St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Let us build the City of God!

Our Mission:

We strive daily to be a community of believers, alive in

Christ. In our diversity and in a spirit of reconciliation,

we journey toward God. Our faith finds expression in

worship. Our live is the center of care for all people.

Our hope is the longed for promise of union with God,

and with each other, as we continue the mission of

proclaiming the Kingdom at St Joseph’s in Ronkonkoma.

Come pray with us!

Masses

Saturday: 5:00pm

Sunday: 7:00, 9:00, 10:30, Noon, & 5:00 PM

Weekdays: 7:00 & 9:00 AM* Saturday 8:00AM

*During School year Tuesday mass is at 8:45AM

Eucharistic Adoration:

Mondays 2:00 - 6:45 PM (except holidays)

First Friday 7:30—8:30 PM (Sacred Heart Devotion)

Rosary: Daily after 9:00 Mass

Reconciliation: Mon, Wed, Fri: after morning mass

Sat: after morning mass and 4:00 - 4:45 PM

St Joseph Rectory Office

45 Church Street 588-8456 Fax 471-2569

Religious Education

35 Church Street 981-1805

Director: Mrs. Maryanne Trezza

Parish Outreach

2855 Pond Rd 981-6888

Director: Mrs. Anne Kelly

St Joseph School

25 Church Street 588-4760

Principal: Mr. Richard Kuntzler

March 8, 2015 — Third Sunday of Lent

Priests

Rev. Michael J Rieder, Pastor

Rev. Juniper J. Thomas Rev. Henry Leuthardt

Rev. Peter T. Liu (retired)

Deacons

Dcn. James Altonji Dcn. Joseph Califano

Dcn. Michael DeBellis Dcn. Frank Dell’Aglio

Dcn. Michael Devenney Dcn. William Dobbins

Serving Your Sacramental Needs

The Sacrament of Baptism The Sacrament is celebrated on Sundays at 1:30

PM. Parents, please call the parish office to arrange

a meeting with one of our priests or deacons to

begin to make arrangements.

The Sacrament of Eucharist See front cover for mass times. If you are sick for

an extended period of time or are homebound,

please contact the parish office to arrange to have

someone bring Communion to you.

The Sacrament of Confirmation School aged children can prepare for this Sacrament

by contacting our religious Education office. Adults

or older teens who have yet to be Confirmed should

contact the Parish Office

The Sacrament of Reconciliation As listed on front cover or call rectory for an

appointment with one of our priests.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick This Sacrament is for the living. We celebrate this

Sacrament each Spring and Fall for those who are

chronically ill, advanced in age, or who are about to

undergo surgery or hospitalization. We can arrange

the Sacrament at other times by calling the Parish

Office..

Emergencies: call the office to arrange a visit from

a priest.

Nighttime emergencies (631) 585-1130

The Sacrament of Matrimony Bride or Groom please call the office at least six

months before your desired wedding date to begin

preparations for marriage. Please make contact with

the parish before making other wedding day plans!

The Sacrament of Holy Orders Anyone who is feeling called to service in the

church as a priest deacon or in consecrated religious

life should contact the parish office to speak to one

of the priests or deacons for guidance.

Interested in possibly becoming Catholic? Please contact the rectory to arrange a meeting to

discuss your questions. We have regular classes to

help people learn about the faith and decide if

becoming Catholic is what you and God want for

you right now. This whole process of inquiry and

potential conversion is called RCIA—The Rite of

Christian Initiation of Adults.

Prayer and Devotion Opportunities Our Lady of Fatima Devotion

Our Lady came to Fatima with a message from God

to every man, woman and child. She promised that

the whole world would be at peace, and that many

souls would go to heaven if her requests were

listened to and obeyed.

In response to her requests, the First Saturday of

each month is devoted to Our Lady of Fatima. This

devotion includes 8:00 AM mass, a novena to Our

Lady of Fatima, the Rosary, the opportunity to

celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and

fellowship in Carew hall at 9:00 AM.

All are welcome at this devotion.

St Joseph Parish Monthly Recollection

On the First Friday of every month, at 7:30 PM we

hold our Monthly Parish Recollection. This is an

hour of prayer (recollection) before our Lord present

in the Blessed Sacrament—whose heart is the

source of immense charity and generous love.

The foundation of this prayer is God’s presence in

our souls as Creator, Preserver, and Author of all

Graces (“In Him we live and move and have our

being.” Acts 17:28). God is our Father and our

Friend and is our sweet Guest.

We are called to acknowledge this great truth: God

is in each of us, our soul is His Temple.

This evening of recollection includes Exposition of

the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Psalms, Silence,

a Gospel reading and a reflection on many topics

including: the Cardinal Virtues of prudence, justice,

temperance, and fortitude; The Theological Virtues

of faith, hope and love; The gifts of the Holy Spirit:

wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,

knowledge, piety and awe & wonder in God’s

presence. The evening ends with Benediction.

Every soul, hungry and thirsty for God, is invited

to this holy hour every First Friday of the month to

adore, venerate and contemplate the Sacred Heart

of Jesus and to have a quiet dialogue with God.

St Joseph Men’s Prayer Group

We meet every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM in the

Church where we pray the Rosary.

Afterward we move to the main vestibule for coffee,

donuts and fellowship.

This is a great opportunity to be strengthened in

your commitment as a Catholic man just by

spending time with others like you!

