Today we celebrate the 234th anniversary of our birth as a nation.  Our proud birthright lets us claim political freedom from all forms of tyranny.  Our Constitution spells out this freedom and protects it.  On this day, especially, we thank God for the great gift that is the United States of America.

        When you think about it, freedom and independence are both marvelous gifts, but they are relative.  Neither is an absolute.  My freedom and independence are limited by your rights and the rights of society.  I am not free to take away your rights or property.  We have all heard of the popular example that no one is free to cry “fire” in a crowded theatre.  So my freedom is limited and it is limited by your rights.  This is the only way that freedom, limited though it may be, can be preserved for all.  Incidentally, this is the moral and philosophical basis for our position on the right of the child in the womb to life.  The mother’s absolute freedom is limited by the child’s right to live.  We are indeed free, up to a point.  And so is everyone else.

        As for independence, God made us to stand on our own two feet, and not to spend our lives leaning on others in an overtly dependent way.  But our independence is also limited, for there are times when we all need each other, when we all must depend on another.  Who is more dependent than the human infant?  And at the very end of our lives, are we not often totally dependent on others?  So, independence, like freedom, is not an absolute.

        In the spiritual order, our faith tells us that we can never be independent of God, not even for the briefest instant, since God keeps us in existence.  We are totally dependent on God.  So, as we celebrate our Independence Day today, we are thankful for our political freedom and independence, and also for those who have passed them on to us.  We appreciate these things for what they are, gifts from God who is the giver of all good gifts, freedom, independence and life itself.

Happy July 4th!

        During this week, we turn the page of the calendar to July.  School officially ended last Friday.  The summer season began on June 21, the so-called “longest day of the year” in the northern hemisphere.  All of this means that for many it will soon be time for vacations and other restful and restorative pastimes.

        There are some who say that they don’t need vacations, or can’t afford the time to take one, or who feel guilty being away from home.  Perhaps they are “workaholics.”  Perhaps they are simply prisoners of their own routine.  We should not let it happen to us.

        There is a saying reminding us to “stop and smell the flowers,” urging us not to miss the present moment with all its richness and grace.  The saying is wise.  Almost everyone should stop the routine of life from time to time, and step back and relax.  Surely this will allow us to gain some perspective.  By doing this, we give the “God dimension” a chance to surface in our lives.  We become more present to God who is always present to us.

        So, hopefully, you can take some time off this summer.  Slow down.  Recreate yourself.  “Smell the flowers.”

Happy Summer to you and yours!

        We are a people on the move.  We revel in our mobility.  We change jobs and schools and addresses far more frequently then did our forbears.  Even our telephones are largely mobile.  This mobility or ease of movement is seen as a good thing by most of us.

        In the spiritual life, however, there is another quality that is even more important.  It is stability, and we need it just as much as mobility, if not more so.  Especially in the spiritual life we have to be rooted and anchored to a force larger and more important than ourselves.  We have to be attached to a dynamic unity that will keep us from aimless drift and prove an antidote to our innate restlessness.  In the spiritual life, this anchor is God, our heavenly Father.  It is God who provides us with stability throughout our lives.  Many times, this stability reaches us through human agents acting in God’s plan and providence.

        This is where our fathers come n.  They are so often the ones used by God to give us security and stability, to allow us to sink roots and to, as the saying goes, “bloom where we are planted.”  A father is given to his wife and children as a special gift from God.  Our fathers are given to us by Providence.  There are no accidents at work here.  It is by God’s design.  Their responsibilities are many.  Their influence on our lives is great.  On Father’s Day we remember them in a special way.  Perhaps your dad is alive; perhaps he has already gone home to God.  Either way, today is the day to thank your father and to lift him up in prayer.

        Thanks, Dad, for all you do and did.  I appreciate you and thank God for you now more than ever.

         June is the month for many graduations, including that in our own St. Patrick’s School.  I have always found it noteworthy that Graduation exercises are also called Commencement exercises.  We are graduating to a new level of education or life.  We are moving on and we are commencing a new period in our lives.  On the one hand some students have come to the end of their formal schooling in a particular educational institution.  But we do not learn just for learning’s sake, important as that may be, but also for the purpose of using our learning for the benefit of society.  Those who graduate commence this task.

        May I take this opportunity to congratulate all of the graduates who are in St. Patrick’s parish.  May you commence your life’s task to build the Kingdom of God, the City of God on earth.

         Our own St. Patrick’s School prepares its students very well to do this.  I congratulate Dr. Elizabeth Frangella and the faculty for a job well done in the 2009-2010 academic year.  This will mark the end of Dr. Frangella’s tenure as principal.  As previously announced, she has been named the Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Rockville Centre (Long Island).  She will specialize in the areas of curriculum and test assessment.  We congratulate her for this achievement and thank her for all she has done for our school for the last 12 years.  For her it is also a graduation and a commencement of sorts.

        Today, after the noon Mass, there will be a picnic on the Cenacle grounds.  This will give so many of us a chance to say good bye and best wishes to Liz as she commences a new stage in her life.  Liz, may your way be blessed and may God always hold you gently in the palm of His hand.

           With Memorial Day behind us, thoughts now turn to summer, and delightful thoughts they are.  As the pace slows down a bit, it gives us a chance to address some projects in the area of “buildings and grounds.”  The chairman of our buildings and grounds committee is Mr. Nat Picco, who is also our Parish Council Vice President.  He brings so much expertise and good will to his tasks.  We are grateful for his help.

          Thanks to your generosity to our Bicentennial Campaign, (I know that many are still involved in paying off their pledges to the Campaign, and we are most grateful.), we shall be engaged in the following projects over the course of the summer:

Church
· Refurbishing the Stations of the Cross
· Painting the exterior trim
· Gold leafing the Cross
· Re-carpeting Church Meeting Room

Rectory
· Refurbishing the basement laundry room

School
· Refurbishing the Pre-K bathroom
· Replacing the playground edging
· Painting the exterior trim

Cenacle
· Refurbishing the ground floor bathrooms
· Extending parking area blacktop

Grounds
· Trash bin enclosure gates—Church parking lot
· Exterior sign—front of Church
· Tree trimming and strengthening—Church parking lot
· Miscellaneous planting—School front and Church parking lot

          We hope to do all of these projects during the next three months, surely by mid-autumn.  Again, St. Patrick’s parish thanks all of you who have contributed, or are still in the process of contributing, to our parish Bicentennial Campaign.  All of the improvements we have accomplished as well as those listed above, are possible only through your generosity.

           Memorial Day is a day of remembrance.  Traditionally, it has been a time to remember especially those who have given their lives in the defense of liberty while serving in the armed forces.  More recently we have also included civil first responders—firefighters, police officers and EMT personnel.  To them all, we say thank you as we remember their heroism and valor and the debt we owe them.  May they rest peacefully in the arms of God.
 

Carnival 2010

           As we enjoy the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial beginning of summer, allow me to turn back with fond memories to our recently concluded carnival.  We have so many people to thank.

           The 35th annual Carnival opened on Tuesday evening, May 11.  The weather was dry but cold, and a good-sized crowd enjoyed opening night.  Wednesday’s weather was very poor:  drizzle, cold and damp.  But we were able to open and be hosts to a small but intrepid band of carnival goers.  Thursday was a spectacular spring day and a great number of folks, little ones in tow, and many teens, came out to sample the rides, the food and the games.

