From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

Again, we hear the Father’s declaration that Jesus is the Beloved of the Father. We are reminded to listen to Him. Isn’t that a wonderful theme for Lent: “Listen to Him?” St. Paul reminds us that through the grace of God we have been called to holiness. That holiness comes from our embracing the Word of God in our lives. The Word, we are told, is life giving and is the crux to becoming a true believer. This journey of Lent is an invitation to rid ourselves of all that distracts us from the work of knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If we immerse ourselves in the teaching of Jesus as revealed in Sacred Scripture, we find that path to Jesus.

The Disciples were overcome when encountering Moses and Elijah. Moses, as we know, is the one who heard God’s command and led the people of Israel out of slavery into the Promised Land. Elijah is the great prophet who would appear when the Messiah came. In this reading of the Transfiguration, God is now setting into motion His plan for salvation. As Lent progresses, we will hear how Jesus will come closer to His ultimate reality...the Cross. Along that journey, Jesus will reveal who He is.

As we journey in life, there will be many circumstances that God offers us to reveal who we are. As we heard in the Old Testament, Abram (who later would receive the new name, Abraham) was asked to leave behind his old life so that God could make him the father of many. Abram did as the Lord commanded and was blest and made great for all generations. So in the moments of life, we also are called to leave behind our old lives; maybe not leaving our families and homeland, but certainly those moments of sin and selfishness.

This becomes possible in the power that Jesus offers us in the Holy Spirit. To seek out that new life, we have to know who we are willing to follow. To know Jesus is to open the Sacred Scriptures and let the Word take root in our hearts. Reading the Bible is a great comfort and offers us the hope of God as revealed in Jesus. When Jesus becomes our true Lord and Savior, we want to know Him even more. When we know Him more fully, we want to follow Him. Use these days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to “Listen to Jesus.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, “Listen to Jesus and obey His voice. This is the only way that leads to joy and love.” This listening is brought to perfection when we not only listen with our ears, but, more importantly, with our hearts. If you spend these days open to Jesus’ Word as the direction in your life, then Easter can be more than a day of family, eggs and chocolate. It can be the true day of joy and celebration for all that God has done.

During this Lenten Season, let us ask and invite one person back to church. That invitation should come from your love of Jesus and always without judgment. It may be a good Lenten act of charity.

A reminder that, in addition to the 9:00 AM daily Mass, we will celebrate Stations of the Cross each Friday at 7:00 PM. Lent is also a wonderful time to avail yourself of the healing sacrament of Confession.

Our St. Mary’s High School Pilgrimage to Greece participants have returned home safely. It was a wonderful experience of the footsteps of St. Paul and a deep spiritual renewal for all present. I am most grateful to Mr. Anthony Cannetella, our Theology Chair and Campus Minister, for organizing the pilgrimage; Fr. Dominik, the Chaplain, and our faculty chaperones for all their work. I am also grateful to the faculty and parishioners who assisted in driving the students to Newark Airport after the situation that occurred in Kennedy Airport resulting in their original flight being canceled.

In Jesus, our Crucified Lord, Fr. Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Second Reading, we are reminded that preaching the Gospel will not always be easy—but that we can trust in God’s help.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Prayer: Today’s Gospel reading tells us of the Transfiguration—which happens to be the Fourth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary. This week, learn to pray the Rosary if you do not know how to already. Lent is the perfect time to adopt a new spiritual practice.

The collection for Sunday, February 26, 2023 amounted to $24,750.00

The collection for Sunday, February 27, 2022 amounted to $23,181.00

The collection for the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Fund amounted to $6,790.00

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.