Fourth Sunday of Lent

Transcription

1 March 11, 2018 Page 1 Fourth Sunday of Lent T h i s We e k ' s M a s s I n t e n t i o n s Sunday, March 11, :00AM George & Ann Papandrea 9:30AM Joseph Mullalley (Loving Family) 11:00AM Joseph A. Albergo (Loving Family) 12:30PM Stanley Jasiak, Jr. (Loving Family) 5:00PM For The Parishioners Monday, March 12, :00AM Jacquelyn Kingsley (Belinda Spatola) Tuesday, March 13, :00AM Thomas A. Barreca (JoAnn & Phyllis Leccese) 7:30PM Michael Zwosta (Mary Ann Kellen & Girls) Wednesday, March 14, :00AM Michael & Louis Palermo (Mary Palermo) Thursday, March 15, :00AM Tomaselli Family (Carolyn Pulomena) 7:30PM Catherine Maurice (Mary Ann Kellen, Abby & Grace) Friday, March 16, :00AM Joseph Digristina (Loving Wife & Family) Saturday, March 17, 2018 St. Patrick 9:00AM Joseph Arbitello, Sr. (Veronica & Joe Arbitello) Luis Cruz (Jason & Patty Grimes) Emilia Dandola (Anthony & Linda Muscarella) Walter & Kay Schretzman (John Schretzman) Ann Scialabba (M/M Anthony Raia & Family) 5:00PM John Arcella (Rachele Sannino) Gerard Calcagnile (Joe & Lorraine Trotta) Nicholas Colavito (Joe & Lorraine Trotta) Angelina Dagostino (Rosa DeSimone) Ann Scialabba (M/M Sal Raia & Family) Sunday, March 18, :00AM George & Claire Cox 9:30AM Edward Sinisgalli (Loving Family) 11:00AM DiSanto & LeFavi Families (Frank & Jean LeFavi) 12:30PM Dino Aquilano (Claudia & Steven Pasciuta) 5:00PM For The Parishioners Rosary for Peace New Place, New Time The Rosary for Peace, sponsored by the Saint Helen Secular Franciscan Fraternity, takes place in the Church at 6:30PM every Wednesday. The group prays for our Blessed Mother s intercession to end violence (both domestic and civil) and the persecution of Christians throughout the world. All parishioners are invited to join us. We welcome anyone willing to lead a decade of the Rosary in a language other than English. The Order of Franciscans Secular meet on the 3rd Saturday of every month in St. Helen s Rectory after the 9AM Mass. Come and learn more about the Franciscan way of life. New Families: All are welcome to St. Helen Parish, and are asked to please register at the Rectory during office hours. Sacrament of Baptism: Please call the Rectory to register for the baptism of your child. Baptisms will be held on the 2 nd and 4 th Sunday of the month (no Baptisms during Lent). Sacrament of Confession: Saturdays 12:30PM to 1:30PM. Weekdays: 15 minutes prior to the 9:00AM Mass. Sacrament of Marriage: Couples should contact the Rectory at least one year in advance of the desired date. Please call for an appointment for the initial interview. Communion Calls: Please call the Rectory to arrange for one of the priests to bring Holy Communion to a sick person who is confined to home due to a serious illness. Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: Anyone who expects to be hospitalized (or in an emergency) and wishes the Anointing of the Sick, should call the Rectory. Debbie Abbene, Sally Capoziello, Shang Cheng, Marge D Auria, Mary Ann D Angelo, Patrick Delaney, Domenica DeVito, Virginia DiGangi, Richard H. Dimler, Mary Divers, Jean Fochetta, Dennis Giammalvo, John Joseph Gleeson, John Pierce Gleeson, Christine Healy, Maria Hernandez, Elizabeth Isolano, Keri & Baby Tristan, James Leung, Thomas & Patricia Lipari, William J. Litt, Cindy Maione, Barbara Miller, Angela Ottomanelli-Hubbs, Michael Palermo, Sebastian Panasci, Santo Pantina, Joseph Questore, Ronald J. Reid, Frances Russo, Bill Sangirardi, John Secreti, Patrick Smith, Frank Spremulli, Remington Stafford, Michael Tamburo, Chrissie Tremblay, Paul Tremblay, Paul John Tremblay, Sr., Sr. Joanne Walters. Deceased: Leonardo Ognibene W naszej parafii ks. Łukasz może również służyć pomocą w języku polskim. St. Helen s Purgatorial Society Mass All parishioners have the opportunity to enroll the names of loved ones in the Purgatorial Society. The Purgatorial Society Mass will be held on the last Friday of each month. The offering to be enrolled in the Purgatorial Society is $120 per name (a total of 12 Masses for one year will be said for your loved one). Aside from listing one name, a husband and wife together, or a family name is also acceptable. Having a Purgatorial Society is wonderful way of living out the Scriptures and will be a relief for those who desire to have their loved ones remembered with prayers all year long at God s Altar. Please stop in at the Rectory if you are interested in having a loved one enrolled in the Purgatorial Society. The next Purgatorial Society Mass will be held Friday, March 23, Are you new to St. Helen Parish? If so please stop in at the Rectory to register your family!

2 March 11, 2018 Page 2 JOURNEY THROUGH LENT St. Helen R.C. Church Holy Name Society Presents Lenten Movie Night with Discussion in Fr. Dooley Hall Son of God Wednesday, March 14 th at 7:30PM The Holy Name Society will be selling refreshments: Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Snacks, Drinks Altar Server Training will take place after the Easter Holiday (Springtime). Keep posted on dates for rehearsals in the bulletin and for letters that will be sent home to all children in the Academy and Religious Ed. All children of the parish are welcome to become Altar Servers. Requirements are simply a willingness to serve at the Altar, attendance at the rehearsals/training, and the child is well behaved. Keep posted! A&G Peace Tours is sponsoring an overnight trip to The Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia, and The Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA to see Jesus, April 14-15, 2018 (bus will depart Our Lady of Grace Church, HB at 6AM). Price per person is $365 double-occupancy ($449 for single) and includes bus transportation, theatre ticket, breakfast & dinner Saturday, breakfast & brunch Sunday, hotel accommodations and gratuities (no refunds). For more information and/or reservations call A&G Peace Tours at (718) , or you may also agpeacetours@yahoo.com. Come Join Us For A Tour Of The Cathedral of St. John The Divine Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Bus departs at 9:30AM Tour at 11:00AM Lunch at Carmine s Broadway From 1:00-3:00PM Bus returns to St. Helen after Lunch $45.00 Rosarians $50.00 Non-Rosarians Call Agnes Cummings (917) This trip is sponsored by St. Helen s Rosary Ministry

3 March 11, 2018 Page 3 CATHOLIC CHARITIES NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES HOWARD BEACH SENIOR CENTER The Center is located at Cross Bay Blvd., across from Stop N Shop on Cross Bay Blvd. Seniors aged 60 and older are invited to become members. Activities and services are offered Monday-Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Every day delicious and nutritious full, hot lunches are catered by Russo s on the Bay ($2 donation requested). Mondays 9:30-10:30AM: Mondays 10:45-11:45AM: Tuesdays 9:30-10:30AM: Wednesdays 10:00-11:00AM: Thursdays 9:30-10:30AM: Fridays 9:30-10:30AM: Fridays 10:30-11:30AM: Tai Chi with Elaine Fleischman Chair Aerobics with Charlie Roemer Movement Exercise with Millie Zumba with Elaine Movement Exercise with Millie Cardio Exercise with Dwayne Yoga with Charlie Roemer On Friday, March 23rd, at 1:15PM, the Center will be conducting a Walking 101 workshop given by NY Road Runners. Among other things, they will be talking about the benefits of exercise. Plan on attending this beneficial workshop for seniors. On Tuesday, March 27th, at 10:30AM, the Center will be presenting Jokersize With Howie. There will be exercise combined with jokes. All seniors are invited for a good time. On Friday, April 13th, at 1:00PM, the Center will hold a Mah Jongg class for beginners. Seating is limited, so you must register beforehand by calling Rosalie at the number below. For further information, contact Rosalie at St. Helen Catholic Academy 200 to 1 Raffle $10,000 Prize Grand ($100 per Ticket) Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7PM in Father Dooley Hall Wine and Cheese Drawing To purchase tickets or for additional information please call Maria Ford or Diane Joseph Tickets will also be available for sale after all Masses next weekend: March 17th & 18th Tickets sold on a first-come first-serve basis. Only 200 tickets will be sold! Winner need not be present to win. You re Invited to Participate in CRS Rice Bowl! In different parts of the world we meet students who are learning that it s better to help your neighbor learn and grow than to leave him or her behind. To whom are we called to extend a hand this week? Visit crsricebowl.org for more. Policies Regarding Infant Baptism at St. Helen Parish Parents seeking Baptism for their children who live within the territory of St. Helen Parish are asked to register as members of the parish before requesting an initial interview for Baptism. Registration is easily done at the parish office anytime during business hours. Parents seeking Baptism for their children who live outside the territory of St. Helen Parish are asked to obtain a letter from the parish in which they live authorizing the Baptism to take place at St. Helen. Initial meetings with parents seeking Baptism for their children will normally take place on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 9:00PM and on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:30AM 12:30PM. APRIL JUNE, 2018 Mornings of Preparation Required Before a Baptism: (All begin at the 11:00AM Mass and continue in the Msgr. McGinness Room) April 22 May 27 June 10 & 24 Schedule for Baptisms: (All begin at 2:00PM) April 22 May 27 June 10 & 24 Please call for more information and/or to schedule an appointment.

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5 March 11, 2018 Page 5 Homiletic starters and scriptural reflection points for each day of the month Monday, March 12, 2018 Is 65:17-21; Ps 30; Jn 4:43-54 I begin each Lent with a promise to deepen my commitment and understanding of my baptismal promises. By this week of Lent, however, my best intentions are often reduced to dietary restrictions and a few extra prayers. These are easier to commit to than making changes in basic attitudes and behaviors. This week, I want to refresh my Lenten renewal. In light of today s readings, I vow to make a better effort to change my habit of being critical and pessimistic and live with more joy and delight. Which of my life s circumstances can I re-examine with eyes of more hope? Who irritates me daily that I need to re-see through the eyes of God s love? May I rejoice in my life and exult in Your people. Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46; Jn 5:1-16 Ezekiel speaks of water flowing out from the temple of the Lord which renews, heals and enriches all that it touches, while Jesus encounters a man who has no one to help him reach the healing waters of the pool of Bethesda. The Eucharist and my community of faith have been a source of healing and renewal in my own life. Yet, there are many who are unable to share in this healing prayer. Could I help someone who is no longer able to walk or drive to Mass? How can I help someone who cannot share at our table because they are committed to the care of an elderly parent or disabled spouse or child? Use my hands and feet, generous Lord, that others may also come to share in your healing gifts Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Is 49:8-15; Ps 145; Jn 5:17-30 Many lives have been devastated in the past few years by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and seemingly unending violence. Months (even years) later, many are still waiting for the means to rebuild their lives. For many, it feels as though they ve been forgotten by God and abandoned by their fellow humanity. Isaiah reminds us that God will never forget them, while Jesus reminds us that we are to allow this faithful God to work through our hands and hearts on God s behalf. While the mainstream media may have moved on to new stories of interest, how can I be a reminder to those who struggle to regain stability and hope, that we have not abandoned or forgotten them? Through our prayers and actions, O Saving God, you raise up all those who are bowed down. A group of young immigrants attended a local football game in support of their new school s team and to take in a typical teenage experience. Unaware, they sat amidst a group of fans for the opposing team, some of whom began mocking their accent and taunting them to Go back to where you came from! One quick-thinking student who witnessed the abuse, sent a wide-spread text message which led the abusive fans themselves to be surrounded by a chant of Don t be racist! Would I have reacted with the same integrity or would I have taken an easier route of silence? Where do I need to stop creating excuses that support inaction toward even small injustices? O God of love, give me courage to testify on behalf of your will as Jesus did. FOURTH WEEK OF LENT Friday, March 16, 2018 Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34; Jn 7:1-2, 10, Some people in Jerusalem, upon hearing Jesus teach, were confused about his identity. Their leaders wanted to kill him yet he seemed to speak with authority about God and Moses. Could he be the Messiah? In the end, they decided he couldn t be because he was only from Galilee. I m ashamed to say I have also made horrible assumptions about people based on their appearance, their accent, their place of origin or their job. Have I assumed to know someone without taking the time to really converse with them? With whom do I need to swallow my fear or pride and open the doors of communication so that I may come to know them better as individuals and God s beloved children? God of love and truth, may I always seek understanding and justice, and persevere in their pursuit. Saturday, March 17, 2018 Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7; Jn 7:40-53 Although Nicodemus attempts to hear both sides of the story, the Pharisees are only interested in hearing arguments that support their own desired agenda. Assumptions are upheld and judgements are made based on halftruths. Gossip and rumor often hold our attention much longer than the details needed to discern the truth. I ve been guilty of adding my two cents worth of misguided opinion to a discussion before I have heard alternative versions of an event. Where might I find those quiet voices that are sometimes drowned out by the loud and impatient? Who in my community has no one to whom they can voice their story or concerns? Who needs my listening heart? Place a guard over my mouth, dear Master, that I may hear your voice above all others. Thursday, March 15, 2018 Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106; Jn 5:31-47