Come Pray with US Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Pastor Reverend Stephen J. Pietrowski [email protected]Associate Pastor Fr. Collins Adutwum [email protected]Deacons John Rieger [email protected]Lou Cosentino [email protected]Pastoral Associate 631.757.6250 Brother Etienne, OSF [email protected]Business Manager 631-261-2485 Liina Kiesel [email protected]Assistant to Pastor 631-757-8184 Nanci DeSantis [email protected]Parish Administration 631-757-8184 Judy Smith [email protected]Children’s Faith Formation 631.757.0720 Nancy Dougherty, Director [email protected]Georgena Ryan, Coordinator [email protected]Parish Social Ministry 631.754.9045 Maria Ryan, Director [email protected]Mary Ellen Pisano, Assistant [email protected]Music Coordinator Deirdre Kupka Facilities Paul Kupka [email protected]53 Prospect Road Centerport, NY 11721 631.757.8184 www.olqmparish.org Daily Masses: Monday - Thursday at 12pm and Saturday at 9am Weekend Masses: Saturday at 5pm Sunday Masses: 8am, *10am and 12pm *10am Mass will be celebrated outdoors at the Saint Gabriel Sacred Space when the weather permits. Please check out website for the latest information. Holy Day: Mass celebrated at 12pm Vigil Mass - Check the website for details. Bank Holidays: Mass celebrated at 9am Confessions: Saturdays 9:30am- 10:00am at OLQM and 4:00pm - 4:45pm at Saint Philip Neri Anytime upon request November 28, 2021 ~ First Sunday of Advent
53 Prospect Road Centerport, NY 11721 631.757.8184 www.olqmparish.org
Daily Masses: Monday - Thursday at 12pm
and Saturday at 9am
Weekend Masses: Saturday at 5pm
Sunday Masses: 8am, *10am and 12pm
*10am Mass will be celebrated outdoors at the Saint Gabriel Sacred Space when the
weather permits. Please check out website for the latest information.
Holy Day: Mass celebrated at 12pm Vigil Mass - Check the website for details.
Bank Holidays: Mass celebrated at 9am
Confessions: Saturdays 9:30am- 10:00am at OLQM and
4:00pm - 4:45pm at Saint Philip Neri Anytime upon request
November 28, 2021 ~ First Sunday of Advent
~ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs ~Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Happy Adventide and Happy ‘Liturgical’ New Year! The green of Ordinary Time has given way to deep purple reminding us of the night sky and the shortness of the days, (at least in the northern hemisphere), as the lengthening cold settles in and the world prepares for winter.
The changes in the world around us are reflected in our readings as we continue the theme begun at the end of the liturgical year prior to the Solemnity of Christ the King last weekend. We just completed the Cycle B of readings, focusing on the Gospel of Matthew and now we begin this Sunday the C Cycle with its focus on the Gospel of Luke. And quite the readings we have! Nothing Christmas-y about it! Dark and foreboding, Jesus speaks of the end times. At face value it seems like some pretty scary stuff. Signs in the sky, the roaring waves, people dying of fright.
Not your ordinary Saturday night! Why does the Church start the new year off with such a dark note? To understand this, we have delve a bit deeper into the scripture itself.
Our Gospel comes from the 21st chapter of Luke. Jesus is visiting Jerusalem for the last time. It hasn’t been a pleasant journey. His opponents have finally had it with him. They are no longer simply hostile to him or his teachings, now they want him put to death. This section of Luke, chapters 19-21, are often referred to as Jesus’ ‘Jerusalem Ministry’. Here, he teaches in the Temple precincts, he has some of his harshest arguments with the Pharisees and the leaders of the people, and it is during this period when he will cleanse the Temple of money changers, disrupting Temple commerce. All of this will culminate in the quest for his end. It is also in this section where Jesus will make predictions regarding the destruction of the Temple, (which will happen in 70 C.E.), by the Romans and the ultimate end of the world.
So why this Gospel at a time when we are focused on new beginnings and the Solemn feast that lies ahead?
