Fourth Sunday in ordinary time January 31, May we praise Your name, O Lord.

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1 A COMMUNITY OF FAITH HOPE AND LOVE Fourth Sunday in ordinary time January 31, 2010 May we praise Your name, O Lord.

2 / Fax Website: PASTORAL TEAM Rev. Gerard A. Ringenback, Pastor Rev. Christopher M. Costigan, Assistant Pastor Rev. Mr. John Blakeney, Deacon Rev. Cyprian Osuegbu, Resident Center for Religious Education & RCIA Sr. Margaret Sammon, O.P., Director / Fax The Religious Center is closed on Fridays. Parish Social Ministry Sr. Christine Sammons, O.P., Coordinator Youth Ministry Mike Rodgers, Coordinator or Liturgical Music Mary Jane Witte, Director Adult Faith Formation Diane Vella, Director or Church Rose Marie Rotondo, Sacristan Facilities Len Lanzi, Facilities Manager Frank Santillo, Maintenance Supervisor IN RESIDENCE: Rev. Msgr. George P. Graham, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Martin J. Hall 2 MISSION STATEMENT We are a Parish Community of men and women who serve God, our country and one another. Inspired by St. Bernard s love of God and humanity, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by praying and worshipping together, educating one another in faith, providing assistance for those in need, working for justice in the world, and welcoming all to the sacramental life of the Church in the Roman Catholic tradition. With Faith, Hope, and Love, we dedicate ourselves to the mission of living and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world. PARISH MEMBERSHIP We welcome new members to St. Bernard s Parish, a community of faith, hope, and love. We will strive to foster your spiritual growth and hope you will share with us the gifts God has given to you. Please register by stopping by the rectory and completing the registration form. If you move away, please notify us as well. Bulletin Deadline: Friday, 5:00 pm, nine days prior to publication. Disk and hard copy preferred. Thank you for your cooperation! SPIRITUAL LIFE Schedule of Masses: SATURDAY: 5:00 PM SUNDAY: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 NOON, 5:30 PM WEEKDAYS: 7:00 AM & 9:00 AM SATURDAYS: 9:00 AM HOLY DAYS: As announced on the previous Sunday. Confessions: SATURDAY: 4:00-5:00 PM & 7:30-8:00 PM WEEKDAYS: After the 7:00 am Mass Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Novena and Benediction: MONDAY Evening: 7:30 PM, in the Church. Morning Prayer: MONDAY to SATURDAY: 8:30 AM Books are available. Please join us. Baptism of Children: We welcome infants and children to our Christian community! Baptisms are held most Sundays at 1:30 pm. Arrangements should be made at least 6 weeks prior to an anticipated Baptism. Prior to the baptism, parents will meet with a parish staff member to be welcomed and make arrangements, and then participate in a group conversation with other parents presenting children for Baptism. These group gatherings are held on selected Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm. Please call to arrange an initial meeting. Marriages: Church arrangements should be made at least 6 months before the marriage and before making any contracts with restaurants or caterers. Please call the Rectory to set up an appointment with a priest, Ministry to the Sick and Aging: If you are, or know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, please call Sister Christine at PARISH & COMMUNITY SERVICES Birthright of Nassau/Suffolk: Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Pius X, No. 1690: Every second Thursday, 7:30 pm, Parish Center. Charismatic Prayer Group: Wednesday evenings at 8:00 PM in the Parish Center. All are welcome. Call or Children s Choir: Thursday evenings at 6:15 PM in the Parish Center, Ernie & Maryclare Meditz: Church Choir: Every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM in the Church. Family, Marriage & Individual Counseling: Catholic Counseling Center, phone Folk Group: Wednesdays, 8:00-9:30 PM. If you are interested, please call Carmen Greico at Men s Catholic Fellowship: Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM in the Church. Ministry of Consolation: Every third month, Monday at 8:00 PM. Meetings are listed in Parish Schedule (page 5) as date nears. Ministry of Praise: Sister Christine Sammons, O.P Nocturnal Adoration Society: Hour of Adoration, every first Saturday of the month from 8:00-9:00 PM. Pastoral Council: Every first Tuesday at 7:30 PM in the Rectory. Rosary Society: First Monday of the month at 8:00 PM (September June). St. Bernard s of Levittown Widows and Widowers: Every second Thursday of the month at 8:00 PM (dance is on the 4th Friday of the month), Elks Lodge, 2162 Veteran s Blvd., Massapequa. Call Chris at St. Bernard s Youth Basketball (CYO): Tom Page, /Bill Beiersdorfer, St. Vincent de Paul Society: Tender Garden, Early Childhood Learning Center: Usher Society: Head Usher, Jerry Rosalia Wedding Coordinator: Rose Marie Rotondo

3 CLAIRVAUX CHRONICLE AN OUTSTANDING YEAR Tuesday, February 2, 2010 is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.What a bright light must have shone on the Temple the day the Lord Jesus was presented by Mary and Joseph. Cradled in the loving arms of His mother, and protectively guarded by His earthly father Joseph, Jesus began His ministry of light, blazing into the hearts of Anna and Simeon who had waited so long for His coming. Editor s Assistant 2008 Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness! Christ, be our light! Shine in the Church gathered today! On Wednesday, February, 3, 2010, the feast of St. Blaise, throats will be blessed after the 7:00 am and 9:00 am Masses IN THIS WEEK S BULLETIN Clairvaux Chronicle 3 Pastoral Plan 6, 7 Liturgy Page 8 Souper Bowl of Caring 9 Paul Paoli Band Program Baptized babies photos 12 Community Bulletin Board 13 Children s Page 14 Altar Server Schedule 15 T his weekend we launch the 2010 Catholic Ministries Appeal here at St. Bernard s. Looking back to the past appeal in 2009 I am pleased to announce that it was our most successful year ever. Our pledge total amounted to $116,800 and our total rebate amounted to $ 35,384. Not only did these contributions fund the many good works of the diocese in pastoral outreach, Catholic Charities, education, and formation, the funds received also provided the parish with much needed additional income. These accomplishments were made possible because of the generosity of 467 parish families. Perhaps our proudest moment came when we witnessed our own parishioner, Mike Bartholomew, being ordained a priest in June. His formation in the seminary was primarily funded by the Catholic Ministries Appeal. I hope that you will find it within your ability to contribute once again in this year s appeal with the same level of generosity. You have received or will receive a letter from Bishop Murphy inviting you to join in this enormous effort that will allow so many of the ministries of the diocese to provide a wide variety of services even in these difficult economic times. In fact the needs of so many of the less fortunate have risen significantly. Consequently the diocese is ever more dependent on your goodwill and generous spirit. Thank you for what you will contribute in the appeal. And may you be rewarded many times over for your generosity. 3

4 PARISH NEWS NOCTURNAL ADORATION SOCIETY Gathers this Saturday, February 6 at 8:00 pm in the Church. All are welcome to attend and spend time in adoration of our Savior. ROSARY CONFRATERNITY MEETING FOR FEBRUARY The Rosary Confraternity will meet on Monday, February 1 at 8 pm in the Peach Room in the Parish Center, following Novena. Our guest speaker will be Sarah Siemers, a Nurse Practitioner from North Shore Hospital. She will speak on heart health and nutrition. Refreshments will be served. All women of the parish are welcome. SCOUT SUNDAY is FEBRUARY 7, 2010 BOY SCOUT TROOP #316 CUB SCOUT PACK #318 We will be celebrating 100 years of Boy Scouting in America at the 9:00 am Mass. Please come and join your fellow scouts in full Class A uniform to celebrate the Scouts receiving their pins, earned for working on the Religious Awards of their ranks. As we all know, a Scout is reverent and shows support for one another. All Scouts who come in uniform will receive a patch for participation in this Scout Sunday event. All are welcome. Hope to see you there. Catholic Daughters of America Valentines for Veterans : Please bring your Valentines for Vets to Hospitality Sunday on February 7, 2010 so that arrangements can be made to deliver them to the veterans by Valentine s Day. February meeting will be on Saturday, February 13 at 2:00 pm in the Parish Center and following the meeting we will have our Valentine Bingo. PARISH STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY COLLECTIONS January 24, 2010 January 25, 2009 $ 15, $ 16, (718 envelopes) ( 787 envelopes) Haiti Collection $1, Total Haiti ($9,052.15) Fuel Collection $5, $5, (445 envelopes ) ( 473 envelopes ) Next week s second collection is to support the Church in Need which includes Latin America, Africa and Central & Eastern Europe. This collection funds catechesis and formation programs, evangelization, religious training, and other pastoral programs designed to strengthen and renew the faith. COME JOIN US AT OUR LOVE OF LIFE MASS St. Valentine s Day is that day that we traditionally celebrate our love! What could be more natural than to share our love of life with each other on that day? Come and celebrate with us at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday, February 14, We will praise God by thanking Him for all our fellow parishioners- as they are. Even with all our imperfections, we are images of our Father! This Mass will seek to remind us of our Father s plan for each of us and to celebrate the lives of those with disabilities of any sort. Anyone interested in taking an active part in the planning and celebration of this Mass should leave their name and telephone number in the rectory and you will be contacted. 4 COLUMBIETTES ANNUAL VALENTINE BREAKFAST, Sunday February 14, 2010, 10 am to 12 pm. $7.00 per person. Please make reservations! Tickets are available for purchase at the council. For information and tickets call Marie Chavez at REMEMBER OUR MILITARY PEOPLE Keep our brave men and women in your prayers. Ask Jesus, Mary and Joseph to watch over them.

