Parish Staff Pastor

Rev. David Powers Sch.P.

Parochial Vicars

Rev. Nelson Henao Sch.P.

Rev. Richard Wyzykiewicz Sch.P.

Parish Secretary Mrs. Rosemarie Ortiz

Music Director Mr. Patrick Marques

Musicians

Mr. Jim Donaldson

Mr. Alex Henriquez

June 2017

Development Director Mrs. Stephanie Turtle

St. Helena’s School (718) 892-3234

http://www.sthelenaelementary.org Early Childhood (3Yr Olds & Pre-K for All)

Elementary School (Grades K-8)

Principal: Mr. Richard Meller

2050 Benedict Avenue

Bronx, New York 10462

High School:

Monsignor Scanlan H.S. (718) 430-0100

http://www.scanlanhs.edu/

Principal: Mr. Peter Doran

915 Hutchinson River Parkway

Bronx, New York 10465

St. Helena Rectory:

1315 Olmstead Avenue

Bronx, N.Y. 10462

Phone: (718) 892-3232

Fax: (718) 892-7713

www.churchofsthelena.com

Email: sthelenarc@yahoo.com

Alumni: sthelenasalumni@yahoo.com

Mass Schedule (Horario de Misas)

Baptisms: Arrangements must be

made at the Rectory for Baptismal

Class. Bring a copy of the child’s

Birth Certificate.

Marriages: Arrangements for

weddings should be made as soon as

possible at the Rectory.

Rectory.

saint Helena

parish Bronx, NY

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Happy Birthday to the Catholic Church Happy birthday to you, who are the body of the Church!

We're all familiar with our own birthdays, and we celebrate them because they mark the day of the year in which we entered into this life. But did you know you have a second birthday? Because you are part of the body of the Church, Pentecost is the Church's birthday, and yours as well. And like any birthday, it's a cause for celebration.

Pentecost is the liturgical season after Easter which celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, ushering in a new era for the people of God. The word Pentecost is Greek and it means "50th day." Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations. Pentecost is also a Jewish holiday, which the Jews use to celebrate the end of Passover. Jews celebrate the gift of the law to Moses at Mt. Sinai on this day. But we, as Catholics celebrate the birth of our Church.

At Pentecost, the Apostles and their followers were gathered in a room. Jews from all over the world were gathered with Peter, the leader of the Apostles and the Eleven. At this time, a great wind blew and a flame appeared as a tongue of fire, which split itself into many individual flames above the heads of all those present. The Holy Spirit came upon these people and each began to speak in tongues. Despite the fact many had no common language, they were perfectly able to understand one another. Others who were not so blessed, accused those speaking in tongues of being drunk, but Peter arose and addressed the crowd, explaining that it was only 9 o'clock and that this phenomenon was not intoxication, but rather this was the work of the Holy Spirit, as prophesized in the scripture. Peter then called all those present to be baptized and about three thousand people were baptized that day. These people were among the first Catholics, and Peter is the first pope of the Catholic Church.

The symbols of Pentecost are the flame, the wind, and the dove, which represents the Holy Spirit. The color of Pentecost is red and the priest wears red vestments on this day. Parishioners are also invited to wear red on this day. Red decorations, as well as celebrations, are appropriate, similar to any other birthday.

Pentecost (Whitsunday), with Christmas and Easter, ranks among the great feasts of Christianity. It commemorates not only the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples, but also the fruits and effects of that event: the completion of the work of redemption, the fullness of grace for the Church and its children, and the gift of faith for all nations. Special prayers are often said just for Pentecost.

One final point: why the miracle of tongues? In answer, recall the story regarding the tower of Babel. Puffed up by pride, men attempted to build a tower that would touch the heavens. To punish their sin, God confused their speech. Sin causes confusion and division. Now Christ came to gather all men into His Church and thereby to unite them to Himself. This should result in creating one family of nations again. To this blessed state the miracle of tongues points. Yes, even we as individuals have a gift of tongues which all men can understand. It is the gift of love infused into us by the Holy Spirit. Love unites, love is a common language, by means of love we can speak to all nations. Fr. David

The Catholic Approach to Islam Radical Islam has recently made the news multiple times, and the question has been raised, just what is the relationship between Catholics and Muslims? To be sure, the Church seeks to promote fellowship among all men. We acknowledge that all historic religions that have grown up in the context of well-developed cultures have attempted to provide answers to the most central questions that confront man, such as who he is, what the meaning of his life is, and what kind of moral life he is to lead. We recognize that there are elements of truth in all of these religious traditions, and so the Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in them, and Catholics are exhorted to engage in dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions so they can recognize the good things found among them.

However, it is important to note that while the precepts and teachings of these other religions differ in many respects from the Church’s, they often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men —that is, they obscurely express Christ in some way. The Church stresses that dialogue and cooperation with them must be carried out with prudence and love. While acting in charity, Catholics must always bring discernment to their dealings with adherents of non-Christian religions. The Church—and by extension, the faithful - ever must proclaim Christ as the way, the truth, and the life and the cross of Christ is seen as the sign of God’s all-embracing love and as the fountain from which every grace flows. What this means is that Catholics can never back away from holding—always charitably, to be sure—that the Catholic Church alone teaches the fullness of the truth.

As far as Moslems are concerned, The Catholic Church regards them “with esteem,” because as members of a fellow Abrahamic faith they submit to the one true God, revere Jesus as a prophet even if they don’t recognize him as God, have devotion to the Blessed Mother, and like Christianity value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting, and also await the resurrection of the body on Judgment Day.

Catholics cannot refuse to treat any person “in a brotherly way,” since all are created in the image of God, and that there is no basis for any theory or practice that leads to discrimination between man and man or people and people, so far as their human dignity and the rights flowing from it are concerned.

A key point here is that Catholics cannot let themselves slip into a kind of religious syncretism when viewing other religions or in their dealings with their adherents. Charity is exhorted, but so is prudence. The Church says that dialogue and cooperation must be carried out with these things in mind, but it also cautions Catholics not to slip into a mindset of moral or religious equivalency. When the Church says that these other religions have elements of the truth—which unwittingly, for them, reflect the truth of Christ—it is making clear that, as stated, the Church alone embraces and teaches the fullness of truth and the complete path to human salvation. She, in effect, is reminding the faithful that they cannot forget this or cease to make it a central element motivating their dialogue. Indeed, it has been just such a neglect that has abundantly characterized ecumenical relations since Vatican II and has helped retard the Church’s efforts at evangelization. Where Catholics have not succumbed to a functional religious syncretism, many have failed to understand that a charitable attitude can make it possible to stand solidly for principles and even speak the truth and still get along with people.

Indeed, the Church invites, rather than discourages, a careful and honest examination and evaluation of the beliefs of non-Christian religions and a clarity in pointing out—especially to fellow Catholics, in the interest of their increased understanding—the realities about their origins, problems in their teaching, and ways in which they conflict with Catholic truth. It goes without saying that this is always supposed to be done charitably and respectfully, but

ST. L BRONX,

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getting to the point and laying out the realities is not the same thing as engaging in polemics. Therefore, Catholics can engage in blunt, well argued, criticisms of Islam.

Some of the things that would seem to be fair game in a careful examination of Islam are whether some of its basic teachings may encourage violence as a way to spread the faith, the historical background and character of Mohammed, whether an arbitrariness and radical voluntarism took deep root in Islam way back in the Middle Ages when it turned its back on philosophy (as Robert Reilly brilliantly discusses in The Closing of the Muslim Mind), how much Islamic teaching really permits coexistence with and equal treatment of other religions once it gains political power, whether its basic teachings give rise to the Islamic radicalism we witness today or if this is a divergence and corruption, and whether for it religious dominance also means political domination. In light of what we have witnessed historically and in the present crisis caused by Islamism, these are hardly red herrings or an unjustified sounding of alarms. Let us remember that the Church never asks the faithful to surrender reasonableness or good judgment in considering things.

Another thing should be pointed out. The Church encourages dialogue and cooperation with adherents of non-Christian religions. It is not so clear that many Moslems have responded in kind—whether it’s been with the closed communities that Islamic immigrants tend to form, or how the major U.S. Islamic groups can’t seem to bring themselves to criticize the radicals, or how the Christian bishops from the Islamic world have long complained how their attempts at inter-religious dialogue are typically spurned, or how even the attempts of missionaries to dialogue with Islamic elements in different countries so often simply fall flat. For example, Catholic missionaries in Mindanao in the Philippines have worked with and ministered to the Moros for many years, but their efforts have gone nowhere. Now, after decades of the Church’s institutions aiding them there in health care, education, and other human needs, Catholics have been met with resistance and even violence as some elements of the Moro population have become radicalized.

The Church does not call for an uncritical or “hands-off” attitude toward Islam or any other world religion, and neither the laity nor those in the institutional Church should view it otherwise and we should certainly not unquestioningly buy into the prevailing “politically correct” viewpoint about Islam that now so permeates the Western world and has helped give the radicals their opening.

Visitation: la «médaille miraculeuse» dans les Jardins du Vatican

A l’occasion de la fête de la Visitation, demain 31 mai, et de la conclusion du “mois de Marie” dans les jardins du Vatican, les Filles de la Charité de saint Vincent de Paul, qui servent la Maison Sainte-Marthe du Vatican, offriront aux participants une « médaille miraculeuse » dont le « design » a été indiqué par la Vierge Marie à sainte Catherine Labouré, le 27 novembre 1830, à Paris, au couvent de la rue du Bac.

