First Sunday of Lent. Mass Intentions. The Altar Bread for this week GOOD SHEPHERD STATUE

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1 February 14, 2016 Page 1 First Sunday of Lent T h i s We e k ' s Mass Intentions 8:00AM 9:30AM 11:00AM 12:30PM Sunday, February 14, 2016 Goerge & Ann Papandrea Stephen Petroglia (Loving Wife & Children) Frank Serpico (Loving Family) Antoinette DeMarco-Tomasello (Loving Daughter Linda) 5:00PM For The Parishioners Monday, February 15, 2016 President s Day Rosa & Salvatore Gambino (Loving Family) Tuesday, February 16, :30PM Catherine Lumetta (Carmela Panzone) Mary Camelo (Loving Daughter) Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Ernesto Jocson (Aida Jocson) Thursday, February 18, :30PM Philip & Lena Napoli (Vincenza & Pat Novara) Good Health for Joe Albergo (M/M Joseph Taylor) Friday, February 19, 2016 Michael & Mary Leccese (Jo-Ann & Phyllis Leccese) Saturday, February 20, 2016 Tomas Bravo (Loving Family) Neil Guerriero (Brother, John & Family) Angelina Weltick (Loving Family) Catherine Lumetta, Joseph Lumetta, Elodia Rich, Frances Rizzo, Santa Rizzo, Emily Schoolden 5:00PM Sunday, February 21, :00AM 9:30AM 11:00AM 12:30PM 5:00PM Maria Sannino (Rachele Sannino) Lorenza Bello (Donna & Thomas Lowden) Rosemarie Questore (Vita & Paul) Al Antino (Zaromatidis & Antino Family) For The Parishioners GOOD SHEPHERD STATUE We would like to thank Jeri Formanek, who kept the statue this past week. Anyone interested in keeping the statue in their home and praying for vocations for one week should contact the Rectory. If you are new to St. Helen Parish, please remember to stop in at the Rectory to register your family! Joseph Albergo, Karl Albrecht, Lisa B., Baby Alexandra Bachert, Caroline Bachert, Frances Baio, Helen Banas, Dolores Barbieri, Catherine Capato, Sally Capoziello, Marge D Auria, Mary Ann D Angelo, Baby Christopher Brian Demmerle, Domenica DeVito, Virginia DiGangi, Francesca Gaudino, Ian Genovese-Williams, Joseph Gentile, John Joseph Gleeson, John Pierce Gleeson, Christine Healy, Aurea Hernandez, Maria Hernandez, Rosemary Hogan, Elizabeth Isolano, Keri & Baby Tristan, Amelia Kalb, Pam Karwan, John Killcommons, Baby T.J. Krieg, Kathleen Krieg, Klavdia Krieg, Anthony Lamantia, Thomas & Patricia Lipari, William J. Litt, Ralph Maresco, Mary Mastrangelo, Camillo Mazella, Rosemary Menechella, John Myers, Salvatore Noto, Angela Ottomanelli-Hubbs, Joe Palagonia, Michael Palermo, Doris & Carlo Pecchillo, Joseph Questore, Kathleen Rammelkamp, Mary Romano, Jake Rothman, Anthony Russo, Felice Scimeca, Rosemarie Secreti, Fred Sepulveda, Rosalia Sindone, Dolores Stone, Michael Tamburo, Chrissie Tremblay, Paul Tremblay, Paul John Tremblay, Ann Marie Vayda, Sr. Joanne Walters, Elizabeth Weimer, Brittany Zaita. Deceased: Aldrichetto Castelli The Altar Bread for this week is donated in memory of Joseph A. Quagliariello, r equ ested by The Heedles Family. PLEASE NOTE: The Rectory will be closed on Monday, February 15th in obser vance of Pr esident s Day, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 16th at.

