Our Lady Queen of Martyrs 53 Prospect Road, Centerport, NY 11721 631.757.8184 www.olqmparish.org November 8, 2020 Pastor Reverend Stephen J. Pietrowski [email protected] Associate Pastor Fr. Collins Adutwum [email protected]
Deacons John Rieger [email protected] Lou Cosentino [email protected] Pastoral Associate 631.757.6250 Brother Etienne, OSF [email protected] Assistant to Pastor Nanci DeSantis [email protected] Parish Administration Judy Smith [email protected]
Children’s Faith Formation 631.757.0720 Nancy Dougherty, Director Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time [email protected] Georgena Ryan, Coordinator [email protected] Parish Social Ministry 631.754.9045 Maria Ryan, Director [email protected] Mary Ellen Pisano, Assistant [email protected]
Music Coordinator Deirdre Kupka Come Pray With Us Facilities Paul Kupka
This abbreviated bulletin has been issued for our website to ensure parishioners have the most current information. ~ Our Lady Queen of Martyrs ~
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At this writing the election still has not been decided, but I ask you to join with me in praying for whomever will be selected to be our President. Regardless of who you voted for, let us pray that our President will be a person to bring our Country together and help us move forward in peace.
This coming week our parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Henning. Our Teens have been waiting patiently for this day and I invite you to pray with me for them and their families as they receive this amazing gift of the Holy Spirit. Someone recently asked me why we offer this Sacrament now? Why as a Teen? What better moment is there when our young people are about to embark on their adult life? Over the next several years our kids will be asked to make some of the most important choices of their adult life; school, career, a mate as well as a thousand other lesser but important choices. What better time for a fuller share of God’s Spirit to help them in these most difficult decisions! So, let us pray for them. Come Holy Spirit, give them your wisdom, your courage, your hope, your love and open their hearts to your presence that they know how much they are loved by God and how God yearns to be part of their lives! Amen! Beyond Confirmation, its also Thanksgiving time and the Christmas Holidays are around the corner. As is our tradition here at OLQM, our annual Pie Sale to benefit others is underway. This year Copenhagen Bakery will be assisting us. All of the proceeds from this year’s Pie Sale will support Homeless Outreach Project which helps feed and provide for the homeless in our community. They provide meals, toiletries, clothes and supplies. Many of the people who take advantage of these services are also supported by HIHI – the Huntington Initiative for the Homeless. Please support this program by buying your pie for your table and helping us help others. Order forms are available at the doors of the church and a PDF is available from the Parish Website Parish Social
~ All Are Welcome ~ Ministry section. All Orders should be returned with payment to the Parish Social Ministry Office. Thank you!
On to our Gospel….
Jesus gives us the parable of the wise and foolish virgins who await the arrival of the bridegroom. In Jesus’ day, it was a custom for the young unwed women of the community to act as “maids of honor” for the Bride. They would wait into the night with their lamps lit to greet the Groom and his entourage who would come to claim his betrothed. It was a joyous occasion that would be followed by much feasting. At this particular wedding in the parable some of the young women come prepared with enough oil to last the night and some come unprepared and as a result their lamps go out before the Groom’s arrival. The foolish virgins – are really foolish- they go out in the middle of the night seeking to buy oil, (silly girls, who is open at that hour?) and wind up missing the arrival of the bridegroom. Now this is part of the exaggeration on Jesus part that makes this parable almost comical. No one would go out in the middle of the night looking for a place to by oil. There was no Walmart or 24-hour convenience stores. Those silly girls would have been wandering around in the dark all night and wind up missing everything.
The point Jesus is trying to make is that we need to be prepared. Sometimes we go through life running, running, running all the time. So much so, that we feel exhausted and never accomplish anything. We go about unprepared to meet life’s challenges and in the end, feel like a bit of flotsam floating along aimlessly. Life needs preparation. The philosopher Socrates is quoted as saying that the, “Unexamined life is not worth living.” And yet isn’t that often how our lives turn out? Jesus challenges us to stop, take the time to put things in order and be prepared. We need to set our priorities and then follow through on them. In light of this, Jesus wants us to make heaven first on our list of priorities. And yet, how often do we think about heaven? For that matter, how often do we think about being holy – YES, HOLY. Holiness is not reserved for Saints, or blessed objects. You and I are called to be holy. We were consecrated in our Baptism. The problem is that we never think of ourselves that way. Instead we see our sins or our failures and wind up settling for less than we were consecrated to be. Holiness needs thought, time and preparation. Just like a runner, or a maid waiting in the night for the groom to arrive, we need to STOP and think about where we are going and how to get there. It’s all about the choices we make and how determined we are to cross that finish line or be at that party we call heaven! As always, God leaves that in our hands.
