The Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C/ February 17, 2019~~ Sexto domingo de tiempo ordinario, Ano C/ 17 de febrero del 2019 Church of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady 1510 East 233rd Street Bronx, New York 10466

Parish Clergy SCHEDULE Rev. Onyeihe, Administrator Sunday: English 10:00 am Rev. George Kuhn, Sunday Mass Associate Spanish 11:30 am Pastoral Staff Igbo 1:00pm Edna Augusta, Religious Education Coordinator Weekdays: 7:00am Sacrament of Matrimony Saturday: 9:00 am (followed by Eucharistic A minimum of 6 months is required to begin the process of Adoration and The Holy Rosary) the Sacrament of Matrimony. Please call the rectory to set up a meeting with the priest to discuss the process. Dates are not Rectory (Rectoria) Office Hours/ Horario de Oficina: reserved by phone contact. Monday-Fridays: 9am-1pm Lunes-Viernes: 9am-1pm Sacrament of (for Infants): Parents must be active members of our Parish and are Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) required to attend one session of baptismal instruction held on Saturdays: After the 9:00am Mass Tuesdays from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Please call the rectory to Sundays: After the 10:00am and 11:30am Masses make the necessary arrangements. Call the rectory outside the scheduled time. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Weekly Prayer Groups Please notify the rectory when a family member is sick to set Wednesdays/Miercoles: 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Spanish/Espanol) up regular communion visits. Thursdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm (English)

Nativity of Our Blessed Lady Rectory Nativity of Our Blessed Lady Convent Nativity of Our Blessed Lady School 1531 East 233rd St. Bronx, N.Y. 10466 1534 East 233rd St Bronx, N.Y. 10466 3893 Dyre Ave, Bx., N.Y. 10466 Office: (718) 324-3531 Office: (718) 324-2188 Fax: (718) 798-0628 School Website: Parish Email Address: Parish Website: www.nativityofourblessedlady.org [email protected] www.nativityofourblessedladychurch.org

6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C) 

Weekly Readings and Memorials Please Pray for the sick: Sunday, February 17, 2019 Angela Aguilar, Ángel Alejandro, Rafaelina Almonte; Readings: (JER 17:5-8; 1 COR 15:12, 16-20; LK 6:17, 20-26) Elvin Alvarado, Carmen Ávila, 10:00AM- Anna & Andrew Vavrica (deceased) Angela Battle, Christopher Berger, Matthew Bell Req: Vavrica Family Brian Bernard, Miguel Borria, Kayshana Brown, Sgt. Tonia 11:30AM- Domingo Amador (+) Chestnut, Jorge Eduardo Carlo, Melissa Carroll-López, Lila Castro, Req: Lydia Meléndez-Santana Leon Daniels, Katy DeProspo Juan Pablo Espinoza, Miguel Felicies, Lori Figueroa, 1:00PM- Rosalina Flores, Rafael Flores, Timothy Georges, Maritza Gonzalez,

Christina Graham; Edith & Harvey Harris, Juana Jimenez, Valerie Monday, February 18, 2019 Johnson, Drosula Katsibra, Lisbeth Labral, Norma Lane, Manuel St. , /virgen LaSalle, Benjamin López, Martínez, Digna Meléndez, Herminia Meléndez, Analiza Miranda, Avelino Moreno, Eulalio Readings: (GN 4:1-15, 25; MK 8:11-13) Moreno, Juana Moreira, Nicole Niles, Gerri Orfei, Juana Becerra 7:00AM- Nelson & Irma Santiago (+) Maldonado and Family, Frank Porter, Justin Quirke, Sattee Req: Edna Augusta Ramkissoon, Armando Reyes, Deacon Andy Rivera, Maria Rivera, Antonia Rodríguez, Shanique Rollins, Eric Roman, Guillermina Tuesday, February 19, 2019 Rosario, Juan (Pete) Santiago, Ashley Steadman, Theresa Sylvan, Readings: (GN 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10; MK 8:14-21) Yelena Taveras, Adrienne Thomas, Ethan Robert Thomas, Maria Tobon, Victoria Torres, Cordelia Umeojiako, Andrew “Morris” 7:00AM- Vavrica, Marina Vázquez, Aníbal Vázquez, Iris Velásquez, Lucille Williams Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Readings: (GN 8:6-13, 20-22; MK 8:22-26) Please call the rectory to submit the name of an ill family 7:00AM- Marcelle Davis (+) member or friend. Req: Maureen Webb The Sanctuary Lamp Thursday, February 21, 2019 was donated for the Intentions of St. , bishop and Mary, Wendy, and Keneth White, Readings: (GN 9:1-13; MK 8:27-33) for the recovery of 7:00AM- Intentions of Tess Cuffy (birthday) Anne Daniels, Ashley Steadman & Elvin Alvarado Friday, February 22, 2019 Jennifer Martin Feast of the Chair of St. Peter In memory of Fiesta de la Cátedra de San Pedro, Apóstol Neville Nelson, Joan Revan & Readings: (1 PT 5:1-4; MT 16:13-19) Pearl Blake 7:00AM- Marcella Bullock, Leon Bullock, John Bullock, Jr., Saturday, February 23, 2019 St. / San Policarpo Readings: (HEB 11:1-7; MK 9:2-13) Parishioners’ Weekly Contributions 9:00AM- Violeta and John Taft (+) Req: Edna Augusta Collection Total Mass Times 10:00am $1,540.00

$561.75 11:30am

$573.00 1:00pm $2,674.75 Total

6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Actividades Actuales Children & Youth Rosary/ - Adoración Eucarística durante toda la noche cada Rosario con los niños y jóvenes primer viernes del mes, 7pm (viernes) hasta 6am (sábado). -Misa de Sanación, cada primer sábado del mes, 12pm (Mediodía) -Acompáñenos para Adoración Eucarística y a rezar el Santo Rosario los sábados, inmediatamente después de la Misa de las 9:00 am.

-La Sociedad del Rosario del Altar da la bienvenida a nuevos miembros. Para todas las damas interesadas por favor venga al rezo del santo rosario los sábados después de la Misa de 9:00am.

-El Grupo de Niños, cada dos semanas, los sábados de 12pm- Saturdays/sabados ~ 12pm 2pm en la iglesia. Todas edades están bienvenidos. Por favor rd contacte a Edna por más información, 917-346-5378. Next Rosary, Saturday, February 23 -Todos están invitados a asistir a las reuniones de El Grupo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ de Oración (en español) los miércoles de 7:00 a 9:00pm en la Nativity Parish Harvest 2018 Iglesia. Para más información por favor contacte a la Rectoría. Cosecha Parroquial 2018 -Grupo de Oración (en inglés) cada jueves a las 7:00pm en la iglesia. Pledged/Promesas: $56,022.08

Collected/Colectado: $47,791.08 On–Going Activity Reminders Outstanding/ Pendiente : $8,231.00 st -Monthly all-night Eucharistic Adoration every 1 Friday Number of Pledges/Numero de Promesas: of the month, 7pm (Friday) to 6am (Saturday). 169

-Monthly Healing Mass, every 1st Saturday if the Month- Thank you for your generosity and support of your parish! 12pm (noon) ! Gracias por su generosidad y apoyo a su parroquia!

-Join us for Weekly Eucharistic Adoration and to pray the Holy Rosary on Saturdays, immediately after the 9:00am Mass. Anuncio de Matrimonio - The Altar Rosary Society welcomes new members. Any ladies interested in joining this group, please come to Saturday prayer of the Rosary after the 9am Mass.

-Nativity Kids Group every 2 weeks, Saturdays 12pm-2pm in the church. All ages welcome! Please call Edna for more information, 917-346-5378

-Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group - Wednesdays, La Parroquia de La Natividad está feliz en anunciar 7:00PM-9:00PM. (For more information please contact the que Rectory. Dilia Hernandez

-Weekly Prayer Group (in English) Thursdays from Y 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the church. Ricardo Marine

Serán unidos en el Sacramento de Matrimonio -Weekly Movie Night, Mondays- 7pm-9pm in the church. El domingo, 24 febrero del 2019 a las 11:30am

Tercero Anuncio

6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  'It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Something Funny/ Algo Gracioso Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?' ( 8:21 “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.”) 'Very well, 'said the voice. The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed.

And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke: 'Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful, Amen.'

https://www.funny- jokes.com/months/funny_christian_jokes.htm#What_Price_a_Sermon_

El Ateo y el Ozo Un ateo estaba paseando en un hermoso bosque, admirando todo lo que veía. Pensaba lo siguiente: . - “¡Pero qué árboles tan majestuosos! ¡Qué poderosos ríos! ¡Qué bellos animales! ¡Cuántas cosas admirables creadas por la Nada todo productora!”.

A medida que caminaba, a lo largo del río, escuchó un ruido en los The Atheist and the Bear arbustos atrás de él. Se giró para mirar, y en ese preciso momento advirtió un corpulento oso caminando en su dirección. No se lo An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. 'What majestic pensó dos veces y salió corriendo lo más rápido que podía. Miró trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!', he said to por encima del hombro, y reparó que el oso estaba demasiado cerca. Aumentó la velocidad todo lo que pudo, pero era tanto su himself. miedo que las lágrimas le vinieron a los ojos y no pudiendo ver bien tropezó y cayó, rodó en el suelo, y desesperado intentó levantarse. As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in Sólo que el oso ya estaba sobre él, sujetándolo con su fuerte pata the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging izquierda y con la otra pata levantada para agredirlo ferozmente. towards him. En ese preciso momento, el ateo clamó: “¡Oh Dios mío!”. He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping Entonces el tiempo se paró. El oso quedó sin reacción. El bosque se frantically and he tried to run even faster. sumergió en silencio. A medida que una luz clara brillaba, una voz venía del cielo diciendo:.-“Tú negaste mi existencia durante todos He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up estos años, enseñaste a otros que yo no existía, y redujiste mi but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him. creación a un efecto de la Nada todoproductora. ¿Esperas acaso que yo te ayude a salir de este apuro? ¿Debo yo esperar que tengas verdadera fe, te arrepientas de tus pecados por amor a mí y At that instant the atheist cried out: 'Oh my God!...' reniegues de tu incredulidad?”.

Time stopped. El ateo miró directamente la luz y respondió: The bear froze. . The forest was silent. -“¡Sería, de hecho, hipócrita si te dijera que estoy arrepentido para que me favorezcas como si fuese un buen hombre católico o un It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice sincero pecador arrepentido, mas tal vez… puedas volver al oso en came out of the sky saying: un creyente en ti”.

-“Muy bien”, dijo la voz. 'You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect La luz desapareció. Los sonidos del bosque volvieron. Entonces, el me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a oso juntó sus dos patas delanteras, hizo una pausa, y dirigiendo su believer?' vista al cielo dijo las siguientes palabras: “Señor, bendice este alimento que ahora voy a comer. Amén”. The atheist looked directly into the light.

6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Reflections on Today’s Readings Matthew's Sermon on the Mount is addressed to the crowd. In keeping with this style, the Beatitudes in First Reading Luke's Gospel sound more personal than those in 17:5-8 Matthew's Gospel—Luke uses the article “you” whereas Put trust and hope in the Lord, not in human beings. Matthew uses “they” or “those.” There is also a difference in number: Matthew describes eight Responsorial Psalm beatitudes; Luke presents just four, each of which has a Psalm 1:1-4, 6 parallel warning. Blessed are those who follow the law of the Lord. The form of the Beatitudes found in Luke's and Second Reading Matthew's Gospel is not unique to Jesus. Beatitudes are 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 found in the Old Testament, such as in the Psalms and Our hope for resurrection is sure because Christ has in Wisdom literature. They are a way to teach about been raised from the dead. who will find favor with God. The word blessed in this Gospel Reading context might be translated as “happy,” “fortunate,” or Luke 6:17, 20-26 “favored.” Jesus teaches the crowd the way to happiness. As we listen to this Gospel, the Beatitudes jar our Background on the Gospel Reading sensibilities. Those who are poor, hungry, weeping, or persecuted are called blessed. This is, indeed, a Gospel Last Sunday we heard Jesus call Peter to be his . of reversals. Those often thought to have been Jesus then travels with Peter and the other disciples. forgotten by God are called blessed. In the list of Luke reports acts of healing (a person with leprosy and “woes,” those whom we might ordinarily describe as a paralytic man) and the call of Levi, the tax collector. blessed by God are warned about their peril. Riches, Jesus also replies to questions from the Pharisees possessions, laughter, reputation . . . these are not regarding fasting and the observance of the Sabbath. In things that we can depend upon as sources of eternal the verses immediately before today's gospel reading, happiness. They not only fail to deliver on their Jesus is reported to have chosen 12 men from among promise; our misplaced trust in them will lead to our his disciples to be apostles. Apostle is a Greek word that demise. The ultimate peril is in misidentifying the means “one who is sent.” source of our eternal happiness. Today's gospel reading is the beginning of what is often The Beatitudes are often described as a framework for called the Sermon on the Plain. We find a parallel to this Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be passage in Matthew 5:1-7,11 that is often called the first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of Sermon on the Mount. As these titles suggest, there are God. We are challenged to examine our present differences and similarities between these gospel situation in the context of our ultimate horizon, the readings. Kingdom of God.

