TWENTIETH SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
AUGUST 20, 2006
(M - Memorial, A - Anniversary)
6:45 FRANK FAREL--M
req. by the Clergy & the People of Sts. John & Paul Parish
9:00 HELEN MARA NUGENT and JOSEPH NUGENT--M
req. by Maura & Richard Concannon
TUESDAY,
AUGUST 22
QUEENSHIP
of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
6:45 JOHN DUARTE--M
req. by the Clergy & the People of Sts. John & Paul Parish
9:00 GENEVIEVE SELZER--M
req. by the Carmody Children
ROSE of LIMA, virgin
6:45 AGNES DORAN--M
9:00 CHARLOTTE and MALACHY CONCANNON--M
reg. by Maura & Richard Concannon
THURSDAY,
AUGUST 24
BARTHOLOMEW, apostle
6:45 HUGO FORLINI--M
req.
by Sheila & Tim Flood
9:00 REV. JOHN HALPIN--M
req. by Alice Mulderrig
6:45 BETTY NIX--M
req.
by Nancy Hardart
9:00 DENNIS J. MC INEREY--M
req. by the Hiler Family
9:00 MARY LAWLOR--M
req. by the Benford Family
5:30 MARY ANGER--M
req. by Charlotte King & Family
7:30 FOR THE PEOPLE
OF THE PARISH
9:00 GEORGE MANCUSO--M
req. by Valerie & Nicholas
Mastronardi
10:30 JOHN SULLIVAN--M
req. by the Leslie Family
12:00 GERARD AMBROSIO--M
req. by the Family
5:00 RAYMOND O’KEEFE--M
req. by Beatrice Victory
PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCES
Your prayers are requested for the sick at home,
and in the hospitals, especially: Tricia Eigo, Steve Schulz, Fr Brian, Dana
Infelice, Patrice McAuliffe, Francis “Charlie” Abrahamsen, 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 faithful departed, CARMIELA
MANGIERI, 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 (08 --13 -- 06): $10,850
Maintenance: $ 2,209
Attendance: 955
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.
BANNS of
MARRIAGE
II -- Dario Agarabi – Elizabeth Gillin
I -- Andrew Ramjiawan – Jaime Berger
TWENTIENTH
SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
August
20, 2006
The Gospel asks for us: “How can Jesus give us His flesh to eat?” Our lack of knowledge does not prevent us from being lured into the mystery. The mystery makes it all the more appealing when we say in faith, “My Lord and my God!” In faith we can respond also to God’s invitation to be His priest or religious. If you can, please call Fr. Charles Szivos at 968-1340 (priesthood), Sr. Deanna Sabetta at 212-371-1000 ext. 2803 (religious), and Deacon Anthony Cassaneto at 968-6200 ext. 8269 (deaconate).
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: Sept. 2nd, Oct 7th, Nov. 4th and Dec. 2nd.
CALENDAR
of EVENTS for WEEK OF AUGUST 20th:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16TH:
11:00 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Mass
FOOD BANK
NEWS…
Please help!!! Our Food Bank is running very low on all kinds of non-perishable items. We greatly need: cereal, tomatoe sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, coffee, tea, sugar, flour, pasta. Thank you in advance for ally our generosity to our Food Bank throughout the year and especially, at this time of the year.
CAR RAFFLE
TICKETS
We are selling raffle tickets for the Lexus or $30,000 after all the Sunday masses. Stop by the back of Church and take one or two or even more tickets. Maybe yours will be the winning one!!!
KNIGHTS of
COLUMBUS NEWS…
Reserve your foursome. Our Annual Golf outing will be held on Monday, September 25th, at the Pelham Split Rock Golf Club, shot gun start at 12:30 pm, dinner at the Davenport, at 7:00 pm. Golf, cart, lunch, beverages, prizes, cocktail hour, buffet dinner with open bar; all for only $150. Bring a foursome if you can or come alone or with a friend and we will make the foursome. Call Craig Skolnick to reserve your spot: 212-319-0871 or 235-2264
We need your support so we can continue the good work of our council; sponsor a golf hole at our golf outing for only $125.00. You can also show your support by sponsoring the golf carts, cocktail hour or golf prize. This is a great way to give to our council or to advertise your business; contact Craig Skolnick to reserve your hole sponsorship or for more information. Thank you
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS…
We
are looking for a few good…Catholics!
There are over 550 children of our parish who attend classes once a week to learn about their Catholic faith. Would you volunteer to teach them or to be a catechist assistant? We are currently arranging classes for Sunday (gr. K – 8), 10:10 to 11:10am, Wednesday (gr. 1 – 5), 2:50 – 4:00pm and Wednesday evening (gr. 6 – 8), 7:30 – 8:30pm.
This is a wonderful way to share your own faith – to spread the love of Christ! Please prayerfully consider this ministry. Then call 834-4597 to set up an appointment.
REGISTRATION
Welcome to new parishioners with school children from grades Kindergarten through grade 8! There are registration forms for new students in the manila envelope outside the Religious Education office or call 834-4597.
We have received only about two thirds of the re-registration forms for this year. Please do this ASAP as we are currently forming all of the classes. (To families already n the program: your new kindergarteners or first graders should be added to the back of a re-registration form.)
