Vol. 4 No. 3 PARISH NEWSLETTER MARCH, 2016

The Power of Redemptive Suffering

od chose to suffer and die for us in order to redeem us from our sins, substituting his own G pain for the suffering we deserve. As a result, we are able to offer up our sufferings for our sins and for the sins of others by uniting them to Christ.

By bearing our pains with patience, offering our sufferings a form of prayer, and enduring hardship and disappointments, we can grow in grace and virtue. We can also grow in grace and virtue when we respond to those around us who suffer. Suffering gives us the opportunity to serve the sick, the needy, and the grieving through our self-giving as we respond in love and mercy to Christ, who presents himself in every person.

We might not always understand why we have to suffer. In his Passion and Death, he shows us how to bear our pains and injustices. In his ministry on earth to the sick, the dying, the crippled, and the grieving, he shows us how to be of service to others in love. By uniting our suffering to his Cross, we can experience interior conversion and empower our intercessory prayers for others. (1 Jn 12:24)

The Resurrection was the greatest miracle Christ performed.

he Resurrection proved without a doubt that Christ is the Son of God. Consequently, it T also affirms the truth of all that he had preached and all that is taught by the Church he estab- lished. The Resurrection is thus a prime example of one of the most fundamental truths in the “hierarchy of the truths of faith”.

“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings. All truths, even those most inaccessible to human reason, find their justification if Christ by his Resurrection has given the defini- tive proof of his divine authority which he had promised. (CCC 651)

Dear Lord, like the second criminal nailed to the cross beside Jesus, give us the strength to embrace your love, to surrender our control, and face the suffering that might come our way.

~ From the Last Words of Jesus 2 St. Katharine Drexel March 3

S aint Katharine was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 1858. Katharine’s mother died when she was a baby. Her father married a wonderful woman named Emma. She raised their own child, Louise. She was also a loving mother to Mr. Drexel’s two little girls by his former marriage. They were Elizabeth and Katharine. The girls had a wonderful childhood. Even though their family was wealthy, they were taught to be loving toward their neighbors. They were taught to be especially concerned about the poor. This was how they could show their love for God.

When Katharine grew up, she was a very active Catholic. She was generous with the time and her money. She realized that the Church had many needs. She turned her energies and her fortune to the poor, the forgotten. Her work for Jesus would be among the African American and Native American people. In 1891, Katharine began a new religious community of missionaries. They were called the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Katharine would become known as Mother Katharine.

The sisters of her order center their life around Jesus in the Eucharist. They devote their love and talents to African and Native Americans. Mother Katharine inherited her family’s fortune. She poured the money into wonderful works of charity. She and her sisters started school, convents and missionary churches. In 1925, they established Xavier University in New Orleans. During her long, fruitful lifetime, Mother Katharine spent millions of dollars of the Drexel fortune for the wonderful works that she and her sisters accomplished for the poor. She believed that she found Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. So, to, she found him in the African and Native Americans whom she lovingly served.

Mother Katharine died on March 3, 1955, at the age of ninety-sex. She was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000.

Mother Katharine teaches us a valuable lesson. We can spend our lives looking after ourselves and our own comfort. How much better, though, to be like Mother Katharine Drexel. This way we can do as much as we can to help others. ~ Saints for Young Readers for every day

Prayer to Do God’s Will O Lord, I do not know what to ask you. You alone know my real needs, and you love me more than I even know how to love. Enable me to discern my true needs, which are hidden from me. I ask for neither cross nor consola- tion; I wait in patience for you. My heart is open to you. For your great mercy’s sake, come to me and help me. Put your mark on me and heal me, cast me down and raise me up. Silently I adore your holy will and your inscrutable ways. I offer myself in to you and put all my trust in you. I desire only to do your will. Teach me how to pray and pray in me, yourself. Amen.

Publisher Rev. Arlindo Paul Da Silva Staff Contributors Editor email [email protected] Pastor Jeanette Horai Keith Venturella

Editor Sue Ellen Bibby The Newsletter will be published Pat Lorenc Roberta Maurer MONTHLY

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Sacrament of First

The Sacrament of First Penance was celebrated here at Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday morn- ing, March 5. Forty-three of our young people received this sacrament in preparation for their reception of our Lord in First Holy Communion in May. We were blessed to have five priests hearing the children’s confessions including Fr. Paul and Fr. Virgil, Fr. Gerry Paderon from St. Francis Cathedral in Metuchen, Fr. John Primich, hospital chaplain in the diocese, and to the surprise and delight of many…our own Fr. Lou!!

7th Grade Presentation of Bibles

The 7th grade Confirmation candidates of our parish received their own Bibles at a liturgical prayer service on Monday evening, March 7. Fr. Paul officiated at the service during which the Bibles were blessed and presented to each candidate. Kristina Burr and Katrina Celario served as lectors. Many attendees were especially moved by the singing of the Litany of the Saints during which each saint’s name chosen by the candidates for Confirmation were sung. Each year we thank Carl Cooper and Binky Idioma for lending their voices and Marilyn Prall for accompanying them as organist. Parents were in attendance as well as many sponsors whose presence provided spiritual support to the candidates on their journey toward Confirmation.

7th graders Madeline Dietrich and Joseph Malinowski with sponsors Elizabeth Dietrich and Robert Cuddy 4

The Right to Religious Freedom

The Church defends religious freedom and upholds the principle that no one should ever be co- erced into belief in God or profession of a certain religion. The moral right to seek the truth; in fact, we have a natural obligation to seek the truth. The search for truth may lead people down different paths for a while, but truth must always be their sincere goal.

The Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. Freedom of this kind means that all men should be immune from coercion on the part of individuals, social groups and every human power so that, within due limits, nobody is forced to act against his convictions nor is anyone to be restrained from acting in accordance with his convictions in religious matters in private or in public, alone or in associations with others. (DH2)

It is erroneous, however, to interpret the moral right to religious freedom as a license to believe what- ever we want about God’s existence. Respect for every person’s freedom to seek the truth does not mean everyone is free to believe whatever he or she wishes without regard for the truth. Those who reject the idea that God exists and refuse to seek him place themselves in direct danger of losing their souls, and we do not have freedom to risk our souls.

DH2—Dignitatis Humanae ~ Introduction to Catholicism for Adults

Presentation of Chalice to Rev. Sean G. Winters by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus #2544

Back row: Jim Whelan, Stan Sudol, Al Tuttle, Jim Lettieri, Deacon Bill rider Second row: Keith Venturella, Al Kulig, Rev. Sean G. Winters, Charles Omoregie, Garry Kosteck Left Front: Paul Bobe.