St. Vincent de Paul
Roman Catholic Church
1500 DePaul Street
Elmont, N.Y. 11003
“A Parish with Heart”
Pastoral Staff
Rev. Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi
Administrator
(516) 352-2127
Parish Social Ministry
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
(516) 354-4976
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 25, 2015
From Msgr. Figliozzi
Scriptural Reflection for the Week
“Then [Simon and Andrew] abandoned their nets and followed [Jesus].” (see Mark 1:14-20) Question: When does
one abandon the means of their livelihood? Answer: When
it is Jesus who is asking you to do it. Yes, no one gives up
something that is so essential to their life such as the
means to make their living. However, when one is certain
that the Lord wills and wants this we must be ready to do
so. Does this seem unrealistic and naive to us? If so, see
how far we’ve come from being inspired and full of zeal for
the ways of God! Yes, Catholic people have come to be so
much a part of the society they inhabit that they look more
like that society than like Christ! This is one reason why
there are fewer priests and nuns. It can’t be that God is not
calling women and men to follow Him therefore it must be
that they are resisting the call to abandon everything to follow Him. How little we like to sacrifice or give up things for
the sake of a greater good! This may be translated as saying how little we really do love God. And, also, how little we
know God. To really know God and love God means that I
am ready and willing to abandon all for Him, even my very
life!
The Season of Lent
This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 18th and
Holy Week begins on March 29th with Palm Sunday and
Easter is on April 5th.
Carnevale 2015 at St. Catherine of Sienna
Tickets are now available for our Saturday, February 7th
celebration. Call the Parish Office at 516-352-0146 for
reservations. Tickets are $45 which includes meal with
wine and live music.
Last Weekend’s Collection and Attendance
Parish: $3,747.00
Attendance: 4:00pm—168
8:30am—151
12:30pm—112
Total: 431
Thank you for your support.
One Final Thought
“Jesus wants us to give of ourselves every moment. You have been taught by those who have
given their whole lives to Christ. By their teaching and personal example, they have kindled
the light of Christ in your lives. The time has
come for you to likewise kindle the same light of
Christ in the lives of those around you.”
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Stewardship…..
Reflection
There is a certain urgency in today’s Gospel
as Jesus calls His first disciples Andrew and Simon, James and John. Each one follows
Jesus immediately, unhesitatingly
abandoning father and fellow - workers, nets and
boat.
To what is Jesus calling me - at this moment,
in these circumstances? What will I need to abandon in order to follow Him?
Living Stewardship
We are grateful this week for all stewards in
our parish who work in parish-based
advocacy groups to bring Gospel values and
Catholic social teaching to the wider
community.
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS INTENTIONS
for the Week
for this Weekend
Saturday
4:00 pm
Sunday
8:30 am
12:30 pm
January 24
Michael Aiden Corrigan; Rose Savella
January 25
Anne Giacalone
———
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday:
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Catholic Schools Week
Monday:
Ss. Timothy and Titus
Tuesday:
St. Angela Merici
Wednesday: St. Thomas Aquinas
Saturday: St. John Bosco
Monday
8:30 am
Tuesday
8:30 am
Wednesday
8:30 am
Thursday
8:30 am
Friday
8:30 am
Saturday
4:00 pm
PARISH ‘IN HOME’ PRAYER PROGRAM
Host Family/Individual:
PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY
OF FATIMA
Pascal & Georgette Longchamp
CUP OF PRAYER
January 26
———
January 27
John & Antoinette Accardi
January 28
Strohm Family; Catherine & James
Carrano
January 29
For the People of the Parish
January 30
———
January 31
———
BREAD & WINE
For the week of
January 25 thru January 31
Is in Loving Memory of
Deceased Members of
The Kucharczyk &
Tomaskovic Families
The Megham Family
MISSION STATEMENT
As members of St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Parish, we are committed to assisting our
members in both the spiritual and temporal needs of life. We are a parish with heart who are
committed to “Let all things be done with Charity” and show we are
disciples of Christ by our love for one another.
