THE TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 ST. JOSEPH‘S GREENWICH, NY

Readings for the Week Our Mass intentions this week: Sept 21- Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 & Matthew 9:9-13 For John Farndell Sept 22- Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13 & Luke 8:19-21 Req. by Peg & Herschel Polley Sept 23- Proverbs 30:5-9 & Luke 9:1-6 For Kitty Burgess Sept 24- Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 & Luke 9:7-9 Req. by Amelia Bounds Sept 25- Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 & Luke 9:18-22 Sept 26- Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8 & Luke 9:43b-45 Sun Sept 27- Ezekiel 18:25-28 & Philippians 2:1- 11 & Matthew 21:28-32

Please join us at St. Joseph’s on Sunday morning. Sunday Mass From St. Joseph’s Church on The church is safe and clean. Families can sit together. YouTube Individuals are seated with appropriate social distancing. Even though the church is open for a limited It’s time to come back! number of parishioners to attend Mass, we will continue to broadcast the Sunday Mass on Last Sunday’s Attendance: YouTube. Total attendance: 56 The weekly Mass can be found on YouTube at Reservations: 38 www.tinyurl.com/SJG-liturgies. The times of the Walk-ins: 6 broadcast will be Sunday at 10 a.m. No Shows: 1 Ministry team included in total attendance: (Fr. Ed, The Mass Readings for Sunday, Sept 20th ushers, lectors, music, etc.): 13

1st Reading: The Book of the Prophet Isaiah: 55:6-9 **Change in call-in days and Responsorial Psalm: 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 times* “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.” WE REQUEST THAT YOU CALL IN FOR nd 2 Reading: RESERVATIONS FOR MASS, EVEN IF YOU HAVE St. Paul to the Philippians: 1L20c-24, 27a BEEN HERE EVERY WEEK. Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. *Thursday 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. A Spiritual Communion Prayer *Friday 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Call the parish office – 518-692-2159 Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Your Gifts of Treasure Since I cannot, at this time, receive You sacramentally, Mailed in or Drop off to the Rectory come spiritually into my heart. August 23 and August 30 together I embrace You as if You were already there and unite Our mailbox has become our Collection Basket! myself wholly unto You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Regular Sunday Collection: $4119.00

Amen Other totals Maintenance: $572.00 Catholic University $ 40.00 Assumption $ 20.00 Heating/Air Conditioning $ 50.00 Catholic Home Missions $ 20.00 Cemetery $262.00 Catholic Newspaper (Evangelist) $ 10.00

As Always, we say -Thank You

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH GREENWICH, NEW YORK

Just a Word to Carry Birthright Needs Other Assistance Also with You In celebration of Respect Life Month in October, Birthright conducts the Baby Bottle Boomerang at Thoughts on Prayer from the area churches. Empty baby bottles are distributed and Dominican Retreat & Conference just like well-tossed boomerangs, they come back to Center Birthright with checks, bills, and Do you have one thing that reminds you that God is with coins. Unfortunately, we are unable to host the Baby you? Or maybe a special message that you need to hear Bottle Boomerang this year due to the coronavirus often? Some might call this a touchstone or a touchstone pandemic. In support of the pregnant women that we experience. Since we can’t physically see God, sometimes serve, would you kindly consider participating in this a particular object or symbol can remind us of an major fundraiser through the mail? Mailing address experience we have had or that message. For some, a is Birthright, 1490 Saratoga Road, PO Box 661, rainbow is a message of hope, for others a butterfly reminds then that they are precious in God’s eyes. Ballston Spa, NY 12020. If you wish to make a gift Symbols are an important part of our prayer. in honor of a special individual, include the name and address with your donation. We will then mail a Here are some ways to pray with symbols: beautifully designed card to the person being Think about what symbol is an important reminder to honored. A memorial card can also be mailed to a you of God’s presence to you. Is there a special message family who has lost a loved one. The needs of the it represents? Take some time to remember how that young pregnant women we serve is ongoing. We are connection started. there for them because YOU are there for Pay attention to how many times you notice that symbol Birthright. Thank you for sharing your love for life as you go about your day. with Birthright.”