On the one hand we have this Gospel to remind us of who we are called to be as compared with the rest of the world. We are not people who are to be rooted to the earth or the age. You and I are called to be people with our eyes fixed on the prize of heaven. The passing of the world is a reality. Someday it will indeed end. Tonight, tomorrow, a thousand years from now, none of knows when, but Jesus reminds us that- that is not the important fact. Unfortunately, when we read this Gospel, too often we get stuck on the ‘what’ and not the ‘who’. People read verses 25-26 and freeze, but if we continue to read, Jesus makes a powerful statement with some extremely consoling words. “And they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” In essence, the end may be coming, but we will not face it alone! Jesus will come to save us. He continues, “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” In other words, when that moment comes, we will not be alone. The Lord will be with us, so we have nothing to fear! We should instead, hold our heads high and rather than cower in fear, stand erect and be confident of our salvation. The world may pass away, but the creator of the world who is truly the savior and the eternal one will not leave us orphan. This is an important point as we face a new year. How many times will our faith be tested in the year to come? How many times will we face trials or tribulations and even
~ All Are Welcome ~death? We are reminded to keep our heads up and stand erect, the Lord is with us, and we have nothing to fear.
Another reason we start our new year with this message is the very fact of the coming solemnity. We start with predictions of ‘the end’ because we are about to recall the culmination of a very long history of salvation. From Adam’s fall through the Patriarchs and Prophets to the birth of Jesus, God’s hand has been at work. The birth of his Son who will indeed be the one coming on the clouds on that day of judgement as he predicted. In a few short weeks we will celebrate the historical fact that our Savior has come. And so, we should not fear the end, ‘Emmanuel’ our God is with us! Because of this we have nothing to fear!
Happy Advent (and Happy New Year!)Peace,Fr. Steve
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
Saturday, November 27th 5:00 PM Fr. Steve
Sunday, November 28th 8:00 AM Fr. Steve *10:00 AM Fr. Collins *Please note: This Mass is scheduled for the Saint Gabriel Sacred Space. Should the weather be inclem-ent, the Mass will be held in the Church. Please check our website for the most current information. 12:00 PM Fr. Steve
Congratulations to Brooke CampbellBen Cammarota
Marie SalukAbby Kelly
Lyla Scagliolaour new altar servers who gathered for
training these past two weeks.We thank them for their dedication and look forward to them serving at
Mass.And, thank you Rick Mazur for all
you do for us!
Today the church lights the first of the four candles on the
Advent wreath.
Contemporary Choir NewsThe Contemporary Choir is in need of singers! If you have the desire to sing praises to God, and join a wonderful group of people, now’s the time! Rehearsals are on Thursdays in the church at 8:00 PM.
We sing outside at the St. Gabriel’s Sacred space on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month,weather permitting.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Valerie Asaro, Director: 631-757-0931.
Looking forward to greeting you at rehearsal!
~ For Your Information ~The Season of Advent and the Message to Prepare
Culture has been telling us that Christmas is coming. Stores are decorated, holiday sales are advertised daily and the shopping frenzy has begun! For some, it is already finished. It is a hectic time for many, filled withlots of things to do to prepare. But, how do we prepare in this Season of Advent?
Advent is an important time in the Church year that invites usto prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord.
We hope as a parish we use this time for prayer and preparation; a time to ask ourselves is our faith central to our lives? If you are able, come to daily Mass and allow the Word to transform you. The Liturgies each day will bring you along on the journey of Advent. Let the scriptures capture you and engage you and invite youto let Jesus be born in you.
November 28th marks the first Sunday of Adventwhich begins the Church’s new Liturgical year.
We invite you to take a copy of “The Little Blue Book” for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
We hope that through these reflections and personal prayer each day,your Advent season will be a rich spiritual experienceof preparing to meet Jesus again in your heart,in others around you and in the daily events of your life.
May this season of Advent bring us peace and allow us to become closer to God.
Do you have an hour or two to spare on Wednesday, December 1st at 9:30am?
Volunteers are needed to help with our parish mailing for Christmas. Meet us in the Community Room!
PRAYER REQUESTS
~ Praying For and Supporting One Another ~
Mass intentions
Let us especially remember those who have asked for our prayers.
Pray for the peaceful rest of all of our beloved parishioners and friends especially Andrea Busa, Richard B. Klemfuss,
Dennis Carey, T.J. McCarthyMichael Caruso and Janet Carillo.
May all those who have gone before us share the joys of eternal life.
DATE TIME OFFERED FOR
11/27 9:00 AM Ann Calandra Sean O’Hagan - 1st Anniversary
5:00 PM Vincent Vomero Fred Wilhelm
11/28 8:00 AM Catherine Reilly
10:00 AM Howard Condolff
12:00 PM Parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs 11/29 12:00 PM Ellen Cedfeldt 11/30 12:00 PM Alex Korenevski - 3rd Anniversary Vincent Vomero 11/01 12:00 PM Remembering Edward J. Condolff on his birthday
12/02 12:00 PM A. Kathleen Tomlinson Dominic De Nezzo - 1st Anniversary
12/03 No Mass on Friday
12/04 9:00 AM C. Annette Carr
5:00 PM Fernando Alonso
12/05 8:00 AM Gerald Cronin
10:00 AM Edward Condolff T.J. McCarthy Kathleen Carll - 15th Anniversary
4th Grade faith formation students & families - Living Intention
12:00 PM Mary Pavlica
Congratulations and God Bless all the Newly Confirmed Students from
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
May the Holy Spirit Guide You Today and Always
OLQM Confirmation 2021
~ Bill Ayres: Reflections on the Readings ~
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
NOVEMBER 28, 2021
~ Bill Ayres: Reflections on the Readings ~
A reading from the first letter of Saint paul to the thessaloniansThis is Paul who at this point in his life actually believed that Jesus would be coming again soon. “Brothers and sisters: may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.”The early Christians were always in danger of persecution from the Romans and being expelled from their synagogues as heretics by their fellow Jews. So Paul is trying to encourage them to hold on because Jesus was coming back soon. Of course, we know that Jesus did not come back and eventually Paul knew it as well. But for many years they all did believe it and this caused one of the first great crises in the early church. Imagine yourself as a semi- literate peasant two thousand years ago placing all you faith in something that never happened and still has not happened. How would you have continued to believe? Yet, most did believe and many gave their lives for their beliefs. They are the many unremembered heroes of our spiritual ancestors.
a reading from the holy gospel according to luke
If you wonder why so many people actually believed that Jesus was coming back soon, then read this. “Jesus said to his apostles: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”This is what is called Apocalyptic language, language that had been used for centuries before Christ to depict the end of the world. Jesus too had heard this language and here is giving it a far different meaning. Instead of terror Jesus is saying that this will be the time of their redemption, something to rejoice. Of course, nowhere did he say it was coming soon, and yet that is how Paul and many in the early church understood it. So, here we are today and Jesus has not come again. The world has not been destroyed despite all the devastation we humans have brought to it. All we know is that whatever it is, whenever it is, it will be a time of redemption.
A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah
This is a prophecy by Jeremiah for the Jewish people who had suffered from the long exile in Babylon. “The days are coming says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall be secure.”
The early Christians and we today believe that Jesus was the person that Jeremiah foretold. He was the Messiah, but much more than that, he was the Son of God, finally coming after all those generations to save his people. At the time, many believed but many did not. That still seems to be true today. Many who were brought up as followers of Jesus have rejected him. Just as God did not blame the people who rejected him 2,000 years ago, we should not reject those of our families and friends who have drifted away now. Our God is a God of mercy and forgiveness.
The Responsorial Psalm: 25 “To you O Lord, I lift my soul.” Do you at whatever time and place ever “Lift your soul” to God? It does not have to be a formal prayer. It can simply be an awareness of God’s loving presence.
OLQM Faith Formation Christmas Toy Drive
To a child, a toy at Christmas
is a very special gift. Please help put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas!
You are invited to
bring a new, unwrapped toy or game to church.
Saturday, December 4th
or Sunday, December 5th
(A bin will be set up in the lobby of the church)
The toys will be collected and distributed to children in our
parish and other nearby parishes. May your family and all families
enjoy special blessings as we enter the
Advent Season!
The Giving SeasonOpportunities
The Giving Season is an opportunity for us, through Parish Social Ministry, to respond to the needs of one another and by doing so, come to know Jesus. By sharing our gifts, we are able to provide compassionate
care to those in need within our faith community. Contact Parish Social Ministry for more information and additional ways to support those in need
The holiday season can be a challenging time of the year for many in our community. You too can be a “Secret Santa” for someone in need. Our parishioners provide assistance and comfort in a variety of ways. As a Parishioner you will be assigned an individual or family in need to “adopt” for whom you purchase gifts anonymously. For many of these families, this assistance is all they will receive for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our goal is to supply these families with Christmas gifts and Holiday food treats.
