From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

The desire to know God is intrinsic to our humanity. There is an innate desire for us to seek out what we call in theology the “transcendence,” that which goes beyond us. When God touched us at the moment of our conception, He endowed us with a soul. That spirit is the part of us that seeks to know the Creator. St. Augustine says so beautifully that “Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in thee.” For many, that is a life journey that seeks to know God. Sadly, for some, they can either stop the journey or even turn completely from God and deny His existence. It is essential for a life that wants to journey in the faith to want to know God.

Whenever I speak to the Confirmation candidates, I remind them that Confirmation is NOT graduation. So often Confirmation has been perceived as the completion of our Religious and Faith Formation. What I point out is that if our faith development stops at Confirmation, then it couldn’t sustain us in our adulthood. If our faith level doesn’t develop past thirteen years of age, then we can be sure that the answers and explanations we received in those early years will not “work” in our adulthood. Maybe that is true for many people. Faith and the desire to know God must be ongoing. God wants to speak to us in each of the different phases and moments of our lives. It is when we are open and seek the presence of God that Jesus can then challenge us to know God in a deeper and more profound way. It takes a desire for us to be willingly challenged to never stop our faith formation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Sacraments “establish the foundations of the Christian life.” They are given to us by Jesus Himself as “powers that come forth from the Body of Christ” as established through Sacred Scripture. These ancient and outward signs have nourished the Church from the Apostolic Age (Age of the Apostles). They become the true vehicle to know Jesus in His fullness because “sacraments are the efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.” If you take notice of the placement of the Sacraments, they come at pivotal moments of our lives. This is not a coincidence, but true pastoral concern that Jesus and the Church reveal for each of us so we can better understand the nature and love the Lord has for us.

Baptism usually takes place at our beginning. In this sacrament, we are strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit as Original Sin is washed away. It opens our hearts to begin the journey of becoming a Christian, a journey that takes a lifetime of development. If you notice, family, friends and the entire Church community join in supporting the newly baptized on this journey of faith, as she/he becomes part of the Body of Christ.

First Confession (Reconciliation) comes at a time in our lives when we can begin to distinguish between right and wrong and understand how the choices we make can mark the paths of our lives. In this sacrament, the doors of our heart are flung open as Jesus comes to lift those events or actions that burden our hearts. He never wants us chained to sin or allow sin to define us. He comes with His loving forgiveness and healing. This freedom from the bonds of our sins is a great strength so we may continue our journey with heads held high in the dignity of God’s daughters and sons.

First Holy Communion marks a deep moment in faith. Through our ability to reason, we can profess that what we receive in Holy Communion is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus. To understand this somewhat deep (and at times difficult) reality is not easy. We know that it is food for our journey and when we allow Jesus to enter us so intimately He will certainly deepen that love we have for Him.

Confirmation is the hope that we have advanced so deeply in our knowledge and love of Jesus that we are ready to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. An older teaching (one that I was taught, as I am sure many of you were) reminded us that we were “Soldiers of Christ.” I think this is a pretty helpful image for understanding this sacrament. Confirmation reminds us to “stand up for Jesus” and be His evangelizers in the world. The image of being a soldier here is never one of military arms or force, but rather a reminder that we are part of the Body of Christ with a mission to preach the Gospel in the gentle love of our words and actions.

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Marriage and Holy Orders come at a pivotal point in our lives. After discerning the call that Jesus has for our lives, we take that mature step of consecrating our lives to Him either through our spouse or serving all through the ministerial priesthood. These sacraments of vocation now define our life commitment and how we live out that Christian vocation. Marriage should be the vehicle that lifts and focuses the lives of a man and a woman in service to each other in loving and mutual support. One of the fruits of marriage eventually is the gift of children to enrich the Church with new members. The priest is consecrated in that same devotion, but the focus is not on one person per se as it is to a life of complete service to the Body of Christ, most especially as ministers of the sacraments where they act “in persona Christi” (in the person of Christ). Of course, both of these Sacraments of Vocation are a call to service but the focus is in different ways to live it out. Both should take much time and prayer so we make the choice that Jesus truly wants for us. In that discernment and prayer, we listen to the plan that Jesus has for our lives, a plan that is for our true happiness. Sometimes, if we forget to bring Jesus into our decisions, it can have a devastating effect on our life choice.

Anointing of the Sick Here again the Church is present at such an important moment of our lives. This Sacrament, which was formally known as the Last Rites, now takes on a newer and deeper meaning. It is for those who are experiencing a difficult point in their lives…a serious illness. Those times of serious illness can be very frightening and we can feel so isolated as fear grips the heart. Holy Mother Church wants for us true inner peace at each stage of our journey. We pray for healing of body, mind and spirit. It is a reminder in a beautiful way that Jesus wants to share our fears and to be close to us.

The Sacrament does contain the prayers for the dying. As she was at the beginning of our lives, so too, at the final hours, the Church desires to bring the comfort of Jesus. A wonderful image at this moment, maybe more so than at any other time, is that Jesus wants to grasp us by the hand. The fear of dying that some, if not many, may have, can bring discomfort and uncertainty. These prayers and anointing I have found bring a deep level of hope and comfort to the dying person and the family. Yes, even to those who may have fallen away from the practice of the faith. We pray that, as this stage of life comes to an end, God will receive them into eternal life. As a side note, if someone is dying, please don’t wait, if you can, till they are no longer able to respond. The prayers do more good than you may realize. I have even experienced on so many occasions when those who seem to be totally unconscious mouth or show some response to the prayers. The power and love of God can do marvelous works.

Take time to read the Scriptures, learn the teachings of the Church, and grow in your knowledge of the Lord. I encourage you to go to the website formed.org for some wonderful and informative discussions on our Catholic Faith. They can bring you to a deeper knowledge of what we believe and hence awaken faith in God. Then, as Jesus promises, we will “know the Father.” In knowing Him, He can lead us to His peace and joy. The path of Jesus is always open to us...what will your response be?

In this month of May dedicated to Our Lady, I encourage you to pray the Rosary. Why not try at least one decade with your family? You can google “how to say the Rosary” if you need any assistance.

Let Mary, the great and holy Mother of God, be the vehicle to lead you to Jesus.

In Jesus, our Risen Lord, Fr. Bob

J Stewards of God’s Gifts

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his Apostles that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Formation: As Christians, we live in a world that is constantly trying to guide us in a way opposed to Christ. We are faced with decisions that can either help us stay on the narrow path or lead us astray. We have two options: to follow Christ, whether popular or not, or we can do as Pilate did. Listen to the crowds and turn our backs on Christ.

The collection for Sunday, April 30, 2023 amounted to $25,821.00. The collection for Sunday, May 1, 2022 amounted to $24,344.00. The collection for Easter, 2023 amounted to $114,951.00 The collection for Easter, 2022 amounted to $111,726.00.

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.