5 MASS INTENTIONS Monday, February 1 7:00 am Phoebe Hall 9:00 am John Deptuch Tuesday, February 2, The Presentation of the Lord 7:00 am Mrs. Rae Nuzio 9:00 am Patrick Baker, 1st anniversary Wednesday, February 3,St. Blaise, St. Ansgar 7:00 am Connie Sciacia 9:00 am Mary and Michael Sammon Thursday, February 4 7:00 am Mary Elizabeth Smith, 23rd anniversary 9:00 am John Quinn, 1st anniversary Friday, February 5, St. Agatha 7:00 am Bill Lacey 9:00 am Thomas Hannon Saturday, February 6, St. Paul Miki 9:00 am Frank Francese, Jr. 5:00 pm For All Parishioners Sunday, February 7, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 am Living and Deceased Members of the Lynch and Albano Families 9:00 am Andrew Mineo 10:30 am Patrick Baker Noon Anna Rivera 5:30 pm Anna Caliendo PARISH SCHEDULE Monday, February 1 7:30 pm Miraculous Medal Novena, Church 7:30 pm Rosary Meeting, Parish Center 8:00 pm Bible Study, Parish Center Tuesday, February 2 7:00 pm Rosary recitation in Spanish 7:30 pm PFI Class, Parish Center 8:00 pm AA, Cafeteria Wednesday, February 3 7:30 pm Pastoral Council Meeting, Parish Center 8:00 pm Prayer Group, Parish Center Thursday, February 4 10:00 am Shawl Ministry, Parish Center 6:15 pm Children s Choir, Parish Center Friday, February 5 10:00 am Discussion Group 2012, Parish Center Saturday, February 6 After 5:00 pm Mass, Souper Bowl Collection After 5:00 pm Mass, Reverse Raffle Ticket Sale 11:00 am First Penance, Church 11:00 am Women s AA, Cafeteria 1:00 pm First Penance, Church 7:30 pm Paul Paoli Performance, Cafeteria 8:00pm Nocturnal Adoration, Church Sunday, February 7 After all Masses, Souper Bowl Collection After all Masses, Reverse Raffle Ticket Sale 9:00 am RCIA Parish Center 7:00 pm Men s Fellowship, Prayer Room 8:00 pm AA, Cafeteria PRAYERS REQUESTED BANNS OF MARRIAGE SECOND TIME: Michael Kelly St. Bernard Parish, Levittown, NY Laura Mack St. Anne Parish FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH FAMILY AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM Baby Christian Murphy Helen Blach Rudie Braithwaite Lucy Cannone Joan Cassidy Stephanie Crispinelli Roberta Curran Yolanda Dunne Jim Finlan Margie Foley Mary Frangiose Hayden Gersbeck Mike Hach Christopher Ginther Colleen Grosing Christine Koble Kathleen Hailazopolous Dorothy Honeyman MaryAnn Loeschner Erica Margan James McArdelle Michael McCarthy Mary Messina Joseph Newmeyer Donald Perdue Johnny Perdue Helen Pfeifer Joseph Pfeifer Raymond Pfeifer Natalie Pickett Catherine Pipinou Deanne Reilly Luke Rosato Eve Saint Thomas Saint Alice Sanchez Michael Sanchez Jeanette Sepe Patricia Shand Winnie Smith Joseph Smithwick, Sr. Lee Sonnick David Testa Rosalie Travers Joe Buchanan Karen Wasielewski PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DECEASED AND THOSE WHO MOURN FOR THEM. Theresa Gulli Pauline R. Hunter John Vento THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND WINE have been requested in memory of Linda Menta by Mrs. George Hampson 5