March 8, 2015 — Third Sunday of Lent

OUR LITURGY

In Exodus we hear the commandments given by God through Moses, the commandments for God’s people to live by. Saint Paul teaches us that the wisdom of God is not easy to accept, in particular, the message of the crucified Christ. The Gospel tells of Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem.

Altar Bread & Wine

In Loving Memory of

Mary Webb

Requested by

Ann Festa

Mass Intentions for the Week

Sunday, March 8 (Third Sunday in Lent)

7:00 Louise Alessandro (Dolores & Bob Adams)

9:00 John & Mary Biglin (Loving Family), Charles

Salvietti (Janine & Dan Ferri)

10:30 Thomasina Cosimo (Kathy & Norm West), Mary

McGee (Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kelly)

12:00 Sarah Arellano (The Arellano Family), Gregory

Heraghty (George & Dorothy Lesnik)

5:00 Philomena Esposito (Nicholas & Jacqueline),

Patricia Rehr (Mr. & Mrs. Suli)

Monday, March 9

7:00 June Murphy (The Brady Family), Theresa

Vastola (The Oliva Family)

9:00 Eugene R. Merkle (Tony & Cindy Prisco),

Josephine McGrath (The Scotti Family)

Tuesday, March 10

7:00 Marie Grassi (The Dinero Family), Jennie Tierno

(Jessica & Brendon)

8:45 Providencia Gonzalez (Victor & Maria Mendez)

Wednesday, March 11

7:00 Josephine Moss (Jennifer & David Fehrman)

9:00 Joseph Dobbins (Ann Festa), Diane Scarpinato

(Lou & Mary Scotti)

Thursday, March 12

7:00 Milton F. Meyer (Denise Argo)

9:00 Joseph Dobbins (Dcn. Joseph Califano), Jennie

Tierno (Ann Festa & Joseph Gillin)

Friday, March 13

7:00 Intentions of the Celebrant

9:00 Anna S. Scotto (Andrea & Shannon Saccente)

Saturday, March 14

8:00 Gerard Johnson (Loving Family

5PM Louis Tromba (Joyce & Joe Ando), Dino

Prestigiacomo (Clara Chapman & Ivy Olsen)

Sunday, March 15 (Fourth Sunday of Lent)

7:00 Anita Louise Hauger (Loving Family)

9:00 Joseph J. Onufrak (Loving Mother & Family),

Paul & Lucy Shadlich (Richard & Janine Hubbard)

10:30 Antoinette Denish (Mr. & Mrs. Richard Kelly),

Claire & Jim McQuillan (Loving Family)

12:00 Stephen Brooks (Katherine Yamaguchi, Dave

McAteer & Family, James Vaughn (The Newman

& Attridge Families

5:00 Carmine Cambria (Bob Castagna), Philomena

Esposito (Carla Caponera & Al Musher)

March 8, 2015

Additional Parish and School Contact

Information

Parish Website: stjoronk.org

School Website: stjoeronkelem.org

E-mail addresses

General: Info@StJoRonk.org

Pastor: pastor@StJoRonk.org

Religious Ed: RelEd@StJoRonk.org

School: tmehern@stjoeronkelem.org

Parish Trustees

Robert Koepper Walter Poggi

Business Manager

Deacon Michael DeBellis

Music Ministry

Michael Keller, Director

Ann DeBellis, 9:00 Choir

Rectory Hours

Monday thru Friday 9:00 - 5:00 (closed for lunch

12:00 - 1:15)

Saturday 9:00 - 5:00 (closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:15)

Sunday 9:00 - 12:00

The State of the Parish The following is the text of Fr Mike’s presentation last Sunday about the financial state of St Joseph Parish.

Lent is a wonderful season. We are challenged to put our trust in God 100%. The people of Israel were called

to trust God when they first escaped Egypt and were being chased by the Egyptians. They got to a point

where they had the Red Sea and death in front of them and the Egyptians and death or more torturous slavery

behind them. There was nowhere to turn. God intervened and brought them to freedom – granted it was a

long journey – 40 years in the desert but God cared for them every day during that time feeding them with

Manna from heaven and giving them water from a rock in the middle of the desert. God took care of them but

he also called them to grow in their covenant relationship with him – to trust God every day and to live by

God’s statutes. If you follow the Old Testament you will see the many times when the people of Israel found

themselves in trouble it was because they did not grow and follow God’s statutes.

I’m here today to talk to you about our parish and the challenges we face in the coming years – please God,

not 40 years!

In 1988 three new parishes were born from our parish – Holy Cross, Elizabeth Ann Seton and Resurrection.

With this rebirth there was a little bit of a death in our community – a financial death. About 40% (this is a

very rough estimate) of our income disappeared and went to these new parishes. Yet we were asked to

continue our ministries with that smaller income – one ministry in particular has been a challenge – our

Catholic school. Keeping the school alive has helped to put the parish in a financial hole. I don’t know how

big it was but in 2000, the Jubilee year, our parish took advantage of a Jubilee Debt Reduction Plan offered by

our diocese. We raised part of our debt through a capital campaign and the diocese wiped out the rest.

When I got here I was informed by the finance offices in the diocese that as soon as that debt was resolved in

2000, we began to accumulate a new one. In addition to the fact that we were still trying to run the same

school with about 40% less income, we also didn’t change any other habits – we didn’t tighten our belts. So

the debt grew.