HALLOWEEKEND FAMILY FESTIVAL
Circle your calendars for the weekend of October 27th, 28th, and 29th. The Halloweekend Family Festival Committee is working very diligently on bring the parish another wonderful event for all ages – a dance for the young people, a 5K Run, pony rides, face painting, games and, of course, a spectacular Cabaret. So plan your weekend now so that you and your family can be part of a memorable Saints John and Paul Parish happening.
THE PASTOR’S
COLUMN
This week we will be hosting classes for those teaching in our parochial schools and religious education programs. This is part of the process by which all those charged with the responsibility of passing on the truth of our faith to the coming generation. Because of a number of factors, these instructions have been deemed necessary. In prior times, most teachers were religious men and women and if they were laity, they usually graduated from Catholic colleges. By being so educated, they were recipients of philosophical principles and theological concepts consistent with the faith. Unfortunately, most of our institutions are devoid of those priests, sisters, and brothers who taught by their complete dedication of their lives the values of the Gospel. Though those who came after them ceaselessly exemplify the theological values they need greater assistance since many have not attended colleges which are Catholic or if they are, no longer require courses in areas of thinking, believing, and living as a Christian. We are not unmindful as well, that the Church itself in her language has changed. She now focuses on and emphasizes different realities in response to the needs of contemporary man and in view of the advancements in educational psychology. For instance, industrialization and urbanization has caused humanity to experience a great deal of alienation and depersonalization. Throughout the world, but especially in developed countries like ours greater wealth, position, and knowledge has not resulted in greater satisfaction. Indeed, the opposite is frequently true. If you remember the singer Peggy Lee, you might recall her popular song: “Is that all there is?” This is certainly one of the explanations for the growing addictive nature of society. The pursuit of happiness has taken on the darkest aspects of self-satisfaction without any consideration given to the needs of others. The Church offers the greatest antidote to the morass of mental and moral dysfunction that is so widespread. The Eternal Word is such not merely because of His divine nature but because of His message of reconciliation and salvation. Because it is not sufficient for our faith community to relish our identity, as the People of God, each of us must reach out and share the precious gift we have received with all we meet at work or play by word and example. To the most complex questions of human existence, the simplicity of revelation can be applied. He, who created us, knows our strengths and weaknesses. He, who redeemed us, knows our heroism and inconsistencies. He, who guides and consoles us, knows our hopes and destiny. The wisdom of science and progress of technology pales in the face of the prophetic truths which traverse the centuries.
When we discuss the Sacrament of Baptism, for instance, with those who will form the Church of future generations we review the traditional teaching of original sin. We affirm once again that the universe was formed by a loving God and perversity only entered in when humankind abused the gift of freedom and sinned. His felix culpa resulted in the Paschal Mystery: the divine plan of redemption. But to respond to the aforementioned social ills as well as to renew the Church’s understanding of her nature and mission, an amplification of the theology of communion will be shared. The sacrament is the gateway to the Body of Christ. Through its reception we are bound to Him and our brothers and sisters who have renounced evil and been reborn of water and the Sprit. The character of this grace giving sign changes our lives forever. We are no longer alone. We are part of a Eucharistic Community. When we absent ourselves from the celebration of the Lord’s Day, we weaken that reality. When we join together with our co-religionists, the witness of the Church is stronger. The final sacrament of our initiation strengthens our bonds as well intensifies our spiritual mission. Confirmation brings to maturity our commitment to Christ and His Kingdom which has already broken in upon creation but yet to come.
These sessions, which are conducted not, only here at Saints John and Paul are but one way in which a greater appreciation of our faith can be achieved. At the behest of our bishops who are encouraging a greater effort in adult faith formation both the Archdiocese and its parishes are sponsoring programs and events which focus on sensitizing the community to the dynamic elements of our spiritual journey. In our own area, Dr. Anne Marie Wallace heads up the very successful Center for Spiritual Development which is located at Archbishop Stepinac High School. In addition to theological courses, there are opportunities in the area of spiritual direction. Annually, this program sponsors a Convocation which has hosted nationally known speakers such as Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and Dr. Scott Hahn. As a division of Saint Joseph’s Seminary over a quarter century ago, the Institute for Religious Studies (formerly known as the Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute) was established. This was a direct response to the call of the Second Vatican Council to train men and women to fulfill their roles in the lay apostolate of the church. Its Master Degree Program has seen many priests, religious, and laity graduate and provide service to the universal and particular churches.
Almost since my arrival, I have conducted an adult education group focusing on the Synoptic Gospels. Weekly this informal gathering has discussed the authors of these works, their evangelical practices, and the parables, miracles, and instructions they include. Just recently, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published an adult catechism for our country. (This work had to and did receive a recognato for the Holy See.) It is my intention to utilize this newest resource and review its contents in the new year. Finally, several local pastors have met in our rectory and discussed how we might increase the knowledge of the Catholic community regarding the principles of dogmatic teaching, liturgical prayer, and moral living. We are faced very often with the reality that the pace of modern existence forbids attending adult education sessions on a regular basis. It was proposed that our preaching might focus more directly on the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The priests of Saints John and Paul intend to pursue this goal.
As summer winds down, may you and your families enjoy God’s creation and rejoice in His providential care.
Jesus vivat,
Fr. Brian