The Pastor s Two Cents

Transcription

1 The Pastor s Two Cents Striving to know, love, and serve God in all others. Oblate priest, Father Ron Rolheiser offers an inspiring reflection on todays readings; part of which I would like to share with you. It is entitled, Called out of Darkness. Hans Urs Von Balthasar once wrote: After a mother has smiled for a long time at her child, the child will begin to smile back; she has awakened love in its heart, and in awakening love in its heart, she awakes also recognition. Awakening love and recognition within a child s heart is, however, tied to more than just the mother s smile. Just as important as her smile is her voice. Mothers don t just cuddle babies and smile at them, they speak to them and it is this that is most critical in bringing a child to human awareness. We come out of the darkness and chaos of unconscious infancy only when we are called out by voices which cajole, caress, reassure and forever keep luring us beyond ourselves. Very often, during the early critical months of a child s life, it is the mother s voice that does a lot of this. Thus, it is no accident that the first language we learn is called our mother tongue for it was its sounds that caressed us and ultimately lured us out of unthinking darkness and uncontrollable chaos. Rainer Marie Rilke says that an infant s journey into human awareness depends upon the mother s voice displacing the surging abyss. Language philosophers agree. In their view, language structures consciousness and creates the very possibility of thought and feeling. Before we can speak or otherwise use a language, we are trapped in a darkness and chaos that leaves us unable to think and feel as human beings. We see this clearly, for instance, in a case like Helen Keller. In a real sense, it is true to say that Annie Sullivan, Helen s teacher, broke open the world for Helen. By teaching her language, Annie Sullivan precisely took Helen Keller out of darkness and chaos and opened up for her the possibility of freedom, thought, deep feeling, self-expression and love. Perhaps no image is more valuable than this one to help us understand the real purpose of the word of God in our lives. All preaching, teaching, theology and pastoral practice is really in function of this of letting God s voice become the smiling, beckoning, caressing, cajoling, luring mother, calling the child out of fear, darkness, chaos and inarticulateness to freedom, thought, deep feeling, self-expression and love. The purpose of God s word is not, first of all, to challenge us to charity or to do social justice or live a certain morality or even to worship something higher and to form community in a certain way among ourselves, valid though each of these is in itself. Christ came, as God s incarnate word, to bring us life, light and love. Christ came as the word to do for us what our mother tongue does, namely, to shape us in such a way that we can move beyond the fear, darkness and chaos that prevent us from entering the world of love, thought and self-expression. Christ, as the word, is Annie Sullivan trying to help Helen Keller break through the chaos of being trapped inside of herself, unaware of and unable to enter into true human life. It is no accident that the gospels are fond of speaking of Christ as the word... Don t forget, The Lord is with you! Fr. Stan St. Mary s Church 95 North Main Street Canandaigua, NY January 22, 2017 St. Bridget s Church 15 Church Street Bloomfield, NY 14469

