The Church of St. Christopher

130 Midland Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10306

Parish Office: (718) 351-2452

Fax: (718) 351-1174

Office Hours: Monday - Friday,

9:30am - 4:00pm

Web: www.stcstmmsi.org

The Church of

St. Christopher -

St. Margaret Mary

September 18th 2016 - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Church of St. Margaret Mary

560 Lincoln Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10306

Church Office: (718) 351-2612

Fax: (718) 987-0446

Office Hours: Monday - Friday,

9:30am - 2:30pm

Web: www.stcstmmsi.org

Rev. Joseph M. McLafferty, Pastor

Rev. John P. DeLora, SIUH Chaplain, in residence

Rev. Edward Devina, in residence

Rev. John A. Boehning, Weekend Celebrant

Rev. Deogracias Lingao, Weekend Celebrant

Rev. Thomas J. Mullin, Weekend Celebrant

Deacon Patrick Graham

MASSES Monday - Friday: St. Christopher …… 9:00am St. Margaret Mary ... 8:00am

Monday: Island Shores ….….. 10:30am, Residents Mass

Saturday: St. Christopher ….… 9:00am and 4:30pm (Vigil)

Sunday: St. Christopher ….… 9:15am, 12:00pm and 7:00pm St. Margaret Mary ... 8:00am and 10:30am

Holy Days of Obligation ……………… as announced

CONFESSION *Friday: St. Christopher …... after 9:00am Mass - 10:00am Saturday: St. Christopher ….... 1:30pm - 2:30pm Otherwise by appointment; call ……… (718) 351-2452 * Throughout the Year of Mercy, Dec. 8th, 2015 - Nov. 20th, 2016.

BAPTISMS By appointment. Interviews of parents seeking baptism for their

children are arranged by calling the Parish Office; (718) 351-2452.

MARRIAGES By appointment with one of the priests at least six months in

advance of the wedding date. Please contact the Parish Office for further information; (718) 351-2452.

SICK CALLS Please call the Parish Office; (718) 351-2452.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Monday - Friday: St. Christopher …… 12:00pm - 4:30pm

Coordinators: Barbara Fiore (917) 593-4743 or Terry Warner (718) 979-0258

NEW PARISHIONERS All new parishioners are invited to register at the Parish Office

and to participate in our parish life.

ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL 15 Lisbon Place, 10306 (718) 351-0902

Mrs. Catherine Falabella, Principal

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION and RCIA 560 Lincoln Avenue, 10306 (718) 351-2119

Mrs. Barbara Regan, Coordinator

PARISH CENTER 136 Midland Avenue, 10306

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, Sep 17th 9:00am (C) 4:30pm (C) Sunday, Sep 18th 8:00am (M) 9:15am (C) 10:30am (M) 12:00pm (C) 7:00pm (C) Monday, Sep 19th 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Tuesday, Sep 20th 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Wednesday, Sep 21st 8:00am (M)

9:00am (C) Thursday, Sep 22nd 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Friday, Sep 23rd 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Saturday, Sep 24th 9:00am (C) 4:30pm (C) Sunday, Sep 25th 8:00am (M) 9:15am (C) 10:30am (M) 12:00pm (C) 7:00pm (C)

Gerolama Volpicello Kenny & Mercurio Families

-Catechetical Sunday- Martin Egan Sr. Members of the Legion of Mary Leo Gillis Aline & Edward Moore Dolores & Eugene Callegori Stephen Delmar Elizabeth Kelly & George McGuire Salvatore A. Messina Wanda Fiore and Julia Ortell Frank Hourican Raymond & Filippa Faulkner, Thomas & Johanna Faulkner and Maria Vuono Antonio V. Fontana Blanche Cesario Margaret Rodriguez Thomas O’Connor Margaret Wagner & Catinello Family Angelina, Teresa & Rocco Lovascio Felicia Coniglio John Lewandowski Lillian Dennis (25th Anniversary) Arcangelo Venezia For the Parishioners

(C) St. Christopher Church (M) St. Margaret Mary Church

PRAY FOR OUR SICK “... touch only the tassel on his cloak,

and as many as touched it were healed.” - Mark 6:56

NOTE: Those in bold were added this week.

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest com-forter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your

hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.

Daniel Arnone Ann Basso Paul Cigliano Sal Cigliano Lorraine Conway Terence Crowley Mary Graham Delmar Janet Dennis Edwina Dunne Carol Fiore-Miano Marie Flannery Frank Gillick Kathleen Gillick

Cornelius Keane Shannon Klatt Michael Leone Nicholas Lombardi Jake LoNigro Diego Lopez Baby Milo Maggiore Richard Malanga Delia Mandia Delia Mayott Anne McGovern Timmy Mohin

Jeanne Nuara-Eckert Frank O’Donnell Grace Parker Franco Poire Thomas Puleo Steven Rivera Robert Sabatino, Sr. Carmen Santore Grace Sasanelli Alexis Savattere Phyllis Savattere Eleanor Shields Helen St. John Alice Wilson

REFLECTION

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time "And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently." It's important to pay attention to the details of the parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel. At first glance, it might seem as if Jesus is encouraging us to be dishonest. But in fact, it's just the opposite. The steward in this tale was reported to his master "for squandering his property." In other words, the steward was not being responsible with what he was in charge of. And the master was ready to fire him on account of it. But then, the steward had a change of heart. (This isn't so hard to comprehend--sometimes it takes a real threat for us to realize we need to change our ways, doesn't it?) So the steward went to the people from whom he had previously collected money to "make friends" with them. How? By reducing their debts. This might seem to be dishonest yet again, but we need to bear in mind that in the end, the master was pleased with the steward's behav-ior. So this debt reduction must not have affected the master's pocketbook. Rather, it seems probable that the steward had originally hiked up what the debtors owed the master and put the extra cash in his own pocket. This was the sort of extortion that was common in those days, among tax collectors for example. Now, when the steward was about to lose his position, he thought it wise to go back and return that "dishonest wealth" to the folks who had lost it, and gain some sympathy in the process. So, in the end, the steward was mak-ing up for his previous cheating behavior by doing something RIGHT and smart. It's this honest behavior that will enable him to take his place in "eternal dwellings." And surely our honest behavior will have the same effect.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Join us each weekday for Adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Eucharistic adoration is observed from 12:00 Noon to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Please try and find some time in your day to visit and pray. We are always in need of more people for a visit because the Blessed Sacrament cannot be left unattended. If you are interested in signing up for a specific time please call the rectory.

MEMBERS IN THE SERVICE

Please remember the following members of our Parish Family currently serving in the US Armed Forces. ARMY Major Suzanne L. Jones, DDS,ABGD,FAGD NAVY Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Matthew Gardiner AIR FORCE Master Sgt. Elisa Nickolic MARINES Pvt Vincent Gennaro Master Gunnery Sgt. Frederic Zeyer If you have a family member who is an active duty military member please notify Peggy Rybarczyk (718) 351-2452 of their their name, rank and branch so we can add them to our prayer list.

“… A TIME TO MOURN …” - Ecclesiastes 3:4

Pray for the soul of Msgr. John Mescall and his family. “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” - John 11:25-26

FOR THE WEEK OF September 18th

The Bread and Wine at St Christopher are being offered in memory of the Serpe & Wallis

Families.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

2017 MASS BOOK - TIME CHANGE

Our 2017 Mass Book opens on September 22nd We will be accepting requests for Announced Masses starting at 10:00am until 3:00. This year we will be limiting the number of Masses

each family can request to 8 so that everyone in our expanded Parish Family has an opportunity. We will be in the Parish Office at 130 Midland Avenue and will provide numbers at 10:00 so it will be on a first come basis. We ask that you do not enter the Office until after 10:00am. Thank you for your cooperation.

YOUR ENVELOPE COUNTS September 11th, 2016 Combined Regular Collection is $8,238.00 2nd Collection for the School is $1,417.00

Thank you for your continuing generosity

CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MOTHER ANGELICA!

On September 17 & 18 EWTN will broadcast a Family Celebra-tion event. Guest speakers will include Raymond Arroyo, Mar-cus Grodi, Johnnette Benkovic and Fr Wade Menezes.

WITH GOD’S BLESSING

This past weekend we welcomed

into our Parish Family.

Julian Eduardo Jones and

Ronald George Hozen III

OUR LECTOR SCHEDULE

For the weekend of September 24 & 25 the following are asked to Lector at the Mass indicated:

9/24 @ 4:30pm M.B. Brown; 9/25 @ 8:00am C.Lee;

9/25 @ 9:15am A. Sigua; 9/25 @ 10:30am Sr. Barbara Heclo;

9/25 @ 12:00pm N. Gonzalez; 9/25 @ 7:00pm E. Brady

OUR ALTAR SERVERS

For the weekend of September 24 & 25 the following are asked to assist on the altar at the Mass indicated (remember to wear black shoes):

St Christopher 9/24 @ 4:30pm- Sophia & Gabriella Mannino;

9/25 @ 9:15am- Christopher Mooney & Andrew Reid; 9/25 @ 12:00pm- Gabriella & Peter Camiolo & Luca Biundo;

9/25 @ 7:00pm - John & Emily Drivek.

St Margaret Mary 9/25 @ 8:00am - Michael & Sofia Avila & Natalie Galardo;

9/25 @ 10:30am - Peter and Mary Krawiec;

We are always looking for students to assist Father during Mass. If you are in Level 3 or beyond and would like to join the Altar Server Ministry please see Father Joe or Mrs. Regan.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Registration for our Religious Ed Program is ongoing. Classes are offered on Wednesdays and Sundays. A student must have completed at least one year of Reli-gious Education just prior to being placed into a Sac-ramental class. This includes those preparing for Con-

firmation. Please see Mrs. Regan.

ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES

Classes for Adult Confirmation will be offered in September at Our Lady of Pity. Any adult still needing the Sacrament of Confirmation please see Mrs. Regan or Deacon Pat Graham.

ST CHRISTOPHER - ST MARGARET MARY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

On Friday, October 14th at 7:00pm in the Parish Community Center ,the Alumni Association will host an evening of Wine Tasting, Light Foods and Live Music. Cost is $40 per person

To reserve a seat contact: The St Christopher’s Rectory (718) 351-2452, or call Brad Copp, Alumni Pres. at (201) 755-8915

The Alumni Association is hoping that all St Margaret Mary Graduates become members of the Alumni Association. The main purpose of the organization is to keep our parish school open and operating. The Alumni’s next “Meet and Greet” is scheduled for October 3rd following the 9:15 Mass in the Parish Center, 144 Midland Ave. ( Please call Brad Copp at (201) 755-8915 for more information. Thank You.

ON THE CALENDAR

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY AND FELLOWSHIP

Today, Sunday September 18th at the 10:30am Mass in St. Margaret Mary, we are celebrating our Religious Education Catechists. These won-derful volunteers provide our children with an invaluable Catholic education. There will also be a blessing of the families.

Immediately following the 10:30am Mass on the side lawn of St. Margaret Mary Church or in Dongan Hall, depending upon the weather, there

will be a Faith Formation Fellowship Gathering for all parishion-ers to share some tasty refreshments and great conversation with fellow parishioners. Come join us.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Religious Education classes begin on Wednesday, September 21st and Sunday, September 24th.

FAITH FORMATION BAKE SALE

Next Saturday, September 24th at the 4:30pm Mass and on Sunday, September 25th at the 8:00am, 9:15am, 10:30am and 12:00pm Masses your Faith Formation Com-mittee will be holding its annual Fall Bake Sale. It is through the Bake Sale that Faith Formation is able to offer so many free spir-itual and social events throughout the year.

Please stop by and support this vital effort as well as enjoying some fabulous home baked goodies. Thank you for your generosity and prayers.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

Our Monday evening Scripture Study will start up on Monday, September 26th at 7:00pm in the Dongan Hall Meeting Room. We read and discuss the coming week’s Sunday Readings. Its very informal and no one is required to read or even speak if their uncomfortable. There is also a Scripture Study group that meets on Tuesdays at 10:00am in St Margaret Mary Rectory. This second group will start on Tuesday, September 20th. All are invited.

TOWN HALL MEETING

"Come Build Our Parish Together" Father Joe and the Parish Council invite and encourage all parishioners to attend a CRITICALLY IMPORTANT

“Open Forum” Town Hall Meeting on Monday, October 3rd or Wednesday, October 5th, both at 7:00pm in St. Christopher Church. Both meetings will contain the same infor-mation, so you can choose either one.

Many issues will be addressed including: + Merger: Perception & Reality + our Mass and liturgy schedule + our Financial State + Communication and Evangelization + Plus much, much more

There will be a Question and Answer period to allow all Parishioners to have their questions answered and/or express their feelings and comments.