PARISH CLERGY:

Father George Rutler, Administrator Father Louis Van Thanh (ext. 217)

IN RESIDENCE: Father Thomas Kallumady (on leave) Father Oliver Chanama (ext. 216)

VISITING CLERGY:

Father Owen Laffertyh Father James Goode, OFM er Th

Father Leonard Glavin, OFM Cap.omas

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE

MONDAY-FRIDAY: 7:30 am, 12:15 pm, 6:00 pm (Traditional Latin Mass )

SATURDAY: 12 Noon: (on 2nd Saturdays only) 1 pm: Traditional Latin Mass 4 pm: Vigil Mass for Sunday

SUNDAY MASS: 10:30 am: Latin Missa Cantata 12:30 pm: Mass in English

DEVOTIONS

The Liturgy of the Hours: Mondays & Fridays 12:00 Noon

The Rosary: Tue, Wed & Thu at 12:00 Noon

Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament: Weekdays after the 12:15 pm Mass

Benediction: Weekdays 5:45 pm

The Divine Mercy Chaplet: Monday—Thursday: 3:00 pm Friday: 3:00 pm & 5:15 pm

Overnight Prayer Vigil: First Friday of the month - 7pm-6am

RECONCILIATION

Wed. & Thu.: 4:00-5:00 pm Friday: 12-2pm (English/Español)

Sat. & Sun.: 1 hour before each of the Masses (at other times inquire in Rectory)

CHURCH OFFICE: (ext. 210) Vijay Wijesundera

SACRISTANS: Liliana Calderon, William Delgado, Agustin Terron

HOUSEHOLD:

Aracely Barrezueta

ISAIAH HALL: (ext. 226) John Azzarelli

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME NOVEMBER 17, 2013

128 West 37th Street (West of Broadway) , New York, NY 10018 Tel: (212) 279-5861 Fax: (212) 714-9313 www.innocents.com

This will be a time for you to bear testimony.This will be a time for you to bear testimony.This will be a time for you to bear testimony.This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

– Luke 21: 5-19

MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

As many of you already know, Cardinal Dolan has asked all parishes of As many of you already know, Cardinal Dolan has asked all parishes of As many of you already know, Cardinal Dolan has asked all parishes of As many of you already know, Cardinal Dolan has asked all parishes of the Archdiocese to participate in his parish planning process called the Archdiocese to participate in his parish planning process called the Archdiocese to participate in his parish planning process called the Archdiocese to participate in his parish planning process called

“Making All Things New” “Making All Things New” “Making All Things New” “Making All Things New”

Please see page 3 for a message from our Parish Core Team on the parishioner survey which is now available in the church. While we thank all who have let their opinions be known to us, it is important for all parishioners to complete this survey,

so that your voice will be heard. Also see back cover for Cardinal Dolan’s Pastoral Letter on “Making All Things New.”

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY: MALACHI 3:19-20 / PSALM 98:5-9 / 2 THES 3:7-12 / LUKE 21:5-19

From Father RutlerFrom Father RutlerFrom Father RutlerFrom Father Rutler

This past November 9th and 10th marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of Kristallnacht, when mobs attacked properties belonging to Jews in Berlin and other German cities. Synagogues, hospitals and schools were defaced or destroyed, 91 were killed and 30,000 Jews were sent to prototypical concentration camps. It was a bold declaration of the Nazi intent to destroy a people. Many Germans nobly acted with revulsion at what had become of their government. One man symbolic of such was Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber, archbishop of Munich, who helped the Chief Rabbi of the city rescue the Torah and sacred vessels before his synagogue was attacked. The Nazis ransacked the Cardinal’s own home and threatened him with Dachau. He survived all that, and in 1951 he ordained two young brothers, one of whom would become Pope Benedict XVI.

This is not just an historical vignette, for tragic events often repeat themselves in different forms and circumstances when people ignore them, and much of the world in 1938 tried to treat Kristallnacht as an isolated incident with no portent of worse things to come. The sad fact is that our days are witnessing widespread hostility to Jews and Christians alike in many places, and much of the media turns its attention away. This is sometimes because there is an aversion to

offending the persecutors, some of whom are assisted by U.S. tax money in the form of foreign aid and military assistance. Sometimes there is just a bias against Judeo-Christian culture on the part of secularists who think that the enemy of their enemy is their friend. Some Western sophisticates cast a blind eye to the rise of Nazism in the 1930’s because the National Socialists explained themselves as enemies of Marxism.

The revival of anti-Semitism in Europe today is accompanied by hostility to Christianity, and this is not limited to Europe. Many of our own public institutions deny freedom of speech to Christians, and public professions of faith in Christ receive a hostile reception in significant parts of academe. Christianity is evaporating in the Middle East as Christians are leaving countries where roots go back to the earliest apostolic foundations. The beheading of converts to Christianity hardly seems exceptional anymore. In Iran, Kazakh Christians are intimidated by the arrest of their pastors, and churches are destroyed from Egypt to Pakistan. The recent massacre of Christians in a Kenyan shopping mall could not be overlooked by the secular press, but it was soon forgotten, and there is little outrage at the imprisonment and torture of thousands of Christians in Eritrean desert camps. Countless Christians are being persecuted in odium fidei — hatred of the Faith. Their bravery should humble us who live in calmer places, but it is also a warning that echoes Christ himself:“Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13).

Donald V. S. Hunter (RIP)Donald V. S. Hunter (RIP)

Donald V. S. Hunter,

our parishioner, who, among other work, was deeply involved in the

computer classes in Isaiah Hall, passed away October 28th.

May his soul Rest in Peace!

A Memorial Mass has been scheduled here at Holy Innocents on

Saturday, November 23rd at 12 Noon.

“Making All Things New”

Cardinal Dolan has asked all of the parishes of the Archdiocese to participate in his parish planning process called “Making All Things New.” The name of the planning process comes from a passage in the Book of Revelation (21.5). In that passage, St. John the Evangelist reports that, after a vision of the passing away of the first earth and first heaven, he hears a great voice out of heaven that tells him:

God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

The Cardinal has engaged the services of The Reid Group, a consulting firm that specializes in parish planning to help him

with “Making All Things New”. On the Cardinal’s behalf, the Reid Group has helped identify eleven goals for the process. The complete list of these goals is available on the Archdiocese’s website (www.archny.org). Each parish has a Core Team appointed to represent the parish in the process. At Holy Innocents, the Core Team members are Gene Fogarty, John Azzarelli, Mark Froeba and Eddy Toribio. Our Core Team attended a training session for “Making All Things New” at the end of September. The Core Team is now required to conduct an evaluation of “parish ministries” at Holy Innocents based upon sixteen Criteria for Planning. The criteria are divided into four categories:

(1) Sacramental Life of the Parish; (2) Evangelization, Catechesis, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Religious Education; (3) Stewardship and Outreach; and (4) Effective Administration.

The complete list of these criteria is available on the Archdiocese’s website (www.archny.org), and a summary appears on the back cover of this bulletin. As part of its evaluation of “parish ministries,” our Core Team is conducting a survey of all parishioners here at the Church of the Holy Innocents. Copies of the survey are available at the back of Church. Please take a copy of the survey, complete it and return it to the parish office no later than Tuesday, November 26th. Thank you.

4

November 17

ST. HUGH OF LINCOLN Hugh of Lincoln was the son of William, Lord of Avalon. He was born at Avalon Castle in Burgundy and was raised and educated at a convent at Villard-Benoit after his mother died when he was eight. He was professed at fifteen, ordained a deacon at nineteen, and was made prior of a monastery at Saint-Maxim. While visiting the Grande Chartreuse with his prior in 1160. It was then he decided to become a Carthusian there and was ordained. After ten years, he was named procurator and in 1175 became Abbot of the first Carthusian monastery in England. This had been built by King Henry II as part of his penance for the murder of Thomas Becket.

His reputation for holiness and sanctity spread all over England and attracted many to the monastery. He admonished Henry for keeping Sees vacant to enrich the royal coffers. Income from the vacant Sees went to the royal treasury. He was then named bishop of the eighteen year old vacant See of Lincoln in 1186 - a post he accepted only when ordered to do so by the prior of the Grande Chartreuse. Hugh quickly restored clerical discipline, labored to restore religion to the diocese, and became known for his wisdom and justice.

He was one of the leaders in denouncing the persecution of the Jews that swept England, 1190-91, repeatedly facing down armed mobs and making them release their victims. He went on a diplomatic mission to France for King John in 1199, visiting the Grande Chartreuse, Cluny, and Citeaux, and returned from the trip in poor health. A few months later, while attending a national council in London, he was stricken and died two months later at the Old Temple in London on November 16. He was canonized twenty years later, in 1220, the first Carthusian to be so honored. He is the best-known English saint after Thomas Becket.

November 18

ST. ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE (1769-1852)

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was Born in Grenoble, France, in 1769, Rose joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. In 1818, when she was forty-nine years old, Rose was sent to the United States. She founded a boarding school for daughters of pioneers near St. Louis and opened the first free school west of the Missouri. At the age of seventy-one, she began a school for Indians, who soon came to call her "the woman who is always praying". Her biographers have also stressed her courage in

frontier conditions, her singlemindedness in pursuing her dream of serving Native Americans, and her self-acceptance. This holy servant of God was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1940 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

November 20

ST. FELIX OF VALOIS (1127-1212)

Hermit and co-founder of the Trinitarians with St. John of Matha. He lived as a recluse at Cerfroid, France, and in 1198 received approval from the Holy See for the Order of the Most Holy Trinity to ransoms captives from the Moors. Felix founded St. Mathburn Convent in Paris while in his seventies. He died in Cerfroid. November 21

PRESENTATION OF MARY

Mary’s presentation was celebrated in Jerusalem in the sixth century. A church was built there in honor of this mystery. The Eastern Church was more interested in the feast, but it does appear in the West in the 11th century. As with Mary’s birth, we read of Mary’s presentation in the temple only in apocryphal literature. In what is recognized as an unhistorical account, the Protoevangelium of James tells us that Anna and Joachim offered Mary to God in the Temple when she was three years old. November 22

ST. CECILIA (3rd century)

According to legend, Cecilia was a young Christian of high rank betrothed to a Roman named Valerian. Through her influence Valerian was converted, and was martyred along with his brother. The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church. Since the time of the Renaissance she has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small organ. November 23

BLESSED MIGUEL AGUSTÍN PRO (1891-1927)

¡Viva Cristo Rey! (Long live Christ the King)

were the last words Father Pro uttered before he was executed for being a Catholic priest and serving his flock.

Born into a prosperous, devout family in Guadalupe de Zacatecas, he entered the Jesuits in 1911 but three years later fled to Granada, Spain, because of

religious persecution in Mexico. For his theological studies Pro was sent to Enghien, Belgium where the French Jesuits (also in exile) had their faculty of Theology. He was ordained in in 1925.

He immediately returned to Mexico, where he served a Church forced to go “underground.” He celebrated the Eucharist clandestinely and ministered the other sacraments to small groups of Catholics.

He and his brother Roberto were arrested on trumped-up charges of attempting to assassinate Mexico’s president. Roberto was spared but Miguel was sentenced to face a firing squad on November 23, 1927. His funeral became a public demonstration of faith. He was beatified in 1988.

Saints of the Week

5

The Sanctuary Lamp is

Dedicated for Arthur Joseph

Bread & Wine are Offered

by the family of Holy Innocents

The Eternal Flame is

Dedicated for the family of

Holy Innocents

Mass Intentions for the Week of November 17, 2013

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 – THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 10:30 – Holy Souls in Purgatory 12:30 – Edward Freel (RIP) by Glen & Pam O’Connor

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 – WEEKDAY, The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles; St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin

7:30 - Catherine Dorothy Devito (RIP) by Noël Stazko 12:15 – Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (RIP) 6:00 - Susan K. Long (RIP) by Karen Kenny

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 – WEEKDAY 7:30 – Paula Ubiles (RIP) 12:15 – Anthony Nespoli (RIP) by daughter Bernadette 6:00 – Justina Gojdanić (RIP - Anniversary of Death) by son Nicholas

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 – WEEKDAY 7:30 – Vincenza Moscaritolo (RIP) by Frances 12:15 - Giovanna & Emmanuel Haber (RIP) by daughters Joanne and Elizabeth 6:00 - Oscar Weinreb (RIP) by Barbara Wells

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin MaryPresentation of the Blessed Virgin MaryPresentation of the Blessed Virgin MaryPresentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 7:30 - Alexandre Araujo (RIP) by wife Maria 12:15 – Catherine O’Connor and Halina & Jusuf Skrijelj (RIP) by Johanna 6:00 – Alexandrena Augustus & Family and Christiana Noël (RIP) by Valerie Augustus

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 – St. Cecilia, Virgin & MartyrSt. Cecilia, Virgin & MartyrSt. Cecilia, Virgin & MartyrSt. Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr 7:30 – Francisco Delgado (RIP) by Bianca 12:15 - Carmen Davila (RIP) by Gerard Coello 6:00 - Assuncion D. Panis (RIP - Anniversary of Death) by niece Elenor

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 – WEEKDAY, St. Clement I, Pope & Martyr; St. Columban, Abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, Priest & Martyr

