19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — AUGUST 7, 2016 “Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”

Fr. Christopher Costigan, Pastor ........ Ext. 302 Cheryl Nicholson ....................................... Ext. 301 Parish Assistant

PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL U. S. A i r Fo rc e: Staff Sgt. Andrew D. Simpson Master Sergeant Scott Moller Tech. Sgt. Francisco J. Velasquez Master Sgt. Jeremy Salaver

Mrs. Kathy Day ......................................... Ext. 304 Bookkeeper Mrs. Marlene Jean-Baptiste Director of Social Ministry 292-1603 or 481-2550 Ext. 320

U. S. A r my : 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

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

U. S. Ma ri ne s: 1st Battalion Carlos Fuentes CPL Daniel C. Monroe RCT Eric Joel Vazquez Sergeant W. Jason Ferris L. Cpl. Alfonso Rodriquez

Elissa Hanson ............................................ Ext.350 Choir Director & Organist Ms. Lisette Joachim.................................... Ext 351 Ministry of Consolation

INDEPENDENCE FREEDOM

STRENGTH

U. S. N a vy : 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

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

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Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church 546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11553-2145 Phone: (516) 481-2550  [email protected] www.saintmartha.org THE PASTOR’S WEEKLY LETTER – August 7th 2016 ~ 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the ritual process by which those who are unbaptized are brought into communion with the Catholic Church. The Rite consists of prayer, Scripture study, catechetical lessons over a period of time with ritual moments to mark different stages along the way. The high point is the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. There is also a process for baptized non-Catholic Christians to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church through a formal acceptance of the Creed, and the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Additionally, there are occasions where baptized Catholics have never completed their sacraments of initiation. Our parish has a dedicated team that guides those interested through the process. We will be forming new groups this September. There are groups in English, Spanish, and Creole. If you find yourself in one of the above situations, or have a relative or friend who does, please contact the parish office for more information.

RCIA Le Rituel de l'Initiation Chrétienne des Adultes (RICA) est le processus par lequel ceux qui ne sont pas baptisés sont amenés en communion avec l’Église Catholique. Le Rituel consiste en prières, étude de la Bible, cours de Catéchisme, pendant une période comprenant des moments rituels pour marquer les différentes étapes le long du chemin. Le point culminant est la réception des Sacrements de l’Initiation (Baptême, Confirmation, Eucharistie) à la Veillée Pascale. Il existe également un processus pour recevoir les baptisés Chrétiens non Catholiques dans l’Eglise Catholique, au cours d’une acceptation formelle du dogme et la participation aux sacrements de Confirmation et d’Eucharistie. Il y a aussi des Catholiques baptisés qui n’ont jamais reçu les autres sacrements de l’initiation. Notre paroisse a une équipe dévouée qui guide les personnes intéressées à ce processus. Nous allons former des nouveaux groupes en Septembre. Il y a des groupes en anglais, en espagnol et en créole. Si vous vous trouvez dans une des situations décrites ci-dessus, ou si vous avez des parents ou des amis qui le sont, veuillez s’il vous plait contacter le centre paroissial pour de plus amples renseignements. RCIA El Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos es el proceso ritual por el cual aquellos que no han sido bautizados se ponen en comunión con la Iglesia Católica. El rito consiste en la oración, el estudio de las Escrituras, lecciones de catequesis durante un período de tiempo con momentos rituales que marcan diferentes etapas a lo largo del camino. El punto más alto es la celebración de los sacramentos de iniciación (Bautismo, Confirmación, Eucaristía) en la Vigilia de Pascua. Hay también un proceso para los cristianos no católicos bautizados para ser recibidos en la plena comunión con la Iglesia Católica a través de una aceptación formal del Credo, y los sacramentos de la Confirmación y la Eucaristía. Además, hay ocasiones en las que los católicos bautizados no han completado sus sacramentos de iniciación. Nuestra parroquia tiene un equipo dedicado que guía a los interesados en el proceso. Estaremos formando nuevos grupos de este mes de Septiembre. Hay grupos en Inglés, Español y Creole. Si usted se encuentra en una de las situaciones anteriores, o tener un pariente o amigo que lo esta, por favor, póngase en contacto con la oficina parroquial para más informacion. Fr. Chris

Pere Chris

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Padre Chris

8-7-2016 - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 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.

