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PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL

INDEPENDENCE STRENGTH FREEDOM

U.S. Air Force:

Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Simpson

Master Sergeant Scott Moller

Tech. Sgt. Francisco J. Velasquez

Master Sgt. Jeremy Salaver

U.S. Army:

Private Angelique J. Rosado

Master Sergeant Jill Agront

Sgt. Hisnard Cadet, Jr.

Staff Sgt. Misael Exantus

PFC Zaymery Villalobos

Special Force Kareem Inniss

Spc. Richard Aquilar

Captain Gavin Campbell McMahon

LTC Douglas Boltuc

Sgt. Andrew Gandolfo

PFC Francisco Fuentes Melinium

PFC Stefan Saindoux

PFC Luc-Ambert Saindoux, Jr.

PFC Betty Piquion

U.S. Marines:

1st Battalion Carlos Fuentes

CPL Daniel C. Monroe

RCT Eric Joel Vazquez

Sergeant W. Jason Ferris

L. Cpl. Alfonso Rodriquez

U.S. Navy:

Airman Herbert J. Alvarado

JE-4/CS3 Jesus Ron

Chief Petty Officer John V. Sparkowski

Lt. Joseph A. Baugh

Cpl. Eric Omar Matos

Lt. John R. Esposito

AG2/Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael McGee

Msgr. Francis Caldwell, Pastor ........... Ext. 302

Cheryl Nicholson ....................................... Ext. 301 Parish Assistant

Mrs. Kathy Day ......................................... Ext. 304 Bookkeeper

Mrs. Marlene Jean-Baptiste Director of Social Ministry 292-1603 or 481-2550 Ext. 320

Cheryl Nicholson ....................................... Ext. 312 Bulletin Editor

Voice Mail Only: Must Leave a Message

Mr. Richard Lee ........................................ Ext. 345 Counseling & Marriage Preparation

Deacon Hernst Bellevue ............................ Ext. 346 Director of Adult Faith Formation English/Creole Baptismal Program

Mr. Alvin Ingram ....................................... Ext. 347 Liturgy Chairperson

Mr. Tom Gould ......................................... Ext. 348 Facilities Manager

Mrs. Dulce Sepulveda ................................ Ext. 349 Spanish Baptism Program

Elissa Hanson ............................................ Ext.350 Choir Director & Organist

Ms. Lisette Joachim .................................... Ext 351 Ministry of Consolation

Deacon Evenou Saint-Louis Webmaster & Parochial Archivist ................ Ext. 352

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Deacon Trevor Mathurin, Director of Religious Education ........................ Ext. 311

Mrs. Imogene Regan, RCIA Director ................................................. Ext. 314

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY — MAY 22, 2016

“Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.”

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Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11553-2145

Phone: (516) 481-2550 info@saintmartha.org

www.saintmartha.org

THE PASTOR’S WEEKLY LETTER – May 22nd 2016

~ Solemnity of The Most Blessed Trinity ~

Dear Parishioners, Chers Paroissiens, Queridos Feligreses:

WELCOME: This week St Martha’s Parish Family welcomes Father Charles Mangano and some 200 parishioners from

Cure of Ars Parish in Merrick for the 11 AM Mass! I invited them to come to meet and greet YOU, our beautiful parish family here

in Uniondale (and me, as the future pastor in “Cure”)! Welcome Father Charles and the folks from Merrick!

NEW PASTOR: Father Chr istopher Costigan, our new pastor will be here to meet and greet St. Mar tha’s folks on Saturday,

June 4th at 2:30 PM in the Church. All are invited and encouraged to come and say hello at an informal “Town Hall” type of meeting.

A light reception will follow in Bethany Hall. Please welcome Father Chris on that day if your schedule permits with the characteris-

tic hospitality of our parish! WELCOME FATHER CHRIS!

THE JOY OF LOVE: The last of many educational and spir itual presentations of my tenure here as pastor will be on Sun-

day, June 5th at the 11 AM Mass. Monsignor John Strynkowski (a longtime friend) will celebrate the Mass and preach about AMO-

RIS LAETITIA which is Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation on the “love of the family.” Please try to come to this Mass to listen

to one of the great theologians of our time. Please save the date!

BIENVENUE: Cette semaine, la Famille Paroissiale de Ste. Martha accueille le Père Charles Mangano et quelques 200 paroissiens

de la paroisse du Curé d’Ars à Merrick pour la messe de 11 heures! Je les ai invités à venir VOUS rencontrer et vous saluer, notre

belle famille paroissiale ici à Uniondale (et moi, comme le futur curé du «Curé»)! Bienvenue au Père Charles et aux gens de Mer-

rick!

