Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church 175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York Telephone:

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1 Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church 175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York Telephone: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 17, 2014 Recognizing the Canaanite women s great faith, Jesus told her, It shall be done as you wish (Matthew 15: 21-28) MASS SCHEDULE WEEKLY MASSES: Monday Friday 8:30AM in Mother Church NEW WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5PM in Large Church Sunday 7:30AM in Mother Church 9AM, and 11:00AM in Large Church SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Saturday 4PM 4:30PM in Large Church PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday Thursday 9AM-4:30PM Friday 9AM 2:30PM Saturday 9AM 2PM OFFICES CLOSED WEEKDAYS 12:30PM 1:30PM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Monday Thursday 9:30AM-12:30PM and 1PM 4:30PM PARISH OUTREACH Office and Pantry Hours Monday Thursday 10AM-1PM Visit us online! THE ASSUMPTION Amid His tears the Lord upon her smiled, And though her Maker deigned to be her child. While others all ingratitude displayed, He found a tabernacle in this maid. Thus did this homeless God among us dwell As He had not since mankind early fell. Wherefore we feebly thank her now and then; Thank God He s thanked her better than we men. He graced her from the time she was conceived, Until assumed, to be by Him received. Thence lavished He Himself on her that she Might make the world a bit more heavenly: She through whom He did mortal lesh assume, In lesh now rapt in light as in a womb. --Fr. Charles Fink

2 The Pastoral Team Clergy Rev. Edward R. D Andrea, Pastor Rev. Msgr. Charles Fink, Parish Administrator Rev. John Amoah, Associate Pastor Deacon Frank Hartmann Deacon Edward Karan Retired Clergy Deacon Robert Gronenthal Parish Staff Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults Mrs. Patricia Bartoldus, Director of Faith Formation, K-9 Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director of Outreach Mrs. Theresa Martin, Director of Music Parish Office: Fax: Mrs. Lindsay Butler, Parish Asst., ext. 11 Mrs. Loraine Gonzalez, Admin. Asst., ext. 10 Hours: Monday -Thursday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday - Friday ourladyofthesnowbp@gmail.com Religious Education: Mrs. Eileen Mulry, Secretary, ext. 15 Mrs. Susan Gressler, C.R.E., ext. 14 Mrs. Charlotte Logan, C.R.E. ext. 16 Office hours: Monday Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. olsbpre@aol.com Faith Formation for Adults: Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults olsbeth@aol.com Parish Outreach: Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director Mrs. Patricia Fulco, Outreach Assistant Office hours and food pantry, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday in the cottage Evening Hours Available by Appointment olsoutreach@yahoo.com For full information on all sacraments, sponsor requirements for Godparents/ Confirmation Sponsors, schedules and dates, please consult our website, or call the Parish Office. SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION (631) extension 10 Rite of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.) Persons interested in becoming Catholic and adults who have not received Confirmation or First Eucharist, please contact Beth Rivalsi at Marriage: Arrangements must be made at least six to twelve months in advance. It is advisable to call the church prior to arranging the reception. Baptisms: Are celebrated on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday of most m o n t h s. Please visit our website at com for complete information. New parishioners: Please register at the parish or call , ext. 10 for information. Communion for the Homebound: To make arrangements to have Communion brought to the home, please call the parish office at , ext. 10. For emergency sick calls, please call the parish at any time.

3 A Message from Father Charles Fink Page 3 August 17, 2014 My dear parish family, I ve been informed that the font I ve been using for my letters is hard for older folks to read, so I hope this one is easier on their eyes and more to their liking. You may not be familiar with the name Peter Kreeft (pronounced Kreft even though there are two e s). He s a Boston College philosophy professor, but don t let that put you off. No living author writes better or more clearly about our Catholic faith. Kreeft has thought long and hard about life, love, prayer, and other big subjects, and about seven years ago decided to write a series of letters to his grown children, sharing with them the most important lessons he had learned in his roughly seventy years on earth. Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters is the result. It s the perfect book for busy people, each letter being only a short page or two, most standing independent of the others. Read one a day; they ll keep you going for half a year. Here is Kreeft on prayer: I don t think the length of prayer is very important, but I know the habit of praying many short prayers is. St. Paul says, Pray without ceasing. The power is in the not ceasing. The rest is detail. Here he is on Temptations of Old Age. When you re young, you re tempted to be selfish and irresponsible about others misery in the demand to enjoy yourself. When you re old, you re tempted to be unselfish and responsible and to make others miserable by never enjoying yourself. Epitaph by C.S. Lewis: Erected by her sorrowing brother In memory of Martha Clay. Here lies one who lived for others. Now she has peace, and so have they. With Kreeft, learning is often accompanied by laughter, now and then weeping too. Once or twice his language may shock you: nothing obscene, just a little crude. But it s all in the service of truth and love. This is a book to savor and share, an appetizer that may get you reading Kreeft for years to come. Not a bad thing. Time spent with Peter Kreeft is never wasted. With love and prayers, Fr. Charles Fink