           Then came the weekend!  What can you say about the absolutely perfect spring weather, except that we were blessed by the Lord.  The Carnival was very crowded—day and night—as thousands of people enjoyed themselves.   Once again, with Parish Council help, we were able to bring up almost 100 children from St. Athanasius and treat them to rides and lunch on Saturday afternoon.  They had a blast!

           All in all, the Carnival was once again a huge success in many ways.  This is an event that brings together so many of our parishioners who are exceedingly generous in dedicating their time and energies.  Financially, it is our largest annual fundraiser for the parish and the school. As of this writing, the exact net profit is not yet finalized.  It is clear, however, that we most likely broke our record from last year.  But the Carnival has become so much more than just a means of financial support.  Once again, we were privileged to come together to host our neighbors throughout the area.  So many people come each year and are touched by our hospitality.  For some, it is their only contact with the Catholic Church. My prayer is that they go away better for having encountered us.

          As was said, there are many to thank.  Many came to staff game booths, ticket booths and the food tent.  Many came to cook.  Many helped to set up on May 8th and to take down on May 16th.  Thanks to all!  This year’s general chair people were Bonnie and Jim Alloy who handled so many duties with enthusiasm and grace.  Members of the Carnival Committee who met and planned throughout the year included Mike Adams, John Carson, Joe Castaldo, Anne Cook, Ed Durham, Theresa Gallagher, Jeanne and Warren Elliott, Bob Frangella, George and Alice Genovesi, Dave Kulowiec, Beatrice McAleer, Suzanne Quattrochi and Rob Ryser. Thanks as well to Dorothy Monaco and Debbie Nemnom for administrative help, to Kevin Quaranta and George Delaney for assistance with legal permits and to Nat Picco for maintenance questions.

          Amid all the positives, there was an unfortunate incident of a pedestrian being hit by a car on Friday night while walking from the Carnival on Route 22.  The Bedford Police Department indicated there were broken bones.  I would ask all of our St. Patrick’s community to pray for the recovery of this person, who according to press reports is a resident of Chappaqua.

 You hear a lot about annulments in our Church.  Much of what you hear is true; but there is also much “misinformation.” The Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association in Washington recently published a brochure with a number of questions and answers.  Since this is such an important topic, I thought it would be useful to share some of the highlights today and next Sunday.

What is an annulment?
     An annulment is a judgment by a court of a Catholic bishop in his diocese.  It states officially, and after an investigation, that something necessary was missing at the time of the marriage.  Because something necessary for the validity of the marriage was missing at the time consent was exchanged by the parties at the wedding, the marriage is declared null (or invalid) and the parties are free to enter into a valid marriage in the Church.

How is an annulment different from a divorce?
     A divorce is a legal action that dissolves a civilly valid marriage for any number of reasons.  An annulment is a church ruling stating that one or more elements necessary for a valid marriage in the Church did not exist at the time of the marriage.

What does the Church see as necessary for a valid marriage in the Church?
     The Church understands marriage as a “matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring” (canon 1055 §1).  When two validly baptized persons marry, their marriage is also sacramental.  Fidelity and permanence are the essential properties of all marriages.
     Because a marriage comes into being through the consent exchanged by the spouses, the Church holds that parties must have:
· The capacity to enter marriage (e.g., having the mental ability to consider and deliberate about the decision to marry a specific person).
· Sufficient knowledge about marriage.
· The intention to enter marriage as the Church understands it.
· The marriage celebrated before an authorized priest or deacon and two witnesses (if at least one spouse is Catholic).

     A couple enters into a valid marriage when they understand and intend to live by the requirements given above and they have the ability to carry out this commitment.  If either one or both parties enter into a marriage without the understanding, intention, or ability to fulfill the marriage covenant, therein lies the potential grounds for an annulment.

What are some examples of a couple that does not meet the requirements for a valid marriage in the Church?
     One example is a marriage where one of the parties had a significant problem with addiction to either drugs or alcohol.  It is reasonable to think that such a person might not be able to understand or follow through on a commitment of such depth under the influence of this addiction.
     Another example is a marriage in which one of the parties refuses to have children.  They might have talked about having children before the marriage, but after the wedding either the husband or wife demands the use of contraceptives throughout the marriage and will not consider the possibility of having children, thus manifesting the party’s true intention  at the time of consent.
     Because marriages involving at least one Catholic party must be celebrated before a priest or deacon and two witnesses, a third example is a marriage in which the parties exchanged consent before a civil official or non-Catholic minister without a church dispensation.

 To be continued next week.

 They are so valuable.  Our society couldn’t do without them.  They are esteemed by all.  In Tennessee they are part of the state motto.  Here in our own parish we rely on them to deliver so many of our services.  From time to time you will see notices in this bulletin that this ministry or that needs volunteers.  Currently, our need is for lectors and Eucharistic ministers.  But, permit me to say a few things about volunteers in general.

 Cory Busse, writing in Take Out, a publication of the Crosier Fathers, says that there are 5 myths about volunteering at church.  Here they are:

1. I’m not good at anything.
2. They don’t really need my help.
3. I don’t have time.
4. I gave at the collection plate.
5. I’m just too (insert excuse here) to volunteer.

 A word or two about each.  Regarding #1:  Is there really anybody who is not good at anything?  Someone who is absolutely bereft of talent?  Hardly likely.  And the variety of ministries in our parish is sure to turn up something that would appeal to almost everyone’s skill set.  America’s Got Talent, so does St. Patrick’s!

 Regarding #2:  You may look at our ministries and see them functioning smoothly and think that no help is really needed.  But there is always the desire to have a certain amount of turnover, so that people don’t burn out.  Some of our volunteers would love to step aside or get involved in a different ministry if they could.  So, yes, you are needed.

 Regarding #3: Yes, we are all busy and overextended.  But isn’t it true that we still make time for things we consider really important?  All the ministries of our parish contribute in one way or another to helping to build God’s Kingdom on earth.  Another way of saying our attempt to love God and neighbor as ourselves.

 Regarding #4:  Our parish is extremely grateful for the financial support of all our parishioners.  But there is a need for something more than money.  The language of love involves our time, our interest and our strength as well.

 And finally regarding #5:  If we let ourselves, we can always find an excuse.  It comes down to how we respond to Jesus’ invitation; like the apostles who followed Christ and tried to do their best?  Or like “the rich young man” invited by Jesus to follow Him, but who refused and went away sad because he had many possessions (read, other interests)?

 So, here’s to our volunteers, may you be one of them!

 On behalf of Fr. Joseph, Deacon Lou and Fr. Lowery and all of us at St. Patrick’s parish, I wish each of you and all the members of your family, a most blessed Easter.  Today we celebrate the mystery of Christ’s rising, having just celebrated His dying for us.

 St. Paul identified the Easter event as the very heart of the Christian faith.  Without it, he says, our “faith is in vain.”  It is clear that the Resurrection of Christ should make all the difference in my life.  But, how can this pivotal event in history touch me?  How can I personally benefit from it?  Our faith tells us that Christ’s death would not have happened if it were not for us, for each of us.  God would not have become one of us, if not to save us.  So too with the Resurrection.  Christ rose from the dead not for His own benefit, but for ours.

