Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary time - August 23, 2020

Pastor’s Corner Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 & 23 August 2020 Who Do You Say That I Am? Even today there are lots of opinions on who Jesus is, but today’s readings remind us that the most im-portant opinion is our own: Who do I say that Jesus Christ is? Who is Jesus Christ for me?

Today’s First Reading shows the contrast between the faithful steward entrusted with the keys to everything and the unfaith-ful steward stripped of them due to his infidelity.

• The palace to which Isaiah refers today is the royal palace, an important responsibility.

• The master of the palace, a steward, represented the king’s interests in many ways and in the king’s name (a direct repre-sentative of the king).

• When Isaiah refers to the house of Judah, and the House of David, he is referring to much more than a building: Isaiah is referring to the royal family and the kingdom. A good steward to the king serves him, his family, his servants, and his people.

• This level of responsibility brings an incredible pressure from all sides trying to curry the steward’s favor or bring about his downfall. It requires a solid acknowledgment, on his part, of who is truly in charge: the king, NOT the steward!

• We do not know what Shebna did to get fired, but Isaiah sees in Eliakim a man who will stand firm in his service to all people.

• This reading is a Scriptural foundation for the Church’s faith on what it meant to have Christ, Our King, entrust the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, His keys, to Peter (the first Pope) and his successors.

In today’s Second Reading St. Paul reminds us that an even greater treasure and responsibility has been entrusted to Peter and his successors.

• God came, in-Person, in His Son to reveal the treasures of Our Father, namely: “the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.”

• The Church has faithfully watched over this treasure through the centuries, but not just collectively.

• Our Lord entrusted Peter and his successors with what we call today the deposito fidei: the deposit of faith. Our treasure is the truth about God, about who Our Lord is, what Jesus said and did, and about the path to holiness and true happiness.

The greatest treasure the Church watches over and communicates is the truth about who Jesus is.

The big question is: Who do we say that Jesus Christ is? Who is Jesus Christ for us?

Is Jesus just a “miracle worker” whom we can call upon when we need Him to pull us out of a bad situation, and then quickly forget about Him once we get what we want?

Or is Jesus Christ truly our Lord and Savior whom we try to emulate each day of our lives?

Do we honestly try to adhere to the well-known acronym WWJD – What Would Jesus Do – every day?

Or do we closely follow the ways of the world?

Do we have a Christian world view, or is our world view a secular (worldly) one?

Hmmm…These questions make us think, do they not?

What are your answers to these questions? Some introspection is required here, and if our mind, heart and world view do not align with those of a genuine and faithful Christian, then we have some work to do! WWJD?

Prayerfully,

Fr. Ben

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 5:00 PM Mass at SJV Vocations 5:00 PM Mass at STA + William “Bill” Barrett / Department for Persons with Disabilities SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 10:00AM at SJV Father Matt (Living) / Saint John Vianney Parish Family + Louise Ferrante / Fran & Frank Bagnati 10:00AM at STA Father Matt (Living) / Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish Family + Lloyd Hagedorn MONDAY, AUGUST 24 7:30PM + Kathleen Ryan Peterson/ Roberta & Jim Smath TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 8:00AM Vocations WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 8:00AM Mass for Family Reconciliation / Patti Silverstein THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 8:00AM + David Stirrat, Jr. / Cannarozzi Family FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 8:00AM + Kathleen Ryan Peterson / Anne Kaiser SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 5:00 PM Mass at SJV + Lawrence A. Guarino, Sr. 5:00 PM Mass at STA + Eugene Zajdel / his family SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 10:00AM at SJV + Christopher Hirsch / his family 10:00AM at STA + John Moss, Sr. / his daughter Anna + Angela Sperber / Kirk Sperber

The Parish Community of St. John Vianney & St. Thomas the Apostle

YOU DID IT! 2 MORE MASSES HAVE BEEN ADDED!

Because we have reached capacity in less than 24 hours

two weeks in a row, this weekend we added an addi-

tional Mass at both parishes. From this point going for-

ward each parish will continue to have 2 Masses.

The schedule for BOTH Saint John Vianney and

Saint Thomas the Apostle is as followed:

Saturday: 5:00pm Vigil Mass

Sunday: 10:00am Mass

Mass registration is still required and the rule still ap-

plies. IF YOU DID NOT SIGN UP IN ADVANCE YOU

W ILL NOT B E AD MIT T ED INTO THE

CHURCH. No exceptions. Mass registration closes at

midnight on Friday, and you will not be added to the

list if you call or email the parish office, even if spaces

are available.

Note: When these Masses are filled to capacity and

more are turned away, another Mass will be added.

R.C.I.A (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS): There will be a course of instruction/discussion this fall, covering the fundamentals of the Catholic faith as revealed through Scripture, Sacred Tradition and Authority. This course is ideal for those:

· Who are thinking of joining the Cath-olic Church.

· Non–Catholics married to or about to be married to a Catholic.

· Who are Catholics and have not completed all their sacraments.

Please email Gerry Geary gerryrcia@aol.com to learn more.

Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Monday: Rv 21:9b-14; Jn 1:45-51

Tuesday: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17; Mt 23:23-26

Wednesday: 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18; Mt 23:27-32

Thursday: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Mt 24:42-51

Friday: 1 Cor 1:17-25; Mt 25:1-13

Saturday: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mk 6:17-29

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY

08/09/2020: $2,463.00 19th Sunday in OT

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 08/16/2020

21 Envelopes: $ 675.00 1 Loose Checks: $ 25.00 Loose Cash: $ 75.00 22 Online Giving: $ 940.00 Total $1,715.00

Last Year: $2,913.00 - 20th Sunday in OT

08/09/2020: $4,667.00 19th Sunday in OT

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 08/16/2020

38 Envelopes: $1,849.00 3 Loose Checks: $ 325.00 Loose Cash: $ 23.00 50 Online Giving: $2,470.00 Total $4,667.00

Last Year: $6,106.50 - 20th Sunday in OT 2nd Collection: $130.00

WE ARE GRATEFUL AND WE THANKFUL

Thank you for your weekly stewardship to financially support our parishes and its many ministries. We cannot survive without

you.

We like to ask you to consider joining your fellow parishioners at Saint John Vianney and Saint Thomas the Apostle in making

your generous gifts with ParishSOFT Giving via online, mobile app and text.

This request is critical due to the limitation because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to keep the work of our church go-

ing, we are currently depending on the incoming monies from those using Online Giving and envelopes / checks mailed to the

office. ParishSOFT Giving is a convenient and secure electronic giving (eGiving) program, you can go to our webpage:

www.ststhomasjohn.org / online giving OR use the CN Giving Mobile App. (Connect Now Giving)

Email the parish office for details: terry@ststhomasjohn.org

WELCOME !

Vienna Rose Saparito

Parents: Matthew & Emily Saparito

Sienna Lucia Gorman

Parents: Thomas & Erika Gorman

Received the Sacrament of Baptism at Saint Thomas the Apostle

last Weekend.

NEW BAPTISM POLICY

Baptisms are held at both parishes. To ensure compliance to the mandated social distancing guidelines, no more than two Baptisms will be allowed during each Mass. You will also have to sign up in advance just like parishioners already do for Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass.

If you wish to participate in a Saturday 1pm Baptism, no more than two Baptisms will be allowed at each 1pm Baptism Service. A grand total of 24 people maximum will be allowed in the Church for the 1pm Saturday Baptism Service, including the people to be Baptized, the parents and the godparents.

Just as we do for Sunday Mass, each participant must notify the office, in advance, in order to attend the 1pm Saturday Baptism Service in either parish.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary time - August 23, 2020

“TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON” A TIME TO BE HEALED

Prayers for the sick: Brennan McCoy, Kathy Brennen, Aaron Alonzo, Sal D ’Arco, Kevin Wickert, Fumiko Lutz, Patricia Carapola, Courtney Sanchelli, Danny Scillieri, Gail Brennan, Rich Day, Richard Lavelle, Marion Coleson, Chris Osborne, Rose Kelly, Stephen Vecchiotti, Vincent Ottani, Ernie Sudo, Penny Sorokach (nursing home), Brandon Wozniak, Darlene Kolakovic, Fr. Dan Kelly, Fr. Joseph Farias, Helen Turosky, Joey Dyl, Don King, Kenny Miscisak, Emily Fleming, Emily Schmidt, Ethan Rodriguez, Carol, Mary Swerzenski (nursing home), Deacon Milt, Jessica Taylor, Tim Lambert, Nancy, Hazel Voiner, Tony Bonfiglio, Lynn Snouffer, Sebastian Drelick, Bill Horowitz, Frank Weber, Nick Dewar, Frank Murphy, and John Ferreri.

A TIME TO MOURN Prayers for the deceased: Louise M. Addotta, William E. Williams, Charles Stoveken, Jesse Bisbal, Victor Coleson, Jr., Luigi Russo, Ernest A. Zappile, Nereida Addotta, Andrew Dolinich, Betty Klein, Joe Endlicher, George Christ, Mildred Einreinhofer, Devon Carbery, Joseph Florio, Fr. Thomas Rainforth, Ralph Albano, Sr., Cveta Szugzdo, James Ford, Carol Perrucci, Jean Farrell, Donald Smitherman, Mary Anne Allender, Jason Free, Joyce Kerr, Mary Strangia, Jean Farrell, Don Ciuppa, Msgr. Brendan Madden, Raymond Angelucci, Stephanie Perrotta, James France III, Louise Anne Sincaglia and Rose Schilacci, Dolores Daly, Nancy Barbieri, Rich McLeod, Marlene Blahut, Rev. Stanley Kostrzomb and Phyllis Bonfiglio, Beverly Bierbaum, Louis “Louie” Panetta, Jack Van Antwerp Raymond Hirsch, Francis Marinello, Bill Barrett, Lawrence (Lorenzo) Guarino, Lester King , Mary Dick, Rick Baxter, Charles & Elizabeth Mylod, Richard Bay, Msgr. Charles Cassidy, former pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, Sparta, Magdealena Szieber, Eileen & William Carbery, Martin Addison, Carmela Mediterro, Theresa Marie Wickham, Herb Fisher, Matthew Cusa, Gladys Kot , Rev. Richard Colgan, C.S.P., Patricia Hopkins, Rosemary McHugh, Patrick P. Marttine, John Koslowski, Father Hugh Murphy, Kathleen Peterson, Matthew (Matt) Rugel, Ralph Agovino, and Frank Murphy.

A TIME FOR PEACE We pray for those in our parish who are currently serving in the armed forces especially: PFC Jonathan Cuervo, USMC, PFC Anthony Imperato, USMC, Michael Guarino, US Army, Cpl Sebastian Geary, USMC, USAF, Airman James Perez, Sgt. Antoino Lettizia, USMC, OSSN(SW) Anthony S. Gambuti, US Navy, Lance Cpl Ryan Leyden, USMC, USAF Airman Matthew Cannarozzi, 2nd Lt. Andrew Verdes, Haley Kerrison Lt1, Army, Clara Shurtless, USMC. In honor of the Military serving our country at home and abroad, we invite you to recite three (3) Hail Mary's for their safety.

BAPTISM Baptism has resumed with only 20 people allowed plus the baby/child. Masks and Social Distancing will the enforced. Couples desiring to have their child baptized should be active parishioners, attending Mass regularly. First Time Parents must attend a Baptism Preparation Class. To make baptismal arrangements contact the parish office by email: terry@ststhomasjohn.org or call Saint John Vianney at 973-697-6550 / Saint Thomas the Apostle at 973-208-0090.

CONFESSIONS Confessions by appointment only will resume next weekend. Confessions will take place in the church sanctuary. Masks and Social Distancing will be enforced.

MARRIAGES Prior to your booking of the reception, please call the Parish Office 1 year in advance of the wedding date to allow for proper pre-marital preparation. Knights of Columbus ~ Council Meetings

St. John Vianney Council #12649 meets at Saint John Vianney Church Hall the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Joseph Lamb Council #5510 meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at Wiegand Farm – Department for Persons with Disabili-ties’ meeting room. Both meetings start at 7:30 p.m.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

Saint John Vianney/Saint Thomas the Apostle debbie@ststhomasjohn.org PARISH MEMBERSHIP: A parishioner is one who belongs to the parish family. As such, he/she is registered and is committed through participation in the life of the parish. Marriages to be administered and Sponsor Certificates, recommendations, etc. to be issued by the office, the person requesting such must be registered and an active member of Saint John Vianney Parish or Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish community. We request that you register at the rectory when you move into our community so that we may be of service to you.

The Parish Community of St. John Vianney & St. Thomas the Apostle