NOUVEAU CURÉ: Le Père Christopher Costigan, notre nouveau curé, sera ici pour rencontrer et saluer les gens de Sainte Martha

le samedi 4 juin à 2h 30 PM, dans l’église. Vous êtes tous invités et encouragés à venir dire Bonjour à un rassemblement informel de

type «Town Hall». Une petite réception suivra à Bethany Hall. Venez s’il vous plaît accueillir le Père Chris ce jour-là, si votre em-

ploi du temps le permet, avec l’hospitalité typique de notre paroisse! BIENVENUE PÈRE CHRIS!

LA JOIE DE L’AMOUR: La dernière des nombreuses présentations éducatives et spirituelles de mon mandat ici comme curé sera

le dimanche 5 juin à la messe de 11 heures. Mgr John Strynkowski (un ami de longue date) va célébrer la messe et prêcher sur AM-

ORIS LAETITIA, qui est l’Exhortation Apostolique du Pape François sur “l’amour de la famille". S’il vous plaît, essayez de venir à

cette messe pour écouter un des grands théologiens de notre temps. S’il vous plaît, réservez la date!

RECEPCIÓN: Esta semana St Martha Familia Parroquial Padre da la bienvenida a Charles Mangano y unos 200 feligreses de la

Parroquia Cura de Ars en Merrick para las 11 AM Misa! Los invité a venir a conocer y saludar a usted, nuestra hermosa familia par-

roquial aquí en Uniondale (y yo, como el futuro pastor de "curación")! Bienvenido Padre Carlos y la gente de Merrick!

NUEVO PASTOR: el padre Christopher Costigan, nuestro nuevo pastor estará aquí para conocer y saludar a la gente de Santa Mar-

ta, el sábado 4 de junio a las 2:30 pm en la Iglesia. Todos están invitados a venir y decir hola a un tipo informal "Ayuntamiento" de

la reunión. Una recepción de luz seguirá en Betania Hall. Démosle la bienvenida al Padre Chris en ese día si su horario lo permite

con la hospitalidad característica de nuestra parroquia! PADRE RECEPCIÓN DE CHRIS!

LA ALEGRÍA DEL AMOR: La última de muchas presentaciones educativas y espirituales de mi permanencia aquí como pastor

será el domingo 5 de junio a las 11 AM Misa Monseñor John Strynkowski (un amigo de toda la vida) va a celebrar la misa y predicar

acerca de AMORIS LAETITIA cual. es la exhortación apostólica de Francisco en el "amor de la familia." por favor, tratar de llegar a

esta misa para escuchar a uno de los grandes teólogos de nuestro tiempo. Por favor, guarde la fecha!

Fr. Frank Pere Frank Padre Frank

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June 25-26, 2016 St. Martha is the patroness of hospitality and the parish is known throughout the

Diocese for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. So it is only fitting on the last

weekend of Msgr. Francis J. Caldwell’s Pastorate at St. Martha’s that hospitality

will be a priority as we wish Father a fond farewell. A reception in Bethany Hall

after each Mass that weekend is planned and will allow all parishioners the

opportunity to wish him well in his new assignment as Pastor of Curé of Ars in

Merrick.

The 11:00am Mass, Father’s last Sunday Mass as Pastor, will be a multi-cultural

celebration and the reception afterward will include a small ceremony

acknowledging Father’s efforts on behalf of the family of St. Martha here in

Uniondale. Come to one reception or come to them all. We look forward to

seeing everyone that weekend at Mass and at the receptions following!

We do need help. For each of the five Masses, there will be a separate

hospitality committee responsible for setting up the refreshments and paper

goods, serving and cleaning up afterward. We will also need a committee to plan

on decorating Bethany Hall for the occasion. If you are willing to serve on one

of these committees, please call Barbara Powell at 516-486-8341.

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del 25 al 26 Junio, 2016

Santa Martha es la patrona de la hospitalidad y la parroquia es conocida en toda la Diócesis por su ambiente cálido y acogedor. Por lo tanto, es muy apropiado que en el último fin de semana del Mons. Francis J. Caldwell en Santa Martha que la hospitalidad sea una prioridad organizandole al Padre una despedida. Se planificara una recepción en el Salon Betania después de cada misa de ese fin de semana y se permitirá a todos los feligreses la oportunidad de desearle lo mejor en su nueva misión como Pastor y Cura de la Parroquia de Ars en Merrick.