2 February 14, 2016 Page 2 Stations of the Cross: Weekday Masses: Weekend Masses: Confessions: Lenten Schedule 2016 Monday afternoons at 12:30PM Friday evenings at 7:30PM followed by Benediction Monday Saturday: Tuesday 7:30PM (Latin) Thursday 7:30PM (English) Saturday at 5:00PM Sunday: 8:00AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 12:30PM & 5:00PM Monday Friday at 8:45AM: Tuesdays: 7:00-7:25PM Saturdays 12:30-1:30PM, or by appointment (please call Rectory) RECONCILIATION MONDAY: MARCH 21, 2016 Throughout the N.Y. region, this day is set aside for the Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in preparation for Easter. Here at St. Helen, the opportunity for the Sacrament will be offered from 3:00PM thru 9:00PM. You re Invited to Participate in CRS Rice Bowl! Hungering For Opportunity. Our journey with CRS Rice Bowl begins in Colombia, where coffee beans are changing lives! What actions can we take this Lent to change lies at home and around the world? Visit crsricebowl.org for more. REGULATIONS CONCERNING FASTING AND ABSTINENCE Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of mandatory fasting and abstinence from meat. All Fridays in Lent are days of mandatory abstinence from meat. The obligation to fast applies to those aged The obligation to abstain from meat applies to those aged 14 and older. Those fasting may eat only one normal-sized meal. Two smaller meals may be eaten, if needed for strength. These smaller meals together should not equal a normal-sized meal. No food may be eaten between meals. The bishops of the United States recommend voluntary fasting on the other weekdays of Lent. It is a praiseworthy tradition to fast on Holy Saturday, until the Easter Vigil. It is worth remembering that every Friday of the year is a day of penance, unless a solemnity falls on a Friday. In the United States, on Fridays outside of Lent, one may choose either to abstain from eating meat or to perform some other act of penance. Congratulations to the following students from St. Helen Parish who have merited recognition for commendable academic performance during the second quarter of the school year at St. Francis Preparatory School: Brianna Baglino Anthony Bak Anthony Canzoneri John Cardone Nikolas Carneglia Matthew Castillo Gabriella Chirafisi Daniella DeBlasi Victoria DeBlasi Christopher Florio Sabrina Guglielmo Marissa Kosinski John Langone Alexandra Liguori Leanna Madonna Nicolette Madonna Christopher Moschitta Gabrielle Pelczar Salvatore Puleo Stephanie Reiter Bruno Rinaldi Frederick Rufrano Taylor Russo Gabriella Wood Sabrina Zaita

3 February 14, 2016 Page 3 Policies Regarding Infant Baptism at St. Helen Parish Parents seeking Baptism for their children who live within the territory of St. Helen Parish are asked to register as members of the parish before requesting an initial interview for Baptism. Registration is easily done at the parish office anytime during business hours. Parents seeking Baptism for their children who live outside the territory of St. Helen Parish are asked to obtain a letter from the parish in which they live authorizing the Baptism to take place at St. Helen. Initial meetings with parents seeking Baptism for their children will normally take place on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 9:00PM and on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:30AM 12:30PM. FEBRUARY APRIL 2016 Mornings of Preparation-Required Before a Baptism: (All begin at the 11:00AM Mass and continue in the Msgr. McGinness Room) February 21 March 13 April 10 & 24 Schedule for Baptisms: (All begin at 2:00PM) February 21 March 13 April 10 & 24 Please call for more information and/or to schedule an appointment. You Asked For It!! Back by Popular Demand!! St. Helen Catholic Academy 200 TO 1 RAFFLE Wine & Cheese Drawing Friday, April 15, 2016, 7:00PM in Fr. Dooley Hall. Only 200 tickets, at $100 per ticket, will be available. GRAND PRIZE OF $10,000 There will also be an additional $1,000 in prize money spread amongst other tickets as they are drawn. The price of the ticket can easily be shared with family and friends. Raffle tickets will be sold from Saturday, Feb. 27 th through Friday, Apr. 8 th. On Saturday, Feb. 27 th, tickets can be purchased at St. Helen Catholic Academy, th Avenue, during the hours of 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. After Feb. 27 th, please call Maria to purchase ticket. Winners need not be present at the drawing. Raffle ticket requests will be given on a first come first serve basis. Thank You for Supporting St. Helen Catholic Academy!

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5 February 14, 2016 Page 5 Homiletic starters and scriptural reflection points for each day of the month Mon., Feb. 15: Lev 19:1-2, 11-18; Matt 25:31-46 Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. Each Lent calls us to turn back to God, to address our selfishness and shortsightedness, and to set right what we ve done wrong. Sacrifice and self-denial can teach us a great deal about mercy, but the challenge of Lent is not only to give things up but also to go out and meet others in their pain. Lent is an opportunity to take inventory of how we ve served the Lord in gentleness and compassion by caring for his most needy, vulnerable and wounded. We can deepen our relationship with the Lord by acknowledging that he dwells within our broken brothers and sisters. When we minister to the suffering, we reach out and touch our loving and compassionate Lord. Give us the grace, Lord, to be a source of light and hope. Tues., Feb. 16: Isa 55:10-11; Matt 6:7-15 Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Prayer is the first and most vital component of our Lenten journey. This time of retreat encourages us to step away from our busy routine to focus not only on our own needs but also on the needs of others. We can confidently turn to God in prayer without fear of having to be profound or eloquent. God is deeply aware of our needs and of the barriers that keep us from being fully present and in communion with him. Prayer builds our relationship with our loving Father. When we invite God into the very center of our lives, God provides the words to transform us. We humbly ask you, Lord, to hear our prayers. Wed., Feb. 17: Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32 They proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. Fasting unites us with those who lack the most basic sustenance. Rather than seeing it as an inconvenience or a requirement, we should let fasting make us feel uncomfortable about the inequality and injustices of this world. It should push us to question how we share resources and fight for the common good. Otherwise, it is simply a change of diet. We have the luxury to choose to deny ourselves some food. Though our fasting is privileged and temporary, let us see it as a chance for solidarity with those who struggle daily to provide for themselves and their children, and let it lead us to act on behalf of those who have no choice in their scarcity. Guide us, Lord, so that our sacrifice benefits others. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find. Almsgiving giving freely and without measure is a hallmark of Christian charity. We possess nothing. Everything belongs to God, who is the source of all good gifts. Our gratitude for all that God has given to us should be more than enough motivation for us to give without question and without expectation of return. Such gratitude should also help us to see the danger of valuing possessions over people. Even the most vital material goods are worthless if they rob people of dignity. May our Lenten journey of conversion help us to see what is truly valuable. Help us, Lord, to be good stewards. FIRST WEEK OF LENT Fri., Feb. 19: Ezek 18:21-28; Matt 5:20-26 Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? The Lord sees no difference between the abominable acts of an evil man and those of a virtuous one who strays. It s a harsh reminder. Sin is sin. In each case, the sinner breaks faith. Both must turn away from wickedness and return to God. We are not told this to make us despair or feel ashamed. Rather, we should take comfort in knowing that if we turn away from our wrongdoing and try again, the Lord rejoices and welcomes us back. Lent invites us to conversion. It s time to take an honest look at our failings and to seek a fresh start. Yes, it s awkward and humbling. True conversion demands honesty, openness and lasting change. Thank you, Lord, for your abundant mercy. Sat., Feb. 20: Deut 26:16-19; Matt 5:43-48 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? It s easy to close ourselves off from those who are different and difficult. We orchestrate our lives to avoid conflict and suffering. If we play it right, we can be good without stepping out of our comfort zone. But to serve Christ and the church, we need to take risks. We must be open, vulnerable and willing to face rejection and disappointment. Loving as Christ loves can be messy, frustrating and painful. It might even at times seem foolish and pointless, but we trust in God s love and offer it again and again, without qualification. Mold me, Lord, into an instrument of your love. Thurs., Feb. 18: Esth C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Matt 7:7-12