April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter Page 2

In 1982 singer songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a song that perhaps many know, “How am

I Suppose to Live without You”. It’s a love song from the viewpoint of a man who is on the

brinks of a heartbreak. Many could agree that this song evokes an enormous amount of

passion which stems from a relationship that is on the brinks of crippling and eventually over.

In the song, Bolton exclaims from his beautiful voice, that he has heard the news that his

girlfriend has moved on from the experience of their relationship, from their deep encounter

with one another. Bolton standing there in disbelief has run off to ask her personally, he wants

to know what her plans are and how he is suppose to live without her! You see, passion is

what motivates us to act in a way that is profound, unique, beautiful and deep. Sometimes we

take things for granted and our passion falls to the waist side or may be non-existent. Perhaps

we have settled for mediocrity or we have become complacent. Because of that, “all that we

have been living for (seems to be) gone.”

How true it is for us now more than ever. The passion we once had which was the driving force of our lives may have

become lukewarm or non-existent. It may be due to isolation and the quarantine. It may be due to the fact we are socially

distant, which is the total opposite of who we are and the act of distancing lacks passion in and of itself! It may also be due

to the loss of a loved one because of the virus, a loved one is sick with the virus, or we have a loved one who is an essential

worker and we fear for their lives.

We may be like Bolton, thining that everything we have been living for is gone: socializing, recreation, intimacy, church,

work and “life”. This is not true. Look at today’s readings! The passion that we possess needs to be enlivened...it’s not

gone! Jesus is re-awakening the passion within you!

Today’s readings really exude passion. Peter, in the first reading, stood up and raised his voice to inform the Israelites that

the One who was in their midst was the One sent by God to do mighty works and they crucified Him! It takes a lot of

courage and passion to do what Peter did. Peter’s passion perhaps became lukewarm after Jesus was crucified because of

sadness, fear and anxiety. But like always, God gives us the courage to take the next step.

Then, in the second reading, we hear about the Passion of Christ in that we have been ransomed by the Blood of Christ and

not by the perishable things of silver and gold. Jesus’ passion is what motivates Him to continue his journey to the

fulfillment of God’s divine plan.

Finally, take a look at the Gospel, the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Passion is written all over this story.

You have these two disciples minding their own business walking along and they encounter this man! Luke mentions that

these men looked “downcast”, they were in low spirits from the loss of hope or courage. Moreover, not knowing who He is,

the men enter into a conversation with Him. After this brief experience of a profound and deep encounter and relationship

with Jesus, they, still not realizing it’s Jesus, invite Him to go with them to their home, because the impression they received

was that He was going on further. Had they not persuaded Him to go with them, had their lack of passion continued, they

would have lost an even deeper encounter with Christ.

Jesus goes with them and during the meal, they recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. From a period of being

despondent, a renewal of spirit and passion plays out before our eyes.

My brothers and sisters, it’s very easy to become like the men in the Gospel, despondent. Trust me, I know. But we have to

dig deep within ourselves to not allow ourselves to become like them. Take a look at our essential workers. We have heard

testimony from many of them who say our horrible the situations are, but that doesn't keep them from their call to serve. This

takes passion! We want to live in the moment so we don’t have to run off to ask others “how am I suppose to live without

you?” Let us take this opportunity to allow God to reawaken our passion to always be forgiving and loving!

The one thing that will get us through these difficult times is passion. We know that Passion moves mountains!

Know that my brother priests, deacon and I are here for you!

In the Good Shepherd,

Fr. Robert Mema

April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter Page 3

Memorial Gifts Week of April 26th, 2020

The Bread & Wine are given this week in Loving Memory of Lino Nicolich.

The Paschal Candle that will burn in the Church throughout the year has been donated by Dr. & Mrs. Hugh McGowan in Loving Memory of James McGowan.

The St. Kevin Shrine Lamp will burn this week for the Intentions of the Donor.

