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News & Events for 2010 |
Table Of Contents
A Step-By-Step Journey To Seminary (added July 2010)
Catholic Youth Organization Sees New Life (added July 2010)
Commitment Not Taken Lightly! (added July 2010)
SACRED HEART 2nd GRADERS MAKE FIRST COMMUNION (added June 2010)
ANOTHER SEMINARIAN COMES TO S.H. FOR PARISH EXPERIENCE (added June 2010)
MEET RECENT RCIA PROGRAM "GRADUATE" (added June 2010)
END OF YEAR EXCITEMENT AT TRINITY (added June 2010)
We wanted to probe seminarian Scott Belina regarding his road to the seminary. These are the questions and his answers.
Scott distributes Communion at St. Regis Nursing Home guided by veteran of Wednesday’s Masses there, Ellie Weinrich. Scott has had a turn at just about every priestly ministry situation a parish offers. Fr. Don will miss him come August.Q.: Growing up, where was God in your life?
A.: I think about this often, actually. Ever since I can remember, I had a sense of God’s presence in my life. Even before I could receive Holy Communion, I believed Jesus was really present there.Q.: When did first thoughts of priesthood begin to take shape in your mind?
A.: The first thoughts came as a very young boy when I was an altar server. Those were fleeting, however. In high school, the thought crossed my mind during a vocation story I heard, but that thought soon subsided as well. "It was not until my freshman year in college when the first real consideration of the possibility came into my mind. I asked myself one night "What if God wants me to be a priest?" I eventually mentioned it to a priest I knew in college. I gradually explored the possibility as I became more and more open to the idea through prayer and spiritual direction - here I am today!Q.: Where did opposition / resistance come from? Where support?
A.: To be very honest, I did not face too much opposition right away, and when I did, it was scant. Some opposition comes from people I knew earlier on... My Mom and Dad were and continue to be very supportive, as well as my brothers and sister...There is definitely more support than opposition.Q. How do you square a microbiology degree with priesthood?
A: It’ll be utilized in probably the way I would want to use it most. Today, more than ever, a sort of "faith" is placed in science to solve Man’s problems. My faith in God was strengthened as I studied more and more of the created world... My degree will be an instrument for God to reach people in the scientific fields. Just as it has helped me to (talk about) truths of the faith by way of analogy, it will help others to understand in the same way.Q.: At this point in your life and seminary training, what do you see as the most important task(s) of a parish priest?
A.: I think the answer can be summed up by saying that the most important task of a parish priest is leading his people to God through the Sacraments, and guiding them in seeing how God is present in their lives every single day.Q.: Is there a common denominator among your group of seminarians?
A.: Well, there are several. We all love God, and we all have heard His voice in some way or another. Maybe we won’t all become priests, but we all see that it is so important to pray and --to listen to God and let him influence our lives.
When Michelle Chartrand asked her pastor Fr. Mike about a youth group he was skeptical. "We can’t seem to get adult leaders," he replied. "Well, I will do it," Michelle responded. And CYO2 was born with a wonderful group from St. Mary/St. Joseph and Sacred Heart/St. Lawrence this past year.
This past year’s leaders were Juliana Brush and Liz LaBarge from SM/SJ, and Dan Matthews and William Neves from SH/SL.
Selected for 2010-2011 are Colin Bronchetti and Katie Bronchetti. (SM/SJ) and Kayla Devine and Brynn Furnace (SH/SL).
Membership generally has been a healthy 20 to 22 participating in the monthly activities.
On Wednesday, July 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm they will meet at St. Mary’s for an Adventure Night: Around the World in 80 Minutes. The First United Methodist Church youth group has accepted to join them for the event. The group has already planned with the First United Methodist group to help with summer’s August Vacation Bible School.
Wednesday, July 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm will be another gathering, perhaps a slide show or a Christmas in July event. They will take August off.
Once school is back in session, they will be back to their Wednesday gatherings. Working with Michelle & husband Darren Chartrand are Ann Borsellino and Tammy Bogden. CONTACT ST. MARY’S PARISH OFFICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - 764-0239 , 105 Cornell Ave., Massena.
(Front) Juliana Brush, Elizabeth LaBarge, Katie Bronchetti, Kayla Devine, Brynn Furnace. (Back) Tom Bronchetti, Dan Matthews, Will Neves
Mass on July 11 included a skit after Communion which was followed by reflection on influences pulling teens away from good values.
