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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 of Lent
March 8, 2015
Scriptural Reflection for the Week
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and
the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (see
1 Corinthians 1:22-25) Have you ever noticed how what
scientists and those in the medical field say one day is often
contradicted by themselves on another day? That’s not to put
down science or medicine. It just proves how limited our
knowledge may be at one point in history. However, it is a
problem when people claiming such knowledge do so with
the absoluteness of God! The problem becomes, and seems
to remain, human pride! Pride is one of the seven deadly sins
– perhaps, the most deadly! Because it wants to make the
self into a god. This is especially seen in mankind’s attempt
to overrule human nature. For example, marriage can exist
only when there is an union of a man and a woman. And
another example, children should not be manufactured but
created. And another, children do best when they have both a
father and a mother not when they are brought up by a
committee of the same sex. But it is human pride that takes
what should be obvious and twists it into something
quite unnatural, all for the sake of proving that one does not
need the true God because they have made of themselves a
false god. What is the cause of such blindness? The fear of
the Cross of Jesus Christ. As we get nearer to Holy Week,
we should ask ourselves whether we believe, really believe,
that the way of the Cross, which is the way of authentic and
real love, is the way to true wisdom and strength as St.
Paul advises and teaches us. If we do believe this it is time to
die to our pride and live the ways of God - which in all things
is Humble, Wise and Strong!
Lenten Examination of Conscience
♦ Have I prayed morning and evening? When I pray, do I
really raise my heart and mind to God or is it a matter of
words only? Do I offer God my difficulties, my joys, and
my sorrows? Do I turn to God in time of temptation?
♦
In my family life, have I contributed to the well- being and
happiness of the rest of the family by patience and
genuine love? Have I been obedient to parents, showing
them proper respect and giving them help in their
material and spiritual needs? Have I been careful to give
a Christian upbringing to my children, and to help them
by good example and by exercising authority as a
parent? Have I been faithful to my spouse in my heart
and in my relations with others?
An Act of Contrition
“Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Charity Begins At Home!
This winter has taken a toll on the weekly collection
offering. Yet, there are ADDED expenses due to
heating, snow removal, repairs due to extreme weather, etc. If you missed a Sunday due to the weather,
please try to make up your offering during this month
of March. Your understanding and generosity is greatly appreciated!
Last Weekend’s Collection and Attendance
Parish: $4,849.33
Attendance: 4:00pm——173
8:30am——171
12:30pm——131
Total: 475
Thank you for your support.
One Final Thought
“If we have faith, if we take Jesus at His word, we
are continually in His presence. We need a life of
prayer to have this kind of faith. We need to worship
God and have a spirit of sacrifice. We need to spiritually feed ourselves on Him constantly.”
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Stewardship…..
Reflection
“You shall not covet” is a difficult commandment to
keep in our consumer society. But as Christian
stewards, we know that we are the recipients and
caretakers of God’s many gifts. May this realization
that all is gift help us to be less resentful of the
gifts of others.
Living Stewardship
We are grateful this week for all stewards in our
parish who make a conscious effort to simplify their
lives by reprioritizing and getting back to basics.
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS INTENTIONS
for the Week
for this Weekend
Saturday
4:00 pm
Sunday
8:30 am
12:30 pm
Monday
8:30 am
Tuesday
8:30 am
Wednesday
8:30 am
Thursday
8:30 am
March 7
Mark Liegey
Aurora Arguelles
March 8
Anthony LaMantia
————
Catholic Relief Services Collection
Next week our parish will take up The Catholic Relief
Services Collection. This collection supports six Catholic
agencies benefiting millions of vulnerable, displaced, and
impoverished families and individuals around the world.
From direct humanitarian service to helping victims of
human trafficking and working to reunify families, the funds
from this Collection make a real difference in lives across
the globe. How will you help? Next week, please support
The Catholic Relief Services Collection and Jesus in
disguise.
