St. John the Baptist R. C. Church 895 Piermont Avenue, Piermont, New York 10968

www.stjohnspiermont.org stjohnspiermont@optonline.net 845-359-0078

January 22, 2017, Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O. Administrator

frtomkunnel@gmail.com

Deacon John Cunningham Deacon Robert Pang

Kathleen Dunn Religious Education Director

May Pang Parish Admin: maysoohoo@optonline.net

MASSES

Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM

1:00 PM (Spanish) Weekdays: 8:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM

Holy Days: As Announced

Rectory

Mon – Fri 10:15 AM – 4:00 PM

Sat 9 AM – 11 AM (Spanish)

January Sponsor of St. John’s App: Deacon Rob & May Pang

In Memory of: Elizabeth Grace Reyes

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP ‘ST JOHN PIERMONT’

Dear Parish Family, In today’s Gospel Matthew applies to Jesus the prophetic oracle of Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” Christianity is

about light. Just as Jesus is light to the world, so too we his church have to be light in a world of darkness. Light enables the beauty of things to be seen, and we are called to make the beauty of the world shine. But we are not to call attention to ourselves. Our vocation is for others, not ourselves. The light we bring to the world should lead in time to an end of all the world’s darkness: the alienation and op-pression of peoples, the attacks on human life and dignity, and disre-spect for God’s creation. As the Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (1965: 40), points out - The Church ... serves as a leaven and as a kind of soul for human society as it is to be renewed in Christ and transformed into God’s family. ... the Church not only communicates divine life to people, but in some way casts the reflect-ed light of that life over the entire earth. In a sweeping miracle, Christ could have spread his message and ac-complished his mission. But he chose a slow and tedious route that involved humanity in an intense way. He called together ordinary people to help him in this task of transforming the world – to be ‘light bearers’. The response of Simon, Andrew, James, and John to the call of Jesus seems to have been wordless. They just left their family and way of life, and followed him. Three years later, after hearing many sermons and witnessing many miracles, at the arrest of Jesus in Geth-semane, we read: “Then all the disciples left him and fled.” What happened? In that moment they took their eyes off him and thought only of themselves. Paul had to deal with something similar among the Christians of Cor-inth. The city of Corinth in about the year 50 would have been the burgeoning capital of a Roman province in the Greek East. A great center of prosperity and promiscuity. At least three persons had preached the Gospel to them, and they thought this made a difference. There was a sizeable community of believers with a multitude of problems, just like today’s inner cities. There were rivalries based not on difference of teaching but on the fundamentally irrelevant differ-ence of teachers! Paul’s response to the crisis in Corinth was to direct attention back to Jesus. “Was Paul crucified for you?” he asks. We could compare those Christians to the people in the first reading who “have seen a great light.” But the Corinthians seemed to be turning away from the light. Saint Richard of Chichester, who died in 1253, is best known today for a prayer he composed and was cut into a golden disk in 1971 by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak in the musical God-spell: “O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more near-ly, day by day.” That means knowing him, loving him, following him, not wondering or worrying if others are knowing, loving or fol-lowing in exactly the same way. The Church has always carried, and probably always will carry, creative and painful tension in its body. But as Paul and Matthew remind us, what we have in common is that, like the Corinthians, we have found Jesus to be light in darkness; we have dropped the nets of the world's business-as-usual. We who have been summoned to gather others into new life are called to work out our own differences in ways that serve the body of the Church and enable that body to serve the world.

Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.

THE SANCTUARY LAMP Is Being Offered this week

In Memory of Elizabeth Reyes

& Family By Janet Zahn

Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our Parish Family. Tom Lynch, Antoinette Naglieri, Ann Ely, Tommy McGuire, Nicholas Bruni, brother of Marge Olsen, Fr Frank Samoylo, Giovanni Mercurio, Nijole Paronetto, Joseph Iorio, father of Lee McGarvey, Caroline Kelly

As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community, Mary Iorio, Ada Wray, Johanna Krumm’s Sister, Frank Pellegrino brother of Mario Pellegrino, Jonathan Townes, Ralph Merola, Mi-chael Rotundo,Tebby DeMaio, Francisca Aguilar Gomezz, Deloress Pontone, mother of Jim Pontone, Gene Cummins, father of Jeanine Ken-nedy, Elizabeth Reyes, granddaughter of Dcn Rob & May Pang, Maureen O’Connell

Sat 1/21 5:00 PM Matthew R. Clark by Bill & Maria Nest

Sun 1/22

8:00 AM Magnolia Velez by Diana Genzel & Family

10:30:AM Barbara De Sapio by David & Eileen Donohue

Mon 1/23 8:00 AM Gabriela Bruno by Mildred Oslica

Tue 1/24 8:00 AM Maureen O'Connell by Maria & Bill Nest

Wed 1/25 8:00 AM Maureen O'Connell by Mildred Oslica

Thu 1/26 8:00 AM Elizabeth Reyes & Family by Silva & Soriano Family

Fri 1/27 8:00 AM Maureen O'Connell by Outreach Ministry

Sat 1/28

9:00 AM Frances De Maio by Tom & Marianne Lowell

5:00 PM Peg McMiniman by David & Eileen Donohue

Sun 1/29

8:00 AM Ralph Merola by by Outreach Ministry

10:30 AM Jerry & Gertrude Guglielmello by Family

Liturgy Schedule Jan 28 / 29

Day Time Lector Eucharistic

Minister Altar Servers

Saturday 1/28

5:00 PM Mike Yannazzone Peter Shine Mathew Shine

Sunday 1/29

8:00 AM Jean Delongis Lucy Bosco Freddie Steifel 10:30 AM Mary Loftus Bill Loftus Michaela Duggan Tavian Lopez 1:00 PM Santiago Nova Antonio Ramirez Pedro Aguilar Armando Guzman Emmanuel Nova Marvin Vivar Jakie Mazariego Eraso Maldonaldo

THE GOOD NEWS FROM OUR SCHOOL OF RELIGION

Today is our FAMILY MASS at 10:30 AM. “Keeping our fingers crossed that we will see ALL of you there. Remember, the family that PRAYS together STAYS to-gether.

Our FIRST COMMUNION RETREAT will take place on SATURDAY, FEB.11th from 9-11 AM in Connelly Hall. This is for ALL the children who are to receive commun-ion for the first time on May 7, 2017.

Sun 22-Jan

5:30AM Spanish Morning Prayer

9:45AM Religious Ed

10:30AM Family Mass

11:30AM Spanish Religious Ed

11:30AM Pancake Breakfast

11:30AM Legion of Mary

11:45AM Spanish Religious Ed 7PM AA Meeting

Mon 23-Jan 6:30PM Religious Ed

Tue 24-Jan 7PM Altar Server Prep and Practice

7PM Baptism Prep

Wed 25-Jan 1:30PM Piermont Sr Meeting 7PM Spanish Choir Practice 7PM RCIA

Thu 26-Jan

7PM Amigos de Jesus

7PM Rios de Agua Viva Group

7:15PM Parish Council Meeting

Fri 27-Jan

10AM Fri Renew Group

7PM Spanish Adult Prayer Group

7PM Laying of Hands 7:30PM Youth Group

Sat 28-Jan

3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A — Readings No. 859

Jan 15—$4,539

1/15 = $1000 - 239 Bill Gorman

1/15—$100—#196 Ed Dempsey 1/15—$100—#288 Maureen Kelly

1/15—$100—#199 Rosemarie Miele 1/15—$100—#176 Gillen Familiy

1/15—$100—108 Rielly, Fred & Kim Steifel

Our Parish Code RGDV27

UNSCRAMBLE THE WORDS

FIND A MESSAGE using the ‘Letter’ in the “( )”.

SLEIRIRAV __ __ (__) __ __ __ __ __ __ DIRTWHWE __ (__) __ __ __ __ __ __ LEEPOP __ __ __ __ (__) __ DUETIN __ (__) __ __ __ __ NOIWLGOLF __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (__) THICSR __ __ __ (__) __ __

The light of Christ brings courage to the __ __ __ __ __ __.

Answers are words from this week's readings (See Pg. 7 below the cartoon)

Contributed by Jill Ammerman

You can see a “FLY OVER VIDEO” in Media Section

You can send us a photo using “Capture” Feature

You can “Light a Candle” or make a “Prayer Request” from ‘Requests’ Button

Friday, Jan 27, 2017 March for Life

Come to Washington, D.C. Walk for the sake of the unborn

Bus leave from St. Francis of Assisi Church, West Nyack 6AM

Depart Washington DC at 6PM Adults $30 Students $15

Call 735-4379, 492-6709, or 425-1322 (para espanol)

For more info rocklandRTL.org

1 SOLEMNITY OF THE VIRGIN MARY MOTHER OF GOD

Prog: The Bible and the Virgin Mary, Lesson 12 Always a Mother* E-book: A Mother's Rule of Life

