The Roman Catholic Church of ST. ADALBERT Faithfully witnessing to the Gospel of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ since 1903. Wiernie świadkami Ewangelii zmartwychwstałego Pana Jezusa Chrystusa od 1903. 550 Lansing Street * Schenectady, NY 12303 * www.rcda.org/churches/stadalbert April 17, 2016 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 4:00 P. M. Vigil Sunday 9 A.M. Polish 10:30 A. M. Choral Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 3:15 to 3:45 Communal Penance services are scheduled seasonally. Parish Office (518) 3464204 Mon. Fri. 10 A.M. to 3 P. M. Closed for Lunch: Noon to 1 P. M. Sat. closed Sun. closed Parish Staff Parish Life Coordinator Deacon Joseph M. Cechnicki Weekend Presider Rev. Alan D. Jupin Pastoral Associate for the Elderly Sr. Bernadette, C.R. Residence: 3748724 Director of Music Mrs. Diane Baltazar SecretaryBookkeeper Marilyn Sapone Baptism & Marriage Contact parish office for more details. Faith Formation at the old St. Paul s School Arlene Parisi, Coordinator 3770506 or 4410597 We Welcome New Parishioners Contact the parish office to register. All address changes should be given to the parish office. Brightly beams our Father s mercy from His lighthouse evermore! To us He gives the keeping of the lights upon the shore. See Inside: All Are Welcome Here!
WELCOME! Thank you for sharing in our journey during this Holy Year of Mercy December 10, 2015 to November 30, 2016 Jesus the Good Cowboy muddy, stinky sheep Amoris Laetitia and the wideness of God s Mercy On the first weekend after his installation, a bishop of a diocese on the Great Plains traveled to a rural parish to celebrate Mass. It happened to be Good Shepherd Sunday, and he had delivered what he believed to be a well thought out homily on Jesus the Good Shepherd. After Mass, a tall, husky rancher stopped the bishop and said, We re cowboys out here and don t really care much for shepherds and sheep. Taken aback by these comments the bishop thought and prayed about it. By the next time that he came to that parish, he had crafted and delivered a homily about Jesus the Good Cowboy, and it was well received. The Truth, the central message had not changed. It didn t need to change. But the way of thinking about the message, how to package and present it and, in this case, the metaphor had to be adapted to a different time, different place, different audience and different needs. Vatican II and every Pope since have recognized that the Church must do the same thing universally. This has not been nor will it be an easy thing to do. Folks (clergy, religious and laity alike) seem to cling to their old metaphors and ways of doing things. Many believe that their metaphor and their way is the only one. That it has to be an either-or win-lose situation.. It can t be both-and everyone wins They forget that The Way, Jesus Christ, employed many metaphors and ways to try get The Truth across to folks. Papa Francisco has often employed the sheep metaphor for not only all persons, including himself, to which the Church must reach and minister. Not the cute, cuddly fur-ball sheep that are too often used in church art but the muddy, stinky sheep that really populate the fields and pastures. Real sheep have a mind of their own and left to their own devices get lost easily. Real sheep aren t led very easily either. For too many centuries, many or most Catholics mistakenly believed that they were the cute, cuddly fur-ball sheep and if they were in the sheepfold (attended church once a week and followed the rules) that was all that mattered. They were content to stand in the sheepfold looking at each other oblivious to anything outside the pen. As for the lost sheep, they prayed that the lost sheep would come back, eventually, on their own -- just as long as they washed off the mud and got rid of the smell before they came into the pen. The words and actions, including the newly released Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, of Papa Francisco all point to a new approach and new way of being Church for this time and place to address the needs of all God s people -- not just the ones who think that they are cuddly and cute inside the pen. The Pastor Aeternus (Supreme Shepherd), Francis, is neither changing the Truth nor the Tradition. Rather, he is focusing with laser-sharp precision on the radical yet simple core of Jesus Christ s Gospel Message --- break free of the pen (church walls), seek the lost, keep the gates wide open for those who wander in, run to them and welcome them, don t worry about the mud or the smell --- love them, love them, love them as your Heavenly Father has loved you --- and let each and every person on earth know that their past doesn t define them -- nothing absolutely nothing can separate them from the Love and Mercy of God. (RLS) PLEASE, VISIT US AGAIN SOON! Please pray for the Resurrection unto eternal life of Stephanie Wisniewski FAITH FORMATION NEWS SACRAMENTAL PREP FIRST HOLY COMMUNION RETREAT Saturday April 23, 2016 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at the Roman Catholic Faith Formation Center FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Sunday May 8, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at the Church of Saint Adalbert Wow was the response from the lady at SICM when the many items, which were donated by our generous folks for their Spring Bag Project, were dropped off last Monday. Please know that by your donation you have positively touched the lives of the many young people who will receive a Spring Bag. THANK YOU! MINISTRY OF GREETER MINISTRY OF USHER Studies show that folks make up their mind whether they would like to join a parish/congregation within the first 15 minutes of their arriving on the church property. Ushers and Greeters are therefore on the front-line of our campaign to put our best hoof.. I mean foot forward (too many allusions to sheep) and ensure that everyone feels welcome in our church home. Sign-up sheets for Greeters (old and new) are in the gathering area. Training will be scheduled in the near future. HOLY NAME SOCIETY DRAWING WINNERS Helen Saunders $200.00 Dave Morra $50.00 Helen Saunders $50.00 Rich Chartrand $25.00 Rick Sandercox $25.00 Joyce Addison $25.00 Marty Velardi $25.00 Thank you to all who participated in the drawing. Thank you also to everyone who donated and/or purchased goods at our Bake Sale. LOTS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-NEED PURCHASE It is never too early to make preparations for the inevitable. Lots are available for pre-need purchase in the new section of the cemetery. Traditional burial and cremain burial are available. Burial in our cemetery is open to all persons not just to parishioners. Contact parish office for more details. THE ST. ADALBERT'S DANCERS There is a way to support the dancers as they prepare to travel to see the Pope in Krakow for World Youth Day! We are selling chocolate bars and Yankee candles. We are also offering sponsorships! For as little as $25 you can sponsor a dancer. This entitles you to a ticket to a Polish dinner at the end of the summer. We will prepare a delicious meal for our sponsors and give a presentation about our trip For more information, please see Susan Matala or contactsmgorga@hotmail.com.
Fourth Sunday of Easter CARD PARTY Thursday, April 21 at 7 P.M. O.L. Queen of Peace Parish Center 210 Princetown Road in Rotterdam Door prizes and more Donation $5 POLISH DINNER Sunday, April 24 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Polish-American Veterans Club 942 Cutler Street in Schenectady Gołumbki, Pierogi, Kapusta and Kielbasa Please make reservation, call 382-1783 ANNUAL CONCERT IN HONOR OF ST. CECILIA Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 4:00 P.M. St. Joseph s Church State & Lafayette Streets in Downtown Schenectady Elinore Farnum (Organ) - Terry Gordon (Trumpet) - Rachel Brownell (Voice) A free will offering will be taken up Light reception will follow Free parking behind the church and on surrounding streets ALL ARE WELCOME For information, call Mark Reilly at 331-8047 WORKS of MERCY INITIATIVE Annual Fundraiser The Fabulous 50 s Murder Mystery Dinner Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. O.L. Queen of Peace in Rotterdam Tickets $32 per person Annual $5,000 Drawing Only 100 tickets will be sold at $100 each* Drawing will be held at Murder Mystery Dinner * Parish organizations or a group of parishioners could pool together to purchase a drawing ticket. Dinner and Drawing tickets are available at the Parish Office. SPRING CLEANING As you clean out your closets for the change of season, please consider donating any gently used clothing items that have been outgrown to the Good Neighbor Program. We are accepting all children's sizes! Clothing care packages are given to children here in our community to help them feel more comfortable and confident to face the school day. Your help with this work of mercy makes a big difference! Clothing can be dropped off in the gathering area of our church. Jubilee Year of Mercy Celebration of Ministry Monday, May 16 at 7:00 P.M. at St. John the Evangelist More details in the bulletin next weekend For more information on any of the above Go online: www.worksofmercyschdy.org Call: 347-0871 Email: worksofmercyschdy@live.com RESTORATION FUND In Memory of Joann Acevedo $20 - George & Patty Sykala $10 - Marty Majkowski In Memory of Lottie Rej $20 - Isabelle Gorga & Douglas In Memory of Aniela Sykala $60 - Virginia & Barbara Kusek & Ron Severson $25 - Richard & Jean Bradt $25 - Virginia & Frank Bush $25 - Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Trzeciak $20 - Sheila Hawkins $20 - Barbara Nebb & Raymond Tryniszewski $20 - Helen Saunders $15 - Isabelle Gorga & Douglas $10 - Marty Majkowski $10 - Loretta & Ed Novak $10 - Arthur Von Zwehl $10 - Ronnie Thomson $5 - Brandon Clark In Memory of Stephanie Wisniewski $60 - Virginia & Barbara Kusek & Ron Severson $50 - Diane & Ray Baltazar $50 - Delores & Robert DeCarlo, Sr. $50 - Arlene Bartle & Jeanne & Vince Padula $25 - Mr. & Mrs. Henry Auspelmyer $25 - Isabelle Gorga & Douglas $25 - Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Marzio & Son $25 - Geraldine Tornicello $25 - Phyllis & Stanley Weaver $25 - John & Pat Zebrowski $20 - Joyce Addison $20 - Rita & Richard Diehsner $20 - Lynn & Paul Gemmiti $20 - Joan George $20 - Lorraine Kwiatkowski $20 - Stacey Novak & Chris Lill $20 - Marty Majkowski $20 - Wanda Sardynski $20 - George & Patti Sykala $20 Clara Walendziak $15 - Winnie & Bruce Baluch $15 - John & Karen Buckley $10 - Mr. & Mrs. Robert Malecki $10 - Loretta & Ed Novak $10 - Lorraine Sroczynski $10 - Ronnie Thomson Donations to maintain our parish s historic worship space are being accepted at the parish office. VETERANS GROTTO FUND In Memory of Barbara & Steve Kozak $25 - Helen Petrask In Memory of Stephanie Wisniewski $25 - Bebe Spodnewski Donations to maintain the grotto on our parish cemetery are being accepted at the parish office. April 17, 2016 I thank God that many families, which are far from considering themselves perfect, live in love, fulfill their calling and keep moving forward, even if they fall many times along the way. The Synod s reflections show us that there is no stereotype of the ideal family, but rather a challenging mosaic made up of many different realities, with all their joys, hopes and problems. Pope Francis; from the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia or The Joy of Love
READ REFLECT Scriptures for Sunday, April 24, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 14: 21-27 Responsorial: Psalm 145:8-13 2nd Reading: Revelation 21:1-5a Gospel: John 13:31-35 Catholic Bible Online: www.usccb.org/bible/ REJOICE RESPOND SUBMIT ITEMS FOR BULLETIN by email to: stadalbertbulletin@gmail.com by 11 A.M. on the Monday prior to the weekend that you want your bulletin item to appear. PARISH CALENDAR Tuesday, April 19, 2016: Tuesdays with Deacon Joe - 10:00 A.M. - parish house Thursday, April 21, 2016: Christian Service meeting - 2:00 P.M. - parish house Saturday, April 23, 2016: Feast of St. Adalbert, Bishop & Martyr Thursday, April 28, 2016: Confirmation - 6:30 P.M. - O. L. of Mount Carmel church Sunday, May 1, 2016: May Crowning - 10:30 A.M. Mass - church Works of Mercy Fundraiser - 3:00 P.M. - O.L. Queen of Peace parish center -- For details: see notice in this bulletin Saturday, May 7, 2016: Vocation Summit - 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. - Auriesville Shrine For details: www.albanyvocations.org/vocations_summit.html Sunday, May 8, 2016: First Communion - 10:30 A.M. Mass - church WEEKLY OFFERTORY: $5,500 is needed each week to meet our expenses. April 9/10... $3,134 U.S. Bishops collection - Calamities... $439.19
MASS INTENTIONS Saturday, April 23, 2016: 4:00 P.M. Deceased Members of the Opanowski Family req - Helen & Diane Robert Dumas req - Family Sunday, April 24, 2016: 9:00 A.M. Helena, Edmund & Jozef Joachim req - Joachim Family 10:30 A.M. Edward Grabkowski req - Loretta Grabkowski & Josephine Loubris Marma Rosa Ferrari req - Claudia, Diane & Tricia SCHEDULE OF MINISTRIES April 23/24, 2016 4:00 P.M. 9:00 A.M. 10:30 A.M. Altar Servers: J. Zebrowski K. Krasecki E. Messemer Lector: J. Stec Z. Drzymalska D.DellaVilla Eucharistic Ministers: R. Baltazar -------- A. McCullough P. Gemmiti M. Synowiec R. Chelkowski L. Gemmiti J. Florek L. Chelkowski Greeters: 4 Needed 4 Needed 4 Needed For details: see notice inside this bulletin Sign-up sheets for this ministry are in the gathering area Ushers: (Note that the Ministry of Greeter and the Ministry of Usher are two separate and distinct ministries.) SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, October 16, 2016 Dożynki Harvest Festival at The Church of St. Adalbert Parish Center 575 Lansing Street in Schenectady, NY STAY CONNECTED WITH THE CHURCH OF ST. ADALBERT Parish Website www.rcda.org/churches/stadalbert Parish Bulletin Online Go to: www.parishesonline.com Type in: Church of St. Adalbert and Schenectady, NY in the boxes Click on Latest Bulletin