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Church of St. Ephrem 929 Bay Ridge Parkway ⬧ Brooklyn, New York 11228 www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org stephrembklyn St. Ephrem Catholic Church Dyker Heights

Parish Staff January 10, 2021

Very Rev. Robert B. Adamo, V. F., KCHS, Pastor Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Rev. Msgr. Peter V. Kain, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Anthony S. Chanan, Parochial Vicar Mr. Robert Cote, Youth Minister Mrs. Michele James, Business Manager Rev. Msgr. Theophilus Joseph, Parochial Vicar Sr. Mary Ann Ambrose, C.S.J., Director of Faith Formation Mr. Thomas Marchesiello, Director of Music/Liturgy Deacon Kevin McLaughlin, Permanent Deacon Mr. Craig Mercado, Academy Principal Sr. Ann Martha Ondreicka, O.P., Director of the Spirituality Center Mrs. Lisa Pinsky, Parish Secretary Deacon Anthony Stucchio, Permanent Deacon Rectory Office Spirituality Center Faith Formation Office 929 Bay Ridge Parkway 935 Bay Ridge Parkway Third Floor of Academy 718-745-7486 718-833-1010 718-921-9518 [email protected] Fax 718-921-5232 St. Ephrem Catholic Academy 924 74th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11228 ⧫ 718-833-1440 ⧫ www.stephremcatholicacademy.org

Schedule of Masses Baptism Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM Parents should call the rectory to make an appointment. Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12 Noon and 5:00 PM Please note that there are no baptisms during the season of Weekdays Monday through Friday 7:00 AM & 8:45 AM Lent. Saturday 8:45 AM

Rectory Office Hours Marriage Monday—Thursday: 9:00 AM—12 Noon The Sacrament of Marriage requires a time of serious spiritual 1:00 PM—5:00 PM preparation. Couples should make arrangements for their Friday: 9:00 AM— 12 Noon marriage at least six months before the date of the wedding by 1:00 PM—4:00 PM making an appointment with a priest or deacon. Please log on Saturday No Office Hours to www.pre-cana.org for complete information about marriage preparation in the Diocese. Sunday No Office Hours Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) Parish Registration Saturday 3:30 –4:30 PM. All are welcomed and invited to register at the Parish Office and By appointment for all other times. participate in our parish.

Devotions Anointing of the Sick/Communion To make arrangements for communion to be brought to any Miraculous Medal Novena, Mondays following the 8:45 AM Mass parishioner who is seriously ill or confined to the house, Recitation of the Rosary at 8:15 AM before weekly morning Mass. or if they wish to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday following the 8:45 AM Mass of the Sick. To see a particular Staff Member, please call First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following for an appointment. the 8:45 AM Mass and Benediction at 12:30 PM. Our Mission Statement We, the parish family of St. Ephrem, baptized into the life of Jesus Christ and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, strive to be a welcoming and responsive Roman Catholic faith community. Together we are committed to put our faith into action by: Responding to the spiritual and physical needs of the community through service and charity. Reaching out to those who are searching for a faith community, including the young and those seeking to re-kindle their relationship with God. Reaching out to all without distinction. Passing on our faith and traditions through teaching by word and example. Connecting to where people are on their faith journey. Actively participating in the worship, sacrament and devotional life of the church.

The Baptism of the Lord

January 10, 2021

“You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”

Dear Parishioners:

In today’s gospel from Mark, we are given the account of Jesus’ baptism. At the time of John the Baptist, baptism was performed as a ritual of cleansing and repentance. The one who entered the waters was publicly proclaiming his or her sin and desire to be washed clean of its effects. In today’s gospel, John identifies the difference between the baptism he performs and the one that will be offered by Jesus. In Jesus, there is not only the cleansing from sin but also newness of life. In our Christian baptism, we enter into the death and resurrection of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit become a new creation in Christ.

This gospel is a declaration of who Jesus is to Mark’s community. It is a statement of their self-understanding as disciples of the new messianic times who are sons and daughters of the Father because they are baptized into the Spirit-filled and Beloved Son and commissioned to serve in his name. Throughout Mark’s gospel, those who follow Jesus will struggle to understand and accept the implications of accepting one who is Son and Beloved; to understand what is revealed to Jesus as he rises from the waters: that humanity, despite its sinfulness, is loved with the prodigal love of God.