(12 Noon Mass is discontinued except on the Second Saturdays for 2000 Hail Marys, and also on other special occasions and anniversaries) 12 Noon - Donald V. S. Hunter (RIP - 10/28/2013) 1:00 – H. James Kenny, Jr. (RIP) by Karen Kenny 4:00 – Sarah O’Neill (RIP) by daughter Mary

Due to the trimmed Mass schedule (see page 1), following Masses could not be celebrated at Holy Innocents on the originally-scheduled dates. They have been re-scheduled at St. Michael’s Church (424 West 34th Street, between 9th & 10th Aves; phone 212-563-2575) on the dates & times listed below :

November 5, 7:25 am – For All Dear Faithful Departed by Frank & Sandra Nestor November 6, 7:25 am – Ingrid & Matthew Gerber (Living - for Blessings) November 7, 7:25 am – Luisa, Victoria, Antonio and Conrado Cruz (RIP) November 8, 7:25 am – Celia, James and Jim O’Connor (RIP) by Johanna November 8, 12:10 pm – Special Intention of Anna Karapallil November 11, 7:25 am – Ratna Christal Bohmart ( RIP – Unborn Child) by mother Nini November 13, 12:10 pm – Lou Delviccho (RIP) by Donna Degnan November 15, 12:10 pm – Ray Fanning (RIP) by Gerard Coello November 16, 5:00 pm – Hope Marie Skodacek (RIP – Unborn Child) by grandma November 20, 12:10 pm – Michalena, Kasimar and Fr. Vito Pupin (RIP) by Johanna O'Connor November 23, 5:00 pm – In Thanksgiving by Michael Wilkinson November 27, 12:10 pm – Ramroop family (RIP) by Donald Weber November 30, 5:00 pm – Fannie Gumbinger (RIP) by Angela Cheung

PARISH BULLETIN BOARPARISH BULLETIN BOARPARISH BULLETIN BOARDDD

Fr. Jim Goode, OFM,Fr. Jim Goode, OFM,Fr. Jim Goode, OFM,Fr. Jim Goode, OFM, at Holy Innocentsat Holy Innocentsat Holy Innocentsat Holy Innocents

Mass & HomilyMass & HomilyMass & HomilyMass & Homily Thursdays at 12:15pm Thursdays at 12:15pm Thursdays at 12:15pm Thursdays at 12:15pm

2000 2000 2000 2000 Hail MarysHail MarysHail MarysHail Marys

before the Blessed Sacrament

SECOND SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH

December 14, 2013

6:15 am — Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & 20 Decades of Pro-Life Rosary for the Unborn 8:00 am — 2000 Hail Marys — 20 petitions 12 Noon — Mass in Honor of Blessed Virgin Mary 2:30 pm — Confessions 3 pm — Divine Mercy Chaplet, Litany of the Passion 3:50 pm — Benediction 4:00 pm — Vigil Mass for Sunday

Devotees are advised to bring their personal petitions to be prayed over during the vigil. This is a powerful devotion that is pleasing to God, because you are not only praying for your own petitions, but are also praying for other people and all the problems in the world. Lunch will be provided.

The Cenacle World Prayer Group: 718-381-4419 Website: www.cenacleworldprayergroup.com

E-mail: cwprayergroup@gmail.com

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION CLASSES

You can now join our Adult Religious Instruction You can now join our Adult Religious Instruction You can now join our Adult Religious Instruction You can now join our Adult Religious Instruction Classes (RCIA) which meet on Tuesdays at Classes (RCIA) which meet on Tuesdays at Classes (RCIA) which meet on Tuesdays at Classes (RCIA) which meet on Tuesdays at

5:30pm. Those who are not Baptized and yet 5:30pm. Those who are not Baptized and yet 5:30pm. Those who are not Baptized and yet 5:30pm. Those who are not Baptized and yet interested in exploring Catholic faith; those interested in exploring Catholic faith; those interested in exploring Catholic faith; those interested in exploring Catholic faith; those baptized but have not received the Sacraments baptized but have not received the Sacraments baptized but have not received the Sacraments baptized but have not received the Sacraments of Communion, Confession and Confirmation; of Communion, Confession and Confirmation; of Communion, Confession and Confirmation; of Communion, Confession and Confirmation;

All are welcomed to join these classes . All are welcomed to join these classes . All are welcomed to join these classes . All are welcomed to join these classes . (To seek entrance in the evening, after 6pm, (To seek entrance in the evening, after 6pm, (To seek entrance in the evening, after 6pm, (To seek entrance in the evening, after 6pm,

please ring the bell at the rectory door from the please ring the bell at the rectory door from the please ring the bell at the rectory door from the please ring the bell at the rectory door from the street)street)street)street)

