December 6, 2020 “Together we will build an atmosphere of in which the fruit Volume 22 Issue 49 of the Spirit will abound and draw others to Christ.”

Parish Office:

309 Front Street Owego, NY 13827 607-687 -1068

Website: http:// www.blessed-trinity -parish.org

St. James Physical Address: 503 Clark Street Waverly, NY 14892

Mailing Address: 309 Front Street Owego, NY 13827

Mass Schedule:

Wed. & Fri. - 8:30 a.m. Saturday - 5 pm Sunday - 9 am

St. John Physical Address: 28 Rock Street Newark Valley, NY 13811

Mailing Address: 309 Front Street Owego, NY 13827

Mass Schedule: Mon. & Wed. - 9 am

Sunday - 11:15 am

St. Margaret Mary Physical Address: 1110 Pennsylvania Ave. Apalachin, NY 13732

Mailing Address: 309 Front Street Owego, NY 13827

Mass Schedule:

Tues. & Thurs. - 7 am Sunday - 10:45 am

St. Patrick Physical Address: 300 Main Street Owego, NY 13827

Mailing Address: 309 Front Street Owego, NY 13827

Mass Schedule: Tues. & Thurs. - 12 noon

Saturday - 5 pm Sunday - 9 am

Mass Schedule Weekly Calendar Saturday Vigil: Second Sunday of Advent Readings for the Week of December 6, 2020

10:00 a.m. St. John + John P. Ambury, Sr. & Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/2 Frances L. Ambury Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8 5 Monday: Is 35:1-10/Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 [Is 5:00 p.m. St. James + Deceased members of the Shamot Family 35:4f]/Lk 5:17-26 - Family Tuesday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [1]/Eph

5:00 p.m. St. Patrick + Jane Zepkowski 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 - Robert & Cathy Synowiez Wednesday: Is 40:25-31/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 [1]/Mt 11:28-30 Sunday Second Sunday of Advent Thursday: Is 41:13-20/Ps 145:1 and 9, 10-11, 12-13ab 9:00 a.m. St. Patrick + Joseph J. Smith [8]/Mt 11:11-15 - Family Friday: Is 48:17-19/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [cf. Jn 8:12]/Mt 6 9:00 a.m. St. James + Mark Marroletto & 11:16-19 Alfred Marroletto Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/Jdt - Deb Mosier & Terri Koway 13:18bcde, 19 [15:9d]/Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47 10:45 a.m. St. Margaret Mary + Jim & Helen Repp Next Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 51-54 [Is - Madeline Barno 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

11:15 a.m. St. John + For the People LPi Monday Vigil: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

5:30 p.m. St. James + Louis Tomasso - Ann Walsh 7 5:30 p.m. St. Patrick + Steve Pitcher - Ogdensburg Friends Tuesday The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:30 a.m. St. James + Norman Lesko - Joe & Kathy Peranski 8 12 noon St. Patrick + Mary Ann Serafino - Kelley & Craig Peron

5:30 p.m. St. John + Chuck Curtis - The Yammine Family

7:00 p.m. St. Margaret Mary + For the People

Wednesday 8:30 a.m. St. James + Valerie Shipman Sunday, December 6 - Andy & Ginger Schliecker 10:40 a.m. Rosary—St. John’s Church 9 9:00 a.m. St. John + John & Emma Cetani 5:00 p.m. Sr. High Youth Group—St. Patrick Hall

Monday, December 7 Thursday Tuesday, December 8 7:00 a.m. St. Margaret Mary + Carl & Vera Napolitano 7:00 p.m. Group—St. Patrick Daily Mass Chapel 10 12 noon St. Patrick + James Murray - Kelley & Craig Peron Wednesday, December 9 Friday 5:00 p.m. Exposition—St. Patrick Church 5:15 p.m. Confession—St. Patrick Church 8:30 a.m. St. James + Intentions of Bob Modlo 6:00 p.m. Benediction—St. Patrick Church - Gloria, Joe & Tom Masters 11 Thursday, December 10 Saturday Vigil: Third Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Exposition—St. James Church 5:15 p.m. Confession—St. James Church 5:00 p.m. St. James + Brandon Schuchardt 6:00 p.m. Benediction—St. James Church - Mom 12 6:00 p.m. Bible Study—St. John’s Hall 5:00 p.m. St. Patrick + Mary & Joseph Smith - Family Friday, December 11 Sunday 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High Youth Night—St. John’s Hall Third Sunday of Advent 9:00 a.m. St. Patrick + Cheryl Crosby Saturday, December 12 - Robert Crosby 4:00 p.m. Confession—St. Patrick Church 13 9:00 a.m. St. James + Lisa Mosier 4:00 p.m. Confession—St. James Church - The Mosier & Koway Families Sunday, December 13 10:45 a.m. St. Margaret Mary + Genevieve Drinko - The Esposito Family

