Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church 175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York Telephone:

Transcription

1 Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church 175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York Telephone: MASS SCHEDULE WEEKLY MASSES: Monday Friday 8:30AM in Mother Church NEW WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5PM in Large Church Sunday 7:30AM in Mother Church 9AM, and 11:00AM in Large Church SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Saturday 4PM 4:30PM in Large Church Fourth Sunday of Lent March 30, 2014 Encounters With Jesus Session IV Wednesday, April 2nd Woman at the Well PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday Thursday 9AM-4:30PM Friday 9AM 2:30PM Saturday 9AM 2PM OFFICES CLOSED WEEKDAYS 12:30PM 1:30PM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Monday Thursday 9:30AM-12:30PM and 1PM 4:30PM PARISH OUTREACH Office and Pantry Hours Monday Thursday 10AM-1PM Visit us online! See Page 11 for more Information

2 The Pastoral Team Clergy Rev. Edward R. D Andrea, Pastor Rev. James Drew, Parish Administrator Rev. John Amoah, Priest In Residence Deacon Frank Hartmann Deacon Edward Karan Retired Clergy Rev. Diarmuid F. McGann, Pastor Emeritus Deacon Robert Gronenthal Parish Staff Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults Mrs. Patricia Bartoldus, Director of Faith Formation, K-9 Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director of Outreach Mrs. Theresa Martin, Director of Music Parish Office: Fax: Mrs. Irene Mauro, Office Manager, ext. 11 Mrs. Lindsay Butler, Parish Asst., ext. 10 Mrs. Loraine Gonzalez, Admin. Asst., ext. 10 Hours: Monday -Thursday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday - Friday olsbp@aol.com Religious Education: Mrs. Eileen Mulry, Secretary, ext. 15 Mrs. Susan Gressler, C.R.E., ext. 14 Mrs. Charlotte Logan, C.R.E. ext. 16 Office hours: Monday Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. olsbpre@aol.com Faith Formation for Adults: Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults olsbeth@aol.com Parish Outreach: Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director Mrs. Patricia Fulco, Outreach Assistant Office hours and food pantry, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday in the cottage Evening Hours Available by Appointment olsoutreach@yahoo.com For full information on all sacraments, sponsor requirements for Godparents/ Confirmation Sponsors, schedules and dates, please consult our website, or call the Parish Office. (631) extension 10 Marriage: Arrangements must be made at least six to twelve months in advance. It is advisable to call the church prior to arranging the reception. Baptisms: Are celebrated on the second Saturday and fourth S u n da y o f m o s t m o n t h s. Please visit our website at com for complete information. Christian Initiation: Persons interested in becoming Catholic and adults who have not received Confirmation or First Eucharist, please contact the parish office. For SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION older children who have not received sacraments, please call the Religious Education office. New parishioners: Please register at the parish or call , ext. 10 for information. Communion for the Homebound: To make arrangements to have Communion brought to the home, please call the parish office at , ext. 10. For emergency sick calls, please call the parish at any time.

3 A Message from the Administrator Page 3 March 30, 2014 Dear Parishioners, Sunday, March 30, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Lent Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday A Message from Father Jim Drew As you and I continue our Lenten spiritual journey to Easter, we have come half way to Easter. (Laetare) Rejoice is taken from Isaiah 66:10-11 sets a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter celebration as does the use of rose-colored vestments by the clergy. Our Lenten Gospel readings draw into conversations between Jesus, listeners, and his disciples. Our Wednesday evening sessions Encounters with Jesus draws us into a deeper awareness of the powerful impact Jesus had on 1st century people. Pope Francis reminds us in his November 2013 letter The Joy of the Gospel, that Jesus can also change our lives for good in the 21st century here at Our Lady of the Snow: The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. I invite all Christians to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ. As we move into the second half of Lent 2014, I encourage you to read A New Call to Stewardship a compilation of Pope Francis inspirational quotes. Making Stewardship a Way of Life (1) is the biblical way of looking at our relationship with God this Lent, (2) is a creative way of growing in understanding and living as a disciple of Jesus, following the example of Jesus first century disciples. In this Stewardship booklet Pope Francis encourages us and offers us some questions to guide us in living our Catholic faith, not only on Sundays but on the other 6 days of the week. Please read it this week. Stewardship is as old as the Bible and as modern as Pope Francis in his thinking. Stewardship is a disciple s response to living a Christian life in This booklet will help you come to a fuller understanding of who God is, and who Jesus is for us adults. It will also help you share your faith with your children and grandchildren and respond to the challenges young people face in knowing, loving and serving God in Have a Great Week, Fr. Jim Drew Today s Second Collection is for Catholic Relief Services.

4 Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet, on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He look Compassion on this world. Yours are the feet With which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands With which He blesses all the world. Yours are the hands Yours are the feet. Your are the eyes You are His Body Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes, through which He looks Compassion on this world. Christ has no body on earth but yours. St Teresa Of Avila Make Stewardship a Way of Life in 2014 ~ A Year of Grace for All of Us ~ 1. Discover the God of the Bible. 2. Discover that we are Jesus disciples and strive to live as His disciples anew. 3. Discover our God-given gifts and share them with others. Stewardship is a conversion, a new way of looking at life and our role in life. With thanks and praise, we acknowledge that God is the source of all that we have and all that we are. Source: 2014 Catholic Family Calendar: March Raynor & D Andrea Funeral Home The Woman at the Well The First Evangelizer of John s Gospel Wednesday night, April 2 we will encounter Jesus through the Woman at the Well. Our study of the story of the women at the well reveals the reality of true conversion as we contemplate Jesus meeting this triple outsider what he brings to her at the well and what she takes away. We all have an invitation to meet Jesus and be changed, to be converted as this woman was in her encounter with Jesus. In his Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel Pope Francis writes: 3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Not only was this woman changed she responded to Jesus by sharing the good news with others. Come and see she tells people. She is a disciple for Christ. Pope Francis reminds us that we too are missionary disciples for Christ as he writes: 120. In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized. Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are disciples and missionaries, but rather that we are always missionary disciples.( The Joy of the Gospel: Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis) Come and See this Wednesday night at 7:30 in the Large Church!

5 Prayers & Intentions Page 5 March 30, 2014 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK March 31 April 6, 2014 Fourth Week of Lent Saints and Special Observances also indicated Saturday: Mar. 29 5:00 p.m Father John Amoah Sunday: Mar. 30 7:30 a.m. Father Jim Drew 9:00 a.m. Father Jim Drew 11:00 a.m. Father John Amoah Monday Mar. 31 8:30AM Kathy A. Weaver Tuesday Apr. 1 8:30AM Joseph J. Furey Wednesday Apr. 2 St. Francis of Paola 8:30AM Dona Brannigan Thursday Apr. 3 8:30AM Edward V. Finnigan Friday Apr. 4 St. Isidore; First Friday 8:30AM Mary Slater Saturday Apr. 5 St. Vincent Ferrer 5:00PM Thomas Vigliotta (Living) Elizabeth C. DeJesus Margaret Bellantoni Sunday Apr. 6 Fifth Sunday of Lent 7:30AM Parishioners 9:00AM Stephen K. Murphy 11:00AM Wayne Franklin Clark Josephine Dicola Mary Slater MASS PRESIDERS Subject to Change Saturday: Apr. 5 5:00 p.m Father Jim Drew Sunday: Apr. 6 7:30 a.m. Father John Amoah 9:00 a.m. Father John Amoah 11:00 a.m. Father Jim Drew Mass intentions for deceased persons are indicated with a It is the policy of Our Lady of the Snow that the intention of each priest who celebrates a parish Mass will be for the intentions listed in the Parish Mass intention book. Readings for the Week Monday Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54 Tuesday Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; John 5:1-16 Wednesday Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30 Thursday Ezekiel 32:7-14; John 5:31-47 Friday Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; John 7:1-2, 10, Saturday Jeremiah 11:18-20; John 7:40-53 Sunday Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 Pray for Our Sick We pray for all who are sick, for their healing in both body and spirit. Patricia Carpenter & Rev. Diarmuid F. McGann In Sympathy For all who have died this past week, that they rejoice in the heavenly banquet Howard J. Denig Please remember in prayer all of the women and men from our parish and beyond who serve so selflessly in our armed forces. Please keep them, their families, friends and loved ones in thoughtful prayer as they serve our country at home and on foreign soil. Televised Sunday Mass! Cable television airs televised Sunday Masses on WNYW Fox 5 at 5:30AM, ABC Family at 6:30AM, and WLNY Channel 10/55 at 9:00AM. Sunday Mass by the Passionist Fathers & Brothers of New York City is available nationally on local affiliates. Too early for you? Tape it, Tivo it, or watch it online! For more information, visit

6 Stewardship and Lent We are called to reach out to people in need Pope Francis reminds us that Stewardship means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.-pope Francis March 19, 2013 (From: A New Call to Stewardship) Lenten Series Wednesday, March 26 we will be in the Large Church encountering the Woman at the Well. Join us for prayer, study and faith sharing, starting at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome! Stewardship Witness I have asked a number of parishioners to share what they are doing this Lent to give us ideas, inspire us and remind us that of the many ways we can prepare for Easter. I am working on not being self-righteous. Paul Martinez I am attending daily Mass and fasting by limiting my meals. - Lorraine Gonzalez Mrs Coreno s Religious Education 7th grade Religion Class is writing cards to the residents of Good Samaritan Nursing Home. They will visit with the residents and distribute the cards they have made. Tina Dougherty s 8 th grade Religion Class is holding a food drive at King Kullen to help our food pantry. If you would like to share your Lenten practice, please Beth Rivalsi at olsbeth@aol.con Catholics at the Capital New York State Catholics gather to pray and speak to our legislators in Albany! Representatives from our Lady of the Snow Respect Life Ministry traveled to Albany on March 19 to advocate and meet with our legislator on important on these life issues. 1. Support Pregnant Women and Oppose Abortion Expansion 2. Preserve Catholic Schools 3. Ensure Sufficient Funding for Programs for Vulnerable Populations 4. Support Humane Treatment for Incarcerated Individuals 5. Support Equitable Labor Standards for Farm workers The representatives also attended Mass and had lunch with Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Stewardship Financial Report Collection Week of 3/16 Week of 3/17 TOTAL $8259 $9117

7 Parish Outreach & Local Events Page 7 March 30, 2014 Parish Outreach News WE ARE CALLED TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IN NEED It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. - Pope Francis, March 19,2013 Food pantry Alert We are currently in need of all food items but especially boxed milk, canned meats, tuna, mayonnaise, tea, coffee, all juices, cereal, pancake mix and syrup, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, baby wipes, peanut butter, jelly, chili, fruit, dog & cat food, and all toiletries. Food can be dropped off at the outreach office Mon -Thurs 10am-1pm or in the food bin outside the pantry door in the foyer of the large church before or after every mass. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US PROVIDE THIS HELP TO SO MANY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN NEED. Superstorm Sandy Survivors: DEADLINE FOR NY RISING APPLICATIONS Friday, April 11, 2014 The application deadline for aid for homeowners impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee is Friday, April 11, You may be eligible for financial assistance through the NY Rising Housing Recovery Program even if you have already received assistance from FEMA, SBA or your homeowner s insurance. Assistance is available for: Repair, Reconstruction, Reimbursement, Elevation, Interim Mortgage Assistance and Buyouts & Acquisitions. You may apply online at stormrecovery.ny.gov Or call: NYS-SANDY ( ), the Storm Recovery Hot Line. Catholic Charities Disaster Case Management Program is also available to assist you with the application process. Please call for a Disaster Case Manager. Upcoming Events The Neighborhood House 8 week support groups are forming for children, families and individuals grieving the loss of a family member due to suicide. Groups will meet Tuesday evenings from 6-8PM at New Life Community Church, Sayville. There is no cost for participating. For more information, call or visit St. Mary, East Islip Free 8 Week Support Group Adults who are struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one. Registration is required for group that begins April 2 May 21st from 7-9PM. The death must have occurred before January 2nd. For more info, call ext 100. Diocesan Golden Wedding Jubilee Couples married 50 years or more will be honored at liturgies on Sunday, May 4 at the Church of Maria Regina, Seaford and Sunday, May 18 at the Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr, Sayville. Both liturgies begin at 2:30PM. Registration must be received by the Office of Worship by April 16th for the May 4 date, and by April 30th for the May 18th date. Registrations form are available in the rectory office. Pilgrimage to National Shrine of Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, MA Sunday, April 27th. Bus will depart 6AM from LIE Exit 61 Park and Ride Lot. Bus ride is FREE. First come, first served. For questions/reservations contact Hermy De Los Reyes at / The Journey, Cross & Crucifixion A live dramatic presentation of the Stations of the Cross presented by Mary Immaculate Church, Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 8PM. Free will offering. For more information, call Life Giving Water Art Exhibit, BAFFA Art Gallery, Gillette House, Sayville Spiritual works by Michelle Yozzo Drake exploring the impact of water in art, from the baptismal font to storm front. Show runs April 5-13th

8 Religious Education Page 8 March 30, 2014 OUR LADY OF THE SNOW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE /olsbpre@aol.com Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30-4:30 or by appointment Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed Nothing will be impossible for you. Matt. 17:20,21 The ministry of Religious Education strives to bring all into a closer relationship with Jesus through Word, Worship and Service. Week of March 30 OUR CLASSES Children s Liturgy of the Word and Pre k K Program, During the 9 a.m. Mass Classes this week for Levels 2-8 This Week Level 2 - Last week of classes. Parent/Child Retreat next week. Mark Your Calendars Last week of classes for levels 3-9 Level 7 and 8- Stations of the Cross- Mon. Apr. 7th at 6pm and 7:30pm Level 9 Confirmation - Wed. Apr. 9th - 7:30-8:30pm Confirmation Candidates will participate in Triduum on Apr. 17,18&19at 7:30pm Level 2 Parent/Child Retreat - Thurs. Apr. 10 at 4:30 or 7pm in the Large Church. Students should be accompanied by an adult. Pre-K-K - Palm Sunday Apr. 13 last class during 9am Mass Registration for Religious Education STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE - Keeping in mind our call to be good stewards of God's creation and the parish financial resources we will not be mailing registration forms home to our over 600 Religious Education families. We ask that all families registering children for the Catechetical Year go to the parish website ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com, click on Religious Education, Registration tab to download the registration forms and follow the directions. Registration forms will be available in late April.

