September 5, 2010
The Pastor’s
Notes
Throughout the year, you and I hear the word of God preached to us. Most often it is priests or deacons who do the preaching. In many ways, we hear the word preached to us beyond the formal church and pulpit. Sometimes the word is spoken and shared by good people, good friends, good priests and good deacons. Other times, sinful priests, deacons and people may speak the word. No doubt, it is often the true word of God whether it is spoken by the best of people or by the worst; often it is not. Sometimes we may be ready to hear the word, no matter from whom it comes; and, sometimes you and I are not ready. This last point is what is on my mind right now.
As I write, I am fretting about how difficult it can be to hear the word of God – and keep it. It can be difficult because it comes to us from sinners. It can be difficult because it is often confused and not really the word of God, pure and simple. But the difficulty that gives me the most pause at the moment is the fact that it can be difficult to hear the word of God because life does not give us the time and space that we need to hear it.
This is a major human problem. I mean, how can a man in a bad marriage easily hear the word about how kind and caring is our God? How can a woman who has lost an infant hear the word about God’s love for the little ones and us? How can we who are busy – I mean really busy trying to make ends meet and getting kids off to school and life, how can we hear any word at all? The only word that may easily reach us is an advertisement about “getting away from it all.” How can a truly tired woman easily care about hearing that it takes some work and discipline to listen to the word of God? Wow!! If we make this list too long, and that would be easy to do, we might wonder: How can anyone ever hear the word of God?
Yet people do hear God’s word, don’t they! People do grow in faith, hope and love, don’t they! God is working through all the pain and travail in the world, isn’t He?! Just look around and see amazing human strength and faith in a thousand trying situations. Maybe very trying situations in your own life come to mind.
I have a recommendation in light of all this. Listen to all the preaching and teaching from whomever it comes and try to hear it in your heart and live by its truth. But surely do at least this, even if you cannot stand to hear another sermon from anybody, anywhere: acknowledge that there is a God and just try to do whatever you must, whatever is given to you to do, as well as you can do it. That can be done by the grace of your baptism into the Body of Christ. You will soon find that you are a St. Theresa (The Little Flower) or a Mother Theresa (of Calcutta). For that is all that they did. One woman worked hard in a convent amidst adversity and at the simplest tasks. The other mostly nursed the near dead to life or buried them with loving respect. Most of us, you see, are not given to perform great things, only daily little ones. And, God and human holiness is available in doing the little things well (getting the kids off to school and life, handling problems in a marriage, burying our dead, making a living) and with faith that somehow there is a God and “all shall be well.”
In the light of all this, please take the time to consider the things you may like to change as you plum and wrestle thoughtfully over the quality of your stewardship of time, talent and treasure.
Community Building
We pray for the sick of the parish including:
Mary Connors, Marissa Paladino, Helen Balatbat, Stosica, Crvaric, Frank Carleo, Susan Grootenboer, Linda Menhinick, Edith Renneberg, Matthew Frohnapfel, Olga Curcio, Margaret Sansevero, Terence Loftus, Sara Jane Mecca, Ron Santlofer, Peggy Piccirilli, Caroline Price, Mary Ann Rogers, Alexandra Obeidinski, Betty Adamski, Dr. Wa, Ann Porzi, John McMahon, Stephanie Christiansen, Ofelia Mejia, Nancy Fernandez, Salvatore Viccaro, Mary Gallagher, Donna Gorga, Megan Binns Collin Hudspeth, T.J. Bonacci, Georgianna Willing, William Puskas, Michele Longo, Peter Brazowski, Bob Alliegro, Michael Paladino, Jorge Galarraga, Lillian Sanfilippo, Scott Springhorn, Charles Adamski, Sean Mulvey, Frank Fortunato, Laurel Derrico, Mary Cunningham, Frances Sanmartino, Kim LeRose, Gertrude Olson, Anthony Polemeni, Abel De La Trinidad, Frank Gervolino, William Reif, Bess Reina, Ellen Bueno, John Noone, Lorraine Scramenti, Nancy Cruz, Sonia Kingsley, Ana Schaffer, Edward Lang, Connie Campbell, Sue DePol, Rose Drake, Mary Eccelston, Pat Dunn, Cecelia Grippo, Kelly Quinn, Maria Bussanich.