August 7, 2016 Monday August 8-St. Dominic, Priest 8:30 AM ............. Charlotte Piech, Frank Brady and the intentions of Martha Ann Brady

5:00PM - Lector: Joanne Williams

Tuesday

August 9-St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr 8:30 AM ............. Theresa Laurice

Eucharistic Ministers: Yolande Augustin, Mira Denis, Phyllis Droessler, Marie G. Josma, Leandre Magloire, Nancy A. Nepoleon

Wednesday August 10-St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr 8:30 AM ............. Mary San Filippo

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

Thursday August 11-St. Clare, Virgin 8:30 AM ............. In Thanksgiving for Jocelyne Felix

7:30AM - Lector: Audric Mathurin

Friday August 12 8:30 AM ............. Prayer Service

Eucharistic Ministers: Carol Bargeron, Monica Brown, Teri Caruso, Virginia Costello, Maria Gonzalez, Karen Hart

Saturday August 13 8:30 AM ............. Parishioners of St. Martha

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

Sunday August 14 7:30 AM ............. Kay Brown 8:45 AM ............. Lorenzo Antigua Jose Antigua & Jose Cespeds 11:00 AM ........... In Thanksgiving for Felisha Bruno 12:30 PM............ Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Michel

11:00AM - Lector: JoAnn Williams Altar Servers: Carmelle Midy, Lynn-Patrice Midy Eucharistic Minister: Solange Bricourt, Pat Edwards, Marie Jiha, Lisette Joachim, Marie Lucie Lebon, Gloria Maffettone Ushers: Bennett Paul, Agnes Duclairon, Wilner Nestor, Frantz Denis

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

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR 20 TH S UNDAY IN O RDINARY T IME

July 31, 2016

August 14, 2016

5:00 PM Mass .......................................................................$854.00 7:30 AM Mass .......................................................................$967.00 8:45 AM Mass ....................................................................$2,948.00 11:00 AM Mass ..................................................................$1,496.00 12:30 PM Mass .....................................................................$927.00 Poor Box .................................................................................$82.00

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Ps. 40:2, 3, 4, 18 Hebrews 12:1-4 Luke 12:49-53

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LECTIO DIVINA A PRAYERFUL READING OF SACRED SCRIPTURE The Gospel for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 12:32-48 Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be (12:32-34). By the mention of little flock, this Gospel recalls the episode about the shepherds on Christmas Eve (Lk 2:8-18). There is a similar concern for vigilance in the darkness of night, to be watchful for thieves, to be alert to the coming of the Master, to be unafraid. The kingdom—Saint Cyprian: “The Kingdom of God means Christ himself. He can be understood as the Kingdom of God, for in him we shall reign.” Treasure—Saint Thomas Aquinas: “The life of the human being consists in the affection which principally sustains a person and in which that person finds his greatest satisfaction.” Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks (12:35-36). We have to be ready to move during the darkness. Saint Gregory of Nyssa: “A person girded with temperance lives in the light of a clear conscience before God. And so, with the light of truth shining, the soul stays awake and is not deceived. It does not dally with illusive dreams.” Saint Catherine of Siena: “O eternal Trinity, when I received with the light of most holy faith your light that you gave me, I came to know therein the way of great perfection. Thus I may serve you in the light, not in the dark; and I may be a mirror of a good and holy life; and I may rouse myself from my wretched life in which, always through my own fault, I served you in darkness. I did not know your truth, and so I did not love it. Why did I not know you? Because I did not see you with the glorious light of most holy faith, since the cloud of selfish love darkened the eye of my understanding. Then with your light you dispelled the darkness.” Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants (12:37-38). Cardinal Francisco de Toledo (+1596): “They await their Lord as those who, considering themselves wayfarers here on earth, but with the desire for Christ, and frequently, almost constantly, think of him, have their minds fixed on him. And through their love for him and hope in him, they bear adversity and all kinds of calamities with patience; fear to offend him, who is already in view as he arrives; despise without difficulty whatever does not make for his coming; delight in whatever they know to be pleasing to him; hold temporal things of small account because of their hope of eternal ones.” Proceed to wait on them—Saint Cyril of Alexandria: “Since we are weary with toil, he will comfort us, setting before us spiritual banquets, and spreading the abundant table of his gifts.” Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property (12:42-44). Father Cornelius a Lapide, S.J. (+1637): “The life of a Christian, then, should be nothing but awaiting Christ, that he may deliver him from this life, which is so vile, miserable, and insignificant, and subject to so many fears and perils, and bring him to his own kingdom in the heavens and to eternal joy.” But if that servant says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming,” and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful…. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more (12:45-46, 48). Punish him severely: The Greek word (the root of “dichotomy”) literally translates, “He will cut him in two.” Saint Jerome: “This does not mean that he will cut him in two with the sword, but only that he will cut him off from the society of the saints and will consign him with the hypocrites.” Father Ceslas Spicq, O.P.: “The verb seems to suggest God’s absolute rights and the requirements attached to his gifts.” Much will be required—Saint Cyril of Alexandria: “And what are the virtues the Savior requires”? Constancy in the faith, correctness in teaching; to be well grounded in hope; unwavering in patience; invincible in spiritual strength; cheerful and brave in every more excellent achievement: that so we may be examples to others of the evangelic life. For if we will thus live, Christ will bestow upon us the crown.”

Magnificat

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Please do not burn candles on church property! Your intention maybe good, but leaving candles burning unattended can lead to a fire. Please treat church property with as much care as you would your own home. Thank you!

Scripture Readings August 8—August 13 Monday, August 8 Ezekiel 1:2 -5, 24 -28 Psalm 148 Matthew 17:22 -27 Tuesday, August 9 Ezekiel 2:8 -3:4 Psalm 119 Matthew 18:1 -5, 10, 12 -14 Wednesday, August 10 2 Corinthians 9:6 -10 Psalm 112 John 12:24 -26 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.

Thursday, August 11 Ezekiel 12:1 -12 Psalm 78 Matthew 18:21 -19:1 Friday, August 12 Ezekiel 16:59 -63 Resp. Psalm (Is 12) Matthew 19:3 -12 S a turday , Augus t 13 Ezekiel 18:1 -10, 13, 30 -32 Psalm 51 Matthew 19:13 -15

Thank you,

Marie FanFan

Vocation Prayer Merciful Father, you sent your Son into the world to free us from the power of sin and evil. Grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, our Mother of Mercy, many young men will respond to your call to give of themselves in imitation of Christ the Redeemer. Fill them with the light of your Holy Spirit that they may renounce the power of the world, proclaim truth and freedom, and bring consolation and relief to oppressed Christians. Bless our family of Mercy with numerous holy priests and brothers who will offer our world the testimony of your faith and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN

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

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Consider becoming a member of St. Martha’s Rosary Society. Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, September 1st at 12:30 PM in Bethany Hall.

Graces of the Transfiguration We should ever hear the voice of the Father, who touches us, pouring forth with grace, and drawing us inward into unity. The voice of the Father is heard by all who follow our Lord Jesus Christ, for he says of them all: These are my chosen sons, in whom I am well pleased. And, through this good pleasure, each one receives grace, according to the measure and the way in which God is well-pleasing unto him. And therefrom, between our pleasure in God, and God’s pleasure in us, there arises the practice of true love. And so each one tastes of his name and his office and the fruit of his exercise….

Our church keeps growing every year; people come forward to inquire about how to become a Catholic. Some are coming from other churches and faith denominations; some are just curious. Then there are those who are Catholic but have not completed their Sacraments of Initiation. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is here to answer your questions about the Catholic faith and to lead you into completing your Sacraments of Initiation. You must be an adult (at least 18 years old). The sessions will take place in three languages, all beginning in midSeptember: English Parish Center on Thursdays with from 7:30pm—9:00pm and Saturdays (in the school) from 9:30am—11:00am.

The outpouring touch of God quickens us with life in the spirit, and fulfills us with grace, and enlightens our reason, and teaches us to know truth and to discern the virtues, and keeps us stable in the presence of God, with such a great strength that we are able to endure all the tasting, all the feeling, and all the outpouring gifts of God without spirits failing us. But the indrawing-touch of God demands of us that we should be one with God, and go forth from ourselves, and die into blessedness, that is, into the Eternal Love which embraces the Father and the Son in one fruition. And therefore when we have climbed with Jesus on to the mountain of our bare thought, and if, then, we follow him with a single and simple gaze, with inward pleasure, and with furtive inclination, we feel the fierce heat of the Holy Spirit, burning and melting us into the unity of God. For when we are one with the Son, and lovingly return towards our beginning, then we hear the voice of the Father, touching us and drawing us inward.

Creole Parish Center on Wednesdays with from 7:00pm—8:30pm. Spanish Bethany Hall on Sundays after the 8:45am Mass. If you are interested, please call and leave a detailed message at (516) 481-2550, Ext. 314 for Mrs. Imogene Regan.

Living Stewardship Am I waiting for the “right” time to become a good steward? Do I plan to share my time and talents “later?” Today’s Gospel warns those who are procrastinating about stewardship to be prepared - “at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Bulletin Reflection

We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who recognize that giving and sharing are not a burden, but rather an opportunity to experience every day - the deep satisfaction that can only be found by serving in the name of Jesus.

BLESSED JOHN OF RUYSBROECK (+1381) born near Brussels, was a priest and one of the Flemish mystics.

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Courtesy of www.mycatholicsource.com

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Our Fear of Hell Fr. Ron Rolheiser—Week of July 31, 2016 Hell is never a nasty surprise waiting for a basically happy person. Hell can only be the full-flowering of a pride and selfishness that have, through a long time, twisted a heart so thoroughly that it considers happiness as unhappiness and has an arrogant disdain for happy people. If you are essentially warm of heart this side of eternity, you need not fear that a nasty surprise awaits you on the other side because somewhere along the line, unknowingly, you missed the boat and your life went terribly wrong. Unfortunately for many us, the preaching and catechesis of our youth sometimes schooled us in the idea that you could tragically miss the boat without knowing it and that there was no return. You could live your life sincerely, in essential honesty, relate fairly to others, try your best given your weaknesses, have some bounce and happiness in life, and then die and find that some sin you’ve committed or mistake you’d made, perhaps even unknowingly, could doom you to hell and there was no further chance for repentance. The second of your death was your last chance to change things, no second chances after death, no matter how badly you might like then to repent. As a tree falls so shall it lie! We were schooled to fear dying and the afterlife. But, whatever the practical effectiveness of such a concept, because it really could make one hesitate in the face of temptation because of the fear of hell, it is essentially wrong and should not be taught in the name of Christianity. Why? Because it belies the God and the deep truths that Jesus revealed. Jesus did teach that there was a hell and that it was a possibility for everyone. But the hell that Jesus spoke of is not a place or a state where someone is begging for one last chance, just one more minute of life to make an act of contrition, and God is refusing. The God whom Jesus both incarnates and reveals is a God who is forever open to repentance, forever open to contrition, and forever waiting our return from our prodigal wanderings. With God we never exhaust our chances. Can you imagine God looking at a repentant man or woman and saying: “Sorry! For you, it’s too late! You had your chance! Don’t come asking for another chance now!” That could not be the Father of Jesus. And yet, the Gospels can give us that impression. We have, for example, the famous parable of the rich man who ignores the poor man at his doorstep, dies, and ends up in hell, while the poor man, Lazarus, whom he had ignored, is now in heaven, comforted in the bosom of Abraham. From his torment in hell, the rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to him with some water, but Abraham replies that there is an unbridgeable gap between heaven and hell and no one can cross from one side to the other. That text, along with Jesus’ warnings about that the doors of the wedding banquet will at a point be irrevocably closed, has led to the common misconception that there is a point of no return, that once in hell, it is too late to repent. But that’s not what this text, nor Jesus’ warning on the urgency of repentance, teaches. The “unbridgeable gap” here refers, among other things, to a gap that remains forever unbridged here in this world between the rich and the poor. And it remains unbridged because of our intransigence, our failure to change heart, our lack of contrition, not because God runs out of patience and says: “Enough! No more chances!” It remains unbridged because, habitually, we become so set in our ways that we are incapable of change and genuine repentance. Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus actually draws upon a more ancient, Jewish, story that illustrates this intransigence: In the parallel Jewish parable, God does hear the rich man’s plea from hell for a second chance and grants it to him. The rich man, now full of new resolutions, returns to life, goes immediately to the market, loads his cart with food, and, as he is driving home, meets Lazarus on the road. Lazarus asks for a loaf of bread. The rich man jumps off his cart to give it to him, but, as he pulls a huge loaf of bread from his cart, his