When spoken from the mountaintop in Matthew's https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical- Gospel, we can't miss the impression that Jesus is year/sunday-connection/sixth-sunday-in-ordinary-time-c-sunday- speaking with the authority and voice of God. The connection mountaintop is a symbol of closeness to God. Those who ascend the mountain see God and speak for God; recall the story of and the Ten Commandments. As Luke introduces the location of Jesus' teaching, Jesus teaches on level ground, alongside the disciples and the crowd. Luke presents Jesus' authority in a different light. He is God among us.

Another distinction found in Luke's version is the audience. Luke's Sermon on the Plain is addressed to Jesus' disciples, although in the presence of the crowd; 6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  of the Week/ Santo de la Semana

St. Bernadette Soubirous (February 18th)

Bernadette Soubirous was born in 1844, the first child of an extremely poor miller in the town of Lourdes in southern France. The family was living in the basement of a dilapidated building when on February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a cave above the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. Bernadette, 14 years old, was known as a virtuous girl though a dull student who had not even made her first Holy Communion. In poor health, she had suffered from asthma from an early age.

Era la mayor de varios hermanos. Sus padres vivían en un sótano There were 18 appearances in all, the final one occurring on the húmedo y miserable, y el papá tenía por oficio botar la basura del feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16. Although Bernadette’s hospital. La niña tuvo siempre muy débil salud a causa de la falta initial reports provoked skepticism, her daily visions of “the Lady” de alimentación suficiente, y del estado lamentablemente pobre de brought great crowds of the curious. The Lady, Bernadette la habitación donde moraba. En los primeros años sufrió la explained, had instructed her to have a chapel built on the spot of enfermedad de cólera que la dejó sumamente debilitada. A causa the visions. There, the people were to come to wash in and drink of también del clima terriblemente frío en invierno, en aquella región, the water of the spring that had welled up from the very spot Bernardita adquirió desde los diez años la enfermedad del asma, where Bernadette had been instructed to dig. que al comprimir los bronquios produce continuos ahogos y falta de

respiración. According to Bernadette, the Lady of her visions was a girl of 16 or

17 who wore a white robe with a blue sash. Yellow roses covered Esta enfermedad la acompañará y la atormentará toda su vida. Al her feet, a large rosary was on her right arm. In the vision on March final de su existencia sufrirá también de tuberculosis. En ella se 25 she told Bernadette, “I am the .” It was cumplieron aquellas palabras de Jesús: "Mi Padre, el árbol que más only when the words were explained to her that Bernadette came quiere, más lo poda (con sufrimientos) para que produzca más to realize who the Lady was. frutos" (Jn. 15).

Few visions have ever undergone the scrutiny that these En Bernardita se cumplió aquello que dijo San Pablo: "Dios escoge a appearances of the Immaculate Virgin were subject to. Lourdes lo que no vale a los ojos del mundo, para confundir las vanidades became one of the most popular Marian shrines in the world, del mundo". Bernardita a los 14 años no sabía leer ni escribir ni attracting millions of visitors. Miracles were reported at the shrine había hecho la Primera Comunión porque no había logrado and in the waters of the spring. After thorough investigation, aprenderse el catecismo. Pero tenía unas grandes cualidades: Church authorities confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions in rezaba mucho a la Virgen y jamás decía una mentira. Un día ve 1862. unas ovejas con una mancha verde sobre la lana y pregunta al

papá: ¿Por qué tienen esa mancha verde? El papá queriendo During her life, Bernadette suffered much. She was hounded by the chancearse, le responde: "Es que se indigestaron por comer public as well as by civic officials until at last she was protected in a demasiado pasto". La muchachita se pone a llorar y exclama: convent of nuns. Five years later, she petitioned to enter the Sisters "Pobres ovejas, se van a reventar". Y entonces el señor Soubirous le of Notre Dame of Nevers. After a period of illness she was able to dice que era una mentirilla. Una compañera le dice: "Es necesario make the journey from Lourdes and enter the novitiate. But within ser muy tonta para creer que eso que le dijo su padre era verdad". Y four months of her arrival she was given the last rites of the Church Bernardita le responde: ¡Es que como yo jamás he dicho una and allowed to profess her vows. She recovered enough to become mentira, me imaginé que los demás tampoco las decían nunca! infirmarian and then sacristan, but chronic health problems

persisted. She died on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35. Desde el 11 de febrero de 1859 hasta el 16 de julio del mismo año,

la Sma. Virgen se le aparece 18 veces a Bernardita. Las apariciones Bernadette Soubirous was canonized in 1933. las podemos leer en detalle en el día 11 de febrero. Nuestra Señora Reflection le dijo: "No te voy a hacer feliz en esta vida, pero sí en la otra". Y así Millions of people have come to the spring Bernadette uncovered sucedió. La vida de la jovencita, después de las apariciones estuvo for healing of body and spirit, but she found no relief from ill health llena de enfermedades, penalidades y humillaciones, pero con todo there. Bernadette moved through life, guided only by blind faith in esto fue adquiriendo un grado de santidad tan grande que se ganó things she did not understand—as we all must do from time to enorme premio para el cielo. time.

