The Epiphany of the Lord

Transcription

1 January 8, 2017 Page 1 The Epiphany of the Lord T h i s We e k ' s Mass Intentions 8:00AM 9:30AM 11:00AM 12:30PM Sunday, January 8, 2017 George & Claire Cox Nancy Camelliri (St. Helen Rosarians) Edward Juba (Dorme Family) Filomena & Salvatore Cannistraci (Loving Daughter) For The Parishioners Monday, January 9, 2017 The Baptism of the Lord Winifred & Michael Butler (Mary J. Corrigan) Tuesday, January 10, 2017 Keith Dasaro (Anthony & Rosemary Matteo) Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Richard E. Dimler (Julie Dimler) Thursday, January 12, 2017 Edward W. Doody (Joanne Doody) Friday, January 13, 2017 St. Hilary Nicholas Louis Napolitano (Loving Wife) Saturday, January 14, 2017 Karl Albrecht (Hellstrom Family) Michael Christopher (Peter Guttieri Family) Christine Piotrowski (Loving Family) Dorothy Adipietro, Gloria Cotellessa, Anne McGovern, Joseph Miranti, Dawnmarie Truncale-Carbone Sunday, January 15, :00AM 9:30AM 11:00AM 12:30PM George & Ann Papandrea Nancy Camelliri (Miltakis Family) Charles Monastero (Vita & Paul) Karl Albrecht (Margaret & Tony Russo) For The Parishioners GOOD SHEPHERD STATUE We would like to thank Marge Rosina, who kept the statue this past week. Anyone interested in keeping the statue in their home and praying for vocations for one week should contact the Rectory. If you are new to St. Helen Parish, please remember to stop in at the Rectory to register your family! Miriam Americo, Lisa B., Baby Alexandra Bachert, Caroline Bachert, Frances Baio, Dolores Barbieri, Catherine Capato, Sally Capoziello, Shang Cheng, Antoinette & Catherine Chiarelli, Marge D Auria, Mary Ann D Angelo, Baby Christopher Brian Demmerle, Domenica DeVito, Virginia DiGangi, Francesca Gaudino, Ian Genovese-Williams, Joseph Gentile, Anthony Giampietro, John Joseph Gleeson, John Pierce Gleeson, Christine Healy, Aurea Hernandez, Maria Hernandez, Rosemary Hogan, Elizabeth Isolano, Jennie Iuggiano, Keri & Baby Tristan, Amelia Kalb, Pam Karwan, Baby T.J. Krieg, Kathleen Krieg, Klavdia Krieg, Anthony Lamantia, James Leung, Valerie Librizzo, Thomas & Patricia Lipari, William J. Litt, Cindy Maione, Maryann Maione, Ralph Maresco, Mary Mastrangelo, Camillo Mazella, Rosemary Menechella, Jordan Miller, John Myers, Salvatore Noto, Angela Ottomanelli-Hubbs, Michael Palermo, Gina Palya, Santo Pantina, Ann Parsell, Anna Petito, Doris, Carlo, Philip & Frank Pecchillo, Vivian Puglissi, Joseph Questore, Mary Romano, Jake Rothman, Louise Ruggiero, Anthony Russo, Bill Sangirardi, Felice Scimeca, Fred Sepulveda, Rosalia Sindone, Michael Tamburo, Chrissie Tremblay, Paul Tremblay, Paul John Tremblay, Ann Marie Vayda, Sr. Joanne Walters, Elizabeth Weimer. Deceased: Dawnmarie Truncale-Carbone, Marie Del George, Rose Kavanaugh Phyllis Zehro Please Note: Since there are too many names of the sick to mention in the Prayer of the Faithful, they will be listed in the Bulletin for two weeks. To have a name reinstated on the list, a family member should call the Rectory during office hours. St. Helen s Purgatorial Society Mass Starting this month, all parishioners will 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 offer ing to be enr olled in the Purgatorial Society is $120 per name (a total of 12 Masses for the 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 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.

2 January 8, 2017 Page 2 UPDATE TO THE RENOVATIONS As I write these words a dumpster sits in front of the Church and Kivetts Pew Company, from North Carolina, is dismantling the pews. Yes dismantling! I always thought that refinishing pews only required picking them up and taking them out... no they are dismantled and refinished and brought back and put together. A time consuming process indeed. So far this week everything in the Church that could be possibly damaged during a renovation has been carefully taken down and wrapped for protection. The icons, the tree of life, even the stations of the cross! Every statue and image carefully protected, as they will be used again. The organ has been removed from the pit. The cross that was in the foyer is now prominently displayed in Father Dooley Hall. When the cross was taken down off the wall, we found out that it was holding up part of the ceiling! Thank God, no one was injured when the ceiling came down! As for the drop ceilings, all the tiles have been removed, as they will be replaced with a wood tile of the same color as the wood in the ceiling of the main body of the Church. The meeting room has been cleared of all debris and a thorough house cleaning has taken place. As for "time capsule" items, we found two 7 Up cans in the shrine area, commemorating the summer Olympics of the late 1970's; usually workers leave newspapers or bottles behind. So far no major hiccups, as we await the work permits to begin actual work. As soon as the permits arrive, work on pouring the floor can begin. This is expected by the end of this week. The final Mass in the Church on Monday was attended by a larger than normal crowd, and most everyone present was eager to lend a hand in transferring the many items over to hall for use at Mass, I want to thank them, they were a great help. I have met with the HVAC company to ensure a smooth transition of heating and air-conditioning... no problems there! And I expect to meet with the Allen organ Company after writing this update. Please continue to visit Saint Helen Facebook page to see images of the renovations as we will frequently update the Facebook page. Spoiler Alert! If you want to be surprised by the renovation, then avoid looking at the Facebook page! I hope to include an update each week in the bulletin on the progress of the renovations, so stay tuned! Fr. Colamaria

3 January 8, 2017 Page 3 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. Please realize that the Church building of Saint Helen will undergo a renovation January April The Church will be closed and Fr. Dooley Hall will be used as a worship space in the interim. Baptisms will still be offered in this time period in the Hall. Some may choose to wait for Baptism until the construction is completed and this is fully understandable. If there are any questions please contact the Deacons who can give more details as to the renovation period. Please call for more information and/or to schedule an appointment. Catholic Charities Senior Center The Howard Beach Senior Center, located across from Stop & Shop on Crossbay Blvd., invites seniors aged 60 and older to become members. Activities and services are offered Monday-Friday from to 4:00PM. Daily delicious and nutritional hot lunches catered by Russo s on the Bay ($2 donation requested), as well as educational and recreational activities, case assistance, entitlement counseling and advocacy are also available. The Center also offers health promotional classes such as stay-well fitness, chair aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi, and walking groups. Dances are held weekly, as well as card games, Wii bowling, bridge lessons and, of course, Bingo. The Center is conducting a basic beginner computer class. If interested, please call the Center to register. The Center is looking for knitters and those who crochet to make lap blankets for Hospice of New York. These articles are sorely needed for the gravely ill in our communities. If you have a talent and want to give back, please contact Rosalie. Donated wool will also be gladly appreciated. Every Friday from 1:00-3:00PM the Center hosts Karaoke by Fernando. We will be singing all popular songs selected by the seniors. Come and enjoy the fun! Weekly Exercise Classes: Mondays 9:30AM to 10:30AM: Tai Chi with Elaine Fleischman Mondays 10:45AM to 11:45AM: Chair Aerobics with Charlie Roemer Wednesdays 1:00PM to 2:00PM: Zumba with Juan Fridays 9:30AM to 10:30AM: Cardio Exercise with Dwayne Fridays 10:30AM to 11:30AM: Yoga with Charlie Roemer The Catholic Charities neighborhood Services Howard Beach Senior Center is located at Crossbay Blvd., across from Stop N Shop. For further information please contact Rosalie at

4 January 8, 2017 Page 4 Votive Candles Please be advised that due to the renovation of the Church, no annual votive candles will be renewed at this time. You will be informed by phone or mail for renewals prior to the re-opening of the Church. Holy Name Society All men of the parish are invited to the next Holy Name Society meeting which will take place next Sunday, January 15th after the 8:00AM Mass. NOTICE: Please be advised that if you already have made your pledge to the Generations of Faith campaign, we are kindly requesting that you send your monthly payment directly to their office. Please do not drop your envelope with payment off at the Rectory or put it in the Sunday collection basket. Thank you. We Would Greatly Appreciate Your Help! If you are a registered parishioner with St. Helen s you receive printed envelopes with your name and I.D. number for you to use when making your offering at Sunday Mass. To help us out, we would greatly appreciate if you would kindly use these envelopes rather than a blank envelope with only your name, as we rely on your I.D. number to properly credit you for your offerings. Thank you for your help in this matter. St. Helen will share in the profits! For each car, truck or van, running or not, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our Church $50/$100 per vehicle. Call The Society today if you have a vehicle to donate! Sponsor Certificates Any parishioner in need of a priest s signature for a Sponsor Certificate (to be a godparent or Confirmation Sponsor) should have that document signed by any of the priests celebrating Mass on Sunday. Just stop in the Sacristy after Mass and a priest will be able to help you. The sponsor must be present you cannot send someone to pick up the form for you! ST. HELEN SCHOOL ALUMNAE 50 th Anniversary of St. Helen School Help us make our 50 th Anniversary one to remember! St. Helen Catholic Academy is in the process of updating our contact information for all graduates of St. Helen School. If you are a graduate or a family member, we are asking for your help by providing us with your name, , address, and phone number. Please fill out the form below and return it to the rectory or your information to mariaford216@gmail.com. Thank you. ST. HELEN SCHOOL ALUMNAE Name: Maiden Name if Married: Graduation Year: Address: Phone Number:

