Saint Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church

Saint Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church
33 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square, New York 11010-3692
Parish Social Ministry
Interim Coordinator
Maureen Miedreich
Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Richard M. Figliozzi
Faith Formation
Coordinator
Debbie Hurley
Associate Pastors
Rev. Allan Arneaud
Rev. Johnny Mendonca
Rev. Charles N. Srion
Music Director
Jennifer Wells
Deacons
Joseph Benincasa
Frank Gonzalez
Trustees
Dennis Canese
Marion G. Dreyfus
Parish office: (516) 352-0146
Parish FAX: (516) 326-7427
Faith Formation: (516) 354-4554
Social / Outreach: (516) 775-0840
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.stcatherineofsienna.org
Sunday Masses
Parish Membership
Saturday: Saint Catherine Chapel-Sienna Center
5:00PM & 8:00PM
Sunday: Saint Catherine Chapel, Sienna Center
7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM
& 5:00PM (Spanish)
Parish Prayer Life
Weekday Masses
Monday through Saturday: 8:00AM
Parish Office Hours (990 Holzheimer St.)
Monday to Thursday: 9:00AM—8:00PM
Friday: 9:00AM—7:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM—4:00PM
Sunday: 10:00AM—1:00PM
Parish Social Ministry Outreach Hours
(995 Lutz Street)
Monday through Friday, 11:00AM-1:00PM
Thursday, 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Additional hours by appointment only.
Anointing of the Sick
Communal Anointing of the Sick on Thursdays during the
8:00AM Mass. Please notify priest if family member is sick
at home. Emergency Sick Calls: Call 352-0146
Celebrate Baptism
We welcome Children & Adults to Catholicism through
Baptism. Call the Parish Office to make arrangements.
Children: Baptism Celebrated First & Third Saturdays of
each month at 12:30PM.
Baptism Preparation Class: 2nd Tuesday of each month at
7:30PM (pre-registration is required).
Adults: Adults to be Baptized (or Confirmed) are
invited to call the Parish Office for assistance.
Celebrate Marriage
Please make an appointment with a priest or deacon
before making your social arrangements.
Reconciliation (Confession/Penance)
Every Saturday: 4:00PM-5:00PM & 7:30PM–8:00PM
ALL are welcome to join our parish family; please REGISTER
on the First Sunday of the Month at the Pastoral Table after
Mass or anytime at the Parish Office. We invite you to be part
of our Parish Ministry through various groups and activities.
Adoration: Saint Catherine Chapel, Sienna Center
Every Friday after 8:00AM Mass to 9:00PM
and 24 Hour Exposition every First Friday
Miraculous Medal Novena: Mondays after 8:00AM Mass
Parishioners with Special Needs
The Church, Saint Catherine Chapel and Sienna Center are
accessible through doors on right side of the Church where
buildings meet. The Sienna Center is also accessible through
its front doors and has an elevator at ground level for upper
and lower levels (left side of staircase) allowing access to
Church as well.
Assisted Listening Devices are available for the hearing
impaired. Please ask an usher if you need one.
Special Needs Advocacy: Dr. Priscilla O’Connell may
be reached by calling the Parish Social Ministry Office at
775-0840; contact if you have other needs to be addressed.
Mass For Those with Special Needs is celebrated on the
3rd Saturday of each month at 3:00PM in Saint Catherine
Chapel-Sienna Center.
Professional Therapy & Counseling
Family, marriage, and individual therapies, provided by
New York licensed therapists, are available to our parish.
Call Dr. Giuliani, Catholic Counseling Ctr., 631-243-2503.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2015
During Week of May 17
SANCTUARY LAMP
May 16 to May 24
SAT.
5:00 PM
8:00 PM
May 16
Louis & Lillian Honigmann
Daniel Imbrenda - Eva Dodavich
Marie Ceraolo - Clara Cassano
Francesco Mulé & Mattia Baldo
SUN.
Sienna
Ctr.
7:30 AM
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
May 17- 7th Sunday of Easter
MON.
8:00 AM
May 18 - St. John I
Mother's Day Novena
Anthony Furnari, Jr.
TUES.
8:00 AM
May 19
Ann Maloney
WED.
8:00 AM
May 20 - St. Bernardine of Siena
Virginia F. Miron
THURS.
8:00 AM
May 21 - St. Christopher Magallanes &
Companions
Robert E. Currie, Sr.
FRI.
8:00 AM
May 22 - St. Rita of Cascia
Florence Urgo
SAT.
8:00 AM
5:00 PM
May 23
Joseph Pomodore
Robert E. Currie, Sr.- Rosario Cavaleri Dana Castellano - Albert & Madeline Guerra Spano, Carbone & Salvo Families
Robert Boling
For The People of the Parish
Dennis Rogan
Steve Frosch
Mother's Day Novena Chris Manning -Teresa Intranuovo
5:00 PM For the intentions of the Priests of the Parish
8:00 PM
SUN.
Sienna
Ctr.
7:30 AM
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
5:00 PM
will burn
In Memory of: Lucille Paternostro
With the prayers of: Peter & Ellen Palmisano
BREAD AND WINE
will be used at all Masses
In Loving Memory of: Concetta Mason
With the prayers of: Mr. & Mrs. Sal DeRosa &
Family
OUTREACH
Work We Do To Help Others This Week Is
In Prayers for a Dear Friend: William Rottkamp
From: Joseph & Linda Camolli
PARISH ‘IN HOME’ PRAYER PROGRAM
Host Family/Individual
PILGRIM STATUE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA
May 24 - Pentecost Sunday
For The People of the Parish
Dennis Rogan
Grazio & Mario Forgione - Aniello Aquino
Salvatore Impennato
For the intentions of the Staff of the Parish
PRAY for DECEASED and their Families:
Mary C. Heinimann, Leonora Basta,
Rosemarie Krzeski, Gino D’Angelo,
Thomas Carlino, Pasquale Pagano
John Braganza
TheCUP
CUPOFOFPRAYER
PRAYER
The Hanley Family
PRAY for those serving in MILITARY
USMC
U.S.ARMY
Sgt. Patrick Brady
Maj. Thomas Babbitt
PFC Erik Jacobsen
Maj. Catherine Babbitt
LCpl. Michael P. Kelly
Capt. Shaun R. Cullen A.N.G.
Cpl. Thomas R. Kroez, Jr.
M. Sgt. Peter Jacobsen
Sgt. Michael Salemi
Lt. Col. Christopher Congalise
Cpl. Christopher Montes
Lt. Col. Andrew Phillips
Cpl. Joseph Blaikie
U.S.NAVY
Robert Vitale
Esn. Anthony Patrick Huskisson
USAF
ET3 Peter J. King
A1C Phil Gautiere
E3 Thomas Mannle
Lt. John DeBonis
Chaplain Col. Msgr. Mark Rowan
PRAY for the SICK:
Karen Gorey, Anne Conte, Carol Rizzo,
Mary Welti, Rose Pecora, Nicolas Deligio,
Gladys French Rousseau
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
As members of Saint Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Parish, we are committed by our Baptism to spread the
teachings of Jesus Christ by living our faith in loving service to all people. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and through
worship and prayer, we use our time, talent and treasure, to nourish the soul, care for the needy, minister to
the alienated, nurture the children and WELCOME all people into our community of faith.
Scriptural Reflection for the Week
“They [the followers of Jesus] do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in
the truth. Your word is truth.” (see John 17:11-19) And so
this is what Jesus prayed to the Father before the time of
His arrest, passion and death. Once a person has been
called by Christ Himself, once one is baptized, we are with
Him in the world but are not to be of the world. We are not
to take on the ways of thinking, speaking and behaving of
those who have rejected Christ. We are made holy by
means of being identified with the Truth who is God.
And God’s truth by which we are consecrated is His Word,
Jesus Christ. In His priestly prayer, as it is referred to,
Jesus sets forth the identity and mission of all who are to
bear His name. We are set apart to be reconcilers where
others only want to divide. We are set apart to be selfless
in a world that thrives on self centeredness and selfishness. We are set apart to be pure in a world where people
idolize impurity. We are set apart to be just in a world that
says only look out and care for yourself. We are set apart
to worship God and God alone in a world that is filled with
the god of the self. We are set apart to be humble in a
world that exalts the ego. Understanding all this, it is easy
to see why Jesus prayed as He did before His Passion,
Death and Resurrection. And so we now ask ourselves:
Are we more of the world than of Jesus in our thinking,
speaking and behaving? Whose followers are we really?
Camp Sienna Preview TODAY
… May 17th from 10:30am to 3:00pm in the parking field.
Bring the young ones to enjoy a family day filled with fun
and some snacks. Introduce your children to their Summer
Camp Sienna Experience!
St. Catherine Special Appeal Honor Roll
will appear in next week’s bulletin and list all those who
have given at various levels of support. A big “SHOUT
OUT” to all of you for your prompt response to our Special
Appeal. To those who have yet to pledge, please do so
ASAP so we can have our pledge goal reached by the
time the doors of our Church are reopened.