The first human being in the gospel who professes faith in Jesus as the Son of God and recognizes the heavens torn open in the torn body of the crucified One is the Gentile centurion. We are caught up in the same struggle of faith. Baptism demanded everything of Jesus-as it does of us.

In the Good Shepherd,

‘Sister Edyth’ The Work of Christmas

Who lived a life that was When the song of the angels is stilled, Simple, when the star in the sky is gone, Prayerful and when the kings and princes are home, Compassionate. when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: St. Ephrem Parish Family to find the lost, invites you to join the to heal the broken, Sisters of St. Joseph at a Memorial Mass to feed the hungry, as we Celebrate the Life and Love of to release the prisoner, S. Edyth Therese Fitzsimmons, CSJ to rebuild the nations,

Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. to bring peace among the people, in St. Ephrem Church to make music in the heart.

Mass Reservations are required via our website: Howard Thurman www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org Mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2

COVID-19 UPDATE Moral Considerations Regarding Diocese of Brooklyn the New COVID-19 Vaccines Initiates Contact Tracing Chairmen of the Committee on Doctrine and the Committee on Pro-Life Activities United States Conference of Catholic As you are aware, we have Bishops required Mass Reservations from

On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort the time public worship resumed Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of in July 2020. These reservations Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, have enabled us to maintain a and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in count of those wishing to attend. Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro- In addition, if necessary, we Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID- could contact individuals who attended a particular 19 vaccines. In their statement, the bishops address the mass if we learned of someone who attended and tested moral concerns raised by the fact that the three vaccines positive for COVID19. We are so very grateful that we that appear to be ready for distribution in the United have not been in this situation at all since July 2020.

States all have some connection to cell lines that Bishop DiMarzio is asking parishes to participate in this originated with tissue taken from abortions. initiative. This form will be included in your

With regard to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they Reservation Confirmation page –near the middle you concluded: will see: ‘Click here to complete the form.’ You will be asked to answer four yes/no questions and then click “In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the submit. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons You must include your email in the Mass Reservation to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Form. Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines.

“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be A Prayer for Putting on a Face Mask considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.” Creator God, as I prepare to go into the world help me to see the sacramental nature of With regard to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the bishops wearing of this cloth. Let it be a tangible found it to be “more morally compromised” and and visible way of living love for my consequently concluded that this vaccine “should be neighbors, as I love myself. avoided” if there are alternatives available. “It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of Christ Jesus, since my lips will be covered, vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in immunization that may have serious consequences for the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be one’s health and the health of others,” the bishop muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my chairmen stated. “In such a case … it would be words, but with my actions. permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.” Holy Spirit, as the elastic touches my At the same time, the bishops also warned that Catholics ears, remind me to listen carefully and “must be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines caringly to all those I meet. May do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to this simple piece of cloth be shield oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use and banner, and may each breath of fetal cells in research.” that it holds, be filled with Your love. In Your name and in that love, I pray. Amen. The full statement of the US Bishops is found here: https://www.usccb.org/moral-considerations-covid- Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator vaccines 3 Presbyterian Church of Canada

Mass Intentions for the week of January 10, 2021

Our regular Mass Schedule has resumed with a Limited Capacity of 50% at each Mass. A Reservation to attend is necessary through our parish website or by calling the Rectory Office.

The 8:45 AM Mass, the Saturday 5:00 PM Mass and the Sunday, 10:00 AM Mass are being live streamed through our parish website. Please share and join us! Saturday, January 9th Did You Know?

