FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 3, 2017

Transcription

1 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 3, 2017 Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. 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. 314 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 Sgt. Henry Pazmino U.S. Marines: 1 st Battalion Carlos Fuentes CPL Daniel C. Monroe RCT Eric Joel Vazquez Sergeant W. Jason Ferris L. Cpl. Alfonso Rodriquez Oswaldo Pazmino INDEPENDENCE STRENGTH FREEDOM U.S. Navy: Airman Herbert J. Alvarado JE-4/CS3 Jesus Ron Lt. Joseph A. Baugh Cpl. Eric Omar Matos Lt. John R. Esposito AG2/Petty Officer 2 nd Class Michael McGee Gordy Garcia

2 Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK Phone: (516) THE PASTOR S WEEKLY LETTER December 3, 2017 ~ First Sunday of Advent ~ Today we begin the season of Advent and the new liturgical year. The first part of Advent draws our attention to the mystery we focused on last weekend, the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time and end of creation. Over these next weeks, we will gradually transition to Saint John the Baptist and the prophesies of the coming of the Messiah. Then our attention turns to the Scriptures surrounding the days before the Birth of the Lord before we gather to celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity on Christmas. The Scriptures gives us some powerful commands to ponder: Wait! Watch! Prepare! Beginning a new liturgical year is a good time to re-focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ in and through His Church. If you haven t celebrated the Eucharist each week, now is a time to commit yourself. If you have, now is a good time to invite someone to come with you! Take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation, especially if it has been awhile! In addition to our usual Mass and prayer schedule, here are a few notes for Advent. Friday, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation and the patronal feast of the United States. Masses will be Thursday, December 7 at 7:30pm and Friday, December 8 at 8:30am and 12noon. Tuesday, December 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patronal feast of the Americas. In addition to the usual daily Mass at 8:30am there will be a Spanish-language Mass at 7:30pm. On Friday, December 15 there will be a Christmas Concert and Pageant at 7:30 in the Church. After the Sunday Masses this weekend, Dr. William Lloyd, the Superintendent of the Uniondale School District, will speak briefly in Bethany Hall about important issues effecting the School District and Uniondale Community. Please take some time to join us in Bethany Hall following Mass. Hoy comenzamos la temporada de Adviento y el nuevo año litúrgico. En la primera parte de Adviento nos llama la atención el misterio que nos enfocamos el fin de semana pasado, el segundo Comin de Cristo al final del tiempo y el fin de la creación. En estas próximas semanas, vamos a pasar gradualmente a San Juan Bautista y las profecías de la venida del Mesías. Entonces nuestra atención gira hacia las escrituras que rodean los días antes del nacimiento del Señor antes de que nos reunamos para celebrar la solemnidad de la Natividad en Navidad. Las escrituras nos dan algunos comandos poderosos para meditar: espera! Ver! Preparar! Comenzar un nuevo año litúrgico es un buen momento para volver a centrarse en nuestra relación con Jesucristo en y a través de su iglesia. Si no has celebrado la Eucaristía cada semana, ahora es el momento de comprometerte. Si usted puede, ahora es un buen momento para invitar a alguien a que venga con usted! Aproveche el Sacramento de la reconciliación, especialmente si no lo ha hecho por un tiempo! Además de nuestro horario habitual de Misa y oración, aquí hay algunas notas para Adviento. El viernes 8 de Diciembre es la solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción, un día santo de obligación y la fiesta patronal de los Estados Unidos. Misas será el Jueves, 7 de Diciembre a las 7:30 y Viernes, 8 de Diciembre a las 8:30 y 12. El martes 12 de Diciembre es la fiesta de nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, la fiesta patronal de las Américas. Además de la Misa diaria habitual a las 8:30 habrá una Misa en español a las 7:30. El Viernes 15 de Diciembre habrá un concierto de Navidad y un desfile a las 7:30 en la iglesia. Después de las misas dominicales este fin de semana, el Dr. William Lloyd, el Superintendente del distrito escolar de Uniondale, hablará brevemente en Bethany Hall sobre temas importantes que afectan al distrito escolar y a la comunidad Uniondale. Por favor, tómese un tiempo para unirse a nosotros en Bethany Hall después de la Misa. Fr. Chris Padre Chris 2

3 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! If you are unable to serve, do not call the office! Find a replacement or contact your ministry head! 5:00PM - Lector: Serge Napoleon Altar Server: David LaBlanc Eucharistic Ministers: Marie G. Brice, Josephine Ferrier, Marlene Laroche Ushers: Rosemarie Laguerre, Jennifer King, Mario Cadavid, Alejandro Apresa 7:30AM - Lector: Audric Mathurin Eucharistic Ministers: Elaine Burke, Sharon Burke, Virginia Costello Ushers: Jim Capriotti, Carmen Charles, Anton Brown, Genevieve Charles, Joseph Gedeon, Alex Apresa 11:00AM - Lector: Maria Gonzalez Altar Servers: Eddie D Atri, Caroline Lopez, Tyler Davies Eucharistic Minister: Yolande Augustin, Mary Bediako, Winston Delpesh, Phyllis Droessler, Karleine Graham, Beverly Gray Ushers: Bennett Paul, Agnes Duclairon, Wilner Nestor, Frantz Denis Thank you for your generosity to St. Martha s Parish! November 26, :00 PM Mass... $ :30 AM Mass... $ :45 AM Mass... $3, :00 AM Mass... $1, :30 PM Mass... $1, Poor Box... $57.00 (Does not reflect donations made by Faith Direct) First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017 Monday December 4 8:30 AM... Regina Michalski Tuesday December 5 8:30 AM... In Thanksgiving for the Griffith Family Wednesday December 6 8:30 AM... In Thanksgiving for Andrea Thursday December 7 5:00 PM... (School Prayer Service) 7:30 PM... Parishioners of St. Martha (Vigil Mass) Friday December 8 (Immaculate Conception of BVM) (Office Closed) 8:30 AM... Ines Metellus 12:00 Noon... May Lagano Saturday December 9 5:00 PM... Rubena Waldron & Parishioners of St. Martha Sunday December 10 7:30 AM... Therelise Gracia 8:45 AM... Jose Ramon Hernandez 11:00 AM... In Thanksgiving for blessings received through the intercessions of the saints 12:30 PM... In Thanksgiving for blessings received The Bread and Wine for the Week of December 3 to December 9, 2017 are offered in Thanksgiving for Pierre Gardy Bonneau Requested by Maud Brutus SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 10, 2017 Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, Corinthians 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8

4 THE WILL OF THE FATHER Heaven is there where fault has ceased; heaven is there where shameful deeds are idle; heaven is there where there is no wound of death. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be they name. What is hallowed be? As if we wish him to be hallowed who says: Be ye holy, because I am holy, as if something may be added to him by our prayer for hallowedness! No, but let him be made hallowed in us, that his hallowedness may be able to come to us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. As if the Kingdom of God were not eternal! Jesus himself says: For this I was born, and you say to the Father: Thy kingdom come, as if he had not come. But then the Kingdom of God has come, since you have obtained his grace. For he himself says: The Kingdom of God is within you. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread. By the blood of Christ all things were pacified both in heaven and on earth; heaven is hallowed; the devil is cast down. He turns there, where the man also is whom he deceived. Thy will be done, that is, let there be peace on earth as there is in heaven. SAINT AMBROSE (+397), known as the Pastoral Doctor, was a model bishop and an eloquent preacher. He was instrumental in the conversion of Saint Augustine. 4

5 Our Angel Trees are waiting for you. Choose a special angel from the tree and Share your Christmas joy with someone from our community. Purchase a gift for the person, Wrap it and with the angel attached to the outside of the package, Place the gift under the Angel Tree by December 10 th. Children angels Boys/blue ~ Girls/pink Please make sure you select the correct gift for your angel! Senior angels cream color ST. MARTHA S CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE PARISH CENTER. WE HAVE TWO VIBRANT AND COLORFUL STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM! $20 FOR A 25 PACK. Let God celebrate your generosity in this special Christmas giving 5

