Liturgical Schedule

Daily Mass 8:30am Weekend Masses Saturday: 5:00pm Sunday: 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm and 6:00pm

Reconciliation/Confession Saturday: 4:00pm-4:45pm or by appointment Rosary Daily at 8:00am Miraculous Medal Novena Monday at 8:00am

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish 455 Hunter Avenue, West Islip, NY 11795

Third Sunday in Lent • Sunday, March 4, 2018

Sacraments Anointing of the Sick Throughout the liturgical year. If needed sooner, please call the Parish Office. Baptism Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment. Marriage Arranged at least six months in advance, please call the Parish Office. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) A process to be embraced by the Catholic Church. For non-Catholics and for Catholics who have never received formal religious education. If interested, please call the Parish Office.

Msgr. Brian McNamara, Pastor Rev. Gregory Breen, Associate Pastor Rev. Sylvester Chukwumalume, in Residence Chaplain, Southside Hospital Rev. Freddy Lozano, in Residence

Deacon John De Guardi, Deacon Tom Lucie, Deacon Rich Maher, Deacon Jack Meehan, Deacon John Teufel

Sr. Nancy Campkin CSJ, Director of Religious Ed Trish Frodell, Director of Parish Social Ministry Louise Jane Krol, School Principal Sr. Diane Liona CSJ, Director of Religious Ed Debbie Meyer, Business Manager Robin Reynolds Brennan, Coordinator of Worship and Choir Director Vita Scorcia, Ministry Spiritual Director

Parish Office Phone: 631.661.3224, press 1 Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-7:30pm Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm Sunday: 9:00am-2:00pm E-mail: ParishOffice@ollchurch.org Fax: 631.661.7143 Website: www.ollchurch.org

Our Lady of Lourdes School Phone: 631.587.7200, press 2 Monday-Friday: 9:00am-3:00pm E-mail: lkrol@ollschool.org

Religious Education Office Phone: 631.661.5440, press 3 Monday-Friday: 9:00am-Noon, 1:00pm-5:00pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm E-mail: ReligiousEd@ollchurch.org

Parish Outreach Office Phone: 631.661.9262, press 4 Monday-Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm

SAGE (Senior Advocates for Growth and Enrichment)

Phone: 631.661.3224, Ext. 122 E-mail: Sage@ollchurch.org

2

Pastoral Council

Msgr. Brian McNamara Eileen Rega Mary Borgs Lisa Cantalino Sonia DaSilva Nilo DeLeon Jerry Esposito Trish Frodell Pam Gagliano Deborah Lamb Rosalie Mangels Deacon Jack Meehan John Muldoon Dottie Perdue Vita Scorcia

Parish Staff

Patti Anderson Parish Office/Bulletin Editor AnnMarie Buonaspina Director of Youth Choirs Michael Buonaspina Parish Organist Carol Grillo Parish Office Stephanie Hahn Parish Office Nancy Kuchler Parish Office/School Office Rita Spera Religious Education Office

Welcome to our Parish Family New Parishioners are cordially invited to register as members of our Parish Family. Please call or visit our Parish Office.

Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God! - Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Mission Statement As stewards of all that God has given us, the Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes serves and ministers to all who come to this place. Regardless of a person’s history, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age or race, we commit ourselves to open wide the doors of our Parish to provide a place of welcome and hospitality.

The estimated weekly collection needed to maintain and operate our parish buildings, ministries, programs and salaries is $17,800.

Financial Summary

February 25, 2018 Weekly Collection $ 16,298.00 Weekly Budget - $ 17,800.00 +/- for the week $ (1,502.00)

Readings for the Week of March 4

Sunday: Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17/ 1 Cor 1:22-25/ Jn 2:13-25 Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b/ Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43/ Mt 18:21-35 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9/ Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: Jer 7:23-28/ Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10/ Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6/ Lk 18:9-14 Next Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23/ Eph 2:4-10/ Jn 3:14-21

3

Pasto

r’s Letter

Turn Away from Sin and Be Faithful to the Gospel Have you ever been so distracted that when you are waiting to hear something on the radio such as a news report, the sports report or school closings, when the report comes on, you somehow miss it? It happens to me often when I’m waiting to hear the weather report. The report comes on, I listen to it, but somehow I miss it because I’m not actively listening. My mind is clearly else-where! So I have to wait another eight or ten minutes to catch it on the next go around. The scary thing for me is that sometimes this happens two or three times until I finally actually hear it! When this happens, it is a clear sign that I must slow down and take measure of my life. What is happening that causes me to be so distracted? What is it that I need to do to get my life back in sync?

We are now at about the halfway point in Lent. It is a great time to take stock and ask ourselves how is it going? Have we achieved everything that we set out for on Ash Wednesday? For some of us, it is possible that we are sticking to our resolutions. If this is the case, great! For others, maybe we are doing well with our resolutions but want to do something more. For some of us, maybe we made certain resolutions at the beginning of Lent that we are not sticking to. Or it may be that we promised to make resolutions but we never got around to it at all. These could all be signs of being distracted! The good news is that all is not lost! There is still time to prepare our hearts and minds during this season of Lent as we and the Church prepares itself for Holy Week.

Lent is a time when we go into the desert as Christ did to slow down, to take stock of our lives and to listen to God and to hear Him! It is a time to block out the distractions. Maybe other “things” have taken over our lives and become our gods. Our Satan may be the chaos inside us, maybe our anger, our jealousies, our desire for material things, our need for power or control, our addictions, our unresolved hurts, our incapacity to really pray or doubting our faith.

Lent however is more than just about cleaning house. It is a time to open our hearts to allow room for God. Lent is not just a time for self improvement. The ashes that we received on Ash Wednesday is the start of a period of time when we are preparing ourselves for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This is the week when we celebrate the fact that our God cares for us and loves us so much that God sent His Son to live among us. It is a time when we reflect on the reality that God became flesh to experience our sufferings and death so that we could experience the resurrection with Him!

If you find your distractions have become so significant that you find that you are not preparing well during these days of Lent, listening but not really hearing God, consider what Pope Francis said in a Lenten homily. “With its invitations to conversion, Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to rouse us from our sluggish inactivity. Why must we return to God? Because something is not right in us, not right in society, in the Church, and we need to change, to give it a new direction”.

- Deacon Tom Lucie

4

Pray for Our Sick Please remember to keep in your thoughts and prayers … Sandra Anberg, Joseph Arigoni, Frank Bambara,Paula Bemenek, Pat Bowers, Diane Cullen, Harold Deegan, Amanda Ditingo, AnneMarie Dolan, Anthony Dolan, Franklin Edwards, Paula Edwards, Alyssa Fagan, Pam Gagliano, Ron Graziano, Denis Heffron, Josephine Heffron, Patrick Anthony Heffron, Thomas Hicks, Jr., Donald Horn, Msgr. William Jablonski, Henry Kahn, Shena Kahn, Anne Kerrigan, George Koehler, Richard Macher, Claire McLoughlin, Vinny Meade, Mary Polik-Gunther, Louise Posanti, Thomas Powers, Dorothy Proctor, Robert Reutlinger, Christine Rizzo, Joseph J. Schiavoni, Anne Marie Schiraldi, Arthur Schweit, Linda Scoco, Doris Shaddock, Kathy Shaddock, Brian Shannon, Bernadette Stone, Rosemary Viola, Richard Wagner, Roger Welden,

Names of the sick will be listed for six weeks for short-term requests and six months for long-term.

Altar Society Altar linens this week will be cared for by Janet Loehr. If you would like to help care for our altar needs, please call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224.

Members in the Military We ask that you pray especially for those in our parish that are on active duty in the Middle East conflict.

… and remember those of our parish family that are in the armed services, listed in our Parish Book of Intentions.

Michael DiMatteo-US Marines Michael Fantauzzi-US Air Force Christopher Florca-US Marines Patrick Harty-US Coast Guard Colby Matthew Kelly-US Army Anthony Mannino-US Marines Anthony Memoli-US Marines Michael Wilkinson-US Army

Pastoral Care of Our Sick Please call the Parish Office at 631-661-3224 to leave the names of parishioners who: • Are homebound and would like to receive the Eucharist. • Are in Good Samaritan Hospital and/or a local nursing

home and would like to be visited by a member of our Pastoral Care Ministry.

• Would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.

5

Mass Intentions

Monday, March 5 8:30am Loretta Glecker

12:10pm Elsie Isopo Tuesday, March 6 8:30am Josephine Sabella

12:10pm Brian Bogart Wednesday, March 7 Sts. Perpetua & Felicity 8:30am Nancy Bencivinni

12:10pm Josephine Sabella & Mamie Carbone Thursday, March 8 St. John of God 8:30am Molly Sweeney

12:10pm Elizabeth Netska (Living) Friday, March 9 St. Frances of Rome 8:30am Frank Carberry

12:10pm Phillipp Spina Saturday, March 10 8:30am Nancy Bencivinni, Dolores Rossetti, David & Vincent McCarthy 5:00pm Antoinette Intoci Msgr. Brian McNamara Sunday, March 11 Fourth Sunday of Lent 8:00am Valerie Rojas Fr. Greg Breen 9:30am Vincent Sepe Fr. Greg Breen 11:00am Eddie Mariarossi Msgr. Brian McNamara 12:30pm George Chislett Msgr. Brian McNamara 6:00pm People of the Parish, Patricia Hein, Cecilia Rivera, Antionette Capurso, Francis Antonawich, Mary Finn Msgr. Brian McNamara

Celeb

rating S

acramen

ts

Rest In Peace

Dominick F. Chiaravalle Rosemary A. Liantonio

We extend our prayerful sympathy to the families and loved ones of those

recently deceased.

6

Pregnant? Need Help? Birthright, Inc. 24 Hour Helpline 1-800-550-4900

Islip: 631-277-3888 - Hampton Bays: 631-728-8900 - Rocky Point: 631-821-9727 Southold: 631-876-5138 - Wantagh 516-785-4070

Donations to Outreach If you would like to make a donation to Parish Outreach in memory of a loved one, please call Trish Frodell, Director of Parish Social Ministry at 631-661-3224, option 4.

Spaghetti Sauce Knorr’s Sides/Rice a Roni Hamburger Helper Baked Beans Jello

Prayer Shawl Ministry Bring your prayer and creativity together in a gift of love. Join us ... Wednesday, March 7 at 9:30am in the Parish Center. All you need to bring is scrap yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks (patterns and instructions will be given to you) and your gifts of love and prayer.

Healing After Abortion Have you suffered an abortion? Experience God’s love and mercy and begin the journey of healing. Please call the Sisters of Life: 866-575-0075 or email: hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org

For men, call Theresa Bonopartis at Lumina: 877-586-4621 or email: Lumina@postabortionhelp.org

In the past, the “Casa House” in the Narthex has provided housing and bedding for our friends in El Salvador. In 2016, after returning from our Mission Awareness Trip, we provided sixteen complete bed set-ups for our Santa Ana Mission.

This weekend we are asking you to give us your loose change for our Casa Project. We will do this the first weekend of every month. Place your donations in the wooden house located in the Narthex of the Church. Thank you for your support.

There are still opportunities to join us for our Mission Trip this summer. The trip will be from June 30, 2018 - July 6, 2018. For more information, please contact Deacon Rich at: tipperar@aol.com

7

Aro

und

the P

arish

Hospital Visitation Ministry Looking for a way to minister to others? There is a wonderful way to offer support to our parishion-ers who are hospitalized. Good Samaritan Hospital is offering a training program for new hospital visitors. We are in GREAT need of more visitors for our parishioners. Please consider this ministry which is a very rewarding way to serve others. The training will be on Wednesday, March 21 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm at Good Samaritan Hospital in the Saint Agatha Conference Center. Call the SAGE office to get more information and/or to register: 631-661-3224 ext. 122.

DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE

YOUR CLOCKS NEXT SUNDAY!

Daylight Saving Time begins next Sunday, March 11 at 2:00am. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night.

Catholic Relief Services Collection – March 11, 2018

Next week, our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection (CRSC). Funds from this collection help provide food to the hungry, support to displaced refugees, and Christ’s love and re-spect to all people here at home and abroad. Next week, please give generously to the CRSC and help Jesus in disguise. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.

RCIA – The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

On Sunday, Feb. 18, Christina Davis and Stephaney Degen participated in the Rite of Election at St. Anne’s R.C. Church in Brentwood with Bishop Brennan and all the parishes in Suffolk County in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

On Sunday, February 25, we celebrated the Call to Continuing Conversion for our baptized candidate Penny Ryan. These were important steps in the journey of the R.C.I.A. It’s a clear sign to the community that they are com-ing closer to receiving the Sacraments of Initiation and Full Communion with the Church at our Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 31.

The Church gives us this public and life-giving process of RCIA DURING LENT so that these good and holy people can be nourished and supported by our parish family. At the same time, we know that when we initiate others, we confront and renew our own identity as members of the Catholic Chris-tian community.

Please continue to pray for these women of our RCIA and our RCIA team.

8

PARISH MISSION

MARCH 5-6-7

7:30pm

All are Welcome!

Create In Me

A New Heart, O God!

Please join our Parish Community as we gather in prayer each evening of our Parish

Mission. The following are the themes of each evening prayer and preaching.

MONDAY, March 5: “What To Do When There Is Nothing You Can Do”

TUESDAY, March 6: “God’s Conversation With us”

WEDNESDAY, March 7: “What Really Matters - Hope and Healing”

THURSDAY, March 8: Parish Mass Celebrating the Graces of the Mission

We welcome the return of SISTER PAT DUFFY, OP as our mission leader. Sister Pat was with

us for our Parish Mission several years ago - and we are happy to have her joining us in prayer

once again.

COME AND BRING A FRIEND!

9

LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES

Monday, March 5 - Thursday, March 8: PARISH MISSION

7:30pm in the CHURCH Join with us as Sr. Pat Duffy, O.P. helps us to draw closer to Christ.

Friday, March 9: STATIONS OF THE CROSS 1:00pm & 7:00pm in the CHURCH Meditate upon the Passion and Death of Jesus. Tuesday, March 13: THE PASSION ACCORDING TO ST. MARK 7:30pm in the PARISH CENTER Join Fr. Brian as we explore the Passion account of St. Mark which we will read on Palm Sunday.

Friday, March 16: STATIONS OF THE CROSS 1:00pm & 7:00pm in the CHURCH Meditate upon the Passion and Death of Jesus. Tuesday, March 20: Movie: Passion of the Christ

7:30pm in the PARISH CENTER Watch the very moving depiction of the Passion of Jesus as depicted by Mel Gibson.

Friday, March 23: STATIONS OF THE CROSS 1:00pm & 7:00pm in the CHURCH Meditate upon the Passion and Death of Jesus. Tuesday, March 27: HOPE: A LENTEN VIRTUE 7:30 in the PARISH CENTER Come join us as Deacons Rich, Tom and Jack

lead us in an evening of prayer and reflection.

“Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake from our lethargy... The Lord is knocking at the doors of our hearts.

Have we put up a sign on the door saying: ‘Do not disturb’?” ~ Pope Francis

10

OLLY

Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Group - OLLY Calling all High School Students - Grades 9-12

Mark your calendar and join us on the following dates: Friday, March16, 2018

Fridays, April 6 and 20, 2018 Fridays, May 11 and 25, 2018 Fridays, June 8 and 22, 2018

7:00-9:00pm in the Parish Center - Food, Fellowship and FUN! Bring a Friend!!!

Any questions, please call or text: Stephanie Hahn: 631-617-8212 Emily Brierly: 631-813-9457

Fr. Greg: 631-661-3224 ext.121

Grab a Bat, have a Ball….Adult OLL Wiffle Ball is back! Come join us after the 6:00pm Mass on the following Sundays… 3/4, 3/11, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22 & 4/29 from 7:00-9:00pm in the All Purpose Room

Great way to meet other parishioners! Teams will be decided each week. No equipment need-ed. You do not need to attend every week. Limited to 30 parishioners, so sign up quickly! To sign up, e-mail: tthunter@optonline.net with your name, address, phone number, and if you have played OLL Wiffle Ball before. Put “OLL Wiffle Ball” as the subject.

