Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

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1 March 20, 2016 Page 1 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord T h i s We e k ' s M a s s I n t e n t i o n s Sunday, March 20, 2016 Palm Sunday 8:00AM Luciano & Maria Sannino (Jo-Ann & Phyllis Leccese) 9:30AM For the Parishioners 11:00AM Christine Piotrowski (Dr. Aida Jocson) 1:00PM Mary Camelo & Joshua Basin (Loving Daughter & Mom) 5:00PM Christine Piotrowski (St. Helen s Lectors) Monday, March 21, :00AM Tanyag Family (Aida Jocson) Tuesday, March 22, :00AM Anna & Joe Nachman (Antoinette Nachman) Wednesday, March 23, :00AM Joshua I. Basin (Loving Mother, Zena) Thursday, March 24, 2016 Holy Thursday 7:30PM Mass of the Lord s Supper For Deceased Priests of the Diocese Friday, March 25, 2016 Good Friday 3:00PM Celebration of the Passion of the Lord Saturday, March 26, 2016 Holy Saturday 8:00PM Easter Vigil Thomas Grieco (Joan Grieco) Sunday, March 27, 2016 Easter Sunday 6:00AM Christine Piotrowski (Loving Family) 8:00AM Catherine Sullivan (Dr. Aida Jocson) 9:30AM For The Parishioners 11:00AM Christine Piotrowski (Andrew & Linda Mastrangelo) 12:30PM Phyllis Laino (Loving Family) 5:00PM No 5:00PM Mass GOOD SHEPHERD STATUE We would like to thank The Hellstrom Family, 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, Michael Palermo, Santo Pantina, Doris & Carlo Pecchillo, Joseph Questore, 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: Barbara DiFranco, Antoinette Marotta Please Note: The Church has entered the period traditionally known as Passiontide. One of the customs during this period is to veil crosses and sacred images. This explains why some of the sacred artwork in the Church is covered. The veils will be removed before the Easter Vigil. Way of the Cross Over The Brooklyn Bridge On Good Friday, March 25, 2016, Communion and Liberation will sponsor the Way of the Cross over the Brooklyn Bridge. Participants will congregate for the first station at St. James Cathedral, Brooklyn, at 10AM. After a station on the Brooklyn Bridge, the procession will follow the cross to a third station at City Hall Park in Manhattan, and a fourth station near Ground Zero. The final station will be at St. Peter s Church, on Barclay Street, concluding at 1:30PM. At each station, there will be readings from the Passion, a meditation, a reflection and hymns. All are invited. For more information please call , or visit Catholic Charities of Howard Beach Senior Center is looking for those who knit and/or crochet to make lap blankets, hats and scarves for Hospice of NY. These articles are sorely needed for the gravely ill in our communities. If you have a talent and want to give back please contact Rosalie at Also, if you have wool to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.

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3 March 20, 2016 Page 3 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. Divine Mercy Sunday April 3, 2016 You are invited for the Yearly Celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday with devotion from 2:00-3:00PM in the Church. The celebration will include: St. Faustina s Way of the Cross, Eucharistic Exposition, St. Faustina s Prayer for sinners, Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Recitation of St. Faustina s Praises, Benediction, and Veneration of St. Faustina s Relic. There will be an opportunity for Confession immediately after the Service. Preparation for gaining Indulgence: Reception of Holy Communion that day, Sacrament of Penance approximately two weeks prior or after Divine Mercy Sunday, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. Jesus, King of Mercy, We Trust In You Training For New Altar Servers Saint Helen Parish is seeking to train new altar servers. Any boy or girl in Second Grade or higher, whether he or she attends a Catholic school or a public school, may become an altar server. Potential new servers must be available to attend all of the following training sessions: Monday, April 4, 4-6 p.m. Monday, April 11, 4-6 p.m. Monday, April 18, 4-6 p.m. Monday, April 25, 4-6 p.m. Monday, May 2, 4-6 p.m. Blessing and installation of the new servers will take place at the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, May 7. A parent or guardian must be present for the beginning of the first session on Monday, April 4 to fill out paperwork. Please contact Father Joe Zwosta with any questions at , ext. 212 or at fatherzwosta@gmail.com.

4 March 20, 2016 Page 4 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. APRIL MAY 2016 Mornings of Preparation-Required Before a Baptism: (All begin at the 11:00AM Mass and continue in the Msgr. McGinness Room) April 10 & April 24 May 8 & May 29 Schedule for Baptisms: (All begin at 2:00PM) April 10 & April 24 (April 24 only at 3:30PM) May 8 & May 29 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 through Friday, April 8 th. Please call Maria Elrose at 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!

5 March 20, 2016 Page 5 Homiletic starters and scriptural reflection points for each day of the month Mon., March 21: Isa 42:1-7; John 12:1-11 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. What will we do differently this week? Will we slow down, pray more, set aside time for the Triduum and really experience the summit of the liturgical year? Jesus reminds us that the busyness, the craziness and the concerns that keep us from focusing on him will always be there. Let s step away from our normal routines this week, the distractions and excuses, and plan time just for our Lord. Now we gather around Jesus, serve him like Martha, recline at table with him like Lazarus, and lavish him with love and devotion like Mary. Let s fill our homes with the fragrance of his glorious presence. Tues., March 22: Isa 49:1-6; John 13:21-33, Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me. While Jesus speaks of Judas, he hints at Peter s impending denial and suggests the other disciples may falter, too. They are oblivious to Judas blatant plotting. It s just as hard to acknowledge such failings within ourselves. How long does it take for us to recognize when we slip, let alone outright deny Jesus? We don t see ourselves actively undermining the Lord, but neither did Peter, who one moment was willing to lay down his life for Jesus and the next was denying any association with him. It s a fitting challenge for each of us today. Give me the grace to follow you, Lord. Wed., March 23: Isa 50:4-9a; Matt 26:14-25 What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you? Judas receives 30 pieces of silver to betray his friend. By his thinking, quick money is more important than an everlasting relationship with Jesus. How much value do we place on our bond with the Lord? What do we accept in place of an intimate connection with him? Each time we let temporal desires take his place, we essentially haggle his price. We negotiate his worth by short-term logic. In the end, we risk trading an eternal covenant for a contract filled with loopholes and limitations. Jesus, give me the strength to value you above all else. Mass of the Lord s Supper Do you realize what I have done for you? Can we fathom what Jesus Christ has done for us? We know he gave himself freely to atone for our sins and to ensure our salvation. We profess that in the Eucharist, our union with Christ intensifies. But while we are on earth, can we ever fully know the saving gift Jesus instituted in the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross? Jesus guides us to a deeper understanding through his actions. He models what we should do and how we should live, even if we don t quite get it right now. He assures the disciples that they will understand later, and offers us the same promise. Lord, help us to follow your example and trust that when we are finally united with you in your kingdom, we ll truly comprehend. HOLY WEEK Fri., March 25: Isa 52:13 53:12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1 19:42 Good Friday of the Lord s Passion And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. It s easy to look at the cross in despair. That s certainly what those who persecuted and crucified Jesus wanted. They sought to shame, discredit and silence him. Yet even his torment and death reflected his mission. He didn t buckle under pressure and pain. Stripped, bloody and vulnerable, he still taught, loved and forgave, comforting both friends and criminals and exonerating his executioners. He modeled how to place complete trust in the Father s promises. Even in our darkest hour, no matter what anguish we experience, there s no better path than to follow the Father s will and put our suffering in his hands. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Sat., March 26: Vigil Readings Easter Vigil They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Death is not the end of the story. Darkness does not win. Our Lord lives. Some people still call it a nonsense fairy tale, but we know better. Still it s tempting to want to run to the tomb like Peter does upon hearing the women s puzzling and glorious news not in doubt, but to be amazed at the power of the Almighty and to leave all pain and anxiety there. So roll back the stone, bury your fears, seal the entrance and walk away in faith and hope. He is risen. Alleluia. Thurs., March 24: Exod 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor 11:23-26; John 13:1-15