FIVE ESSENTIALS OF DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE MERCY

Transcription

1 Our Lady of the Snow Church April 8, 2018 Sunday of the Divine Mercy 175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York Telephone: FIVE ESSENTIALS OF DEVOTION TO THE DIVINE MERCY F for the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Sunday after Easter. That s this weekend. I for the Image of the Divine Mercy. One such hangs from our Mother Church balcony. N for the Novena of Divine Mercy, nine days of prayers for various groups in need of mercy. C for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, five minutes of prayer on rosary beads. H for the Hour of Great Mercy, 3 PM, the hour when Jesus died on the cross. FINCH: This is all explained in a little book by Fr. Michael Gaitley called Divine Mercy Explained. Or listen to him explain it in under thirty minutes at Just click on the little speaker icon to the left. For the ambitious, there s St. Faustina s Diary. She s the Divine Mercy Saint, canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in the year 2000.

2 Rev. Msgr. Charles Fink, Pastor Rev. Joseph Gaspar, Assoc Pastor Cody Bobick, Seminarian Deacon Edward Karan Deacon Bob Gronenthal Deacon Frank Hartmann Religious Education: Monday Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mrs. Patricia Bartoldus, DRE Ms. Eileen Mulry, Secretary, ext.115 olsbpre@aol.com Director of Music: Mrs. Theresa Martin Faith Formation for Adults: Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults olsbeth@aol.com Parish Outreach: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday in the cottage Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director Mrs. Patricia Fulco, Outreach Assistant olsoutreach@yahoo.com Parish Office: Fax: Hours: Mon Thur. 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ms. Loraine Drake, Asst., ext. 111 Mrs. Marlene Tully, Asst., ext. 110 ourladyofthesnowbp@gmail.com SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4:00PM 4:30PM in Large Church Monday 7:00PM 7:30 PM in Mother Church WEEKDAY MASSES: Monday Friday 8:30AM in Mother Church WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday 5:00 PM in Large Church Sunday 7:30 AM in Mother Church 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM in Large Church EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Monday 7:00 PM 8:00 PM in Mother Church MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA & BENEDICTION: Monday 7:30 PM 8:00PM Mother Church ROSARY: April 12, 4:45PM Mother Church Family Rosary every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Mother Church Pray for Our Sick We pray for all who are sick, for their healing in both body and spirit. Linda Murphy & James Space In Sympathy For all who have died this past week, that they rejoice in the heavenly banquet Freddie DiGiacomo & Grace Murphy

3 A Message from Father Charles Fink Page 3 My dear parish family, In the history of Catholic devotions, one of the most recent and popular to come along is devotion to the Divine Mercy. The cover of this week s bulletin highlights the main features of this devotion, but the element that has really taken off and borne the most fruit in the greatest number of lives, at least as far as I can tell, is the daily recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which ordinarily takes only about five minutes to say. I highly recommend it to everyone as a simple, sure way of staying close to Jesus, of being reminded of his love for us and of God s infinite mercy, of uniting our lives to him and his offering of himself for our sins and those of the whole world, and of calling down his mercy on those in need of it. That would be everybody! If you re unfamiliar with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, you can do a computer search for easy instructions, or download the free LAUDATE app on your smart phone and tap until you come to the podcast of the Chaplet, either recited or sung, and just pray along. The sung version is considerably longer but very beautiful and meditative. You may find it just what s needed to calm you and put you in a more prayerful mood. If you re interested in learning about the saint to whom Jesus originally revealed the Chaplet, there s the Diary of St. Faustina. Here s what Fr. Peter Cameron, O.P., editor of the excellent little periodical Magnificat, had to say about Faustina s Diary: I confess to knowing little about St. Faustina in the past, and for a long time I was without the inclination to discover more. But then I attended a priest retreat in Ireland and met there an impressive diocesan priest from Poland. He encouraged me to read Faustina s Diary, promising it would deepen my love for Jesus Christ like nothing else. He was right. Check out the Chaplet and the Diary to see what they can do for you. The great C.S. Lewis used to close all his personal letters with the words Under the mercy instead of Sincerely or some other common word or phrase. May we all live and die under the mercy, safe and secure in God s embrace. St. Faustina, pray for us. With love and prayers, Fr. Charles Fink