“God’s Saving and Amazing Grace”
at St. Vincent de Paul Parish
Join us on Friday evening, June 12th at 7:30pm, the
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, at our sister
parish in Elmont. This night is especially geared to friends
and family members of active parishioners who may be
searching for God in the midst of some difficult times for
them. Invite anyone you may think of who needs to be reminded of and experience God’s Saving and Amazing
Grace. Music, Scripture, Witness and Prayer will be the
format.
One Final Thought
“Christians are the light for everyone else, for the whole
world. If we are Christians, we must look like Christ. We
must be like Him.”
-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Stewardship…..
Reflection
Jesus is the perfect steward - watching carefully over
all who had been entrusted to Him by the Father and
then sending them all out into the world in service.
May I similarly protect and wisely use the gifts
entrusted to me!
Living Stewardship
We are grateful this week for all stewards in our
parish who recognize that although each of us has
our own unique gifts to share, our mission is the
same - to serve others and help build
God’s kingdom
SACRIFICING FOR
ONE ANOTHER
or “speaking about Parish funding & finance”...
We demonstrate being good stewards of our Parish by
sharing our blessings through our weekly offertory
gift, and as donors of special funding for others in
need.
Mass
AVERAGE
ATTENDANCE
Sat.
5:00 PM SC
8:00 PM SC
Sun. 7:30AM SC
9:30AM SC (Family)
11:00AM SC
1:00PM SC
5:00PM SC (Spanish)
Received by Mail
Received thru Faith Direct
556
205
221
522
596
433
115
Gift
TOTAL
2,556
474
1,963
1,931
2,718
1,602
250
995
1,250
Last Week’s Offertory
Last Week’s Collection Total:
$13,739
Average Weekly Parish Expenditures: $32,000
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR CONTINUED SACRIFICE & SUPPORT OF
OUR PARISH.
lit · ur · gy
n. a form of public worship;
a collection of formularies for public worship;
the celebration of the Eucharist
Saint Catherine of Sienna Parish
LITURGICAL CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
May 2015
(Month of Our Lady)
24 Pentecost Sunday
30 May Crowning
(following the 8:00PM Mass)
31 The Most Holy Trinity
Scripture Readings for
the NEXT SUNDAY. . .
Seventh Sunday of Easter
5.24.15
Reading I - Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-11
Reading II - 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13
Gospel
- John 20: 19-23
For weekday readings visit our diocesan website at
www.drvc.org and go to THE DAILY READINGS
Easter Season Prayer
Lord,
The resurrection of Your Son
has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of being an example to others.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
the will to want to do it,
the courage to undertake it,
the perseverance to continue to do it,
and the strength to complete it.
We ask this through Jesus, our Savior.
AMEN.
THE ROSARY IN OUR PRAYER LIFE
By Rev. Johnny R. Mendonca
The word Rosary means "Crown of Roses". Our Lady has revealed to several people
that each time they say a Hail Mary they are giving her a beautiful rose and that each
complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses. The rose is the queen of flowers, and
so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions and it is therefore the most important one.
The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome
story of our salvation. With the Rosary we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and
the glory of Jesus and Mary. It's a simple prayer, humble so much like Mary. It's a
prayer we can all say together with Her, the Mother of God. With the Hail Mary we
invite Her to pray for us. Our Lady always grants our request. She joins Her prayer to
ours. Therefore it becomes ever more useful, because what Mary asks She always
receives. Jesus can never say no to whatever His Mother asks for. In every apparition,
the heavenly Mother has invited us to say the Rosary as a powerful weapon against
evil, to bring us to true peace. With our prayer made together with our heavenly
Mother, we can obtain the great gift of bringing about a change of hearts and
conversion. Each day, through prayer we can drive away from ourselves and from our
surroundings many dangers and many evils.
The Rosary can seem as a repetitive prayer for many, or a prayer form that is lost in
misunderstanding. The argument is often that it is better to go straight to God.
Certainly this is good, we all should especially in the prayer of praise. But how wonderful it is when we bring along a few friends. God loves family. Especially when we bring
along the mother of Jesus. She knows the way. The Rosary walks us through a
garden of meditation on the life of Christ as written in Scripture.
The Rosary is scripture based and is a very effective meditation, since it relies on
several key scriptural sequences (called mysteries), which celebrate Christ's life,
death, resurrection, and much more. The prayer of the 'Hail Mary' is taken directly from
the gospel according to St. Luke1:28 which says, "And the angel of the Lord said unto
Mary: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Luke
1:41 "And when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting's, the infant leaped in her womb. And
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." Luke 1:42 "And she cried out with a loud
voice and said: Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
The whole Rosary is composed of twenty decades. Each decade is recited in honor of
a mystery in Our Lord's Life and that of his Blessed Mother. It is customary to recite
five decades at a time while meditating on one set of mysteries. The decades may be
separated, if the entire chaplet is completed on the same day. Each Mystery may be
meditated "bead by bead" for every Hail Mary of the decade. Our Holy Father, St. John
Paul II on October 16th, 2002 with the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae on
the Most Holy Rosary has added 5 new mysteries of the Rosary: The Mysteries of the
Light.
The Rosary can be prayed alone, while walking, driving, or working ... or it can be
prayed along with groups of any size ... and almost anywhere. The Rosary is a personally satisfying way to pray, as it proceeds in an orderly fashion from prayer to prayer,
from beginning to end. If it is interrupted for any reason, it can be easily resumed and
completed later. The Blessed Virgin, through various approved apparitions, has
confirmed the effectiveness and the value of praying the Rosary, for the purpose of
converting sinners, giving honor and glory to God, and making reparations for our sins
and the sins of the whole world.
The Rosary is one of several universally accepted, widely practiced devotions of the
Catholic Church, so it brings the faithful together, whenever and wherever it is prayed.
The purpose of the Rosary is to give constant honor, praise, and thanksgiving to God,
who saves us through his power and his grace, and who chose to save us particularly
through his son, Jesus, who will always be the son of Mary, the humble woman who
willingly cooperated so closely and faithfully with him for us, in his great work of
redemption.
Pope Leo XII said, “The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most
efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of
all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying."
Congratulations:
to our newly married couples
for the
We welcome the newly Baptized
into our Christian Community:
Month of April 2015
Carlos & Maria (Gallegos) Diaz
for the Month of April 2015
Mia Victoria Abreu
Jayce Anthony Rivera - Barrientos
Ariana Angelico Case
Samuel Ignacio Gonzalez
Anna Vincenza Gucciardo
Angelina Veronica Ingargiola
Mia Bella Jaime
Joseph Frank Kelly
Stephen Michael Khadaroo, Jr
Agustin Mateo Lemus
Skylar Blue Patricia LoPiccolo
Gabriella Marashlian
Dominic Gerard Mazza
Angelina Jayla Mazzara
Riley Nicole Murphy
Brandon Joseph Quinn
Vivian Lina Sarrica
Francesca Josephine Smith
Jayden Domiciano Vogt
… to our
Faith Community & Parish!
Saint Catherine of Sienna R.C. Church
There are still many
current dates available for
Sanctuary Lamp
Bread & Wine
&
Outreach
Tatiana Carmela Ackerman
Ricky Allen Hale, III
Maegan Ruhwedel
Bre Ann - Marie Sanchez
Shakur Manae Sanchez
Please consider this special way to
honor a loved one, living or deceased.
OUTREACH PANTRY REQUEST
Our pantry is always in need of peanut butter; jelly; tuna fish; canned meats;
canned fruit; prepared spaghetti sauce; juice; powdered milk; cereal;
rice; pasta; soap; toothpaste; toilet paper.
Please keep in mind that regular size items are most needed by those we serve.
This week we are especially in need of:
canned fruit, juice, pasta/rice side dishes
If you, or someone you know, are in need of assistance, please call us at 775-0840.
We are here for you. All information is kept strictly confidential.
Thank you to our generous parishioners for being the “Hands of Christ” to those in need!
________________________________________________
Light of Christ Prayer Group
Please mark your calendars:
Monday June 1st at 7:30pm
Be open to the gifts of the Spirit as Dr. John Palmer
and Dr. Anthony Cuiffo share these gifts during
“Baptism in the Spirit” at the Light of Christ Prayer
Group in the Sienna Center!
All are welcome - bring a friend!!
Monday, June 8th at 7:30pm
Tony Bellizzi will be speaking at the Light of Christ
prayer group in the Sienna Center!
All are welcome—bring a friend!
ATTENTION ALL —
ROSARY GUILD MEMBERS:
Our next meeting will be Monday, May 18th
at 1:00pm, in the Lobby of the Sienna
Center.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME AND LEARN HOW
TO MAKE ROSARIES
Imitating Christ
No one wants to sound silly or become something like a religious nut. If you choose to be a
Christian, you will live, speak, and act as Christ
does—but in your own way. You are who you
are. You are special as you are. At the same
time you are growing into a better, happier, and
more peaceful you.