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-bernadette-soubirous/ 6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Las gentes le llevaban dinero, después de que supieron que la Duró quince años de religiosa. Los primeros 6 años estuvo Virgen Santísima se le había aparecido, pero ella jamás quiso trabajando, pero fue tratada con mucha indiferencia por las recibir nada. Nuestra Señora le había contado tres secretos, que superioras. Después los otros 9 años padeció noche y día de dos ella jamás quiso contar a nadie. Probablemente uno de estos terribles enfermedades: el asma y la tuberculosis. Cuando llegaba el secretos era que no debería recibir dineros ni regalos de nadie y el invierno, con un frío de varios grados bajo cero, se ahogaba otro, que no hiciera nunca nada que atrajera hacia ella las miradas. continuamente y su vida era un continuo sufrir. Por eso se conservó siempre muy pobre y apartada de toda exhibición. Ella no era hermosa, pero después de las apariciones, Deseaba mucho volver a Lourdes, pero desde el día en que fue a sus ojos tenían un brillo que admiraba a todos. visitar la Gruta por última vez para irse de religiosa, jamás volvió por allí. Ella repetía: "Ah quién pudiera ir hasta allá, sin ser vista. Le costaba mucho salir a recibir visitas porque todos le Cuando se ha visto una vez a la Sma. Virgen, se estaría dispuesto a preguntaban siempre lo mismo y hasta algunos declaraban que no cualquier sacrificio con tal de volverla a ver. Tan bella es". creían en lo que ella había visto. Cuando la mamá la llamaba a atender alguna visita, ella se estremecía y a veces se echaba a Al llegar a la Comunidad reunieron a las religiosas y le pidieron que llorar. "Vaya ", le decía la señora, ¡tenga valor! Y la jovencita se les contara cómo habían sido las apariciones de la Virgen. Luego le secaba las lágrimas y salía a atender a los visitantes demostrando prohibieron volver a hablar de esto, y en los 15 años de religiosa ya alegría y mucha paciencia, como si aquello no le costara ningún no se le permitió tratar este tema. Son sacrificios que a los santos sacrificio. les preparan altísimo puesto en el cielo.

Para burlarse de ella porque la Virgen le había dicho que masticara Cuando ya le faltaba poco para morir, llegó un obispo a visitarla y unas hierbas amargas, como sacrificio, el sr. alcalde le dijo: ¿Es que le dijo que iba camino de Roma, que le escribiera una carta al Santo la confundieron con una ternera? Y la niña le respondió: ¿Señor Padre para que le enviara una bendición, y que él la llevaría alcalde, a usted si le sirven lechugas en el almuerzo? "Claro que sí" personalmente. Bernardita, con mano temblorosa, escribe: "Santo ¿Y es que lo confunden con un ternero? Todos rieron y se dieron Padre, qué atrevimiento, que yo una pobre hermanita le escriba al cuenta de que era humilde pero no era tonta. Sumo Pontífice. Pero el Sr. Obispo me ha mandado que lo haga. Le pido una bendición especial para esta pobre enferma". A vuelta del Bernardita pidió ser admitida en la Comunidad de Hijas de la viaje el Sr. Obispo le trajo una bendición especialísima del Papa y un Caridad de Nevers. Demoraron en admitirla porque su salud era crucifijo de plata que le enviaba de regalo el Santo Padre. muy débil. Pero al fin la admitieron. A los 4 meses de estar en la comunidad estuvo a punto de morir por un ataque de asma, y le El 16 de abril de 1879, exclamó emocionada: "Yo vi la Virgen. Sí, la recibieron sus votos religiosos, pero enseguida curó. vi, la vi ¡Que hermosa era!" Y después de unos momentos de silencio exclamó emocionada: "Ruega Señora por esta pobre En la comunidad hizo de enfermera y de sacristana, y después por pecadora", y apretando el crucifijo sobre su corazón se quedó nueve años estuvo sufriendo una muy dolorosa enfermedad. muerta. Tenía apenas 35 años. Cuando le llegaban los más terribles ataques exclamaba: "Lo que le pido a Nuestro Señor no es que me conceda la salud, sino que me A los funerales de Bernardita asistió una muchedumbre inmensa. Y conceda valor y fortaleza para soportar con paciencia mi ella empezó a conseguir milagros de Dios en favor de los que le enfermedad. Para cumplir lo que recomendó la Sma. Virgen, pedían su ayuda. Y el 8 de diciembre de 1933, el Santo Padre Pío ofrezco mis sufrimientos como penitencia por la conversión de los Once la declaró santa. pecadores". https://www.aciprensa.com/recursos/biografia-4511

