FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Transcription

1 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MASSES FOR THE WEEK SUNDAY, May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 6:1 7 1 Pt 2:4 9 Jn 14:1 12 8:00 A.M. For the People of St. Francis of Assisi 9:30 A.M. Mother s Day Novena 11:00 A.M. Frank Pittelli 12:30 P.M. Maria Grimaldi Rosa Benedetto Concetta Saraceni Mary Console Giuseppa Costanza MONDAY, May 19 Easter Weekday Readings: Acts 14:5 18 Jn 14: :00 A.M. Gabriella Colace 9:00 A.M. Tarcisio Cavazzini TUESDAY, May 20 Easter Weekday Readings: Acts 14:19 28 Jn 14:27 31a 7:00 A.M. Marija Kuljanic 9:00 A.M. Forlano, Bruno & Criscuolo Families WEDNESDAY, May 21 Easter Weekday Readings: Acts 15:1 6 Jn 15:1 8 7:00 A.M. Evelyn Perrone 9:00 A.M. Pietro Zuliani THURSDAY, May 22 Easter Weekday Readings: Acts 15:7 21 Jn 15:9 11 7:00 A.M. In Honor of St. Rita 9:00 A.M. Antonio Califano FRIDAY, May 23 Easter Weekday Readings: Actts 15:22 31 Jn 15: :00 A.M. Mrs. Elda Scotto 9:00 A.M. Riccardo Go SATURDAY, May 24 Easter Weekday Readings: Acts 16:1 10 Jn 15: :00 A.M. Purgatorial Society Adelina Iocco Anthony Minieri In Honor of Padre Pio 5:00 P.M. Ambrose & Ines Vigano SUNDAY, May 25 Sixth Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 8:5 8, Pt 3:15 18 Jn 14: :00 A.M. John & Rosalie Brancaccio 9:30 A.M. Kathy M. Culkin 11:00 A.M. For the People of St. Francis of Assisi 12:30 P.M Mamina Filippa Concetta Saraceni Emilio DiRado Giuseppa Costanza Rosa Benedetto Mary Console My Dear Parishioners, In today s Gospel, Jesus gives us several assurances. First, Jesus assures us that we can hope for everlasting life. Jesus says, In my father s house there are many dwelling places I will come back to take you to myself. And second, Jesus assures us that we will be doing his work: Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these. But the greatest assurance we receive, as we hear today s Gospel, is that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him. In this context, the Way is not a spiritual map or a book of instructions. Jesus, himself, is the Way to the Father. With this understanding, Christianity was originally called The Way. Many people today have not seen Jesus as the Way. They seem to be moving faster and faster but with no real destination in mind. For them, the road of life is full of confusing and conflicting signs, detours and dead ends. They cannot hear Jesus telling them, I am the Way. Follow me. Jesus is also the Truth. In these days of misinformation and spin control, it can be difficult to know what the truth really is. Amidst all the noise, all the voices, it is Jesus who has the truth we really need to hear. Jesus not only gives us the true message of love and salvation, he is Truth. He is God, and to know Jesus is to know God. Finally, Jesus tells us that he is the Life. In Him we have the answers to our basic questions about what life is and why we are here. Jesus has restored our unity with the Father and opened the door to life everlasting. He reveals to us the purpose and meaning of life. Thanks to Jesus, the Father is not some far-off being we cannot possibly know. To see Jesus is to see the Father. Jesus reveals the Father to us, and lets us see his love more fully. In Jesus, God becomes as close to us as a baby born in a manger. In Jesus, God is real to us as a man nailed to a cross. In Jesus, God s forgiveness is as never ending as that shown in the parable of the Prodigal Son. In the midst of all the ads, and the selling and image-making going on in the world today, there stands Jesus. He tells us, If you want life, live in me. To follow Him as our Way takes trust. To believe in His Truth requires faith. To accept Him as our Life demands humility. The Way, the Truth and the Life these are what Jesus has given us to help us reach the dwelling place he has prepared for us in his Father s house. God Bless, Msgr. Maresca

2 Our Thanks To: Danielle Williams and everyone who helped her with An Evening of Jazz. Our Home and School, the teachers from Grades 4 through 8, and DJ, Luigi, for the SFA Spring Fling. The parents for sending in all the beautiful flowers for the May Crowning. Unfortunately, our Sports Day Clinic was cancelled for May 10 th ; but, hopefully, it will be rescheduled for sometime in the fall. This Week at SFA School: On Thursday of this coming week, we welcome author, Valerie Pfundstein, to our school. Her book, Veterans: Heroes in our Neighborhood is a rhyming picture book for children of all ages. This book fosters an appreciation for the servicemen and women who are often our neighbors. On Friday, 5/23, our students in Kindergarten and Grade 8 will have their Graduation pictures taken. There will be Religious Education on Sunday, May 18th Registration for Religious Education is never closed You can still register your child in any grade from Kindergarten on up to 7 th grade by calling the Religious Education Office Monday through Thursday ( ), dre@sfaschool.org) or speaking to Richard Pipchinski, the DRE. If you have a child beginning first grade in public school, it is time to register for Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines require two years of instructions prior to the reception of a Sacrament. If your child is already in the first grade and missed this year, call the Office of Religious Education to set up an appointment to discuss the options. Are you interested in being Baptized or complete your initiation by the reception of the Sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation for Easter 2015? Join the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The RCIA is a process in which adults prepare themselves for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) through study, discussion and discernment. Please contact the Rectory.

3 Immaculate Conception Parish Presents FREE Movies Friday 7:00 p.m. in the lower church on the following dates: SAINTS A LEGACY OF FAITH May 23rd Therese (St. Therese of Lisieux) Presenter/Speaker Msgr. Sean Ogle Dean & Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel ********************************************** th St., Astoria, NY (Ditmars Boulevard and 29th Street) Phone: (718) / astoria.org 1st Time: Nicole Falco St. Francis of Assisi Astoria, N.Y. and Christopher DiMare St. Francis of Assisi Astoria, N.Y. KNIGHTS CORNER COMING EVENTS! You are a people called out of darkness into wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Tuesday evening, May 20 th, starting at 7:00pm, the Knights of Columbus of Brooklyn and Queens, will be sponsoring a night at Citi Field. On that evening, the Mets, will be playing the Dodgers. The tickets will be $30, with the Mets returning 10% of the proceeds for the benefit of the Special Olympics. If you are interested in attending the game, please contact: Marty Hale, Grand Knight at or Boris Mucich, Financial Secretary at Vivat Jesus! Marty Hale, FDD, PGK Grand Knight

4 FOCUS: Christ Jesus must be the cornerstone upon which we build our lives. In discerning how best to lead our lives in this world, Jesus reveals that he is the foundation for any great work. He is the way and the truth and the life. Service to the poor or efforts toward social justice must first be rooted in a relationship with Christ, who points us to the will of the Father. Memorials for the Week of May 18, 2014 ALTAR BREAD For this week is donated in loving memory of Anthony Minieri Requested by Walter & Marilyn Zilinski Still making your high school decision? St. Agnes Academic High School in College Point, Queens is accepting registration applications for the school year. Diocesan Pilgrimage Poland & Eastern Europe Warsaw Krakow Budapest Vienna Prague Visiting the home town of our new Saint John Paul II NOVEMBER 10 21, 2014 Father Dowd and Father Cunningham Chaplains For a Brochure call: Nawas International Students enjoy our AP classes, college credit courses, dance program, science research program, ipads in the classroom and so much more! Transfer students are also welcome to apply. St. Agnes H.S th Street College Point, NY (718) ext. 12 Please Consider Remembering St. Francis of Assisi Parish in your Will.

5 Remember in your prayers all those in our parish who are sick, that they may find health and comfort: James Nunez, Vincent Wytak, Carol Ross, Rolondo Larrondo, Jeffrey Hyans, Josephine Costanza, Jessica St. Preux, Al Ciani, Alesha Moses, Elizabeth Quartuccia, Stephanie Stetz, Anthony Criscuolo, Kathleen Newton, Samantha Fabrizi, Nancy McCaffrey, Christopher Wojtalik, Marie Guerriero, Theresa Pacheco, William Goss, John Ross, Terri Kornalewski, Antonio Ciancio, Luke Pacheco, Vincenza Papa. Also remember in your prayers all the deceased of the Parish. Please remember to continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life, diaconate, and married life. St. Francis of Assisi Parish Finances Thank you for your weekly contributions which pays our bills. Your sacrifice and generosity is much appreciated. The Collection/Donation for the weekend: May 10/11 $ Catholic Missions $ Just a reminder to our envelope users to please mark the amount on the outside of the envelope. It is a great help to our counters. Also, if you are not using the envelope system and would like to please call the rectory. School parents are strongly encouraged to use the envelopes. As the weather begins to get nice, more people go away for the weekends. Please remember to catch up with your weekly offering when you return home. Your continued support of our parish is greatly appreciated ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL This year s theme, When we Give We Share the Light of Faith, is based on the recent encyclical by Pope Francis: Lumen Fidei: The Light of Faith. It challenges us to be the light of the world by sharing our faith, commitment and generosity. I am so appreciative of the wonderful response to the appeal. We have truly taken to heart the words of our Holy Father. At this time, we have pledged $40,630 towards our goal of $44,615. Monies received to this date amount to $25,821. This accounts for 129 donors. Last year 727 donors contributed to the appeal. Let us make every effort to reach our donor goal in order to have a successful appeal in our parish. If you have not pledged at this time, please prayerfully consider a pledge. All monies over goal comes back to our parish 100% and that will be put toward the new church boiler. Thank you very much for the sacrifices each of you makes to support this appeal. Msgr. Maresca

6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK May 18 - May 24 May 25 - May 31 Sunday, May 18 2nd Collection Parish Reserves 8:00 2:00 P.M. Youth Group Book Sale After Masses 9:30 A.M. Children s Liturgy MCH 10:40 12 Noon Faith Formation School 1:30 P.M. Procession of the Blessed Mother 1:30 P.M. Baptisms Monday, May 19 1:00 P.M. Golden Age Msgr. Campbell Hall 2:30 4:00 P.M. Daisies Msgr. Maresca Center 7:00 P.M. Adult Choir Church Sunday, May 25 Monday, May 26 Memorial Day School and Rectory CLOSED Tuesday, May 27 6:30 P.M. AA R/B 7:00 P.M. Holy Name Executive Meeting Rectory Wednesday, May 28 7:30 P.M. Mass Tuesday, May 20 6:30 P.M. AA R/B Wednesday, May 21 Thursday, May :30 P.M. Legion of Mary R/B 7:00 P.M. I.A.C.A. R/B 7:30 P.M. Scripture Study RER Friday, May 23 2:30 6:00 P.M. Girl Scouts Msgr. Maresca Center Saturday, May 24 Thursday, May 29 Ascension Thursday Mass Schedule: (Holy Day of Obligation) 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 7:30 PM Friday, May 30 2:30 P.M. Girl Scouts Msgr. Maresca Center 7:30 P.M. Drama Club Play Msg. Campbell Hall Saturday, May 31 Our Parish Calendar be published weekly. Please submit changes or updates to swoods@stfrancisofassisiastoria.org Thank you for keeping our Parish up to date!

7 ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE MAY Sat. May 17 th 5pm Samantha Dee, Isabella and Sophia Ortiz Sun. May 18 th 8am Andrew Soltesz, Anthony Ronacher, Lauren Staats 9:30am John Beaufort, Nicole Pereira, Rei Sato 11am Victoria Formoso, Jady Lopez, Adrian Machnik 12:30pm Caterina Gioino, Francesco DiMarco Sat. May 24 th 5pm Samantha Dee, Jessica Aniello, Joseph Todaro Sun. May 25 th 8am Andrew Soltesz, Frankie Marzella, Adrian Machnik 9:30am Adrian and Jose Hernandez-Yepez, Nicholas Nebbari 11am Kayley and Maya Burns, Sal Demma 12:30pm Caterina Gioino, Francesco DiMarco Sat. May 31 st 5pm Samantha Dee, Valentina Cracolici, Sal Demma Sun. June 1 st 8am Rei Sato, Nicole Pereira, Leandra Rodriguez 9:30am Anthony Ronacher, Lauren Staats, Joseph Todaro 11am Rocco Marchesona, Nikki McNamara, Nicholas Nebbari 12:30pm Caterina Gioino, Francesco DiMarco Dear Altar Servers, Please remember to hang up your robes when finished serving and keep the closet neat. Also, don t forget to sign in for serving your mass. I realize we are getting into the season where some of you are involved in other activities (sports, dancing, etc.) If you can t make your assignment, please try to change with someone. I ask all of you to please work with one another in this matter. Thanks again for all your service. Msgr. Maresca

8

9

10

11

12 Remember in your prayers all those in our parish who are sick, that they may find health and comfort: James Nunez, Vincent Wytak, Carol Ross, Rolondo Larrondo, Jeffrey Hyans, Josephine Costanza, Jessica St. Preux, Al Ciani, Alesha Moses, Elizabeth Quartuccia, Stephanie Stetz, Anthony Criscuolo, Kathleen Newton, Samantha Fabrizi, Nancy McCaffrey, Christopher Wojtalik, Marie Guerriero, Theresa Pacheco, William Goss, John Ross, Terri Kornalewski, Antonio Ciancio, Luke Pacheco, Vincenza Papa. Also remember in your prayers all the deceased of the Parish. Please remember to continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life, diaconate, and married life. St. Francis of Assisi Parish Finances Thank you for your weekly contributions which pays our bills. Your sacrifice and generosity is much appreciated. The Collection/Donation for the weekend: May 10/11 $ Catholic Missions $ Just a reminder to our envelope users to please mark the amount on the outside of the envelope. It is a great help to our counters. Also, if you are not using the envelope system and would like to please call the rectory. School parents are strongly encouraged to use the envelopes. As the weather begins to get nice, more people go away for the weekends. Please remember to catch up with your weekly offering when you return home. Your continued support of our parish is greatly appreciated ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL This year s theme, When we Give We Share the Light of Faith, is based on the recent encyclical by Pope Francis: Lumen Fidei: The Light of Faith. It challenges us to be the light of the world by sharing our faith, commitment and generosity. I am so appreciative of the wonderful response to the appeal. We have truly taken to heart the words of our Holy Father. At this time, we have pledged $40,630 towards our goal of $44,615. Monies received to this date amount to $25,821. This accounts for 129 donors. Last year 727 donors contributed to the appeal. Let us make every effort to reach our donor goal in order to have a successful appeal in our parish. If you have not pledged at this time, please prayerfully consider a pledge. All monies over goal comes back to our parish 100% and that will be put toward the new church boiler. Thank you very much for the sacrifices each of you makes to support this appeal. Msgr. Maresca