FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 7, 2016

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1 FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 7, 2016 Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets. Msgr. Francis Caldwell, Pastor... Ext. 302 Cheryl Nicholson... Ext. 301 Parish Assistant Mrs. Kathy Day... Ext. 304 Bookkeeper Mrs. Marlene Jean-Baptiste Director of Social Ministry or Ext. 320 Cheryl Nicholson... Ext. 312 Bulletin Editor Voice Mail Only: Must Leave a Message Mr. Richard Lee... Ext. 345 Counseling & Marriage Preparation Deacon Hernst Bellevue... Ext. 346 Director of Adult Faith Formation English/Creole Baptismal Program Mr. Alvin Ingram... Ext. 347 Liturgy Chairperson Mr. Tom Gould... Ext. 348 Facilities Manager Mrs. Dulce Sepulveda... Ext. 349 Spanish Baptism Program Elissa Hanson... Ext.350 Choir Director & Organist Ms. Lisette Joachim... Ext 351 Ministry of Consolation Deacon Evenou Saint-Louis Webmaster & Parochial Archivist... Ext. 352 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Deacon Trevor Mathurin, Director of Religious Education... Ext. 311 Mrs. Imogene Regan, RCIA Director... Ext PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL U.S. Air Force: Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Simpson Master Sergeant Scott Moller Tech. Sgt. Francisco J. Velasquez Master Sgt. Jeremy Salaver U.S. Army: Private Angelique J. Rosado Master Sergeant Jill Agront Sgt. Hisnard Cadet, Jr. Staff Sgt. Misael Exantus PFC Zaymery Villalobos Special Force Kareem Inniss Spc. Richard Aquilar Captain Gavin Campbell McMahon LTC Douglas Boltuc Sgt. Andrew Gandolfo PFC Francisco Fuentes Melinium PFC Stefan Saindoux PFC Luc-Ambert Saindoux, Jr. PFC Betty Piquion U.S. Marines: 1 st Battalion Carlos Fuentes CPL Daniel C. Monroe RCT Eric Joel Vazquez Sergeant W. Jason Ferris L. Cpl. Alfonso Rodriquez INDEPENDENCE STRENGTH FREEDOM U.S. Navy: Airman Herbert J. Alvarado JE-4/CS3 Jesus Ron Chief Petty Officer John V. Sparkowski Lt. Joseph A. Baugh Cpl. Eric Omar Matos Lt. John R. Esposito AG2/Petty Officer 2 nd Class Michael McGee

2 Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK Phone: (516) Dear Parishioners: THE PASTOR S WEEKLY LETTER February 7 th 2016 ~ 5 th Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ BLESSING OF THROATS & LENTEN BOOKLET: This weekend we will have the Blessing of Throats at the conclusion of all Masses and the distribution of the Lenten Reflection booklets. LENT: Lent begins this Wednesday. Ashes will be distributed at the Masses: 8:30 AM 12 Noon 6:30 PM 7:30 PM (Spanish) 7:30 (Creole in CHAPEL) MISSION: Our Lenten Mission will take place during the week of March 6 th this year! The presenter this year will be Father Anthony Stanganelli, the Pastor of St. Brigid s Parish! Please keep open Monday and Tuesday evenings, March 7 & 8 th at 7:30 PM for Mass and Mission! RETREAT DAY: Our Annual Retreat Day for ALL volunteers will be on Saturday, February 27 th 2016 beginning at 12:30 and concluding with the 5 PM Mass. The SNOW DATE is the following Saturday, March 5 th. Pleas hold BOTH dates for now! It is presumed that all who volunteer will be present for the entire day as we together make our annual commitment to be faithful to our parochial obligations whatever they may be. Some 218 volunteers were present at our Christmas gathering on Epiphany Sunday a few weeks ago. So, we re hoping all 218 and more will be present on February 27 th. Should it be necessary to postpone this date due to snow (God forbid) the snow date will be the following Saturday, March 5 th! Our presenter will be Father Gregory Cappuccino, Pastor of St. Francis in Wantagh. Father Greg grew up here in Uniondale and celebrated his First Mass here. He is an excellent speaker and we re lucky he is free to join us for the Annual Retreat Day. If for some reason you can t make the retreat, please me (see bulletin cover). Please RSVP to Ms. Barbara Powell at (516) , or her at bpowell1@verizon.net. Thank You! CAPITAL PROJECTS: During my last few months here I hope to be able to accomplish a few final capital projects so that the next pastor can inherit a facility that is as up-to-date as possible and will therefore be able to focus primarily on the priestly duties of pastoral care and preaching the Word. These projects include: fixing the needed areas of the church roof; new kneelers; pew pads (to protect the pew seats, as well as comfort); upgrading the church lighting and several other smaller projects. Any suggestions (or comments) please let me know. Fr Frank 2

3 Chers Paroissiens: Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK Phone: (516) THE PASTOR S WEEKLY LETTER February 7 th 2016 ~ 5 th Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ BÉNÉDICTION DES GORGES & LIVRET DE CARÊME: Ce week-end, nous aurons la bénédiction des gorges à la conclusion de toutes les messes ainsi que la distribution des livrets de réflexion sur le Carême. CARÊME: Le Carême commence ce mercredi. Les cendres seront distribuées aux messes suivantes: 8h30 AM; Midi; 6h30 PM; et 7h30 PM (en espagnol) & 7h30 PM (en créole à la CHAPELLE) MISSION: Notre Mission de Carême aura lieu cette année pendant la semaine du 6 mars! Le présentateur sera le Père Anthony Stanganelli, curé à la Paroisse de Ste. Brigitte! Réservez svp lundi et mardi 7 et 8 mars à 7h30 PM pour la messe et la mission! JOUR DE RETRAITE: Notre journée annuelle de retraite pour TOUS les bénévoles aura lieu le samedi 27 février 2016, commençant à Midi et demie et finissant par la messe de 5 heures PM. En cas de NEIGE, elle aura lieu le samedi suivant, soit le 5 Mars. Veuillez réserver ces DEUX dates pour le moment! On présume que tous les bénévoles seront présents toute la journée pour que nous prenions ensemble notre engagement annuel d'être fidèles à nos obligations paroissiales quelqu'elles soient. Quelques 218 bénévoles étaient présents à notre célébration de Noël le dimanche de l Épiphanie il y a quelques semaines. Ainsi, nous espérons que tous les 218 et plus encore, seront présents le 27 février. S il faut reporter cette date à cause de la neige (Dieu nous en préserve), la date de neige sera le samedi suivant, le 5 mars! Notre présentateur sera le Père Gregory Cappuccino, curé de St. Francis à Wantagh. Père Greg a grandi ici à Uniondale et a célébré sa première messe ici. Il est un excellent orateur et nous sommes chanceux qu'il soit capable de se joindre à nous pour la Journée Annuelle de Retraite. Si pour une raison quelconque vous ne pouvez pas venir à la retraite, veuillez me contacter par courriel (voir la première page du bulletin). Répondez s il vous plait (RSVP) à Ms. Barbara Powell au (516) , ou par courriel à bpowell1@verizon.net. Merci! PROJETS CAPITAUX: Durant les quelques mois qui me restent ici, j espère pouvoir accomplir quelques projets afin que le prochain curé hérite d une installation aussi à jour que possible pour qu il puisse se concentrer principalement sur ses fonctions sacerdotales de pastorale et de prédication de la Parole. Ces projets incluent: fixer les zones endommagées de la toiture de l église; des nouveaux agenouilloirs; des tampons pour les bancs (pour protéger les sièges aussi bien que pour le confort); améliorer l éclairage à l église, et quelques autres petits projets. Vous pouvez svp me communiquer vos suggestions (ou commentaires) Fr Frank 3

