St. Theodore s Church 168 Spencerport Road Rochester, New York 14606 Parish Office: 429-6811, Fax: 429-7726 Faith Formation Office: 429-5650 e-mail: Gsttheod@dor.org http://sttheodoreschurch.com Like us on Facebook! November 1, 2015 I VE BEEN THINKING God s Mercy From Pope Francis (6) It is proper to God to exercise mercy, and he manifests his omnipotence particularly in this way.[5] Saint Thomas Aquinas words show that God s mercy, rather than a sign of weakness, is the mark of his omnipotence. For this reason the liturgy, in one of its most ancient collects, has us pray: O God, who reveal your power above all in your mercy and forgiveness [6] Throughout the history of humanity, God will always be the One who is present, close, provident, holy and merciful. Patient and merciful. These words often go together in the Old Testament to describe God s nature. His being merciful is concretely demonstrated in his many actions throughout the history of salvation where his goodness prevails over punishment and destruction. In a special way the Psalms bring to the fore the grandeur of his merciful action: He forgives all your iniquity, he heals all your diseases, he redeems your life from the pit, he crowns you with steadfast love and mercy (Ps 103:3-4). Another Psalm, in an even more explicit way, attests the concrete signs of his mercy: He executes justice for the oppressed; he gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoner free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin (Ps 146:7-9). Here are some other expressions of Psalmist: He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds The Lord lifts up the downtrodden, he casts the wicked to the ground (Ps 147:3, 6). In short, the mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality with which he reveals his love as that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that this is a visceral love. It gushes forth from the depths naturally, full of tenderness and compassion, indulgence and mercy. (7.) For his mercy endures forever. This is the refrain that repeats after each verse in Psalm 136 as it narrates the history of God s revelation. By virtue of mercy, all the events of the Old Testament are replete with profound salvific import. Mercy renders God s history with Israel a history of salvation. To repeat continually for his mercy endures forever, as the psalm does, seems to break through the dimensions of space and time, inserting everything into the eternal mystery of love. It is as if to say that not only in history, but for all eternity man will always be under the merciful gaze of the Father. It is no accident that the people of Israel wanted to include this psalm the Great Hallel, as it is called in its most important liturgical feast days. Before his Passion, Jesus prayed with this psalm of mercy. Matthew attests to this in his Gospel when he says that, when they had sung a hymn (26:30), Jesus and his disciples went out to the Mount of Olives. While he was instituting the Eucharist as an everlasting memorial of himself and his paschal sacrifice, he symbolically placed this supreme act of revelation in the light of his mercy. Within the very same context of mercy, Jesus entered upon his passion and death, conscious of the great mystery of love that he would consummate on the Cross. Knowing that Jesus himself prayed this psalm makes it even more important for us as Christians, challenging us to take up the refrain in our daily lives by praying these words of praise: for his mercy endures forever. The Jubilee of Mercy begins on Dec. 8 and continues until the Feast of Christ The King on Nov. 20, 2016. What a beautiful theme and what beautiful thoughts from Pope Francis! Peace & Love,
Page Two St. Theodore s Church, Rochester, New York THANK YOU! Everyone had a great time at our first Trunk or Treating and Halloween Fun night last Saturday. Be sure to check out the pictures on our Facebook page and also in the main entrance to church. Thank you to the Youth Ministry Committee for hosting this event and for everyone who helped decorate and helped with games and crafts. Thank you also to the parishioners who decorated their cars and passed out candy to all the children. A special thank you for donations from the Garden Factory, Maier's Farm, Whittier Farm and Tim Horton's and also the Gates Police Department for keeping the parking lot safe during the trunk or treating. UPCOMING JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING FOR GRADES 6-8 You are invited to attend our first youth gathering of the school year for Grades 6-9 this Friday, November 6 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Teens are invited to "hang out" with their friends, have fun, share their faith and of course, have food! If you haven't seen our youth rooms before, you won't want to miss this open house and if you have been here before, we hope you will join us again. You will get a chance to check out the Recreation Room with a ping pong table, air hockey and foos ball tables, Play Station 2, and our Gathering Room with sofas and chairs to sit and talk to your friends and DDR (dance, dance revolution) or board games. Bring your friends! Parent volunteers are needed to help chaperone these gatherings. For more information, call Maureen Piehler at 429-5650 or email mpiehler@dor.org. FIFTH GRADE MASS Next Sunday's 9:00 a.m. mass will be a special celebration for our fifth graders and their families. Students will participate in the liturgy and receive a special blessing and a gift from the parish. Rock of Faith will be leading the music. There will be a coffee hour in the parish hall to meet other families and the teachers in the fifth grade program. If you have a fifth grader in our weekly religion program or a Catholic school