Second Sunday of Lent - 2-21-2016

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT — FEBRUARY 21, 2016
“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?”
Msgr. Francis Caldwell, 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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2-21-2016 - Second Sunday of Lent
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.
February 21, 2016
Monday
February 22-The Chair of St. Peter, Apostle
8:30 AM ............. Louis Escobar
Tuesday
February 23-St. Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr
8:30 AM ............. Louis Escobar
5:00PM - Lector: Kathleen Purchase
Eucharistic Ministers: Yolande Augustin,
Yanick Bellevue, H. Lydia Charles,
Josephine Ferrier, C. Nicholson, Sam Nicholson
Wednesday
February 24
8:30 AM ............. Dolores Haska
Thursday
February 25
8:30 AM ............. In Thanksgiving for Evie Josma
Ushers: Rosemarie Allen, Thomas Maddox,
Jim Downey, Jennifer King, Mario Cadavid,
Alejandro Apresa
Friday
February 26
8:30 AM ............. Prayer Service
7:30AM - Lector: Serge Napoleon
Saturday
February 27
5:00 PM.............. Aline Imperial
Eucharistic Ministers: Martha Ann Brady,
Teri Caruso, Virginia Costello, Maria Gonzalez,
Barbara Powell, Dolores Spagnoli
Sunday
February 28
7:30 AM ............. Parishioners of St. Martha
8:45 AM ............. Juan Williams
11:00 AM ........... Lillian Marchese
12:30 PM............ In Thanksgiving for Evie Josma
Ushers: Jim Capriotti, George Leonard,
Carmen Charles, Genevieve Charles,
Joseph Gedeon, Alex Apresa
11:00AM - Lector: Marie Jiha
Altar Servers: Reginald Sammeroll, Gesni Vilfort
Eucharistic Minister: Maggie Austrie,
Solange Bricourt, Marie-Lourdes Charles,
Karleine Graham, Marie Jiha, Teresa S. Davis
The Bread and Wine for the Week of
February 21 to February 27, 2016
Ushers: Bennett Paul, Agnes Duclairon,
Wilner Nestor, Frantz Denis
are offered in Memory of
Alfredo Williams
For everything you need to know
in faith formation,
Visit WWW.DRVC-FAITH.ORG
Requested by
Esther Williams
Thank you for your generosity
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR
T HIRD S UNDAY OF L ENT
February 14, 2016
February 28, 2016
Total English Masses .........................................................$4,331.00
Total Spanish Mass ...........................................................$2,258.00
Total Haitian Mass .............................................................$1,305.00
Poor Box .................................................................................$57.00
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27:1,7-9, 13-14
Philippians 3:17-4
Luke 9:28-36
This information does not reflect the Faith Direct weekly/monthly deposits.
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Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church
546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11553-2145
Phone: (516) 481-2550  info@saintmartha.org
www.saintmartha.org
THE PASTOR’S WEEKLY LETTER – February 21st 2016
~ 2nd Sunday of Lent ~
Dear Parishioners:
RETREAT DAY: Our Annual Retr eat Day for ALL volunteer s will be THIS coming Satur day,
February 27th 2016 beginning at 12:30 PM and concluding with the 5 PM Mass. The SNOW DATE is
the following Saturday, March 5th. Please hold BOTH dates for now! If the weather prediction is bad
for THIS Saturday, please check the parish website and/or call Cheryl (481-2550 x 301) for updates on
Friday of this week!
MANADTORY: It is pr esumed that all who volunteer will be pr esent for the entir e day as we
together make our annual commitment to be faithful to our parochial obligations whatever they may
be. Some 218 volunteers were present at our Christmas gathering on Epiphany Sunday a few weeks
ago. So, we’re hoping all 218 – and more, will be present on THIS Saturday, February 27th (or March
5th). If you are attending, please RSVP to Ms. Barbara Powell at: barbpowell1@verizon.net or call
(516) 486-8341. If for some reason you can’t make the retreat, please email me (see bulletin cover) on
or before Tuesday, February 23rd. Otherwise, we’ll presume you’ll be there for the delicious luncheon
– and we’ll have a nametag ready for you! Thank You!
SPEAKER: Our pr esenter will be Father Gregory Cappuccino, Pastor of St. Fr ancis in
Wantagh. Father Greg grew up here in Uniondale and celebrated his First Mass here. He is an excellent
speaker and we’re lucky he is free to join us for the Annual Retreat Day.
MISSION: Our Lenten Mission will take place dur ing the week of Mar ch 6 th this year! The presenter this year will be Father Anthony Stanganelli, the Pastor of St. Brigid’s Parish! Please keep open
Monday and Tuesday evenings:
th
 March 7 & 8 at 7:30 PM for Mass and Mission!
