Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary time - August 23, 2020

Pastor’s Corner Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

29 & 30 August 2020 God’s Ways Are Far Above Our Ways. Let Go & Let God.

We tend to get into trouble when pride rules the day. Because of our fallen human nature, it is very hard to acknowledge that we do not have all of the answers and that it is both wise and prudent to seek and listen to the sage advice of others who may be

more experienced in a particular area than we are. This same mindset sometimes even applies to how we view God, His Truth, His Wisdom, His Knowledge! If we are humble, not arrogant, and if we are honest with ourselves, how many times have we realized that God had led us and guid-ed us on the right path all along even though we did not understand it or realize it at the time? How many times have we looked back on a particularly difficult period in our lives only to real-ize that God was truly in control all along, and that He led us through the difficulties to some-thing even better than what we were originally asking for or seeking from God in retrospect? The lesson here is: Let Go and Let God because He truly knows best!

We are all made in God’s image and likeness. We become God the Father’s children, by adop-tion, through the Sacrament of Baptism. We even call God the Father our Daddy (Our Father – “Abba, Father”). Therefore, by adoption, Jesus Christ becomes our Brother, and the Blessed Vir-gin Mary becomes our Mother. We are adopted into God’s family! Since these are facts for all who believe in and put their faith and trust in God, what would God refuse us if it is really for our good and it serves God’s will? We must remember that God’s ways are infinitely above our ways, and God’s thoughts are infinitely above our thoughts. He is God, and we are His children no matter how old we become chronologically!

St. Peter thinks as humans do, which is quite normal, however, St. Peter gets himself into trouble when he starts thinking that he knows better than God! As mentioned earlier, we are all suscepti-ble to this error in thinking, this error in judgment! We must beware! Let Go and Let God. This has been a problem ever since the age of the Enlightenment – “Cogito Ergo Sum” – “I think, therefore I am.” Rene Descartes and Immanuel Kant were proponents of a philosophical mindset that place human beings at the center of the universe instead of God. It does not take long to fig-ure out that a philosophy such as this, is a slippery slope leading to disaster. Human beings obvi-ously do not even come remotely close to the transcendence of Almighty God. To suggest so would be the epitome of arrogance!

Jesus Christ reminds St. Peter, and each of us, that His way is the way because Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life! All that we have to do is to place our faith and trust in Him; Let Go and Let God; take up our cross daily while following after Him; cooperate with God’s grace, and go along for the ride! We just might be pleasantly surprised at where we end up!

Prayerfully,

Fr. Ben

Did you know that this past Friday, August 28 was the 57th Anniversary of the March on Washington? The March on Washington

was a massive protest march that occurred in August 1963, when some 250,000 people gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Wash-

ington, D.C. Also known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the event aimed to draw attention to continuing challenges and

inequalities faced by African Americans a century after emancipation. It was also the occasion of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s now-iconic “I Have

A Dream” speech.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 5:00 PM Mass at SJV + Lawrence A. Guarino, Sr. 5:00 PM Mass at STA + Eugene Zajdel / his family SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 10:00AM at SJV + Christopher Hirsch / his family 10:00AM at STA + John Moss, Sr. / his daughter Anna + Angela Sperber / Kirk Sperber MONDAY, AUGUST 31 7:30PM + Lawrence Guarino,Sr./his wife, children & family TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 8:00AM + Leonard Stroud / Eric & Jean Stroud WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 8:00AM + Kathleen Ryan Peterson / De Blasio Family THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 8:00AM + Matthew “ Matt” Rugel / Ginny Dobbs FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 8:00AM + Pawel & Zofia Krzysztofek / Emilia Surma SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 5:00 PM Mass at SJV Special Intention 5:00 PM Mass at STA + Carol Angelucci / her family SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 10:00AM at SJV + Bernard Weissman / Cox Family + Eugene Sabyan / July & Skip Diller 10:00AM at STA + Kelly Ann McKenna / her family + Arthur & Marie Muller & D’Arco Family / Linda Osborne

The Parish Community of St. John Vianney & St. Thomas the Apostle

R.C.I.A (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS): There will be a course of instruction/discussion this fall, covering the fundamentals of the Catholic faith as revealed through Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Authority. This course is ideal for those:

· Who are thinking of joining the Catholic Church.

· Non–Catholics married to or about to be married to a Catholic.

· Who are Catholics and have not completed all their sacraments.

Please email Gerry Geary gerryrcia@aol.com to learn more.

Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Monday: 1 Cor 2:1-5; Lk 4:16-30

Tuesday: 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Lk 4:31-37

Wednesday: 1 Cor 3:1-9; Lk 4:38-44

Thursday: 1 Cor 3:18-23; Lk 5:1-11

First Friday: 1 Cor 4:1-5; Lk 5:33-39

First Saturday:1 Cor 4:6b-15; Lk 6:1-5

Saint Thomas the Apostle

WE NEED USHERS AND

GREETERS

Several of our long time faithful ushers have

decided to retire, or are taking a “sabbatical” due to age/health during COVID-19.

We need you! There are no collections and no contact. All that is required is walking people to their assigned seats, and then directing people getting up to receive Communion or leaving Mass.

SEPTEMBER BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS—REMOTE Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 7:00pm

If you are a first time parent you are required to take a Baptism Preparation Class with the child’s godparent .

The next Bi-Monthly Class is Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00pm. The class will be a remote class.

Registration for this class ends on Thursday, September 10. To register email : terry@ststhomasjohn.org. Please note the next

Baptism Preparation Class will be in November.

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY

08/16/2020: $1,715.00 20th Sunday in OT

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 08/23/2020

25 Envelopes: $ 805.00 4 Loose Checks: $ 285.00 Loose Cash: $ 150.00 23 Online Giving: $ 885.00 Total $2,125.00

Last Year: $2,242.00 - 21st Sunday in OT

08/16/2020: $4,667.00 20th Sunday in OT

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 08/23/2020

42 Envelopes: $1,983.00 12 Loose Checks: $1,132.00 Loose Cash: $ 75.00 44 Online Giving: $1,925.00 Total $5,115.00

Last Year: $6,049.00 - 21st Sunday in OT

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary time - August 30, 2020

T

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

DIOCESE OF PATERSON

Dear Friends,

As the summer comes to a close, I hope you are healthy and staying safe.

I want to share with you some good news which I think we can all use. A few weeks ago, Bishop Sweeney presented Monsignor Herbert Tillyer, Board President of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, and Scott Milliken, CEO of Catho-lic Charities, with a check for just over $319,000 from the 2019 Bishop's Annual Appeal. This donation will assist in the rebuilding effort after the massive fire at Straight and Narrow last August. A decision was made by Bishop Emeritus Serratelli last year to help Straight and Narrow through the Appeal, and the result is a great blessing to the people who come to the center burdened by the scourge of addiction. This contribution is in addition to $1.14 million allocated to our Catholic Charities agencies from the 2019 Appeal. Pictures of the presentation are below.

Thank you to all who gave to the 2019 Appeal for making this contribution possible. Please consider making a generous donation to our 2020 Appeal when you receive a letter from Bishop Sweeney this September so that we can continue to help those impacted by the coronavirus. The poor have been especially hurt by the current economic downturn, as 25,000 people came to our food pantries in June, up from around 5,000 families prior to COVID-19. Thank you in ad-vance for whatever you may be able to do.

Let's continue to pray for all who have been impacted by the pandemic, especially those who have lost a loved one or who are dealing with the illness of a family member or friend.

Take care and stay well. Tim Potter Chief Development Officer

As we continue to deal with the impact of COVID-19, it is good to remember that

Catholic Charities in our Diocese continues to be "the hands of Christ" in a world

in need of greater compassion and service.

Catholic Charities Hope House is in desperate need of the paper goods

and household items, e.g. paper towels, toilet tissue, facial tissue, dish

detergent and laundry detergent .

If you would like to drop off food for Hope House Just drop off them off at the STA Rectory Door under the overhang. In or-der to ensure that social distancing is observed for both you, Fathers Ben & Dawid you do not have to ring the door bell as the front Rectory door is checked throughout the day. The food doesn't stay there for long!

“TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON”

A TIME TO BE HEALED

Prayers for the sick: Brennan McCoy, Kathy Brennen, Aaron Alonzo, Sal D ’Arco, Kevin Wickert, Fumiko Lutz, Patricia Carapola, Courtney Sanchelli, Danny Scillieri, Gail Brennan, Rich Day, Richard Lavelle, Marion Coleson, Chris Osborne, Rose Kelly, Stephen Vecchiotti, Vincent Ottani, Ernie Sudo, Penny Sorokach (nursing home), Brandon Wozniak, Darlene Kolakovic, Fr. Dan Kelly, Fr. Joseph Farias, Helen Turosky, Joey Dyl, Don King, Kenny Miscisak, Emily Fleming, Emily Schmidt, Ethan Rodriguez, Carol, Mary Swerzenski (nursing home), Deacon Milt, Jessica Taylor, Tim Lambert, Nancy, Hazel Voiner, Tony Bonfiglio, Lynn Snouffer, Sebastian Drelick, Bill Horowitz, Frank Weber, Nick Dewar, John Ferreri, and Carole DeCepoli.

