Readings: June 29, 2014. Fourth Sunday of Apostles First Reading. Isaiah 1:10-20. Second Reading. 1 Corinthians 9: 19-27 Gospel: Luke 6:27-36. June 29, 2014 SEASON OF APOSTLES Vol. 11 No: 26 St. Thomas, our Father in Faith Pray for us Parish Schedule Liturgical Celebrations: FRIDAY: 7:00 PM Holy Mass SATURDAY: 8:30 AM Holy Mass and Novena to St. Alphonsa SUNDAY: 3:30 PM English Mass 5:00 PM Religious Education. Mass. Sacrament of Reconciliation: On the day of Liturgical Service at the church: 4:30– 5:00 PM Sacrament of the Sick: Contact Rev. Fr. Vicar if anyone is seriously ill.-516-505-7940 Events Calendar June 28. Feast of St. Thomas: Brooklyn- June 29. St. Peter and Paul, Apostles. July 4. First Friday. July 6. Feast of St. Thomas. July 13. Parish Council. July 19. Picnic. July 18. Novena .St. Alphonsa. July 27. Feast of St. Alphonsa. ——————————————— June Volunteers. Flora Park July Volunteers. Queens. My Dear Children, Sisters and Brothers, Today, we remember St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Paul, the Apostle of the Nations who guided the early church. These two holy men were different from each other; perhaps the most noticeable difference was their relationship with Jesus. While Peter denied Jesus, Paul persecuted Him; the former failed Him through his weakness and cowardice, and the latter failed Jesus through ignorance and narrow mindedness. Their faith and strength for martyrdom did not result from human capacity, but was the result of God’s revelation. Therefore, we honor them who were entrusted the most important task – to proclaim the Gospel in the whole world and build the Church – which they faithfully accomplished. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “To proclaim the faith and to plant his reign, Christ sends his apostles and their successors. He gives them a share in his own mission. From him they receive the power to act in his per- son.” (CCC, n.935). Jesus, who chose the twelve apostles, confirmed Peter to be the prime apostle for the proclama- tion he made which was revealed to him by the Heavenly Father – “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). Although Peter refused many times the passion and death (Matthew 16:22) of the Messiah, and denied (Matthew 26:69-75) Christ before His crucifixion, later he repented and professed his faith and love toward Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel we heard that Jesus asked Peter ‘whether he loves Jesus’. Jesus’ question was repeated three times and Peter replied all three times ‘yes, Lord’. Peter, who confirmed his love for Jesus was entrusted to shepherd the sheep redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.”(1Peter 1:19). Bishop Fulton J. Sheen said in his book Life of Christ, that “the man who had fallen most deeply and learned most thoroughly his own weakness was certainly the best qualified for strengthening the weak and feeding the lambs”. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, now gives to others the job to shepherd His flock. St. Paul, the Apostle of Gentiles, though did not see the earthly Jesus, was encountered with the risen Christ and was transformed. Saul, the persecutor of the Christians has become the ardent apostle of Christ after he confronted Jesus. Even if he was a strict observer of Jewish Law and faithful disciple of Gama- liel, he was chosen to become Jesus’ apostle of the Word to the Gentiles. The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church states, “By divine Providence it has come about that various churches, established in various places by the apostles and their successors, have in the course of time coalesced into several groups, organically united, which, preserving the unity of faith and the unique divine constitution of the universal Church, enjoy their own discipline, their own liturgical usage, and their own theological and spiritual heritage…This variety of local churches with one common aspiration is splendid evidence of the catholicity of the undivided Church.” (Lumen Gentium, n. 23). My friends, today’s feast invites us all to look beyond the differences in various Rites and into a deep level of unity in Christ. Christian unity is not a unity in uniformity but a unity in diversity which is the result of the indwelling Spirit of God. Fr. Ligory Johnson Philips. St. Mary’s SYRO-MALABAR CATHOLIC CHURCH 856 Hempstead Ave, West Hempstead, NY 11552 Mailing address 24 Westminster Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552 Contact Information Vicar & Pastor: Rev. Ligory Johnson Philips Email: [email protected]Phone: 516-505-7940 Cell: (281) 935 7275 Website: www.stmaryssyromalabar.org
Transcript
Readings: June 29, 2014. Fourth Sunday of Apostles
First Reading. Isaiah 1:10-20. Second Reading. 1 Corinthians 9: 19-27 Gospel: Luke 6:27-36.