IMPORTANT: The pr oject to upgr ade the inter ior chur ch lights has begun – as you can see from
the scaffolding! This project will take six weeks – all of Lent. So, just as we are supposed to be under
spiritual renovation during this season, we’re also under a physical upgrading too! That will mean inconveniences. So, as they say, “please pardon our appearance.” We may have to move some Masses to
Bethany Hall. Bingo will probably be cancelled on some dates. And some funeral Masses may even
have to be moved to nearby parishes! Please be patient. By completing this project we will have lighting ten times better than we’ve had – and we will save 70% on energy costs!
Fr Frank
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Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church
546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11553-2145
Phone: (516) 481-2550  info@saintmartha.org
www.saintmartha.org
CARTA SEMANAL DEL PASTOR - de febrero21 2016
~2º Domingo de Cuaresma ~
Queridos feligreses:
RETIRO DE UN DIA: Nuestr o Día Anual de Retir o par a todos los voluntar ios ser á este pr óximo sábado
27 de Febrero del 2016 comenzando a las 12:30 PM y concluyendo con la misa 5:00 PM LA FECHA DE
LA NIEVE es el sábado siguiente, 5 de Marzo.Por favor, mantenga ambas fechas por ahora! Si la predicción
del tiempo es malo para este Sábado, consulte el sitio web de la parroquia y / o llame a Cheryl (481-2550 ext
301) para obtener actualizaciones el Viernes de esta semana!.
MANADTORIO: Se supone que todos los voluntarios estarán presentes todo el día, ya que en conjunto conforman nuestro compromiso anual para ser fieles a nuestras obligaciones parroquiales sean las que sean. Unos
218 voluntarios estaban presentes en nuestra reunión de Navidad en la Epifanía del Domingo hace unas semanas. Así, que esperamos que todos los 218 - y más, estemos presentes este sábado, 27 de Febrero (o 5 de Marzo).Si va a asistir, por favor confirmar su asistencia a la Sra Barbara Powell al: barbpowell1@verizon.net o
llame al (516) 486-8341. Si por alguna razón no puede hacer el retiro, por favor envíeme un correo electrónico
(ver la portada de anuncios) en o antes del Martes, 23 de Febrero.De lo contrario, vamos a suponer que usted
estará allí para el almuerzo delicioso - y vamos a tener una tarjeta de identificación lista para usted! Gracias.
ALTAVOZ: Nuestr o pr esentador ser á El Padre Gregory Cappuccino,Pastor de San Fr ancisco en
Wantagh. El Padre Greg creció aquí en Uniondale y celebró su primera misa aquí. Él es un excelente orador y
tenemos suerte que es libre de unirse a nosotros para el Día Anual de Retiro.
MISIÓN: Nuestr a misión de Cuar esma se llevar á a cabo dur ante la semana del 6 de Marzo de este año! El
presentador de este año será El Padre Antonio Stanganelli,el Pastor de la Parroquia de Santa Brígida! Por favor,
mantenga abiertos los Lunes y Martes por la tarde
 Marzo y 8º a las 7:30 PM para la Misa y Misión!
IMPORTANTE: El pr oyecto de mejor a de las luces inter ior es de la iglesia ha comenzado - como se puede
ver Este proyecto durara seis semanas - todas en Cuaresma. Así, tal y como se supone que debemos estar en
proceso de renovación espiritual durante esta temporada, también estamos bajo una mejora física ! Eso significará que habra inconvenientes. Por lo tanto, como se suele decir, "por favor, perdona nuestra apariencia."
Tendremos que mover algunas misas a Betania Hall. Bingo probablemente será cancelado en algunas fechas. Y
algunas misas funerarias pueden incluso tener que ser trasladado a parroquias cercanas! Por favor sea paciente.
Al completar este proyecto vamos a tener una iluminación diez veces mejores que la que hemos tenido - y
vamos a ahorrar un 70% en costos de energía!
P. Frank
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Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church
546 GREENGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11553-2145
Phone: (516) 481-2550  info@saintmartha.org
www.saintmartha.org
THE PASTOR’S WEEKLY LETTER – February 21st 2016
~ 2nd Sunday of Lent ~
Chers Paroissiens:
JOUR DE RETRAITE: Notr e jour née annuelle de r etr aite pour TOUS les bénévoles ser a le samedi 27 février 2016, commençant à Midi et demie et finissant par la messe de 5 heures p.m. En cas de
NEIGE, ce sera le samedi suivant, le 5 Mars. S’il vous plaît, réservez ces DEUX dates pour le moment!
Si les prédictions de la météo sont mauvaises pour CE Samedi, veuillez consulter le site de la paroisse
sur l’internet et/ou bien appeler Cheryl (481-2550 X 301) vendredi de cette semaine pour les mises à
jour!
