The Church of St. Christopher

130 Midland Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10306

Parish Office: (718) 351-2452

Fax: (718) 351-1174

Office Hours: Monday - Friday,

9:30am - 4:00pm

Web: www.stcstmmsi.org

The Church of

St. Christopher and

St. Margaret Mary

March 26th 2017 - Fourth Sunday of Lent

The Church of St. Margaret Mary

560 Lincoln Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10306

Church Office: (718) 351-2612

Fax: (718) 987-0446

Office Hours: Monday - Friday,

9:30am - 2:30pm

Web: www.stcstmmsi.org

Rev. Joseph M. McLafferty, Pastor

Rev. John P. DeLora, SIUH Chaplain, in residence

Rev. Edgar Devina, in residence

Rev. John A. Boehning, Weekend Celebrant

Rev. Deogracias Lingao, Weekend Celebrant

Deacon Patrick Graham

MASSES Monday - Friday: St. Christopher …… 9:00am St. Margaret Mary ... 8:00am

Monday: Island Shores ….….. 10:30am, Residents Mass

Saturday: St. Christopher ….… 9:00am and 4:30pm (Vigil)

Sunday: St. Christopher ….… 9:15am, 12:00pm and 7:00pm St. Margaret Mary ... 8:00am and 10:30am

Holy Days of Obligation ……………… as announced

CONFESSION Saturday: St. Christopher ….... 1:30pm - 2:30pm Otherwise by appointment; call ……… (718) 351-2452

BAPTISMS By appointment. Interviews of parents seeking baptism for their

children are arranged by calling the Parish Office; (718) 351-2452.

MARRIAGES By appointment with one of the priests at least six months in

advance of the wedding date. Please contact the Parish Office for further information; (718) 351-2452.

SICK CALLS Please call the Parish Office; (718) 351-2452.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Monday - Friday: St. Christopher …… 12:00pm - 4:30pm

Coordinators: Barbara Fiore (917) 593-4743 or Terry Warner (718) 979-0258

NEW PARISHIONERS All new parishioners are invited to register at the Parish Office

and to participate in our parish life.

ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL 15 Lisbon Place, 10306 (718) 351-0902

Mrs. Catherine Falabella, Principal

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION and RCIA 560 Lincoln Avenue, 10306 (718) 351-2119

Mrs. Barbara Regan, Coordinator

PARISH CENTER 136 Midland Avenue, 10306

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, Mar 25th 9:00am (C) 4:30pm (C) Sunday, Mar 26th 8:00am (M) 9:15am (C) 10:30am (M) 12:00pm (C) 7:00pm (C) Monday, Mar 27th

8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Tuesday, Mar 28th 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C)

Wednesday, Mar 29th

8:00am (M)

9:00am (C) Thursday, Mar 30th 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Friday, Mar 31st 8:00am (M) 9:00am (C) Saturday, Mar 1st 9:00am (C) 4:30pm (C) Sunday, Mar 2nd 8:00am (M) 9:15am (C) 10:30am (M) 12:00pm (C) 7:00pm(C)

Elizabeth Gorman Raymond & Filippa Faulkner & Leon Hill Frank Illuzzi Dec’d Mem of Dockter & Mezzano Fam Kelly Cunningham Carmen Santore Thomas Delahanty Daniel Miller Msgr. James Malley For our Parishioners Giuseppe Iemma Michael Newell (dec’d) Thomas E. Delahanty Intentions of Mary Elizabeth, Philip and James Carney Faith Kettyle

For our Elected Officials St Anthony “in thanksgiving” Harriet McGuire Blanche Cesario Joan Hayes Irene, Theresa & Albert Marra George Delmar Christophe Fahy Donald Catalano

(C) St. Christopher Church (M) St. Margaret Mary Church

PRAY FOR OUR SICK “... touch only the tassel on his cloak,

and as many as touched it were healed.” Mark 6:56

NOTE: Those in bold were added this week.

Carol Albunio Daniel Arnone Ashley Benedetto Ann Basso Frank Cacisa Marie Cassitto Paul Cigliano Sal Cigliano Terence Crowley Joseph David Mary Graham Delmar Edwina Dunne Carmella Galati Falcone Brendan Fitzpatrick Marie Flannery Frank Gillick Kathleen Gillick Katie (Owens) Heyde

Cornelius Keane Shannon Klatt Michael Leone Nicholas Lombardi Jake LoNigro Diego Lopez Baby Milo Maggiore Richard Malanga Delia Mandia Delia Mayott Anne McGovern Timmy Mohin Frank O’Donnell Matthew Onorato Grace Parker Judy Paul

Robert Pisano Franco Poire Thomas Puleo Steven Rivera Amy Rubin Ryan Ryszetnyk Robert Sabatino, Sr. Grace Sasanelli Angelo Savarino Alexis Savattere Phyllis Savattere Rosalee Savattere Joseph Scalzo Eleanor Shields Helen St. John Linda Vargas Janet Viso Alice Wilson