and plan to attend, please call 429-5650 by Wednesday to let us know how many will be attending so we can plan for food. Hope you can join us! LIGHT THE SEASON WITH LIGHTS OF LOVE Light the season by purchasing a light(s) on St. Theodore s Lights of Love Tree, to remember or honor someone special. A contribution of $5 per dedication will illuminate one of the lights on the Lights of Love Tree, that will be located outside at the main entrance to church. The lights will shine brightly every night from December 7 until January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Our special tree lighting ceremony will be held on Monday, December 7, at 7 p.m. beginning in church and proceeding outside for the blessing and lighting of the tree. Refreshments will be served in the Library following the ceremony. Please join us for this very special evening of reflection and remembrance. Forms are available in the back of church or in the Parish Office. All forms need to be in by Monday, November 16 to be included in the program. FIRST RECONCILIATION MEETINGS In accordance with the Code of Canon Law and the new Sacramental Policies, children need to prepare and receive First Reconciliation (Penance) prior to preparing for First Eucharist. Children who are currently enrolled in weekly religion classes at St. Theodore's or attend a Catholic school are eligible to prepare for this sacrament. Weekly mass attendance is also required. Informational meetings for parents of children in grades 2-4 interested in preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. At least one parent is required to attend this meeting. Letters with information about the program and registration forms were mailed home last week. The meetings will be held in the Meeting Room across from the Faith Formation Office. Please arrive a few minutes early since registration will be taken before the meeting begins. Remember to bring the registration form, fee and wallet size picture of your child. CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT AND CHOIR Our Children's Christmas Pageant returns this year on Sunday, December 13. Our Children's Choir will be at the 3:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve along with the Nativity Play. The pageant, choir and Nativity play are open to children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Forms with the rehearsal schedule were sent home during religion class and mailed to Catholic school children and need to be returned to the Faith Formation Office by Monday, November 16. Extra forms can be picked up in the Faith Formation or receptionist offices. If you have questions regarding the pageant on December 13 or the children's choir for Christmas Eve, please contact Kathy Douglas at kdouglas0617@gmail.com or at 474-9640. If you have questions regarding the Nativity play on Christmas Eve, please contact Maureen Piehler at 429-5650 or mpiehler@dor.org. PARISH BAKED FOOD SALE ELECTION DAY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015 The Parish will be holding a baked food sale on Tuesday, November 3, in the hallway to the Parish Hall. Please support this event when you stop by to vote (or even if you don t vote) at St. Theodore s and get a cup of coffee and some goodies. If you are not signed up as one of our regular bakers and would like to bake for this event it would be greatly appreciated. All bakers, please label your baked goods, especially if they contain nuts, and drop off your creations on Monday, November 2, in the Parish Life Center, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or Monday evening between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. inside the entrance to the Parish Hall. Thank You. S O S Daily Cash Raffle Winners 10/19 Ann Patti $25 10/20 Rita DeBellis $25 10/21 Catherine Pfleger $25 10/22 Helen Clarke $25 10/23 Terry Hayes $25 10/24 Rosalie Bonafede $50 10/25 Bev Donnelly $50
Page Three St. Theodore s Church, Rochester, New York November 1, 2015 FOOD CUPBOARD THANKSGIVING DRIVE Our Turkey Baskets are at the entrances of church and we are asking everyone to take a leaf or two, to help us provide for those in need during the Thanksgiving Holidays. NEEDED ITEM OF THE WEEK Take a leaf or two MEN S CLUB Men s Club will meet on Monday, November 2, at 6:45 p.m. in the north end of the school Park in the west parking lot. All men of the parish are welcome to join us. Come for some hot pizza or soup and good conversation. You won t be disappointed.! WESTERN MONROE COUNTY FIRST FRIDAY DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR AT PADRE PIO CHAPEL Please join us for our Divine Mercy Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction, sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and readings from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska on the first Friday of every month from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Bring your friends! The Chaplet and benediction is lead by the deacons assigned to the parishes of western Monroe County. Padre Pio Chapel is located at, 141 Frank Dimino Way (off Manitou Road between Buffalo Road and NY 531 expressway, opposite the Italian American Community building). This First Friday devotion is promoted and supported by Catholic Radio 1460 AM The Station of the Cross Are you listening? - Deacon Angelo Coccia HANDS OF CHRIST AWARD The Hands of Christ is a recognition program to assist parishes in affirming their high school seniors who have been the Hands of Christ in their church, home, school and community, sponsored by the Department of Evangelization and Catechesis. The recognition ceremony will be in March 2016 with Bishop Salvatore R. Matano. The criteria to receive this very special recognition: Has consistently demonstrated a Christian attitude by word and example. Has been actively involved in the parish as well as their school or community. Has been a positive role model to their peers, younger children and adults. Is a practicing Roman Catholic in a parish in the Diocese of Rochester and attends Mass. Is currently a high school senior. If you know of a high school senior who is a parishioner and is deserving of this award and would like to nominate them, please call Maureen Piehler at 429-5650 or email at mpiehler@dor.org by November 30. Important Note: Most students wish to include this award on their résumés for college applications. For this reason, nominations will be processed now and the student will be notified by Maureen upon receipt of the nomination. SANTAS, SNOWMEN, WREATHS, CHRISTMAS TREES, AND A LOT MORE.. It will all be available at our New to You Christmas Sale just in time for you to decorate your home for the Holidays. So plan on coming to our Parish Hall on Saturday, November 21, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or Sunday, November 22, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All proceeds to benefit the Parish. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST In conjunction with our New to You Christmas Sale the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Pancake Breakfast. Come and enjoy pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee on Sunday, November 22, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. No reservation needed. Only $5.00 per person. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE During the month of September 2015 we celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial for the following parishioners: George Laure Celeste Rodriquez Pasquale DiMarzo Wayne Barry Mary Collichio Frances DiTucci Concezio Casilio Nicola Marella Josephine Martellotti Please pray for our deceased and their families at this most difficult time. Save Our Selves Daily Cash Raffle Our next raffle runs from December 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Winners to be determined by random drawing Weekday prize - $25 Saturday and Sunday prize - $50 Two special drawings of $250 each on January 1, 2016, New Year s Day and February 14, 2016, Valentine s Day You have 122 chances to win! No limit on how many times you can win $20 per raffle ticket. Must be 18 or older to play. Raffle tickets need to be returned to St. Theodore s by November 27. If you need additional ORANGE tickets they are available in the entrances to church or in the Parish Office. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Congratulations to our parishioner, Vivian Vande Velde, who was awarded the Empire State Award for Excellence in children s literature by the New York Library Association. Vivian s books are available at Barnes and Noble. WEDDING BANNS Alana Davola and David Liberti
Page Four MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2 MONDAY All Soul s Day 8:30 A.M. Jennie Couture req. Maria Messina 8:30 A.M. Amalia Mancini req. Quintino & Nellie DiCesare TUESDAY Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 A.M. Leonard Palozzi req. Mary Nicolosi WEDNESDAY Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop 8:30 A.M. Raymond Farinella req. Family THURSDAY Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 A.M. Communion Service FRIDAY Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 A.M. Benito Antinarella req. Mr. & Mrs. Tony Ruggiero WEEKEND MASSES Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time SATURDAY 4:30 P.M. Angelo D Ambrosio req. Wife & Family 4:30 P.M. Mario Cerami req. Family SUNDAY 9:00 A.M. Frank DiCesare req. Family 11:00 A.M. The People of St. Theodore s Parish Bible readings for next Sunday: 1 Kgs 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 (155) 2015-2016 Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $61,315 Pledged $12,556 (20% of our goal) 130 Donors Thank you to the good stewards who support our parish with your time, talent and treasure. FINANCES FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 25 Weekly Needed Collection $9,615.38 Amount Received $8,513.07 Amount short this week $1,102.31 Attendance 775 Children s Envelopes $33.00 Number of Envelopes 405 Capital Maintenance $235.00 Fiscal Year Sunday Collection Budget $503,000 Fiscal Year-To-Date Actual $147,584
Page Five Eucharistic Chapel Open 24 Hours TODAY 9:00 AM RCIA/RCIC MONDAY 5:00 PM Faith Formation Classes for Grades 1-5 6:45 PM Men s Club 7:00 PM Faith Formation Classes for Grades 6-8 7:00 PM Evening of Remembrance TUESDAY All Day Baked Food Sale For Election Day 9:00 AM-10:00 PM Solemn Adoration 7:00 PM Rosary Altar Society WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM-10:00 PM Solemn Adoration 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY 1:30 PM Bible Study 4:30 PM Youth Bell Choir Rehearsal SATURDAY 11:00 AM 5th Grade Mass Practice 3:45 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation NEXT SUNDAY 9:00 AM 5th Grade Mass and Coffee Hour 9:00 AM RCIA/RCIC PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Parish Staff: Rev. Steve Kraus, Pastor Angelo Coccia, Deacon Laurence Feasel, Deacon Sr. Catherine Pfleger, RSM, Pastoral Associate (Worship) Rita Manners, Music Director Maureen Piehler, Faith Formation Coordinator/ Youth Minister Leigh Ann Lester, Business Manager Maria Discavage, Faith Formation Secretary John Hammerle, Parish Council Chair Food Cupboard: 429-5360 Interpreted for hearing impaired 9:00 9:00 A.M. Hearing Loop
END OF BULLETIN ANY TEXT OR GRAPHICS ENTERED ON THIS PAGE WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE PRINTED BULLETIN Church Name: ST. THEODORE S CHURCH City, State: ROCHESTER, NY File Name: 06-0160 Phone: 585-429-5650 Contact: Maria Discavage Comments: