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The Epiphany of the Lord

Sally Capoziello, Shang Cheng, Marge D’Au-ria, Mary Ann D’Angelo, Domenica DeVito, Virginia DiGangi, Richard H. Dimler, Mary Divers, Jean Fochetta, John Joseph Gleeson, John Pierce Gleeson, Christine Healy, Maria

Hernandez, Elizabeth Isolano, Christine Iwanicki, Keri & Baby Tristan, James Leung, Thomas & Patricia Lipari, William J. Litt, Cindy Maione, Angela Ottomanelli-Hubbs, Michael Palermo, Sebastian Panasci, Santo Pantina, Joseph Questore, Bill Sangirardi, John Secreti, Patrick Smith, Remington Stafford, Michael Tamburo, Chrissie Tremblay, Paul Tremblay, Paul John Trem-blay, Sr. Mariet Varban, Sr. Joanne Walters.

Deceased: Louis Civisca

T h i s We e k ' s M a s s I n t e n t i o n s

Sunday, January 7, 2018 8:00AM George & Ann Papandrea

9:30AM For The Parishioners 11:00AM Frances Gaudino (St. Helen Adult Choir) 12:30PM Lucy DeCrescenzo (Loving Son, Louis) 5:00PM Christine Piotrowski (Loving Family)

Monday, January 8, 2018 The Baptism of the Lord

9:00AM Giovanna Buccellato (Andrew Peri)

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 9:00AM Donald Francis (Loving Wife, Serafina)

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 9:00AM Pam Masella (Cathy & Joe Lupia)

Thursday, January 11, 2018 9:00AM Richard E. Dimler (Julie Dimler)

Friday, January 12, 2018 9:00AM Giuseppe Pugliese (Adele Macaluso)

Saturday, January 13, 2018 St. Hilary 9:00AM Thomas Barreca (Connie & Joe Camelliri) Mary Falco (John Panico) Michael Galeno (Furci Family) Sue Izzi (Cynthia & Joe Ottomanelli) Antoinette Trotta (Gaskell Family) 5:00PM Thomas Barreca (Mary Jo & Will Vendittelli) William F. DiPietra (M/M Francesco Vasquez) Mary Fodera (Leone Family) Lisa Gurino (Linda Miranti) Stephen Verrelli (Carinci Family)

Sunday, January 14, 2018 8:00AM George & Claire Cox

9:30AM Bisciello & Lamanna Families (Joan Bisciello) 11:00AM Edward Juba (Loving Mother) 12:30PM Nicholas Louis Napolitano (Loving Wife) 5:00PM For The Parishioners

St. Helen’s Purgatorial Society Mass All parishioners have the opportunity to enroll the names of loved ones in the Purgatorial Society. The Purgatorial Society Mass will be held on the last Friday of each month. The offering to be enrolled in the Purgatorial So-ciety is $120 per name (a total of 12 Masses for one year will be said for your loved one). Aside from listing one name, a husband and wife together, or a family name is also acceptable. Having a Purgatorial Society is wonder-ful way of living out the Scriptures and will be a relief for those who desire to have their loved ones remembered with prayers all year long at God’s Altar. Please stop in at the Rectory if you are interested in having a loved one enrolled in the Purgatorial Society. The next Purgatorial Society Mass will be held Friday, January 26, 2018.

New Families: All are welcome to St. Helen Parish, and are asked to please register at the Rectory dur-ing office hours.

Sacrament of Baptism: Please call the Rectory to register for the baptism of your child. Baptisms will be held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month (no Bap-tisms during Lent).

Sacrament of Confession: Saturdays 12:30PM to 1:30PM. Weekdays: 15 minutes prior to the 9:00AM Mass.

Sacrament of Marriage: Couples should contact the Rectory at least one year in advance of the desired date. Please call for an appointment for the initial interview.

Communion Calls: Please call the Rectory to arrange for one of the priests to bring Holy Communion to a sick person who is confined to home due to a serious illness.

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: Anyone who expects to be hospitalized (or in an emergency) and wishes the Anointing of the Sick, should call the Recto-ry.

Rosary for Peace…New Place, New Time The Rosary for Peace, sponsored by the Saint Helen Secular Francis-can Fraternity, takes place in the Church at 6:30PM every Wednesday. The group prays for our Blessed Mother’s intercession to end violence (both domestic and civil) and the persecution of Christians throughout the world. All parishioners are invited to join us. We welcome anyone willing to lead a decade of the Rosary in a language other than English.

W naszej parafii ks. Łukasz może również służyć pomocą w języku polskim.