Uno de los medios que Dios tiene para que las personas santas lleguen a un altísimo grado de perfección, consiste en permitir que les llegue la incomprensión, y muchas veces de parte de personas que están en altos puestos y que al hacerles la persecución piensan que con esto están haciendo una obra buena.

Bernardita tuvo por superiora durante los primeros años de religiosa a una mujer que le tenía una antipatía total y casi todo lo que ella hacía lo juzgaba negativamente. Así, por ejemplo, a causa de un fuerte y continuo dolor que la joven sufría en una rodilla, tenía que cojear un poco. Pues bien, la superiora decía que Bernardita cojeaba para que la gente al ver las religiosas pudiera distinguir desde lejos cuál era la que había visto a la Virgen. Y así en un sinnúmero de detalles desagradables la hacía sufrir. Y ella jamás se quejaba ni se disgustaba por todo esto. Recordaba muy bien la noticia que le había dado la Madre de Dios: "No te haré feliz en esta vida, pero sí en la otra".

6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Celebrating Black History American Runaway Slave- Month: Turned-Priest Moves Venerable Pierre Toussaint’s Story Closer to Born in modern-day Haiti and brought to New York City as a slave, Document on the life, virtue and alleged Pierre died a free man, a renowned hairdresser, and one of New York City’s most well-known Catholics. miracles of Father Augustus Tolton was unanimously approved by a Plantation owner Pierre Bérard made Toussaint a house slave and allowed his grandmother to teach her grandson how to read and Vatican committee. write. In his early 20s, Pierre, his younger sister, his aunt, and two CNA/EWTN News NATION | MAY. 14, 2018

other house slaves accompanied their master’s son to New York City because of political unrest at home. Apprenticed to a local hairdresser, Pierre learned the trade quickly and eventually worked — The first African-American priest in the very successfully in the homes of rich women in New York City. U.S. could become the country’s first African-American

When his master died, Pierre was determined to support himself, saint, as his cause took another step forward. his master’s widow, and the other house slaves. He was freed shortly before the widow’s death in 1807. A document summarizing the life, virtue and alleged

Four years later, he married miracles of Servant of God Father Augustus Tolton, known Marie Rose Juliette, whose as the , was freedom he had purchased. They later adopted Euphémie, his unanimously approved as orphaned niece. Both preceded historically correct by a Pierre in death. He attended committee of six Vatican daily Mass at St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street, the same officials this week, clearing parish that Saint Elizabeth Ann the way for the priest’s cause Seton had attended. for to continue Pierre donated to various moving forward. charities, generously assisting blacks and whites in need. He and his wife opened their home to orphans and educated them. The couple also nursed abandoned Bishop Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago and people who were suffering from yellow fever. Urged to retire and diocesan postulator for the Father Tolton cause, called the enjoy the wealth he had accumulated, Pierre responded, “I have approval a “very positive sign going forward” and noted its enough for myself, but if I stop working I have not enough for others.” significance for the African-American Catholic community. Pierre originally was buried outside St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, where he was once refused entrance because of his race. His sanctity and the popular devotion to him caused his body to be “Father Tolton lived during a particularly tumultuous time moved to the present location of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth in American history, especially for race relations,” Perry Avenue. said in an April 30 statement. Pierre Toussaint was declared Venerable in 1996. “He was a pioneer of his era for inclusiveness, drawing Reflection Pierre was internally free long before he was legally free. Refusing both blacks and whites to his parish in Quincy. However, to become bitter, he daily chose to cooperate with God’s grace, due to his race, he suffered discrimination and eventually becoming a compelling sign of God’s wildly generous condemnation. The beatification and canonization of love. Father Tolton will signal a significant milestone in the https://www.franciscanmedia.org/venerable-pierre-toussaint/ history of in the .” 6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Born in April 1, draped four-horse carriage. Children, priests and sisters left 1854, John Augustine Tolton the school, joining the procession heading towards the fled with his mother church.” and two siblings in 1862 by crossing the Mississippi River Hundreds waited at the local church, where people of all into Illinois. races knelt at the communion rail.

