SECOND
SUNDAY of LENT
FEBRUARY
17, 2007
(M -
Memorial, A - Anniversary)
PRESIDENTS’ DAY
6:45 CATHERINE WYLIE--M
req. by Mrs. Albert Wassell
9:00 EILEEN WEIT--M
req. by Mary Lu Murray
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
6:45 THE FONTANA FAMILY
9:00 EDWARD RILEY--M
req. by Ralph Santoliquido
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
6:45 ROSE BIALON--M
req. by the Donovan Family
9:00 FRANK
GUILIANO--M
reg. by Alice Mulderrig
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
PETER
DAMIEN, bishop, doctor
6:45 AGNES DORAN--M
9:00 HELEN
MARA NUGENT and JOSEPH NUGENT--M
req.
by Maura & Richard Concannon
CHAIR of ST. PETER,
apostle
6:45 NAYFEH RABADI--M
9:00 PAUL LA STAYO—M
req. by the Wilson Family
POLYCARP, bishop, martyr
9:00 LAURA KERZIC--M
req. by Alice Mulderrig
5:30 ILDE DI MICHELE--M
req. by Sergio Sensi
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY
24
7:30 FOR
THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
9:00 GRACE
M. FEENEY--M
req. by Matthew F. Feeney
10:30 MARTHA
and ED GARBA--M
12:00 EILEEN
WEIT--M
req. by Nancy & Bill
Winnis
5:00 SPECIAL INTENTION for the LIVING: JOEY
MILETI
req. by Maria D. Markey
PRAYERFUL
REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for
the sick at home, and in the hospitals, especially: Ann Marsilia, Ralph
Giampetro, 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 for those who have no one
to pray for them; and for the honored dead of the Armed Services.
SUNDAY COLLECTION
Last week’s collection: (02 – 10 – 08):
$ 8,184
Peter’s Pence: $ 2,466
Attendance: 977
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.
PRESIDENTS’
DAY
Monday, February 18th, is Presidents’ Day, a national
holiday. The Parish Office, Religious Education Office and School will be
closed. Enjoy your holiday.
STATIONS
of the CROSS
There will be Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 7:30
PM.
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: March 1st, April 5th, May 3rd
and June 7th.
10:30 AM
MASS MUSIC NOTES
“God So Loved The
World” by Sir John Stainer (1840 – 1091) is inspired by one of the most
familiar and beloved Bible verses – John 3:16. This beautiful anthem is part of
Sir John’s Passion cantata, “The Crucifixion” written in 1887.
FR.
BRIAN’S CLASS
Fr. Brian’s class will
be held on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18th, at 7:30 PM in the rectory.
IN PEW
COLLECTION WEEKEND
Next weekend, February 23 and 24, we will have
an “In Pew Collection” for all those who have been unable to make a donation to
the Cardinal’s Appeal. Please be as generous as possible. Thank you!
CALENDAR
of EVENTS for the WEEK
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17th:
12 Noon GYM: Basketball
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18th:
PRESIDENTS’ DAY
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:30 PM RMR: Fr. Brian’s class
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19th:
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th:
10:30 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Service followed by Mass
12:45 PM RMR: Brownies
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21st:
4:00 PM GYM Basketball
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd:
4:00 PM GYM: Basketball
7:30 PM CH: Stations of the Cross
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd:
9:00 AM GYM: Basketball
LENTEN
REGULATIONS
Fridays during Lent
are days of abstinence. That means that any one over the age of 14 should not
eat meat. Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.
CHANCE
BOOK SALES
Students from our
parish school will be selling chances after the 5:30 PM, 9:00, and 10:30 AM and
the 12 Noon Masses this weekend. 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.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS…
Because of the public
school break, there will be NO classes in the Religious Education Program on
Sundays, February 17 and 24, and on Wednesday, February 20. May God bless your
family time together. (Remember to keep a holy Lent with Sunday and Friday
fasting!)
MARDI GRAS
Over 100 parents and
children of the Religious Ed. Program enjoyed El Priesto the Magician at our
annual Mardi Gras celebration held this year on mardi before Ash Wednesday.
Rosemary Parandelis (a parishioner who performs as a clown outside of her job
as a hospital chaplain) entertained the children and 8th graders
volunteered to help children with Lenten craft projects as well as setting up,
serving, and cleaning up afterward. As always, generous parents gave of their
time in planning and execution which ensured a wonderful family celebration for
all.