The Order of Franciscans Secular meet on the 3rd Sat-urday of every month in St. Helen’s Rectory after the 9AM Mass. Come and learn more about the Franciscan way of life.

Are you new to St. Helen Parish? If so, please remember to stop in at the Rectory to register your family!

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Happy Anniversary!

January 2, 2018

As I write these words, I sit in my office surrounded by the many Christmas Cards sent

by friends and parishioners and the many gifts bestowed by so many! On behalf of Fr. Lukasz

and myself, I want to thank everyone for their generosity and cheer!

On January 2, 2017, Christmas was unceremoniously dismantled in the parish Church to

make way for the renovation; and how appropriate that I just received a call from the liturgical

designers saying that they would be here on this day to begin installation of the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life was delivered the Friday before Christmas. As I write these words at 10

AM, it is sitting in its delivery crate in the garage and hopefully will be installed by the time

you read this! Early on in the renovation, the location of the Tree of Life was decided upon.

Only two locations made sense: the rear wall in the new section or the vestibule of the Church.

The location of the vestibule was decided by committee, as this location is a “high traffic” area

and in this location it will be more visible. The Tree will greet all who enter this Church, re-

minding of us of the many people who love Saint Helen.

The schematic of the Tree (on the vestibule wall since November) depicts that it needed

to be retrofitted for the space. This retrofitting permitted the addition of new leaves. (it’s now

10.15 AM and the designer is here… I am excited!!!!!)

In other news, it has been reported that the Vatican has acquired a new organ. Guess

what? It’s the same organ we have in the Church! Actually, Steve Giusto pointed out that the

organ at Saint Helen is the better model! This makes sense, as the new organ at Saint Peter’s

Basilica is an auxiliary organ; there is a massive pipe organ in the loft. But the fact that the

electronic organ at the Vatican is made by the same company we used at Saint Helen should

give us a sense of pride, knowing that we acquired a great product (made in America).

Well, this may be my last renovation update! 2017 was an arduous year with the six

months of construction, inspectors, architects, expeditors, and the Dept. of Buildings! May

2018 be filled with joy and peace. Happy Anniversary!

Father Colamaria

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Policies Regarding Infant Baptism at St. Helen Parish

Parents seeking Baptism for their children who live within the territory of St. Helen Parish are asked to register as members of the parish before requesting an initial interview for Baptism. Registration is easily done at the parish office anytime during business hours. Parents seeking Baptism for their children who live outside the territory of St. Helen Parish are asked to obtain a letter from the parish in which they live authorizing the Baptism to take place at St. Helen.

Initial meetings with parents seeking Baptism for their children will normally take place on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00–9:00PM and on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:30AM–12:30PM.

JANUARY—APRIL, 2018

Mornings of Preparation Required Before a Baptism: (All begin at the 11:00AM Mass and continue in the Msgr. McGinness Room)

January 14 & 28 — February 11 & 25 — March 11 — April 22

Schedule for Baptisms: (All begin at 2:00PM) January 14 & 28 — February 11 & 25 — March 11 — April 22

Please call 718-738-1616 for more information and/or to schedule an appointment.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES HOWARD BEACH SENIOR CENTER

The Center is located at 155-55 Cross Bay Blvd., across from Stop N Shop on Cross Bay Blvd. Seniors aged 60 and older are invited to become members. Activities and services are offered Mon-day-Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Every day delicious and nutritious full, hot lunches are ca-tered by Russo’s on the Bay ($2 donation requested).

Mondays 9:30-10:30AM: Tai Chi with Elaine Fleischman Mondays 10:45-11:45AM: Chair Aerobics with Charlie Roemer Tuesdays 9:30-10:30AM: Movement Exercise with Millie Wednesdays 10:00-11:00AM: Zumba with Elaine Thursdays 9:30-10:30AM: Movement Exercise with Millie Fridays 9:30-10:30AM: Cardio Exercise with Dwayne Fridays 10:30-11:30AM: Yoga with Charlie Roemer

The Center will be conducting a Basic Beginner Computer Class from January 8—March 14 from 1:00-2:15PM, and a Beyond Basics Computer Class from January 8—March 14 from 2:30-3:45PM. These classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays for 10 weeks. There will be a variety of topics as well as social net-working, online shopping. On Tuesday, January 16th, at 10:30AM, the New York City Fire Department will be conducting a presenta-tion on Fire Prevention. All are invited.

For further information, contact Rosalie at 718-738-8100.

Congratulations to the following St. Helen Catholic Academy students on the Principal’s List for the

first marking period. To achieve this honor a student must attain an overall average of 95%.