Les « miracles » qui accompagnèrent les premières distributions de la médaille lui ont valu son nom populaire, mais, comme le revers de la médaille l’indique par les deux cœurs de Jésus et Marie, ce qui est miraculeux, c’est l’amour surnaturel dont le don de la médaille témoigne. C’est en effet la tradition que le mois de Marie se conclue au Vatican par une procession aux flambeaux jusqu’à la « Grotte de Lourdes » des Jardins du Vatican et la prière du chapelet. La supérieure des Filles de la charité, Sr Stefania Monti, a expliqué ce geste des sœurs au micro de Radio Vatican : « Remettre cette médaille miraculeuse aux participants de ce pèlerinage, au terme du mois de Marie, c’est revaloriser ce grand don que la Vierge Sainte a fait à Catherine Labouré et à toute la communauté » : « C’est un signe de la grande tendresse de Dieu pour toute l’humanité. » Ce geste rappelle aussi le jubilé

des 400 ans de la famille spirituelle de saint Vincent de Paul. Quant au service des sœurs à Sainte-Marthe, sr Stefania souligne : « C’est un service spécial, un service que nous vivons au cœur de l’Eglise, auprès du Vicaire du Christ, le pape François. »

SISTER CANDIDA BELLOTTI, the most long-lived Sister in

the world, died on Saturday, May 27 at Lucca, Italy at 110 years

of age. Sister Candida, from Veneto, was born on February 20,

1907, and was baptized Alma Bellotti. Having entered the

Congregation of the Ministers of the Sick of Saint Camillus in

1931, Sister Candida served as a professional nurse in several

cities of Italy. The deceased religious lived under ten Pontiffs.

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND JUNE 11 will

help cover our air conditioning costs. We have spent several

thousand dollars to repair our current system, and your support

and generosity is needed to help us cover that expense.

BLACK AND INDIAN MISSION COLLECTION-Today our

parish will take up one collection for both the 134th annual

National Black and Indian Mission Collection and the collection

for the Catholic New York newspaper. Our support of the Black

and Indian Mission collection helps build the Church in African

American, Native American, and Alaska Native communities

from coast to coast. Schools, parish religious education programs,

and diocesan ministries depend on your generosity to help them

spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Possible Corporate Merger: Hale Business Systems,

Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R. Grace Co. will merge and become: Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.

Banns of Marriage I- Felipe Rosales & Carmina Ayala

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

50/50- MAY WINNER4 # 106 @ $280. Remember , it only

costs $5 for your chance to win in our 50/50 drawing. Pink

50/50 envelopes are available both in your mailed offertory

envelopes as well as at both entrances to the church and in

the bookstore. Enter the June drawing today, which will be

held on June 26.

BIBLE STUDY-This Tuesday, June 6, the English Bible

Study Class will study Chapter 26 of St. Matthew at 1PM and

7:30PM in the green building. The Spanish class meets at

7PM in the cafeter ia & is also studying St. Matthew.

ENGLISH CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP meets

every Wednesday at 7:30PM in the meeting room of the

Green Parish Center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

SPANISH CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP meets

every Monday at 7PM in the Church. Mass will be celebrated

on June 5.

JOIN ST. HELENA’S YOUTH CHOIR-Have fun learning

how to sing and praising God. Rehearsals are every Sunday

at 8:30AM in the choir loft of the church.

CARNIVAL PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE ON SALE-The

Parish Carnival is now less then one month away, and pre-

sale tickets are on sale this weekend. You can purchase a

sheet of twelve tickets for $10, which will be enough for

FOUR kiddie rides or THREE children’s rides, or one adult

and one child and one kiddie ride. Those same tickets will

PENTECOST SUNDAY

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JUNE 4, 2017

sell for $15 at the carnival. You can also signup to volunteer

to help out at the carnival, which will run for 29 hours over

four days, June 22-25. The more volunteers we have, the

fewer number of hours any one volunteer would need to

work. Raffle tickets are now on sale. They are $2 each or

three for $5. The top prizes are a 46in. Smart T.V., $444 in

cash, and a set of 14K gold earrings. Food tickets are on

sale for $1 each. All tickets are available in the Religious

Center, in the Rectory, and at a table in the church vestibule.

FOOD DONATIONS FOR THE CARNIVAL-We are

looking for cash donations as well as donations of SINGLE

SERVE containers of water, soda, and juice. We are also in

need of desserts, paper plates, napkins, and plastic knives,

forks, and spoons. All donations can either be brought at

any time to the rectory, or they can be brought to the back of

the church during the weekend Masses. Thank you for your

support.

CARNIVAL VOLUNTEERS needed to help in a var iety

of ways. Please see the volunteer sheets in the back of the

church.

NEXT BAPTISM PREP CLASSES will be held on Thurs.,

June 8 and June 22 at 7PM. Please br ing a copy of the

child’s birth certificate as well as either a letter of suitability

for the godparents from their local pastor or a copy of the

godparent’s Confirmation Certificate and if a godparent is

married, a copy of their Catholic Marriage Certificate.

YOUTH GROUP for ages 12-18 meets on Fridays from

7-8:30PM in the gym.

2018 MASS BOOK is now open. Come to the Rectory.

PARISH RELIGIOUS GOODS CENTER is open every

Sunday from 8:30AM to 1PM.

CONFIRMATION PHOTOS HAVE ARRIVED-The

Confirmation photos taken with Bishop Jenik have arrived.

They can be picked up either in the rectory or in the

Religious Goods Center after Mass. There is no charge for

these photos.

FREE RESUME WRITING WORKSHOP today,

Sunday, June 4 at 11:30AM in the green building.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP meets on

Saturdays at 11AM for 6 weeks in the Green Par ish

Center. A new group will begin in June. The group is

intended for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one

or a dear friend. To register or for more information about

this program, contact: Jessica Perez at

jeniperez_s@yahoo.com.

APARTMENTS WANTED-Within the Parkchester area. If

you know of one that is available, please call the Rectory.

ROSE BUSH NEEDED FOR SHRINE-We lost one of the

six rose bushes surrounding the Shrine of Our Lady of

Guadalupe. If anyone has a climbing rose bush to replace it,

we would greatly appreciate it.

BABY BOTTLE DRIVE FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN-Please

return your baby bottles to the Rectory or the Religious

Goods Center before Father’s Day. Your cash, coin, and

checks will support Expectant Mother Care Frontline

Pregnancy Care Centers. Operating for 30 years through

New York City, Expectant Mother Care counsels thousands

of distraught expectant moms annually, providing free

testing, ultrasound, practical and spiritual help. Your gift

saves lives. For more information, go to

www.EMCFrontLine.org or call 212-213-4690 or write

them at P.O. Box Bronx, N.Y. 10470.

SPECIAL PARISH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES– St.

Helena Parish will recognize all of those couples celebrating

special wedding anniversaries in 2017 e.g. 25, 30, 35, 40,

etc. The celebration will take place on Sunday, June 4 at

both the 10:30AM Family Mass and the NOON Spanish

Mass.

50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY-Our parishioners

celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary anytime during

2017 are invited to attend the Annual Golden Wedding

Jubilee Mass with Cardinal Dolan at the Cathedral of

St. Patrick, Sunday, June 18th at 2:00 pm. Pre-registration is

required. You must contact the rectory in order to register.

PARKCHESTER COMMUNITY MEETING-Officer

Cooper and other members of the 43rd Precinct will be here

at St. Helena on Tuesday, June 20 from 1-2:30PM and again

from 7-8:30PM to speak with St. Helena par ishioners,

parents, and Parkchester neighbors about any issues of

community concern that they may have, whether it be

potholes in the street, dangerous intersections, neighborhood

crime, or any other concerns. The meet and greet will take

place in the St. Helena gym. All are welcome to attend.

NEW ON FORMED-Bring the Holy Spirt to Life.

Discover The Wild Goose on FORMED and discover a

deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Resources are

available in both English and Spanish. St. Helena’s Parish

has a free subscription to an online platform called

FORMED, and all parishioners have unlimited access to

faith formation programs, Bible Studies, Catholic-themed

movies and programs, enjoy music, e-books and much more.

It is very easy to register with FORMED. FIRST go to

formed.org and click the REGISTER link in the middle

of the page; enter the parish code 2KQQYD and your email,

then click “Go.” Fill in the registration information. After

registering, you will receive a message asking you to verify

your email address. Check your email (it may be in your

spam folder) and click VERIFY. You will be prompted to

login. You can then enjoy using FORMED.

SHORT TERM COUNSELING AVAILABLE-St. Helena

parishioners have access to affordable, short-term

professional counseling available at convenient locations

throughout the Archdiocese. Up to six sessions can take

place with just a $10 co-pay per session. For more

information, please contact one of our priests. AA BIG BOOK STUDY meets every Sat., 7-8:30PM in

the green building.

CO-DEPENDENTS ANNONYMOUS meets every

Monday from 7-8:30PM in the green building.

OFFERING ENVELOPES

Sunday, May 28, 2017 $4,437.05

Elementary School $1,740.00

Ascension Thursday $945.00

Our weekly budget, (Nuestro presupuesto semanal es) $4,423.00

Thank you to everyone for your generosity and for your support and

for all that you do for St. Helena’s Parish. We are currently working

on our air conditioning system and fixing plumbing issues. We

exceeded our weekly goal, and we thank you for it. I ask you to

please consider increasing your regular weekly offerings a little so

that we can exceed our 2017 weekly budget goal and be able to pay

for much needed physical plant improvements.

Gracias a todos por su generosidad y por todo lo que hacen por esta

Iglesia de St. Helena.

ST. HELENA SCHOOL NEWS TRACK TEAM TAKES OFF-St. Helena's track team blew

away the competition and won 36 out of a possible 52

medals at their last track meet. Among the highlights of the

meet were graduating eighth graders Andrew Kahn and

Katlyn Diaz who placed first in their individual races.

Congratulations to the track team for an excellent meet.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS CONVERT TO ISLAM OR DIE-The militants who

attacked a bus of Coptic Christian pilgrims in Minya, Egypt,

gave their victims a chance to convert to Islam and shot them

after they refused, L’Osservatore Romano and other new

agencies reported. The reports were based on the testimony

of various survivors of the attack, in which 28 were killed

and 22 were injured.

CONTRACEPTION REMOVAL-The Trump

Administration is drafting new regulations that will eliminate

the requirement for religious institutions to provide

contraceptive coverage for employees. The Office of

Management and Budget has announced that it is weighing

an “interim final rule” that would remove the contraceptive

mandate for religious employers. The mandate has been the

most controversial aspect of the “Obamacare” health-care

reform. The New York Times notes that a new policy

removing the mandate “would all but ensure a court

challenge by women’s rights groups”—just as the mandate

itself was challenged by numerous religious institutions.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR SENIORS to all

medical appointments available Monday through Friday

from 8AM-4PM. Call R.A.I.N. at 718-882-8513. FR. JEROME OFOEGBU-Fr. Jerome was a priest of the

Diocese of Umuahia in Nigeria and was a pastoral associate

here at St. Helena for several years and later at St. Joseph’s

in Somers and Holy Spirit in Courtland Manor. He studied

in the U.S., receiving a master’s degree from Fordham and a

doctorate from Hebrew Union. He recently returned home

where he passed away due to heart disease. His Funeral

Mass will be at his diocesan cathedral on June 1, and he will

be buried in the priest’s cemetery there. Our prayers are

with his family and friends. JUANA RODRIGUEZ-St. Helena’s oldest parishioner

Juana Rodriguez passed away peacefully on May 22,

surrounded by her family and in the midst of prayer at the

age of 102. She was born on July 9, 1914, in the Dominican

Republic, where she labored on a farm and made her own

bread. She married at age 19 and had 11 children, 51

grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 2 great, great

grandchildren. She was widowed in 1975. She had no

formal education. She attended the Noon Spanish Mass and

never ceased to pray the Rosary. She came to the US in 1971

and returned to the Dominican Republic, along with 300

family members, to celebrate her 100th birthday. Her funeral

Mass was Saturday, May 27 here at the parish. THE EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP: MAKING

COLLEGE POSSIBLE-This year, Governor Cuomo and the

New York State Legislature enacted the nation's first tuition-

free degree program, the Excelsior Scholarship. The

Scholarship is available to students enrolled at SUNY or

CUNY school for the fall of 2017.

The program goes into effect immediately, and is available

for students whose families earn up to $100,000 annually

beginning in the fall 2017. The application will be available

June 7. Visit www.hesc.ny.gov to learn more, and text

COLLEGE to 81336 for updates.

ISIS BURNS A CATHEDRAL IN THE PHILLIPPINES-

Tensions have sharply escalated on the island of Mindanao,

in the Philippines, as Islamic militants this week torched the

rectory and the cathedral in the city of Marawi, beheaded the

police chief and seized 15 hostages, including the Vicar

General of the diocese. SUMMER ORGAN SCHOOL-a ten-week program of

private lessons for qualified keyboardists who wish to apply

their keyboard skills to the “king of instruments.” The cost

for 10 lessons is $400. The Summer Organ School is part of

the archdiocesan Organist Training Program, which seeks to

provide the qualified keyboardist with the skills and training

to successfully serve as an organist in a parish setting. For

more information, visit www.nyliturgy.org .

THIRTEEN TUESDAY’S IN HONOR OF

ST. ANTHONY-The traditional devotion continues every

Tuesday until June 6 at 7PM at St. Anthony’s Par ish.

PARKCHESTER HEALTHCARE EXPO on June 10

from 11AM-4PM in the Parkchester Main Oval.

HOLY CROSS SPRING CARNIVAL-June 15-18, 620

Thieriot Ave. Pre-sale tickets at the rectory 12 for $10.

JOB FAIR on Friday, June 16 from 6-8PM at the New

South Bronx Center Police Athletic League, 991 Longwood

Ave. Bring your resume. Remember our free resume writing

workshop here at St. Helena on Sun., June 4 at 11:30AM.

PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA-Fr. John Palatucci, a former

Parochial Vicar here at St. Helena, is leading a pilgrimage to

Fatima June 26-July 6 for the 100th Anniversary of the

Marian apparitions. The trip will include a journey through

Spain to visit Santiago de Compostela and Avila. For more

info, call the rectory or Fr. John at (845) 735-7405 or

e-mail:johnfrancisx10@gmail.com.

ST. CATHARINE ACADEMY SUMMER TACHS

PREP PROGRAM-St. Catharine Academy’s Higher

Achievement Program (HAP) for 7th and 8th grade girls will

be taking place from July 5th through July 21st from 9AM-

1PM. HAP will help to strengthen and reinforce English,

Math and Reading skills for success in the Test for

Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS). Your

daughter will also have the opportunity to experience

enrichment courses in Robotics and Art. Please visit

www.scahs.org or contact Ms. Tracy Keelin, Program

Director at 718-882-2882 ext. 122 for more info.

Please Pray for the Sick of our Parish

Joanne Frances Bernadette Sanabria, Sylvia Carballo,

Ruben Mercado, Mike Adorno, Catherine Holden,

Carmelle and Nicole Antoine, Indrowdi Sadu, Rosa Pena,

Brenda Jackson, James Leunge, Carole Primak, Anna Baez,

Lucy Cannavacciuolo, Aaron Sylvester, Sean Gaffney, Bertha Mero,

Peter Vaccaro, Gino Vaccaro, Ronald Horne, Doris Waldropt,

Milagro Vasquez, Juana Carmen Rodriguez, Ynes Tavarez,

Theresa Delevan, Mariana Rivera, Noemi Cross, Arley Johnson,

Annissa Ramratansingh, Catherine Gregson, Josefina Gonzalez,

Rosa Amelia Escribano Santiago, Joseph Lopez, Fr. Andrew Buechele,

John Ford, Dick Williams, Melanie Rosario, Ayyapan Pandikatil,

Mary T. Early, Agnes Griffith, Belen Bonhomme

Please Pray for the Deceased and their Grieving Families: Joan Ricci, James P. Walsh, Richard Wharff, Delsin Gomez,

Luz M. Almanzar, Elizabeth Olivares, Fr. Jerome Ofoegbu,

Hector Resto, Juana Rodriguez

SUMMER YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY runs from

July 5 to August 11 from 8:30AM-2PM. It is a free

program for youth between the ages of 10-16. There are

weekly field trips, sports, and classroom work. The academy

will be held at Bronx Community College. Applications are

due by May 31 and can be downloaded at: http://

www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/youth-

programs/youth-police-academy.page

CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY/ROME/

MONTE CASSINO/NAPLES/POMPEII/AMALFI

COAST-September 11-20, 2017, $3,799.00 per person

including air from JFK. Breakfast & Dinner Daily. Mass

daily at the Holy Shrines. For more info please call Cathie or

Michael Milano at 1-800-773-2660.

ANUNCIOS EN ESPANOL ATENCION: Por favor los responsables de las mesas del

carnaval apunten las fechas de las reuniones. Próxima

reunión: Jueves 8 de junio a las 7 pm. La reunión del 15 de

junio se cambió para el 19 de junio a las 7 pm.

JECAFA: Próxima reunión e; 9 de junio a las 7.30 pm.

PRE-VENTA DE TICKETS PARA EL CARNAVAL:

Ahorre dinero!!! Se están vendiendo 12 tickets por 10

dólares. Esos mismos 12 tickets durante el carnaval costarán

15 dólares. Los pueden comprar en el BOOKSTORE o en la

RECTORIA.

DONACIONES PARA EL CARNAVAL: Buscamos

donantes de agua, sodas, productos de plástico como

plásticos, cubiertos, servilletas, etc. También hay una caja a

la salida de la Iglesia donde será posible hacer donaciones en

efectivo que serán usadas para productos del carnaval.

Gracias por su apoyo!!

JECAFA: Jesús y Calasanz en la Familia. Nuevo grupo

para padres de familia. Como parte de la Pastoral Social de

nuestra Iglesia, se está promoviendo la creación de este

importante grupo de reflexión sobre la familia. Próxima

reunión: Junio 9 a las 7.30 pm en el Edificio Verde.

PROXIMAS CLASES DE BAUTISMO: Junio 8 y Junio

22 a las 7 pm. Traer copia del certificado de nacimiento. Si

los padrinos son casados deben traer el certificado de

matrimonio de la Iglesia. Si son solteros deben traer el

certificado de la Confirmación o una carta de la Iglesia a la

que pertenecen en donde se dice que ellos pueden ser

padrinos de Bautismo.

CLASES DE BIBLIA: Tanto en Español como en Inglés

se está estudiando el Evangelio de San Mateo. En Español

las clases son los martes a las 730 pm en la cafetería. En

Inglés las clases son los martes a la 1 pm y a las 7.30 en el

edificio verde.

GRUPOS CARISMATICOS DE ORACIÓN: En Español

los lunes a las 7 pm en la Iglesia. En Inglés los miércoles a

las 7.30 pm en el edificio verde.

MIERCOLES DE LA MISERICORDIA: Ven los

miércoles a adorar al Santísimo y a vivir con alegría el

misericordioso regalo de la Eucaristía. Invita a tus amigos y

familiares a esta fiesta de amor!!!

LEGION DE MARIA: Todos los viernes a las 7 pm, ven

a rezar el Rosario y a planear servicio a la comunidad.

ABC, GRUPO JUVENIL: Invita a tus hijos a par ticipar

de esta gran oportunidad de hacer amigos mientras se

aprenden valores de vida y de fe importantes para la vida.

Encuentros los viernes de 7 pm a 9 pm en el gimnasio.

BUEN DIA, HERMANOS: .Queridos hermanos, durante el tiempo de Pascua, que termina

con la solemnidad de Pentecostés, hemos estado leyendo el libro

de los Hechos de los Apóstoles. No es posible leer en su totalidad

este libro con las lecturas que selecciona la Iglesia para la

temporada, ése es un placer que le queda reservado a quienes se

toman el trabajo de leerlo de manera personal. Primera lección: si

eres de las personas que viene los domingos a Misa, ya conoces

una buena parte de las Escrituras, pero aún te falta mucho por

conocer. Ni siquiera leyendo las lecturas de cada día se llega a

conocer en totalidad la Biblia. Hay que hacer “el ejercicio” de

leer la Palabra de Dios en forma habitual y personal. No tienes

que leer toda la Biblia de una vez, pero es buena práctica

espiritual adquirir el hábito de la lectura de la Palabra de Dios.

Con frecuencia yo aconsejo qué libros leer según el tiempo

litúrgico que se va celebrando. Eso es lo que te va dando la

capacidad de comprender cada vez de una manera más integral el

mensaje que Dios tiene para tu vida. Hay que leer la Biblia.

Al libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles se le podría llamar de

otra manera: el Libro de los Hechos del Espíritu Santo. La Pascua

comenzó con la resurrección de Cristo y termina con Pentecostés.

Podemos decir que la resurrección de Cristo es ‘la gloria grande

del Espíritu Santo’. Pablo nos dice que Dios Padre resucitó a su

Hijo por el poder del Espíritu Santo. Es precioso apreciar con

humildad la maravillosa obra de vida que dirige en todos los

tiempos y en todas circunstancias la Santísima Trinidad. La obra

más grande para la gloria del Padre es la resurrección de su Hijo.

El trabajo del Espíritu Santo es permanente. Por medio del

Espíritu el Hijo de Dios se encarna cuando María acepta la

misión de ser la madre del Salvador. También llega al Hijo para

devolverle la vida que había libremente entregado por nosotros.

Después de resucitar al Hijo, el Espíritu Santo desciende sobre

los apóstoles en Pentecostés que es cuando nace la Iglesia. Desde

allí el Espíritu Santo obra incansablemente para mantener viva la

experiencia de Jesús en cada uno de los creyentes. Por lo tanto, es

imperativo conocer cada vez mejor al Espíritu Santo y por eso en

varias ocasiones e invitado a leer los Hechos de los Apóstoles.

Allí puedes ver el Espíritu de Dios obrando con poder, ayudando

a que los apóstoles superen sus debilidades y el temor propio a la

persecución y castigo, para que se encumbren desde allí hasta la

misión maravillosa de llevar el mensaje del Señor hasta los

confines del mundo.

Al comienzo del libro Cristo les dice a los apóstoles que ‘van a

ser testigos de Él en Jerusalén, en Galilea, en Samaría y hasta los

confines del mundo’. Jesús les da a ellos -y como consecuencia a

cada uno de nosotros- una misión que nunca deja de ser

necesaria, que nunca encuentra límites ni en el tiempo ni en el

espacio. Es la Buena Noticia que nunca deja de sacudir al mundo.

Es por lo anterior que los protagonistas humanos del libro no son

siempre los mismos, hemos visto a Pedro y Juan haciendo los

milagros que también Jesús hacía. Ellos traen a Jerusalén la

presencia viva y nueva de Aquel que tanto odiaban y rechazaban

las autoridades del tiempo.

A Samaría la noticia llega porque esas mismas autoridades

desatan una tremenda persecución contra los seguidores de

Cristo. Muchos se fueron de Jerusalén no sólo para escapar de

esa persecución, sino que en el proceso se llevan el mensaje que

les ha transformado la vida y ese mensaje es recibido por otros

que también lo acogen y hacen suyo. Allí es muy importante la

obra de Felipe el diácono, no el apóstol. Este es uno de los

grandes de la evangelización porque por el poder del Espíritu

evangelizó en Samaría, tierra de paganos. Esta obra no era nada

fácil por la enemistad tan profunda entre los samaritanos y los

judíos. Para romper esas barreras que hacían casi imposible una

evangelización como la que Felipe llevó a cabo era necesario, sin

duda alguna, la plenitud de la acción del Espíritu Santo.

Después sigue Antioquía de Siria, ciudad al norte de Galilea. Los

cristianos perseguidos desde Jerusalén, llenos de la acción del

Espíritu, se convierten en perseguidores de otros a quienes van

trayendo hacia Cristo. Es la persecución del amor y la vida que

vence la persecución del odio y la muerte. Allí se formó una

comunidad donde por primera vez a los discípulos de Cristo los

comienzan a llamar cristianos. ¡Que nombre tan bello! Allí en

Antioquía aparece un Fariseo radical, o sea, uno de aquellos

fanáticos de la ley de Moisés que despreciaban a todos aquellos

que no podían cumplir con la carga de una ley que no los tocaba

a ellos. Caifás, el sacerdote supremo, le encarga a Pablo de Tarso

la misión de detener en forma definitiva la expansión que generó

la persecución de los cristianos. Pablo tenía a su disposición

todos los permisos necesarios para acabar con ellos. Pero

llegando a Damasco sucede la historia de la conversión que

conocemos.

Pablo se une a Bernabé y en Antioquía alaban a Jesucristo, desde

allí son enviados como misioneros y definitivamente las

autoridades de Jerusalén pierden control total del poder de la

expansión de la Palabra, tal y como Jesucristo había ordenado a

sus apóstoles. Pablo fue verdaderamente un “instrumento

predilecto” del Espíritu Santo y dedicó el resto de sus días a

difundir el Evangelio que tanto atacó y a fundar comunidades de

creyentes allí donde se encontraba. Mucho sufrimiento le tocó

soportar, pero nunca ese sufrimiento tuvo más poder que la gracia

del Espíritu. Pablo termina en Roma, lugar que para un judío era

en aquella época “los confines del mundo”. Es posible que Pablo

haya llegado inclusive a España. El caso es que Pablo escribió

durante su jornada, que comenzó siendo de perseguidor de los

cristianos para destruirlos a perseguir a los paganos que no

conocían aún el nombre de Jesucristo, las trece cartas más

famosas en el mundo, cartas que resumen todo lo que la Iglesia

Católica enseña sobre la fe.

Estas cartas hay que leerlas y meditarlas hasta hacerlas parte de

nuestra vida y me propongo en el futuro continuar el proceso de

evangelización en nuestra parroquia dando clases acerca de ellas.

Todo eso es el poder del Espíritu que se difunde sin cesar a través

de culturas, superando todas las barreras que el mundo coloca en

su camino, hasta llegar a nosotros. El hecho de llegar a nosotros

no significa que es el final del camino. Cada vez que una persona

es tocada en su vida por el poder del Espíritu se convierte en

forma automática en mensajera de ése mismo mensaje. No es

posible ser tocado por la experiencia de Dios y no querer

compartir ese mensaje. Cuando el mensaje de vida llega a tu vida,

quieres compartir ese mensaje con aquellos que aún no

comprenden el verdadero significado de la palabra vida.

Bendiciones. P.Nelson

Readings for the Week of June 4, 2017 Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5/

Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30/Rom 8:22-27/Jn 7:37-39; Extended Vigil: Gn 11:1-

9/Ps 33:10-15/Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b/Dn 3:52-56 or Ps 19:8-11/Ez 37:1-14/Ps

107:2-9/Jl 3:1-5/Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-30/Rom 8:22-27/Jn 7:37-39; Day:

Acts 2:1-11/Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34/1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13/Jn 20:19-23;

Monday: Tb 1:3; 2:1b-8/Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-6/Mk 12:1-12

Tuesday: Tb 2:9-14/Ps 112:1-2, 7-9/Mk 12:13-17; Wednesday: Tb 3:1-11a,

16-17a/Ps 25:2-5ab, 6, 7bc-9/Mk 12:18-27; Thursday: Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde,

9-17; 8:4-9a/Ps 128:1-5/Mk 12:28-34; Friday: Tb 11:5-17/Ps 146:1b-2, 6c-

10/Mk 12:35-37; Saturday: Tb 12:1, 5-15, 20/Tb 13:2, 6efgh-8/Mk 12:38-44;

Next Sunday: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9/Dn 3:52-56/2 Cor 13:11-13/Jn 3:16-18

Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, June 4, 2017-Pentecost Sunday 7:30 Special Intention in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe 9:00 Julie Keel 10:30 Katherine Callaghan 12:00 José Luis Muñis and Familia Francisco, Eulogio and Pedro Galvez and Martina Capellan Evelio Mejia Guerrero Sor Cecilia Muñoz Delfin Gomez Hernan Perez Olano and Santos Banda 1:30 Sophie and Stanley Gay 5:00 For the Future Security, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being of Baby Alessandra Mia Savino Fr. Jerome Ofoegbu MONDAY, June 5, 2017-Feast of St. Boniface 6:50 Fr. Richard Wyzkiewicz, Sch.P. for Blessings & In Thanksgiving on the 46th Anniversary of Holy Ordination, His Parents and Family 8:30 Constance Warneke 12:15 In Thanksgiving for Favors 7:00 Adolfo Guimil Torres TUESDAY, June 6, 2017-Feast of St. Norbert 6:50 For the Future Security, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being of Baby Alessandra Mia Savino 8:30 Fr. David Powers, Sch.P. for Blessings on His Birthday and for His Parents 12:15 Joby George and Family Intentions WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017-Feast of St. Robert Newminister 6:50 Special Intention in Honor of the Blessed Mother 8:30 In Thanksgiving For Favors 12:15 Joanne Savino’s Intentions 7:00 Martha Guevara, Hernan Valladares and Maria Millet THURSDAY, June 8, 2017-Feast of St. Medard 6:50 St. Helena’s Benefactors 8:30 In Thanksgiving for Favors 12:15 Matthew Harris FRIDAY, June 9, 2017-Feast of St. Ephrem 6:50 For the Future Security, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being of Baby Alessandra Mia Savino 8:30 Catherine Carolan 12:15 Eulatia Balaguer SATURDAY, June 10, 2017-Feast of St. Landericus 6:50 Special Intention in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 8:30 In Thanksgiving for Favors 12:15 Altagracia, Carmen, José & Manuel Capellan 5:30 Mario Barris SUNDAY, June 11, 2017-Trinity Sunday 7:30 In Honor and Thanksgiving to St. Anthony 9:00 Joanne Savino’s Intentions 10:30 Albert Echevarria 12:00 Por to dos los padres 1:30 Gilbert Calderon 5:00 Tchapou Napo