14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 9, 2017

Transcription

1 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 9, 2017 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also Fr. Christopher Costigan, Pastor... Ext. 302 Cheryl Nicholson... Ext. 301 Parish Assistant Mrs. Kathy Day... Ext. 304 Bookkeeper Mrs. Marlene Jean-Baptiste Co-Director of Social Ministry or , Ext. 320 Ms. Barbara Powell Co-Director of Social Ministry or , Ext. 321 Cheryl Nicholson... Ext. 312 Bulletin Editor Voice Mail Only: Must Leave a Message Deacon Hernst Bellevue... Ext. 346 Director of Adult Faith Formation English/Creole Baptismal Program Mr. Alvin Ingram... Ext. 347 Liturgy Chairperson Mr. Tom Gould... Ext. 348 Plant Manager Mrs. Dulce Sepulveda... Ext. 349 Spanish Baptism Program Elissa Hanson... Ext.350 Choir Director & Organist Ms. Lisette Joachim... Ext 351 Ministry of Consolation Deacon Evenou Saint-Louis Parochial Archivist... Ext. 352 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Deacon Trevor Mathurin, Director of Religious Education...Ext. 311 Mrs. Imogene Regan, RCIA Director...Ext PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL U.S. Air Force: Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Simpson Master Sergeant Scott Moller Tech. Sgt. Francisco J. Velasquez Master Sgt. Jeremy Salaver U.S. Army: Private Angelique J. Rosado Master Sergeant Jill Agront Sgt. Hisnard Cadet, Jr. Staff Sgt. Misael Exantus PFC Zaymery Villalobos Special Force Kareem Inniss Spc. Richard Aquilar Captain Gavin Campbell McMahon LTC Douglas Boltuc Sgt. Andrew Gandolfo PFC Francisco Fuentes Melinium PFC Stefan Saindoux PFC Luc-Ambert Saindoux, Jr. PFC Betty Piquion U.S. Marines: 1 st Battalion Carlos Fuentes CPL Daniel C. Monroe RCT Eric Joel Vazquez Sergeant W. Jason Ferris L. Cpl. Alfonso Rodriquez INDEPENDENCE STRENGTH FREEDOM U.S. Navy: Airman Herbert J. Alvarado JE-4/CS3 Jesus Ron Chief Petty Officer John V. Sparkowski Lt. Joseph A. Baugh Cpl. Eric Omar Matos Lt. John R. Esposito AG2/Petty Officer 2 nd Class Michael McGee

2 Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK Phone: (516) THE PASTOR S WEEKLY LETTER July 9, 2017 ~ Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time~ We are pleased to welcome Father Cesar Bejarano as our new parochial vicar here at Saint Martha. Father Cesar has been assigned to both our parish and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary in Roosevelt. His primary focus will be on ministry to our Spanish-speaking parishioners, but he is assigned for the whole parish. We look forward to getting to know him more (and he us) over the coming weeks. I will be meeting with Father Joe Baidoo and Father Cesar to work out a schedule of his regular duties for both parishes. Please continue to keep Father Miguel and his family in your prayers during this difficult time. Our faith tells us that we are to always be people of hope and that we bear our crosses in solidarity with Jesus. Like Simon of Cyrene, we can help others carry their crosses through our prayer. Please keep the date of July 29, the Feast of Saint Martha, open for our parish picnic. The day will begin at noon on the school field and conclude with the 5:00 pm Mass, which is planned to be outside as well. The Knights of Columbus will be selling tickets (only one dollar!) after Masses during the coming weeks. Ticket sales allow to make adequate preparations. During my homily last weekend, I mentioned some of the writings of Saint Josemaria Escriva. The book I used was a complication of three works called The Way/Furrow/The Forge. It is available through Midwest Theological Forum, along with many other spiritual resources. In my bulletin letter two weeks ago I mentioned plans going forward into this second year of my pastorate. Please stay tuned to this column over the next few weeks for more information. Nos complace dar la bienvenida al Padre César Bejarano como nuestro nuevo Vicario Parroquial aquí en Santa Martha. El Padre César ha sido asignado a nuestra Parroquia y a la Parroquia de la Reina del Santísimo Rosario en Roosevelt. Su enfoque principal será el Ministerio a nuestros feligreses de habla hispana, pero es asignado para toda la parroquia. Esperamos conocerlo más (y él) en las próximas semanas. Me reuniré con el padre Joe Baidoo y el padre Cesar para hacer un calendario de sus deberes regulares para ambas parroquias. Por favor continúe manteniendo al padre Miguel y su familia en sus oraciones durante este momento tan difícil. Nuestra fe nos dice que siempre debemos ser personas de esperanza y que llevamos nuestras cruces en solidaridad