From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

“The Lord, your God, shall you worship.” (Matthew 4:10)

On Ash Wednesday, St. Paul reminded us of the very important and awesome responsibility that each of us have been given at Baptism. As ambassadors, we represent Jesus to the world. I am wondering if that ministry has been one we reflect upon. Our dealings with all people should always be balanced by the fact that those we come in contact with should see something different in us. As part of the Body of Christ, we bring Jesus to the world. How often sin and selfishness keep us from being true ambassadors. We see the effects of sin and selfishness in our first reading from the Book of Genesis.

Adam and Eve are tempted by the devil. The devil goes right to the nerve that he knows will bring weakness to Adam and Eve. It works; the temptation causes them to sin. It is the way they fall prey to the temptation that reveals their own weakness. They were not content with all that God had given them. They sought more. While it is not a sin to seek to better ourselves by deepening the grace and blessings in our lives, there is a reminder that we are the created and God Himself is the Creator. God sets His law for a reason. While, at times, we might not understand that law, we are still commanded to obey. It is when we make ourselves greater than God that we get into trouble. Our responsibility as God’s children is to give Him our total love and obedience.

This is seen very clearly in the Gospel of St. Matthew. The devil tempts Jesus in the desert. Jesus is tired, hungry, and maybe feeling a little lonely. The devil sees his chance and offers Jesus the wonders of the world...and food for His hunger. Jesus rebukes the Evil One and reminds him that is God alone we worship and serve. Jesus was conscious that He was in a weakened state and uses the Scriptures to strengthen His resolve to serve God. The Word was His defense.

The Word is a great tool to keep us one with Jesus. Temptations are all around us and the Evil One wants us to turn from God to our own way, our own will. Pope Francis has often called the devil the great deceiver and liar. He makes us believe that our sins are justified and hence we depart from the path of God and walk in the loneliness of our desires. Strength and knowledge of God’s path is revealed and strengthened when we pray and reflect upon the Sacred Word of God. St. Paul tells us that through obedience to Jesus we have been made righteous. That righteousness is free gift to each of us. How wonderful our God is. On Ash Wednesday, the prophet Joel so beautifully reminded us “that the Lord took pity on us and was stirred to compassion for His people.” Lent is a great time for us to reflect on how much we are loved by God and turn again to Him. I encourage you to read the Scriptures, attend daily Mass if you can, and most certainly take advantage of the wonderful Sacrament of God’s forgiveness in Confession. These forty days call us to repentance, to leave behind our temptations so that we may celebrate with wondrous joy the Feast of Easter.

Praying the Stations of the Cross is a traditional Lenten practice that goes back centuries. After the Emperor Constantine made Christianity the formal religion of the Roman Empire in 313 AD, pilgrimages to the Holy Land began. The Franciscans, with the permission of Pope Innocent XI in 1686, were allowed to erect the Stations in their churches, for those who were unable to travel to the Holy Land. In 1731 Pope Clement XII decreed that they be erected in all churches. In this prayer form, the faithful walk the “stations” of the last day of Jesus. We will pray the Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM each Friday in Lent

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Monday at 3:00 PM. Exposition ends with Benediction at 5:00 PM. And, of course, as was mentioned, confessions are heard every Saturday at 4:00 PM. The Rosary is prayed after all daily Masses. I encourage you to take advantage of these prayer moments to make Lent that true time of conversion and drawing closer to the Lord.

Let us journey these forty days together. In Jesus, Our Crucified Lord, Fr. Bob The First Sunday of Lent | February 26, 2023

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is tempted by the devil.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Prayer: As we begin our Lenten journey, be sure to strengthen your prayer life. Take advantage of the additional confessions, Adoration hours and Stations of the Cross services that are offered in the parish and Diocese.

The collection for Sunday, February 19, 2023 amounted to $24,376.00

The collection for Sunday, February 20, 2022 amounted to $25,200.00

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.