From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

“They had come to know Him in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:35)

Each Easter Season, the Church recounts this important and touching story of Jesus appearing to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. There is much to be learned from this powerful and well-known story.

As these disciples were journeying, they could not, of course, help but discuss all the events that had just occurred. While they were doing so, Jesus suddenly appeared to them. But they did not recognize Him. He asks what they are discussing and they are in disbelief that “this person” had not heard the stories and events. So Jesus refers to and recounts all the Scripture passages that related to His death and resurrection. While this was happening, they reflected how their hearts burned within them while He was speaking. Yet they still did not know it was Jesus. It was not until He broke the bread that their eyes were opened and they knew it was the Lord. With that, He vanished from their sight. Here we have another reminder of a very difficult teaching that Jesus has given to the Church. At Mass, the bread and wine, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is changed into the real and true Body and Blood of Jesus. From this reading, the accounts of the Last Supper, and the Bread of Life Discourse (John 6:22-59), Jesus is reiterating this difficult, yet beautiful teaching. Do we realize that when we come up to Communion and either hold out our hands or put out tongues we are, in fact, receiving Jesus Himself? Let us always approach the altar truly knowing and believing what we are participating in. Spend time before you come up to open your heart to Jesus that you may “come and know Him in the breaking of the bread.” How much more life-changing it will be when we are truly aware of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Those disciples did not recognize Jesus though He was in their midst. I often wonder, why? Certainly there was some difference in His countenance post resurrection. Maybe they were so engulfed in the days of sorrow and then those of wonder that they could not or refused to see. Maybe that is something we can relate to. The pandemic has filled our minds and hearts for more than three years. We still see and hear about it when we turn on the TV. It has occupied our waking moments and maybe even affected our sleep. Fear can paralyze us, yes. Healthy fear in these days is certainly necessary for our protection and that of others. But that fear should never close us off to the Jesus who wants our hearts to “burn within us” when we ponder His holy Word. Read the Holy Scripture that we send out each day, find hope in His promise to walk with us as He did with those disciples on the road to Emmaus. Look around at the goodness of so many, especially the medical and health care workers who put themselves on the line for our protection. The signs of God’s hope and presence are all around us, maybe it’s just having the desire to see with the eyes of faith.

In Jesus, our Risen Lord, Fr. Bob

I found this wonderful poem based on this Gospel that I would like to share with you:

Stranger at Our Side

All through life’s day, you walk with us Lord. But often we don’t recognize you, for we are blinded by work and worry, doubt, confusion and fear, and so you remain a stranger to us.

Before the day’s end we will ask many questions, experience many sorrows and disappointments, and then, suddenly, whether we are young, middle-aged or old, we will find that night is falling.

In that moment we pray, that like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, our eyes will be opened and that we will recognize you.

And you will not vanish from our sight, but stay with us, to guide us to the Father’s house.

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, Jesus walks with the disciples and reveals Himself to them after the breaking of the bread.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Prayer: Take time this week to compare your prayer life today to what it was a few weeks ago during Lent. Is your prayer life not as strong?

The collection for Sunday, April 16, 2023 amounted to $24,062.00. Sunday, April 17, 2022 was Easter Sunday so there is no direct weekly comparison.

Have you enrolled yet? Visit www.faithdirect.net. Our parish code is NY281.

We Care for Our Parish Community

Baptism

We celebrate Baptism at 1:30 PM on the second Sunday of the month and at 12:30 PM on the fourth Saturday of the month as scheduled. Please call the Parish Office at least one month in advance to see if a date is available and to arrange to fill out pre-baptismal paperwork. New parents are required to attend a Baptism preparation session held once every month. Those chosen as sponsors for Baptism should lead lives in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role of Godparent.”

Marriage

At least six months before you plan to be married and before you make arrangements for the reception, please make an appointment with one of the priests to begin the necessary preparations.

Children’s Education

Saint Mary’s Elementary School offers excellent education in the spirit of the Gospel from grades N, Pre-K to Eighth grade. For information call 627-0184.

Empowering Character, Innovation and Leadership in our students, Saint Mary’s High School is a dynamic, contemporary, Catholic value-centered school, combining a commitment to academic excellence and educational innovation, with a passion for learning, and an emphasis on moral character development through the pursuit of truth and discovered in faith and reason. For information call 627-2711.

The Religious Education Program provides excellent formation in the Catholic Faith for children in public or private schools. Preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation requires two years. Classes are held at St. Mary’s for Grades 1 through 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays

4:30-5:30 PM. Classes also meet on Sundays from 9:3010:20 AM for Grades 1 through 8 and on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 PM for Grades 6, 7 and 8. We also offer the option of an online home program for Grades 1 through 7. For information about Grades 1-8 call 627-4028 or email Mrs. Marie Granieri at releddirector@stmary.ws.

Parish Social Ministryã

We care for our sisters and brothers through our Parish Social Ministry and Food Pantry. For information call 365-2705.

Youth Ministry

We reach out to our teens though our Youth Ministry Program. For information email youth@stmary.ws or visit stmarysyouth.weebly.com.

New Parishioners

We welcome new members to the Catholic Church and to Saint Mary’s Parish. If you are new in the area or interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, please call the Parish Office.

Opportunities For Prayer

The Church is open Monday to Friday until 8:45 PM, on Saturday until the end of the 5:00 PM Mass, and on Sunday until 6:00 PM so that we may have the opportunity for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The Miraculous Medal Novena is said each Monday following the 9:00 AM Mass. Monday to Saturday the Rosary is said following the 9:00 AM Mass. Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the Chapel. On First Saturdays, the Scriptural Rosary is recited following the 9:00 AM Mass.