El Domingo 19 de Junio en la Misa de las 11:00 am, sera el ultimo Domingo

que el Padre estara con nosotros como pastor, se llevara a cabo una Misa

multicultural seguido de una celebración asi como de una pequeña ceremonia en

donde se reconocen los esfuerzos del Padre en nombre de la Familia Parroquial

de Santa. Martha aquí en Uniondale. Le invitamos a que asista a una de las

celebraciones o a todas ellas. Esperamos verlos a todos ese fin de semana en

la misa y en las recepciones siguientes!

Sí que necesitamos ayuda. Para cada una de las cinco misas, habrá un

comité de hospitalidad responsable de repartir los refrigerios y los desecha-

bles, asi como de servir y limpiar después de que termine la celebracion.

También necesitaremos un comité para planear la decoración de el Salon

Betania para la ocasión. Si usted está dispuesto a formar parte de uno de

estos comités, por favor llame a Barbara Powell en 516-486-8341.

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25-26 Juin 2016 Sainte Martha est la patronne de l’hospitalité et notre paroisse est connue à travers le diocèse pour son atmosphère chaleureuse et accueillante. Il est donc approprié que pour le dernier week-end de Mgr. Francis J. Caldwell comme Curé de Ste. Mar-tha, l’accent soit porté sur l’hospitalité pour souhaiter à notre Père un adieu plein d’affection. Une réception aura lieu à Bethany Hall après chaque messe pour per-mettre à tous les paroissiens de lui souhaiter du succès dans ses nouvelles fonc-tions comme Curé à la paroisse du Curé d’Ars à Merrick.

La messe de 11 heures, dernière messe du dimanche du Père comme Curé, sera une célébration multiculturelle et la réception qui suivra comprendra une petite cérémo-nie reconnaissant les efforts du père au nom de la famille de Ste. Martha. Venez à une réception ou venez à toutes! Nous avons hâte de voir tout le monde ce week-end à la messe et aux réceptions.

Nous avons besoin d’aide. Pour chacune des cinq messes, il y aura un

Comité d’Accueil distinct responsable de la préparation des rafraîchissements, des articles en papier, du service et du nettoyage après. Nous aurons également besoin d’un Comité pour planifier la décoration de Bethany Hall pour cette occasion. Si vous êtes prêts à servir dans un de ces comités, appelez s’il vous plaît Barbara Powell au 516-486-8341.

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5:00PM - Lector: Martha Ann Brady

Eucharistic Ministers: Yanick Bellevue, Florence Etienne, Josphine Ferrier, Phyllis Droessler Marie Jiha, Leandre Magloire

Ushers: Rosemarie Allen, Thomas Maddox, Jim Downey, Jennifer King, Mario Cadavid, Alejandro Apresa

7:30AM - Lector: Barbara Fong Lee

Eucharistic Ministers: Carol Bargeron, Monica Brown, Elaine Burke, Francesca Delle, Paul Delle, Karen Hart

Ushers: Jim Capriotti, George Leonard, Carmen Charles, Genevieve Charles, Joseph Gedeon, Alex Apresa

11:00AM - Lector: Nativita S. Louis

Altar Servers: Carmel Jean-Charles, Kryston Whyte

Eucharistic Minister: Mary Bediako, Solange Bricourt, Lisette Joachim, Marie Lucie Lebon, Gloria Maffettone, Pat Edwards

Ushers: Bennett Paul, Agnes Duclairon, Wilner Nestor, Frantz Denis

If thou love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, ... and with all thy soul, ... and with all thy mind, ... and with all thy strength, ... thou shall serve Him well.

May 22, 2016

Monday May 23

8:30 AM ............. Regina & Dominick Michalski

Tuesday May 24

8:30 AM ............. Marion Tietze

Wednesday May 25-St. Bede the Venerable, Priest

and Doctor of the Church 8:30 AM ............. For the Health Sherry Griffith

Thursday May 26-St. Philip Neri, Priest 8:30 AM ............. Joseph & Jennie Campo

Friday May 27 8:30 AM ............. Prayer Service

Saturday May 28 5:00 PM.............. Parishioners of St. Martha

Sunday May 29

7:30 AM ............. In Thanksgiving for Grace Moonsammy

8:45 AM ............. Antonio Pagan

11:00 AM ...........