6 Lectio Divina A Prayerful Reading of Sacred Scripture The Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent Mark 13:33-37 Jesus said to his disciples: Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come (13:33). Be watchful: Jesus will urge this again during his agony in Gethsemane (Mk 14:34). Catena in Marcum (5th cent.): If each person is ignorant of judgment and know that often the uninitiated will perish, they will contend to be baptized at their final breath, as a result of which they will enter into eternity bereft of good works saved by faith, but unable to manifest its works. If the end were known, why would they not do this? For this reason Jesus adds (all but saying), The reason I did not tell you the day is so that, not knowing the day, you might watch and pray and keep awake. And he said, you do not know, wanting them to struggle continually, holding that day and the end of their lives as a mystery. This is why he said, Keep awake! showing that if people knew when they were to die, all would be virtuous only at that hour. And wanting them always to look forward to this, and so that they might be virtuous always, he made the end of the life of each uncertain. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch (13:34). Saint Bede the Venerable: The man who, taking a far journey, left his house is Christ who, ascending as a conqueror to his Father after the Resurrection, left his Church, as to his bodily presence, but has never deprived her of the safeguard of his divine presence. Saint Gregory the Great: When, by giving to his faithful ones the grace of the Holy Spirit, Jesus gave them the power of serving every good work. Catena in Marcum: Then Jesus openly names himself Lord, having nowhere spoken plainly in this way. But there he seems to me also to shame those who are indifferent. For you do not care for your salvation, he says, as much as those who think they might be robbed care for their money. Therefore the present time is for undertaking the Commandments. The work of each is the work of keeping the Commandments. Mary Healy: The man places his servants in charge (literally, gives his slaves authority). Jesus has already delegated authority to his Apostles (Mk 6:7, 10:42-44). The gatekeeper, referring to Peter who has greatest responsibility for vigilance (see Mk 14:37), has an especially important duty: to perceive the master s return in time to prepare a suitable welcome. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight or at cockcrow, or in the morning (13:35). The Lord may come in the evening, as he does at the Last Supper. He may come at midnight, as he does in the Garden of Gethsemane when he is handed over by his betrayer. He may come when the cock crows the time that Peter denies him. Or he may come in the morning: the time of the Resurrection. Prudentius: Away, he cries, with dull repose,/ The sleep of death and sinful sloth;/ With hearts now sober, just and pure,/ Keep watch, for I am very near. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping (13:36). Mary Healy: Jesus warns that he may come suddenly and find them sleeping which is just what will happen during his agony in Gethsemane (Mk 14:37-41). To be asleep signifies spiritual torpor and self-indulgence (Rom 11:8; 1 Thess 5:6-8); to be awake is to be alive in faith (Rom 13:11; Eph 5:14). Saint Augustine: It is clear that God takes no pleasure in condemning. His desire is to save, and he bears patiently with evil people in order to make them good. Do you despise him and think his judgment a matter of no account because he is 6

7 Lectio Divina Cont d A Prayerful Reading of Sacred Scripture The Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent Mark 13:33-37 good to you, because he is long-suffering and bears with you patiently, because he delays that day of reckoning and does not destroy you out of hand? What I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (13:37). The Master, who has left us his servants in charge, blesses us with the grace, the desire, and the ability to respond to him in a way that exceeds our natural capacities (see CCC 52). Blessed John Henry Newman: Jesus knew his own purpose and his Father s purpose gradually to leave the world to itself. He contemplated the neglect of him which would spread even among his professed followers; the daring disobedience and the loud words, which would be ventured against him and his Father by many whom he had regenerated: and the coldness, cowardice, and tolerance of error which would be displayed by others, who did not go so far as to speak against him. He foresaw the state of the world and the Church, as we see it this day, when his prolonged absence has made it practically thought that he never will come back in visible presence. And in the text he mercifully whispers into our ears not to trust what we see, not to share in that general unbelief, not be carried away by the world, but to take heed, watch, pray, and look out for his coming. Watching with Confidence Let me tell you something strange: even the most beautiful souls, who burn to be in the Heart of Jesus, do not want to believe that confidence is the key which will open the door for them, because this door is a wound made by love. They look for other ways, as if this way were too beautiful to be reliable. How many times people have said to me, It is too beautiful to be true. And I answer, Jesus bought at a dear enough price, at the price of all his blood, the right to bring to earth something too beautiful. So what then? He calls me just as I am? I can go to him with all my miseries, all my weaknesses? He will repair what I have done badly? He will supply for all my indigence? Yes, provided that you go to him, that you count on him, that you expect everything of him, that you say with Saint Paul, Omnia possum (Phil 4:13): I can do all things in him who is my only strength and my only virtue. A beautiful prayer to pour forth from your heart throughout the day is, Jesus, repair what I have done badly, supply for what I have left undone. Or an even more beautiful way to pray is Jesus, I know that you make reparation in me, that you supply for me, I know that you will draw the good from the bad that I do, and even, as Saint Augustine said, a greater good than if there had been no evil in it. Is this not worthy of adoration? I have a Jesus who does all that in me and for me! And I am very sure oh, yes indeed! that he will never say to me, You hoped too much of me. FATHER D ELBÉE was a 20th century French priest and a spiritual author. 7

