Parish Bulletin
August 24, 2008
21st Sunday of Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings for the Week
Monday, August 25th
2 Th 1: 1-5, 11-12
Mt 23: 13-22
Tuesday, August 26th
2 Th 2: 1-3, 14-16
Mt 23: 23-26
Wednesday, August 27th
2 Th 3: 6-10, 16-18
Mt 23: 27-32
Thursday, August 28th
1 Cor 1: 1-9
Mt 24: 42-51
Friday, August 29th
1 Cor 1: 17-25
Mk 6: 17-29
Saturday, August 30th
1: Cor 1:26-31
Mt 25: 14-30
Sunday, August 31st
Jer 20:7-9
Rom 12: 1-2
Mt 16:21-27
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Mass Servers
Saturday August 30th
5:00pm Servers: Francis & James & Natalie Miller
Ministers: Be ready to serve if needed
Lector: Susan Hammer
Host Usher: Gary Zannazzi, Joseph Palo, James Rentkowicz
Sunday August 31st
9:00am Servers: John Rose, Sean Ramano, Rudy Stanganelli
Ministers: Be ready to serve if needed
Lector: Joe Panarello
Host Usher: Michael Klein, Sr., Gabriela & Jeff Scharpf
11:00am Servers: Katherine Jaycox, Daniel LaGrega,
Tyler Fielding
Ministers: Be ready to serve if needed
Lector: Jennifer Lombardi
Host Usher: Neil & Diane Bontempi
~~~~~~~~~~
Masses For The Week
Saturday August 23rd
5:00 John & Lydia & Rose Hasselberger
Thomas M. DeRosa
Sunday August 24th
9:00 Families Mary Immaculate
11:00 Joseph Basile (In loving memory by wife)
Marie Fuchs
Monday August 25th
9:00 Alexander Mulherin
Tuesday August 26th
9:00 Robert Coletti, Sr.
Wednesday August 27th
9:00 Alexander Mulherin
Thursday August 28th
9:00 Pray for Priests
Friday August 29th
9:00 no mass
Saturday August 30th
5:00 Bernard Kelly
Stefan Palo
Sunday August 31st
9:00 Bernard Kelly
Robert Klein
11:00 Joseph Basile (In loving memory by wife)
~~~~~~~~~~
Reflection
In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds the Romans– and us– that all things come from God: “ For from Him and through Him and for Him all things are.” Good stewards understand that all is gift and share generously the gifts of time, talent, and treasure with which they’ve been blessed.Last Sunday $5,437.00Assumption Collection $1,617.00~~~~~~~~~~
Parish Council
It is the mission of the Parish Council to maintain the integrity of the parish, not to run the day-to-day activities of the parish. We , as council members, are a forum for consultation for both the pastor & parishioners.
It is our mission to engage in ongoing dialogue about the needs, feelings, hopes and reactions of parishioners. Through prayer, study & listening we begin to identify & prioritize the ways in which the parish is being called to live out its specific mission, and we provide information and advise for long range planning in the parish. In order to accomplish this, we seek to know the people of the parish well. We encourage you to reach out to any member of the council, as we are your representatives in framing the future of Mary Immaculate.
(Names of Parish Council members at the bottom of this page)
~~~~~~~~~~
Like Peter in today’s gospel, we can find that when we open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our hearts to experience Jesus’ presence in our daily lives, God reveals himself to us.
This month, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul enabled the poor to experience Jesus’ presence by assisting families providing food and utility & rent bills.
~~~~~~~~~~
PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING
IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:
Jennifer Lombardi, Edith Ramirez
Rosemary Hughes, Robert Melendez
Mary H. Murray, Don Gillingham,
Ray Haff.
3 week old Baby Samantha Rose Panasuk
~~~~~~~~~~
DO YOU OR ANYONE THAT YOU KNOW NEED FREE
OR LOW COST HEALTH INSURANCE?
FIDELIS CARE, THE NEW YORK STATE CATHOLIC HEALTH PLAN MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU
You and your family may qualify for free or low-cost
health insurance through Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid programs, including coverage for
regular check-ups, emergency care, eye exam and glasses, immunization, hospital care, prescription drug coverage, dental care, and speech and hearing therapy.
To learn more about the plan that is right for you, call our Fidelis Care representative, Yahaira Silverio, at (631) 672-3574 to arrange for a meeting. You will need to provide proof of age, income and address.
If you are already receiving free or low-cost health insurance, Fidelis can help you recertify right here at the church.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ron Rolheiser, OMI
The Heart of a Child
Unless you change and become like little children you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
How can we do that? How do we unlearn sophistication, undo the fact that we are adults? What kind of recessive journey can revirginize a heart?
Part of our quandary, I believe, comes from how we think of the heart of a child. When we picture the heart of a child we almost automatically think of innocence. A child's heart is innocent by nature. Indeed it is stunningly innocent. There are few things in this world that can stop us in our tracks, make a man watch his language, make a woman watch her actions, make all of us watch what we talk about in open conversation, make us regret bad decisions, and make us want to be better persons than the innocence of child. Innocence is a powerful moral light that sears the soul.
But that isn't exactly what Jesus had in mind when he challenged us to become like little children. We cannot remain children. Childhood is naturally outgrown and adulthood brings with it a bewildering complexity in life in general and in sexuality in particular that is not yet inside the heart of a child. And we don't choose this. For an adult, life cannot be simple and much of the natural innocence of a child is lost in that fact.
So what does Jesus have in mind when he holds up the heart of a child as an ideal?
He does have a certain innocence in mind, though not the simple innocence of pre-sophistication, of being sheltered from one's own complexity and that of the world. The innocence that Jesus glorifies in children is the wholeness of not yet being wounded, of still being able to trust, of not yet having one's heart hardened by sin, wound, and disillusionment. Jesus says as much when he is asked whether divorce is wrong or right. He answers the question not by pronouncing it categorically wrong or right but by giving a deeper reason for its frequency: Divorce happens, Jesus says, because our hearts are no longer as they were "in the beginning", namely, in that pristine time before Adam and Eve sinned and (in terms of our own lives) in the pristine time before we were wounded. In an unwounded heart, in the heart of a child, divorce is not an option. To acquire the heart of a child is therefore to try to move beyond the things that have wounded and hardened us.
But that is only one aspect of it. The quality of heart, seen in a child, that Jesus most challenges us to imitate is that of acknowledging powerlessness and helplessness. A child is powerless. It cannot provide for itself, feed itself, or take care of itself. For a child, if mum and dad do not get up and make breakfast, there will be no breakfast! A child knows dependence, knows that life comes from beyond itself, that it is not self-providing and self-sufficient.
But we tend to forget this as adults. The adult heart, at least during those years when we are healthy and strong, likes to believe itself to be self-providing, self-sufficient, able to take care of itself: I can provide for myself. The adult heart tends to live the illusion of self-sufficiency and that false notion is at the root of much of the pseudo-sophistication and lack of empathy that isolates us from others.
But how can this be undone? How can we "change and become like little children"?
Nature, God, and circumstance often do it for us. Here is an example: Several years ago, I went to the funeral of a ninety year-old man. While he had always been an honest man, a good man, a family man, and a man of faith, he had also, at least up until the years shortly before his death, been a particularly strong man, fiercely independent, proud of his self-sufficiency, and not infrequently hard on others and cantankerous in his dealings with them. His son, a priest, preached the funeral mass and said this in his homily:
Scripture tells us that the sum of years of a man's life is seventy, eighty for those who are strong. But my dad lived for ninety years. Why those extra ten years? Well, it's no mystery: In my dad's case, God needed ten extra years to mellow him. He wasn't ready to die at eighty; he was still too strong, too independent, too self-reliant. But the last ten years did their work on him: He lost his wife, his health, much of his independence, his place in society, and his firm grip on life. And that mellowed his soul. He died ready to grasp a stronger hand.
We have a choice: We can do this process deliberately, on purpose (so to speak), or we can fiercely guard our strength and sense of self-sufficiency and wait for nature, God, and circumstance to do it for us.
~~~~~~~~~~
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT
OUR BOOKRACK LATELY?
You’ll find it at the back of church
(and also a small one at the kitchen entrance)
The bookrack isn’t there to help us raise funds,
it’s there to help us raise our hearts and minds to the Holy.
Take a look, and take a book, you might be
pleasantly surprised!
~~~~~~~~~~
Bulletin Board
You Can Help Your Marriage Now: Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Have you just stopped talking? Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. This program has helped thousands of couples worldwide. For confidential information about the program or to register for the upcoming weekend beginning Friday, Sept. 5th, please call 1-800-470-2230 and you will be connected directly to a couple from Long Island/Metro Retrouvaille.
Please RSVP to Dr. John Palmer at jpalmer@drvc.org or (516) 678-5800 xt. 408.
Fidelis Care– The New York State Catholic Health Plan may be able to help you. Did you know that you and your family may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Child Health Plus and Medicaid programs? To learn more about the plan that is right for you, ca.ll Fidelis care representative, Yahaira Silverio at 631-672-3574
Catholic Charities– free assistance to those who qualify. If you have been a legal permanent resident for over 5 years our office can help you with the application. call 631-789-5210
St. Joseph’s College– Long Island campus Tuesday November 11,2008 Ecofeminist Theology worldwide, and Feminist Theology. Dr Rosemary Radford Ruether –professor and author . Info email jgelormino@sjcny.eud
Diocese of Rockville Centre– Saturday Seminars 10am-4pm
Sept 6th & 20th at Holy Spirit, New Hyde Park, Sept 12th Our Lady of Grace Retreat House-Manhasset, Sept 27th Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Roosevelt. Please RSVP to Dr. John Palmer at jpalmer@drvc.org or (516) 678-5800 xt. 408
Brentwood Public Library– Monday Sept 15th Displaced Homemakers Center Career Readiness Training prepare to be a part of the workforce, computer & Vocational Training available. Call 853-6540 to reserve a place
Village of Bellport Blood Drive– Emergency Blood Shortage all donors will receive a pair of Mets tickets– (tickets will be mailed to donors) Tuesday August 26th, 2008 at 11:00
St. Joseph the Worker Church-510 Narragansett Avenue, E. Patchogue has a “Basement Boutique” Thrift Shop in our downstairs Parish Hall, selling new and gently used clothing for children, infants, men and women as well as Jewelry, shoes, and accessories and household items. Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 9am to 12pm, and Sunday 9am to 1pm. Directions call 286-9133.
Catholic Cemeteries– Bereavement Support in DRVC is available in Nassau & Suffolk Counties for all losses, including both adults & children. www.holyroodcemetery.org
click the word Bereavement than Support Groups Available.
weekly groups, monthly groups, special programs, retreats.
St. Anne’s Parish– Garage Sale Sept 27th 9-5 rain date 9/28
273-8113, home baked goods hot dogs hamburgers, soda.
CYO developmentally Challenged Sports Program for Children-CYO is proud to announce a free 6 week recreation program for developmentally challenged children. It will be offered to ages 9-16. Sunday afternoons 9/7,14,21,28 Oct 19,26. www.cyons.org or 516-433-1145.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pray For Our Military
PFC Scott Scutari– Army
Gregory Azzara - Navy
Gunnery Sgt. John Scott Dowdell - USMC
Cmd. William Hess - Navy
Capt. Kevin Hughey - Army
SSgt Matthew Pica - Army
Capt. Michael Quinn - Navy
John Paul Redmond - Army
PFC Robert Temple—Army
SSgt. Shawn Weismiller - Airforce
Sgt. Jason Ramos-Army
CPO Andrew Darrow, -USN
Pvt Jonathan Salvestrini– Army
PFC Manet Ricks– Army
PFC Shane Gibney– USMC
Cpl Mark Anthony Barone-USMC
LC Benjamin Johnson– USMC
This prayer Lord, that I say tonight is for our troops who all must fight . These are the troops that we all love, and so I pray dear Lord above. Please keep them safe while their away, and bring them home to us someday. This prayer is not for ours alone, but for all military far from home. Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.
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Labor Day
Monday, September 1st is a Holiday.
The Rectory & Religious Education Offices are closed.
There will be no 9 am Mass
~~~~~~~~~~
We are taking orders for bricks:
This program offers every family of our parish the opportunity to engrave their name or the names of their loved ones into the history of our parish.
If you would like to order bricks, please obtain an order form from
the back of the church.
~~~~~~~~~~
McGann-Mercy High School
Annual Alumni Golf Classic
Monday, September 29, 2008
at Long Island National Golf Club, Riverhead
More Information 631-727-5900 ext 34
or log on to www.mcgann-mercy.org
~~~~~~~~~~There will be a 2nd collection for
Catholic University of America
on September 7, 2008
Founded by the Bishops of the United States in 1887 to
serve the educational needs of Church as well as Nation.
~~~~~~~~~~
The St. Vincent de Paul Society will be collecting school supplies during the month of August.
Items needed are pens, #2 pencils, colored pencils, highlighters, rulers, binders, backpacks, plan notebooks, crayons, glue, safety scissors, loose leaf paper, pocket dividers, folders, marble notebooks.
Please drop them in the bins in the back of the auditorium.
~~~~~~~~~~Mary Immaculate Church’s Parish Picnic
August 31st
Immediately following the 11am Mass
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs will be provided
Games, Friends, Family, Fun
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Gratitude & Farewell
I wish to express my sincere thanks to you for your friendship during my three month stay with you. It has been very uplifting. I thank Fr. Jerry particularly for this opportunity. May the Lord, God continue on to shower his blessings on you. Let us continue to pray for one another.
God Bless you all.
Fr. Alexander Salakpi
email: asalakpi@yahoo.com
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Banns of MarriagePantry Needs
3rd Announcement
Vincent Cagno & Cindy Garufi
Gregory Colichio & Melody Hermus
Christian Matalese & Kimberly Dolan
2nd Announcement
Joseph Peterson & Veronica Powers
~~~~~~~~~~
We need to fill 60 grocery bags every week. Please help!
PLEASE HELP US “Stock Our Shelves” with the following items:
Canned pasta, cereal, cookies/crackers, jelly, macaroni & cheese, tomato sauce, spaghetti, tuna, canned fruits/vegetables, and peanut butter.
Thank you in advance!
~~~~~~~~~~Parish Council Members
Stephanie Barry 631-289-8567 slbarry@optonline.net
Nicole Cavaliere 631-286-9659 Dilligafx9@aol.com
Johanna DiGiovanni 631-776-9038 jmdigiovanni@aol.com
Frank Dupointe 631-831-2571 Frank@Dewpointenergy.com
Felix J. Grucci Jr. 631-207-0903 FGruccijr@aol.com
Kathie /Ken Hawkins 631-286-2559 kkins620@hotmail.com
Doug Kerr 516-805-1997 wrdkiii@optonline.net
Cynthia Kusa 631-286-8871 ckusa@suffolk.lib.ny.us
Gary Lombardi 631-241-1435 glombardi@ftub.com
Doris Noehren 631-286-9659 hpndln@aol.com
Judy Travers 631-475-1026 jtravers@suffolk.lib.ny.us
Joe Panarello 631-286-1823 Harmoniagardens@yahoo.com
Michael Simon 201-965-3365consultmike73@yahoo.com
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