con Jesús. Como Simón de Cirene, podemos ayudar a otros a llevar sus cruces a través de nuestra oración. Por favor, separe la fecha del 29 de Julio, la fiesta de Santa Martha, abierta para nuestro picnic parroquial. El día comenzará a mediodía en el campo de la escuela y concluirá con la Misa de 5:00:00 PM, que está prevista para realizarla fuera también. Los caballeros de Colón estarán vendiendo boletos ( sólo un dólar!) después de las Misas durante las próximas semanas. Las ventas de boletos permiten hacer las preparaciones adecuadas. Durante mi Homilía del fin de semana pasado, mencioné algunos de los escritos de San Josemaría Escrivá. El libro que usé fue una complicación de tres obras llamadas el camino/surco/la fragua. Está disponible a través del Foro teológico del medio oeste, junto con muchos otros recursos espirituales. En mi carta del boletín hace dos semanas mencioné los planes que van adelante en este segundo año de mi pastorado. Por favor, permanezcan atentos a esta columna durante las próximas semanas para obtener más información. Fr. Chris Padre Chris 2

3 Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK Phone: (516) THE PASTOR S WEEKLY LETTER July 9, 2017 ~ Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time~ Nous sommes heureux d accueillir le Père César Bejarano, notre nouveau vicaire paroissial ici à Sainte Martha. Père César est affecté à notre paroisse ainsi qu à la paroisse de la Reine du Très Saint Rosaire à Roosevelt. Il servira notre paroisse toute entière, mais s occupera principalement de nos paroissiens de langue espagnole. Nous sommes impatients de le connaître un peu mieux (et lui de nous connaître) dans les prochaines semaines. Je rencontrerai le Père Joe Baidoo et le Père César pour travailler sur un calendrier de ses fonctions habituelles pour les deux paroisses. S il vous plaît, continuez à garder le Père Miguel et sa famille dans vos prières pendant cette période difficile. Notre foi nous dit que nous voulons toujours être des gens d espoir et que nous portons notre Croix en solidarité avec Jésus. Comme Simon de Cyrène, nous pouvons aider les autres à porter leurs croix par nos prières. Je vous prie de garder la date du 29 juillet, la fête de Sainte Martha, pour notre pique-nique paroissial. La journée commencera à midi sur le terrain de l école et finira par la Messe de 5 heures p.m. qui sera célébrée aussi bien à l extérieur. Les Chevaliers de Colomb vendront les billets (seulement à un dollar!) après les messes au cours des prochaines semaines. La vente des billets permettra de faire une préparation adéquate. Au cours de mon homélie le week-end dernier, j ai mentionné certains des écrits de Saint Josémaria Escriva. Le livre que j ai utilisé était un recueil de trois œuvres intitulées Le Chemin/Sillon/La Forge. Il peut être obtenu de Midwest Theological Forum, ainsi que d autres sources d ouvrages spirituels. Dans ma lettre du bulletin il y a deux semaines, j ai mentionné mon plan d action pour la deuxième année de mon pastorat. Vous trouverez plus d informations dans cette colonne au cours des prochaines semaines. Pere Chris 3

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5 A Light Unto My Path Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time BISHOP ROBERT BARRON Admittedly, one of the more confusing features of Saint Paul s writing is the Apostle s usage of the terms flesh and spirit. This passage from his Letter to the Romans is typical: Brothers and sisters, you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit...for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit...you will live. I fully realize that this sounds like the crudest kind of dualism or Gnosticism, whereby the body is demonized and the mind is valorized. It does indeed, at first blush, give the impression that the goal of the spiritual life is to effect an escape of the soul from the body. But this cannot be what Paul means and the evidence comes in the lines that immediately follow upon the passage which I just quoted. The Apostle to the Gentiles insists that if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also. The indwelling of the Spirit of God conduces, in short, not to the eradication of the body, but precisely to its elevation and transfiguration. Paul, in point of fact, is not using the terms sarx (flesh) and pneuma (spirit) in a Platonic or dualist sense at all. Rather, by the former, he means the whole of life lived under the aegis of sin and death; and by the latter, he means the whole of life lived under the aegis of grace. Therefore, he is not telling the Romans (and us) to abandon the bodies and exalt the