— from Catholic and Confident
Calling our 60+ Parish Ministry Leaders to
SAVE THE DATE …
SCS PARISH MINISTRY LEADERS’ MEETING
Thursday, June 11 at 7:30PM—Sienna Center
Join us for Updates, New Resources for 2015-16, Planning, Sharing & Light Refreshments
Faith Formation News
First Grade Registration
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EVENING
IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
May Crowning
Registration for children entering the First Grade in
September 2015 will take place in the Faith
Formation Office, Room 102 in the Parish Activity
Complex building on the following days:
Monday, June 1st-Thursday, June 4th
9:00am-12:00noon
And
Wednesday, June 3rd
7:00pm-8:00pm
The child’s Baptismal Certificate must be
presented for First Grade Registration.
Children new to our program in other grades must
present records from previous Religious Instruction
Program, including Sacramental information and a
Baptismal Certificate.
The Confraternity of
Christian Mothers...
will have their May meeting on Thursday, May 21st in
the Sienna Center, Lower level at:
SATURDAY—MAY 30, 2015
Saint Catherine of Sienna R.C. Church
hosts
Crowning of Mother Mary
with
Rosary 7:30PM
recited in 5 different languages
Mass 8:00PM
7:00 PM Executive Board
7:30 PM General Membership meeting
Our guest speaker will be Ray Diaz, a member of our
parish. Ray is a very experienced handyman and will
speak on and demonstrate home repairs for the
ladies.
Please join us for a very informative meeting.
We will have refreshments and all are invited.
followed by a
Candlelight Procession
&
Hospitality
COMUNIDAD HISPANA

SANTA MISA
Todos los domingo a las 5:00 PM, por favor no faltes e invita a otros a asistir a la Santa Misa

BAUTISMOS
Charla pre bautismal: Todos los terceros viernes de cada mes, a las 7:00 PM. Lugar: Mt. Carmel
(pequeño salón ubicado dentro de la misma parroquia). Por favor, hacer una cita previa a la charla durante la
semana en la oficina parroquial con el P. José Luis Tenas. No olvides traer contigo el registro de nacimiento del niño/a
Celebración del bautismo: Todos los cuartos domingos de cada mes a las 6:00 PM, o inmediatamente
después de misa, por favor quedarse a escuchar misa
At Camp Sienna we recognize that each child is a unique gift from God.
We create a safe, supportive, and fun summer environment where every
child can make memories and build lasting friendships.
Join us for our first ever
CAMP SIENNA DAY!
TODAY
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
10:30am—3:00pm
In the Parking Field
(corner of Holzheimer St. and Pacific Ave.)
Come join us, meet some
of our counselors, enjoy
some fun activities and
register your child for a
fun filled summer!
SUMMER
FUN
for Everyone!
990 Holzheimer Street
Franklin Square, NY 11010
June 29th—August 7th
(Closed July 3rd in observance of Independence Day)
CAMP HOURS:
Regular Day:9:00am-3:00pm & Extended Day: 9:00am-6:00pm
Camp Groups:
Kids:
3-6 yrs
2015 Camp Options
Summer is a time to enjoy …
have fun, experience something new, make new
friends in a faith based atmosphere!
Children:
7-10 yrs
Teens:
11-14 yrs
Come for the entire season of 6 weeks
OR
select the weeks that work for you
OR
join us for the day.
Rates: Special All Season, Weekly, Daily
All information regarding Camp Sienna’s prices, enrollment
and deposit policy can be found on our registration form.
If you have any further questions:
Phone (516) 352-0146 ext.403.
Email: campsienna@stcatherineofsienna.org
Camp STAFF
Summer Show
Camp Group or Specialty Counselor
16 yrs and older
Counselor In Training (CIT) 15 yrs
Bubble Soccer
Camp Sienna is inspected by the Nassau County Department of Health twice yearly. Inspection reports concerning
such camps are filed at 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola NY 11501
Catholics for Freedom of Religion
Catholics For Freedom of Religion
www.cffor.org
“Freedom is a gift and a personal responsibility. It is a challenge held out to each generation and it must constantly be
won over for the sake of good."
Pope Francis
Christian Print Shop Wins Case:
A Kentucky court overturned a Lexington human rights commission that had found Blaine Adamson guilty of discrimination by refusing to print T-shirts for a gay pride festival. Demonstrators had protested Adamson's business causing
him to lose his biggest customers and he was ordered to undergo diversity training. The court, however, disagreed. "It
is their Constitutional right ... to not be compelled to be part of an advocacy message opposed to their sincerely held
Christian beliefs," wrote Judge J. Ishmael.