 Easter then represents the triumph of our wildest dream:  victory over death, and happiness that is complete and knows no limit.  This is what our striving is all about.  All our yearning.  All our searching.  Life forever with God.  This is what the triumph of Christ means to us, what Resurrection means to us, as long as we choose to be part of it.

 And how do we become part of it?  Through our baptisms; at least that is where it all begins for us.  At our baptisms we were “grafted” onto the Body of Christ, to use a term favored by St. Paul.  Baptism is the great Easter sacrament because it associates us with the Easter mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus.  So, if we want Easter to be real for us, we have to remain committed to our link with Jesus.

 Because of His Resurrection, Jesus can live in us, but only if we allow it.  That is why we renew our baptismal vows today.  As we do so, we reaffirm our link with Jesus who rises from the dead this day, and rolls away the stones and obstacles in our lives and remains forever with us.

 There is a wonderful ministry which some people practice.  It is the ministry of presence.  These are the folks who always seem “to be around.”  There’s a crisis that has to be dealt with?  They are there to help you.  There’s an emotional loss, like the death of a loved one?  They are there to comfort you.  There is a birthday or a first communion or a wedding or an anniversary?  They are there to celebrate with you.  They are always there for you.

 Of course, these good folks are imitating the one who is most present all the time to all of us, Christ Jesus Himself.  “Behold, I am with you always until the end of time” is the way Jesus put it.  It is what the Incarnation is all about.  Christ is with us not just 2,000 years ago, but today and every day.

 So Christ is always with us, but are we often with Christ?  Holy Week, which we begin today, allows us to practice the ministry of presence to Jesus.  We join Christ in His redemptive work; and we do so not merely as spectators, but as participants.

 Today we join Christ in triumph as He enters Jerusalem.  But the reading of the passion narrative makes it clear that human nature is indeed fickle, and some who cheered for Jesus on Sunday demanded His crucifixion on Friday.  We are invited to consider our own inconsistency in the spiritual life.

 On Wednesday evening at 7:30pm, we have the opportunity to share in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The sacrament will also be available after the 9am Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and for an extended period (4pm–5pm) on Holy Saturday afternoon.  What a wonderful dying to sin and rising to grace one experiences in this great sacrament of God’s forgiveness.

 Holy Thursday, 7:30pm, enables us to join Jesus at His Last Supper.  Being there we experience not only the beginnings of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders, but we also learn from Jesus what it means to serve others in the Kingdom of God.

 Good Friday invites us to relive the Passion of the Christ, to pray for groups large and small around the world, and to venerate the cross on which Jesus died.  Our liturgy will be at the traditional hour of Christ’s death, 3pm.  In addition, Stations of the Cross will be held at 7:30pm.

Finally, we will gather at 7:30pm on Holy Saturday evening to keep vigil for the Resurrection of the Lord.  RCIA candidates will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.  It is surely one of the most beautiful liturgies of the year as we experience new light, new fire and the extraordinary presence of the risen Christ.  Alleluia.

 This week, perhaps more than any other, we are invited to practice the ministry of presence to our Lord Jesus.  The old hymn asks the question “Were You There?”  Please God, we shall be.

 When Satan approached Jesus in the desert, he tempted the Lord in three ways:  power, ego and materialism.  We are all familiar with these temptations, for they are ours as well.  Fortunately, antidotes exist for each of these temptations.  For power, there is prayer.  For ego, fasting.  For materialism, almsgiving.  These antidotes are also the three great pillars of Lenten spirituality.  Today, a few words about almsgiving.

 We are material creatures, and so we shall always be tempted by materialism.  It occurs when we forget about the spiritual dimension in life and when we make a god out of some material thing.  It’s a question of priorities.  Material goods play a necessary role in our lives.  We can’t live without them.  Materialism occurs when we make material things and their pursuit the driving force in our lives.  What makes my life go around?  Is it money—or “stuff” of any kind?  Or is it my relationship with God, and all that that means:  handling love well, generosity, forgiveness, compassion?

 The antidote to materialism is almsgiving:  responding to the need of another by caring for that person in a material way.  We combat materialism by giving some of our “material” away.

 I am speaking at all the masses this weekend on behalf of the Archdiocesan Stewardship Appeal.  This is the new name for what used to be known as the Cardinal’s Appeal.  In all other respects it is the same:  our archdiocese’s annual effort to reach out to the needy in our midst and to fund the charitable ministries that are so important.  You can’t read the gospels without being convinced that the sharing of our goods is not optional for us Christians.  The Archdiocesan Appeal, which is my own personal favorite charity, is a magnificent effort in Lenten almsgiving each year.  I would ask you to consider a generous response if you have not already done so.  And thank you for all your support for the Appeal in the past.
 

Hail to the Champs!

 Congratulations to the St. Patrick’s CYO 6th grade boys Division A team, coached by John New, who have won first the 2010 Westchester/Putnam championship, and then last weekend beat the hitherto unbeaten St. Raymond’s (Bronx) team for the Archdiocesan Bronx-Westchester championship.  This weekend they play at Pace against the Manhattan-Staten Island champion for the downstate title.  If St. Pat’s wins this game, the last mountain will be the New York State Championship next weekend!

 We have 23 teams in our CYO Program, from grade 3 through high school.  We measure the success of the program not by wins or losses but by the life lessons learned, often by defeats even more than triumphs.  Sportsmanship and teamwork are indeed valuable life lessons.  Having said that, one always plays to win, and winning gives a great sense of satisfaction.  So, congratulations to John and the boys and the Assistant Coach, Andrew Britz.  Well done indeed!

 When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, an event recounted variously by Matthew, Mark and Luke, the temptations came in three areas:  power, ego and materialism.  It is no different for us.  We are tempted in the same way.  Fortunately, we have antidotes for these temptations.  For power, there is prayer.  For ego, there is fasting.  For materialism, there is almsgiving.  These of course are the three pillars of Lenten spirituality.  Today, some words about fasting.

 When we think of fasting, most of us probably call to mind the giving up of one type of food or another.  And this is indeed fasting in its original meaning.  We do without food or a type of food, and we do so for the purpose of mortification, a word that literally means dying to self.  We die to self voluntarily so that we can join the new life that God would give us.

 This is also possible in areas other than food.  There are so many ways to mortify ourselves.  We can fast from many things.  One could fast from always wanting to be the center of attention.  There is fasting from always wanting to have one’s own way.  We can fast from revenge and lack of forgiveness; from impatience, from injustice; from intemperance; in short, from all the vices.  There’s a lot more to fasting than giving up candy, as good as that is.

 The point of all this is that when we do engage in fasting, of whatever type, we employ the perfect antidote to the egocentric life.  The more we mortify ourselves by fasting, the more we put our ego in its place, the more we gain a sense of perspective in our life.

Hail to the Champs!

 I wish to congratulate and thank all the coaches, assistants, players, and especially the Board of Directors of our fine CYO program who are just completing another great season.  Our parish has a very large program—this year 23 teams, boys and girls, from 3rd grade to high school.  All told, there are over 200 children in the program.  Some teams win more games than others.  But the number of wins is never the point (although winning always feels better than losing). The purpose is of course sportsmanship, and all the vital contributions that makes to the players, and indeed to society itself.  I’m so happy that St. Patrick’s has this fine CYO program, and I especially thank our Board:  Van Muller, Jim Glascott, Lou Nemnom, Charlie Versaci and Bill Gallagher.

 As you have probably heard by now, Pope Benedict has designated the period of time we are now in as the Year of the Priest (June 2009—June 2010).  The Holy Father was moved to do this because of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests who worked diligently and simply to convert the minds and hearts of his parishioners in the village of Ars, France.

 The Pope means for this observance to have two main results:  First, that priests themselves experience through the prayers of the Church what he calls “the yearning for spiritual perfection.”  Second, that laity learn more about the priesthood, about what priests do for them and about the need to pray for priestly vocations.

 So then, the first purpose of the Year of the Priest involves the spiritual growth of priests.  Priests struggle spiritually, just like everyone else.  Priests need your prayers, just like everyone else.  Priests need to focus on their prayers and fight distractions, just like everyone else.  The list goes on; but you see my point:  your priests need your prayers, and this Year of the Priest can help us priests a lot.

 The other purpose of this special year is to invite the Church at large to learn more about the priesthood and to do our part in promoting priestly vocations.  The word vocation points us in the right direction.  A vocation is a calling.  So it might aptly be asked, who does the calling?  Ultimately, of course, it is God who does the calling.  But how does God do this calling?  As in so many other aspects of the spiritual life, God acts indirectly through human beings.  This is the incarnation at work, God living in our midst.  So we, the Church, do the calling, the inviting, to certain people to consider becoming priests.  We encourage them and we call them forth from our midst to serve the rest of us as priests.  And, of course, we pray for vocations to the priesthood, that is, we pray that the people who are invited will say yes.  The Year of the Priest is meant to remind us of this.

 There is a supply of Year of the Priest prayer cards in the back of the Church, available for as long as they last.  Please take one.  On the back is this lovely prayer:

 “Heavenly Father, please grant to Your faithful servants the grace and strength to carry out Your mission for the Church each day.  Keep our priests close to You and continue to inspire them to serve others in Your holy name.  Please help to inspire men who are called to a priestly vocation to answer the call and participate in the fullness that You have planned for them.  Amen.

 We Catholics sure know how to celebrate.  Even as Lent begins, and we take up the regimen of fasting, we look forward to the celebration of our patron saint’s feast next month.  St. Patrick’s Day is always in Lent.  It joins two other feasts usually in Lent—St. Joseph (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25)—days on which the Lenten acts of fast are lifted.

 Here in our parish, St. Patrick is our patron.  Our custom has been to celebrate with a Dinner/Auction.  The purpose is three-fold:  to celebrate the occasion and our parish, to raise money for our parish ministries and to honor someone for years of service to St. Patrick’s.  This year the honoree is none other than Sr. Kathleen Fitzgerald, who has given almost 50 years of joyful and faithful service to our parish and our school.  Sr. Kathleen is known and loved by all, and it will be indeed a privilege to honor her.

 By now you should have received in the mail an invitation.  Please consider joining us for this important event on the parish social calendar.  Just return the RSVP card or call the Parish Office at 234-3344.  It will be a wonderful event at the Mt. Kisco Country Club on Saturday evening, March 13th, at 7pm.  I hope to see you there!  If you didn’t receive your invitation, just call the Parish Office.

 It seems as if we were just celebrating Christmas and wishing each other blessings and happiness for the new year.  Yet during this week occurs that first harbinger of the distant spring:  Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

 It is one of the busiest days of the year in Catholic churches.  I read that 40,000 received ashes in St. Patrick’s Cathedral last year!  Some only come to church once a year, but Ash Wednesday is the day.  Indeed, many non-Catholics also come; and they are welcome.  I think what this indicates is that there is something within us that recognizes our need for salvation and redemption; something that yearns to atone for sin and craves the friendship of God.  There is something in us that recognizes our incompleteness.  The ashes are a symbol of all that.

 Lent will extend for 6½  weeks, with Easter Sunday being celebrated on April 4th.  The traditional Lenten practices are prayer, fasting and almsgiving, as we shall be reminded on Wednesday.  The Ash Wednesday schedule and the Lenten regulations are printed below.  May I be among the first to wish you a “Happy Lent!”
 
 
 
 

Ash Wednesday Schedule
Ashes will be distributed 5 times throughout the day:
7am Mass
9am Mass
Noon Prayer Service
5:30pm Mass
7:30pm Mass

Lenten Regulations on Fasting & Abstinence
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of both fasting and abstinence from meat.  The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.

Fasting:  Only one full meal should be taken.  Two small meals may be taken to maintain strength.  Those in good health between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged.
Abstinence from meat obliges those over the age of 13.

Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will be held on all the Fridays during Lent at  7:30pm.  The first of these services will be this Friday, February 19th.

 Last week I read about a social experiment conducted in 2007 by the Washington Post.  It was designed to measure people’s perception, taste and priorities.  What they did was to place a man with a violin and a contribution hat in a D.C. Metro station on a cold January morning.  The man played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.  During that time, about 2,000 people went through the station, mostly on their way to work.

 After three minutes, a middle-aged man slowed his pace, stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried on.  Four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar from a woman who threw money in the hat without stopping.  After six more minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen, spent a few moments, and then moved on.  As the music played, a number of small children stopped, but without exception, their parents forced them to move on quickly.

 The musician played continuously for 45 minutes.  Only six people stopped to listen for a short while.  About 20 gave money, but did so as they continued to walk by at a normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.  As he finished playing, the silence took over.  No one noticed.  No one applauded.

 No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, a virtuoso.  He had played some of the most intricate pieces ever written, and with a violin worth $3.5 million.  Two days earlier, he had entertained a sold-out theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

 Obvious questions are raised:  How do we perceive beauty?  Do we stop to appreciate it?  Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?  Mostly, are we too absorbed in our own routines?  Do we “miss the moment”?

 The same applies to the people in our lives.  Do we take them too much for granted?  Do we fail to appreciate their efforts?  Do we ignore their attempts at forgiveness?  Do we fail to perceive their progress?  And then, when they leave our lives through death or departure, what are we left with?  Life’s moments are fleeting and finite.  We can’t afford to miss them.  The people in our lives are the signs of God’s Providence and Love for us.

Catholic Schools’ Week

 Every once in awhile, a friend, often a priest, will say to me something like:  “Wouldn’t your job as a pastor be a lot easier if you didn’t have a school?”  I suppose there are two ways to answer that.  If the question means:  would there be less work?  The answer is probably “yes.”  But then I would put the question in the same category as “Would your life be easier if you didn’t have to get up in the morning?”  Sure, it would, but….

 So, for me, the real way to answer the question is:  My job is to do the best I can to promote the gospel, spread the Good News about Jesus, and build the Kingdom of God.  There are many ways to do these things, of course.  Each of us must use our God-given talents and insights to do God’s work.  My instincts and experience tell me that the best way to hand on our faith to our children is for parents to teach and live the gospel values in the home and then for these values to be reinforced—every day—in their school.  Hence my firm belief in Catholic Education as the best method of faith transmission that we have yet been able to devise.  Hence my delight that our parish has a Catholic School, a fact that helps to make St. Patrick’s a “full-service” parish, so to speak.  More work?  Perhaps.  Worth it?  Without a doubt.

 As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week this week, let me say how proud I am of our School.  The educational professionals who work in this parish ministry, administrators, faculty and aides, have my utmost admiration and thanks, every one of them.