minds; he is telling them to put both body and mind under the control of the divine love. Your faith has saved you At times, however, the soul s heaven grows dark, and in the great stretches of solitude there cannot be found a single ray of light nor a vestige of the former sweetness. It seems that the heart is empty, that the soul has lost its priceless treasure. How difficult it is to be recollected; with what tedium the hours pass; and with what bitterness the soul drags itself along the path that leads to God! But in the midst of these necessary vicissitudes of the spiritual life there is something that does not change nor end; something very solid that does not permit the soul to get lost, and which, like a sure compass, marks out its divine course. It is faith that always reveals the divine to us wherever it is; it is faith that makes us look at the delightful Guest, both in the shadows of desolation and in the full, celestial brilliance of consolation. Faith by its very nature is imperfect; but to help correct its imperfections as far as possible, we have the intellectual gifts of the Holy Spirit. With their aid the glance of faith becomes more penetrating, more comprehensive, and more divine. SERVANT OF GOD ARCHBISHOP LUIS MARIA MARTINEZ (+1956) was archbishop of Mexico City. 5 Enduring Persecution But it seems supreme eternal Goodness is making us do under coercion what we haven t done for love. It seems he is permitting his Bride to be stripped of prestige and luxury, as if to show that he wants holy Church to return to being poor, humble, and meek as she was in those holy early days, when she was concerned only with God s honor and the salvation of souls, taken up not with material things but with the spiritual. For ever since the Church has paid more attention to the material than to the spiritual, things have gone from bad to worse. This is why you have seen God in his just judgment permitting the Church to suffer so many persecutions and trials. But take heart...and don t be afraid, no matter what has happened or may yet happen. God is doing it to make the Church perfect once again, so that lambs may feed in this garden instead of the wolves who are devouring the honor that belongs to God by stealing it for themselves. Take heart in Christ gentle Jesus, for I trust that his help, the fullness of divine grace, will come soon to your support and aid. If you do as I ve told you, you will emerge from war into the greatest peace, from persecution to complete unity not by human power but by holy virtue and you will defeat the devils we can see (evil people) as well as those we cannot see though they never take their eyes off us. SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA (+1380)

6 GREAT CONVERSION STORIES BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN The account of Blessed John Henry Newman s dramatic decision to enter the Roman Catholic Church in 1845 forms a great piece of 19 th century English history. Newman himself gives much account of his great conversion story, above all in his Apologia Pro Vita Sua. The stature of the man, his monumental intellect, and his radical courage in becoming Catholic might lead us to think that he was an isolated man. In fact, Newman s courage was supported by a group of younger friends who accompanied him into the Church. When Newman was fifteen years old he experienced a profound personal encounter with Christ that was decisive for his whole life, a conversion experience which was at the root of his lifelong adherence to Christ. He has described it as an inward gift of insight that was in a sense solitary - an awareness of the decisive importance of the relationship between God and his own soul. Then Newman began his long and famous journey from evangelical (Calvinist) Christianity to the Oxford Movement (which sought to rediscover and reestablish the apostolic roots of the Anglican Church) to his ultimate conviction that the Church of England had separated itself from the fullness of the Catholic Church. Newman s motives for conversion to the Catholic Church were clearly rooted in the depths of his own conscience, as well as in a long historic and doctrinal investigation, and a difficult period of personal spiritual growth. In his struggle against doctrinal relativism in the Anglican Church he had allies and companions within the vigorous Oxford Movement, but his decision to join the Roman Catholic Church seemed almost to be a lonely leap in the dark. This was part of the special heroism of Newman s conversion. In correspondence from the critical years , Newman made it clear that he felt the