CHURCH of SAINT MARY

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 12, 2023

Parish Mission Statement

We, the community of Saint Mary’s, Manhasset, building on our rich heritage of Catholic faith and tradition, center ourselves in the Eucharist and honor God in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to be the presence of Christ through our liturgical, educational and social ministries. We dedicate our time, talent and treasure to the service of all as we build the kingdom of God in our world. We commit to this mission in the name of Jesus Christ.

Parish Directory

Church of Saint Mary

1300 Northern Boulevard

Manhasset, New York 11030

(516) 627-0385

Fax (516) 627-6070 www.saintmarysmanhasset.org

Schedule of Masses

Monday–Friday 9:00 AM

Saturday 9:00 AM, 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon

Sacrament of Penance

Saturdays from 4:00-4:45 PM and by appointment. Please call 627-0385.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in the Chapel on the second Sunday of the month following the 10:30 AM Mass. If you are unable to come to Church, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements for Anointing or to receive the Eucharist.

Parish Office

627-0385 | Fax 627-6070

Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday - Friday 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday - Sunday (phone only) 10:00 AM–1:30 PM

E-mail: information@stmary.ws

Parish Social Ministry

365-2705

Monday-Wednesday-Thursday 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

E-mail: socialmin@stmary.ws

St. Vincent de Paul Society: svdp@stmary.ws

Religious Education

627-4028

Monday 12:00 Noon-8:00 PM

Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Closed on Friday

Pastoral Staff

Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo Pastor

627-0385 | ext. 1004 pastor@stmary.ws

Rev. Fr. Dominik Wegiel

Parochial Vicar

627-0385 | ext. 1006 frdominik@stmary.ws

Rev. Fr. Kingsley Nwanwa

Parochial Vicar

627-0385 | ext. 1089 frkingsley@saintmarysmanhasset.org

Parish Staff

Jane Clifford Bulletin Editor bulletin@stmary.ws

Jennifer Fedele Office Manager

627-0385

Marie T. Granieri

Director of Religious Education

627-4028 | ext. 1127 releddirector@stmary.ws

Vincent Hartley

Facilities Manager

627-0385 | ext. 1002

Kathleen Kosciusko Director of Parish Social Ministry 627-0385 | ext. 1126 kkosciusko@stmary.ws

Robert Levulis

Music Director 313-7606

Vanessa Quiros

Parish Office 627-0385 vquiros@stmary.ws

Sr. Teresa Raftery, IHM

Adult Faith Formation

627-0385 | ext. 1010

The Schools of Saint Mary Nursery through 12th Grade

Very Rev. Dom Elias Carr, Can. Reg., Ph.D. President 627-2711 president@stmary.ws

Norma Ragalli Stafford Director of Admissions 627-2711 | ext 1084 nstafford@stmary.ws

Edward Short Vice President of Development 627-2711 | ext 1120 eshort@stmary.ws

Eileen M. Symmons ’82, ’86 Director of Communications 627-2711 esymmons@stmary.ws

Kiera Gmelich Walsh Director of Alumni and Parent Relations 627-2711 | ext. 1162 kwalsh@stmary.ws

Sarah de Venoge Griffin ’02, ’06 Liaison for School Relations sgriffin@saintmarysmanhasset.org

St. Mary’s Elementary School 627-0184 www.stmary11030.org

Theresa A. Kemp Principal tkemp@stmary11030.org

St. Mary’s High School 627-2711 www.saintmaryshs.org

Gerard J. Buckley Principal gbuckley@saintmaryshs.org

Dear Parishioners, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

The question of who enters the kingdom of heaven is one that has been asked of me by so many. Who will go to heaven and who will not, I can never answer. That answer is reserved to God alone and given over to His mercy and compassion. BUT...we can look to the Scriptures to find out what we need to do to accept the message of Jesus, which we know is the key to entrance into eternal life.

Today, in the Gospel, we are given a glimpse into the mind of God and hence the answer to entry into the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses the Pharisees and scribes as a negative model. To be received into life everlasting, we need to NOT act like these people. So what do we know about them? We know that Jesus is very hard on them and they are often vilified in Sacred Scripture. This condemnation comes because, as we know from the words of Jesus, “to whom much is given much is expected.” These leaders knew the Scriptures and were certainly versed in the law of the prophets. Yet, it was not the message they held onto but the letter of the law. They prided themselves in embracing the externals of faith, but, for many, it did not move to that deeper level that Jesus came to preach. It is in hearing the Law and relating it to the heart that it becomes more then just words to follow but rather a way of life to embrace. In their inability or refusal to take that next step, the Pharisees missed the mark and they are judged as ones to whom much was given but who fell short.

Our Gospel today warns us that it is not enough to simply follow the Law to gain eternal life. For us to be worthy of the Kingdom, we need to know WHY the Law was given. In understanding the mind of God, we can see what God asks of us. Remember, our Catholic Christian Life must be a journey that deepens our understanding of God’s purpose for us in Jesus. So to receive Eternal Life we need to know the heart of Jesus. The images in the Gospel are sometimes brutal, but they teach a deeper message. So if any part of you sins...remove it. It is not enough not to act in lust or anger, but to remove it from our hearts. Coming to Mass to worship the Lord is great, of course, but if we hold onto grudges and cannot forgive, we have lost the true meaning of what we do in Church. These may seem like difficult teachings, but St. Paul reminds us today that they are “beyond the mind of men and women,” but are “revealed by God through the Holy Spirit.” So if God has revealed them, we know that the Holy Spirit will give us the grace and power to live them if we are open to that grace.

The Old Testament prophet Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) reminds us that we have been given a choice of life or death and whatever we choose shall be given to us. So who goes to heaven - I don’t know - that is God’s realm - but I do know we have the choice to be saved and live the life of Jesus or to reject it. That choice should be the barometer by which we look at our lives each day. But it takes a conversion of heart to allow Jesus to guide and lead us. What actions or mindsets need to be removed so that you may know God in this life and be with Him in the life to come? What is your choice: life or death?

As you come to receive the Precious Body and Blood of Christ at Mass today, bring that hope to Him who is our life. Let that Jesus who comes to you in this Most Blessed Sacrament give you the grace and strength to always respond with YES. He loves you (and me) so much that He desires to be one with us as we strive to become one with Him. DO NOT BE AFRAID!

We welcome to our parish Fr. Matthew Obiekezie, from the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria. He will be with us for a few months.

In Jesus, Fr. Bob

Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s First Reading, we are reminded that God has given us a choice to do good or evil - free will.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Formation: When we study Catholic teaching and read Catholic apologetics or theology, we can better form our consciences. This week, take time to learn more about the Faith through trusted resources like Formed or Catholic.com.

The collection for Sunday, February 5, 2023 amounted to $24,526.00

The collection for Sunday, February 6, 2022 amounted to $23,292.00

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.