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Our Fear of Hell Cont’d Fr. Ron Rolheiser—Week of July 31, 2016 old self starts to reassert itself. He begins to think: “This man doesn’t need a whole loaf! Why not just give him a part! And why should he have a fresh loaf, I’ll give him some of the stale bread!” Immediately he finds himself back in hell! He still cannot bridge the gap. Kathleen Dowling Singh submits that in making a series of mental contractions we create our own fear of death. That’s true too for the afterlife: By making a series of unfortunate theological contractions we create our own fear of hell. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” - (Matthew 5:44-45)

A quote from Pope Francis: “Peace firstly means there are no wars … but it also means that there is friendship between all, that every day a step ahead is made for justice, so that there are no more children who are hungry, that there are no more sick children who do not have the possibility of receiving healthcare. Doing all of this means making peace. Peace involves work, it is not about staying calm and doing nothing. No! True peace means working so that everyone has a solution to the problems, to the needs, that they have in their land, in their homeland, in their family, in their society.”

A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH

-- Audience with children of the Peace Factory, May 12, 2015

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Bishop Robert Barron

This fall, couples that have been married fifty years or more will be honored at liturgies on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Church of St. Rose of Lima in Massapequa and on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at the Church of Christ the King in Commack. Both liturgies will begin at 2:30 PM. Couples may register for ONE liturgy.

We all feel a longing that nothing in this world can possibly satisfy, since it is a longing, finally, for God. The most basic spiritual problem is to seek to quench that thirst with something other than God. We try to fill the emptiness with wealth, pleasure, power, honor, material things, etc. but since the emptiness is limitless, no amount of those good things can possibly fill it. In point of fact, the insufficiency of created things produces in the soul a kind of panic, which drives it to seek more and more of what cannot, even in principle, prove satisfactory. And this in turn conduces, in very short order, to an addiction, a selfdestructive frenzy. If you want a vivid display of this dynamic, look anew at the story of the priests of Ba’al on Mount Carmel from the first Book of Kings.

Registration forms and complete instructions can be obtained at St. Martha’s Parish Center. Registration must be received by October 1st for the October 23rd liturgy and by October 14th for the November 6th liturgy. There will be additional celebrations in the spring for those who may find that more convenient. If you have any questions, please contact the parish center at (516) 481-2550, Ext. 301.

The only solution is to fit the infinity of the desire to the infinite God. Listen to the Lord’s words from the twelfth chapter of Luke’s Gospel: Do not be afraid any longer…. Provide money bags that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven…. Whatever can be caught in ordinary money bags will necessarily be less than what your spirit wants. But when the inexhaustible desire is fitted to the inexhaustible God, then the heart sings, for it has found what no thief or moth can destroy. It has bought the pearl of great price.

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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 cannot 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.

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.

~Elissa Hanson, Music Director

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 Center in order to be placed on the Sick List. Please note the new email address the Parish Center at [email protected] (“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. Helen Zeiser

Nathan (Nate) Harkin

Josephine Esposito

Frances Rasmussen

Paul Peisel

John Muller

Desiree Venegas

Edith Lucchi

Pierre Bray

Sophia Kyriakakis

Peter Johns

Leopold Johnson

Laura-Jean Mauro

Barbara Tranfaglia

For everything you need to know in faith formation, Visit WWW.DRVC-FAITH.ORG

Memorialize a loved one with a leaf on our parish’s Tree of Life, located in the Church Lobby. If you would like more information about this lovely memorial, please contact the

Cynthia Simpson

Parish Office at (516) 481-2550 Ext 301

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.

