Funeral Mass - Anna Bello

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Anna Bello on Wednesday, February 5 at 10:00 am. Please pray for her and for her family.

Presentation of the Lord

40 Days after Christmas – in Europe, many families will take their Christmas tree down today. It is the ½ way point of winter – slowly but surely the light is returning.

Many is the secular world call this Groundhog Day – we call It the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord– the child Jesus is brought to the Temple to be dedicated to God.

Surely there will be many little Chief fans and 49er fans rooting for their teams today. And where did they get that? How did I become such a big Yankee fan? My dad. Yes, parents often have a huge effect on their children.

And so it is with religion – Jesus parents – Mary and Joseph - were fulfilling their duties as parents – they were passing on the rituals and teachings of their faith to their Son.

In the midst of all the sadness and all the tributes surrounding the death of Kobe Bryant – one of the top five scorers in NBA history – I have been moved by stories of his Catholic faith. I am often told by parents and children that we just don’t have time for Mass – I have baseball, soccer, basketball. Well, last Sunday, Kobe and Gianna had a basketball game. What did this parent do? – he brought his daughter to the 7am Mass – then they would go play ball. The parent decides what is most important. And it is not sports.

Now two people recognize who Jesus is – the elderly Simeon & Anna – their long life of prayer and faithfulness is rewarded. “Now Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace – my own eyes have seen your salvation.”

This gives us an opportunity to thank all our Simeons and Annas – our long faithful parents and grandparents who have been such a great part of this parish for many years. We are also grateful for those among us who are dedicated, are consecrated to the Lord, especially the Sisters of the Resurrection and the Oblates to the Blessed Trinity.

I go out many morning at 6am to open church, trying to get my eyes to open, and I look across the parking lot and I see that light  on in the convent chapel – the Sisters at prayer 6am – praying for the world and for us.  How blessed we are that they are here with us.

Today is also known as Candlemas Day – a day when candles are blessed. The candle is a wonderful symbol of Christ – it must give of itself to bring light – to bring light to the world. The Christophers say it is better to light one candle then to curse the darkness.

Tomorrow is the Anniversary of the Four Chaplains. On February 3, 1943 during World War II, the Dorchester was fatally struck by a torpedo. A priest, a rabbi and two protestant chaplains prayed with those who were still alive. They helped many board lifeboats. And, when the life jackets ran out, they gave away their own. Without life jackets, they had no chance of surviving. They were last seen with arms linked, at prayer, going down with the ship.   Amid great darkness – they brought light – and so can we!

Funeral Mass - Viola Fitzgerald

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Viola Fitzgerald on Saturday, February 8 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Maria Marquez

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Maria Marquez on Wednesday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Sunday of the Word of God

Land of Zebulun – Land of Naphtali – the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light! What is Isaiah talking about? And why does Matthew quote him?

Centuries before Jesus a man named Jacob or Israel had 12 sons – they became the 12 tribes of Israel. When Moses led the tribes of Israel back from Egypt to the land of Canaan – each tribe was assigned a territory. Up in the north, around the Sea of Galilee lived the tribes of Zebulun & Naphtali.

The children of Israel often went through terrible times. First in the 9^th century BC, the North was attacked – 10 tribes. Many were carried off into exile.   Then in 6^th Century BC – South was attacked – last 2 tribes – and they were carried off into exile.

From that point on – Israel was occupied. But many would not give up hope – God would rescue them – dwell among them again.    Isaiah – where there is darkness, a light will shine.

Now comes Jesus to the land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali – light has come.   And what does he do?   Calls disciples to follow him. In time he would choose 12 apostles – why – the gathering of the 12 tribes of Israel – God has returned – do not give up hope.

All this comes to us from the Bible. Pope Francis has asked us to celebrate the Bible this weekend as a gift to all of us. 

How does one read the Bible?

1)     Like Matthew - Inspirational quotes   - The Lord is my Shepheard, nothing shall I want – even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil.

2)     Many read the stories – Noah, Moses, David, Mary & Joseph – yesterday story of Paul – Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me???

3)     A place to seek direction and guidance – especially the teachings of Jesus. Beatitudes – to love enemies, to care for the poor (when I was hungry you gave me food.

Let the Word of God be written upon our hearts. May we live out these words – become the Living Gospel.

Our Jewish brothers and sisters still suffer. Tomorrow marks the 75^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz death camp – almost 1 million Jews died there. And, we see a rise of anti-Semitic attacks even in the NY metro area.  As Jesus was the light, so must WE bring light where there is darkness.

Funeral Mass - Josephine Bartilucci

We sadly announce the death of Josephine Bartilucci, the mother of our Parish Manager, Gary. The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vito's Church, Mamaroneck. Please pray for her and for her family.

Wayfaring Stranger

Pastor in rural Georgia was visiting a hospital.

A parishioner had just given birth to a child.

He found the young father looking through the glass at his baby.

Baby was making all sorts of racket.

It’s OK – it cleans out her lungs, gets her voice going.

Oh, she’s mad as . . .  saw collar . . . sorry father.

OK – but why is she mad?

Wouldn’t you be mad – one minute you are with God in heaven and the next minute you are in Georgia.

You believe she was with God before she came here?    Yes Father.

Will she remember?

Well, that’s up to her mother and me.  And the church. We’ve got to see she remembers, because if she forgets, she is a goner.

Remarkable understanding of the human person. We come from God and one day we will return to God.

Recently saw movie 1917 – unusual movie making – seems to be one continuous shot. You feel like you are there – experiencing what is happening with the two characters.

But to be inserted into WWI – terrible, awful. One of the worst wars of all: trenches, disease, rats, hopelessness of it all on top of mass killings.

Worst of all, almost all involved were baptized: English, French, Canadian, American, Russian, German and Austrians. The scale was inhuman: 58,000 Americans died in Vietnam – that was a weekend in WWI – estimated 40 million casualties – up to 20 million dead soldiers & civilians.

Human being descended to the level of animals – in the heart of Christian Europe – all supposedly taught about Jesus Christ – and what it means to be a human being.

It is clear that something terrible happened in WWI – teachings of Christ meant so little to so many – led to the moral collapse of society – which continues in our time.

Friday 44 Buses from ADNY, including St. Columba – will travel to DC for the March for Life – largest annual human rights march in the world.

Seems shocking that we must have a March for Life – isn’t it obvious that life is sacred? Human life is to be treasured – it is not a mistake, not a burden?

A purpose – a meaning – a reason to live – and hope at the end:

Toward end of movie – beautiful American spiritual - Wayfaring Stranger

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go

I'm going there to see my Father
And all my loved ones who've gone on
I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is hard and steep
But beauteous fields arise before me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I'm going there to see my Mother
She said she'd meet me when I come

So, I'm just going over Jordan
I'm just going over home