“John, boy, you’re free. Never Father Tolton served in Quincy before going to Chicago to forget the goodness of the start a parish for black Catholics. The new church was Lord,” Tolton’s mother told him after the crossing, named for St. Monica and opened in 1893. according to the website of St. Elizabeth’s Church in On July 9, 1897, Father Tolton collapsed during a hot day Chicago. and died from sunstroke at the age of 43. The young Tolton entered St. Peter’s Catholic School with His cause for canonization was officially launched in 2010, the help of the school’s pastor, Father Peter McGirr. Father and he was given the title “Servant of God” by the Vatican McGirr would later baptize him and instruct him for his in February 2011. The research phase of his cause first Holy Communion. Tolton was serving as an altar boy concluded on Sept. 29, 2014. by the next summer.

The next step in his cause for canonization will be in The priest asked Tolton if he would like to become a priest, February 2019, when a theological commission with the saying it would take 12 years of hard study. The excited Congregation for the Causes of will further boy then said they should go to church and pray for his investigate his life and virtue and consider granting him the success. title of “Venerable,” which must receive papal approval. After graduating from high school and Quincy College, he After that step, the cause would move forward toward began his ecclesiastical studies in because no beatification, for which a miracle through his intercession American seminary would accept him on account of his must be approved. race.

More information about Father Tolton can be found on the On April 24, 1886, he was ordained in Rome by Cardinal website for his cause: ToltonCanonization.org. Lucido Maria Parocchi, who was then the vicar general of Rome. Newspapers throughout the U.S. carried the story. http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/american-runaway-slave- turned-priest-moves-closer-to-beatification Father Tolton was ordained for the southern Illinois Diocese of Quincy. Upon his return in July 1886, he was greeted at the train station “like a conquering hero,” the website of St. Elizabeth’s parish says.

“Thousands were there to greet him, led by Father McGirr. A brass band played church songs and Negro spirituals. Thousands of blacks and whites lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the new priest wearing a black Prince Albert and a silk hat. People marched and cheered his flower- 6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Next Week’s Readings so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1 1 SM 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Reading 21 COR 15:45-49 In those days, Saul went down to the desert of Ziph Brothers and sisters: with three thousand picked men of Israel, It is written, The first man, , became a living being, to search for in the desert of Ziph. the last Adam a life-giving spirit. So David and Abishai went among Saul’s soldiers by night But the spiritual was not first; and found Saul lying asleep within the barricade, rather the natural and then the spiritual. with his spear thrust into the ground at his head The first man was from the earth, earthly; and Abner and his men sleeping around him. the second man, from heaven. As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly,

Abishai whispered to David: and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, “God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day. we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear;

I will not need a second thrust!” Alleluia JN 13:34 But David said to Abishai, “Do not harm him, R. Alleluia, alleluia. for who can lay hands on the LORD’s anointed and remain I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: unpunished?” love one another as I have loved you. So David took the spear and the water jug from their place at R. Alleluia, alleluia. Saul’s head, and they got away without anyone’s seeing or knowing or Gospel LK 6:27-38 awakening. Jesus said to his disciples: All remained asleep, “To you who hear I say, because the LORD had put them into a deep slumber. love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

To the person who strikes you on one cheek, Going across to an opposite slope, offer the other one as well,

David stood on a remote hilltop and from the person who takes your cloak, at a great distance from Abner, son of Ner, and the troops. do not withhold even your tunic. He said: “Here is the king’s spear. Give to everyone who asks of you, Let an attendant come over to get it. and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Today, though the LORD delivered you into my grasp, For if you love those who love you, I would not harm the LORD’s anointed.” what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, Responsorial Psalm PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 what credit is that to you? R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful. Even sinners do the same. Bless the LORD, O my soul; If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, and all my being, bless his holy name. what credit is that to you? Bless the LORD, O my soul, Even sinners lend to sinners, and forget not all his benefits. and get back the same amount. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, He pardons all your iniquities, and lend expecting nothing back; heals all your ills. then your reward will be great He redeems your life from destruction, and you will be children of the Most High, crowns you with kindness and compassion. for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. R. The Lord is kind and merciful. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD, “Stop judging and you will not be judged. slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, Forgive and you will be forgiven. nor does he requite us according to our crimes. Give, and gifts will be given to you; R. The Lord is kind and merciful. a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, As far as the east is from the west, will be poured into your lap. so far has he put our transgressions from us. For the measure with which you measure As a father has compassion on his children, will in return be measured out to you.” 6th Week of Ordinary Time/ 6 Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario  2019 (Year C/ Ano C)  Lecturas de la Próxima Semana así es compasivo el Señor con quien lo ama. VII Domingo Ordinario R. El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso. Primera lectura

