TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
(M - Memorial, A - Anniversary)
9:00 BERTHE and LOUIS BREUIL--M
req. by the Shields Family
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 12
HOLY
NAME of MARY
6:45 ANNA DI FIORE--M
req. by Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Labriola
9:00 CHARLES and LUCY RUSSO--M
req. by Ralph Santoliquido
6:45 AGNES
DORAN--M
9:00 CHARLES H. JUERGENS, SR.--M
reg. by the Juergens Family
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 14
EXALTATION of the HOLY CROSS
6:45 ANNA DI. FIORE--M
req. by Mena Basilone
9:00 DONATO and THERESA BRUNO--M
req. by Angelo & Jo Bruno
6:45 LEO
RUZZI--M
req by Concetta Ruzzi
9:00 KATHLEEN FAY--M
req. by Terry Casey
CYPRIAN, bishop, martyrs
9:00 DAMIANO
FAZIO--M
req.
by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Leonardi
5:30 WILLIAM G. ZAND--M
req. by the McGurk Family
7:30 MARY JANE BERKERY--M
req.
by Valerie & Nicholas
Mastronardi
9:00 ANDREAS BARTEN--M
10:30 VERONICA J. MC PEAK--M
req. by the McPeak Family
12:00 FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
5:00 ELIZABETH
and HENRY WEY--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, 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 (09 --03 -- 06): $8,722
Maintenance: $2,412
Attendance: 787
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
III -- Tony Greco – Adriana Gulla
I -- Gregory Manfredi – Erika Widman
TWENTY-THIRD
SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME
September
10, 2006
Did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom? Count your blessings, then come and help others count theirs too, as a priest or religious. If you feel you have such a vocation, 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 10th:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH:
11:30 AM: Reception for Fr. Joseph Nahas behind the rectory
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th:
6:00 PM RMR: Catechist Teachers meeting for Religious Ed.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th:
6:00 PM RMR: Cub Scouts
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th:
11:00 AM SARAH NEUMAN: Mass
3:00 PM AUD: Religious Education Parents “Back-to-School Night”
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th:
8:30 AM GYM, AUD. & SCH CONF RM: Catechist Formation Classes
FOOD BANK
NEWS…
Please remember to bring a non-perishable food item with you each time you come to Mass. The needs of the poor are always with us.
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
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 NY
CATHOLIC BIBICAL SCHOOL PROGRAM
The NY Catholic Biblical School Program will hold information/interview sessions for persons interested in registering for the first year. Prospective students should come to Archbishop Stepinac High School on Monday, September 11th. The program’s goal is to combine solid Catholic study of scripture with enhancement of the student’s spiritual life. All prospective students must apply and be interviewed prior to the Orientation/First Session on September 23rd at Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers. For more information and an application, call Registrar Fred Kurtz (212-371-1000x2800) or email him: Fred.Kurtz@archny.org.
BASKETBALL
REGISTRATION
SAINTS JOHN
and PAUL BASKETBALL 2006 – 2007
Sign-up for all teams, third grade through high school will take place at the gym on
Saturday, September 9th: 5:00 – 5:30 pm and
6:15 – 6:30 pm
Sunday, September 10th: 9:45 – 10:00 am
Sunday, September 17th: 9:45 – 10:00 am
Fee: Third and Fourth Grades: $40.00
Fifth Grade through High School: $90.00
All boys and girls who are students at Saints John and Paul School or whose families are registered members of the Parish are eligible and invited to play.
For further information, call John Hannaway at 914-948-2540.
THE PASTOR’S
COLUMN
The recognition of anniversaries can be very problematic depending on the occasion remembered. The recalling of the death of a family member can be a warm experience in which gratitude is expressed that such a person was a part of our lives. At the same time, we are sad for their departing caused an open wound and deep void. Celebrations of the years we graduated from school or of the days when we were born or married help us rediscover the past while looking forward to the days ahead and the opportunities they offer. This weekend I would want to commemorate two events certainly not equal in importance but each meaningful to a degree.
All of us will never forget where we were as our world changed forever on September 11, 2001. Having said the first Mass at Saint Martin de Porres, I was having breakfast in our dining room. Staff had yet to come to work so I turned on the TV for company. The usual lite fare of Regis and Kelly had been pre-empted by the continuation of the network morning show, which was reporting that seemingly “a small plane had hit one of the twin towers.” As the flames came out of the building a large jet seemed to be heading for the tower. How could that be? The building was already on fire. Isn’t this a tape? It was beyond our comprehension, at that point, that a second aircraft was targeting the second tower. By then, all of the priests and the parish staff were gathered in silent horror as we viewed the destructive forces at work. Having worked in the building complex at one time, I could easily imagine the thousands of people in crisis. On the ground floor and underground were shops and restaurants filled with workers from many other buildings in the financial area. Hundreds of workers for brokerage firms, law offices, and government services were heading for the elevators as they had done for years. Tourists were beginning to line up to go to the Observation Deck. In just minutes, everything changed: lives were lost, survivors devastated, heroes were made, and our nation forever changed. How is still up to us. In the face of such overwhelming evil we must choose life or death. We can be a vengeful people or honor those who died that day and in our glorious past by bringing peace and justice to our world by proclaiming the truth which makes all humanity free. We reflect and recommit ourselves to all that is good.
This September 10th marks the forty-fifth anniversary of my entrance into the minor seminary of Cathedral College. We were one hundred and twenty in number. Coming from every part of the archdiocese, these young men had made a decision to explore the possibility of a priestly vocation. The vast majority recognized as time went on that they are being called to other areas of endeavor. Many became social workers, educators, lawyers, and civil servants. In fact, only six of us were ordained. That statistic should not be overly exaggerated except to say that in those days more were willing to contemplate the possibility of giving their lives to full-time ministry. Supported by their families and faith communities they experienced a demanding academic program while fulfilling with the help of a dedicated faculty a spiritual journey towards adulthood. To my knowledge no one ever regretted the time spent in discerning the path their religious life would. Today a good number of them are most active in their parishes and many of them are permanent deacons.
The dearth of priestly and religious vocations has been well established in the media as well as our personal knowledge. Though the number of Catholics has increased their parishes are witnessing the growing phenomenon of non-resident pastors and priestless Sundays. A couple of years ago I met at the Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, a longtime member who had to return home early so that he could organize the people of the faith community to conduct eucharist services since no priest would be available for more than a month. In our Archdiocese, we have begun the process of realignment as we have previously mentioned. In other parts of the country, however, we have seen far more devastating closures. In one area, in fact, over one hundred parishes were suppressed. Though these are painful realities we cannot become “chicken little.” The sky is not necessarily going to fall. We know most importantly that Christ will not abandon His Church. The Mystical Body has experienced throughout its history many difficult periods. Persecutions often caused pastors to be separated from their people. They were often hunted and martyred. It was at these moments that God’s faithfulness showed itself most prominently. At the present time, we are not facing any loss of life and freedom for those who proclaim their faith and preach Christ as the Light of the World. However, our young people do live in our age of societal relativism and secularistic materialism. A sacrificial life is not one which is acclaimed even within Christian families. Advancement is measured in the achievement of status and wealth. The message of prior recent decades is still alive: “He who dies with the most toys wins.” In our homes, schools, and religious education, we must redouble our efforts to impress upon the generations who follow the true destiny of man. The eternal verities are those which give true happiness to us and true peace to creation. Prayer must be our constant companion in identifying, guiding, and supporting our youngsters who are being called by the Holy Spirit. The Lord is speaking they must be open to listen. There is no doubt that the life of a priest is one which demands total dedication. The surrender of the opportunity to be married and have a family is hard. The knowledge that one must go where the Church requires and not necessarily take the road of one’s own choosing requires a great deal of humility but God’s grace is not wanting to those who say as Mary did: ”Behold the servant of the Lord.”
The by-word for this week is sacrifice. Let us remember those whose lives were taken this week and those whose lives have been given.
May God bless us all.
Jesus vivat,
Fr. Brian