11:15 a.m. St. John + For the People 2

Fr. Jeffrey Galens, Pastor Reconciliation (607) 687-1068 — [email protected] This sacrament celebrating ’s forgiveness is

Fr. Daniel White, Parochial Vicar available by appointment (contact a priest) or at the following scheduled times. (607) 687-1068 — [email protected]

Deacon Mike Donovan St. Patrick - Wednesday 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. (607) 687-1068 — [email protected] Saturday 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m

Deacon Rick DeMars St. James - Thursday 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. (607) 687-1068—[email protected] Saturday 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Diane Snyder-Bell, Business Manager St. John - First Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. (607) 687-1068 — [email protected]

Annette Larrabee, Director of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry (607) 687-1068 — [email protected] Anointing of the Sick 309 Front Street, Owego, NY 13827 Lisa Salamida, Administrative Assistant Ths Sacrament of strength and healing is available (607) 687-1068 upon request for those who are sick or elderly. Fax (607) 687- 8122 (607) 687-1068 — [email protected] Please contact the church office.

8 am - 3 pm Monday-Thursday St. Patrick Cemetery Closed Friday Christopher Smith, (607) 687-1068, [email protected] Hospital/Nursing Home Visits Email: [email protected] St. James Cemetery Please notify the church office if you or a family Website: member will be hospitalized and would like the Christopher Smith, (607) 687-1068, [email protected] Sacrament of the Sick or a staff member to visit. http://www.blessed-trinity-parish.org Sharon Lovell, (607) 565-9967 Holy Communion at Home

Please call the church office if you wish to arrange a visit by one of our Communion Ministers. The Anschutz Family Rosie Kessler Cathy Soprano Memorial Candles/Gifts Evelyn Bale Emily Kwiatkowski Tom Smith Memorial donations are accepted for the Sanctuary lamp that burns before the Blessed Sacrament and Janice Boltman MaryAnne Larkin Roz Tierno the Bread and Wine used in our Eucharistic celebrations. Please contact the church office. Alice Bos Joanne Lepkowski Nate Titus Janice Bouton Doris Line Pam Vasilow Sanctuary Lamp

Douglas Brown Carolyn Masters Michelle Viggiano Bill Shorten St. Patrick Church Chris Butchko Bob Modlo George Ward Ann Cohan Hall Moore Julianna Ward Joseph J. Smith St. Patrick Church Anne Comcowich Sister Miriam Nugent Tina Weed Donald Zimmer Pat Dewi Lucille Pignatelli Jack Williams St. John Church

Marn Domiano Frank Paukowits Catherine Wilson Special Intentions Ann Evans Violet Ray St. John Church

Brody Hines Jean Salsiak Baptisms George Howell John Sandusky Baptismal preparation is offered and required for Jana Howell Sally Shea parents of children to be baptized in our churches. Please contact the church office for an initial interview and baptismal preparation.

", hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our me of need. Amen."

Craig Basel Casey Ford Alexander Pannone Marriage Couples should contact a Priest or Emilly Bos Jonathan Gavazzi Nicholas Scherrer Deacon to begin their preparation for Shane Bradley Ramon Garcia Brian Schlicher marriage at least six months before any anticipated wedding. Mahew Cascarino John Harrington Paul Stauder Banns: Kamren Curs Mahew Harrington Jusn Williams Kerilyn Curs Travis Holland Dalton Wojcuich Jennifer Leary Dean Andrew Malia Andrew Yammine If you are moving please call or email the office Kae Dibble Joshua Malia with your new address and phone number or let Seth Eckert Adam Meyrick us know if you are leaving the parish. 3

Immaculate Conception of the Congratulations Blessed Virgin Mary Please congratulate Liam who recently received his sacraments at St. Patrick Church. May God’s blessings be Holy Day Mass Schedule upon him. Monday, December 7 5:30 pm St. James Church 5:30 pm St. Patrick Church

Tuesday, December 8 8:30 am St. James Church 12 noon St. Patrick Church 5:30 pm St. John Church 7:00 pm St. Margaret Mary Church

Angel Tree at St. James  Choose a tag from the Angel Tree  Purchase the gift on the tag and return the gift to St. James Church.  Donate socks, gloves, mittens, hats and scarves.

Christmas Mass Schedule Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. St. James Church 4:00 p.m. St. Margaret Mary Church 5:30 p.m. St. Patrick Church 7:00 p.m. St. John Church Liam Jerzak 8:00 p.m. St. James Church First Communion, First Penance 10:00 p.m. St. Patrick Church Spiritual Adoption Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day Our spiritually adopted babies are now two 9:00 a.m. St. Patrick Church months old. They are two inches long, their 9:00 a.m. St. James Church teeth have formed, and fingers and toes have 10:45 a.m. St. Margaret Mary Church developed. Ears, nose, lips and tongue can be 11:15 a.m. St. John Church seen clearly. All body systems are present,

This year attendance at our Christmas Masses will be and their brain waves can be recorded. They can even limited. Please call the office to make a reservation for your suck their thumbs! Please continue to pray for these family (687-1068). You will be asked to leave your name, precious children of God by reciting the following daily phone number, number of people attending and what Mass prayer: you would like to attend. Ushers/volunteers will be at the “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to door with the list checking off names as people arrive. spare the lives of Casimir & Matilda, the unborn babies we Please watch the bulletin for further updates. Thank you have spiritually adopted who are in danger of abortion.” for your patience and understanding. Daily Prayer of the Month

Eternal Father, Community Meal at St. James As we reverently prepare this Advent for the Thanks to an amazing crew of volunteers, Mary Kay, arrival of your Son, we thank You for Your Monica, Pauline, Stosh, Ann, Judy (who enormous generosity and concern for us, Your chil- brought her granddaughter), Laura & dren, in giving us this ultimate gift. We honor His Mother, Leslie, who served 85+ in about 1/2 hour the Blessed Virgin Mary, as we celebrate her Immaculate Thursday at the Community Meal. The Conception and as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Community Meal is served as take-out the Americas. We pray You guide our families as You did from the garage behind St. James and continues the 3rd St. Joseph and the Holy Family. As with all the Doctors of Thurs of each month. Next month St. James Altar & the Church, may we strive to understand Your Will for Rosary is sponsoring the Christmas Dinner. us. While we honor the birth of Your Son this Christmas may we enjoy the love of family. In Jesus' name we pray, Community Meal at St. John’s Amen. Thank you to our hardworking volunteers who prepared a Please pray this prayer along with our Prayer Partners today and delicious Thanksgiving dinner including homemade pie for throughout this month. If you have a suggestion for prayer intentions 130 people. We appreciate each and every one of you! please let us now at [email protected].

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SǟǓǙǑǜǙǣǝ BǕǑǢǣ ǤǘǕ MǑǢǛ ǟǖ ǤǘǕ BǕǑǣǤ – 666, PART 12

Conclusion: I entitled this series “SOCIALISM BEARS THE MARK OF THE BEAST – 666” to be provocative and, hopefully, to catch your attention. None-the-less it does have true meaning. Socialism is rooted in an atheistic philosophy and makes it completely incompatible with Christianity. Even for those who are not professed atheists and wish to embrace socialism, one still has to suspend some very basic beliefs of the Christian faith and, in effect, embrace a practical . Practical atheism is the that God does exist but in practice one lives as if God does not exist. For those on the Left, this is the value and purpose of separation of Church and State. It is also the meaning behind rewording “Freedom of ” to the “Freedom of .” Religion is the virtue by which we give to God what is owed to God. It falls under the cardinal virtue of Justice. This means we cannot as Christians live as if God does not exist. We have a right and obligation in justice to God to live according to the dictates of our faith and not simply worship according to them. Therefore, if a for profit, private corporation does not want to pay for abortions and contraception through the health care plans that it provides for its employees because it goes against the Christian beliefs of its owner, they have a natural right to do so and a moral obligation as well not to provide such coverage. This is freedom of religion. We often here from “Christian” politicians who say, “I cannot impose my morality on anyone else.” No one is asking anyone to impose their morality on anyone else, what we are asking is that laws reflect the moral standards of the natural law and that persons and businesses be held to this standard. If the moral teachings of the Church correspond to the natural law, then the law should be promoted for the sake of the natural law, not Church law. The perfect example of this is abortion. The state has every right to prohibit abortions because abortions undermine the most fundamental right of the natural law – the right to life. Catholic politicians who work to enact laws prohibiting abortions are not imposing their morality upon others but the natural law and right to life. However, there is no contradiction between natural law and Divine positive law. By Divine Positive law I mean laws that we know only through Divine and not through natural reason or the natural law. God is the creator of the natural law and holds all, believers and non-believers, to it as it is accessible through human reason. Catholics, and I would add any true Christian, have to suspend their faith in practice in order to claim to believe in God and support Socialism, because socialism goes against the natural law. The atheism of Socialism, whether actual or practical, proposes a belief in a utopian society to be obtained here on earth. For the socialist this is Communism. Do not be dissuaded from this because you know a Socialist who condemns the Communist Government of the former Soviet Union or the Communism today in China (although many do praise it). While they may condemn it, they are only condemning the form it has taken, or they insist true communism has not yet been achieved. Because of the past horrors committed in the name of Communism, many may not want to call what they seek as “Communism,” but a rose is a rose by any other name, or in this case, dung is dung by any other name. As St. Augustin explained so well in his masterpiece “City of God,” we have no lasting city of man on earth, but rather our hope must be in the City of God eternal in Heaven. This is not an excuse to be complacent with injustice, but the ends does not justify the means. Evil means leads to an evil end – injustice, damnation and hell. Socialism has the mark of the beast because it denies God as the source of man’s rights (either through theoretical atheism or practical atheism) – created in the image of God and by God. Socialism denies grace as the means to the end – rejecting God’s will and sub-plants it with man’s will and the authority of the state (either through theoretical atheism or practical atheism). Socialism denies the true end of man – God/ heaven, and rather seeks it here on earth (either through theoretical atheism or practical atheism). This is the mark of the beast because it denies God. If we equate God with the 7th day, then we are left with the 6th day. We are nothing more than beast (either through theoretical atheism or practical atheism). The popularity of Socialism is on the rise in the United States. This is very troubling and dangerous. I repeat and end with a quote from Pope Leo XIII because what he said in 1901 has already come to pass in so many nations and now the threat is real for ours:

