From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners, “You are a light to the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

There is an ancient legend first told by Christians living in the catacombs under the streets of Rome which pictures the day when Jesus went back to glory after finishing all his work on earth. The archangel Gabriel meets Jesus in heaven and welcomes Him home.

“Lord,” he says, “Who have You left behind to carry on Your work?”

Jesus tells him about the disciples, the little band of fishermen, and farmers and housewives.

“But Lord,” says Gabriel, “what if they fail You? What if they lose heart, or drop out? What if things get too rough for them, and they let you down?”

Well, says Jesus, then all I’ve done will come to nothing!

“But don’t You have a backup plan?” Gabriel asks. “Isn’t there something else to keep it going, to finish Your work?”

No, says Jesus, there’s no backup plan. The Church is it. There’s nothing else.

“Nothing else?” says Gabriel. “But what if they fail?”

And the early Christians knew Jesus’ answer.

“They won’t fail, Gabriel,” He said. “They won’t fail!”

Isn’t that a marvelous thing? Here are the Christians of Rome, dug into the earth like gophers, tunneling out of sight because of the terrors of the Emperor Nero up above. They’re nothing in that world! They’re poor and despised and insignificant! Yet they know the promise of Jesus: “You won’t fail! You’re My people, and you won’t fail!”

That’s what Jesus tells us in these verses, doesn’t He?

“You are the salt of the earth!” He says. “You are the light of the world! You are My witnesses!”

From this old story comes a very strong reality. Jesus trusts us to be His holy and loving presence in our world. As light, our own lives must shine in the darkness of the world as the symbol of hope. How we live this faith we profess has the power to change and encourage our world. In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that our “light must break forth like the dawn.” He goes on to explain that this light must and should remove oppression, false accusations, and malicious speech from our lives. This focus on a behavior that is one with God will open our eyes to the needs of the world. To embrace the light, we must open ourselves to the good works that are the mind of God. Isaiah goes on to point out what is God’s care. So we need to focus our light in true and heartfelt care for the poor, the homeless, and to satisfy the afflicted.

We look around our world and may be daunted by the work that needs to be done. The enormity of the task may cause us to lose heart and think that we can do nothing. Well, there is certainly a truth to that. St. Paul’s words should offer us hope and encouragement in our mission to continue to be a light to the world, even as we realize how difficult this process is.

”I came with nothing except to preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and much trembling.”

He reminds us that it is not our power that enables us to be preachers and light, but rather the Holy Spirit that we have been gifted with at Baptism.

Never loose heart, my dear brothers and sisters! Jesus believes in us and trusts us with His message. So continue to go forward as a Light to the World. Go be the City on the Mountain and not be hidden.

We had a very successful St. Mary’s Elementary School Open House last week. If you were unable to attend, I invite you to come and see the wonderful Elementary and High Schools we run here at St. Mary’s.

In Jesus, Fr. Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In the First Reading, we are called to care for the hungry and the needy. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to let our light shine before others.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Service: As Christians, we are called to care for others (as we hear in today’s readings). This week, be at service to someone in need. Let your light shine by donating clothes to the poor, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or by helping an elderly friend/relative with a task that they find difficult.

The collection for Sunday, January 29, 2023 amounted to $24,003.00

The collection for Sunday, January 30, 2022 amounted to $16,712.00

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.