IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 21-47 29th Street ~ Astoria, New York 11105 The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time March 3 rd, 2019 Wednesday, March 6 th, 2019 Prepare yourself for the Lenten season by receiving Ashes at the following Masses and Service: 7:00AM Mass 9:00AM Mass 12:00PM Mass 3:30PM Service of the Word (Holy Communion will NOT be distributed at this Service) 7:00PM Bilingual (English & Spanish) Mass Receive the Mercy of God the Father through the Sacrament of Confession, available the entire day from 6:30AM until 9:00PM, except during the Masses and the Service of the Word. Priests are available to hear Confessions in the following languages: English, Spanish & Italian: Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese English, Malayalam & Hindi: Fr. Liju Augustine English & Spanish: Fr. William McLaughlin PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION www.immacastoria.org ~ 718-728-1613 ~ info@immacastoria.org ~ 718-956-9229 (Parish Website) (Main Telephone Number) (Main Email) (Fax Number)
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH DIRECTORY MASS SCHEDULE SATURDAY 7:00AM Weekday Mass 9:00AM Weekday Mass 5:00PM Sunday Vigil Mass PARISH DEVOTIONS MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA Monday after the 9:00AM Mass with Rosary, and at 5:00PM with Rosary and Evening Prayer. SUNDAY Upper Church 7:00AM Low Mass (Mass Without Music) 9:00AM Family Mass 10:30AM High Mass (Mass with Choir) 12:00PM Spanish Mass/Español 1:30PM Contemporary Music Mass Lower Church 9:00AM Italian Mass/Italiano MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7:00AM, 9:00AM & 12:00PM CONFESSIONS The Sacrament of Confession is available Saturdays from 4:00PM to 4:45PM. The languages generally available are English, Spanish and Italian. Appointments for Confession outside this time can be made by contacting the Rectory Office. RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday Friday 9:00AM 12:30PM / 1:30PM 8:00PM Saturday Sunday 9:00AM 4:00PM Office is Closed Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy Ms. Eileen Harnischfeger, Principal 718-728-1969 - www.iccaastoria.org Religious Education Office (CCD) Mrs. Marylyn Crum, Director 718-956-4494 - mcrum@immacastoria.org CLERGY Rev. Msgr. Fernando Ferrarese.......Pastor Rev. Liju Augustine, CMI........Parochial Vicar Rev. William A. McLaughlin.....Parochial Vicar Dcn. Francisco Hernandez Dcn. Elkin Tamayo In Residence: Rev. Msgr. Charles Patrick Boccio Rev. Msgr. Vincent Fullam WEEKDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration from the end of the 7:00AM Mass to before the start of the 9:00AM Mass every weekday and Saturdays. The Rosary is prayed communally beginning at 8:20AM, and Morning Prayer is celebrated at 8:45AM. FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION Every first Friday of the month, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed from after the 12:00PM Mass through the Parish Holy Hour from 7:00PM to 8:00PM. FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION As a Parish specially dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, we as a community dedicate the first Saturday of every month to honoring her. This devotion includes the communal praying of the Rosary at 8:15AM, the celebration of Morning Prayer at 8:45AM, and the celebration of Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 9:00AM, where the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is also celebrated. OTHER SACRAMENTS Baptisms Baptisms for infants and children are celebrated monthly. Please contact the Rectory Office for an appointment. Sick Calls Please contact the Rectory Office at any time. Only use the Emergency Number for cases of Extreme Unction (Last Rites). Holy Matrimony (Marriages) Please make an appointment to meet with a Priest at least six (6) months before the desired wedding date. Please check with the Church before contacting the Catering Hall. CCD & RCIA If you or someone you know is interested in completing, or receiving all, the Sacraments of Initiation, please contact Mrs. Marylyn Crum of the Religious Education Office for more information.