For questions contact: Terri Hunter at: 631-838-3572 (cell) or tthunter@optonline.net Margaret Dixon at: margaretcd@aol.com Susan Hahn at: 631-877-8736 (cell)

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Let the Holy Spirit acknowledge and in-crease our love for our spouses by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Apr 27-29, 2018 in Huntington, NY and Nov 16-18, 2018 in Huntington, NY. For more information, call John & Toni Torio at 877-697-9963 or visit them at: http://www.wwmeli.org.

CYO Sportsmanship Award Congratulations to the 6th and 7th grade Our Lady of Lourdes Girls Basketball teams for winning the CYO Sportsmanship Award. This award, which is voted on by the coaches in the league, is considered CYO’s highest honor. CYO hosted an awards ceremony at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville on Friday, February 9th to present individual medals to the players and a plaque to the coach.

In their first season, the 6th grade team, consisting of Cadence Catalano, Katie Clark, Emily Dean, Alexis Gitomer, Kailee Heron, Alexa Marconti, Colleen Rafferty, Shea Ronayne, Amanda Schneider and Olivia Sowa, was coached by Dan Heron, Craig Schneider and Ken Dean. This was the 7th grade team’s second season competing in CYO. They were coached by Christi Abbate, and Ken Konopa, and consisted of Emma Abbate, Sophia Barone, Annabella Daniele, Nicole DeCanio, Lola Konopa, Lauren LaMorte, Olivia Martone, Sophia Pellegrino and Isabella Schrimp.

11

Grandmothers ~ Mothers ~ Daughters ~ Friends

Victorian Tea Sunday, March 18, 2018

2:00pm to 5:00pm

Our Lady of Lourdes All Purpose Room

Chinese Auction - great local restaurant gift cards! Prizes for the Best Hat and Best Decorated Table

Please bring your Favorite Teacup!

Tickets $25 per person

Tickets may be purchased in the Outreach Office First 75 tickets sold will receive ten free raffle tickets

Preparing for Marriage?

Engaged Encounter is an effective Pre-Cana program designed to provide you with the tools for a successful marriage. Couples are given the opportunity to explore many aspects of their relationship through a series of presentations, writings and dialog. There are no group discussions. Our next weekend will be held at the Montfort Spiritual Center in Bay Shore, NY on April 13-15, 2018. For information/registration, please call Lenny & Pat Walker at: 631-563-1032 or visit: www.engagedencounterli.org.

An Evening for LGBT Men, Women, Family, and Friends

All are welcome for prayer, discussion and social.

Second Tuesday of Each Month - 7:00pm - 9:00pm Freewill Offering

Bishop Molloy Retreat House 86-45 Edgerton Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432

For information call: 718-739-1229 or visit: www.bishopmolloy.org

Lenten Day of Reflection Magnificat, a Ministry to Catholic Women, cordially invites you to attend

"Journey to the Cross" which will enable us to have a deeper experience of reflection, meditation, and pray-er, as we prepare for Holy Week - on Saturday, March 24th, at St. Agnes Cathedral, Ministries Bldg., Rockville Centre, from 9:00am to 3:30pm.

The cost is $20 per person (bring your own lunch), and pre-registration is required. Please make checks paya-ble to "Magnificat" and mail to: Judy Murphy, 42 Pinehurst Street, Lido Beach, NY 11561. Checks must be received by March 19th. Payment will not be accepted at the door. For additional information, please contact Judy at: 917-453-5750. Come and bring a friend, as we prepare for Holy Week!

12

Aro

un

d t

he

Par

ish

Good Samaritan Prayer Group of L.I. The Good Samaritan Prayer Group of Long Island holds their meetings every Friday (except the first Friday of the month), from September through June, at OLL School in Room 15 from 8:00pm until 10:00pm. All are welcome to experience singing, praying and fellowship. Please note: For the balance of the Winter months, meetings will be held in the Parish Center from 3:00-4:00pm. (No meeting on Mar. 30) Evening schedule resumes on May 11.