ST.
VALENTINE’S BAKE SALE
A thank you to all who
baked, wrapped, bought, and ate our St. Valentine’s sweets last weekend.
Special appreciation to Nancy Abrams, Laura Fusco and Tricia McRae for making
our annual fundraiser such a success!
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!
NEWS from
the KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS
“The Knights of
Columbus are looking for new members to help continue and expand their service
to our parish and community. All men over the age of 18 who value faith, family
and community (and fun); please consider joining our council, one of the
largest lay Catholic organizations in the world. Please visit our website at
http://home.catholicweb.com/larchmontknights/
ANNUAL
WOMEN’S RETREAT
The annual Sts. John
& Paul Women’s Retreat weekend, at the Passionist Spiritual Center in
Riverdale, will be held from Friday, April 11th, until Sunday, April
13th. This year’s retreat theme is “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
-- Come To Me – And Let us Live Life With Passion.”
The weekend retreat
donation is $175, of which $75 reservation deposit is included. There are also
reduced fees for partial attendance. If you have not received your reservation
form or are interested in attending for the first time, please contact Karen,
reservation secretary (718-549-6500) or Lorraine Stratis (834-6012).
LENTEN
MORNING of RECOLLECTION
St. Augustine’s
Auxiliary invites all to a Lenten Morning of Recollection on Saturday, March 1,
2008, at St. Augustine’s Church. The program starts with a 9:00 AM Mass and
continues after Mass in the cafeteria with a 10:00 AM lecture by Father Richard
J. Dillon, S.T.L., S.S.D. titled: “The Christian Gospel as the Word of the
Cross (1 Cor.1:18)”. Please RSVP to Ann Meehan at 834-1230 or Anne-Mike Smeets
at 834-0194 if you would like to attend.
CATHOLIC
FAMILY NETWORK
The Catholic Family
Network of St. Augustine and Sts. John and Paul is looking for new members who
would like to share their faith with parents of young children. We will meet
with Monsignor Kelly on Monday, February 25th, from 10 – 11:15 AM in
the rectory at St. Augustine’s to plan for upcoming events. Please join us.
ANNUAL
WEEKEND RETREAT for MEN
PASSIONATE
SPIRITUAL CENTER in RIVERDALE
FEBRUARY
29 – MARCH 2, 2008
Theme: “Do Not Let
Your Hearts Be Troubled…Come To Me…Let Us Live Life With Passion”
The retreat opens
Friday evening for the Stations of the Cross at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner at
6:30 pm, and concludes Sunday morning after the 11:00 am Eucharist. Those who
wish may attend Saturday services only.
For additional
information, special requests or transportation needs, contact Joe Gryzlo at
834-4942.
THANK YOU…
The volunteers from
the Breakfast Run would like to thank all those parishioners who donated men’s
shoes for the Run in February. They are now looking for backpacks (new or
used), men’s undershirts in L or X, underpants, sizes 38 – 40, and men’s white
socks.
The next Run will be
on Sunday, March 2nd.
CARE
PACKAGE DRIVE at ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH on SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2008
We will again be
collecting care items and packing boxes to send to our Troops serving in Iraq
and Afghanistan on Sunday, March 16th, in the St. Augustine’s Church
Cafeteria from 10am – 1pm. Soldiers’ Wish List includes: toiletries (Chap
Stick, q-tips, razors etc.), food (gum, dry cereal, cup-a-soup, etc.), misc.
items (black socks, AA & AAA batteries, flip flops, etc.) and
magazines/newspapers (sports, fitness, comic books, etc.) The smaller ‘travel’
sizes work best.
Go to
Carepackagedrive.com if you need more information or email Jennie.McFarland@verizon.net.
THE
PASTOR’S COLUMN
As Catholics we are called to live the
Christian faith by observing the commandments of the Old Testament, the
beatitudes of the New Testament, and the precepts of the Church. Their fulfillment
on a daily basis is a sign of the on-going conversion of heart necessary to
witness to the overwhelming reality of divine mercy and eternal salvation won
for us by the Crucified Lord. Alas, we know as Saint Paul did that: “The good
man falls seven times a day.” How grateful we should be that God’s forgiveness
is ours through the celebration of the sacraments, especially reconciliation!