Call to be placed on our list of adoptors.
The Giving Tree
Beginning early in December, stop by the vestibule at the back of the church and take an “ornament” that has a gift card name for someone in need. Please return the gift card with the “ornament”, specify on the gift card the dollar amount, place in a small bag or envelope & place under Giving Tree or drop to the PSM office. By giving this gift, you are providing a person in need the assurance that they are part of a faith community who cares. Gift cards are due back under the tree by Decmber 19th.
Christmas Meal Basket
Call the Parish Social Ministry office if you would like to “adopt” a family and provide a Christmas meal basket with all the makings for a memorable dinner. We have several different size families you can adopt,
and show them how much you care.
Please donate any new hats and gloves
(preferably adults but all are accepted) by dropping them in the designated bin in
the church vestibule or deliver to the Parish Social Ministry office porch
by Monday, December 13th.
Thank you for your support!
For any questions, please contact Maria Ryan at 631-754-9045 or email at [email protected]
HAT & Glove Drive To help those in need
in our community.
Drive
LEAF BRIGADE
The leaves are starting to fall in abundance, and it is, once again, time for the Leaf Brigade when
volunteers offer their assistance with fall cleanup. The teenage
volunteers (with adult supervision) will assist senior citizens throughout the month of
November. If you need assistance and would like the Leaf Brigade to visit your
home for cleanup, give our office a call to reserve your cleanup team!
Volunteer as a family, Faith Formation class or with other
This is a great opportunity to volunteer and touch someone’s life!
A Special Thank You!
Thank you to all who donated towards the Costume Drive! We received over 125 new or gently-used costumes that
were distributed to families in need within our parish, other local
organizations, and in the surrounding communities. A special shout-out to the students and faculty of the Harborfields High School Fashion Club who held their own costume drive effort in support of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs’ initiative!
This was a wonderful way of helping children in need and making their
Halloween more special!
Autumn Happenings
BOOT DRIVE
Donate new or like-new men’s boots for our Homeless Outreach.
In addition, we are in need of men’s new size medium briefs, tees, socks and
handwarmers. Drop off items at the Parish Social Ministry
office by December 17th.
Please consider helping those less fortunate during the cold winter months.
Scripture comes alive as never before in Chosen
Come experince the program that is bringing viewers around the world into the lives of
Jesus and his Disciples.
Deepen your relationship with Christ this Advent.
Join us Wednesdays, beginning December 1st thru Februray 2nd in the Community Room following the noon mass. We will view one episode of the series weekly. Sister
Dorothy Sconzo, OP will guide us through the series, reflection and fellowship.
Please call the Parish Social Ministry office to register:
Faith Direct: Weekly contributions for the month of October - $5,014
catholic ministries appeal 2021
Parish goal: $108,100
PLedges to date: $77,700
Paid to Date: $67,555
Please consider donating to the Catholic Ministries Appeal and
help us meet our parish goal.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
This weekend, our second collection will be for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Over 43 million people in the United States live in poverty. This collection supports programs to empower people to identify and address the obstacles they face as they work to bring permanent and positive change to their communities.
Learn more about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at
www.usccb.org/cchd/collection.
Thank you for your generosity.
BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! Infant winter clothing and snowsuits are in short supply.
SIZES NEWBORN TO 12 MONTH, ONLY!
Gently used or new clothing can be left in the Baby Closet in the
Community Room.
Newborns in Need is so grateful for your help. Any questions please call Lorraine Grenier, President, at
631-827-0273 or
Marge Dritto, Secretary, at 631-261-4514.
Saint Dominic Middle School Open House
Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 7-8:30pm
STATE OF THE ART ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES
TO REGISTER FOR YOUR TOUR WWW.STDOMSOB.ORG
OR CALL 516-922-4888 EXT. 5315
With the busy times of Thanksgiving and the Season of Advent upon us, enrolling in Faith Direct today is a great way to ensure your gifts of treasure to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs are received even if you may be out of town.
Please pick up an enrollment form from the parish office today or enroll online at www.faithdirect.net - our Church Code is NY229. Already using Faith Direct? Don’t forget to add your Christmas or End-of-Year contributions to your account this fall. Thank you in advance for your support and for using Faith Direct!
