TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — God gives the law through Mo-ses (Exodus 20:1-17 [1-3, 7-8, 12-17]) or Exodus 17:3-7. Psalm — Lord, you have the words of everlasting life (Psalm 19) or Psalm 95.
COMMUNION CALLS Any homebound or shut-in may receive Holy Communion in their home. A Eucharis c Minister, will visit. Please call 631-475-4739
SACRAMENT PREPARATION Please call Religious Educa on at 631-289-7327
Offices Note Rectory Business Office is combined with
the Religious Educa on Office and located in the Parish Center .
Hours 9:00 AM –4:00 PM Monday –Friday 631-475-4739
RECONCILIATION Heard Saturday 4:00pm to 4:45pm in the Church or by appointment
Sacrament of Marriage Arrangement must be made 6 months in advance. No date for a wedding can be given over the phone or reserved until the couple completes the formal paperwork with a member of the pastoral staff.
R.C.I.A. is for those who are interested in coming into the Catholic Church or a Catholic interested in completing the Sacraments of Initiation. Call Faith Formation office for more information. Thursday Evenings. V. Shpak & K. Fontaine Mass Intentions
Mass cards announced are $20.00 Presentation Folders are $25.00
PASTOR Rev. Henry Reid Deacon Anthony Graviano
Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 4th Sunday’s in Church at 1:00PM. Baptismal preparation is required prior to the baptism of any child. Please call 631-475-4739 for further info.
Reconciliation/Confession Monday-Friday, Following Daily Mass in Chapel Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 PM in Church
PRAYER GROUPS
Monday Night Prayer Group 7:30 in the Chapel -Jerry Curreri 698-3533 Legion of Mary Prayer Group Monday 7:pm In Parish Center Rob Costanzo 631-834-3385 Wednesday Night Prayer Group 7:30 pm in a Private Home Mary Peterson– 475-4739 St. Monica’s Prayer Group Thursday 8:30 to 9:30 pm in Chapel Secular Franciscans (OFS) Meet in the Parish Center 1st Sunday of the Month 1pm to 4 pm EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Following 8 am Mass Thursday till 10 pm 6pm Divine Mercy Mass Rosary for Life 7pm Prayer Groups as printed above.
March 4, 2018—3rd Sunday of Lent
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, It is difficult to believe that we are in March, and after the mild temperatures of February, the later part of the month anyway, it might be a surprisingly early spring. Walking the grounds, the other day, I noticed that daffodils, or what I believe are daffodils, were sending up shoots, and by this time they may already be pushing buds; hopefully these early flowers are not too early. Partly because of the weather, among other factors, it has been difficult for me to really embrace Lent. In the past, I have had the benefit of gloomy weather during Lent, especially when I lived in Albany or Belfast, and the grey skies, along with bitter cold, even snow or rain has helped me to enter into that spirit of suffering that characterizes this liturgical season. Melted snow, bulbs sending forth their flowers, the sun breaking through the gloom, these were the greetings of Easter joy, and the promise of the Resurrection. Yet, there is the realization that we often go through our own Lenten journeys, whether they are synchronized with the Church year or not, during times when the rest of the world seems to be rejoicing. Whether we are dealing with a per-sonal grief, or a struggle in our lives, sometimes we feel that the world is uncaring, unsympathetic to our struggle, sometimes it even seems that we are being laughed at in our pain. Years ago, while I was living in Albany, I had returned after an Easter weekend visit with my family, to hear terrible news. My friend Jose, whom I had worked with, and whose house I had been a guest in, had committed suicide over the weekend, and I had arrived in time for his funeral the next day. If you were to look around Albany on the day of his funeral, you would have seen flowers in bloom, young people and students walking around, enjoying the end of winter, and new life in abundance. The interior of the church Jose was buried out of, reflected the glory of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead, rather than the tragedy that we had all gathered to mourn. Nature was definitely out of sync with my interior disposition. Now, with the beautiful weather, when my mind is turning towards days on the water, walking around in flip flops, and enjoying God’s creation…. Okay, scrap that. When my mind is turning towards spring clean-up of the parish grounds, repairs to the parking lot, and trying to actually get away for some time this summer, it is difficult to think about the suffering of Christ. It is difficult to join in the sacrificing of comforts, in order to join them to the suffering of Christ on the Cross. But that is what we are called to do, and when we reflect upon the natural beauty of the world