8 ADVENT AND THE GREAT HOMECOMING by Matt Nelson December 18, 2015 If you carry out a quick study of the words "advent" and "adventure" you will find that both ultimately point toward one thing - an arrival. Every adventure anticipates and ends with an arrival. The trek made by Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem anticipates an arrival. Bilbo's adventure in The Hobbit anticipates an arrival. So too does Scrooge's threefold adventure with the Ghosts of Christmas in Dickens' A Christmas Carol. We know these stories well; Mary and Joseph expect to arrive in Bethlehem (and, of course, they expect the arrival of Jesus); Bilbo and friends are expecting to arrive at the treasure-loaded Misty Mountains. But beyond these destinations lies something that is even more final: the arrival home. Like Scrooge - Bilbo, Mary and Joseph all anticipate an arrival home in the end. Indeed their adventures truly cease at home's threshold, where rest awaits. Whether it's to return or go looking for it, home is the ultimate destination in every adventure; and the site of new beginnings. The centerpiece of Advent is the Nativity, which is both remembered and reflected upon. But Advent is more than just a time of remembrance; for it also points towards the return of our Lord. Referring to the Sacred Scriptures, St. Augustine taught that the New Testament is concealed in the Old, and the Old revealed in the New. The Old Testament points towards an event - the coming of the Messiah - who will fulfill the Old Testament (or Covenant) with a new, universal one. Thus the Old Testament points towards the New Testament; it might also be said that the First Coming of Christ points towards the Final Coming at the end of the age. This proclamation of the anticipated arrival of Our Lord is as literal as it is poetic: Christ has died, Christ has risen and Christ really will come again in glory. He will come to take us Home. Christ's second coming will set the stage for "the Final Judgement" when Christ, just and merciful, will judge each and every one of us according to what we have done (Matt 25:31-46; Rom 2:6-7). Those who are judged to be right with God (even by a thread) will move along to their final reward: the Beatific Vision, or full possession of God. Perfect sanctity is our final state, and perfect union with God our final end. Many of us will be saved "as through fire", requiring final purification (or Purgatory) before entering heaven since "nothing unclean" shall enter it (Rev 21:27). Whether this purification is in the blink of an eye or over a duration has not been revealed to us for certain. What we do know, however, is that the purification will involve suffering of some kind (see 1 Cor 3:10-15) and will inevitably be followed by a glorious entry into heaven. Eventually we will be reunited with our resurrected bodies (see 1 Cor 15); and it is in this state that we will enjoy "life after life after death", as theologian N.T. Wright puts it. Remember, Jesus' bodily resurrection was only the first of many. We forget that too easily, don't we? Indeed we are destined for a bodily resurrection of our own. St. Paul writes: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Cor 15:23) What will our new bodies be like? A close study of God's Word has given theologians some insight into what we can expect. According to Dr. Taylor Marshall and other experts in the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, our resurrected bodies will no longer suffer physical sickness or death. Glorified and spiritualized, our new bodies will be able to pass through doors and walls, travel long distances in the blink of an eye, and will be absolutely beautiful, free of all defect (For more on what St. Thomas Aquinas says about this in his Summa, go here). Perfection awaits us, and yet here and now it evades us - though not fully. Our intuition tells us we are made for greatness and anything less will not fulfill us. When we act virtuously in our lives and grow in sanctity we get the sense we are moving in the right direction. But when we take a sinful step back, our conscience - that 'aboriginal Vicar of Christ' as Blessed John Henry Newman called it - awakens and burdens us with a mysterious feeling of loss. When we sin it's as though we can feel that precious sanctifying grace leaking from sin-shaped perforations in our soul. And it hurts. 8