 Catholic Schools Week is a time to blow our own horn.  The national theme this year is “Dividends for Life:  Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, Morals.”  As I look at our St. Patrick’s School, I see each of these four gifts being given to each of our students—first in their own homes and then at school:  a superior elementary education preparing them for high school, and a grounding in faith and morals that we all cherish and try our best to promote.

 In our society, such an education will cost more, but I don’t think you can put a price on the value of a faith-centered life.  Our school is of course open to all the members of our parish.  If you have children of school age, please feel more than welcome to come for a visit.  I’m sure you’ll like what you see.  Finally, if you have tuition concerns, we can work with you to possibly solve them.  Think about it!

 The Christmas season has come and gone.  But before it recedes any more into memory, I would like to express my gratitude to so many people who helped to make our parish celebration so special.

 As was mentioned in last week’s bulletin, hearty thanks go to those who decorated the Church for the holidays:  Claudia Atkinson, Londa Kenyon and Nat Picco.  Also, thanks to all who helped with the Children’s Mass at 4pm on Christmas Eve:  Anne Stagnari, Catherine Begley, Natalie Beyer, Dave Onnifrey and Christine Meyer.

 The music throughout the Christmas season has been inspiring.  We thank Anthony LoBalbo and Mark Adamy, instrumentalists, and Brian Jagde, Diane Glover and Alison McConekey, soloists.

 Just before the holidays, St. Patrick’s once again came through for approximately 100 families in the South Bronx.  We thank Bill Rosa for his splendid work with the Santa Project, a long-standing St. Patrick’s tradition.

 Finally, we thank all of our parishioners who contributed so wonderfully to the Christmas collection.  Through last Sunday, $81,001 had been donated.  In difficult economic times, this is a magnificent gift to St. Patrick’s and will help us with the ordinary expenses attached to our many ministries.  May the Lord bless us all in this new year.  May we continue to build God’s kingdom in our parish.
 

A Children’s Choir

 For many years, we have had the Children’s Liturgy at 9am every Sunday.  After the opening prayer of the Mass, the children go down to the Church Meeting Room and take part in a special program based on the gospel.  They rejoin the upstairs congregation after the homily.  Once a month, on the first Sunday, the children stay upstairs and have a homily directed to them and then are invited to stand around the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer.  On these Sundays, thanks to the generosity of Dave Oniffrey, we shall now also be treated to a Children’s Choir.  If your child wishes to participate in this choir you may contact Dave at doniffrey@cardinalspellman.org to include their name, email address and telephone number.  Rehearsals will begin at 8:25am before the 9am Mass.  These Masses will be held on February 7th, March 7th, May 2nd and June 6th.

Transitions

 In recent years, the cantor at the Sunday morning Masses has been Brian Jagde, assisted in the summer months by Alison McConekey who has also been very popular.  Brian’s career has just received a major boost:  he will be singing opera in San Francisco.  He will still be in New York from time to time, and will join us on those occasions.  Alison will assume the position of cantor on most Sunday mornings.  We welcome her warmly and wish Brian many blessings.

 “Keeping Christmas Well” is an old English expression.  You run into it in Dickens.  It was said of Mr. Scrooge that in the end he finally was able to keep Christmas well.

 It is not always easy to do this.  There are so many distractions; and we are all so busy at this time of year.  So many things to do.  So little time in which to do them.  I hope you had the opportunity to attend some or all of our recent Parish Mission, conducted by Fr. Joseph Freund on December 7th, 8th and 9th.  It was a joyful experience.  The Mission began our Christmas preparation.

 It seems to me that the best way to keep Christmas well is to allow what happened in Bethlehem to happen spiritually again in yourself.  This means being open to God, being personally open to the Incarnation.  This is why Mary is the great Advent figure.  No one was ever more open to God than she.  Indeed, God came to Mary as He came to no one else:  “The Word was made flesh.”

 Will He come to me?  Will Jesus be born again in me this Christmas?  How will I know if it has happened?  What will be the sign?  More than anything else, a welcoming nature.  If I am a person who makes room for others in my life, then I am developing a welcoming nature. Does someone need my time?  I give it.  Does someone need my attention or my interest?  I give it.  Does someone need my strength?  I give it.  Does someone need my forgiveness or my apology?  I give them.  God wants my prayer?  I pray.  God wants to forgive me?  I pray the prayer of sorrow.  Does the Holy Spirit prompt me to fulfill a need?  I follow the Spirit’s inspiration.  These are all indications of a welcoming nature.  It is to such a person that Christ is born again.

 May this happen to you—and to me.  And may all in your family be richly blessed with all God’s good gifts during this holy season and throughout the new year.

A Christmas Gift to St. Patrick’s
 Parishes around the country rely on their Christmas and Easter collections for a sizable percentage of their annual support.  Indeed, it is no different here in St. Patrick’s.  Last year, approximately 25% of our annual revenue from collections was given at Christmas and Easter.  These funds are used for our ordinary operating expenses and help us in our efforts to run our parish and its many ministries.  You have always been most generous at Christmas.  We thank you in advance for whatever you will give to your parish.

 As Christmas draws near, one of the sure signs of its pending arrival is the appearance in the Church’s Evening Prayer of the “O” Antiphons.  An antiphon is a short prayer or saying which comes before and after a psalm or a hymn in the Divine Office prayed daily by clergy, religious and many lay people.

 The “O” antiphons come before and after the Canticle of Mary, also known as the Magnificat, in Evening Prayer.  They begin on Thursday evening, December 17th, and carry through until December 23rd.  The seven antiphons are addressed to Christ under one of his 7 scriptural titles.  They present the coming Lord with a distinct petition.  Here they are, with their ancient titles:

 December 17:  O Sapientia.  O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care:  Come and show your people the way to salvation.

 December 18:  O Adonai.  O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai:  Come stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

 December 19:  O Radix Jesse.  O flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you:   Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

 December 20:  O Clavis David.  O Key of David, O royal power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven:  Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into Jerusalem.

 December 21:  O Oriens.  O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:  Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

 December 22:  O Rex Gentium.  O King of the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man:  Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.

December 23:  O Emmanuel.  O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people:  Come and set us free, Lord Our God.

 Our Lord Jesus approaches, let us hasten to greet Him with open arms and welcoming hearts.

 As we have been announcing, this is the week of our annual Parish Mission.  The Mission preacher, Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Freund, is speaking at all the Masses today in order to invite one and all to come to the Mission services.  Because of the feast of the Immaculate Conception this week, we get to celebrate both events together.  Normally the evening Mission Service would not include Mass, but because of the holy day, Monday and Tuesday’s Mission Service will also include a Mass.  So, here is a summary of the Mission schedule:

Monday, December 7th at 7pm:  Mass of the Immaculate
 Conception and Mission Service
Tuesday, December 8th at 7pm:  Mass of the Immaculate
 Conception and Mission Service
Wednesday, December 9th at 7pm:  Mission Service and
 Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Other items to note:

· Fr. Freund will also give “morning instruction” talks at the 9am Mass on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Tuesday’s 9am Mass (and 7am) will be for the Immaculate Conception.
· Ample opportunity for confessions will be given during the Mission.

 So, please use this occasion to grow closer to God during the Advent season.  A wonderful opportunity for grace is being offered to us all.  May we take advantage of it.

