Parish of Saint Martin of Tours 40 Seaman Avenue, Bethpage, New York 11714 John 3:14-21: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. Fourth Sunday of Lent March 14, 2021 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We, the parish family of St. Martin of Tours, focus on the Eucharist because it affords all of its parishioners the opportunity to participate and celebrate the presence of our Risen Lord. We seek through Word and Eucharist to be guided by the Holy Spirit. We do so to build a welcoming community of love and mutual respect through our liturgical, spiritual, educational and social ministries where all can grow in their relationship with God. Page Two Fourth Sunday of Lent March 14, 2021 THE CLERGY MASSES FOR THE WEEK Rev. Christopher Costigan, Pastor Rev. Sylvester Ileka, Associate Pastor Mon. March 15 - Fourth Sunday of Lent Rev. Vincent Schifano, Associate Pastor 6:30 Nicoletta Mattariello Rev. Deacon Thomas R. Hennessy 9AM Maria & Pietro Sirianni Rev. Deacon Christopher P. Quinn Rev. Deacon Ronald Lacsa Tues. March 16 6:30 Trustees: Carol Buffa and Frank Mekalainas 9AM Brendan Cronin Parish Council: Martin Meaney, Tom Beck, Annette Crofton Wed. March 17 - Saint Patrick Louie Gandolfo, Rosanna Kluth, Michael Leva 6:30 Patrick Hopkins & Andrew McCarthy Lucy McNamara, Robert J. Smith 9AM George Benasutti- Birthday Remembrance Finance Committee: John McCarthy, Frank Aiello Thurs. March 18 - Saint Cyril Carol Buffa, John Lynam, Lucy McNamara, John McTigue 6:30 Frank Mekalainas, Tina O’Donnell, Susan Oliver 9AM Frank & Dorothy Corbet Liturgy: Deacon Tom Hennessy, Deacon Chris Quinn Deacon Ronald Lacsa, Janet McKenna, Frank Mekalainas Fri. March 19 - Saint Joseph Pat Ricci, Elena Scollo 6:30 Angelo Cascione 9AM Michael J. Alloggio- Birthday Remembrance Rectory Office: Tel. 931-0818 • Fax 931-0559 Hours: Monday - Friday: 9AM-8PM Sat. March 20 Exception Tuesday: 9AM-5PM - no evening hours 9AM Edward Segretto Saturday: 9AM-6PM; Sunday: 8AM-12Noon 5PM Father Denis Sweeney Office of Faith Formation: -822 9768 Sun. March 21 - Fifth Sunday of Lent Patricia Ryan and Laura Leigh Agnese, Coordinators 7:30 People of the Parish Parish Social Ministry: • 931-7332 10AM Michael Romano Music Ministry: Elena Scollo, Director of Music • 713-8854 12PM Tom & Rose Gilday Marjorie Bruno Facility Manager: George Lucas • 635-7944 Justin Fermin First Friday Devotions: After the 9AM Mass Joan Ferraro First Saturday Devotions: 8:30AM Church 5:30PM Ben Scully Baptism: Karen Dillon, Coordinator • 454-6454 READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sacrament of Matrimony: Please contact the rectory office Mon. Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54 at least 6 months prior to the wedding. Tues. Ezekiel 47:1-9,12; John 5:1-16 St. Vincent de Paul : 718-687-8854 Wed. Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30 Thurs. Exodus 32:7-14; John 5:31-47 New parishioners: Go to smtbethpage.org. & under Our Fri. 2 Sm 7:4-5a,12-14a,16; Mt 1:16,18-21,24a or Parish/Becoming a Parishioner, click the registration form. Luke 2:41-51a Confession Times: Sat. Jeremiah 11:18-20; John 7:40-53 Saturday: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sunday: 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. Sun. Jeremiah 31:31-34 Monday - Friday: immediately following 6:30 a.m. Mass, Hebrews 5:7-9 8:30-8:50 a.m. before 9:00 a.m. Mass John 12:20-33 Rest in the peace of Christ Change of address: Please notify the rectory. Theresa Varga, Rita Mary Onken Victims of COVID-19 throughout the world. Page Three Fourth Sunday of Lent March 14, 2021 “Whatever you do for one of these, the least of my sisters and brothers, you did it for me.” "We can't thank you all enough for the continual generous donations to the pantry! This week, the pantry is running low on spaghetti sauce, dish soap and size 6 diapers. Together, we can get through these tough times. We are able to serve many families because of the generosity of those who give of their time, treasure and talent." The parish food pantry is open on Monday and Thursday. Please feel free to refer people. Those in need can call 931-7332 to set up an appointment. Parish Outreach Food Pantry THE PANTRY IS AVAILABLE 208 Broadway, Bethpage NY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY ON Phone: (516) 931-7332 MONDAY & THURSDAY. Week of March 14, 2021 There will be no Stations of Sanctuary Candle is lit the Cross March 19th at 3PM In Loving Memory of George Benasutti 40 DAYS FOR LIFE A ROSARY WILL BE HELD First Banns EACH WEDNESDAY AT 7:00 PM..IN THE CHURCH. Alexander Mangano & Patricia Brady JOIN US AS WE PRAY FOR ALL LIFE ISSUES. Please Note: Starting in February, requested names will be placed on the prayer list for a month. Parishioners may request to keep names on this list at the end of that month for another 30 days. REMINDER: Please call the rectory at 931-0818 to remove a name from the list at any time. Please pray for the sick of our parish: Vincent Esposito, Genny Mitchell, Donna Strickland, James McVey, Suzanne Elia, John A. Rose Sr., Stephanie Gavin, Andrea Bertram, Marie Londino, Edward Segretto, Carl Hoffman From our St. Vincent de Paul Conference Need help paying for a fuel delivery? Paying your utility bill? Medical bills? Housing? Help is available. Parishioners facing financial difficulties, especially those issues related to COVID-19, call St. Martin of Tours St. Vincent de Paul Conference- at 718-687-8854. Our mission is to "Help People." Call, if you need us. All calls are confidential. March 14, 2021 Fourth Sunday of Lent Page Four The Pastor’s Letter Rejoice, Jerusalem! The Fourth Sunday of Lent each year is known as Laetare Sunday, from the word "rejoice" in the proper Introit Antiphon. This Sunday the sacred ministers wear rose colored vestments, and the music and decorations in the church are a little more joyful than the barrenness of Lent. We are also at the halfway point of Lent. It's a good place for each of us to take stock of where we are compared to where we were on Ash Wednesday, and where we want to be on Easter Sunday. Today's first reading and Gospel give us a good snapshot of where we are and where we are called to be. The Second Book of Chronicles tells us that everyone-- princes, priests, and people, were giving into sin after sin. But in the Gospel of John we see the essential aspect of the Gospel, that God came into the world that we might not perish but have eternal life! Saint Paul reminds us that God is rich in mercy! So let us sincerely seek out that mercy, and let us truly practice that mercy with one another. We are currently working out the final details for Holy Week according to the Roman Missal and the guidelines received from Rome and Rockville Centre. While last year there were no public celebrations of these most sacred litur- gies, this year we will be able to celebrate them almost completely, but with some limitations. Palms will be distributed at all Palm Sunday Masses but there will be only a short procession before Mass. The Passion Gospel may be read through at some of the Masses rather than in three parts. On Holy Thursday there will be no Washing of the Feet and the Altar of Repose will be in the church, but without a formal procession from the altar of sacrifice to the altar of re- pose. On Good Friday there will be no individual veneration of the Cross (by kissing or touching). At the Easter Vigil there will be a simple preparation and lighting of the Paschal Candle, no lighting of individual candles, and a limited Sprinkling Rite. We are now one year into the Dispensation given by Bishop Barres from the obligation of the faithful to attend Holy Mass each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. This dispensation began shortly before the shutdown, obviously contin- ued through the shutdown, and has prudentially continued until this point as people are at various stages of comfort and risk due to the coronavirus. It's important to remember that this dispensation, like all moral choices, requires the exer- cise of the virtue of prudence (we will discuss the virtues and decision making at our online Adult Faith Formation ses- sions beginning tomorrow). As restrictions are lifted and vaccinations increased, prudence and good conscience dictate that we should make an informed choice about our attendance at Sunday worship or not. If we are in an at-risk category and have been limiting our traveling outside of the house and contact with others, then not attending Mass would be a prudential decision. But if we are out and about every Sunday shopping, dining in restaurants, and gathering with friends, then perhaps we may need some examination of our priorities? Are we using the dispensation as a prudent deci- sion to protect our health and that of others, or are we using it as an excuse not to come to Mass? Some have asked about the possibility of once again live-steaming Mass from St.