Please Pray for our sick Relatives and Friends:
Rev. Msgr. Thomas Hartman
Matthew Haygood ; Anthony Gangemella
Madelyn Kushner; Maria Scuccimarra
Linda Rome; Charlotte Orlando
Bob Soveign; Maria Gloe
Helen Strohm; Ann Parazelli
Patricia DeRosa; Sean Bennett
Kaelyn Judith Donlon; Larry Blumberg
Ann Mitarotonda; Margaret McCabe
Arlindo Marcelino; Jack Musolino; Janet Falco
Diane Drescher; Ralph Wilson; Diane Wilson
Brittany Wilson; Raul Matos; Mary Italo
Penny Wyckoff; Matthew Noah; Karen Hoffmeyer
Tommy Lannan; Vincente Mejias; William Ross
George McAuliffe; Michael O’Malley
Ann Donahue; Thomas McCreight; Jean Henry
Dominick Consolazio; Theresa Chevalier
Frank Saccone; Eugenia Lane
Barbara Ostipwko; Dorie Harbin; Carlos Mackey
Shane Harbin; Gerry Petrella; Veronica Dixon
Bill Gilbert; Madeline Corrigan
Karen Carlucci
Tom Camberiarti
Maria Rossi Pashayen
Howard Wirth
Albert Bartlett
Anna Marie Orlando
Dorothy Mink Honald
Please Pray for our Men & Women
in the U.S. Armed Forces:
Diane Rosemary Patrick, USAF
Aaron J. Shattuck
Thomas Bradshaw
Arlindo Almida
Thomas Lainis
Peter Dilos
Frankie Umile
Rev. David Kruse (Chaplain)
Joseph Giordano, USMC
John Marco Militano, USA
Joseph A. Galante, USMC
Jimmy Bustamante
Latasha Coward
Nicholas Russo
James E. Allen
Brian Kevin Corrigan
Michael Borg
Christopher Messano
Carlos Felix
Michael Arana
St. Vincent de Paul
Parish Office – (516) 352-2127
Hours:
Monday thru Thursday - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Friday and Sunday – Closed
Fax – (516) 305-5474
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.stvincentdepaulparish.org
For Emergency relating to death or dying after 2 pm call
St. Catherine of Sienna - (516) 352-0146
We Celebrate the Eucharist
Saturday Vigil – 4:00 pm
Sunday – 8:30 am & 12:30 pm
Weekdays: Monday thru Friday 8:30 am
Holy Day Mass Schedules will be announced in the
Bulletin on the prior Sunday.
We Celebrate the Sacraments
Sacrament of ReconciliaƟon – Saturdays immediately
after celebration of the Vigil Mass, or by calling the Parish
Office for an appointment with a Priest.
Sacrament of BapƟsm – call the Parish Office to arrange
for an interview. This should be done while awaiting the
birth of your child.
Sacrament of Marriage – call the Parish Office to make
an appointment with a priest before making social arrangements.
Visitation of the Sick and Homebound
call the Parish Office to arrange for a visit by a Priest to
receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and
also to receive Holy Communion.
Holy Hour – on the first Friday of the month after the
8:30 am Mass with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
and concluding with Benediction.
Devotions
The Rosary – is recited daily before the 8:30 am Weekday
Masses. Miraculous Medal Novena and Special Prayers to
St. Anthony are said on Thursdays after the 8:30 am Mass.
The Clergy from St. Catherine of Sienna
who serve us here at
St. Vincent de Paul are as follows:
Pastor/Administrator
Rev. Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi
Associate Pastors
Rev. Allan Arneaud
Rev. Johnny Mendonca
Rev. Charles N. Srion
Deacons
Joseph Benincasa
Frank Gonzalez
Aid worker becomes a nun after assisting tsunami and
Fukushima victims
Sawako Inae conducted a successful professional life first as an official of the
United Nations Development Programme, and then in a position of responsibility at Caritas Japan. The encounter with and the assistance provided to victims
of the 2011 earthquake changed her life, and pushed her to devote herself to
God. Her bishop: "A story of inner conversion. God has wonderful plans for all
of us."