Liturgical Resolutions Part I In my last essay (Positive Sacrifices for this Lent, 02/24/19), I spoke about preparations for Lent. We were reflecting on what could be done in a positive sense for Lent that not only does not hurt us, but actually enhances our ability to serve God. In this essay, I would like to suggest some changes that could be made during Lent to make the Eucharistic Liturgy become a more deeply satisfying spiritual experience for you. These thoughts come from my observations generally from my experience not only here at Immaculate Conception, but throughout my ministry as Priest and Pastor. These suggestions may not apply to everyone, since some are already practicing these aids to the better understanding of the Liturgy. However, for many, these suggestions may aid in making the Sunday and Weekday Masses more fruitful, both spiritually and psychologically. 1. Get there early. It is amazing to see that, at the beginning of Mass, there are so few people in the pews, but by the time of the Gospel, the number has practically doubled! When you habitually arrive late for something, it says that you do not think it is so important and that you are not that happy at being there. It also says that the meeting that it represents is not important. Think of having an important meeting with someone you love and admire. Would you be late? Again and again? Of course not! You would arrive early (or at least on time) to take advantage of all the time you have with your friend. If the Eucharist is the most important event of our day, of our week, does it make sense to be late habitually? Rather, would it not make sense to get there early so that you can look over the readings in the Missalette and prepare yourself for what God wants to tell you? For those who search and hunger for spiritual nourishment, the readings at Mass, and often the homily, can be directed by God to answering many prayers and petitions of the individual believer. To read them first is to prepare the ground for God s message which is personal and so important that you do not want to miss it either by being late or not having the preparation before Mass to get the ground ready for God s communication. Grace builds on Nature says St. Thomas Aquinas: God can do great and grace-filled things if we have taken the natural means to prepare ourselves. Rushing to our seats in the middle of the proclamation of God s word is something of an insult to God! I often wonder how much grace we waste by not preparing the way adequately. We must do our part by preparing the soil so that, when the divine seed is planted by God, it can bear a great amount of fruit. Properly preparing ourselves to hear the Word of God at Mass could be a life changing mode of being. Why not try it this Lent! 2. Respond to the Prayers Sometimes, when we Priests get together socially, we come up with expressions that sometimes help us understand and accept things in our ministry that often confuse or even depress us. One such expression it the The Lord Be With Me Mass. These are the Masses (often funerals and weddings, but also daily and Sunday Masses) when there is little or no response from the congregation when it is their turn to respond. The Priest says: The Lord be with you!, but is met with a deafening silence. Hence the joke: The Lord be with me since obviously no one is going to pray and hope that He is! The simple response And with your Spirit is a powerful reminder to the Priest Celebrant that the people wish him well and hope that the Holy Spirit accompanies His spiritual and liturgical actions. What a downer it is to hear that silence or the confused murmuring in the congregation! The Second Vatican Council has made participation in the Liturgy by the congregation an integral part of the revised Liturgy. What a wonderful thing it would be to hear a congregation respond with feeling and intent! To be continued next week! exäa `ÉÇá zçéü YxÜÇtÇwÉ YxÜÜtÜxáx
SUNDAY March 3 7:00AM For the People of the Parish (Pro Populo) 9:00AM Gerarda Pezzuto 10:30AM Albert J. Anderson (38th. Anniv.) 12:00PM Spanish: Giorgia Azzopardi; Imelda Catañeda 1:30PM Emily Ost Lower Church: 9:00AM Italian: Calogero and Francesca Mannino; Pietro, Rosa, Francesco & Domenica; Guido and Carmela Troisi MONDAY March 4 7:00AM Laurence, Margaret & Patrick Cassidy 9:00AM Michael DePace 12:00PM Gino Lofrano TUESDAY March 5 7:00AM Aloisia Durst 9:00AM Phyllis Colamartino 12:00PM Mary Duffy; Mary & Edward Casey & Family WEDNESDAY March 6, Ash Wednesday 7:00AM The Coulon Family 9:00AM Carmina Tenaglia 12:00PM Nella Anderson SUNDAY March 10 7:00AM For the People of the Parish (Pro Populo) 9:00AM Joseph Cseri (10th. Anniv.) 10:30AM Benedetto Zito 12:00PM Spanish: Ruth Magdalena Matute; Jose Luis Benitez 1:30PM Joseph Weinhofer Lower Church: 9:00AM Italian: Gennaro Ranieri MEMORIALS THE GIFTS OF BREAD & WINE are donated this week in loving memory of John Porcari, Sr. (Birth. Remem.), requested by the Caruana Family. THE ALTAR CANDLES are donated this week in loving memory of Eugene Schiff, requested by Jean Parada. THE FIRST SANCTUARY LAMP is donated this week in loving memory of Rose & Richard Walsh, Sr., requested by Theresa Walsh. THE SECOND SANCTUARY LAMP was not memorialized this weekend. Please contact the Rectory Office for more information about our weekly Memorials. THURSDAY March 7 7:00AM Darlene Morrone 9:00AM Evaristo Perez 12:00PM Salvatore Barrera FRIDAY March 8 7:00AM Domenick Vota (Birth. Remem.) 9:00AM Margaret & Michael Finucane 12:00PM Ellen & Patrick Egan SATURDAY March 9 7:00AM The Purgatorial Society 9:00AM The Varvi & McCarthy Families 5:00PM Leopoldo Tavez (Liv.) & Family Please pray for all the faithful departed, especially... Geraldine Losito Julia Graziano Arturo Secaira Kathleen Valletutti Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. PLEASE KEEP THEM ALL IN YOUR PRAYERS
