Our Lady
Queen of Martyrs
53 Prospect Road, Centerport, NY 11721
631.757.8184
www.olqmparish.org
November 23, 2014
PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor
Father John D. Gilmartin
[email protected]
Pastor Emeritus
Rev. Msgr. T. Peter Ryan
Deacon
John Rieger
[email protected]
Pastoral Associate
Sister Eileen Corcoran
[email protected]
631.757.6250
Children’s Faith Formation
Ninette Euler, Director
[email protected]
631.757.0720
Parish Social Ministry
Kevin Blum, Director
[email protected]
631.754.9045
Administrator: Mary Martin
[email protected]
Assistant: Judy Smith
[email protected]
Youth Minister: Bill Leone
[email protected]
Parish Facilities Director
Alexei Korenevski
Music Coordinator
Deirdre Kupka
Weekend Assistant
Fr. Dowling, Fordham University
PRAY WITH US
Daily Masses
Monday-Thursday at 12pm
Saturday at 9am
Weekend Masses
Saturday at 5pm
Sunday at 8am, 10am and 12pm
Special Needs Masses
Saturday, December 13 at 5:00pm
Holy Days
7:30pm Vigil evening of the Feast
and 9am on Holy Day
CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS
Baptism
Second Saturday of each month at 1pm
Preparation class required.
Reconciliation
Saturdays 9:30 -10am and 4 - 4:45pm
Anytime upon request.
Marriage
Contact rectory to make necessary preparations.
Anointing of the Sick
1st Saturday of every month at 9am. Please call
the rectory if you are hospitalized or homebound.
Additional information on our website.
Faith Formation
Our program serves children pre-school through high school (youth group).
Adult Faith Formation
Our adult faith formation has a primary focus of promoting spiritual growth and maturity
of faith in our parish community.
Parish Social Ministry
The Church community calls us to respond to the needs of one another, locally as well as
in Nicaragua, with compassion and care, respecting the dignity of each individual.
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs welcomes persons with disabilities.
Special seating and wheelchair area reserved at all masses. Hearing devices available.
~ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs ~
Students in our Faith Formation program work together with our Youth Group teens to make
Christmas ornaments to decorate wreaths for the elderly and homebound of our parish.
Our 3rd Graders in Faith Formation gathered for their Living Our Faith celebration.
The children heard stories and joined in songs and prayers about sharing and
thankfulness. Each 3rd grade class made cards or donated items to be distributed to
Newborns in Need, HIHI, Food Ministry and other groups helped by our Parish Social
Ministry Office. Their generosity will give many families in need a happier Thanksgiving.
REMINDER:
Parish offices will be closed
on Thursday, November 27
& Friday, November 28th in
observance of Thanksgiving.
Wishing you and your family a blessed holiday.
Please join us on
Thanksgiving Day
as we celebrate the Eucharist.
Thursday,
November 27th at 10:00 am
CORRECTION:
The Adult Choir will be singing
Happy Thankksgiving!
Msgr. Ryan
wins one of
the raffles at
Pat Finn’s
fundraiser for
his upcoming
trip to
Nicaragua.
~ All Are Welcome ~
The season of Advent
begins this year on Sunday, November 30th.
The Liturgical Environment members will once again have Advent
candles and wreaths available for purchase after all masses on
November 22,23, 29 and 30.
The cost is $5 for candles and $12 for wreaths.
Please remember the importance of family prayer as we await the birth of Christ and begin or continue
using an Advent wreath each night. We will have a table with candles at the entrance of the church.
Put Our Lady Queen of Martyrs on
your Christmas card list this year !
We would like to update our parish database
to include a picture of each family.
Send us your family photo Christmas card!
OVER 50 CLUB
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS
LUNCHEON
SOMETHING NEW
FOR THE NEW CHURCH YEAR
(Advent begins on November 30th)
Our annual Christmas Luncheon
will be held on Tuesday, December 2nd
at 12:00 noon at the Centerport Yacht Club.
Cost is $33 per person.
Please call Pat McDonough to RSVP or if you
have questions. (631) 261-4206
There is so much noise in the world!
May we learn to be silent in our hearts
and before God.
~Pope Francis
You are invited to take a copy of
the “Little Blue Book”
It consists of daily reflections for our journey
through Advent and Christmas.
Reflections are based on the daily Gospels of
Advent. Reflections begin on the First Sunday
of Advent, November 30, 2014, and end on the
Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 11, 2015.
Pick up one copy per family
on the weekend of November 29th and 30th.
~ All Are Welcome ~
RE-FOCCUS
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
We will once again be offering a special program for married couples who want to increase
the intimacy, communication and focus in their relationships. This program was offered
here last Spring and was a big success. Couples shared how powerful this experience
was for them and appreciated the insights they gathered which helped to strengthen the
foundation of their marriages.
ok if I’m
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ing hum
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“Our usual date night was supplanted by this program but it’s been spectacular.”
“Being at these classes, and away from all the other demands of life, helped me to focus 100% on my marriage.”
The RE-FOCCUS Program consists of a couples’ survey and a series of workshops.
During the 3 workshop sessions, facilitated by psychologist Dr. Tom Demaria, general
trend responses from the Re-Foccus surveys will be reviewed. Only common issues that
couples identify in their relationships will be covered in the workshops and we do not
disclose any specific personal and private issues of couples. If couples would like to
review specific issues, they can speak with Dr. Tom in a private session.
The sessions are scheduled for 3 consecutive Wednesday evenings
December 3rd, 10th and 17th at 7:00- 9:00pm.
The program will conclude with a Mass on Saturday, December13th
at 6:30pm where we have the renewal of Marriage vows.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact the rectory to make
an appointment with Father John to register for the survey. The Re-Foccus survey, which
guides the content of the workshops, is taken on-line at home prior to the first session.
~ Youth Ministry ~
YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS
Meetings
Monday, November 24th -- 7:00pm
Meetings are held in the Community Room.
Bring a friend and come join us!
Questions....comments....suggestions.....
Contact Bill Leone at
[email protected]
~~~~ CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL TEENS ~~~~
Mark your calendars
and save the date for our next
Youth Ministry
Retreat
in the Community Room.
Friday, December 5th @ 6pm
until
Saturday, December 6th @ 3pm.
Please e-mail Bill Leone at [email protected]
to register and reserve your spot. Permission forms will be e-mailed.
Questions.....comments......suggestions.....
Contact Bill Leone
~ Living Stories of Faith, Hope & Love ~
Special Needs Mass
“Ninety people came together on Saturday, November 15 to participate in the monthly
Special Needs Mass. We enjoyed readings by Alex Brygider and Chris Biernacki. Fr. John
welcomed all of the special needs individuals to join him around the beautiful new altar.
The altar, lectern, and crucifix from St. Gabriel’s Retreat House on Shelter Island have found
their new “forever home” in our Community Room, adding an even holier dimension to our
Special Needs Mass. It is a unique celebration, where “all are welcome” and many come.
The lines of our differences are blurred, as we share an experience of spirituality and grace.”
Alex Brygider and Father John
the children are focused on the
Eucharist.
Chris Biernacki doing an amazing
job reading.
OMS students acted as ushers and
bought up the gifts.
Father John with Gia Destafano and the kids
around the altar celebrating the Eucharist.
Carol Hardie offering communion with the
support of Dave Derosa.
“If you judge people, you have no time to love
them”
TWITTER @
PONTIFEX
~For Information About Parish Social Ministry ~
~the giving season~
The Giving Season
Youth and family volunteer opportunities.
The Giving Season is an opportunity for us, through Parish Social Ministry, to respond to
the needs of one another and by doing so, come to know Jesus. By sharing our gifts, we
are able to provide compassionate care to those in need within our faith community.
Below is a list of community service projects for Faith Formation classes and families.
Contact Maria Ryan for more information and additional events
[email protected] ~ 754 9045
Holiday Wreaths, Cookie Bake
for the Elderly and Homebound
This project pairs young children with
teens in a unique way. The younger
children can create Christmas cards
and or decorate a wreath with festive
homemade holiday ornaments. Older
children bake holiday cookies that will
be wrapped. The project is completed
by attaching a greeting card signed
and decorated by all of the participants
along with an Advent prayer. This gift
can be delivered by the family or the
Faith Formation class who prepared
it. We welcome any and all assistance
for this program which will enable us
to spread comfort and joy to these
special members of our parish family.
Donations are appreciated to offset
the cost of the wreaths. Please call or
visit Parish Social Ministry to reserve
your wreath, or find out about these
projects.
December 4th kits and cookies due
December 6th delivery to homebound
HiHi
There are several ways to support
HIHI. Please call Parish Social Ministry
for more details.
Saint Vincent de Paul Food Drive
Will take place in the Community Room.
Children and parents are welcome
December 13th 9 am
Adopt a Family
The holiday season can be a
challenging time of the year for many
in our community. You too can be a
“Secret Santa” for someone in need.
Our parishioners provide assistance
and comfort in a variety of ways. As a
parishioner, you can select an individual
or family in need to “adopt” in which
you purchase gifts anonymously. For
many of these families, this assistance
is all they will receive for Thanksgiving
and Christmas. Our goal to supply
these families with Christmas gifts and
Holiday food treats.
Please call to be placed on our list of sponsors
The Giving Tree
Beginning early in December, stop by the
vestibule at the back of the church
and take an “ornament” that has
an item needed for someone in our
parish. Please wrap the gift and
tie the “ornament” to the gift. By
giving this gift, you are providing
a member of our parish family the
assurance that they are part of a
faith community that cares.
December 19th~gifts due under the tree
~Parish Social Ministry ~
Sunday December 7th at 4 p.m.
Come join us for a unique Christmas Concert featuring the many
talents of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Choirs:
Adult
Contemporary
Teen and Children’s Choirs
Join us for light refreshments and holiday cheer following the concert
in the Community Room
Donations will benefit Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish Social Ministry
and are greatly appreciated.
IllllnessSupport Group
Our next meeting will be
Monday December 1st
Following the noon Mass
Our Food Pantry Needs This Week:
~~~~~~~~~
Shampoo, Bar Soap, Coffee, Clothes
Detergent
Dish Deteregent.
~~~~~~~~~~
Any and all donations are appreciated.
We thank you and appreciate your
continued support.
~Contact Kevin Blum or Maria Ryan at 754-9045~
[email protected] ~ [email protected]
Raising Thankful Children
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation or thanks. God is good and all gifts
come from him. Recognizing the many gifts God has given us results in
happiness and spiritual growth. Gratitude is like a muscle; it takes practice
to make this quality strong in our children. How do we do this?
First – thank God. The best way to teach gratitude is to be grateful ourselves. Throughout the day,
make recognizing blessings an ongoing conversation with God that includes your children.
Together, thank God each morning for the gift of another day, and before eating a meal, and
before bedtime. Best of all; thank God for the gift of your family.
Next – thank the family. We are often more likely to thank strangers than our families. Thank your
child for chores well done, for completing homework, for being pleasant. Thank your spouse for
making dinner, for work done for the home, for any thoughtful gesture.
Finally – thank the community. Children learn by doing. In return for blessings your family has
received, come up with a plan to bless others. Perhaps your child can do extra chores to earn
money to put in the poor box, or volunteer at a charity, or do yard work for a neighbor, or donate
a toy.
Scripture Lesson Matt 25:31-46
We love Jesus by loving others
Today’s feast of Christ the King teaches us about loving others. Jesus is
very clear about the importance of doing good for others. He tells us that
whenever we do something good or kind for anyone, we do it for him. And
when we fail to show kindness and love to someone, we fail to love him.
When we truly live our Catholic faith, we see Jesus in all those who are in
need. And when we recognize the face of Jesus in another person, we
cannot help but to reach out to them with loving kindness.
But we do not reach out to others simply in
honor of Jesus. Instead, Jesus tells us today that
we reach out to others because we are reaching
out to Jesus himself.
~ Adult Faith Formation ~
A THANKSGIVING PRAYER
FROM SCRIPTURE
I thank my God every time I
remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with
joy because of your partnership in
the gospel.
Thanks be to God! Give thanks to the Lord, call on his
name; make known among the
nations what God has done.
Thanks be to God!
I will give you thanks in the great
assembly; among throngs of
people I will praise you.
Thanks be to God!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, since as members on one
body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Thanks be to God!
Now bless us, O Lord, and these
Thy gifts, which we receive from
your bounty, through Christ our
Lord.
Amen!
Thanks be to God!
Friday, December 5th Chapel
Taize
is
meditative
7:30—8:30 PM an
evening
chanting
and
time
for
with
All are welcome. Come and bring a friend.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Date:
(Quoted from:
Philippians 1:3-5; 1
Corinthians15:56-57; Colossians3:15)
prayer
reflection and adoration of the cross.
Pope Francis Room
of
10:00-11:30 am
December 9th
Book:
Defending Jacob
By:
William Landay
Call:
Mary Ellen Mack
757-3492
~ PRAYER AND WORSHIP ~
Bill Ayres shares his reflections on the scripture readings.
November 23, 2014
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
A reading from the BOOK OF the prophet ezekiel
Here we are at the end of another liturgical year. Advent begins next week.
Ancient Israel was a very pastoral country with numerous herds of sheep and many shepherds to protect
them from predators and bad weather. David who became Israel’s greatest king was a shepherd who
took good care of his people. Every king was required to, in a sense, be a good shepherd but not all did.
Here, Ezekiel has God saying that he will take care of the people in every way. In one of the truly moving
passages in the scriptures God says he will rescue them, give them land and rest, seek out the strays and
bring them back, bind up the injured and heal the sick.
That and more is what our God does for us every day. God lives within us and all around us. That is
true even when God seems far away and we may feel unworthy or lost in depression, addiction, loss of a
loved one or some combination of painful situations. As we seek God out, God is already there. We need
only to be open and not think of God’s love as having magical powers. We ask for something and there
it is. No! What we have with God is never magic but rather Mystery in the best and deepest sense, the
Mystery of Unconditional Love, a true ongoing relationship beyond our deepest longings.
A reading from the letter of saint paul to the thessalonians
A paradox is not the same as a contradiction. Our faith is full of paradoxes that are not contradictions.
Saint Paul is talking about the paradox of the Resurrection. Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
we too share in new life. It is happening now, but the paradox is that it is not yet complete. As we have
mentioned several times over the past year in these commentaries, Paul and most of the early Christians
thought that the completion, the Second Coming of Christ was coming in their lifetime. That never
happened and so over the centuries we have learned to live in the paradox, the life of the resurrection
has already begun but is not complete. Let us focus on what already is and rejoice in it.
REFLECTIONS ON the holy gospel according to matthew
Many people call themselves “Matthew 25 Christians” because they hear this part of the Gospel as a call
from Jesus for social justice. The words are powerful and challenging.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed
me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew says
that then the righteous will say when... when did they do all of these things for him? Jesus replies that
“Whatever you do for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
The next section has Jesus being harsh with those who did not do any of these things to help “one of the
least one.” So, where do you and I stand in our generosity and justice for those on the bottom of society?
What is our responsibility? Can we actually do all those things for all those in need?
The key in this is to remember that we are not only individuals but part of communities. We can help
through our Parish Outreach, by contributing to today’s Catholic Campaign collection one of the most
effective anti-poverty programs in America. We can also let our leaders know that we want them to
provide services for those truly in need through federal, state and local programs. There are so many ways
that we can fulfill our responsibilities to “these least ones.” It is one of the strongest commands of Jesus.
~ Stewardship ~ A way of life ~
With the busy times of
Thanksgiving and Advent
season right around the
corner, enrolling in Faith
Direct today is a great way
to ensure your gifts of
treasure to Our Lady Queen
of Martyrs are received even if you may be out
of town. Please pick up an enrollment form
from the parish office today or enroll online
at www.faithdirect.net - our Church Code is
NY229.
Already using Faith Direct? Don’t forget to add
your Christmas or End-of-Year contributions
to your account this fall.
Thank you in advance for your support and
for using Faith Direct!
STEWARDSHIP SHARING
Current Previous
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
November 16, 2014 November 17, 2013
Collection Collection Budget Envelopes
Faith Direct
Cumulative To Date
Sunday Collections Budget $16,843
$17,450
293
105
$ 202,950
$ 191,950
$15,884
$17,020
258
113
$211,820
$187,220
Thank you for your continued support.
Poor Box
last week
$166
November 23—Christ the King:
Today as we celebrate Christ the King,
we hear Jesus say: “…whatever you did
for one of the least brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.”
Knowing that we find the face of Christ in the poor,
this month, through your gifts, the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul was able to serve needy families in
our community. Thank You!
CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL
2014
PARISH GOAL:
$106,200
PLEDGES TO DATE: $138,328
PAID TO DATE: $129,641
NUMBER OF PLEDGES:
296
Thank you for your support
of the 2014
Catholic Ministries Appeal
SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND
Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development which includes Home Missions (CCHD).
CCHD was founded 40 years ago by the bishops of the United States when they realized that the lives of
those in need would not improve until the systems and policies that keep people in poverty were changed.
For 40 years, CCHD has funded community groups that seek justice and create lasting change.
Fight poverty in America. Defend human dignity. Give to the CCHD Collection.
~Praying for and Supporting One Another~
Mass intentions
MASS INTENTIONS
DATE TIME
OFFERED FOR
11/22 5:00 PM 11/23 8:00 AM
10:00 AM 12:00 PM 11/24 12:00 PM
Thomas Melia - 25th Anniversary
11/25 12:00 PM
Rita Ann Gartner
11/26 12:00 PM
Walter Wifall - Living Intentnion
11/27 10:00 AM
Mary Gore and John Gore
11/28
Ann Meise
Joseph Geiss
James Kelly
Thomase Launi
Helen Miller
Deceased Members of the Rousseau Family
Rodolfo de Paolis
No Mass on Fridays
11/29 9:00 AM
Art Shelko
5:00 PM Christine Bandl
11/30 8:00 AM
Parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
10:00 AM Cheryl Baruccheri
Rebecca Domencetti
Patricia Knuth
Brian Paton
12:00 PM Joseph Carillo
MASS & PRIEST SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 29th
5:00pm Msgr. Ryan
Sunday, November 30th
8:00am Msgr. Ryan
10:00am Father John
12:00pm Father Ed Dowling
PRAYER REQUESTS
L
et us especially remember those who
have asked for our prayers.
Kathleen Ridini
Louise Ammirati
Robert Caputi
Pat Gerlach
Laura Oliveri
Glenn Crisafi
Evelyn Darby
Jim Hartnett
Donald Kuntz
Tom Corbett
Colette Rielly
Lina Gallo
Alice Shatzle
Fr. Edward Dowling
Patrick Enright
Mark Borstelman
Jacqueline Rousseau Tom Smith
Concetta Daurio
Rita Deluise Jane Schiano-Wigutow
Alicia Bunyan
Karen Larson
Thomas Mulhern
William Clarke
Dolores Reichle
Armand Qualliotine Brenda McCusker
Rita Liotta Deacon Rodger Miller
Allison Kerr Franklin LaBarbara
Betty Brennen Nancy Naughton
Joseph Finneran Maria King
Jamie Wrede
Brian Dowling
Alice Gabrielle
Patricia Zvokel
Matthew Ingrassia Neil King
for the peaceful rest of all our beloved
and friends especially
Prayparishioners
ayKenallO’Brien
those who
have gone before us
M
share the joys of eternal
life .
~ In the Community~
SAVE THE DATE....
Our
Huntington Interfaith Thanksgiving
Service is scheduled for
Sunday, November 23, 7:00 PM at the
First Presbyterian Church of Northport,
330 Main St., Northport.
Thank you to our host, the Rev. Tim Hoyt
Duncan. The preacher for the service is the Rev.
Jude Geiger, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of Huntington. All are welcome to join us for
this wonderful community event.
Increasing denial of freedom
of conscience and religion is
destroying America’s liberty and
threatens our hospitals, charities
and schools.
Learn for Our Guest Speaker:
Thomas Renker, Esq.
General counsel of the Diocese of Rockville Centre
Mr. Renker has long been involved in efforts in this
Diocese to protect religious liberties. He will discuss
the fallout from the Hobby Lobby decision and the
ongoing attacks on freedom of religion posed by the
HHS mandate and other governmental and social
initiatives.
Date: Thurs, Dec 11, 2014
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
440 West Neck Rd. Huntington
Trinity Regional School
Open House
Catholic School’s Week
Sunday, January 25, 2015
9am-1pm
Nursery - 8th Grade
Come Visit Us......
AN UNDIVIDED HEART
A Year of Consecrated Life
Sponsored by St. John’s University, the Dioceses of
Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, and
the Vincentian Family
Come take part in 14 retreat days of celebration on
the second Saturday of every month,
2:00 – 5:00 PM,
from December, 2014 - January 2016.
Consecrated persons of our dioceses will speak about
how to make 2015 a year of deepening commitment.
Featuring:
Gathering Prayer
Reflection
Private time
Eucharist
St. Thomas More Church
St. John’s University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
St Hugh’s Widows & Widowers Club
St Hugh’s Widows and Widowers Interfaith Club will meet on Tuesday, November 25th at 1pm
in the cafeteria on at St. Hugh’s School in Huntington Station.
New members are welcome. $2 for non-members. For further information, call Lucy at 427-7645.