Friday
8:30 am
Saturday
4:00 pm
Sunday
8:30 am
12:30 pm
March 9
Ronnie & Joseph Donahoe
March 10
For the People of the Parish
March 11
Herbert A. Lohse
March 12
Strohm Family & Catherine & James
Carrano
March 13
Francis Hannah
March 14
Jeanette Santina; Pasaqualina Correale
March 15
All the souls in Pergatory
Louis Mitarotonda
BREAD & WINE
For the week of March 8 thru March 14
Is in loving memory of
Mary Ellen
As requested by Maureen Hannah
ALTAR CANDLES
For the week of March 8 thru March 14
Is in loving memory of
Mary Ellen Pignataro
As requested by Tom Cusack
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.
“This is my body…broken for you” (Lk 22:19)
The Lord Jesus asks us to remember Him as the One who offered His body to
be broken and His blood to be shed for us. This was His parting wish
expressed at the Last Supper. While blessing the bread, the Lord said to his
companions “This is my body to be broken for you” and taking the chalice of
wine and said to them “This is my blood to be shed for you” (Lk 22:19,20).
Jesus then told them “Do this in memory of me whenever you gather together
in my name.” Jesus in his three years of ministry performed great miracles that
left people wonder-struck. He taught authoritatively of the mysteries of the
divinity and his listeners were amazed. However it was not by his spectacular
actions and remarkable teachings that He wanted to be remembered but by the
self-offering He made for us that we may have life and have it in abundance.
Often we tend to interpret the passion and death of Jesus as if He was the
helpless victim of the circumstances. The Lord however makes it very clear to
his disciples His choice to lay down His life for the salvation of humankind
was His priority. “No one snatches my life away but I willingly lay it down” (Jn
10:18). In fact that was the purpose for which the Father sent Him to the world .
As John records “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh…
for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink” (Jn 6:51,55). The gospel
records that with this many of His followers scandalized by the claim walked
away from the Master. The gospel also reveals that Jesus did not call them
back. Neither did He take His promise back. Rather He turned to the twelve
disciples and asked them “Do you also wish to go away?” (Jn 6:67).
This stance of Jesus makes His life mission clear to us. He had come to give
us the fullness of life by the ultimate expression of love of sacrificing Himself in
order to become food for us. This is what we remember, celebrate and
re-experience every time we gather at the altar. It is when we stand at the altar
that we really understand who we are in terms of how precious we are
to Jesus. He places such value on us that He even opts to forsake His life that
we may live forever. In order that we may never forget this ultimate expression
of love He offered His body and blood for us to feed on.
"Do this in Memory of Me"
By Rev. Johnny R. Mendonca
All of us want to be remembered by our blessings, the good
we do. We evaluate our life by how well we would be
remembered. Consciously and even unconsciously our
choices, decisions, occupations, ways of talking and styles
of living are molded by the expectation of how we want to
be remembered. The son of a famous engineer recounts
how his dad told him that he should always remember his
father as the most powerful man in the world as that
memory would encourage him to pursue his father’s
footsteps. A rich man who generously helps built various
memorial in the village would always point it out to his
children saying that they should always be proud of their
father for this contribution of his.
Cont.►
“Do not remember the former things” (Is 43:18)
It’s very significant that Jesus inaugurated the Last Supper with this
expression: “I have desired with a great desire to eat this Passover meal with
you” (Lk 22). Every time we gather at the altar we remember that the Lord
waits for us. When we affirm our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Holy
Eucharist we settle for an intellectual acceptance of the doctrine that Jesus is
truly present in the Eucharistic bread. However this truth should lead us further
to understand and experience that He is present in the Eucharistic bread in
order to be present to us. He said that even a strand of hair falling from our
head is counted by Him (Mt 10:30). Even the seeming trifles of our life do not
escape the keen loving attention of the Lord. In our day to day life we are often
hurt by the indifference of others. We are worried about the uncertainty of the
future. We are insulted by the thoughtless arrogance of those we must interact
with. We are haunted by the painful memories of the past. Such overwhelming
negative experiences of our past could lead us to lonely depression where we
are left wondering whether anyone cares for us. The antidote to every such
moment is the invitation of the Lord from the Holy Eucharist, “Come to me, all
you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest” (Mt 11:28). Every negative experience of our life should lead us to turn
our attention to the heart of Jesus throbbing in the Eucharist to receive us and
replace every burden of pain and sin with His satisfying love.
