TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
SEPTEMBER 3, 2006
(M - Memorial, A - Anniversary)
9:00 THE DE VILLA FAMILY
req. by the Becker & McKnight Families
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 5
6:45 THE WENZEL FAMILY
9:00 NICHOLAS and ROSE TAMAGNA--M
req. by Joseph & Katherine Tamagna
6:45 FRANK
and JULIA SANTOLIQUIDO--M
req. by Ralph Santoliquido
9:00 THE SAPORITO and LOIACONI FAMILIES
reg. by Rose Saporito
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 7
6:45 ALICE and WARREN BROOKS--M
req. by the Family
9:00 JOSEPHINE and CORNELIUS SHIELDS, PAUL V.
SHIELDS and
AILEEN SHIELDS BRYAN--M
req. by the Shields Family
6:45 MARY A. and EDWARD S. LADIN and ROSE DUDEK—M
req by the Ladin Family
9:00 AUGUSTIN S. HARDART--M
req. by Nancy Hardart
9:00 OLIVIA
TUCKER--M
req.
by Lauren Bisordi
5:30 JOSEPH ZAVAGLIA--M
req. by Olga Zavaglia
7:30 MICHARL “BUTCH” RAINALDI--A
req. by Jane Rigano
9:00 GUIDO GULLA--M
req.
by the Gulla Family
10:30 FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
12:00 RAYMOND O’KEEFE--M
req. by Joe & Josephine Martello
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: Sister Margaret Coakley, Pat Bonner, Ed
Lenard, Pam Hissey, Tricia Eigo, Steve Schulz, Dana Infelice, Patrice
McAuliffe, Francis “Charlie” Abrahamsen, Lisa Scholl, Frank Diaz-Balart, Alice
Nasta, Mildred Traub, Catherine Ann Brennan, Mary & Tony Fraioli, Hank
Lawlor, 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, CHRIS CHRISTIE, 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 --27 -- 06): $12,067
Attendance: 918
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 -- Tony Greco – Adriana Gulla
III – Andrew Ramjiawan – Jamie Burger
MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 4th
Monday, September 4th, is Labor Day, a national holiday. There will be NO 6:45 AM Mass. The Parish Office, the Religious Education Office and the school will all be closed. Enjoy the long weekend!
TWENTY-SECOND
SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
September
3, 2006
Our second Scripture reading reminds us that “every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit, comes from God”. God’s gifts should prompt our responsive gratitude, which should be the basis of our daily lives. If you feel God is offering you the gift of priesthood or religious life, and you wish to respond generously, trusting in God, 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: Oct 7th, Nov. 4th and Dec. 2nd.
YOU’RE
INVITED!
Please join us to welcome Father Nahas to Sts. John and Paul Parish. The morning coffee will be held on Sunday, September 10th, after the 10:30 mass. We will hold the event at the newly landscaped backyard of the rectory. All are invited.
10:30 AM MASS
MUSIC NOTES
The Gospel today tells the story of the mute man being healed by Jesus. Imagine his incredible joy! In the Anthem, “Go Not Far From Me” by Nicola Zingarelli, the choir sings “O let my mouth be filled with Thy praise, that I may sing of Thy glory all the day long!”
If you have ever entertained the thought of singing with the Senior Choir, now is the time to act! We are just starting up and are happy to welcome some new members. Come up to the choir loft after Mass and speak with our Director, Gregory Freilino.
CALENDAR
of EVENTS for WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 3rd:
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th:
LABOR DAY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th:
8:00 PM RMR: K of C Meeting
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th:
8:35 AM: Sts. John & Paul School opens
11:00 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Mass
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th:
9:30 AM RMR: Interfaith
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th:
Registration for Basketball before and after the 5:30 PM Mass
FOOD BANK
NEWS…
Please help!!! Our Food Bank is running very low on all kinds of non-perishable items. We greatly need: cereal, tomato sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, coffee, tea, sugar, flour, pasta. Thank you in advance for all your generosity to our Food Bank throughout the year and especially, at this time of the year.
WOMEN’S GUILD
NEWS…
Anyone who would like to help with the coffee for Father Nahas, please call Mary Haney at 833-2251.
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
SALESIAN HIGH
SCHOOL BOOKFAIR
The Youth Ministry Team of Salesian High School will sponsor a bookfair with Barnes and Noble Booksellers on Saturday, September 9th from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 PM. This will take place at the Co-op City Barnes and Noble. Fr. Tran has left Bookfair Vouchers in the rear of the Church. Pick up one to use when you make your purchase there.
TACHS
To qualify for entrance to almost all of our Catholic High Schools, eighth grader pupils must take the TACHS – Test for Admission in to Catholic High School. The Examination will be held on Thursday, November 9th. Applications for the Examination must be made by October 26th. Catholic school pupils will receive applications in their own school. Public school pupils may obtain applications from Catholic High Schools participating in the program or from the parish religious education office. Students may register 7 days a week online via www.tachsinfo.com or via telephone from 8AM to &PM at 1-866-61-2247. Further details may be obtained by calling the TACHS Admission Office at (866) 618-2247.
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 kindergartners or first graders should be added to the back of a re-registration form.)