Church of Rome to be foreign to his sensibilities, that he saw no place for his talents within it, and that he did not like what he knew of its ways and manners. He was English from head to toe, and leaving the English Church meant losing friends and losing an influential position at Oxford where he seemed to be doing so much good. Still, Newman was not without the witness and companionship of others in his own conversion. When the Catholic question led him to withdraw from Anglican ministry in 1842 and retire to the village of Littlemore, he did not go alone. He gathered a small group of younger men into a kind of community of prayer and study, among whom were John Dalgairns, Richard Stanton, E. S. Bowles, and Ambrose Saint John. These men were all fascinated by Catholicism, and Newman initially tried to hold them back from making a rash decision. But once Dalgairns took the step on September 27, 1845, the others followed: Newman s beloved lifelong friend Ambrose Saint John on October 2, and then Newman himself with Stanton and Bowles on October 9. All four would become Oratorian priests and would support one another over the years in opening up the Catholic way in England for many who would follow over the next century and a half. For all his great probity and profound interiority, Newman needed these friends to help him take the great step into the fullness of the Catholic Faith. JOHN JANARO is associated professor emeritus of theology at Christendom College, and author of Never Give Up: My Life and God s Mercy (Servant Books). He blogs at 6

7 To Whom Can We Go? By Fr. Ron Rolheiser June 25, 2017 To whom else shall we go? You have the message of eternal life. Peter says these words to Jesus. But they are spoken in a very conflicted context: Jesus had just said something that upset and offended his audience and the gospels tell us that everyone walked away grumbling that what Jesus was teaching was intolerable. Jesus then turns to his apostles and asks them: Do you want to walk away too? Peter answers: To whom else can we go? But that s more a statement of stoic resignation than an actual question. His words function at two levels. On the surface, they express an unwanted humility and helplessness that sometimes beset us all: I have no alternative! I m so invested in this relationship that now I have no other options. I m stuck with this! That s a humble place to stand and anyone who has ever given himself or herself over in an authentic commitment will eventually stand on that place, knowing that he or she no longer has another practical choice. But those words also express a much deeper quandary, namely, where can I find meaning if I cannot find it in faith in God? All of us have at some point asked ourselves that question. If I didn t believe in God and had no faith or religion, what would give meaning to my life? Where can we go if we no longer have an explicit faith in God? A lot of places, it seems. I think immediately of so many attractive stoics who have wrestled with this question and found solace in various forms of what Albert Camus would call metaphysical rebellion or in the kind of Epicureanism that Nikos Kazantzakis advocates in Zorba, the Greek. There s a stoicism which offers its own kind of salvation by drawing life and meaning simply from fighting chaos and disease for no other reason than that that these cause suffering and are an affront to life, just as there is an Epicureanism that meaningfully grounds life in elemental pleasure. There are, it would seem, different kinds of saints. There are also different kinds of immortality. For some, meaning outside of an explicit faith, is found in leaving a lasting legacy on this earth, having children, achieving something monumental, or becoming a household name. We re all familiar with the axiom: Plant a tree; write a book; have a child! Poets, writers, artists, and artisans often have their own place to find meaning outside of explicit faith. For them, creativity and beauty can be ends in themselves. Art for art s sake. Creativity itself can seem enough. And there are still others for whom deep meaning is found simply in being good for its own sake and in being honest for its own sake. There s also virtue for virtue s sake and virtue is indeed its own reward. Simply living an honest and generous life can provide sufficient meaning with which to walk through life. So, it appears that there are places to go outside of explicit faith where one can find deep meaning. But is this really so? Don t we believe that true meaning can only be found in God? What about St. Augustine s classic line? Y ou