From the Pastor August 16, 2015

20th Sunday in

Ordinary Time - B

In week 9 of my summer sacred study series on the 4 Eucharistic Prayers for Various Needs [EPFVN], which is one EP with 4 themes, we reflect on the last part after the people respond to with one of the three Mystery of Faith acclamations. All four EPFVNs end with the remembrance of the dead and of the Saints in glory - whom we hope and pray to join in heaven ‘at the end of our earthly pilgrimage.’ Here’s the last part of the EPFNVs:

Eucharistic Prayer For Various Needs - Post- Consecration

The Priest, with hands extended, says:

Remember our brothers and sisters (N. and N.),

who have fallen asleep

in the peace of your Christ,

and all the dead,

whose faith you alone have known.

Admit them to rejoice in the light of your face,

and in the resurrection give them

the fullness of life.

Grant also to us, when our

earthly pilgrimage is done, that we may

come to an eternal dwelling place

and live with you for ever; there,

in communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, [with Blessed Joseph her Spouse]

with the Apostles and Martyrs,

(with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron)

and with all the Saints,

we shall praise and exalt you

He joins his hands.

through Jesus Christ, your Son.

He takes the chalice and the paten with the host

and, raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the

Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours,

for ever and ever. The people acclaim: Amen.

Fallen Asleep. Every Eucharistic Prayer [EP] reminds us that the Church on earth, in ‘purgatory,’ and in heaven - is united as one when we celebrate the holy Mass. And every EP makes particular reference, sometimes even by name, of two groups with whom we are joined at the Altar: the faithful departed who await final redemption and the Saints who now reign with Christ in eternal glory. The EPFVNs use a rich and comforting biblical image by speaking of the dead as those who have ‘fallen asleep.’

Our Lord said of His friend whom He raised from the dead: “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” [John 11:11] and to describe the moment of death of the first martyr, Saint Stephen, the Bible says that as they stoned him, “he fell asleep. [Acts 6:70] Saint Paul also describes the dead as having ‘fallen asleep:’. “We do not want you to be unaware … about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.”[1 Thessalonians 4-14] - “That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are falling asleep.” [1 Corinthians 11:30] and “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” [1 Corinthians 15:20] What a comfort to know we who are awake are one with all who are asleep when we gather for holy Mass.

Heaven Awaits Us After our Earthly Pilgrimage. Those who remain faithfully on course, and who seek God’s forgiveness when they stray, have every reason to hope to enter God’s Kingdom. This section of the EP also asks God to forgive those who are already dead; we join our prayers with those of all the Angels and Saints as we seek divine mercy on all people, awake or asleep. This EP even provides a place [N. and N.] to mention - our beloved dead. The EPFVNs cannot be used during a Funeral Mass, since each has its own particular Preface and no other Preface may be substituted for it, not even one of the 5 Prefaces for the Dead. However, each EPFVN allows us to add, as I did on Father’s Day weekend, an intention for all deceased fathers.

One With All The Saints In Glory. As Scripture says: “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, [so] let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin … and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” {Hebrews 12:1-2a] That’s one reason Catholic Churches are adorned with images of the Saints and our Blessed Mother, who root for us until we are safely home in heaven.

