From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners, “Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 10:31)

In our Gospel today, Jesus is sending out the Disciples as Missionaries. They are commissioned to preach the Word. They are sent out with a promise. The promise is that God is with them and will offer them His strength and comfort. St. Matthew expresses this ultimate love the Father has for us by reminding us that “even the hairs on our heads are counted.” This is an assurance of God’s attentiveness to all of our lives. Jesus is encouraging us to keep strong in faith through hard times caused by the opposition our Catholic teachings and values face in the world. Jesus assures us that God’s loving care will always be with us. We hear this same reassurance in our Old Testament reading from the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah experiences the taunting and persecution of those to whom he was called to preach. Yet, in the midst of this difficult and challenging situation, he proclaims “the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion.”

Fear in the face of suffering, especially from persecution, is natural. Still, three times Jesus issues instructions about not being afraid. “Do not be afraid.” Matthew was addressing his community’s present situation: there was reason to be afraid; they were being persecuted for their faith. Ultimately, in the final judgment, Jesus assures his followers, the truth will come out. Meanwhile, they will endure suffering because they are his followers and must still proclaim the truth openly: “proclaim on the housetops.”

Discipleship is never easy. Like Jeremiah, we will experience the taunting of the world as we proclaim the splendor of truth in Jesus. At times, it may seem that evil has the upper hand. We can surely look around our world and become discouraged or even fearful at the path the world is taking. Yet, we are reminded to not be afraid. Our job as missionaries is to boldly proclaim the message of Jesus. That message, as we know, is not always warmly embraced by the culture. We, as Catholics, can certainly be persecuted for our embracing of the causes for life especially as we stand up for the voiceless in our society. Our stance on abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment speaks of our concern for those who, at times, have no advocates in power. When we defend the definition of marriage between one man and one woman, fight to eliminate poverty, work for racial equality and justice, we can be ridiculed as we stand up for God’s natural law. In a time when our very religious freedoms are challenged, we speak out and pray.

But our hope is renewed as we move forward. It is not the world we need to please, but only God. Strengthened by our resolve to do the Lord’s will, we joyfully and lovingly move forward. We live both by faith because we do not see evil yielding to goodness and the hope that, as Jesus says, “I will acknowledge you before my Father.” He assures us that, until the final reckoning, God is with us, knows us more intimately than any human. What human, no matter how close, knows the number of hairs on our heads? God knows us, God is with us, and so we have hope as we stand up for Jesus and face the difficulties life throws at us for being his disciples.

The first step of discipleship is to live a life of truthfulness. Does it mean we are prefect? No, but we must always be willing to look at our lives in relationship to our faith in Jesus. It is not easy, as we know; take strength from the words of Jesus, “do not be afraid.” Boldly proclaim the teachings of Jesus and the Church. Know how much God loves you and that He will never abandon you!

With that in mind, let us continue to dialogue in openness and honesty and let us together make a better world. Jesus would want nothing less and neither would any person of good will.

Two weekends ago, it was a time of great joy for our diocese. We are grateful to Almighty God for the three men ordained to the priesthood.

As you know, our Bishop John Barres has declared that the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we always find in that loving heart the font of mercy and forgiveness.

In Jesus, Fr. Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to not worry or be afraid. We should focus on our souls and doing what we can to live a life pleasing to God.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Hospitality: This week invite someone to come to Mass with you. It could be a friend, child, sibling or parent—just make the invite!

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

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

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 Ministry

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 collection for Sunday, June 18, 2023 amounted to $25,713.00. The collection for Sunday, June 19, 2022 amounted to $22,156.00. Church of Saint Mary

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.