All of us carry a heavy baggage of painful memories of the past – memories
that hurt, tempt and depress us, memories that trigger anger and despair. These memories will continue to weigh us down till it pushes us to our downfall. Is
there any way out, we can wonder. The Eucharist presents the one way that is
in Christ’s unquestioning unlimited saving love.
( To be Continued )
Please Pray for our Sick relatives and
Friends:
Rev. Msgr. Thomas Hartman
Matthew Haygood ; Anthony Gangemella; Warren Vaas
Madelyn Kushner; Maria Scuccimarra; Pat DeRosa
Linda Rome; Charlotte Orlando; Bob Soveign; Maria Gloe
Helen Strohm; Maria Rossi Pashayen; Ann Parazelli
Patricia DeRosa; Kaelyn Judith Donlon
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
Anna Marie Orlando; Theresa Chevalier; Frank Saccone
Eugenia Lane; Barbara Ostipwko
Dorie Harbin; Carlos Mackey
Shane Harbin
Veronica Dixon
Florence Kobel; Bill Gilbert
Madeline Corrigan
Karen Carlucci
Tom Camberiarti
Howard Wirth
Albert Bartlett
Please Pray for our Men & Women
in the U.S. Armed Forces:
Diane Rosemary Patrick
Aaron J. Shattuck
Thomas Bradshaw
Arlindo Almida
Thomas Lainis
Peter Dilos
Frankie Umile
Rev. David Kruse (Chaplain)
Joseph Giordano
John Marco Militano
Joseph A. Galante
Jimmy Bustamante
Latasha Coward
Nicholas Russo; Max Haerter
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
PASCHAL CANDLE FOR PARISH
Sharing faith through the
eyes of our Catechists:
I
became
a
second
grade
catechist in 2008. I was a regular
classroom teacher before that and
taught first and second grade for
about 10 years when I stopped to
stay home and have my sons. I
had been missing teaching in
Catholic school and was thrilled to be
able to do it again. I enjoy helping
young children deepen their relationship with Jesus. I also realized that
doing this helps me grow and deepen
my own faith. When my children started to attend Faith Formation and I had to bring them after school, I realized I had some free time. So I
thought, "Why not just stay and help my Church
community? I did enjoy teaching." It was like a sign
from above! It became a family affair. One year,
my oldest son assisted me in class. With my children witnessing my work here, they can see how
much I value our faith and our Church. I also feel
like an integral part of St. Catherine. My favorite
grade to teach is second. At this age, children are
eager and curious. This year is such an important one in their lives. To help second graders
understand the importance of these two sacraments: Penance and Eucharist. The children
have many questions. They are excited and somewhat anxious, but also in awe. In class I am trying
to make them familiar and comfortable with what
will be happening when they finally receive their
First Holy Communion. I am glad I can be a part of
this wonderful time with these young children.
Catherine Lang
2nd Grade Catechist
The Paschal candle
has been sponsored by
a parishioner who
wishes to remain
anonymous.
Thank you.
PARISH ‘IN HOME’ PRAYER PROGRAM
Host Family/Individual:
PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY
OF FATIMA
ANNA TOLOMEO
CUP OF PRAYER
The Farell Family
CONGRATULATIONS TO
OMAR LONGCHAMP
AT HOLY TRINITY
DIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOL
Pope at Santa Marta: Judge not
Vatican Radio) It is easy to judge others, but we can
only progress on our Christian journey in life if we are
capable of judging ourselves first, said Pope Francis
at Monday morning Mass in Casa Santa Marta.
The readings of the day focused on the subject of
mercy. The Pope, recalling that "we are all sinners"
- not "in theory" but in reality – said that the ability to
judge oneself is "a Christian virtue, indeed more than a
virtue", it is the first step for those who want to be
Christian:
“We are all masters, professors of self-justification: ‘No
it wasn’t me, it’s not my fault, maybe yes, but not so
much…that’s not the way it is…’. We all have an alibi to explain away our shortcomings, our sins, and we are often
to put on a face that says "I do not know," a face that says ‘I didn’t do it, maybe someone else did’ an innocent
face. This is no way to lead a Christian life”.