OBLIGATOIRE: On pr ésume que tous les bénévoles ser ont pr ésents toute la jour née pour que
nous prenions ensemble notre engagement annuel d'être fidèles à nos obligations paroissiales, quelles
qu'elles soient. Quelques 218 bénévoles étaient présents à notre célébration de Noël le dimanche de
l’Épiphanie il y a quelques semaines. Donc, nous espérons que tous les 218 – et plus encore, seront
présents CE samedi 27 février (ou le 5 mars). Si vous comptez venir, Répondez S’il Vous Plaît à:
barbpowell1@verizon.net ou appelez (516) 486-8341. Si pour une raison quelconque vous ne pouvez
pas venir à la retraite, veuillez me contacter par courriel (voir la première page du bulletin) au plus tard
le 23 février. Sinon, on présumera que vous serez là pour le délicieux déjeuner – et une étiquette avec
votre nom sera prête pour vous! Merci!
ORATEUR: Notr e pr ésentateur ser a le Père Gregory Cappuccino, cur é de St. Fr ancis à Wantagh. Père Greg a grandi ici à Uniondale et a célébré sa première messe ici. Il est un excellent orateur et
nous sommes chanceux qu'il puisse se joindre à nous pour la Journée Annuelle de Retraite.
MISSION: Notr e Mission de Car ême aur a lieu cette année pendant la semaine du 6 mar s! Le
présentateur sera le Père Anthony Stanganelli, cur é de la Par oisse de Ste. Br igitte! Réser vez svp
lundi et mardi soirs:
 7 & 8 Mars à 7h30 P.M. pour la Messe et la Mission!
IMPORTANT: Le pr ojet d’amélior ation de l’éclair age à l’intér ieur de l’église a commencé –
comme vous pouvez le voir par les échafaudages! Ce projet durera six semaines – pendant tout le Carême. Ainsi, comme nous sommes censés être en rénovation spirituelle pendant cette saison, nous
sommes aussi physiquement en rénovation! Ce qui signifie quelques inconvénients. Donc, comme on
dit, “pardonnez notre apparence svp.” Nous devrons peut-être déplacer certaines messes à Bethany
Hall. Bingo sera probablement annulé à certaines dates. Et certaines messes de funérailles pourront
même avoir lieu dans les paroisses voisines! Soyez patients s’il vous plait. En menant à bien ce projet,
nous aurons un éclairage dix fois meilleur que ce que nous avons – et nous économiserons 70% du coût
de l’énergie!
Père Frank
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Pastor’s Homily – First Sunday of Lent © - February 14th 2016
What’s the definition of the expression – “elephant in the room?” An “elephant in the room” is said to be something
that’s “present, but either being ignored or un-addressed.” So, this homily begins by addressing the four elephants in this
room. There are three obvious elephants in the room (in this church) and one “elephant in the room” that’s not obvious
but instead, subtle; elusive; intangible, abstract; yet very potent and powerful.
First, let’s address the three obvious elephants in the room. Who are they; what are they? Any clues? Yes! The three
“elephants in the room” that haven’t been acknowledged so far are: – these large scaffolds around the church (here in the
sanctuary; in the first few pews; and in the center of the church: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you might call them!).
They’re here because the project to upgrade the lighting system began on Ash Wednesday night. And, they’ll be here
throughout Lent until the project is done. So, please “pardon our appearance” as they say. The project will reduce our
energy costs for lighting by 70% and, at the same time give us four times more lumens or light.
These scaffolds come at a good time because they remind us, in Lent, that our spiritual lives always needs upgrading and
restorations. And that’s what Lent is for. Our lighting here has been adequate but it’s not the best. It’s in-sufficient and
very expensive. And just maybe that’s true also of our spiritual lives as well at the moment? The scaffolding around the
church can be symbols for us to address the “elephants” in our lives that we sometimes (maybe often) want to ignore.
The other elephant in the room isn’t as obvious. It’s subtle, elusive; intangible, abstract; yet very potent and powerful
and always present. What’s the other “elephant” in this room – and every other room we enter in this life? Any clues? ...
The other omni-present “elephant in the room” is the Devil, even in church! Just as the devil was present in Jesus’ life,
and even in the Temple in Jerusalem so, Satan is omni-present in our lives. Pope Francis more than any other pope in
recent memory, speaks very often of the real, palpable, visceral and potent presence of Lucifer.
Yet many times, we can become accustomed to the darkness of the devil’s influence in our world and in our lives --- just
as we’ve sort of accommodated to our relatively dark church, till now. We can ignore this un-addressed “elephant in the
room.”
As a church, this weekend we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day but “Temptation Sunday.” The theme of the desert is seen
in the decorations of cactus and snake plants around the church as a reminder that we’re supposed to be on this journey
with Jesus from “Ashes to Easter” through the desert terrain. And in the desert, like Jesus, we encounter ourselves – and
the potential for sin and evil. The older I get, the more I feel the influence (the temptations) of sin, especially as a priest.
And I think, the longer we’re Christians the more Satan tries to get us to either give-up or give in to something or somebody that’s going to take us away from Jesus. It doesn’t get any easier as time goes on, because Satan sees us as more
ripe targets (“bait”) for his purposes.
In today’s Gospel, we hear of the devil tempting Jesus three times. If the Evil One would be so relentless with the Son of
God, how determined will he be with each of us? It’s a reminder that we must always “keep our guard up.” Temptation
is in our world. Temptation, by its nature has some attraction so we have to be strong, diligent and pray to have the
strength to resist desires that pull us away from our relationship with God and others.
Temptations brings out the best and the worst in us. Sometimes we fail and succumb; sometimes we triumph which always makes us feel good and, rightfully proud of ourselves. But always, as the ominous last words of today’s Gospel
reminds us: the devil leaves us “for a time.” “For a time!” Isn’t that always so true! Satan will re-visit Jesus again, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane. And he’ll be visiting you and me again – any moment now! (He’s not like the
“Maytag Man.” He’s a constant intruder).
The classic exchange between Satan and Jesus present areas of life that are the most common ways human beings experience temptation. We're offered an example of how to resist temptation. First, notice that temptations aren’t necessarily
enticements to do evil, but to twist something good for our own convenience. The devil waits till Jesus is tired and hungry. Only then does evil spring its trap. In the 12-Step Recovery program one advice frequently given is to watch out for
when we’re – hungry, angry, lonely and/or tired [called “HALT]. Jesus must have felt at least three of those four feelings. That’s when the devil can get a foothold.
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Page 2 – Pastor’s Homily – First Sunday of Lent © – February 14th 2016
Evil often sneaks into the world when we succumb to a serpentine “voice” asking us to use something good for twisted
purposes:
 So money isn't evil but the love of money can often lead to evil.
 And alcohol isn't evil but the abuse of it is.
 We could say the same of beauty, power, sexuality, credit cards, technology the internet, food and almost anything
else that’s essentially good but could be abused.
Recently, Pope Francis offered this insightful advice: … he said “don’t argue with Satan. Don’t go down that road. Because, once the conversation in our head gets started (between Satan and me) he’s already got a foothold.” Yesterday in
Mexico he told the folks there to be careful not to “dialogue” with Satan because the Devil will bring us down through
an on-going conversation!
Notice how Jesus answers Satan. He doesn’t get into a long conversation as Eve did in the Garden of Paradise. No, Jesus
has a one or two sentence answer QUOTING SCRIPTURE for Satan because he knows the devil is clever and a seducer.
Jesus' “secret” defense is no secret at all: fasting, prayer, and keeping company with the Holy Spirit.
So today, in addition to saying Happy Valentine’s Day,” we can say: “Happy Temptation Sunday.” Why? Not just because we’re all alike in being prone to sin, but because we’re all afforded (in the words of St. Paul) an “ABUNDANCE
of Grace” to say, as Jesus did “GET AWAY, SATAN. Or, as we sang in the responsorial psalm: “Be with me Lord when
I am in trouble.”
By the way, did you also notice – the large amount of yellow “caution tape” around these THREE elephants in the
room? Well, this Lent, let’s roll out and abundance of “caution tape” and construct the “spiritual scaffolding” we need to
upgrade the interior light we desire! Let’s acknowledge the demonic “elephant in the room” of lives and, minimize the
darkness that still exists both here inside the church, and HERE, inside us too!
Msgr. Frank Caldwell
Fr. Gregory Cappuccino
Fr. Greg was born in Manhattan. He and his family were founding parishioners of
St. Martha’s Parish. He was a member of the first graduating class of St. Martha’s
school. On May 26,1973 Fr. Greg celebrated his first Mass in St. Martha’s after
completing his studies at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington .Over
the years he has taken courses in Louvain, Brussels; Loyola University ,Chicago;
The Jesuit School of Theology, Berkley California; Georgetown University; and the North
American College in Rome.
Fr. Greg has served in Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Deer Park; St. Anthony, Rocky Point; St.
Christopher, Baldwin; Blessed Sacrament, Valley Stream and presently is pastor of St. Frances
de Chantal in Wantagh. He has served on the Priest’s personnel and advisory boards. He
served as a board member of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal (Catholic Ministry Appeal), the
Campaign for Human development and most recently finished six years on the Bishop’s Presbyteral Council. Presently Fr. Greg is part of the Diocesan ministry to prisoners.
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MESSE DOMINICALE: Chaque dimanche à
partir de 12h30, la communauté haïtienne se réuni à
l’église pour célébrer la messe. Venez avec votre famille et vos ami(e)s pour participer à notre célébration dominicale. Aujourd'hui, la masse est offert en
mémoire de Therese Francois Josma
PADRE MIGUEL ÁNGEL RIVERA: Cel. 516-939-7165 /
E-mail: frammm@hotmail.es – Se encuentra a su disposición
cada martes y miércoles, a partir de las 7:30 PM hasta las
10:30 PM en el Centro Parroquial, al costado de la Iglesia,
para dirección espiritual y confesiones. Tengan la bondad de
apuntarse con el Padre en el Salón Betania, después de la
misa.
PRIERE : Chaque mer cr edi soir à par tir de 7h30
PM nous avons une prière charismatique à la chapelle. Vous êtes tous invité(e)s.
INTENCION DE LA MISA: Por Alfr edo Williams
ADORATION: Le St Sacr ement ser a exposé les
lundis et vendredis de 9h AM – 3h PM à la chapelle.
Il nous faut une présence à tout moment durant l’exposition. S’il vous plait ne laissez pas le St Sacrement seul. Merci.
ULTREYA: Domingo, 11:00 AM en la Capilla.
ESCUELA DE DIRIGENTES: Cada lunes, 7 a 10 PM en la
Escuela Marianista.
GRUPO DE ORACION: Miér coles, 7:00 PM, en el gimnasio de la Escuela.
MOVIMIENTO FAMILIAR CRISTIANO CATÓLICOS:
Se reúne cada 15 días.
Para información llamar al 516-554-4503 o al 516-965-7311.
MESSAGE IMPORTANT : Apr ès la catastr ophe
du 11 Septembre, l’une de nos sœurs Marie Fanfan a
eu une vision dans laquelle un homme lui disait qu’il
n’y avait pas assez d’amour dans le monde et que
tous les chrétiens devaient réciter le psaume 25. Par
timidité elle ne voulait pas communiquer la nouvelle;
mais, après l’incident de Boston elle a jugé nécessaire de faire passer le message. Elle demande à tous
de l’aider à faire circuler la nouvelle et de prier pour
un monde meilleur.
JUVENTUD SIN FRONTERAS: Cada jueves, 7:30 PM, en
el Salón Betania.
CORO HISPANO: Ensayo cada vier nes en la Iglesia, a las
8:00 PM.
MINISTERIO DE ACOGIDA: Ministr os que extienden la
bienvenida y entregan las hojitas de canto.
CENACULO DE LA DIVINA MISERICORDIA: Pr imer
martes, 7:00 PM en la Capilla.
ESCUELA DE LA PALABRA:
Iglesia de San Ladislaus.
SERVICE SOCIAL: Les bur eaux du ser vice social de Ste Martha sont à votre disposition si vous
avez besoin de nourriture, habits, demande et offre
d’emploi, service d’immigration etc. Contactez-les
au (516) 292-1603 du lundi au vendredi, excepté les
mardis de 10h AM – 2h PM.
Tous les lundis Mr Michael Gibbons est disponible
pour vous aider si vous avez besoin de préparer votre
résumé ou remplir une application pour un emploi.
N.B Cette semaine nous avons grand besoin de boite
de conserve, riz, poulet, viande et pois. Nous vous
remercions pour votre générosité et Dieu vous récompensera pour votre bonne action.
Martes, 7:30 PM en la
MISA DE NIÑOS Y JOVENES: Segundo domingo del mes.
LOS NIÑOS: Se r eúnen cada domingo en el Salón Betania
para compartir las lecturas dominicales.
MINISTERIO SOCIAL: Lunes, mar tes, jueves, vier nes,
10:00 AM a 2:00 PM. en el sótano del convento. (516) 4812550, Ext. 320 o (516) 292-1603 (se habla español).
EL SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO: El 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.
BULLETIN DU DIMANCHE: Pr enez avec vous
le bulletin du dimanche et lisez le. Vous y trouverez
des informations importantes sur votre communauté
votre paroisse.
Per manece abier ta diar iamente de 7 a 3
LECTURAS PARA: El II Domingo De Cuar esma, 21 de
Febrero.: Primera Lectura: Génesis 15, 5-12. 17-18. Salmo
26, 1. 7-8. 8b-9abc. 13-14. Segunda Lectura: Filipenses 3, 17 4, 1. Evangelio: Lucas 9, 28-36.
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OBITURARY FOR ANNE M. SCHNELLER
Please join Bishop Murphy in a Memorial Mass for Rev. Msgr.
Pablo Rodriguez, who passed away Thursday January 21,
2016, in Spain.
Monday, February 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM
at Our Lady of Loretto
115 Greenwich Street
Hempstead, NY. ~ (516) 483-0976
Anne M. Schneller, a Ridgefielder who
ran a library in Uniondale, N.Y., died
Feb. 8 after a brief illness. She was 101.
She was born in Holland on Jan. 12,
1915, and called herself the “Queen of
Holland” as a show of pride for her heritage. She made her home in Ridgefield
and also for many years in Uniondale,
The Hope That Moved the Sick
Saint Thomas Aquinas...poses a problem when treating of the virtue of hope: If someone receives a revelation that he is to be condemned, what should he
do? The Saint does not hesitate to answer: Let him
not believe it, because such a revelation would be
opposed to the virtue of hope, and even if an angel
from heaven brought the message, the certainty given me by the divine virtue of hope is above all the
angels of heaven. God has promised me eternal
blessedness; that promise is as good as actual possession, for I enclosed it within the confines of my impregnable hope. I do not base my hope on my liberty,
so weak and fickle, nor on my limited strength, but
upon the promise of God, his omnipotence and his
goodness.
