Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church March 15, 2020 3rd Sunday of Lent We change lives through the Risen Christ By Prayer By Presence Praying daily for our intentions Joining together at Mass every weekend for and the success of our mission. mutual support and the grace God offers . 666 Albin Avenue, West Babylon, New York 11704 Parish Office (631) 587-5185 Fax (631) 587-1427 Faith Formation Office (631) 661-9353 Parish Social Ministry Office (631) 661-9354 Day Care Office (631) 422-4681 www.ourladyofgrace.net [email protected] We Celebrate the Eucharist Vigil of Sunday: 5:00pm Saturday Evening Sunday: 8:00am, 10:00am (Children’s Liturgy of the Word), 12:00 Noon (Choir) Weekdays: Monday - Friday 8:00am and 9:00am - Saturday 8:00am Holy Days: See inside By Witness By Support Witnessing daily our love for God Sharing our gifts and and neighbor. encouraging one another. Our Parish Communion Our Clergy Baptism Rev. Joseph Davanzo, Pastor Call the Office for more information or to schedule Rev. Gabriel Miah, Associate an appointment for a Baptism interview. This should be done as soon as practicable. Rev. Martin Adu Gyamfi, Associate +++++++++ Deacon Ricardo Garcia Deacon Brian Miller Matrimony Deacon Irwin Saffran Arrangements for marriage should be made as soon as possible but not less than 18 months prior to the Our Pastoral Staff intended wedding date. Jeanmarie Florio, Day Care Director +++++++++ Peggy Harnisch, Faith Formation Director Confession/Reconciliation Ann Kristoffersen, Parish Social Ministry Every Saturday: 4:00 - 4:45pm in the Church James Pisano, Facilities Manager or call for an appointment. Terence Purtell, Director of Music +++++++++ Doreen Scalise, Kids of the Kingdom/ Summer Fun Coordinator Anointing of the Sick Tischa Stanley, Angel Care Coordinator Every Saturday during the 8:00am Mass for those facing surgery or with major disorders. Our Pastoral Council Call the Office for other arrangements. +++++++++ Lee Abseck Ralph Fiorillo Mary Ellen McEntee James Nevins Initiation as a Catholic Maria Russello-Chetti Lucy Sanchez For adults, teens, or children over age 7 Kathleen Scheid Concetta Whelan who are interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments of Initiation Our Finance Council (Baptism, Confirmation, Communion) Call the Office. Richard Korcz (Trustee) Joseph Salzone Leonardo LoCricchio Debra Nicosia Robert Scharf (Trustee) Thomas Villella Banns of Marriage 2nd Banns: Regular Devotions: Margaret Villella - Mathew Riback Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: (St. Kilian, Farmingdale, NY) Mondays: 2:00pm - 9:00pm except holidays or when noted. Miraculous Medal Novena with Rosary: Mondays following 8:00am & 9:00am Masses. Parish Office Hours: Holy Face of Jesus: Monday and Tuesday: Hour of Reparation 1st Friday after 9:00am Mass. 9:00am - 1:30pm; 2:00pm - 9:00pm Padre Pio Prayer Group: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm. Wednesday through Friday: Scripture Sharing: 9:00am - 1:30pm; 2:00pm - 5:00pm Every Tuesday - 9:30am (except July & August) Saturday: 3:00pm - 6:00pm Sunday: 9:00am - 12:00pm From The Pastor Eleven months ago, on April 15th, we saw the terrible images of tremendous flames burning Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. In the horror, the news cameras caught people crying, praying the ro- sary, kneeling, and some singing hymns in French or Latin; but they were all a far distance away. None of us saw the many people inside running out to a park nearby. But one man outside, Catholic priest Fr. Jean Marc Fournier, the chaplain of the Paris fire department, decided to run inside the burning cathe- dral, calling 2 firemen to come with him. As they ran up the main aisle, Fr. Jean shouted, “There’s Je- sus’ Crown of Thorns, break the glass and take it…there’s the cloak of King St. Louis 13th, take it… there are the relics of St. Helen and St. Catherine… take them.” Fr. Jean then ran to the center of the fire in the sanctuary where pieces of the wooden ceiling were falling around him. Miraculously he was not hit. He ran to save the greatest treasure of the all, the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. He re- moved the consecrated hosts and turned to the 2 firemen holding the relics who were yelling that they must get out. He raised the host and blessed them. He then raised Our Eucharistic Lord higher and blessed the cathedral. The love of Jesus in the Eucharist gave Fr. Jean great courage. The cathedral, se- riously burned and with its ceiling gone, did not fall. It’s just as Jesus did for mankind when the world was in ruins with flames of sin destroying souls. The Son of God left paradise and became man. He stepped into the fire of our sins and sacrificed His life so we could be saved from the eternal painful fires of Hell. Jesus came to prepare a place for us in His eternal cathedral in heaven. After the Notre Dame fire, many commented that it was as though the fire was a symbol of Christianity today with the Church on fire with persecutions, divisions, confusion, and a “pick and choose” attitude among those who claim to be Catholic. Today, the decline in Mass attendance is significant. Almost everyone has a family member who no longer attends Mass or believes. We have a generation of young people called the “None” generation because they have no religion and believe in nothing. They have no connection or interest in any faith and a particular dislike or anger toward Ca- tholicism. They want nothing to do with it. Adding to the confusion are those who call themselves Catholic but believe that abortion, same-sex “marriage”, and other sinful behaviors are acceptable. These are the flames consuming the Church today leading many to ask, “is the Church about to fall?” But just as the burning Notre Dame did not fall, the flames of sin will never overcome our Church. Jesus promises that the Gates of Hell will never prevail against the Church even in terrible times. (Mt 16:17-19.) Just as Fr. Jean and 2 firemen ran into the burning Notre Dame, God calls us in times when it looks like everything is about to be destroyed, to run to the Church and into the fire, to help save it rather than watch it be destroyed. Christ’s Catholic Church will always need faithful clergy and lay people committed to going in when everyone else is running out. Though others may lose hope, give up on Christ, and abandon His Church, God never leaves us. He strengthens us to remain, to do even greater works, and inspire others to do the same. May we be the courageous ones who do not run out and away but remain and run in. May we urge others not to be afraid, or to give up or give in to popular culture. May we be the ones, strengthened by the Eucharist and by confessing our sins, to save and strengthen our faith according to the truths of the Church’s teaching and the message of the Gospel. God bless you for all you do for our Church and parish. Respect Life: Maine and Maryland Accused of Anti-religious Hostility Over 100 towns in Maine don’t have a high school, so families choose a high school and the town pays the bill up to the rate allowed by the state. Families are now suing the state for religious discrimination because the state will pay tuition for a private school but refuses to pay for a religious affiliated school. An attorney for Institute for Justice said, “a state empowering parents to choose the school that is best for their child and then says religious schools are excluded, just strikes at the core of religious freedom.” Maryland revoked the Bethel Christian Academy from participation in a voucher program benefitting low-income students and demanded the school repay more than $100,000. An attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom said, “Government may not discriminate against religious schools simply because it dislikes religious beliefs.” Bethel’s lawsuit is moving forward. (catholicsforfreedomofreligion.org; March 2020) Happening this Week Worship This Week Monday, March 16: Mon. Lenten Weekday Adoration: 2:00-9:00pm (Church) Mar. 16 2 Kgs 5:1-15b / Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday, March 17: 8:00 Philip Ognibene Bingo: 7:00 - 11:00pm (PES) Youth Ministry: 7:30 - 9:00pm (Rm 212) 9:00 Rev. John James Newell Wednesday, March 18: Tues. St. Patrick RCIA 7:00– 9:00pm (Room 106) Mar. 17 Dn 3:25, 34-43 Mt 18:21-35 Bereavement class 7:00 - 9:00pm (Rm 109) 8:00 Terry Schubert Friday, March 20: Stations of the Cross 9:30—10:00am (Church) 9:00 Carl Broglie Stations of the Cross 7:30—8:30pm (Church) Wed. St. Cyril Saturday, March 21: RCIA: 5:00 - 6:00pm (Church & Rm 106) Mar. 18 Dt 4:1, 5-9 / Mt 5:17-19 Bingo: 7:00 - 11:00pm (PES) 8:00 Suzanne Mattera (4th Anniv.) 9:00 Antonia & Donato Agostinelli (St. Joseph) Thurs. St. Joseph Mar. 19 2 Sm 7:4-5a,12-14a,16 / Rom 4:13,16-18,22 / Mt 1:16,18-21,24a Memorials this Week: March 15, 2020 8:00 Giuseppe, Franco, Mario & Rosa Commisso 9:00 Anna & Antonio Mozzone Fri. Lenten Weekday Mar. 20 Hos 14:2-10 / Mk 12:28-34 8:00 Rev. Paul Rie In Memory of Irene Lomuscio 9:00 Gerry Keller Sat. Lenten Weekday Mar. 21 Hos 6:1-6 / Lk 18:9-14 8:00 Rev. Msgr. John McCullagh Sunday Worship - March 22, 2020 4th Sunday of Lent 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a / Eph 5:8-14 / Jn 9:1-41 Presider Mass Intention 5:00pm Fr.