8:45 AM Joseph Grasso Spiritual Communion

5:00 PM Valerie F. Patterson It has long been a Catholic understanding that when Joseph & Mary Patterson circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Millicent Patterson Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Robert Champlain Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Bill Hyland Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in Joseph & Margaret Amodio the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him

Sunday, January 10th at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. 8:00 AM Rosa & Cesar Mariasch 10:00 AM Salvatore, Antonia & Giuseppe Baio The most common reason for making an Act of 12 Noon Antoinette Minko Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot 5:00 PM For the People of St. Ephrem Parish attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion

Monday, January 11th increase our desire to receive sacramental

7:00 AM For the Intentions of Sharon Perrone Communion and help us avoid the sins that would 8:45 AM John Carr make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily. Tuesday, January 12th

7:00 AM Dorothy Early 8:45 AM Carmen Rodriguez Spiritual Communion Prayer

Wednesday, January 13th

7:00 AM Valerie F. Patterson My Jesus, I believe that you are present 8:45 AM For Shi Joseph’s soul & to ascend to in the Most Holy Sacrament. heaven soon I love you above all things and I desire Thursday, January 14th to receive you in my soul. 7:00 AM Joseph & Mary Patterson Since I cannot at this moment 8:45 AM For all those who help me pray for blessings & give them the grace they need receive you sacramentally,

Friday, January 15th come at least spiritually into my heart. 7:00 AM Millicent Patterson I embrace you as if you were already 8:45 AM Valerie F. Patterson There and unite myself wholly to you.

Saturday, January 16th Never permit me to be separated from you.

8:45 AM Giulio Fragomeni Amen.

5:00 PM Helge Henricksen About the author: Archdiocese of New York Joseph Sabetta Louise Schuster The Eucharist is essential for us: Joseph & Mary Patterson it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives Millicent Patterson and fill us with his grace.

Sunday, January 17th The Eucharist, although it is

8:00 AM Antoinette DeCrescento the fullness of sacramental life, 10:00 AM Orlando Frevola is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. 12 Noon Anna Striano Pope Francis 5:00 PM For the People of St. Ephrem Parish 4

Memorials Bread and Wine

In Loving Memory of:

Ruth Larsen January 3, 2021 91 Envelopes $4,143.00 Solemnity of Mary 78 Envelopes $ 3,605.00 Requested by Ruby Hyland & We Share (Online Giving) 79 Donors $14,140.00

Family Mass Attendance 290

823 Families Registered and Receive Envelopes

If you are able to send in your weekly donation or en- You can honor or remember a loved one by roll in the secure online donation through our requesting a Mass intention, Bread & Wine, Parish website it would be greatly appreciated.

Altar Candles, Sanctuary Lamp, Thank you for those who mailed in your donation or signed up for online giving! Flowers for The Tabernacle Altar, To learn more about ways to give, visit our parish Blessed Mother Altar and Holy Family Altar. website at: www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org

Please contact the rectory if interested. Thank you for your generosity to St. Ephrem Parish! Mass Intentions

Requests may be made by St. Ephrem Centennial Campaign email or by dropping off your Our Church, Our Prayers, Our Legacy requests in the mail slot of Rectory ONLY! As of January 6, 2021 718.833.1010 or Parish Goal $1.25 Million [email protected] Due to COVID-19 No In Person Requests Number of Donors 238 Thank You for Understanding Amount Pledged $1,364,042.64

[email protected] or Paid to Date $667,006.12 Calling the Rectory Office Monday to Thursday Percent of Goal 109%

9:00 AM to 12 Noon & 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Thank You for your Generosity! Friday’s 9:00 AM to 12 Noon Saint Ephrem, pray for us! You can make your Mass Intention Offering through our website: How will our Parish Benefit? www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org St. Ephrem Parish Goal is: $109,682.00

Go to “Ways to Give” tab and then click You may notice that our parish goal has “We Share” - scroll to find appropriate category been reduced. This is a result that our weekly collections have gone down due to less attendance at weekly Masses. Once we exceed our goal, then we will receive 100% of all funds raised above goal. Last year we received back $12,159.00 "-"The world must be St. Ephrem Parish Goal $109,682.00 educated to love Peace, Number of Donors 170 to build it up and defend it." Amount Pledged $90,181.00 Paid to Date $89,441.00 Saint Pope Paul VI 1968 Thank You!

WE ARE THE CHURCH, TOGETHER! 5

BAPTISM OF THE LORD This is the last day of Christmas Time, formerly called the Christmas Season. The Monday following the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is Monday of the first week of Ordinary Time. The feast is usually celebrated on the Sunday following January 6th. If the feast of the Epiphany falls on January 7th or 8th, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is moved to Monday and treated as a regular –Ministry Resources weekday Mass although the Gloria is sung. When this happens, Tuesday, the next day, begins Ordinary Time. 6

A Year Dedicated to St. Joseph December 8, 2020—December 8, 2021

A Year Dedicated to St. Joseph

Pope Francis announced a Year

of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the

Universal Church.

The year began Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope.

Images of St. Joseph

To read Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation visit: vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/ documents/papa-francesco-lettera- ap_20201208_patris-corde.html

Pope Francis concludes with this prayer:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; The Betrothal of Mary in you Mary placed her trust;

with you Christ became man.

The Marriage of Blessed Joseph, to us too, Mary and Joseph show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. An excellent film that Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, illustrates these times in and defend us from every evil. Amen. Joseph and Mary’s life is Watch the bulletin in the coming weeks for more Mary of Nazareth information and resources regarding the Year Dedicated to St Joseph.

“We wonder why the Gospel makes so little mention of St. Joseph. But did it not say everything when it taught us that he was the husband of Mary?”

See the trailer here: https://www.imdb.com/video/ Blessed William Joseph Chaminade vi2093596953?playlistId=tt2224327&ref_=tt_ov_vi 7

St. Ephrem Parish Faith Formation News!

Children’s Faith Formation Sacrament Preparation

Faith Formation Outdoor Office Hours Confirmation Proximate Preparation

Tuesdays and Thursdays For ALL Confirmation 2021 Candidates 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 74th Street to the left of the main School Entrance. Confirmation Hybrid Blended Retreat Be sure to stop by to pick-up your Christmas gift! Module: Due by:

Introduction 12/18/2020 Children’s Faith Formation Schedule Guides Along the Way 1/08/2021

Picking a Sponsor 1/22/2021 January 6 Virtual Class with Catechist Modules are found on Called to Mercy 13 Virtual Class with Catechist Candidates received link and code in their 20 Virtual Class with Catechist SadlierConnect Account in Messages. 27 Virtual Class with Catechist Any difficulty, contact S. Mary Ann at:

February [email protected] 3 Virtual Class with Catechist 10 Virtual Class with Catechist January 24th 2:00 p.m. 17 No Class—Ash Wednesday Parent/Candidate Gathering in Church 24 Virtual Class with Catechist (Distribute Red Folders)

March 3 Virtual Class with Catechist 10 Virtual Class with Catechist 17 Virtual Class with Catechist 24 Virtual Class with Catechist 31 Virtual Class with Catechist

April 14 Virtual Class with Catechist 21 Virtual Class with Catechist 28 Virtual Class with Catechist

First Holy Communion Spring 2021

“Families are the first place Important Virtual Parent Meeting where the values of love for all Parents (Parish Faith Formation, St. Ephrem Catholic and fraternity, togetherness Academy and any other Catholic School or Faith and sharing, concern and Formation Program our Parish Children Attend) care for others are lived out Monday, January 11, 2021 and handed on.” 7:00 p.m. Fratelli Tutti (No. 114) A link will be sent via email. 8

Justice Notes

Thus says the Lord: all you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!

Isaiah 55: 1

"People should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps." "Giving them handouts will just make them lazy." "If they are poor, how come they have an FAITH BOOK IPhone?" The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord What did you think when you read Isaiah’s words January 10, 2021 versus the quotes you might have heard or said in Isaiah 55: 1-11 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-38 Mark 1: 7-11 today’s world? It is certainly better to teach a person to Jude Siciliano, O.P fish rather than just give them a fish but there are times in life when a hand out is a hand up. As a student of the From today’s Gospel reading: way of Jesus, how do you respond to the poor or disadvantaged? But even more so, when you do On coming out of the water Jesus saw the heavens respond, is it with disdain or out of obligation or do you being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending act out of heart-felt joy? upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Today is the feast day of the Baptism of the Lord and we should try to visualize and feel, in emerging from Reflection: the rush of swirling water, the realization of the joy of life with God that we have been given. We leave John the Baptist promised that Jesus would baptize us judgement behind in the cleansing water--judgment of with the Spirit. Baptism inaugurated Jesus’ mission ourselves and others. Because we, as Christians, are not and Mark reminds us that, through our baptism, we too to be bearers of judgment but rather bearers of joy. are sent on mission. We are not baptized into a stay-at- home community to enjoy our gatherings, sing our There are so many good causes that are in need of our hymns and say our prayers. Through our baptism each joy-filled talents. I find myself thanking God for the of us has been called to serve others in Christ’s name. cooks in our meals ministries; our crafters who make masks and blankets, booties and caps; those who feel So we ask ourselves: called to hammer a new home into existence; others who labor to advocate for the immigrant, or the unborn • Am I aware that baptism means more than and their mothers, or pray with fellow human beings in membership in a church? prison; the interviewers bringing some hope of financial • What mission has the Holy Spirit given me as a aid for overdue rents; those who give so generously to baptized Christian? our collections of food, baby needs, Christmas presents, and clothing drives or work at our food pantry; parishioners who walk for a year with a homeless We Still Need Someone! family to help them out of poverty; for those working to Are You Willing to Help create a nonviolent world and/or caring for creation; ‘Plant the Seeds of Faith?’ and, for parishioners who bring awareness to unjust issues by walking, running, or marching in solidarity. We are in need of two volunteer We live in a vibrant and joyous community of believers catechists: For Grade 1 beginning here at the Cathedral. If you are not so engaged, "come January 6th. Currently classes are to the water"--come to the living water! Be a bearer of virtual and meet for 20 minutes each Wednesday; joy in 2021. Confirmation Proximate Preparation (7 Sundays

beginning February 28th). ---Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director, Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Please contact S. Mary Ann: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC [email protected] 9

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Take Time to Learn About Human Trafficking - Believe it or Not— it Happens Here in the United States!

Where there is Demand there will always be Supply!

The Super Bowl is the site of Human Trafficking for Sex

To Learn More and How You Can Help, visit:

https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/protect/trafficking/end

https://www.state.gov/humantrafficking-about-humantrafficking/

COVID-19 Protocols Continue5 as of November 1, 2020

Guidelines for Opened Churches for Liturgical Celebrations

Our Parish continues to follow the guidelines put forth from the State, City and Diocese

Church will remain open for Personal and Private Prayer Monday through Saturday until 2:00 PM.

Limited Capacity of 50% for Sunday Mass while still maintaining Social Distancing Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm & Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12 Noon & 5:00 pm Reservations to attend are necessary through our parish website (Mass Times Tab) or by calling the Rectory Office.

Church will remain open for Personal and Private Prayer on Sunday’s until 2PM.

“I give you a new commandment: Love one Another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples; if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

The following directives are to be observed: 1. The elderly and all who are health-compromised MUST stay home. 2. If you are not feeling well or sick in any way, you MUST stay home. 3. If you could, please take your temperature at home and anything above 100 degrees - please stay home. 4. A face covering must be worn at all times while in Church. 5. Please clean your hands thoroughly either by water and soap or hand sanitizer. 6. Please maintain social distancing (6 feet apart). 7. Please sit in designated areas which are marked for your convenience, (families and households are permitted to sit together). 8. There are no missals or worship aids available. 9. Please refrain from touching any statues and devotional objects. 10. And, please adhere to all directives by ushers/volunteers/staff. 11. There will be a single offering box by the Altar Rail, in which you can place your offering. 12. There will be no entrance or recessional processions.

Holy Communion It is strongly recommended that the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand. This is for the safety of those receiving Holy Communion and of the minister of Holy Communion. Please open the palm of your hand so that the Host will be allowed to “fall” (reverently) into your hands to avoid any physical contact. Please disinfect hands before receiving Holy Communion. The communicant should come before the Minister of Communion with the mask on for the dialogue (“The Body of Christ, Amen.'') and then, moving to the side, lower the mask and consume the Eucharist and replace the mask.

Confessions The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday’s at 3:30 PM, by the Divine Mercy Chapel. The priest will be in the confessional and we ask that the penitent sit in the pew that is indicated. You MUST wear a face covering or mask and practice social distancing (6 Feet apart).

Mass will continue to be Live-Streamed through our website: www.stephremparish-brooklyn.org

On March 13th Bishop DiMarzio dispensed the faithful of the

Diocese of Brooklyn from Sunday/Holy Day Mass obligation until further notice.