Pastor: Msgr. James P. LisanteAssistants: Rev. Anthony John Heinlein

Rev. Edward SeagriffIn Residence: Rev. Cletus NwaogwugwuPermanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Dominick Valdaro

Rev. Mr. Frank GariboldiParish Manager: John CarlsenBusiness Manager: John BrosnanOutreach Director: Corinne LokMusic Director: J.C. Laws

ollmpmusic@gmail.comReligious Ed. Director: Bernadette Schaefer

Telephone NumbersRectory: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .541-3270Religious Education: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .799-5179Convent: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .541-1748R.C.I.A.: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .799-5179Parish Outreach: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .541-1260

Website: www.ollmp.orgThe Parish Office Schedule

Monday to Thursday 9AM to 9PMFriday 9AM to 5PMSaturday 9AM to 5PMSunday 9AM to 3PMThe office is Closed from 12/Noon to 1PM for Lunch

Mass TimesMonday through Friday: 6:45, 8:30am, 8:00pmSaturday: 6:45, 8:30am/5:00pm and

5:15pm ChapelSunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30am,

12:30pm

BaptismIt is advised that the parents schedule an interview with apriest one month before the preferred baptism date.Baptismal preparation classes are offered on the 2ndSunday of the month. Parents are encouraged to attend the10:30 AM mass on the 2nd Sunday and the preparationclass will follow the mass in the Rectory. All couplesseeking to baptize a child must attend the class. Baptismsare preformed on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every monthat 2PM. Please call the Rectory to schedule anappointment at (516) 541-3270.

ConfessionsSaturdays, Eves of Holy Days and Eves of First Fridays4:00 to 5:00pm.

MarriagesThe prospective bride and groom should discuss details ofthe marriage with one of the priests of the parish at leastsix months prior to the date of the wedding.

Solemnity of Mary Holy Mother of GodJanuary 1, 2017

The Mission Statement ofOur Lady of Lourdes Parish

Our Lady of Lourdes is a welcoming parish familywhose purpose is to model Christ, as guided by Mary,in a life defined by faith and love. We seek to advanceGod's will through acts of Charity and Kindness.

“to Jesus through Mary”

Our Lady of Lourdes ChurchMassapequa Park, New York 11762

Page 2 January 1, 2017

Masses For The Week

Lector Schedule

The Bread and Wine has been

donated this week For a Special Intention

Pray for the repose of the souls of

Our Lady of Lourdes

Rest in peace

The Sanctuary Candle in the Chapel

has been donated for a Special Intention

The Sanctuary Candle in the Church

For a Special Intention

SATURDAY, January 7th

- 5:00 PM – MARIE-LAETITIA WOOLLEY

SUNDAY, January 7th

- 7:30 AM – LORRAINE GARIBOLDI

- 9:00 AM – MATT IMPERIO

- 10:30 AM – LISA JANDOVITZ & BOB KALIBAN

- 12:30 PM – JEANNE VIRZERA

Monday, January 2nd 6:45 Christmas Novena 8:30 Int. Andrew Riggio Barry Family 8 PM Angelo Ambrosio Family Tuesday, January 3rd 6:45 Vincent Lakra Marie Sanon 8:30 Kevin McGrath Andrew & Elizabeth Tolson 8PM Philip McSweeney Pilsner Family Wednesday, January 4th 6:45 Helmut Augart Betty & John Dettori 8:30 Constantine Briassulis M/M Vincent Castoria 8PM William DeGeorge M/M William Ambrosio Thursday, January 5th 6:45 Adam Lanza Irene Lundin 8:30 Martin Paul Mackin Joan & Martin Mackin 8PM Int. Kathy Hazelton Friday, January 6th 6:45 Concepcion Cojuangco Abejar Family 8:30 In Thanksgiving Jessie Desroches & Family 8PM Antonio DeMarinis Nicole Antonitti Saturday, January 7th 6:45 Resia & Marie Bayard Nicole 8:30 Int. Mayela Moling Dad 5PM Fr. Robert Mason John & Mary McDonnell 5:15 Glenn Mextorf Wife & Family Sunday, January 8th 7:30 St. Joseph Book of Remembrance 9:00 Rory Citrano Roy Citrano & Family 10:30 1.Tommy Shavel, 2. Rosa Ruiz, 3. Carol Sweeney 12:30 Souls in Purgatory Garcia Family

