PALM
SUNDAY of the LORD’S PASSION
MARCH
16, 2008
(M -
Memorial, A - Anniversary)
6:45 CHRISTINE MC CORMACK--M
req. by the Clergy &
the People of Sts. John & Paul Parish
9:00 GAETANO and PAT PROTANO--M
req.
by the Ruzza Family
TUESDAY, MARCH 18
6:45 AGNES DORAN--M
9:00 HELEN MARA NUGENT and JOSEPH NUGENT--M
req. by Maura &
Richard Concannon
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19
6:45 THE FONTANA
FAMILY
9:00 ANGELA
L. MC CAULEY--A
reg. by Jim & Claudine
McCauley
THURSDAY, MARCH
20
HOLY
THURSDAY
9:00 MORNING PRAYER
8:00 MASS
of the LORD’S SUPPER
GOOD FRIDAY
9:00 MORNING PRAYER
3:00
LITURGY of the PRESCANTIFIED
8:00 STATIONS
of the CROSS
HOLY SATURDAY
9:00 MORNNING PRAYER
10:00 BLESSING of the FOOD
8:00 FOR THE PEOPLE
OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY, MARCH
23
7:30 MARY
A. and EDWARD S. LADIN and ROSE DUDEK--M
req. by the Ladin Family
9:00 GRACE
M. FEENEY--M
req. by Matthew F. Feeney
10:30 MARTHA
and ED GARBER—M
12:00 JOSEPH
TRAPANESE—M
req. by Mary Anne
Tranpanese
PRAYERFUL
REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for
the sick at home, and in the hospitals, especially: Pat O”Rourke, Peggy
McDermott, Fran Lawlor, Pam Blaney, Susan Wynkcoop, Winnie Mullin, Caroline
Weldon, Ralph Giampietro, Ray Galinski, Alice Malgrande, Joan Genaro, Gabriel
Fay, Barbara Santorsola, John O’Keefe, Jean
Harder, Bill Sabia, Robert O. Walcovy, Rev.
Robert Gannon, Beth Hersh, Charles
Donovan, Msgr. Joseph Boyd, Joey Mileti, 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, REV. MSGR. JOHN K. DALY, 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: (03 – 09 – 08):
$8,427
Attendance:
862
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.
STATIONS
of the CROSS
There will be Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 8:00 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: April 5th, May 3rd and June 7th.
10:30 AM
MASS MUSIC NOTES
The Anthem today is
the beloved “Palm Branches” by the celebrated French composer and baritone
Jean-Batista Faure (1830 – 1914). Known by its original French title “Les
Rameaux”, this traditional Palm Sunday piece was written in 1872 in
commemoration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and was once recorded by Enrico
Caruso.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS…
There will be NO
Religious Education classes on Wednesday, March 19th, or on Sunday,
March 23rd. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
Wednesday classes will
resume on March 26th and Sunday classes will be held on March 30th.
CONGRTULATIONS!!!
On Wednesday evening,
March 12th, the teens of our parish presented a live re-enactment of
the Stations of the Cross. It was a very moving and inspirational presentation.
The parish is most grateful to the youths and the adults who helped them for
once again providing us with a visual production of the Stations.
CALENDAR
of EVENTS for the WEEK
SUNDAY, MARCH 16th:
10:10 AM SCH: Religious Ed. classes
4:00 PM RECTORY GARAGE: Easter Food Baskets
MONDAY, MARCH 17th:
8:00 AM RECTORY GARAGE: Easter
Food Baskets
9:30 AM & 7:30 PM CH: Confessions
TUESDAY, MARCH 18th:
3:30 PM CH: Confessions
6:00 PM AUD & SCH CONF RM: Cub Scouts
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19th:
10:30 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Service followed by Mass
7:00 PM CH: Confessions
THURSDAY, MARCH 20th:
HOLY THURSDAY
FRIDAY, MARCH 21st:
GOOD FRIDAY
Confessions after the 3:00 PM Liturgy and after Stations of the Cross in
the evening
SATURDAY, MARCH 22nd:
HOLY SATURDAY
THE
CATHOLIC WIDOS and WIDOWERS GROUP
The Catholic Widows and
Widowers group cordially invites all widows and widowers to attend the monthly
Mass at 7:00 PM for deceased spouses followed by the monthly meeting on Monday,
March 24th, at St. Pius X Parish Hall in Scarsdale. For more
information, please call Ann Collins at 946-1379.
ATTENTION
ALL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
There will be a dance
on Friday, April 4th, beginning at 7:00 PM in the auditorium for all
students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Permission slips for this event can be picked
up at the Religious Education office, school office or rectory. So mark your
calendars and plan on attending this fun filled night.
VEGAS
NIGHT – A SOCIAL EVENING at IONA PREP
On Saturday, April 12,
the Fathers’ Council of Iona Prep presents “Vegas Night – A social evening at
Iona Prep”. Vegas Night will be held from 7:00pm to 12:00pm at the Prep with
casino games, food, drink and fun. Admission of $35 per person included appetizers,
dinner buffet, drinks from 7 to 9 PM (cash bar after 9:00 PM) and $10 of
complimentary casino chips. Sponsorships are also available. For more
information and tickets, please call Matthew O’Malley at 963-2969. You must be 21 years or older to attend.
PAPAL
SKATEBOARD ART DESIGN CONTEST
Hey Kids! Help design the Official Papal Skateboard, a gift from the
children of the Archdiocese of New York to Pope Benedict XVI. The winner will
receive 3 tickets to see the pope at the Papal Youth Rally on April 19, 2008 at
St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. Go to www.archny.org/contest
to enter and WIN! Check out our CBS News exclusive coverage of the contest at www.cbsnews.com.
EASTER
FLOWER MEMORIALS
IN MEMORY OF DONOR
McCarthy & Nixon Families Sheila
& Ken Nixon
Margaret A. Maguire The
Maguire family
Beatrice Noble & Chris
& Mary Ruth Becker
Hope Becker &
Lucy & Harry Becker &
Barney & Ruth Wiegard &
Peggy & Caesar Pitassy
Josephine & Francis McIntee The
McIntee Family
The Neri Family Norma
Luther
Harold & Elizabeth Delaney Kathleen
Delaney
Dominic Pallone & Donna & Joe
Messina
Philip Messina
Lambiasi & Guglielmo Families The
Lambiasi Family
Johnny McKeever & Virginia
Quinn
Arthur & Louise Quinn &
Patrick & Delia Mahoney
Elena & Joseph Benvenga & The
Moore Family
Virginia, James & Gina Moore
Bryon Toyloy Virginia
Brinson
Therese deCervens May
Toyloy
Joan Lian & Al
Lian
William & Victoria Lian
Edward Panarello The
Mastronardi Family
Antonio & Carmela Cardone & The
Paul Family
Henry J. Paul, Sr.
Barbara Dolan John
& Elizabeth Dillon
William & Ann Reilly & The
Reilly Family
John & Angela Schevera
Ernesto Persico & The
Persico Family
Giovanna Scata
Albert J. Wassell & Alby
Wassell
Michael J. Joyce
Elizabeth & Patrick McCaffrey & Rosemary
Roach
John P. McCaffrey, Sr.
Richard Salletti Mary
Salletti
Jerome Farrell Ivy
Farrell
Reginald A. Hall Martha
A. Hall
Lawrence A. Rigano. Sr. & Jane Rigano & Family
M/M L. Nagel &
M/M J. Rigano &
Michael (Butch) Rainaldi
John A. Infelice, Sr. & Linda
& John A.
Mary Jane Infelice & Infelice,
Jr.
