CHURCH of SAINT MARY

The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 19, 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 traftery@stmary.ws

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, “If you only love those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (Matthew 5:46)

It would seem to make sense that we are kind to those who are good to us and keep at a distance those who wish us harm. This understanding is one that many of us have probably absorbed through lessons from others that have been taught either implicitly or by example. Yet Jesus has some very different words for us in today’s Gospel. We are not to be people who harbor anger or hatred toward anyone. Yes, the Lord does mean anyone… especially those who bear us ill. That seems like a very difficult and impossible law to live by. We can understand the call of Jesus to pray for those who persecute us...because that may seem like it is only in God’s hands to make the change in the other. When we just pray (and, of course, I believe in the awesome power of prayer), we can think we have done enough. It is not enough to simply pray. Prayer must necessitate a reaction from us. It also invites us to a change from within. So how can we not be angry with those who hurt us? How it is done will, of course, be different for each person and each situation, but the need for forgiveness and mercy to be part of our lives is a call to all those who claim the name of Jesus. Why do we strive for a way that, as St. Paul tells us, is foolish in the eyes of the world?

The Old Testament reading from the Book of Leviticus gives us a clue when the authors remind us, “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.” So this need to not only follow the way of God but to become more like God is a command of God Himself. We strive to raise ourselves above the weaknesses of the world and try to be more like Him whom we worship. This is what should make us different as Catholic Christians. “You should not bear hatred to a brother or sister” is a key to our vision as believers. Love and the power of forgiveness are not only important because they make us more like God, but also because they free us from walls and prisons that we create for ourselves or seem to be created by circumstance. When we wall ourselves behind anger and a desire for revenge, we are no longer free. When we become chained to certain emotions, they can suck the life and joy out of our daily lives. We can be so stuck in harboring our anger that it can eclipse our lives, even cause us to lose sleep as we ponder it over and over. Jesus knows that this makes for an unhealthy life (and the medical profession tells us the same thing).

Our Holy Father Pope Francis said in Assisi for the Day of Peace, “Many people plead for leniency and mercy for their own faults, but in what others may be indebted to them, they demand justice.” This attitude can reinforce a mindset of treating with love only those who are kind to us. With this mindset, forgiveness is not necessary. The Jesus we have come to worship today gently challenges us to something greater. The mercy we seek from God is the same mercy and forgiveness we must recklessly offer to others. This radical mercy unlocks the power of our passions and offers us freedom from them. It is only in freedom that we can let go of hurts and in that freedom we are able to smash the walls of despair and allow the healing light of Jesus to bathe us in His love.

St. Ignatius of Loyola reminds us that “Love is shown more by deeds than by words.” If we want to follow Jesus, we have to work at living in freedom and let our actions reflect His commands. It’s easy to be kind to those who are kind to us...even those who do not know God can do that. Jesus tells us, “Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This can seem to be beyond us in our own power... and you know what? It probably is, BUT we have something more...we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power of God to help us in wisdom and strength to not only know the Lord but to do His will. If we are open to the Holy Spirit living in our lives, then that which is seemingly impossible now becomes a reality within our grasp. Never give up on what God can do in Jesus. Never deny the power of the Name of Jesus. It can and does wonderful and marvelous things! St. Justin Martyr says, “We pray for our enemies and try to win those who wish us harm.” What great advice for a believer! So pray for those who hurt you, but allow that prayer to change your heart as well.

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Hospitality: Jesus calls us to love, not only our friends, but also our enemies. He also tells us to offer no resistance to those who hurt us. This week, keep that call in mind when someone does something wrong to you. For example, you can pray for that person who cuts you off when driving or hold your tongue when someone is rude to you at work.

The collection for Sunday, February 12, 2023 amounted to $25,111.00

The collection for Sunday, February 13, 2022 amounted to $23,694.00

The collection for the Church in Need (January 22, 2023) amounted to $6,008.00

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.