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PENTECOST SUNDAY
MAY 24, 2015
The Sanctuary Candle burns this week
For All Veterans
SATURDAY, MAY 23
5:30pm Rita Conte (req. by her daughters)
SUNDAY, MAY 24
9:00am Patricia Ann Matanis (req. by Rich family)
11:00am Gjuraj family
MONDAY, MAY 25
8:00am Giovanna Stella (req. by Joe & Angela Masone)
TUESDAY, MAY 26
8:00am Thomas F. Sweeney 30th anniversary
(req. by family)
WENESDAY, MAY 27
8:00am Jack Thorton (req. by family)
THURSDAY, MAY 28
8:00am Kazimierz Uzieblo
FRIDAY, MAY 29
8:00am Katarzyna Darczuk
SATURDAY, MAY 30
5:30pm Donna Starzecki
(req. by Ala & Slawek Mateusiak)
SUNDAY, MAY 31
9:00am Michael Farrelly (req. by Neil & Meg Broderick)
11:00am Frank Cavaliere (Mike & Barbara Ryan)
From the Pastors desk: As our diocese is finalizing the
Synod each parish will soon be called to revisit and to address in their community the ways how each of us is called
to bring Christ to others. So, during the next few weeks at
the end of each weekend Mass, we'll hear more about
Synod from our delegates. I hope that you and members of
your family will spend time in prayerful consideration about
how each of us is using God’s gifts in service to others in
our parish and community. Then, I hope you will join me
and other members of the parish to explore and discuss
the ways that we may create and bring ministries forth that
will serve our parish members and bring witness to Christ.
Please join with me and attend one of the two meetings
that are scheduled to allow everyone to participate in open
dialogue. The meeting times are Tuesday, June 9th at
7pm or Sunday, June 14th at 4pm.
Father Peter Smolik
PENTECOST SUNDAY
By Gina Loehr
"'Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in
me.' He said this in reference to the Spirit." Rivers of living water.
What does this image make us think of? Something active. Something dynamic and changing, yet constant and dependable. A river
with living water is not stagnant; it is not silent, but rather it speaks.
This river is not mucky or full of algae. This river is clear, beautiful,
refreshing, and life-giving. It draws people to its banks by providing
the kind of water that sustains life and the kind of scenery that is a
joy to behold.
Those who believe in Jesus will be like this river. Through the Spirit
of Christ, which first came upon Christian believers at Pentecost and
which came upon us at our baptism, we become a source of "living
water." Instead of being motionless, dull, murky, unproductive people, we are strengthened by God's power to be dynamic, refreshing,
and life-giving.
This isn't automatic, however. We must cooperate with the Spirit that
has been given to us. Those of us who have received confirmation
have been sacramentally gifted with the fullness of the Spirit, but that
doesn't mean that the living water is flowing at full speed. As St. Paul
wrote in his second letter to Timothy, we need to "stir into flame the
gift of God" (1:6). The flame may be there, but if we don't fan it
through prayer, virtuous living, spiritual formation, and frequent reception of the sacraments, then it will never burst forth with the full
power that it could have. But let us take heart! Even this process of
"fanning" is made easier when we call upon the Holy Spirit to help
us. For St. Paul reminds us today that "the Spirit too comes to the aid
of our weakness."
© Liturgical Publications Inc
PENTECOST SUNDAY
FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM
ENDS ANOTHER YEAR
I would like to thank Mrs. Fumega (our
Director of Religious Education); Anne
Downey, Becky Gerace, Dawn Rogers, Sr.
Anne Landry, Bethany Warner, Karen
Breault, Anne O’Connor, Patst Schumacher, Nicoletta
Amendola, Kim Rocca, Kerry Walsh (ou Religious Ed
Teachers;Beth Brucker, Lisa Butler, Kara Condlin, Jeanne
Davis, Katie DeGabriel, Mark & Betse DeLuca, Mary &
Brian Donovan, Mary Fay, Raquel Ferro, Kathy Fox, Joell
Gray, Tracy Kane, Kim Kehle, Grainne Keogh, Camille
Kramer, Laura Lynn Longo, Jill Luciani, Lorraine Masone,
Carmel McQuillan, Glenn & Sheri O’Brien, Paul Paolucci,
Janine Rust, Hal Sigtryggson, Holly Tuccinardi, Lynn Tusa
(our volunteers); Emma Connolly, JenaLynn Fumega, Ashley Gian, Christine Hanson, Alex Rocca, Anna Rogers (our
youth helpers); and the many children that came to help out!
Our Faith Formation program has been and always will be
successful with the support of our many parishioners who
come forward to sacrifice their time and knowledge of the
Catholic faith with our students.
From a grateful pastor and parish to our
Faith Formation program volunteers.
Fr. Peter Smolik
Our joyous Easter season is drawing to a
close, and what a beautiful celebration it
has been! All the cantors have remarked
what a treat it is to lead the singing at Star
of the Sea where we the assembly sings so
well. Thank you, everyone!
I’d like to extend an invitation to all the
musicians among us. Please consider
deepening your involvement in the liturgical life of our parish. I hope to identify adult and youth choir members, guitarists, pianists and other instrumentalists.
Let’s think up new ways to expand the music ministry at our
church. All ideas are welcomed! Please come Tuesday June 9 at
7pm or Sunday June 14 at 4pm, when we all have the opportunity
to look at ways we can be more engaged in the life of our faith community. You can always reach me on my cell 203 981 2510 by voice
or text, and also by email:[email protected]
The Annual Catholic Appeal (Building Communities of Faith) is in
full swing and I am hoping that you will support this important fundraiser. Please keep in mind that while Our Lady Star of
the Sea Parish is our spiritual home, the Appeal is a great opportunity to look beyond our parish. Together we can do so much to
help so many. Please know that at this point of the campaign 105
families have raised $94,605 bringing our parish to 90.10% of its
$105,000 goal. Thank you to all who have responded.
WEEKLY COLLECTION:
Last week: 3,772 ; Catholic Relief Services (Nepal): 1,411
MAY 24,2015
Monday, May 25
So many books, so little time
You know the drill: You buy the book, then never read it. It
gathers dust and remorse the longer it sits on the shelf. Your
intentions were sincere, but time always seems short, energy
scarce. It’s much easier to watch television or surf the internet
than to give yourself to the pursuit of learning! The Venerable
Bede made the time: for learning languages, studying scripture,
pouring over histories, and becoming truly wise. Today we begin a week of reading Sirach, a compilation of acquired wisdom. Turn off the media and find three wise sayings in Sirach
meant for you.(TODAY’S READINGS: Sirach 17:20-24; Mark 10:17-27)
Tuesday, May 26 Let your life be your sermon
Philip Neri was a popular spiritual advisor and confessor. But
this “saint of Rome” who lived during the Council of Trent also
was criticized by some for allowing laymen to preach and for
using hymns written in the language of the people. History is a
great teacher that in this case reminds us that a saint of the
church recognized the richness of faith within the laity of his
day and encouraged the use of everyday language in the singing of hymns. Say a prayer of gratitude today for the faith that is
yours alone to preach by the way in which you live.
(TODAY’S READINGS: Sirach 35:1-12; Mark 10:28-31)
Wednesday, May 27 The original Canterbury tale
Imagine being uprooted from a monastic life and told to march
across medieval Europe to Christianize a far-flung kingdom
with unknown gods. This was the task given to Augustine of
Canterbury, a Benedictine monk who became the first
archbishop of Canterbury and a founder of the English church
in the year 597. We would not be talking about Augustine today
had he listened to the men in his mission who, seeing the task
before them, urged Augustine to turn back and cancel the undertaking soon after it began. Encouraged by Pope Gregory the
Great, Augustine and the men persevered and succeeded. If
we stay the course through the difficult times, our mission of
faith—large or small—can and will be completed. Hang in
there! (TODAY’S READINGS: Sirach 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17; Mark 10:32-45)
Thursday, May 28 Let failings lead you to faith
Many of us find it difficult to ask for help. We would much rather
give than be vulnerable enough to receive. While faith tells us
that God is in charge, we so often forget and live as if we are in
control of our lives. Then something stops us in our tracks: a
disappointment, a diagnosis, a failure, or a death. And in that
moment pride is revealed for the false god that it is and we cry
out, “Master, help me see.” Write a note of gratitude to someone whose “strength has been revealed in weakness.”
(TODAY’S READINGS: Sirach 42:15-25; Mark 10:46-52)
Friday, May 29 A prayer for the ages
Shrines, home altars, burial grounds, memorial services—these
are all common ways people honor their ancestors. For Christians, we have the Litany of Saints, one of the oldest prayers in
Christianity, where we call to mind the holy men and women in
our salvation history. The litany is most often sung at Easter
Vigil Mass and All Saints Day, but many of us also pray modified litanies each night calling out the names of our own special
circle of saints: God bless Mom, God bless Dad . . . . Remembering the goodness and faithfulness of living and departed
holy men and women is the first step in paying our respects. To
ensure a lasting legacy, we must follow their examples of radical love. (TODAY’S READINGS: Sirach 44:1, 9-13; Mark 11:11-26)