have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until the rest in you. Can anything other than faith and God really quiet the restless fires within us? Yes, there are things that can do that, but all of them fighting chaos, curing diseases, having children, living for others, building things, inventing things, achieving goals, or simply living honest and generous lives leave us, in an inchoate way, radiating the transcendental properties of God and working alongside God to bring life and order to the world. How so? Christian theology tells us that God is One, True, Good, and Beautiful. And so, when an artist gives herself over to creating beauty, when a couple has a child, when scientists work to find cures for various diseases, when artisans make an artifact, when builders build, when teachers teach, when parents parent, when athletes play a game, when manual laborers labor, when administrators administrate, when people just for the sake integrity itself live in honesty and generosity, and, yes, even when hedonists drink deeply of earthily pleasure, they are, all of them, whether they have explicit faith or not, acting in some faith because they are putting their trust in either the Oneness, Truth, Goodness, or Beauty of God. Lord, to whom else can we go? You have the message of eternal life. Well, it seems that there are places to go and many go there. But these aren t necessarily, as is sometimes suggested by misguided spiritual literature, empty places that are wrong and self-destructive. There are, of course, such places, spiritual dead-ends; but, more generally, as we can see simply by looking at the amount of positive energy, love, creativity, generosity, and honesty that still fill our world, those places where people are seeking God outside of explicit faith still has them meeting God. 7

8 If thou love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, thou shall serve Him well. This is NOT a substitute for your schedule! Please refer to the schedule you received from the head of your ministry! 5:00PM - Lector: Serge Napoleon Altar Server: David LaBlanc Eucharistic Ministers: Josephine Ferrier, Ingrid Isidore-Lamour, Marlene Laroche Ushers: Rosemarie Allen, Thomas Maddox, Jennifer King, Mario Cadavid, Alejandro Apresa 7:30AM - Lector: Teresa S. Davis Eucharistic Ministers: Maria Gonzalez, Francesca Delle, Paul Delle Ushers: Jim Capriotti, Carmen Charles, Anton Brown, Genevieve Charles, Joseph Gedeon, Alex Apresa 11:00AM - Lector: Imogene Regan Altar Servers: Cassandra Fleurmont, Justin Gray, Tyler Davies Eucharistic Minister: Yolande Augustin, Maggie Austrie, Mary Bediako, Winston Delpesh, Phyllis Droessler, Karleine Graham, Ushers: Bennett Paul, Agnes Duclairon, Wilner Nestor, Frantz Denis Thank you for your generosity to St. Martha s Parish! July 2, :00 PM Mass... $ :30 AM Mass... $1, :45 AM Mass... $2, :00 AM Mass... $1, :30 PM Mass... $1, Poor Box... $0.00 (Does not reflect donations made by Faith Direct) th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 9, 2017 Monday July 10 8:30 AM... In Thanksgiving & Peace for Ketly & Gary Montlouis Tuesday July 11-St. Benedict, Abbot 8:30 AM... Edward Kennedy Wednesday July 12 8:30 AM... In Thanksgiving for Ann Thompson... & Carla Gobourne Thursday July 13 8:30 AM... Ann R. Anglim Friday July 14 8:30 AM... Morning Prayer Service Saturday July 15 5:00 PM... In Thanksgiving for Julian Bobourne Sunday July 16 7:30 AM... Jose Herrera 8:45 AM... Diego Arojas Montoya 11:00 AM... Pablo Lopez, Sr. 12:30 PM... Parishioners of St. Martha The Bread and Wine for the Week of July 9 to July 15, 2017 are offered in Thanksgiving for Marie Saint Louis Requested by Hermine Lydia Charles SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME July 16, 2017 Isaiah 55:10-11 Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23 8

9 ACKNOWLEDGING JESUS As for you, chosen servant of Christ, I know that you desire Christ; I know that all your strength is directed toward this end the discovery of the means by which you may meet the eternal King in a close union and embrace. So now, prompt your heart and your soul; lift up your whole mind and consider as intently as you can: If good things are so pleasant even when enjoyed singly, imagine how delightful beyond delight that Good must be which contains the delightfulness of all goods! If life created is so precious, imagine how enrapturing must be Life All-creating! If salvation is our best end as an acquired state, how transporting must be Salvation Itself, the Author of all deliverance!... What will a man have who possesses that Good, and what will he not have? Assuredly, he will have everything that satisfies him, and nothing that displeases. Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what bodily and spiritual goods he will enjoy in heaven. Why, then, servant of God, do you wander so far, seeking delights for your body and mind? Love one single Good in which all goods are found, and that will suffice; desire simple Good, which is all good, and that will be enough The more we love God here, the more we shall enjoy God there. Therefore, love God much in this life, and you shall enjoy him much in the next; let the love of God increase in you now, so that you may have then the fullness of his joy. This is the truth to be pondered in your mind, proclaimed by your tongue, loved in your heart, expressed by your lips; your soul should hunger, your body thirst, your whole substance crave for nothing but this until you enter the joy of your God, until you are clasped in your Lover s arms, until you are led into the chamber of your beloved Spouse who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Call of the Twelve The notion of call is fundamental. It is at the heart of the biblical vision of man and clearly separates a vision faithful to the Gospel from one foreign or opposed to it. First, the theme of a God who manifests himself to mankind and invites a response is present throughout the Scriptures, as much in the Old Testament as in the New. Consider the numerous stories of vocation from the Old Testament Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah. These are among the Bible s most beautiful passages, because they reveal the personal character of the relationship between God and man. They show the fragility and hesitance of humankind and also our availability our capacity to say yes. God s sovereignty is manifest here together with his merciful tenderness toward his creature. Especially we see what God s intervention can bring to the forefront of a life, the unpredictable and surprising paths that can spring up, the fruitfulness that God can bestow on us. From an anthropological point of view, that mankind is called is not some remote reality, something that happens only from time to time or reserved, as might wrongly be supposed, for certain privileged individuals who are fortunate enough to receive a special vocation. Rather than being added to our natural makeup, as if it were something we could get along without, calling is basic to our very identity as human persons. The fullness of human flourishing is not possible by the use only of our own physical, intellectual, psychic, and emotional resources. We can only fully realize our humanity by responding to God s calls subtle and mysterious, to be sure, yet also real and constant all during our lives. FATHER JACQUES PHILIPPE is a French priest, a member of the Community of the Beatitudes, and a renowned spiritual director. SAINT BONAVENTURE (+1274) was a minister general of the Franciscans. He is a Doctor of the Church. 9

10 JOIN US (SPONSORED BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS) SATURDAY, JULY 29TH IN THE SCHOOL FIELD Tickets are just $1! Sold after all the masses! Bulletin Reflection Let all Your works give You thanks, O Lord, and let Your faithful ones bless You, says the Psalmist. Stewardship is this attitude of gratitude for the many gifts God has given us. Living Stewardship We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who recognize that sharing their gifts of time and talent is also an opportunity to learn new skills, make friendships and lay groundwork for the future health of the parish and beyond. Scripture Readings July 10 July 15 Monday, July 10 Genesis 28:10-22a Psalm 91 Matthew 9:18-26 Tuesday, July 11 Genesis 32:23-33 Psalm 17 Matthew 9:32-38 Wednesday, July 12 Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a Psalm 34 Matthew 8:28-34 Thursday, July 13 Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5 Psalm 105 Matthew 10:7-15 Friday, July 14 Genesis 46:1-7, Psalm 37 Matthew 10:16-23 S a t u r day, J ul y 15 Genesis 49:29-32; 50:14-26a Psalm 105 Matthew 10:24-33 Vocation Prayer Merciful Father, you sent your Son into the world to free us from the power of sin and evil. Grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, our Mother of Mercy, many young men will respond to your call to give of themselves in imitation of Christ the Redeemer. Fill them with the light of your Holy Spirit that they may renounce the power of the world, proclaim truth and freedom, and bring consolation and relief to oppressed Christians. Bless our family of Mercy with numerous holy priests and brothers who will offer our world the testimony of your faith and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN 10

