Born Blind

Surprisingly, I've only been asked by a few people if the Coronavirus is a punishment from God. This may surprise you  but I don't know. I've shared with these folks that society was never more Catholic than at the end of the 13th century. Catholicism was infused into the whole fabric of society from top to bottom. For example, there were King and Queen saints and worker guilds, which in many ways served as Medieval unions, with the major exception that they were infused with Catholic Faith. These guilds made sure any member who died had a Catholic and burial, and to the best of their ability, they took care of the survivors. The universities were Catholic. The art was Catholic. Yet, without much change in society on the ground level, in the very next century, up to half of Christendom died from the Black Death. Yes, there were problems in the Church – the Avignon Papacy and the philosophical pollution created by William of Ockham, etc. – but it's hard to make sense of such a drastic loss of human life, and the heartbreak it must have caused, when you view their Catholic society. Would God actually punish a totally Catholic culture in that way? Certainly in the Old Testament, famine, war and plagues were viewed as punishments from God. The Israelites viewed them as a reminder that they had lost their way and needed to repent and amend their lives. The Old Testament writers, however, did not enjoy the fullness of God’s revelation in the way the New Testament writers did in Jesus Christ. Their testimony of the words of Our Lord should give us pause before declaring with complete confidence that a tragedy is a punishment from God. The New Testament takes a more cautious approach. A Catholic understands the Old Testament through the eyes of the New Testament. Therefore, I'd advise caution in drawing dire conclusions regarding the Coronavirus as a sort of biblical punishment. That stated, I can't help thinking of the Blessed Mother telling the young seers at Fatima that war is a punishment for sin, although one shouldn't equate the message of Fatima with the New Testament either. It’s now time to address the Sunday Gospel reading which tells the story of the man born blind. In early Jewish biblical writings it was implied that people with physical defects were contaminated and/or came from particularly sinful backgrounds. When people suffered personal tragedy it was viewed in a similar manner (Luke 13:4). In later wisdom literature, closer to the birth of Jesus, such as in the Book of Job, it was viewed in a more cautious and humble manner more with the sense of: Who are we to understand the mind of God? That mentioned, in the Gospel both the disciples and the adversaries of Jesus draw the false conclusion that this man must be a sinner because he has lived up to this point as a blind man. I assume they thought he was a particularly bad sinner compared to themselves. If so, they were really lost. They didn't even see their own sinfulness. Regardless, Jesus denies that the blind man’s condition at birth had anything to do with his personal sinfulness or his parents’ sinfulness. In this case, the man was born blind to reveal the glory of God through healing him. In short, we have to take a balanced view of this pandemic. I wouldn't dismiss the thought that the Coronavirus could be a punishment from God. We all need to re- examine our lives and priorities. Unfortunately, it looks like we will have plenty of time to do so. I wouldn't fully buy into it either. More importantly, I would view it as an opportunity to reveal the glory of God to others. A crisis of this type can stimulate us to be kinder, more helpful, more patient, more understanding and even to share our toilet paper with those in need! Perhaps, more than anything else, we could become more prayerful. This is a GREAT opportunity to become devoted to Our Lady and Our Lord through praying the Rosary. Also, perhaps we could use this time as an opportunity to read about our Catholic Faith. If you want suggestions, I have plenty, so give me a holler. Finally, remember that a person proves their worth in a time of crisis. Character, or lack of it, is revealed when the chips are down. Many of you are the leaders of your families. Rally the troops, gather your resources and make a firm resolution that nothing will shake your Faith or break your will going forward. To quote St Paul, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to be content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).

All are urged to keep in prayer those who are suffering from the coronavirus, as well as for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all those who are working to combat the disease.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for Protection O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Our Lady of New York, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

On Thursday, March 19th, a simple, private benediction was prayed by Father Patrick Curley. During this benediction, Fr. Curley blessed all the parishioners of St. Peter’s .

Note to parishioners: It will be necessary to reschedule all Mass intentions that were intended during the time of parish closure. After the church is re-opened, parishioners will have to call the parish office at (845) 452-8580 x111 to reschedule.

Religious Ed classes are temporarily cancelled until at least April 22nd. Please check your email for updates.

In light of the coronavirus outbreak and current social restrictions and business closings, the Knights of Columbus have also decided to close all upcoming events for the next two months. This includes both the fish fry (cancelled for the remainder of ) and pancake breakfast scheduled for April 5th. Our clothing drop off shed will still continue to be available. March 22, 2020 Laetare or Rose Sunday * The Fourth Sunday in Lent There are no flowers on the or music during Lent. (The people’s responses in bold represent wording that Pope Benedict had changed in the Mass throughout the world.)

Greeting

Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

The Confiteor

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (And then striking your breast three times) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore, I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Priest: Lord have mercy. People: Lord have mercy. Priest: Christ have mercy. People: Christ have mercy. Priest: Lord have mercy. People: Lord have mercy.*

*(Or any other option the priest chooses. “The Lord have mercy” can be sung as “Kyrie elÁison” or the Penitential hymn “” may be sung.)