12:30 PM............ In Thanksgiving for Gardy Maisonneuve

5-22-2016 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR MOST HOLY BODY & BLOOD

May 29, 2016

Genesis 14:18-20 Ps. 110:1, 2, 3, 4

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9:11-17

The Bread and Wine for the Week of May 22 to May 28, 2016

are offered in Memory of

Christiane & Louis Senat

Requested by

Marie Charles

Thank you for your generosity to St. Martha’s Parish!

May 15, 2016

Total English Masses ......................................................... $4,386.00 Total Spanish Mass ........................................................... $2,699.00 Total Haitian Mass ............................................................. $1,160.00 Poor Box ................................................................................. $45.00 This information does not reflect the Faith Direct weekly/monthly deposits.

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Marist Missions Around the World

(Second Collection 6-12-2016)

Since its official recognition by the Church in 1836,

the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers and Brothers)

has committed itself to the missions in the south-

western Pacific. Since that time, the Marists have

expanded into areas in Africa, Asia and South Amer-

ica. Today there are nearly 230 priests and brothers

working in “bush stations”, teaching in schools and

seminaries, ministering in training institutions,

providing direct service to the poor, oppressed and

marginalized, and contributing to the development

of people for a better society and a strong local

Church. Contributions to the Marists will help them

in their mission of witness to the Gospel, service the

needy and helping the local Church to build a strong

base for its promising future. Thank you for whatev-

er you can do to help them in their life-long commit-

ment and work.

What the Rich Young Man Discovered

God, getting closer to man, weakens him. He does

just the opposite of what we would expect. You may

believe that it is you who are approaching him, and

that, under those conditions, you should become

increasingly stronger and increasingly more able to

get along by yourself. However, it is he who is com-

ing closer to you, and his approach makes you weak-

er—physically, mentally, or spiritually.

He does this in order to dwell in you with his might,

since it is your weakness that makes room for his

might. When you are weak, you cannot trust in your-

self; you cannot believe in yourself; and then the op-

portunity comes for you to turn to him and to desire

to rely on him. So often you shield yourself against

this greatest grace, the grace of weakness, but Saint

Paul has already written, For power is made perfect

in weakness. I will rather boast most gladly of my

weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may

dwell with me...for when I am weak, then I am strong

(2 Cor 12:9-10).

Your own power and strength must collapse sooner

or later. Strictly speaking, there is nothing you can

call exclusively your own strength. Any kind of

strength is a gift—a gift that you usually claim as

your own, and that is why it must be taken from you.

FATHER TADEUSZ DAJCZER (+2009) was a Polish priest, a

professor of theology in Warsaw, and co-founder of the

Families of Nazareth Movement.

The Love by Which We are Loved and Love

The ultimate miracle of divine love is this, that

the life of the risen Lord is given to us to give to

one another. It is given to us through our own

human loves. It is no violation of our simple

human nature. It is not something which must be

cultivated through a lofty spirituality that only

few could attain; it does not demand a way of

life that is abnormal, or even unusual; it is not a

specialized vocation.

It is to be lived at home, at work, in any place,

any circumstances. It is to be lived through our

natural human relationships, through the people

we know, the neighbors we see. it is given to us,

if we will take it, literally into our own hands to

give. It is the love of human lovers, of man and

wife, of parent and child, of friend and friend.

It is through his risen life in us that Christ sends

his love to the ends of the earth. That is why

instead of startling the world into trembling ado-

ration by manifesting his glory, he sent the

woman who had been a sinner to carry the inef-

fable secret, and sent the two disciples who had

The Love by Which … cont’d

been bewildered by their blind inability to reconcile

Scripture and Calvary, and sent the friend who had

denied him, to give his love to the world, and to

give it as simply as a whispered secret or a loaf of

bread.

So is it that we, sinners, wranglers, weaklings, pro-

vided only that we love God, are sent to give the

life of the risen Christ to the whole world, through

the daily bread of our human love.

CARYLL HOUSELANDER (+1954) was a British mystic,

poet, and spiritual teacher.

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The Mass Intentions Book...

is now open until the end of June

&

The Bread and Wine Calendar...

is now open until the end of July

he list of names that will appear under this column will reflect ONLY those who are CRITICALLY ILL. The

individual or family member must contact the Parish Cen-ter in order to be placed on the Sick List. Please note the new email address the Parish Center at cnicholson@saintmartha.org (“PRAY FOR THE SICK” MUST APPEAR IN YOUR EMAIL’S SUBJECT LINE); or come by the Parish Center with your request in writing, no later than Monday. This list will be updated on a monthly basis.