4 Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK Phone: (516) CARTA SEMANAL DEL PASTOR - de febrero ~ 5º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario ~ Queridos feligreses: BENDICIÓN DE GARGANTAS Y FOLLETOS DE CUARESMA:Este fin de semana vamos a tener la bendición de las gargantas en la conclusión de todas las misas y la distribución de los folletos de reflexión cuaresmal. CUARESMA:.La Cuaresma comienza este miércoles. Las cenizas serán distribuidos en las Misas: 8:30 AM; 12 del mediodía; 6:30 PM; y 19:30 (español) y 07:30 (criolla - en CAPILLA) MISIÓN:Nuestra misión cuaresmal se llevarán a cabo durante la semana del 6 de Marzo de este año! El presentador de este año será el Padre Anthony Stanganelli,el Pastor de la Parroquia de Santa Brígida! Por favor, mantenga abiertos los lunes y martes por la noche, 7 y 8 de Marzo a las 7:30 PM para la Misa y Misión. RETIRO:Nuestro Día Anual de Retiro para TODOS los voluntarios será el sábado 27 de Febrero del 2016 a partir de las 12:30 y concluyendo con la Misa de las 5:00 PM. La FECHA DE NIEVE es el sábado siguiente, 5 de Marzo. Por favor aparte ambas ambas fechas por ahora! Se presume que todos los voluntarios estarán presentes durante todo el día, ya que juntos hacemos nuestro compromiso anual para ser fieles a nuestras obligaciones parroquiales sean las que sean. Unos 218 voluntarios estaban presentes en nuestra reunión de Navidad en la Epifanía del Domingo hace unas semanas. Por lo tanto, estamos esperando todos los y muchos más estarán presentes este 27 de Febrero.En caso de que sea necesario aplazar esta fecha debido a la nieve (Dios no lo quiera) la "fecha de la nieve" será el sábado siguiente, 5 de Marzo!Nuestro presentador será el Padre Gregory Cappuccino,Pastor de San Francisco en Wantagh. El Padre Greg creció aquí en Uniondale y celebró su primera misa aquí. Él es un excelente orador y tenemos suerte de que él este libre de unirse a nosotros para el Día Anual de Retiro. Si por alguna razón usted no puede hacer el retiro, por favor envíeme un correo electrónico (ver portada boletín). Por favor confirmar su asistencia a la Sra Barbara Powell al (516) , o por correo electrónico a bpowell1@verizon.net.gracias!! PROYECTOS DE CAPITAL.Durante mis últimos meses aquí espero ser capaz de lograr un par de proyectos de capital finales para que el próximo pastor puede heredar una instalación que esté lo más actualizada posible, y por lo tanto será capaz de concentrarse principalmente en los deberes sacerdotales de la pastoral y la predicación de la Palabra. Estos proyectos incluyen: la reparacion de las áreas necesarias de la azotea de la iglesia; nuevos reclinatorios; almohadillas en las bancas (para proteger los asientos, para estar mas comodas ); la mejora de la iluminación de la iglesia y varios otros proyectos más pequeños. Alguna sugerencia (o comentarios) por favor hágamelo saber... Padre Frank 4

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6 A Shirt of Flame Fr. Ron Rolheiser Week of January 31, 2016 They say that the book you most need to read finds you when you most need to read it. I ve had that experience many times, most recently with Heather King s book, Shirt of Flame, A Y ear with Saint Therese of Lisieux. The title of the book is borrowed from T. S. Eliot s, Four Quartets, where he famously suggests that Love itself, God, is behind the torment we often feel in our fiery desires and that the burning we feel there is an intolerable shirt of flame. King writes this book from a fiery context within her own life: She is a free-lance journalist and writer, single, divorced, an alcoholic in recovery, reconciling some darkness in her past, dealing with a paralyzing obsession because the man she is in love with will not respond to her, risking the financial stability of a career in law for the insecurity of being a freelance writer, and struggling with the sense of being an outsider to normal family, marriage, and community, an orphan at all the banquets of life. And so she sets off for a year to immerse herself in one of the most intriguing saints of all time, Therese of Lisieux, in an attempt is to see whether Therese might be a moral and spiritual compass by which to sort out her own life. The result is a powerful, deeply insightful, adult, book. King recognizes in Therese s soul, inside the soul of a saint, inside someone who could seemingly give up everything for God, the same fiery desires that she feels within her own soul. And King recognizes too that those fires can both purify or destroy, redeem or torment, turn someone into a great saint or a great sinner. So she lets Therese s fire shed light on her own fires. And since what is most personal and private inside of us, if revealed, is also the most universal, by revealing her own deep, private struggles, her book sheds light on the universal human struggle. However, the book is selfrevealing but never exhibitionist, a tricky formula that she handles well. For example, drawing upon a famous incident in Therese s life when as a little girl, asked by her older sister who presented her with a velvet sewing-basket full of color balls to pick one thing from a basket, Therese said: I choose all! and took the entire basket and walked away. King reflects upon her own struggle to, as Kierkegaard said, will the one thing: Here s the parallel she draws to her own life : I choose all! said Therese, and the further I progressed, the more I saw that the human dilemma is to want it all. I wanted to be celibate, and I wanted wantonly to give myself to a spouse, I wanted dark secrets, noise, lights, mania, and the stimulation of a city, and I wanted to plant a garden, tend animals, and live on a farm. I wanted to live in the same place all my life, and I wanted to travel every inch of the globe before I died. I wanted to sit utterly still, and I was also driven to be constantly on the move. I wanted to be hidden and anonymous, and I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be close to my family, and I wanted to leave my family behind. I wanted to devote my life to activism, and I wanted to devote my life to contemplation. I wanted to give everything to God, and I didn t know how! I longed to give my undivided self, and I couldn t! Reflecting on Therese s vow of poverty, King writes: Poverty is never, never voluntary. Poverty consists precisely in all the ways you absolutely don t want to be poor. Drawing upon the German poet, Gertrud von le Fort who wrote that when her soul was most in anguish everything around her in effect said: But you are nothing!, Kings writes: At last someone had told my story. For the last ten years especially, I had been in anguish and they my husband, the person I loved, the legal profession, the medical profession when I had cancer, the publishing industry had said in so many words: But you are nothing. Everywhere I turned: a blank wall. Everything I had hoped for: ashes. Everything I had worked for: But you are nothing. One morning in the shower, I wept to Christ: I don t love you and you don t love me either! We ve all been there. If you are struggling with faith, with brokenness in your life, with an obsession, with an addiction, with a gnawing sense that your life is not what it should be, with the sense of being the outsider, an orphan at all the banquets of life, and, most of all, with the sense you don t love Jesus and he doesn t love you either, that you are nothing, then let this book find you. It s a book for those who think they might be too sick to be helped by a doctor. Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted through his website Now on Facebook 6