Question for the week: Where do you find the wisdom to live your life clearly and with determination? How do you prepare yourself to meet the Lord every day?
Peace, Fr. Steve ~ Schedule of Masses ~
Parking Reminder: If you plan to leave your car to sit outside, PLEASE PARK IN OUR MAIN PARKING LOT and walk with your chair to the Sacred Space. If you have a passenger who is unable to walk that distance,please drop them off at the Sacred Space and then go to park your car. The parking spaces in the lower Church Our regular weekend Mass schedule has resumed, lot adjacent to the however, the outdoor Mass will now be celebrated at Sacred Space should 10:00 am rather than 8:00 am, weather permitting. be reserved for those who wish to remain in their cars and The 8:00 am Mass will now be celebrated in the church. listen to the Mass on their car radio. For the outdoor Masses, you have the option to “drive in” and remain in Those who remain your car, parked at the edge of the parking lot, facing the Sacred Space, in their cars for or bring your own chairs and a radio or boom box to tune into the Mass, which will be broadcast on 105.3 FM. This allows you to safely participate Mass and wish with proper social distancing. to receive Holy Communion,please Saturday morning Masses will resume on put your car lights Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 am with Confessions to follow on after Mass has immediately after Mass. We will not be offering afternoon Confessions at concluded, and OLQM, however Confessions are being offered on Saturday afternoons at the celebrant will St. Philip Neri Parish at 4:00 PM. bring Communion to you after those Father Steve will continue to video Mass for those who are not ready to return. seated outside have One thing that we request, regardless of which Mass you attend, is that you please received. wear a mask, and bring gel to sanitize your hands as you prepare to receive Communion. ~ Praying For and Supporting One Another ~ Mass intentions PRAYER REQUESTS DATE TIME OFFERED FOR et us especially remember those who have asked for our prayers. 11/7 5:00 PM Louis R. Ferrara L All Souls Novena
11/8 8:00 AM Kay Mollica Sister Eileen Corcoran Jean Snyder All Souls Novena Alaya Wright Marianne Fiore Daniel Smalley Baby Elizabeth Merz 10:00 AM Virginia Pinkert Ann Lawshe Wrede Family Brian Pryor Robert Simkins Lauren Redman Pamela Daly Terry McAdam Peggy Clelland Joseph Peter Giordano Tom Staib George Noke Ed Gradel All Souls Novena Vinny Luparello Vince DeSimone 12:00 PM Janet Pavlica Cynthia Giordano Charlie Leonhardt All Souls Novena Cora Nemesh Lynne Johnson Stephanie Pietrowski Charlene Sutton 11/9 12:00 PM Andrew & Mary Pavlica Jan Miller Wolfgang White All Souls Novena Maria Villafane Dennis Patrick Vito Agosta Bobbi Ryan 11/10 12:00 PM Howard Jaeckel Josephine Amadio Mary Kate Ryan All Souls Novena Katelyn Gregorie Chris Vedder Peggy Zohorsky 11/11 9:00 AM All Souls Novena Jeff Bracy Helen Larkin Sandra Reda 11/12 12:00 PM In Honor of St. Jude Don Bright Roseanne Tomlison - 20th Anniversary Mary Manelski Tommy Mazur Leonard Lattanzi - 1st Anniversary Patricia Mazur Owen Kenny Christine Spalletta Isabelle Grenier Annemarie Cherry 11/13 No Daily Mass on Friday Charlotte Stuertz 11/14 9:00 AM Anne Hornik Corrinne Brooks 5:00 PM Jack Naughton on his birthday
11/15 8:00 AM Danilo deSoto
10:00 AM Peter Mitchell & James Grant Gerald McLaughlin
12:00 PM Elizabeth Udziela Pray for the peaceful rest of all of our beloved parishioners and friends especially Kacie Buchanan,Tony Millon and Margaret Melia. ~ 38th Annual Msgr. Joseph F. Colligan ~
Thank you to all who supported our virtual Golf Outing this year! It was a tremendous success, raising over $90, 000 for the parish. Your generosity enables us to continue to provide the many programs and ministries that support both our parish and our community.