2 Page Page Two Two St. St. Mary s Benedict Church Roman / St. Catholic Bridget s Parish Church January 22, 2017 DAY MASS INTENTION EVENTS Sunday, January 22 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday, January 23 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children St. Vincent; St. Marianne Cope Tuesday, January 24 St. Francis de Sales Wednesday, January 25 Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Thursday, January 26 7:30 a.m. (SM) Larry Holland by his wife, Betty & children 9:00 a.m. (SM) Mitchell Cota by Paul & Janette Brodose 9:30 a.m. (SB) Fr. John J. Philipps by Annette & Tom Wahl 11:30 a.m. (SM) Joseph Clement Sr. by Mary & family 6:45 a.m. (SM) Word and Communion Service 8:00 a.m. (SB) Anne Crowley by Pat & Tina Crowley 9:00 a.m. (SM) For the spiritual & temporal welfare of the members of the 1938 graduating class of St. Mary s School by Mrs. Richard Fairchild 6:45 a.m. (SM) Susan Quayle by Barb & Tom Miller 9:00 a.m. (SM) Jean Sherry by Joan VanTroost & Dolores Looney 6:45 a.m. (SM) Jean Fiorentino by Barbara & Michael Heagney 8:00 a.m. (SB) Anthony, Mary & Joseph Comella by bequest 9:00 a.m. (SM) Word and Communion Service 6:45 a.m. (SM) Grace Ziemba by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Suffredini 9:00 a.m. (SM) Vincent Genecco by Nancy & Paul Rubery 9:00 a.m. (SM) Pre-K Nursery in Pre-K Room in Dougherty Hall 5:00 p.m. (SM) Youth Ministry in the Yellow House 10:00 a.m. (SM) Prayer Shawl Group at 40 Gibson St No Confessions at St. Bridget s 7:00 p.m. (SM) Men s Prayer Group meeting at 40 Gibson St 3:45 p.m. (SM) Bell Choir Rehearsal in church 7:00 p.m. (SM) Knights of Columbus #1445 in Dougherty Hall Sts. Timothy & Titus Friday, January 27 Weekday St. Angela Merici Saturday, January 28 St. Thomas Aquinas 6:45 a.m. (SM) Edward O Hanlon by his wife 8:00 a.m. (SB) Word and Communion Service 9:00 a.m. (SM) Lewis & Edna Phelan by daughter Marcia & family 1:00 p.m. (Clark Manor) For the People of St. Benedict Parish 8:00 a.m. (SM) Fr. Ignatius Curzydlo by Wendy Johnson 5:00 p.m. (SM) Phil Marvin Jr by Annette & John Joyce & family 8:30 a.m. (SM) Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary in church 3:30 p.m. (SM) Confessions in church 6:00 p.m. (SM) Blood Pressure Clinic in Dougherty Hall Sunday, January 29 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. (SM) The Fletcher family by Joan Fletcher 9:00 a.m. (SM) Jim LaBombard by JoAnne Englerth 9:30 a.m. (SB) Howard & Mildred Martin by the Martin family 11:30 a.m. (SM) Malcolm O Malley by Diane Harris After Morning Masses (SM) Blood Pressure Clinic in Dougherty Hall 9:00 a.m. (SM) Pre-K Nursery in Pre-K Room in Dougherty Hall 10:30 a.m. (SM) Catholic School Week Reception in Dougherty Hall 3:00 p.m. (SM) Youth Ministry (Confirmation Double Session) in the Yellow House Events listed as SM take place at St. Mary s, those listed as SB take place at St. Bridget s, and those listed as SMS take place at St. Mary s School Today s Responsorial Psalm The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27 Olivia Patricia Seeley

3 Question of the Week: As we grow and mature, Jesus calls us to follow him in particular ways, both big and small. What are some of the small ways in which Jesus calls you to follow him? The Gospel reading this week presents us with Jesus calling others to follow him. Throughout this week, try to call to mind this passage, let it flow in and out of consciousness. Any time we can take to prayerfully imagine this scene will enrich the week. Use your imagination to enter into the scene, to see and to hear, to be caught up in the drama of the call-and-response. As you awake, prepare for the day, go to work, interact with people, take breaks, experience a range of emotions, make mistakes, struggle to be zealous, find opportunities to be compassionate, make tough decisions, experience the joy of loving and being loved, and return to sleep with grateful prayer in all of the day try to savor the reality of Jesus calling you to join him in saying yes. St. Benedict Parish Ministry Spotlight: St. Vincent depaul Society It s better to give than to receive. Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul believe this. They know it s true.