You know of some of it. The diocese has rearranged part of our debt and made it interest free – that is the

debt that you see in the bulletin and the one that shrinks every time we have a debt reduction collection.

There is more debt that has accumulated partly because of our inability to pay the medical benefits that justice

calls us to offer to the teachers in our school. That debt has accumulated over the past 14 years and is now 2.5

million dollars.

2.5 million dollars. What are we going to do? We are going to trust God first of all like the people of Israel

did – they were surrounded by death and He brought them to new life, a deeper relationship and to the

Promised Land. We are going to trust like Abraham did when he was asked to offer his beloved son as a

sacrifice to God. God provided a sacrifice for him because he trusted. We are going to trust like Jesus did

who told Peter, James and John that they can’t stay at the mountain of transfiguration because they have

another mountain to climb – Calvary. We will trust that God, who is the God of new life in the resurrection

will guide us to growth in many ways through these challenges. I believe from the core of my being that if we

trust God He will bring us through this experience to the resurrection.

We trust in God but we have to do the legwork. What do we do?

We work to become the best Catholic parish we can possibly be – we reach out to those who are separated

from us for whatever reason – sin that they think is unforgiveable, a wound inflicted on them by the church,

boredom, apathy, or whatever else.

We orient our work and our lives in such a way that we all naturally reach out to young people and to

young families. We live in such a way that our very being invites them to be part of this community. And

when they arrive, we make sure there is room for them in every ministry in our parish and in every aspect of

parish life.

We live as a vibrant faith community and people will want to be part of us. When they come to join us

and when they learn from our example that we are good stewards of the gifts God has given us in this

community, they will follow suit and our offerings will increase.

But that’s not enough. What about the school? Some will ask, “Shouldn’t we just close it to stop the

bleeding?” I want to make it very clear that I will fight with every ounce of my being to keep this school

open. I was present for the closing of a school on the East End of the Island. Closing a school is not the

solution. First, it is more expensive to close a school than to keep it open because of accumulated sick and

personal time that is owed to teachers in justice. If we closed the school, the school portion of our debt would

almost double overnight. Besides which, Jesus commissioned us to make disciples – to teach them. Our

school and our Religious Ed. programs are an integral part of who we are as a community of disciples – we

will continue to teach and we will do it better every year! We have a new principal and a new Director of

Religious Education in our parish this year – both are dynamos – both are wonderful gifts from God and

are up to the task of helping our programs and our parish to grow.

We have reached out to the diocese for assistance. We received a $50,000 grant to help improve the

infrastructure of our school and we will continue to ask for more. I asked them for financial assistance before

I even got here. I was told that, since our parish began to accumulate a new debt immediately upon being debt

free in 2000, they need some sign that we are going to do a better job of balancing our budget. We are

working on that. We have already cut some expenses (Over $20,000 a year and none of our pastoral

ministries have been cut and I have no intention of cutting them) and every cent we have saved is going

toward balancing our budget. We are also working on other substantial savings plans that will not affect

our pastoral ministries one bit.

When we started making some cuts I contacted the diocesan finance offices and asked “where do we apply the

money we saved, the debt? The interest on the debt? The smaller debt that we have been working on all

along?” They said, “Just worry about balancing your regular budget for now – as you balance that we will

work together on the rest. It took a long time to get here and it will take time to get out.” So for now, even

though we all now know about the $2.5 million and the accumulating interest on it, we are working on one

thing from a financial point of view – balancing our annual budget while we continue to do the work that we

are called to do.

By now you have all received a letter asking to help our school scholarship fund. That fund will help twice:

We began by going to families who are in debt to us from past tuition and are offering assistance to them –

for every dollar they pay toward their past debt, we will pay $1 more to this year’s tuition. We hope this will

turn some potential bad debt into income. The window of opportunity for this plan will close later this spring.

When the window closes on this part of the plan, the rest of the fund will be used to keep financially

struggling families in our school.

The only answer to our financial problems is growth. We will grow. Our school will grow, our parish will

grow, our hearts will grow, and while we do all of this, our budget deficit will shrink. Then we will approach

the diocese and ask for assistance with our debt.

My agenda remains the same – Let us build the City of God! I will not change and become a money pastor.

Our financial difficulties are a great responsibility but building the City of God is a greater one and I am

thrilled to share that responsibility with you! But our debt is real and it is our responsibility to do what we can

to help it shrink. But when we get to the last judgment God is not going to ask us how we did with our debt –

He is going to ask us how we grew as disciples of His Son. My belief is that if we work on our hearts and on

our discipleship, with an awareness of the debt, we will live responsibly and ultimately the debt will be taken

care of.

I have already seen the tremendous goodness of the people of this parish. I have seen God’s glory shine in

many lives in the short time I have been here. I am convinced that this challenge we face, which is huge, will

lead us to rebirth in the resurrection. We will all witness this resurrection and if we choose we will all be part

of it. I hope and pray you will join in the work needed to walk through this Lenten experience we face so that

we can all see the glory of God’s Promised Land – the City of God right here in Ronkonkoma!

Let’s Pray for each other!

If you haven't purchased your 2015 Calendar Club yet,

don’t miss out because everyday you can be a winner!