that God has created, a beauty that re-flects His love for us, that reflects His presence to those who have not come to know Him through the Incarnation of Christ, we realize that we always carry both Lenten suffering, and Easter joy in our lives. Many of us had the great fortune to listen to Al Barbarino give a Lenten Mission for the parish last week, and those of us who were open to the movement of the Spirit during that time came away with a deeper understanding of our faith. For those who may have missed the chance to take home a copy of the book The Case for Jesus can still get a free copy; just ask at the church or the parish offices, located in the parish center. Friday’s Pasta Dinners continue, with the Alpha program being offered immediately following it, and those who want to enter more deeply into the Lenten journey should stay for the Stations of the Cross. Thank you to all of you who gave to the second collection last week. As you know, I reduced the second collections for the parish to this one, for assistance with Fuel; all the other second collections are for diocesan programs or for the larger Church. It is one of my shortcomings as a pastor, that I don’t like to ask for money, but in the case of fuel, we desperately need the help, as our gas bill for the church building alone was over $3,000 for January. The reality of fixed incomes, state and local taxes, and all the other expenses that people are faced with make it difficult for us to be generous with what little is left over, and the money that you entrust to the parish, will be used with discretion. As we continue to make repairs, and build up the parish, both spiritually and physically, there is the promise that those returning to our community, and those joining, will assist in contrib-uting too. So if you can’t contribute more financially, invite your friends and neighbors to experience the celebration of our Faith. Pax, Fr. Henry
If you can make a meatless pasta dish, or help out with a salad or cookies
we would greatly appreciate it
Please call the Office at 631-475-4739
ALPHA???????? Friday after Pasta Dinner before Stations??????
WHAT IS IT? A short film about being Catholic and having ??????
WHY SHOULD I GO? Try one time before you dismiss it ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Do you have questions about your faith?
Can you easily explain or defend your beliefs?
How can you explain want it is to be Catholic to your friends, family or your teens?
Come eat then watch a short film and talk or listen you will be
surprised how enjoyable the time is and how much you can learn or share each week.
WHY CAN’T YOU COME? It is free!
St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School
“Mid—Year” Honor Roll
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
HONORS: Samantha Schmutz
Grade 12 Average 100.81
MAGNA CUM LAUDE HONORS:
Kevin Schmutz
Grade 9 Average 99.32
Colin Malone Grade 10 Average 95.29
Get ready to receive a book that will inspire you this Lent compliments of Fr. Henry and the Parish
as a gift for your Lenten journey. Look for more details each week.
Catholics ask questions.
Have More QUESTIONS? Please Join Our RCIA Team on Friday’s for PASTA at 6PM, then ALPHA! at
6:30PM, Parish Center
Who is Brant Pitre? What are his Qualifications? Why did he write this book? Where did he begin this quest for information? What message begins to unfold from comments other people made, which are noted in the beginning? Who Do You Say Jesus Is? Why Do You Believe In Jesus? How Do You Explain Your Faith? If you are not a reader call the office and we will give you an audio book for the
We need adults to Work in the Rectory
Religious Store in at least 2 hour
increments.
Saturdays 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Sundays
8:30 am– 10:30 am 10:30 am—12:45am
Call Valerie
631-475-4739
Rectory Religious Store
We carry: Catholic Books, we can also
Order you any Bible style you wish.
Gifts for Homes, Special occasions, Births, Baptisms, Communions,
Confirmations and for your lawn.
We have items for First Holy Communions.
Rosary beads for all including ones for sports fans: Baseball, Golf, Bas-
ketball And soccer.
FOR MARCH 11th
Remember to set your clock forward one hour on Saturday March 10th
&
Second Collec on
Next week, our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection (CRSC). Funds from this collection help provide food to the hungry, support to displaced refugees, and Christ’s love and respect to all people here at home and abroad. Next week, please give generously to the CRSC and help Jesus in disguise. Learn more about the collection at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Usccb.org/catholic-relief
Music Ministry
Is Looking to expand If you play an instrument or are
a singer and would like to participate please see Germaine Fontaine
If you have used clothing please place them in the St. Vincent’s Box.