Omnipotent and Eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Thy pitying mercy, that, with their bodily health restored, they may give thanks to Thee in Thy

church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Helen Zeiser Nathan (Nate) Harkin

Josephine Esposito Frances Rasmussen

Paul Peisel John Muller

Desiree Venegas Edith Lucchi

Bernadette Hoffman Sophia Kyriakakis

Peter Johns Margaretta Smith

Laura-Jean Mauro Leopold Johnson

Richard Lee Barbara Tranfaglia

Eileen C. Hand ............................................................. +April 23, 2016

Vincent LoBianco ......................................................... +April 27, 2016

Memorialize a loved one with a leaf on

our parish’s Tree of Life, located in

the Church Lobby. If you would like more infor-mation about this lovely memorial, please contact the

Parish Office at (516) 481-2550 Ext 301

THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to my medical fund thus far. I found out my initial campaign (not run by me) has been shut down for an unknown reason. The first campaign helped cover my household bills from missed work, as well as smaller hospital bills. This new campaign is set up in hopes of paying back some of the $90k+ I owe as of now. (This is only one of the two surgeries I have had so far.) It is very possible I will have to claim bankruptcy if I can-not make a good dent. That is a very frightening thought as a single parent. For those of you who either have donated already, or cannot afford to, please do not feel obligated. I ask for prayers for myself and for my family. It has been a very rough couple of months. The new link is www.gofundme.com/lishanson. You can also leave donations at the Parish Center. Every little bit helps, and has helped. God bless and thank you so much. St. Martha’s has been incredible with your generosity.

~Elissa Hanson, Music Director

Sixth Pastor of St. Martha’s….

FATHER CHRISTOPHER COSTIGAN grew up in

nearby Oceanside, NY and attended Saint

Christopher's Parish and School. He entered Chaminade

High School and after graduation attended the University

of Notre Dame. He graduated in 2002 with a degree in

Government and International Studies, Philosophy, and

Theology. Following college he worked for one year as

an Emergency Medical Technician for a local fire depart-

ment. In 2003 he entered the Seminary of the Immacu-

late Conception in Huntington to study for the priesthood

for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He was ordained to

the priesthood on June 14, 2008 and was assigned to the

parish of Saint Bernard in Levittown. In 2013 he was

assigned to Saint Mary in Manhasset, and in June 2016

will become pastor of Saint Martha in Uniondale. Father

Chris has also been a member of the Oceanside Fire De-

partment since 1998 and was appointed Department

Chaplain in 2008. In 2015, Fr. Chris was appointed as a

diocesan chaplain to the Nassau County Fire Service. In

addition to the Fighting Irish, he is also a fan of the New

York Yankees, New York Jets, and the New York Is-

landers. Father Costigan has pursued advanced studies in

liturgy at Notre Dame and for several years was an in-

structor in Liturgical Studies.

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Francis to create commission to study female deacons in Catholic church

VATICAN CITY Pope Francis has announced he will create a commission to study the possibility of al-

lowing women to serve as deacons in the Catholic church, signaling an historic openness to the possibility of

ending the global institution's practice of an all-male clergy.

The pontiff indicated he would create such a commission during a meeting at the Vatican Thursday with some

900 leaders of the world’s congregations of Catholic women religious, who asked him during a question-and-

answer session why the church excludes women from serving as deacons.

The women religious, meeting with the pope as part of the triennial assembly of the International Union of Su-

periors General (UISG), told Francis that women had served as deacons in the early church and asked: "Why

not construct an official commission that might study the question?"

The pope responded that he had spoken about the matter once some years ago with a "good, wise professor"

who had studied the use of female deacons in the early centuries of the church. Francis said it remained un-

clear to him what role such deacons had.

"What were these female deacons?" the pontiff recalled asking the professor. "Did they have ordination or

no?"

"It was a bit obscure," said Francis. "What was the role of the deaconess in that time?"

"Constituting an official commission that might study the question?" the pontiff asked aloud. "I believe yes. It

would do good for the church to clarify this point. I am in agreement. I will speak to do something like this."

"I accept," the pope said later. "It seems useful to me to have a commission that would clarify this well."

Francis' openness to studying the possibility of women serving as deacons could represent an historic shift for

the global Catholic church, which does not ordain women as clergy.