Respect Life

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Weekly Offering

Fiscal Year Beginning 9/1/2014 - 8/31/15

Sunday, March 1 , 2015 Offering $20,521 (Includes Faith Direct ($1,919)

Last Year $20,341 Poor Box Last Week $362 Education Collection YTD 2015 $1,591 YTD 2014 $1,432

*Pay Down Debt Donations Additions This Month $ 13,315 Total Funds 448,960 Less Payments made to RVC 425,000 Fund Balance $23,960

RVC Loan 605,000 Less Payment 425,000 Balance $180,000

*Includes Faith Direct Collections for February (77 Participating Households)

If you missed last week , please try to make it up this week. Thank you.

Envelope users : Please enter the amount of your donation on the envelope in the space provided. This will be a big help to us when counting the collection. Also, it is not necessary to tape or staple the envelope closed. Your help is appreciated.

Thank you, Deacon Mike DeBellis

Thank you and God Bless You Always, Fr. Mike

SJMPG IS CALLING ALL MEN!

Come Pray with the

The St. Joseph’s Men’s Prayer Group!

We meet every Tuesday evening in The Church at 7:30pm and pray The Rosary followed in the Vestibule by Coffee, Donuts and a lot of

fellowship. Join with fellow Catholic men and pray, relax and talk. It’s new, It’s Fun and It’s exciting. Come give it a try! No Commitment! No pressure! Plenty of

Camaraderie! See You Tuesday!

The statistics are in and they are horrible…as we turned the corner to 2015, Planned Parenthood released its annual report, where they coldly claim that they killed 327,653 unborn babies in abortions in 2014. Of course, they don’t say “killed”. No matter what term they use, killed is what happened. That’s 37 abortions, 37 babies, per hour, or 1 every 90 seconds. And at an average charge of more than $400 for every abortion , they’re getting rich doing it. They are also on the receiving end of lots of cash from the federal government, which is our tax money. So how do you feel about that? And you do know that some of your tax dollars, through Obamacare, is being used to subsidize the big abortion industry.

But, let’s not lose sight of the good things, such as Right to Life groups and individuals who are like-minded, stopping Governor Cuomo’s abortion-expansion plan, called “Women’s Equality Act”. Very few, but enough, votes stopped this measure from becoming law. And most of all, remember that for more than three decades after Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially did not allow the banning of any abortions – even children old enough to live on their own outside the womb, even those developed enough to feel pain.

Speaking of which, you may want to know which ten states have already passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. And they are: Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Dakota and Texas. Also add Idaho and Georgia, two states which have passed this law, but as yet cannot implement it, because of lawsuits brought

against it.

-adapted from January 2015 NYS Right to Life pamphlet

Every passing day is one that is gone forever. Make sure it is one in which you do something for others, especially for those who cannot do for themselves.