4 Page Four St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish January 22, 2017 St. Mary s School Canandaigua Join us in celebrating Catholic Schools Week! Sunday, January 29th 9 AM ~ Mass at St. Mary's Church AM ~ Open House & Coffee Hour, St. Mary s School Gym Tuesday, January 31st 9:30 AM - 2 PM ~ Open School Day Tour our school and see our wonderful faculty and staff in action. Register for School Year 3 year old Preschool 4 year old Pre - K (all day class) Kindergarten ~ 8th Grade Accredited Academics, Faith-based learning, Technology, Music, Sports, Clubs and so much more! Call to schedule a visit. St Benedict s Parish Support for January 14 & 15 Sincere thanks for your support of the parish and its ministries! Attendance... 1,324 Weekly Offertory Income*... $16,365 Weekly Needs... $19,040 Overage (Shortage) $(2,675) Year To Date Offertory Income*... $530,257 Year To Date Need... $552,160 Year To Date Overage (Shortage)......$(21,903) *Regular Sunday Collection ELECTRONIC GIVING PROGRAM St. Benedict s is pleased to offer this safe and convenient option for you to contribute your Sunday offering to the Church automatically through your checking or savings account. Please contact the business office at Formula for Life We have begun our annual campaign in support of CARENET pregnancy resource center at 120 North Main Street, Canandaigua. This pregnancy center offers many services to women facing unplanned pregnancies including free pregnancy tests, non-medical pregnancy consultations, and education about abortion. This center does not offer abortions or abortion referrals. We ask that you take one of the baby bottles found in the wicker baskets at church entrances and place your donations of coins, paper money and checks (made payable to CARENET of Canandaigua ) in the bottles. We will be collecting the bottles with donations through February 19. NEXT WEEKEND! Men s Weekend Retreat Prayer: God is talking... are YOU listening? January 27-29, 2017 at Notre Dame Retreat House 5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua, NY Is it difficult to carve out time to prayer each day? Is life too busy? You are invited to a weekend retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House where we will give you time to explore the meaning of prayer, different styles of prayer and ways to overcome obstacles and enrich prayer time. Our retreat this year will challenge us to move from saying prayers to living a prayerful life. Pray.. Listen.. Come!! For more information on the men s retreat weekend contact: Gary Keating at or Paul Peterson at or Nancy Lynch (office manager) at Notre Dame Retreat House at Or visit Job Opportunity St. Benedict Parish is looking for a part-time administrative assistant. This position will provide skilled administrative support and related office services for staff persons and various committees, with primary emphasis on creating and editing the weekly bulletin. The position will also have responsibility for the parish online calendar, processing requests for use of various facilities by staff, parishioners and others. The individual must be extremely proficient with Microsoft Publisher, having the ability to independently create and edit documents and be familiar with Google Calendar. If interested, send resume and cover letter to Anthony DiPrima, St. Benedict Director of Finance, at adiprima@dor.org. NCYC 2017 The National Catholic Youth Conference is coming up in the Fall! High School Students from across America come together in Indianapolis for two and a half days to share and grow in their Catholic Faith. The convention regularly draws more than 23,000 teens and includes a wide variety of speakers, singers, Priests and Religious. If you are interested in attending you are invited to come to one of two information sessions: January 30th at St. Bridget s Hall at 7pm, or 7pm, January 31st, at St. Mary s Yellow House. Hope to see you there! Prayer from the Sisters of St. Joseph Each year one of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester prays for our parish. This year, Sister Melissa Gernon will be praying for our parish. When you have a moment, offer a prayer of gratitude for all the work the Sisters have done for our world, and a specific intention for Sr. Melissa Gernon.

5 Page Five St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish January 22, 2017 ST. BENEDICT PARISH ADMIN CENTER: 95 N Main St., Canandaigua, NY (585) Fax (585) Parish Emergency Pager: (585) cstmaryc@dor.org Parish Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-W-F 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. T and T Closed Daily from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to our Parish Family! We are so glad you are here! Please let us know you are here so that we can minister to your needs. Speak with a hospitality member, or call or the parish office. BAPTISMS Call or Deacon Claude so he can discuss with you the steps to baptism, for your children. HOLY MATRIMONY Engaged couples should contact the parish at least 6 months prior to desired wedding date. Marriage Preparation is required. Please call or Deacon Claude. BECOMING CATHOLIC (R.C.I.A.) Call or Fr. Daniel. PARISH COUNCIL Chairperson: Jean Mercandetti Council Members: Nicholas Bober, Brian Carl, Chris Decker, Bill Di- Bacco, Caryl Favro, Nancy Lynch, Paula Foster, Donna Mathis, Chris Neubecker, Norah Nolan-Cramer, Natalie Ruppel, Melanie Soberon, and Andy Yudichak Ex officio members: Fr. Daniel Ruiz, Dawn Burdick, Ann Marie Deutsch, Deacon Claude Lester, and Andrew Uttaro. St. Mary s Church 95 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY St. Bridget s Church 15 Church Street, Bloomfield, NY Father Stan Kacprzak, Pastor...x31...frstan@dor.org Father Daniel Ruiz, Parochial Vicar...x11..fruiz@dor.org Father Kevin Murphy, Senior Priest Deacon Claude Lester, Sacr Prep - Social Min.X15...clester@dor.org Dawn Burdick, Pastoral Associate, G.I.F.T. Coordinator...x 39.dburdick@dor.org Nick Laskowski, Faith Form Co-Coordinator.x37. nlaskowski@dor.org Emily Spinelli, Faith Formation Co-Coordinator..x42.espinelli@dor.org Andrew Uttaro, Youth Ministry Coordinator...x 41..auttaro@dor.org Trixie Meteyer, Music Director...x 12...tmeteyer@dor.org Maureen Horrocks, Receptionist...x10...mhorrocks@dor.org Anthony DiPrima, Financial Director...x 25...adiprima@dor.org Patricia Simmons, Business Mgr... x 13..psimmons@dor.org Helen Vallee, Asst. to Business Mgr...x hvallee@dor.org Rich Clayton, Joe Schrader & Laurent Paré, Maintenance...x18....rclayton@dor.org Cemeteries x 33 St Mary s School 16 E. Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY (585) Ann Marie Deutsch, Principal..x16..adeutsch@dor.org Pam Negley, Donna Kamholtz, SMS Sec... x 17...smcdcs@dor.org A Nell Adams William Aikins Baby Anthony B Baby Claire Neal Badger Sheryl Barry Dawn Bartholomew Shirley Bement Albert Benivegna Alicen Bentley Anna Bomwell Jeanette Bouquin- Boesler Dennis Bowler Shannon Breen Bob Bucceri Kristy Buella Evelyn Bugg Sara Burns Lucille Burrill Virginia Buskus C Pramod Carpenter David Capone Christopher Case Avery Lynn Casella Ben Cassarino Dennis Walter Castle Cheryl Cecere Michelle Cleaves Lois Clovis Ginny Coniss Mark Conover Terrence Constable Todd Cook Matthew Coons Charlene Cowell Pauline Crosier Ellie Crouse Bruce Currier Travis Curtis D Joe D Agostino Brenda D Angelo Joe Deats Bernice Delforte Karen DeSeyn Kevin Dillon Sue Dobies E Jeanne Erdle Jim Erdle, Sr. F Nicole Favro John & Joan Fleming Anne Fiorentino Marilyn Fisher Nicholas Forgione Diane Fudalik G Ian Galek Christopher Gallagher Deborah Genovese Robert Genovese Andrew German Kathy Gilbert Elodie Graham Suzanne Greenwood Anne Griffith Lacey Pietropaolo Gulick H Please Pray for Our Sick Barb Haight Sue Hall James Hamilton Al Harter Shirley Heeks Lloyd Heise Mike Heise Noelle Henning Connor Hicks Ted Horrocks Bennett Hudson Dean Humbert I John Inness J Susan Jackson Adam Jemmott Dawn Jensen Eric Johnson Jeff Johnson Jerry Johnston Patt Jones K Martha Kastler Chris Keely Christine Kimmerly James King Nancy Kolb Robert Kubiak Jr. L Barbara LaBombard Phil Lahue Natalie Lawler Nicholas LeGrett Kitty Loeper Mary Jane Lortscher Lorraine Lowden James and Liz Lowe Hope Lowman John Luvera Joseph Lynch Teresa Lynch M Bob Mack Mary Malinowski Claire Maney Michael Mapes Jim Marianacci Alicia Marney Anne Martin Esther Martin Justin Martin Terryn Maybeck Jay Mayeu John McBride Janet McCloud Elli McDermott Robert McGlynn Shelby McGlynn Heather McFadden Barbara & James McKee Terry McKenna Genevieve McWilliams Paul Meath Liz Michaels Art Miller Caty Miller Cindy Miller Karen Miller Ron Milton Kelly Shannon Eugene Sharp Ken Moore Scott Shinkle Family Virginia Lee Mosely Cindy Skrypek Carolyn Muldoon John Skrypek N James Smith Gordon Nicholson Mary and Ralph Smith P Morgan Smithling Ed Pasciak Patricia Stauffer Harry Patrick James Sullivan Cindy Peck Natalie Swift Joyce Pelusio T Jeanetta Pharis Sandra Tambe Frank Pontera Steve Tempest Patricia Popielec Abby Terhune Q Nancy Barnett Tighe Buddy Quayle Ethel Toner R V Joe Rafter John Valeska Ann Recker Angela Vallachi Barbara Redman Michael Vallachi Shannon Reeves Oretta Valvano Rick Revier Jonathan Vanderwall Tom Revier Janet VanGelder Wendy Rex Toni Vatlimo Ryder Thomas Rexford Cheryle Vine Linda Rodney Annette Vitalone Frank Rutallie W S Lloyd Wade Beverly Savage The Walczak Family Joan, Donald, and Barbara Wasson Charles Scheibener Ed Watson Regina Schmitt Sophie Watson Barbara Schram Marie Webster Rita Schuster Tim Welch Deb Scorse Abbe Widmark- Charles Scott Crowell Phyllis Scott Virginia Wyffels

6 Page Six St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish January 22, 2017 NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH Catholic Guidance for End-of-Life Decision Making End-of-life decisions, for ourselves and for loved ones, are among the most challenging we will ever face. Our Church offers comfort and practical guidance. Visit to watch an eight minute video and read/download the New York State Bishops document Now and at the Hour of Our Death. Learn why the Church favors palliative medicine and comfort care, and why the Church opposes physician-assisted suicide. Physician Assisted Suicide One of the foundational principles in Catholic Social Teaching is promoting the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Our efforts don t just focus on the beginning of life, or on helping people have a decent quality of life, but in education and advocating in support of life all the way to natural death. A bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide has been sponsored in New Yok State. The NYS Catholic Conference has partnered with an alliance of other faith based groups, medical and legal professionals, and disability rights groups to oppose this bill and promote truly compassionate and appropriate end of life care. Physician-assisted suicide is the advocacy issue in the 2017 Diocesan Public Policy Agenda. We ask you to check out the suggested resources this week, to prayerfully read through the petition letter which will be printed in next week s bulletin and to sign a copy of the letter at Mass on the weekend of February 4-5, This week, to help you better understand the issue, check out: Maggie chose to live out her limited days like her Dad did. #noassistedsuicideny Jeanette is still here 15 years after terminal diagnosis because her new doctor gave her hope. #noassistedsuicideny JJ has brain cancer, but he wants to live as long as possible for his wife and their little boy. #noassistedsuicideny Sarah was urged to consider assisted suicide instead of receiving care. #noassistedsuicideny Yoga Class at St Bridget's Hall A parishioner is interested in forming a weekly yoga group in St. Bridget's hall on either Thursday eve, Friday eve or Saturday morning led by an instructor who currently teaches at Church of the Transfiguration, YMCA and elsewhere. She teaches Hatha yoga (the physical practice). A short participant-led prayer time could follow yoga. If interested, contact Jeanette at or jdztechw@me.com by January 30th to express interest with your day of week preference for class to start in February, if there is enough interest. Readings for the Week of January 22, 2017 Sunday: Is 8:23--9:3/Ps 27/1 Cor 1:10-13, 17/Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17 Monday: Heb 9:15, 24-28/Ps 98/Mk 3:22-30 Tuesday: Heb 10:1-10/Ps 40/Mk 3:31-35 Wednesday: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22/Ps 117/Mk 16:15-18 Thursday: 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5/Ps 96/Mk 4:21-25 Friday: Heb 10:32-39/Ps 37/Mk 4:26-34 Saturday: Heb 11:1-2, 8-19/Lk 1/Mk 4:35-41 Next Sunday: Zep 2:3; 3:12-13/Ps 146/1 Cor 1:26-31/ Mt 5:1-12a KnightLine Please pray for our Council s Chaplain, Fr. Daniel, for safe travels in his home country and a safe return. Congratulations to Gregory Harney, our newest Honorary Life Member. The youth Basketball Free Throw Contest for girls and boys, ages 9-14 will be held next Sunday, January 29th with warm-ups beginning at 3pm. Thanks to the CYO BB coaches for helping to coordinate the best date to hold this event. Students from this age group in all local schools have been invited. The winners from this council will compete in the District Level competition, also at St. Mary s School Gym, Saturday, February 25th. Warm-ups will begin at 8am. Keep practicing! For information about the Knights of Columbus and our mission, youth contest entry forms or details, please contact Brian Moser at (585) or bmoser2012@gmail.com. CCIA Wish List January 21 & 22 - Cereal; Pork and Beans; Tuna; Canned Meat January 28 & 29 - Pasta; Spaghetti Sauce, Canned Fruit; Peanut butter (also - Shampoo, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Razors)