7 5:00PM - Lector: Karleine Graham Eucharistic Ministers: Yolande Augustin, Lydia Charles, Miracienne Denis, Marie G. Josma, Marlene Laroche, Nancy A. Napoleon Ushers: Rosemarie Allen, Thomas Maddox, Jim Downey, Jennifer King, Mario Cadavid, Alejandro Apresa, Luis Maldonado 7:30AM - Lector: Mary Bediako Eucharistic Ministers: Martha Ann Brady, Teri Caruso, Virginia Costello, Francesca Delle, Paul Delle, Dolores Spagnoli Ushers: Jim Capriotti, George Leonard, Carmen Charles, Genevieve Charles, Joseph Gedeon, Alex Apresa 11:00AM - Lector: John D Atri If thou love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,... and with all thy soul,... and with all thy mind,... and with all thy strength,... thou shall serve Him well. Altar Servers: Carmelle Midy, Lynn-Patrice Midy Eucharistic Minister: Marie-Lourdes Charles, Winston Delpesh, Karleine Graham, Beverly Gray, Marie Lucie Lebon, Teresa Sanders Davis Ushers: Bennett Paul, Agnes Duclairon, Wilner Nestor, Frantz Denis, Luis Maldonado For everything you need to know in faith formation, Visit Thank you for your generosity January 31, 2016 Total English Masses... $5, Total Spanish Mass... $3, Total Haitian Mass... $1, Poor Box... $ This information does not reflect the Faith Direct weekly/monthly deposits Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday February 8 8:30 AM... John Campo February 7, 2016 Tuesday February 9 8:30 AM... In Thanksgiving for Marie Yanick Robert Wednesday February 10 8:30 AM... English 12:000 PM... English 6:30 PM... In Memory of Dominic & Virginia Maffettone s 70 th Wedding Anniversary 7:30 PM... Spanish Mass 7:30 PM... Creole Mass (in Chapel) Thursday February 11 8:30 AM... Roger Riviere Friday February 12 8:30 AM... Prayer Service Saturday February 13 5:00 PM... Haile Hurbert Busby Sunday February 14 7:30 AM... John Clark 8:45 AM... Yllescas DeLeone Familia 11:00 AM... Porfirio Chong 12:30 PM... Parishioners of St. Martha The Bread and Wine for the Week of February 7 to February 13, 2016 are offered in Memory of Carlos A. Chong Requested by Chong Family SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT February 14, 2016 Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8 Psalm 138:1-5, Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 7