Please Pray for the Sick of our Parish:

Connie Karosos, Barbara Digrugilliers, Elizabeth Sheridan, James Lana Sr.,

David Furst, Dorothy Carroll, Eileen, Grace Plank, Rosanna Prettitore, Lucy Petretti, Gloria Diminich,

Katrina McGrath, Yvonne Ramos-Nocera and Michael Antonucci.

Please Pray for the Faithful Departed:

Anthony Terio, Barbara Ann Doyle, Anna Bastardi, Ann Gardenfeld, Eugene Brady,

John Riordan, Ralpha Nicolosi, Ante Peros, John McCloskey, Carlos Mangual, Patricia Halleran and all the victims of COVID-19.

Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord! And, may Perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace! Amen

There are weekly Memorials available of :

Bread and Wine ($25),

Sanctuary and Altar Candles ($25);

The St. Kevin Shrine Lamp ($25);

Two Baskets of Flowers ($150).

Please come to or call the rectory.

Saturday, April 25th

People of St. Kevin Parish

Carlos Mangual

Theresa Boniello (Living)

Sunday, April 26th

Fredi Michel

William Haugh

Rose and Edward Higgins

Monday, April 27th

Rina & Giuseppe Beacco

Tuesday, April 28th

Antonio Borja

Wednesday, April 29th

Frank Rizzo

Thursday, April 30th

Andrew & Vincenza Gerbino

Friday, May 1st

Gary Woods

Saturday, May 2nd

Camillo & Mary Caiozzo & Marano Families

Saturday, May 2nd

People of St. Kevin Parish

Candidates for the Sacraments of First Eucharist &

Confirmation

Sunday, May 3rd

Those Enrolled in the Purgatorial Mass Society

Philomena & Michael Sbarile

ANNOUNCED MASS INTENTIONS

Registration for the

2020-2021 academic year is ongoing.

Please visit our Academy website for

more information:

www.stkevinca.org

April 26, 2020 Third Sunday of Easter Page 4

A sincere thank you for all those who continue to send in their weekly contributions! I know this is a difficult time, especially financially. But, truly, I am grateful for your sacrifice!

In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, once the

Church begins Her normal activity, I will produce an overall income of

collections counted.

I encourage you to enroll in online giving, for those who can continue to provide for

St. Kevin Church. Please visit the parish website

for more information.

THANK YOU!

Please know that all meetings,

activities and trips that have

been planned for Parish

Organizations and Civic

Associations are cancelled until

further notice. This includes the

trips scheduled for the Senior

Club to Queens Ester &

Woodloch Pines.

“In the Breaking of the Bread”

This Eucharist hymn was written by Michael Ward, the Drama Desk Award nominated composer who also wrote additional music for Angels in America (Perestroika), and who lives here in Rye, NY. It was first published in 1986 in his collection Open our Hearts, which included “ten songs for worship ...at baptisms, confirmations, weddings, first communions, and other special celebrations”. It’s based on today’s Gospel from Luke 24, as well as Acts 2 – the story of seeing Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

In the walking on the road, we saw him. In the telling of our hopes, we saw him.

In the burning of our hearts, we saw the Lord. At the meal he took the bread

and then he blessed it, broke it, offered it. In the breaking of the bread, we saw him!

Suddenly our eyes were opened, and we knew he was alive.

The song ends with the story of Pentecost and what we have been called to do ever since:

We ran out into the street to tell them, Ev’ry-one that we could meet, to tell them,

“God has raised him up and we have seen the Lord!”

We took bread as he had done and then we blessed it, broke it, offered it. In the breaking of the bread, we saw him!

There within our midst was Jesus, and we knew he was alive.

In the breaking of the bread, he is here with us again,

and we know he is alive! Alleluia, alleluia! While I was hoping you would hear one of our cantors or our choir sing it, this year you’ll have to google it and listen to a recording of it. Make sure you include the composers name though, as there are other hymns with the same name by different composers!

Steven Vaughan, Director of Music Ministry SacredMusic@StKevinFlushing.org

(718)357-8888, x12