Katherine Bockino
Stephen T. Colletti The
Colletti Family
Dec. Memb/Welch & Ryan Families Mary
L. Welch
Lawrence Flink & The
Flink Family
Christopher O’Neil
John, Catherine, Daniel, Jack, & Alby
Wassell
Josephine Wylie &
Walter, Anne & Albert Wassell
Michael P. Glynn The
Hyland Family
Dec. Memb/ Mikus Family Barbara
& Ed Mikus
Donald C. McMahon The
McMahon Family
David & Margaret Stewart The
Lawless Family
Mary & Julius Anger & Liz
& William Zand
William & Albert Zand
THE
PASTOR’S COLUMN
This week Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti,
the head of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentoiry, addressed a
seminar for confessors on the topic of sin in our modern society. Before we
share some thoughts on the substance of his remarks, I think it beneficial to
explain his post and his area of responsibility. This part of the Curia has jurisdiction
over matters of the spiritual life, especially associated with confessional
matters. Its work falls mainly into these categories: the absolution of the
excommunications, Latae sententiae reserved to the Holy See (e.g. any physical
attack on a sacred person or object); the dispensations of sacramental impediments
reserved to the Holy See (e.g. dissolution of marriages under the aegis of the
Pauline and Petrine privileges); and the issuance and governance of indulgences
(e.g. most recently, applying a plenary indulgence to any pilgrimage to Lourdes
on the one hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the Marian apparition). The
proprefect as archbishop will become a cardinal at a future consistory. After
that point, he is one of the few Vatican officials who retains his position
when he Pope dies. If he is an elector, he is one of only three persons in the
conclave allowed to communicate with those outside the conclave, so that he can
continue to fulfill his duties.
In his presentation, Archbishop Girotti
identified seven mortal sins which he sees in contemporary society. Their
origins, he said, are found in the seven capital sins. He went on in his
exposition to state that these faults have a very public nature which is all
too often ignored. Too many Catholics, he said, regard sin as a private matter
with no reference to their consequences for others in the human community. He
began his listing with a denouncing of environmental pollution. It is easy to
see his logic since the book of Genesis declared man as the steward of
creation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Man’s dominion…granted
by the Creator is not absolute it is limited by concern for the quality of life
of his neighbor including generations to come; it requires a religious respect
for the integrity of creation.” (245) Therefore, you and I must be responsive
to calls for re-cycling of products, against the misuse of natural resources,
and see proper standards for future development. The Church is opposed as well
to genetic manipulation. Again the C.C.C. reminds us:” It is immoral to produce
human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material.
Certain attempts to influence chromo somatic or genetic inheritance are not
therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex
or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the
personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity which are
unique and unrepeatable.” (2275). It must be said here that the Church is not
against scientific research per se but wants to insure that the goals of such
and methods attached are always respective of the Creator’s purposes. Not only
is the Church opposed to morally debatable experiments effecting human beings
but also those harming animals. Perhaps speaking of the opposite sides of the
same coin, the churchman described the accumulating of excessive wealth. Though
this might be hard to define, we can certainly see abuses in the millions of
dollars expended in the granting of golden parachutes causing the layoffs of
many others. The purchasing of “toys” such as large numbers of cars, houses,
and related accoutrements cannot be justified when the believer cannot possibly
justify their usage. And, when we are aware in our society of abject poverty,
we cannot be so narsacaistic to ignore our obligation to relieve their
condition. How can any human being, never mind a Christian, pay thousands for
bathroom fixtures while others starve in welfare hotels! Related to this, the
archbishop warns us against inflecting poverty on others. How do we do this? At
times, we reward firms with our patronage by purchasing overprices sneakers
manufactured by workers earning pennies a day; by employing workers off the
books without the protections of insurance; and by failing to pay a living
wage. In a democracy such as ours, we have the power to petition our government
to enhance the living conditions of families and refuse to trade with those who
do violence to human beings basic needs. Of course, the greatest crimes of the
modern era are very clearly those that harm the most vulnerable. For millennia,
abortion and infanticide were condemned. Modern man’s hubris denies what has
been obvious in the past. How frightening it is to breathe the same air with a
university tenured professor who rejects the value of an exceptional child.
Though Hitler is long dead, his spirit still guides too many.
On our TV and in our newspapers, we hear of
government crackdowns on drug dealers selling cocaine, heroin, and crack. We
are comforted by the fact that such people are not among us. And yet, we know
that there are those among us who abuse alcohol and prescription drugs. They
make little attempt to overcome their addictions despite the possible future
disintegration of their families and their premature deaths. Too many of our
young people have taken up smoking despite the information that is available.
Each of us must recognize our responsibility for the younger generation by
giving good example and confronting our young people with their dangerous
behavior.
While the archbishop’s list is not
exhaustive for our examination of conscience, they can certainly cause a deeper
reflection on our spiritual condition.
As we begin Holy Week, it is my hope that
you will avail yourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in
each of the services of the Paschal Tridiuim. Let us remember each other in
prayer.
Jesus vivat,
Fr. Brian