9 Mark Your Calendars for These Upcoming Parish Sponsored Events Sunday, March 30th Fourth Sunday of Lent Second Collection Catholic Relief Services Wednesday, April 2nd Encounters with Jesus Lenten Reflection Series Session IV 7:30PM Large Church Sunday, April 6th Fifth Sunday of Lent Saturday, April 12th Palm Sunday Vigil Mass 5PM Sunday, April 13th Palm Sunday Monday, April 14th Holy Week Begins Day of Reconciliation Confessions heard at 9AM, 4:30PM & 7:30PM Large Church Thursday, April 17th Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:30PM Large Church Friday, April 18th Good Friday Stations of the Cross at 12PM Mother Church The Passion of the Lord Mass - 7:30PM Large Church Saturday, April 19th Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 7:30PM Large Church Sunday, April 20th Easter Sunday Masses at 9AM, 10:30AM & 12PM MARK YOUR CALENDARS Tuesday, April 1st Thursday, April 3rd Ushers & Greeters Meeting, 7:30PM Mother Church Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Meeting 7:30PM Large Church

10 WHAT S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ? A Self-Assessment for Your Fun and Enlightenment! (Permission granted by Joe Paprocki, D.Min., and Catechist Magazine) This educational self-assessment is a fun way to help you see how much you know about your Catholic faith. Answers can be found on the bottom of this page. 1.) Abstinence from meat is practiced on Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent, and. (a) Holy Thursday; (b) Good Friday; (c) Easter; (d) Sundays TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION If there is such a thing as a Catholic trademark it is the sign of the cross, first traced on the senses of catechumens as they begin the journey to baptism, or on the forehead of an infant who is brought to the doors of the church at baptism. As early as the third century, Christians were tracing the sign of the cross on their bodies. At first, the cross was traced on the forehead during times of prayer and daily occupations. We use a similar small cross today as we trace the cross over on the forehead, lips, and heart at the Gospel during Mass. Much later, the full-body sign traced from forehead to heart to shoulders took shape, perhaps copying the priest s gesture of blessing with the consecrated host during Mass. Today, this superb baptismal gift is a sign of belonging to Christ and the community, a way of focusing our attention, of asking for God s blessing, of tracing on our shoulders a willingness to find meaning in life s burdens. In the sign of the cross, we have an everavailable means of expressing gratitude for our baptism. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 2.) Lent was introduced by the Israelites when they spent 40 years wandering in the desert. True False 3.) Almsgiving is a work of pleasing God. (a) patience; (b) courage; (c) justice; (d) art 4.) If a Catholic intentionally eats a hot dog during Lent on Friday, he or she will go straight to hell at the moment of death. True False 5.) During his days of fasting and prayer in the desert, Jesus was. (a) writing the Gospels; (b) working on his miracles; (c) thinking up his parables; (d) tempted by the devil Catholic IQ Answers: 1. b; 2. False; 3. c; 4. False; 5. d LENTEN REGULATIONS Weekdays of Lent: There is no obligation to fast, however, voluntary acts of self-denial are recommended. Days of Abstinence: (All Fridays of Lent) All who have reached their 14th year are bound to abstain totally from meat. Ash Wednesday & Good Friday: All Catholics who have reached their 14th year are bound to abstain entirely from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. All Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive are also bound to observe the law of fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Two other light meals, which together do not equal a full meal, may be taken during the day. Illness or other serious reason excuses from the obligations of fast and abstinence. Easter Duty Obligation: After receiving First Holy Communion, Catholics are bound by the obligation to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This precept should be fulfilled during the Easter Season. Catholics are also bound to confess serious (mortal) sins at least once a year, but this is not limited to the Lenten/Easter season.

11 Encounters with Jesus Come join Bartimaeus, Matthew, The Rich Young Man, The Woman at the Well and the Magi for a Lenten Reflection Series. Our Series will take place on each Wednesday of Lent using Fr Barron s DVD series Conversion, Following the Call of Christ Our Fourth Session will be April 2 at 7:30 in the Large Church

12

13 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. - Psalm 23:1