FOURTH SUNDAY of EASTER
MAY 7, 2006
(M - Memorial, A - Anniversary)
6:45 THE WENZEL FAMILY
9:00 FRANK LYONS--M
req. by Ann Lyons
TUESDAY,
MAY 9
6:45 JOHN EMERICH--M
req. by the Clergy & the People of Sts. John & Paul Parish
9:00 ROBERT MULDERRIG--M
req. by Alice Mulderrig
6:45 GERI
VAARDAL--M
req. by the Becker & McKnight
Families
9:00 THE SAPORITO and LOIACONI FAMILIES
reg. by Rose Saporito
THURSDAY,
MAY 11
6:45 JOHN GAFFNEY--M
req. by Ann Bellesheim
9:00 JOSEPHINE and CORNELIUS SHIELDS and PAUL V. SHILEDS--M
req. by the Shields Family
NEREUS and ACHILLEUS, martyrs
6:45 JOSEPHINE
and ANTHONY BUCCI--
M
req. by the Family
9:00 JAMES MORRIS--A
req. by Maureen Morris
9:00 AGNES
MARGARET STEWART--M
5:30 JOSEPH O’CONNOR--M
req. by Margaret O’Connor
7:30 JAMES EGAN—M
req. by Susan Egan
9:00 FOR THE
PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
10:30 MOTHER’S DAY NOVENA
12:00 HENRY LESLIE--M
req. by Steve & Peggy Marchini
5:00 ANN
and EDWARD EGAN--M
req. by Missy & Tom Wey
PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for the sick at home,
and in the hospitals, especially: Francis “Charlie” Abrahamsen, Dorothy Blaney,
Jimmy Bairaktaris, Lisa Scholl, Frank Diaz-Balart, Alice Nasta, Mildred Traub,
Catherine Ann Brennan, Mary & Tony Fraioli, Hank Lawlor, William Matthews,
Sarah Butler, Mimi Cosgrove, Kristen Long, Patrick Lamont, Elizabeth Kim,
Eloise Selby, Thomas M. Lamb, for our service men and women at home and abroad;
for the for the faithful departed, DONATO RICOZZI, 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 (04 -- 30 -- 06): $10,369
Attendance: 978
The parish of Sts. John and Paul thanks you for your support. We are grateful to our parishioners who use our envelope system. If you wish to receive Church support envelopes, please call the Rectory at 834-5458.
FOURTH
SUNDAY of EASTER
MAY
7, 2006
This is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The world needs leaders with courage and integrity. The Church needs good leaders as well, leaders that will unselfishly care for the needs of God’s people and minister to them. If you think God is calling you to be a priest or religious, please call Fr. Charles Szivos at 9688-1340 (priesthood), Sr. Deanna Sabetta at 1-212-371-1000 Ext. 2803 (Religious) and Deacon Anthony Cassaneto at 968-6200 Ext. 8269 (Diaconate).
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 the following Saturday mornings from 10 AM – 11:30 AM. Please call the rectory to attend. We will begin new sessions in 2006. The dates for the class are as follows: June 3rd, July 1st, Aug. 5th, Sept. 2nd, Oct 7th, Nov. 4th and Dec. 2nd.
10:30 AM MASS MUSIC NOTES
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” The Anthem for today “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.” is an inspiring choral arrangement by Walter Pelz of the familiar hymn of the same name.
SAVE THE DATE
The Annual CYO Sports Awards Dinner will be held in the gym on Tuesday, May 30th, at 7:00 pm. Highlights of the evening will include: CYO Cheerleading Squad performance, honoring of the 8th grade basketball teams, and the unveiling of many championship banners.
CALENDAR of EVENTS for the WEEK of MAY 7th:
SUNDAY, MAY 7th:
10:10 AM SCH: Religious Ed. Classes
6:00 PM RMR: Youth Group Meeting
MONDAY, MAY 8th:
3:00 PM GYM & AUD: PSPA
7:30 PM AUD: Bicentennial Meeting
TUESDAY, MAY 9th:
3:00 PM GYM & AUD: PSPA
6:00 PM RMR: Cub Scouts
7:30 PM RMR: Fr. Brian’s class
8:00 PM GYM: Basketball
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10th:
11:00 AM SARAH NEUMANN:
Mass
12:45 PM RMR: 2nd
grade Brownies
12:45 PM GYM & AUD:
PSPA
2:50 PM SCH: Religious Ed.
Classes
7:30 PM SCH: Religious Ed.
Classess
THURSDAY, MAY 11th:
9:00 AM FLINT PARK: SJP
School Field Day
7:30 PM RECTORY: RCIA
FRIDAY, MAY 12th:
3:00 PM RMR: Brownies
SATURDAY, MAY13th:
Ordination to the
Priesthood: St. Patrick’s Cathedral
FIRST COMMUNICANTS
The last two weekends have been especially important ones for the parish of Sts. John and Paul as one hundred and thirteen young Catholics have joined us at the table of the Lord!
Please join them in their enthusiasm and new appreciation for the Eucharist. Pray that they will receive this gift regularly, and strengthen the entire Church with their presence.
BICENTENNIAL
INFORMATION MEETING
On Monday, May 8th, at 7:30 PM in the auditorium, Fr. Brian will speak to all about the Bicentennial Campaign. Plan on joining him and learn more about this campaign.
EARLY
BIRD CAR RAFFLE SPECIAL
Raffle tickets are going on pre-sale Monday, May 1st, for the ticket holder’s choice of a Brand New 2007 automobile or $30,000 CA$H that will be won at this year’s Halloweekend Family Festival. Do you have a favorite number or numbers that you like? How about your birthday, your anniversary, or the month and day your child was born? If so, send a $100.00 check made out to Sts. John & Paul, with your lucky numbers that you want on your raffle ticket(s) on the memo line of your check and return it to the rectory. Don’t wait too long or your numbers may be gone. Number requests will not be honored after June 23, 2006. Only numbers from 0001-1000 please.
Please send these requests to Fr. Pomposello’s attention. Thank you.
PANCAKE
BREAKFAST
The Youth Group of our parish will hold a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 21st, beginning after the 9:00 AM Mass. The cost is $5.00 for adults and children under 12 are $3.00. The cost for a family is $15.00. Why not stop by for delicious pancakes, juice and coffee.
PASTOR’S
DINNER
The invitation to the Pastor’s Dinner was sent out last week to the men of the parish. If you did not receive one, please call the rectory (834-5458). As usual, the dinner will be held at the Larchmont Shore Club. The date is Thursday, June 1st, at 7:00 PM.
25th
and 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Sunday, June 4th at the 10:30 AM Mass, the parish will honor all those couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries. A reception will follow in the rectory meeting room. Please contract Charlotte King at 834-5458 by Tuesday, May 30th, and let her know if you would like to attend.
CALLING ALL
JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS….
On Friday evening, June 2nd, there is going to be a dance with many various activities including a video DJ for all students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Tell your friends to plan on being in SJP’s auditorium for a night of fun, food and prizes. More details to follow.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED…
Beginning in May, the priests of our parish will say Mass each week at Sarah Neumann. We have a dedicated group of volunteers that help each Wednesday. Now that an additional Wednesday has been added, we are in need of more volunteers to help bring the patients to the Mass. If you are interested in helping, please contact Amy Lionheart, Coordinator of Volunteers, at 777-6140. If you would like more information about this very important ministry, please speak to one of our priest. Thank you.
SAVE
THE DATE
On Saturday, June 24th, our parish will celebrate the patronal feast of Saints John and Paul. We’ll have a picnic, a Mass of Thanksgiving at 5:30 PM, and an out door movie. So mark your calendar and plan on participating in all the events.
MOTHER’S DAY
CARDS
There are Mother’s Day Cards in the rear of the Church. If you take one, please fill out the outer envelope and return it to the rectory by Friday, May 12th, so that your loved ones can be remembered in the novena of masses for Mothers. Thank you.
PASTOR’S
COLUMN
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, I am speaking at all of the Masses on behalf of the Cardinal Archbishop, the people of the Archdiocese of New York, and the institutions which serve the spiritual, educational, social, and medical needs of all. In the year 2008, our particular church will celebrate its 200 years of existence. As New York State became a very significant force in government and commerce, it was decided that its religious import should be recognized as well. Therefore, the Holy See separated its territory from Baltimore, the primatial see.