PARENTS
of KINDERGARTNERS
All parishioners of Kindergarten age are welcome to our Sunday morning Religious Education class! Children learn about God through arts and crafts, song and story-telling We start at 10:10 AM so you have time to attend Mass at 9:00 (or Noon!) as a family.
STS. JOHN and
PAUL SCHOOL BAND
Please consider having your child participate in the school band. Instrumental music is an important part of education. Students will bring home information sheets in September. Band is available to all Sts. John and Paul School students in grades 3 – 8.
HALLOWEEKEND FAMILY FESTIVAL
Circle your calendars for the weekend of October 27th, 28th, and 29th. The Halloweekend Family Festival Committee is working very diligently to 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 conclude our reflections upon the formal process of annulment. We were in the midst of discussing the petitioner’s biographical statement. During courtship one would expect to meet a future spouse’s family. (I never cease to be amazed at the lack of knowledge in this area of human interaction. I frequently use this ignorance as one of the significant bases for my ultimate decision as a judge.) In too many cases it is reported by the writer that this time of getting to know each other is marked by psychological and/or physical abuse. It is certainly hard to believe that one would think that such violence would cease once marriage takes place. And yet sad to say, many do. The petitioner then covers the time, in their discourse, when the ceremony took place, the reception was held, and the honeymoon was experienced. These earliest moments often reveal the seeds of dysfunction already growing. When a couple first begins their dwelling together great discoveries are made: both good and bad. Perhaps there might be seen a reneging on former promises: to welcome children, for instance. One partner might be absenting themselves from the home on a regular basis: working late, night out with the boys or girls, individual participation in activities. It is often observed that when a son or daughter is born a jealousy displays an already present immaturity, which is beyond the norm because the spouse is no longer the center of attention. (Though a marriage might be in existence for a duration of twenty or thirty years, its beginnings might prevent the possibility of true union and human growth.) Finally, the disintegration of the relationship is addressed. It does not matter who caused it, who took the steps to create the separation or call for civil divorce. The judge is evaluating the existence of the marital bond not the degree of innocence of guilt of the parties.
To support the petition the Church requests at least two witnesses to testify as to their knowledge of the circumstances which necessitate it to issue a judicial sentence. (I usually ask for three witnesses lest one of them prove inadequate.) Because the information that is required is so personal information is best received from relatives or longtime friends. Recent acquaintances or even parish priests who know the couple for a short duration cannot be that helpful. It should be acknowledged that the possibility of bias is recognized and taken into account. Additionally, those who write and speak to the Tribunal can expect that their contribution to the process is kept confidential. (Indeed, all of the proceedings are considered to possess the same degree of privacy as the seal of confession. They are not subject to any governmental sunshine laws.)
Because many cases focus upon the personalities of the parties and their capabilities to enter a permanent union in a mature manner, the impute of a professional who can enlighten the court concerning the psychological aspects of the relationship being studied. Fulfilling this role are frequently psychiatrists, psychologists, certified social workers, and marriage counselors. Many times if the petitioner has already consulted with any of the above their report might be deemed sufficient. If not, the court will advise as to an appropriate individual. (The petitioner is requested, of course, to sign a medical release. The testimony of a marriage counselor could only be used if both parties agree.)
After all the materials have been gathered and it is clear that the proceeding should advance, the respondent (the other party) is notified that a examination of the marital bond is taking place and their participation is being sought. (This is an obligation in justice.) If they express a desire to be involved, then they are sent a similar packet that the petitioner filled out and are advised that any witnesses they would propose would be heard. If there is no response to the Tribunal’s written request, a second letter is sent. If that notification is ignored, the judge declares that person absent and the case continues to conclusion. At times, the petitioner will advise the Church that there is an issue of fear if the other party is contacted. The judge will usually insist on some formal testimony and/ or documentation to support the assertion of danger. Civil writs of protection or other police reports are very helpful in this regard. If the respondent’s location is not known then the petitioner is asked to make a good will effort to establish it, such as contacting other members of the family or utilizing the Internet.
In the final stage, the petitioner and witnesses come to the Tribunal and are interviewed. The purpose for this is to verify and clarify what they have written previously. (The respondent and witnesses are also invited to testify in person but not on the same day.) Each person speaks to the judge or auditor (a member of the Tribunal staff who is trained to receive testimony but is not authorized to render a decision) individually. This is done so that the witness might be able to address questions in complete candor.
Having read the testimony and deposed the witnesses, the judge has three options: a negative decision: there is no substantive cause to believe that the marriage is invalid; a positive decision: beyond doubt the marriage was not contracted to according to the norms of law. There is in the judge’s opinion moral certainty that the bond is null. The judge, however, could exercise another choice. He might refuse to render a judgment on the basis of what has been presented and seek further information or another witness, or a second expert. He has seen good reason for granting an annulment but it has not yet risen to the level of “moral certitude.” When the judgment is given, it is known as a decision of the Court of the First Instance and whatever it is subject to mandatory appeal. A college of three judges examines the “acta” of the case as the Court of Second Instance and affirms, reverses, or sends back to First Instance the decision.
Though the process might seem daunting, it is not. With your parish priest assisting the Tribunal personnel stand ready to do what is necessary to aid in the spiritual journey of those who are seeking to strengthen their relationship with Christ and His Church.
Enjoy the final hours of rest as we prepare to welcome the opportunities of work and education
Jesus vivat,
Fr. Brian