Support Groups (all meetings are in Lourdes Hall - lower level of Convent) Alcoholics Anonymous: Monday and Tuesday at 8pm and Saturday at 11am and 7pm. ALANON: Wednesday at 10am. Beginner’s meeting at 9:30am. Free babysitting available.

Prayer for Divine Mercy An invitation to all men and women to be part of God’s plan. We invite you to meet in prayer for the world and our nation to put their trust in God. Our hope is that the nations will have a new spirit of morality. Please come with your love and hope for humanity as well as your prayer requests. We gather together every Thursday at 1:30pm before the Blessed Sacrament for about one half hour. For more information, call Charles Argento at 631-586-8528.

Ministry of Praise Members pray at home for the intentions of the Church and Parish; designed for the homebound, senior citizens, etc. Monthly calendar is available in the Narthex. Prayer requests can be left in the Ministry of Praise box along with the name and address of any homebound person who might want a copy of the calendar mailed to them (please print).

In addition to our parish website (ollchurch.org), please visit us on Facebook at The Parish Family of Our Lady of Lourdes. Click “Like” and you will receive the latest news on upcoming parish events and information.

Anxiety Disorder Sufferers A Recovery Group for those suffering from Anxiety Disorder meets on Tuesdays from 2:00pm -4:00pm in the Spiritual Life Center (in Convent building). The Group is led by a trained and certified Anxiety Disorder Group Leader. For more information, please call Michael at 631-968-9154.

Boy Scout Troop 179 For over 40 years, Our Lady of Lourdes has been sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 179 of West Islip. We meet every Thursday during the school year in the School Cafeteria from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. If you are interested in join-ing Boy Scouts, check out our website and stop by a meeting! Website: http://witroop179.wix.com/bsatroop179# Email: WIBSATroop179@outlook.com

13

7th Grade field trip to the DNA Lab

Science classes using microscopes.

Drama company Candy Gram Fundraiser

What’s happening at OLL School lately...

14

“We are not alone; we do not walk alone.

We are part of the one flock of Christ that walks together.” - Pope Francis

Catholic Charities’ Talbot House helps people struggling with substance abuse reclaim their lives through all stages of the recovery process.

“The way I was living my life, I should not be here today. Every morning I wake up, I thank God for another day and for Talbot House.”

- John, former Talbot House client

John was homeless, jobless, lonely and very scared when he came to Talbot House. Today, sober since 2010, John is successfully employed, has a fiancée and a new home.

“John is one of the many miracles that we wit-ness at Talbot House. We watched him come out of the darkness and into the light”

--Toni DeFelice, LMSW, CASAC Coordinator, Talbot House

Make checks payable to: Catholic Ministries Appeal

Parish __________________________________ Pledge: $_______

Name ___________________________________ Down payment: $_______

Address__________________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________ Signature: _____________________________Date:________

To make a donation, you can also visit drvc.org/CMA or call us at 516-678-5800 ext. 296 Thank You!

Please consider donating to the Appeal and making a difference in someone’s life. Thank you!

15

Maria Regina Residence, at 1725 Brentwood Road, Brentwood, is a 188-bed Skilled Nursing Facility under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph. We are currently seeking compassionate, dedicated men and women who are willing to volunteer their time and talent in varied service areas (usually one morning or afternoon/week ) in assisting the Pastoral Team as a Eucharistic Minister, helping to transport residents in their wheelchairs, assisting with recreational service, or other need in the building.

For more information, please contact Sister Mary Sheppard, CSJ at 631-299-3288. Prayerfully and thankfully, we look forward to hearing from you.

Montfort Spiritual Center - Lenten Silent Retreat

“Let Us Consider Gentle Jesus in His Dying” Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25, 2018

Led by Father Hugh Gilllespie, SMM

Retreat begins Friday at 6:00pm (registration) $175.00 per person. Shared rooms, space is limited.

Payment in full and registration is due by March 16, 2018 Montfort Spiritual Center

26 South Saxon Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706 For further information, e-mail: montfort06@gmail.com or call: 631-666-7500

St Patrick’s Day Dinner - March 15, 2018 The Bay Shore Knights of Columbus, 1341 Fifth Avenue, will be holding a corned beef and cabbage dinner with all the fixings on Thursday, March 15th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. $16.00 includes dinner (corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and Irish soda bread) and unlimited beer, wine and soda. ($18.00 at door) Children’s platters are available for $6.00 (Chicken tenders, macaroni & cheese) For further information, call Jack at 631-666-4939.

Relics of the Passion - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Patchogue Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 2:00pm

An exclusive opportunity to venerate these holy relics and participate in a program that allows you to engage in a unique commemoration of Jesus’ walk to Calvary. This powerful program is a one-hour presentation, sup-ported with music and meditation, followed by veneration. A collection such as this is generally seen only in Rome or the Holy Land. Included in the collection are a piece of the true cross of Christ as well as a piece of the crown of thorns. For more information, please call 631-475-4739

16

Religion and Rock Tune into “Religion and Rock” with Msgr. Jim Vlaun on Sunday from 7:00am to 8:00am on WBAB 102.3 FM or 95.3 on the East End of Long Island. Listen on Saturdays at 11:00pm on Sirius Radio, Channel 159, the Catholic Channel and at 11:00pm on XM Satellite, Channel 117. Next Sunday’s theme is “Traditions.”

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS

8 Week Program for Age 50 and Over Starting Friday, March 9, 2018 from 7:00-9:00pm

St. Joseph Parish Center, 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY

For more information and registration, please call: Terry Hoffmann 631-669-0198 or Geri Olson 631-661-8994

Parish Secretarial Position Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish is looking for an organized, detail-oriented and multi-tasking per-son to fill the position of Parish Secretary. Must be a team player, comfortable in a fast-paced envi-ronment. Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Full-time position, with benefits. Computer pro-ficiency required. Must know Microsoft Word, Excel, Office and Parish Data Systems (PDS). Excel-lent verbal communication skills; impeccable grammar and writing skills essential. Main duties in-clude large parish mailings, parish calendar and information systems including weekly envelopes. Re-sumes/inquiries may be sent to: Frank Pokorney, Business Manager, at fpokoney@oloph.org or at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 210 South Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.

Part-time Maintenance Helper Position - St. Joseph, RCC, Babylon St. Joseph’s Church is seeking a part-time maintenance helper. Monday to Friday 11:00am to 3:00 pm. Key responsibilities include various aspects of maintenance and operations of the parish as well as snow plowing. Need knowledge of stripping and waxing floors, experience with industrial strength cleaning chemicals and ability to lift 50 lbs. Plumbing and electrical skills a plus. High School degree required. Interested and qualified individuals should send their resume to: Anna Rose Regan, Business Manager, St. Joseph Parish Center, 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 or fax to: 631-669-9175. Telephone: 631-669-0068 x159

Part Time Maintenance Worker - St. Joseph, RCC, Babylon St. Joseph’s Church is seeking a part-time maintenance worker. Monday to Friday, 7am to 12:00pm. Duties and responsibilities include overseeing maintenance helpers and assisting in the upkeep of all parish facilities & parish cemetery; handling parish emergencies; light carpentry, painting, light elec-trical and plumbing repairs, snow plowing and maintenance of equipment. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. High School degree required. Interested and qualified individuals should send their resume to: Anna Rose Regan, Business Manager, St. Joseph Parish Center, 39 North Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702 or fax to: 631-669-9175. Telephone: 631-669-0068 x159

17

G

row

ing w

ith th

e Gosp

el

Prayer

Dear God, My church is a place for prayer. Help me to remember that always.

Sharing the Gospel

Imagine coming to your church to pray. All around your church, you see people selling animals. It smells like a barn. The animals are loud. The people are shouting. You cannot even pray with all the noise and activity going on around you. That is what Jesus found in today’s Gospel. It broke His heart and made Jesus angry. God’s house is not supposed to be turned into a barn or a store. It should be a spe-cial place where people can meet with God and talk to Him. Jesus cleaned out His Father’s house. He turned it back into a place of prayer.

Mission for the Week

Read John 2:13-25 with your family. Ask God to help you keep your church clean. Church should never be a store or a barn. It should be a special place to pray.

Something to Draw

Draw a picture of people singing and praying in your church.