A Reading from the First Book of Samuel (1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A) The LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There—anoint him, for this is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. The Responsorial: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5,6)

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (EPH 5:8-14)

Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

Lector: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory! People Only: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory! (Stand) Lector Only: I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. (JN 8:12) People Only: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory!

Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (JN 9:1-41) People: Glory to you, O Lord. As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is, “but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them,“I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you wan t to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains. Priest: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ. Creed Prayer Said by the People After The Pray I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Brethren Prayer of the Priest

Maker of heaven and earth, May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands of all things visible and invisible. for the praise and glory of His Name, for our good and the good of all His holy I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, church. the Only Begotten Son of God, Priest: The Lord be with you. born of the Father before all ages. People: And with your spirit. God from God, Light from Light, Priest: Lift up your hearts. true God from true God, People: We lift them up to the Lord. begotten, not made, Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right and just. consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. For us men and for our salvation He came down Heaven and earth are full of your glory. from heaven, in the highest. At the words that follow, up to and including and became Man, all bow Blessed is he who comes and by the Holy Spirit was Incarnate of the in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Virgin Mary and became Man. Priest: The mystery of Faith. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, People: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, He suffered death and was buried, and profess your Resurrection until You and rose again on the third day come again. in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you and is seated at the right hand of the Father. always. People: And with your spirit. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, People: Lord, I am not worthy that You should Who with the Father and the Son is adored and enter under my roof, but only say the word and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. my soul shall be healed.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Concluding Rites I confess one for the forgiveness of sins Priest: The Lord be with you. and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead People: And with your spirit. and the life of the world to come. Priest: Go forth the Mass is ended. Amen. People: Thanks be to God.

“THOU ART PETER, THE ROCK, AND UPON YOU I SHALL BUILD MY CHURCH” MattheW 16:18 Baptism The Sacraments Weddings

PRAY FOR THE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH SERIOUSLY ILL * Lorraine Nielsen by the Family * Felicia Ritters by the Family * *Bill Timmons by Loretta Timmons * Audrey Marie Michaels by Felicia Ritters * Joann Morris by Family & Friends * Thomas Hart by a Friend * Susan Charter by Jo Kupiec & Family * * Luca Schneider by Maureen Babiarz * J.R. Prince by Mary Prince * Jessica White by Mary Ann Lysko PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OTHER Sandy Cannistra by her Friends * Michael Einfeldt by the Family * Antonina Mirto by Edith Luca * Sean Tierney by the Brodie Family * * Shania Kanz by Stephen Garrison * Deacon James Hayes by Felicia Ritters *

* To have names added to the prayer lists, please call (845) 452-8580 ext. 120. and leave a message, please spell all names.

PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED SOULS OF THE PARISH PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED OF OTHER PARISHES ^ Robert P. Vaughan (95) entered eternal rest 11/2 * Sweet’s Memorial - 11/16 ^ Rebecca Consolini (27) Sept. 20, 2019 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko ^ Barbara Trainor (82) entered eternal rest 2/13 Funeral Mass - Fr. Curley 2/17 ^ Albert DeMarco (91) Oct. 10, 2019 remembered by Francine Barrett ^ Sue Tucker (89) entered eternal rest 2/17 * Remembered by Edith Luca ^ David R. Feheley (71) Dec. 29, 2019 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko ^ Frank J. Thomesch (74) entered eternal rest 2/16 * Funeral Mass - 2/22 ^ Ella Hoffer (76) Jan. 21, 2020 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko ^ ^ June M. Tacinelli (95) entered eternal rest 2/19 * Funeral Mass - 2/24 Erminio Bisceglia (89) Jan. 11, 2020 remembered by Edith Luca ^ ^ Dianne Witter (71) entered eternal rest 3/11 * Funeral Mass - 3/17 Mary Glass (61) January 30, 2020 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko ^ ^ James Daley (84) entered eternal rest 3/12 * Funeral Mass - 3/19 Doris Durant (101) February 27, 2020 remembered by Karen Venuto

The Mass Intentions for next weekend If you would like one of the priests to visit the sick, please call Sunday, March 29th (845) 452-8580 ext. 111, if an emergency call ext. 101

School Gym 4 pm Mary H. Frank

Our Lady’s 7am All Parishioners Chapel 9am Margaret & John Puzewski 10:30am Annie Luty 12noon Arthur Supperly 5pm Don Rielle

St. Peter’s Church Memorials. Never Forgotten.

In Memory of In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of our dear friend To request a memorial, Meg Ellen Misove Case Horton Tucker please call 9/27/76 - 1/11/12 th March 30, 1929 to February 23, 2016 Barbara Trainor (845) 452-8580 ext. 111 on her 8 Anniversary in Heaven St. Peter’s Forever In Our Hearts, Love, Needlework Group Your Loving Family Sue & Family

10th Anniversary In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of In Memory of Never Forgotten Mae A. Dahowski my beloved wife Catherine Jurutka John F. Belch st Jean on her 1 anniversary 10/12/1912 - 2/1/1965 9/29/47 - 1/05/10 in Heaven, on our anniversary Forever Loved & Missed We love and miss you, Love and miss you, from Mike Rock Your Daughter, Karen Gerard, Linda & Family JoAnne and all your Family