Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church
175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York 11715
Telephone: 631-363-6385
Twenty third- Sunday in Ordinary Time September 7, 2014
“Owe nothing to anyone, except mutual love” (Romans 12: 8-10)
MASS SCHEDULE
WEEKLY MASSES: Monday—Friday
8:30AM in Mother Church
NEW WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 5PM in Large Church
Sunday 7:30AM in Mother Church
9AM, and 11:00AM in Large Church
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION)
Saturday 4PM—4:30PM in Large Church
PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday—Thursday 9AM-4:30PM
Friday 9AM—2:30PM Saturday 9AM—2PM
OFFICES CLOSED WEEKDAYS 12:30PM—1:30PM
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Monday—Thursday 9:30AM-12:30PM
and 1PM—4:30PM
PARISH OUTREACH Office and Pantry Hours
Monday—Thursday 10AM-1PM
Visit us online! www.OurLadyofTheSnowBluePoint.com
Take a good look at the modern pagans that make up the greater part of the
so-called Christian nations! How can we convince them that we
really believe, that the gospel is the center of our lives . . .
unless an honest enquirer sees that we truly give up things because of
our faith, things it would be nonsensical to give up if we did not
actually believe?
--Karl Rahner, S.J.
Karl Rahner was a German Jesuit, one of the most influential theo-logians at the Second Vatican Council and in its aftermath. Gener-ally considered a progressive, he nevertheless saw the necessity of the ascetical side of our faith, as the above quote indicates.
The Pastoral Team
Clergy Rev. Edward R. D’Andrea, Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Charles Fink, Parish Administrator Rev. John Amoah, Associate Pastor
Deacon Frank Hartmann Deacon Edward Karan
Retired Clergy Deacon Robert Gronenthal
Parish Staff Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults Mrs. Patricia Bartoldus, Director of Faith Formation, K-9
Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director of Outreach Mrs. Theresa Martin, Director of Music
Parish Office: 363-6385 — Fax: 363-7394 Mrs. Lindsay Butler, Parish Asst., ext. 11
Mrs. Loraine Gonzalez, Admin. Asst., ext. 10 Hours: Monday -Thursday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Religious Education: 363-6394 Mrs. Eileen Mulry, Secretary, ext. 15 Mrs. Susan Gressler, C.R.E., ext. 14 Office hours: Monday – Thursday
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. [email protected]
Faith Formation for Adults: 363-2416
Mrs. Beth Rivalsi, Director of Faith Formation for Adults [email protected]
Parish Outreach: 363-2417
Mrs. Diana Mongan, Director Mrs. Patricia Fulco, Outreach Assistant
Office hours and food pantry, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday in the cottage
Evening Hours Available by Appointment [email protected]
For full information on all sacraments, sponsor requirements for Godparents/Confirmation Sponsors, schedules and dates, please consult our website, or call the Parish Office.
www.OurLadyofTheSnowBluePoint.com (631) 363-6385 extension 10
Marriage: Arrangements must be made at least six to twelve months in advance. It is advisable to call the church prior to arranging the reception.
Baptisms: Are celebrated on the second Saturday and fourth S u n d a y o f m o s t m o n t h s . Please visit our website at www.ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.com for complete information.
New parishioners: Please register at the parish or call 363-6385, ext. 10 for information.
Communion for the Homebound: To make arrangements to have Communion brought to the home, please call the parish office at 363-6385, ext. 10. For emergency sick calls, please call the parish at any time.
SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION
Rite of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.)
Persons interested in becoming Catholic and adults who have not
received Confirmation or First Eucharist, please contact Beth Rivalsi at 363-2416.