Niigata (AsiaNews) - A successful career at the United Nations Development Programme, then a senior post at Caritas Japan. Finally, the profession of
her first religious vows to become a nun and dedicate her life to God. This is
the story of Sister Sawako Inae, described as "one of the most talented officers
in the field", and whom, after spending a year with survivors of the Fukushima
disaster, has chosen religious life. Her bishop, Msgr. Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, describes her as "one of the biggest surprises of my life".
Prior to joining Caritas Japan, Ms. Sawako had done an excellent job at UNDP. Thanks to the United Nations
programme she visited developing nations, setting up economic and social policies aimed at improving community life. A fervent Catholic, she left the UN to become part of the Church's charitable organization. For Msgr. Kikuchi "she was one of the most efficient programme officers I've ever worked with".
On 15 March 2011, a few days after the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan, the Bishop
of Niigata travelled to the Diocese of Sendai with a select group of Caritas workers. Amongst them Sawako,
who was charged with "taking pictures" of the situation and proposing the first rehabilitation and relief programmes for the local population. From that day on, a new journey began for the future nun, who together
with Verbite Father Daisuke Naru - who was Secretary of the Caritas Commission - set up the first emergency
response center.
During her stay in Sendai, the official was hosted by the Charity Sisters of Ottawa: "One day - Msgr. Kikuchi
says - without any warning, she called me and told me she wanted to become a nun. It was one of the biggest
surprises of my life. Such a strong lady who could withstand any harsh environment.. God has his own plan
for us".
"In Deus Caritas Est - says the prelate - Pope Benedict XVI writes: The Church's deepest nature is expressed
in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia). These duties presuppose each other and
are inseparable. Those Catholics who work in relief activities translate these three concepts of the nature of
the Church into reality everyday. Doing good in itself is a witness of the gospel".
Now for Sister Sawako, who has professed her first vows, there are two years of religious life before final
consecration: "I am sure that this sister had deep experience of conversion in her faith and decided to dedicate
herself entirely to God. God really has his own plan for us".
Pope: mothers are not adequately appreciated or helped in society, sometimes even in the Church
Mothers "are not adequately appreciated in their central role in society. On the contrary, the availability of mothers to sacrifice themselves for their children is often used to 'save' on social spending". Pontiff told Golden Circus performers that they are "creators of
beauty" that the world "needs". For him, "Humanity thinks, feels, does, but today it greatly needs beauty. Let us not forget this!"
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Mothers, to whom "every human person be indebted for his or her life" and almost always much of his or
her human and spiritual education, "are rarely heeded or helped in daily life. They are little appreciated in their central role in society.
On the contrary, the availability of mothers to sacrifice themselves for their children is often used to 'save' on social spending". Even
"in the Christian community, mothers do not always receive their dues or are not appreciated enough." The catechesis on the family
was at the centre of the first general audience of 2015, which Pope Francis dedicated to "mothers", without whom society "would be
an inhumane society, since mothers always know how to show, even in the worst moments, tenderness, dedication, and moral
strength." A festive atmosphere pervaded the meeting in the Paul VI Hall, partly because of the Golden Circus and the performances
by its acrobats, jugglers and other artists. In thanking them, the pope called them "creators of beauty" that the world "needs". "Circus
performers," he said, "create beauty; they are creators of beauty. This is good for the soul."
