St. Matthew Parish

Website: www.stmatthewrc.org Pastoral Staff St. Gregory the Great St. Matthew Our Lady Of Charity 224 Brooklyn Ave. 1123 Eastern Pkwy., 1669 Dean St., Pastor Brooklyn, NY 11213 Brooklyn, NY 11213 Brooklyn, NY 11213 Fr. Frank Black Tel 718- 773-0100 Tel 718- 774-6747 Tel 718- 774-5100

Fax 718- 773-4198 Fax 718- 953-4895 Fax 718- 778-3335 In Residence Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Bishop Guy Sansaricq Mass Schedule: Mass Schedule: Mass Schedule: Priests Mon.– Fri 8:30am; Sat.Vigil-5pm Monday-Friday 7:30am & 9:00am Sunday: Rosary 9:00am Fr. Thaddeus J. Abraham Sunday 11:30am Saturday 8:00am & 8:00pm 9:30am-Praise & Worship Saturday: Reconciliation-7:30 pm Msgr. Pierre Andre Saturday: Reconciliation-4:00 pm 10am-Mass or by appointment Pierre Office Staff: Fr. Ralph Theodat Office Staff Sunday: Secretary: Patricia Romain Secretary: Rosanne Barber Ext.100 English-7:30am & 11:30am D.R.E.: Ethel Andoh-Menson D.R.E: Monica Flemmings Spanish 9:30am; Kreyol 1:30pm Office Hours: Deacons Office Hours: Monday-Friday:10am-6pm Roy George Monday - Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm Office Staff Nickie Colon Secretary: Sharon Andrews Catholic Cemeteries–

D.R.E.: Gloria Gonzaga 80-01 Metropolitan Ave. Middle Village, NY 11379 Tel:718 – 894-4888 Office Hours: Monday:10:00am-4:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday & Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm

January 17, 2021 ♥ SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: Temples of God Adam needed Eve and Eve needed Adam to overcome the loneliness of the human condition. They needed to Corinth was the ancient equivalent of Sin City. Most of give themselves totally to each other. And here is the the people of the pagan world engaged in blatant im- message behind these frescos: the only way that we morality, but some of the worst were those in Cor- can find ourselves is by giving ourselves away. We are inth. They even had their own saying to justify their be- made in the image of God. God is a Trinity of Love, havior. No, it was not, “What happens in Corinth stays Father, Son and Spirit, forming a community of self- in Corinth.” It was, “Food is for the stomach and the giving love for all eternity. We are created in the image stomach for food.” It was like saying, “You have no of this love, in the image of God. When Adam and Eve choice: you gotta eat, and you have no choice: you’ve gave themselves to each other, they felt no got to behave immorally.” Paul tells them and us that shame. They could be naked. Shame came when they we are so much better than that. Our bodies belong to began to use each other. the Lord. We are members of the Body of Christ. We are far more than animals with nothing but animal in- St. John Paul II spoke about this in the lectures that stincts. We share in the Body of Christ. He goes on to make up the Theology of the Body. He said that human use a very important phrase: our bodies are Temples of happiness depends on self-giving, not self- the Holy Spirit. If we are immoral, we are sinning assertion. That is the difference between love and against our own bodies, sinning against our union with lust. Love makes a gift of oneself to another for his or Christ. her good. Lust is taking from another for personal pleasure. For us Catholics, sexual morality is more than That is a beautiful concept: we are Temples of self-control. It is self-mastery. For us sexual morality is the Holy Spirit. the mastery of the desire that allows us to give our- selves to another in a way that affirms the other. Mar- That is why we avoid immorality, particularly sex- ried love is the human reality that best images the com- ual immorality. It is not a matter of some sort of Catho- mitment, the intensity and the passion of Christ’s love lic no no, rules that a person might not understand but for the Church, for whom He laid down His Life. does his or her best to follow. This whole area of moral- ity is far more important than that. It goes to the heart of Now back to Corinth and to ourselves. Using whom we are. We are Christ and He is ours. So, we do others to fulfill selfish wants is no different than the our best to fight off our temptations because we are sexuality of animals. It is imposed, instinctive and united to Christ. He flows through us. We are not ani- merely physical. We are far more noble than that. We mals. We are so much better than that. have been created for love, love freely given and freely received, love which is based on a commitment for Let us take a mental tour of Rome, specifically life. In this light, St. John Paul II speaks about chastity the most beautiful chapel in the world, the Sistine not as a matter of what we cannot do, but as a virtue chapel. The chapel is beautiful not because on its archi- that frees us to love another person as a person, not an tecture, it is rather plain that way. It is beautiful because object. That is why we speak about the chaste love of of the artwork inside it. Here in this relatively small build- husbands and wives for each other. The married give ing attached to St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican com- their deepest selves totally to each other, entrusting plex in Rome, we come upon frescos by Michelangelo, their emotional center to each other. You here who are Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Perrugino, and others. Every married are free to love each other as Christ loves us. year, hundreds of thousands of visitors gaze up at the ceiling at Michelangelo’s depiction of creation and the Let’s reflect again on Paul’s message to the first sections of the Bible. The cardinals who meet in Corinthians, and us. “Do you not know that your body is conclave to pick a new pope also do so under these a Temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have magnificent frescos. The paintings are often shocking to from God, and that you are not your own? For you have people who depict Catholics as sexually inhibited been purchased at a price, the Body of Christ on the prudes. The frescos are, as you know, nudes. They cross. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” emphasize the beauty of the human body with God him- self as the source of this beauty. In the frescos, the This is not the way of the world. But we are creation of man begins with God touching Adam’s hand called to holiness, to be separated from the world. and concludes with the creation of Eve. Sexual morality itself is one of the many ways that we express this holiness. It takes a lot of determination and courage to be a Catholic. It takes determination and courage to love.

BREAD & WINE, CANDLE, BLESSINGS MASS INTENTIONS WEEKLY READINGS ST. MATTHEW: MASS INTENTIONS Sun January 17 I Sm 3: 3,1-10,19; 1 Cor 6:13-15,17- Saturday 5:00pm– For the students of the 20: Jn 1:35-42 January 16 School of Religion & their families

Mon Jan 18 Heb 5: 1-10; Mk 2:18-22 8:00pm– For our parishioners Tue Jan 19 Heb 6:10-20; Mk 2:23-28 Sunday 7:30am– B’day blessings Monefa Wed Jan 20 Heb 7:1-3,15-17; Mk 3: 1-6 January 17 Delauney by Hinds & Delauney family Thu Jan 21 Heb 7:25—8:6; Mk 3:7-12 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:30am–R.I.P. Alejandro Espinal by Fri Jan 22 Heb 8:6-13; Mk 3:13-19 wife, Edelina Espinal

Sat Jan 23 Heb 9:2-3,11-14; Mk 3:20-21 11:30am– B’day blessings Dorothy John by Charmaine Noel & family OUR LADY OF CHARITY: MASS INTENTIONS BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS: Anthony Inniss, Kora Ella 1:30pm–Birthday blessings Suzie Barber, DeShawn Jackson, Jean Griffith– Sandiford, Fenelon by mom, Orlissia Fenelon Leah Daniel, Christine Spellman, Anthony James, Monday 7:30am— Thanksgiving for Lisa Romain, Cashmere Blackwell, Haley Huie, January 18 Stephanie Baoudy by mom, Marie Quinton Herrera, Theresa Lewis, Yolande Laurence Boisette

De Sandies, Alfonso Heslop, Destiny Joseph, Shawn Spellman, Jaden Duncan, Carlos Duncan, 9:00am – In loving memory of Prisca Arlene Jackson, Canone Robinson, A’ Ameerah Ayala by Martha Marin Robinson, Olivia Henry, We pray to the Lord. Tuesday 7:30am – B’day blessings Krissee January 19 Patrick by Floe Patrick PARISH PRAYER: For our parish, that the three 9:00am – In loving memory of communities of St. Matthew, St. Gregory the Great Eduardo Toledo on his anniversary and Our Lady of Charity, learn how to merge and by Rosa Toledo grow together spiritually and become financially sound as three and yet one, We pray to the Lord. Wednesday 7:30am– May God’s precious blood January 20 cover President elect Joe Biden , Vice President elect Kamala Harris &

TODAY’S MASS : Birthday mass for Kathy Ann, Lisa their families.

& Wendy Romain, Jaden , Carlos & Sharon 9:00am– R.I.P. Jean R. & Francine Duncan, Judah Francis, We pray to the Lord. Paul by Rudy Almonor

Thursday 7:30am– Peace , love, kindness, & ALTAR BREAD & WINE: January 21 unity in our hearts & throughout the We pray to the Lord. country

9:00am– God’s healing blood on WEDDING ANNIVERSARY : Mr. & Mrs. Cynthia & Zeta We pray to the Lord. Friday 7:30am– That our mother, Mary & January 22 our spiritual father, St. Joseph will ST. GREGORY : MASS INTENTIONS keep our families & friends safe & protected Saturday, 5 PM Vigil Mass for Ramona Jack, Jan. 16th In Thanksgiving for Life, Requested 9:00am– Blessings for Miranda by David The Family Saturday 8:00am– B’day blessings Shantee Sunday, 11;30 AM Mass for Elizabeth Casey, January 23 Boye by aunt, Myrna Mendez Jan. 17th R.I.P., Requested by Margaret Mary Casey St. Matthew Candle January 17-23 Wednesday, 8:30 AM Mass for Janiyah Jan. 20th Hutchings, Birthday Blessings, For the unemployed and Requested by underemployed. Janice Boyce-Hutchings

St. Matthew Candle January 3–9th REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS WEEKLY MEETINGS - St. Matthew

For the homebound, hospitalized and sick Komi Adjakey, Carmen Allen, Armelle Amilcar, St. Matthew and Our Lady of Charity weekly Marie Augustin, Monica Belfon, Patricia Bowen, Silvestre meetings are all postponed until further notice. Brathwaite, Ismay Brewster, Yolande Cadet, Vilma Carter, Delcia Charles, Jemma Christian, Enide Clarke,Maria Please check our website for further updates. Clouden Cecilia Clovie, Nelia Collins, Virginia Cox, Maurice Stay safe. Earl Cunningham, Veronica Dale, Angelia Daniels, Shirley Daniels, Calvert Davis, Christopher DeSouza, Stephen WEEKLY MEETINGS—St. Gregory Duncan, Dorothy Edwards, Josephine Elize,Stella Emmanuel, Carrie Frasier, Cynthia Gairy, John Gale, WEEK OF SUNDAY 01/17/2021 @ ST. GREGORY

Nelida Gavrilon, Ryan Gee, Muriel Gomez, Trina Gonzalez, + 9:30 AM - Sunday school OPEN Gwendolyn Harding, Pierre Hinds, Joan Hudson, Danielle Huie, Enid Huntley, Kerlyne Hyppolite, Serge Jabouin, + 10 AM Marcus Garvey Manor Postponed until fur- Marie Rose Jabouin, Donna James, Fernando James, ther notice Judith Joseph, Elfreda Kedroe, Albert Kirton, Peter Kirton, + 10:30 AM - Cantor Rehearsal Deacon James Lacy, Kanelle Lang, Percival Lewis, Rhoda + 11:30 AM Mass - Church Lewis, Sampson Lewis, Luis Manuel Lorenzo, + CREDIT UNION OPEN – After Mass in Work Madelin Lorenzo, Vivian Boykin Lott, Norberto Lovell, Sacristy Yvonne Lovell, Jean Lubin, Barbara Manuel, Virginia + GIFT SHOP CLOSED Marcellin, Judith Matthew, Pearl Matthews, Laura McDon- ald,Leticia McDowell, Vernita McDowell,Marcelina Morales, MONDAY 01/18/21 Isai Munoz, Marta Munoz, Nelson Munoz, Suzanna Neil, Mother Dolores Olff, Ronaldo Nano Paul, Chung Peters, +8:30 AM Mass – Church Marie Pierre, Sonia Prescot, Ryan Ramsroop, Dorothy Irons Reid, Catherine Richards, Carlos Roberts, Carlos TUESDAY 01/19/21 Rudas, Elizabeth Sampson, Lidia Saunders, Rachel + 8:30 AM Mass – Church Saunders, Carl Serrette, Pearl Shaw, Pamela Smith, Pema +7 PM Bible Study RESUMES (see information Smith, John Spellman Sr., Lisa Scott Spencer, Kevin St. below) Clare, Basil Suarez, Brenda Talango, Angela Thomas, Edris Thomas, Ethel Thompson, Mother Margaret Thomp- son, Lyonette Tribie, Janet Throne, Carmen Valentine, WEDNESDAY 01/20/01 Martel Vendryes, Yvonne Warner, Kenron Williams, + 8:30 AM Mass - Church Leandro Wilson, Elodia Zuniga, Vilma Zuniga THURSDAY 01/21/21

SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR : Vaughn Haynes, + 8:30 AM Mass – Church Roberta Jennings, Dorothy Briggs, Dean Jackson, + Senior Bible Study & ARISE English Speaking Pauline Marcelle, Margaret Otumba, Kerry Mills, Prayer Group with Dolores Sykes – Cancelled Aliyah Harris, Yolande, Taveri & Logan Cadore, , Lisa Scott/ Spencer, Clare Theodule, Damien Thomas, FRIDAY 01/22/21 Byron Murrain, Karhi Fuban, Vivian Boykin / Lott, + 8:30 AM Mass – Church Stephen Duncan, Marcella De Sandies, Koni Adjakey, Georgeann Campbell, Voulda Edmondson, SATURDAY 01/23/21 Ford , St. Rose & Amorosa families, all families + Private Confessions – OPEN represented here today. +4:15 PM Vigil Cantor Rehearsal + 5 PM Vigil Mass – Church All students, teachers and principals, President + 6:30 PM Light Fest Prayer Group – (Now Donald Trump & family, President elect Joe Biden & Online-see info under upcoming Mtgs. And his family, Vice president elect Kamala Harris & her Events) family, our Government, prayers and petitions in our prayer basket, for the all Priest especially those who serve here at Charity, Religious Vocations, and an increase in Religious Vocations, all men and women serving our country, the elders, all who are incarcerated, and unexpressed prayers, for immigrants, a successful and safe solution to the pandemic, the mentally sick, the unemployed, end to gun violence and for world peace, We pray to the Lord. COLLECTION 01/09– 01/10/2021 ST. GREGORY THE GREAT ST. MATTHEW UPCOMING MTGS. & EVENTS Mass Enve- Envelope Loose Totals There is ongoing Registration for Sacramental lopes Collection money Classes ONLY - First Holy Communion and 8 PM 31 764.00 54.00 818.00 Confirmation.

7:30 AM 57 1,692.00 97.00 1,789.00 Registration Fee: $50.00 Classes are in session at 9:30 A.M. Please contact 9:30 AM 45 1,080.00 215.17 1,295.17 Ms. Monica Flemmings, Director of Religious 11:30 AM 39 883.00 302.60 1,185.60 Instructions @ 646-415-3305 1:30 PM 42 681.00 87.75 768.75 +++++++++++++++ St. Gregory the Great’s BIBLE STUDY with Bishop L.I.R. 88 2,336.00 — 2,336.00 Sansaricq on Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 7 PM Total 302 7,436.00 756.52 8,192.52 Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Diocesan th 518.00 518.00 Tues, until Dec. 29 , 2020, 8 occurrence(s) Mission Jan. 12, 2021 @ 7 PM ST. GREGORY Jan. 19, 2021 @ 7 PM Mass Enve- Envelope Loose Jan. 26, 2021 @ 7 PM Totals lopes Collection money Feb. 02, 2021 @ 7 PM Feb. 09, 2021 @ 7 PM 5:00 pm 25 680.05 128.47 808.52 Feb 16, 2020 @ 7 PM 11:30AM 33 2,196.00 179.02 2,375.02 To Join Zoom Meeting please use Meeting ID:854 Total 58 2,876.05 307.49 3,183.54 9887 5775 Diocesan Passcode:374738 170.00 — 170.00 Mission On tap mobile OUR LADY OF CHARITY Dial 929 205 6099 using Meeting ID and the passcode Enve- Envelope Loose Mass Total ALL ARE WELCOME! lopes Collection money +++++++++++++++ 10am 37 1,700.00 — 1,700.00 PARISH UPDATES FROM THE DIOCESE ST. MATTHEW EXPENSES COVID19 remains on the rise we will continue Temperature taking and Hand Sanitizing before entering the Church and before receiving Holy Communion in the hand. Parishioners must wear a face mask. Also, please remember to Sanitize your hands before use of the rest room and after and also upon leaving the Church. +++++++++++++++

MARK YOUR CALENDAR The month of February we will celebrate Black History Month. Details coming soon! +++++++++++++++

SCHOOL OF RELIGION @ ST. MATTHEW SACRAMENTS & REGISTRATION PARISH REGISTRATION

We urge everyone to register in the parish. Any letter

concerning sponsorship for the sacraments or testi-

monial letters will only be issued to registered pa-

rishioners of 6+ months. Please register @ the rec- School of Religion @ Our Lady of Charity tory, you can fill out the form on the left and bring to Registration for school of religion is now CLOSED. the rectory

School of Religion @ St. Gregory BAPTISM: . Registration for Sacrament classes is now CLOSED. To have your child baptized in St. Matthew, you must pick up a list of requirements in the rectory However, there will be ongoing registration for all Non-Sacramental classes MARRIAGE: Marriage sacrament requires a time of spiritual School of Religion @ St. Matthew preparation. Therefore, couples should make ar- Registration is now CLOSED. rangements six months to a year before the planned PARISH REGISTRATION date, by making an appointment with the parish priest

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: If you or a loved one is near death or very ill and need Full Name a priest , we encourage you to call the chaplain of the hospital or call our rectory

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY ______If anyone is interested in joining the Pastoral Care Homebound Ministry please leave your name and telephone number in the rectory. Address 1 RCIA ______RCIA stands for RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS and is composed of a series of sessions bringing people together to experience the prayer life of the church as well as learn about its doctrines and Address 2 teachings. Using the readings from the Bible which we hear daily at Mass, the Sacred Liturgy as well as ______the Catechism of the Catholic Church, teens and adults who have not yet done so prepare themselves to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & Telephone Number ______Holy Eucharist.

RCIA is offered in Spanish, Kreyol & English and

is for people who: Email Address ______ Were baptized in the Catholic Church but have

not received the sacrament of Confirmation,

First Holy Communion or First Confession Were you registered before ______ Were baptized in another Christian denomination

and wish to join the Catholic Church If yes, registration # ______ Were never baptized & wish to fully worship in the

Catholic Church Today’s Date______ Wants to know more about what it means to be Catholic? The sessions begin in September 27. If you are inter- ested in knowing more, please contact the rectory. ST. MATTHEW 10 Inspiring QuotesPRAYERS by Martin Luther King Jr.

RECTORY CLOSING On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was born. In remembrance of one of the leading figures The rectory will be closed on Monday, January 18th in the civil rights movement and the man behind the in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. iconic “I have a dream” speech of 1963, Vogue has chosen 10 of his most famous quotes about human- GIFT SHOP ity that remain resonant to this day. Located @ the back of the Church, selling an array of religious articles including rosaries, open on “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish weekends before & after Mass. together as fools.”

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than FOOD PANTRY sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

Every Tuesday between 9am & Noon— NOT “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can OPEN on the 5th Tuesday do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

TAX CONTRIBUTION LETTER “It is not the violence of the few that scares me; it is the silence of the many.” Tax contribution letters are available upon request .

If you would like to receive your information, please stop by or call the rectory . “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our VOCATIONS enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

“Do you know that your bodies are members of Christ?” Is the Holy Spirit guiding you to share your “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” gifts as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life?

Contact the Vocation Office at “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every- (718)827-2454 or email: [email protected] where.”

“He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION “There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life, devoid In Church every Wednesday and of breadth.” First Fridays after 9:00 am Mass until 12:00 noon. “Your hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will repair for evils of the world and bring about peace on earth “Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Jesus.” (Pope John II)