Parish Staff Church of St. Ephrem 929 Bay Ridge Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11228 Sunday, October 22, 2017 Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Rev. Robert B. Adamo, KHS, Pastor Rev. Msgr. Peter V. Kain, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Anthony S. Chanan, Parochial Vicar Mr. Robert Cote, Youth Minister Mrs. Michele James, Business Manager Rev. Msgr. Theophilus Joseph, Parochial Vicar Ms. Eileen Maguire, Director of Faith Formation Mr. Thomas Marchesiello, Director of Music/Liturgy Deacon Kevin McLaughlin, Permanent Deacon Mr. Craig Mercado, School Principal Sr. Ann Martha Ondreicka, O.P., Director of the Spirituality Center Mrs. Lisa Pinsky, Parish Secretary Mr. Thomas J. Sbordone, Christian Awareness Program/Pastoral Care Deacon Anthony Stucchio, Permanent Deacon Rectory Office Spirituality Center Christian Awareness Program Faith Formation Office 929 Bay Ridge Parkway 935 Bay Ridge Parkway 929 Bay Ridge Parkway Office in School Room 307 718-833-1010 718-921-9518 718-833-1143 718-745-7486 Fax 718-921-5232 stephremreligioused@gmail.com St. Ephrem School 924 74th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11228 718-833-1440 Fax 718-745-5301 www.stephremschool.org Schedule of Masses Saturday Vigil Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12 Noon, & Weekdays & Rectory Office Hours Monday Friday: 9:00 AM 12 Noon 1:00 PM 8:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM Sunday No Office Hours Parish Registration All are welcomed and invited to register at the Parish Office and participate in our parish. Devotions Miraculous Medal Novena, Mondays following the Mass Recitation of the Rosary at 8:15 AM before weekly morning Mass. Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday at 3:00 PM First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following the Mass and Benediction at 12:30 PM. Our Mission Statement Baptism Parents should call the rectory to make an appointment. Please note that there are no baptisms during the season of Lent. Marriage The Sacrament of Marriage requires a time of serious spiritual preparation. Couples should make arrangements for their marriage at least six months before the date of the wedding by making an appointment with a priest or deacon. Please log on to www.pre-cana.org for complete information about marriage preparation in the Diocese. Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Saturday 3:30 4:30 PM. By appointment for all other times. Anointing of the Sick/Communion To make arrangements for communion to be brought to any parishioner who is seriously ill or confined to the house, or if they wish to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. To see a particular Staff Member, please call for an appointment. We, the parish family of St. Ephrem, baptized into the life of Jesus Christ and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, strive to be a welcoming and responsive Roman Catholic faith community. Together we are committed to put our faith into action by: Responding to the spiritual and physical needs of the community through service and charity. Reaching out to those who are searching for a faith community, including the young and those seeking to re-kindle their relationship with God. Reaching out to all without distinction. Passing on our faith and traditions through teaching by word and example. Connecting to where people are on their faith journey. Actively participating in the worship, sacrament and devotional life of the church.
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 22, 2017 You shall love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself. There are many deep divisions between Caesar and God, between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of heaven. In today s gospel the Pharisees disciples and the Herodians raise what amounts to a minor division when they raise the question of praying the census tax to Caesar. Seeing through the trick, Jesus turns the tables and entraps them with the truths. The way of God is not found in opposing civil and religious realms, but in acting as Jesus would in both areas of life, responding appropriately in each kingdom. Like Jesus we are to give ourselves for the good of others in all areas of life. Giving ourselves first to God, we will know the way and the truth of all other loyalties, and our choices and behaviors will further God s plan of salvation. Jesus quickly dispatches this divide, commanding his hearers to give to each realm what properly belongs to it. The deepest divide is between disingenuous hearts living a lie and transparent hearts living in accordance with the truth. This deepest divide is what Jesus came to heal-for those who wish to be healed. Often our struggle with living this gospel is not really about two kingdoms presenting opposing values, but rather that our one divided hearts trump everything else. The kind of self-giving that gives to God what is God s due and to society what is society s due necessitates that we think of others first. It truly is that simple, yet sometimes so hard to live! I am sure you join me in congratulating Sister Ann Martha Ondreicka, O.P., as she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee as a Sister of St. Dominic, Congregation of the Holy Cross. What a testimony in this Year of Vocations. As we pray that others will generously answer God s invitation to Priesthood, Deaconate, and Consecrated Life, let us don t forget to pray for those who have answered God s calling and are living it faithfully. With this we pray for Sister Ann Martha, that God will continue to bless her and her ministry as a Sister of St. Dominic. In the Good Shepherd, Fr. Robert October 15, 2017 299 Envelopes $10,052.00 Hurricane Irma $ 3,176.00 We Share (Online Giving) 40 Families $220.00 Mass Attendance 673 Thank you for your generosity to St. Ephrem Parish! Generations of Faith continues across the Diocese! Generations of Faith Campaign Update as of September 16th at