Theresa A. Milioto Patricia A. Cimino Michael Gazzanigo

Page 3 Our Lady of Lourdes January 1, 2017

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Listening to the Word with Her Heart

Today’s solemnity, Mary Mother of God, puts a deep theological focus on the Christmas celebra-tion. Going back to our dogmatic theology, the study of the truths of the faith, we focus in on whom this Jesus is. By asking the who question, as distinguished from the what question, we are looking to the person of the Lord. If I asked you, what are you, you would respond: an American, a human being, a Buc fan, or something like that. If I asked you, who are you, you would respond, “I’m Fred Jones, the son of Bill and Martha Jones.” If we asked Jesus “What are you?” the response would be that he is both divine and human, God and man. If we ask him, “Who are you?” his response would be in the order of, “I am the Eternal Word of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, who took on humanity on Christmas Day.” Today’s feast, Mary Mother of God, emphasizes the person, the who of Jesus. When we pray, “Holy Mary, Mother of God,” we are not suggest-ing that Mary is a goddess that gave birth to a god. She did not create divinity within her, but she did give birth to a child who was for all eternity the Eternal Word of God.

Many artists of past centuries depicted Mary nursing the Baby Jesus. Sadly, many of us Americans are still so affected by Puritanism that we see nursing in a sexual light instead of a maternal light. What the artists are saying is that Mary was the mother of the Lord in all ways, nurturing him during his infancy with her body. What the artists are also saying is that just as Mary nurtured Jesus, so she cares for and nurtures all the children entrusted to her by her son. “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.”

There is another ancient depiction of Mary that could illicit the scorn of the so called intelligentsia if they just stayed on the fringe level of the paintings. Many of the Medieval and Renaissance Masters depicted the An-nunciation. Some showed the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit as rays of light enveloping Mary. Many showed this overshadowing as rays of light entering into Mary through one of her ears. This is not a Puritanic avoidance of sexuality. Certainly the Medieval and Renaissance Masters were not concerned with that. Nor is this a child-ish understanding of how Mary became pregnant, on the same terms of a child coming from the stork. It is a lot deeper than this, profound in fact. What this is saying is that the Eternal Word of God was heard by Mary and given sanctuary within her. St. Augustine put it this way, he said, “Mary, full of grace, first conceived Jesus in her heart before she conceived him in her womb.”

There is a power to faith, a primacy of faith, that manifests itself in the physical world. Saturated with the Word of God, the person of faith naturally gives birth to the presence of Christ in the world. I am not just speaking about Mary, Mother of God. I am speaking about us, you and me, Christians, people who make the Word of God present in the world by allowing ourselves to be overshadowed with his presence. Faith is not a matter of dogmas, nor is it a purely spiritual entity hidden from the world. Faith is the integration of the spiri-tual and physical, the invisible and visible dimensions of a human person. Faith makes God present in the world. Many times people will speak about a meeting with the Holy Father, or with a deeply and truly spiritual person and say, “I felt that I was in the presence of God.”

They were. And we are. People of true and deep faith make God present in our parish, our com-munity, our country and our world. People of deep, true faith, are at peace, not because they are withdrawn from the world, but because they have the power to withstand the force of the world that would try to devastate them.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.” We are sinners because so often we refuse to allow the Word to become Flesh within our lives. And because we are sinners, we are often in turmoil, for sin is turmoil, chaos. But, if we allow the grace of God to work in us and through us, if we allow his word to take flesh, then we can live in peace. We can be people of peace.

Blessed Pope Paul VI gave permission for this feast to be either Mary Mother of God or the World Day of Prayers for Peace. For years, I have asked myself, “Why can’t the Church make up its mind?” Now, I am be-ginning to realize that the two celebrations are really integral to each other. To be Mother of God, is to be a car-rier of the Prince of Peace. To ensure peace in the world, we have to, like Mary, “Hear the Word of God and treasure it.”

“Pray for us sinners, holy Mother of God.” Help us to live up to our capability of making the Eternal Word present in the world. Pray for us to your son. Ask Him for the grace that we might be so permeated with the spiritual that we might make the spiritual physical. Help us to live the Life of Christ. Help us to be People of Peace.”

This material is used to with permission of it’s author, Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Pellegrino, Diocese of

St. Petersburg, FL.

Page 4 Our Lady of Lourdes January 1, 2017

Our Lady of Lourdes Church Massapequa Park, New York

CORDIALLY INVITES YOUR FAMILY TO

OUR ANNUAL

CHRISTMAS/EPIPHANY PLAY

Saturday, January 9, 2017 Immediately following the 5 p.m. Mass in

the church.

Make the Epiphany Play a tradition that is sure to touch the hearts of your family

Our Parish depends solely on your generosity to meet each week’s expenses. Our regular Sunday collections account for more than 60% of our operating budget. Your continued support, especially during these difficult economic times, is both needed and appreciated.

Prayers for the Sick

Let us continue to pray for

peace. Let us also pray for all

those serving in the military.

With special care we pray especially for: Sgt. Connor Barcus- US Army, Sgt. Kevin L. Blieka U.S.

Army, Sgt. Brian Andrew Dayman US Army, PFC Joseph

DiCicco Army, Commander Christopher DeMay - Navy ,

Nicholas R. DoLieto - Marine Corps, A1C Timothy Erkens

USAF, Army, Capt. Michael Ferrari, USMC, Spencer

French, 1st Lieutenant, SRA Senior Airman Robert J.

Gerry - Air Force,Spec. Steven Gianatiempo - US Army,

Brandon Goodwin, Petty Off., 2nd Class, USCG, Stefanie

Goodwin, Petty Off., 3rd Class, USN, Kenny Greening -

PFC-Army, Sean Hendrickson -Master of Arms, US Navy,

Chaplain Major Timothy Hirten, USAF, Maj. Luke Holian

USMC, SPC Justin Lansford -US Army, Sgt. Todd J. Lo-

braico USAF, Major Michael Edward Loconsolo, US

Army, Pvt Matthew Macario - US Army, Garrett Macchio

A1C, Air force, Pvt. Ryan McCann Army, Pvt. Matthew

McQuade-Army, Jason Moritz - Sgt. USAF, Pvt 1st Class

Joshua Nichols - US Army, Lt. Col. Thomas O’Connor, US

Army, Spc. Manuel E. Palmer US Army, Cpt. David

Paolillo USAF, Cpt. Kathleen Paolillo USAF, L. CPL Mi-

chael E. Porfidio - USMC, PFC Dominique R. Quiban,

USMC Capt. Joseph Shultz, Spec. Matthew Sirianni, US

Arme,

L CPL Eric Vazquez USMC, US Army, Spec. Zachary

Small - US Army, US Army Sgt. Michael Stephney

If you know a Service Member that you would like to

add to this list please contact the rectory 516-541-3270

Please include

name, rank

and branch

of ser- vice.

Carol Abrams, Kay Abugel, Matthew Alaimo, Vincent

Alaimo, Miriam Americo, Joe Amorin, Jean Bahadur,

Mary Baker, Joseph Beltrani, Clara Bernal, Adrienne

Berndlmaier, Thomas Boffardi, Scarlette Boune, Ed Burch,

Kevin Burch, Timothy Burns, Kenny Burns, Cosimo, Joe

Coyne, Caffarella, John Cappa, Michael Caselli, Carol

Castellano, Mildred Castellano, Alfred Cavelli, Mary

Conklin, Mike Conlin, Billy Coyne, Sebastian DeLuca, Si-

ham Denho, Jane Depraida, Patrick DiGennaro, Maryann

DiGilio, John Dorrer, Eugene F. Drury, Jose Dungca,

Billy Dwyer, Bob Ellis, Michelle Epstein, Chiara Eskew,

Peggy Fabrizio, Louis Fasano, Richard Fasano, Santina

Figliola, Maureen Flood, Charles Focarazzo, Marie Ga-

tea, Gloria Gilvey, Jeannie Glessing, Agnes Hans, Al

Hans, Terry Hargrave, Jack Hasley, Carol Hayward, Mi-

chael Heinlein, Peggy Helm, Mary Burns Hennelly, Gas-

par Ingui, Jean Ippolito, George Jelinek, Joan Johnson,

Jesus Jupio, Jeannette Kaval, Peter Kearns III, Janet

Kelly, Basilio Klonis, Kathy Koster, Richard Kmitis, Terry

Labbate, Philip Leifer, Dotti Leto, Irene Lundin, Frank

Macchio, Olivia Macchio, Christopher Madden, Marie

Maglione, Sophia Mary Maglione, Thomas Malloy, Mal-

tese Family, Ryan Mancini, Theresa Mariano, Terry Mat-

tera, Diana McCarthy, Jerry McGinnis, Christine Michael,

Marie Molloy, Kitch Mooney, Connor Morgan, Linda

Mullin, Maryann Mulloy, Blanche & Herman Navon,

Sherri Neft, Dominic Netti, Angela Patruno, Berta & Bozo

Pesa, Kenrich Phill, Vincent Pinto, Anna Probert, Russell

Pulzino, Baby Quinn, Aimee Reyes, Kathleen Reyes, Jack

Rice, Helga Richert, Jean Marie Roncallo, Richard Ros-

marin, Ellen Ryan, Ayden W. Sabino, William C. Salo-

mone, Jan Santacapita, Derek Sears, Karen Senia, Rhea

Sherwin, Cynthia Simpson, Samuel Singer, Charles Sinisi,

Patricia Slezak, Phillip Spatella, Eric Spring, Cliff Stevko,

Jackie Thorez, Paul Thompson, Ann Stella Thomson, Ann

Marie Tine, Michelle Tine, Larry Tomanelli, Patti Toner,

Jean Trier, Katherine Viola, Donna Vollaro, Kurt Wagon-

hauser, Joy Wendel, Kerry Wheeler,John J. Wilson, Jr.,

Mary Woods, Carol Zucaro,

Page 5

Thank you!

Our Lady of Lourdes January 1, 2017

Parish Outreach

“We Care Blankets”

As our wonderful group of “Care Blanket” volunteers con-

tinue to meet on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 -

11:30am at Parish Outreach, the gifts of their love, time and

talent in crocheting and knitting beautiful blankets for seri-

ously ill children is nothing less than a beautiful thing!

Since our group began in November 2009, the completed

blanket count stands at 2,157 I’m sure in no time at all we

will be adding to this amazing number. Thank you to our

lovely group of ladies for all the good work you do to bring

love and comfort to many children undergoing cancer care.

Outreach is happy to accept donations of yarns, crochet

hooks or knitting needles in support of this effort.

If you are interested in joining our group please contact

Page 6 Our Lady of Lourdes

“Paper Goods” Drive

On occasion, the folks who come to us for food assistance

will ask if we can provide paper products such as toilet

paper or paper towels. Food donations, as you know, re-

main our first priority! However, it would be a helpful ad-

dition to the folks we serve if we could offer some assis-

tance with paper goods. If you would consider a donation

of toilet paper or paper towels that would be a wonderful

thing! Thank you for all the good you do!

“Ministry of Consolation”

Our parish is richly blessed to have gathered a wonderful group of volunteers who make up Our Lady of Lourdes “Ministry of Consolation” team. The most valuable gifts we can give are the gifts that come from the heart. The precious gifts of our time, love and compassion are espe-cially needed during the time of the loss of a loved one.

Created to provide warmth, caring and personal attention to assist families in preparation for the funeral mass, this par-ticular ministry can never have too many helping hands. Whether your interest be that of a Greeter, Lector or EM, please give some thought as to sharing your time and tal-ents and being a part of this ministry’s call to love and care for one another.

Thank you so much to our coordinator, Deacon Frank Gari-boldi and all our volunteers for embracing this beautiful ministry. Please call Parish Outreach at 516-541-1260 if you would like to volunteer. Thank you for your consid-eration.