NY.
She loved to travel and spent many years visiting farflung destinations with her husband and, in later
years, with her daughters.
Her greatest source of satisfaction was being able to
share her love of books with school children, her family recalled. With no formal training, she built and ran
the library at St. Martha’s School in Uniondale NY,
mostly with volunteers and no budget or salary.
At the celebration of her 100th birthday, she received
many gifts and letters of appreciation from her students at the school.
Yet, someone may object that God has promised
beatitude under such and such conditions. The conditions may be reduced to a single one, which was proclaimed by the angels at Bethlehem: “Peace on earth
to men of good will.” They did not say “ to men of
character,” nor “to men of genius,” nor “to men of
good deeds,” nor “to men of great virtue,” but “to
men of good will.”
She was predeceased by her husband Joseph and her
four sisters and brother.
Survivors include three daughters, Anne Schneller
(Michael Bratton), Barbara Carvalho (Wellington)
and Mary O’Brien; six grandchildren, Peter Carvalho
(Elisa Davey), Yvonne Carvalho (Brian Tennant),
Nicholas Bratton (Jenna Rizzo), Emily Diaz, Terrance O’Brien (Anna Skrupky) and Bridget O’Brien,
and five great grandchildren, Joseph and Isabella Carvalho and Niall, Isaac and Reece Tennant.
When Saint Thomas Aquinas’ sister asked him how
to obtain salvation, he answered her with one phrase:
“Will it.” Nothing mor e is necessar y. The pr omises of God demand from us only this one condition.
Will it!
The family included thanks to the staff at Laurel
Ridge Health Care Center for the care she received
during her recent illness. They also cited Meals on
Wheels, Rita Baranick and Luz Rodriguez for making
it possible for her to live her final years in the comfort
of her home.
—SERVANT OF GOD ARCHBISHOP LUIS MARIA MARTINEZ (+1956) was archbishop of Mexico City
Family members asked that she be remembered by
following her example: “Raise a glass of single malt
scotch, share a laugh with friends, and always be kind
and generous to all.”
Any baptized adult (18 years or older), who
would like to receive the Sacrament of
Confirmation at Pentecost, please contact
Mrs. Imogene Regan at (516) 481-2550,
Ext. 314. Instruction will be offered in English, Spanish
and Creole. Classes begin Thursday, March 31, 2016
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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.
LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS—7:30 PM:
Tuesdays-Spanish - Church
LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS—7:00 PM:
Fridays-Haitian - Church
LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS—12:00 Noon:
Fridays, English - Chapel; Mrs. Imogene Regan
LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS—7:00 PM:
Fridays-English - Chapel
Date:
Leader:
February 26th ...... Mrs. Evelyn Sheehan
March 4th ............. Deacon Evenou Saint Louis
March 11th ........... Mrs. Maria Gonzalez
March 18th ........... Barbara Fong Lee
~Elissa Hanson, Music Director
Visit some of our Catholic Websites:
Visit some of our Catholic Websites:
www.therealpresence.org
www.catholicvote.org
www.americancatholic.org
www.ewtn.org
www.presentationministries.com
www.news.va
www.usccb.org
www.discountcatholicproducts.com
www.vatican.va
Golden Wedding Liturgy
This spring, couples that have been married fifty
years or more will be honored at liturgies on Sunday,
April 10th at the Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr
in Sayville and on Sunday, April 24th at the Church
of Maria Regina in Seaford. Both liturgies will begin
at 2:30 PM. Couples may register for ONE liturgy.
Registration forms and complete instructions can be
obtained at the parish center. Registration must be
received by the Office of Worship by March 18th for
the April 10th and by April 1st for the April 24th. If
you have any questions, please contact the parish
center at (516) 481-2550, Ext. 301.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,
and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.
Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being
enslaved by money;
the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only
in created things;
made Peter weep after his betrayal,
and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that
you spoke to the Samaritan woman:
“If you knew the gift of God!”
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God’s Inexhaustibility
By Fr. Ron Rolheiser—Week of February 14, 2016
Many of us, I am sure, have been inspired by the movie, Of Gods and Men, which tells the story of a
group of Trappist monks who, after making a painful decision not to flee from the violence in Algeria
in the 1990s, are eventually martyred by Islamic extremists in 1996. Recently, I was much inspired
by reading the diaries of one of those monks, Christophe Lebreton. Published under the title, Born
from the Gaze of God, The Tibhirine Journal of a Martyr Monk, his diaries chronicle the last three
years of his life and give us an insight into his, and his community’s, decision to remain in Algeria in
the face almost certain death.
