From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16)

Today we celebrate probably one of the most difficult and elusive of our doctrines in the Church. The doctrine of the Most Blessed Trinity can, at times, not make sense in our rational world. This teaching, as defined by the Church, has its basis in Sacred Scripture. Jesus often spoke of the unity of Himself and the Father: “The Father and I are one.”

Each Person of the Blessed Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is a distinct reality. We DO NOT worship three gods, but rather ONE GOD in three persons. Each Person of the Blessed Trinity is part of the ONE Godhead. What can confuse us, at times, is that we refer to the Father as God; while He is certainly that, so is the Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is, in reality, a mystery of relationship. Each Person of the Trinity, in a sense, has a distinct “function and purpose,” yet they work as one.

The Father is the Creator who has prepared the world for the coming of the Redeemer. Throughout the Scriptures, the hand of the Father has guided, protected, and blessed the people He has chosen as His own. In Jesus, the Son, we see the WORD of the Father that takes on flesh and lives in our human world. Yet as much as St. Paul tells us that “Jesus emptied Himself and took the form of a slave,” He was fully human and fully God at all times. Jesus came into the world to be the way of our salvation through His death on the Cross. The Holy Spirit is the power or breath of God that blows through our world and our lives. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we are given the “grace” to profess Jesus as Lord. This Spirit or “breath of God,” in Hebrew referred to as the “ruah,” was the creative life-giving force that called the world into existence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states about the Father, “The Word of God (Jesus) and His Breath are at the origin of the beginning and life of all creation.” Through the gifts, given and shared by the Holy Spirit, we fulfill our life as believers. That Spirit continues to hover above and in us to strengthen the profession of the Lordship of Jesus.

So we look at each Person of the Trinity and we can see a unity of life but also of “function.” Each works with the others while retaining His own identity and individuality. What we can see is that the relationship is based on love.

A love that is not jealous of the others’ work, but finds joy in what they can contribute to make it more profound and powerful. In the power of that self-giving love, we see our own call. As Catholic Christians, we are called to walk in the path of the Trinity. We are invited to use our gifts to continue the work of the Most Holy Trinity. As the Father, Son, and Spirit empty themselves for the good of the other, we are called to use what has been given to us, not only for the glory of God, but also for the good of God’s Holy people. Our mission is to open our hearts to the needs around us and to be the instruments of the Trinity in our world.

Since my arrival, I have tried to open and expose us to many of the charities and missionary works of the Church. Even our second collections, by themselves, are a way of pointing out the importance of each. Love and faith call us to serve, support, and comfort those who come into our lives. The relationship of love that we celebrate today is one that has to be as self-giving as we see lived out in the Trinity. Lived for us by how we love those around us. As we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity, let us not so much focus on its doctrinal meaning, but rather embrace what the self-giving teaches and means for our own lives.

In Jesus, Fr.

Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

We have a loving God who gave us His only Son so that we may have eternal life. Glory and Praise be to God, forever!

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Prayer: This week, be sure to take time out of each day to say “thank you” to our God for all the gifts and blessings He has bestowed on you.

The collection for Sunday, May 28, 2023 amounted to $22,277.00. The collection for Sunday, May 29, 2022 amounted to $21,043.00. The collection for the Catholic Communications Campaign amounted to $4,394.00

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 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 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.