Over the last couple of years, various committees have met to ascertain how such a significant anniversary should be celebrated. Their reflections focused on spiritual renewal and financial stability. The importance of the former is primary. The latter is a significant factor in the actualization of the on-going evangelistic mission of our Church. In the establishment of an order of events and goals, it was decided that the material needs of the parishes should be addressed, a fundraising campaign developed, and liturgical and para-liturgical services prepared in gratitude for past and present blessings while seeking divine providence in securing the future.
Much information has been already disseminated concerning the process of realignment which is examing ways in which the clergy, religious and lay personal, and parochial facilities might be best utilized. The Bicentennial Campaign has been formulated so that individual faith communities might be strengthened either through the careful use of their own resources or those obtained from Archdiocesan funds obtained during its conduct. Our goal here at Saints John and Paul is $1,348,506. This figure was reached by doubling our annual ordinary income plus our annual goal for the Cardinal’s Appeal (we are not being called upon to conduct it this year). Of the total received, after the deduction for the Cardinal’s Appeal, 80% will remain in the parish for our capital improvements and 20% will be maintained by offices of the Archdiocese charged with responsibility for those churches which though unable to meet their expenses must continue to exist that the Good News might be preached and Christian Witness continue among the poorest of the poor.
Before discussing our own plans, I would like to flesh out the usage of the funds that will be commended to the support of our financially strapped parishes. It would be incorrect to assume that they are based solely in the three boroughs of New York City under our ecclesial jurisdiction. In fact, nine out of the ten counties, which comprise the archdiocese, receive some assistance. Many buildings because of their usage and years of service are in need of capital improvements, which address both interiors and exteriors. Roofs leak, walls fade, and liturgical appointments wear. Many rectories are in need of repair, as well. Those charged with the responsibility of securing a religious education for all of the young people of New York require substantive assistance to ensure that such an ambitious commitment is kept.
The center of our lives as Catholics is Jesus Christ. As John Paul II constantly reminded us we are never more church than when we meet Him in the breaking of the bread. From the Eucharist all graces flow and nourish our existences as individuals and as a faith community. Therefore, it must be of the highest priorities for us to beautify the center for worship for our parish. The stained glass windows of our church are in need of enhancement. We must secure the generous contributions of our predecessors by repairing them as well as creating an environment around them, which will call our attention to their symbolization. Because of the increased participation of the congregation since Vatican II a brighter area is necessary in order to follow and to pray during the various liturgical services. Additionally, a number of suggestions have been made by both professionals and parishioners in terms of our sanctuary and sacristies. Their appropriateness will be evaluated and their financial impact judged. In connection with the renovations, a handicapped bathroom facility is being contemplated. /we are keenly aware of he necessity of such since many people travel here for sacramental occasions from great distances.
Our school facility is used by many groups during the course of the year. Of course, its main purpose is to house our parochial educational efforts. For all of our children, we want to provide a most positive experience of religious and academic learning. Technology must be utilized effectively so that they have a comfort with that which will be such an important part of their existence as well as bringing to them the depth of knowledge necessary to be fully formed Catholic Americans. To be honest, there is no question that our buildings and their individual areas are in need of updating structurally and in utilization. Many programs of religious and secular education are available of which we have not been able to take advantage. Through the usage of hard-wired and wireless instruments, the purchase of media equipment and software, and the training of the professional and volunteer staffs of our school and religious education program, we hope to prepare our next generation for all the challenges, which lie ahead. (It should be noted that the presence of such in our facilities might be of great service to our adult population in any endeavors they might wish to generate. A list of our hopes for the expansion of our ministry includes the installation of an elevator, increased protections for all in our plant, as well as attention to providing wise stewardship and on-going maintenance of the whole campus.)
The spiritual and financial backing of each individual and family is absolutely essential. Our success will be guaranteed with the 100% assistance of all. Though our goal might seem difficult to attain, it will be achieved if each of us contemplate a generous pledge. Pledging enables us to spread our generous response over three to five years. (My personal gift, which I thought I should make before I sought your help, is being taken automatically from my American Express Card over the next five years.) In addition to my columns, I am continuing to meet with various people to solicit their donations. On Monday night, everyone is invited to an Information Night in the Auditorium at 7:30 PM. Within a couple of weeks, every registered family will receive a letter seeking assistance as well as informing all about our future. All developments will be publicized as they occur.
Please pray for our efforts here at Saints John and Paul as well as those of our Archdiocese. May god grant success to the work of our hands.
Jesus vivat
Fr. Brian