PARISH OUTREACH ~ TROCAIRE Parish Outreach Trocaire House Office Hours: Mon -Fri.: 10Am to 2Pm Telephoneelephone: 631-385-3311 Ext
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CChurchhurch ofof St.St. PatrickPatrick 400400 MainMain StreetStreet Huntington,Huntington, NewNew YYorkork 1117431743 (631)-385-3311(631)-385-3311 www.stpatrickchurchhunt.orgwww.stpatrickchurchhunt.org FROM FR. BISSEX - “LOVE” LoveLove Dear Parishioners, “What is love? Baby, don’t hurt me!” We are all probably more than familiar with the lyrics from what is now the classic 1993 electronic dance hit by Haddaway, made even more popular by Will Ferrell in “A Night at the Roxbury”. Although found in these examples from pop culture, the question “what is love?” is as relevant to human nature and society as the more often analyzed question “what is truth?” As Valentine’s Day approaches in just a couple weeks, and as newly- engaged couples flock to the rectory to schedule their weddings in the wake of the holiday season, what better time of year for us to go a little deeper into the answer to the question of what love really is? What is love? Do I love my family in the same way that I love my friends? Do I love strangers I meet in the street in the same way that I love my father? Do I love God in the same way that I love my turtle? It is easy to say, as we often hear, that love is good, love is to be desired, love is to be promoted. In fact, this is so easy to say because the word “love” can mean a vast majority of different things. So what is true love? What can guide us to truly love God and our neighbor, as Jesus Christ asks (and even demands!) that we do? In the classic texts of philosophy, theology, and literature, we often find reference to different types of love. The first of these loves is called “philos”, which is a love of family and friends, the natural desire to help and nurture each other. The Philadelphia Eagles owe the name of their city to this word. Secondly, we know of “eros”, the romantic or passionate love that desire the good of a spouse or significant other. Finally we have “agape” (a-GAP-ay) which is the highest form of love; the love that allows me to avoid seeking anything for myself at all, but only seeks what is best for the other person. We could discuss these and others for days. But just these basic types of love help us distinguish between what I show God, what I show my family, what I show my friends, and what I show my turtle. Granted, I should show love to all of them, but when you see Fr. Bissex showing the same love for his turtle that he does for God, run away! In fact, the love we should show for God and for our neighbor, the love Jesus Christ asks of the men and women who follow him, is the love of agape; a love that is willing to sacrifice, to surrender, to give without counting the cost. Not only this time of year, with Valentines Day approaching and new weddings being put in the books, but at this time of human history, we need to rediscover and revel in the beauty of agape, the beauty of a love that gives and forgives even when it hurts to do so. Perhaps when Haddaway wrote his dance hit, he wouldn’t have been looking for this complex of an answer. It is, nonetheless, a vastly important response to the question “What is love?” As disciples of Jesus Christ, the source of true love itself, may you and I ever increase our willingness to abandon ourselves to the fullness of love found in agape. Love and prayers, Fr. Bissex 2 Church of Saint Patrick Huntington, New York FROM FR. SCOTT DANIELS Dear Parishioners, As I prepare to leave St. Patrick’s parish, my heart is filled with gratitude to God for the abundant blessings that He has bestowed upon me here. St. Patrick’s is a thriving parish filled with many who are truly passionate and on fire with the love of God. My heart is, in many ways, deeply saddened at leaving. I will carry the many graces and blessings I have received here with me to New Orleans into whatever ministry it should please the Good Lord to give me. Knowing all of you, serving all of you, and loving all of you has made me more the-man and priest that God intends and I truly thank all of you. Monsignor Camp, Father Bissex, and myself formed a great team, working with them has also resulted in my becoming a better priest and servant. I will miss them sorely but know that their love and dedication to St. Patrick’s remains unwavering. Since their arrival in June, 2017, this parish has experienced a great surge of life that only the Holy spirit can bring. I am blessed for knowing them and honored to have been able to work side by side with them. Please keep me held tightly in prayer and offer me to God at every consecration-on the paten and in the chalice. As