CONGRATULATIONS! On the weekend of February 23rd, 2019, Fr. William McLaughlin and Fr. Antony Fernando Baptized into our parish family: Kaylee Rose Cruz Jonluke Xavier Dongail Javi Alejandro Justinico Isabel Diane Lucher Olivia Ann Lucher We pray that God will bestow many Blessings on these families as they continue to grow in their faith! ADULT CHOIR RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS The Adult Choir is looking for new members, and we invite you to join us! We sing at the 10:30AM Mass each Sunday, and meet for rehearsal on Thursdays from 7:00 8:00PM. You don't need to read music. All you need is a love for music and a sense of humor! If you are interested in joining us, please visit the choir loft before or after Mass, or email ksybrwn@gmail.com. We look forward to having you join us! LENTEN OBSERVANCES The Lenten season this year begins with Ash Wednesday (March 6th) and ends with the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 18th). Please keep in mind the following observances during this time of penance and preparation: Abstinence: All the faithful who have reached 14 years of age are required to abstain totally from meat on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday. Fasting: All the faithful between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive are bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This practice involves limiting oneself to a single meal and avoiding food between meals. Light sustenance may also be taken on two other occasions during the day. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord: Palm Sunday will be celebrated this year on April 14th. Blessed Palms will be distributed at all Masses on Sunday, and at the 5:00PM Vigil Mass on April 13th. Reconciliation Monday: Our Diocese will once again celebrate Reconciliation Monday on April 15th, the Monday of Holy Week. This means that every Parish in our Diocese, and those in the Archdiocese and the Diocese of Rockville Center, will be offering the Sacrament of Confession from 3:00PM to 9:00PM The Paschal Triduum: The Paschal Triduum, or Three Days, takes place during Hoy Week and consists of the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Friday of the Passion of the Lord [Good Friday], and the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night on Holy Saturday, celebrated this year April 18th April 20th. As we come closer to these days, we will publish a complete list of Mass and Service times. Please note that our usual Mass and Sacraments schedule will not apply during these days.
A LETTER FROM BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO As many of you know, our Diocese just published the list of 107 priests who have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. These allegations date back as far as 1934. The majority of these priests are already deceased. Those who are living have either been laicized or permanently removed from active ministry. The names have been published to offer greater transparency and accountability to the Church at large as well as to the general public. In this way, we hope to promote healing and justice. The Church recognizes the pain that has been caused to those who are victims of child abuse, as well as to their families; the victims have been offered the opportunity for counseling, as well as financial reparation through the special Compensation program (IRCP). As Pope Francis has reminded us, we need to take time to listen to those who have survived this painful trauma, we need to be in solidarity with them in their suffering, and continue to work to prevent this from happening again. We acknowledge the confusion and anger this has caused many of the faithful of the Church. Difficult as it is, we are doing everything possible to rebuild the trust. Since 2002 and the Charter for Protection of Children and Young People, the Church in the United States has taken many important steps to prevent such abuse from happening in our parishes, programs and schools. Any member of the clergy with a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor is removed from active ministry. Also, every member of the clergy, every lay employee and volunteer who has contact with children is required to undergo a background check (which is now reviewed quarterly) as well as participate in a training program on abuse prevention. We also publicize the independent Reporting line to facilitate filing reports of abuse within our Diocese, which immediately are communicated to civil authorities. That number is: 888-634-4499. We ask God to watch over us, and to give us the fortitude to face the painful truth of abuse, as we move forward to work for healing and reconciliation.
The Italian Community of Immaculate Conception Church cordially invites you to our... ANNUAL DINNER DANCE Fundraiser for Our Parish SUNDAY, MARCH 24th, 2019 1:00PM 5:00PM Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy Hall 21-63 29th Street, Astoria NY, 11105 There will be a Hot Buffet, Wine, Soda, Coffee, Tea, Desserts, and more! Authentic Italian Music by Ron Dellapina. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased no later than Sunday, March 17th, 2019. No tickets will be sold at the door! Please make checks payable to Immaculate Conception Church. For Reservations, please call 718-278-0274 or 718-932-4261.