"It’s easier to blame others" - observed the Pope - but "something strange happens if we try to behave differently:
"If we begin to look at the things we are capable of doing, at first we “feel bad, we feel disgust ", yet this in turn
"gives us peace and makes us healthy”.
Pope Francis continued, “when I feel envy in my heart and I know that this envy is capable of speaking ill of others
and morally assassinating them”, this is “the wisdom of judging oneself”. "If we do not learn this first step in life,
we will never, never be able to take other steps on the road of our Christian life, of our spiritual life":
“The first step is to judge ourselves. Without saying anything out loud. Between you and your conscience. Walking
down the street, I pass by a prison and say: "Well, they deserve it" - "Yet do you know that if it weren’t for the
grace of God you would be there? Did you ever think that you are capable of doing the things that they have done,
even worse?” This is what judging yourself means, not hiding from the roots of sin that are in all of us, the many
things we are capable of doing, even if we cannot seen them”.
The Pope stressed another virtue: Shame before God, in a kind of dialogue in which we recognize the shame of
our sin and the greatness of God's mercy:
"To You, Lord, our God, mercy and forgiveness. Shame on me and to You mercy and forgiveness". This Lent, it
would do us all good to have this dialogue with the Lord: self-accusation. Let us ask for mercy. In the Gospel Jesus is clear: "Be merciful as your Father is merciful". When one learns to accuse oneself first then we are merciful
to others: "But, who am I to judge, if I am able to do things that are worse?".
The phrase: "Who am I to judge another?" obeys Jesus’ exhortation: "Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven". Instead, it highlights - "how
we like to judge others, to speak ill of them”.
"May the Lord, in this Lent - said the Pontiff - give us the grace to learn to judge ourselves" in the knowledge that
we are capable "of the most evil things" and say, "Have mercy on me, Lord, help me to be ashamed and grant me
mercy, so I may be merciful to others".
St. Vincent de Paul Society & Parish Social Ministry
(Outreach)
Pope Francis said that love of God and love our neighbor is one and the
same thing and if you want to show genuine and not just formal
penance, you must show it towards your brothers and toward your
neighbor. This is what the St. Vincent de Paul Society tries to do
here at our church. We can only do this
with your continuing help and support.
This week the pantry is in need of:
♦
Tea
♦
Hot cereal
♦
Pancake mix
♦
Coffee
♦
Canned potatoes
.
We have started this center for seniors, veterans, those in need and for
anyone wishing to share a simple meal.
It is open on Saturdays from 9:30am to 1:00pm.
The Center meets in the former school cafeteria
(entrance off de Paul street)
UPCOMING EVENTS
& NEWS
Faith Formation News
Level 4 Mass
All fourth grade students and their families are
invited to attend Mass on:
Sunday, March 15, 2015
9:30 am
Sienna Center at St. Catherine’s
We would like to invite everyone to join
us for hospitalities being held in honor of
St. Patrick & St. Joseph.
The St. Patrick’s celebration will be after the
8:30am & 12:30 pm Masses on
Sunday, March 15, 2015,
in the lower church.
The St. Joseph’s celebration will be held
after the 8:30am Mass on
Thursday March 19,
in the Fr. Hickey Meeting Room the
basement of the Rectory.
Reconciliation
This is an opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of your Lenten observance:
Level 7 - Thursday, March 19th
Level 8 - Thursday, March 12th
7:00 pm in the Sienna Center at St. Catherine’s
Level 8 Confirmation Retreat
Level 8 Second Year Confirmation Preparation
students are required to go on Retreat. We have
two retreat dates — Saturdays, March 14th and
21st. The schedule has been mailed home.
Let Us Pray For Our Confirmation Candidates
BOYS SCOUTS
TROOP 294
Flapjack Fundraiser @ Applebees in
Elmont
March 15, 2015
8:00am-10:am
Tickets: $10 each
For our young people
preparing for Confirmation,
that they will continue to
remember God’s constant
forgiveness and his will for us
to be missionaries of reconciliation.
God, our loving Father,
these young people come before you
seeking the goodness
of your mercy and forgiveness.
Send the Holy Spirit upon them
to help them know you
as always kind and merciful.
Amen