From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners, “Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10)

These days of Lent, and, actually, our entire journey as believers, can surely be summed up by these words of St. Paul. To live in Jesus, we not only have to know Him through the Scriptures, prayer, and the Sacraments, but, in knowing Him, we must live our lives in a response of love to Him. What better way for us to show that love than to live lives that “are pleasing to the Lord?”

In many of our Catholic Schools there is a beautiful motto that has become very popular. It is “WWJD?” which translates as “What Would Jesus Do?” If we spend our days reflecting on what the response of Jesus would be in each and every situation we find ourselves in and act accordingly, how pleasing would that be to Jesus. The very desire to be pleasing to Jesus and to do what He would want is gift in itself. Doing so puts us out of the darkness of sin and into the Light of Jesus. A light that leads us to the path of holiness. Lent is about moving from the darkness and secrecies of our own sin - those actions that shame keeps hidden in the dark - and bring them into the light of day. Bringing them to the light allows the grace and hand of Jesus to transform them into the goodness and righteousness of truth. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus came into the world that we might see the light of truth; a truth that is founded in its fulfillment in the very person and ministry of Jesus. So, each day, in each interaction...ask yourself the question “WWJD?” If we are open to the power of the Holy Spirit and try to assimilate what is “pleasing to Jesus” we can be His instruments in the world and gain for us not only eternal life, but some peace in this one. Pope Francis reminds us that our lives must show forth the good work of God. When we have received and accepted the “Light” we then do becoming pleasing to God. With God’s presence in us, we then become light to the entire world, bringing others to the warmth of the Light of Jesus. St. Catherine of Siena puts it in a wonderfully simple way “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” How great would that be!

Please use these days of Lent to deepen your relationship with Jesus so we may celebrate with even deeper joy the great feast of Easter.

A reminder that daily Mass is celebrated at 9:00 AM each morning Monday through Saturday. Confessions are heard each Saturday at 4:00 PM. We pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday evening at 7:00 PM.

Next week, you will notice as you come into church that the statures and images of Christ and the saints have been covered. The 5th Sunday of Lent has been traditionally known as Passion Sunday. It is an ancient tradition in the Church to cover images in the church as we prepare for the holiest and most solemn day of the Church Year. While it may appear counterintuitive to veil statues and images during the final weeks of Lent, the Catholic Church recommends this practice to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter Sunday. It is a tradition that should not only be carried out in our local parish, but can also be a fruitful activity for the “domestic church” to practice.

The rubrics can guide us. In the Roman Missal we find the instruction, “In the Dioceses of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from [the fifth] Sunday [of Lent] may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.”

Families are also encouraged to imitate this practice and veil prominent religious images in their homes. It helps us to participate in the liturgical season, especially if we are prevented from going to Mass during the week. Otherwise, we only see the veiled images in church once or twice before Easter and it has a minor effect on us. It is also a beautiful tradition to pass down to our children, who will be intrigued by it and it will make this time of year truly special for them. We go through great lengths to decorate our homes for Easter, so why not prepare for the great feast by using veils?

The Fourth Sunday of Lent | March 19, 2023

Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, Jesus opens the eyes of the man born blind.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Service: Like the blind man in today’s Gospel, there are many in our lives, our parish and our community who need assistance. This week, pray a decade of the Rosary for someone you know who is in need of prayer (perhaps someone struggling with mental or physical health issues).

The collection for Sunday, March 12, 2023 amounted to $26,609.00. The collection for Sunday, March 13, 2022 amounted to $26,041.00

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.