4 Capt. Evan Bernstein Major Meghan Ederle Capt. Kyle Brown Lt. Sean Brown Ensign Shannon Brown E3/ACAN Connor Rooney USN DO,CPT,MC Kate Desmond-Baker Sgt. Samuel Campanella Lt. Robert Fleming Monday April 9, The Annunciation of the Lord 8:30 AM Philomenia Vigliotta Tuesday April 10, 8:30 AM Stanley Drake Wednesday April 11, St. Stanislaus 8:30 AM Maria & Antonio Cosentino Altar Bread and Wine In loving Memory of Our Parishioners Sanctuary Candle in Mother Church In loving Memory of Our Parishioners Thursday April 12, 8:30 AM Ellen Coogan Friday April 13, St. Martin 8:30 AM Albert Sebban Saturday April 14, 8:30 AM Grace Conte Depalo Sunday April 15, 7:30 AM Our Parishioners 9:00 AM Paul D Aversa Richard Xeller 11:00 AM Marie Hermann Catholic Marriage for couples married outside the Church If you have a civil marriage but now desire a Catholic sacramental marriage, call the Rectory for more information about a Convalidation.Convalidation is having a couple s marriage recognized and blessed by the Church through the Catholic Rite of Marriage. 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. Rite of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.) Persons interested in becoming Catholic and adults who have not received Confirmation or First Eucharist, please contact Beth Rivalsi at Communion for the Homebound: To make arrangements to have Communion brought to the home, please call the parish office at , ext For emergency sick calls, please call the parish at any time. Baptisms Are celebrated on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of most months. Please visit our website for complete information or call the rectory office.

5 FR. JOHN KEEP: ON SPIRITUAL READING It is a rather extraordinary thing about people today, that although they are so careful as to what they eat in case they harm their health of body, they are almost completely careless as to what poison they feed on mentally. For one can over-feed the mind, and one can poison the mind just as one can the body. And in some ways surely the mind is more delicate than the stomach. People think that because they are mature, whatever that means, or cultured, whatever that means, or are literary minded or free from obvious passions, they can read what they like and come to no harm. But our mental powers were given to us to grasp what is true and what is good, and we distort them if we engage in thought and desire that are not concerned with what is true and good. It is a fact to which psychology bears witness that everything that enters the mind stays there. It may be completely forgotten; it may not have been adverted to, but it is there. And it has a constant effect on one s health or sickness of soul. This is true even in superficial, half-attentive reading or listening to the radio or half- watching television. Attentive and interested reading, listening or watching has an even greater effect on mind and soul. There is a great mass of background material affecting each of us, whether we are aware of it or not for the health of our spiritual life, it is very important to see that we only read, hear, and see what is good for us and what is for the glory of God. This does not mean that we shall confine our reading to purely religious books and articles, but we must be careful to feed our minds only on things that are clean and wholesome and sensible. This common sense approach to spiritual reading recalls Frank Sheed s witty maxim: You are what you read, so be careful. Fr. Keep goes on to suggest that we cast about for some book or books that we can befriend as a source of regular spiritual nourishment. Our spiritual reading should not be a strain or a struggle, so we should find a book that suits and attracts us, that we really like. Then we should approach our reading each day with a quiet and unhurried and serene mind... ready to pause and absorb and relish anything that we find good... Fr. Keep warns that it is a mistake in this case to make too much effort to understand difficult passages, for spiritual reading is not to be strenuous exercise but relaxed receptivity. We are listening as God speaks to us. As for specific recommendations of books, after the Bible, first on Fr. Keep s list is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, available in many translations. It has nourished thousands of souls for centuries now and may prove a life-long companion on your spiritual journey. For more Fr. Keep, go to And consider St. Faustina s Diary as a source of possible spiritual reading. It s mentioned in this week s bulletin letter.

6 Believing with Joy! Stewardship - A Way of Life Second Sunday of Easter On this Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, what we hear in the Word of the Lord enforces what we need to believe. It has a lot to do with the idea of stewardship. Some of what we hear is often misinterpreted. The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles points out about the early Christian community: The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his or her possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. This is a sign of unity, the kind of unity we as a faith community are striving to achieve. The bottom line is that those in the community regarded people more important than things. Is that not what Christ expects of us? That community recognized that God was the granter and the owner of absolutely everything. Because the Lord had touched them so deeply, they found it easier to share. The misinterpretation often comes because some say, That sounds like communism or socialism. Communism maintains that What is yours is mine; if you do not share it, I will take it. The early Christian community said, What is mine is yours; I will share it. It is a bit of a different viewpoint. In fact it is stewardship. We must remember that these people knew and were following the Apostles, who received this gift from the Lord: As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them. And that is mercy. Stewardship Bulletin Reflections Catholic Relief Services Lenten Boxes If you took and used a Lenten Box from the Church, next week is the last week to return it. If you can take the change and write a check for the about that would help considerably. Thank you for participating in this Lenten Activity. OLS Book Group News Congratulations to our CYO Basketball Teams! We will begin Angels All Around Us, by Anthony DeStafano on April 18 in the cottage at 7:30 pm. Books will be available at the Rectory or call Beth at to reserve a copy. 4 of Our Lady of the Snow Basketball teams made it to the finals! 5th grade team and Coaches Dietz and Craig 6th grade team and Coach Hoek 7th grade team and Coach Campbell and our 8th grade team and Coach Prendergast... Who won the championship! Rosary Dates for April April 12, 15 and 24 Please join us as we pray for peace. STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL REPORT For the week of April 1, $26489

7 Parish Outreach Open Monday Thursday 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM (631) Thank you for your continual support of our ministry. With your generous donations we can continue to help so many in need in our community. May God bless you for your kindness. The Pantry is in need of the following: Coffee*** Cookies*** Chili*** Tuna *** Rice Crackers*** Pancake mix and Syrup*** Jelly*** Mayonnaise & mustard*** Ketchup*** Salmon*** Juice*** Canned pasta & spaghetti sauce Toothpaste Laundry detergent Deodorant Size 5 diapers*** *** indicates greatest need items At this time we do not need soup or pasta. The pantry is located in the lobby of the large church. All donations can be left outside the pantry door or at the Outreach office during business hours. WEDDING BANNS Terrance Collins & Caitlin DuRoss Pray for Our Bishops, Priest and Seminarians Sunday, April 8, Fr. Philip Eichner Sem. Louis Cona Monday, April 9, Fr. Francis Eisele Sem. John Crozier Tuesday, April 10, Fr. John Ekwoanya Sem. Louis DeLouker Wednesday, April 11, Fr. Victor Evangelista Valses Sem. Matt Elenio Thursday, April 12, Fr. Fidelis Ezeani Sem. Dennis Gannon Friday, April 13, Fr. Rony Fabien Sem. Ken Grooms Saturday, April 14, Fr. Eric Fasano Sem. Chris Heller Sunday, April 15, Fr. Archie Faustino Sem. Chris Loester Monday, April 16, Fr. Andres Fernandez Lopez Pela Sem. Mike Lombardi Tuesday, April 17, Fr. Augustine Fernando Sem. Nelson Marquez Wednesday, April 18, Fr. Simon Fernando Sem. Steven McClernon Thursday, April 19, Fr. Ryszard Ficek Sem. Jonathan Pham

8 OUR LADY OF THE SNOW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE Office Hours: Mon. to Thurs. 9:30 4:30 or by appointment The ministry of Religious Education strives to bring all into a closer relationship with Jesus April 8, 2018 This Week Level 2 Parent/Child Retreat Thurs., Apr. 12, at 4:30 or 7:00 p.m. Children and their parents will prepare for their upcoming First Communion. Please return the completed Communion Banner. Level 9 Confirmation Sat., Apr. 21, at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. Rehearsal for the 10:00 a.m. Mass is Tues., Apr. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Rehearsal for the 2:00 p.m. Mass is Wed., Apr. 18, at 7:30 p.m. REGISTRATION for Registration papers are on the parish website. Hard copies will be available on the back stairs of the Religious Education Office. Ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com Returning Catechists Please submit Returning Catechist Form indicating level you will be teaching and day and time of class. New Catechists If you would like to share your faith with a group of children please call or Pat at the Religious Education Office for more information. Families If your child s catechist is returning and moving up with their class please drop off registration forms & fee before the end of May to hold your child s spot in that class. If your child needs a catechist/class please bring registration forms and fee to registration on Tues., June 5. Large Church 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Level 1 -Thurs., Apr. 19 at 7:00 p.m. Last level 1 parent/child gathering All 7 Unit Review pages are due. Children will not be placed in Level 2 classes next year until all the Review pages have been completed and handed in to the Religious Education Office. Children Entering 1st Grade Sept should be registered in the Religious Education Program. Participation in Level 1 is the first level of the Diocesan mandated 2 year preparation program for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Registration forms should be returned to the Religious Education Office. Please include a copy of your child s baptismal certificate.