It is most unfortunate that modern
believers have approached the confessional in fewer numbers and fail to realize
its power and necessity. Since Lent is historically a season in which spiritual
reflection is the order of the day, it is appropriate that we discuss the
various elements of the issue. Ego is a good starting place for our brief
study. It can by its misapprehensions discourage our sacramental repentance. By
its extreme severe judgments, it can instruct us that God’s divine presence
will be denied us because we are so evil in our thoughts and deeds. A perfect
example of this fatal error is Judas. Mistakenly men and women have thought
that the apostle’s greatest fault was his betrayal of the Lord for thirty
pieces of silver. We must recognize that he was only the first to turn his back
on Jesus and his ministry. Peter denied him three times while another one of
the disciples was so scared he ran away naked. No, Iscariot by his hanging
himself on the tree told God and us that he believed that his offense was so
great that he could not be saved. Too many of our contemporaries think the
same. As the Lord forgave his apostles in the upper room that first Easter and
called them back into relationship, so he beckons to the lax Catholic, to the
person who had an abortion or was responsible for it, to the individual who has
exploited another in any way. All are welcome as they repent and pledge to turn
their lives over to Christ. An opposite position which the ego might advocate
is one which proclaims we have nothing to regret or express sorrow about. It
convinces the person that they had the freedom to avoid the evil: “It is your
cultural background, societal pressure, or family history that has caused you
to be dysfunctional. Or it might state that no one really can perceive what is
truly right or wrong. Reality depends on perception. Everything is relative.
“The logical conclusion of such sentiments is that there is no authority who
has established patterns of behavior which subject all to certain norms. This
is what our present Holy Father has called “practical atheism”. Yes, there is a
God, but He has no effect on our lives. The whole history of salvation
culminating in the sacrifice on Calvary is dismissed as unnecessary.
The ego might also propose more moderate
rationales for avoiding the expression of sorrow for sin: for instance, why
should we confess to a man who is probably as much a sinner as we? The first
and obvious reason is that this is the manner in which the Lord wanted it to be
done. After Jesus reconciled with the disciples, He mandated them to go forth
and whose sins they would forgive, are forgiven. During this period of time as
we await the Kingdom of God, those who are “wounded healers” are to share the
Good News of divine grace and mercy. Because we are aware of the many faults of
those who serve Christ’s flock, it is clear from the beginning that they are
merely instruments through which God invites all to renewal. At this juncture,
we should assert as well that the priest also showers upon the penitent the
forgiveness of the faith community. Since the day of our Baptism, we are bound
to each other; whatever we do affects all of the Church; so when we sin, we
lessen the power of the People of God to proclaim the Gospel; and when we throw
off the shackles of sin, we participate in preparing the world for the Second
Coming. The ego might declare that it is embarrassing to utter our weaknesses
to the confessor. I agree. Perhaps, we might consider this as one of the consequences
of evil. When we recite our failure, it becomes more real. But then again, when
we hear the priest speak of absolution, how much more certain we become of the
fact that Christ’s words to the woman caught in adultery can be embraced by us:
“Your sins are forgiven. I do not condemn you. Sin no more.” It is important to
note that it is never easy to say: “I was wrong.” We do not want to admit to a
friend, parent, or spouse that we were mistaken. Finally, our ego reminds us of
that time when we might have had a negative experience and have since made the
decision not to become vulnerable to a confessor who could cause us to regret
going to Confession. I am somewhat sympathetic to that position since I have
come across some men whose pastoral skills I might question. However, when we
permit the past to color the present and foreseeable future, we are negatively
impacting only ourselves. When we encounter difficulties with others in various
venues, we do not stop from a desire for what they might have offered; we
simply go and find another who can assist us.
I am sure that we can remember when in our
youth we went to confess our sins. We felt so refreshed when we left “the box”.
We were painfully aware that our humanity would reveal itself all too soon and
we would have to return and admit the same sins, but for that moment we were
right with God and the world. The opportunity to have that same experience is still
there. Come back this Lent. Confront the demons of self-doubt with the
confidence in God’s providential care. Let not the years or misdeed keep you
apart any longer from the Good Shepherd.
May the Lord continue to touch us with the
healing power of His love.
Jesus
vivat,
Fr. Brian