A Message from Father Peter

– May 28th: Pentecost Sunday

We did it again!

We pulled off a surprise! We got everyone to Pentecost and most of our people forgot what day it was until they saw the red vestments! So, if you too forgot don’t waste time feeling “out of it,” just rejoice in the moment! After all, the apostles didn’t know what to expect either. Jesus had promised to send his followers another “Advocate” The Spirit of Truth – The Holy Spirit – to lead them into all truth!

The Holy Spirit has been “working on” us since our Baptism, then Confirmation and right up to this day! Let us this year finally open our hearts to the Spirit as adults. Open the doors of our minds and hearts and, just as the Apostles, “Move” in his gifts and blessings. Pentecost is the moment to embrace that “abundant life” that only the spirit and his gifts may produce in us.

A Message from Father Peter

– May 21st: The Ascension of the Lord

The Original Novena

Many Catholics love Novenas; some have been very popular. The largest one in Brooklyn in the 1940’s and 50’s was in honor of St. Therese of Lisieux. Many parishes still feature a “Miraculous Medal Novena”; St. Boniface Church in Elmont (Home to Fr. Pat and myself) used to have a very well attended one! Now that we have a little bit of local history, the meaning of the word must be clarified. The word “Novena” itself refers to a chain of nine links, for example, nine days or weeks. So nine days of prayer before the Ascension of our Lord into heaven and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost fit the bill and serve as a template for all other Novenas.

The strong request of Jesus was that the whole group which saw Him Risen would remain in Prayer until they were “clothed with power on high”; that is, they received the Holy Spirit with his gifts. We can make this Novena privately. Choose a time and a place, in your home or in church at a quiet time. Then thank God for all his blessings so far in your life. Then explicitly pray for the gifts of the spirit, beginning with a sense of Pentecost joy and confidence in God! Claim your inheritance as a child of God and as a member of Christ’s body – the Church – with all the style and power that flows out from the imparting of the Holy Spirit.

– May 14th: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Summer Event/Alias Picnic

All Hands on deck! We’re putting together a roster of parishioners (18-80+) to help with a summer event / Alias picnic. We have parish history on our side. Many folks remember helping at picnics past even at the seminary. It is important to move forward from the 5-year disaster named “Covid” and the painful abuse scandals.

We need to build up morale again, and our plans include you! We are looking to hold a small one-day affair with food, activities, community camaraderie, and of course, a very good raffle! This is a call for assistance, especially planners to put their heads together and brainstorm! Let the rectory know how you would like to assist in the planning. As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work!”

Have a Blessed and Happy Mother’s Day!

– May 7th: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Eucharistic Congress

The Great Sacrament of Confirmation is a highlight of every parish’s yearly schedule. One of our own Bishops is with us through the day and his presence confirms our part in the link to the larger and even worldwide church.

As far as the candidates are concerned, we accept their decision to strengthen the bond to the church that they enjoy stemming from their baptism and reception of the Eucharist. We all know they need to make deeper commitments but first, the Holy Spirit is guiding them. Kindly keep them in your prayers! Their faith journey continues step by step!