Grandpa s Hands. Fr. Seán

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2 Grandpa s Hands Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn t move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn t acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I m fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear strong voice. I didn t mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK, I explained to him. Have you ever looked at your hands, he asked. I mean really looked at your hands? I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story: Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. * As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. * They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. * They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. * They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. * Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. * They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. * They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. * They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. * And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. * These hands are the mark of where I ve been and the ruggedness of my life. * But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. * And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ. I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home. When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. Fr. Seán

3 Why Choose a Catholic School Education? As part of the educational ministry of the Church on Long Island, we believe Catholic schools are 21st century learning communities in which the gospel of Jesus is taught, lived, and experienced on a daily basis. Quality curricula and instruction are balanced with a strong moral foundation and spiritual development in order to prepare our students for a faith-filled and productive life, locally, nationally, and globally. In the Diocese of Rockville Centre: Catholic schools are visible signs of God s love and the mission of the Church serving parish and local communities. Catholic schools integrate our Catholic faith and culture into all areas of life. Catholic schools are committed to academic excellence utilizing emergent technologies to enhance learning. Catholic schools build on the past and prepare for the future and educate students to be the leaders of tomorrow. Catholic schools involve and seek the support of clergy, parents, and guardians in the education and spiritual development of students. Catholic school administrators, teachers, and staff are competent, caring, and committed professionals who value and respect all in the school community.

4 50/50 RAFFLE TICKETS ~ $10 each or 3 for $25 The Winner of the EARLY BIRD Drawing was Margie Connick GRAND PRIZE HALF the monies raised Jackpot is now $2, GRAND PRIZE Drawing will be held on Wednesday, September 5 th in the Parish Center after 8:45 AM Mass Tickets are available for purchase at the Parish Center. (Proceeds will go toward the Bell Tower Project)

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6 Focus on Religious Freedom From Catholics For Freedom of Religion Fifty years ago, on July 25, 1968, Pope Paul VI issued an Encyclical Letter entitled Humanae Vitae, On Human Life. On October 14, 2018, Pope Francis will canonize his predecessor as Pope Saint Paul VI. In this anniversary year, Bishop John O. Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre has issued a Pastoral Letter entitled The Supreme Gift: The Gift of Life, commemorating the encyclical of this soon-to-becanonized saint. This teaching of the late Holy Father is in many ways more important today than at any time before. In his letter, Bishop Barres wants to teach the people of the diocese the important truths of Humanae Vitae, because these truths very much need to be reexamined today in light of the problems we face in our time. Please take a copy of The Supreme Gift home, read it, and discuss it as married couples and as families. Bishop Barres says: Understanding the teaching of Humanae Vitae, believing it, and living it, is one of the first and most important answers to the crisis of our time. I truly believe that the future Pope Saint Paul VI wrote the letter more for our times than even for his own. Today, it can become the first step in repairing the injury between men and women, husbands and wives, parents and children, the family and society. At the Mass of Beatification of Pope Paul VI in 2014, Pope Francis said of his predecessor: When we look to this great Pope, this courageous Christian, this tireless apostle, we cannot but say in the sight of God a word as simple as it is heartfelt and important: thanks! Thank you, our dear and beloved Pope Paul VI! Thank you for your humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his Church! In [his] humility the grandeur of Blessed Paul VI shines forth: before the advent of a secularized and hostile society, he could hold fast, with farsightedness and wisdom and at times alone to the helm of the barque of Peter, while never losing his joy and his trust in the Lord. Visit drvc.org for an electronic copy in English and Spanish. Thank you. Religious Liberty & Adoption Services: Faith-based adoption agencies, including Catholic Charities, have shut down in Massachusettes, Washington D.C., Illinois, and California, because of anti-discrimination laws or funding in these states. The agencies' policies of placing children only with married husband and wife couples have conflicted with expanding legal requirements to place children with same-sex couples. When legislatures in these states failed to carve out a religious exemption for these agencies, they were faced with a difficult choice: violate its conscience, or close its doors. Support for Religious Liberty has recently been passed by legislatures in Oklahoma and Kansas. These states now join AL, SD, TX, VA, and MI who already have laws in place that grant protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in same-sex homes. Supporters of these laws argue that the core issue is protecting a groups right to live out its religious faith. (nbcnews.com, 5/4/18; thinkprogress.org, 5/4/18; usccb.org; catholicnewsagency.com, 3/13/17) "While Americans presume that the Constitution guarantees their rights, in practice, our rights survive or disappear based on how firmly we defend them." Archbishop Charles Chaput, Philadelphia

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13 GOLDEN ROSE QUEEN OF IRELAND LADY OF KNOCK OUR QUEEN OF PEACE The Parish of St. Joseph ~ Kings Park In collaboration with The Ancient Order of Hibernians ~ Men and Ladies ~ Kevin Barry ~ Division 3 - Smithtown Invite you to join us as we celebrate The 139 th Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady Of Knock ~ Queen of Ireland Friday, August 17, 2018 Holy Mass ~ Church of St. Joseph ~ 7:30 P.M. Hospitality to follow in Travis Hall. The History of Our Lady of Knock On a wet Thursday evening of the 21st August, 1879, at about 8 o clock, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared in a blaze of Heavenly light at the south gable of Knock Parish Church ~ Co. Mayo, Ireland. Behind them and a little to the left of St. John was a plain altar. On the altar was a cross and a lamb with adoring angels. The Apparition was seen by fifteen people whose ages ranged from six years to seventy-five and included men, women and children. The witnesses described the Blessed Virgin Mary as being clothed in white robes with a brilliant crown on her head. Over the forehead where the crown fitted the brow, she wore a beautiful full-bloom golden rose. She was in an attitude of prayer with her eyes and hands raised towards Heaven. St. Joseph was on her right and turned toward her in an attitude of respect. St. John was on Our Lady s left, dressed in white vestments and resembled a bishop, with a small mitre. He appeared to be preaching and held an open book in his hands. The witnesses watched the Apparition in pouring rain for two hours, reciting the Rosary. Although they themselves were soaking wet from the rain, not a single drop fell on the church gable or the vision. Our Lady spoke no word to those gathered ~ she didn t need to ~ they were listening with their hearts. Please join us as we honor Our Lady of Knock and pray that we also will listen with awe and wonder and respond in faith.

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17 Young People s Summer Camp 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM School Building CYO ~ Ball Fields 1, 2 and 4 8:00 AM 8:30 PM Young People s Summer Camp 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM School Building CYO ~ Ball Fields 1, 2 and 4 8:00 AM 8:30 PM

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