Funeral Mass - Robert Persich

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Robert Persich on Wednesday, March 30 at 11:30 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Funeral Mass - Elizabeth Stein

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Stein on Wednesday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

The Resurrection

Ernie Harwell was the voice of the Detroit Tigers. He would begin every baseball season by quoting from the Bible – The Song of Songs:

For, lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing of birds is come,

And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

There are other signs of new beginnings:

Easter Baskets – the Lenten fast is over – time to eat!

Easter Eggs with festive colors – like chicks, Christ has come out of the tomb

Easter bunnies – spring babies – new life

Easter outfits and Easter parade – new garments received by newly baptized

All these signs point to one thing – the Resurrection.

Amazingly – the one who was dead now lives. How can this be? 

What is the Resurrection?

-         Some say it is a metaphor – Jesus was still alive in their hearts and minds. He lives on in memory.

-         Some – another way to speak of nature after the death of winter, like caterpillars to butterflies and frozen earth to green shoots.

-         Some – his legacy lives on. Jesus will live on, just like the writings of Shakespeare on the music of Beethoven.

Well, yes, but this is NOT how the early disciples remembered it -  They saw him – they ate with him, they drank with him. Come here Thomas – put your fingers into the nail marks, your hand into my side.

You might say – this cannot be true - I only believe in science – there can be no miracles.

Check out recent movie based on a true story   “Miracles from Heaven”

Young Anna has a rare digestive disorder. Her mother Christy is searching for a solution. In a freak accident Anna falls into a tree and is there for 5 hours as they try to rescue her.   Afterward – they brought Anna to Boston’s Children’s Hospital – completely cured with no explanation!

Christy is played by Jen Garner. She grew up going to church. When she moved to L.A., going to church was not part of the culture.  Well, she and her children are back at church each week. Another miracle?

Of course, for us, the greatest miracle is the Resurrection!

-         Where there was death, now there is life!

-         Where there was despair – now hope

-         Where sorrow – joy

-         Where darkness – light.

 For, lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing of birds is come,

And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land & Christ is Risen from the Dead!  Happy Easter!!!!

Reconciliation Monday

Our parish will offer the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) on Monday, March 21 from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. Father Chris and Father Michael will be available the entire time. Bishop Peter Byrne will be available from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Come and experience the Mercy of the Father! Most parishes of the Archdiocese will offer a similar opportunity. Call that parish or check their bulletin to confirm. NOTE - No Confessions scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday.

Funeral Mass - Deborah Jordan

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Deborah Jordan on Wednesday, March 23 at 11:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Palm Sunday

So we begin our Holy Week. Once again an opportunity to remember and live the great events of our salvation:

-          Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday

Truly a cast of characters:

Judas – betrayed Jesus with a kiss

Peter – three times denies Him – I don’t even know the man.

The Twelve – All except John abandoned Him.

False witnesses – willing to lie.

Leaders – not open to the Truth

Pilate – knows the truth but washes his hands.

Soldiers – took away His dignity

Sounds like us from time to time – difference between Peter & Judas – Peter knew he could be forgiven – Reconciliation Monday

Others –

Simon of Cyrene – helped to carry the Cross

Veronica – wiped His face

His Mother – stayed close by

Mary Magdalene – remained faithful

Good Thief Dismas – This day you will be with me in paradise!

Centurion – Truly this was the Son of God.

Joseph of Arimathea – gives his own tomb.

Also – sounds like us from time to time – or, what we hope to be?

Most of all – Barabbas – like us, guilty of sin – but the innocent One, Jesus, takes his place – our place!

Do you want to strengthen your Faith?  Make it a Holy Week! – focus on what is most important – avoid frivolous entertainment and unnecessary shopping and try this: Prayer – Fasting – Works of Charity.   Together let us Prepare for Easter!