you all know from my preaching, I pray only to fall more deeply in love with God and serve Him faithfully throughout my life. I will be moving to St. Anthony of Padua priory in New Orleans. Keep in touch. Rev William S. Daniels, O.P St. Anthony of Padua Priory 4640 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119-5808 May God bless you. You all remain in my prayers and taken to the altar at every Mass Most Sincerely Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Fr. Scott 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time February 4, 2018 3 FROM OUR BISHOP, MOST REVEREND JOHN O. BARRES Dear Friends: As we begin a New Year, I am writing to thank you for your support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal and for making my first year a great joy in this wonderful Diocese. With a grateful heart, I also ask for your prayers and support for this year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal, which brings Christ’s love and mercy to more than 600,000 people every year. Pope Francis has invited us to embrace our vocation as missionary disciples – to be the Hands of Christ’s Mercy. Our participation in the Catholic Ministries Appeal is an effective way for us to respond. As we support the good works of our Church, our hands serve as instruments of God’s love. Your gifts to the Catholic Ministries Appeal touch so many in our Diocese: children being formed in our Catholic Faith in our schools and religious education programs, seminarians preparing to be holy and zealous priests, candidates for the permanent diaconate preparing to serve our parishes, disadvantaged seniors who are often isolated and lonely, families in crisis including our immigrant-refugee families who face so much uncertainty, our youth and young adults discerning their Catholic faith and their futures, people who are incarcerated, and those suffering from addiction. A donation to our Appeal will help to ensure that our shared vision for Dramatic Missionary Growth in our Diocese will have a firm financial foundation as we reach out beyond our Parish walls and into the “mission territory” to which we are called. I am grateful for your prayerful consideration of a gift to the 2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal. Together we can bring Jesus’ message of hope to communities, families and individuals. Thank you for your love for the mission of the Church. I will be keeping you and your family in my Masses and prayers. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend John O. Barres Bishop of Rockville Centre 4 Church of Saint Patrick Huntington, New York PARISH MINISTERS AROUND OUR PARISH The Church of St. Patrick’s PRESIDER welcomes the Scouting Community in Huntington to SCHEDULE Boy Scout Sunday Mass. Mass will take place on February 4th at the Saturday, February 10, 2018 10:00am Mass. 5:00PM Msgr. Steven Camp Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Leaders please wear your uniforms and join us for fellowship in Murray Sunday, February 11, 2018 Hall after Mass has concluded. 7:30AM Fr. Michael Bissex 8:45AM Fr. Michael Bissex SANCTUARY CANDLE MEMORIAL 9:30AM Fr. Thomas Edamattam The Sanctuary Candle in our Church burns ev- 10:00AM Msgr. Steven Camp ery week to serve as a reminder of Christ our 11:30AM Msgr. Steven Camp light. Parishioners may request the Sanctuary 12:45PM Fr. Jeremias George Candle in memory or in honor of a loved one 5:30PM Fr. Jeremias George for one week. Intentions will be published in the weekly bulletin. Requested offering $20.00, please contact the Rectory Office, 631-385-3311 ext 200 ALTAR SERVERS ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIAL We invite you to remember your family, friends, Please refer to your email for and other loved ones with an offering towards the schedule for our weekly Sanctuary Flowers. Flower memorials Saturday, February 10th and may be made in memory of, in honor of, or in Sunday, February 11th thanksgiving for a family member or friend. The name of the person remembered will be printed in the weekly bulletin. Requested Offering, $50.00, please contact LECTORS the Rectory Office, 631-385-3311 ext 200 EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS *EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS* HELP WANTED If you serve the homebound, please make PART TIME WEEKEND STEWARD sure to sign for and pick up your work- Job Duties include: Opening and Closing of the Church book in the work sacristy after mass. and School buildings, light maintenance work. Assistance to Sacristan in arrangement of the liturgical books, candles, other things necessary in the celebration of Weekend Masses, Schedules can be picked up in Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings.