Archbishop Dolan and the Governor met yesterday trying to work out a compromise to the mosque, unfortunately the most important party was missing, the people of the mosque themselves. Last Sunday Arch. Dolan was in Staten Island saying Mass in Spanish, trying to reassure the Mexicans who have been under attack there. Good for him. The other day the Archbishop went to visit Covenant House, which is a charity here in NYC that caters for the most venerable of our children, those who run away from home and get afoul of the law, who get in a spot of trouble and have to deal with courts. In Ireland I was doing similar challenging work that is why the visit by the Archbishop registered with me. As far as I am concerned the Archbishop could not give support to a more deserving and praiseworthy apostolate.

We celebrated the memory of Mother Theresa last Thursday and the Empire State Building refused to honor her, but we certainly did by celebrating Mass in her honor and memory. Mother Theresa still holds a special place in our hearts for her goodness, generosity and great love for the poorest. She bore witness to the love of God that transcends all limitations and barriers. If there was one shining symbol of God’s compassion was Mother Theresa. In this Sunday gospel Jesus exhorts his followers to do things for nothing, just for the love of God and not for lucre or profit. I cannot think of anyone better than Mother Theresa at doing precisely that. Maybe we should try and introduce a bit of this generosity in our little lives.

Sometimes there are simple occurrences that make me pause and reflect. An elderly parishioner brought to me a nice cake and some fruits and when I looked at the bananas they were gorgeous. Now the elderly lady lives in the neighborhood and buys stuff at the same shops that I do how come her fruit seems much better than mine? Because I am too fast and careless and don’t know how to select properly. Maybe it is high time that I start putting more diligence in how I spend my money, in how I purchase my things, spend more time in the shop instead of in and out as I do, show more care; there is product and product.

I wanted to cook for myself Saturday evening a dish of simple spaghetti with tomatoes and instead of using a tin I wanted to use real tomatoes. I had the spaghetti and the onions but I didn’t have the tomatoes so I went to Gourmet to buy some tomatoes only. But once I was there I almost bought the entire store. It always works out like that. And I was at the counter telling this story to the girl and she thought it was funny and my bill came to 102 dollars, which by my standards is a very big bill and I was taking my purse out to pay. I always use cash. It is the safest way because if you have money you buy whatever and if I don’t have it you don’t go shopping. Period. I am not into credit cards somehow. I was just doing that when a gentleman, a parishioner, whom I knew well, stepped forward and said to the girl: I’ll take care of it. I don’t think I was wearing my collar, so I don’t know whether she knew I was a priest, but she may have suspected it because she was not surprised or taken aback and when he offered his credit card she swiped it even before I could say thank you. I was there with my mouth agape and frozen as if time stood still. Of course I thanked him and blessed him deeply moved. What can I say!!

Nobody likes to be told what to do, so when I asked a couple soon to be married that they had to attend a Pre-Cana course the young man was annoyed. What for and all that jazz. Rules are rules. So they selected a course and joined the many couples in attendance, from like 9am to 3pm etc. I was later told by the woman that her fiancé at the end of the meeting came out with this sentence: Wow! That was most interesting and enjoyable. Now, wouldn’t you want to murder him, she said.

A friend of mine has given me a mountain bike and a helmet so that we could go cycling together in the park. Our park is so uneven and there are two steep hills and quite lengthy. Jogging is so boring, so slow, so hard on your joints, whereas biking can be fun. The last time I was walking in the park I noticed how the bikes have multiplied. There used to be many roller blades but seem to have disappeared. Instead now everybody in on bikes, hundreds of them. It took us a good half hour to do the six miles loop taking it easy. Up those hills is a good cardio. You huff and puff and feel like spitting your lungs out. I was very careful downhill. Lots of sweat. Lots of fun. Something new to do.

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Bulletin for August 29, 2010

by admin on August 26, 2010

Sunday: 5:30PM Vigil Mass $318; Sunday 8:30AM $210; 10:00AM $387; 11:00AM $576; 12:30PM $602; 8:00PM $324; Week Masses $533; Total $2950 – Thanks!

–We were informed that Archbishop Dolan will host two barbecues for priests at St. Joseph Seminary. One on Monday August 30 and another on Thursday September 2, from 1 to 3pm. We can wander the grounds or sit under a tree if you wish, but for your comfort, tables and chairs will be set up in the air-conditioned gymnasium. Cooking will be done on the terrace, and all priests are most welcome to come and enjoy the refreshments and the company.

The message said: If you plan to come, please tell us your name and which of the days you will be with us. Since ordering must be done this Monday, for the best hospitality your prompt reply will be appreciated.  Please know that we realize that some priests are on vacation, and some will not see this at all. Everyone who comes will be welcome. If just helps a lot to have an approximate number to prepare for.

–Thirteen years after her death, the impact of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta’s work and prayer is still felt around the world. Mother Teresa would have turned 100 Aug. 26. The order she started 60 years ago — the Missionaries of Charity — continues its outreach to the “poorest of the poor.” Her spiritual life also continues to gain attention as her sainthood cause progresses.

–Catholics in the United States will begin using the long-awaited English translation of the Roman Missal on the first Sunday of Advent in 2011, Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago said Aug. 20.
The cardinal’s announcement as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops marks the formal beginning of a more than 15-month period of education and training leading to the first use of the “third typical edition” of the Roman Missal at English-language Masses in the United States on Nov. 27, 2011.

–The United States has a duty to leave behind peace, not chaos, when troops are finally withdrawn from Iraq, said Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad.

–While underlining its condemnation of “the horror” of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, the Vatican welcomed as “good news” the imminent end of a lawsuit against the Holy See in a U.S. court.
The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told journalists Aug. 10 that “the Holy See is satisfied to hear the news” that a lawsuit in a U.S. court against the Vatican was being dropped by the plaintiffs.

Three men in Louisville, Ky., filed a motion Aug. 9 requesting a federal judge drop their case. The men, who were abused by priests in the Archdiocese of Louisville, filed a suit against the Vatican in 2004 claiming it was liable for actions by bishops in failing to prevent sexual abuse by priests. They argued that the bishops who supervised the abusive priests were employees of the Holy See. However, the men’s attorney, William F. McMurry, told media outlets that because an earlier court ruling recognized the Vatican’s sovereign immunity, he was going to drop the lawsuit. A judge must now rule whether the case can be dismissed, but lawyers for both sides told The Associated Press it had virtually ended.

–You may have heard on the news that in Chile a group of miners were found alive inside a mine which had collapsed 17 days earlier. Their survival was due to them eating two spoonful of tuna and drops of water every two days. Obviously now they will be kept alive through the hole they have drilled. But the thought that it could be months before they are actually rescued is so scary that I cannot even wrap my mind around it. I have some feelings for them for I was in Chile in 1991 or  92 to learn a bit of Spanish for two and half months. And at one stage I was brought to visit the copper mines. Chile has some of the best copper mine in the world. I don’t know whether I visited the same mine where the accident occurred but I was taken on an extensive tour of it, right down into the earth and I saw how they extract the copper. I was even present when a dynamite charge was lit. In fact when the bishop found out that I was a priest from New York he wanted me to stay and become the senior chaplain to the Copper  Mine. It is a big industry with thousands and thousands of miners.

–Tiger Woods is now a free a man after having divorced his wife. Apparently she hated even being called Mrs. Woods. They have joint custody of the children and she got something like 100 million dollars in severance pay or whatever. It will be interesting to see now what kind of a man he is, what kind of turn he takes towards redemption or back to the freewheeling ways of yester year. We shall see whether the new freedom will restore his golfing skills?

–The flood in Pakistan have been apocalyptic. They talk of 40 million people affected by this natural disaster.  Here in US we don’t seem able to summon much enthusiasm for that country perhaps understandably knowing how much trouble it has created for us by harboring and supporting terrorists and even maybe sheltering Osama Bin Laden. I was hearing from Irish friends that over there they held Sunday collections in all the churches in Ireland for Pakistan and they collected an enormous amount of money. Like we did here for Haiti. See how politics color everything and of course it is always the poor to suffer.

–I don’t know if you have followed the story of the billions of eggs recall throughout the country infected with salmonella. They have found the two farms that are the cause of the bad eggs and they are both in Iowa. I have always liked eggs and I think they are very good for you used in moderation. But watching on the news the way those poor critters are kept in these barns without light, without windows, cooped up in these cages. Miles and miles of white barns. It seems little wonder to me if their eggs are poisonous. I guess like everything else in our industrialized consumer society even our eggs have become unnatural and harmful. But I wouldn’t mind buying some decent eggs that were produced by hens that lived a natural life like God meant them to have it.

–Bethany Spirituality Center, Highland Mills, announces the following fall programs:

Open the Door”, a six-week prayer experience that invites the participant to discover the treasure within your heart through a deeper and fuller union with God- your Beloved. Sr. Stella Herrera, RJM, will direct the weekly program on Wednesdays, 9:00am to 11:00am, September 29 to November 3, and Thursdays, 7:00pm to 9:00pm, September 30 to November 4.

Letting Go and Finding God”, a weekend retreat for all, directed by Brother Don Bisson, FMS, from October 15 to 17. The retreat will focus on the Mystery and invitation to let go of control, the gradual surrender to God, and the gift of moving beyond ego. Retreat includes conferences, silent time, Sunday liturgy, and time for prayerful listening and sharing.

Please visit www.bethanyspiritualitycenter.org for further information or call the office at (845) 460-3061 to register.

—-If you have children that need to make their First Communion, now is the time to contact our office and register them . Here in US the optimal time for First Communion is Second and Third Grades. We intend to repeat the program of last year of Catechism classes on Thursdays  here in the rectory maybe at 3:30pm. Then the First Communion ceremony on the First Sunday of May next year. Please get in touch with our office as soon as possible so that I can get organized and order books etc.. We have a starting date for these programs which is October 14 next. So you need to get moving.

–I have hired with the help of the Archdiocese an architect to straighten out the problem with our parish hall. In the past our parish hall was used as a Chapel and as a Bingo hall then subsequently changes were made to its structure which were not filed with the city. During the last fire inspection we received a violation. The City is so desperate for money that Mayor Bloomberg has told everybody to go around and enforce every possible law and make them pay fines to replenish the city coffers which are depleted and they have been relentless. Fire precautions illegal partitions changes to structures everything now is a violation and you are charged fines some of them quite high. So my effort to rectify past mistakes and put the parish in good legal standing continues unabated. So it is going to cost money maybe up to $15,000 to get this matter sorted out.

–During the week, after a hiatus of months, we had a Parish Council Meeting. Unfortunately this bulletin gets printed too soon for me to give you an updated account of such meeting. But I was hopeful of receiving a full endorsement by the Parish Council of the rental of our parochial school to Marymount which I believe is nearing its legal journey. The process is coming to an end but nothing has been signed yet.

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Special Mass Intentions for August 29-September 4, 2010

August 26, 2010

Sunday, Aug.29 – Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30AM* Thanksgiving Mass for Asino Rivera Family 10:00AM* Ulysses Keirtt and Gregory Alford *Isabelita Rivera – Birthday 11:00AM* David Negrete RIP by Olga Kovalik *Awilda Diaz RIP by Her Mother *Gloria Pion Ducoudray RIP by Nelsi Payan *Jerson Erazo RIP by Elena and Erazo Family 12:30PM* [...]

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Priest’s Diary for August 22, 2010, by Father Victor Muzzin: Mostly Mozart

August 19, 2010

Well, I can’t believe we are almost at the end of August. I am afraid that when the weather breaks we’ll probably be plunged into winter, oh what a melancholic thought! I am a summer person. They tell me that Italy since I left it has been nothing but rain and cold. It’s also back [...]

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Bulletin for August 22, 2010

August 19, 2010

Sunday: 5:30PM Vigil Mass $286; Sunday 8:30AM $208; 10:00AM $371; 11:00AM $320; 12:30PM $564; 8:00PM $710; Week Masses $364; Total $2823 – Thanks! –I am informed that the Archdiocese is nearing the conclusion of the deal with Marymount for the rental of our parochial school building. A lease of 11 years. Our Archbishop is big [...]

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Special Mass Intentions for August 22-28, 2010

August 19, 2010

Sunday, Aug.22 – Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30AM* Gregory Alford RIP by Alford Family 10:00AM* 11:00AM* 12:30PM* Nick Mastrandrea RIP 8:00PM* Monday, Aug.23 – Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin 8:30AM* 12:30PM* Tuesday, Aug.24 – Saint Bartholomew 8:30AM* 12:30PM* Thanksgiving Mass for Saint Francis de Sales by Zechovar Georges Wednesday, Aug.25 – Weekday 8:30AM* [...]

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Priest’s Diary for August 15, 2010, by Father Victor Muzzin – Lu Monferrato

August 15, 2010

Short-termism and inane sound bites have to go. There is no question that the most pressing problem facing the country is jobs. But jobs are not going to come back because America is changing. You can throw as much money as you want into the system, as the government has been doing, but there is [...]

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Bulletin for August 15, 2010

August 15, 2010

Sunday: 5:30PM Vigil Mass $367; Sunday 8:30AM $634; 10:00AM $578; 11:00AM $316; 12:30PM $590; 8:00PM $1041; Week Masses $333; Total $3559 – Thanks! In case you have forgotten here are the latest figures with regard to the Stewardship Appeal: Goal 24,500; Pledge 27,547; Paid 25, 047; Number of gifts 65. Many, many thanks –Some words [...]

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Special Mass Intentions for August 15-21, 2010

August 15, 2010

Sunday, Aug.15 – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:30AM* 10:00AM* Aurora A. Trinidad RIP by Elma 11:00AM* 12:00PM* Leonardo Hermida Francisco – Baptism 12:30PM* Thanksgiving Mass for Sabastin Family 8:00PM* Monday, Aug.16 – Weekday 8:30AM* Special Intention for Michelle Boyle 12:30PM* Patrocinio Dural RIP by Cora Silverio Tuesday, Aug.17 – Weekday 8:30AM* Healing [...]

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Priest’s Diary for August 8, 2010, by Father Victor Muzzin: The Rich Fool of the Gospel

August 8, 2010

Priest’s Diary – The rich fool of the gospel The parable of the foolish rich man of last Sunday has been buzzing like an annoying drone in my mind. Like the vuvuzelas of the World Cup. It must have touched a sensitive spot in my soul. Something like guilty feelings. We can all become so [...]

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