6 GIFTED, ENGAGED, GROWING ST. BERNARD S PASTORAL PLAN Mid-Year Report on Year 1 of St. Bernard s Pastoral Plan five im- Last Pentecost Sunday, Father Jerry announced to the parish three priority goals that all parishioners and staff would be asked to help the parish achieve over the next years. Having a pastoral plan such as this is portant for a parish to insure that it grows in Christ, and that it is always looking ahead for new ways to accomplish its mission and maintain effective ministries in the ever-changing realities of our world. Where did the plan come from? All parishioners were invited to attend a series of Listening Sessions in the Spring and Fall of In October 2008, we administered the Gallup Member Engagement Survey, which was completed by 1100 parishioners. Father Jerry then appointed a fourteen-member Visioning Team, which worked for four months to examine the input from the Listening Sessions and the Gallup survey. Three central needs/concerns emerged from the input: a need to encourage more parishioners to use their gifts and talents in the service of the parish; a need for significant outreach to the 80% of our registered parishioners who rarely or never engage in parish life; and a need to give greater recognition and support to those parishioners who are fully engaged in parish life. The Three Goals To keep us on point, these needs were formulated into three goals: To provide opportunities for all parishioners to discover and live their strengths, and thereby engage more parishioners in service to the parish and community. To motivate and equip engaged parishioners to reach out and invite others to become engaged. To increase support and recognition of engaged parishioners. It was Father Jerry s idea to name the whole initiative Gifted, Engaged and Growing! How will we achieve these goals? The final task of the Visioning Team was to review, discuss and recommend some specific strategies to achieve the three goals over the next five years. Father Jerry accepted their strategic recommendations. Goal #1 would be achieved by promoting the use of the StrengthsFinder assessment, and by helping parishioners connect their strengths with parish ministries through Strengths Groups and other activities, as well as by the re-introduction of periodic Ministry Fairs at the parish. Goal #2 would be addressed with the formation of a new Welcome Ministry, and the implementation of the Awakening Faith program of catechesis and faith-sharing aimed at younger adults. Goal #3 would be addressed by the formation of a Recognition Team and by developing more formation and training opportunities for those engaged in ministry. How are we doing? A Pastoral Plan Coordinating Committee, chaired this year by Mike Bartholomew, was formed to begin implementing the plan by setting and working on specific objectives for the first year. Having been engaged in this plan only since September, we re doing quite well! Here s a report on how each team is doing: Goal #1: We have distributed or sold 235 copies of Living Your Strengths, 9 copies of Viva Sus Fortalezas, and 64 Strengths Explorers (for kids 10-14). 73 people have reported their strengths back to us, and 36 have either participated in a Strengths Group or signed up for an upcoming group. Father Jerry, Father Chris, Sister Margaret, Sister Christine, Mary Jane Witte, Mike Rodgers, Diane Vella and Deacon John have participated in a workshop to help them to use their strengths to function better as a staff. This is a great start, and the Strengths Team looks forward to engaging more parishioners in the strengths journey very soon, and continuing over the next 5 years. (How about you??) Early plans for next year include re-administration of the Member Engagement Survey, and a parish Ministry Fair. Thanks to our Strengths Team coordinators Mary Rickard and Mary Lynn Borst! 6

7 Goal #2: A Welcome Ministry has been formed! Eight Welcome Ambassadors recently called 100 recentlyregistered parishioners (mostly young parents who registered in the parish to baptize children or enroll them in religious education) and invited them to be welcomed and blessed at Mass, and to be our guests at the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Thirty accepted our invitation (this is a great percentage!), and others will be welcomed at another Mass and brunch in March. All new parishioners will now receive a personal phone call when they register. Plans for next year include expanding Hospitality Sundays to begin with greater hospitality at Mass, and the implementation of the Awakening Faith program to help these newer parishioners engage more deeply with the parish and their Catholic faith. Thanks to our Welcome Team coordinators Terri Blakeney and Martine Mozé! Goal #3: NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW!! You ve probably already noted in the bulletin s Gifted, Engaged and Growing page a feature giving recognition to different parish ministries. Now, a new Recognition Team has been formed! In the following weeks and months, the team will be profiling individual parishioners, families, and the various ministries of St. Bernard s. In the bulletin they will recognize and profile fellow parishioners so we can all show appreciation for their strengths and talents, as well as raise awareness about the varieties of ministries that engage our parishioners and serve our parish s mission. Future plans for this goal include expanding formation and training opportunities to support our ministers in their work on behalf of the parish. Thanks to our Recognition Team coordinators Jerry Nolan and Patti Fernstrom! Where is the plan going? This plan has been designed to help insure that our parish has the commitments of time, talent and treasure it needs to continue to proclaim the Gospel in 2010 and beyond. Its success depends on the participation of ALL parishioners, according to our various strengths and abilities. How can you help?? and so is St. Bernard s Parish Lenten Mission featuring Bishop Peter A. Libasci (Monday evening February 22 at 7:30pm) Bishop John C. Dunne (Tuesday evening February 23 at 7:30pm) Bishop William F. Murphy (Wednesday evening February 24 at 7:30pm) The Mission continues four Wednesdays in Lent at 7:30pm with Evening Prayer and guest preachers Small faith-sharing groups will meet weekly during Lent to reflect together on the Lenten Sunday Scriptures Group facilitators needed; training provided! Contact Diane Vella at or dvellastbernard@aol.com 7

8 LITURGY CORNER FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. January 31, 2010 FIRST READING: Jeremiah speaks of God s intimate and abiding knowledge of those he calls to proclaim his word. God s intimate knowledge of his chosen instruments is accompanied by his promise of victory over and deliverance from those who oppose his word. Although we may at times protest God s call, we are called to trust in his intimate knowledge of our lives and his pledge to deliver us from evil. SECOND READING: Paul reminds the struggling Church at Corinth of the extremely practical implications of the call to love, which he describes not primarily as tasks, but as a spiritual gift. Paul s concept of love as a spiritual gift underscores the poignancy of his claim that love seeks and spends itself for the good of the other, and that love never fails. May we know love s gift and share in the same reckless way that Jesus revealed the love of God. GOSPEL: Jesus is portrayed as a prophet whose message is despised and rejected by his own, and as a prophet whose life is protected from danger, as he walks through the midst of an angry crowd. Jesus challenged his own people with a message concerning the acceptance of God s word and the working of his power among foreigners and outsiders. As Jesus own community, let us rejoice when non-christians live in goodness and truth, and let us ask for greater openness to God s word in our own lives. Sourcebook, 2010 Edited by Father Chris Costigan SAINT PAUL MIKI, MARTYR AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS February 6, 2010 Paul Miki was born in Japan in His father was a wealthy Japanese nobleman who converted to Catholicism when Paul was a child. Paul joined the Society of Jesus in 1580 and was the first Japanese member of any Catholic order. He studied Buddhism intensively so that he could debate their priests. The government felt threatened by the growing influence of the Jesuits and had members of the Christian community arrested or thrown in jail. In 1596, Emperor Hideyoshi rounded up twenty-six Christians six European Franciscan missionaries, three Japanese Jesuits (including Paul Miki), 14 lay people and 3 boys and prepared to martyr them. They were forced to walk six hundred miles from Kyoto to Nagasaki as a deterrent to other Christians, but sang the Te Deum as they went. At Nagasaki, they were crucified. Before his death, Paul gave a sermon and said: My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves. When Christian missionaries returned to Japan in the nineteenth century, they found that a secret Christian community had survived by transmitting the beliefs and prayers from generation to generation. The Nagasaki martyrs were canonized in In 1962, Monument of the 26 Martyrs was erected in Nagasaki in their memory. Sourcebook, 2010 MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY CLASSES WITH MONSIGNOR GRAHAM Monday, February 1, 2010 at 8:00 pm, Parish Center, classes will begin after Novena prayers in the Church. Friday, February 5 is the First Friday of the month and always dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 8