4 Prayers & Intentions Page 4 August 17, 2014 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK August 18-24, 2014 Saturday: Aug 16 5:00 p.m Fr. Charles Fink Sunday: Aug 17 7:30 a.m. Fr. John Amoah 9:00 a.m. Fr. John Amoah 11:00 a.m. Fr. Charles Fink MASS PRESIDERS Subject to Change Saints and Special Observances also indicated Monday August 18 8:30AM Jane Vecchio Saturday: Aug 23 5:00 p.m Fr.John Amoah Sunday: Aug 24 7:30 a.m. Fr. Charles Fink 9:00 a.m. Fr. Charles Fink 11:00 a.m. Fr. John Amoah Monday Ezekiel 24: 15-24; Matthew 19: Tuesday Ezekiel 28: 1-10; Matthew 19: Wednesday Ezekiel 34: 1-11; Matthew 20: 1-16 Thursday Ezekiel 36: 23-28; Matthew 22: 1-14 Friday Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Matthew 22: Saturday Readings for the Week Ezekiel 43: 1-7a; Matthew 23: 1-12 Sunday Isaiah 22: Romans 11: Matthew 16: Tuesday August 19 St. John Eudes 8:30AM John Young Wednesday August 20 St. Bernard 8:30AM Stanley Drake Thursday August 21 St. Pius X 8:30AM Nancy Jordan Friday August 22 8:30AM Cathy A Weaver Saturday August 23 St. Rose of Lima 5:00PM John Young Annette Fiore Geraldine Simoetti Sunday August 24 7:30AM Parishioners 9:00AM Marie Affenita 11:00AM Kathy Wilkinson Michael Kearns Fr. James Drew Pray for Our Sick We pray for all who are sick, for their healing in both body and spirit. Caitlin Brook Marie Corrigan, Patrick J. Corrigan III, Jeannie Reiderer Frances Coviello & Lainey Mets In Sympathy For all who have died this past week, that they rejoice in the heavenly banquet Richard A. Dietz Pray for our Military Personnel... Lt. Col Christopher Ederle Major Meghan Ederle Capt Kyle Brown 1st Lt. Tara Brown Gomez 1st Lt Thomas Gomez Ensign Sean Brown 3/c Midshipman Shannon Brown Mass intentions for deceased persons are indicated with a It is the policy of Our Lady of the Snow that the intention of each priest who celebrates a parish Mass will be for the intentions listed in the Parish Mass intention book. Banns of Marriage John Vierling & Kelly Collins John Salvador & Jessica Periagine

5 Stewardship Bulletin Reflection In last week s Gospel we heard Jesus reprimand St. Peter by saying, Oh you of little faith This week Jesus responds to the appeal of a Canaanite woman by healing her daughter and saying, Oh woman, great is your faith. We all know how important faith is; but, quite frankly, few of us really understand what faith is. Faith is not believing in something we cannot prove, although skeptics and even many of us may see it that way. Faith involves trust and confidence. When the Lord challenges Peter s faith, He is really saying, Peter, do you not have confidence in me? And when he heals the woman s daughter He is saying You trust me so much. Trust is at the foundation of stewardship. Most of us realize that trust is built by knowing someone well. Stewardship calls us to get to know the Lord. This is accomplished by prayer and reflection and study. We may make a greater effort during Lent at this, but we need to build prayer and reflection into our lives throughout the year. The better we know the Lord, the more we will trust Him. To have great faith in God, we must be intimate with Him, one with Him. In a recent homily, our Holy Father Francis put it this way, Put on Christ in your life and you will find a Friend in Whom you can always trust. Posted in Stewardship Bulletin Reflections - See more at: Faith in Action Speaking of faith, people who share their faith with the children in a parish setting are called catechists. Catechists are not trained teachers or theologians; they are people who share their faith using diocesan mandated materials. Catechists are given training to help them share their lived faith with various age levels. You may have noticed in this and previous bulletins that we are in need of catechists for this coming year. There is a big need for catechists in the sacrament preparation years. We need 3 catechists for Level 2 to help prepare children for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. In our Confirmation preparation classes we are also in need of 3 catechists. What a gift it is to bring children to the Table of the Lord and to full initiation of our Catholic Faith. Levels 3 through 8 are in need of 17 catechists! 5 in both Level 3 and 5 and 7 and 4 in Level 8. Who will teach our children about Jesus, about our faith, about trust? Please think about sharing the precious gift of our Catholic faith with the young people in our parish. Please give our children an opportunity to know Jesus more and to place their trust in Jesus. If you are interested in being a Catechist call Pat Bartoldus at STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL REPORT Collection Week of 8/10 Week of 8/11 TOTAL $8613 $8156