St. Ephrem R.C. Church Campaign Goal $980,000 Total Pledged $1,068,619.00 Total Payments to Date by $703,162.43 Parishioners Total # Donors 195 Total Funds To Be Returned to Parish to Date $305,589.22 On behalf of the parish, and all of the volunteers who helped with Generations of Faith thank you for your prayers and support of this historic effort! While we have completed our campaign, many parishioners are choosing to make their pledge payments to Generations of Faith automatically through online giving! Enroll in online giving today! Follow These Easy Steps: 1. Visit: www.cfbq.org/pledge 2. Enter banking or credit card information 3. Confirm your payment method, reference and contact information 4. Welcome! You are now enrolled for easy, convenient and free online payments! What if I need help setting up an online account so that I can pay my pledge? To provide this service, we have partnered with Faith Direct, a leading online provider for the Church. Should you need help enrolling or if you do not have an email address, please contact them at (866) 507-8757. If you have further questions, call Catholic Foundation at (718) 965-7375, ext. 2210 and they will assist you further. 2
Saturday, October 21st Vito Buffa, Angela Buffa & Vince Buffa Michael Sloan Joseph Mondiello George Warren George Tabeek Ann McClellan 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 12 Noon Sarah Ferrara Georgianna Brander For the People of St. Ephrem 8:45 PM Faith Formation & Pastoral Life The Office of Faith Formation provides leadership, training, support and enablement to those who serve in catechetical ministries in the Diocese of Brooklyn Sunday, October 22nd Monday, October 23rd Deacon Wilfred N. Horne (2015) This years, Appeal provides support for the following areas of Faith Formation: Catechist Training Catholic Youth Organization Childhood & Adolescent Diaconal Formation Lay Leadership Lay Leadership Formation Liturgy & Worship Marriage Preparation & Pre-Cana Pastoral Planning Respect for Life Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Tuesday, October 24th Wednesday, October 25th Virginia Ingenito Thursday, October 26th Frances Mascari Cosimo Corsaro Friday, October 27th Saturday, October 28th Raffaela Losardo Laura Feeney Sean Patrick Verdi Rosa Napoli & Teresa Antonelli 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 12 Noon Philip J. Baffuto Mike & Danica Vucina Domenick Mazzone (10th Anniversary) For the People of St. Ephrem Vocation Support Vocation Support is essential for the preparation of future clergy and its relies on the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal. Diocese of Brooklyn is blessed to have 45 Seminarians studying at the college level and major seminaries. Sunday, October 29th Our Parish Goal: $104,459.00 All monies collected over goal is returned to St. Ephrem Parish The Bread & Wine In Loving Memory of Victoria Balsamo 240 Donors Amount Pledged: $97,522.00 Paid to Date: $92,057.00 Reached 93.36% of Goal Requested by: The Polizzotto Family Christian Awareness Program (CAP) Our next meeting is on October 24 th at 9:30 AM in the Rectory Meeting Room Thank you for your continued generosity we are now over 93% of goal!!!! Just a few more and we will achieve our goal!! 3
YOUTH MINISTRY PARISH NEWS Memorial Opportunity Youth Group (Grades 6-9) Sunday, November 5th at 6:00 PM in the Rectory Meeting Room St. Ephrem High School Night (Grades 9-12) Friday, November 17th at 7:00 PM in the Rectory Meeting Room Join us for one night or for every event. For more information please email: stephremyouthministry@gmail.com @stephremyouth Please see brochure in the church HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Bishop Kearney High School Sunday, October 29th 12 Noon to 1:30 PM RSVP at www.bishopkearneyhs.org/openhouse St. Joseph by-the-sea High School Sunday, October 22nd for Boys, 1 PM to 4:00 PM Saint Saviour High School Sunday, October 22nd 12 Noon to 2:00 PM RSVP online: stsaviour.org/admissions Are you homebound? Are you or someone you know sick? Are you or someone you know going into the hospital or a nursing home or rehabilitation? Please let us know! Would you like us to send a card, visit, bring Holy Communion, or be in contact for any need such as a walker, cane, homemaker or housekeeper. Please contact: Tom Sbordone Christian Awareness Program (CAP) Office (718) 833 1143 We will be happy to assist you! I was sick & you visited me.. Matthew 25:36 4 Ciboria The vessel in which the Blessed Sacrament is kept for distribution and in the Tabernacle. The above Ciboria is handmade in Spain by the Molina Company, of precious metal. You may like to Memorialize a Ciboria in memory of a loved one or a family name, for $1,500.00 each. Handbells Over the past several years our Sunday masses and special liturgies have been enriched with the addition of our Children s Handbell Choir under the direction of Mr. Tom Marchesiello. We are so fortunate that the handbell choir continues to attract children from our parish who really enjoy volunteering to attend the weekly rehearsals and liturgies, all for the greater praise of our God. We started the Handbell choir with inexpensive bells, which frequently break and can t be repaired, we feel now is the time to invest in a better quality bell that will both look and sound professional and hold up for years to come. We are looking for donors who want to help keep our parish children involved in our wonderful music ministry here at St. Ephrem s Church. The purchase price of over 20 new bells, stands to hold the bells and the carrying case to store the bells is $3,000. We are hoping to purchase the new bells in time for this Christmas season. Memorial opportunities to remember your loved ones are available. Each bell is $125.00. If you are interested in participating in this fundraising campaign, please contact the Rectory Office. Through your generosity we will dignify our worship by engaging our youth in sharing their time and talent here at St. Ephrem s!
DEVOTIONS & SPIRITUALITY CENTER During the Month of October, dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, please join us in praying the Rosary at 8:15 AM & 7:00 PM In our church Monday through Friday. St. Ephrem is hosting its Annual Christmas Fair Sunday, December 3, 2017 If you are a vendor who sells only new merchandise, then we are the place! If you bring your own table $25.00. To rent a table $50.00. For information: deeb1326@aol.com Earthquake Special Second Collections October 28 & 29 For Mexico Earthquake Victims You will be able to assist our brothers and sisters through your generosity. There will be a special second collection taken up at all our Masses these weekends to help Catholic Charities in the Disaster Relief. Spirituality Center A Retreat with Pope Francis Tuesday, October 24th at 1 PM. Session 4 The Vision of St. Ignatius Loyola, with the heart of St. Francis Assisi.. Bereavement Support Group Monday, October 23rd at 7:00 PM Bereavement Support Group Sr. Ann Martha (718) 921-9518, St. Ephrem Sr. Jeanne Elaine (718) 238-2600 x178 St. Patrick s Judy Chiarchiaro (718) 748-1164 Our Lady of Angels All are welcome! Spiritual Direction Sister Ann Martha (718) 921-9518 The Virtual Dementia Tour Right at Home of Brooklyn & Staten Island invites you to join us on an emotional journey to experience the realities of the life for persons living with Alzheimer s disease & Dementia. November 8, 2017 at 7:30 PM Our Lady of Angels Auditorium 7320 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York Entrance: 74th Street Near 4th Ave. Parking Available World Priest Day October 29th Thank you for responding to God s invitation to serve the people of God. Please be assured of our continue prayers and support! St. Vincent de Paul Gives Back St. Ephrem s could share in the profits. For donated cars, trucks or vans, running or not. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our church $50/$100 per vehicle. Maybe you don t have a vehicle, but a family member, friend or neighbor has an old or neglected vehicle in their driveway that they would like to dispose of. Call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul 5 at 718-491-2525. Thank you for your participation
YEAR OF VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME A campaign to raise awareness and promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. There will be CALLED BY NAME cards in the Church. Parishioners are asked to prayerfully consider the names of any young person who might show interest in a religious vocation. Please place the CALLED BY NAME cards in the collection basket. Pray for vocations! YEAR OF VOCATIONS DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN 2017-2018 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go an bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. John 15:16 Project Myriam For young women interested in learning about Religious Life and Cloistered Life, Ages 13-25. Monastery of the Precious Blood 5400 Fort Hamilton Parkway Brooklyn, New York Holy Hour Presentation Dinner October 29th to 8:00 PM Please RSVP to cdost@diobrook.org 718-827-2454 Permanent Diaconate Information Sessions Information for men who feel called to the permanent diaconate will be held: Diocesan Office 310 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, New York 11215 Sunday, November 11th 10:00 AM-12 Noon Monday, November 27th 7:00 9:00 PM To attend one of these above sessions, men must first have spoken with Fr. Robert, the Pastor, and register for the desired date Serve one another in love. Galatians 5: 13 6 PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS ] Lord of the Harvest, we petition you as you have instructed us to ask for more laborers to serve in the vineyard of your Church. You have told us that the harvest is rich and laborers are few and we experience this great need in the face of the challenge of the New Evangelization. We ask the Holy Spirit to inspire young men and women to seriously consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Help all of us to be effective instruments to encourage and support those whom you are calling to serve and lead the Church of Brooklyn and Queens in the future. Lord, you told the Apostles to put out into the deep. We ask for the grace and courage to respond to your call as we pray and work for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, Amen.