Please nothing but clothing.
If you have gently used Baby things the Right to Life Ministry collects them 2x a
year as posted.
If you have used items of toys, furniture or Odds & Ends we ask that you please
drop them off at the Salvation Army boxes located on Main Street.
By leaving these items they are thrown out in our trash and cost us hundreds of
dollars that we need.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASS Please let us know if you would be interested in taking a 6 hour defensive driving class here at OLMC for $25.00. It will lower insurance and take points off your drivers license. Drop in the collation basket if you are interested so we know if we have enough people to set a date. Name ___________________________________I am Interested____Phone ______________________
Next gathering WEDNESDAY March 7th
10:00AM till 12:00 PM In the Parish Center auditorium
“With these Hands”
Come learn how to knit and crochet. If you already know how please come and join us for Coffee, cake and a new project.
You can bring your own project or join us in making Hats for Cancer Patients and small
blankets for the neonatal unit at Stony Brook
If you are new, don’t worry, we will Provide detailed instructions and needles
plus yarn to use. Other handicrafts are planned for the
holidays. Donations of yarn are welcome!
FREE CROCHET & KNITTING CLASSES
For Grades 4-8
Wednesdays 4:00 -4:45 pm In The Parish Center
By the Women of “With These Hands”
Calling all students grades 4-8 who would like to learn to make a hat for young people in a battle with Cancer.
Must have a parents signature on the Religious Education flyer which will be
given out at classes this week.
A character hat, a cartoon or animal all do something special ,as they are known to cause smiles to happen.
Classes start Wednesday February 21st
in the Parish Center at 4:00 pm, additional classes can be set up if the
need arises. All yarn, patterns and hooks provided by
the sponsors who purchased a snow-flake, and the women of this Ministry.
It is a wonderful way to learn and share for Lent in this inter-generational class.
FAITHFUL FISH WANTED From Grades 4, 5 & 6
Enjoy dinner and adventure Friday, March 9th
6:00pm till 7:30 pm Sign up/permission sheets will be
given out at this weeks classes All Families are all invited to come and share a Friday Pasta
dinner at 6:00pm cookies needed.
Mark Frank Biondi, Tim Brady,
Mathew L. Brandli, Tom Brady, Bryan Budd,
Paul Burawa, Francis X. Castellano,
Brian Dale, Joey Diveck, Johnathan Delvalle,
Dennis Ryan Dooley, Jeremy Ferguson,
Andrew Hughes, Joe Hwang , Joseph Janssen,
Tracey M. Kentoffio, Kevin Kiefer, Chris Klimek,
Frankie Lopez, Adam McCarthy,
Eugene Mahan, Al Mediate, Daniel Murphy,
Patrick Musumeci, Jonathan Parker,
Ernesto Perez, Maria Perez, Michael B. Poole,
David D. Post, Aldo Ruiz, Szu-Moy Ruiz,
Pamela Seagroatt Michael Sedlak,
Fianna Sogomoyan, Michael Vincent Toro
Anthony Ventura, Jonathan Warshauer, Alexandria Waszmer,
Robert W. White, Brian Wilkenson,
Brendon James Willy
Monday-Saturday 8:00am masses in Chapel. Saturday, March 3rd,
800am ————————
5:00pm Parishioners of OLMC
Sunday, March, 4th,
8:00 am John Hroncich
9:45 am Justin Blankenship
11:30am Christopher E. Fisher
Monday, March, 5th,
8:00am ————————
Tuesday, March, 6th,
8:00am ————————
Wednesday, March, 7th,
8:00am George Brown
Thursday, March, 8th
8:00am Mary Brown
Anniversary of Death
6:00pm ————————-
Friday, March 9th,
8:00am Regina Peterson
7:30pm STATIONS OF THE
CROSS IN THE CHAPEL
Saturday, March 10th,
8:00am ————————-
5:00pm Michael Jacob Sweeney
Sunday, March,
8:00am Parishioners of OLMC
9:45am Angelo Cataldo
11:30am Anna A. Ferello ———means no intention at time of print
