St Joseph s of Stratford Parish National Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St Joseph s of Stratford Parish National Catholic Church Since 1907 Weekly Bulletin 5 th Sunday of Easter, Yr A May 18 th, 2014 PARISH CONTACTS PASTOR Fr Michal Gitner PARISH CHAIRPERSON Jean Macionus FINANCE SECRETARY Ed Slonina Dear parishioners, Most of the past week I spent away from Stratford. Tuesday, Wednesday and Tursday at the National Liturgical Commision in Scranton, PA, which has now complited its work on the Church s new Book of Blessings. It was very much a matter of updating the language, composing new prayers and blessings with accordance with the ever changing circumstances of life. All together 300 pages. The last time such process took place was 1958! While in Scranton, I purchased for the parish a number of booklets and publications about our organizer Francis Hodur, the history of the PNCC, the summary of our beliefs and dialogue between the PNCC and the Roman Catholic Church. These materials can be borrowed for one s perusal and educational purpose. On eof the directives, or priorities, of the last Diocesan Synod in Amherst, MA in 2012 was an ondoing adult faith formation/education. Perhaps, it might be one form of engaging ourselves into sharing our faith with others, and attracting them to our Church. It s a bit like being a salesman, one needs to know the product before promoting it! Fr Michal MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am 9:30 am Mass for the souls of Edward (40 th anniversary) and Elizabeth (12 th anniversary) Lasecki requested by Jean Macionus Wednesday 9:00 am Mass for health 1300 Stratford Road, Stratford CT Tel: (office), (rectory), Fax:

2 FAITH MATTERS GOSPEL CHALLENGE Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. (Jn 14:5-6) Jesus = the Way, the Truth, the Life. THOUGHTS ON THE READINGS The second reading, from the letter of Peter, serves as a splendid complement to our gospel reading. Peter describes the achievement of the Saviour in biblical terms his words echo, no doubt, the first Christian preaching, as it presented the Risen Lord as the fulfilment of Old Testament hopes. Peter refers to a verse of the processional psalm we met last week (Ps 118:22): The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God, to become the keystone of God s work. This stone is proving a stumbling block to unbelievers; but it is precious to God; and those who are believers recognise in him the realisation of Israel s hopes. Peter sums up these hopes in a series of biblical allusions. The Lord s promise to Moses on Sinai Out of all peoples, you shall be my personal possession. For me you shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation (Exod 19) has now been fulfilled. United in the Risen Lord, believers are a chosen race, a royal priesthood offering the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God. It is good to nourish our faith and hope in this way, from the long biblical tradition of God s dealings with his people. The gospel of John, however, brings us a presentation of what the Saviour can mean for us in a different key. The great disciple of Jesus who inspired the deep meditations of this gospel appeals to themes that speak to the common experience of humanity. In today s gospel we meet several of such themes. As we ponder them, we should recall that the Saviour is portrayed in the fourth gospel, bathed, as it were, in a subtle light that is the expression of his risen glory. What way should our personal journey take us, if we are to avoid life s frustrations and disappointments? Jesus assures us that in him our journey will lead to authentic life I am the Way. In a world filled with the voices of false hope and self-indulgence, where are we to find truth, a truth that we can see for ourselves? I am the Truth. To have seen me is to have seen the Father. Where shall we find the place where a truly loving welcome brings an end to our seemingly endless wandering? - I shall take you to my Father s house. And, in the end, what manner of life may we look forward to? - Something that is beyond the imagining of the human heart, nothing less than sharing all things with God I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Humor - Magic Words As the crowded airliner is about to take off, a five-year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum shatters the peace. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down, the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him. Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, an elderly man in the uniform of an Air Force General is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the white-haired, courtly, soft-spoken General leans down and, motioning toward his chest, whispers something into the boy's ear. Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother's hand, and quietly fastens his seat belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause. As the General slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve. "Excuse me, General," she asks quietly, "but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?" The old man smiles serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my pilot's wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door, on any flight I choose." 2 lorem ipsum :: [Date]

3 PARISH CALENDAR May 20 th Parish Board meeting - 7:00pm May 26 th Mamorial Day Mass 9:00 am EASTERN DIOCESE May th Ordination Anniversary Fr Jan Wilczek, Fall River MA BY THE WEEK Sundays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Mercy Tabernacle Church 12:30-2:30 pm AA meeting 12:00 pm Irish dance classes 6:00 pm Yoga meditation 6:00 pm AA men s meeting 7:30 pm For news input in the weekly bulletin, please contact Father Michal by Wed: mgitner@gmail.com Readers roster May 18 th May 25 th 8:00am Jan Chernesky Jan Chernesky NEWS AND EVENTS The Ladies' Society will be holding an "Inventory Meeting" at 10:45 AM after 9:30 Mass on Sunday the 18th. Kurs 2014 Camp - takes place July 4 th -12 th at Bishop Hodur Retreat and Recreation Center, Waymart PA. The theme of this year s camp is Miracles. It is an event organized by United YMSR, a society that celebrates the 100 th anniversary of its formation. For more information about the camp, and forms, please go to pncc.org, click on the organizations tab, -> Bp Hudur Retreat page, -> Kurs Stratfords of the World - Sister Cities Organization Twenty-nine years ago Stratford CT and Stratford, Ontario, Canada became official Sister Cities. Since then, Stratford Upon Avon UK, Stratford Prince Edaward Island, Stratford New Zealand and Stratford Australia have joined the alliance. A reunion is held every two years, with each Stratford taking its turn as host. This year, our Stratford CT is the event organizer, and will host Stratfords of the World Reunion July 31 st - August 5 th. The organizers are looking for host homes for the international visitors. As a host, one is asked to provide a a bed and a breakfast and hopefully drive them to whatever activities they are doing on a given day and bring them back home. If you don t drive or have to get to work, there are extra drivers provided by the organizing committee. If you are able, and willing to help, please contact Lynne Preto-Rodas at or visit and click on Host Homes. 9:30am Dee Smith Lee Niedzielski Next Sunday s readings: Acts 8:5-8, Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-1 Quote of the week Truth, according to the Christian faith, is God's love for us in Jesus Christ. Therefore, truth is a relationship. Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, AI am the way and the truth and the life. 3 lorem ipsum :: [Date]

4 Sunday Readings First Reading Acts 6:1-7 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Second reading 1 Peter 2:4-9 Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us; make our hearts burn with love when you speak. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Gospel John 14:1-12 Jesus said to his disciples: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way. Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him. Philip said to him, Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. May, June and July issues of the bulletin are sponsored by LuAnn and Doug Etcher. If anyone wishes to contribute to the printing cost of the bulletin, please contact Fr Michal. Printed by Magnetic Copy Center 30 Ferry Blvd., Stratford, CT 4 lorem ipsum :: [Date]

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