The young man and young woman brought their treasure home, their first, a girl. A few days later, her Mom and sister went home. And there she was, alone with her ba-by. She never thought she would be so busy. And so tired. But she loved it. After all, this was her baby. Two weeks went by. Between the feeding, changing, holding, napping and crying, the baby’s mostly, she has this horri-ble feeling. She can’t tell her husband. She won’t tell her mother. But the feeling is more than a thought. It is a reality. She whispers it to herself, “I can’t do this.” Her husband has gone back to work. All seems to be going well for him. He loves holding the baby, playing with her, and is really quite good at caring for her includ-ing changing diapers. What he doesn’t tell his wife is that he can’t stand the reality that he isn’t a kid anymore. The baby has brought a new demand into his life. He has to be mature. All those things that he spent so much energy on in college are remote history. Then he wonders if he will be able to provide all his family needs. He wonders if he will be able to pay the bills next month. For the first time in his life he faces pressure that will not go away after ex-ams are taken. In the middle of the bouncing and holding, a doubt has formed. The doubt becomes a statement that he will not share with anyone. Still it is there. Within him-self, he says, “I can’t do this.”
Another man and another woman. They’re married for sixteen years. Children came and grew into play age. Now evenings and weekends are spent going to games and recitals, doing schoolwork, attending meetings, etc. All seemed well. All seemed normal. Sure their mar-riage had lost the wonder and excitement of its first years, and they have their disagreements, but they’ve learned how to work through them. They knew it was wrong to avoid some issues, but each knew that certain topics would bring reactions of upset rather than reason. Still, the other women she knew seemed to have it so much easier. The other men he knew seemed to have much less stress. Then one of the children fell ill, seriously ill. Caring for this child, caring for the others, caring for each other added new levels of stress to their lives. And both the husband and wife said to themselves, “I can’t do this.”
The priest went from one assignment to another where he felt loved and respected. But those were easy assignments. At first he was a new priest that everyone helped. In those days his own gifts outshone his limita-tions. He went from place to place as he was assigned, even becoming a pastor of a small parish. And then he was sent to a large parish that had seen three pastors in four years. The people there had enough with new pas-tors. Many of them challenged everything he attempted.
Every program had its detractors. Every homily had its critics. Every week brought new unsigned mail that he refused to read, but whose existence still upset him. He kept plugging along, telling himself that he was sent to the parish for a reason that God knows and he might never know. Still as one battle followed another, the thought began to clarify itself. For the first time in his life he won-dered, afraid even to state it. The thought kept coming to him, though. It was a simple thought, a horrible thought, one he never expected. The thought was, “I can’t do this.” And the gay man or woman who are trying to live chaste lives in the middle of a society that tells them that they should turn from morality, and the college students who try to live their faith in spite of all the times that they are told that all they avoided in high schools is acceptable in college, and the single man or woman who hold on to morality with both hands, all of these and so many more are tempted to say, “I can’t do this.” “I can’t do this.” No, you can’t young mother, young father, older husband and wife, established priest, gay man, gay woman, college student, single person. No, you can’t do it. At least, you can’t do it alone. But you are not asked to do it alone. You are not alone. You entered the marriage hoping to have a family with God as its cen-ter. You work hard to teach your children to make Chris-tian choices. You chose the priesthood to serve God. You made a determination to live chastely gay man, woman, college student, single adult. And you are not alone. You are not alone. God is with you. Listen to what St. Paul says in today’s second read-ing. They are some of the most reassuring words in scrip-ture. Listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through St. Paul in Philippians 4:13, commit these lines to memory and recite them throughout your lives: “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.”
Alone, I am not that good. Neither are you. But we are not alone. We have Jesus Christ. He gives us the Power of His Spirit to conquer what might seem insurmountable. The Power of the Cross is given to us to wage war on any evil that attacks us.
I can do it. You can do it. We can do all things in Him who strengthens us.
Deacon James Lacy, Roger Lewis, Percival Lewis, Sampson Lewis,
Stephanie Logan, Francisco Lopez, Carmen D. Lorenzo, Jocelyn Lynch,
Darsen Marcellin, Virginia Marcellin, Theresa Marriott, Mother Pearl Matthews, Dorothy Mazzio,
Vera McArthur, Dylan Stephens- McKee, Kerry Mills, Edson Mitchell, Isai Monroe, Alicia Mungo, David Isaie Munoz, Nelson Munoz, Patricia Nazire, Wilmot Nedd, Mother Dolores Olff, Gabrielle Ortiz, Cynthia Pilgrim,
Maria Pitt, Lettuce Rayson, Fr. Robert Seay,Carl Serrette, Leonora Speid, Cynthia Thomas, Edris Thomas, Mary Thomas, Mother Margaret Thompson, Janet Throne,
Carmen Valentin, Audrey Williams, Russell Wilson.
SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR : Lacy family, Vida Boyea, Kerry Mills, Oliver Joseph, Marva Richardson, Tresa Bascombe, Dawne Lewis,
Griffith, Sandiford, Lewis and Crockwell families, Arjoon & Critchlow families. All students, teachers and princi-
pals, President Donald Trump & family, our Govern-ment, prayers and petitions in our prayer basket, for all Priests especially those serving at Charity, for Religious Vocations, and an increase in Religious Vocations, all men and women serving our country, the elders, all
who are incarcerated, and unexpressed prayers, We pray to the Lord.
WEEK OF SUNDAY 10/15/17 @ ST. GREGORY
+ 10 AM Service - Marcus Garvey Manor
+ 10 AM-Senior & Schola Choir Rehearsal -Church
+10:30AM-Rosary Recitation -Church
+11:30AM-El Cristo Negro Mass followed by procession
+ HOSPITALITY after procession
+ GIFTSHOP + CREDIT UNION
MONDAY 10/16/17
+ 7:30pm– Choir Rehearsal
TUESDAY 10/17/17
+ 7:15 PM-Bible Study-Chapel
WEDNESDAY 10/18/17
+ 11 AM- School Mass - Holy Cross Church
THURSDAY 10/19/17
+ After 830am Mass Sr. Bible Study-Rectory basement
SATURDAY 10/21/17
+ 9:30 AM Rosary Rally-Church
+ 4 PM-Vigil Choir Rehearsal - Church
+ 6 PM Light Fest Prayer Group - Church
WEEK OF SUNDAY 10/15/17 @ ST. MATTHEW + 11:45am Legion nidi de la Presentation
+ 1:30pm Youth Ministry
MONDAY 10/16/17
+ 7:00 PM Narcotics Anonymous
+ 7:00 PM Haitian Charismatic Prayer Group
WEDNESDAY 10/18/17
+ 11am– Senior Group
FRIDAY 10/20/17
+ 5 PM English Legion of Mary
+ 7 PM Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group
SATURDAY 10/21/17
+ 4 PM-Youth Choir Rehearsal
+ 4:15 PM Haitian Legion of Mary
O. L C WEEKLY MEETING SCHEDULE
+ 1st, 2nd & 3rd, Mondays A .A Group 6pm—9pm
+ 3rd Tuesdays 7pm
Liturgy Meeting 7pm
AA Group 6pm-9pm
Thursdays A. A. Group 6pm —9pm
Praise & Worship Team 7pm
+ Fridays -Feather Men 5pm
2nd, 3rd & 4th Saturdays
Bible & Culture 10am—noon
+ Every Saturday Prayer Group 8 am-10
2nd & 4th Saturdays Liturgical Dancers
Every Saturday Feathers Meeting 5pm
Every Sunday after Mass- Choir Rehearsal
+ 3rd Sunday-Baptism
+ 1st & 3rd Sunday -Apologetics
UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Our Annual Christmas Raffle is back . This is our only
major fundraiser so please make every effort to sell
your tickets. Tickets are $5 each. One book - $25.00.
Two books - $50.00. If you sell 5 tickets the 6th one is
yours free. There are also three consolation prizes
1st Prize— $2,000.00, 2nd Prize— $1,500.00,
3rd Prize— $1,000.00
The raffle will be drawn at our annual Christmas
concert on Sunday, December 17th at 5:30 PM.
@ St. Matthew
FLU VACCINE
We will once again be giving out Flu vaccines on
Sunday, November 12. Only 25 vaccines will be given
but if you have medical insurance, you can use your
card and it will help us free up space so more
parishioners who don’t have medical insurance can
receive a free vaccine.
@ St. Matthew
ST.LUCIA MASS AND CELEBRATION
On Sunday, October 29th, at St. Teresa of Avila.
Mass at 11 AM followed by Festival and brunch.
Please pick up a flyer for more details.
ATLANTIC CITY BUS TRIP
The Holy Name Society invites to you an annual bus
ride going to Caesars Atlantic City, Saturday October
28th. Bus leaves Eastern Parkway and Utica Ave. @
8am Sharp and returns at 5pm. Tickets are $45 for
adults and $25 for children 12 and under. Please
contact Cracker @ 917.923.8106; Saint @
917.301.3455 or Marquis @ 646.734.8218 for more
information @ St. Matthew
JESUS NAZARENO
Sunday, October 22nd– Annual Jesus Nazareno
procession and mass procession starting at 5pm in
front of the Church followed by mass @ St. Matthew
ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS
All saints day mass on November 1st will be
celebrated at the 7:30,am 9:00am and 7:30pm mass
All souls day mass on November 2nd will be at the
same times (730am, 9am and 730pm), this is an
opportunity to pray for deceased family & friends
FYI
FALL MASQUERADE BALL
The Parish Fall Masquerade Ball will be on Friday,
November 3rd, 2017. The event will take place at
The Villa Russo . 101-12 Lefferts Blvd., in Richmond
Hill Queens and run from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am.
Head usher of St. Matthew, Peter Warner will be
honored at the event. There will be music, dancing
and chances to win prizes. Included are Cocktail
Hour, salad, pasta, one of five entrée choices, desert
and open bar. Formal attire suggested. Tickets are
$130 in advance. Weekly and bi-monthly payment
plans are available.
MOVIE NIGHT
On Sunday, October 22nd the Young Christian
Ministry will host a Movie Night directly after the
11:30 AM Mass in the Rectory basement.
@St. Gregory
FELLOWSHIP DAY (BRING A FRIEND TO MASS)
On Sunday, October 29th at 11:30 AM Mass is
Fellowship Day by The Rosary Society.
@ St. Gregory
EL CRISTO NEGRO MASS & PROCESSION
On Sunday, October 15th, 2017 is El Cristo Negro
Mass at 11:30 AM followed by the Procession. All
are invited to attend. Hospitality after El Cristo
Negro Procession @ St. Gregory
BREAD SALE
On Saturday, November 12th the Rosary Society will
have a Bread Sale from 4:30 PM to 6 PM in the
Rectory basement. Please come out and support the
Ministry @ St. Gregory
If you know of any parishioner who is ill and shut-in or
in the hospital please contact Ms. Estela Caesar,
Parish Group Leader of the Luminaries of Hope
Ministers at 718-774-8029 or contact the Rectory
office at 718-773-0100, ext. 100. Please kindly leave
a detailed message and contact information and a
Minister of the Luminaries of Hope Ministry can follow
up. Thank you for your consideration.@ St. Gregory
Food Pantry is every other Wednesday from 12-1PM.
Sandwiches served Monday through Friday from 12-
1pm @ St. Gregory
ST. GREGORY
OUR LADY OF CHARITY
COLLECTION 10/07—10/08
ST. MATTHEW Our generous parishioners, we are not nearly where we should be for our Annual Catholic appeal goals, please be
sure that you are making your pledges and sending in your appeal envelopes. The determination of our diocese, our Church and the future of practicing our faith in the most
meaningful way with the holy Eucharist depends on all of our generosity. Searching deep within to help those who are more needy than ourselves, helping to keep as many of our churches & schools open, helps ensures that our children can practice their faith in the same way that we
do. Allowing Catholic Charities to continue to be a bea-con for so many who are in need of food, clothing, &
shelter are just some of the help that the appeal lends
2017 Annual Catholic Appeal: As we prepare for the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal,
Live in Faith– Give in Love , we need to remember the purpose of the yearly appeal: to continue to address some of the financial needs that remain unmet– both at the di-ocesan and local levels. The bulk of these needs remain
our support of the core component of Catholic Charities, Catholic Migration Services, Vocation Support, Catholic
Education, Faith Formation, Chaplaincies, Care for Retired Priests-and Parish Assistance.
The diocesan goal for the 2017 Appeal has not been raised
and remains at 8 million. The individual parish goal remains the same. Remember
our goal is based on our assessment: based on your collec-tions.
Our individual Parish goal for the 2017 Annual Catholic
appeal is $112,638.00. This is the goal for the entire Par-ish, this includes the 3 faith communities,
St. Matthew R.C. Church, St. Gregory the Great R. C. Church and
Our Lady of Charity R. C. Church. Knowing the goodness of our parishioners when we see the need, we respond! Again, this year, the Bishop has agreed to gift back all
monies collected over the goal to the Parish. This will help us to meet some of the needs for our parish. We are counting on all of us to come together as a community and make the pledges to help sustain our par-
ish and to help those who help shepherd us and those who help the poor.
We thank you in advance for your generosity and for mak-ing the sacrifice to help out those that are in most in need.
May God continue to bless St. Matthew Parish with its three faith communities.
Mass
Enve-
lopes
Used
Envelope
Collection
Loose
money Totals
8 PM 66 1530.00 285.34 1,815.34
7:30 AM 179 3932.00 405.90 4,337.90
9:30 AM 50 743.50 426.62 1,170.12
11:30 AM 78 1832.00 448.22 2,280.22
1:30 PM 47 671.00 130.05 801.05
L.I.R. 35 830.00 — 830.00
TOTAL 455 9,538.50 1,696.13 11,234.63
Caribbean
Hurricane 2,426.23
Mass
Enve-
lopes
Used
Envelope
Collec-
tion
Loose
money Totals
5:00 pm 20 658.00 813.89 1,471.89
11:30AM 31 1,165.00 313.75 1,478.75
Grand
Total 51 1,823.00 1,127.64 2,950.64
Mass
Enve-
lopes
Used
Envelope
Collection
Loose
money Total
10am 76 3,400.00 61.00 3,461.00
Free Will 6 312.00 — 312.00
Grand
Total 82 3,712.00 61.00 3,773.00
ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL & OFFERING
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into
the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very
small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
SACRAMENTS & REGISTRATION
SACRAMENTS & REGISTRATION
BAPTISM: .
To have your child baptized in the
Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, you must show:
1. Proof that you live in the geographical boundaries of
the Church you wish to have the baby baptized.(e.g.
electric bill). If you live outside the boundaries of the
Church you wish to have your baby baptized , you
must get a permission letter from the Catholic church
closest to where you live granting you permission to
have your baby baptized outside of the geographical
area .
2. Your baby is allowed one god mother and one god
father, each must be Catholic, practicing their faith
(letter from the Church stating this), and have their
confirmation certificate. The baby can be baptized
with only one god parent.
3. One parent must be baptized Catholic and have their
baptism certificate as proof.
4. Once these requirements are fulfilled, we encourage
you to call and set a date. Children 7 & under can be
baptized w/o CCD classes.
RCIA
RCIA stands for RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
and is composed of a series of sessions bringing people
together to experience the prayer life of the church as well
as learn about its doctrines and teachings. Using the read-
ings from the Bible which we hear daily at Mass, the Sa-
cred Liturgy as well as the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, teens and adults who have not yet done so pre-
pare themselves to receive the sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation & Holy Eucharist.
RCIA is the name we give to the process that guides peo-
ple in their decision to enjoy full communion with the
Catholic Church.
RCIA is offered in Spanish, Kreyol & English and is for
people who:
Were baptized in the Catholic Church but have not
received the sacrament of Confirmation, First Holy
Communion or First Confession
Were baptized in another Christian denomination and
wish to join the Catholic Church
Were never baptized & wish to fully worship in the
Catholic Church
Want to know more about what it means to be
Catholic?
SCHOOL OF RELIGION @ ST. MATTHEW
School of Religion @ St. Matthew
IS NOW CLOSED.
School of Religion @ Our Lady of Charity
Registration for school of religion is ongoing
School of Religion @ St. Gregory
Registration for Sacrament is ongoing
———————————————————————
RECONCILIATION:
Confessions @ 7:30pm Saturday’s or by appointment
MARRIAGE:
Marriage sacrament requires a time of spiritual prepara-
tion. Therefore, couples should make arrangements six
months to a year before the planned date, by making an
appointment with the parish priest
ANOINTING OF THE SICK:
If you or a loved one is near death or very ill and need a
priest to administer anointing of the sick, we
encourage you to call the chaplain of the hospital or call
our rectory
PARISH REGISTRATION
We urge everyone to register in the parish. Any letter concerning sponsorship for the sacraments or
testimonial letters will only be issued to registered parishioners of 6+ months.
Please register @ the rectory.
Bishop Kearney Open House Middle school students and their families are invited to
their open house:
Thursday October 12th from 6 to 7:30 PM Sunday October 29th from 12 Pm to 1:30 Pm