Funeral Mass - Joseph Garvey

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Joseph Garvey on Saturday, March 19 at 11:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Funeral Mass - Bernadine Cardinale

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Bernadine Cardinale on Saturday, March 19 at 9:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Patricia Hicks

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Patricia Hicks on Thursday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Francine Russo

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Francine Russo on Tuesday, March 15 at 11:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Nancy Donohue

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Nancy Donohue on Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Gino DiDomizio

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Gino DiDomizio on Monday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Installation Mass

Father Michael will be formally Installed as the third Pastor of St. Columba today (Sunday) at 12:00 noon. He will be Installed by Msgr. James Sullivan, Dean of Dutchess County.

Misery and Mercy

St. Augustine described it:  “Miseria et Misericordia”   Misery and Mercy.   

Jesus arrives in the Temple area and a woman is brought forward – she has been caught breaking the Law of Moses. Jesus quickly understands the woman is not the one on trial here. They are using her. He is on trial. And, his and her life is in the balance.

They mockingly call Him “Teacher.”   This one (notice, no name) has been caught in the act of adultery.

-          Did the husband set a trap, knowing that she would die?

-          - Did the enemies of the husband set a trap, trying to shame him?

-          Either way, a story of incredible malice. The Law of Moses was meant to bring people closer to God, not to destroy them. Further, they now stand as breakers of the Law, because they did not bring her accomplice, who also, according to the Law, must be put to death.

Here’s the trap:

-          If Jesus says stone her, the Romans will come after Him. The Jews were not allowed to carry out capital punishment. Also, Jesus would be abandoning his Mission of Mercy.

-          If Jesus says do not stone her, He will be considered a breaker of the Law.

So, He writes on the ground – what???

Was he thinking about what his Mother could have gone through as she carried Him, if not for His good and decent Father Joseph? Was He writing their sins on the ground. Recall how God with His finger wrote the 10 commandments.

“Let the one among you without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.  One by one, the stones are dropped.   Now, they are alone.

A Spiritual Work of Mercy – Admonish the Sinner – but how?

-          Remember ice skating and having trouble getting up – get on your knees first – get on your knees.

-          Someone accused a playmate of doing something wrong. Started pointing the finger. Teacher said – notice your hand when you point your finger – three are pointing back with you.

-          But for the grace of God, that’s me.

Where are your accusers? – no one – neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”    Misery and Mercy!!!

The Mercy of the Father

In his short story “Capital of the World” Hemingway writes about a Spanish father who wants to reconcile with his son, Paco. He places an ad in the newspaper:

“Paco, meet me at the Hotel Montana at noon on Tuesday. All is forgiven. Love, Papa.”  Well, Paco is a very common name.  When Papa arrives at noon on Tuesday, there are 800 Pacos waiting for him.   The power of forgiveness!

One would not expect the father in our story to be in a forgiving mood.  His son has asked for his share of the inheritance. Normally, the parent would have to be dead!  But the father grants him his wish, and the son goes through everything in short order.

The son comes to his senses, and simply hopes to be hired back as a slave. One might expect the father to refuse to even see him – but no, the father is waiting for him!  My brother worked the 44 in the Bronx for 5 years. My mother would always – always – wait up for him, looking for him to come home.

The father runs out to him and embraces him.  The cloak, the ring and the sandals are all signs that he is welcome, that he is forgiven.

The mercy of the father!

Can you picture the priest sitting there, waiting for you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  He want to extend to you the very same mercy!

You might say – why the priest? Can’t I just tell my sins to God and be forgiven? Or course!  But sin has two dimensions.  Picture a cross.   Up and down.  I and the Father.  But it also goes across.  Sin affects others, the community, the church. The mystical Body of Christ.   By seeking forgiveness in the Sacrament – I am reconciled to God and to the Body of Christ.   Back in Communion.   Can receive Communion.

Plus – I know without any doubt:  I am forgiven. I am loved.  I am a child of God.

So – we will be waiting – every Saturday, and most especially Reconciliation Monday.   Come and experience what the Prodigal Son did – the Mercy of the Father!!! 

24 Hours For The Lord

Our parish will have All Night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament beginning on Friday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m. and concluding with Benediction on Saturday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m. Please come and pray at any time during this period.

Funeral Mass - Margaret Vaughan

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repsoe of the soul of Margaret Vaughan on Thursday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.