In one of his journal entries, Christophe shares how in this situation of hatred and threat, caught between Islamic extremists on one side and a corrupt government on the other, in seeking ground for
hope, he draws upon a poem, The W ell, by a French poet, Jean-Claude Renard:
But how can we affirm it’s already too late
to fulfill the desireso patient does the gift remain;
and when always, perhaps, something or
someone says, from the depth of silence and nakedness,
that an ineffable fire continues to dig in us
beneath wastelands peopled by thorns
a well that nothing exhausts.
A well that nothing exhausts. Perhaps that is the real basis for hope.
For all of us there are times in life when we seem to lose hope, when we look at the world or at ourselves and, consciously or unconsciously, think: “It’s too late! This has gone too far! Nothing can redeem this! All the chances to change this have been used up! It’s hopeless!”
But is this natural, depressive feeling in fact a loss of hope? Not necessarily. Indeed it is precisely
when we feel this way, when we have succumbed to the feeling that we have exhausted all of our
chances, it’s then that hope can arrive and replace its counterfeits, wishful thinking and natural optimism. What is hope?
We generally confuse hope with either wishful thinking or with natural optimism, both of which have
little to do with hope. Wishful thinking has no foundation. We can wish to win a lottery or to have the
body of a world-class athlete, but that wish has no reality upon which to draw. It’s pure fantasy. Optimism, for its part, is based upon natural temperament and also has little to do with hope. Terry Eagleton, in a recent book, Hope without Optimism, suggests rather cynically that optimism is simply a natural temperament and an enslaving one at that: “The optimist is chained to cheerfulness.” Moreover,
he asserts, that the optimist’s monochrome glaze over the world differs from pessimism only by being
monochromatically rosy instead of monochromatically gray. Hope isn’t a wish or a mood; it is a perspective on life that needs to be grounded on a sufficient reality. What is that sufficient reality?
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God’s Inexhaustibility (Cont’d)
By Fr. Ron Rolheiser—Week of February 14, 2016
Jim Wallis, a salient figure of Christian hope in our time, says that our hope should not be grounded
on what we see on the news of the world each night because that news constantly changes and, on any
given night, can be so negative so as to give us little ground for hope. He’s right. Whether the world
seems better or worse on a given evening is hardly sufficient cause for us to trust that in the end all
will be well. Things might change drastically the next night.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who perennially protested that he was a man of hope rather than of optimism, in an answer to a question, once suggested that there are two sufficient reasons for hope. Asked
what would happen if we blew up the world with an atomic bomb, he replied: That would set things
back a few million years, but God’s plan for the earth would still come about. Why? Because Christ
promised it and, in the resurrection, God shows that God has the power to deliver on that promise.
Hope is based on God’s promise and God’s power.
But there is still another reason for our hope, something else that grounds our hope and gives us sufficient reason to live in trust that eventually all will be well, namely, God’s inexhaustibility. Underneath
and beneath, beneath us and beneath our universe, there is a well that nothing exhausts.
And it is this which we so often forget or slim down to the limited size of our own hearts and imaginations: God is a prodigal God, almost unimaginable in the scope of physical creation, a God who has
created and is still creating billions upon billions of universes. Moreover, this prodigal God, so beyond our imagination in creativity, is, as has been revealed to us by Jesus, equally unimaginable in
patience and mercy. There is never an end to our number of chances. There is no limit to God’s patience. There is nothing that can ever exhaust the divine well.
It’s never too late! God’s creativity and mercy are inexhaustible.
Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate
School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com. Now on Facebook www.facebook.com/ronrolheiser
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MOMENTS OF MERCY
Reflecting upon
the Spiritual Works of Mercy
Source: usccb.org
February 2016
As Catholics we take up the Lenten
practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving every year. These practices
help us to remember the merciful love
and compassion that God shows all people. Participating
in these practices, we journey toward repentance with our
community and God and toward the celebration of the
Paschal Mystery of our Lord. We do not make this journey alone. The whole Church prepares for the celebration and together, along with those who are preparing to
enter the Church at the Easter Vigil, we try to live more
faithfully to God's call to be merciful, loving, and compassionate to those around us. Our acts of love through sacrifice and prayer are a tangible witness of God's love to
those around us.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of
the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and spiritual writers throughout history. Just as
Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to
"help our neighbor in their spiritual needs" (USCCA).
The seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are listed below.
After each work of mercy there are also suggestions and
words of advice for living them out in our daily lives.
COMFORTING THE SORROWFUL
1. Spend some time in reflection about why you choose
to participate in the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving of the
Church during this Lenten season. Next time someone
asks you why you aren't eating the chicken on Friday in
the lunchroom, you'll be better prepared to share your
belief in God who is merciful and compassionate.
Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief. Even if we aren't sure of the right words
to say, our presence can make a big difference.