"The court rightly recognized that the law protects Blaine's decision not to print shirts with messages that conflict with
his beliefs and that no sufficient reason exists for the government to coerce Blaine to act against his conscience in this
way," said his Alliance Defending Freedom attorney. ADF also argued that if Christians are forced to violate their religious beliefs, then gay & lesbian-owned businesses will be forced to print messages from groups that they, too, disagree with - something that violates the First Amendment. (worldmag.com, 4/27/15; ADF.org, 4/27/15)
In defense of the Christian printer, a same-sex couple who own a NJ printing company said, "The idea is that when you
own your own business, it's your own art and creation - it's very personal... It takes a long time to build a business...
When someone wants to force you to go against it - that's what struck in the heart. I really felt for him." (the blaze.com,
4/27/15)
A growing slate of business owners are facing fines and lawsuits over their unwillingness to participate in some
celebrations. Christian cake bakers, florists and photographers have argued their professions are forms of speech and
they shouldn't be compelled to participate in same-sex weddings against their consciences.
U.S. Supreme Court ruling 1977:
"We begin with the proposition that the right of freedom of thought protected by the First Amendment against state
action includes both the right to speak freely and the right to refrain from speaking at all."
Upcoming Events:
* Mon., May 25, Memorial Day Parade. March with Catholics for Freedom of Religion, 11am, Setauket Village Green
* Thurs., June 25, Fortnight For Freedom Rally, Chaminade HS, Mineola. Professor Robert P. George, nationally
acclaimed keynote speaker.
A Special Thank You to
Franklin Funeral Home
For the donation of the
Lovely Flowers for Our
Mother’s Day Celebration.
Iraqi nun's visa denial
raises questions for
US State Department
Washington D.C., May 8, 2015 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Sister Diana Momenka, a Catholic nun from Iraq,
intended to visit the U.S. to talk about the persecution of religious minorities in her country – until the local U.S.
consulate denied her visa application.
Now the Department of State is facing questions about whether that action has interfered with efforts to help
persecuted Christians and other minorities.
“Sister Diana represents tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians, forced to convert or die or flee their homes.
She’ll tell us the truth about what’s happening,” U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) told CNA May 7. “Like
thousands of other Christians in the region, Sister Diana is a victim of ISIS,” Collins said in a May 5 letter to
Secretary of State John Kerry. “She has devoted her life to helping other victims and advocating for them.”
Collins, a member of Congress’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, is investigating the rejection of her
visa application. He said the State Department’s actions indicate that it does not believe sharing her story with
policymakers and others “merited even the consideration of her application.” “Rather, it appears the State
Department has chosen to continue to largely ignore the persecution of Christians at the hands of ISIS,”
he charged. “I find that unacceptable.”
Sister Diana, a Dominican Sister of Saint Catherine of Siena, intended to take part in an Iraqi delegation planning
to travel to Washington. She was to meet with the Senate and House foreign relations committees, the state
department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and several NGOs, according to Nina Shea, writing
at the National Review blog The Corner May 3. Her visit had the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.)
and was supported by two groups involved in international human rights.
On April 28, the U.S. consulate in Erbil told the nun that her visa application had been rejected. Sister Diana told
Shea that a consular officer said that the visa was denied because she was an internally displaced person.
Displaced persons are considered at risk of overstaying their visas or otherwise seeking to remain in the U.S.
However, this status is not always a barrier: according to Shea, a delegation of internally displaced Iraqi Yazidis
received visas in October to travel to the U.S. to speak.
Sister Diana had been a teacher at St. Ephrem Seminary in Bakhdida until the Islamic State invaded the city in
August 2014. The caliphate forced Christians to flee if they would not convert to Islam or pay the jizya, a tax on
non-Muslims. Like tens of thousands of other Christians, Sister Diana has fled to Iraqi Kurdistan for her safety.
She has been teaching at the Babel College of Philosophy and Theology in Erbil. She was the only Christian in
her delegation, which also included members of the Yazidi and Turkmen Shia religious groups. Sister Diana’s
visa application was the only one rejected.
A State Department spokesman told CNA the department cannot discuss individual visa applications due to
privacy concerns. Shea said at National Review that “as an articulate, English-speaking Iraqi Christian, who is not
only personally a victim of ISIS but also an aid worker with a broad perspective on the suffering of the Christian
community there, Sister Diana would make an exceptional witness.”
CNA sought comment from Sister Diana, but she was unable to respond by deadline.
Collins said Sister Diana did not appear to be at high risk of remaining in the U.S. beyond her visa period. His
letter noted her previous travels to the U.S. and asked why the state department would bar a persecuted Catholic
nun from coming to the U.S. to speak about her experiences and to advocate for religious freedom. Collins told
CNA that his job on the Lantos Human Rights Commission is to focus on issues of religious persecution and
religious freedom that he believes the U.S. administration “refuses to recognize.”
