Born Blind Surprisingly, I've only been asked by a few people if the

Coronavirus is a punishment from God. This may surprise

you 🙄 but I don't know. I've shared with these folks that

society was never more Catholic than at the end of the

13th century. Catholicism was infused into the whole

fabric of society from top to bottom.

For example, there were King and Queen saints and

worker guilds, which in many ways served as Medieval

unions, with the major exception that they were infused

with Catholic Faith. These guilds made sure any member

who died had a Catholic funeral Mass and burial, and to the best of their ability, they

took care of the survivors. The universities were Catholic. The art was Catholic.

Yet, without much change in society on the ground level, in the very next century, up to

half of Christendom died from the Black Death. Yes, there were problems in the Church

– the Avignon Papacy and the philosophical pollution created by William of Ockham,

etc. – but it's hard to make sense of such a drastic loss of human life, and the

heartbreak it must have caused, when you view their Catholic society. Would God

actually punish a totally Catholic culture in that way?

Certainly in the Old Testament, famine, war and plagues were viewed as punishments

from God. The Israelites viewed them as a reminder that they had lost their way and

needed to repent and amend their lives. The Old Testament writers, however, did not

enjoy the fullness of God’s revelation in the way the New Testament writers did in Jesus

Christ. Their testimony of the words of Our Lord should give us pause before declaring

with complete confidence that a tragedy is a punishment from God.

The New Testament takes a more cautious approach. A Catholic understands the Old

Testament through the eyes of the New Testament. Therefore, I'd advise caution in

drawing dire conclusions regarding the Coronavirus as a sort of biblical punishment.

That stated, I can't help thinking of the Blessed Mother telling the young seers at Fatima

that war is a punishment for sin, although one shouldn't equate the message of Fatima

with the New Testament either.

It’s now time to address the Sunday Gospel reading which tells the story of the man

born blind. In early Jewish biblical writings it was implied that people with physical

defects were contaminated and/or came from particularly sinful backgrounds. When

people suffered personal tragedy it was viewed in a similar manner (Luke 13:4). In later

wisdom literature, closer to the birth of Jesus, such as in the Book of Job, it was viewed

in a more cautious and humble manner more with the sense of: Who are we to

understand the mind of God?

That mentioned, in the Gospel both the disciples and the adversaries of Jesus draw the

false conclusion that this man must be a sinner because he has lived up to this point as

a blind man. I assume they thought he was a particularly bad sinner compared to

themselves. If so, they were really lost. They didn't even see their own sinfulness.

Regardless, Jesus denies that the blind man’s condition at birth had anything to do with

his personal sinfulness or his parents’ sinfulness. In this case, the man was born blind

to reveal the glory of God through healing him.

In short, we have to take a balanced view of this pandemic. I wouldn't dismiss the

thought that the Coronavirus could be a punishment from God. We all need to re-

examine our lives and priorities. Unfortunately, it looks like we will have plenty of time to

do so. I wouldn't fully buy into it either. More importantly, I would view it as an

opportunity to reveal the glory of God to others.

A crisis of this type can stimulate us to be kinder, more helpful, more patient, more

understanding and even to share our toilet paper with those in need! Perhaps, more

than anything else, we could become more prayerful. This is a GREAT opportunity to

become devoted to Our Lady and Our Lord through praying the Rosary. Also, perhaps

we could use this time as an opportunity to read about our Catholic Faith. If you want

suggestions, I have plenty, so give me a holler.

Finally, remember that a person proves their worth in a time of crisis. Character, or lack

of it, is revealed when the chips are down. Many of you are the leaders of your families.

Rally the troops, gather your resources and make a firm resolution that nothing will

shake your Faith or break your will going forward. To quote St Paul, “I know what it is to

be in need, and I know what is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to be content in

any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I

can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).

All are urged to keep in prayer those who are suffering from the coronavirus, as wellas for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all those who are working to combat the disease.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary for ProtectionO Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign

of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.

You, Our Lady of New York, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide,so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment

of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love,to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us:

He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test –

and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

On Thursday, March 19th, a simple, privatebenediction was prayed by Father Patrick Curley. During this benediction, Fr. Curley blessed all the

parishioners of St. Peter’s Parish.

Note to parishioners: It will be necessary to reschedule all Mass intentions that were intended during the time of parish closure. After the church is re-opened, parishioners will have to call the

parish office at (845) 452-8580 x111 to reschedule.

Religious Ed classes are temporarily cancelled until at least April 22nd.

Please check your email for updates.

In light of the coronavirus outbreak and current social restrictions andbusiness closings, the Knights of Columbus have also decided to closeall upcoming events for the next two months. This includes both thefish fry (cancelled for the remainder of Lent) and pancake breakfastscheduled for April 5th. Our clothing drop off shed will still continueto be available.

A Reading from the First Book of Samuel (1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A)

The LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse ofBethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.” But the LORD saidto Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has notchosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will notbegin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. Hewas ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There—anointhim, for this is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of hisbrothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

March 22, 2020Laetare or Rose Sunday * The Fourth Sunday in Lent

There are no flowers on the altar or music during Lent.(The people’s responses in bold represent wording that Pope Benedict had changed in the Mass throughout the world.)

Greeting

Priest: The Lord be with you.People: And with your spirit.

The Confiteor

I confess to almighty Godand to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinnedin my thoughts and in my words,in what I have doneand in what I have failed to do, (And then striking your breast three times)through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;therefore, I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Priest: Lord have mercy. People: Lord have mercy.Priest: Christ have mercy. People: Christ have mercy.Priest: Lord have mercy. People: Lord have mercy.*

*(Or any other option the priest chooses. “The Lord havemercy” can be sung as “Kyrie elÁison” or the Penitentialhymn “Asperges” may be sung.)

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (EPH 5:8-14)

Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to theLord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mentionthe things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything thatbecomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will giveyou light.”

Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (JN 9:1-41)

People: Glory to you, O Lord. As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he wasborn blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, Iam the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on hiseyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,“but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “Theman called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was ableto see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said tothem, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God,because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division amongthem. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is aprophet.” Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one whohad gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” His parents answeredand said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who openedhis eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jewshad already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason hisparents said, “He is of age; question him.” So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God thepraise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind andnow I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them,“I told you already andyou did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “Youare that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.”The man answered and said to them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. Weknow that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone everopened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered andsaid to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they hadthrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I maybelieve in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and heworshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do seemight become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Responsorial: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5,6)

Lector: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory! People Only: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory! (Stand) Lector Only: I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. (JN 8:12)

People Only: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless Glory!

Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

consubstantial with the Father;

through Him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation He came down

from heaven,At the words that follow, up to and including and became Man, all bow

and by the Holy Spirit was Incarnate of the

Virgin Mary and became Man.

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

He suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living

and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver ofLife, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

Who with the Father and the Son is adored and

glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and I look forward to the resurrection of the deadand the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer Said by the People After The Pray

Brethren Prayer of the Priest

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands

for the praise and glory of His Name,

for our good and the good of all His holy

church.

Priest: The Lord be with you.People: And with your spirit.Priest: Lift up your hearts.People: We lift them up to the Lord.Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.People: It is right and just.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts.Heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.

Priest: The mystery of Faith.

People: We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection until You

come again.

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you

always.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Himwho takes away the sins of the world. Blessedare those called to the supper of the Lamb.

People: Lord, I am not worthy that You shouldenter under my roof, but only say the word andmy soul shall be healed.

Concluding Rites

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Go forth the Mass is ended.

People: Thanks be to God.

In Loving Memory of

Horton TuckerMarch 30, 1929 to February 23, 2016

Love,

Sue & Family

In Memory of

our dear friend

Barbara TrainorSt. Peter’s

Needlework Group

In Loving Memory of

Meg Ellen Misove Case9/27/76 - 1/11/12

on her 8th Anniversary in Heaven

Forever In Our Hearts,Your Loving Family

In Loving Memory of

Mae A. Dahowski

10/12/1912 - 2/1/1965

Forever Loved & Missed

Gerard, Linda & Family

In Loving Memory of

Catherine Jurutkaon her 1st anniversary

in Heaven, Love and miss you,

Your Daughter, Karen

To request a memorial,please call

(845) 452-8580 ext. 111

“THOU ART PETER, THE ROCK, AND UPON YOU

I SHALL BUILD MY CHURCH” MattheW 16:18

Baptism The Sacraments Weddings

PRAY FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL

Joann Morris by Family & Friends

Jessica White by Mary Ann Lysko

Sandy Cannistra by her Friends

PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH

* Lorraine Nielsen by the Family * Felicia Ritters by the Family *

*Bill Timmons by Loretta Timmons * Audrey Marie Michaels by Felicia Ritters *

* Thomas Hart by a Friend * Susan Charter by Jo Kupiec & Family *

* Luca Schneider by Maureen Babiarz * J.R. Prince by Mary Prince *

PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OTHER PARISHES * Michael Einfeldt by the Family * Antonina Mirto by Edith Luca * Sean Tierney by the Brodie Family *

* Shania Kanz by Stephen Garrison * Deacon James Hayes by Felicia Ritters *

* To have names added to the prayer lists, please call (845) 452-8580 ext. 120. and leave a message, please spell all names.

PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED SOULS OF THE PARISH

^ Robert P. Vaughan (95) entered eternal rest 11/2 * Sweet’s Memorial - 11/16

^ Barbara Trainor (82) entered eternal rest 2/13 Funeral Mass - Fr. Curley 2/17

^ Sue Tucker (89) entered eternal rest 2/17 * Remembered by Edith Luca

^ Frank J. Thomesch (74) entered eternal rest 2/16 * Funeral Mass - 2/22

^ June M. Tacinelli (95) entered eternal rest 2/19 * Funeral Mass - 2/24

^ Dianne Witter (71) entered eternal rest 3/11 * Funeral Mass - 3/17

^ James Daley (84) entered eternal rest 3/12 * Funeral Mass - 3/19

PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED OF OTHER PARISHES

^ Rebecca Consolini (27) Sept. 20, 2019 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko

^ Albert DeMarco (91) Oct. 10, 2019 remembered by Francine Barrett

^ David R. Feheley (71) Dec. 29, 2019 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko

^ Ella Hoffer (76) Jan. 21, 2020 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko

^ Erminio Bisceglia (89) Jan. 11, 2020 remembered by Edith Luca

^ Mary Glass (61) January 30, 2020 remembered by Mary Ann Lysko

^ Doris Durant (101) February 27, 2020 remembered by Karen Venuto

The Mass Intentions for next weekend Sunday, March 29th

If you would like one of the priests to visit the sick, please call(845) 452-8580 ext. 111, if an emergency call ext. 101

School Gym 4 pm

Our Lady’s 7am

Chapel 9am

10:30am

12noon

5pm

Mary H. Frank

All Parishioners

Margaret & John Puzewski

Annie Luty

Arthur Supperly

Don Rielle

St. Peter’s Church Memorials. Never Forgotten.

10th Anniversary

Never Forgotten

John F. Belch9/29/47 - 1/05/10

We love and miss you,

JoAnne and all your Family

In Memory of

my beloved wife Jean

on our anniversary

from Mike Rock