6 RCIA Are you or someone you know thinking about becoming a Catholic? Have you been baptized and now have the desire to receive Holy Communion and Confirmation? If so Call Beth Rivalsi, Director of Adult Faith Formation at HOMEBOUND VISIT TO THE SICK If you are some one you know cannot leave home to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, we can arrange for a Homebound Visit from an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Homebound Ministers bring Holy Communion, prayer and a connection to the parish for those who are sick. Call to arrange a visit for yourself, a family member or a neighbor. Pre-Cana Are you a married couple who would like to share your marriage experience with engaged couples? Join our Pre-Cana Program, by calling Beth Rivalsi at Welcome Committee! A Welcome Committee is being formed! If you would like to be part of a team of people who will help create a welcoming plan for new parishioners join us on August 20 at 7 p.m. in the cottage for our first meeting. Eucharistic Adoration In life today, which is often noisy and scattered, it is more important than ever to recover the capacity for interior silence and recollection (Pope Benedict XVI ) Join us in the Mother Church for Adoration on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

7 Parish Outreach & Local Events Page 7 August 17, 2014 Parish Outreach News Summer Food pantry Alert During the summer months donations to our food pantry drop drastically, but Parish Outreach is helping those in need every day. Due to these tough economic times we are helping an increased number of our neighbors in need. We are currently in need of all food items but especially Boxed milk, canned meats, tuna, stew, chili, chicken, mayonnaise, tea, coffee, all juices, cereal, pancake mix and syrup, bottles of water, pasta sauce, pork and beans, mixed vegetables, spinach, potatoes, carrots, peas, cookies, crackers, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, baby wipes, and all toiletries, especially deodorant. Gift cards in $5 and $10 denominations to local area supermarkets would also be appreciated. These will enable those in need to purchase meat and perishable items. Food can be dropped off at the outreach office Mon- Thur 10am-1pm or in the food bin outside the pantry door in the foyer of the large church before or after every mass. DO YOU HAVE A VEGETABLE GARDEN? Do you have an abundance of vegetables? Would you like to share your home grown vegetables with those in need? Parish Outreach would be delighted to share your local grown nutritious vegetables with those in need in our community. Just drop off your fresh veggies to Parish Outreach Mon-Thurs 10am-1pm Questions? Please Call **Back To School Help** Please help us to help the children in need in our community. May we suggest a donation of a gift card to Staples or Target, to help our families shop with their children and purchase the items needed on their class lists. Upcoming Events Family, Marriage and Individual Therapy provided by New York State licensed professionals is available to our parish under the direc on of Dr. George Giuliani. Informa on and appointments can be made by calling Dr. Giuliani at The Neighborhood House 8 week support groups are forming for children, families and individuals grieving the loss of a family member due to suicide. Groups will meet Tuesday evenings from 6-8PM at New Life Community Church, Sayville. There is no cost for participating. For more information, call or visit St. Agnes Cathedral High School Class 1978 Looking for members for a September reunion. stagnesreunion.1978@gmail.com or friend one of us on Face book: Jim Jacaruso, Sco Pfaltz, Patrice Gaynor Galligan or Kelly Thurston. Golden Wedding Liturgies This fall, couples who have been married 50 years or more will be honored at liturgies on Sunday, September 21st at Church of Christ the King, Commack and Sunday, October 5th at the Church of St. Rose of Lima, Massapequa. Both liturgies begin at 2:30PM. Couples may register for ONE liturgy. Registra on forms may be obtained in the rectory office. Forms must be received by the Office of Worship by Sept 3rd for the Sept 21st date, and Sept 17th for the Oct. 5 liturgies. Faith on Tap - Monday September 22, 2014 Molly Malone s 124 Maple Ave Bayshore, Doors open at 7:00 pm Talk begins at 7:30pm. Speaker, Bishop Nelson J. Perez. Topic, Joy of the Gospel. The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus - Pope Francis. Come early, get something to eat and drink! Gennesaret Retreat for those facing serious illness, A retreat especially designed for persons who live with a serious illness. September 12-14, 2014 at the Mon ort Spirituality Center in Bayshore. To register or receive more informa on call Cole e Fanelli School Sisters of Notre Dame Mul -School Reunion Sunday September 14, 2014 at the Garden City Hotel visit or cal (800)

8 Religious Education Page 8 August 17, 2014 OUR LADY OF THE SNOW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE /olsbpre@aol.com Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30-4:30 or by appointment The ministry of Religious Education strives to bring all into a closer relationship with Jesus through Word, Worship and Service. AUGUST 17 Parents of 1st Graders Children entering 1st grade (Sept 2014) should be registered in the Religious Education Program in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. Participation in Level 1 is the first level of the Diocesan mandated 2 year preparation program. Registration Forms are on the parish website ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com Hard copies can be found on the backstairs of the Religious Education Office VIRTUS Training Thurs. Aug. 28th 2pm & 7pm Cottage- All catechists are required to attend a VIRTUS trainings session. If you have not taken the training please register on DRVC.org (Diocesan website) for one of these sessions. CATECHISTS NEEDED If you are interested in sharing your faith with our young people please call or the Religious Education Office. Level 2 needs 3 catechists Mon. Tues. or Wed. at 4:30 or Wed at 6 Level 3 needs 5 catechists Wed. at 4:30 or 6 Level 5 needs 5 catechists Wed. at 4:30 or 6 Level 6 needs 3 catechists Wed. at 4:30 or 6 Level 7 needs 5 catechists Mon. at 6 or 7:30 Level 8 needs 4 catechists Mon. at 6 or 7:30 Level 9 needs 3catechists (Confirmation) Wed. 7:30 once a month Children are now on waiting lists. LATE REGISTRATION Registration Forms are on the parish website ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com Hard copies can be found on the backstairs of the Religious Education Office You can mail or drop off your registration forms at the Religious Education Office.

9 KNOWING OUR FAITH Jesus Christ: Center of History The Apostolic Age extended from the Ascension of our Lord to about the year 100 A.D. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that after the Ascension, the Apostles, with Mary, huddled in an upper room awaiting the promised Holy Spirit to spur them on in their mission. Ten days after the Ascension, on the Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the gathered band, appearing over their heads like tongues of fire. Miraculously, all who heard St. Peter s words that day, no matter what their native language, understood his message. Three thousand new Christians were baptized on that first Pentecost. As the infant Church grew, deacons were appointed to help in the work of ministry. Around the year 38 A.D., one of these, St. Stephen, became the first Christian martyr, stoned to death as a zealous Jew named Saul of Tarsus looked on approvingly. Stephen prayed with his last breath that the sin of his persecutors might not be held against them. God accomplished something even greater than their forgiveness; he converted Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus intent on persecuting other Christians. Saul, thenceforth known as Paul, became the great Apostle to the Gentiles and author of nearly one-third of the New Testament. With eleven of the original Apostles, plus Matthias who had replaced Judas, Paul began the process of christening the Roman Empire. It would be a long, arduous undertaking that would see every Apostle but John executed. And the Apostles weren t the only ones to suffer. blaming the fire on them. He lined the main streets of Rome with Christians tied to stakes, covered them with pitch, and used them for human torches. It was far from the last atrocity committed against the early Church by Roman emperors. Peter and Paul died around 67 A.D. in this same persecution: Peter by crucifixion, upside down at his own request, because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus had; Paul by beheading. From A.D. the Emperor Domitian oversaw another terrible persecution, during which the favored means of execution was feeding Christians to wild beasts in the arena for the entertainment of the crowds. Tradition has it that John, the youngest of the original Apostles, having survived torture with boiling oil, was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation. Its wild, apocalyptic imagery not only described the fearful plight of Christians in time of persecution; it warned of similar trials until the end of time, while offering hope to the faithful through sublime images of a heavenly liturgy to which Christ s followers would be heir. With John s death, the Apostolic Age came to an end. Next week: The Second Century: More Trials, More Saints. In 64 A.D. a great fire swept through Rome. As the story spread that Nero, the Emperor, fiddled while the great city burned, he diverted the growing anger against himself to the budding Christian community by

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11 A little humor from Father Fink A man comes home from work and is greeted by his dog. He hugs the dog, pats him on the head, and gives him food and water. The dog thinks, My master is so kind and good to me. He must be God. The man s neighbor comes home from work and is greeted by his cat. He hugs the cat, scrunches his ears, and gives it food and water. The cat thinks, My servant is so kind and good to me. I must be God.