From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

The call of discipleship is one that seeks the will of God. To discern that will, we have to be open to the presence of God in our lives. A willingness to invite God into our lives demands a response on our part. That response is to live in obedience to God’s will. How often the very word “obedience” can cause us, as Christians in the twenty-first century, to cringe. Obedience is not an attribute that many might see as worthy of embracing. Haven’t we been taught that we create our own destinies...that our actions only affect our personal life? AND, my favorite...well, I am a good person, so I can do it my way. Yet, obedient is what we are called to be. Jesus says in today’s Gospel that if we want to love Him, we must keep His commandments. It is in following the teaching of Jesus and His example that we express that love.

So what do we learn from Sacred Scripture? Of course, there is much that shows us Jesus. But let us go back to recent memory. Six weeks ago, we celebrated the glorious Resurrection of Jesus. A few days before that, we commemorated the death and crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. The path that led Jesus to that cross was one of total obedience to the will and desire of the Father. The readings that preceded the Crucifixion speak of Jesus’ struggle to accept that will. Even Peter, when he hears Jesus talk about the suffering that awaits Him in Jerusalem, tries to talk Jesus out of going there. I am sure that for one instant Jesus must have thought how easy it would have been for Him to stay away from Jerusalem. But He didn’t, and He utters those powerful words to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane...Not as I will, but as you will.

The first step in accepting Jesus as Lord is willingness to be obedient to His teachings. When we establish the importance of that obedience, then we can move on to more specific teachings. Many of those teachings I am sure we are all familiar with...love, forgiveness, generosity, compassion and, of course, the list continues and changes as we deepen our faith life. BUT it all has to begin with a desire (and yes, sometimes a struggle), to be obedient to the will of the Father and the teachings of Jesus as expressed through the teaching office of the Church. The more we come to know Jesus in prayer and Scripture the more, I think, obedience becomes less of an issue. St. Ignatius of Loyola says it so beautifully: “It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.” When we fall in love with Jesus as Brother, Messiah, and Friend, it makes sense that we desire and seek out His Will for our lives. Discovering that Will, we strive to follow it.

So in spite of possible misgivings and apprehension over the word obedience, there is a peace that comes from giving our lives to Jesus. We become open to the path that He wants us to walk. When we are walking in obedience the plan and purpose that God has for us, we become free to be what He created us to be. In that freedom to be more like Jesus lies the true path to happiness. But it starts with those words...not as I will, but as You will. Don’t be afraid of giving yourself to Jesus...and don’t, out of fear, water down His Words. His Words are life!

When we look at the world and all that is happening around us, we can rightfully ask and wonder…where is God in all this. Well, maybe He is right next to us, whispering His song of love and hope. Maybe God’s response to our longings becomes clearer when we take the time to get to know Him better. Find the time to spend alone reading the Sacred Scriptures that are sent to you each day, ponder what God is trying to say, and most certainly incorporate it into your everyday life.

This was the last weekend of our beautiful celebrations of First Holy Communion. I am grateful to the teachers in our school and our Religious Education Catechists for all their work in preparing our children for this most important day. A very special thank you to our Director of Religious Education, Mrs. Marie Granieri, assisted by Ms. Catherine Abbatangelo, for coordinating the First Communion Masses.

In this month of May dedicated to Our Lady, I encourage you to pray the Rosary. Let Mary be the vehicle to lead you to Jesus.

In Jesus, our Risen Lord, and Mary, our Mother, Fr. Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to remain with them and guide them.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Prayer: As Catholics, we should make a habit out of praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance. When we pray to the Spirit, we are asking God to help us make the right decisions in life. If you ever feel stressed or don’t know what to do in your life—ask the Holy Spirit for guidance!

The collection for Sunday, May 7, 2023 amounted to $23,117.00. The collection for Sunday, May 8, 2022 amounted to $22,687.00. The collection for Catholic Elementary Schools amounted to $5,905.00

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.