PFC Eric Lange, USMC

SGT Deborah Alfieri

SGT Matthew Altonji

SPC Andrew Altonji

LCPL Matthew Balestrieri, USMC

TSGT Louis Barletta

LT Michael-Jon Bonacorsa

LCPL John Brown

PFC Justin Browne

LTCOL James Cersosimo CPL Glenn Clacher SPC Thomas E. Corcoran

SPC Jason Crawford

CPT Edward Cuevas

PFC John B Cuneo

CPT Ryan Delaney

TSGT Timothy Dermody

SGT Stephen DiGirolamo

SSGT Tony Elliott

LT Kelly Fletcher

SPC Adam Franciosa

CPT Mark Gillman

CPL RJ Hartmann

MAJ Sean P Kilkenny

CW2 Steven Knight

LCPL William Langdon

SPC Christopher Leone

SGT Wade Lynch

MAJ Kevin McCue

PVT Thomas B McGinn

SGT Patrick McNally

PFC William Meyer

CPL Brian G Meyer

CPO Gregory Migliore

SGT Glenn Miller

LT Heather Miras

SPC4 George Monica

SPC4 John Monica

SGT Daniel Montville

GYSGT Brian Moran, USMC

LTCOL Gregory Mueller, USMC

LCPL Thomas Napolitano

LCPL Michael Napolitano

LCPL James Neubauer

SGT Brian Pacell

CPT Stephen Bartoszak

PFC Matthew Pandolfi

SFC James Munro Army

CPT Michael Parisi

2LT Anthony Parisi

MAJ Paul E Pinaud

CTR2 Matthew Pistritto

LT David A Rewkowski

SGT Edwin Rivera, II

SGT Anthony M Sbrocco, USMC

SSGT Jason Schiavo LCPL W. Mason Shehan

SSGT Timothy McGoyne

SPC James Stanek EO3 Taylor Taranto

MM3 Gregory Taranto

PFC Greg Terrish

SGT Jason Tulowitzki

SGT John Thomas Vogt

CPL Brandon Waldon

SGT Randolph Weaver

MSTR Robert Casey ILT Richard Lutz SPC Darian L. Clark/Army

SAMN Bill Ried

CPL Michael Casonova

SPEC4 David Cooper

ENS Michael Cristiano, USN

SGT Brian P. O’Leary

PFC Gregory Caplan

MPS Timothy Caplan

E6PO1 Gerard McGarrity

LT John Cox II

PFC Nicholas Barbieri

LCPL Jim A. Mock

SGT Maj. John A. Krumholz

LCPL Joseph R. DeGroot, USMC

RCT Dustin A. Whitton, USMC

SPC Peter Reilly

SMAN T.J. Waldhauser, US Navy

LCPL Brian Kolarik, USMC

PVT Chris Dorn, Army

SSGT Ray C. Sigman ll

CPL Sean Rainone, USMC

SGT Thomas Lupo

SSGT Mike Hengerle, USMC

Kelly R. Denimarck ENS Navy

SFC James Munro Army

CPL Kristen M. Saporito USMC

Captain Sean Lavigne USAF

LCPL Daniel Pfeifer USMC

MSGT Thomas J. Valentino USAF

CSM Lawrence Doughterty, USArmy

PFC Thomas Conran USArmy

SRA Matthew Maisano USAF

SPJonathan G. Romano USANG

PFC Daniel R. Hayes USMC

PFC Allecia N. Ahearn USMC

Lt. James Ciccarello US ARMY

Sal Evangelista, US ARMY

Nick Vicale SFC ARMY

PFC. Michael A. Davison USMC

CAPT. Glenn Miller

—REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED— Lillian G. Kirwin, Nancy Scordia, Phyllis McAndrews

our deceased soldiers and all of our deceased relatives and friends. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

Lynn Abe-Zaid

Louise Alessandro

Frank Ambrosio

Philip Ambrosio

Robert Aglialoro

Anthony Bernardo

Jeffrey Bratisax

Janet Belz

Mary Ann Bonitz

Elaine Catenaccio

Louise Cipolla

Martin Condit

Cathy Connolly

Eileen Cross

Rick Crotta

Csaba Csaszar

Michael D’Orio

Joanne DeBellis

Michael DePinto

Rita Diubaldo

Eva Dayton

Sharon T. Eichler

Lois & Michael Emma

Sally & Phil Enright

Donna Evers

Philip Fava

Amelia Fava

Helen Fenyak

Mary & Frank Ferrigno

Robert Filce

Patrick Flynn

Roseanne Gabriel

Patricia Geiser

Loretta Gerstner

Michael Heuler

Edward Hoffman

David Hoffman Sr.

Jasper & Margaret Indelicato

Richard & Thomas Jankay

Emily Jensen

Kevin Krivacsy

MaryJo L’Ambrose

Alfred LaRocca

Kevin Latini

Grace Loud

Louis Lopez

Ida Lucivero

Vito Lucivero

Agnes Ludwigson

Carolyn Martins

Pamela Makely

Andrea Maloney

Philip Masi

Isabel McAdams

Maureen Melchiona

Dana Monteanu

Helene Nieswandt

Joseph Nicosia

Joanora O’Donnell

Joseph Olivieri

Helen Onufrak

Anna Pepe

Eileen Perrino

Barbara Petersen

Dorothy Pistritto

Joan Plouffe

Donna Marie Priolo

Kathy Purcaro

Nicole Ramaglia

Evelyn Rosario

Victoria Rosenblum

Mary Ann Rossi

Angela Russo

Mary Ann Russo

Ann Sabourin

Norma Salazar

Franciso Sanchez

Dawn Saporito

Linda Savage

Denise Savage Harper

Joan Scanlon

Ben Scannella

Krista & Nancy Schramm

Nancy Schramm

Maryann Schaudel

Janet Shapiro

Jamie Smith

Michele Smith

Reno Staffa

Dennis Staufenberg

Abe Stegman

Angela Stoner

Richard Stroup

Matthew Swenson

Richard Tizzard

George Tizzard

Analea Torborg

Richard Troiano

Lloyd Turnier

Regina Turnier

Anna Urizzo

James Waldner Sr.

Linda Weber

Peter Wrins

Joseph Yasso

Richard Zwirblis

Pray for Our Troops Pray for the Sick

Mark your calendars Parish Lenten Retreat:

“Life is the Song God is Singing” March 9 - 12, 2015 7PM

This retreat will be four evenings (Mon - Thurs) of prayer, story and song. Each evening will

last about an hour (the penance service may take a little longer). Join us for as many of these

evenings as you can.

Monday (March 9): Being in Rhythm with God

Tuesday (March 10): Our Story: The Musical

Wednesday (March 11): What do I do with the song that is stuck in my head? (Penance

Service)

Thursday (March 12): People who sing in harmony (Mass)

Retreat preacher: Our Pastor Fr. Mike Rieder

Our entire parish is invited to be on retreat together during this time. If your organization has

a meeting during these four evenings, please come to the retreat in place of your meeting.

2015 Catholic Ministries Appeal

Comparison as of 2/25/2015

2014 Goal : $107,800

2015 Goal: $110,000

2014 Pledges #158

2015 Pledges #168

2014 Amount Pledged $41,557

2015 Amount Pledged $45,473

2014 Percent of Goal 38.5%

2015 Percent of Goal 41.3%

Last year’s final numbers are in:

# of pledges: 389

Amount Pledged: $128,425

Parish Rebate: $37,865 (our largest ever!)

Thank you so much! We are on our way to

achieving our goal again this year!

Three Pillars of Lent Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

During Lent, we are asked to focus more in-

tently on Almsgiving which means “donating

money and goods to the poor and performing

other acts of Charity”. Giving alms to the

poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is al-

so a work of justice pleasing to God.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.2462)

Making a pledge to the Catholic Ministries

Appeal is a perfect way to give Alms during

Lent. We ask that you please Pray about it;

ask yourself-what can you give up (Fast from)

during Lent that will allow you to give Alms

by making a pledge to the Catholic Ministries

Appeal. May this Lent be your best ever—

Pray. . . Fast. . . give Alms.

