4th Sunday in Ordinary Time—Authority : Msgr. Pellegrino
In today's Gospel reading the Sacred Writer, the Holy Spirit, speaks about the authority of the
Lord. The reading is taken from the first chapter of the earliest of the Gospels, the Gospel of Mark.
Jesus begins to teach in Capernaum. The people are held spellbound because he spoke with authority, not like the scribes. A man comes before Jesus who is in the hand of the power of evil. Jesus makes the devil come out of the man. The bystanders are amazed
because Jesus has such authority. What do we mean when we speak about the authority of the Lord? What do we mean when we talk about authority in general? What ways do we exercise authority? What ways do we exercise the
authority of the Lord?
The word authority comes from the Latin word auctoritas. The basic meaning of this Latin
word is creator. The word author also comes from this word. A writer can look at his or her work, an
essay, a short story, a novel, a poem, a non-fiction study, whatever, an author can look at this work and
say, “This is my creation.” The government recognizes that the author has rights over his or her
creation. When we talk about the authority of the Lord, we recognize that He is the Creator, or Author of the
Universe. He has the power to govern the universe. Just as an author can determine what
takes place in the short story he or she writes, God can determine what takes place in the universe He
has created.
When we talk about authority in general, we speak about the power a person has received to
determine the actions of another person or a group of people. Society creates laws to protect its citizen and
then gives authority to the police to enforce these laws. For example we give the police the authority to stop our cars if we are driving at 54 mph on a street
where the speed limit is posted as 40 mph. However, as the source of authority, we can change the laws. If
we change the speed limit on the same road to 55 mph, the policeman no longer has the right to stop us
if we are going 54 mph. In general, authority is intimately connected with its source.
All authority is by nature transitional, that is, all authority except that authority which comes from the Lord. In the Gospel of Mark, the people were amazed
because they had never experienced someone speaking with such authority. Jesus held people
spellbound because God gave Him the authority to teach the truth. This authority would never be
removed from Jesus because Jesus was intimately united to his Father, the source of the authority.
We share in the authority of the Lord to
the extent that we are united to the source of this authority. When we are confirmed we receive the
power, the authority, to defeat evil in the world and to lead others to Jesus, the source of all truth. This
authority is given to us by God. God can remove this authority and will remove this authority if we refuse to stay intimately united to him. I hope our young people who recently were confirmed, our parents who need to direct their children, and all of us, myself included, understand the gravity of this. God has entrusted us with his authority only to the extent that we allow him into our lives. That is the reason why the Church is
adamant that we attend Church regularly and receive the sacraments regularly. We need to have union
with God so we can bring his authority, his power to the world.
The crowd was spellbound because Jesus spoke with authority, not like the scribes and pharisees. People
are no different now than they were then. People want to hear the real Word of God, and feel the
presence of God in the words of the speaker. We can do this. We have the authority to do this. People can witness the Word of God present in our lives, and then choose to make the Word of God present in their
own lives. We can do this. We can make Jesus' presence real for others. We have the authority to do
this. People want to learn how to live their lives in such a way that when they conclude their lives they
can stand before the Lord saying that they have made His Presence known in the world. We can do
this. We have the authority, the power, to form others into Christian leaders. We have the authority, the
power of Jesus Christ if only we stay united to him.
Today we pray that we may remain united to the Lord, the source of the power and the authority
we have received.
Adoration in the Chapel: Monday – Friday
After 9:00 am Mass until 12:00 noon. The Divine Mercy is recited during the
reposition. Benediction every First Friday at Noon
Your hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will repair for evils of the world and bring about peace on earth “Let us be generous with our time in going to
meet Jesus. (Pope John II)
BREAD & WINE, CANDLE, BLESSINGS MASS INTENTIONS
ST. MATTHEW: MASS INTENTIONS
ST. MATTHEW BREAD & WINE - JANUARY
For all our brothers and sisters who are physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally
ill.
Saturday January 27
8:00pm– For our parishioners
Sunday January 28 4th Sunday in Ordinary
Time
7:30am–Birthday blessings Colleen Chasteau by family
9:30am–R.I.P. Manuel Estrella & Francisco Gonzalez by Juana Estrella
11:30am– R.I.P. Aaron Anthony Francis by mom, Carmen Phillip & fam.
1:30pm– Messe de remerciement pour Guervie Dorizan by mom, Dorizan
Scholastique
Monday January 29
7:30am– Repose of the soul of Wilfred Coppin & Aston Henry by
Paulette Coppin
9:00am– Thanksgiving for Jose Castillo & Miguel Meia by sister Silvia Arano
Tuesday January 30
7:30am– Thanksgiving to God, Good Lord of all mercy by Lyonette Tribie
9:00am– In loving memory of Adolphus Matthew Alexis by mom, Irene Alexis
Wednesday January 31
7:30am– Healing & blessings for Lydia
9:00am– Thanksgiving for Veronica Joseph Mitchell & Alicia Luisa Joseph
by Veronica Mitchell
Thursday February 1
7:30am– For all priests
9:00am– Blessings for Yolette Desdunes by Wilhems, Irmisse &
Sheena
Friday February 2
7:30am– Holy vocations for priests, diaconate & consecrated life by Janet
Cayenne
9:00am– Birthday blessings Kobin W. Henry by grandma, L. Tribie
Saturday February 3
8:00am– B’day blessings Betty Desrosiers by Desrosiers family
Slocombe, Kye Vincent, Winston Robin We pray to the Lord.
ALTAR BREAD and WINE For the month of January is donated by Una Europe in Thanksgiving for God’s
grace and mercy, We pray to the Lord.
PARISH PRAYER: For our parish, that the three communities of St. Matthew, St. Gregory the Great and Our Lady of Charity, learn how to merge and grow together spiritually and become financially
sound as three and yet one, We pray to the Lord.
TODAY’S MASS : Memorial mass for William Blackwell requested by Arlene Jackson,
We pray to the Lord.
Memorial mass for Maureen Penny requested by Hannah Penny. We pray to the Lord
DEATH : For all who have lost a loved one this month. We pray to the Lord
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY : Mr. & Mrs. We pray to the Lord.
ST. GREGORY: MASS INTENTIONS
Justice in court case requested by Kathleen Allum
ST. MATTHEW CANDLE JANUARY 28-FEBRUARY 3
68th Birthday Blessings for Helena O’Brien
Sunday, Jan. 28th
11:30 AM Mass In Thanksgiving for Simon Willett, Requested by
Andrew Willett
First Friday, Feb. 2nd
10 AM Mass for Eloise Dudley, R.I.P., Requested by Marjorie
Isai Monroe, Alicia Mungo, David Isaie Munoz, Nelson Munoz, Patricia Nazire, Wilmot Nedd, Suz-
anna Neil, Edith Neuman,Mother Dolores Olff, Gabri-elle Ortiz, Cynthia Pilgrim, Maria Pitt, Lettuce Ray-son,Dorothy Irons Reid,Catherine Richards, Carlos
Rudas, Fr. Robert Seay,Carl Serrette, Pamela Smith,Leonora Speid, Javier Talango,Cynthia Tho-mas, Edris Thomas, Irvine Thomas, Mary Thomas,
Mother Margaret Thompson, Janet Throne, Carmen Valentin, Martel Vendryes, Audrey Williams,
Russell Wilson, Elodia Zuniga
SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR : Vida Boyea, Kerry Mills, Oliver Joseph, Marva Richardson, Tresa Bascombe, Emillio Holder, Anthony Williamson, Mellisa Powell, Gail Spencer, Prince Bradley, Clarie Holas, Lacy &
Garth families. All students, teachers and principals, President Donald Trump & family, our Government,
prayers and petitions in our prayer basket, for all Priests especially those serving here 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 01/28/18 @ ST. GREGORY
+ 9:30 AM Sunday School - Chapel
+10 AM Service - Marcus Garvey Manor
+ 10 AM Senior Choir Rehearsal –Church
+ 10:30 AM Rosary Recitation-Church
+ After Mass Council of Ministries.-Church
+ CREDIT UNION OPEN+ GIFT SHOP OPEN
MONDAY 01/29/18
+ 7:30 PM Senior & Schola Choir Rehearsal- Rectory
basement
TUESDAY 01/30/18
+ 7:15 AM Bible Study with Bishop Sansaricq-Rectory
basement
THURSDAY 02/01/18
+ After Mass Senior Bible Study -Rectory basement
FIRST FRIDAY 02/02/18
+ 10 AM Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration with
Disciples In Mission-Chapel
FIRST SATURDAY 02/03/18
+ 4 PM-Vigil Choir Rehearsal - Church
+ 6 PM Light Fest Prayer Group – Church
WEEK OF SUNDAY 01/28/18 @ ST. MATTHEW + 11:45am Legion nidi de la Presentation
+ 1:30pm Youth Ministry
MONDAY 01/29/18
+ 7:00 PM Narcotics Anonymous
+ 7:00 PM Haitian Charismatic Prayer Group
WEDNESDAY 01/31/18
+ 11am– Senior Group
FRIDAY 02/02/18
+ 5 PM English Legion of Mary
+ 7 PM Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group
SATURDAY 02/03/18
+ 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 - ST. MATTHEW
NYS ENERGY AUDITS,INC
Tomorrow - Sunday the 28th there will be someone
from NYS Energy Audits INC to inform you about
their free weatherization program after all the
masses. If you are eligible for HEAP or Food stamps
or your annual income is between $27,597—$53,071
there is no fee at all. @ St. Matthew.
World Marriage Day
Sunday, February 11th. All couples married in the Catholic Church are invited to renew their vows at the 11:30 AM Mass. If you have not previously presented your marriage certificate you are required to do so.
All participating couples MUST register in the rectory. The colors this year are red, black or a combination of
both. After mass there will be a reception at the Parish Center, the cost is $45 a couple. All extra guests will be $20 per person.@ St. Matthew.
PALM BRANCHES
Please bring in your palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday. The palms will be burnt and ashes
used on Ash Wednesday ( February 14th). @ St. Matthew.
HEALING MASS Our monthly healing mass is on Thursday, February
1st at 7:30 PM. @ St. Matthew
CITIZENSHIP DRIVE 2018
On Saturday February 10th, Congresswoman Yvette
Clarke will present free citizenship application
assistance at Nazareth Regional High School,
between the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM. There will be
experienced immigration professionals to help you
with the 10 steps to Naturalization. Learn more about
applying for citizenship at http://bit.ly/
usciscitizenshipapp’ Register for the event at
http;//bit.ly/2018citizenshipdrive or call the District
Office at 718-287-1142.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR @ ST. GREGORY
UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS @ ST. GREGORY
The Heritage Committee of St. Gregory the Great
Faith Community presents the Annual Cultural Extravaganza on Sunday, February 25th, 2018 at St.
Matthew’s Parish Center located at 1345 Lincoln Place (bet. Schenectady & Utica Ave.) at 4 PM. Come and enjoy A Cultural Explosive Evening,
Featuring Music, Drama, Poetry, Dance, Fashion and Quake USA. Dinner will be served. Tickets are $20 for adults. Children are $12. Raffle Books are $1.00
per chance or a book of 6 for $5.00. {NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN}
Tickets and Raffle books are NOW available for purchase. You can contact Rosanne Barber at the Rectory office or any other member of the Heritage
Committee.
The VBCC invites you to their Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, February 18th, 2018 at 4:30PM at The Immaculate Conception
Center located at 7200 Douglaston Pkwy., Douglaston, NY.
Please contact the Vicariate Office at 718-774-3806 and reserve your seat(s).
St. Gregory the Great Academy started their annual Candy Sale of Chocolate bars. The sale will run until
February 11th, 2018. Cost is $1 per bar. See Margaret Mary Casey or a seller in the back of the
church after Mass.
The Parent Support Group of St. Gregory the Great Worship Site invites you to their annual Lenten Fish Fry Fundraiser during the Lenten Season starting
Friday, February 16th, 2018, also on Friday, March 2nd & Friday, March 16th in the Rectory basement. Cost of dinners: $10 & $12. Fish (Whiting or King Fish)
Sides: Rice & Peas/Fries, Roll & Salad. You can contact Lorna Gilkes at 718-954-6926 or Estella Caesar at 347-268-3262 and put in your
order(s). Thank you for your continued support.
If you know of any parishioner who is ill, shut-in or in the hospital please contact Ms. Estela Caesar, Parish Group Leader of the Luminaries of Hope Ministers at 718-774-8029 or contact the Rectory office at 718-773-0100, ext. 100. Please kindly leave a detailed message and contact information and a Minister of
the Luminaries of Hope Ministry can follow up.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Adoration in the Chapel: Monday – Friday
After 9:00 am Mass until 12:00 noon. The Divine Mercy is recited during the reposition. Benediction every Friday at
Noon Your hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will
repair for evils of the world and bring about peace on earth “Let us be generous with our time in going to
GENERAL WEEKLY EXPENSES— ST. MATTHEW ;OUR LADY OF CHARITY
AND ST. GREGORY —$ 27,000.00
Mass
Enve-
lopes
Used
Envelope
Collection
Loose
money Totals
8 PM 55 1,419.95 222.37 1,642.32
7:30 AM 153 3,490.00 392.97 3,882.97
9:30 AM 74 918.00 371.10 1,289.10
11:30 AM 113 2,122.00 550.92 2,672.92
1:30 PM 48 514.00 120.17 634.17
L.I.R. 14 610.00 — 610.00
TOTAL 457 9,073.95 1,657.53 10,731.48
There is a humorous story told about a family that
was coming out of Mass. The man says to his wife,
“That wasn’t much of sermon that Father gave.” The
wife then adds, “Yea, and the choir sang off key.”
Meanwhile, their small son has been listening to his
parents conversation. Finally, he speaks up, “It
seemed all right to me,” he says, “especially consider-
ing that it only cost us a dollar!”
That of course is one approach to Sunday giving. To-
day I want to talk to you about a very different ap-
proach. It is called Stewardship In the context of the
reading from the prophet Malachi we can see the main
focus. He asks a simple, but very profound question:
Have we not all the one father? It’s an active plea for
parishioners to tithe.
The idea of tithing can seem a little scary. What will
happen to me, what will happen to my family, if I set
aside the first ten percent for God? But, really, the
only thing to do is to take God at his word and get
started. I’d like to give an example which might sur-
prise you: the American businessman John D. Rocke-
feller. You could probably find things to criticize about
him, but one thing that he did all of his life was tithe.
He came from a fairly modest family and he tells
about getting his first wage: $1.50 a week. He took
the money home to his mother who placed it in her
lap, explaining that she would be happy if he gave a
tenth of it to the Lord. He did and from that day,
Rockefeller tithed every dollar he earned. He said, “If I
had not tithed the first dollar I made, I would not have
tithed the first million.” The important thing about
tithing is to get started, to take the leap of faith. Many
have even discovered that once they gave back ten
percent, it seemed natural to actually increase the
proportion of giving.
Now, I am not saying, “tithe and you will become a
millionaire.” That may or may not happen. What I ask
is that you join me in recognizing the great blessings
you and I have already received. Think about it. You
have been given gifts of energy, abilities, opportuni-
ties, and, above all, the gift of time itself. Consider
first how you can return some of your time and talents
to God. Most afternoons I see dads and moms out on
our soccer field, coaching children. What a beautiful
gift of time and talent! In our Church we have a list of
the various needs we have here in our parish: wor-
ship, faith formation, service, parish life and facilities.
Each area is vital. Take a look at the list and consider
where you might help. We especially need people
who can help us organize different ministries. Take
time for God! Tithe to the Church, join ministries,
spread his word.
TITHING
The Widow’s 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 every-
thing—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 bounda-
ries 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 bap-
tized 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 encour-
age 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 readings from the Bible which
we hear daily at Mass, the Sacred Liturgy as well as
the Catechism of the Catholic Church, teens and
adults who have not yet done so prepare themselves
to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation &
Holy Eucharist.
RCIA is the name we give to the process that guides
people 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?
The sessions begin in October. If you are interested
in knowing more, please contact the rectory.
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
preparation. Therefore, couples should make ar-
rangements 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.
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY
If anyone is interested in joining the Pastoral Care Homebound Ministry please leave your name and