The Mass Intentions Book... is now open until the end of September

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Elizabeth Griffin .......................................................... +June 30, 2016 Wilfrid Applyrs ................................................................. +July 8, 2016 Lorette M. Fedden .......................................................... +July 9, 2016 Bernadette Hoffman ...................................................... +July 14, 2016 Gerry Hunkele .............................................................. +July 31, 2016

The Bread and Wine Calendar... is now open until the end of September

(Outreach volunteer for many years)

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Why the Master Will Wait on Us The Lord would not only love his creation as a Father, but he would enter into his creation, emptying himself, hiding himself, as if he were not God but a creature. Why should he do this? Because he loved his creatures, and because he could not bear that his creatures should merely adore him as distant, remote transcendent, and allpowerful. This was not the glory that he sought, for if he were merely adored as great, his creatures would in their turn make themselves great and lord it over one another. For where there is a great God, then there are also god-like men, who make themselves kings and masters. And if God were merely a great artist who took pride in his creation, then men too would build cities and palaces and exploit other men for their own glory….

PADRE MIGUEL ÁNGEL RIVERA: Cel. 516-939-7165 / E-mail: [email protected] – Consulten con el Padre Miguel 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. LA EUCARISTÍA SE OFRECE: Por el eter no descanso de Oscar Clara. GRUPO DE ORACION: Miér coles, 7:00 PM, en el gimnasio 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 CATÓLICO: Se r eúne 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: Dur ante el mes de agosto, el Coro se encuentra de vacaciones. Los ensayos se reanudan el 9 de septiembre.

So God became man. He took on the weakness and ordinariness and unimportant man in a very unimportant place. And he refused at any time to lord it over men, or to be a king, or to be a leader, or to be a reformer, or to be in any way superior to his own creatures. He would be nothing else but their brother, and their counsellor, and their servant, and their friend. He was in no accepted human sense an important person, though since that time we have made him The Most Important Person. That is another matter: for though it is quite true that he is the King and Lord of all, the conqueror of death, the judge of the living and of the dead, the Pantokrator, yet he is also still the Son of Man, the hidden one, unknown, unremarkable, vulnerable. He can be killed. And when the Son of Man was put to death, he rose again from the dead, and was again with us, for he said: “Kill me, it does not matter.”

MINISTERIO DE ACOGIDA: Son los que extienden la bienvenida y entregan las hojitas de canto a los feligreses. CENACULO DE LA DIVINA MISERICORDIA: Cada primer martes, a las 7:00 PM en la Capilla. ESCUELA DE LA PALABRA: Mar tes, 7:30 PM en la Iglesia de San Ladislaus. MISA DE NIÑOS Y JOVENES: Segundo domingo del mes. LOS NIÑOS: No se r eúnen en el salón Betania dur ante el mes de agosto. LAS PRESENTACIONES Y BENDICIONES DE LOS NIÑOS: Se r ealizan cada segundo y cuar to domingos del mes. Tengan la bondad de avisar a los Ugieres. EL SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO: Cada ter cer domingo del mes, 2:30 PM en la iglesia. Los interesados consulten con la Sra. Dulce Sepúlveda después de la Misa. LA IGLESIA: PM.

Per manece abier ta diar iamente de 7 a 3

LECTURAS PARA: El XX Domingo Or dinar io (14 de agosto): Primera Lectura: Jeremías 38, 4-6, 8-10. Salmo 39, 24. 18. Segunda Lectura: Hebreos 12, 1-4. Evangelio: Lucas 12, 49-53.

FATHER THOMAS MERTON, O.C.S.O. (+1968) was a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani, KY, and a prolific author. 13

Give us our daily bread

OUTREACH WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY JULY 25TH THRU FRIDAY AUG. 5TH THE OFFICE WILL REOPEN MONDAY AUG. 8TH

It’s time to start preparing for our back-to-school event. We at St. Martha’s Ministry would like to help the children of our community with the tools (materials) they will need to begin the new school year. As always, we depend on your generosity in donating the following items: Backpacks (lots of..) GIFT CARDS ARE WELCOME! Loose Leaf Binders Loose Leaf Paper 3 and 5 Subject Notebooks Marble Notebooks Folders Pocket Folders Cloth bookcovers Erasers Glue, Glue Sticks Pencils Pens Pencil Cases Rulers Crayons Scissors Markers, Highlighters

Catholic Charities WIC 1000 N. Village Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11571 (516) 705-3645

An Immigration Consultant...

We thank you for your kindness! Mrs. Marlene Jean-Baptiste

Ms. Barbara Powell

will be available at the Parish Social Ministry the second Wednesday of each month. The next date will be on:

Co-Directors of Social Ministry/Outreach

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 10:00AM - 1:00PM 14