Make Checks payable to the Catholic Ministries Appeal mail to PO Box 4000 Rockville Centre NY 11571-4000 or return to rectory

If you wish to use Credit Card please call: 516-379-5210 ext 2 or

Log on to WWW.CATHOLICMINISTRIESAPPEAL.ORG

Name: _________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________City:________________Zip_____

Pledge: $______ Payment: $______ Enclosed: $______ Bill me: Monthly or Quarterly

Parish: St. Joseph’s Ronkonkoma #146

LEVEL ONE PRAYER RECITATION and BOOK-CHECK

Saturday, March 14 or 21, 10:30am-12:00pm Student attends session at their

assigned time. Prayers are recited to a priest, deacon, or master catechist and

books are checked for completion.

LEVEL ONE ACTIVITY March 16, 2015, 4:45 or 6:45pm

Students attend at their assigned time. Upon arrival, see your Table Monitor for

attendance and further instruction.

RELGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS…

LEVEL6 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION- MONDAY, MARCH 16th

Remember to bring the notice that was mailed home, labeled with your name.

The card is used for attendance purposes. Students attending

Tuesday class arrive at 7:15PM, Wednesday class arrive at 7:30PM,

and Thursday class arrive at 7:45PM

ATTENTION TO ALL PARENTS: ALL Classes are canceled on March 10, 11, &12, 2015

Everyone is encouraged to attend the Parish Lenten Retreat on March 9 - 12, 2015, 7PM

“Life Is the Song God Is Singing” , Retreat Preacher is our Pastor, Fr. Mike Rieder

In Case you’re wondering… You may have noticed that over the past few months the students have

been placing white slips of paper in the Offertory Baskets. These slips of paper explain the

Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy performed out of love for God and neighbor. One com-

mon Corporal Work of Mercy performed was “clothe the naked”. In reading the works of mer-

cy expressed, I was reminded of the following Lenten reflection from Creighton University’s

Praying Lent website titled “Spring Cleaning for Freedom”.

All of us have accumulated much more than we need. It bursts from our closets, overflows our

shelves and clutters our lives. Lent might be a wonderful time to deliberately release ourselves from the many

“things” we own by cleaning out our closets and simplifying our lives in a prayerful and intentional way.

On one level, this is ridding ourselves of things we don't need, or things that we hated to part with except that

they are so "out of style." Certainly, many of us have many things that are "extra" or "unneeded" for us, but

could be wonderful for those who can't afford to buy clothes at a store. Another level of this journey into per-

sonal freedom is to ask ourselves how much I really do need. How many sweaters do I want to choose to have?

How many jackets, sport shirts, dresses, shoes? How much jewelry? How much sporting equipment? How

much electronic equipment? How many sets of silverware or dishes? How much of so many things we have in

our lives? We can get as serious and go as deeply into this as we desire to find fruit.

This is not "should I get rid of what I don't need?" This is different, more faith-filled and takes us into giving up

'good' stuff -- perhaps stuff we are attached to -- because we want to experience the exercise of freedom. We do

this because we sense that we are not free in some areas that are tremendously important for us, important for

our salvation, and growing in freedom before the things of our lives can be a great grace.

This freedom, too, will place us in greater solidarity with those who find such great happiness and joy in trust-

ing in God, while having so much less than we imagine we could survive on.

What else might we do, that fits with my circumstances and the needs around us and in the world?

Congratulations to our Winners.

Thank you for your generous support!

Calendar Club 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2/1

#774

Michael Lawlor

$50

2/2

#772

Jacqueline

Scannella

$25

2/3

#413

Madeline Sicoli

$25

2/4

#259

Anthony & Lina

DeLouisa

$25

2/5

#471

Barbara Mickelson

$25

2/6

#529

Mary Greek

$25

2/7

#673

Gail Flood

$25

2/8

#223

Jim & Liz Kay

$50

2/9

#306

Ed & Pat Nelson

$25

2/10

#393

Catherine Hickey

$25

2/11

#138

Kathleen Simmons

$25

2/12

#534

The Evola Family

$25

2/13

#323

Andrew Peshkur

$25

2/14

#88

Madelyn Haussner

$25

2/15

#639

George & Marie

Hunt

$50

2/16

#81

Marjorie Cecere

$25

2/17

#660

Thomas & Rita

Booras

$25

2/18

#578

John J. White

$25

2/19

#314

Rick & Pat Alvanos

$25

2/20

#694

Arlene Shaffer

$25

2/21

#27

Frank & Maureen

Ingarra

$25

2/22

#167

Sue Keller

$50

2/23

#502

Anne Kelly

$25

2/24

#484

Katherine

Yamaguchi

$25

2/25

#88

Madelyn Haussner

$25

2/26

#413

Madeline Sicoli

$25

2/27

#278

Rich & Leslie

Maynard

$25

2/28

#511

Roseann

Kowalewski

$25

Cenacle Retreat All women are invited to join the St. Regis Columbiettes on March 22nd at the Cenacle for the Annual Re-treat from 2 pm to 6 pm. Cost is $45 per person with dinner includ-ed. Keynote speaker is Fr. Glenn Sudano CFR, mass included. If you are interested, please call Geri Devenney 631-419-6856 or

631-553-3734.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 2nd annual Dine around, especially the following Vendors: Akropolis, Boulevards, K60 Japanese Steakhouse, Island Empanada, Farm to table by Filomena, Maria’s Mexican and Latin Cuisine, Mama Mia’s, Francesco’s bakery, Sundried Tomato, Gino’s of Ronkonkoma, Crazy Crepe Café, Flanagan’s, Miller’s Ale House, Regazzi’s Italian Kitchen, Windows on the Lake, Popei’s Clam Bar, Lake Liquor Ronkonkoma, Panico’s Community Market, Prestano’s bakery, That Meetball Place, BBQ Stew’s, Flories Finales, EPI printing and Printables plus for their Printing donations.

Paschal Candle Memorials

If you would like to memorialize the Paschal Candle for the upcoming year please fill out and return this form with your donation of $100 to the Rectory.

Paschal Candle Memorial Name:

Address:

Telephone: Parishioner ID#

In Memory Of:

LECTORS WANTED!

To parishioners of Confirmation age or higher:

Are you reasonably comfortable addressing large groups?

Do you speak and read clearly – with confidence, strength,

passion, and certain knowledge of what you speak or say?

Do you feel a calling – a vocation – to become God's

instrument in proclaiming His Word to His people?

Do you believe you can truly bring Scripture alive to the

listener; and are you willing to spend a half-hour or more

in practice (before each assignment) to assure a smooth,

effective, and vibrant proclamation?

If your answer to all of the above is "Yes," then your

parish needs you!

On an evening in mid-March, a two-hour Lector Training

session will be held in the rectory.

Interested? Call Greg Walsh at 585-4524.

Outreach Ministry

Feinstein Matching Grant - This foundation will match all donations made to the Outreach Program during the months of March and April. The more of a donation you send the more Feinstein money Outreach will get. Dear Friend: My name is Alan Shawn Feinstein. For the past 14 years, I have been giving away $1 million each year to anti-hunger agencies throughout the country. This year, I am doing it again...whatever you donate to OUTREACH, I will add money to it. The more you give, the more of my $1 MILLION they’ll get – thanks to you! Why am I doing this? Because I believe each of us was put here on earth to do what we can to help those in need. This letter is written because we feel that YOU believe that, too. This has become the greatest grass roots campaign ever to fight hunger in our country. Your donation makes you a partner in it with me! I’m only here to give you some support and to remind you of this: That all that will matter to us someday is what we did while we were here to help those who needed us. Please give whatever you can– I will gladly add some of my money to yours. Thank you for sharing my heart, and the hope that-someday-no one will ever go hungry. Sincerely Yours, Alan Shawn Feinstein

Outreach Resources

St. Joseph Parish Outreach Center

e-mail — sjpo@verizon.net website — http://outreach.stjoronk.org

Through your generosity we were able to help more than 132 people throughout the month of January. In these tough economic times we are seeing people of increasing need. On their behalf, we thank you for sharing your own limited resources with your brothers and sisters. "Whenever you did it for the least of my people, you did it for me."

Parish Outreach

Emergency Resources

Response of Suffolk County

Crisis Hotline

631-751-7620 or 631-751-7500 (hotline 24 hrs./7 days)

Www.responsehotline.org

Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk—VIBS

Domestic/date violence, rape, sexual assault, & elder abuse

631-360-3730 or 631-360-3606 (24 hrs. hotline for domestic violence and rape)

Www.vibs.org or www.inforatvibs.org

Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence

631-666-8833 (hotline)

Www.sccadv.org

The Retreat

Domestic Violence

631-329-2200 (hotline 24hrs/7 days shelter)

Www.theretreatinc.org

Brighter Tomorrows

Domestic Violence

Hotline (631)395-1800

Islip Hotline

Crisis Hotline: 631-277-4700

Runaway Hotline

631-549-8700, 1-800-621-4000

American Red Cross, Suffolk County Chapter

631-924-6700

Www.redcross.org/ny/suffolk

Child Abuse

1-800-342-3720 (24-Hr.)

HIV and Aids Teen Hotline

1-800-440-TEEN (fri./Sat. 6:30PM to Midnight)

Child Health Plus Information and Referral

1-800-522-5006 (24 Hr.)

Family Resources/Support Groups

Child Care Council of Suffolk

631-362-0303

Www.childcaresuffolk.org

Family Service League of Suffolk County

631-427-3700

Www.fsl.li.org

Hope House Ministries

631-928-2377

Www.hhm.org

Islip Town Teen Parent Resource Center

631-224-9766

Suffolk County Department of Health Services

Project Hope Mothers’ Group

631-853-3035 (call for locations)

Www.co.suffolk.ny.us/health

Haven House/Bridges

631-231-3619

Www.tsli-hhb.org

Alcoholics Anonymous

631-669-1124

Gamblers Anonymous

631-586-7171

Narcotics Anonymous

631-689-6262

Life Center of L.I. - Pregnancy Care

631-243-0066

Birthright of Nassau/Suffolk

516-785-4070

Al-Anon Suffolk County

631-669-2827

info@AL-Anon-Suffolk-NY.org

St Joseph

Catholic Seniors

Psst! The word is out! St. Joseph Catholic Seniors are seeking new members to join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each

month. Meetings are held at the St. Regis Knights of Columbus on Pond Rd. at 11 am. Stop by and be our guest for a cup of coffee or tea or call Arlene at 648-3582 if you have any questions.