A TIME TO MOURN Prayers for the deceased: Louise M. Addotta, William E. Williams, Charles Stoveken, Jesse Bisbal, Luigi Russo, Nereida Addotta, Andrew Dolinich, Betty Klein, Joe Endlicher, George Christ, Mildred Einreinhofer, Devon Carbery, Joseph Florio, Fr. Thomas Rainforth, Ralph Albano, Sr., Cveta Szugzdo, James Ford, Carol Perrucci, Jean Farrell, Mary Anne Allender, Jason Free, Joyce Kerr, Mary Strangia, Jean Farrell, Don Ciuppa, Msgr. Brendan Madden, Raymond Angelucci, Stephanie Perrotta, James France III, Louise Anne Sincaglia and Rose Schilacci, Dolores Daly, Nancy Barbieri, Rich McLeod, Marlene Blahut, Rev. Stanley Kostrzomb and Phyllis Bonfiglio, Beverly Bierbaum, Louis “Louie” Panetta, Jack Van Antwerp Raymond Hirsch, Francis Marinello, Bill Barrett, Lawrence (Lorenzo) Guarino, Lester King, Mary Dick, Rick Baxter, Charles & Elizabeth Mylod, Richard Bay, Msgr. Charles Cassidy, former pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, Sparta, Magdealena Szieber, Eileen & William Carbery, Martin Addison, Carmela Mediterro, Theresa Marie Wickham, Herb Fisher, Matthew Cusa, Gladys Kot , Rev. Richard Colgan, C.S.P., Patricia Hopkins, Rosemary McHugh, Patrick P. Marttine, John Koslowski, Father Hugh Murphy, Kathleen Peterson, Matthew (Matt) Rugel, Ralph Agovino, and Frank Murphy.

A TIME FOR PEACE We pray for those in our parish who are currently serving in the armed forces especially: PFC Jonathan Cuervo, USMC, PFC Anthony Imperato, USMC, Michael Guarino, US Army, Cpl Sebastian Geary, USMC, USAF, Airman James Perez, Sgt. Antoino Lettizia, USMC, OSSN(SW) Anthony S. Gambuti, US Navy, Lance Cpl Ryan Leyden, USMC, USAF Airman Matthew Cannarozzi, 2nd Lt. Andrew Verdes, Haley Kerrison Lt1, Army, Clara Shurtless, USMC. In honor of the Military serving our country at home and abroad, we invite you to recite three (3) Hail Mary's for their safety.

The Parish Community of St. John Vianney & St. Thomas the Apostle

BAPTISM Baptisms are held at both parishes. To ensure compliance to the mandated social distancing guidelines, no more than two Baptisms will be allowed during each Mass. You will also have to sign up in advance just

like parishioners already do for Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass.

If you wish to participate in a Saturday 1pm Baptism, no more than two Baptisms will be allowed at each 1pm Baptism Service. A grand total of 24 people maximum will be allowed in the Church for the 1pm Saturday Baptism Service, including the people to be Baptized, the parents and the godparents.

Just as we do for Sunday Mass, each participant must notify the office, in advance, in order to attend the 1pm Saturday Baptism Service in either parish.

CONFESSIONS Confessions by appointment only . Confessions will take place in the church sanctuary. Masks and Social Distancing will be enforced.

MARRIAGES Prior to your booking of the recep-tion, please call the Parish Office 1 year in advance of the wedding date to allow for proper pre-marital preparation.

Knights of Columbus ~ Council Meetings St. John Vianney Council #12649 meets at Saint John Vianney Church Hall the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Joseph Lamb Council #5510 meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at Wiegand Farm – Department for Persons with Disabilities’ meeting room. Both meet-

ings start at 7:30 p.m.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Saint John Vianney/Saint Thomas the Apostle debbie@ststhomasjohn.org PARISH MEMBERSHIP: A parishioner is one who belongs to the parish family. As such, he/she is registered and is committed through participation in the life of the parish. Marriages to be administered and Sponsor Certificates, recommendations, etc. to be issued by the office, the person requesting such must be registered and an active member of Saint John Vianney Parish or Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish community. We request that you register at the rectory when you move into our community so that we may be of ser-vice to you.