Parish Outreach Food Pantry

My gratitude always to our wonderful parish family for

your continued generosity and support of Our Lady of

Lourdes Parish Outreach Program throughout the year.

Your kindness and concern for our neighbors in need is

truly a great blessing. In addition to your year-round con-

tributions to the Food Pantry, our Christmas “Giving Tree”

gift star donations have again been a great success because

of your goodness. Together we bring a brighter Christmas

season to many struggling families. May God Bless each

and every one of you for your gifts of love to those less for-

tunate in our parish community.

On behalf of Our Lady of Lourdes

Parish Outreach Office

and those who your kindness has touched

we wish you and your loved ones

a Blessed Christmas

And a Happy New Year!

God’s Peace,

Corinne Lok

January 1, 2017

2nd THURSDAY EVENINGS, 7:30 PM IN THE PARISH CENTER ROOM 16

We have changed our MOSJ meeting days to ONLY ONE Thursday each month.

Next Meetings:

January 12th February 9th

NEXT COFFEE SOCIAL

March 12th

8 am to 12:30 pm

Everyone welcome!

(Helpers needed…..phone rectory)

Page 7

NEXT WEEKEND MASS CELEBRANTS

If you know of anyone who, because of age or infir-mity, can’t come to Church for sacraments, please phone the Rectory and leave their name, address & tele-phone number, so a Priest or Eucharistic Minister can visit them.

We NEED Eucharistic Ministers to take communion to shut-ins. If you are a

Eucharistic Minister and are willing to bring commun-ion to shut-ins, please call the rectory.

Our Lady of Lourdes

CYO NEWS….. Help is needed… We NEED….

CYO Workers, Coaches and Athletes

Please Phone Rectory @ 516-541-3270

Catholic Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

March 21 – 31, 2017, $3,599.00 per person including air from JFK, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily. Mass daily at the Holy Sites. For a Flyer or more detailed information please call Cathie or Michael Milano at 631-569-2620

January 1, 2017

Saturday, January 7th 5:00 p.m. Fr. Manny 5:15 p.m. Fr. Cletus / Chapel Sunday, January 8th 7:30 a.m. Fr. Ed 900 a.m. Fr. Manny 10:30 a.m. Msgr. Lisante 12:30 p.m. Fr. Marty

Page 8 Our Lady of Lourdes January 1, 2017

Page 9 Our Lady of Lourdes

Wednesday, March 1st

January 1, 2017

Page 10 Our Lady of Lourdes

January 1, 2017

The Respect Life Committee wishes the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish family and all our visitors a Holy and Happy New Year.

“It is with compassion that we must share the facts and speak our minds. This is not about winning a theoretical

argument; it is about the suffering of women, the loss of children, and the need to find compassionate, effective

answers to a terrible national stain.” Peggy Young Nance, CEO, Concerned Women for America

BEYOND THE POLITICS OF ANGER: “This is not politics as usual…What we are witnessing is the birth of a new politics of

anger. It is potentially very dangerous indeed. No civilization lasts forever… [the ruling elite] are seen as having failed to solve the

major problems facing the nation…They are out of touch…[and] have stopped listening to the grassroots. They underestimate the

depth and breadth of popular anger…Anger never solves problems, it merely inflames them…There is only one viable alternative. It

is not a return to the status quo. It is bigger than traditional divisions between the parties. It is the creation of a new politics of hope.

Hope is not optimism. It begins with a candid acknowledgement on all sides of how bad things actually are…We need a new eco-

nomics of capitalism with a human face. We have seen bankers and corporate executives behaving outrageously…We have acted as

if markets can function without morals, international corporations without social responsibility, and economic systems without re-

gard to their effect on the people left stranded by the shifting tide…We need to rebuild our social ecology. When a civilization is in

good order it has institutions that provide support and hope in hard times. In the West, these have traditionally been families and

communities. Neither is in a good state throughout the West today…The sooner we abandon the politically correct but socially dis-

astrous view that marriage is outmoded, the better. We need to recover a strong, inclusive sense of national identity if people are to

feel that those in power care about the common good, not simply the interests of elites…the road to hell is paved with good inten-

tions…The religious voice is important also. I say this not because I am religious but because historically the great faiths have given

people a sense of dignity and worth that was not tied to what they earned or owned. When religion dies and consumerism takes its

place, people are left with a culture that encourages them to buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have for a happiness

that won’t last. It is a bad exchange that will end in tears…A politics of hope is within our reach. But to create it we will need to find

ways of strengthening families and communities, building a culture of collective responsibility and insisting on an economics of the

common good. This is no longer a matter of party politics. It is about the very viability of the freedom for which the West fought for

so long and hard. We need to construct a compelling narrative of hope that speaks to all of us, not some of us, and the time to begin

is now.” (Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, rabbisacks.org)

MARCH FOR LIFE 2017 – The 44th Annual March for Life in Washington, DC will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017 due to

the Inauguration. Please consider attending the March for Life. Information on buses to Washington will be in future bulletins.

Visibility Matters: Weekly prayerful presence Planned Parenthood, Massapequa - Saturdays 10:30am-12pm, 35 Carmans Rd, Mas-

sapequa (across from the mall parking lot). For info: 516-541-8056.

Spiritual Adoption: Make a personal commitment to pray daily for one unborn child who is in danger of being aborted. You are

asked to ‘spiritually adopt’ one unknown baby and pray that this child be carried to term and experience the fullness of life as God

intended. Daily prayer: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of the unborn baby that I have

spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen)

Hope and Healing after Abortion: The Sisters of Life host monthly Days of Prayer & Healing, Gatherings, and Hope & Healing

Weekend Retreats. They include witnesses of mercy, Scripture sharing, personal prayer, opportunity for Sacramental Confession,

and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Call 866-575-0075 or email: hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org

Rosary and Adoration for Life: Please continue to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Rosary for the conver-

sion of hearts and minds so that all might have reverence and respect for the God-given gift of life, from the moment of conception

until natural death. Please pray for an end to violence in all its forms.

Planned Parenthood: Two weeks ago, the federal administration implemented rules for Title X that restricted states from taking

those funds away from Planned Parenthood. Tittle X provides about $70 million of the $553 million dollars in taxpayer money that

Planned Parenthood received last year. The new administration can reverse this rule after the inauguration. The Senate Judiciary

Committee released a 500-page report on its investigation into the baby body parts business. It has recommended criminal prosecu-

tion of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, Planned Parenthood Northern California, Planned Parent-

hood of the Pacific Southwest, and the Planned Parenthood Foundation of America. The House Select Panel referred Planned Par-

enthood Gulf Coast for similar criminal prosecution – meaning the National Office of Planned Parenthood and 5 of its affiliates may

face criminal prosecution as a result of independent congressional investigations.

Page 11 Our Lady of Lourdes January 1, 2017

Page 12 Our Lady of Lourdes

REMEMBER TO STOP BY THE CD DISPLAY IN THE CHIRCH LOBBY BY LIGHTHOUSE CATHOLIC MEDIA FOR OUR FEATUREED CD BELOW AND MANY OTHERS TO PURCHASE FOR ONLY $5.

THERE ARE MANY BEAUTIFUL AND SPIRITUAL CD’S TO CHOOSE ONE, WHY NOT TAKE ONE HOME TODAY?

January 1, 2017

Week #10 - Changed Forever: The Sacrament of

Fr. Mike Schmitz is one of the leading speakers to young people in the Church today. In this presenta-

tion, he explains how Christians truly become sons and daughters of God the Father for all eternity

through the sacrament of Baptism.

Following the presentation, Lighthouse Catholic Youth has provided a bonus segment from Fr. Mike that

explains the topics of "Infant Baptism" and "No Salvation Outside the Church".

Parishioner Comments

This is a talk for the New Evangelization. Father Mike packs it full of new expressions that open up eve-

rything, and powerfully draws us into the great mysteries of our faith. Wow!

Seth - Laconia, NH

Every new mom and dad needs to hear this talk. You will never think of Baptism in the same way

again!

Theresa - Ridge, NY

Our Lady of Lourdes

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – January 1st

We celebrate the liturgical feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary on January 1st, which is the Octave of Christmas. Only Christmas and Easter enjoy the privilege of an octave, which is an eight day extension of the feast. The honoring of Mary as the Mother of God can be traced back to the Council of Ephesus in 431. By the 7th century, January 1st was ob-served as a celebration of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the 13th century, the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ had come to replace the feast honoring Mary; how-ever in 1751, after a push in Portugal for an official feast day celebrating Mary’s divine maternity, Pope Benedict XIV allowed Portugal’s churches to devote a feast to Mary on the first Sunday in May. Eventually, the feast extended to other countries, and in 1914 began to be observed on October 11. In 1931, Pope Pius XI extended the feast to the en-tire church, and in 1974, Pope Paul VI removed the feast of the Circumcision of Christ from the liturgical calendar and replaced it with the feast of the “Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God”, bringing Mary’s feast day back to the first day of the year.

The feast is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The title “Mother of God” is a western derivation from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-bearer”. On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the dwelling place where His Son and His Spirit could dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made possible by Mary’s fiat, or sanctioning of God’s plan with her words, “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Calling Mary “Mother of God” is the highest honor we can give to her. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also designated as the “World Day of Peace”, further acknowledg-ing the role of Mary in our hearts and in our world.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

NEW YEAR’S DAY - 2017

(All Masses held in Church)

Vigil Mass: (NEW YEAR’S EVE) Saturday, December 31st

5P.M. & 5:15P.M. (Chapel)

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD NEW YEAR’S DAY

Sunday, January 1, 2017 7:30A.M., 9A.M., 10:30A.M., 12:30 P.M.

A Happy & Joyful New Year

to all of our Parishioners

The Rectory office will be closed on

Saturday, New Year’s Eve and on

Sunday, New Year’s Day and Monday

in observance of the Holy Day and the New Year'.

We will re-open on Tuesday morning at 9 am.

Community News

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH 855 CARMANS ROAD, MASSAPEQUA PARK

Friday’s at 7:30 PM $1800 in prizes

Page Our Lady of Lourdes

Do you want to develop a deeper relationship with God? Does your search for God seem to be at a crossroad? Do you want to explore new methods in prayer? Or has prayer become difficult? Do you feel the need for someone to assist you in discern-ing the call of the spirit? Or do you feel the need for a com-panion on the spiritual journey to walk with you and lis-ten? I will be glad to help you...Efren R. Bacani, Spiritual Di-rector & Parishioner here at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Please call me @ (516)281-5876

CUB SCOUT FUN AND FAITH DAY SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017

SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH BROOKVILLE, NEW YORK

8:30 AM – 12:00 NOON

A special morning of prayer, handicrafts, games, and a patch.

For information, contact the Catholic Scouting Ofice 516 678-5800, ext 245 scouting@drvc.org

January 1, 2017

Each week the parish happily accepts names for the bulle-tin sick list from family members and friends. The list con-tinues to grow and we are unable to know the status of those on the list. Many times the petitioned person them-selves ask that their names be removed informing that they have long since healed and they no longer require the prayers. To address this, our Parish will RENEW the bulletin sick list for the new year beginning with the January 1st Bulletin. This will reduce the large number of names and allow for the list to be reorganized. If you wish a name to be added to the list or continued, simply call the rectory or email the parish at ollcarol@aol.com

OʼKEEFE, CPA, LLCCertified Public AccountingPERSONAL INCOME TAX,

BUSINESS RETURNSNOT-FOR-PROFIT

Timothy F. OʼKeefe, CPA, CFP, MA(parishioner)

www.okeefecpallc.com516-586-4940

375 Fulton St., Farmingdale, NY 11735

ROB FLORIELANDSCAPING

(516) 799-7845NEEDANESTIMATE??E-MAILYOURADDRESS,PHONENUMBER

&LANDSCAPENEEDSTOFLORIELANDSCAPE@VERIZON.NET

COMPLETELAWN&LANDSCAPEDESIGNRESIDENTIALORCOMMERCIAL**** STUMP GRINDING ****

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CleanUps - Spring&Fall *RockGardens *TopSoil“ServingMassapequa /MassapequaPark, Farmingdale&Vicinity”

Nursing & Rehabilitation CenterVOTED THE BEST! (by L.I. Business News)• Subacute Care •Outpatient Rehabilitation

•Skilled Nursing •Adult Day Services •Volunteer Opportunities(631) 264-0222--www.broadlawn.org

399 County Line Rd, Amityville, NY 11701

PPHHIILL CCEEPPAARRAANNOO Plumbing & HeatingAll Leaks Repaired • Floods Pumped

Repair or Replace: Faucets • Toilets • Sinks • Drains • Heat • Waste & Water Lines Residential Specialist

ALL WORK PERFORMED BY OWNERHighly Recommended By His Customers

TRY ME ONCE YOU’LL BE IMPRESSED WITH THE SERVICE

McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home Inc.Newly Expanded With Large Spacious Chapels and Located Only 2 Miles From Our Lady of Lourdes

William Law - Owner/Director385 Main Street, Farmingdale

Custom ExteriorsHome Improvements• SIDING • WINDOWS • ROOFING

Call for FREE estimate (516) 797-9610

PAT DOLAN PLUMBINGLicensed Master Plumber24 HR. EMERGENCY SERVICE

798 - 8 9 4 3

SStt.. MMaarrttiinn OOff TToouurrss SScchhooooll41 Union Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701

663311--226644--77116666CCaallll ffoorr aa TToouurr TTooddaayy!! www.smtschool.org

CLASS “A” ROOFING & SIDINGROOFING SPECIALIST

“We Live Here, We Worship Here”(516) 826-5514

ARTHUR F. WHITE FUNERAL HOME, INC.A tradi t ion of Caring Since 1923

FARMINGDALE BETHPAGEROBERT A. WHITE, SR. - OWNER 315 CONKLIN STREET 234 BROADWAY STEPHEN J. MAHONEY - DIRECTORNANCY J. WHITE - OWNER 516-249-0336 516-931-1454 WILLIAM D. PARSONS

DDIISSCCOOVVEERR AA FFAASSTT && NNAATTUURRAALL WWAAYY TTOO LLOOSSEE WWEEIIGGHHTT

TThhee SSaaddkkhhiinn CCoommpplleexxFor a Free Consultation: 516-280-7070

300 Garden City Plaza, Suite 250(located near Roosevelt Field Mall)GardenCity@Sadkhin.com

WILLIS B. CARMANATTORNEY AT LAW280 Main StreetFarmingdale516-224-3514

Elder Law, Wills, TrustsEstate Planning, Estates

Real EstatePOWELL FUNERAL HOME, INC.

Serving This Area Since 190867 Broadway Amityville, N.Y.

691-0172

QUICK EMERGENCY RESPONSE 24 HR. 7 DAYS

516-454-655735 YEARS EXPERIENCEwww.ceparanoplumbing.com

Serving the Parish Area

Lic. Master PlumberServing all NassauNo Job Too Small

Insured

AndHolidays

249-1303

“How Can We Help You?”

#209 FOR ADVERTISING: THE CHURCH BULLETIN INC., 200 DALE ST., W. BABYLON, NY 11704-1104 (631) 249-4994 • www.thechurchbulletininc.com

ASK ABOUT MY 2 YEAR GUARANTEE

Ed’s Service Center950 Carmans Rd., Massapequa

(516) 795-5121State Inspection, Alignments,General Repairs, Road Service

Computer Diagnostics

FreeEstimates

Licensed &Insured

540 Broadway • Massapequa • NY • 11758JamesFuneralHome.com

516.541.4000•Newly Renovated Chapel • Preplanning • Handicapped Accessible

Monuments & Inscriptions • Children’s Playroom

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mptrg.com/apply • 516.479.9170 Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC

www.mccourtandtrudden.org

No Medications,No Special Foods,

No Surgeries, No Heavy Exercise.