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FR. CHUCK'S CORNER
Greetings and God’s blessings be yours on the Third Sunday of Lent! Today we hear some very odd readings. Moses is addressed by a voice form an on-fire plant in Exodus. In Corinthians, Paul draws on imagery from Exodus in a strange way: “They drank form a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was the Christ.” And Jesus uses bits of neighborhood gossip in Luke’s gospel to make a point about the need for conversion. The best thing we, as readers, could do is pay attention to the insistent call given throughout the three readings.
Luke uses the suddenness of judgment to issue the call for repentance, and then follows this call with the reminder of God’s patience. Placing contrasting images like this back to back is typical of Luke. God will judge our behavior, yet offers us many chances for repentance; for mending our relationship with God is a matter of utmost importance. There is always a delicate balance to be observed between making religion one of harsh requirements and something so warm and fuzzy that it makes no demands upon us. Mercy and justice are two realities that are always kept in tension.
Many people harbor the secret feeling that if they are faithful to God, their lives should be filled with blessings and successes. Even some fundamentalists preach that generosity in the collection or tithing will assure financial prosperity in one’s life. The Old Testament surely tended to link doing God’s will with earthly blessings, and sickness and disaster were seen as punishment for sin. The pervasiveness of this attitude is reflected often today when one cries out, “Why me?” Jesus today asserts that earthly suffering or lack of success is in no way a kind of divine punishment. We can see that Jesus did not deserve the opposition and sufferings he endured in life. We should not be deflected from what really matters: the obligation that we all have to constantly reform our lives in loving gratitude to God for his graciousness on our behalf. A life of discipleship is not a question of constant efforts to win God’s favor by our actions.
Our “Giving, Not Giving Up.......It’s a Lenten Thing” program continues this week with the donation of “gift cards.” Please place your gift card donations in the regular collection when taken at the “Offertory.” Remember that next week we ask for the regular donations on our Monthly Food Collection Sunday. Thanks for your generosity that is helping so many people and families in need at this time of acute hardship.
Congratulations to the 5th Grade Girls CYO Basketball Team that recently won the Suffolk County Championship and then went on to play and win the Long Island Championship in a very exciting game. Also, congratulations to our 7th Grade Girls CYO Team which won their Suffolk County Championship but fell just a little short in the LI Championship Game. Way to go to all our girls on these two teams.
During this month we are collecting donations for Catholic Relief Services which helps to fund six Catholic organizations that improve the quality of life while protecting human dignity. Your gift will support agricultural development, create food banks, provide outreach services to survivors of human trafficking and supply pastoral care and advocacy for immigrants and refugees. Also, wherever there is a need to help due to natural disasters, CRS is there. By our help, the Church is able to give hope to so many. Envelopes have been mailed with the regular Monthly Pledge Billings and they are also available on the tables by the doors of the Church and Chapel.
Please remember to take home a copy of the bulletin when you leave Mass today. It contains many items of interest and invitation, with something for everyone. Of special note is the ad for our upcoming Parish Lenten Mission the week of March 15-18, upcoming events from the Family Mass Committee, the Catholic Ministries Appeal update, the monthly Covenant Community Treasure Report, more Pastoral Council news, next weekend’s Food Collection and Hospitality Sunday, the Linking Liturgy to Life page, and much more. To keep informed, keep a copy of the bulletin at home for quick and easy reference.
Have a great Third Week of Lent! Keep that Lenten smile going as you share and bring hope to someone in need. Come and pray with us and bring someone new with you. God bless always. Father Chuck
PASTOR CHANGES
As everyone knows, my time as pastor of Infant Jesus Parish finishes at the end of June 2010. There has been a search and application process conducted by the Clergy Personnel Director that has culminated in new pastor appointments that will commence at the end of this June.
I have been appointed as the new pastor the Parish of St. Raymond in East Rockaway. This new assignment will bring me closer to my family and especially to my Dad, for which I am grateful. When the time comes I will begin to look forward to this new part of my priestly journey. However, at this time I am much more concerned with these last months as your pastor. I hope to enjoy this time with you, especially as we near another celebration of Easter with all its joy and hope-filled promises.
and on another note
Yes, there has also been an assignment of a new pastor for Infant Jesus. He is Father Patrick Riegger. Father Patrick is currently an associate pastor at St. Patrick’s in Smithtown. I will provide more bio info as it comes my way. I do know that Father Patrick is very happy to have this new assignment as your pastor. In turn, I know that you will welcome him with open arms and hearts filled with love.
PARISH MEMORIALS
A time honored and respectful way to remember our beloved who have died is to choose a memorial for the parish. Infant Jesus, in attempt to meet these requests, has compiled a comprehensive list containing the memorial opportunities of the parish. The complete list may be obtained at the rectory office. The following items are the most ongoing memorials that we offer which are available on a daily and weekly basis. If you are interested in obtaining one of these memorials, please come to the rectory office where our staff will be happy to assist you. And know always that the prayers of the entire Infant Jesus Covenant Community are with you in your time of bereavement.
Mass Intentions:
You may have a loved one remembered at a regularly scheduled Parish Mass or an unannounced Mass. We can provide a Mass card or Mass folder which you may give to the family of the deceased. The donation for a Mass is $15 ($20 for the Mass folder).
Bread and Wine Memorial:
Altar Bread and Wine are used for Communion at all Masses in the Church and the Infant Jesus Chapel at St. Charles Hospital. The Bread and Wine may be in memory of a loved one. We can provide a card for you to present as notification to the family and the memorial is acknowledged in the Sunday bulletin. The donation is $50 for one week at either the Church or Chapel.
Altar Candles:
Two candles are used each week on the altar during weekday and Sunday Masses, funerals, weddings and other services. You may memorialize the two candles for the Church or the Chapel for one week. The donation for this is $25.
Sanctuary Candle:
This candle stays lit above the Tabernacle signifying the Eucharistic presence of Christ present inside. You may memorialize the candle for either the Church or the Chapel for one week. The donation is $25.
PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS
The Pastoral Council has met to begin reviewing the answers and comments given at last month’s “Town Hall Meeting” and last month’s “Hospitality Sunday.” The following are some of the answers to the two direct questions that were posed to everyone:
What do you like best about Infant Jesus Parish?
Variety of Talents
Chapel and Church worship places
Sense of welcome
Body of Christ expressed
Sense of Community
Clergy
One on one interaction
What do you like least about Infant Jesus Parish?
Times for Sacrament of Reconciliation
Too long homilies
Hard to understand homilies
Lack of welcoming
Lack of parking
Ministry clicks
Not enough mix between Spanish and English speaking communities
In the coming weeks we will run more of the answers and comments that people gave at the meeting. As the council continues its deliberations, more information on some action plans will also be reported.
Listed here are the current Infant Jesus Pastoral Council Members and our Parish Mission Statement.
Anthony Butera Jr.
Helene Downey Coyle
Nicholas Davella
Stephen Kohlmann
Thomas G. Kuypers Sr.
Deacon Bob Kruse
Jim Lynch
Joan McCool
Louis Malpartida
Lucy Paplin
Bert Parachini
Mary Roeske
Oli Schepers
Father Chuck Romano
Parish Mission Statement
We the people of Infant Jesus Parish are a Roman Catholic Covenant Community.
Through our covenant we are called to be one with God and one another.
As a parish family we are enriched by diversity.
While recognizing the value of many forma of ministries and spirituality, our essential source and sign of unity is the Eucharist.
We choose to receive grace by living our lives through Christ's call to share our Time, Talent and Treasure in service to God and His people.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
A Message from the USCCB
The United States Bishop's Conference is very concerned about the proposed legislation concerning health care reform. We are all being urged to contact our Representative and Senators urging them to fix these bills with the pro-life amendments listed below. Otherwise, much needed health care reform will have to be opposed.
Action: Contact Members through e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters.
* To send a pre-written, instant e-mail go to www.usccb.org/action.
* Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or call your Member's local offices
* Full contact information can be found on Member's web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov. Tell the Senate to support long standing policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. Tell the House to support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life and conscience rights concerns. Help ensure that the Rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. It is important to act today!
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