"How much we need beauty! It is true; our life is very practical, doing things, carrying out our work. This must be done: doing,
speaking with the hands . . . Our life is also thinking, reason . . . speaking through the mind. We are also people who love, who have
this capacity to love, speaking through the heart. Thinking is the language of the mind; loving is the language of the heart; doing is
the language of the hands. All three languages come together to create the harmony of the person. That is where beauty lies. The people who performed today for us are creators of harmony, creators of beauty, who teach us the higher road of beauty. God is certainly
true; God is certainly good; God knows certainly how to do things; he created the world; but above all God is beautiful! God's beauty. Very often, we forget about beauty, do we not? Humanity thinks, feels, does, but today it greatly needs beauty. Let us not forget
this!" In his address to the 8,000 people present in the audience hall, Francis said that "perhaps mothers, ready to sacrifice so much
for their children, and often for those of others as well, should get more attention. We should better understand their daily struggle to
be efficient at work as well as attentive and loving in the family. We should better understand what they aspire to in order to express
the best and truest results of their emancipation".
"A mother with children always has problems; she is always working. I remember at home, we were five. If one did one thing, another thought about doing something else. Our poor mother went from one to the other; yet she was happy. She gave us so much."
"Mothers are the strongest antidote to the spread of selfish individualism. [. . .] Individual means 'what cannot be split. Mothers split
themselves, from child bearing and giving the child to the world to raising him or her. Mothers hate war the most for it kills their
children. I thought so many times about mothers, when they received a letter that says, '. . . your son fell in defense of the country . .
.'. Poor women, how much do mothers suffer! They bear witness to the beauty of life". In his address, the Holy Father also cited Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, assassinated in 1980, who spoke of the "martyrdom of mothers." During the homily at
the funeral of a priest killed by death squads, the prelate said that being martyrs also means "giving life gradually, [. . .] in silence, in
prayer, in the honest fulfillment of one's duty, in the silence of everyday life" as a mother does, "who, without fear, with the simplicity of motherly martyrdom conceives a child in her womb, gives birth, nurses, raises and cares for him or her with affection. This is
giving life. This is martyrdom'. "Being a mother does not mean only giving birth to a child, but it is also a way of life," the "choice
of giving life," the pontiff said. Hence, "A society without mothers would be an inhumane society, since mothers always know how
to show, even in the worst moments, tenderness, dedication, and moral strength."
"Mothers often pass on the deepest sense of religious practice. The value of faith in the life of a human being is written in the first
prayers, in the early acts of devotion that a child learns. It is a message that believing mothers know how to pass on without too many
explanations. These will come later, but the seed of faith is in those first precious moments. Without mothers, not only there would be
no new believers, but faith would lose much of its simple and profound warmth." The Church "is our mother! We are not orphans;
we have a mother! Our Lady, Mother Church and our mother. We are not orphans; we are children of the Church; we are children of
Our Lady; and we are children of our mothers":
"Dear mothers," the pope said, "thank you; thank you for what you are in the family and for what you give to the Church
and the world. To you, beloved Church, thank you, thank you for being a mother. To you Mary, Mother of God, thank you
for making us see Jesus. Equally, we salute all the mothers present here with an applause." After the catechesis, the pope
also greeted a delegation of French imams involved in Christian-Muslim relations. In his address, he urged them to maintain
with courage their commitment "in the service of peace, brotherhood and truth."
The pontiff also greeted pilgrims from Poland, in particular a delegation of survivors from the Auschwitz concentration camp, which
was liberated seventy years ago this month.
The Office of Multicultural Diversity
Catholics of African Ancestry –
Haitian American Apostolate
Diocese of Rockville Centre
Presents the
34 Annual Anniversary Mass of
Thanksgiving in honor of
th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Sharing faith through the
eyes of our Catechists:
I began volunteering for Saint
Catherine of Sienna as a Catechist
in the fall of 2013. I had been
asked to volunteer as a Catechist
for the faith formation program. I
thought that with my career in education and having attended Catholic school myself I would have so
much to offer. I figured I was
knowledgeable enough to teach
and explain the message Jesus
had wanted us to share. Then a
preparation class was given that further explained
materials and curriculum. That gave me even
greater confidence. Finally the first day of classes
arrived. I was a little nervous but prepared. The
day went wonderfully. The entire class was excited,
each of us alike. Each class that followed was better then the last. Therefore it was certain to me that
I would continue my service as a Catechist. This
year the first day jitters came and went quickly. The
day was superb and again each class since has
been the same. I finally realized exactly why this
experience is so fulfilling. I started this story with
what I had intended to do, volunteer my time and
provide a service for others. However, being in these rooms and this environment has given so much
to me. Every time the stories are read, lessons are
learned and we participate, I am learning. I am
learning again the things I had forgotten, but more
than that, I have been and continue to be inspired.
Michelle Colallela
4th grade Catechist
St. Agnes Cathedral
29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre,
NY 11570
TIME: 2:00PM
On Saturday, February 7, 2015
The Eve of the Feast of
St. Josephine Bakhita
Principle Celebrant:
Most Rev. Andrzej Zglejszewski
Homilist & Celebrant:
Rev. Maurice J. Nutt, C.Ss.R., D.Min.
St. Vincent de Paul
Society & Parish Social
Quote of the Day, from Lombardi: "Its what he
would want to do in his life – meet all the
street children in Manila"
Ministry (Outreach)
We are called to continue God’s work on
earth. As a parish we do this by continuing to take care of those who are in
need.
This week the pantry is in need of:
∗
Instant potatoes
∗
Syrup
∗
Coffee
∗
Pasta sauce
∗
Brown gravy
∗
Canned meats.
We will no longer be open on the last
Saturday of the month. No more than 3
people came when we were open.
Thank you for all you do.
Faith Formation News
Level 7 Confirmation Retreat
Level 7 First Year Confirmation Preparation students are required to go on Retreat.
We have retreat Saturday, January 31st. The schedule was mailed home.
Level 5 Mass
All fifth grade students and their families are invited to attend Mass on:
Sunday, February 1, 2015 @9:30 am
Sienna Center at St. Catherine’s
First Year Confirmation Level 7 Mass
We will be asking our parish community to pray for our First Year Candidates as they continue their
Confirmation Journey. A special blessing will be given to those students present at this Mass:
Sunday, February 1, 2015 @11:00 am —Sienna Center at St. Catherine’s
UPCOMING EVENTS
& NEWS
January 20, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated around our nation from January 25 -31, 2015. Once again, the theme for this year is
Catholic Schools - Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. This theme truly captures the essence of Catholic schools.
Our schools strive to build community, share faith, increase our students’ knowledge and encourage them to give service. It has
been my experience as I visit the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Rockville Centre that our administrators, teachers and parents
are committed to making sure that each student lives up to his or her potential to learn and to be formed in the Catholic faith.
During my time as Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, I have been so impressed by the dedication to, interest in, and concern for each student that the administrators and teachers show each day. To each of them I say thank you for all that you do to
make our schools places where academic excellence is expected of all and where the faith is taught, experienced and lived out on a
daily basis.
Parents have a fundamental right and responsibility to make sure that their children are educated. All parents, whether they choose
independent, religious or public school for their children, bear additional expenses beyond what they pay in state and local taxes.
As we see more and more, all schools need additional revenue to offset the rising costs of educating our children today.
I continue to encourage you to go to the New York State Catholic Conference web site (www.nyscatholic.org) and become a member of the Catholic Advocacy Network. We need to work together so that we can strengthen both public and non-public schools in
the State of New York. Many of our educational programs are needed to insure that all students meet and have the opportunity to
exceed the standards for 21st century learning and working.
Our Diocese has much to be proud of. Our Catholic elementary and high schools are wonderful examples of academic and spiritual
excellence. Our schools are committed to always growing in faith and living the Gospel. We invite you to come and see this for
yourselves during Catholic Schools Week where you will experience our Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Bishop of Rockville Centre