Special Sponsors Virtual Golfers Tee & Green Sponsors
Heroes Sponsorships Jan Fantozzi Gellerman Orthodontics Package All Robert Warburgh East Neck Nursing & Nolan Funeral Home David Borg Rehabilitation Center Carillon Nursing & John & Ellen Rieger Joe Carillo Cliff Hotte Rehabilitation Center Warriors Sponsorships Mike De Pirro Upper East Side Nursing & Rich & Grace D’Amato Michael Dooley Rehabilitation Morningside Nursing & Matchbox Thomas Dooley Stephen Dooley Rehabilitation Margaret Ames JOPAL
Lifesavers Sponsorships Richard Griffiths Prospect Acquisition M. A. Connell Funeral Home Steve Hoey LI Script Joe & Barbara Siniscalchi Ernest Vomero Salem Ridge Advisory Mary Jane Keegan Erik Zetterstrom Centerport Automotive Mario Conti John & Donna Paci Caregivers Sponsorships Kevin Burns Virginia Hotte Michael & Kim McCarthy Andy Levinson Brueggemann Funeral Louis & Carolyn Lucido Frank Savelli Bella Vita Gifts Quality A/C & Heating Tom Timchek The Dooley Family - Detroit Team Ammirati Bob Ryan Ernest and Angela Vomero Anita and Nick Sudano James P. Flaherty Family Dr. Scott Coyne & Family George Lambert The Giusto Family Randy & Susan Howard Richard D’Amato David and Ana Scudellari Bruce Sternemann & Dan Drance Max Rose Mary Halston-Sternemann Nick Sudano The Dignam Family Art Digman M.A. Connell Funeral Home Nick Berghela Kathleen Tomlinson Kathleen Tomlinson Margaret Stolworthy ~ Virtual Golf Outing ~ Congratulations to our raffle and auction winners!
Paul Tesoriero Joe Siniscalchi Chris Pujois Sean Anderson Nina Doherty Steve White Ellen Rieger Nick Berghela Joe Mollica Mike Nawrocki George Lambert Mike Forman Rob Gartner Marina DeVito Larry Travaglia Elizabeth Cross Pam Sullivan We are most grateful to all of our parishioners who supported the Outing through the purchase of tickets for our cash raffle, our raffle baskets and our amazing auction items.
Please remember to support our local businesses and merchants who so generously donate their goods and services to our annual Outing. Thank you!
Oakwood Road Nursery Image Arts Value Drugs Copenhagen Bakery Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate Besito Restaurant Planet Fitness The Shed San Giacomo Trattoria Ballo Restaurant The Vanderbilt Planetarium Fortunoff Pace’s Steak House Kumon Learning Center Ruvo Restaurant Bella Vita Gifts Carl’s Main Street Centerport Automotive
A special thank you to those who supported our Field of Heroes in honor of our healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers. Tilly Scida Ernest and Angela Vomero James Fantozzi Tom Dooley Mike De Pirro Mary Ann Lind Charlotte Rhee Jackie Hengen Dennis & Rita Gallagher Maureen O’Brien Nanci DeSantis Harold Hoffman Joan Tartaglia Maggie Burke Quality Air Conditioning & Heating Mark Cuthbertson Karen Calabro Susan Cammarota Michael Nocera Bob Carillo Virginia Hotte Mike Forman Joy Hyde Patrick Melia Liz Madigan Nick Berghela, Jr. Nina Doherty Kathleen Sullivan Rich D’Amato Margaret Stolworthy John & Ellen Rieger Frank & Claudine Fiore Stephen Dooley Mary Seligmann Thanksgiving Pie Sale Starting the last week of October!
Proceeds will support the Homeless Outreach and Parish Social Ministry which assists those in need in our surrounding community.
All delicious pies are made by Copenhagen Bakery and are perfect for holiday entertaining!
This year’s pie selection includes: Sweet Pies: Apple Crumb Pie Apple Double Crust Pie Blueberry Crumb Pie Cherry Crumb Pie Pecan Pie Pumpkin Pie Raspberry-Peach Pie Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Coconut Custard Pie Sugar-free Apple Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake Apple Granny Tart Peach Granny Tart
Additional Choices: Banana Bread Pumpkin Nut Bread Assorted Cookie Platter
Pick up a Pie Sale order form in the church vestibule, choose your pies, and return the form along with payment to the Parish Social Ministry office mailbox by Wednesday, November 18th. Pie pick-up will be Tuesday, November 24th. Details to follow.
Questions about pies, breads, gluten-free or nut-free orders, please contact Maria Ryan at 631-754-9045 or email her at [email protected].
OUR LADY QUEEN OF MARTYRS
Thanksgiving Pie Sale All proceeds will support the Homeless Outreach and Parish Social Ministry which assists those in need in our surrounding community.