9 ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY Sr. Christine Sammons, O.P., People sometimes wonder about what happens to the food they place in the bin at the back of the church. The food is brought to our office on a regular basis where expiration dates are checked. If OK, the food is placed on the pantry shelves for our guests. Those who come to the pantry are able to take one bag of food per (weekly) visit. Families and individuals visit the pantry during business hours, and when the St. Vincent volunteers are in the office on Saturday mornings. Our pantry serves those who live within our parish boundaries, regardless of church affiliation. In most cases, we have adequate food to meet the needs. This is a particularly difficult time of the year, and supplies are a little thin, but with your help, we do our best. If you are in a position to help, our pantry needs include: hot and cold cereal, tuna, canned meats and ravioli, hearty soups, rice, boxed potatoes and sides, tomato products of all kinds, Goya-type canned and dried beans, canned fruit and dessert mixes, coffee and tea. Taxable items, which cannot be purchased with food stamps, include paper towels, toilet tissue, napkins, tissues, bars of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes and Pampers (especially larger sizes.) Remember to buy one, get one free! Food can also be brought to our office during business hours and we would be happy to give you a little tour! If any group, troop, family or individual would like to conduct a food drive at any time, please call our office. We would be happy to speak with you. We are most grateful to our faithful volunteers who do all the work of keeping the pantry in good condition so that our guests can see what we have, and what they need. It is a big job, and it takes many hands! We thank everyone who carries food over after Mass, to Frances and Ken who sort the food every Sunday afternoon, to Sister St. Monica and Joan who work with our friends from AHRC, checking dates and shelving food, to Fran, Pat, Pat, Marie and the other members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who give so very many hours meeting with our people and trying to provide guidance and assistance. SOUPER BOWL OF CARING FEBRUARY 6TH AND 7TH, 2010 Next weekend, as family and friends gather to watch the Super Bowl game, young people throughout the country will have participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring. For the twenty-first year in a row, the young people are collecting for a charity of their choice, expressing concern for people in need. Since the Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with one youth group, the youth of America have raised over $60,000,000 for food banks, soup kitchens and other charities across the country. You will see our Charitable KIDZ standing outside of each Mass next weekend, holding soup pots, into which you are invited to deposit your donation. The KIDZ are collecting for the St. Bernard Project, a rebuilding effort which is taking place in St. Bernard s (civil) parish in New Orleans, LA which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in This is our third Souper Bowl in the last two we raised $ for Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Wyandanch and almost $ for the building of a small chapel in El Salvador. We appreciate that many have already donated to help the Haitian people, so we will do our best for the St. Bernard s Project. Please remember to have a scavenger hunt in your homes for all those lost coins. We are happy to accept bills, as well as checks to St. Bernard s Parish Social Ministry. We will give you a report as soon as it is available. As always, we thank you for your great generosity, and we thank our great KIDZ, their parents and friends, and Carol and Ted Blach & Sons! 9

10 St.Bernard s Family Ministry presents Please Join Us : for a prayerful night of praise and worship through music Where: St. Bernard s Church When: Saturday, February 6, 2010 Time: 7:30 pm Cost: $ 8.00 per ticket *** coffee, tea, soda, and a dessert at intermission * Tickets will be sold after Masses the weekend of January 30 & 31. Reservations needed tickets and further information, contact - MaryPat Morra at

11 Winners wonderland dance Reverse Raffle $10,000 Grand Prize (For last ticket drawn) Plus, Additional Cash Prizes & Door Prizes Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm St. Bernard s School Auditorium ( Snow Date - February 27th ) $100 Donation Per Ticket Winners do not have to be present to win. The cost of the ticket may be shared with family and friends. Each ticket entitles four people admission to the dance and includes : music, hors d oeuvres, wine, beer & soda. For information: Contact Jane Nieman at or Annette Wilson at Only 300 tickets will be sold. A one in 300 chance to win $10,000 and a one in 18 chance to win a prize. Knights of Columbus Holy Innocents Council 3581 Will be hosting A Cocktail Party & Chinese Auction Fundraiser Honoring the Memory of Martin and Helen Curtin In Support of Birthright At K of C Council Jeffries Road Levittown, NY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28, :00 TO 6:00 PM $17.50 per person Includes Music, Food, Tap Beer, Wine & Soda (Cash Bar For All Other Drinks) Music By: Paul Krasko Tickets available at the Council For more information call Ed Scheid - Chairperson or Eugene Messmer Co- chair RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Sr. Margaret Sammon, O.P., Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 31, 2010 (The Way of Love ) Reading I : Jeremiah 1:4-5, (I Am With You) Reading II : I Corinthians 12: 31-13:13 (A More Excellent Way) Gospel : Luke 1: 4: ( Speaking in the Synagogue ) FOR THE RIDE HOME Adults: What keeps me from acting with love? What can I do to change my attitude and behavior in these situations? Children: What are three things I can do this week to act as a loving person? 11

12 ST. BERNARD S BAPTIZED BABIES OF 2009 The Future of our Church Pray for them. 12

13 COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: DIVIDENDS FOR LIFE OPEN HOUSE, HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL, 25 Fordham Ave, Hicksville, Phone: ; Sunday, January 31, 10 am 2 pm; Monday Wednesday Feb 1 3, 10 am 12 pm; Tuesday, Feb 2, 6 pm 8 pm. A National School of Excellence lighting the way to a brighter future. Holy Family offers: Flexible Early Childhood Program Enrichment Programs Middle School Program Exceptional New York State Test Scores Drama Program Band & Chorus Innovative Math Lab New Information & Media Center Hands-on Science Program State of the Art Computer Lab Hot Lunch Program Secure Environment After Care. IS IT TIME FOR YOU TO CONSIDER A DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK? Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service and Molloy College offer an exciting Graduate Social Work Program (MSW Degree) at Molloy College, Rockville Centre and Fordham s Lincoln Center campuses. Bus transportation to Lincoln Center from Molloy will be provided. Information sessions will be held at the Molloy Campus (Casey Center, Room 014) Monday, February 8th 6:00 pm. For more information, please contact Agnes Mitchell at (516) ext. 6590, amitchell@mo1ioy.edu. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANNUAL HANDICAPPED ENCOUNTER CHRIST (HEC) WEEKEND RETREAT - APRIL 22-25, HEC will be holding its annual retreat for men and women, 18 years old and older, which are physically disabled, blind or mentally challenged. It is a weekend of prayer, song, discussion, fellowship and community building. We are in need of volunteers to act as companions and/or caregivers for the participants, assist in the kitchen, help setting up/cleaning up the weekend, and driving candidates to and from the retreat site. Our first planning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Greenlawn. Our follow up meetings will be on March 10th and April 7, For further information, please call Deacon Frank or Michele Barone at or mrbarone@verizon.net. Maria Regina Social Ministry--Bereavement Group: A new group for widows and widowers is forming at Maria Regina Church in Seaford. The group will meet for six weeks on Sunday afternoons, beginning January 31st, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. under the direction of Kathy Ryan. The program provides: a warm, accepting friendly environment, opportunities for various expressions of grief, a program facilitated by trained, empathetic professionals, with opportunities for networking with others. Please call if you would like to register. Scriptures for January 31 February 7, 2010 Sunday, January 31. Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; Psalm 71:1-6, 1 5, 17; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 4:21-30 Monday, February 1. 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Psalm 3:2-7; Luke 4:21-30 Tuesday, February 2. Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 Wednesday, February 3. 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7; Mark 6:1-6 Thursday, February 4. 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; (Ps) 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Mark 6:7-13 Friday, February 5. Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51; Mark 6:14-29 Saturday, February 6. 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119:9-14; Mark 6:30-34 Sunday, February 7. Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Caregivers Support Group at St. Raphael's: Caring for an older adult, spouse, parent or relative can produce multiple stressors in the life of an adult caregiver. This support group meets on the THIRD TUESDAY of each month (February 16th) from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in St. Raphael's Church. Please call Sister Judy at for further information. Discernment of Spirits: Charismatic Gift, Process and Way of Life FEBRUARY 20, am 4 pm ST. BERNARD S, LEVITTOWN Sr. Joan Kellenberg, rc What are spirits? Whose spirit is moving within me? Whose voice do I hear? What does discernment mean? Can I be in error in my discernment? Are there any masters of the spiritual life who can give me guidelines for making a right decision in accord with God s will for me? Who are these masters who have been given spiritual wisdom by God and who have imparted this wisdom to the Church for centuries? What do they desire to teach ME today? What is the difference between the charismatic gift of discernment, the process of discernment, discernment in the practice of interior prayer and as a way of Spirit-Life? What is the value of a spiritual director as a codiscerner on my spiritual journey towards union with God in Love? Suggested Offering: $15; RSVP: Dr. John Palmer at ext. 408 or jpalmer@drvc.org 13

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15 St. Bernard s Altar Servers Let us continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in Haiti and to do what we can to help yet again in the midst of another natural disaster! 15