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Last Weekend’s Wonderful Success:
 Fr. Bill Martin, who was here last weekend to speak to us about the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, was overjoyed at the response he received from us.  Seventy-four families came forward to sponsor children and seniors in the Third World.  Fr. Bill said that it was one of the largest parish responses he has had in many years.  Once again, thank you for your splendid generosity.

 When my father and his parents and siblings emigrated to the United States from Scotland in the 1920’s, the first federal holiday they got to celebrate was Thanksgiving Day.  It was something entirely new to them:  a civil holiday to give thanks to God. They were completely taken by it and it quickly became a most important day for them.  Even today, it remains my favorite civil celebration.  Our society puts on the very spiritual cloak of gratitude.

 This of course begs a question.  If one is grateful, the question is, grateful to whom?  Why, to God, of course.  On Thanksgiving Day, God comes through the front door in the United States of America.  I love it!

 It started with President Abraham Lincoln.  Here, in part, is his original proclamation establishing the first Thanksgiving Day.

 “It is the duty of the nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the over-ruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

 “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven.  We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity.  We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.  But we have forgotten God.

 “Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

 “It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people.

“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

 Wonderful words from our 16th and arguably greatest president.  May you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday filled with God’s blessings, and may we all grow in gratitude.  I would like to express my thanks and that of St. Patrick’s Parish to all of our parishioners whose support is so vital, especially to all those who volunteer their time and energy in our many parish ministries.  We are grateful to you all!

 It is again my pleasure to report to you the parish’s regular receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year 9/1/08—8/31/09.  For purposes of comparison, the previous year is also listed.  Permit me to make some observations concerning the numbers being reported.  However, let me first say that what follows represents our ordinary receipts and disbursements, not including the contributions and expenditures associated with the Bicentennial Campaign.  We are most grateful to our parishioners who are still paying off their Campaign pledges.  You are enabling us to continue the Bicentennial projects on each of our parish buildings.

 Regarding our regular receipts for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, you will note a small decline in the Sunday collections.  This is the first such decline in a number of years, caused probably by the economic downturn.  Our Christmas and Easter collections also suffered a bit, down from the 2008 total which was an all-time high for the parish.  The Sunday collections are the mainstay of our receipts.  Our goal is to average $xxxxx per Sunday.  This past year we achieved an average of $xxxxx  If you could raise your weekly contribution by as little as $x, we would achieve that mark.  We are most grateful for all your financial support of the parish, especially to the Christmas and Easter collections which are so vital to our financial solvency.

 As for fundraising, the two events we most rely on each year are the Carnival and the parish Auction.  Auction receipts go to the Church.  Carnival receipts are shared with the school.  You can see that we had a very good year.  It was an all-time high for the Carnival with most favorable weather conditions in Carnival week.  Our volunteers for the Carnival and the Auction work so hard to make these events successful.  Hats off to them all!

 A final comment regarding receipts concerns the investment income.  Part of the parish reserve had been invested in a portfolio of stocks and bonds in keeping with the advice of the Archdiocesan Parish Finance Office.  The downturn in the market impacted negatively on these investments.

 Regarding disbursements, most of the lines remained rather consistent with previous years.  The largest item remains the support of the parish school.  Aggressive fundraising and conscientious cost-cutting by the school administration resulted in a modest decrease in the subsidy.

 The “bottom line” shows that we ran a slight deficit for the year.  It is interesting to note that this number is very close to what we lost in investment income.  In a normal financial year, we would probably have been slightly in the black.  The goodness of God in the form of your generosity allows us to operate the parish and all of its ministries in a financially stable way.

 This report of necessity has focused on the material side of St. Patrick’s mission.  In this world, the material will always be linked to the spiritual.  Again, may I thank you for your continued support of our parish and all its endeavors and ministries.  It is a privilege and a pleasure to serve you in this corner of the Lord’s vineyard.

 This past week I was blessed to be able to spend some time on retreat.  Bishops urge their priests to take some time for this each year.  I always find these days extraordinarily grace-filled.  You take yourself out of your routine and claim some time for prayer and the pondering of life questions that our busy day to day schedules keep from us.

 What is good for us priests is also good for all believing Christians.  It is so easy to become slaves to our routine, so easy to lose sight of life’s purpose.  It is indeed necessary to “step off the treadmill,” as it were, and luxuriate in the presence of God.  It is both restful and spiritually refreshing.

 There are many retreat houses in our area, each with its own published schedule.  Several come to mind:

· The Bethany Retreat House in Highland Mills
      (845) 928-2213
· The Cardinal Spellman Retreat House in Riverside (718) 549-6500
· The Divine Compassion Center for Spiritual Renewal in White Plains (914) 948-4086
· The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
      (845) 424-3671

 Of course, there is another way to approach the retreat experience, especially if you have a young family and very little time or availability to slip away for a few days.  Simply choose a week and set some special time aside for God.  Bring a book, rosary beads and a bible and spend an hour in our Adoration Chapel in the Cenacle.  Do this two or three times in your selected week and you will have created your own retreat week.  May you enjoy such a retreat into the wonderful presence of God.

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Gifts for God and the People of God

 This past Monday evening the young people who will be confirmed next spring gathered in Church to formally request the sacrament.  Each approached the altar with a letter stating his/her desire to receive the sacrament that marks the conclusion of Christian initiation.  Unlike Baptism, which in most cases is received in infancy, Confirmation involves the consent and desire of the recipient.  With this goes doing what Christians do:  worship and service to others.

Each of these Confirmation candidates recommits self to the public worship by the People of God (most notably by faithful attendance at weekly Mass) and also to public acts of charity.  Each candidate performs a certain number of hours of apostolic and community service.  These involve all sorts of wonderful acts of love that serve the purpose of tending to the Body of Christ in the needs of Christ’s sisters and brothers.  It is indeed a beautiful thing to see!  Please pray for all these young people as they prepare for Confirmation.

 We celebrate All Saints Day every year.  But when it falls on a Sunday, as it does today, it takes precedence over the Sunday feast and we get a chance to really focus on what it means to witness to gospel values.  More than anything else, that is what a saint is:  a clear witness to the values of Jesus.  They are God’s “all-stars,” as it were.

 Having said all this, it remains true that these friends of God were also still imperfect; they were still sinners who were also saints.  Does that sound familiar?  It should.  The person we see in the mirror is in the same condition.  Each of us is a person with God’s grace, still struggling to overcome our evil inclinations.  We are saints nonetheless, called by God to become even greater saints.  Along the way, it doesn’t hurt if we have examples of people who succeeded in the struggle, folks of all kinds, in all ages, who cooperated with God’s grace to make a great success of their lives.

 The saints.  Some are well known.  Think of Peter and Paul.  Think of Theresa and Clare.  Think of the greatest one of all, Mary, the Mother of God.  Then there are the little known and almost unknown saints.  People now known only to God.  All of them have one thing in common—they all won the struggle to put God at the center of their lives.  For them, ultimately, God came first.

 The part of Catholic theology here that I always found most consoling is that we have a real connection to these saints, these “all-stars.”  We are connected to them by Christ’s life which we all share.  We are all in the Body of Christ.  We call this the Communion of Saints.  Some of us in this Communion are in heaven, some are in purgatory, some are here on earth.  All are saints because all share the life of God, grace.  What is particularly consoling to me is that we are present to each other in Christ.  This is especially true concerning those loved ones who have died and whom we shall remember tomorrow on All Souls Day.

 So, happy All Saints day.  May they help us in our struggle.  And may we remember always our loved ones who have died.  Saints.  That’s not a bad title for us all, thanks to God’s grace.

 It’s so easy to overlook our own gifts, so easy to take them for granted.  One such local treasure is our own parish school, which is also the region’s only Catholic elementary school
 Make no mistake about why Catholic schools exist:  to provide children with a firm foundation in our Christian beliefs and values.  It seems to me that it has never been more important to do this, since the culture in which we live is at such variance with our own faith and morals system.  Parents need all the help they can get to reinforce the Christian values their children experience at home.  This will not happen in any organized way in a public school.   Our system of government, or at least the current operative view of the Constitution, will not permit it.  Other than some natural values, parents will get little help from public education in the areas of faith and morals.  So, it is left for us to pass on our Faith to our children as best we can.
 In almost all parishes that have significant numbers of children, that means a religious education program, called CCD.  These are heroic attempts to carve out as much as 90 minutes or so each week to lead the children through a basic Catholic curriculum and prepare them for the sacraments.  I am very proud of our own considerable efforts in this regard here in St. Patrick’s.
 Catholic elementary schools exist to do more.  The Catholic values which are fostered in our families can be reinforced throughout the day, every school day.  This is the way it is here in St. Patrick’s, where we succeed in giving a top-flight elementary school education as well.  St. Patrick’s School offers education at its finest, with all the things you would look for from a secular viewpoint, including high and superior test scores on standardized State tests within a structured and fruitful learning environment, but also the validation and transmission of the Catholic beliefs and values of parents.
 I really wish more folks would take advantage of this local treasure of ours.  While some classes are full, some are not.  There is still some room for transfers and, of course, room for new students next year. I know the tuition can be an obstacle.  For some few, they will look at St. Patrick’s tuition and compare it to local private schools which have much higher tuitions.  These few people will find our tuition “too low for a really good school.”  For most folks, the obstacle is that the tuition is too high, not too low.  To the former, I say St. Patrick’s is the best education value you will find in our area.  To the latter, I say please speak to me because money should not stand in the way of a Catholic education.

 There is an Open House on Friday, October 30th, 9am—11am.  Learn about the school’s many offerings, including the daily, full day Pre-K and after-school care programs.  You may schedule a private tour of the school by simply calling 234-7914.  You are most welcome whether you are considering the primary grades or a middle school transfer.  I invite you to consider this wonderful opportunity for your children, our local treasure

 If someone were to ask me if I thought we had a good parish here at St. Patrick’s, I would surely reply in the affirmative.  Very much so!  Of course, that doesn’t mean that with God’s help we can’t make it even better.  All of us, including me, can become better members of St. Patrick’s.

 It is in that spirit that we have included a well written and thoughtful insert in this edition of the Bulletin.  It is entitled “Six Ways I Can Make My Parish Better.”

 The underlying assumption is that parishioners in a parish should feel a true sense of ownership in their parish.  They should ideally look at their parish as more than just the place where they go to Mass.  The parish should be the place where they grow in the knowledge of what it means to follow Jesus; the place where they receive spiritual nourishment; the place where they experience the Christian Community and even a social place where they can meet new friends and reach out to those less fortunate.  As your pastor, I am always striving, however imperfectly, to make these things happen.

 The brochure lists six ways we can all help to bring these goals about.

1. Think of yourself as part of a parish family.  We share a heritage and a history here in St. Patrick’s going back to 1928.  Hopefully, we can feel a commitment to one another.
2. Be Welcoming.  A smile goes a long way.  We gather so that we can worship or do whatever we are doing not as individuals, but as a community.  Being open to others is a beginning.
3. Use your gifts and talents for the good of the parish.  We are as strong or as weak as our willingness to share our unique talents for the common good.
4. Attend Parish Events.  No one can come to everything that happens at St. Patrick’s, but we can all hopefully grace the parish community with our presence at those functions and ministries where we have a talent and an interest.
5. Support your Parish Financially.  This is important so that the parish can continue to provide services in the many ministries in which we are involved.
6. Pray for your Parish.  This is the most important thing any one of us can do!

 I hope you enjoy this special bulletin insert, and that you find it indeed helpful and informative.  It closes with a prayer.  Here is part of it:

“Gracious and loving God, we ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon our parish, and to fill us with love.  Make us instruments of your love to everyone we encounter…
“Deepen our desire to follow your will and to do all things for your honor and glory.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.”

 The old expression “to know you is to love you” is never more true then when it is applied to our knowledge of God.  Our childhood catechisms told us that the purpose of life is “to know, to love and to serve God in this world, and then to be happy with God forever in heaven.”  From knowledge comes love and service.  We can’t love what we don’t know.
 Our knowledge of God and the things of God will always be limited, of course.  The infinite God cannot be understood by a finite creature.  Still, we long to know about the God who is the reason for our existence, and its end.
 When one thinks of religious education, too often the focus is entirely on the education of young children and adolescents.  And indeed, we must and we do spend much in the way of time, energy and resources in the noble task of instructing and catechizing our young people.  But what about adults?  Don’t we have to continue to grow in our knowledge of God too?
 It is with this in mind that I mention our two adult religious education series.  The first is the Faith Awakening Series (cf. the insert in this bulletin) which will take place on five consecutive Tuesdays beginning on October 27th.  The sessions will be in the Church Meeting Room at 3:55pm and 7:10pm (your choice).  This will be a series of presentations and discussions on basic faith topics.  The other series is Sacred Scripture with Fr. Joseph.  It will be held on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning on October 28th at 7:30.  Again, the site is the Church Meeting Room.
 Permit me to also mention the Life Spirituality Discussion Group hosted by Deacon Lou.  It meets periodically to explore the spiritual books that the participants read.  The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, October 29th, at 7pm in the Cenacle building.  I commend all of the above to your consideration.  One thing is clear:  we are all called to expand our knowledge of God and the things of God.  I hope that these parish programs help with your own walk to God, and your effort to know God more fully.

 The old expression “to know you is to love you” is never more true then when it is applied to our knowledge of God.  Our childhood catechisms told us that the purpose of life is “to know, to love and to serve God in this world, and then to be happy with God forever in heaven.”  From knowledge comes love and service.  We can’t love what we don’t know.
 Our knowledge of God and the things of God will always be limited, of course.  The infinite God cannot be understood by a finite creature.  Still, we long to know about the God who is the reason for our existence, and its end.
 When one thinks of religious education, too often the focus is entirely on the education of young children and adolescents.  And indeed, we must and we do spend much in the way of time, energy and resources in the noble task of instructing and catechizing our young people.  But what about adults?  Don’t we have to continue to grow in our knowledge of God too?
 It is with this in mind that I mention our two adult religious education series.  The first is the Faith Awakening Series (cf. the insert in this bulletin) which will take place on five consecutive Tuesdays beginning on October 27th.  The sessions will be in the Church Meeting Room at 3:55pm and 7:10pm (your choice).  This will be a series of presentations and discussions on basic faith topics.  The other series is Sacred Scripture with Fr. Joseph.  It will be held on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning on October 28th at 7:30.  Again, the site is the Church Meeting Room.
 Permit me to also mention the Life Spirituality Discussion Group hosted by Deacon Lou.  It meets periodically to explore the spiritual books that the participants read.  The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, October 29th, at 7pm in the Cenacle building.  I commend all of the above to your consideration.  One thing is clear:  we are all called to expand our knowledge of God and the things of God.  I hope that these parish programs help with your own walk to God, and your effort to know God more fully.