5 January 8, 2017 Page 5 Homiletic starters and scriptural reflection points for each day of the month Mon., Jan. 9: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17 Baptism of the Lord He shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting... Whenever my siblings or I had done something wrong, our mother would speak at length about her dissatisfaction, recalling previous offenses for emphasis. We learned to tune out her voice until she moved on to other tasks. We were inclined to listen more carefully to our father who was a man of few words. When he spoke, his words were delivered once, quietly, and only after careful thought an exemplary method of justice and parenting. Place a guard over my mouth, O Lord, until I m able to speak with mercy. Tues., Jan. 10: Heb 2:5-12; Mk 1:21-28 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority. The mother of an autistic student tearfully related to me how isolated she felt in caring for her son s needs. It wasn t until she joined a support group that she was able to share her joys and frustrations with other parents of similar, special needs children. She gained understanding friends, encouragement and valuable advice on how to cope with her own frustrations and the challenges faced by her child. Jesus, too, is able to touch our deepest fears and longings because he has been there, done that. He speaks to us from a perspective of experience and non-judgemental empathy. You know our innermost thoughts, Lord. Help us to value this gift, over the fear of feeling vulnerable and alone. Wed., Jan. 11: Heb 2:14-18; Mk 1:29-39 Through death [Jesus] free[d] those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. I once received an relating how Scripture contains similar words to Do not be afraid! 365 times; one for every day of the year. Fear and anxiety, still very prevalent today, can enslave us and prevent us from living our life fully. In fear, we isolate ourselves and lose sight of our own worth and the goodness of others. Through his resurrection, Jesus offers us renewed hope and encouragement to reach beyond our fears toward others; promising to be by our side every step of the way. The promised hope of the Resurrection gives us the courage we need to live each day to its fullest. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. Few prejudices or unhealthy attitudes are formed in a day, but rather develop incrementally over time. How many times have I made excuses for regrettable behavior before I felt them acceptable? Even little sins have an insidious ability to justify themselves so that, with time, they subtly become hardened norms. I was given a simple, personal examination of conscience at a weeklong retreat where we were encouraged to pray with honesty at the end of each day. When did I love well today? When could I have loved better? It has become a simple reminder to me to stay alert to the subtle deceit of sin. O that today you would listen to God s voice. Harden not Your hearts. FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Fri., Jan. 13: Heb 4:1-5,11; Mk 2:1-12 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, Child, your sins are forgiven. What persistence to carry a grown man up onto the roof and break open a hole big enough to lower him before Jesus! Without the faith and commitment of all involved this miracle may not have happened. We sometimes forget that the journey of faith was never meant to be traveled alone. Our eucharistic celebration is a wonderful reminder of this. Although private prayer is important, our Eucharist is not meant to be a private prayer between God and me. It is a gracefilled meal meant to unify us in thanksgiving, support and purpose. It is a shared commitment to become the embodiment of this meal for the world. Help us to offer and utilize the many gifts you have given us to build your kingdom. Sat., Jan. 14: Heb 4:12-16; Mk 2:13-17 Those who are well do not need a physician. I often tease my husband that when home projects become more complicated than anticipated, he ll spend hours tackling it on his own when a call for an extra hand could finish it in minutes. I am also guilty of this when I forget my own weaknesses and feel too busy to pray. I struggle through the day s frustrations on my own, rather than stopping and inviting God into my day. It stands to reason that the God who created me would also understand my inner workings better than I do. I need God each day if I am ever to achieve the potential God created within me. Lord, may I never become so arrogant that I forget to make you an integral part of my day. Thurs., Jan 12: Heb 3:7-14; Mk 1:40-45 Encourage yourselves daily while it is still today, so