11 LA EUCARISTÍA SE OFRECE: Por María Albertina Abarca y Daniel Ovidio Abarca. GRUPO DE ORACION: Los miércoles, a las 7:00 PM en el gimnasio. ULTREYA: Cada domingo, a las 11:00 AM en la Capilla. JUVENTUD SIN FRONTERAS: Los jueves, a las 7:30 PM en el Salón Betania. CORO HISPANO: No hay ensayos durante el mes de julio y agosto. MINISTERIO DE ACOGIDA: Aquellos ministros que extienden la bienvenida y entregan las hojas de canto a los feligreses que van entrando a la Iglesia.. MOVIMIENTO FAMILIAR CATÓLICO: Se reúne cada 15 días. Para informarse, llamen al o al CENACULO DIVINA MISERICORDIA: Primer martes, a las 7:00 PM en la Capilla. MISA JUVENIL Y DE NIÑOS: Cada segundo domingo del mes. LOS NIÑOS: Cada domingo los niños se r eúnen en el Salón Betania par a escuchar y compar tir las lecturas dominicales. ESCUELA DE LA PALABRA: Cada martes, a las 7:30 PM en San Ladislaus. PRESENTACION Y BENDICION DE PÁRVULOS: Cada segundo y cuarto domingos del mes. EL SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO: El tercer domingo de cada mes, a las 2:30 PM en la iglesia. Los interesados consulten con la Sra. Dulcelina Sepúlveda. XIV DOMINGO ORDINARIO Jesús en el Evangelio de hoy afirma que el Padre le ha revelado a los sencillos de este mundo las cosas que los sabios y entendidos no pueden captar.. Nos podemos preguntar: Qué cosas? Todo lo que Jesús, el Hijo, ha mostrado y enseñado durante su ministerio en Galilea y Jerusalén. Jesús invita a los que se sienten fatigados y agobiados a encontrar descanso en Él. Los sabios y entendidos se inclinan a vivir en el desorden, como dice San Pablo, y no en el Espíritu. No Pueden entender el llamado que el Padre les hace en Jesús a vivir por y para los demás y no para su propia conveniencia. Algunos de los profetas del Antiguo Testamento distinguían a los que mantenían corazones de piedra de aquellos que vivían con sus corazones blandos y enardecidos por la Palabra de Dios. No sólo recibirán con alegría la misericordia de Dios, sino que vivían dispuestos a compartirla con otros sin reparo. Cristo nos llama a cargar con su yugo y a vivir en su espíritu con la esperanza de que nuestra vida y nuestra muerte tienen sentido. También nosotros resucitaremos como Cristo ha resucitado y vive entre nosotros. 11

12 To the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Beginning Friday, July 7 th, we will have the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel each Friday at 12:00 Noon. Along with our Morning Prayer Service and Exposition of the Blessed (and Benediction on the First Fridays of each month), Our hope is that Fridays will become a special day of prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in St. Martha s Parish. A partir del Viernes, 7 de Julio, tendremos las Estaciones de la Cruz en la capilla cada Viernes a las 12:00 del mediodía. Junto con nuestro servicio de la oración de la mañana y Exposición del Santísimo (y Bendición de los primeros Viernes de cada mes), nuestra esperanza es que los Viernes se convertirá en un día especial de oración al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús en la parroquia de Santa Martha. A partir du Vendredi 7 Juillet, nous aurons un Chemin de Croix à la chapelle tous les vendredis à Midi. Avec la Prière du Matin et l Exposition du Saint Sacrement (et la Bénédiction les Premiers Vendredis de chaque mois), nous espérons que le vendredi deviendra un jour spécial de prière au Sacré Cœur de Jésus à la paroisse de Sainte Martha. EIGHTH GRADERS: Catholic High School Entrance Exam Prep Course offered at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. Five 2 1/2 - hour Saturday AM sessions, each including review in English and Math as well as practice tests. Course begins September 16 th. $250 covers instructions and materials. For additional information visit holytrinityhs.org or call (516) Matthew s Conversion There are at present many persons who wear a religious garb and have never offended God seriously. They are proud of this and live a lukewarm, unloving, ungracious life. There are also other persons who have fallen into serious sins and have squandered their natural nobility on creatures. Perhaps the reason for this was that they did not know the supreme Good. But after their conversion they imitate the wild falcons and soar high into the air. After these hearts have once experienced God s secrets and his tender love, they become inflamed with contrite love and exclaim: Ah, unfathomable Good, I regret that I did not love you sooner, that I have wasted so many years. In earthly love I found nothing but misery, fickleness, and deceit. But now I have found him whom my soul desires. And it often happens that their progress in love is proportionate to the years they spent in sin. Yes, it is indeed an unconfined life. There is no danger of satiety in loving God in this manner. He rewards with his own love everything that we do for him. Love makes all things easy. BLESSED HENRY SUSO (+1366) was a German Dominican priest whose mystical writings focus on divine wisdom and love for Christ s Passion. 12