 You will probably recall that during the summer we collected toys, clothes and catechetical books for our Partner-in-Faith parish, St. Athanasius.  We have received their heart-felt gratitude in this letter from Sister Thomas, a Sister of Charity who has served at St. Athanasius for many years.

“Dear Parishioners of St. Patrick’s in Bedford,

 The joy of your generous care packages of books, toys and clothing for our many struggling families will never be forgotten.  After all the items were sorted, our people were notified that because of the generosity and loving concern of our Sister Church in Bedford, it would be ‘Christmas in August’ at St. Athanasius this weekend.
 Repeatedly, ‘Un million de gracias por tus bondades’ (a million thanks for your goodness) was echoed from our families.  Our best expression of gratitude is through our prayers, as we ask the good Lord to lovingly embrace our sisters and brothers in St. Patrick’s.  You, our dear sisters and brothers, have made the ‘Sun’ shine here again in the South Bronx for which we bless you a hundred-fold.

    God bless you always,
    Sister Thomas, S.C.”

Parish Picnic Thank-You

 Saturday, September 19th, was a glorious day, not a cloud in the sky all day, and a large group gathered for the annual Parish Picnic.  The food and games and pony rides were great.  The outdoor Mass at 5:30pm was sublime.  The crowd estimate was 350.  Thanks to all who came.  Thanks especially to Claudia and Mark Atkinson who organized the event.  Thanks also to the folks at Scott’s Corner Market who catered the food, and to Bill Nigey who once again lent his tent for the occasion.  All in all, a good time was had by all.

 As you may have heard, Pope Benedict has designated this year (June 2009—June 2010), as the Year for Priests in the Catholic Church. He did this in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the famous Curé of Ars, who is the patron saint of priests.   The People of God are asked especially during this year to pray for their priests and to ask God to help priests cooperate with the abundant graces given to them in the course of their ministry.

 Recent years have not been easy ones for priests in our country and in many parts of the world.  The reasons are varied:  scandals of different sorts in the developed countries, persecutions in some parts of the Third World, materialism leading to a downturn in vocations; these are some of the factors present in our day.  Perhaps for these reasons, Pope Benedict thought we could all use a time to pray for priests in general and
“our” priests, the priests we know, in particular.

 Enclosed with this issue of the Bulletin is a splendid brochure entitled Five Ways to Support My Parish Priest.  After explaining the thinking behind the Year for Priests, the brochure details some ways that folks can observe this event.  They are:
1. Pray For Your Priest.  In conjunction with this, there is a beautiful prayer for priests on the back of the brochure.  We priests can certainly use your prayers.
2. Participate and Be Active.  There is nothing that most priests like more than folks who join them in the ministry of building up God’s Kingdom.  The parish doesn’t belong to the priest alone, but to the entire People of God who live there.
3. Watch Your Expectations.  Sometimes, people have expectations of priests that are based on the assumption that there are 3, 4 and 5 priests in every parish.  Today, priests are often stretched thin and we thankfully live in a Church where many ministries are shared with the laity.  Priests can’t be everywhere at all times.  It sounds so obvious, but sometimes our expectations need to catch up to reality.
4. Be Prepared to Believe the Best.  We’re not talking about the stuff of scandals here, although what is said is applicable there too.  We are rather talking about routine and normal parish grapevine items.  Unless you know the whole story, it’s wise to “believe the best.”  Of course, this is true when we deal with anyone, not just a priest.

5. Show Your Appreciation.  Most priests are uneasy when they are held up for adulation and praise.  I know I am.  But it’s also true that affirmation helps and that priests have the duty to allow folks to affirm their ministry and the priesthood in general.

 One final note, as I look back on more than 40 years of priesthood, I can truly say that it is a wonderful life filled with variety, challenge and inspiration.  It is a life that I know would be rewarding for many young folks wondering what to do with their lives.  We ought to pray for these young people, that they cooperate with the grace God gives them to consider priestly service to His people.

 As we look forward to the various events and programs that are or will be starting shortly, I would like to mention one in particular.  It comes under the heading of adult religious education, and it is called Faith Awakening.

 Since all of us are capable of learning more, this program is aimed at the person who wants to know more about his/her Catholic faith, whether the person already knows quite a bit or whether there is not a great deal of formal religious education in one’s background.

 To make the program more accessible, we shall be doing the sessions twice:  once in the afternoon, with a repeat in the evening.  Five of the sessions will be in the fall and five in the winter.  Here are some of the topics being covered:

1. What is Spirituality all about?
2. Who is Jesus?
3. Do we need the Holy Spirit?
4. Can I accept God’s mercy?
5. Can Mass make my life meaningful?
6. The Church and me.
7. Is Faith possible today?
8. Searching for Love.
9. Marriage, Divorce and Annulment.
10. Money and the treadmill of life.

The rest of the details are as follows:

WHAT:  Faith Awakening Series

WHEN:  5 Tuesdays in the Fall (October 27,
             November 3, 10, 17 & 24) at 4pm and 7:10pm;
             Winter sessions will be on January 5, 12, 19, 26             and February 2.

WHERE:  Church Meeting Room

FOR WHOM:  Those searching for more information                     concerning their Faith.

 I might mention that Tuesday was chosen because so many folks are around the parish on that day.  Children are dropped off at the school for CCD.  A parent doing this could also attend the Faith Awakening session.  Of course, Faith Awakening is open to all parishioners, including seniors and St. Patrick’s School parents.
I look forward to facilitating these sessions and hope that you might be helped by them.

 Here is more material to tickle your funny bone.  Enjoy!

What I learned from Mom:

· Mom taught me to appreciate a job well done:  “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside.  I just finished cleaning.”
· Mom taught me religion:  “You better pray that comes out of the carpet!”
· Mom taught me about time travel:  “If you don’t straighten out, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week.”
· Mom taught me logic:  “Because I said so, that’s why.”
· Mom taught me foresight:  “Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.”
· Mom taught me irony:  “Keep laughing and I’ll give you something to cry about.”
· Mom taught me about osmosis:  “Shut your mouth and eat your dinner.”
· Mom taught me contortionism:  “Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck.”
· Mom taught me stamina”  “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is finished.”
· Mom taught me about weather:  “It looks as if a tornado swept through your room.”
· Mom taught me about behavior modification:  “Stop acting like your father.”
· Mom taught me about envy:  “There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”
· And finally, Mom taught me about the circle of life:  “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”

Other tidbits about Mom:

· A little boy told his pastor, “My mommy taught me three of the Ten Commandments:  “Settle down.” “Act your age.”  And, “Take that out of your mouth.”

Words you would never hear from a Mother:

· “Just leave all the lights on.  It makes the house look more cheery.”
· “Sure, I used to skip school a lot, too.”
· “If Nancy’s Mom says it’s okay, that’s good enough for me.”
· “I don’t have a tissue with me.  Just use your sleeve.”
· “Let me smell that shirt.  Yeah, it’s good for another week.”