Our Youth

In Action

Venturing Events In Carew Hall after 5:00 PM Mass

Venturing is open to men and women

age 14 through 20 who have graduated

from 8th Grade. This year's crew plan

is jam packed with interesting and fun activities here

at St. Joseph's and "off-campus" as well.

Come down to our meeting and check it out.

Visit our next meeting:

March 8th Tonight

March 15th

e-mail: Crew272@StJoRonk.org

phone: Advisor Mike Keller (631) 467-6468

What did you do this weekend?

Cub Scout Pack 272

Boy Scout Troop 272

St. Joseph’s Cub Scout Pack 272 and Boy Scout Troop 272

have fun, exciting, educational, character building pro-

grams for boys, age 7 through 17 (first Grade and up).

For more information or to enroll your child,

contact Dr. Louis Scotti at 656-8428

or e-mail JoinScouting@StJoRonk.org.

Pack, Troop, and Crew 272 have

a YEAR-ROUND scouting program.

CYO Sport Programs

http://stjoecyosports.com

Baseball:

Intramural (Coed, ages 4-16): Gene 588-1879

Travel * (Boys) Vinny 543-4100

Basketball:

Girls Debbie 467-6174

Clinic Division (Coed Grades K-2) Henry 467-6091

Boys Grades 3-12) Vinny 543-4100

Travel* Vinny 543-4100

Track:

Boys & Girls, Grades K-8 Jerry 585-4048

Soccer :

Intramural Boys & Girls(ages 3-13 ) Joe 585-0748 Travel (LIJSL): Rob 721-8831

Softball: Dennis 467-6174

*Must register for the intramural program as well

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Psalm 62:7

D.O.G.

DEPEND On

GOD

PRAY FOR THE SICK ___________________________________

Name of person who is ill

_____________________________ _________________________ Person making this request: Relationship to ill person

(Friends can be placed on the silent prayer list only)

PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS

__________________________________

Name, Rank and Branch of Service

______________________________ ____________________ Person making this request Relationship to Soldier

(Friends can be placed on the silent prayer list only)

Courtesy Announcements

Charismatic Prayer Meeting - at Our Lady of the Island Shrine the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7- 9PM. Praise, worship & teaching. Contact the Shrine at 631-325-0661 for info.

Free Food for NY Seniors - The C.S.F.P. funded by USDA NYSDOH, and administered by Catholic Charities is offering free food for 6 to 12 months post partum women, children from the age of 5 up to their sixth birthday, and seniors age 60 and over, who are income-eligible. Gross monthly income for seniors: Single Senior $1,174 or less or Senior Couple $1,579 or less. For further information, and income guidelines for women & children in Nassau or Suffolk, please call 631-491-4166 or 631-491-4156.

Professional Therapy - provided by NYS licensed therapists, are available to our parish & 148 other parishes. It is provided by the Catholic Counseling Center which is independent of & not controlled or supervised by the parish or diocese. Most insurance policies are honored. For information & appointment, call Dr. Giuliani at 243-2503 or visit our website at http://thecatholiccouncelingcenter.net

Spiritual Care Companion - Would you like to lean to become a Spiritual Care Companion sharing your time and presence for hose hospitalized, living in nursing homes, homebound or adults with special needs? Catholic Health Services of Long Island sponsors this free three-weekend training. Trainings: Saturday, March 14th, 28th and April 11th from 9:15 - 3:30. (Bring bag lunch). To register, please contact Carol Cella at (631) 465-6307 or Christine Torns at (631) 465-6306 or Jo-Andrew D’Alessandro Accary at (631) 465-6308.

ARE YOU REGISTERED IN THE PARISH?

Many parishioners support St Joseph’s

in the weekly collection and in other ways

but are not listed in our census. We would

like to serve you better and make sure that

you are given proper credit for your

donations. If you do not receive mail from us,

you are probably not in our census.

Please send us the following information

and we will send you a census card.

Name:____________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________

City, State, Zip:____________________________________

Phone:_________________ Cellphone:_________________

E-Mail:___________________________________________

Would you like to receive contribution envelopes? _______

Would you like to contribute weekly or monthly? _______

Can you share your time or talent with our parish? ______

What would you like to do? _________________________

When is the best time to contact you? _________________

Please drop in the collection basket or bring to the office or mail to

St. Joseph R.C. Church, 45 Church St, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Society of St. Vincent de

Paul Gives Back

St. Joseph’s Church should share in the profits.!! For

each car, truck or van, running or not, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our church $50/$100 per vehicle. Maybe you don’t have a vehicle, but a family member, friend or neighbor has an old or neglected vehicle in their driveway that they would like to dispose of. Call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at (718) 491-2525. Thank you for your participation.

Mark your Calendar

Pat Chapin, Director of Religious Education at Saint Thomas More

will offer another opportunity to come to an out of the way place

and experience God in the uniqueness of the Netherlands,

Belgium, Bruges and Paris. Each day we will spend some time

reflecting on the presence of God in the beauty of nature,

cathedrals, art and one another.

October 5-15, 2015

11 Days. 13 Meals: 9 Breakfasts. 4 Dinners

(Early Bird rate double room occupancy rate of $3,999 in effect

until April 13, 2015)

Call Pat Chapin for further information.

631- 981-4788 or 631-234-0397

pchapin@optonline.net

Seats are limited and so it is first come, first served.