6 ST. ANDRE BESSETTE

Movie: God's Doorkeeper

9 BAPTISM OF THE Lord

Prog: Reborn*

21 ST. AGNES, PATRON OF CHASTITY

Prog: Desire of the Everlasting Hills

Audio: From Love, By Love, For Love

22

NAT'L DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHIL-DREN

Prog: 40

Movie: Skiff & AJ's Fastastic Voyage

E-Book: Redeemed by Grace*

25 FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

Prog: Catholicism, Session 5: The indispensable Men*

E-book: The Year and Our Children

Audio: Anger and Forgiveness*

28 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Prog: Symbolon, Living the Faith: Session 6: A Catolic Moral Vision* E-book: St. Thomas Aquinas

31 ST. JOHN BOSCO

Movie: St. John Bosco: Mission to Love*

Movie: Don Bosco*

Recommendations for January * Estos títulos están disponibles también en Español

Thanks from One-to-One Because of your generosity, every boy and girl at One-to-One Learning received a gift of clothing and two toys each (from another organization).

God is good, as God works through you in reaching out to others. Thank you for

your generosity. Peace to all of you in 2017.

An examination of conscience belongs not only to persons but also to societies, an insight that all Catholics can appreciate as they begin the liturgy of the penitential rite at Mass, confess-ing in common their sinfulness. In fact, at the United Nations, Pope Francis, echoing a language that reminds us of phrases like the “conscience of the nation,” summoned the assembly to an examination of conscience. Referring to military and politi-cal interventions that are not based on international agreement, he argued, “These realities should serve as a grave summons to an examination of conscience on the part of those charged with the conduct of international affairs.” ...continued from last week

Second, when we discover our sinfulness, we discover our free-dom. Some theologians have noted that the confession of sin is itself effective and illuminative. It is effective inasmuch as we do not know the scope of our sinfulness until we begin to acknowledge that we are sinners. Only when we utter “mea culpa” do we begin to see our history of sinful harm, which has not only hurt others unjustly, but has also impeded our own flourishing. Until we make this admission, we remain behind artificial blinders that keep us from recognizing the trajectory of effects that have occurred because of our sinfulness.

In that effective acknowledgement of our culpability, we are gifted with an illumination by which we understand first, what we did, but second, what we could have done. That is, the con-fession of our sinfulness lets us recognize that we could have acted otherwise. Until we have that illumination, we are trapped by an understanding of ourselves as weak and con-strained, a convenient stance that literally keeps us from believ-ing that we need to confess.

Thus, when we confess, we often realize that we sinned not out of weakness of will but out of a misapplied strength. Much of the manualist theology of sin, lacking a theology of conscience, made sin look inevitable and our own selves look weak, living in a world without virtue and grace. In that context we confessed sins that we could not have avoided, pleading that other condi-tions made us do what we did. We need to learn to confess our sins in the light of Christ, realizing in grace that the chance to act otherwise was there and that the excuses we proffer are merely, well, excuses. The honest and full confession of sin makes us realize that the disordered and prideful trajectory of our personal and social history can be changed.

Conscience grows out of the humble self-understanding we have when the pangs of conscience move us to the confession of our sins. In that confession, we see who we have been called to become as authentic human beings; we recognize not primarily our failings but pre-eminently our calling to repent and move beyond them in God’s forgiveness.

...to be continued

James F. Keenan, S.J., a moral theologian, is the Canisius Professor at Boston College

More details to come, if you would like to join the committee

in planning the party contact May Pang.

LECTURAS DE HOY

Primera lectura -- El Señor glorificó el distrito de los gen-tiles (Isaías 8:23 -- 9:3). Salmo -- El Señor es mi luz y mi salvación (Salmo 27). Segunda lectura -- Les ruego que se pongan de acuerdo, que no haya divisiones entre ustedes (1 Corintios 1:10-13, 17). Evangelio --Cambien su vida y su corazón porque está cer-ca el reino de los Cielos (Mateo 4:12-23 [12-17]).

LIBERACIÓN Y REFORMA Aunque quizá tengas que usar un atlas para determinar que Isaías está hablando de Galilea, la primera lectura de hoy (parte de la cual se leyó en Navidad) profetiza el futuro ministerio de Jesús en esa provincia. La luz que trae la salvación y regocijo es, fundamentalmente, Cristo. El tema es la liberación: liberación de la ignorancia ("tinieblas") y también del pecado (el "yugo"). Mientras Isaías identifica un lugar, así Pablo describe una actitud: la actitud que crece, incluso entre gente buena, de equiparar su propia voluntad con el bien común. Esto siempre origina desacuerdo, y así ha ocurrido en Corinto. Pablo no permitirá esto; todos somos miembros del "partido de Cristo". El Evangelio no es para dividirnos. Mateo cita a Isaías en el Evangelio de hoy, y presenta a Jesús como el cumplimiento de las profecías de Isaías. El tema es "Conviértanse, porque ya está cerca el Reino de los Cielos" (Mateo 4:17). Para difundir este mensaje, Jesús comienza a elegir discípulos, y hoy conocemos a cuatro de ellos: Pedro, Andrés, Santiago y Juan.