“Islamic radicalism is real, and so is its conquest of religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa,” he said,
charging that Kerry and President Obama are failing to talk about the persecution of Iraqi Christians.
Pope Francis to star athletes: Don't forget to go to Mass
Vatican City, May 7, 2015 / 03:19 pm (CNA).- On Thursday Pope Francis demonstrated his keen interest in uniting
sports with faith, telling members of Italy's Lazio club not to let training or competitions trump the spiritual essentials.
“Sometimes it happens that a guy or a girl, due to training and competitions, forgets about Mass (and) catechesis...this
is not a good sign; it means we have lost the scale of values,” the Pope told members of Italian sports club Lazio during
a May 7 audience. He spoke to the club on the second of three days meeting with different sports teams and
associations, which have become a regular occurrence since his pontificate began.
The Pope met with United States basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters during yesterday’s general audience.
Between snapping pictures and teaching the Pope how to spin the ball on his finger, the team gave him a jersey with
the name “Pope Francis” along with the number 90. Tomorrow he is scheduled to host the Italian Tennis Federation at
the Vatican, which will bring the three athlete-filled days to a close.
In his speech to the Lazio club, Francis said that despite the many commitments related to sports, “we must also not
neglect studies, friendship, service to the poor.” He noted that there are many “beautiful examples” of athletes,
including famous champions, who despite a rigid schedule have continued to practice their faith and serve others.
Francis praised the club – which is involved in 40 different types of sports – for its focus on different sports disciplines,
and said that in Italy, as in his home Argentina, there is a risk of only talking about soccer, and neglecting the rest.
“Every sportive discipline has its value, not only social or physical, but also moral, since it offers the possibility to
people, especially children and youth, to grow in balance, self-control, sacrifice and loyalty to others,” he said.
Last year Lazio’s main rival soccer team, Roma, also held an audience with Pope Francis. The Pope’s attention to
sports isn’t surprising, given the fact that he is a well-known soccer fan. His favorite team is San Lorenzo de Almagro,
one of the most important teams in Argentina, and he still keeps his associate membership card for the team. As a
child and even as archbishop of Buenos Aires the Pope has been devoted to the team. In an April interview with the
online sports news site TyC Sports of Argentina, Francis revealed that in 1946 he went to all of the team’s home
games.
The influence of sports on the now-Pope have stuck, and so far his pontificate has proven that as Pope Francis,
athletics are not a mere leisure or recreational activity, but also as an active means of evangelization. Since his election
as Bishop of Rome Pope Francis has participated in many events with the educational foundation Scholas
Occurentes, which he founded while still Archbishop of Buenos Aires. An initiative designed to encourage social
integration and the culture of encounter through technology, arts and sports, Scholas began with just a few youth.
Today it has a current worldwide network of 400,000 state and religious schools.
Most recently the Pope took part in a February google hangout session with 7 special needs children who have used
technology to assist them with their disabilities. It was the second one Francis had participated in. Last year’s
interreligious Match for Peace, which is a soccer match the Pope called for in order to encourage global peace
efforts, was organized by Scholas alongside the charitable Argentinian P.U.P.I. Foundation. Pope Francis developed a
friendship with retired Catholic soccer star Javier “Pupi” Zanetti while archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in an audience
with the athlete some time after his election, the idea for the match came out. Zanetti, who was captain of the
Argentinean national team and of Inter Milan in Italy, said at the time that the interreligious match was the “explicit wish
of Pope Francis.”
With Buddhists, Christians – Catholic and Protestant – Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Shintos present among the players,
the match served a symbolic move used by the Pope to promote peace at all levels of society. In his audience
with Lazio, Pope Francis said that true sport always “encourages the building of a more fraternal and supportive world,
helping to overcome situations of injustice and social and human distress.” He encouraged the team to be welcoming,
and to value diverse talents, saying “May your sports club always be an open house, where fraternity and harmony
among people can be expressed.”
DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Biking Pilgrimage
As a way of raising awareness in vocations to priesthood and religious life, Reverend Joseph Fitzgerald, Director of
Vocations, Diocese of Rockville Centre will join Father Marc Swartvagher from the Diocese of Brooklyn and
seminarians Stephen Rooney from the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Dominik Wegiel from the Diocese of Brooklyn
and Steven Diaz from the Archdiocese of New York on a 29-day, 1400-mile biking pilgrimage up the East Coast from
St. Augustine, Florida to Rockville Centre, New York. Beginning on May 17, the bikers will pass through 11 states,
10 dioceses and 5 archdioceses. Dioceses en route are planning special Masses and prayer opportunities for the
bikers. The pilgrimage will conclude on June 14 at the Cathedral of Saint Agnes in Rockville Centre, New York.
Follow the journey by visiting www.biking4vocations.org.
Saint Anne and Saint Thomas the Apostle Parishes
invite you to attend an informative evening on
Alcohol & Drug Misuse
and Addiction Awareness
Wednesday, May 27th at 7:00PM
Saint Anne’s Church (school cafeteria)
35 Dartmouth St., Garden City NY 11530
COMPASSION + AWARENESS + CHANGE
Learn more about this important
issue which impacts the lives of so
many in our communities.
For more information or to register, please contact:
Linda Leone at 516-352-5904
lindaleone@stannesgc.org
Or
Eden Laikin at 516-571-6105
elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov
BUS TRIP
August 8, 2015 Saturday
Pickup: 990 Holzheimer St. Franklin Sq.
Pickup Time: 9:30am
“Spirit of New York Luncheon Cruise”
Angels on the Road is sailing on the Spirit of New York for a wonderful 2 hour luncheon cruise with entertainment and beautiful views of NYC harbor. We then visit Mother Cabrini Shrine & Chapel on Washington Ave where the Saint’s
body was preserved and is on display.
Includes:
Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation, 2 Hour Luncheon Cruise on the Spirit of New York with Entertainment and
spectacular views of the New York City Harbor, Mother Cabrini Shrine & Chapel.
All Taxes and Meal Gratuities included.
Price: $113.00pp
Make checks payable to AMAZING DESTINATIONS
For More Information Call Maryann
(516) 352-0082 or (516) 209-2256
Islamic State's goal is genocide of Christians,
relief agency's director warns
Catholic World News - May 08, 2015
The Islamic State is waging “an uncompromising war for a religious and territorial cleansing of
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
OUR PARISH
Saint Catherine of Sienna
Christians and other minorities in the Middle East,” the American director of Aid to the Church
in Need (ACN) said in a May 7 address to a Hudson Institute conference in New York.
Sarkis Boghjalian said that the Islamic State’s actions and ambitions can be classified as
genocidal. “Today there are no Christians left in ISIS-held territories,” he pointed out.
Although world leaders have condemned ISIS atrocities, Boghjalian said, “there has been no
effective action to put a stop to the violation of the fundamental human right of religious free-
dom; and to ensure that Christians and other minorities are given protection and safe haven.”
June 24-28, 2015
Family Festival & Feast
Days filled with fun, great rides,
a variety of foods and drinks,
variety of music and live entertainment.
More details in future bulletins.
The ACN director observed that the Christian presence is endangered throughout the Middle
East. In Iraq, the Christian population has dropped from over 1 million to about 300,000 in the
past 12 years. In Syria, too, Christians make up a disproportionate number of the 3.5 million
refugees who have fled the country.
DIOCESE & COMMUNITY
“For the Christians in the Middle East, fear and a sense of abandonment is among the greatest crosses they have to bear,” Boghjalian said, calling for effective action by the Western
world to protect the Christian presence.
Knights of Columbus
Twelve Apostles # 5001
Upcoming Events - Save The Dates
Mon. May 18th @7:30 in the Lower Level of the Sienna Center will be a
testimonial for PGK Joe Lannon for his serving the past three years as
Grand Knight . Contact Ray Diaz for details @ (516) 491-1162. This is
open to all.
May 15, 2015
7:00PM
The Diocese of Rockville Centre Presents
“A Night for Vocations”
Live Concert & Adoration
with Audrey Assad
SS. Cyril and Methodius Church
125 Half Hollow Road
Deer Park NY
For details call: 516-678-5800 ext.214
Sat. May 23rd Laying of the Flags.
Sat. July 18th is our Family Picnic @ Lido Beach
Open to all.
Sun. Aug. 9th for our Annual Fishing Trip (limited to 60 persons).
Details to follow.
TABOR RETREAT CENTER
60 ANCHOR AVENUE, OCEANSIDE
(516) 536-3004
Wisdom and Healing Circle
June 4th 9:45 – 12 Noon
Together we create a circle of listening and speaking from the heart.
Join us to learn guidelines and support for healing, wholeness, and
deepening one’s spiritual practice.
Donation: $15.00 per session.
Please call to register.
June 3, 2015
1:30pm
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
For the benefit of the Plattduetsche Home
Plattduetsche Park Restaurant
1132 Hempstead Turnpike
Franklin Square, NY 11010
To make Table Reservations:
Call Wendy Westerfeld (718) 479-0352