REFLECTION

MARCH 26, 2017 4th SUNDAY OF LENT

"Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him." The prevailing theology of Jesus' time led people to believe that any kind of disability was a punishment from God. So Jesus' disciples assumed that the man born blind suffered that affliction because of someone's sin: either his parents' or his own. But Jesus sets the record straight. Not only did he reject the idea that the blindness was a punishment for sin; he also went so far as to suggest that this very trial was an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. And sure enough, it was. Jesus worked a miracle of healing for the man who followed his directions and "came back able to see." So it was that the "works of God" became "visible" through a man who was blind! But, ironically, not everyone had the eyes to see the mira-cle. The Gospel tells us that "there was a division among them" as they debated whether this remarkable healing was really an act of God. Jesus stated that he came "so that those who do not see might see." And so, who are we? Are we blinded by our own expectations of how God is supposed to work? Are we so caught up in our own vision of what we wish would happen that we fail to appreciate what is actually unfolding before our very eyes? It is so easy to perceive trials, disabilities, sickness, and misfortune as a curse or the result of being abandoned by God. But today's Gospel suggests another reality. In the midst of these very difficulties, God wants to reveal him-self, to show his love and mercy. It may not always be in the exact way we expect, but without a doubt, even in these challenging realms, God is always at work.

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest com-forter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your

hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Join us each weekday for Adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Eucharistic adoration is observed from 12:00 Noon to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday in St. Christopher Church. Please try and find some time in your day to visit and pray. We are always in need of more people for a visit because the Blessed Sacrament cannot be left unattended. If you are interested in signing up for a specific time please call the rectory.

MEMBERS IN THE SERVICE

Please remember the following members of our Parish Family currently serving in the US Armed Forces.

ARMY Major Suzanne L. Jones, DDS,ABGD,FAGD NAVY Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Matthew Gardiner Max Davidson, Navy Fighter Pilot Benny Davidson, Submarine Officer AIR FORCE Master Sgt. Elisa Nickolic MARINES PFC Vincent P. Gennaro Master Gunnery Sgt. Frederic Zeyer PFC Denis Hugh Corrigan, Jr.

If you have a family member who is an active duty military member please notify Peggy Rybarczyk (718) 351-2452 of their name, rank and branch so we can add them to our prayer list.

2017 CARDINAL’S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPEAL

Our Goal of $64,000 is within reach but we all must do our part. With 6 weeks in, we are at 39% of our goal. If you haven’t sent in your pledge, please consider doing so this week. During this season of Lent, could you consider a sacrificial donation?

“… A TIME TO MOURN …” - Ecclesiastes 3:4

Pray for the soul of Fr. James Clark and his family. “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” - John 11:25-26

FOR THE WEEK OF March 26th

At St Christopher Church the Bread and Wine are being offered for

Faith Kettyle

YOUR ENVELOPE COUNTS

Mar. 12, 2017 $6,506 - 1st Collection

$1,428 - School Support

Thank you for your continuing generosity

GOLDEN CROSS FOR EDUCATION

Please join in prayer and celebration as we honor the individuals who have supported Staten Island Catholic Schools at the Golden Cross for Education-Award Breakfast. Sunday, April 23rd, Mass at 8:15am at St. Charles, followed by the award breakfast at the Excelsior Grand from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The 2017 Honorees will be NYS Assemblyman Michael Cusick for his sponsorship of the Tax Credit Bill and the Rev. Msgr. Peter G. Finn, for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Staten Island Catholic elementary schools. Nominees from each of the 22 Catholic elementary schools will receive the Outstanding Catholic Community Award. Tickets are $37 each or $350 for a table of ten. For more information visit our website at

IF EVERYONE WOULD SMILE

Ever buy on the internet? Of course you do. Ever use Amazon to find a gift or something you need or want? Of course you do. Did you know that if you used Amazon Smile instead of Amazon, then St Christopher’s School could receive a donation, a part of your purchase. All you need to do is to open Amazon and follow the prompts. If you have any problems in setting this up, give me a call and I’ll walk you through it. That’s it - now your donat-ing the easy way!

Each week we will try and bring our parishioners ways to earn cash for the school or the church with little to no effort, but a big payback!

LEGION OF MARY

The Legion of Mary will be having their Consecration of Our Blessed Mother (THE ACIES) Sunday, March 26th at 3pm at St. Teresa’s Church, 1634 Victory Blvd.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Refreshments will follow.

COUPLES CELEBRATING THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARYIN 2017

You are invited to attend the Annual Golden Wedding Jubilee Mass with Cardinal Dolan at the Cathedral of St Patrick, Sunday, June 11 at 2:00pm. Contact our Parish Secretary for registration before May 12th.

ST. JOHN VILLA ACADEMY

Come see the musical “9 to 5” on Apr 6, 7, and 8 @ 7:00pm in the Gym. Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For further information call Irma Cruz at 718-442-6240 ext 170 or email at icruz@sjva.org.

$-

$10,000.00

$20,000.00

$30,000.00

$40,000.00

$50,000.00

$60,000.00

$70,000.00

Start Week #1 Week #2 Week #3 Week #4 Week #5 Week #6 Week #7 Total

Cardinal's Appeal

Progress to Goalof $64,000.00

Cardinal's Appeal Pledge Totals Goal

INTO THY HANDS…. A WOMEN’S DAY OF RECOLLECTION

Placing all our struggles, concerns, all we hold dear, and our very selves into the hands of OUR LOVING FATHER.

When: April 8 from 10am to 3pm Where: Notre Dame Academy HS, Arts and Humanities Building

134 Howard Avenue Mass celebrated by Fr David Rider

Cost: $25 - checks made payable to Notre Dame Academy

Presentations by Catholic Mental Health Professionals: Laura Parisi, LMHC; Valentina Diglio, Psy.D and Connie Salhany,

Ph.D., ACT

RSVP and any questions please call Cognitive Therapy of S.I. @ (347-273-1290 or email at “info@cognitivetherapysi.com”

MONSIGNOR FARRELL HIGH SCHOOL 2900 Amboy Road, S.I., NY 10306

(718) 987-2900

Save the dates - Msgr Farrell High School Summer Camps

Sports Camps

Basketball - Boys only - Grades 5 to 10 Session I July 10 - 14 Session II July 17 - 21

Football - Boys only - Grades 5 to 9 July 10 - 14

Soccer - Boys and Girls - Grades 5 - 10 July 10 - 14

Lacrosse - Boys only - Grades 5 - 10 July 17 - 21

Wrestling - Boys only - Grades 1 - 12 July 10 - 14

Track & Field - Boys only - Grades 4 - 12 July 17 - 21

Academic Camps

Robotics - Boys and Girls - Grades 5 - 10 July 17 - 21

Computer Animation - Boys and Girls - Grades 5-10 July 10 - 14

Register at “www.msgrfarrellhs.org”

STATIONS OF THE CROSS The Stations of the Cross will be venerated every Friday during this Lenten season at both churches. At St. Christopher’s they will start at 4:00pm and at St. Margaret Mary’s they will start at 7:30pm. Come and pray with us.

SPRING SPRUCE-UP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Like any household, our St. Christopher and St. Margaret Mary’s home needs a Spring Sprucing Up.

On Saturday, April 8th from 10:00am to approximately 4:00pm Faith Formation will be sponsor-ing a “Spring Spruce-Up”.

There’s a large assortment of things to do both inside and outside the churches, like: polishing the pews, cleaning the kneelers, dusting, grounds weeding and planting, ...

It can actually be a fun day for the whole family. Spend an hour or two or the entire day. Any time is appreciated.

There’s a Spring Spruce-Up Sign Up Sheet in the rear of the Church, on the Bulletin Board. For information call Staci Memmesheimer at (917) 921-8945.

With your help, we can make our Church sparkle!

THE JANE B. THOMPSON PRO-LIFE ESSAY CONTEST

This contest is for High School and 7th & 8th

Grade Students. The essay should be on abortion, euthanasia, infanticide or stem cell research. Mail original essay, keeping a copy, on or before April 1st to:

The Staten Island Right to Life League Inc.

P.O. Box 60520 Staten Island, NY 10306

Winners in each of three categories will receive $100 First Place prize. The categories are: 1. 7th & 8th Grade Students 2. H.S. Freshmen & Sophomores 3. H.S. Juniors & Seniors For more information call (646) 662-3914 GOOD LUCK!

PALM FOR DISTRIBUTION

We are now preparing for Holy Week and are seeking donors to assist with the purchase of bags of palm. Each bag is $40. Please see either Peggy or Alfa in the Office if you are interested in this unique offering.

ARCHDIOCESE OF N.Y. MEN’S CONFERENCE

Save the date - Saturday April 1, 2017 from 11:00am to 5:30pm at St. Joseph’s Seminary, in Yonkers, N.Y.

To register, or learn more visit “www.archnymensconference.eventbrite.com”

CAMP VERITAS

Camp Veritas is a one week play and pray sleep away summer camp for teens going to the 7th - 12th grades. It will be held at three locations July 16 - 22 at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, July 23 -29 at Summit Lake Camp in Emmitsburg, MD and August 13 - 19 at Camp Lakota in Wurtsboro, NY. Enrollment is open now at $450 per camper. There is an Early Bird rate of $400 provided you register and pay in full by April 1, 2017. There is no additional charge for the dance and basketball programs given only at Mount Saint Mary College only.

Interested volunteers are needed and will go free of charge (all volunteers must be 18 years old). More information can be found at www.campveritas.com.

MSGR FARRELL HOLY NAME SOCIETY

The Holy Name will be hosting the Fifth Annual Fr John Comiskey Memorial Mile on Sunday April 2nd at Msgr Farrell HSWe are asking all former students to attend this event in order to honor this stellar educator, who dedicated over 40 years of service to our school and the community. Anyone interested in participating in this event should go to www.tinyurl.com/5thcomiskeymemorialmile to register. Hope to see you all there.