My dear parish family, Following the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, many traditional forms of prayer and devotion seemed to fall by the wayside without much coming along to replace them. Eucharistic Adoration is a case in point. When I was in the seminary, we might have had Adoration half a dozen times in four years; it seemed almost to be frowned on. By con-trast, nowadays seminarians plead for weekly, even daily Eucharistic Adoration, with most of the faculty delighted to go along with their requests. Many parishes in our diocese have found renewed interest in Eucharistic Adoration among the faithful. At least one parish I know of has it round-the-clock seven days a week. For some time Our Lady of the Snow has had Adoration on Monday evenings, but not very well attended. Perhaps this is more about lack of advertising than lack of interest. What I’d like to do beginning this Monday, September 8, the Feast of Mary’s Nativity, is try the fol-lowing: At 6 p.m. I’ll expose the Blessed Sacrament in the Mother Church and ask those pre-sent to join in a litany honoring Jesus. This will be followed by an hour and a half of silent time before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, during which people can make short or long vis-its at their discretion. During this time, I’ll be available for confession in the rear of the Mother Church. I’ll have things set up so that anyone wishing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation can do so either face to face or anonymously. Neither way is better than the other. It’s going to con-fession that matters. At 7:30 p.m. we’ll sing a Marian hymn and pray the Miraculous Medal Novena, which will take about ten minutes. There may be a short homily after this, then another Marian hymn, a last brief period of silence, and Benediction to close out the evening by 8 p.m. You may come for all or part of any of this: some quiet time early on, confession, the Novena and Benediction. Jesus and I will be there. We’d love to have you join us. If this is all new to you, come out of curiosity. If it’s something you remember fondly and have missed, come to renew your devotion to Jesus and Mary. Come if it’s been a long time since you’ve been to confession, and Saturday afternoon isn’t convenient for you. Come for any reason at all. Try it. I think you’ll like it. With love and prayers, Fr. Charles Fink
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK September 8-14, 2014
Saints and Special Observances also indicated
Monday Sept 8 8:30AM Neil Esposito † Tuesday Sept 9 St. Peter Claver 8:30AM Bernard Rush †
Wednesday Sept 10 8:30AM Vincent Bagnato †
Thursday Sept 11 8:30AM Tony Tuozzo †
Friday Sept 12 8:30AM Louis Ciniglio †
Saturday Sept 13 St. John Chrysostom 5:00PM Parishioners
Sunday Sept 14 7:30AM Richard Ludwig †
9:00AM Noel S. Ruiz † 11:00AM Marie Herman † Christine Mulry † Louis Perotti & Rollins Otten†
For all who have died this past week, that they rejoice in the heavenly banquet…
Ellen Maureen Monteith, Mary Picariello Maria Doria
Monday Michah 5: 1-4a; Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 Tuesday 1 Corinthians 6: 1-11 Luke 6: 12-19 Wednesday 1 Corinthians 7: 25-31 Luke 6: 20-26 Thursday 1 Corinthians 8: 1b– 7, 11-13 Luke 6: 27-38 Friday 1 Corinthians 9: 16-19, 22b-27 Luke 6: 39-42 Saturday 1 Corinthians 10: 14-22 Luke 6: 43-49 Sunday Numbers 21; 4b-9 Philippians 2: 6-11 John 3: 13-17
Pray for Our Sick
In Sympathy
Readings for the Week
We pray for all who are sick, for their healing in both body and spirit….
Genevieve Dunham, Jack McQuade, Connie Calisi
Prayers & Intentions Page 4 September 7, 2014
MASS PRESIDERS Subject to Change
Saturday: Sept 6 5:00 p.m Fr. Charles Fink Sunday: Sept 7 7:30 a.m. Fr. John Amoah 9:00 a.m. Fr. John Amoah 11:00 a.m. Fr. Charles Fink
Saturday: Sept 13 5:00 p.m Fr. John Amoah Sunday: Sept 14 7:30 a.m. Fr. Charles Fink 9:00 a.m. Fr. Charles Fink 11:00 a.m. Fr. John Amoah
Mass intentions for deceased persons are indicated with a †
It is the policy of Our Lady of the Snow that the intention of each priest who celebrates a parish Mass will be for the intentions listed in the Parish Mass intention book.
Banns of Marriage John Salvador & Jessica Periegine
Ryan Vollmuth & Dayna Brent Scott Lozier & Lauren Petrocine
Lt. Col Christopher Ederle Major Meghan Ederle
Capt Kyle Brown 1st Lt. Tara Brown Gomez
1st Lt Thomas Gomez Ensign Sean Brown
3/c Midshipman Shannon Brown Army Specialist Justin Brown
OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE YOUR TIME AND TALENT WITH THE PARISH!
Arts and Environment Committee This committee needs more people to help take care of
the plants inside and outside of our churches. If you have a green thumb or just the desire to help keep our church and parish grounds beautiful call Beth Rivalsi
at 363-2416.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP We will begin a new book starting September 17 at
7:30 in the Cottage Our new book is
TEN PRAYERS GOD ALWAYS SAYS YES TO Divine Answers to Life’s Most Difficult Problems,
by Anthony DeStefano For book information call Beth –363-2416
Stewardship and Back to School
Do you remember the commercial, with the par-ents shopping for back to school supplies singing,
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!”?
I don’t know if it’s the most wonderful time of the year but I know it is a wonderful time to reflect on how we fill our calendars. School
teams will be starting practices and games, dance classes begin, after school activities will be
scheduled, Religious Education classes resume, routines will be made. We consciously need to consider how we will use our time. In the midst
of scheduling your families activities ,where will you schedule family time? Where will you
schedule time for prayer, Mass, ministry, confes-sion and your relationship with God? Time is a gift from God and how we use it matters. In our
busy society time is one of the most precious pos-sessions we have. How we spend our time is an
indication of who we are and what we value. As you look at the new school calendar and begin
filling in the boxes with all the activities and commitments that take over the days and weeks, stop and ask yourself, where is God in all these things? Where is my faith in all these events?