1 Sam 26, 2. 7-9. 12-13. 22-23 Segunda lectura En aquellos días, Saúl se puso en camino con tres mil soldados 1 Cor 15, 45-49 israelitas, bajó al desierto de Zif en persecución de David y acampo Hermanos: La Escritura dice que el primer hombre, Adán, fue un en Jakilá. ser que tuvo vida; el último Adán es espíritu que da la vida. Sin

embargo, no existe primero lo vivificado por el Espíritu, sino lo David y Abisay fueron de noche al campamento enemigo y puramente humano; lo vivificado por el Espíritu viene después. encontraron a Saúl durmiendo entre los carros; su lanza estaba clavada en tierra, junto a su cabecera, y en torno a él dormían El primer hombre, hecho de tierra, es terreno; el segundo viene del Abner y su ejército. Abisay dijo entonces a David: "Dios te está cielo. Como fue el hombre terreno, así son los hombres terrenos; poniendo al enemigo al alcance de tu mano. Deja que lo clave como es el hombre celestial, así serán los celestiales. Y del mismo ahora en tierra con un solo golpe de su misma lanza. No hará falta modo que fuimos semejantes al hombre terreno, seremos también repetirlo". Pero David replicó: "No lo mates. ¿Quién puede atentar semejantes al hombre celestial. contra el ungido del Señor y quedar sin pecado?"

Aclamación antes del Evangelio Entonces cogió David la lanza y el jarro de agua de la cabecera de Jn 13, 34 Saúl y se marchó con Abisay. Nadie los vio, nadie se enteró y nadie R. Aleluya, aleluya. despertó; todos siguieron durmiendo, porque el Señor les había Les doy un mandamiento nuevo, dice el Señor, enviado un sueño profundo. que se amen los unos a los otros, como yo los he amado. Aleluya. R. David cruzó de nuevo el valle y se detuvo en lo alto del monte, a gran distancia del campamento de Saúl. Desde ahí gritó: "Rey Saúl, Evangelio aquí está tu lanza, manda a alguno de tus criados a recogerla. El Señor le dará a cada uno según su justicia y su lealtad, pues él te Lc 6, 27-38 puso hoy en mis manos, pero yo no quise atentar contra el ungido En aquel tiempo, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: "Amen a sus enemigos, del Señor". hagan el bien a los que los aborrecen, bendigan a quienes los maldicen y oren por quienes los difaman. Al que te golpee en una mejilla, preséntale la otra; al que te quite el manto, déjalo llevarse Salmo Responsorial también la túnica. Al que te pida, dale; y al que se lleve lo tuyo, no Del Salmo 102 se lo reclames.

R. (8a) El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso. Traten a los demás como quieran que los traten a ustedes; porque Bendice al Señor, alma mía, si aman sólo a los que los aman, ¿qué hacen de extraordinario? que todo mi ser bendiga su santo nombre. También los pecadores aman a quienes los aman. Si hacen el bien Bendice al Señor, alma mía, sólo a los que les hacen el bien, ¿qué tiene de extraordinario? Lo y no te olvides de sus beneficios. mismo hacen los pecadores. Si prestan solamente cuando esperan R. El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso. cobrar, ¿qué hacen de extraordinario? También los pecadores El Señor perdona tus pecados prestan a otros pecadores, con la intención de cobrárselo después. y cura tus enfermedades;

él rescata tu vida del sepulcro Ustedes, en cambio, amen a sus enemigos, hagan el bien y presten y te colma de amor y de ternura. sin esperar recompensa. Así tendrán un gran premio y serán hijos R. El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso. del Altísimo, porque él es bueno hasta con los malos y los ingratos. El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso, Sean misericordiosos, como su Padre es misericordioso. Lento para enojarse y generoso para perdonar.

No nos trata como merecen nuestras culpas, No juzguen y no serán juzgados; no condenen y no serán ni nos paga según nuestros pecados. condenados; perdonen y serán perdonados. Den y se les dará: R. El Señor es compasivo y misericordioso. recibirán una medida buena, bien sacudida, apretada y rebosante Como dista el oriente del ocaso, en los pliegues de su túnica. Porque con la misma medida con que así aleja de nosotros nuestros delitos; midan, serán medidos''. como un padre es compasivo con sus hijos,