The Sunday book club is reading The Moviegoer by Walker Percy. Winner of the National Book Award for fiction in 1962, it is Walker Percy’s first and most acclaimed novel.
We will meet to discuss it on Sunday, January 10 at 12:30 PM via Zoom.
Mary, Mother of God – Homily (Fr. Smith)
On behalf of Msgr. LoPinto, Fr. Gribowich, and of course myself, I would like to express our best wishes as we close out the calendar year 2020 and pray for 2021. It is comforting to do this not only as Christians but as Catholics. In our tradition this is the “Octave of Christmas.” As the name suggests Octave means 8 and reflects the Latin way of counting. It means however a week and is a way of marking very special feasts. There were once many Octaves but now they have been reduced to two: Christmas and Easter. The Octave of Christmas has celebrated many things over the years. Some of us may remember when it was the feast of the circumcision of our Lord. But Pope St. Paul 6th realized that it should be dedicated to Mary. An octave is an echo of Jesus major interventions into history and Mary is the most perfect echo of Jesus’ incarnation. Of all the possibilities of recognizing Mary’s special connection to the Incarnation he chose “Mary, the Mother of God.” Let us look at why and another Gospel selection before returning to the Gospel chosen today and a more pertinent lesson.
Continue reading “Mary, Mother of God – Homily (Fr. Smith)”Epiphany – Making Justice Our Aim
The Magi Journeying (Les rois mages en voyage), James Tissot, 1886-1894 (Brooklyn Museum)
(About this Image)
Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Feast of the Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1–6
January 3, 2021
The first reading for the feast of the Epiphany is standard and doesn’t change every year. You may find previous commentaries for 2019 (Jan. 6, 2019) and 2020 (Jan. 5, 2020). As Isaiah speaks today of light and salvation, it is a perfect selection for Epiphany. It also, as we have seen over the years, contains many images and thoughts which give it a certain complexity. Reviewing it every year reveals what I have learned about the First Testament over the previous year and how it can be applied to our immediate situation.
There are some elements which however are central and constant. Three people used or were given the name Isaiah. A more complete background of the three Isaiahs may be found in the commentary for December 13, 2020. Let us however review the highlights. First Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and was an active prophet between roughly 700 and 695 BC., second Isaiah lived in Babylon after the people had been brought into captivity around 540 BC and third Isaiah had returned to Jerusalem and wrote around 515 BC.
Continue reading “Epiphany – Making Justice Our Aim”Community Mass – Epiphany
Please join us to celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord on Sunday, January 3:
- 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 here:
- 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
Community Mass – Mary, Mother of God
Please join us to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Friday, January 1:
- 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 here:
- 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
Octave of Christmas Schedule
Wednesday 12/30
Weekday Mass at 12:10 pm at the Church
Thursday 12/31
Catholic Charities Food Pantry at the Church
9 am – noon or until all food has been distributed
Friday 1/1: Mary, Mother of God
Mass at 9 am and 11:15 am (also live streamed)
Sunday 1/3: Epiphany
Mass at 9 am and 11:15 am (also live streamed)
Make-up Bible Study at 5 pm on Zoom
Holy Family – Homily (Msgr. LoPinto)
In this time of Christmas, the Holy Spirit guides the Church in the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family. It is a special remembrance, for it reminds us that Jesus was born into the most basic of communities: the community of the family. And it was there that he learned much of what became the source of the convictions of his life.
Continue reading “Holy Family – Homily (Msgr. LoPinto)”