Perhaps you have that symbol as a small item. You might Congratulations to the boys and girls who want to carry it about with you in your pocket this celebrated their First Communion on Saturday, week. Perhaps it is not a pocket type object, but you can September 19 put that object or a picture of the symbol in your prayer space. The coronavirus may have delayed things, but it could not

prevent last year's second graders from finally gathering Pray with that symbol, look at it or hold it. around the table of the lord - figuratively - to tase and see Remember how it connects you to God – and say a the goodness of the Lord when they were finally able to prayer of thanks for God’s special reminder to receive the precious Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus you! Be well and be at peace! Christ at their First Holy Communion. Regrettably, due to the continued anti-virus restrictions our entire parish Special Collection Next Weekend for the Catholic family was unable to join in this celebration, these little University of America ones took their next step into the , Apropos to this weekend’s Catholic education theme it is receiving their second sacrament of Christian Initiation. fitting to announce that next weekend – September 26 & Next weekend, I hope to conclude the seemingly never 27 – we will be taking up the annual, special collection for ending "Who do you say that I am" series in honor of their the national Catholic University of America located in first communion by focusing on Jesus being the Bread of Washington DC. Your gift will help CUA students who go Life. on to serve the nation and transform the world. Catholic Stephen Mawn, Interim Parish Administrator U serves and parishes through innovative research initiatives and training programs, such as the Catholic Project – an initiative that aims to heal the breach of trust many have experienced as a result of the current crisis in the Church, an online Child Protection Certificate Program, a Master’s program in Ecclesiastical Administration and Management, and a credentialing program that prepares recent graduates to serve as campus ministers. Please be as generous as possible.

THE TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 ST. JOSEPH‘S CATHOLIC PARISH GREENWICH, NY

FROM THE INTERIM PARISH ADMINISTRATOR the Greek word meaning “to echo”. All those who teach "Who do you say that I am?" V: I Received in the Church’s name and about Jesus by the way we live, from the Lord what I also Handed on to You are repeating what had been given to them.

Over a month ago we heard Jesus ask the question, “Who For many decades now the Catholic Church here in the do you say that I am?” and as readers of our weekly United States has observed “Catechetical Sunday” on the bulletin know, that led me to a multi-week, ongoing third Sunday of September. It is a day when we reflection on how we might answer that question today. remember and celebrate the gift that catechists give to With this Sunday being Catechetical Sunday here in the their parish communities by volunteering their time for United States, I will take the opportunity of last week’s the education of children. The day is an important installment (“Jesus, the Teacher”) to digress slightly to opportunity to celebrate those who do this important work consider the role of catechists in the Church today. of handing on the faith, and an opportunity for all of us Catholics to consider ways we witness for Jesus Christ In last week’s reflection, Jesus was described as “the ourselves. Master Teacher” as he preached the Good News of the Gospel. But that was nearly two thousand years ago. How Each year, Catechetical Sunday has a unique theme. The do we, his modern-day disciples, come to find the Lord? 2020 Catechetical Sunday theme is rooted in Sacred Six years ago, Francis offered an answer: Scripture. It comes from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians: “I Received from the Lord what I also … no one, no one becomes a Christian on his own. If we Handed on to You.” He is talking about echoing what he believe, if we are able to pray, if we know the Lord and received, repeating it so others could hear the Good News can listen to His Word, if we feel Him close and recognize and believe in the Lord. And while catechesis may be a him in the brethren, it is because others, before us, lived distinct and special ministry in the Church, this year, the faith and then transmitted it. We have received the especially, as we deal with the coronavirus pandemic, we faith from our parents, from our forbearers, and they must also remember the special role of parents and other have taught it to us. If we think well, perhaps how many guardians in passing on the faith. dear ones pass before our eyes at this moment: it might be the face of our parents who asked for for us; Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. that of our grandparents or of some relatives who taught They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. us to make the sign of the cross and to recite our first And now, with virtual faith formation classes their role as prayers. I always remember the face of the Sister who Catholic educators and role models become even more taught me the catechism, it always comes to my mind – important than ever. So on Catechetical Sunday, we not she is in Heaven, I’m sure, because she was a holy woman only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and – but I remember her always and I thank God for this schools, but also commend parents, grandparents and Sister. Or the face of the parish priest, of another priest, guardians and encourage them to take seriously their role of a Sister, of a catechist who transmitted to us the of making their Catholic households a place where faith is content of the faith and made us grow as Christians … passed on to the next generation. Truly, we have all been See, this is the Church: a great family, in which we are called to hand on to others that which we received from received and learn to live as believers and disciples of the the Lord (through others). Lord Jesus…. If you have any questions regarding our parish’s faith When parents bring their child to the Church for baptism, formation efforts, please contact Maryann Kelleher at the Church says that it will stand with them, that it will [email protected]. help them teach their child about Jesus Christ and his Church. But that “Church” is not a building made of - Stephen Mawn, Interim Parish Administrator stones, rather it is the , truly their brothers and sisters in Christ through Baptism While some of us may be like the Holy Father, remembering a priest or sister who helped us learn the faith, many of us, either through “catechism class”, also known as a “C.C.D.”, “school of religion”, or nowadays a “Faith Formation” program, came face to face with a catechist. A catechist is anyone who teaches the Catholic faith and shares the Church’s teachings. The word “catechesis” comes from