PASTORAL STAFFRev. Joseph G. Fonti, S.T.L., PastorRev. Italo Barozzi, In Residence
Msgr. Kevin B. Noone, In ResidenceDeacon Joseph A. Freda
SCHEDULE OF MASSESSaturday - 9:00 A.M., 5:00 P.M. (Vigil)Sunday - 7:30 A.M., 9:00 A.M. (Italian),
10:30 A.M., 12:00 P.M.
WEEKDAY MASSESSeptember - June
Monday - Friday: 7:00 A.M., 9:00 A.M.July - Labor Day
Monday - Friday: 8:00 A.M.
CONFESSIONSaturday 11:00 - 12:00 P.M.
and by appointment at the Rectory.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER@ ST. MEL’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY154-24 26th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354
(718) 539-8211 Fax (718) 539-6563www.stmelsacademy.org
Advisor: Mr. Richie Diaz, M.A., M.S.Ed.Principal: Mrs. Amy Barron, M.A., M.S.Ed.
DIRECTOR OF MUSICRudolph Albert
FAITH FORMATIONCO-DIRECTORS
Paula Migliore - Denise DeRosaFaith Formation Office - (718) 461-9840
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BAPTISMSCall the Rectory Office for information at least one month in advance.
MARRIAGESCall the Rectory Office for information and appointment with a priest at least six months prior to the date you wish.
NEW PARISHIONERSWe are always happy to welcome new parishioners into the family of St. Mel. Stop in at the Rectory to register, ask questions and meet the priests who gladly serve you.
PASTORAL CARE TO THE HOMEBOUNDWe are concerned about parishioners who are homebound and would like to receive the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation or the Anointing of the Sick. If you are homebound, or if you know someone who is unable to come to Mass - please do not hesitate to contact the Rectory -718-886-0201. Visits will be happily arranged for you.
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENAEach Monday after the 9:00 A.M. Mass.Blessed Sacrament Devotions:First Friday Adoration 9:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.Daily Recitation of the Rosary: 8:30 A.M.
EVANGELIZATIONIf you know of any Catholic, who is not attending Church or receiving the Sacraments and desires help in returning, please call or refer them to one of the priests at 718-886-0201. All information is confidential.
RECTORY OFFICE HOURSMonday - Thursday 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Friday 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.Emergencies any time.
Sunday, March 14, 2021
This week we celebrate the feast days of two well-known and beloved saints: Saint Patrick (March 17th ) & Saint Joseph (March 19th ). And while they are universally hailed as “go to” intercessors by most members of the Catholic Church, the parishioners of Saint Mel’s have felt a particular closeness to them. Blessed as a diverse parish with an ever-growing international flavor, the Irish and Italian influence has played a central part in our parish’s identity and piety since our foundation in 1941. One can still hear in many of a parishioner an Irish accent or the beautiful sound of Italian being prayed in church or spoken on our streets. As both cultures have greatly contributed to the stability and spiritual enrichment of our parish, each bears witness to the power of faith in their historical past. This week we also painfully recall the one-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic and all the sorrow and suffering that plagued us here in America and throughout the world. Aware
that we have endured and struggled much, the people of Ireland and Italy – like many other peoples and cultures - have been there before us. The Great Famine (1845-52) of Ireland brought massive starvation and disease to the Emerald Isle claiming over a million lives. And in the Middle Ages a terrible drought brought great suffering to the people of Sicily that many lives were lost due to the dreadful hunger. As both peoples shared a terrible suffering in body, starvation, they both shared an amazing endurance in faith. Saint Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, sowed the seed of Christian faith so tightly in the hearts and souls of the people of Ireland that they were able to remain a “people of hope” during the famine. And in Sicily, though pain and hardship ravaged the body because of a lack of nourishment; the soul of the Sicilian people remained enlivened with courage and fortitude as they prayed and begged San Giuseppe for guidance, spiritual support, and relief from their hunger. Yes, we have suffered much since and during the pandemic. But let us not forget that others have been there before us. As we honor these two great spiritual giants, Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph, we ask for a humble and trusting spirit. May we, like those who sought their intercession in the past, be willing to seek their help and guidance in life especially when it brings us hardship, challenge, suffering or pain. Never knowing what each day will bring, we are confident and courageous for we know that we can, as the Beatles remind us, “get by with a little help from our friends.” Those here below and those helping us from above. Buona Festa! Sláinte chugat! – Father Fonti
Mass Intention March 14, 2021
SAT 3/13
5:00 Rocco & Anita Migliorelli
SUN 3/14
7:30 Marica & Niko Mustac
9:00 Lucia DeVincentis
Vito & Giuseppa Decimati
Francesco DiMaria
Salvatore & Giuseppa Vitale, Gaspare & Vincenza Faraci
The People of The Parish
10:30 Antonio Lao
12:00 Giuseppe D’Amico
MON 3/15
7:00 Rose Bono & Charlotte Brancato
9:00 Frank Rappa
TUES 3/16
7:00 Francesco, Caterina, & Pietro DelVecchio
9:00 Joseph Roach
WED. 3/17
7:00 Dino Mariotti
9:00 Lina Pellarin
THURS. 3/18
7:00 Carolyn & John Cerone
9:00 Jim & Ann Soressi
FRI. 3/19
7:00 Orazio Bruni
9:00 Vito & Giovanna LaPuma
SAT 3/20
9:00 Mary & George Polochick Family & Rose & Bob Dillon Family
All The Souls in Purgatory
Carmela Leone
Gina Cavalli
5:00 Juan Thornhill
SUN 3/21
7:30 Msgr. William Sears
9:00 Famiglia Macchia
Maria Pirraglia
Salvatore Salamone
Orazio Bruni
The People of The Parish
10:30 Robert & Dominick Galeota
12:00 Marijan Stipicevic & Marija Grandov
Sanctuary Candles
This week the Sanctuary Candle is donated in Loving
Memory of:
Frances Altamuro
Given by: Vincent
Altamuro
Newly Enrolled in the Purgatorial Society
February, 2021 William Gorman Tadeusz Waszak
Marica & Niko Mustac Catherine Olson
Edwin Olson Andrew & Christina Cho
Joanna Cho Andrew An
Leroy Vanterpool All Souls with no one to pray for
The Purgatorial Mass is offered on the First Friday of each month at 7:00am. Enrollment in the Purgatorial Society is for the period of one year.
Bread & Wine
This week the Bread and Wine are donated in Loving
Memory of:
David Reinah
Given by: The Sacristan Crew
Altar Candles
This week the Altar Candles will burn bright in Thanksgiving for:
The Gift of the Early
Childhood Center
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
FRIDAYS FOLLOWING
THE 9:00 AM MASS
MARCH 19TH
MARCH 26TH
“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because, by your holy Cross you have
redeemed the world.”
― St. Francis of Assisi
MONDAY – MARCH 29TH
3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Jesus says: “Be Not Afraid”
“God never tires of forgiving us, but we sometimes tire of asking Him to forgive us. Let us never
tire of asking God’s forgiveness. He is the loving Father who always forgives, who has that heart of
mercy for all of us.” - Pope Francis
In your prayers…
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amen.
We pray for all those who are sick, especially:
We pray for the recently deceased, especially:
John Fennell, Louis Aresu, Vincent DeVuono, & Livio Smolizza
• Matt Z. • Lisa Sperazza • Esme Mooney Kavanagh • Robert Tedesco • Susan Trezioso • Mike Scopa • Kathy Allen • Pasquale Cama • Kathleen Tansey • Angela Isernia • Nick Roberto • Rosemary Di Pietro • Pasqualina Lucciola • Julia Rollo • Francesca Cecile • Angelo Ragonese
• Allison Petrenas • Nick O’Donnell • Patricia O’Donnell • Kristian Mendez • Brian Finn • Jennifer Russo • Roseann Orlando • Barbara Ann Luisi • Tom Sammel • Rosemary D’Angelo • Rita Cassino • Jacinta Carolan • Louis Aresu • Assunta Goldone • Elodia Valles Fahed • Rosemary DiPietro
Scan for the Readings Sunday, March 14, 2021
Parish Goal: $84,065.00 Raised: $34,365.00
Generations of Faith - Book of Gratitude
Letters have been mailed to each family that donated to the Generations of Faith campaign (church renovation) asking them to confirm their name for the engraving in our Book of Gratitude. The campaign, begun in 2015 and concluded in 2018. If you donated to this campaign and have not received the letter please let the rectory office know. We would like to verify each name before the engraving is done. Please let us know by March 15th via phone 718-886-0201 ext. 109 or email: [email protected]. Thank you for your continued goodness and generosity to St. Mel’s.
Stay Connected to St. Mel’s Church
Please sign up to Flocknote!
Go to http://stmelsrcchurch.flocknote.com or you can find the app, Flocknote This will bring you to the sign up page to enter your name, email address, and mobile phone number. You will be asked to verify your email or mobile number or both if given. Once you have your information verified you will be asked to create a password. Then you will just follow the directions on the site. Once all is complete you will be set up to receive updates from Fr. Fonti.
Religious Education Program
As mandated by the Diocese of Brooklyn, Religious Education classes for children attending public schools are continuing online through the My Catholic Faith Delivered platform with periodic virtual classes from January through May. We thank the parents and Catechists for continuing to plant the seeds of faith in the hearts of our first through eighth graders. The next virtual classes are scheduled for Wednesday, March 3rd.
Keep in your prayers our eighth graders who are continuing their preparation for the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation on March 27th. Our second graders from St. Mel's School of Religion and St. Mel's Early Childhood Center are continuing their preparation for receiving the Sacrament of First Communion on May 1st.
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Dates:
Sacrament of Confirmation - Saturday, March 27th at 12:30 pm for Lily Fitzpatrick's class and 2:30 pm for Ariana Andrade's class (please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time)
Sunday, April 18- Families of children preparing to receive First Communion on May 1 are invited to join us at the Table of the Lord at either the 10:30 am or 12 noon Mass
If you have any questions regarding St. Mel's Religious Education program, please call the Office of Faith Formation at 718-461- 9840 or email us at [email protected] and [email protected].
St. Vincent DePaul
Our next Bundle Saturday will take place on April 17th from 9am to 12 noon in the St. Mel’s Parking Lot. Clothing in good condition is needed. If you are considering selling your truck , car, or van the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our church whether it is running or not— $50/$100 per vehicle.
THE TABLET Our diocesan weekly newspaper, The Tablet, is being offered at a special introductory rate of $20 for one year. To begin receiving The Tablet at home simply call 877-883-8356 or go to
thetablet.org/subscribe.
The Cenacles of Life
The Cenacles of Life are prayer groups that pray as the Blessed Mother and the Apostles prayed in the Upper Room, awaiting the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They pray – as should all Catholics – to stop the
killing of the unborn, sick, and disabled. The goal of the Prayer Group: restore respect for the sanctity of life which has so frighteningly eroded in our country and world. Please come and pray with St. Mel’s Cenacle of Life: Thursdays @ 11:00 AM in the church
Facebook: St. Mel’s RC Church Instagram: stmelsrcchurch PARISH BEREAVEMENT
SUPPORT GROUP
St. Luke Church
This group provides emotional assistance for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For the safety of all attending,
masks must be worn and social distancing protocol must be followed. If you are interested in participating in these meetings you must contact Sister Theresa at (718) 746-8531. Sister also offers individual Bereavement Counseling Sessions where needed. Please remember to pray for all who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
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