SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES
PASTORAL STAFF
Rev. Thomas V. Doyle, Pastor
Rev. John S. Wtulich
Rev. Patrick Longalong
Deacon Vincent LaGamba
Deacon Armand D’Accordo
Mr. Robert Ruggiero, Religious Education
Mr. Christopher Scharbach—Principal
Mr. Jonathan D’Amico – Music Ministry
PARISH OFFICE
129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Belle Harbor, NY 11694
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Francis de Sales, a parish steeped in tradition, rich in natural beauty and bountifully blessed with a
community devoted in love to serve God and our neighbor. We seek to live actively the Word of God
through the example of our patron saint, a life devoted to energetic, generous and constant fidelity to the
will of God. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we will grow in our faith through continuous education,
formation, communication, and out-reach, while passing these values on to our future generations. We
endeavor to be a most vibrant community of faith which will effectively utilize the talents, resources, and
treasures of our parish for the good of all God’s people.
WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Monday to Friday: 6:30am and 9:00am
Saturday: 8:00am; 9:00am and 5:30pm (Vigil)
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE
7:30am; 9:00am; 10:30am, Noon, 5:30pm
and 7:00pm (Polish)
HOLY DAY SCHEDULE
Vigil of Holy Day at 7:30pm
Holy Day at 6:30am; 9:00am and Noon
CONFESSION/SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Saturdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Seasonal Penance Services during Advent and
Lent
CARE OF THE SICK
If there is an elderly, sick or infirm parishioner who
wishes to receive Holy Communion or the
Anointing of the Sick, please call the Parish Office.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Communal Celebrations of the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick will take place in the Fall and
in the Spring.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Evening—by appointment
Saturday—by appointment
Sunday—No Office hours
BAPTISM
Parents are asked to contact the Parish Office to
schedule an appointment with a priest or deacon
to complete the Baptismal Registration Form.
Parents are required to attend a Baptismal
Instruction at 7:00pm on the First Thursday of the
month. Baptisms are celebrated on the Second
Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm.
MARRIAGE
Preparations for the Sacrament of Marriage are
very important and take time. Couples planning to
be married at Saint Francis De Sales are asked to
contact the Parish Office no less than eight
months prior to the wedding date. Please do not
schedule the catering hall prior to making
arrangements at the parish. Couples are required
to attend the Pre-Cana Program of the Parish at
least six months prior to the wedding.
PARISH WEBSITE:
Stfrancisdesalesparish.org
PARISH TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Office/Rectory
Parish Office/Rectory Fax
Parish Email
[email protected]
Parish Religious Education Office
Saint Francis De Sales School
Saint Francis De Sales School Fax
718-634-6464
718-634-0716
718-634-6464
718-634-2775
718-634-6673
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISH
Mission Sunday, October 19, 2014
Masses for the week of 10-19-26, 2014
Sunday
7:30 AM For the People of the
Parish
10:30 AM Bridget, John and Margaret
Fitzpatrick
12:00 PM Peggy Murphy
Monday
6:30 AM Patrick Keena Jr.
9:00 AM John McCullagh
Tuesday
6:30 AM John Finneran
9:00 AM Thomas Lyons
Wednesday
6:30 AM Nancy Grogan
9:00 AM Deacon Ace Proce
Thursday
6:30 AM Linda Hearn
9:00 AM Eileen McCullagh
Friday
6:30 AM Matthew Jackson
9:00 AM Ardian Horgan
Saturday
8:00 AM Mike McGuinness, John
Kearns and Eddie
Gallagher
9:00 AM Michael, Bridget, Owen and
Fr. Paul Murphy
5:30 PM Katherine McNelis and The
Jones Family
Sunday
7:30 AM For the People of the
Parish
10:30 AM Thomas and Kevin
Coleman
12:00 PM Mr. and Mrs. Richard
Cassone
BREAD AND WINE: to be offered at the
Masses for this week is donated in memory of
The McCullagh and Slevin Families.
500 Club Weekly: Congratulations!
Winners are:
$100 #154 Patrick G. Henaghan
50 #133 Stacey Tubridy
25 #282 Kathleen Daly
ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE –
The October through December
schedule is ready if you haven’t
received a copy you can get one
at the rectory. If you haven’t
already contacted Lorraine
Agoglia with your preferences and
contact information you can email
her at [email protected]
SEA BREEZE TRIPS
Thursday, November 13th – 911
Memorial – Tour of Museum
and Show – Price $101 (40Min)
and $112 (U/40)
Thursday, November 20th –
South Pacific – Westchester
Broadway Theatre – Lunch
and Show – Price $85.00
Monday, March 16th – Andy
Cooney Concert at Westbury –
Show and Dinner at Swan Club
– Price $89.00
For more information call: Mary Ellen
at 718-634-6307 or Kate Hanratty at
718-634-1941.
St. John’s Preparatory School –
announces the Peter F. Vallone
Scholarship Examination on
Saturday, November 15th.
Applications on website:
www.stjohnsprepschool.org or
call the Admissions Office at 718721-7200, ext. 699
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISH
Mission Sunday, October 19, 2014
FROM THE DESK OF FATHER DOYLE
Dear Parishioners:
Thanks for asking! People often ask me “Father how are you feeling?” I can honestly
say that my time at the International Catholic Stewardship Conference in Orlando that I am
feeling fine. Physical health issues can be taken care of with medication and rest.
Psychological, emotional and spiritual issues require stepping back, re-examining and
prayerfully discerning new directions. We all have issues that we have to deal with. God
offers us wisdom, knowledge, and discernment-gifts from the Holy Spirit that when used
properly, can ease the stress and strain that come when life deals you a set of cards that
you’re not quite sure how to play. Parish ministry has its own set of issues to deal with.
There are the practical every day issues of whose doing what, where they are doing
it, and who is responsible. Helping everyone to work and play well together whether on the
playground, in the classroom or at church related functions. Someone inevitably say well,
“Father Doyle said this….”
The more demanding pastoral responsibilities have to deal with the real life and
death issues. Family life is radically different today than it was when I was ordained 30
years ago. The practice of the faith, the role of the family, the personal and communal
values that are held on too, all come into play when mom or dad get sick and spiritual
issues need to be defined and classified. We all need to interrogate our spiritual, mental,
emotional, sexual and spiritual lives. The Lord Jesus calls us to Holiness. Grace doesn’t just
fall from the sky. Grace is a gift from God that enables, empower, and energizes the mind,
body and soul.
Another contributing factor that we all wrestle with is when our personal philosophy
or belief system collides with the big picture. Political and ideological conflicts often confuse
the mind, heart and soul. We all want to be patriotic but at times our personal beliefs conflict
with decisions that are made in Washington, Albany, or City Hall. The Pope or Bishops
express a theological opinion or proclaim a teaching that we don’t understand. Conflicts
over political and religious beliefs are as old as the bible. Again my choice or your choice or
the choice of those in authority often cause confusion, doubt or distress.
We all have peaks and valleys in our faith journey. At times we feel on top of the
world because everything makes sense. Life is good. There are other times when we slip
down the mountain clinging desperately to our faith, our traditions, and our values. A line
from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” expresses the dilemma – “Without our traditions our
lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.”
As we say good-bye to the warmth of summer and prepare ourselves for the
coldness of winter, let us trust in God’s abiding presence. Let us take time to pray for the
grace, strength and courage that we need to meet the ordinary as well as extraordinary
challenges that life brings. Let us pray for balance when we slide down the slippery slope of
life. Let us pray for patience and perseverance trusting that everything will work out in God’s
time. And finally let us smile and laugh at ourselves when we take things too seriously. God
has a plan for each and every one of us. God will not let us down.
Much peace!
Rev. Fr. Thomas V. Doyle
MISSION SUNDAY
Modeling our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we are called most especially on this weekend to
keep the poor and those most in need close in mind and heart. Like our chief missionary,
we are asked especially to be mindful of our obligation to build the Church and serve the
poor to the very ends of the earth. It is what the Church exists to do. The Society of the
Propagation of the Faith is the Holy Father’s chief outreach to more than 1,150 mission
dioceses across the globe that depend on annual financial help and the prayers of all of us.
These mission churches provide a spiritual home for the poorest and most vulnerable,
sanctifying them with the Sacraments, as they offer them the Lord’s hope and peace.
WHEN WE GIVE, WE SHARE THE LIGHT OF FAITH
2014 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL – UPDATE AS OF 10/6/2014
GOAL
$121,579.00
PLEDGES
302 out of 2,063 households (14.64%)
AMOUNT PLEDGED
$ 99,485.00 (81.83%)
AMOUNT RECEIVED
$ 92,999.17 (76.49%)
AMOUNT NEEDED
$ 22,094.00 (18.17%)
There are many people in need that are counting on our support for this annual Appeal.
Your sacrifice is used for those in our Diocese who are most in need. May your faith and
generosity bring light to those in darkness.
Please remember that all contributions over our assigned goal are returned to Saint Francis
de Sales.
DID YOU KNOW?
Each year every parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn is given an assessment based on a
percentage of their annual income as a form of Diocesan commitment to help support the
many needs of the diocesan church. The assessment runs from September 1, 2012 to
August 31, 2013.
The assessment for Saint Francis De Sales Parish for the present fiscal year is $83,500.00.
Parish funds taken the weekly collection are used to meet this financial obligation of the
parish to the diocese. Your continued generosity is most appreciated helping us to meet this
and other financial obligations.
INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION
Saint Francis De Sales Parish considers it a privilege to continue Jesus’ welcome to the
little children. We welcome parents who wish to present their children for Baptism. In
doing so, we are aware that we pledge to help parents as they raise their children in the
faith of Jesus Christ.
The entire process is begun by the parents contacting the Rectory (1-718-634-6464) to
complete the Baptism Registration form prior to the Baptism Instruction and Baptism
date. A Birth Certificate must be presented at the time completing the registration form.
In choosing Godparents (Sponsors), parents might be interested in knowing that the
Church asks the Godparents/Sponsors be:
1. At least 16 years of age;
2. Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic Church;
3. Living and upright Catholic life, if married, married in Catholic Church.
4. Not a parent of the child.
9:00 AM MASS - CHILDREN FOLK GROUP – Looking for new members. Children
in 4th grade and up are eligible. Rehearsals are held in Church on Mondays at
3:30 pm until 5:00 PM. The group sings at the 9:00 AM Mass on Sundays. We are
also seeking someone who plays guitar and would be interested in joining us.
FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION
FOR 2014 - 2015
Missing Sacraments
If your child has not been baptized or has not received First Holy Communion and
is beyond the age of 7 years old, please contact Robert Ruggerio at the rectory
718-634-6464. Even if your child is presently enrolled in the religious education
program, kindly bring it to the administrations attention.
ALL SOULS ENVELOPES – Envelopes are available in church for special
remembrance on All Souls Day, November 2, 2014 and throughout the month of
November. You are invited to write the name of your dearly departed and place
them in the box in front of the church. All those mentioned in this special way
will be remembered at all the Mass celebrated at St. Francis de Sale Church
during the month of November.