It is significant that Jesus meets the woman at the well at Noon. It is the hottest time of the day and people have returned home to get out of the sun. Yet there is this one woman. She did not oversleep but has chosen this time intentionally. As the story will reveal she is a person of what we once quaintly called “loose morals” and is shunned by her community. These noontime visits were most likely part of her daily routine and Jesus would have been a considerable annoyance to her. She did not know that it would be the beginning of a journey for her and one that you and I have either fulfilled or must do so to be a Christian.
Continue reading “3rd Sunday of Lent – Homily (Fr. Smith)”Community Mass – 3rd Sunday of Lent
Please join us to celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Lent on Sunday, March 7th.
- 9 AM EST – Morning Mass – In Person at the Church, not live streamed.
- 11:15 AM EST – Community Mass – In Person at the Church and also streamed online and available for playback.
Instructions to view the Mass are available here. You can also watch the video via YouTube Live in the window above.
Today’s readings and hymns are available to download below. There are different readings for the two masses. The regular Cycle B readings on page 4 are for the 9 AM Mass. The First Scrutiny of the Catechumens will occur at the 11:15 AM Mass, so Cycle A readings begin on page 8.
- Please follow the instructions of the ushers, and observe all of the posted health precautions so that we can continue to worship together safely.
- Hymnals, bulletins, and other handouts will not be available at the church. Please download on your phone or tablet, or bring your own missal.
- Support our Parish – Please contribute to our General Collection online here.
- Help us support Catholic Charities Food Pantries in Brooklyn and Queens online
Black Americans on Their Way to Sainthood: Julia Greeley
Julia Greeley (c. 1840 – 1918), Ex-Slave, Housekeeper, “Denver’s Angel of Charity,” Servant of God
By Mike McGowan
Whatever was thrown at her,
An Hour with Julia Greeley, Fr. Blaine Burkey, O.F.M.Cap, 2020
Julia kept her good eye on her lover nailed to a cross and
chose to follow his lead in not fighting back,
while sharing his love to all.
Thus in a world, where so much racial vitriol still abounds,
Julia gives all a sterling example of respecting the dignity of all our brothers and sisters.
Julia Greeley lived a humble life devoted to helping those in need and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She is an example to us when we face challenging situations. She also shows us how to love and serve our neighbors compassionately.
Continue reading “Black Americans on Their Way to Sainthood: Julia Greeley”3rd Sunday of Lent – The Lord is Among Us
Woman at the Well, Carl Heinrich Bloch, c. 1865 to 1879, Chapel at Frederiksborg Palace, Copenhagen.
Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Third Sunday of Lent (Scrutinies)
Exodus 17:3-7
March 7, 2021
The Biblical readings for Sundays are divided into a 3-year cycle. This year we read from Cycle B which will be feature readings from the Gospel of St Mark. This year however we have the great good fortune of welcoming a new Christian, Makiko Habu Dixon, into the Church and our Parish though Baptism this Easter. As you will see in another section of this email or website, part of the preparation for this is a series of ceremonies called scrutinies. These use the readings from Cycle A which we read last year (the Old Testament reading for Cycle B will be read at the 9 AM Mass). This week however we will examine Exodus 17: 3-7 again as recent events may have given us all a new insight into it since we last discussed it on March 15, 2020.
Last month’s snowfall with resultant freezing temperatures and broken pipes in Texas deepened our understanding of water. We can better understand why ancient peoples were terrified by it. Note that the world was destroyed by water in the flood, but everyone needs it to survive. For desert people this could be very difficult, and it was important that they knew where it could be found. Remember the pictures we saw of Texans in modern cities waiting on long lines for potable water. Some people rose to the occasion and showed great generously, others did not; but certainly much was revealed about Texas. Even those of us thousands of miles away are now aware of much once below the surface of the Lone Star State.
Continue reading “3rd Sunday of Lent – The Lord is Among Us”The Meaning of the Scutinies
This week we will celebrate the first of the Scrutinies at the 11:15AM Mass. These are important for the Parish but can be difficult to express. The article by Carl McColman at Patheos was the best that I have read and wish to share it with you.
Fr. Smith
Evening Prayer Tonight at 5 PM
Please download the worship aid to participate in Friday’s evening prayer. It will begin at 5 PM.
Instructions on how to join are available here.
Annual Catholic Appeal
Response to 2020 Appeal – Thank you very much for your generosity to last year’s appeal. Not only did we support many wonderful ministries, but we went so far over goal that we received $12,075.50 back for the needs of the Parish.
Contributing to 2021 Appeal – We ask you to be as generous this year. Please remember that the money collected for the Annual Catholic Campaign does not support the administrative needs of the Diocese, but specific and necessary ministries that help the people of Brooklyn and Queens. Do you want to be part of a Diocese that does not adequately provide Chaplains for Hospitals and High Schools or care for elderly Priests? We will look at these ministries over the coming weeks but ask you to think and pray about it now.
We encourage all to watch the brief 2021 video to learn about the faith of the Church at work in Brooklyn and Queens. You can access it online at: https://catholicfoundationbq.org/ACAVideo/#. The work and services made possible through your donations to the Annual Catholic Appeal help people in Brooklyn and Queens in ways that no one parish can do alone.
You can donate by going to https://catholicfoundationbq.org/annual-catholic-appeal/ or texting ACAto 917-336-1255. Please remember to select our parish, St. Charles Borromeo – Brooklyn (1043), from the alphabetized list of parishes when making your donation.