Pope John Paul II claimed in his 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis that "the Church has no authority

whatsoever" to ordain woman as priests, citing Jesus' choosing of only men to serve as his twelve apostles.

Many church historians have said however that there is abundant evidence that women served as deacons in

the early centuries of the church. The apostle Paul mentions such a woman, Phoebe, in his letter to the Ro-

mans.

In the modern day, the Catholic church reinstituted the role of the permanent deacon following the reforms of

the landmark 1962-65 Second Vatican Council. The role is generally open to married men who have reached

the age of 35.

In the modern day, the Catholic church reinstituted the role of the permanent deacon following the reforms of

the landmark 1962-65 Second Vatican Council. The role is generally open to married men who have reached

the age of 35.

Such men are ordained, similar to priests, but can only conduct certain ministries in the church.

While they cannot celebrate the Mass, they frequently lead prayer services, offer the sacrament of baptism, and

even manage parishes as pastoral administrators in the absence of priests.

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Francis to create commission (Cont’d)

Francis said Thursday that the professor he spoke with years ago had told him that female deacons had helped

the early church particularly in baptizing women, when the practice of baptism at the time called for full im-

mersion of the person’s naked body in water.

The pontiff's words about female deacons were only part of a nearly 75-minute meeting with the members of

the International Union of Superiors General, which represents nearly half a million Catholic women religious

on five continents.

The women religious asked the pope four notably strong questions, leading with an inquiry on how to better

integrate women into the life of the global church.

Quoting the pontiff's frequent use of the phrase "feminine genius" to describe women’s role in the church, they

noted that while the pope uses that phrase "women are excluded from the decision-making processes of the

church" and from giving the homily at the Mass.

Francis responded that the integration of women into the life of the church had been "very weak," and said:

"We must go forward."

The pope noted that the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has a woman serving as its second-

in-command and said he wanted to appoint a particular woman to a similar position in another office but that

she had been preferred to serve elsewhere.

"For me, the elaboration of decisions is very important," said the pontiff. "Not only the execution, but the elab-

oration; namely, that women, whether consecrated or lay, are inserted into the process of the discussion."

"Because [a] woman looks at life with true eyes," said Francis. "We men cannot look at it so. The way of see-

ing problems, of seeing whatever thing is totally … different than men. They have to be complementary. In

consultations, it is very important that women be there."

Francis said that it is a "theological/liturgical" issue of whether women can give the homily at Mass. He said

there is "no problem" for women to give reflections or homilies at prayer services, but that during the Mass the

priest is serving "in persona Christi" and is therefore the person to give the homily.

The pontiff also told the women religious that the church needs to treat them with more respect, saying he has

seen many times that sisters are made to do the "work of servitude and not service."

The pope told them that should someone "ask you to do something that is more of servitude than service, you

are courageous to say no!"

"Your vocation is for service, service to the church … but not of servitude," said Francis.

The pontiff then asked aloud: "What would the church miss if there were no more religious?"

"We would lack Mary on the day of Pentecost," he responded. "There is not a church without Mary. There is

not Pentecost without Mary."

"The consecrated woman is an icon of the church, an icon of Mary," said Francis. "The priest is not an icon of

the church, he is not an icon of Mary. He is an icon of the apostles, of the disciples ... but not of the church of

Mary."

11

Francis to create commission (Cont’d)

Francis also responded to a question from the women religious about how the church hierarchy often speaks

"of" them but does not speak "with" them.

"The hierarchy of the church must speak of you, but first must speak with you," responded the pontiff. "This is

for sure." Speaking of women religious without speaking with them, he continued: "This is not of the Gospel."

The women religious also told the pontiff that many of their congregations are confronting the challenge to

bring "newness" to religious life, but that often they feel "blocked" by limitations placed on them in the

church's Code of Canon Law. They asked if he could foresee changes to canon law that might help them.

"You have spoken of newness in the positive sense," responded the pope. "And the church is the majesty in

this because it has had to change so, so much in its history."

But he told the women religious that changes must come after a process of discernment and discussion with

the Holy Spirit, and not just in weighing pros and cons of the possible arguments.

"Every change that you must do ... enter into this process of discernment," he said. "This will give you more

freedom."

Francis then said that canon law is meant to serve as a "juridical help" to the church and noted that the Code

had been "changed, totally remade" two times in the 20th century.

"The Code is an instrument," he said. "But I insist, never make a change without making a process of discern-

ment."

The women religious also told the pope that "one of the obstacles" many of their orders face in the church is

the request that they give money to the local churches where they serve, or that they offer money in order to

receive the sacraments from priests.

"The problem of money is a very important problem, in consecrated life and in diocesan life," responded Fran-

cis. "Do not ever forget that the Devil comes through the pockets, whether it is the pockets of the bishop or the

congregation."

The pope then said that access to the sacraments should be free to all.

"Salvation is free," said the pontiff. "God comes to us freely."

"If someone asks you for this, report this!" he exclaimed. "There is not salvation by payment!"

Francis also told the woman religious that although they have committed themselves to live a life of Gospel

poverty, they should not deprive themselves of having what is necessary to live.

"The religious life is a way of poverty, not of suicide," said the pope.

"If you do not have what is necessary to live, tell your bishop," he said. After many of the women religious

laughed out loud at that advice, Francis smiled and corrected himself: "Tell it to God: 'Give us today our daily

bread.'"

[Joshua J. McElwee is NCR Vatican correspondent. His email address is jmcelwee@ncronline.org.

12

Feast Day: May 23rd (1917-1980)

Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast

By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.

Blessed Oscar Arnulfo Romero

The night before he was murdered while celebrating Mass,

Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador said on the radio: “I

would like to appeal in a special way to the men of the army,

and in particular to the troops of the National Guard, the police,

and the garrisons. Brothers, you belong to our own people. You

kill your own brother peasants; and in the face of an order to

kill that is given by a man, the law of God that says ‘Do not

kill!’ should prevail.

”No soldier is obliged to obey an order counter to the law of

God. No one has to comply with an immoral law. It is the time

now that you recover your conscience and obey its dictates ra-

ther than the command of sin. . . . Therefore, in the name of

God, and in the name of this long-suffering people, whose la-

ments rise to heaven every day more tumultuous, I beseech you,

I beg you, I command you! In the name of God: ‘Cease the

repression!’”

Simultaneously, Romero had eloquently upheld the Gospel and

effectively signed his own death warrant. When he was ap-

pointed archbishop of San Salvador in 1977, Bishop Oscar

Romero was considered a very “safe” choice. He had served as

auxiliary bishop there for four years before his three years as

bishop of Santiago de Maria.

Oscar’s father wanted him to be a carpenter—a trade for which

he demonstrated some talent. Seminary classes in El Salvador

preceded his studies at Rome’s Gregorian University and his

ordination in 1942. After earning a doctorate in ascetical theol-

ogy, he returned home and became a parish priest and later rec-

tor of an interdiocesan seminary. Three weeks after his appoint-

ment as archbishop, Romero was shaken by the murder of his

good friend Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, a vigorous defender

of the rights of the poor. Five more priests were assassinated in

the Archdiocese of San Salvador during Romero’s years as its

shepherd.

When a military junta seized control of the national government

in 1979, Archbishop Romero publicly criticized the U.S. gov-

ernment for backing the junta. His weekly radio sermons,

broadcast throughout the country, were regarded by many as

the most trustworthy source of news available. Romero’s funer-

al was celebrated in the plaza outside the cathedral and drew an

estimated 250,000 mourners. His tomb in the cathedral crypt

soon drew thousands of visitors each year. On February 3,

2015, Pope Francis authorized a decree recognizing Oscar

Romero as a martyr for the faith. His beatification took place in

San Salvador on May 23, 2015.

Comment: Archbishop Oscar Romero and many other Latin American

martyrs for the faith were falsely accused of advocating a

Marxist-inspired “theology of liberation.” Following Jesus al-

ways requires choices. Romero’s fiercest critics conveniently

dismissed his choices as politically inspired. An incarnational

faith must be expressed publicly.

PADRE MIGUEL ÁNGEL RIVERA: Cel. 516-939-7165 /

E-mail: frammm@hotmail.es – Consulten con el Padre Mi-

guel cada martes y miércoles, de 7:30 PM a 10:30 PM en el

Centro Parroquial, al costado de la Iglesia, para dirección

espiritual y confesiones. Apúntense con el Padre después de

la misa.

INTENCION DE LA MISA: Por Margar ita Vásquez.

GRUPO DE ORACION: Miércoles, 7:00 PM, en el gimna-

sio de la Escuela.

ULTREYA: Domingo, 11:00 AM en la Capilla.

ESCUELA DE DIRIGENTES: Cada lunes, 7 a 10 PM en la

Escuela Marianista.

MOVIMIENTO FAMILIAR CRISTIANO CATÓLICOS:

Se reúne cada 15 días.

Para información llamar al 516-554-4503 o al 516-965-7311.

JUVENTUD SIN FRONTERAS: Cada jueves, 7:30 PM, en

el Salón Betania.

CORO HISPANO: Ensayo cada viernes en la Iglesia, a las

8:00 PM.

MINISTERIO DE ACOGIDA: Ministros que extienden la

bienvenida y entregan las hojitas de canto.

CENACULO DE LA DIVINA MISERICORDIA: Pr imer

martes, 7:00 PM en la Capilla.

ESCUELA DE LA PALABRA: Martes, 7:30 PM en la Igle-

sia de San Ladislaus.

MISA DE NIÑOS Y JOVENES: Segundo domingo del mes.

LOS NIÑOS: Se reúnen cada domingo en el Salón Betania

para escuchar y compartir las lecturas dominicales.

MINISTERIO SOCIAL: Lunes, mar tes, jueves, viernes,

10:00 AM a 2:00 PM. en el sótano del convento. (516) 481-

2550, Ext. 320 o (516) 292-1603 (se habla español).

EL SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO: Cada tercer do-

mingo del mes, 2:30 PM en la iglesia. Los interesados consul-

ten con la Sra. Dulce Sepúlveda después de la Misa.

LA IGLESIA: Per manece abier ta diar iamente de 7 a 3

PM.

LECTURAS PARA: La Fiesta del Cuerpo y la Sangre de

Cristo, 29 de Mayo.: Primera Lectura: G”enesis 14, 18-20.

Salmo 109, 1. 2. 3. 4. Segunda Lectura: 1 Corintios 11, 23-26.

Evangelio: Lucas 9, 11-17.

13

To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2O my God, in

thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

3Yea, let none that wait for

thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4Make me to know thy ways,

O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5Lead me in thy truth,

and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long.

6Be mindful of thy

mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

Right after 911, I had this vision; a man dressed in white told me, “You see what happened?” I said yes. He said “You know why this is happening? It’s because they don't have love for one another like we have.” He said “Go and tell the whole world to recite Psalm 25. I asked him how was I to do that? He said “Go tell Oprah.” I know myself as a shy and timid person; I could never tell Oprah or tell anyone. But after what happened in Boston, I felt such guilt and disobedience in not doing what I was told. The same way that the Lord

loves us, so we must love one another. Please help me to tell the world to recite Psalm 25 and maybe the world will be a better place.

Thank you, Marie FanFan

Scripture Readings May 23—May 28

Monday, May 23 1 Peter 1 :3 -9

Psalm 111 Mark 10:17 -27

Tuesday, May 24 1 Peter

Psa lm 98 Mark 10:28 -31

Wednesday, May 25 1 Peter 1 :18 -25

Psalm 147 Mark 10:32 -45

Thursday, May 26 1 Peter 2 :2 -5 , 9 -12

Psalm 100 Mark 10:46 -52

Friday, May 27 1 Peter 4 :7 -13

Psalm 96 Mark 11:11 -26

Saturday , May 28 Jude 17, 20 -25

Psalm 63 Mark 11:27 -33

Dear Lord, As my life declines and my energies decrease,

more than ever hold me by

Your Power, that I may not offend You, but daily increase in Your Love.

Give me strength to work in Your Service till the last day of my life.

Help me to ever have an increasing dread of venial sin,

or whatever would cause the

slightest withdrawal of Your Love; all day long,

and at night keep me close to Your Heart; and should I die, ere the morning breaks,

may I go rejoicing

in that vision of Your entrancing beauty, never to be separated from You. Amen.

14

FREE FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED: For further information and income guidelines please call:

631-491-4166 in Suffolk or 516-623-4568 in Nassau

BABY ITEMS NEEDED: Diapers, diaper wipes, strollers and car seats that meet current standards.

ITEMS NEEDED: individual boxed milk (i.e., Par-malat); toilet tissue, paper towels, personal care items, gift certificates.

SHOPPING BAGS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED

FOOD STAMPS First & Third Thursdays!

11:00 AM—2:00 PM Representative: Pat

F I D E L I S C A R E

HEALTH INSURANCE

Is in Social Ministry every

Wednesday from 10AM–12 PM

Ask to see Soraya

Social Ministry/Outreach Office Hours

Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10:00AM—2:00PM (516) 292-1603 or (516) 481-2550, Ext. 320

(English/Spanish/French/Creole)

Give us our daily bread

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