OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
In May 2023, for the first time in almost three quarters of a century, a monarch was crowned in England. A few days later a friend of mine scoffed, “What a waste of time and energy! What is the point of a king?” I’m a proud American who wants neither theocracy nor monarchical restoration. I like our democratic republic. But the coronation of King Charles reminded me of something needed in every person and community: confidence in the future. The king’s most basic role is to symbolize the unity of the nation. In England, the parliament members handle many of the practical duties of governance. But the king or queen can do what they cannot: embody in a single person the reality and future of a whole nation. To say, “this is our king” is to say, “we exist as a community, and we have a future.” Kingship isn’t primarily about the power of one person or family. It’s about the enduring identity and unity of the whole. To say Christ is our King is to say we exist as a people. We are one in Him. We are, and we will be as long as He is. And since He will be our Risen King forever, together we have a future filled with hope. Even the best countries will finally fall. But Christ and His Church will endure forever. What good news! It’s not a waste of time to crown a king. We do it all the time. Let’s be sure to crown the right one — the one whose kingdom never ends. — Father John Muir
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I noted this year that I am already seeing Christmas decorations both in stores and in private homes. I was even in the shopping mall on November 8th and noted that there was a big sign stating Santa would be there starting on November 9th! At first, I was not happy about the Christmas decorations going up so early and in past years I was not happy when I saw them come down the day after Christmas Day or New Year’s Day since the Christmas season starts on Christmas Day and goes until the Epiphany which is January 7th this year. However, I have had a change of heart more or less. It really depends on the motive behind decorating or undecorating. Stores decorate early for they are hoping that will prompt not just early shopping but more shopping, in other words they are motivated by greed! This is not a good reason. I will actually be decorating my house (the rectory) a week before Advent starts this year. This would have been something I would never have done in the past. However, the reason I am doing it this year is the simple fact that my mom will be visiting that weekend and traditionally she has helped me decorate my tree ever since I moved away from home at the age of 25. Most years I still would have said no to decorating a week early, but I know how much it means to my mom to follow tradition and this year in particular with my dad no longer being with us. So, for her sake and to bring some joy and to lift her spirits I am decorating early. This is a good reason. It is, my brothers and sisters, like most things in life. Before we act or before we are critical of others, we need to ask what the motivation is behind the action. Is it selfish and self-serving or is it to bring happiness, joy and even love to others? And once we answer those questions we should act accordingly.
God Bless you and have a wonderful week and a fantastic Thanksgiving,
Fr. Michael
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP
One day when I was walking the city streets where I was giving a series of talks, I saw what appeared to be an older woman hunched over with a sign asking for help. At first I passed her, on my way to visit the local drugstore. But then I came back around when I realized that I had not been very mindful upon first seeing her. I didn’t have much cash to give her, but as I always tell everyone else in my talks, oftentimes what people need more than cash is someone to at least acknowledge them. I reached into my pocket to give her what little I had and I simply said, “Hello. I hope you are okay and I hope you can use this.” When her face turned toward me I saw she was probably only about sixteen years of age and she was very beautiful. She smiled immediately and said how much this meant to her. She gathered up her few belongings and I watched her walk to a café for a meal. I turned to walk back to my lodging and I thought to myself, “She could have been my daughter.” That’s when the still, small voice spoke to me saying, “Don’t you understand? That was your daughter!” Who is your daughter or son, your mother or father? Who is your neighbor? Better yet, in whom do you see Jesus? A young homeless girl on the street can take on so many forms: stranger, neighbor, daughter, and Jesus. Unless we are mindful of those in our midst, we miss the chance to see any of them. We must never be fooled by appearance. That day I almost missed seeing my Lord. -Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
SCRIPTURAL REFLECTIONS ON STEWARDSHIP
“…whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.”
Most of us are generous when it’s convenient for us. We are generous when we have the time or the money. But real generosity is the opposite of that. It means giving of one’s time, money, compassion, forgiveness or mercy when it’s not convenient to us, when it’s not on our schedule, but on the other person’s timeline.
PRAYER REQUESTS
That God will relieve their suffering and restore them to health. Please pray for Please pray for: Kellie Salata, Kelly Chinchar, Jessica, Daniel Breslin, Stanley, Helen Traina, Joseph Marrone, Bill Marshall, Anthony, Michael, Joseph, Jessica Esopo, Theresa McPeak, William, Steve, Audra, Bernadette, James Weiss, Baby Ford, Rosemary Malangone, Elizabeth Malangone, Sue West, Danny, Colleen Emery, Richard, Joan Russo, Christina Martin, Mornia Evans, Valerie Valverde, Diana McGuckin, Pat Peterson.
The gift of Bread & Wine for the first two weeks of November has been given in memory of Rose & Carmine DeRiso by Mr. & Mrs. Raymond DeRiso.
The gift of Altar Flowers for the first two weeks of November has been given in memory of Juana Maldonado by Jesse & Joanna Sylvestri.
The Sanctuary Lamp for the first two weeks of November has been given in memory of Frank Pizza by the Pizza Family.
Please consider sponsoring our Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers, and the oil for the Sanctuary Lamp.
We appreciate and are very thankful to all our parishioners and friends who continuously support our church. God bless us all.
To all our Lectors and Catechists or Religious Education Teachers, thank you very much. God bless you all!
Thanks to Rose and Lenny Sunga for the orchids and to the Sanzari Family for the altar flowers and to all who help and support our church.
Opportunities for Parish Support
There are several ways you can help support our parish and honor loved ones at the same time. As you may have noticed on the first Sunday of every month in our bulletin, we thank the donors of our Altar Gifts. You can donate the Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers, or the Sanctuary Lamp in a two-week block for $50 in someone’s memory. We have blocks open for this year. We also need to purchase a new Easter candle each year (the tall candle on the altar) for $300-$400 which can also be donated in someone’s memory. You do not have to fund the entire amount, anything you wish to donate towards the purchase of our Easter candle is appreciated. We also have masses available for your intentions. If you wish to honor someone in any of these ways, please call the rectory.
Prayer for our Nation
God our Father, giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for your glory and dwell among your people. Send your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing your will. Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.” Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Workers
God our Creator, Your Word worked wonders to create the heavens and the earth and all they contain. Jesus Christ our Savior and Brother, You labored alongside your foster father Joseph, living the life of an ordinary worker. Holy Spirit, we are baptized into your life. You live and move and have your being in us as we go about our daily tasks. On this Employee Appreciation Day, may all who work recognize their intrinsic value. Show them that their worth depends not on any task, responsibility, or skill. Remind them that their dignity lies in You, oh Lord. In all of our labors, may we remember that we imitate You. Amen.
Praying the ROSARY
The Rosary is a meditation, a time to recall and think about the life of Jesus as seen and experienced by Mary. As the model of faith, Mary’s life sets a pattern that we strive to follow: saying ‘yes’ to God’s will in our lives and sharing His love and message with others. The Mysteries of the Rosary form a mini lesson of faith, using the highlights and significant moments of the life of Jesus. Like paging through a family scrapbook, we see in brief the events of salvation history that are the core of our belief and the hope of our eternal life.
OUR ADVERTISERS OF THE WEEK
WE NEED BULLETIN ADVERTISERS!!
We would like to thank all the advertisers who have supported us throughout the past year. Our parish benefits greatly from the ads you see in the bulletin. The revenue pays for the printing which is an important means of communication for the parish. If we do not have enough advertisers, the cost of our bulletin goes up. We thank the local businesses that advertise with us especially in these tough economic times. We have some spaces on the back of our bulletin that need filling so if you would like to advertise your business as well as benefit your church, please contact John Patrick Publishing at 1-800-333-3166.
Please support our advertisers at the back cover of bulletin.
***CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE***