3rd Sunday of Easter
When I was a kid, a friend at my home parish told me, “If you get to Mass by the Gospel reading, it counts!” As a lifelong late-arriver, it’s something I have told myself many times, especially in my earlier years as a Catholic. If the “it counts” is justifiable on a pathetically minimal scale of liturgical legalism, then the Gospel reading today shows how insanely wrong-headed it is, and how helpful it is to re-think the Mass in its light. The famous “Road to Emmaus” story recounts, on that first Sunday of the Resurrection, the basic two-fold structure of the Mass: Word, followed by Eucharist. Jesus spends a significant period of time with two dismayed disciples, as He connects a wide swath of the Hebrew scriptures with His own suffering, death, and Resurrection. They would later report that this Liturgy of the Word touched their hearts with an inexplicable fire. This Word-induced flame alone is what leads the two disciples to discover Jesus’ presence in the “breaking of the bread.” With this in mind, how can we possibly think that the Liturgy of the Word is unnecessary or incidental? The two disciples needed the Scriptures explained to them in order to experience Jesus alive in the Eucharistic breaking of bread. Sure, we say, but they had the Risen Jesus. But that’s precisely the point: Jesus is risen and accompanies us in both parts of the Mass. Imagine how much our experience of Jesus in the Eucharist would deepen if we (preachers and listeners) took even more seriously that Jesus Himself sets our hearts ablaze with His Word so that we know Him in the Eucharist. That Word-induced fire counts, too! — Father John Muir
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The first anniversary of my father’s death just passed on April 5th. I would be lying if I said I do not still miss him, that I don’t still feel the pain of his passing or that I don’t still cry from time to time. However, I can say that all of it has lessened. The tears flow less often and the smiles come more readily when I think of my dad. Often it is said, time heals all wounds. This may be true for physical wounds, but wounds of sorrow are healed by God, if we let Him. You see, the reason the pains have gone down is for I keep rereading the memorial card for my dad, in particular the one line which states “Although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt and given me relief.” I focus on that line for I know it to be true. You see my dad was suffering a lot towards the end of his time here on earth. He had dementia which robbed him of his memories, stole his love for T.V. and his enjoyment of eating. He had pain in his legs which made it impossible to walk without pain. He was incontinent which stole his dignity. Now, in heaven, he is perfect again, all of those ailments are gone, he is young, healthy and full of life once again. Above all he is happy! Even while I may be sad, my sadness is relieved knowing that fact. My brothers and sisters if you have lost someone and you find the pain is not easing over time, open yourself up to God’s healing. Allow Him to show you the grace that is woven within the sorrow and trust me it is there if we look. Remember always, God does not take anyone, He receives them when the time is right even if we don’t see it, but with God’s help we will understand and find peace like the peace our loved ones feel in heaven.
God Bless you and have a wonderful week, Fr. Michael
2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
We have reached our goal for the 2024 Annual Appeal!! Thank you for your prayers and support.
SCRIPTURAL REFLECTIONS ON STEWARDSHIP
“Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ But they were startled and frightened…” – LUKE 24:36-37
Throughout the day we have many opportunities to “see the face of Jesus” in others and to “be the face of Jesus” to others. Do we take that opportunity to provide “peace” to those we encounter or are we afraid of what others will think of us and do nothing? Pray for the strength and courage to live a “God-centered” life and not a “self-centered” life.
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, 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, Manny Scarangella.
Please consider sponsoring our Bread & Wine, Altar Flowers, and the oil for the Sanctuary Lamp.
The gift of Bread & Wine for the month of April has been given in memory of Kyle P. Jashembowski by Linda J. Sylvestri.
The Sanctuary Lamp for the first two weeks of April has been given in memory of Lucia DiNardo & Giuseppe Manieri. The second two weeks have been given in memory of Michael, Pietro & Elena Manieri by Maria & Nicola Totaro.
Easter and Holy Week at our parish this year was a tremendous celebration because of the efforts of so many people. The lectors, Eucharistic ministers and ministers of hospitality did a great job to make the liturgy much more meaningful. All those who helped did a fine job decorating and preparing our church for our Easter celebration. So, a big THANK YOU from all of us at Immaculate Conception for what you do to make our celebrations so spiritually significant.
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.
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***