In His holy Name,

Rev. Thomas J. Serafin

Mass or Communion Prayer Service Intentions
Saturday Vigil: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:00 pm Dominick DeLise
r/o: Teresa Walten
Sunday 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 am Mary Jane Tovey
r/o: Lois & Brian Dornan
9:30 am Mary Jane Nodes
r/o: Maureen & John Lybarger
11:30 am Edward Neuner
r/o: Dolores Neuner
Monday
9:00 am Prayer Service with Holy Communion
Tuesday
9:00 am Prayer Service with Holy Communion
Wednesday
9:00 am Prayer Service with Holy Communion
Thursday Saint Bernard
9:00 am Mental Health of a Family Member
r/o: Pat Sheeto
Friday Saint Pius X
9:00 am Prayer Service with Holy Communion
Saturday Vigil: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:00 pm Vincent Misseri
r/o: Scavo family
Sunday 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 am Matthew Pfenninger
r/o: Santella family
9:30 am Mary Jane Nodes
r/o: Sharon Boehmer
11:30 am Duke Hauck
r/o: Ruth & Tom Pryor
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The Bread & Wine will be offered this week
in celebration of the birthday of Lance Walten
as requested by Teresa Walten
/ Last Weekend’s Collection
August 9 $12,486.00
Thank you!
Renegotiated Mortgage Information
New Mortgage (5/1/2015) $ 1,865,560.60
Principal Paid to Date $ 17,735.54
Interest Paid to Date $ 19,485.13
Current Balance (as of 8/1/2015) $ 1,847,825.06
Monthly Payment $ 12,406.89
Some Ways to Bring Stewardship into Your Life:
As a Family . . .
·  Practice sacrificial and proportional giving.
As Parishioners . . .
·  Carry the message of discipleship to others through daily acts of kindness.
As an Individual . . .
·  Regularly examine how you spend your time, talent, and financial resources.
Our Parish Prayers
“For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven…”
a time to be born…
a time to heal… We pray for all the sick of our Parish and especially for:
Jack Boland
Joseph Clark
Carol Clerico
Dan Cummings
Bill DeLise
Shirley Frey
James Hegadorn
Mary Hotaling
Kathy Ibbetson
Samuel John / Josephine Knobloch
Dave Kreutzer
Julianne Mazur
Ann Padovani
Arjan Panjwani
Zarefth Parveez
Chris Santella
Anthony Sorrentino
Christopher Viscuso
Names will remain on our sick list for three months after which time they will be removed, unless we are notified to keep them on the list.
a time to die… Charles Fiumefreddo

Cecil the Lion and Planned Parenthood:

Why The Double Standard?

No one likes to see the senseless killing of animals, but why is the outcry in the media so one sided? While officials in President Obama’s administration are offering to help the Zimbabwean government investigate the high-profile killing of a lion, the President still supports [PP] Planned Parenthood. He has also threatened to veto any action that stops PP’s funding. And did you know the judge who forbad those possessing videos of PP’s heinous practices from releasing them was appointed by President Obama, and raised [according to Public Citizen] $230,000 to support him. Where’s the TRUTH in our media? Do pregnant women and babies have to dress like lions to be kept safe, protected and alive? God bless America - and pray for her! Mary Immaculate, pray for us!

Blessing of Those Going Off to School

Reprinted here is the blessing given at all Masses last weekend for those going off to school. Please share this special blessing with your student.

All-powerful God, you always show mercy toward those who love you and you are never far away from those who seek you. Remain with these, your servants, as they venture off to school, and guide their way in accord with your will.

Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night, and, as their companion on the journey, bring them home in safety. May they always use your gifts of prudence and courage with wisdom and understanding, caution and responsibility.

May they be firmly rooted in a spiritual home where they can join with your people to worship you each week; help them to find a network of friends and instructors who will enable them to broaden their education with deep respect for themselves - and for others.

Grant that they may also use this time of study to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, who is our Way, our Truth, and our Life, now, and for ever. Amen.

Ministers of the Liturgy
The following Liturgical Ministers will serve at next weekend’s Masses: August 22 & 23
5:00 PM Mass
Sacristan: Tracy & Bob Kirk; EMs: James McQuade, Susan Mania, Fran Riccardi, Geri Kaczorek, Edward Koch, Pat Ramachandran, Patricia Snyder, Denise Verdicchio; Readers: Tara Marsh, Tim Henry; Altar Servers: Jake Romano, Danny Carman, Colleen McLoughlin, Bridget McLoughlin
8:00 AM Mass
Sacristan: Anita & Larry Wuest; EMs: Mike Wooby, Carol Altomare, Judy Ashcraft, Russ Balunis, Michael Boland, Dee Bovino, Karen Zalewski, John Zalewski; Readers: Tracy Kirk, Anita Wuest; Altar Servers: Alex Sias, Evan Wooby, Emily Polkowski, Lucas Polkowski
9:30 AM Mass
Sacristan: Becky Klementovich; EMs: Kathy Cebulka, Maria DeSapio, Alicia Esposito, Robert Farrell, Veronica Farrell, Sheila Curran, Michael Biase, Wendy Biase; Readers: Kathy Cebulka, Maureen Lybarger; Altar Servers: Kyle Robison, Matthew Richardson, Alex HooFatt, Jack Robison
11:30 AM Mass
Sacristan: Frank Petranich; EMs: Terry Walten, Bob Kloss, Laurie Markowski, Maureen Sammis, Karen Geddis, Monica Haldeman, Christine Walker, Cathy Kloss; Readers: Christina Schuler, Tom Boelter; Altar Servers: Tre Walker, Stephanie Kornspan, Riley Walker, Lauren Kenny