8 In honor of Black History Month The Brooklyn Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns & The Rockville Centre Office of Multicultural Diversity Catholics of African Ancestry and Haitian American Apostolate Ministry Would like to invite you to a Revival with Rev. Freddy Washington, CSSp, Pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist, Harlem, New York A member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Father Freddy Washington, CSSp, is pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist Church in Harlem, New York. He is the former pastor of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Ambrose Parishes in Chicago. Father Washington is an associate professor of Pastoral Theology at Xavier University in New Orleans and an adjunct Instructor of Pastoral Theology at Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree From Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, a Master of Theology from Xavier University in New Orleans and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. His many years of working in multicultural settings have offered him unique insight into the opportunities and challenges of discovering our true selves, drawing on all of our cultural gifts to become who we most authentically are. Fri., Feb. 12, 2016, 7:30pm, St. Brigid R.C. Church, 75 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY Sat., Feb. 13, 2016, 7:30pm, St. Joseph R.C. Church, Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY Theme: An Instigator of Peace For Information Contact: Brooklyn Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns # Rockville Centre Office of Multicultural Diversity # , X239 (over) 8

9 On February 14, 2016, we will be blessed by Bishop Fernand J. Cheri III, OFM Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana who will preach at our annual concelebrated Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving Where: Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Douglaston Parkway, Douglaston, NY Time: 4:00p.m. Cultural & 4:30p.m. Mass Theme: An Instigator of Peace Choir: Sr. Thea Bowman DRVC/Mass Choir Formerly Sounds in the Spirit of Praise Brooklyn Diocesan Gospel Choir Bishop Ferd is a Franciscan Friar of the St. Louis Province, ordained for 37 years. He served at Our Lady of Lourdes. NO; St. Joseph the Worker, Marrero, LA; St. Francis de Sales, NO; and St. Vincent de Paul, Nashville, TN. He taught at. St. Augustine High School, NO; Hales Franciscan H.S., Chicago; and at Althoff Catholic High, Belleville, IL. He was a Campus Minister at Xavier University and at Quincy University, Quincy, IL. He received his M.Div. at Notre Dame Seminary, and a M.Th at Xavier University. He is an archivist of Black religious Music with over 4,800 recordings of gospel music with books and files of gospel music. He wrote Songs of the Soul and the Soil: the History of Black Religious Music ; compiled two 9-volume Gospel Music Discographies; wrote Black Catholic Liturgy in the book TELL IT LIKE IT IS; Mass of Thanksgiving in FREEING THE SPIRIT magazine; and the contributing author to SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT: Prayer Services from the Black Catholic Church. He is the convener of Go Down Moses Retreats for African American Young Men and worked with KUJENGA Youth Leadership in Chicago and the St. Louis/Belleville area. He is a revivalist and preacher whose testimony is My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection (2Cor 12:9). 9

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11 The following is a bulletin announcement in both English and Spanish for the Church in Need collection to be taken on February 14. The Church in Need On February 14, 2016 a collection will be taken for The Church in Need. The monies collected at this time will be shared among three areas of the world where there is particular need for help: Church in Central and Eastern Europe - the Collection provides support for basic pastoral programs and makes scholarships available for students studying to serve their local church. These students become vital participants in the renewal of the Church in the region. The Church in Latin America faces many difficult challenges. Natural disasters in many areas caused lasting damage to the Church, while a significant loss of parishioners to migration and to other faiths, the inability to support itself financially, and a lack of priests and religious to help effectively minister to the large number of Catholics continue to trouble the region. The Church in Africa the funds will go to assisting African countries where poverty, sickness and political strife prevent people from living in dignity. Thank you for your generosity. La Iglesia Necesitada El 14 de febrero del 2016, se hará una colecta a favor de "La Iglesia Necesitada". El dinero colectado será compartido entre las tres áreas de mundo donde hay necesidades particulares: La Iglesia en Europa Central y Oriental, donde aún hay grandes necesidades. Esta colecta provee de apoyo a programas pastorales básicos y brinda becas a los estudiantes que se preparan para servir a su iglesia local. Estos estudiantes se convierten en participantes esenciales en la renovación de la Iglesia en esa región. La Iglesia en América Latina enfrenta unos desafíos muy difíciles, debido a desastres naturales en algunas areas los cuales han causado daños permanentes a la Iglesia, mientras que la región sigue preocupada por la pérdida significativa de feligreses que emigraron o se pasaron a otras religiones, por la incapacidad de la Iglesia de poder sostenerse a sí misma y por la falta de sacerdotes y de religiosas que puedan servir eficazmente al gran número de católicos. Por favor, ayuden a mantener la fe. La Iglesia en África - los fondos irán para ayudar a países africanos donde la pobreza, la enfermedad y la contienda política impiden al pueblo vivir con dignidad Gracias por su generosidad. 11