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Activities for the week of September 6, 2010 Abbreviations used in the Weekly Calendar Church……..Ch Faculty Room…… FR Youth Room…YR Chapel……...Chp Rectory…………….R CCD Room….Ax Auditorium….A Panel Room……….PR Class Room.CLR Cafeteria…....C Conference Room..CR Kitchen……..K |
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Monday: Labor Day One mass only 9:00am
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Tuesday: Legion of Mary 11:00am CR Family Hour 7:30pm Chp
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Wednesday: Visitation Academy opens – 12pm dismissal
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Thursday: Exposition & Adoration 9:15am Chp Bingo 11:45am A Boy Scouts #138 7:00pm C/A Bereavement Ministry 7:30pm R
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Friday: Visitation Academy dismissal 12pm.
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Saturday: Tai Chi 8:00am A/Stage AS mtg.9:00am CR
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Sunday: Holy Name Mass & Coffee 8:am Ch/C Baptism 2:00pm Ch Boy Scout Court of Honor A
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We welcome our recently registered friends
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Paz & Family
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Jaretsky & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Adalio Gandara & Family
Ms. Donna Cerbo & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Glen Colameo & Family
Congratulations to the following couple who was married in August.
Mr. & Mrs. Brian & Kamilla Corrado
We welcome into our community all who were baptized during the month of August
and we extend our congratulations to their families.
Anthony Rosario Nese
Austin Kiely
Congratulations
to the following couple who was married in August.
Mr. & Mrs. Brian & Kamilla Corrado
We remember in our prayers those who have died in the month of
August and also pray for their families.
Catherine Donahue
Louise Calabrese
Catherine Keating
Dineen Picerno
George J. Nostas
Special Noon Mass
A special Mass followed by a support group meeting for anyone affected by the disease of Alcoholism will be celebrated at St. Paul Church, 200 Wyckoff Avenue, Ramsey, NJ at 12 Noon on Saturday, September 18, 2010. One of the more debilitating aspects of the disease is the tendency to isolate. This painful symptom can be dealt with by meeting with others who share the same feelings of pain and shame.
For further information about the Mass and Meeting, call Msgr Lawrence Cull at 201-327-0976.
Open Houses
Paramus Catholic High School cordially invites 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students and their parents to visit us during one of our Open Houses on Sunday, September 19th from 1-4pm and Wednesday, October 13th from 7-9pm The school is located at 425 Paramus Road, Paramus NJ For more information please contact the Admissions Office at 201-445-4466 ex 104.
Bergen Catholic High School, founded and staffed by the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, invites all boys and their parents to an Open House on Thursday evening, September 16th. The presentation will begin at 7:00pm. Bergen Catholic is located at 1040 Oradell Avenue in Oradell, NJ> Please call 201-634-4151 if you have any questions.
High School Cooperative Admissions Examination
For Eighth Graders and their families interested in attending a Catholic high school in September 2100, the test will be given on Friday November 5th 2010. Application forms and Handbooks for this test and a listing of all Catholic High Schools and their admission requirements are available from:
MCS/CTB at their Web site, www.coopexam.org or e-mail support @coopexam.org
For more information please call 1-888-921-2667.
From Grief to Hope
Are you struggling with grief because of the death of a spouse, child, parent, relative or friend? Our Lady of the Visitation Parish Bereavement Ministry sponsors a program to help people understand grief, cope with it, and strengthen their hope. These sessions are open to all grieving people, their relatives, their friends, and those in the helping professions.
The dates are: September 3 (Loneliness), September 5 (Picnic), September 9 (Anger), September 16 (Guilt), September 23 (Inner Healing) and September 30 (What Makes Us Angry).
For further information, please contact Loretta Guido at 201-845-8573, Joan Carlson at 201-666-9673 or Kathy Emr at 201-265-3930.
Catholic War Veterans News
There will be a Columbus Celebration Pasta Night on Saturday, October 9, from 6-9pm in the VA cafeteria. Tables of ten are available. For $10 a person you will receive pasta & meatballs, salad, bread, coffee, cake, soda, beer & wine. A great crowd, great food. Relax and enjoy. This will be a sell out so get your tickets early. Call 201-845-9310. NO tickets will be sold at the door.
The Concert date has been changed.
The new date is Friday October 15th at 7:30p.m.
Please place it on your calendar.
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Inquiry Sessions are being held in the Living Room in the Rectory from 10am to 11am. Anyone interested in joining the church and being baptized please see Father Matt or Ricky Voltzow. For further information you may also call 261-6080.
Bergen-Paramus District of the National Council of Catholic Women Theater Party
The Bergen-Paramus District of the National Council of Catholic Women will sponsor a fund raising theater party on Sunday, September 12, at the Bergen County Players, 199 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ at 2pm. The play is “Company” a truly ground-breaking Stephen Sondheim musical. All seats are in the front section of the theater. The price is $18. Contact Mary Loftus at 201-265-2048.
Women’s Luncheon
Our next luncheon will be held on Monday, Sept 20th at Biagios at 12:30pm. Please call Carol at 261-5981 for reservations.
“Tuition Angel” program
Every year at least one disaster strikes a family in our parish school. Among the worst of them is the loss of a parent by death or divorce. Sometimes it is the loss of a home due to flood or fire. Whatever the case, families find themselves unable to manage to keep a child in our school unless we can provide some tuition assistance.
TO BE ABLE TO HELP IN THE FACE OF DISASTERS, WE HAVE INITIATED A “TUITION ANGEL” PROGRAM. A Tuition angel program is established by the goodness of people who are able to give a financial gift to help support a child’s tuition through the course of a family “disaster.”
There are a number of ways people can help. One is to donate money for the TUITION ANGEL fund without reference to any particular disaster. In the past many parishioners have assisted students financially and therefore helped them to remain at Visitation Academy. There is still a great need for additional financial help.
Visitation Academy News
I would like to refer you to the Tuition Angel Program which is explained each week in the bulletin. Our Tuition Angel Fund has been influential in helping families over the past years. However, in this economy, there are more families than usual, who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the loss of employment. If anyone could make a scholarship grant for a parish tuition of
$4,010 or partial grant at $1,000 or above, we could save a few families from having to transfer from catholic education. Please arrange to see Msgr. Slinger or me if you are willing and able to make such a contribution. Your consideration will be greatly appreciated.
Sister Philomena, Principal
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Our Early Childhood Program has been growing over the past few years. Presently we have several spaces for the pre-K 3 program, two days a week: Tuesday and Thursday; 8:30 – 12:00 noon. Please call the school office at 262-6067 for further information.
FR. JOSE’S SMALL STUDY GROUPS
All parishioners who are planning to attend Fr. Jose’s study groups are reminded of the following:
Please choose only one group of the following:
“Catholics and Christian Theology” will meet only on Mondays from 7:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. from September 13th to December 13th, 2010.
“Catholics and Christian Rituals” will meet only Thursdays from 7:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. from September 16th to December 16th, 2010.
“Catholics and Society” will meet only on Fridays from 7:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. from September 17th to December 17th, 2010.
Please remember that the aim is not to teach anyone but to learn together, to share each other’s experiences and points of view on a given theme. In other words: Do not be afraid. You will be welcome to have your say or just to listen. There will be no polemics and no arguments –only a good (but relevant) conversation with sporadic intervention of the priest to keep the conversation in focus.
All meetings will take place in the Rectory (Fr. Jose’s office) and will start and end as scheduled.
Square Dancing
September is National Square Dance Month. Looking for Fun, Fitness and Friendship? There is a free Open House at Eastbrook Jr High, 190 Spring Valley Rd, Paramus sponsored by the Circle Eights Square Dance Club, Mondays, on September 13th and September 20th at 7:30pm. Contact Nancy and Dave Stewart at 201-664-7985 for more info.
Education & Faith Formation
Why Be a Catechist?
Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Jesus’ great commission calls us, as members of the Body of Christ, to continue his mission. But, taking up the challenge to spread the Good News may not be the only reason to consider the call.
The best way to learn is to teach. As a catechist, you will refresh and expand your own knowledge of faith using your own resources and materials available to you.
Your own faith will bloom. As you help others ‘fix their gaze on Jesus’, your own gaze will be more directed as well.
You become an active participant in essential responsibilities of a Church community. The laity are uniquely
entrusted with the role of working in union with their priests to bring the message of faith to full bloom.
You are Jesus’ messenger. As a catechist, you walk along with a person in their faith journey. Each person holds within them a unique expression of God. The more we know one another, the more we know God.
You demonstrate the value of your Faith. You may find you are teaching your family by your example as you are teaching your students by you lesson plan.
You become a role model. As a catechist, you are an example of an ordinary person who does the right thing just because it is the right thing.
Faith Formation Registration
Registration for the Faith Formation Program (Religious Ed) for first through eighth grade has begun for the 2010-2011 school year and will continue until April 1st 2010. A $30 late fee will be applied to all registrations received after April 1st, 2010.
Children preparing for 1st Communion need to attend Religious Ed. Classes beginning in the 1st grade.
All children should have the opportunity to attend classes regardless of registration difficulties.
There are classes for grades 1-6 on Sunday, 10:30am – 11:45am & Monday, 3:45pm - 5pm. There are classes for grades 7 & 8 on Monday Evening, 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Registrations are taken on a first come basis for class placement. Registrations will be taken at the Faith Formation office in the Rectory of Our Lady of the Visitation week days as follows:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday
from 10:30am to 5pm;
Wednesdays
from 1pm to 3pm: or by mail.
Call Barbara D’Arrigo, Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation, at 201-265-3812 to inquire about the program.
Parishioners, Our Children in Faith Formation Needs You!!
Faith grows when it is shared. Come join us for a rewarding experience with the children of our parish. The following is a list of positions available for the 2008-2009 School Year for which we need Catechists.
Monday - 3:45pm – 5:00pm
One 4th grade
One 5th grade
Monday Evening - 7 to 8:30pm
Two 8th grade
Worship & Spiritual Development
Can you spend one hour with me!
Eucharistic Adoration
Readings for the Week of September 6
Monday
1 Cor 5:1-8/ Lk 6:6-11
Tuesday
1 Cor 6:1-11/ Lk 6:12-19
Wednesday
Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30/ Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23
Thursday
1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13/ Lk 6:27-38
Friday
1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27/ Lk 6:39-42
Saturday
1 Cor 10:14-22/ Lk 6:43-49
Sunday
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First Reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 God became very angry with the Israelites for worshiping a molten calf and making sacrifices to it. The people had so quickly violated his commandments that he planned to destroy them. But Moses pleaded with God for mercy and God relented.
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Second Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul considered himself a former blasphemer and persecutor, and expressed his gratitude for the mercy Jesus showed him. Paul felt that he was a perfect example of Jesus' patience toward sinners and his desire to reconcile them with God.
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Gospel: Luke 15:1-32 The Pharisees grew angry because of the Jesus' compassion toward sinners. In response, Jesus tells of a son who squandered his inheritance, then returned to his father and asked to be treated as a hired hand. The father rejoiced, angering his older and more obedient son. The father explained that everything he owned belonged to his older son; but he had to rejoice for the son who was lost and had been found.
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Respect Life Committee
Every Thursday evening, during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel, the Rosary is offered for the end of abortion. We begin the Rosary about 6:15pm. We invite you to come and join us in this powerful prayer. We presently have only four or five people in the Chapel at this time and your presence would be most welcomed, not only by us, but as you know, by Jesus, our Lord Himself. How can you refuse? Benediction is celebrated at 7pm. Please come. Thank you.
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A CONTEMPLATIVE MOMENT
from Deacon Peter
Read – Reflect – Respond – Rest
A parable reenacted in our time:
An owner of a fancy Italian restaurant in Anaheim, California, Bruno Serato, feeds the rich and famous in Orange County, not far from Disneyland. He is also on the board of the local Boys and Girls Club, which is a national organization that helps poor children. In that section of town there are a lot of poor children living with their families in cheap motels. In 2005 Bruno’s mother Caterina came to this country for a visit and after showing her his fancy restaurant he took her to see the kids at the club. When she saw their poverty she turned to her famous chef son and ordered, "Feed them!" And that's what he has been doing ever since--every day for the past five years.
Bruno serves the children a meal each day; not hamburgers and fries, but a dinner of the same fancy food he cooks at the restaurant. The director of the club says, "The kids love it! We have some of the poorest children in Anaheim eating from one of the most exclusive restaurants every single night."
