EPIPHANY
of the LORD
JANUARY
6, 2008
(M -
Memorial, A - Anniversary)
RAYMOND of PENAFORT, priest
6:45 AGNES DORAN--M
9:00 BERTHE
and LOUIS BREUIL--M
req. by the Shields Family
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8
6:45 PATRICIA D’ANDREA--M
req. by Anthony D’Andrea
9:00 ALDEA and BRUNO FRANCOEUR--M
req. by Ralph Santoliquido
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
6:45 THE FONTANA
FAMILY
9:00 JOHN
MENZIE--M
reg. by Frank Clemens
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
6:45 ALBERT WASSELL—M
req.
by the Albano Family
9:00 ARTHUR
E. QUINN--M
req.
by Virginia A. Quinn
6:45 ALBERT J. WASSELL--M
req. by the Clergy & the People of Sts. John & Paul
Parish
9:00 CHESTER PEET--M
req. by Charlotte King
9:00 SPECIAL
INTENTION for the LIVING: FR. PATRICK DIVER, S.D.B.
req. by Kay & Tom
Santoro
5:30 MRS. ENNIS K.
AIGELTINGER and MRS. KARL N. BECKER—M
req. by Ennis J. Aigeltinger
SUNDAY, JANUARY
13
7:30 ANTHONY
J. TEPEDINO--M
req. by Genevieve Tepedino
9:00 GRACE
M. FEENEY--M
req. by Matthew Feeney
10:30 MARTHA
and EDWARD GARBA--M
12:00 FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
5:00 NIEVES MEJIA--M
req. by Cassandra & Brendon
PRAYERFUL
REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for
the sick at home, and in the hospitals, especially: Gabriel Fay, Barbara
Santorsola, John O’Keefe, Jean Harder,
Bill Sabia, Bruno Mazzari, Robert O. Walcovy, Rev. Robert Gannon, Beth Hersh, Charles Donovan, Msgr. Joseph Boyd, Joey Mileti, Patricia Kuhr, Theresa
Astorino, Dotty Doherty, Joan Porrazzo, Lenny Cavalieri, Jenna Mussolini, Teresa Civetta, Frank Maiola, Aileen
O’Brien, Ed Lenard, Pam Hissey, Tricia Eigo, Skylar Bahrenburg, Mary & Tony Fraioli, Hank Lawlor, Sarah
Butler, Mimi Cosgrove, Kristen Long, Patrick Lamont, Elizabeth Kim, for our service men and women at home and
abroad; for the faithful departed, DEACON
VINCENT T. PIRO and ANNA BOUCHARD, and those who have no one to pray for them;
and for the honored dead of the Armed Services.
SUNDAY COLLECTOION
Last week’s collection (12 – 30 -- 07): $ 16,347
Attendance: 953
The parish of Saints John and Paul thanks you for
your support. We are grateful to our parishioners who use the envelope system.
If you wish to receive Church support envelopes, please call the Rectory at
834-5458.
BAPTISM
PREPARATION for PARENTS of INFANTS
To arrange for a
Baptism, please call the rectory and you will be given an appointment with one
of the parish priests.
Water in
the Word
Baptismal
Preparation Session Schedule
All sessions are
offered on Saturday mornings from 10 AM – 11:30 AM. Please call the rectory to attend.
Classes in 2008 will be: February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th,
May 3rd and June 7th.
10:30 AM
MASS MUSIC NOTES
The Anthem today is a
charming contemporary piece by Natalie Sleeth entitled “Were You There On That
Christmas Night?” the story of the Epiphany and the arrival of the Wise Men is
recalled as the choir sings: Did you see, did you see how they hailed Him King,
with the gifts so rare that they chose to bring? Did you see how they bowed, as
they praised Him aloud at His Birth?”
STS. JOHN
and PAUL SCHOOL NEWS...
Sts. John and Paul
School will hold two Open Houses for parents interested in registering their
children in our parish school. The first will be on Tuesday, January 29th,
from 7 to 9 PM and the second one on Wednesday, January 30th, from
9:15 to 11:30 AM. For further information or questions about the school, please
call 834-6332.
FR.
BRIAN’S CLASS
Fr. Brian’s class will
resume on MONDAY, JANUARY 7th, at 7:30 PM in the rectory.
DEVOTION
of the MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD
There is devotion of
the Most Previous Blood every Friday evenings at 7:30 in the church.
CALENDAR
of EVENTS for the WEEK
MONDAY, JANUARY 6th:
7:00 AM: Breakfast Run & Youth Group trip to St. Patrick’s
Cathedral
10:10 AM SCH: Religious Education classes
11:40 AM AUD: Enrollment Service
12 Noon GYM: Basketball
MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH:
3:00 PM GYM & AUD: PSPA
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Play practice
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8th:
8:45 AM AUD: PSPA Fundraiser Meeting
3:00 PM GYM & AUD: PSPA
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
6:00 PM RMR: Cub Scouts
6:00 PM SCH CONF & AUD: Cub Scouts
7:30 PM RMR: K of C Meeting
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9th:
10:30 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Service followed by Mass
12:45 PM GYM & O.S. AUD: PSPA
2:50 & 7:15 PM SCH: Religious Education classes
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Play practice
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10th:
4:00 PM GYM Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Play practice
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11th:
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12th:
9:00 AM GYM: Basketball
9:00 AM AUD: Confirmation Retreat
FAMILY FUN
NIGHT
Family Fun Night was a
hugh success. All who attended had a great time. Many thanks to all those who
gave of their time and talents to make this evening such a memorable event.
RAFFLE
WINNERS
During the Family Fun
Night, the winners of our raffle were chosen. The big prize of $25,000 was won
by Jack Skolnick.
Each of the following
people was $1,000 winner! The Bosco Walsh Family, Martin Jansen, Sal
Angilletta, Mary Jo Schweich, and Toni Cherashore.
Congratulations to
all! What a wonderful way to begin the New Year.
THE
PASSIONIST SPIRITUAL CENTER
The Passionist
Spiritual Center that is located in Riverdale is presenting several different
programs over the next few months. There are flyers on the bulletin board
between the church and the school showing the different events. For more
information, you can call 718-549-6500 or visit their web site at www.passionists.org.
OFFICE
MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE
A full time office
manager position is opened at the rectory of St. Augustine Parish, Larchmont.
Position requires word processing skills (Microsoft Word, office management
skills and the ability to communicate friendliness and hospitality for people.
Health benefits are available. Send resume and references to Msgr. Thomas
Kelly, 18 Cherry Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538. Telephone number is 834-1220.
CHRISTMAS
FLOWER MEMORIALS
IN MEMORY OF
Donor
Domenico &
Marietta Pacione Mrs.
Nathan Shaw
IN HONOR OF DONOR
Jake & Rylie Monhan Roseanne &
Peter
Langelotti
THE
PASTOR’S COLUMN
The celebration of Epiphany caused me to reflect
upon the place of gesture in our lives. The evangelist proclaims the
manifestation of Christ as the Savior of all mankind by recalling the midrashic
account of the Three Kings. Each visitor brings a gift demonstrating their
understanding of the extraordinary event they left their native lands to
witness. Like them most of us have exchanged presents to show others how we
feel about them and their importance to us during the Christmas season. I am
sure great care was taken in certain situations. For instance, when thinking
about something appropriate for a spouse, one listens for hints, or one heeds
their tastes, or one becomes aware of their needs. Every gift is a gesture
which expresses our gratitude for the receiver’s existence in our lives, our
appreciation for the ways in which they impact our days, and our desire for a
continued relationship. The bestowal of a material gift on an individual is but
one gesture of relationship. Others might be donating to an organization in
someone’s name, performing some act of kindness, or spending some time with
them. Such actions manifest that which is internal. They are, therefore,
authentic gestures.
When we are invited to a person’s home, we
show our respect for them by being on time, extending our hand or kissing the
cheek of our host, whatever, is appropriate, we accept the offer of
refreshment, socialize with other guests, if dinner is served, use proper
utensils, say our farewells at a proper time, and send a note of thanks. No
matter how small the gesture, it is significant to the expression of one’s
thoughts about the occasion and the individuals involved.
Some modern gestures are to be questioned
as to their wisdom. Decades ago tattoos would be worn by a small segment of the
population. Today, however, many people, not just the young, advertise their
commitments to people and places by having their body parts etched. Too many
will live to regret such devotional graffiti.
In the world of spirituality, signs of
internal belief are also prominent in significance. Many Catholics wear crosses
on their lapels or around their necks. Others wear a miraculous medal. The
custom of carrying rosaries is long standing. (It is inspiring to me when a
parishioner shows me beads that date back to prior generations and show decades
of use.) When growing up, I remember our homes featuring many religious
symbols: a crucifix in each room, a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the
living room, and a holy water fount at the front door. At this point, may I
interject that as gestures come forth from internal sources so must they refine
and define one’s belief systems. If the cross is the central object in one’s
home then there must be an acceptance of life’s burden. If the Blessed Mother’s
image is present then there should be opportunities given for family prayer,
especially reflecting on the mysteries of faith. Whenever one enters or exits
the house, we should bless ourselves with the water that recalls our Baptism
and our unity with the People of God.
Gestures are also a part of our public
worship. If we have grown careless about our recognition that Christ is present
in the tabernacle, it restoration to the center of the sanctuary should aid us
in remembering that we are called to adore Him as the source of salvation, the
destiny of eternal life, and the cause of true peace. We genuflect before the
Real Presence for we realize our utter dependence on Him for life. We must bow
before those who are superior to us and exercise authority over us. As we bend
our knee, fulfilling the Scripture’s admonition, we express an internal assent
to His place in faith, in moral action, and in our religious life. We will not
speak of the gestures of arriving at Mass in a timely fashion, dressing
appropriately, praying and singing in the sacred precincts. At particular times
during the liturgy, the church calls upon us to make certain gestures. For
instance, when we proclaim the Nicene Creed, she asks that all bow when the
mystery of the Incarnation is mentioned. (On the feast of the Annunciation and
Christmas, the congregation is called upon to kneel.) The truth that the
community is testifying to is so profound that it must externalize the
acceptance of its truth. Another gesture that is too often misunderstood is the
kiss of peace which takes place just before the reception of the Eucharist.
When we extend our hand to another and say: “Peace be with you,” we are not
sharing some social convention. We are expressing the prayer that the person
might have the joy of being one with Christ. It matters not whether we might
know their name or status in our society. (We might note that in the former
rite of Confirmation, the gesture of peace had lost its meaning because of
ritual shorthand. Many of us were taught that the minor slap of the bishop
after anointing of chrism was a sign that we must become hardened as a soldier
of Christ and be prepared to suffer for our belief. This was a gross
misinterpretation of the Church’s sacramental theology. Therefore, the gesture
of the bishop was changed to clearly express the hope of the faith community
that the now confirmed adult will continue to walk with the Lord.)
The most recently published General
Instructions for the Roman Missal calls for a singular procession to the
altar to receive Holy Communion. We must admit that this desire of the
Universal Church has not been carried out in our liturgy. In fact, in an almost
unique way, the men and women who are seated in back receive first. This causes
a delay in which Christ is made to wait. Therefore, with the beginning of Lent,
that is Ash Wednesday, those seated in the front will receive first with others
following. As with any change, there will be some adjustment time needed but I
believe, it will bring about a more reverent and orderly reception of the
sacrament.
May
God continue to assist His people in manifesting their faith.
Vivat Jesus,
Fr. Brian