You may not think too much about those young people weaving about the celebrant and deacons up there in the sanctuary at Mass. It takes a lot of attending to what is going on every minute, though. That, and being comfortable in front of a group of people, most of whom you don’t know, are some of the features altar servers cope with.
Paulina Behrens, Taylor Elsner, Daniel Matthews and Elizabeth Mauch each received a papal certificate from Fr. Don Manfred and applause from the assembly. It was for recognition of their 10 years of faithful service and well-honed attention to what goes on at Mass. As servers for Sundays, weekdays, funerals, weddings, they "knew the ropes." And as students in Trinity Catholic School they had ample opportunity to serve at weekday school Masses.
It just might "run in families." Paulina Behrens said she continued so long because that’s what her brothers did. It seemed like what you were supposed to do! Congratulations to each.
Daniel Matthews with Fr. Don Manfred.
Taylor Elsner receives his award from Fr. Don.
Elizabeth Mauch has a big smile for Fr. Don.
Paulina Behrens holds her Papal Blessing.
Past parish sacristan Pat Fee was the teacher for each of these veterans. Pat lives at Farrar Home in Malone now and sends her greetings and blessings to her faithful altar servers.
Twenty-eight students under the direction of Sr. Edward Marie Tesiero, SA stepped up to the front of the church to receive their First Communion May 16, 2010. Sunday’s 11:00 Mass at Sacred Heart Church was crowded with proud family and friends of the youngsters. Two years of preparation closed with a beautiful liturgy and reverent youngsters.
The boys and girls read the introductory prayers, Mass Scriptures, intercessions, and were in the offertory procession. Sister has been pleased with their progress. Attendance and enthusiasm was high throughout the year in the new program begun by Sister.
A crowded church is testimony to the importance of the day.
A long line for the entrance procession for 2010 First Communion.
Bringing up the gifts for the first time for reverent second graders.
Sacred Heart Parish is again the beneficiary of the Bishop’s generosity. Seminarian Scott Anthony Belina is with us for June and July this year. Scott, age 25, is the son of Army veterans Randolph and Patricia Belina. Two older brothers Daniel and Alex and a younger sister Stefani complete the family.
"I just finished my third year in seminary, but my first in the major seminary or theologate. God willing, in three years time, I will be ordained a priest for Ogdensburg."
Ed Gilbo shows Scott the finer points of grill cooking during a staff luncheon.
Scott picks up stories from Fr. Don, and Linda and Tom Proulx during Trinity Awards Day.
For more than a year-and-a-half Linda Rombough has been pondering whether or not to become a member of the Catholic Church. For three years Linda volunteered at Trinity School where her granddaughter Violet had been a student. By that time she had the "Trinity Habit."
The love and positive environment and well-rounded activities attracted her interest and enthusiasm. One day working in the cafeteria she asked Sr. Mary Stephen if she could go to church. She was told that she could go any time she wanted to. That was the start of her journey in earnest. "I knew many of the people there and they were glad to see me," said Linda.
Each Sunday after 9:30 a.m. Mass she met with RCIA leaders, Jean Ginder and Julie LaShomb. They reflected on the day’s Scripture readings, answered Linda’s questions, reviewed the teachings based on the Creed, and many more things Catholic. All culminated at the Saturday 4:30 p.m. anticipated Mass on June 5, 2010. WELCOME, LINDA!
Jean Ginder smiles - happy for her RCIA protege.
Linda receives congratulations from a happy crowd of well-wishers after Mass.
Glorious sun smiled on Trinity’s Bike Rally held Tuesday, June 8, 2010 and their Play Day on Monday, June 14, 2010.
It was 2005 when the first Bike Rally was held at Trinity School. Principal Joan Rufa organized the day. It provided a great opportunity to teach bike safety allowing the students to learn by doing. It also provided a sort of end of year celebration, especially for 6th graders.
Before that, however, Play Day, another end-of-year fun time, was organized in 1986 by Sr. Shirley Ann Brown, SSJ.
These activity days give a chance for exercise. But their main attractiveness might be dispersing some of the explosive energy warm weather creates in the students.
Beginner bikers are ready for their race.
Sun, time outdoors, and fun things to do make "school" a cinch.