9 RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY THANK YOU! The Life Center of Long Island sincerely thanks Our Lady of the Snow Parish for their donation to the baby bottle campaign. Your generosity raised $4,794! May God bless you for your support of life! Our Lady of the Snow Respect Life Life Meetings The OLS Respect Life Ministry meets the 2 nd Friday of the month at 2 p.m. in the cottage. The next regularly scheduled meeting of OLS Respect Life Ministry will be Friday, April 13th at 2 p.m. in the cottage. Prayerful Presence Our ministry gathers for Prayerful Presence near Planned Parenthood on Waverly Avenue in Patchogue on the second Saturday of the month, 10:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. The next date is April 14, Signs will be provided. Peaceful assembly on public property near an abortion site is a lawful First Amendment right. Some thoughts on Assisted Suicide Op-Ed We Are All Dying, and We Are All Living People By Lynda Holler (From To quote Dr. Adams, Kenny s Palliative Care Physician at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, I don t think of anybody as a dying person, I think of him or her as a living person. We are all dying and we are all living people; that is true for everybody. Throughout my husband Kenny Holler s twenty-one year battle with debilitating head and neck cancer, we chose to focus on life, not death. In over two decades of medical treatment, we witnessed major shifts in health care. So that during his last two years, Kenny, our two teenage sons, and I had access to quality palliative care services that supported all of us both physically and emotionally. Both inpatient, at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at home, through VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) of Hudson Valley, we benefited from doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers who were specifically trained to assist terminally ill patients and their families. Palliative care professionals are experts in evaluating and treating advanced disease, as well as assisting with all of the dayto-day issues like medical equipment and supplies, and emotional and spiritual support. The current phenomenon of support for assisted suicide belies the truth: that life has value through the joys and the sorrows. Although Kenny s last two years were especially challenging for our family, living out his life to its natural end empowered us and inspired innumerable people that knew us to live better lives, and to accept hardships of all kinds with courage and humility. I now understand that the way that we die is the culminating statement of each our lives. Everything that we do from birth is building and developing to that final moment. If we have a life well lived no matter how long, if we have developed our spirituality so we are ready for the transition, if we are content with our relationships, if we have truly learned to love, we are teaching the rest of our world how to both live and how to die. What could be a more important, more powerful, or more fulfilling way to conclude our lives?

10 2018 Desert Bread Workshops A Journey through the Great Arts of Catholicism. Join the Friends of the Seminary for a workshop series presented by author and Professor Annabelle Moseley. This popular ongoing program explores the rich treasure trove of the art, literature, and music unique to our Catholic faith. Each date s lecture is on a different theme. We will break bread together over luncheon as we discuss our shared faith. Meal included. Come nourish your soul with beauty. Seminary of the Immaculate Conception from 2 to 4:30 pm; Sundays - April 8, April 22, May 6 and June 10; $25 per session/$90 for all four in advance. For information and reservations: Seminary Development Office, (631) x 102; bmalone@icseminary.edu. HOLY TRINITY INFORMATION SESSION THURSDAY, APRIL 19TH 6:30PM HOLY TRINITY DIOCESAN HS 98 CHERRY LANE HICKSVILLE, NY This event is meant for students currently in grades 5-7 who would like more information about the Catholic high school admissions process, how to go about visiting high schools, the scholarship and financial aid process, and more! You will also have the opportunity to learn about Holy Trinity and what makes us unique from other high schools! To register, please visit > Admissions > Admissions Event What do you do during the week here at the parish? Many have asked whether I commute back and forth from the seminary to Our Lady of the Snow. I actually live in the rectory with Fr. Fink and Fr. Joseph and share meals with them. While I have been here, I have not taken classes at the seminary so I can devote myself full-time to parish ministry and learning what day-to-day life as a parish priest is like. I will resume my studies this Fall up at St. Joseph s Seminary in Yonkers for one more year. Here are some of the things I have done while here at the parish: Serve as a Lector and EM Give reflections at morning Mass on Wednesdays and Fridays Bring communion to the sick and the homebound Lead the communion services at the Bristol Assisted Living Facility in Sayville on Wednesday mornings with other parish volunteers Lead wake services at the funeral homes Teach two religious education classes (5 th grade and 9 th grade Confirmation) Attend parish staff meetings Visit the Outreach office, sit-in on some of the intakes with the individuals who come in requesting assistance, and offer counsel Compose the Prayer of the Faithful for Mass each weekend Help to maintain the parish Facebook page Learned about what it takes to maintain the parish grounds and manage the parish finances Learned about the process for preparing for weddings and funerals While I have been here in Blue point, I have also had the opportunity to engage in Campus Ministry at Stony Brook University. I go there every other Sunday for Mass and on Tuesday evenings to interact with the students; they have Mass, Adoration and confessions available that evening as well. I have also gone to their Newman Club meetings and small Scripture study groups. On Wednesday afternoons, I assist the campus minister in preparing a few students involved in RCIA who will be confirmed this month. There is much more involved to parish life than the sacraments as essential and foundational as they are. I am grateful for the opportunity to get a fuller picture of what it means to be a parish priest.

11 Our Lady of the Snow Dinner Dance May 11, :00p.m. - 11:00 p.m. $60 per person West Sayville Country Club Price includes dinner, dancing, beer, wine, soda and dessert. Call or stop by the rectory to RSVP A little humor from Father Fink The pastor scheduled all his staff meetings at 4:30 Friday afternoons. A new young associate asked him why? Two reasons, said the pastor. No one asks me any questions, and no one argues with my proposals.