Brief Eucharistic Adoration at the end of Masses

July 26, August 2, August 9, August 16

The 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th Sundays in Ordinary Time - B

In the 3-year cycle of Sunday readings, Year ‘A’ highlights Matthew’s Gospel; the current Year ‘B’ is Mark and Year ‘C’ is Luke. Mark’s Gospel, the shortest, does not cover the year, so for 5 weeks we read from Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel: the ‘Bread of Life Discourse’ in which Jesus declares, “I am the Bread of Life!” For 4 weeks we will end Mass with a brief taste of an ancient ritual: Eucharistic Adoration. [The theme of the 5th week is less Eucharistic, so we will not have Adoration.]

Jesus often said we need to be in His Presence: “Come to me, all who labor … and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11:28] “I am with you always until the end of time.” [28:20] “Can you not watch one hour with me?” [Mark 14:37] “Remain in me as I remain in you.” [John 15:4] How blessed are they who ‘make a visit’ to the Blessed Sacrament … just to be in Christ’s Real Presence!

Each weekend’s Mass will end similarly: after Communion has been distributed, the Blessed Sacrament will remain on the Altar as all remain kneeling. Then all stand for the Prayer after Communion, [announcements are made earlier] and then kneel again to sing a hymn of various traditions that adores or extols Christ’s Real Presence. After the Sacrament is reposed in the Tabernacle, all stand for the Blessing, Dismissal and an instrumental Recessional.

On July 26 and August 2 the Hosts will be left in the usual ciborium for Adoration; no incense is used; on August 9 and 16 we will ‘expose’ the Sacrament in a monstrance, which requires at least 4 candles and incense. On August 9 Mass will end as above; on the 16th the Priest, donning a humeral veil, will impart the Eucharistic Blessing. May this taste of this venerable rite help us better appreciate Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, and encourage more people to frequently ‘visit’ the Tabernacle during the week to ‘watch one hour’ [Mark 14:37] with our Eucharistic Lord.

Note: since Christ is equally present when the Host is ‘exposed’ in a monstrance, in a ciborium or in the Tabernacle, a SINGLE knee genuflection is the proper sign of reverence; the ‘double knee’ genuflection during adoration, taught to many of us, has been suppressed. [C.f.: Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, #9, from the document Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, #84.]

Catechetical Sunday
September 13, 2015
This Year’s Theme:
Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Person. A Year of Mercy.

Upcoming RF Meetings
Aug. 16, 2015-Bldg. Coord/Hall Mon. Mtg 10:30
Aug. 30, 2015 - Catechist/Aide Mtg 10:30-HFR

Thinking of Becoming a Catechist or a Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Leader?

Pass on the Good News!

What good news? The Good News of Jesus Christ and our Catholic Faith! This fall, over 800 children and young people, kindergarten to grade 8 will sign up to learn more about Jesus and the Catholic faith. You can help them learn and grow in faith by becoming a Catechist for Faith Formation. Be a CLOW Leader for pre-school to 4th grade children. CLOW is offered Saturday evening and Sunday mornings at each Mass. Mon, Tues, and Weds classes are offered for the school year. You are almost sure to find a time that fits your schedule. As you nurture the faith of our young, you will learn and grow as well! We provide you with training, materials, and support. Classes begin Sept. 8th. If interested, please contact the RF office at 908-284-2929 x23 or email .

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Mandatory Training for all New Catechists

Echoes of Faith - The Methodology Set

Methodology Part 1: New Catechist Training