9 ADVENT AND THE GREAT HOMECOMING (CONT D) by Matt Nelson December 18, 2015 Nonetheless, despite our constant failures it is a fact that we are made, and destined, for perfection; and although we never seem to find it in this life, that expectation that we ought to find it continues to move us forward in the adventure of life. It seems that we desire that which we have not yet found and cannot picture; yet a mysterious kind of hope indwells our deepest being. We want to be satisfied absolutely and everlastingly. As C.S. Lewis wrote: "Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for these desires exists. A baby feels hunger; well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim; well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire; well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." (Mere Christianity, Bk. III, chap. 10, "Hope") Indeed God desires to give us everything. The Catechism of the Catholic Church ( ) tells us that the Word became flesh for four reasons: so that we would know God loves us, to be our model of holiness, to save us, and to make us "partakers of divine nature" (see 2 Pet 1:4); then we will truly and fully know what it means to be a child of God. But the process of being "divinized" is not something that begins after death. For you and I, beginning at baptism, the process has begun. Do you know you're a child of God now? You might have heard it. But do you know it? St. John writes: Beloved, we are God s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) Thanks to the victory of Christ, you and I are now able to be the children of a king whose kingdom is not of this world. The king is Our Father; we are royalty; and the kingdom - our Home - awaits our arrival. We need to remember this - for in this is our family pride as Christian brothers and sisters. Not all pride is bad; for some pride is holy pride, and we ought to have it. St. Josemaria recalls: 'Father', said that big fellow, a good student at the university (I wonder what has become of him), 'I was thinking of what you told me that I'm a son of God! and I found myself walking along the street, head up, chin out, and a proud feeling inside... a son of God!' With sure conscience I advised him to encourage that 'pride.' (The Way, 274) Thus Advent reminds us of who we are and where we are headed. It directs our minds and hearts to a real event in the past: the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent also re-establishes us in the present by reminding us that Emmanuel, our elder Brother who came in a manger hundreds of years ago, is also "God with us" today - above all in the Eucharist. Finally, Advent points us towards a future event - Christ's second coming - which points to yet another coming that awaits beyond: our final and consummate Homecoming in heaven. Indeed for we who are but pilgrim travelers in this life, the end of the age is only the beginning. Matt holds a B.Ed from the University of Regina and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Canada. After several years of skepticism, he returned to the Catholic Church in Now alongside his chiropractic practice, Matt is a speaker and writer for FaceToFace Ministries and Religious Education Coordinator at Christ the King Parish. He currently resides in Shaunavon, SK, with his wife, Amanda, and their daughter, Anna. Follow Matt through his blog at ReasonableCatholic.com. 9

10 Playing Loose With the Truth By Fr. Ron Rolheiser Week of November 26, 2017 It can be quite disheartening to watch the news these days. Our world is full of hatred, bigotry, racism, and overstimulated greed and ego. The gap between the rich and poor is widening and random, senseless violence is an everyday occurrence. One lives with hope, but without much optimism. Among all of this, perhaps the most distressing thing of all is the erosion of our capacity to recognize and acknowledge the truth. From the highest government offices, to the major media outlets, to our local newspapers, to the thousands of bloggers, down to our dinner tables, we are becoming irresponsible, manipulative, and outright dishonest with the truth, denying it where it s inconvenient, bending it to suit our own purposes, or labeling it as fake news, an alternative fact, misinformation, a truth that s no longer operative, or as political correctness with no truth value. Studies from major scientific institutes are dismissed as just another opinion with the result that we are creating an entire society within which it s becoming more and more difficult for any of us to trust what s a fact and what isn t. That s dangerous territory, not just politically but especially spiritually. Scripture tells us that Satan is the Prince of Lies and Jesus makes it clear that, among all sins, failure to acknowledge the truth is far and away the most dangerous. We see this motif particularly in the text that warns us that we can commit a sin that s unforgiveable because it s a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.. What s this sin? Why is it unforgiveable? And what has it got to do with telling lies? The unforgiveable sin is precisely the sin of lying which can become unforgiveable because of what lying can do to us. Here s how the biblical text unfolds: Jesus has just cast out a demon. Part of the Jewish faith at that time was the belief that only someone who came from God had power to cast out a demon. Jesus had done that, but the Scribes and Pharisees who have just witnessed this found it to be an inconvenient truth since they denied Jesus goodness. So in the face of truth they had to either acknowledge something that they did not want to or they had to manipulate the truth to give it a different meaning. They chose the latter and, clearly aware that they were manipulating the truth, accused Jesus of performing the miracle through the power of Satan. They knew better, knew they were lying, but the actual truth was too difficult to accept. Jesus initially tries to argue with them, pointing out that there s no logic in suggesting that Satan is casting out demons. They persist, and it s then Jesus utters his warning: In truth I tell you, all human sins will be forgiven, and all the blasphemies ever uttered, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin. (Mark 3,28-29 parallel text in Matthew 12, 31-32). What exactly is this warning? Jesus is saying this: Be careful about what you are doing just now, putting a false spin on something because it is too awkward to accept as true. The danger is that if you continue doing this you may eventually come to believe your own lie. That will be unforgiveable, given that you will no longer want to be forgiven because you will see truth as a lie and a lie as the truth. The sin cannot be forgiven, not because God doesn t want to forgive it but because we no longer want to be forgiven. Dictionaries tell us that blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God. We don t blaspheme when we use foul language when we re frustrated; nor do we blaspheme when we shake our fists at God in anger or turn away from him in bitterness. God can handle that. The one thing God cannot handle is lying, where we lie to the point of believing our own lies (the real danger in lying) because that eventually warps our consciences so that we can no longer tell truth from falsehood or falsehood from truth. Theology teaches us that God is One, this means that God s inner integrity assures that all of reality also has an inner integrity, an intelligibility, meaning that something cannot be and not be at the same time; meaning that two plus two cannot equal anything but four; meaning that a tree is always a tree no matter what you say it is; and meaning that black can never be white. God s Oneness allows us to both trust reality and trust our normal perception of it. That s what s under attack today, most everywhere. It s the ultimate moral danger: God is One and so two plus two can never be five - and if it is then we are no longer in touch with God or with reality, are warped in conscience, and are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. 10

11 Scripture Readings December 4 December 9 Monday, December 4 Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Matthew 8:5-11 Tuesday, December 5 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72 Luke 10:21-24 Wednesday, December 6 Isaiah 25:6-10a Psalm 21 Matthew 15:29-37 Thursday, December 7 Isaiah 26:1-6 Psalm 118 Matthew 7:21, Friday, December 8 Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 98 Ephesians 1:3-6, Luke 1:26-38 S a t u r day, Dec ember 9 Isaiah 30:19-21, Psalm 147 Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 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 But first he must suffer greatly Be a lover of truth: Show yourself the man you are, Without simulation, Without fear or favors. And if truth costs you persecution, Do welcome it. If it costs you torments, Do endure them. And if for truth s sake You must sacrifice yourself, And even your life, Be steadfast in your sacrifice. SAINT JOSEPH MOSCATI (+1972) was an Italian physician and university professor renowned for his heroic care of the poor. 11

12 God s Closeness By Fr. Ron Rolheiser Week of November 19, 2017 There s a growing body of literature today that chronicles the experience of persons who were clinically dead for a period of time (minutes or hours) and were medically resuscitated and brought back to life. Many of us, for example, are familiar with Dr. Eben Alexander s book, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon s Journey into the Afterlife. More recently Hollywood produced a movie, Miracles from Heaven, which portrays the true story of a young Texas girl who was clinically dead, medically revived, and who shares what she experienced in the afterlife. There are now hundreds of stories like this, gathered through dozens of years, published or simply shared with loved ones. What s interesting (and consoling) is that virtually all these stories are wonderfully positive, irrespective of the person s faith or religious background. In virtually every case their experience, while partially indescribable, was one in which they felt a warm, personal, overwhelming sense of love, light, and welcome, and not a few of them found themselves meeting relatives of theirs that had passed on before them, sometimes even relatives that they didn t know they had. As well, in virtually every case, they did not want to return to life here but, like Peter on the Mountain of the Transfiguration, wanted to stay there. Recently while speaking at conference, I referenced this literature and pointed out that, among other things, it seems everyone goes to heaven when they die. This, of course, immediately sparked a spirited discussion: What about hell? Aren t we judged when we die? Doesn t anyone go to hell? My answer to those questions, which need far more nuance than are contained in a short soundbite, was that while we all go to heaven when we die, depending upon our moral and spiritual disposition, we might not want to stay there. Hell, as Jesus assures us, is a real option; though, as Jesus also assures us, we judge ourselves. God puts no one to hell. Hell is our choice. However it was what happened after this discussion that I want to share here: A woman approached me as I was leaving and told me that she had had this exact experience. She had been clinically dead for some minutes and then revived through medical resuscitation. And, just like the experience of all the others in the literature around this issue, she too experienced a wonderful warmth, light, and welcome, and did not want to return to life here on earth. Inside of all of this warmth and love however what she remembers most and most wants to share with others is this: I learned that God is very close. We have no idea how close God is to us. God is closer to us than we ever imagine! Her experience has left her forever branded with a sense of God s warmth, love, and welcome, but what s left the deepest brand of all inside her is the sense of God s closeness. I was struck by this because, like millions of others, I generally don t feel that closeness, or at least don t feel it very affectively or imaginatively. God can seem pretty far away, abstract and impersonal, a Deity with millions of things to worry about without having to worry about the minutiae of my small life. Moreover, as Christians, we believe that God is infinite and ineffable. This means that while we can know God, we can never imagine God. Given that truth, it makes it even harder for us to imagine that the infinite Creator and Sustainer of all things is intimately and personally present inside us, worrying with, sharing our heartaches, and knowing our most guarded feelings. Compounding this is the fact that whenever we do try to imagine God s person our imaginations come up against the unimaginable. For example, try to imagine this: There are billions of persons on this earth and billions more have lived on this earth before us. At this very minute, thousands of people are being born, thousands are dying, thousands are sinning, thousands are doing virtuous acts, thousands are making love, thousands are experiencing violence, thousands are feeling their hearts swelling with joy, all of this part of trillions upon trillions of phenomena. How can one heart, one mind, one person be consciously on top of all of this and so fully aware and empathetic that no hair falls from our heads or sparrow from the sky without this person taking notice? It s impossible to imagine, pure and simple, and that s part of the very definition of God. How can God be as close to us as we are to ourselves? Partly this is mystery, and wisdom bids us befriend mystery because anything we can understand is not very deep! The mystery of God s intimate, personal presence inside us is beyond our imaginations. But everything within our faith tradition and now most everything in the testimony of hundreds of people who have experienced the afterlife assure us that, while God may be infinite and ineffable, God is very close to us, closer than we imagine. 12

13 THE MYSTERY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION God finished his creations ad extra and perfected them when he formed humans in his likeness as rulers over the entire world. The creatures created on this day (the animals of the earth and humans) rendered obedience to the one who the Lord predestined and distinguished as Mother of his Son as an act of justice rather than grace. When Adam was created in original justice and grace, it was his nature to be ruler over all that was created on the earth, and so all the lesser creatures rendered him obedience. When he sinned and transgressed against God he was rejected by his inferiors. The elements and the rest of the creatures rebelled against him. Therefore, if Mary most holy was preserved from this original poison, in justice she would be owed all the privileges due her because of being conceived in grace. Therefore, as a matter of original justice all creatures would be subject to her, because she did not participate in that sin which caused their rebellion against Adam and all of his children. This benefit is not to be considered as a new gift but a manifestation of the benefit that her Son and our Lord gave to her by preserving her from Original Sin. All the homage rendered her by the creatures of the earth resulted from the grace of her conception, like the grace of the original creation of Adam, and is a testimony to her being immaculately conceived. She alone was the one in whom the image and likeness of God, erased by the sin of our first father, the perfection of all the universe, was restored. Holy Scripture calls Adam the perfection and ornament of all creation either because the final creature is the crown of the entire work or because the rest of the creatures were created for his sake. All the other creatures were left impact through the sin of Adam. Divine Omnipotence is to be credited not only with restoring human nature, by redeeming it, but by making use of human nature, by predestining and preserving in his eternal mind a pure creature adorned with sanctifying grace from the first instant of her being. Through her the image and likeness of God was restored, perfecting the rest of his work and restoring it to its rightful order. For this reason it is not only human beings who are in Mary s debt but all the other creatures as well because she gives them perfection and nobility. They all owe her their service for this, if for no other reason. On this day, therefore, all the brute beasts render her obedience. SOR JUANA INÉS DE LA CRUZ (+1695) was a Mexican nun and a poet, dramatist, and spiritual writer. Bulletin Reflection We are the servants of God, each with his or her own task. We will be judged good stewards if, at His coming, He finds us ready, conscientiously pursing the tasks to which we have been called. This Week: WHERE: Hams & Canned Tuna! Outreach only! Living Stewardship We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who strive to be alert to the work of God in the present moment through service in our parish ministries. 13 To keep the hams refrigerated, please leave your donation of hams in Outreach during their hours of operation. Thank you!

