PHONE: (518) WEBSITE: SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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1 HOLY TRINITY PARISH Hudson and Germantown, New York 429 E. Allen St. P. O. Box 323 Hudson, NY February 17, 2019 PHONE: (518) WEBSITE: SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME VERY REV. ANTHONY BARRATT, E.V. Pastor DEACON RICHARD WASHBURN Deacon REV. WINSTON BATH Pastor Emeritus

2 THE BEATITUDES IN SAINT LUKE S GOSPEL We are generally more familiar with the Beatitudes that we find in Chapter Five of Saint Matthew s Gospel. They are a favorite choice for many Masses such as certain saints days or for funerals. As we are journeying through Year C of our three-year cycle of Sunday readings, today we hear instead the Beatitudes as found in Saint Luke s Gospel. He gives four beatitudes (Matthew gives eight); but Luke then pairs them with four opposites to being blessed four woes! In a way, he is presenting us with a choice: a true happiness that will bring lasting life and joy, or a false happiness that will fade and lead to sorrow. Let us put the Beatitudes in Saint Luke s Gospel into context. Do you remember the Gospel last week? It was Jesus calling his disciples Peter, James and John (and calling us too!). The Beatitudes are a perfect follow-on from this call, as they are a series of precepts or instructions that lay out what it is to be a disciple of Jesus and so how we are to work for the Kingdom. They are like a map, or blueprint, or even manifesto for the Christian life: both in terms of basic attitudes and values, as well as in what we should do practically speaking. It is hardly surprising then, that the Beatitudes must be one of the most read Gospel passages we use in Church, or perhaps even the most read! The Beatitudes have a structure which can help us to begin to grasp their life-giving, if not always easy to understand, message and invitation. Each one begins with Blessed are A brief class in Biblical language is needed here so that we can understand what this word blessed means (it is also sometimes translated instead as happy ). The original word (makarios in Greek, or ashre in Hebrew) is a word of congratulations or thanksgiving and so really means well done, or congratulations, or bravo for you. Another language element is that the original text does not have any verb: the are of Blessed are you is not there in the written text. This is very important because this linguistic device means that the well done is not for the future, but for the present: right now. When we think about it, this changes the whole dynamic and meaning of the Beatitudes. They are not some hope for the future, or even like goals and objectives in a project to be worked on. No, they are to be lived right now. It is rather like the command Jesus gives at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37): go and do likewise (that means now!). By the way, we will be hearing this parable on the weekend of 13 th -14 th July The next part of the Beatitudes then leads us to see why we should have this present happiness or sense of something well done. They do this by a small and very everyday word that actually says a huge and extraordinary thing: for If we follow these Beatitudes now, we are blessed, or happy, or can give thanks because we are living the Kingdom right now. We also have a foretaste right now of the blessings of God s Kingdom. We can notice in the Beatitudes that some of these blessings happen right now and some of them will come in the future ( you will be satisfied you will laugh ). The little word for also means that these blessings are not really so much a reward for living the Beatitudes, but rather are a consequence of living them: there is a big difference between reward and consequence! The Beatitudes then will give purpose, meaning and depth to our life, not as a reward for good living as such, but as a way of having life and having it to the full. We also know that living these Beatitudes is not easy. In fact, we cannot do it without God s help and His gifts. That is why we have God s Word, the sacraments, prayer etc. to help us live these Beatitudes. Finally, of course, we have Jesus himself as the model and the guide for living the Beatitudes. We might say that Jesus did not only preach and proclaim the Beatitudes, but rather that he is the Beatitudes. In the Beatitudes then, he calls us to follow him to go and If you want to read and reflect further, there are many books on the Beatitudes. Here are a few recommendations: John Stott The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character; Raniero Cantalamessa Beatitudes: Eight Steps to Happiness; and Darrell Johnson The Beatitudes. Father Anthony

3 THE WEEK AHEAD MONDAY, February 18 Presidents Day Holiday - Federal Holiday Morning Mass will be at 9:00 a.m. All parish offices will be closed for the day. WEDNESDAY, February 20 The Gathering - 7:30 p.m. St. Mary s Academy THURSDAY, February 21 Bible Study - 7:00 p.m. St. Mary s Academy Magnificat A Ministry to Catholic Women Join us for a Women s Breakfast sponsored by Albany NY Chapter of Magnificat Saturday, March 9, 2019, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (doors open at 8:30 am) Holiday Inn Express, 400 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY Registration by mail -- due March 1, 2019 Registration Fee $20.00; Online $22.00 (Clergy & Religious Free - Please RSVP) Please send a check payable to: ALBANY NY CHAPTER OF MAGNIFICAT PO Box 340, Clifton Park, NY Register online using PayPal or credit card at: We need to keep our Church fresh, vibrant and welcoming. Our campaign therefore gives thanks for the past, celebrates the present and provides for the future. Now is the time for us to seize the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to our baptismal vows and be active witnesses for Jesus in our own day to open hearts to the truths of His Gospel. Let us go forth and together build for the future. Let us Re-ignite our Faith! For more information please refer to: stewardship@re-ignitingourfaith.org Income Tax Statements Parishioners who wish to have statements with respect to their 2018 contributions to Holy Trinity Parish may call St. Mary s Rectory at We will gladly provide documentation that will allow you to get appropriate credit on your Income Taxes. Registration Information: Kathleen Carroll: Time to Bring In Your Palms Approximately one month from now the season of Lent will begin with our Ash Wednesday celebrations on March 6th. We invite parishioners to bring in their palms from last Palm Sunday, which we will convert into ashes. Loose palms may be left in any of the Church vestibules. Please do not place plastic bags, rubber bands twist ties, etc. in the receptacles. Thank you.

4 Volunteers Needed Germantown Food Pantry Join our great volunteer team! Call Arlene Liepshutz at for further in- RECYCLE EASTER BASKETS - PAILS - BUCKETS Every year, the Salvation Army provides filled Easter baskets for all of the residents at the Fireman's Home. Jill Wishon Sterling has asked if our parishioners might be able to help by bringing in any new or lightly used Easter baskets/pails/ buckets that they might be willing to part with. Please leave them in the vestibule of the Church or call Maura if you need pick up. Thanks so much! The following Eucharistic Moment has been shared by the perpetual Adoration Committee to promote Eucharistic adoration: Sunday, February 17 The Eucharist is one of the seven sacraments in the Church, and The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments (CCC, 113). Sacraments are powers that come forth from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in His Body, the Church (CCC, 1116) PLEASE JOIN HOLY TRINITY PARISH FOR A TRADITIONAL MARDI GRAS SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH God s Blessings upon Brynlee Stewart and Deusen Keyser and their families on the occasion of their recent Baptisms. Welcome to God s family and to the community of Holy Trinity Parish! PLEASE NOTE Due to the February School break, Sunday School Classes have been rescheduled and will resume on March 3. Where: St. Mary s Academy Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Cost: $8/ Adults, $5/ Children 12 & Under Sacrificial Giving We are giving the fullest expression of our faith when we have a genuine desire to share with others and do all that we can to build up our parish and our Church. HUDSON Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Feb. 10)... $ 7, Utilities GERMANTOWN Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Feb. 10) $ 2, Utilities Seminarian Support 45.00

5 READINGS AND HYMNS (HUDSON) Reading: p. 71 Opening Hymn: # 419 Closing: # 440 The sacraments are wonderful gifts from God to us. BAPTISM: Congratulations! If you would like to arrange preparations and a date for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office. RCIA: For those enquiring about the Catholic Faith or wishing to complete their sacraments: welcome! Please contact the Parish Office and we will be very glad to help you further. RECONCILIATION: Celebrated on Saturdays pm in Hudson, before and after Masses in Germantown, or at anytime by appointment. (Note: it is best to call ahead first to check on the availability of a priest) ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Priests regularly visit the hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. Please do contact the Parish Office if you or someone you know is in need of the anointing of sick. MARRIAGE: Congratulations! So that proper arrangements (paperwork, preparations etc.) can be made, please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Anthony at least six months before the desired date. VOCATIONS: If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, please contact Fr. Anthony to share thoughts and prayers further. Readings for the Week of February 17 Sunday: Jer 17:5-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 4, 6 [40:5a]/1 Cor 15:12, 16-20/Lk 6:17, Monday: Gn 4:1-15, 25/Ps 50:1 and 8, 16bc-17, [14a] /Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10/Ps 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10 [11b]/Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Gn 8:6-13, 20-22/Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, [17a] /Mk 8:22-26 Thursday: Gn 9:1-13/Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and [20b] /Mk 8:27-33 Friday: 1 Pt 5:1-4/Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6 [1]/Mt 16:13-19 Saturday: Heb 11:1-7/Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, [cf. 1]/ Mk 9:2-13 Next Sunday: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, MASSES FOR THIS WEEK MONDAY: Weekday (February 18) 9:00 AM Marilyn Donahue - William Fisher, Sr. Rudolph Skoda - Joanne Walker Patricia Smegoski - Rob & Patrice Perry Frances Soule - Peter & Robin Merante TUESDAY: Weekday (February 19) 7:15 AM Marilyn Donahue - Judy McDonald Rudolph Skoda - Frieda Van Deusen Lise Freilinghaus - R. Romanchuk Frances Soule - John & Cindy Yusko WEDNESDAY: Weekday (February 20) 7:15 AM Delores Housman - Charlie Housman Marilyn Donahue - Betty & John Unson Clint Winant - Marian Coons James Zegers - Charles & Linda Meicht THURSDAY: Weekday (February 21) 7:15 AM Marilyn Donahue - Bob & Mary Delaney Salvatore Lalumia - Wife Alvin Zempko - Betty & John Unson FRIDAY: The Chair of St. Peter The Apostle (February 22) 7:15 AM Pietro Mongillo - Maria Fisher & Family Michael Erickson - Elaine Erickson, Mom Rudolph Rudy Skoda - Charles & Linda Meicht Alfonse Acciani - Steve & Betsy Acciani 9:00 AM For All Who Serve In The Armed Forces of Our (G TWN) Country 7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY VIGIL MASS: (February 23) 4:00 PM Mr. & Mrs. Reginald Grener - Daughter, Valerie (HUD) Mary Grand - Bob & Janice Pendergast Phyllis Yandik - Jim Skoda Rudolph Skoda - Mr. & Mrs. Garth Walker 5:30 PM Living & Deceased of Our Parish (G TWN) SUNDAY MORNING MASS: (February 24) 9:00 AM Pietro Mongillo - Wife, Caterina Mongillo (HUD) Florence & James McDonald - Judy & Jenny McDonald Mary Rosalie Grand - David B. Dolan Shanna Estes Mom and Arieonna 11:00 AM Maureen Szigethy - Martha Szigethy & Family (G TWN)

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