From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21-22)

Today ends the holy and life-giving season of Easter. A season that has continued to be filled with both joy and challenges. Today we come to the Solemnity of Pentecost. The feasts of Christmas and Easter so often overshadow the great and wondrous Solemnity of Pentecost. This is not to take away the importance of those two solemnities, but rather to see them in connection with the entire message of salvation history that God has revealed in Jesus. Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended to the Father, and today we mark the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the believers.

We hear in the Scriptures the marvelous works that were accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. People were able to hear the message of the Apostles in their own tongues; they were able to speak in different languages; the sick were healed, the dead raised, and sins forgiven. WOW, how amazing and great is our God that He gives us the ability to act and to do miraculous things in His name! AND that is what we MUST realize…we DO HAVE THAT POWER.

At our baptism, we had the Holy Spirit breathed upon us. And because of that, we can do wondrous things in the name of Jesus. St. Paul tells us today that there are many parts to the Body of Christ; different gifts; various forms of service, BUT one Spirit. These gifts are from God and are called to be used for the glory of His name and for the good of all. What can stymie us, at times, is thinking that our gifts are not important or, even worse, compare them to the gifts others have received. That is certainly the Evil One attempting to chip away at our confidence so that our gifts, instead of being shared, will be hidden away. How sad is that! Sad for ourselves and certainly sad for the Church.

In Jesus, the Father has gifted each of us, and in being gifted, we are called to share those gifts with the community. To be able to do so we must BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit received at that First Pentecost is the same Spirit, in all His power, that we received at Baptism and Confirmation.

When we embrace the Holy Spirit, wonderful things can be accomplished through us. But it takes faith, faith that we do have the Holy Spirit. It takes prayer to open us up to the voice of Jesus and, most importantly, we must believe that we are called and graced by God. A tall order for sure, but so freeing and empowering when it happens. Do not let this Pentecost pass without reflecting on the awesome power of the Holy Spirit that was “breathed on us.” What is the Holy Spirit asking of you today?

As our Elementary School eighth graders and High School seniors prepare for graduation, my prayer for them is that the Lord Jesus may fill them with the Holy Spirit that, in all they do, they profess the Lordship of Jesus.

In Jesus, Fr. Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

Veni, Sancte Spiritus! Come, Holy Spirit!

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Service: Continue to ask the Holy Spirit to give you guidance in your life. Pentecost Sunday is the perfect day to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to grow closer to Jesus and live a life that shows the world that you are a Christian.

The collection for Sunday, May 21, 2023 amounted to $22,322.00. The collection for Sunday, May 22, 2022 amounted to $21,800.00.

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.