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In Loving Memory of

HELEN R. ESPOSITO

God’s Throne. He describes them as having the face of a man, the face of a lion, the face of an ox, and the face of an eagle. Although these “four living creatures” originally had nothing to do with the four Evangelists, as early as the Second Century, they began to be associated with them. The writings of the Church Fathers like St. Irenaeus and later, St. Jerome, attest to the Church’s Tradition of using each of these biblical figures to symbolize a particular Evangelist. The eagle was chosen as St. John’s symbol because of the great love of God expressed in the soaring, heavenly theology of his writings, especially the Prologue to his Gospel. In Catholic art, the figure of Christ in Heavenly Glory is often surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists.

The statue of our Holy Patron speaks to us of the St. John as Apostle, Evangelist, and great lover of the Lord. May it always inspire us to follow his example.

GETTING TO KNOW

ST. JOHN

The statue of St. John the Evangelist in the First Avenue Entrance to our Church has been the cause of countless favorable comments among our friends and parishioners. Many inquire about the “how’s and why’s” of what this inspirational statue represents. The following answers respond to the most frequently asked questions:

—Why is St. John depicted as a young man in biblical clothing?

In the Church’s long artistic tradition, St. John has always been depicted as a young man. This is because, when he was a young man, Jesus called St. John to leave his fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee and to follow Him. As a young man, St. John walked with the Lord, learned from the Lord, and was chosen to be the Lord’s Apostle. St. John’s biblical attire reflects the Lord’s words to His Apostles about “traveling light,” in terms of taking no money and a single cloak with them, as He sent them out to spread His Good News in the world.

—Why is St. John holding a pen and scroll?

St. John was inspired by God to write one of the four Gospels, the Book of Revelation, and several Epistles or Letters, all found in the New Testament. The quill-type pen and scroll the statue holds represent the implements St. John would have used in his Sacred Writing. The word “Gospel” means “Good news” As the author of one of the Gospels, St. John is referred to as an Evangelist, that is, one who announces the Good News of Jesus. St. John did this both through the witness of his life and through his Sacred Writing.

—Why is there an eagle at St. John’s feet?”

In the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, the Prophet is given a privileged vision of the Throne of God in heaven. In this vision, Ezekiel sees four living creatures standing at

OUR PARISH IS OUR HOME We are a Parish Family, united in the mission

of Jesus Christ. Just as you have expenses in your own family’s home, our Parish also has similar expenses to keep up with, such as electricity, heat and gas. By participating in “A Coffee A Day For Our Parish,” you will help our Parish ground its mission and ministries in both faith and financial stability. What to you may be a small cost--like a cup of coffee a day or weekly takeout meal--can make a big difference to our Parish.

How much can you afford to increase your

giving to help our Parish?

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019 5:30pm +Betty & Bill Saggers (Vigil for Sunday Mass)

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 7:30am For Our Parishioners 9:00am +Regina Samuel 10:30am +Helen R. Esposito 12:00pm +John Dluzniewski 5:30pm +Peter & Anita Crisafi

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 ST. SIMON & ST. JUDE

7:00am Intentions of Stephanie Labrusciano 8:15am +Irene Hardisa 12:10pm +Frances Nesbitt

5:30pm +Marie Louise Andrei

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2019 7:00am +Sang Ky, Tji 8:15am +Francis Steven Valdivia 12:10pm +Gail R. Schipski 5:30pm +Msgr. Charles Roselli

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019 7:00am +Gail R. Schipski 8:15am Intentions of Paul Begley 12:10pm +Dorothy Mac Gillvray 5:30pm +Michael Buttigieg

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 7:00am +Margo & Douglas Coldwell 8:15am +Maxwell Felson 12:10pm +Douglas D. Menagh 5:30pm +John W. Kelliher (Vigil of Solemnity of All Saints)

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2019 HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION 7:00am +Ethel Talabovich 8:15am +Rose & Andrew Gull 12:10pm +Deceased Members of the Ladies of Charity 5:30pm +Brian Harrington

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2019 (ALL SOULS’ DAY) 8:15am +Msgr. Charles Roselli 12:10pm +Leolino A. Maglasang & Glenda & Luis Arnaiz 5:30pm All Soul’s Day Novena (Vigil for Sunday Mass)

ONE MORE DAY FOR THE THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

2019 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME $4,893

2018 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME $7,578

THANK YOU! WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO USE OUR ENVELOPE SYSTEM. LET US KNOW IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE OFFERING ENVELOPES THROUGH THE MAIL.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP

FOR OUR SICK: SABRINA BERTUCCI, RENEE SOMMERS

FOR OUR DECEASED: ELIZABETH EDDY, MARY GOLDSTEIN,

KATHRYN ISABEL TOOHIG, ROBERT JOHN WITT

Please call the Parish House to have a Parishioner’s name placed on this list. Check to see if someone who is ill consents to having their name published. We only publish the names of recently deceased

Prayer Requests

dear Padre I see hate everywhere these days—in social media, politics, even between religions. Are we helpless to do anything about hatred? Hatred is a byproduct of the sins of envy, pride, anger, and avarice. The way to counter hatred is to promote virtues that are the opposite of the deadly sins from which hatred flows.

For example, the virtue opposing the vice of envy is love. In love, you rejoice over your neighbor’s good. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 talks about how you should seek good for each person.

The opposite of pride is humility. Today’s Gospel parable of the Pharisee and tax collector praying together (Luke 18:9–14) speaks of true humility. The tax collector recognized a basic truth: that God is the Creator, the source of your body and soul and your life.

The virtue opposing anger is meekness. In meekness, you reject your angry feelings to seek reconciliation with your neighbor. Jesus taught that you cannot bring your gift to the altar if you recall that your neighbor has something against you or vice versa (Matthew 5:23–24).

Finally, the virtue that destroys avarice is poverty. Poverty doesn’t mean giving away all your money; it means you strive to become rich in what matters to God (Luke 12:20) and to share with those who have less gifts than God has given you.

Hatred will be no more if you strive to be virtuous in the face of your envy, pride, anger, and avarice.

—Fr. Paul J. Coury, CSsR