“…there is need for a union of brave minds with all the resources they can command. The harvest of misery is before our eyes, and the dreadful projects of the most disastrous national upheavals are threatening us from the growing power of the socialist movement.” (Encyclical: Graves de Communi Re, January 19, 1901)

In Jesus and Mary, Fr. Jeffrey Galens

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Catholic Ministries Appeal Gospel Meditation Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture People knew over a year in advance that the Pope was coming for a visit to America and the preparations began. Security, space limitations and requirements, protocols, crowd management, itineraries, invitations, regulations, and so much more was necessary to pull this event off effectively. It’s not every day that we get a visit from such a prominent dignitary. Thought, effort, meticulous attention to detail and vision all St. Patrick Parish Blessed Trinity Parish are necessary to make this thing 41.78% 43.88% work. After all, he can’t just show up in the ordinary and 64 Donors 102 Donors normal daily routines of life and catch people unprepared! Tickets have to be purchased, buses rented, hotel rooms reserved, and travel arrangements made early because it will be impossible to see him if we wait too long! We do this kind of preparing not only for prominent religious figures but for political dignitaries, notable sports figures, people of fame, and even actors. If an individual intrigues us, we are going to want to do all we have to do to get a “good seat” in the house. Does Jesus Christ captivate this much of our attention? We are asked to prepare the way of the Lord and to do so not with frantic frenzy but patient enthusiasm. We do not have to stand on a street corner making profound announcements about God’s coming or become overly zealous in our embrace of the Good News. Our task is quieter, more interior, captivating, and consuming. We are asked to change. We have to conduct our lives with holy devotion. Is the cost of that ticket too much for you? Don’t you want the “best seat” in the house? You don’t want to miss Our Lord’s arrival when he comes, do you? After all, if he comes while you are going about your daily routines without you even knowing, he may catch you off guard. Or, he may come in disguise looking like a beggar, a prisoner, migrant, refugee, or someone who is lost. Would you be ready to recognize him then? Preparing for the coming of Christ requires a change of mind, heart, and behavior. It is not adequate to simply do the things we always do. We want our lives to speak of the exciting news of Christ’s coming and the joy that the Gospel brings. It has to do with our demeanor, values, priorities, choices, and how we structure daily routines. Of course, it Live Streaming 9 a.m. Sunday Mass involves sacrifice. All anticipations do! Are you excited, The Mass at St. Patrick’s will be live streamed each captivated, enthusiastic, and sitting on the edge of your seat Sunday at 9 a.m. Please visit our Website – eager to celebrate his coming among us at Christmas, and www.blessed-trinity-parish.org for the link. waiting for him to come again? If not, why not? Dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still in effect until further notice. ©LPi Sacrificial Offerings Blessed Trinity November 21/22 November 28/29 St. Patrick November 21/22 November 28/29

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