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13 MOMENTS OF MERCY February 2016 As Catholics we take up the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving every year. These practices help us to remember the merciful love and compassion that God shows all people. Participating in these practices, we journey toward repentance with our community and God and toward the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of our Lord. We do not make this journey alone. The whole Church prepares for the celebration and together, along with those who are preparing to enter the Church at the Easter Vigil, we try to live more faithfully to God's call to be merciful, loving, and compassionate to those around us. Our acts of love through sacrifice and prayer are a tangible witness of God's love to those around us. 1. Spend some time in reflection about why you choose to participate in the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving of the Church during this Lenten season. Next time someone asks you why you aren't eating the chicken on Friday in the lunchroom, you'll be better prepared to share your belief in God who is merciful and compassionate. 2. Share with someone what your Lenten practices will be this year. This is not to brag about how good you are at following Christ, rather, it allows us to each have something of an "accountability partner" so that we can strive to be a more credible witness to our faith. Source: But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. - (Matthew 5:44-45) Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: If you knew the gift of God! Reflecting upon the Spiritual Works of Mercy Source: usccb.org The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and spiritual writers throughout history. Just as Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to "help our neighbor in their spiritual needs" (USCCA). The seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are listed below. After each work of mercy there are also suggestions and words of advice for living them out in our daily lives. COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL Everyone has moments of doubt in their faith journey. Nevertheless, we should always remember that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and turn to him along our way. Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise" (Prov 19:20) The Cross of Christ "the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength" (1 Cor 1:25) Has someone asked you for advice? Orient your response to Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life Follow Christ with the witness of your life so that others may see God's love revealed in your actions Accompany a friend who is struggling with believing to join a parish group for service or faith formation, share a book you found useful in dealing with your friend's faith concern, and worship at Sunday Mass 13

14 ARRAS By Paul Turner Arras are 13 coins that are poured from one spouse s hand to the other s during a wedding. The custom comes from the Hispanic tradition and can sometimes be part of the Catholic ceremony of celebrating matrimony. Originally the coins went in one direction: The groom poured arras into the hands of the bride to indicate his financial ability to care for her. At a Catholic wedding in the United States, the bride also pours the arras back into the hands of the groom. Both of them share responsibility for the family, so they pledge their mutual support. Usually the bride and groom have designated two people as the sponsors or padrinos of the arras. After the ceremony of the rings, the padrinos of the arras come forward holding a box that contains the coins. They hold this for the presiding priest or deacon. He asks God to bless the arras and to pour the abundance of his blessings onto them. As the groom pours the coins into the hands of the bride, he makes a statement, usually repeating the words after the priest or deacon. He asks his new wife to receive the coins as evidence of God s blessing and a sign of the goods that he will share with his wife. She says similar words back to the groom as she pours the same coins into his hands. These words are not as ancient as the ceremony, but they express the significance of the ritual in the contemporary culture. The 13 coins are a kind of baker s dozen that signifies abundance. God has been good to this bride and groom. They have received mightily from God s hand. They pledge to put their blessings to use for the good of each other and their family. This bulletin insert originally appeared in Ministry & Liturgy magazine, a comprehensive resource for integrated ministry used by the worship leaders in your community. Copyright 2015 Resource Publications, Inc. UPDATE... In the season of Thanksgiving, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the parish family of Saint Martha's. Your generosity financially and emotionally in my time of need has been tremendous. People have been donating throughgofundme.com and handing me cards with their hardearned money in them for the past month since my brain surgery. I am happy to say that Winthrop Hospital accepted me for charity care for a large portion of the bill but there are still many bills hanging over my head but, I know God will provide. The generosity of some people, specifically, who I will keep anonymous, has made me want to be a better person. My physical healing feels very slow, as I have been recently in hospital due to an infection within the wound site (but I am very very thankful for my life). The doctors are not able to remove the actual tumor because of its location, but they believe it is incredibly slow growing. My previous surgery removed the hydrocephalus, yet I will have to keep a close eye on it for the rest of my life. I have faith that I will have a long life ahead of me. Thank you once again for all who donated and continue to donate. I certainly know well how difficult it is to give financially. My Saint Martha's family has truly been Christ-like in their giving. It is wonderful to feel loved within your church. This Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am thankful for all of you and your help in this difficult season of life. Continue to remember me and my family in your daily prayers. I still have a long road to travel in my recovery. Please visit and search elissa hanson's surg/medical fund. ~or~ contact the Parish Center at , Ext Thank you. God bless! 14

