Author: St. Charles Borromeo

Homilies

3rd Sunday of Lent – Homily (Fr. Smith)

| St. Charles Borromeo

Today’s Gospel is a preemptive strike by Jesus. There were many who believed that bad things happened only to sinful people and Jesus’ death by crucifixion was the worst thing in that world. This was not only among Romans, the book of Deuteronomy states that the gravely sinful were to be executed and placed on a tree for all to curse and revile. Jesus knew that some would interpret his crucifixion as payment for the sin of blasphemy and so he addressed this beforehand. Bad things, indeed, very bad things could happen to good people. Yet he takes this opportunity to remind us of something even more basic and one which we have seen rather recently. 

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Events

Parish Fish Fry

| St. Charles Borromeo

Join us for our parish fish fry on Friday, April 1. We weren’t trying to be trending, but fish fries are making a comeback according to an article in this week’s Tablet.

We will start with evening prayers (Vespers) in the rectory chapel at 5 PM followed by a social gathering starting around 5:30 PM. Fried fish will be served! We hope to dine in the rectory backyard (weather permitting). Proof of vaccination is required.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 3rd Sunday of Lent

| St. Charles Borromeo

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, join us in person or online for the 3rd Sunday of Lent.

Our current Mass times are:

The readings will be from Cycle C.

Entrance: Again We Keep This Solemn Fast – 487

Readings and Psalms – 1024

Offertory: Deep Within- 486

Communion: Here I Am, Lord – 777

Closing: Somebody’s Knockin’ at Your Door – 470

The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .

Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .

Homilies

2nd Sunday of Lent – Homily (Fr. Smith)

| St. Charles Borromeo

Homilies on the Transfiguration often begin with the acknowledgement that the section we read at Mass begins in midsentence. The missing part, “About eight days after he said this”, may sound inconsequential but the “this” is especially important. Indeed, the events of the last few weeks have made this “this” truly relevant.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 2nd Sunday of Lent

| St. Charles Borromeo

On Sunday, March 13, 2022, join us in person or online for the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Daylight Savings Time goes in effect this Sunday – set your clocks forward one hour!

Our current Mass times are:

The readings will be from Cycle C.

Entrance: The Glory of These Forty Days – 481
Readings and Psalm – 1021
Offertory:  Hosea – 484
Communion: Change Our Hearts – 493
Closing: Jerusalem, My Destiny – 492

The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .

Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .

Homilies

1st Sunday of Lent – Homily (Fr. Smith)

| St. Charles Borromeo

The particulars of Jesus’s temptations in the desert 2000 years ago may not seem especially relevant to our time, but let us look at three contemporary situations.

First at the beginning of the pandemic, Father Grivowich suggested that we would know how we did morally during it by how well essential workers did financially. Although we praised low-wage high-risk workers who held our economy together when we needed them, he questioned if there would be permanent positive effects for them. He told us that if there was, we would have learned the value of every person and the nature of community; if not, then this would have been another nail in the coffin of human solidarity. It is too certain to tell and I presume that the results will be mixed, but I look at myself and my reactions are mixed as well. Although I am told that the rise in prices for Uber and Lyft rides has gone down some, has gone substantially to the drivers, when I’m honest with myself, I want them low. Again higher fees are mostly a minor annoyance for me, but can be a major help for the drivers and their families – a noble result – but I still want them lower.

The Devil taunted Jesus to turn stones into bread. Jesus was hungry and his desire for food understandable, yet Jesus was preparing himself for his ministry and was fasting for the common good. He responded, “One does not live by bread alone”. Comfort is a good thing, but not the only thing, and not at the expense of others. Many people have done very well financially during Covid, and what does this say about our values if we have not shared this bounty with people who have risked and suffered more than we did with much less recompense.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 1st Sunday of Lent

| St. Charles Borromeo

On Sunday, March 6, 2022, join us in person or online for the 1st Sunday of Lent.

Our current Mass times are:

The readings will be from Cycle C.

Entrance: Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days – 479

Offertory:  Remember Your Love – 961

Readings and Psalm – 1018

Communion: On Eagle’s Wings – 691

Closing: Blest Be the Lord – 686

The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .

Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .