JUNE 24TH 2018 ♥ THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

St. Gregory the Great

224 Brooklyn Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11213

Tel 718- 773-0100

Fax 718- 773-4198

Email: faithcommstgreg@aol.com

Mass Schedule:

Mon. -Sat. 8:30am; Sat.Vigil-5pm

Sunday 11:30am

Saturday: Reconciliation-4:00 pm

Office Staff

Secretary: Rosanne Barber Ext.100

D.R.E: Monica Flemmings

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm

Saint Gregory the Great

Catholic Academy

Spiritual & Academic Excellence

2520 Church Ave.

Brooklyn N.Y.11226

Tel 718-282-2770;

Fax 718-774-3332

Principal: Mr. Rudolph Cyrus

St. Matthew

1123 Eastern Pkwy.,

Brooklyn, NY 11213

Tel 718- 774-6747;

Fax 718- 953-4895

Email: stmatthew1123@aol.com

Mass Schedule:

Monday-Friday 7:30am &

9:00am

Saturday 8:00am & 8:00pm

Saturday: Reconciliation-7:30 pm

or by appointment

Sunday:

English-7:30am & 11:30am

Spanish 9:30am; Kreyol 1:30pm

Office Staff

Secretary: Sharon Andrews

D.R.E.: Steven Horka

Office Hours:

Monday:9:30am-4:00pm

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday:

9:30am-7:00pm

Thursday: 9:30am-9:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am-7:00pm

Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm

Our Lady Of Charity

1669 Dean St.,

Brooklyn, NY 11213

Tel 718- 774-5100;

Fax 718- 778-3335

Email: OlcharityRC@aol.com

Mass Schedule:

Sunday: Rosary 9:00am

9:30am-Praise & Worship

10am-Mass

Office Staff:

Secretary: Patricia Romain

D.R.E.: Ethel Andoh-Menson

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday:10am-6pm

Catholic Cemeteries–

80-01 Metropolitan Ave.

Middle Village, NY 11379

Tel:718 – 894-4888

Pastoral Staff Pastor

Fr. Frank Black

In Residence Bishop Guy Sansaricq

Priests

Fr. Jean–Augustin

Francois

Fr. Juan Luxama

Fr. Conan Shillingford

Deacons

Roy George

Dennis DaCosta

Nickie Colon

Website: www.stmatthewrc.org

St. Matthew Parish

Nativity of John the Baptist: God’s Plan For Us

Today’s celebration, the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist, has two sets of readings, one for the

vigil Masses on Saturday, and one for the Sunday Masses.

When I went over the readings, I was first struck by a phrase in 1 Peter, during the vigil

Mass. Peter says that the ancient prophets did not serve themselves but served us. That caught my at-

tention. The exact quote is:

“It was revealed to them that they were serving not

themselves but you with regard to the things that

have now been announced to you by those who

preached the Good News to you through the Holy

Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels

longed to look.”

The prophets were called by God for this special mis-sion. Two of them were called from their mothers’

wombs. We come upon Jeremiah in Saturday’s first reading saying about himself and, really, about an-

other, “I was set aside from my mother’s womb.” Similarly, Isaiah says in Sunday’s first read-ing, “The Lord called me from birth from my mother’s

womb.”

John the Baptist was called from his mother’s

womb. The annunciation of his conception to Zecha-

riah in the Temple, Saturday’s

Gospel, and the naming of the child with the name

provided by God, Sunday’s Gospel, point out that

God had a special mission for John to fulfill. When

Mary visited Elizabeth, Elizabeth exclaimed, “The

baby in my womb stirred when we heard the sound of

your voice.” Today’s feast points out that from the

first moment of his life, John was an integral part of

God’s plan.

Another prophet, the greatest of the Old Testament

Prophets, Elijah, would meet with Jesus and Moses

on the Mountain of the Transfiguration to discuss

God’s plan. The last book of the Old Testament

prophets, the Book of Malachi, says that Elijah would

come again to prepare the way for God’s plans. The

Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, say that

John the Baptist is Elijah come once again.

God’s plan for man’s salvation was first revealed by

the prophets. It was set into motion when Mary

agreed to be the mother of the Son of God at the

Annunciation,

and it was announced to the world by John when he proclaimed in his preaching that Jesus was the Lamb

of God.

But the plan is not complete. Nor have all the players in God’s great drama assumed their

roles. The plan will not be complete until the entire world embraces the Kingdom of God. The plan will not be complete until each of us and those who come after us assume our own mission in salvation history.

We are called to do far more than just witness God’s wonders. We are also part of God’s plan. We have a function, a responsibility to the Kingdom. What

exactly is your role? What is my role? We know in general, but the specifics become more evident as life progresses. In general, I am a priest, and therefore I have a role as an intermediary for God’s people. You may be married. Therefore, in general, your role is to find God in your spouse and allow him or her to find

God in you. You may be a parent. Therefore, in general, your role is to lead your children to

God. You may be single. Therefore, in general, your role is to give witness to the world as a dedicated Christian and moral single. You may be a Teen.

Therefore you have a role to prepare for your future so you can assume your responsibilities as a leader

in the faith.

These are our general roles in God’s plan, but how about our specific roles? These evolve with life as we become more aware of our individual gifts. Once we

know what our talents are, we must use them for God. This priest might be skilled at caring for those in prison. He needs to make this part of his life even if

he has other responsibilities. That priest can care for sick children and their parents, even if they are not

within his parish. He is obliged to reach out to them. This spouse has developed a talent for recog-

nizing other’s needs and caring for them. Now he needs to use this to care for his own wife who is seri-ously ill. That parent has learned how to motivate her children. She cannot say, “They are now in college.

My work is done.” She needs to keep using her talent for the Kingdom of God. That single has developed fantastic organizational skills. She needs to use her talent to meet the needs of many within her parish. This Teen has developed great talent in music, both singing and writing. He needs to use this to minister

to his own peers as well as those older then him.

We are all part of God’s plan. Like John we have been named by God. This took place at our

baptism. We have been given the mission to lead the world to God, in ways general to our state of life and

specific to our own talents. Like John, we have a responsibility to use our lives to point to the Savior.

BREAD & WINE, CANDLE, BLESSINGS MASS INTENTIONS

ST. MATTHEW: MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday June 23rd

8:00pm– Thanking God for blessings, grace & wisdom to see another year by

Fr. Juan

Sunday June 24th

7:30am– Birthday blessings Arlene Houk by Floe Patrick

9:30am– Birthday blessings for Juana Estrella

11:30am– Birthday blessings John Williams & Birthday blessings in heaven for Louisa Cummins by

Edmund Williams

1:30pm– In loving memory of Marie Carmen Bozil by Lise Bozil & Carmise

Amilka

Monday June 25th

7:30am– Healing & blessings for Shirley Crooks

9:00am– R.I.P. Maria Gomez & Francisco Rodriguez by Gomez &

Rodriguez family

Tuesday June 26th

7:30am– Thganksgiving for Hebazdha & Nimmerode Placide by Nimmerode

G. Placide

9:00am–Wedding anniversary blessings for Florence & St.Clair Holder

Wednesday June 27th

7:30am– For people suffering from all forms of mental illness

9:00am– For children of the world

Thursday June 28th

7:30am– God’s healing blood on Dorothy Edwards

9:00am– For survivors of the volcano in Guatemala

Friday June 29th

7:30am–God’s healing blessings on my children

9:00 am - R.I.P. Zantombi Gabisile & Bhekumuzi Raymond Nxumalo by

Nobuhle Chonco

Saturday June 30th

8:00am– B’day blessings Nicolas Herve by grandma, Yolette Desdunes

WEEKLY READINGS

OUR LADY OF CHARITY: MASS INTENTIONS

ST. GREGORY: MASS INTENTIONS

Sun June 24 Is 49: 1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66,80

Mon June 25 2 Kgs 17: 5-8,13-15,18; Mt 7:1-5

Tue June 26 2 Kgs 19,9-11,14-21,31-35,36; Mt 7:6,12-14

Wed June 27 2 Kgs 22:8-13,23:1-3; Mt 7:15-20

Thu June 28 2 Kgs 24:8-17; Mt 7:21-29

Fri June 29 Acts12:1-11/2Tm4:6-8,17-18;Mt16:13-19

Sat June 30 Lam 2:2,10-14,18-19; Mt 8:5-17

Health & blessings for Mooley Joseph requested by Violette Fortune

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS: Angelina Theodule, Edna King, M Pegye Johnson, Sharonnie Perry, Carmita Phillus, Khalilah Saleem , June James,

Hermelene Thomas, Septimus Johnson, Kim Robinson, Ian Ranjitsigh, Carol Dufresne,

We pray to the Lord.

TODAY’S MASS : Memorial mass for Doreen Peters, requested by her sister Florence Haynes, ,

We pray to the Lord. BREAD & WINE : Bread and Wine for the month of

June was donated by Maura Chiasm, We pray to the Lord

PARISH PRAYER:

For our parish, that the three communities of St. Matthew, St. Gregory the Great and Our Lady of

Charity, learn how to merge and grow together spiritually and become financially sound as three and

yet one, We pray to the Lord.

Birthday blessings for Fitzroy Frank

ST. MATTHEW-BREAD & WINE - JUNE

ST. MATTHEW CANDLE –JUNE 24 -JUNE 30

Sunday, June 24th

11:30 AM Mass for John B. Casey Sr., R.I.P., Requested by

Margaret Mary Casey

Saturday, June 30th

5 PM Vigil Mass for Catherine Spivey, R.I.P., Requested by

Mrs. Pearly Gopaul

WEEKLY MEETINGS REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS

For the homebound, hospitalized and sick

Carmen Allen, Armelle Amilcar, Catherine Bernard, Mother Juanita Brathwaite, Silvester Brathwaite,

Ismay Brewster, ,Cadore & Allen families, Vernice Chambers, Enide Clarke, Mother Veronica Dale, Mother Jessey Danzy, Calvert Davis, Deacon Roy Dudley, Stella Emmanuel, Mother Carrie Frasier,

Muriel Gomez, Trina Gonzalez, Gwendolyn Harding, Joan Hudson, Danielle Huie, Enid Huntley, Janice

Hutchings, Kerlyne Hyppolite,Serge Jaboui, Fernando James, Ian Kellman, Deacon James Lacy, Percival Lewis, Roger Lewis, Sampson Lewis, Luis Manuel Lorenzo, Madelin Lorenzo, Jocelyn Lynch, Mother

Virginia Marcellin, Judith Matthew, Mother Pearl Matthews, Ethel Andoh– Menson, Edith Neumann

(child) Mother Dolores Olff, Marie Pierre, Clyde Pryce, Fr. Robert Seay, Carl Serrette, Frances Smith, Norma Smith, Pamela Smith, Violet Swaby, Cynthia Thomas,

Edris Thomas, Mother Margaret Thompson, Janet Throne, Carmen Valentin, Audrey Williams

SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR:

George Gargiso, Wendy, Sophia & Socia Romain, Emillio Holder, Emillio Simon, Amily James, Vida

Boyea, Vernice Chambers , Phat Lumumba , Keddie, Delron, Randal, and Lance Theodule, Lisa Scott Spencer, Kellice Charles, Danielle Anderson,

Belinda Herbert, Viola King, Eugenio Ibarban, Ausby , Drew & Ford , Lacy & Garth , Glenn families, Danzy & Afam , Thompson , Bowen Joseph, Barbar and Crayne families, all families represented here

today.

All students, teachers and principals, President Don-ald Trump & family, our Government, prayers and

petitions in our prayer basket, for the all Priest espe-cially those who serve here at Charity, Religious Vo-cations, and an increase in Religious Vocations, all men and women serving our country, the elders, all

who are incarcerated, and unexpressed prayers, for immigrants, the DACA program, the mentally sick,

and for world peace We pray to the Lord.

ST. MATTHEW SICK LIST

If you would like to have your name or the name of a

loved one, placed on the new list please contact the

rectory, either by phone or in person. In order to place

them on the list we will need their address and

telephone number .

WEEK OF SUNDAY 06/24/18 @ ST. GREGORY

+ Sunday School CLOSED for Summer

+ 10 AM Senior Choir rehearsal – Church

+ After Mass Council of Ministries Mtg.-Church

+ CREDIT UNION +GIFT SHOP OPEN

TUESDAY 06/26/18

+NO Bible Study w/resume in September

WEDNESDAY 06/27/18

+ NO 11 Mass @ Holy Cross – School CLOSED + 6 PM -7:30 PM ARISE in Creole & French in Rectory.

+ 7 PM ARISE Prayer Group - English

THURSDAY 06/28/18

+ After Mass Senior Bible Study-Rectory basement

followed by ARISE Prayer Group in English

+ 7 PM Sterling Place Civic Association-Rectory basement

FRIDAY 06/29/18

+ 7:30 PM to 10 PM – Prospect Heights Lion Club-

Rectory basement.

SATURDAY 06/30/18

+ NO 8:30 AM Mass – Chapel

+ 4 PM Vigil Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room

+ 6 PM- Light Fest – Church

+6:30 PM ARISE -St. Matthew’s Parish

WEEK OF SUNDAY 06/24/18 @ ST. MATTHEW + 11:45am Legion nidi de la Presentation

+ 1:30pm Youth Ministry

MONDAY 06/25/18

+ 7:00 pm Narcotics Anonymous

+ 7:00pm Haitian Charismatic Prayer Group

WEDNESDAY 06/27/18

+ 11am– Senior Group

SATURDAY 06/30/18

+ 4pm-Youth Choir Rehearsal

+4:15pm-Haitian Legion of Mary

WEEKLY MEETING SCHEDULE @

OUR LADY OF CHARITY

+ 1st, 2nd & 3rd, Mondays A .A Group 6pm—9pm

+ 3rd Tuesdays 7pm

Liturgy Meeting 7pm

AA Group 6pm-9pm

Thursdays A. A. Group 6pm —9pm

Praise & Worship Team 7pm

+ Fridays -Feather Men 5pm

2nd, 3rd & 4th Saturdays

Bible & Culture 10am—noon

+ Every Saturday Prayer Group 8 am-10

2nd & 4th Saturdays Liturgical Dancers

Every Saturday Feathers Meeting 5pm

Every Sunday after Mass- Choir Rehearsal

+ 3rd Sunday-Baptism

+ 1st & 3rd Sunday -Apologetics

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

2018 DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE

WHERE: Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.

WHEN: Saturday, October 27, 2018

COST: $ 55 per person

TIME: Buses depart from St. Matthew at 6AM

DEPARTURE: Buses leave Washington D.C. at 5PM

Bring your own lunch and snacks. The cafeteria only holds 288 people there can be long waits.

SIGHT AND SOUND

PLACE: Lancaster, PA

SHOW: Production of “JESUS”

WHEN: Saturday, September 22,2018,

PRICE: $160.00 for adults,

$150 for children 12 and under

Trip includes: Transportation, Theater ticket,

Shopping and Food. You must make an initial

down payment of $ 50 in order to place your name

on the list

SICK AND HOMEBOUND MASS

Will take place on Saturday, July 14th at 11 AM. You must be Catholic and in a state of grace to

receive this sacrament. The Mass will take place at St. Matthew but you can sign up in the rectory of Our

Lady of Charity, St. Gregory or St. Matthew. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, July 1st. No

applications will be accepted after this date. Drivers are needed to help bring people to and from the

Church. @ St. Matthew

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

Thank you and congratulations to all who participated in the ACA in pew . We have reached our goal, but

we are still asking those who haven’t made a pledge to please do so. Everything that the diocese receives

over the pledge comes back to our parish. The money we receive can be used to fix the roof in our

Church.

Number of in pew pledges: 282 Number of pledges mailed in : 131 Total number of pledges: 413

Dollar amount of in pew pledges:$ 77,842.45 Dollar amount of pledges mailed in:$ 44,602.00

Total dollar amount : $122,444.45

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

OUR LADY OF CHARITY DAY PICNIC:

Saturday, August 18, 2018 Franklin D Roosevelt State Park, buses leaves 8am

sharp Tickets $30. Money due ASAP to secure seat on the

bus.

Swimming pool ($2,00) Playing field, Paddle Boat, Games and much more

Remember to bring your Soccer ball, Football, Basketball, Playing Cards,

Dominos, and let’s have FUN .

FOR TICKETS AND / OR MORE INFORMATION CALL 718 774– 5100

—————————————————————

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

@ ST. GREGORY.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Friendly Reminder - Starting Sunday, July 1st and continuing thru

Sunday, August 26th Sunday Mass at St. Gregory’s Church will be at 10am NOT 11:30am.

Sunday Mass time will return to 11:30am on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018.

LIGHT FEST PICINIC – Open to Church Rescheduled to August. Details to follow.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK MASS – {Must be a

Catholic to receive the Sacrament} Saturday, July 14th @ 11 AM at St. Matthew Church. We must submit names by Sunday, July 1st as it is

the cutoff date. We cannot accept any names submitted after July 1st. Thank you for your

consideration.

CONGRATULATIONS

On Sunday, July 29th at St. Matthew – St. Gregory the Great Worship site there will be a special acknowledgment for all graduates made by The Parent Support Group at the 10 AM Mass. Parents & Guardians, please get names of graduates to Ms. Lorna Gilkes. Thanks.

SCHOOL OF RELIGION @ ST. MATTHEW

SACRAMENTS & REGISTRATION

PARISH REGISTRATION

We urge everyone to register in the parish. Any letter concerning sponsorship for the sacraments or

testimonial letters will only be issued to registered parishioners of 6+ months. Please register @ the

rectory, you can fill out the form on the left and bring to the rectory

BAPTISM: .

To have your child baptized in St. Matthew, you must

pick up a list of requirements in the rectory

MARRIAGE:

Marriage sacrament requires a time of spiritual

preparation. Therefore, couples should make ar-

rangements six months to a year before the planned

date, by making an appointment with the parish priest

ANOINTING OF THE SICK:

If you or a loved one is near death or very ill and need

a priest , we encourage you to call the chaplain of the

hospital or call our rectory

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY

If anyone is interested in joining the Pastoral Care Homebound Ministry please leave your name and

telephone number in the rectory.

RCIA

RCIA stands for RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

OF ADULTS and is composed of a series of sessions

bringing people together to experience the prayer life

of the church as well as learn about its doctrines and

teachings. Using the readings from the Bible which

we hear daily at Mass, the Sacred Liturgy as well as

the Catechism of the Catholic Church, teens and

adults who have not yet done so prepare themselves

to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation &

Holy Eucharist.

RCIA is offered in Spanish, Kreyol & English and

is for people who:

Were baptized in the Catholic Church but have

not received the sacrament of Confirmation,

First Holy Communion or First Confession

Were baptized in another Christian denomination

and wish to join the Catholic Church

Were never baptized & wish to fully worship in the

Catholic Church

Want to know more about what it means to be

Catholic?

The sessions begin in October. If you are interested

in knowing more, please contact the rectory.

Registration forms are now available at the doors of the Church & in the Rectory.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT- $60.00. Deadline- 6/30 Payments for registration received after 6/30 will be

$70.00.

Please attach a Copy of Your Child’s Baptism Certificate, If Not Baptized, Attach a Copy of their Birth Certificate. DEADLINE FOR ALL REGISTRATION IS

AUGUST 30TH, 2018

School of Religion @ Our Lady of Charity

Registration for school of religion is ongoing

School of Religion @ St. Gregory

Registration for Sacrament classes are now

CLOSED. However, there will be ongoing

registration for all Non-Sacrament classes

_______________________________________________

PARISH REGISTRATION

Full Name______________________

Address 1_______________________

Address 2________________________

Telephone Number _________________

Email Address ______________________

Were you registered before ____________

If yes, registration # __________

Today’s Date____________________

ST. GREGORY

OUR LADY OF CHARITY

COLLECTION 6/16—6/17

ST. MATTHEW

Mass

Enve-

lopes

Used

Envelope

Collection

Loose

money Totals

5:00 pm 18 623.00 200.56 823.56

11:30AM 36 1,142.00 637.00 1,779.00

Grand

Total 54 1,765.00 837.56 2,602.56

Fathers’

Day 382.00 382.00

Mass

Enve-

lopes

Used

Envelope

Collection

Loose

money Total

10am 62 2,375.00 70.00 2,445.00

Free will 7 301.00 — 301.00

Grand

Total 69 2,676.00 70.00 2,746.00

Fathers’

Day 63.00 63.00

Mass

Enve-

lopes

Used

Envelope

Collection

Loose

money Totals

8 PM 69 2,297.00 258.45 2,555.45

7:30 AM 140 3,479.00 589.05 4,068.05

9:30 AM 63 1,029.16 325.42 1,354.58

11:30 AM 91 2,368.78 441.47 2,810.25

1:30 PM 69 864.00 173.35 1,037.35

L.I.R. 53 1,379.00 1,379.00

TOTAL 485 11,416.94 1,787.74 13,204.68

Fathers’

Day 871.00 871.00

GENERAL WEEKLY EXPENSES ST. MATTHEW ;

OUR LADY OF CHARITY AND ST. GREGORY —

$ 27,000.00

FINDING PEACE IN A DIVIDED NATION

Our country is divided. We are experiencing this divi-sion in our workplace, our schools, our parishes and even in our extended families. For Catholics and all

Christians, the essential question is: What can we do to restore peace in our relationships among people

with whom we disagree? How do we follow the central teaching of Jesus Christ to love one another?

“As I have loved you, so you should also love one Another” (Jn 13:34)

When we choose love we recognize that despite our differences we are still sons and daughters of a just and merciful God. We acknowledge that our feelings and opinions may be different from someone else’s

but we treat the other person with respect and courtesy.

When we choose hate, we cut our selves off from God and from other people. We descend into an

attitude of meanness that results in harsh words and unkind behaviors . In a 2013 meditation on the power of words, Pope Francis explains that when we choose hate, it is not that we are bad but rather we are “weak and sinful.” He admits that is often easier to “resolve a

situation with an insult, with slander, or with mud Slinging, rather than with kind words.” However as

Catholics, we are called to kindness. (Excerpt from Our Sunday Visitor)

CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL

DIOCESE OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA

The English Charismatic Prayer Group invite you to the Charismatic conference in Scranton from August 3rd to August 5th, 2018. The cost of the trip is $243. For more information please contact Shirley Crooks

@ 917-518-4626

WEEKLY EXPENSES

The Widow’s Offering Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings

were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.

Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a

few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the oth-

ers. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

LOVE VERSUS HATE (PART 1)