Homilies

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

| St. Charles Borromeo

Advent is an unexpected and unwanted liturgical season. Yet, although no early Christian would have created Advent it is necessary, helpful, and potentially joyful. Let us look at why.  

Advent means coming. It is often assumed that this is the coming of Jesus at his birth. This is less than half correct. Most of the prayers and readings for Advent are directed to Jesus’ return. Advent is divided into two sections “Early Advent” which extends from today to Dec 16th. Here, the attention is clearly on the Jesus’ return and the establishment of the Kingdom. As you have probably noticed, the Sunday readings for the last two weeks have also dwelt with this theme. The Nativity is emphasized only from the 17th to the 25th of December. We are clearly being called to look at and for the return of Jesus.  

Why? 

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Funeral

Robin Curtis – Funeral

| St. Charles Borromeo

We are sad to announce the passing of long-time parishioner and lector Robin Curtis. Funeral arrangements are:

Wake: Thursday, December 2 10:30 AM – 12 PM at St. Charles.
Funeral: Thursday 12 PM at St. Charles.
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, immediately following.

Eternal rest grant onto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

The funeral Mass will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. You can watch the Mass live or on replay via YouTube by clicking play on the video below.

Bulletin

Parish Financial Report

| St. Charles Borromeo

The parish annual financial report is available on the parish website.

As Francis Chin summarized recently at Mass, our parish has been able to maintain its financial health during the pandemic and during extensive repairs and renovations of the church and rectory.

While the parish financial situation is positive, our current collections do not cover our weekly operating expenses. This means we must use rental monies to cover our costs, which is not a sign of a vibrant parish community. The rental monies the parish earns from leasing the school and rectory are earmarked to maintain and renovate the church building and the parish house which we would not otherwise have the funds to do. The renovation work is still very much in progress. That is why we need to bring in sufficient parishioner contributions to cover the costs of running the church, the parish house, and our spiritual and other programs. And these costs (heat, AC, cleaning, salaries, benefits) do increase each year.

Consider pledging to increase your financial support of the parish if you can by completing the stewardship form available online, www.cfbq.org/psr, or in the pews. You can also contribute online through our parish e-giving site, https://stcharlesbklyn.weshareonline.org/

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The Meaning of Chanukah

| St. Charles Borromeo

A message from your church’s Jewish friend,
Chaplain Barry E. Pitegoff, BCC

The Jewish celebration of Chanukah begins tonight at sundown and continues for eight nights and eight days, ending at sundown on Monday, December 6.  “Isn’t Chanukah early this year?”   The answer is actually “no.” Chanukah is set on the Jewish Calendar and begins at sundown at the start of the 25th day of the month of Kislev every year.  That day overlaps onto the Gregorian Calendar, the January-December calendar, differently every year.  The reason is surprisingly simple.  The Gregorian calendar is Solar, it is based on the earth’s rotation around the sun, which takes about 365 and a quarter days each year.  The Jewish calendar is lunar.  It is based on the moon’s rotation round the earth, which takes about 28 or 29 days.  In the Jewish calendar, a new moon is the start of a new month.

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Bulletin

Gift Cards for St. Vincent Scholars

| St. Charles Borromeo

For the fourth year, we are working with HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services to provide gift cards for young people leaving foster care. This is especially important for those who have children themselves. You can give online or drop off a check in the collection box or with the rectory.

The American Dream Program provides students in foster care with robust academic, social-emotional, and career development supports from middle school through age 26.  The ADP Scholars have big dreams, and our one-on-one coaching model helps them make plans for their futures and provides them with the tools they need to be successful.  Navigating adulthood without a supportive family can be devastating. The American Dream Program is there to fill in gaps and help our young people reach their full potential.

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Give Joy! Adopt one of HSVS’s neediest families

| St. Charles Borromeo

HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services has:

  • 120 families currently living in shelter;
  • 500 families who are at risk of losing children to foster care;  and
  • 400 children living away from their parents in foster care. 

Their everyday struggles are hard to comprehend. Let’s come together and bring joy to as many families within our community as possible this December.

Join us, and sponsor one of our families.