THIRD
SUNDAY of ORDINARY TIME
JANUARY
27, 2007
(M -
Memorial, A - Anniversary)
THOMAS AQUINAS, priest
6:45
JAMES CURTIN--M
req. By the Clergy & the People of Sts. John & Paul Parish
9:00 NATHAN GAINEY--M
req. by the Kearns Family
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29
6:45 JEAN HICKEY--M
req. by Nancy Hardart
9:00 CATHERINE LEONE--M
req. by Ralph Santoliquido
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
6:45 THE FONTANA
FAMILY
9:00 TIMOTHY
J. MARA--M
reg. by Maura &
Richard Concannon
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
JOHN
BOSCO, priest
6:45 MARIE and
BENEDETTO DI GIROLAMO—M
req.
by the Family
9:00 SALVATORE
CAMPASANO--M
req.
by Nancy & Bill Winnis
6:45 THE WENZEL FAMILY--M
9:00 ELIZABETH and ERNEST RUZZA--M
req. by the Ruzza Family
PRESENTATION of the LORD
9:00
JOHN GARDNER--M
req. by Kevin O’Neill
5:30 ALBERT WASSELL,
SR.—M
req. by Anne & Richard Bolger
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY
3
7:30 JAMES
NAUGHTON--M
req. by Kathy & Frank Clemens
9:00 MARY
HALPIN--M
req. by Alice H. Mulderrig
10:30 CHESTER
PEET--M
req. by the Leslie Family
12:00 FOR
THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
5:00 OLGA FORT--M
req. by Nancy Winnis
PRAYERFUL
REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for
the sick at home, and in the hospitals, especially: Ray Galinski, Alice
Malgrande, Joan Genaro, 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, 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, and those who have no one to pray for them; and for the honored
dead of the Armed Services.
SUNDAY COLLECTION
Last week’s collection: (01 – 20 – 08):
$ 9,999
Attendance:
957
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
“O Sacrum Convivium,
also known as “The Magnificat for the Feast of Corpus Christi”, is a poetic
reflection on the Blessed Sacrament written in Latin by St. Thomas Aquinas
(1225 – 1274). There are many arrangements in Gregorian and Ambrosian Chant.
This Ambrosian setting was composed by Roberto Remondi (1851 – 1928).
Translation: “O sacred banquet in which Christ is received, the memory of his
Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory
is given. Alleluia!”
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
be held on MONDAY, JANUARY 28th, at 7:30 PM in the rectory.
CALENDAR
of EVENTS for the WEEK
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27th:
10:10 AM SCH: Religious Education classes
12 Noon GYM: Basketball
MONDAY, JANUARY 28th:
3:00 PM GYM & AUD: PSPA
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Play practice
7:30 PM RMR: Fr. Brian’s class
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29th:
1:00 PM RMR: Larchmont Women’s Club, Opera series
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Plat practice
7:30 PM SCH: Open House
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30th:
9:15 AM SCH: Open House
10:30 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Service followed by Mass
12:45 PM GYM & AUD: PSPA
12:45 PM RMR: Brownies
2:50 & 7:15 PM SCH: Religious Education classes
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Play practice
7:30 PM RMR: Habitat for Humanity
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31st:
4:00 PM GYM Basketball
7:00 PM AUD: Play practice
7:30 PM RMR: K of C Social Night
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1st:
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
8:00 PM AUD: Youth Group Play
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd:
9:00 AM GYM: Basketball
10:00 AM RMR: Baptism Preparation class
8:00 PM AUD: Youth Group Play
DEVOTION
of the MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD
There is devotion of
the Most Precious Blood every Friday evening at 7:30 in the church.
CHANCE
BOOK SALES
Beginning next
weekend, students from our parish school will be selling chances after all
Masses. This effort is part of the PSPA’s upcoming fundraiser that will be held
on Friday, March 7th. Please stop by and purchase a chance or book
of chances from a student. Thank you in advance for your support.
MARDI GRAS
Come to the Religious
Education Program’s annual Mardi Gras Celebration on Tuesday, February 5th,
from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. We will serve a wonderful Italian dinner. Could you bring
your favorite dessert? Bring the whole family and join in the Mardi Gras fun
and music! Crafts for kids – and a family Lenten activity to take home. Sts.
John and Paul’s own clown will be throwing you beads and masks – and a magician
may make an appearance at 6:30!
R.S.V.P. to Joann Anile
at 381-2723 or make a reservation by signing up on the poster in the hall.
$5.00 per person and a canned food item which will be donated to the CAP
Center. All are welcome!
PLEASE
COME and SUPPORT OUR PRODUCTION
The teens of Sts. John and Paul Parish will be presenting the
theatrical classic, “Arsenic and Old Lace”. This production is for the whole
family; it is all the fun and antics you may remember from the Cary Grant film.
Guan anteed to make you laugh!
Performances will be held on Friday, February 1st, and
Saturday, February 2nd, at 8:00 pm on the auditorium. All proceeds
support the charitable endeavors of the youth of our parish. Tickets will be on
sale after all the Masses this weekend and at the door. Please come and show
your support for the young people in our community. The cost of a ticket is
$8.00. For more information, please contact Patricia Howard at 833-2434.
BREAKFAST
RUN
The next Breakfast Run
will be on Sunday, February 3rd. Right now there is a great need for
men’s shoes and boots, sizes 11, 12, and 13th. If you have any,
please leave them in the rectory. Thank you!
CAN YOU
HELP?
Girl Scout Troop 1856
is working toward the silver award. They will be building bookshelves and
collecting children’s books for an area shelter. Several of the girls are
parishioners. Please donate gently used children’s books to the box in the area
between the school and the church. Thank you!
BABY
SHOWER
The Women’s Guild is
sponsoring a BABY SHOWER to benefit the Daystar Program at St. Vincent’s
Hospital in Harrison on Sunday, March 2nd, after the 9:00 AM Family
Mass. The event will be in the auditorium. The Guild will be collecting newborn
and small size disposable diapers and Enfamil with Iron Powdered Formula. There
will be a collection box in the vestibule between the school and the church
where items can be left. Cash donations are accepted and checks should be made
out to GOOD COUNSEL HOMES.
Thank you!
WITH
SINCERE GRATITUDE!!!
Dear Parishioners,
Sincere thanks for all
the food donations we received from you for our Thanksgiving and Christmas Food
Drives for the poor in southern Westchester, the South Bronx, and Harlem. On
both of these holidays, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal were able to give
out over 750 food parcels as well as turkeys and canned hams. I will be
offering a Mass for all of you, your families both living and deceased during
the month of January. Also thank you to those who adopted a family and donated
Christmas gifts for the children. God bless you for your generosity.
Fr. Benedict J.
Groeschel, CFR
THE
PASTOR’S COLUMN
This week we celebrate our Catholic
Schools. We will commence our appreciation of this powerful ministry of the
Church at the noon Mass which will be followed by a reception and open house to
which all are invited. Additionally, the administration, faculty, and parents
have prepared opportunities for families who might have an interest in sending
their children to our excellent religious and academic institution. Over the
years, our system of education has changed form but not substance. How grateful
I am that my parents chose to send my sisters and me to the center of religious
formation which was the parochial school! How grateful I am that Saint John
Neumann recognized that Catholics should have the option of educating children
in their religious tradition while preparing them to take their place in the
larger community! How grateful I am that every pastoral assignment I have
received has had a school as part of its life!
Last week in Rome, our Holy Father Benedict
XVI in observing the work of Catholic schools in his archdiocese directed these
encouraging words to his diocese. Education “seems to be becoming more
difficult…(T)here is talk of an ‘educational emergency’, confirmed by the
failure which too often crown our efforts to form well-rounded individuals,
capable of collaborating with others and of giving meaning to their lives…Parents
and teachers may feel the ‘temptation to give up’ an education, and even run
the risk of not understanding what their role is: a mentality and a form of
culture that lead people to doubt the good and, in the final analysis, the
goodness of life itself…Even the greatest values of the past cannot simply be
inherited, we must make them our own and renew them through often difficult
personal choices…However, when the foundations are shaken and essential
certainties disappear, the need for those values returns to make itself
imposingly felt. Thus we see today an increasing demand for real education…by
society as a whole…and by young people themselves who do not want to be left to face the challenges of life alone…It
would, then, be a poor education that limited itself to imparting notions and
information while ignoring the great question of truth, above all of that
aspect of education…(is) finding the right balance between freedom and discipline…(T)he
educational relationship is above all an encounter between two freedoms and
successful education is the formation in the correct use of freedom…We must,
then, accept the risks of freedom, remaining ever attentive to helping it and
to correcting mistaken ideas and choices…Education cannot forgo that authoritative
prestige which makes the exercise of authority credible…is acquired above all
by the coherence of one’s own life…Responsibility is first of all personal but
there also exists a responsibility we share together…(T)he overall trends of
the society in which we live, and the image it gives of itself through the
communications media, exercise a great influence on the formation of the new
generations, for good but also often for evil. Society…is not an abstract
concept in the final analysis, it is we ourselves.” In the context of the
American, particularly public, concept of schooling these comments are very
challenging. All too often the curricula of various areas exclude an acceptance
of absolutes, lean on value clarifications systems, and mirror a post-modern
mentality. Decades ago it might have been said that academic subjects were
taught across the board in the same fashion no matter where you might be.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said today. For a student to be in a Catholic
school means that he is exposed to a consistent philosophy which recognizes the
dignity of human life as well as the appropriation of truth. While other venues
might give lip service to these concepts, all too often they are not exercised
theoretically or practically.
Here at Saints John and Paul, we operate an
atmosphere of respect for the individual student while stressing the value of
the common good. We challenge the boys and girls to pursue excellence as they
appreciate the progress of others. We stress the necessity of applying
principle to situation. Intention and circumstances are not sufficient for
measuring the quality of action; there must be an objective yardstick of
natural law, revelation, and t4radition. The tree needs to expand but it cannot
unless it is rooted in the soil of experience and common sense. We are justly
proud of the accomplishments of our students and graduates. They have taken
advantage of the opportunities offered them by generous parishioners, active
parents, dedicated administrators and professional teachers. But most of all,
we take pride in the fact that they continue to live what they have been taught
in the classroom, in the lab, in the lunchroom, and in the church.
We conclude with the words of our American
Bishops in their statement: Renewing Our Commitment: Young people are a
valued treasure and the future leaders of our Church. It is the responsibility
of the entire Catholic community – bishops, priests, deacons, religious and
laity – to continue to strive towards the goal of making our Catholic
elementary and secondary schools available, accessible, and affordable to all
Catholic parents and their children, including those who are poor and middle
class. All Catholics must join together in efforts to ensure that Catholic
schools have administrators and teachers who are prepared to provide an
exceptional educational experience for young people – one that is both truly
Catholic and of the highest academic quality.
We unequivocally committed ourselves and
the whole Catholic community to the following set of goals:
+ Catholic schools
will continue to provide a Gospel-based education of the highest quality.
+ Catholic schools
will be available, accessible, and affordable.
+ The bishops will
launch initiatives in both the private and public sectors to secure financial
assistance for parents, the primary educators of their children, so that they
can better exercise their right to choose the best schools for their children.
+ Catholic schools
will be staffed by highly qualified administrators and teachers who would
receive just wages and benefits, as we expressed in our pastoral letter Economic Justice for All.
Much has changed in our church and our
nation in the ensuing years. Catholic schools continue to be valued and
successful; but they still encounter numerous challenges. The bishops have
addressed many of the goals that we set in 1990, but much is still left to be
done. Therefore, we believe that the time has come to revisit and reaffirm our
commitment to Catholic elementary and secondary schools as invaluable
instruments in proclaiming the Good News from generation to the next. We are
convinced that Catholic schools continue to be ”the most effective means
available to the Church for the education of children and young people” who are
the future of the Church (To Teach as Jesus Did, no.118).
Pray for all our children. They are the
hope of the Church.
Jesus vivat,
Fr. Brian