June 29, 2014 SEASON OF APOSTLES Vol. 11 No: 26
St. Thomas, our Father in Faith
Pray for us
Parish Schedule
Liturgical Celebrations:
FRIDAY:
7:00 PM Holy Mass
SATURDAY:
8:30 AM Holy Mass and Novena to
St. Alphonsa
SUNDAY:
3:30 PM English Mass
5:00 PM Religious Education. Mass.
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
On the day of Liturgical Service at the
church: 4:30– 5:00 PM
Sacrament of the Sick:
Contact Rev. Fr. Vicar if anyone is
seriously ill.-516-505-7940
Events Calendar
June 28. Feast of St. Thomas: Brooklyn-June 29. St. Peter and Paul, Apostles.
July 4. First Friday. July 6. Feast of St. Thomas. July 13. Parish Council. July 19. Picnic. July 18. Novena .St. Alphonsa. July 27. Feast of St. Alphonsa.
———————————————
June Volunteers. Flora Park
July Volunteers. Queens.
My Dear Children, Sisters and Brothers,
Today, we remember St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Paul, the Apostle of the Nations who
guided the early church. These two holy men were different from each other; perhaps the most noticeable
difference was their relationship with Jesus. While Peter denied Jesus, Paul persecuted Him; the former
failed Him through his weakness and cowardice, and the latter failed Jesus through ignorance and narrow
mindedness. Their faith and strength for martyrdom did not result from human capacity, but was the result
of God’s revelation. Therefore, we honor them who were entrusted the most important task – to proclaim
the Gospel in the whole world and build the Church – which they faithfully accomplished. The Catechism of
the Catholic Church says, “To proclaim the faith and to plant his reign, Christ sends his apostles and their
successors. He gives them a share in his own mission. From him they receive the power to act in his per-
son.” (CCC, n.935).
Jesus, who chose the twelve apostles, confirmed Peter to be the prime apostle for the proclama-
tion he made which was revealed to him by the Heavenly Father – “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living
God.” (Matthew 16:16). Although Peter refused many times the passion and death (Matthew 16:22) of the
Messiah, and denied (Matthew 26:69-75) Christ before His crucifixion, later he repented and professed his
faith and love toward Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel we heard that Jesus asked Peter ‘whether he loves
Jesus’. Jesus’ question was repeated three times and Peter replied all three times ‘yes, Lord’. Peter, who
confirmed his love for Jesus was entrusted to shepherd the sheep redeemed “with the precious blood of
Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.”(1Peter 1:19). Bishop Fulton J. Sheen said in his book Life of Christ,
that “the man who had fallen most deeply and learned most thoroughly his own weakness was certainly the
best qualified for strengthening the weak and feeding the lambs”. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, now gives to
others the job to shepherd His flock.
St. Paul, the Apostle of Gentiles, though did not see the earthly Jesus, was encountered with the
risen Christ and was transformed. Saul, the persecutor of the Christians has become the ardent apostle of
Christ after he confronted Jesus. Even if he was a strict observer of Jewish Law and faithful disciple of Gama-
liel, he was chosen to become Jesus’ apostle of the Word to the Gentiles. The Second Vatican Council’s
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church states, “By divine Providence it has come about that various churches,
established in various places by the apostles and their successors, have in the course of time coalesced into
several groups, organically united, which, preserving the unity of faith and the unique divine constitution of
the universal Church, enjoy their own discipline, their own liturgical usage, and their own theological and
spiritual heritage…This variety of local churches with one common aspiration is splendid evidence of the
catholicity of the undivided Church.” (Lumen Gentium, n. 23). My friends, today’s feast invites us all to look
beyond the differences in various Rites and into a deep level of unity in Christ. Christian unity is not a unity
in uniformity but a unity in diversity which is the result of the indwelling Spirit of God.
Mr. Sebastian Joseph (Nassau & Suffolk) 516 763 5264
Mr. Mathachan Mancheril (N.H Park) 516 603 7043
Vincent De Paul Society
Mr. Johnson Mavelil-President - 718 343 4694
Women’s Forum– President– Veronica Thanicatt.
കഴിഞ്ഞ ആഴ്ചത്തെ സ്തോത്തക്കോഴ്ച
.
OUR MISSION
We the faith-filled descendents of St. Thomas the Apostle, and the mem-
bers of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy nourished by the rich traits of one of
the ancient cultures, thrive to impart our faith and culture to the whole
world and especially to our descendents. Through worship, motivation,
support and education we foster spiritual growth, Syro-Malabar tradi-
tions and values. With open hearts and helping hands we respond to the
needs of our community and the world.
MASS INTENTIONS 6/28/14. Lissy Varghese.
7/5/14. Jessy Job.
7/6/14. Feast of St. Thomas
7/11/14. James Cherian
7/12/14. Mathai Joseph
7/13/14. Johnson Mavelil.
8/2/14. Jis Jacob.
YOUTH FORUM
PRAYER MEETINGS:
Please contact your Ward Secretary.
July 5, 2014. 7:00 PM
Moben Mathew, 1051 N 7th Street
New Hyde Park, NY 11040. 516 358 4676.
Adoration and Holy Mass every Friday at the Church at
7:00 PM.
Contact: Mr. George Nampiaparampil, (718) 479 6769
The Core Group. Angela Mukalel, Divya Johnson, Julie Chandy
Leslie John, Linda Mancherry. If you have any questions or would like to be added to our email list please email [email protected] Email your cell phone no. If you want to receive text messaging. Or contact:Angela Mukalel, Divya Johnson, Julie Chandy, Leslie John or Linda Mancherry.
St. John Bosco Pray for Our Youth
———————————————————————-
Syro-Malabar Northeast Conference for Youth
(SYNC) from July 31-August 3rd. It will be held in
Kearny, NJ for high school and college youth. (There will
be a separate track for each group).
Look forward to a weekend of meeting hundreds of Syro-
Malabar youth from the region, listening to vibrant speak-
ers, Adoration with the Lord, dodge ball tournaments,
and a praise night! These conferences don't come often,
so DON'T MISS OUT!
Seats are limited and we want all our youth to attend so REGIS-
IN YOUR CHARITY PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK Mrs. Rachel John, 72-65 Littleneck Pkwy, Glen Oaks, NY-11004,Mrs. Mariamma Varkey 1 Brisbane Street, New Hyde Park, NY-11040 . —————————————————————————-
Season of Apostles This season comprises 7 weeks from the day of the feast of Pentecost. In this season we give importance to the working of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is a feast intimately connected with the history of salvation. In the Old Testament, we read that the Israelites celebrated Pentecost in connection with harvest. The term ‘Pentecost’ means ‘fifty’ - the feast on the fiftieth day. It was a feast of first fruit connected with the har-vest. Later this feast turned out to be the commemoration of the covenant by which the Israelites became the people of God. In the New Testament, this feast is given a new meaning. It was on the fiftieth day after Easter that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. It is the birthday of the new people of God. On that day, God our Father sealed the new covenant in the Holy Spirit, the personification of love. This covenant is written not on stone tables but in human hearts. It is only after Pentecost that the spirit-filled apostles went around the world with the message of the New Covenant and laid the foundation of the communities of faith. The term ‘apostle’ means ‘one who is sent’. This season reminds us that all those who have received baptism and anointing are ‘being sent’. The main themes of this period are the work of the Holy Spirit, deep relationship between the apostles and the Church ie, the people of God, the spirit and unity of the primitive Church and the mission and missionary nature of the Church. Let us join the apostles who moved around the world with the message of their master and formed new communities of the faithful.
CCD
VBS: July 1-3. Bible Quiz Winners Elementary level --- 3rd grade and 5th grade Middle school --- 8th grade High school --- 9th grade
————————————————————————
“Be courageous in suffering and remember that after the Lord will come; after
joy will come, after the dark comes the sun” the Pope encouraged in his May 30
daily Mass. “May the Lord give us all this joy in hope.” Basing his homily on the
first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles in which the Lord tells St Paul
not to be afraid of preaching to the people of Corinth, the pontiff explained to
those in the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse that the apostle “was very
brave, because he had strength in the Lord.”But despite this confidence even
Paul was afraid at times and needed reassurance from God, the Pope ob-
served, stating that “It happens to all of us in life, to have some ‘fear.’”
However, Paul didn’t let the fact that “neither the Jews nor the Gentiles” liked
what he was saying stop him from proclaiming the Gospel, he continued, adding
that even Jesus in Gethsemane was afraid.“We must tell the truth: Christian life
not just one big party. Not at all! We cry, we cry so many times,” the Roman
Pontiff continued, “When we are sick; when we have a problem with our son, in
the family, with our daughter or wife, or husband.”
Pope Francis.
READINGS July 6, 2014. First Reading: Isaiah1:21-31
Second Reading. 1 Corinthians 14:1-12.
Gospel. Luke 12:22-34
July 5, 2014. First Reading. 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.
Gospel. Mark1:40-45.
DID YOU KNOW THAT….. In 1992 Mother Teresa was invited to come to New
York to be presented $100,1000 for her work by a
Catholic organization.
The occasion was a fancy dinner with ex-
pensive menu. Mother Teresa accepted the
check. She then scolded the crowd for its
extravagance on the dinner, telling them
that before she came to New York it took
her three hours to scrape the maggots from a dying man's
body. Then she left without eating. A few days later, she
received another $100,000, equal to the cost of the ban-
quet.
PAGE 3 ST. MARY’S SYRO-MALABAR CATHOLIC CHURCH JUNE 29, 2014
Mission Prayer
Lord our God, we praise and adore You for sending Your beloved Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to this world for the redemption of mankind. Bless us to
continue the proclamation of the gospel of the king-dom Jesus preached. Strengthen O Lord, our frail nature that we may celebrate worthily these
sacred mysteries given for the renewal and salvation
of mankind. Lord of All, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever.
St. Alphonsa Pray for Us
Religious education into the senior high school years. I think that although religious education isn’t necessary in my senior high school years, it is extremely helpful. It is in
high school that kids face some of the hardest obstacles in their life. Kids want to fit in and be cool and are willing to
compromise their ethics and morals to be that “cool kid”. But with religious education during these years, it is easier for
the kids to not waver in their faith. When kids are younger they aren’t really exposed to all the temptations. But teens
are exposed to alcohol and drugs and even the idea of relationships. It is hard to always follow the teachings of the
Church, but with religion class, it is easier for teens to know and understand the teachings of the Church. Also it is ex-
tremely helpful to have religion class, especially in a world that is filled with hatred for the Church and its teachings. The
youth needs guidance to defend the Church and its teachings. The youth is often ignorant of the Church’s teachings and
when other sects quote the bible, they tend to believe that those are the true teachings when it is not. Catholic youth
needs these religion classes in order to understand Christianity better so that their faith doesn’t waver.
Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to
the poor and the outcast, is the basis of our concern for the in-
tegral development of society’s most neglected members. (From the Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis.)
No to spiritual worldliness
95. This insidious worldliness is evident in a number of attitudes which appear opposed, yet all have the same pretence of “taking over the space of the Church”. In some people we see an os-tentatious preoccupation for the liturgy, for doctrine and for the Church’s prestige, but without any concern that the Gospel have a real impact on God’s faithful people and the concrete needs of the present time. In this way, the life of the Church turns into a museum piece or something which is the property of a select few. In others, this spiritual worldliness lurks behind a fascination with social and political gain, or pride in their ability to manage practical affairs, or an obsession with programmes of self-help and self-realization. It can also translate into a concern to be seen, into a social life full of appearances, meetings, dinners and receptions. It can also lead to a business mentality, caught up with management, statistics, plans and evaluations whose principal benefici-ary is not God’s people but the Church as an institution. The mark of Christ, incarnate, crucified and risen, is not present; closed and elite groups are formed, and no effort is made to go forth and seek out those who are distant or the immense multitudes who thirst for Christ. Evangelical fervour is replaced by the empty pleasure of complacency and self-indulgence.
96. This way of thinking also feeds the vainglory of those who are content to have a modicum of power and would rather be the general of a defeated army than a mere private in a unit which continues to fight. How often we dream up vast apostolic projects, meticulously planned, just like defeated generals! But this is to deny our history as a Church, which is glorious precisely because it is a history of sacrifice, of hopes and daily struggles, of lives spent in service and fidelity to work, tiring as it may be, for all work is “the sweat of our brow”. Instead, we waste time talking about “what needs to be done” – in Spanish we call this the sin of “habriaqueísmo” – like spiritual masters and pastoral experts who give instructions from on high. We indulge in endless fantasies and we lose contact with the real lives and difficulties of our people.
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MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS. PLEASE REGISTER.
Update your address, telephone & email address. Contact: Joy Myladoor
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ACH. CONTACT: KAIKKARANS
PICNIC
Parish Picnic will be on
July 19, 2014.
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PRAYER LINE
CONFERENCE CALL
857 232 0157
PASS CODE 530005
SUNDAY - THURSDAY
8:30 PM
FRIDAY- SATURDAY
9:15 pm.
PAGE 4 ST. MARY’S SYRO-MALABAR CATHOLIC CHURCH JUNE 29, 2014