Return this order form along with payment to the Parish Social Ministry office mailbox by Wednesday, November 18th. Pie pick-up will be Tuesday, November 24th. Details to follow
Please make checks payable to OLQM PSM
Name: ______Phone: ______Email: ______
Cash/Check (please circle one) Check number:______
List of Sweet Pies Quantity Price Total
Apple Crumb Pie 9” $17
Apple Double Crust Pie 9” $17
Blueberry Crumb Pie 9” $17
Cherry Crumb Pie 9” $17
Pecan Pie 9” $17
Pumpkin Pie 9” $17
Raspberry-Peach Pie 9” $17
Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie 9” $17
Coconut Custard Pie 9” $17
Sugar Free Apple Pie 9” $17
Pumpkin Cheesecake 6” $17
Apple Granny Tart 9” $19
Peach Granny Tart 9” $19
Additional Choices
Banana Nut Bread $9
Pumpkin Nut Bread $9
Assorted Cookie Platter – 1 ½ lb. $25
Allergy and nut/gluten-free item Information
available upon request
Total Number of Items: TOTAL COST:
All delicious pies are made by Copenhagen Bakery and are perfect for holiday entertaining! Questions about pies, breads, Gluten-free or nut-free orders, please contact Maria Ryan at 631-754-9045 or email her at [email protected].
Bag Sunday – Pick up this weekend! Be sure to pick up a bag in the vestibule of the church after each Mass or at the St. Gabriel Altar (after the 10am Mass) this weekend, November 7th & 8th.
The bags will have an itemized list attached of the most needed pantry items for those in need. (You will notice some additional items added to the list this year as the needs have changed due to the pandemic).
Shop for any of those items and return the bags to the Parish Social Ministry office porch by the weekend of November 14th and 15th.
These items will be distributed to those in need along with a turkey and Thanksgiving bag provided by the Hibernians the weekend of November 21st.
For questions, please contact Maria Ryan at [email protected] or call the Parish Social Ministry office at 631-754-9045.
Adopt-a-Family
and the
Giving Tree
The holiday season can be a challenging time of year for many in our community. Thanks to the generosity of our community leaders and parishioners, we continue to provide assistance and comfort in various ways.
The Adopt-a-Family program allows us to anonymously match individuals and groups from our faith community with families in need.
For many of these families, your assistance, during the Giving Season and time of this pandemic, provides them with the understanding that they are part of a community that cares.
If you would like to adopt a family in need, please contact Maria Ryan at 631-754-9045 or email her at [email protected] ______The Giving Tree Starts the weekend of November 28th & 29th!
Stop by the vestibule of the church and take an 'ornament' that identifies a gift card needed to help someone in our parish. Please note that due to the pandemic, we will not have a sign-out sheet and gifts do not need to be wrapped. We ask that you place the ornament tag and gift in the designated box (in the church vestibule) or drop it in the Parish Social Ministry office mailbox during business hours. Gift cards can also be mailed to our office.
Gifts are due back by the weekend of December 19th & 20th.
Sign up mid-November to provide the components of a Christmas meal in a basket for a family in need. Call the Parish Social Ministry office at 631-754-9045 or email Maria Ryan at [email protected] for more details.
Christmas food baskets are due back by December 21st. ~For Your Information ~
GIRL SCOUT PRAY Mass & Priest Schedule at AND PLAY DAY OLQM This year’s Girl Scout Pray and Play Day Saturday, November 7, 2020 will be a virtual meeting on 5:00 pm Father Collins - Zoom. Deacon John preaching The theme is “House of God” and the presentation and activities are designed to increase each girl’s knowledge about God’s Sunday, November 8, 2020 house. It will be on Saturday, November 14, 8:00 am Father Tri 2020, from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM. 10:00 am Father Tri - Deacon Lou preaching 12:00 pm Father Steve -Deacon Lou preaching The cost is $5.00 for the patch and craft supplies and registration and payment can be made on the DRVC website: https://www. drvc.org/scouting/. Young Adult Community in Greenlawn The registration deadline is 11/7/20. St. Francis Assisi Church Basement
29 Northgate Drive
Greenlawn, NY 11740
Note: All meetings are in-person and zoom will be available for the highlighted. We also do nightly Rosary at 9PM which is done via zoom.
Zoom: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/3456337563
November Schedule: 11/11: 7:30 PM Prepare your mass 11/13: 7:30 PM Discussion of the Holy Eucharist with Fr. Bissex 11/18: 7:30 PM Intro to the morning pages with guest speaker Barbra Campbell 11/20: 7:30 PM Mass and Friendsgiving potluck 11/25 7:30 PM Lectio Divina 11/27 7:00 PM Mens Group Parish offices will be closed on Wednesday,
November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day. e-mail: [email protected] Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am. ~~ BillBill Ayres:Ayres: ReflectionsReflections onon thethe ReadingsReadings ~~ THE THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
NOVEMBER 8, 2020
A reading from the book OF Wisdom No one knows who the author of the Book of Wisdom was or if there were several authors. We do know that it was written in Greek only about 50 years before the birth of Jesus for the Jewish community in Alexandria to give them hope in the midst of persecution. Interestingly, wisdom is portrayed as a woman, a God like figure giving advice and comfort to the people. “Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” We all need wisdom that goes beyond mere knowledge of facts into a deeper level of knowing. We often refer to this special level of wisdom when we say, “She was very wise for her age.” “He is a wise old soul.” Wisdom is a gift that comes to us at different times through many sources. Do you believe in your own wisdom? How does it help you at important times in your life? From whom do you seek wisdom? Who are your go-to wisdom sources, not necessarily the most intelligent people but folks who have life- teaching wisdom? Do you pray for wisdom, especially during difficult times or situations that call for you to make hard decisions? The Holy Spirit within you will answer those prayers. Wisdom is never far away if you seek it with an open heart.
Responsorial Psalm: “My soul is thirsting for you my God.” “For you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.” The author of the Psalms lived in a desert area where water was both a necessity and a gift. Thirsting for God was a term that every desert sharing people could identify with. Think of a time when you were really thirsty. How did it feel and how did it also feel when you finally had that drink of water? Your soul and mine thirst for God but most of the time we do not realize it until we are in need or when we are struck by the awesomeness of creation or the challenges of our lives.
A reading from the FIRST LETTER OF SAINT paul to the thessalonians We Christians believe in a life after death. Paul did as well and here he wants to say it clearly to his beloved people, the Thessalonians. “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve, like the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
It is a great blessing to believe that our loved ones are alive in the peace and loving embrace of our loving God, that they have been forgiven, healed and now live again in a whole new life. Do you believe that for them and for your- self? Do you truly believe that heaven is not some dream or something made up but rather a new level of reality for all of us no matter who we are? We cannot gain heaven by our deeds alone. It is a gift that God offers to us and like all gifts we need to accept it and live our life here in thankfulness for this greatest of gifts.
A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew
This is a very difficult Gospel passage to understand. There are many different views as to who these foolish and wise virgins are supposed to represent. The one constant theme that most scholars agree on is the need to be vigilant, not to take anything for granted, stay on the right course, keep faith in the midst of challenges to health, loss of loved ones and declining power. We never know when we will be called but we do know that the call is from our loving God who will embrace us.
“Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor.” -Pope Francis
This Veterans Day, Help us Support A Place to Call Home
Charles spent 17 years deployed at military bases throughout the world. Returning home after an inciden t involving nerve gas, he began struggling with debilitating bouts of anxiety and depression.
His circumstances worsened and he couldn’t maintain a steady job. Charles moved in with his mother, but within a year she died and his childhood home went into foreclosure.
Catholic Charities’ Project Veterans’ Independence , which guides homeless veterans into permanent housing so they can live independently and have access to support networks that get them back on their feet, reached out and helped Charles.
“I was out of the service, out of a family, out of a job and out of a home. Catholic Charities found me and helped me to not only find a place to live - but they helped me to turn my life around.” - Charles, honorably discharged US Veteran
Please consider donating to the Appeal and making a difference in someone’s life. Thank you!
To make a donation, you can also visit https://www.drvc.org/CMA or call us at 516-678-5800 ext. 296. ------Make checks payable to: Catholic Ministries Appeal
Parish ______Pledge: $______
Name ______Down payment: $______
Address______
City, State, Zip: ______
Phone: ______Signature: ______Date:______“Our tainted nature’s solitary boast”
Celebration of Mary Journey to the Heart of Mary through Theology, Spirituality and the Arts
Sunday 9:30 am
December 6 to
2020 3:00 pm
9:30 am Registration & Coffee
10:00 am Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist
11:15 am Theology & Spirituality of Mary Bishop Richard G. Henning
12:15 pm Lunch
1:15 pm Beauty of Mary Rev. Paul Anel
2:30 pm Joy of Mary Recitation of the Rosary and Reflection on Select Ave Maria Vocal Pieces Msgr. Charles Fink
Attendance Limited due to Covid-19 Restrictions “First come, first served!” Reservations Required - $50 per Guest Guests must wear masks!
631 423-0483 x 102 [email protected]
Sponsored by The Friends of the Seminary SSSEMINARY OF THE IIIMMACULATE CCCONCEPTION 440 West Neck Road, Huntington, NY www.icseminary.edu