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16 Cada miércoles, de 9:00 AM a 2:00 PM y de 4:00 PM a 7:00 PM, el Padre César R. Bejarano, OFM se encuentra disponible en el Centro Parroquial para confesiones y dirección espiritual. LA EUCARISTÍA SE OFRECE: En Acción de Gracias. 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: Ensayos los viernes a las 8:00 PM en la Iglesia. 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 son convocados al Salón Betania para escuchar y compartir las enseñazas de las lecturas dominicales. ESCUELA DE LA PALABRA: Cada martes, a las 7:30 PM en San Ladislaus. BENDICION POR CUALQUIER MOTIVO: Para Párvulos, Niños, Jóvenes y Adultos, cada segundo y cuarto domingos del mes, después da la comunión. EL SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO: El tercer domingo de cada mes, a las 2:30 PM en la iglesia. Para apuntarse, visite la oficina en el Centro Parroquial. PRIMER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO En la primera lectura de hoy se escucha el clamor del pueblo del Antiguo Testamento que pide, por medio del profeta, ver el rostro de Dios. En el texto sagrado hay un temor de que Dios ha abandonado a su pueblo y por ello todos lo buscan con ansiedad al presentir el fin de su jornada. La segunda lectura y el Evangelio no sólo muestran el rostro de Dios en Jesús, el Hijo amado, sino que comunican con seguridad la presencia de Dios en medio del pueblo, que frecuentemente desobedece su Palabra. Sólo hay una advertencia: estar preparados para encontrarse más cerca del Señor. Esa es la advertencia del Adviento, que nos reclama un corazón abierto al anuncio del Reino que el profeta anuncia, y que Jesús siembra en todos los que lo siguen. Estemos dispuestos, pues a prepararnos durante esta temporada con todos nuestros servidores y ministros de la liturgia, para que cada celebración sea una realidad un llamado de esperanza, en medio de las sombras de nuestra sociedad. Reflexiones Pastorales de Juan J. Sosa, Presbítero / OCP 16

17 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 Olivia Gerboth Frank Brown Ofelia de Torres Sophia Kyriakaksis Julienne Jacques Jazmine Martinez Leopold Johnson Solange Bricourt 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. Juanita Nixon... +November 5, 2017 John F. Kruse... +November 14, 2017 Maria David... +November 14, 2017 Thomas H. Maddox... +November 18,2 017 Jodel Labranche... +November 21, 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 Jan & The Bread and Wine Calendar... is now open until the end of Jan

18 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) An Immigration Consultant... will be available at the Parish Social Ministry the second Wednesday of each month. The next date will be on: Wednesday, December 13, :00AM - 1:00PM 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 FOOD STAMPS First & Third Thursdays! 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Representative: Pat THANK YOU! GRACIAS! MERCI! is grateful to our parishioners for the food and gift cards to local supermarkets donated throughout the year. As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, Outreach once again asks you to help us give our daily bread to the many families in Uniondale, who will not have a Happy Thanksgiving or a Merry Christmas this year. When you are shopping for your family, try to remember to purchase items needed for others, such as: stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, hams, turkeys, tomato sauce, tomato paste, juices, salad, individual boxed milk, napkins, paper towels, toilet tissue, personal care products (e.g., toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, soap, etc.), and gift certificates. Do not forget our babies, who are in need of diapers (all sizes), wipes, strollers, and car seats that meet current standards. Shopping bags are always appreciated! Remember, Hunger Hits Home. Pray for those who are in need, especially during this holiday season. Do whatever you can to ensure that our Uniondale families have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thank you for your continued generosity! 18