2. Share with someone what your Lenten practices will be
this year. This is not to brag about how good you are at
following Christ, rather, it allows us to each have something of an "accountability partner" so that we can strive
to be a more credible witness to our faith.


Source: www.drvc.org

VISIT THE PRISONERS
(Corporal Works of Mercy)
People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone
has done, they deserve the opportunity
to hear the Word of God and find the
Truth of the message of Christ. Pope
Francis blesses an inmate at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in
Philadelphia in September, 2015. CNS Photo/Paul Haring


Lend a listening ear to those going
through a tough time
Make a home cooked meal for a friend
who is facing a difficult time
Write a letter or send a card to someone who is suffering
A few moments of your day may make a lifetime of
difference to someone who is going through a difficult time
FORGIVING INJURIES
Forgiving others is difficult at times because we do not
have God's limitless mercy and compassion. But Jesus
teaches us that we should forgive as God forgives, relying
on him to help us show others the mercy of God

See if your parish, or a nearby parish, has a prison ministry and if so, get involved.
Volunteer to help out or donate to charities that give
Christmas presents to children whose parents are in prison.



“...Assuredly I say to you,
inasmuch as you did it to
one of the least of these My
brethren, you did it to Me.”
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Let go of grudges
Saying sorry is something we learn as kids, but how
often do we really mean it? Forgiveness transforms
hearts and lives
Participate in the Sacrament of Penance
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
15
Scripture Readings
Feb. 15—Feb. 20
Monday, Feb. 15
Leviticus 19:1 -2, 11-18
Psalm 19
Matthew 25:31 -46
Tuesday, Feb. 16
Isaiah 55:10 -11
Psalm 34
Matthew 6:7 -15
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Jonah 3:1 -10
Psalm 51
Luke 11:29 -32
Thursday, Feb. 18
Esther C:12, 14 -16, 23-25
Psalm 138
Luke 7:7 -12
Friday, Feb. 19
Ezekiel 18:21 -28
Psalm 130
Matthew 5:20 -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.
S a turday , Fe b. 2 0
Deuteronomy 26:16 -19
Psalm 119
Matthew 5:43 -48
Bulletin Reflection
Peter, James and John wanted to build a “booth” for
Jesus and just stay on the mountain where His
transfiguration took place. But the Son of God, the
Chosen One, knew that He must instead keep moving
toward His Crucifixion. We, too, must rise from worship
and do what we can to hasten the coming of the
Kingdom.
Thank you,
Marie FanFan
To thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O 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.
Living Stewardship
We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish
who practice a spiritual work of mercy - instructing the
ignorant - through service to our parish’s religious
education program as a catechist or other educational
minister.
16
A quote from Pope Francis:
“The Church is Mother, and must never
forget the tragedy of her children. She
too must be poor, to become fruitful and
to respond to so much suffering. A poor
Church is a Church that practices a voluntary simplicity in her own life -- in her
institutions, in the lifestyle of her members -- to break down walls of separation, especially
those that separate us from the poor. This takes prayer
and action. Let us pray intensively to the Lord to awaken
us, to make our Christian families agents in this revolution of family closeness that is now so necessary. This is
what the Church has been made of since the very beginning. And let us not forget that the judgment of the needy,
the small and the poor prefigures the judgment of God.”
I am the light of the world,
says the Lord; whoever follows
me will have the light of life.
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.
-- General audience, June 3, 2015
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
cnicholson@saintmartha.org (“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
Leopold Johnson
Edith Lucchi
Bernadette Hoffman
Sophia Kyriakakis
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
Peter Johns
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.
Parish Office at (516) 481-2550 Ext 301
The Mass Intentions Book...
is now open until the end of April
&
The Bread and Wine Calendar...
Gloria Lucy Helm .................................................... +January 30, 2016
is now open until the end of March
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Give us
our daily bread
Social Ministry/Outreach Office Hours
Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10:00AM—2:00PM
(516) 292-1603 or (516) 481-2550, Ext. 320
(English/Spanish/French/Creole)
FOOD STAMPS
First & Third Thursdays!
11:00 AM—2:00 PM
Representative: Pat
Professional Therapy and Counseling
We are currently in need
of the following items:
Family, marriage, and individual therapies,
provided by New York State licensed
therapists, are available to our parish. For
confidential information and appointment,
call Dr. Giuliani at (631) 243-2503 or go to
our website at:
Peanut Butter!
Any variety of rice
Any variety of meats (1-2 pounds)
Any variety of beans
http://www.thecatholiccounselingcenter.net
Help keep our pantry stocked. Please
remember to keep us in mind when
you do your grocery shopping. It is
only through your generosity that we
are able to help those in need.
Mondays from 10:00AM-2:00PM, in Outreach, Mr. Michael Gibbons will be available
to assist with resumes and job applications,
as well as online job applications. You can
stop by or call (516) 292-1603 for an appointment.
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