Grade 8: Gianna Abatemarco, Michael DeRicco, James Fleming, Alex

LoPrinzi, Stephanie Pineda, John Rodriguez, Alexa Siavichay, Cecilia Taravella,

Gianna Marie Vastano Trapasso.

Grade 6: Jovanna Donaruma, Loren Paguntalan, Enza Perna, Melanie Snyder.

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Monday, January 8, 2018 Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Ps 29; Mk 1:7-11 Baptism of the Lord Through our baptism, we were chosen, consecrated and anointed priest, proph-et and king; titles of both honor and responsibility. As priest, we are the physical body through which the world encounters the risen Christ. As prophet, we strive to make our entire lives a

clear message of God’s love. As king, we are to become servants to our fellow humans. We are called to live out this three-fold mission with such gentle compassion that we neither break bruised reeds or quench smoldering wicks. Even when we fall short of this difficult mandate, we are assured that we always remain beloved by God who is pleased by our very existence. Forgive me God, when I presume to know your will better than others. Tuesday, January 9, 2018 1 Sm 1:9-20; 1 Sm 2; Mk 1:21-28 Traveling has given me many opportunities to share in the Sunday liturgies of different parishes across the country. Although I’ve had some wonderful experiences, I’m ashamed to say that instead of entering fully into these times of prayer, I have sometimes stepped back and watched with a critical eye how a community celebrates. I nitpick about details, perhaps in part to validate my own community’s manner of celebrating. Like Eli observing Hannah’s heartfelt prayer, I cannot know the hearts of those who pray. Our faith communities are a microcosm of the wider world. Perhaps if I practiced seeing my fel-low Catholics through more merciful eyes, I might be able to see the varieties of faith beyond the church doors with a greater open-mindedness. Speak Lord, and your servant will try to listen with an open heart. Wednesday, January 10, 2018 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20; Ps 40; Mk 1:29-39 When by word of mouth, one physical healing led to an endless waiting room of illnesses, Jesus stepped away to pray. He knew that if he were to stay true to his greater purpose of proclaiming God’s salvation, he needed to move on. Doing the work of the kingdom can often snow-ball as one project quickly becomes many. Even though they may all be worthy causes, their commitments can become overwhelming. At some point, we need to follow Jesus’ example and take time to be quiet and pray for the discernment of where our particular talents might be most effective. Inevitably, there will be difficult decisions in order to let go of some good works and perhaps to mourn a loss of control. Touch and soften our hard hearts, Jesus. Make us clean.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

1 Sm 4:1-11; Ps 44; Mk

1:40-45 There is an arrogance to the Israelites’ confidence that God’s will must surely reflect their own, as they carry the ark of the Lord onto the battlefield against the Philistines. When they are humbled by a devastating defeat, they la-ment in confusion. God’s name has been used by humani-ty to initiate or justify war and a multitude of abuses throughout history. We are still trying to put words in God’s mouth when terms like “Christian values” are used to promote agendas of exclusion and prejudice of all kinds. When Jesus touches and heals the leper, we are re-minded that no one should be deemed untouchable, nor are we capable of judging who is worthy of receiving God’s love and mercy. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Grant us the courage to forgive others in turn. Friday, January 12, 2018 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a; Ps 89; Mk 2:1-12 Knowing that the Pharisees do not believe Jesus has the authority to forgive sins, Jesus demonstrates a more visi-ble sign of his authority by physically healing the paralyt-ic man. I sometimes find it easier to believe and to follow a doctor’s prescription for my physical ailments, than I do to trust in the healing forgiveness offered to me by God. Long after an aspirin has eased our physical pain, the hurts of insults, neglect and abuse linger to plague our physical and mental well-being. To hear or to offer the words: “Child, your sins are forgiven” may be the most healing prescription we have ever been given or will ever give. Thank you, Jesus, for choosing to eat with “tax col-lectors and sinners.” Saturday, January 13, 2018 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1; Ps 21; Mk 2:13-17 Our world is filled with a fear-driven sense of us vs. them; a sense that different is synonymous with dangerous. This agenda of fear teaches that to show any vulnerability is to invite attack and abuse. In contrast, Jesus and St. Paul teach us that it is our weaknesses that makes us strong. Recognizing our own failings allows us to empathize and connect with other flawed humans and to acknowledge God (not us) as the source of life and sustenance. Being open to diversity and accepting that each of us has fail-ings, allows one person’s weakness to be strengthened by the gifts of another. When we live in the understanding that we need God and each other, we will always be stronger together. We offer praise as our sacrifice to glo-rify you, O Lord our God!

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Homiletic starters and scriptural

reflection points for each day of the month