Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Prayers for the Easter Season

It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind, to praise You Father and Your Only-Begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Father, by Your wondrous condescension of Loving-Kindness toward us, Your servants, You gave up Your Son. Dear Jesus, You paid the debt of Adam for us to the Eternal Father by Your Blood poured forth in loving-kindness. You cleared away the darkness of sin by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection. You broke the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. You reconciled Heaven and earth. Our life had no hope of Eternal Happiness before You redeemed us. Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence and brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness of Your Love! - Saint Gregory’s Easter Prayer

Dear brothers and sisters, Easter does not work magic. Just as the Israelites found the desert awaiting them on the far side of the Red Sea, so the Church, after the resurrection, always finds history filled with joy and hope, grief and anguish. And yet, this history is changed, it is marked by a new and eternal covenant, it is truly open to the future. For this reason, saved by hope, let us continue our pilgrimage, bearing in our hearts the song that is ancient and yet ever new: “Let us sing to the Lord: glorious his triumph!” – Pope Benedict XVI, 2010

Church of Saint Mary | 12

Raffle Prize Wish List

TRAVEL/TICKETS

• WEEKEND IN MANHATTAN/HAMPTONS

• SPA/GOLF/FISHING WEEKEND

• HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

• WINERIES

• SKY DIVING/BUNGEE JUMPING

• WHITE WATER RAFTING

• YACHT/BOAT DAY TRIP

• HELICOPTER TOURS

• THEME PARK TICKETS

• LOCAL RESIDENCE/VILLA/CONDO VACATION

• AQUARIUM/PLANETARIUM/ZOO

SPORTS

• TENNIS/GOLF/RIDING LESSONS

• GOLF FOURSOME AT A FAMOUS COURSE

• AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA

SERVICES

• PERSONAL TRAINER

• BEAUTY SALON SERVICES

• MASON/CARPENTRY/ELECTRICAL

• ROUND TRIP LIMOUSINE TO MANHATTAN

• FLYING LESSONS

• DINNER PARTY AT YOUR HOME

• DINNER/LUNCH FOR TWO OR FOUR

• TREE OR FLOWERS PLANTED AT YOUR HOME

• LOCAL RESTAURANT GIFT CERTIFICATES

• FINE WINES/LIQUOR

• DANCE/MUSIC LESSONS/CLASSES

MISCELLANEOUS

• DESIGNER CLOTHING/HANDBAG/SUNGLASSES

• SPORTING/EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

• LUGGAGE

• FINE JEWELRY/WATCHES

• SKIS/SNOWBOARD

• SMART TV/DVD/BLU-RAY PLAYERS

• COMPUTERS/LAPTOPS/PRINTERS

• IPAD/IPHONE/IPOD

• WII/XBOX/PLAYSTATION

• ART/PAINTINGS/SIGNED PRINTS

• FINE CHINA/CRYSTAL

• FURNITURE/OUTDOOR FURNITURE

• GARDEN SCULPTURES/PLANTERS

• TOYS/JUVENILE FURNITURE

• GARDEN TOOLS/SUPPLIES

• KINDLE/NOOK

• CAMERAS/COMPUTER GAMES

• HOOKED RUGS/QUILTS

• HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS

• BABY GIFTS

SPECIAL PACKAGES/EXPERIENCES

• DAY SPA

• LUNCH/DINNER ON A BOAT

• CELEBRITY MEMORABILIA

• AUTOGRAPHED CDS/BOOKS/SCRIPTS

• CONDO/CABIN/SKI RESORTS

• LOCAL LIMO/DINNER/OVERNIGHT HOTEL

• CATERED DINNERS

• GOLF PACKAGES

Celebrating Our 170th Anniversary

This Is My Body

by Frank De Lucia

In the last Eucharistic Revival article (see March 19, 2023 bulletin), we looked at one of the earliest recorded Eucharistic Miracles which took place in Lanciano, Italy in the year 750 A.D. Remnants of the host turned into Flesh and Blood, and still exist. In the early 1970s, a sample of the material was determined through scientific analysis to be heart tissue as if just having been drawn from a living person that very day. However, the skeptic might protest that, between the intervening twelve centuries from the miracle and its analysis, the material could not have been safeguarded from tampering. This is known as the scientific Chain of Custody, and is wholly absent from the miracle of Lanciano. In addition, the skeptic would argue that there was no Verifiability, where two or more scientists, independently verify the results of an experiment. This brings us to the years 2008 and 2013, similar set of circumstances occurred. During a Christmas Mass in 2013, a consecrated Host accidentally dropped during communion was when on two separate occasions and in two separate towns in Poland, the principles of Chain of Custody and Verifiability were met.

The first occurred in the Church of St. Anthony, in the town of Sokółka, Poland. On October 12, 2008, a consecrated Host dropped during communion was placed in a vasculum, a container with water used to dissolve the host, and then placed in a locked safe by a religious Sister, Julia Dubowska. A week later, thinking that the host was fully dissolved, Sister Dubowska opened the safe and saw several red dots in the center, appearing to be still connected to the remaining undissolved host. Sister Dubowska called the pastor, who then notified his Bishop. Ten days later, the host was transferred from the locked safe into the locked tabernacle of the rectory. On January 7, 2009, two experts in histopathology, employed in two separate organizational units of the University of Medicine in Bialystok, began their independent examinations. The witnesses to the Host dropping on the floor confirmed that there was nothing unusual about the Host, and the Chain of Custody confirmed that there could not be any tampering from outside sources.

As for the samples, the two scientists both concluded that the samples clearly indicated characteristics of human cardiac muscle tissue, not blood, and certainly not mold or bacteria. There was fragmentation of the tissue samples (numerous small cracks), indicating rapid contractions (spasms) of the heart muscle just prior to death, as if the sample had been taken from “…the heart of a living man in agony.” The material was determined to be living, since the cardiac tissue enzymes had not undergone the normal process of self-destruction after death. More astounding was the fact that the heart tissue portion of the Host had inexplicably “bonded” with the remaining unleavened bread portion of the Host, something that is beyond today’s science in replicating!

Five years later, in the Church of St. Hyacinth in Legnica, Poland, a placed in water and locked in the tabernacle. Upon inspection ten days later, instead of dissolving, a red spot was covering 20% of its surface. On January 26, 2014, samples were given to both the Wrocław Forensic Medicine Institute and the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Szczecin. After examination, and using different methods, both institutions came to the same conclusions. Ruling out mold or bacterial causes, the samples were characteristic of human heart tissue. And the tissue was cross-striated, indicating an agonizing death.

These two modern Eucharistic Miracles should be enough even for the hardened skeptic to question his or her doubts. However, for the faithful, these highly credible cases present simply two more instances that offer something more – a reflection into the agonizing passion and death of Christ, a concept that we should hold close to our hearts at every Mass. For God so loved the world that He suffered tremendously for each and every one of us. We must strive to remember that our God, deserving of all sacrifices, instead voluntarily sacrificed Himself for our salvation. How could our hearts not be filled at such a Truth? Blessed be God, and Blessed be His Holy Name!

Business Owners:

Please consider advertising in our bulletin. It’s a great way to support our parish. Call our new printer, LPi at 1-800-477-4574 or visit their website www.4lpi.com for more information.

We are in region 03. Please Patronize Our Advertisers Children’s

ACTS 2:42-47: “They DEVOTED themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, the breaking of the bread....Many wonders and signs were done ...” As yoiu devote your life to God and to your SPOUSE, you will see many miracles, wonders, and a renewal in your relationship. One way to devote your life to God and your spouse is to sign up and attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience. You will learn new ways/tools to renew and revitalize your relationship.

June 2-4, 2023 in Upton, MA

June 23-25, 2023 and September 22-24, 2023 in Huntington, NY

August 11-13, 2023 in CT

October 20-22, 2023 in VT

Worldwide Marriage Encounter sponsors a variety of in-person and virtual marriage experiences, some on weekends and some on seven weekdays. Couples explore their relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Registration is limited; there is a $100 application fee. For more information or to apply, call Chuck & Maria Reiss at 631-486-8607 or https:// wwmenyli.org/.

Marriage Struggling?

Do you feel alone?

Are you frustrated or angry with each other?

Do you argue or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse?

Are you separated or divorced, or thinking about separation or divorce?

Another marriage-saving weekend is coming to the Metro/New York Area:

April, 21-23 2023

November, 4-6 2022

The Retrouvaille Program helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. To be connected directly and confidentially to someone who can help, or to register, contact:

1-800-470-2230 or www.helpourmarriage.org

Long Island/Metro Retrouvaille is a 5013c non-profit, peer ministry. Couples of all faiths, or no faith, are encouraged to attend, and no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.

Retrouvaille

(Retro vi – French for rediscover)

Because No Marriage is Beyond Hope