Para los cursos pre-bautismales llamar a: Alex Aguilar 845-480-1502 y Natalia Lemus 845-480-1682. Los cursos se dan previa cita los martes 7pm y domingos 11am.

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes Heb 9:15, 24-28; Sal 97:1-6; Mc 3:22-30

Martes Heb 10:1-10; Sal 39:2, 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11; Mc 3:31-35

Miércoles Hch 22:3-16 o Hch 9:1-22; Sal 116:1bc, 2; Mc 16:15-18

Jueves 2 Tm 1:1-8 o Tit 1:1-5; Sal 95:1-3, 7-8a, 10; Mc 4:21-35

Viernes Heb 10:32-39; Sal 36:3-6, 23-24, 39-40; Mc 4:26-34

Sábado Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Lc 1:69-75; Mc 4:35-41

Domingo Sof 2:3; 3:12-13; Sal 145:6-10; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12a

Bienvenido a

Sofia Sanabria Mazariego

Dios, que el bautismo es el comi-enzo de una vida de fe y un cora-zón lleno de bondad y de amor. Dios los bendiga a ustedes y siempre.

TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE Los retablos de metal son famosos en muchas partes de Latino-américa. Estos pequeños retablos o laminitas contienen imágenes de Cristo, la Santísima Trinidad, María, los ángeles u otro santo/a pintados sobre lámina, madera u otro material para decorar los altares familiares de los hogares hispanos. Aunque los retablos no siempre siguen las normas del arte cristiano, los retablos latinoamericanos son bellos ejemplos de la mezcla de culturas amerindias, europeas y africanas. Pero no todos los re-tablos son pequeños. En muchas iglesias coloniales de Latino-américa se encuentran retablos gigantescos hechos de mármol o madera, cubiertos de oro y joyas que recuerdan los grandes reta-blos europeos, pero con el color y folclor latinoamericano. Originalmente, los retablos europeos eran pequeños y móviles, de tal manera que se podían colocar sobre un altar para la cele-bración de la Misa. Cuando la Iglesia fue construyendo sus pro-pios templos, los retablos empezaron a formar parte de la deco-ración de los santuarios y tomaron dimensiones impresionantes. Los retablos pequeños pasaron a los hogares de los fieles, quienes quieren tener a Cristo y sus santos como parte de su diario vivir.

LOS SANTOS Y OTRAS CELEBRACIONES Domingo: Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Lunes: Día de Oración por la Protección Legal de la Criatura en el Vientre Materno; Santa Marianne Cope; San Vicente de Zaragoza Martes: San Francisco de Sales Miércoles: La Conversión de san Pablo; Termina la Semana de Oración por la Unidad Cristiana Jueves: San Timoteo y San Tito Viernes: Santa Ángela de Meríci Sábado: Santo Tomás de Aquino;

P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar, Buzz Johnson Deanery Maureen O’Connell Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Micaelina Maldonado/ Geny Aguilar Hospitality Robin Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ted Simone Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Scott Giblin Parish Worship Dcn John Cunningham Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Jose Bolaños Right to Life Scott Giblin Social Kelli Chilson Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel

P A R I S H C O U N C I L Kelli Chilson, Kathleen Dunn, Scott Giblin. Paul Johnson, Andrew Lee, Martina Lynch, William Martinez, Maria Nest , Ralph Olsen,

May Pang, Carolyn Yates, Janet Zahn T R U S T E E S

Phil McCartin James Pontone

Our Sacramental Life

Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Baptism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Generally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 4:30-5:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is availa-ble from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.

Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Participation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appointment with Fr. Tom.

Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s mobile 845 608 9358.

Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.

For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org

Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship

Answers Ri(v)alries, W(i)thdrew, Peop(l)e, U(n)ited, Followin(g), Chr(i)st Solution - LIVING

Mandating new ‘servidores’ (Altar Minis-ters) Julio and Marilyn Palma 1/15/2016.

“I AM committed to church. I go sometimes, once in a while, every now and then, on Christmas and on Easter!”