13 THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to my medical fund thus far. I found out my initial campaign (not run by me) has been shut down for an unknown reason. The first campaign helped cover my household bills from missed work, as well as smaller hospital bills. This new campaign is set up in hopes of paying back some of the $90k+ I owe as of now. (This is only one of the two surgeries I have had so far.) It is very possible I will have to claim bankruptcy if I cannot make a good dent. That is a very frightening thought as a single parent. For those of you who either have donated already, or cannot afford to, please do not feel obligated. I ask for prayers for myself and for my family. It has been a very rough couple of months. The new link is You can also leave donations at the Parish Center. Every little bit helps, and has helped. God bless and thank you so much. St. Martha s has been incredible with your generosity. ~Elissa Hanson, Music Director he list of names that will appear under this column will reflect ONLY those who are CRITICALLY ILL. The individual or family member must contact the Parish Center in order to be placed on the Sick List. Please note the new address the Parish Center at cnicholson@saintmartha.org ( PRAY FOR THE SICK MUST APPEAR IN YOUR S SUBJECT LINE); or come by the Parish Center with your request in writing, no later than Monday. This list will be updated on a monthly basis. Helen Zeiser Edith Lucchi Carolyn Maffettone Frank Brown Ginger Dudek Sophia Kyriakaksis Julienne Jacques Mercia Edwards Leopold Johnson Baby McCann Omnipotent and Eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Thy pitying mercy, that, with their bodily health restored, they may give thanks to Thee in Thy church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lawrence A. Feliu... +May 13, 2017 Martijn Sajous... +May 21, 2017 Eucelie Mombeleur... +May 22, 2017 Marie Lourdes Lapaix... +May 27,2017 Joyce Angela Baugh... +June 14, 2017 Dear Lord, As my life declines and my energies decrease, more than ever hold me by Your Power, that I may not offend You, but daily increase in Your Love. Give me strength to work in Your Service till the last day of my life. Help me to ever have an increasing dread of venial sin, or whatever would cause the slightest withdrawal of Your Love; all day long, and at night keep me close to Your Heart; and should I die, ere the morning breaks, may I go rejoicing in that vision of Your entrancing beauty, never to be separated from You. Amen. For everything you need to know in faith formation, Visit Memorialize a loved one with a leaf on our parish s Tree of Life, located in the Church Lobby. If you would like more information about this lovely memorial, please contact the Parish Office at (516) Ext 301 The Mass Intentions Book... is now open until the end of July & The Bread and Wine Calendar... is now open until the end of Dec

14 Give us our daily bread Social Ministry/Outreach Office Hours Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10:00AM 2:00PM (516) or (516) , Ext. 320 (English/Spanish/French/Creole) FOOD STAMPS First & Third Thursdays! 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Representative: Pat F I D E L I S C A R E HEALTH INSURANCE Is in Social Ministry every Wednesday from 10AM 12 PM Ask to see Soraya This Week: Canned Vegetables! WHERE: Gathering Area Some additional items needed: dry milk, peanut butter, jelly, rice, pinto beans, dry or canned beans and canned meat/fish. An Immigration Consultant... will be available at the Parish Social Ministry the second Wednesday of each month. The next date will be on: Wednesday, July 12, :00AM - 1:00PM 14 FREE FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED: For further information and income guidelines please call: in Suffolk or in Nassau BABY ITEMS NEEDED: Diapers, diaper wipes, strollers and car seats that meet current standards. ITEMS NEEDED: individual boxed milk (i.e., Parmalat); toilet tissue, paper towels, personal care items, gift certificates. SHOPPING BAGS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED