February 10, 2019 Reverend Father Robert A
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CHURCH of SAINT MARY Th e Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2019 Reverend Father Robert A. Romeo | Pastor Reverend Father Jiha Lim | Parochial Vicar Reverend Father Jude Dioka | Parochial Vicar 1300 Northern Boulevard | Manhasset, New York 11030 516 627 0385 | Fax 516 627 6070 www.stmary.ws Parish Mission Statement We, the community of Saint Mary’s, Manhasset, building on our rich heritage of Catholic faith and tradition, center ourselves in the Eucharist and honor God in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to be the presence of Christ through our liturgical, educational and social ministries. We dedicate our time, talent and treasure to the service of all as we build the kingdom of God in our world. We commit to this mission in the name of Jesus Christ. PARISH DIRECTORY Church of Saint Mary Pastoral Staff Th e Schools of Saint Mary 1300 Northern Boulevard Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo Nursery through 12th Grade Manhasset, New York 11030 Pastor (516) 627-0385 Joseph R. McCleary, Ph.D. 627-0385 | ext. 1004 Fax (516) 627-6070 President [email protected] www.stmary.ws 627-2711 Rev. Fr. Jiha Lim [email protected] Schedule of Masses Parochial Vicar Sean T. Collins ’73, ’77 Monday–Friday 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM 627-0385 | ext. 1006 Vice President of Development Saturday 8:00 AM, 5:00 PM [email protected] 627-4605 [email protected] Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, Rev. Fr. Jude Dioka 12:00 Noon and 5:00 PM Parochial Vicar Eileen M. Symmons ’82, ’86 627-0385 | ext. 1011 Director of Communications Sacrament of Penance 627-2711 | ext. 1081 Saturdays from 4:00-4:45 PM and by Rafal Borowiejski [email protected] appointment. Please call 627-0385. Seminarian 627-0385 Kiera Gmelich Walsh Director of Alumni and Parent Anointing of the Sick Parish Staff Relations Th e Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick 627-2711 | ext. 1162 Jane Cliff ord is celebrated in the Chapel on the second [email protected] Bulletin Editor Sunday of the month following the [email protected] 10:30 AM Mass. If you are unable to come St. Mary’s Elementary School to Church, please call the Parish Offi ce to Vincent Hartley 627-0184 make arrangements for Anointing or to Facilities Manager www.stmary11030.org 627-0385 | ext. 1002 receive the Eucharist. Sarah de Venoge ’02, ’06 Annette Lachmeyer Principal Parish Offi ce Parish Offi ce [email protected] 627-0385 | ext. 1008 627-0385 | Fax 627-6070 Th eresa A. Kemp Monday - Th ursday 9:30 AM–8:00 PM Robert Levulis Assistant Principal Friday 9:30 AM-5:00 PM Music Director [email protected] Saturday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM 313-7606 Sunday 9:45 AM–1:30 PM Damien Quinn St. Mary’s High School E-mail: [email protected] Youth Minister 627-2711 [email protected] www.inspiredthinkers.org Parish Social Ministry stmarysyouth.weebly.com Jonathan D. Kramer ’92 365-2705 Sr. Teresa Raftery, IHM Principal Monday-Th ursday 9:45 AM-12:00 Noon Adult Faith Formation [email protected] 1:00 PM-4:00 PM 627-0385 | ext. 1010 Religious Education Frank Souza 627-4028 Director of Religious Education 627-4028 | ext. 1127 Monday 12:00 Noon-9:00 PM [email protected] Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuesday and Th ursday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM Christine Sutherland Closed on Friday Coordinator of Parish Social Ministry 365-2705 | ext. 1126 From the Pastor’s Desk Dear Parishioners, “Th ey left everything and followed Him.” (Luke 5:1-11) In the call of the fi rst disciples, Jesus asks them to go out fi shing again after a night of catching nothing, and to lower their nets. Being obedient to Jesus, they bring in a large catch of fi sh. Th ey are so amazed at the size of their catch! St. Peter, as he does so often, speaks for the group and kneels before the Lord and acknowledges that he is a sinful man and not worthy to be in the presence of or to serve the Lord. We see the same response in the Old Testament Reading from Isaiah. Isaiah fi nds himself in the presence of the Lord and is fearful because he knows he is a sinner and not worthy of the call of the Lord. But the Lord touches his lips and he is purged. St. Paul, in describing his call, truthfully states that he is the least worthy as one who persecuted the early Christians. Regardless of this, he is called by Jesus to be the great preacher to all nations. All three share a sense of unworthiness and hence are reluctant to accept the call and serve As a priest, I have experienced the reluctance of so many to answer the call to serve. I hear time and time again that feeling of unworthiness to stand before God and serve in His name. While it is true that each of us is unworthy, we hear from St. Paul “that it is by God’s grace” we are made worthy. Each of us is called to use the gifts that have been given to us to serve Jesus and His Church. It is a privilege and responsibility bestowed upon us by our Baptism. As part of the Body of Christ and by the power of our Baptism, we all share in the common priesthood of Jesus. Hence, as sharers in His priesthood, we are also called to share in service to one another. And yes, as unworthy as we may be, we, like St. Paul, are made worthy “by the grace of God given to us.” Th e heart that is open to God in obedience will, like St. Peter, fi nd that faithfulness is rewarded with gifts beyond measure. St. Peter hears the voice of Jesus and, as reluctant as he is, answers yes to Jesus and “leaves everything to become his follower.” We can learn from all three of those called by God in today’s readings. When we are faithful to the voice and call of Jesus in our own lives, God, in spite of our unworthiness, can do marvelous works in us. For this to be a reality, we need to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit; and when we hear the voice of God, we need to put aside our fears and be obedient to what God wants us to do. In that faithfulness and obedience Jesus can then work wonders through us. As always, the operative word for a Christian is OBEDIENCE; this means to put aside our own wants, fears and yes, excuses, and say “YES” to the will of God in our own lives. When we are faithful to the call of Jesus, we can do wondrous and remarkable things in Jesus. Th ings we may have never imagined we could do or using gifts we never realized we had. I know this is the truth of Jesus. I look at my own life, and priesthood was not my fi rst choice (notice I said MY fi rst choice), yet it was something I always knew Jesus was calling me to. I didn’t feel worthy or “gifted” enough to serve at the Altar of God. Yet in my ultimate obedience and “YES,” Jesus has used me, as weak as I am, for His glory. In fi nding His will, I have found greater joy than I ever could have imagined for my life. Is it through my power or my authority? Certainly not, but as St. Paul says, “it is through the grace of God.” Do not be afraid, Jesus said to St. Peter and He says the same to us . DO NOT BE AFRAID. So my dear Sisters and Brothers, go deep into your heart and in the silence, listen to what the voice of God may be calling you to . and if He calls you to ministry, do not be afraid. He has wonderful plans for you! In Jesus, Fr. Bob Th e Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 10, 2019 Stewards of God’s Gifts In today’s readings, both Isaiah and Peter hear the call of God and feel themselves unworthy. Reassured by God they both answer and follow. Do I hear the Lord asking, “whom shall I send?” Am I prepared to answer, “Here I am. Send me!”? We are grateful for all disciple stewards who trust in the Lord and answer His call to do His Will. We are grateful for all who humble themselves before God. Th e collection for Sunday, February 3, 2019 amounted to $23,817.00. Th e collection for Sunday, February 4, 2018 amounted to $25,547.00. Have you enrolled yet? Visit www.faithdirect.net. Our parish code is NY281. We Care for Our Parish Community Baptism at St. Mary’s. Grades 1 through 5 meet on Tuesdays and We celebrate Baptism at 1:30 PM on the second Sunday of Th ursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. Families choose which the month and at 12:30 PM on the fourth Saturday of the day. Grades 6, 7 and 8 meet on Mondays from 7:30 to month as scheduled. Please call the Parish Offi ce at least 8:30 PM. For information about Grades 1-8 call 627- one month in advance to see if a date is available and to 4028.