With the downturn in the economy the number of children eating Bruno's dinner has increased, but the number of patrons at his restaurant has declined. So he has been losing money and has had to mortgage his home so that he could keep feeding the children. Still, he says, he will not stop feeding them. "Never!" he says.
Bruno has enfleshed the parable Jesus gives us today at no little cost to himself. Bruno's life has been the gift of joy. "... when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind: blessed indeed would you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP; Preacher Exchange)
“Christianity, how is it working for you?”
Let me know – peteremr2@verizon.net
Novena Mass for the Rosarians
On Mondays please join us in church on September 13, at 6:30 pm to say the Rosary as well mass and the Novena to the Miraculous Medal at 7:00pm. All are welcome to show their love and gratitude to our Blessed Mother. The monthly meeting will follow in the cafeteria.
Monthly Rosarian Mass at 8:00am
We invite our members to join us on the Sunday, to attend the 8:00am mass dedicated to the Rosary Society. At 7:50am we meet in the back of the church and walk in together to assigned pews.
Annual Rosary Society Communion Breakfast
Please join us at Seasons in Washington Township on Sunday, October 3 immediately following the 8 o’clock mass, for our annual Communion Breakfast. The charge is $30.00.
Please note that payment is by check only and can be made out to OLV Rosary Society. Payment may be made at the September meeting, mailed or dropped off at the rectory, 234 Farview Avenue.
No tickets will be distributed until payment is made – NO EXCEPTIONS
Thank You.
Masses for the Week
Please note: The regular Sunday Mass schedule resumes on Sunday, September 12th
Sunday, September 5
8:00am Rosary Society
10:00am Giovanni Enea
12:00pm Mary Carmichael
Monday, Labor Day September 6
9:00am Joseph Bosticco
Tuesday, September 7
7:00am Dennis Breen
8:45am Joseph Bosticco
Wednesday, September 8
7:00am James Lynch
8:45am Novena Mass
Thursday, September 9
7:00am Timothy O’Brien
8:45am Solomon Armecin
Friday, September 10
7:00am Novena Mass
8:45am Tina Chikery
Saturday, September 11
9:00am For Victims of 9/11
5:00pm Delia O’Connor
Sunday, September 12
8:00am Holy Name Society
9:30pm Anthony De Biaso
11:00am Placido Milone
12:30pm Dr. Ferdinando Luongo
Memorials for the week
Sanctuary Lamp
Arleen Riccardi
By Ralph Riccardi & Family
Altar Bread & Wine
Arleen Riccardi
As Requested by the Ferrara Family
September Novena Masses
Wednesday, September 8…………..8:45am
Friday, September 10………..………7:00am
Monday, September 13……………..7:15pm
Thursday, September 16……………7:00am
Tuesday, September 21…………….7:00am
Friday, September 24……………….7:00am
Monday, September 27……………..8:45am
Thursday, September 30……………7:00am
September Novena Mass Intentions
Beth Scarpati
Don Adler (Living)
Lilnda Ferguson (Living)
Patrick & Loretta O’Hara
Eileen & Michael Fallon
Kathleen & Philomena Devine
Joan Walsh (Living)
Anthony Cugini
George J. Nostas
Ministries of Gospel Service
Items Needed
There are many toddlers and children in need of fall clothing to return to school. We have children in our parish who are in need. There is an18 mo. old girl, size 18 mo., a boy 31/2 , size 4T, a 5 yr old girl size 5/6, a boy 7, size 7/8, a girl 8, size 7, another boy 8, size 7/8, a girl 9, size 16 children’s and a girl 13 size 7/8 junior. There are many, many additional children in the area who would greatly appreciate gently worn, clean clothes or new clothes.
If you can help please call Carol at 261-5981 or Joan Mullin at 265-9469. Thank you so much for all that you do. You have proven over and over again that you love God and neighbor. The light of Jesus shines in you.
Love, Carol
Finance & Administration
Stewardship of Treasure
Last Week’s Collection: $9,317,00
Budgeted each week: 13,750.00
Deficit/Surplus this week: ($4,433.00)
Deficit/Surplus to date: ($30,368.00)
We thank you very much for your generosity. You always care for and support our parish programs, ministries and plant maintenance.