Sunday Bulletin

Seventh Sunday of Easter

PASTORS CORNER…. 

Next Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost and the end of the Easter Season. Traditionally referred to as the birthday of the Church we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles as Jesus had promised. The Holy Spirit has guided the Church in every age and indeed there is much to be celebrated in all that God accomplishes through the Church. The mission of the Church is worldwide following the mandate of Jesus to go forth and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Church in the United States is vital in her ability to provide formation and assistance to so many of our citizens. Do you know that the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday? Of these 92% go on to graduate studies. The picture is not the same in public education which spends much more money with a lower percentage going to graduate schools.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the United States with an enrollment of over 700,000 students. We have a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people – not just Catholics – in the United States today. There are very few places in our state and beyond where the church does not offer assistance in various ways to those in need irrespective of the needy person’s creed or cultural background. Yet it was not always this way. The Church in every place has suffered persecution and suppression for particular periods in her pilgrimage only to rise up and endure whatever comes her way through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The history of the church just here in the state of New Jersey shows us how far we have come in such a short time. Consider that in 1702 when a royal colony was formed merging east and west Jersey Catholics were excluded from political rights as citizens. It was as recent as 1810 that the first priest was assigned to a parish in New Jersey. It happens to be what the cathedral parish for our diocese is now. Before that missionaries rode from place to place throughout the state to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments.  In 1860 there were only 25,000 Catholics in New Jersey. Today there are over 3.2 million.

It is good to reflect on our small beginnings as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of the church. From a small chosen band of witnesses nearly 2,000 years ago to immigrants in a new world who were discriminated against for hundreds of years in that new world. The Church led by the Spirit continues to grow from strength to strength. In the name of Christ we seek to feed the poor, house the homeless, encourage the dejected, protect the vulnerable, give hope to the hopeless and to preach the Good News of God’s redeeming love to all who desire to know. Yes, there is much to celebrate about our Church – thanks be to God.

Happy Easter,

Fr. Richard

MASS INTENTIONS AND SCHEDULE MAY 5-11, 2008

MON.       6:30      Florence  Lewis

               8:00      Violet Grosso

TUE.        6:30      Don Carey

               8:00      Walter Krebs

                            Alfred McNeill

WED.       6:30       Deceased parishioners

               8:00       Denise Cooke

                            Maria Bacchetta

THUR.      6:30       Fr. Michael Walsh

               8:00       Madeline Scozzafava

                            Henry Hazzard

FRI.         6:30       Deceased members of the Carton Family

               8:00       Carl Pompey

                            Jenny Cacciabeve, 1st Anniv.

             11:00       For the benefactors, faculty, staff and students of our school

SAT.      

              8:00       Intentions of Marc Cashing & Katie Churn

              5:15PM   Gerald F. Anderson

                           Dec. Mem. Luigi Venturini Family

SUNDAY  MOTHER’S DAY

               7:30       For Mothers Living & Deceased

               9:00       For Mothers Living & Deceased

              11:15      For Mothers Living & Deceased

MEMORIALS:  

The Vigil Light is given in Memory of Christina Nardi.

The Bread and Wine are given for the Intentions of the Larry Whritenour Family.

PRIEST MASS SCHEDULE FOR MAY 10/11th.

5:15 PM – Fr. Francis

7:30 AM – Fr. Richard

9:00 AM – Fr. Francis

11:15 AM – Fr. Richard

FINANCE REPORT

April 27, 2008: $11,047

May    6, 2007:  $  8,791

Thank you to all who support the work of the Gospel.

$10, 550 is needed weekly to meet the forecasted ordinary expenses for this Fiscal Year of 2007/2008.

BAPTISMS

Born of water and the Holy Spirit: Ava Anne Ananian and Rianna Roy Attieh.

QUESTIONS OF FAITH

Do you find yourself feeling uncomfortable on questions of faith? Explaining our faith to family, friends and even strangers but not sure of what you are telling them. Would you like to learn more and to do so in an affirming and friendly environment? Then set Tuesday nights aside from 7:30-9PM for some discussion and learning on matters of faith hosted by Fr. Richard. The discussion will be based on your questions and a desire to grow in faith. All are welcome.

BOONTON KWIANIS FIRST AID SQUAD celebrating its 70th Anniversary!

Open House: Monday May 26th at 11:00am to

5:00PM at 150 Lathrop Ave., Boonton.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING

There will be an altar server training session on Saturday, May 17th at 9:00am-10:00am in church. All present servers as well as anyone interested in becoming an altar server is asked to attend. You must be in Grade 3 or older.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Parishioners,

We welcome to the table of the Lord our second graders. They have all worked diligently at their studies to be prepared to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood. They will need your continued prayers as they join us in communion with the Lord. Our Middle School is preparing to venture out to a local cemetery to complete the last phase of our Star School project. The children will be photographing and tracing the gravestones to research their history. Our younger children will be taking a walking tour of downtown Boonton to learn about the history of the buildings. I thank you for your prayers and continued support and we will pray for you as we pray our Novena to the Holy Spirit these next nine school days.

God bless, Gladys Driscoll

HELP NEEDED

Each of us is challenged to spread the Good News. Our Good news is that we are children of God called to personal and intimate relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. To deepen that relationship Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist, the center of our faith. It has come to our attention that we have parishioners without hearing in our faith community who cannot fully participate in Eucharist without the ministry of signing, use of sign language. Please help us: 1. Identify anyone in our parish who feels that they could sign at one Sunday Mass. 2. Identify any parishioner who is without hearing so that we can help meet their spiritual needs better. Contact Sister Lois if you can “sign” at Mass. 973-334-0429.

THE WISDOM OF THE SAINTS

We envy the shepherds who went to visit the grotto of Bethlehem to see Him, kissed His little hand, and offered Him their gifts. “Lucky shepherds!” we exclaim. And yet there is no reason to envy them, for their fortune is ours, too. The same Jesus they visited in the grotto is in our tabernacle. The only difference is that the shepherds saw Him with the eyes of the body, whereas we see Him with the eyes of faith. Nothing will please Him more than our frequent visits to Him.                               St. John Bosco

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Blessed Sacrament is exposed each Friday after 8AM Mass until 6PM when we pray Evening Prayer and conclude Exposition with Benediction. No blessing is more powerful than that of Christ Himself. Come and join in this powerful time of prayer at the feet of the Master.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need, and bring them home safely. May their sacrifices bring about a lasting and just peace for all. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

RESPECT LIFE – A REFLECTION

“The resurrection is our assurance of Christ’s presence with us in this life and our presence with Him in eternal life. Jesus ‘ascended into Heaven’ and He will ‘come again’ to bring us new life! He ascended into Heaven to rule over all of His creation. Things may seem out of control, but be assured Jesus is in control. He uses all events working them together for the good of His people and getting things ready for His glorious return when He will make all things new!” Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb

OLMC GOLF OUTING-Bowling Green Golf Club, Oak Ridge, NJ Wed., May 14th. $150 per person includes lunch at 11:30am. Shot Gun start at 1:00pm includes green fee with cart, use of practice facility, pro shop discounts, warm up with Golf Pro, beverage cart, dinner and awards reception. Dinner and awards reception only, $35/person. Deadline: May 13th. Call Sharon Crooker at 973-335-6551.

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS MEETING-A party for all students that entered the Education Contest, sponsored by the OLMC Court Joan of Arc, will be held on Wed., May 7th at 7:00pm in the church meeting room. All are welcome to attend and see the art work and hear the poems and essays of the winners. SCHOLARSHIP: There is a $500 scholarship available to any Catholic 8th grade student going to a catholic, public or private high school. Applications are available at the entrance of the church.  Deadline is May 1st.

COMMUNION BREAKFAST – The annual CDA Communion Breakfast will begin at the 9:00AM Mass on Sunday May 18th followed by a delicious breakfast in the church meeting room. There will be a “mystery guest speaker” talking about mission work in the west. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and children $5.00 under 7 yrs. of age. Call Ernestine 973-334-0276 or Theresa 973-34-9041 for tickets. All are welcome!

MAY is the month of MARY – honor your heavenly mother by praying the Rosary daily.

CONSECRATION TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER

My Queen, my Mother! I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you I consecrate to you this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Good Mother, as I am your own, keep me, guard me, as your possession. This I ask through Christ my Lord and your Son who lives forever and ever. Amen.

Honoring Mary the Mother of Jesus – Caring for mothers in need.

During the month of May we honor in a special way the Blessed Mother. Through May crowning, the praying of the Rosary, following closely the will of her Son and through works of charity we imitate her life of faithfulness. In our society there are young mothers in need. In a culture of death they have chosen life often to be shunned by those who should be the first to support them.

We can help.

During the month of May a crib will be placed in the vestibule of the church. We will collect new born baby items – diapers, new clothing, gift cards for baby stores, bottles, formula and any item that will be of use to a newborn.

At the end of the month the items will be given to Good Counsel Homes who shelter and assist young mothers in their time of need. Through this action we affirm the gift of life and participate in charitable work for the good of those who are in need. In prayer we ask Mary, the Mother of Jesus to intercede for all who carry within them the gift of life. May she intercede for the unborn and all God’s children.