15 Right after 911, I had this vision; a man dressed in white told me, You see what happened? I said yes. He said You know why this is happening? It s because they don't have love for one another like we have. He said Go and tell the whole world to recite Psalm 25. I asked him how was I to do that? He said Go tell Oprah. I know myself as a shy and timid person; I could never tell Oprah or tell anyone. But after what happened in Boston, I felt such guilt and disobedience in not doing what I was told. The same way that the Lord loves us, so we must love one another. Please help me to tell the world to recite Psalm 25 and maybe the world will be a better place. Thank you, Marie FanFan Scripture Readings Feb. 8 Feb. 13 Monday, Feb. 8 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 Psalm 132 Mark 6:53-56 Tuesday, Feb. 9 1 Kings 8:22-23, Psalm 84 Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday, Feb. 10 Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, Thursday, Feb. 11 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1 Luke 9:22-25 Friday, Feb. 12 Isaiah 58:1-9 Psalm 51 Matthew 9:14-15 Saturday, Feb. 13 Isaiah 58:9-14 Psalm 86 Luke 5:27-32 Bulletin Reflection In today s readings, both Isaiah and Peter hear the call of God and feel themselves unworthy. But, reassured by the Lord, both answer and follow. Do I hear the Lord asking, Whom shall I send? Am I prepared to answer Here I am. Send me!? To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. 6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Living Stewardship We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who respond to God s generosity in their own lives by being generous to the poor, feeding the hungry and consoling the sorrowful, both within our parish and outward to the wider community. 15

16 GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have access to clean water and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity. We should support the efforts of those working towards greater accessibility of this essential resource. We take it for granted that we have access to clean water. Donate... to help build wells for water for those in need Organize a group of children involved on a sports team (e.g. soccer) or a summer camp. Invite them to collect bottled water to distribute at a shelter for families. If parents can be involved, ask them to accompany their children in delivering the water to the families. Do the same for youth and young adult groups. Make an effort not to waste water. Remembering to turn off the water faucet when you are brushing your teeth or washing dishes can help, especially in regions suffering from drought. he list of names that will appear under this column will reflect ONLY those who are CRITICALLY ILL. The individual or family member must contact the Parish Center in order to be placed on the Sick List. Please note the new address the Parish Center at cnicholson@saintmartha.org ( PRAY FOR THE SICK MUST APPEAR IN YOUR S SUBJECT LINE); or come by the Parish Center with your request in writing, no later than Monday. This list will be updated on a monthly basis. Helen Zeiser Josephine Esposito Paul Peisel Leopold Johnson Bernadette Hoffman Peter Johns Nathan (Nate) Harkin Frances Rasmussen John Muller Edith Lucchi Sophia Kyriakakis Omnipotent and Eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Thy pitying mercy, that, with their bodily health restored, they may give thanks to Thee in Thy church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Jenne Marie Cheramy... +January 18, 2016 Juan Williams... +January 12, 2016 Natalie Solon... +January 20, 2016 Gloria Lucy Helm... +January 30, 2016 I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Dear Lord, As my life declines and my energies decrease, more than ever hold me by Your Power, that I may not offend You, but daily increase in Your Love. Give me strength to work in Your Service till the last day of my life. Help me to ever have an increasing dread of venial sin, or whatever would cause the slightest withdrawal of Your Love; all day long, and at night keep me close to Your Heart; and should I die, ere the morning breaks, may I go rejoicing in that vision of Your entrancing beauty, never to be separated from You. Amen. Memorialize a loved one with a leaf on our parish s Tree of Life, located in the Church Lobby. If you would like more information about this lovely memorial, please contact the Parish Office at (516) Ext 301 The Mass Intentions Book... is now open until the end of February & The Bread and Wine Calendar... is now open until the end of March 16

17 PADRE MIGUEL ÁNGEL RIVERA: Cel / frammm@hotmail.es Se encuentra a su disposición cada martes y miércoles, a partir de las 7:30 PM hasta las 10:30 PM en el Centro Parroquial, al costado de la Iglesia, para dirección espiritual y confesiones. Tengan la bondad de apuntarse con el Padre en el Salón Betania, después de la misa. INTENCION DE LA MISA: Por Isabel Suárez. GRUPO DE ORACION: Miér coles, 7:00 PM, en el gimnasio de la Escuela. ULTREYA: Domingo, 11:00 AM en la Capilla. ESCUELA DE DIRIGENTES: Cada lunes, 7 a 10 PM en la Escuela Marianista. MOVIMIENTO FAMILIAR CRISTIANO CATÓLICOS: Se reúne cada 15 días. Para información llamar al o al JUVENTUD SIN FRONTERAS: Cada jueves, 7:30 PM, en el Salón Betania. CORO HISPANO: Ensayo cada viernes en la Iglesia, a las 8:00 PM. MINISTERIO DE ACOGIDA: Ministros que extienden la bienvenida y entregan las hojitas de canto. CENACULO DE LA DIVINA MISERICORDIA: Primer martes, 7:00 PM en la Capilla. ESCUELA DE LA PALABRA: Mar tes, 7:30 PM en la Iglesia de San Ladislaus. MISA DE NIÑOS Y JOVENES: Segundo domingo del mes. LOS NIÑOS: Se reúnen cada domingo en el Salón Betania para compartir las lecturas dominicales. MINISTERIO SOCIAL: Lunes, martes, jueves, viernes, 10:00 AM a 2:00 PM. en el sótano del convento. (516) , Ext. 320 o (516) (se habla español). EL SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO: El tercer domingo del mes, 2:30 PM en la iglesia. Los interesados consulten con la Sra. Dulce Sepúlveda después de la Misa. LA IGLESIA: Per manece abierta diariamente de 7 a 3 PM. LECTURAS PARA: El I Domingo De Cuaresma, 14 de Febrero.: Primera Lectura: Deuteronomio 26, Salmo 90, Segunda Lectura: Romanos 10, Evangelio: Lucas 4, MESSE DOMINICALE: Chaque dimanche à partir de 12h30, la communauté haïtienne se réuni à l église pour célébrer la messe. Venez avec votre famille et vos ami(e)s pour participer à notre célébration dominicale. Aujourd'hui, la masse est offert en mémoire de Raymonde Pierre et Franck Pierre PRIERE : Chaque mercredi soir à partir de 7h30 PM nous avons une prière charismatique à la chapelle. Vous êtes tous invité(e)s. ADORATION: Le St Sacrement sera exposé les lundis et vendredis de 9h AM 3h PM à la chapelle. Il nous faut une présence à tout moment durant l exposition. S il vous plait ne laissez pas le St Sacrement seul. Merci. MESSAGE IMPORTANT : Après la catastrophe du 11 Septembre, l une de nos sœurs Marie Fanfan a eu une vision dans laquelle un homme lui disait qu il n y avait pas assez d amour dans le monde et que tous les chrétiens devaient réciter le psaume 25. Par timidité elle ne voulait pas communiquer la nouvelle; mais, après l incident de Boston elle a jugé nécessaire de faire passer le message. Elle demande à tous de l aider à faire circuler la nouvelle et de prier pour un monde meilleur. SERVICE SOCIAL: Les bureaux du service social de Ste Martha sont à votre disposition si vous avez besoin de nourriture, habits, demande et offre d emploi, service d immigration etc. Contactez-les au (516) du lundi au vendredi, excepté les mardis de 10h AM 2h PM. Tous les lundis Mr Michael Gibbons est disponible pour vous aider si vous avez besoin de préparer votre résumé ou remplir une application pour un emploi. N.B Cette semaine nous avons grand besoin de boite de conserve, riz, poulet, viande et pois. Nous vous remercions pour votre générosité et Dieu vous récompensera pour votre bonne action. BULLETIN DU DIMANCHE: Prenez avec vous le bulletin du dimanche et lisez le. Vous y trouverez des informations importantes sur votre communauté votre paroisse. 17

18 Give us our daily bread Social Ministry/Outreach Office Hours Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10:00AM 2:00PM (516) or (516) , Ext. 320 (English/Spanish/French/Creole) F I D E L I S C A R E HEALTH INSURANCE Is in Social Ministry every Wednesday from 10AM 12 PM Ask to see Soraya Catholic Charities WIC 1000 N. Village Avenue Rockville Centre, NY (516) An Immigration Consultant... will be available at the Parish Social Ministry the second Wednesday of each month. The next date will be on: Wednesday, February 10, :00AM - 1:00PM We are currently in need of the following items: Rice and Beans! Any variety of rice Any variety of meats (1-2 pounds) Any variety of beans Help keep our pantry stocked. Please remember to keep us in mind when you do your grocery shopping. It is only through your generosity that we are able to help those in need. 18