, as there was last weekend, please follow our emergency notification system. Check our website for cancellation of Masses and office closures. (www.ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com) Check website for possible changes of Mass locations (from the large church to mother church) If you have no access to a computer, please call the rectory office for updated information. Check Channel 12 for facility closures. PARKING ON WOODLAND AVENUE DURING SNOW STORMS We need to reiterate the parking situation when there is plowed snow. We need your cooperation when parking on Woodland Avenue. Please park on ONLY ONE SIDE of the street. Parking on both sides causes a bottleneck. Vehicles— especially SUVs, emergency vehicles and plow trucks, cannot get through. Also, do not block neighbors’ driveways, as you are subject to being towed. It is necessary to be respectful of our neighbors under these extreme circumstances. POSTPONEMENT OF THE 2013 DINNER DANCE Although the dance has been postponed, we are still holding the raffle for many great prizes! Raffle to be held after 12PM Mass on Sunday, April 14 Prizes include Large Screen T.V. Fire Island Weekend Getaway, A Week in Sanibel Island, A Week in the Bahamas ...and more! We have beautiful gift baskets full of wonderful items and numerous gift certificates to our great local businesses included in our Chinese Auction. Raffle Tickets on sale after weekend Masses and during the week at the Rectory Office. Upcoming Parish Events Page 14 March 3, 2013 Friday, March 15, 2013 - Stations of the Cross led by Level 3, 7:30 PM in the Large Church Sunday, March 24, 2013 - Palm Sunday Monday, March 25, 2013 - Holy Week Begins - Day of Reconciliation. Confessions will be held at 9AM, 11AM, 4:30PM, and 7:30PM Thursday, March 28, 2013 — Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:30PM in the Large Church Friday, March 29, 2013 - Good Friday - NO 8:30AM MORNING MASS - 12PM Stations of the Cross—Mother Church - 7:30PM The Passion of the Lord— Large Church Saturday, March 30, 2013—Holy Saturday - 7:30PM Easter Vigil — Large Church Sunday, March 31, 2013—Easter Sunday - Masses are as follows: 7:30AM in the Mother Church 9:00AM 10:30AM Large Church 12:00PM For more information & schedule of events, visit our NEW website www.ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com The LORD secures justice and the rights of all the oppressed. - Psalm 103:6