Instructor: Fr. Louis M. Van Thanh, D. Min. Instructor: Fr. Louis M. Van Thanh, D. Min. Instructor: Fr. Louis M. Van Thanh, D. Min. Instructor: Fr. Louis M. Van Thanh, D. Min. If interested, please contact Fr. Louis at If interested, please contact Fr. Louis at If interested, please contact Fr. Louis at If interested, please contact Fr. Louis at 212212212212----279279279279----5861 x 217 / 8455861 x 217 / 8455861 x 217 / 8455861 x 217 / 845----541541541541----8406840684068406

6

Make a Joyful Noise Make a Joyful Noise Make a Joyful Noise Make a Joyful Noise Unto the LordUnto the LordUnto the LordUnto the Lord

Our church needs volunteer musicians to perform in our mini choir to worship God on Vigils and Sundays. Anyone interested in serving, please contact Fr. Louis Van Thanh at lmvthanh@gmail.com or 845-541-8406

May God Bless you! - Fr. Louis

Help for Those Experiencing Help for Those Experiencing Help for Those Experiencing Help for Those Experiencing a Crisis Pregnancya Crisis Pregnancya Crisis Pregnancya Crisis Pregnancy

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis pregnancy and would like assistance call: The Sisters of Life Visitation Mission to pregnant women at 877-777-1277 or 212-737-0221.

The Sisters provide practical help and resources for any woman in need as well as emotional support and spiritual counsel. Visit www.sistersoflife.org for more info.

Help is also available from Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau Hotline 1-800-592-HELP. The CHB is an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York.

THANKSGIVING PRAYERTHANKSGIVING PRAYERTHANKSGIVING PRAYERTHANKSGIVING PRAYER

This Thanksgiving let those of us who have much and those who have little gather at the

welcoming table of the Lord. At this blessed feast, may rich and poor alike remember that we are called to serve on another and to walk together in God's

gracious world. With thankful hearts we praise our God who like a loving

parent denies us no good thing. Amen.

THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING PARTYPARTYPARTYPARTY

Friday, Nov. 22nd Friday, Nov. 22nd Friday, Nov. 22nd Friday, Nov. 22nd 2222----5 pm 5 pm 5 pm 5 pm

in Isaiah Hall beneath the churchin Isaiah Hall beneath the churchin Isaiah Hall beneath the churchin Isaiah Hall beneath the church for Parishioners, Isaiah Hall visitors for Parishioners, Isaiah Hall visitors for Parishioners, Isaiah Hall visitors for Parishioners, Isaiah Hall visitors

and all church friends.and all church friends.and all church friends.and all church friends.

PRAYER TO CHRIST PRAYER TO CHRIST PRAYER TO CHRIST PRAYER TO CHRIST UNBORNUNBORNUNBORNUNBORN

Dear Lord Jesus in the womb of Blessed Virgin Mary, before your birth You filled the unborn

Baptist with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Inspire us to see You in every unborn child.

Grant us the perseverance to defend vulnerable human life from abortion, abandonment, experimentation, and all violations.

Fill us with reverence for the moment of your Incarnation in Nazareth when the Word became

flesh. Amen.

The Shrine to the UnbornThe Shrine to the UnbornThe Shrine to the UnbornThe Shrine to the Unborn Blessed by Cardinal O’Connor on December 28, 1993

The Shrine is dedicated in Memory of the Children Who Have Died Unborn

We invite you to name your child(ren) and provide the opportunity to have

your baby's name inscribed in our “Book of Life".

7

Mantillas (Chapel Veils) for

ladies to wear during Holy Mass, especially the Traditional Latin Mass, are now available in the

Rectory Office at $ 15 each. Large size – ∆∆∆∆ Shape

White/Black/Beige

Sisters of Life

Hope Hope Hope Hope & & & &

Healing Healing Healing Healing After After After After AbortionAbortionAbortionAbortion

If you are suffering from the pain of a past If you are suffering from the pain of a past If you are suffering from the pain of a past If you are suffering from the pain of a past

abortion, know that there is hope and healing. abortion, know that there is hope and healing. abortion, know that there is hope and healing. abortion, know that there is hope and healing.

Contact the Sisters of Life at 866Contact the Sisters of Life at 866Contact the Sisters of Life at 866Contact the Sisters of Life at 866----575575575575----0075007500750075

or eor eor eor e----mail hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org mail hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org mail hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org mail hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org

Upcoming Days of Prayer and Healing for Women 11/16/2013 1/18/2014 2/15/2014 3/15/2014 5/31/2014

All reservations are confidential

English &

Spanish Booklet Missals

FOR PRAYING THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS

are now available at the Rectory office at cost of $4.

Our Traditional Latin Mass Schedule: Sundays 10:30 a.m. Weekdays 6:00 p.m. Saturdays 1:00 p.m.

Daily Mass propers can be found online at: virgomaterdie.com

Excerpts from Cardinal Dolan’s Pastoral Letter on

‘Making All Things New’ Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: As I am confident you have heard, since we have been preparing for this the last five years, the Archdiocese of New York is now formally embarking on our pastoral planning process, Making All Things New, and we approach this process in a spirit of faith, hope, and love. I have great faith in God, and in all God’s people throughout the 10 counties and 368 parishes of this archdiocese. I have deep hope in what we can accomplish together with God’s grace as we confidently plan our future as a Catholic family. And, I love Jesus, His Church, and you, the splendid people of this historic archdiocese.

As we begin this process, I am reminded that “without a vision the people will perish” (Proverbs 29:18). When I visit parishes and talk with priests, deacons, religious women and men, and our dedicated lay people, one challenging question keeps emerging—how can we strengthen our parish life, and help more Catholic people grow in their faith? I believe that Making All Things New will help us respond to this question in many important ways.

First of all, God’s people here in New York have told us their needs. Bishop Dennis Sullivan and his exploratory committee spent a year traveling all over the archdiocese listening to our people. You sure spoke up, and what you said is that you: • love your parishes, and want them stronger, more stable and alive; • love our priests, deacons, religious women and men, and lay leaders, hope for more, and are eager to share in leadership and service in the Church; • want a Church where people are welcomed, and Sunday Mass is celebrated with reverence, joy, a solid homily, and full participation; • want intense religious education and faith formation, not just for children, but for our teens, young adults, and adults; • want our schools not just to survive but to flourish; • want attention to marriage and family; • want a Church embracing our Latino, African, Caribbean, and Asian newcomers; • want a Church vigorous in the promotion of the culture of life, social justice, and care for the poor, sick, vulnerable, unborn, immigrants, and our elders; • want a Church purified, positive, and transparent; • want a Church much better equipped in communications and technology; • want a Church, not a museum; • want, in the words of our Holy Father, a Church not confined to the sacristy, but out on the streets!

What came through in these responses is that people are proud that their archdiocese does all of this, and they want to do it even better. This is a big part of the why of pastoral planning, and supports the four significant pastoral themes that have emerged and are integrated into Making All Things New: Discipleship, Evangelization, Witness, and Ministry.

As we move forward now with our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, we must all recognize that the virtue of prudence requires that we once again appropriately plan for our future; Jesus exhorts us to be faithful and focused in our discipleship. The biblical virtue of stewardship requires us to wisely use our time, talent, treasures.

I fear that, at present, we are not using our resources as well as we could. For instance:

Manhattan and the Bronx are particularly saturated with parishes. Of our 368 parishes, 84 are in Manhattan, with an additional 5 mission churches. That’s very nearly 25 percent of the total number of parishes in the archdiocese—serving only about 10-12 percent of our Catholic population. There are 29 parishes in the South Manhattan Vicariate alone—all concentrated on 14th Street or below! Having this large number of parishes certainly made sense when they were established, mostly in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. They no longer make sense now in the 21st century and on into the future.

We devote a lopsided amount of money to maintaining parishes and buildings we no longer need. We don’t have the finances to annually give $40 million to support unneeded parishes; and secondly, best practices and years of pastoral experience tell us that churches which are 10 to 20 percent full do not usually lead to meaningful and uplifting liturgies where we are drawn to give praise and thanks to our loving God.

While there is general agreement around the Archdiocese that pastoral planning is both necessary and good, and agreement that decisions about parish mergers and closures should only be made after careful study, the most common question that arises is: “What criteria will be used to assess the current state of the parishes?” Inherent in the question is the sense that while painful decisions may have to be made, they should be based on a clear set of specific criteria, universally applied. Four areas were identified as the most useful markers in determining the vitality of a parish: Sacramental Life, Evangelization and Catechesis, Stewardship and Outreach, and Effective Administration. Full text of Cardinal Dolan’s letter may be read online at: http://cny.org/stories/Pastoral-Letter-on-Making-All-Things-New,10021