Am I returning to God what He has so generously given to me?
Enjoy the first days of school, the smell of new books, the excitement of the possibilities that a new school year brings and give thanks to God for all that He has given us, especially this time,
this moment, this present!
Collection 2014 2013
Week of 9/1
Week of 9/2
TOTAL $8637 $8473
Catholic Relief Services
$505
STEWARDSHIP FINANCIAL REPORT
BIBLE SALE Family Bible (soft covered)
$20. Children Bible $15.
See or call Beth to purchase the greatest book ever written for your home!
A Message from Father Charles Fink Page 6 September 7, 2014
The fourth century began with the bloodiest of all persecutions in the early Church. It was de-creed by the Emperor Diocletian in the year 304 A.D. and continued for eight years until he resigned his position as head of the Empire. This left several men vying to take over. One of these was Constan-tine, whose mother, St. Helena, was a Christian. In 313 A.D. a miracle occurred that changed the course of history. As Constantine and his army were crossing the Alps from Gaul (modern day France) to Italy to go into battle against a rival claimant to sole leadership of the Empire, a great cross appeared in the sky with the words (in Latin) “In this sign, conquer!” Following his victory in the ensuing battle, Constantine decreed liberty of worship, full freedom, and restitution of all proper-ty to Christians. Overnight the age of Roman per-secution came to an end. In Rome, Constantine gave one of his palac-es to Pope Miltiades. Today the Lateran Basilica stands on that site, the oldest church in Christen-dom. Later he built the first St. Peter’s, as well as the first church on the site of the Holy Sepulcher in the Holy Land. His mother purportedly found the relics of the True Cross there. The famous English novelist, Evelyn Waugh, produced a historical nov-el, Helena, based on this incident, saying he thought it was the best thing he ever wrote. Three centuries of persecution had not de-stroyed the Church, but now another plague, this one internal, threatened to be her undoing. It began with the preaching of a deacon named Arius, who taught that Jesus was not truly God, but rather God’s greatest creature. Arius and his followers considered themselves true Christians, and within a few years his followers were so numerous that the first great Church Council since the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem met to address the situation. The Council of Nicaea met in 325 A.D., giving us the Nicene Creed, which declares that Jesus is “God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father.”
In spite of the Council and its decrees, how-ever, the Arian heresy continued to flourish for nearly a century, at one point seeming to triumph, as the majority of bishops and most of the Empire’s army accepted it. It was largely the courageous and tireless work of one bishop, St. Athanasius, Patri-arch of Alexandria, that saved the day. This was no tame academic dispute. Arians arrested, impris-oned, and tortured Pope Liberius into condemning Athanasius. Interestingly, though, they were never able to get him to sign an Arian statement of faith, which would have gone beyond politics to official-ly teaching falsehood. Towards the end of the century, St. Jerome began his monumental work of translating the en-tire Bible from the ancient Greek and Hebrew into Latin, which was the common language of the Church in the West. It would remain the official Bible of the Western world for a thousand years. In 394 A.D. Theodosius the Great became the last Emperor to reign over a Roman Empire that encompassed both East and West, what we’d call the Middle East and Europe, and decreed that the Pope was the final arbiter in matters of faith and morals. The Empire was decaying rapidly, howev-er, and in the West would soon crumble under the assaults of barbarian tribes from Northern Europe. As it grew increasingly decadent, more and more men and women fled to the deserts, not now to es-cape persecution but the moral contamination of a dying society.
Next week: The Fifth Century, a Century of
Giants
KNOWING OUR FAITH The Fourth Century: Christianity Legal at Last
Parish Outreach & Local Events Page 7 September 7 , 2014
Summer Food pantry AlertSummer Food pantry Alert During the summer months donations to our food pantry drop drastically, but Parish Outreach is help-ing those in need every day. Due to these tough economic times we are helping an increased number of our neighbors in need.
We are currently in need of all food items but especially Boxed milk, canned meats, tuna, stew, chili, chicken, mayonnaise, tea, coffee, all juices, jelly, pancake mix and syrup, bottles of water, pasta sauce, pork and beans, mixed vegetables, spinach, potatoes, carrots, peas, cook-ies, crackers, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry deter-gent, baby wipes, and all toiletries, especially deodorant. Gift cards in $5 and $10 denominations to local area su-permarkets would also be appreciated. These will enable those in need to purchase meat and perishable items.
Food can be dropped off at the outreach office Mon-Thur 10am-1pm or in the food bin outside the pantry door in the foyer of the large church before or after every mass.
****Blood Drive**** Save the date and save your blood for the annual community blood
drive on Monday October 6, from 2pm -8pm in the Mother Church
basement.
Parish Outreach News
Family, Marriage and Individual Therapy provided by New York State licensed profession-als is available to our parish under the direc on of Dr. George Giuliani. Informa on and appoint-ments can be made by calling Dr. Giuliani at 243-2503
The Neighborhood House—8 week support groups are forming for children, families and in-dividuals grieving the loss of a family member due to suicide. Groups will meet Tuesday eve-nings from 6-8PM at New Life Community Church, Sayville. There is no cost for participat-ing. For more information, call 589-0055 or visit www.tnh-hope.org
Golden Wedding Liturgies— This fall, couples who have been married 50 years or more will be honored at liturgies on Sunday, October 5th at the Church of St. Rose of Lima, Massapequa. Liturgy begins at 2:30PM. Registra on form may be obtained in the rectory office. Forms must be received by the Office of Worship by Sept 17th .
“We All Need Forgiveness” Day of Reflec on and Prayer - Saturday, September 27th 9:15AM-3:30PM at the Mon ort Spiritual Center, Bay Shore. Presenters Fr. Gerry Fitzsimmons, SMM and Fr. George Werner, SMM. For more infor-ma on and to register, please call 631-666-7500
“Big Band Beat” at St. Sylvesters, Medford! The “Savoy Swing Band” will play for your listening and dancing enjoyment! Saturday, September 13th from 7-10PM. Admission is $10. For more informa on call Mike at 730-3333.
Upcoming Events
Senior Ladies Social & Service Group
Our Lady of the Snow Senior
Ladies Social & Service Group will resume our weekly
meetings on Wednesday, September 10th from
10AM-12PM in the cottage. We are available to assist the parish as needed while
sharing life, laughter, conversation and prayers.
If you are interested in joining us, please call Dolores Young at 472-0007.
RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY
GENERAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 @
2PM IN COTTAGE
PRAYER PRESENCE PLANNED PARENTHOOD FACILITY ON SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 13 FROM 10:30 TO 11:30AM ON WAVERLY AVENUE JUST NORTH
OF SUNRISE HIGHWAY ON THE WEST SIDE / NEXT TO CHASE BANK
OUR LADY OF THE SNOW
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE 363-6394/[email protected]
Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30-4:30 or by appointment
The ministry of Religious Education strives to bring all into a closer relationship with Je-sus through Word, Worship and Service.
September 7
Parents of 1st Graders Children entering 1st grade (Sept 2014) should be registered in the
Religious Education Program. Participation in Level 1 is the first level of the Diocesan mandated 2 year preparation program.
Confirmation Level 9 Readiness Interviews—are now being scheduled. Please call the Religious Education Office to make an appointment. Interviews are a Diocesan requirement for all Candi-
dates for Confirmation.
Level 7 Enrollment– Mon. Sept. 8 at 7:30pm Large Church Parent will formally enroll their children in the Confirmation Program (Levels 7,8 & 9) Information and materials for Level 7 will be provided.
Level 1 Parent Meeting-Thurs. Sept. 11 at 10am & 7pm. We will outline the Level 1 program and distribute materials. If you have not registered your
Level 1 child please do so before the meeting. CATECHISTS NEEDED
Level 2 needs 2 catechists — Mon. Tues. or Wed. at 4:30 or Wed at 6 Level 3 needs 4 catechists — Wed. at 4:30 or 6 Level 5 needs 2 catechists — Wed. at 4:30 or 6 Level 6 needs 2 catechists — Wed. at 4:30 or 6 Level 7 needs 4 catechists — Mon. at 6 or 7:30 Level 8 needs 3 catechists — Mon. at 6 or 7:30 Level 9 needs 2 catechists (Confirmation) Wed. 7:30 once a month
Children are now on waiting lists
CATECHISTS
Catechist Meeting - Mon. Sept. 15 at 7:30pm Large Church-Catechists will re-ceive class lists, Catechist Manuals and grade level information. Msgr. Fink will
be joining us and is looking forward to meeting you.
Catechetical Sunday – Sat./Sun. Sept. 20/21 - Catechists will be commissioned and blessed at all masses. (Sat. 5pm, Sun. 7:30, 9 & 11)
Religious Education Page 8 September 7, 2014
A little boy kept pestering his reluctant father to take him to the zoo. Finally
his dad gave in. When they came home, his mother asked the boy how he liked it. “Great” he replied. “And Dad liked it too, especially when one of the animals won a race at 30 to 1.”
A little humor from Father Fink
BULLETIN INFORMATION SHEET CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS: 715900: Our Lady of the Snow RC Church 175 Blue Point Avenue Blue Point, New York 11715 PHONE: 631-363-6385, extension 10 CONTACT PERSON: Lindsay Butler SOFTWARE: Microsoft Publisher 2003 Adobe Acrobat 6.0 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT: Cover + 9 text pages + top of ad page filler + this page (1 through 12) SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 7, 2014 TRANSMISSION TIME: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 NOTE: We are sending 12 text pages this week. Thank you.