THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF SAINT MATTHEW & OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

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1 THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF SAINT MATTHEW & OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP The Week of February 12, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 REQUESTED BY: 5:00 pm (A) Donna Craig M/M F. Venturino 5:00 pm (H) Patricia Nardecchia Harold Henshaw SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 8:00 am (H) Edward Lotz Grascia Family 8:30 am (A) Wanda & Stephen Blaha Lorraine Easty George Richter Phyllis Richter 10:30 am (A) Josie & Tony Gagliano Camille Gutierrez & Family 12 Noon (H) Sp. Intention Scarlett Her Family on her 15th Birthday MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 8:00 am (A) Maurice Sheehan Catherine McCarthy Raphaela Pasanello Jim Pasanello & Anne Schnibbe TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 8:00 am (A) Jerry Sheehan Catherine McCarthy Special Intention WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 8:00 am (A) Wanda & Stephen Blaha Lorraine Easty THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 8:00 am (A) Guy Trepanier Catherine McCarthy Giuseppe Perretta Shryock Family FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 8:00 am (A) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 8:00 am (A) Guy Trepanier OLPH Parishioners 5:00 pm (A) Charles Caporale 5:00 pm (H) Mary Walzer Ann Marie Chinnery SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 8:00 am (H) Sandra Lee Murphy Nancy Maleska & John Galayda 8:30 am (A) 10:30 am (A) Carol Ann Kealy Kevin Kealy 12 Noon (H) George Zahurak Sr. His Family Key: (A) = Ardsley (H) = Hastings If you would like to bring the gifts up during the offertory procession, please see an Usher before Mass begins.

2 First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20 This passage from Sirach gives strong, unequivocal emphasis to free will in every person. Before each of us is set, sin or virtue, life or death, and each of us are free to choose the one or the other. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Paul explains to the Corinthians that there are two different kinds of wisdom the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. The wisdom of God is mysterious, but this wisdom has been revealed to those who love him through the Spirit. Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37 FEBRUARY 12, 2017: SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells the people he has come to fulfill the law. He speaks strongly against murder and anger, against adultery and lust, and against false oaths and lies. He warns the people that unless their virtue exceeds that of the Pharisees, they will not enter the kingdom of God. A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUNDAY READINGS HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 12, 2017 What we utter is God s wisdom: a mysterious hidden wisdom. God planned it before all ages for our glory. Yet God has revealed this wisdom to us through the Spirit Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God. The professional religious people of Jesus time knew the bible, practiced in detail the requirements of their faith, and most were holy people. They knew the word, lived the word and incorporated it into the daily living. Fast forward: How does the wisdom of God play out in my life? I know many things from the bible. I can speak about the four gospel writers and enjoy the life of the primitive church as I find it in the Acts of the Apostles. Some passages especially from the letters of Saint Paul, as the hymn of charity or the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Corinthians and Galatianis move me. The wisdom found in the scriptures is to direct my life and focus on just one thing, that is my holiness. Knowledge in the head must move down a few inches and become the life giving pump for my heart. Holiness too is a gift of God for me to seek, discover and accept. We call Jesus the holy one of God and we are to be as well.

3 Please keep in your prayers the ill of our parish especially: Peter Rasulo, Christopher Liva, Mary Michna, John Trevor Dabenigno, John Kelly, Kristin Harkin, Susan Sullivan Manuele, Ambrosio Maldonado, Aurea Cabanillas, Rita Stitham Gavin, William Bates, Louis Cillo, Beatrice Smith, Rosemarie Distelhurst, Juliana Ramirez, Gina Linss & Charlotte Bonney. And for those who have died marked by the sign of faith, especially: Mary Lichtenberg, Richard Dosin Sr. If you know of any parishioners who are ill and would like to be visited by a priest, please contact the rectory at Names will be left on the sick list for 4 weeks. Please feel free to call the rectory to add names of immediate family We are very grateful to those in the military who have dedicated themselves to protect our liberty and freedom. Please keep our troops in your prayers, especially: Brian Dunne-Navy, Christopher Gaulin-Army, George Moore-Navy, Nicholas Sestito-Marine, Donald Wemer Jr. - Marine, Michael Germain-Navy, Brandon King - Army. Candle Dedications for the Week: Blessed Mother Candle at St. Matthew s Special Intentions req. by Mom & Dad Please Note: If you have a BLUE CANDLE in memory of a loved one at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, please contact the rectory for your 2017 renewal. Flower Dedications: Main Altar Flowers at St. Matthew s Special Intentions req. by the Cajas Family WEEKLY COLLECTIONS - Thank You! ST. MATTHEW & OLPH Collection: $6397 $8716 Peter s Pence: $2705 $2301 Christmas (to date): $34,193 Christmas 2015 Total: $35,479 Christmas Flowers (to date): $4,473 Christmas Flower 2015 Total: $2,412 THIS WEEKENDS SECOND COLLECTION is for Maintenance & Repairs. The St. Patrick s Party: In the January 8th bulletin I mentioned that the Social Committee was beginning to plan the St. Patrick s Party in March. While there was interest in having the party, unfortunately conflicts have arisen which ruled out our being able to organize this year s party. The Social Committee is very disappointed that it cannot happen, but we will start working now on both the Parish Picnic for September and the St. Patrick s Party for next March. The Social Committee will begin meeting in April to plan both events. We welcome all to join us. My apologies that the St. Patrick s Party will not be held this year. Lee Kinnally wlkinnally@gmail.com RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS: This weeks Class Schedule: Tuesday, February 14 from 3:30pm - 5:00pm Wednesday, February 15 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm Wednesday, February 15 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm Sunday, February 19 from 10:00am - 11:15am Prison Ministry - Saturday morning, March 18 th, at 10:30am, in the rectory downstairs meeting room, Fr. Paul Tolve, I.V. Dei will meet parishioners who are interested in prison ministry. Fr. Tolve is the Director of Pastoral Care for the Westchester County Dept. of Corrections. He will be able to inform us about the needs and how we can support this important ministry CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT: To request the amount of your 2016 contribution to the parish, please send an to office@stmolph.com or complete the form below and return it to the rectory. Name: Address: Phone: Envelope Number: We MUST have your envelope number to process your request.

4 Fast & Abstinence During Lent Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. Dear Pastors/Administrators: January 27, 2017 Month of the Holy Name of Jesus Fasting and abstinence from meat on Fridays are important Lenten obligations for every Catholic bound by age and health. As pastors/administrators, we need to strongly encourage our people to follow these directives. This year, the Solemnity of Saint Patrick, our patron, falls on a Friday, and I have decided to dispense our people from abstaining from meat. Please notify your parishioners. With renewed gratitude and prayerful best wishes, I am, Fraternally in Christ, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York Questions and Answers about Lent and Lenten Practices Q. Why do we say that there are forty days of Lent? When you count all the days from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, there are 46. A. It might be more accurate to say that there is the "forty day fast within Lent." Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable. The Sundays of Lent are certainly part of the Time of Lent, but they are not prescribed days of fast and abstinence. Q. So does that mean that when we give something up for Lent, such as candy, we can have it on Sundays? A. Apart from the prescribed days of fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and the days of abstinence every Friday of Lent, Catholics have traditionally chosen additional penitential practices for the whole Time of Lent. These practices are disciplinary in nature and often more effective if they are continuous, i.e., kept on Sundays as well. That being said, such practices are not regulated by the Church, but by individual conscience. Q. I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I'm not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products? A. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs --- all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consommé, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and Looking Ahead to shellfish are permitted. Q. I understand that Catholics ages 18 to 59 should fast on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, but what exactly are the rules for these fasts? A. Fasting on these days means we can have only one full, meatless meal. Some food can be taken at the other regular meal times if necessary, but combined they should be less than a full meal. Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals. Q. Are there exemptions other than for age from the requirement to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? A. Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting. ASH WEDNESDAY: Ashes will be distributed DURING the Masses at: Our Lady of Perpetual Help: 8:00 am & 7:00 pm St. Matthew: 9:00 am & 7:00 pm

5 The Cardinal s Appeal Supports Our Mission & Evangelization ENRICHING OUR CATHOLIC FAITH with $6 MILLION The Cardinal s Appeal supports the many programs and ministries that nurture our faith: Adult Faith Formation Black Ministry Catechetical Office Family Life/Respect Life Hispanic Ministry Hospital Apostolate Liturgy Office Prison Apostolate Superintendent of Schools University Apostolate Youth Adult Outreach MAKE AN ONLINE GIFT TODAY!

6 FEEDING OUR NEIGHBORS An Archdiocesan-Wide Drive to Replenish Dwindling Food Pantries Donations of non-perishable food for the Feeding Our Neighbors food drive will be distributed to local food pantries. All donations should be placed in/near the boxes in the back of the churches by tomorrow, February 13 following the Masses. St. Matthew & Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is proud to introduce PARISH GIVING for Electric Funds Transfer for your parish donations. It s Simple to Sign Up: Log on the parish website: and click on the Parish Giving Logo and follow the easy registration instructions. Parish Giving Participants: If you don t want the collection basket to pass you by without putting something in, you can drop in a Parish Giving Participant Voucher. Feel free to print as many as you need from our website. It s Secure: Parish Giving is PCI compliant and uses the strongest SSL encryption technology available. It s Convenient: No more searching for the check book on Sunday morning stops at the ATM machine. You can pick the day of the month for the recurring contributions to be processed. Tax Benefits: You will be able to print out a report detailing your contributions for the year. Parish Benefits: Weekly or monthly contribution choices Significant reduction of parish administrative costs. Contact Christine at or by office@stmolph.com if you have any questions.