St. John the Baptist R. C. Church 895 Piermont Avenue, Piermont, New York 10968 www.stjohnspiermont.org admin@stjohnspiermont.org 845-359-0078 January 21, 2018 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O. Administrator frtomkunnel@gmail.com Deacon John Cunningham Deacon Robert Pang Kathleen Dunn Religious Education Director May Pang Parish Admin: admin@stjohnspiermont.org MASSES Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish) Weekdays: 8:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM Holy Days: As Announced Rectory Mon Fri 10:15 AM 4:00 PM Sat 9 AM 11 AM (Spanish) January Sponsor: Deacon & Mrs. John Cunningham In Memory of Deceased Members of Cunningham and Bohan Families DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP ST JOHN PIERMONT
Sat 1/20 5:00 PM Mary Pellegrino Mario Pellegrino 8:00 AM Matthew John (Intentions) Petersen Family Sun 1/21 10:30:AM Theresa Veen John & Coleen Duffy Mon 1/22 8:00 AM Tue 1/23 8:00 AM Maria Gabriella Bruno Mildred Oslica Wed 1/24 8:00 AM Florence Simone Ted Simone Thu 1/25 8:00 AM Fri 1/26 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Sat 1/27 5:00 PM Cecilia Logan Robin Miller Sun 1/28 8:00 AM Joe Stach, Jr D'Alleva Family 10:30 AM Theresa Veen Isabelle & Frank Cuss THE SANCTUARY LAMP Is Being Offered this week Bruno Stillo Requested by Connie Lynch Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/ or Homebound of our Parish Family. Thomas Mooney, Molly Robinson Ron Rebers, Ginny Terzer, Silvia Miraglia, Anne Bazala, Helen Koza, Eileen Moson, Marge Culletto, Bill Loftus, Carolyn As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community, Ken Melia, Angelo Mercurio, Michael K. McGuiness, Jr., Michael K. McGuiiness, Theresa (Patti) Veen, John McCann, Charlie Card, Beverly Pane, Francis Cooney, Sr., Nicholas Bruni, brother of Marge Olsen, Patrick McQuaid, brother of Helen Bark, Eleanor Jurasek, Edward Fabry father of Tom Fabry PLEASE ADVISE THE RECTORY (359-0078) WHENEVER A PARISHION- ER BECOMES HOMEBOUND, ILL, OR HOSPITALIZED SO ARRANGE- MENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A PRIEST, DEACON OR EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TO VISIT AND BRING COMMUNION TO THEM. Dear Parish Family, It is probably best to begin with the beginning of Jonah s story (Jonah, 1:1), which is several chapters earlier than our present reading. The word of the Lord came to Jonah with the command to preach against the wickedness of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Kingdom. However, Jonah chose to flee from the presence of the Lord instead. In his flight, Jonah left his home of Gath-hepher, near Nazareth in Israel (2 Kings 14:25), and traveled to Joppa a coastal city. There he boarded a ship bound for Tarshish, a city near Gibraltar in the southern part of Spain. The contrast between Nineveh and Tarshish was vast. Nineveh was located east of the Tigris River in modern-day Iraq. It was more than 500 miles east of Jonah s hometown. Tarshish, in contrast, was west of Gath-hepher. In fact, Tarshish stood more than 2,500 miles from Israel in the opposite direction of Nineveh. It was the most remote destination available to Jonah. Jonah was trying to put as much distance as he could between himself and the Assyrians. Whatever happened to Nineveh, Jonah would not be there to see it. So God sends a terrible storm. Jonah admits to the crew that he is fleeing God. He says, Pick me up and hurl me into the sea and then the sea will calm down for you, for I know that this great storm has come upon you because of me. When nothing else works, with great reluctance, they toss him overboard. The sea turns quiet. Jonah in turn is swallowed by a large fish, usually referred to in tradition as a whale. Residence there, in the belly of the fish, gives Jonah plenty of time for retrospection. He prays a psalm-like prayer about what he has done. God hears him and saves him and tells him a second time to go to the great and sinful city of Nineveh to announce the Lord s message. Jonah submits at last and in today s First Reading the whole city is converted. At the end of his story, Jonah specifies his reason for resistance: That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity (Jonah 4:2). In other words, Jonah wanted Nineveh to be destroyed. He felt they deserved God s judgment. Jonah didn t want to see God s mercy extended to his enemies, and he knew in his heart that God s intention was to show mercy. Jonah discovered that God s salvation is available to all who repent, not just to the people of Jonah s choosing. Jonah also discovered that no one can run from God. Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD (Jeremiah 23:24). Jonah s ill-advised attempt to escape from God was doomed to fail. He soon realized God was with him everywhere he went. Even in the stomach of the great fish, God knew where Jonah was and could hear his prayer (Jonah 2:2). As for the apostles in the Gospel of today, they didn t run away at all. They followed Jesus almost blindly. Possibly they wanted political action. With Jesus gentle guidance they found out gradually what following the Messiah really meant. Whereas Jonah had imagined the worst and run away, the apostles imagined the best and ran to follow Jesus. As it happened, they ran into the worst: the passion and crucifixion. Lucky for us all, the resurrection followed since suffering seems to be inevitable in human life, and here was an answer. Are you running away, like Jonah, or running, like the apostles, toward Jesus? Either way you will surely have suffering. But God will keep after you, pulling you out from fishy environments, pushing you, over and over, asking you to learn, in your obedience, what love is really about. Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.
9AM Religious Ed Sun 21-Jan 11:30AM Spanish Religious Ed 11:30AM Legion of Mary 2PM Spanish Mass Celebration Mon 22-Jan 8AM Religious Ed Tue 23-Jan Wed 24-Jan Thu Fri 25-Jan 26-Jan 10AM Altar Server Prep Baptism Prep Amigos de Jesus Choir Practice RCIA Mensajeros de Jesus Choir Practice Seminar of the Holy Spirt - Spanish Fri Renew Group Spanish Prayer Group 7:30 AM Youth Group COMING SOON! First communion Retreat FOR all THREE OF OUR Communion Classes: Ms. Dominika, Ms. Marleni & Ms. Isabell Will be held in the Hall on Saturday, January 27th from 10AM 12Noon Sat 27-Jan January Family Mass Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 10:30AM Regular Classes for Sunday & Monday January 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th. Children are gifts from God, treasure them! Readings No. 860B Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Liturgy Schedule Jan. 27/28 Time Lector Eucharistic Minister Altar Servers Saturday 5:00 PM Jonathan Fanning Elaine Laurino 1/27 Sunday 1/28 8:00 AM Lisa McKenna Lucy Bosco Shane Cawley 10:30 AM CCD Student Family Mass Michaela Duggan Peter Shine Matthew Shine 1:00 PM Micaela Maldonado Santiago Nova Gabriela Garcia Yuli Mazariego Amy Cajamarca David Nova Nathalie Cajamarca Dayana Mazariego
TODAY'S READINGS THE DEMANDS OF DISCIPLESHIP Today we encounter readings that already have a Lenten feel about them. Nineveh undergoes a forty-day fast, the psalmist reminds us that God alone can show sinners the way, Paul shows us how fleeting the things and events of this world are, and Jesus cries out "Repent!" before he calls his new followers. "Come after me," Jesus says, but if we are to truly live out the commands and demands of our discipleship through baptism, we must first know our need for conversion, our repentance, our need to believe in the gospel fully. Today's Gospel opens with the stark reminder of what befell John the Baptist for completely living out his vocation as the herald of Christ and the gospel: he was arrested, imprisoned, and martyred. Though few of us will experience consequences that extreme, we must all be ready to risk some sort of rejection as, heeding the call of Jesus, we live out the kingdom of God at hand, repent of our sins, and believe in the good news of salvation. First Reading -- The people of Nineveh believed God and turned from their evil ways (Jonah 3:1-5, 10). Psalm -- Teach me your ways, O Lord (Psalm 25). Second Reading -- The world in its present form is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). Gospel -- This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of 1/14 $4,885 Will be reported next week Save the Date : Sat, Feb 2/10 6 PM Thank you to all who generously donated to our Giving Tree. Here at St. John s we are truly blessed to have such a caring, thoughtful community that is always there for one another. More than 130 children were able to have a merrier Christmas because of your thoughtfulness. A special thanks to May Pang for printing the labels and Pat Miele, Scott and Joanne Giblin for putting up the tree. Wear a costumes, Wear a Feather Mask, Wear a Boa! Beads! Games, Scavenger Hunt, Dancing, Parade. Fun for the whole family! Sign up for the shoe box float contest or create your wagon float for the parade. It s a pot luck dinner bring your best gumbo or jambalya make your plans to join us for an evening of fun and festivity before Lent begins Contact May Pang, maysoohoo@optonline.net or call 845-365-1187 if you like to join the committee to help put together this event. Outreach appreciates all of the support we receive from you. We wish you all a blessed, happy and healthy New Year in 2018!
The call of Jesus to twelve individuals, the call we just heard about in today Gospel account, is not a call issued only to twelve Jewish men over 2,000 years ago. It is an insistent call, and urgent call, a demanding call that comes down to us through 2,000 years in this Church of ours to you, to you here and now, to you today, who have been called by God to receive the Bread of Life from this altar and then to leave this church building on a mission. We are to leave here as those who are sent, sent with the twelve apostles to change the world by first changing our own lives. Obedience is not a popular topic today. As strange as it may sound, a great many people who call themselves followers and disciples of Jesus recoil at the suggestion that careful daily obedience either matters to God or ought to concern them. Yet according to Jesus himself, discipleship at its core involves listening to him and doing as he instructs. This is clearly seen throughout the Gospel of Matthew, which scholars believe was originally written as a manual or handbook for early disciple communities. (The vision of a community of disciples is also obscured today by the almostexclusive use of the term church a word which in much modern usage hides the individual within the group, replaces interdependent relationships with static membership in an institution and loses much of the sense of personal commitment, allegiance and responsiveness to Jesus himself as master and teacher.) Discipleship begins with the simple command of Jesus: Follow me. The first disciples did just that immediately and at considerable financial cost (Matt. 4:18-20). Like many since, they could have replied: Yes, sir! and then done nothing. But had they done that, they would not have been disciples at all (21:28-32). In his parting commission to the original disciples, Jesus charges them to make and baptize disciples worldwide, then to teach them also to do everything that Jesus himself has commanded (28:18-20). Words alone are cheap and hollow. Merely saying Lord, Lord! does not guarantee entrance into God s kingdom in the Age to Come. Those who enter there will have done the will of the Father in heaven (7:21). This includes such things as feeding the hungry and thirsty, caring for the stranger, clothing the naked and ministering to the sick and the imprisoned (25:31-46). These are not meritorious deeds that earn salvation; they are evidence of spiritual life which God has graciously given. Obedient discipleship enables us to fulfill God s purpose here and now. This corrupt world needs salt and light. To this end Jesus calls his disciples to engage in good works. Although such deeds are not performed ostentatiously or for human approval (6:1-18), the world takes note of them and praises God as a result (5:13-16). Obedience builds a life that is solidly grounded and that will endure the storms of life. A life without such obedience is foolish and sure to collapse (7:24-27). To do God s will is to enjoy kinship with Jesus closer than his own physical family (12:50). The person who receives Jesus teaching and allows it to bear fruit in his or her life has God s commendation and will never be sorry (13:23). In this day when some confuse obedience with legalism and suppose that grace removes any need for good works, we need to hear the words of Jesus himself. He did not come to abolish God s laws, he said, but to give them full meaning. To be great in God s eyes involves keeping God s commandments as God intended them to be kept (5:17-19). That means observing the spirit as well as the letter of the law sincerely, from the heart (5:20-6:18). Whether good or bad, inward character eventually reveals itself in outward deeds (7:15-20). This is not works-righteousness. It is not salvation by merit. It is a transformed life. It is a changed character. It is genuine commitment. It is obedient discipleship. It is freedom and joy and peace. EDWARD FUDGE MINISTRIES For the simple truth is that when you do in fact change your life, you will have begun to change the whole world. What are you seeking? What is God whispering to you deep down within you? To what and to who to you want to give your life? FR. CHARLES IRWIN
LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura -- Con los avisos de Jonás los ninivitas se arrepienten de su maldad (Jonás 3:1-5, 10). Salmo -- Señor, instrúyeme en tus sendas (Salmo 24]. Segunda lectura -- El mundo que conocemos está pasando (1 Corintios 7:29-31). Evangelio -- Jesús empezó a proclamar: "El reino de Dios ha llegado. Tomen otro camino y crean en la Buena Nueva" (Marcos 1:14-20). LAS EXIGENCIAS DE SER DISCÍPULO Hoy ya encontramos lecturas con el tono penitencia de Cuaresma. Nínive ayuna durante cuarenta días, el salmista nos recuerda que sólo Dios puede indicarles el camino a los pecadores, san Pablo nos muestra que todas las cosas y los acontecimientos de este mundo son transitorios y Jesús nos dice: "Arrepiéntanse" antes de llamar a sus nuevos seguidores. "Síganme", dice Jesús, pero si realmente vivimos los mandamientos y las exigencias de ser discípulos por el Bautismo, nos daremos cuenta de nuestra necesidad de conversión, de nuestro arrepentimiento, nuestra necesidad de creer plenamente en el Evangelio. El Evangelio de hoy comienza recordándonos lo que le sucedió a Juan Bautista por vivir plenamente su vocación como heraldo de Cristo y del Evangelio: fue arrestado, encarcelado y martirizado. Si bien pocos de nosotros sufriremos consecuencias tan extremas, todos debemos estar preparados para enfrentar algún tipo de rechazo por hacerle caso al llamado de Jesús, vivir el Reino de Dios que está próximo, arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados y creer en la buena nueva de salvación. TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE La cruda realidad de nuestro continente es que América es tierra de mártires. Esta semana recordamos el martirio del indígena quechua Segundo Francisco Guamán de Ecuador. Como la mayor parte de los indígenas americanos, los quechuas consideran la tierra como pertenencia de la comunidad humana. De ella come y vive todo ser viviente. LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Desde la llegada de los europeos la tierra americana ha Lunes 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10; Sal 88:20-22, 25-26; sido explotada y con ella los indígenas también. Mc 3:22-30, o cualquiera de lecturas para el Día de Oración El siglo pasado unos campesinos ecuatorianos dirigidos por Segundo Francisco comenzaron a reunirse con el MinMartes 2 Sm 6:12b-15, 17-19; Sal 23:7-10; Mc 3:31-35 isterio de Agricultura y el Instituto Ecuatoriano de ReforMiércoles 2 Sm 7:4-17; Sal 88:4-5, 27-30; Mc 4:1-20 ma Agraria y Colonización. Que agencias civiles tomen Jueves Hch 22:3-16 o Hch 9:1-22; Sal 116:1bc, 2; Mc 16:15-18 interés por los derechos del indígena es siempre "buena Viernes 2 Tm 1:1-8 o Tit 1:1-5; Sal 50:3-7, 10-11; nueva". Lamentablemente lo que es "buena nueva" para la Mc 4:26-34 muchedumbre pobre es "mala noticia" para los poderosos. Sábado 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; Sal 50:12-17; Mc 4:35-41 Uno de éstos decidió vengarse en contra de los campesindt 18:15-20; Sal 95 (94):1-2, 6-9; os. En su rabia, asesinó al joven Segundo Francisco de sólo Domingo 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mc 1:21-28 25 años de edad. Pero su muerte, como la de todo mártir, no fue en vano. Su sangre derramada sobre la madre tierra Para los cursos pre-bautismales llamar a:.alex Aguilar 845-480ha ido sembrando más movimientos por los derechos de 1502 y Natalia Lemus 845-480-1682. Los cursos se dan previa cita los los indígenas. martes 7pm y domingo 11am.
P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Mario Zamora, Marili Mendoza Palma Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn John Cunningham Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Jose Bolaños Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel PARISH COUNCIL Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Alex Flores, Andrew Lee, Rafael Mazariego, Maria Nest, Ralph Olsen, May Pang, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto T R U S T E E S Phil McCartin James Pontone Our Sacramental Life Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Baptism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Generally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm. Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 4:30-5:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is available from 12:30 1:00 PM on Sundays. Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Participation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appointment with Fr. Tom. Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom s mobile 845 608 9358. Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang. For more details and forms www.stjohnspiermont.org Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings. 9 Days for Life: January 18-26, 2018 9 Days for Life is a "digital pilgrimage" of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life. A multi-faceted novena highlighting a different intention each day provides reflections, bonus information, and suggested actions. Join to receive the novena through the 9 Days for Life app, daily emails, or daily texts. See below for information on how else you can get involved! #9DaysforLife #OurPrayersMatter www.9daysforlife.org