Church of Saint Mary Parish Bulletin: December 29, 2024

CHURCH of SAINT MARY

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph December 29, 2024 Reverend Father Robert A. Romeo | Pastor Reverend Father Anthony Saliba | Parochial Vicar Reverend Father Rafal Borowiejski | Parochial Vicar

1300 Northern Boulevard | Manhasset, New York 11030 516 627 0385 | Fax 516 627 6070 www.saintmarysmanhasset.org

Parish Mission Statement We, the community of Saint Mary’s, Manhasset, building on our rich heritage of Catholic faith and tradition, center ourselves in the Eucharist and honor God in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to be the presence of Christ through our liturgical, educational and social ministries.

We dedicate our time, talent and treasure to the service of all as we build the kingdom of God in our world. We commit to this mission in the name of Jesus Christ.

Church of Saint Mary 1300 Northern Boulevard Manhasset, New York 11030 (516) 627-0385 Fax (516) 627-6070 www.saintmarysmanhasset.org

Schedule of Masses Thursday 7:00 AM (when school is in session) Monday–Friday 9:00 AM Saturday 9:00 AM, 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays from 4:00-4:45 PM and by appointment. Please call 627-0385.

Anointing of the Sick The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in the Chapel on the second Sunday of the month following the 10:30 AM Mass. If you are unable to come to Church, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements for Anointing or to receive the Eucharist.

Parish Office 627-0385 | Fax 627-6070 Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday - Friday 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday - (phone only) 10:00 AM–1:30 PM Sunday 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM E-mail: information@stmary.ws

Good Samaritan House 365-2705 Monday-Wednesday-Thursday 11:00 AM-3:00 PM E-mail: kkosciusko@stmary.ws St. Vincent de Paul Society: svdp@stmary.ws

Religious Education 627-4028 Monday 12:00 Noon-8:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM Closed on Friday

PARISH DIRECTORY Pastoral Staff Rev. Fr. Robert A. Romeo Pastor 627-0385 | ext. 1004 pastor@stmary.ws

The Schools of Saint Mary Nursery through 12th Grade

Rev. Fr. Anthony Saliba Parochial Vicar 627-0385 | ext. 1006 franthony@stmary.ws

627-2711

Rev. Fr. Rafal Borowiejski Parochial Vicar 627-0385 | ext. 1010 frrafal@saintmarysmanhasset.org

Parish Staff Rob Cammarata Director of Operations 627-0385 | ext. 1037 rcammarata@stmary.ws Jane Clifford Bulletin Editor bulletin@stmary.ws Marie T. Granieri Director of Religious Education 627-4028 | ext. 1127 releddirector@stmary.ws Kathleen Kosciusko Director of Parish Social Ministry 627-0385 | ext. 1126 kkosciusko@stmary.ws Jennifer LaChance Office Manager 627-0385 | ext. 1000 information@stmary.ws Daniel Maimone Music Director 627-0385 | ext. 1021 dmaimone@saintmarysmanhasset.org Vanessa Quiros Parish Office 627-0385 | ext. 1008 vquiros@stmary.ws

Very Rev. Dom Daniel Nash, Can. Reg. President president@stmary.ws Norma Ragalli Stafford Director of Admissions 627-2711 | ext 1084 nstafford@stmary.ws Eileen M. Symmons ’82, ’86 Director of Communications 627-2711 esymmons@stmary.ws Kiera Gmelich Walsh Director of Alumni and Parent Relations 627-2711 | ext. 1162 kwalsh@stmary.ws Sarah de Venoge Griffin ’02, ’06 Liaison for School Relations sgriffin@saintmarysmanhasset.org St. Mary’s Elementary School 627-0184 www.stmary11030.org Theresa A. Kemp Principal tkemp@stmary11030.org St. Mary’s High School 627-2711 www.saintmaryshs.org Gerard J. Buckley Principal gbuckley@saintmaryshs.org

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Masses and Special Intentions Glenn LaChance Cole Marguglio Christine Marchese Richard & Gerald Schmaedick Mary Atkinson Diamantina Jannone Anthony Polizzi Maria DeAngelis Jon Jodka Kathy Dellis-Stover Donna Chesney Neil Gillis Erica Klock Pamela Gallo Mason Allison Azzara Gabriel & Frances Romeo Teddy Connolly Ann Shields Sarah Praay Nina Principe Agnes Gaus Names will remain on the list for three months. Please email bulletin@stmary.ws if you would like to continue with the listing.

Mickey Kennedy Gaetano Miccio

Hilton, Justin, SGT, USA Hilton, Nathaniel, SGT, USA Horner, Brian G., 1stLt, USMC Howard, Edward M., GySgt, USMC Jones, Scott B., LT, USN 125th Brigade Support Battalion Jones, Katherine L., LTJG, USN 23rd Marine Regiment Kennedy, Michael, Col, USAF 25th Marine Regiment LaManna, Vincent S., Jr., PVT, USA 2-4 GSAB Task Force Mustang Landolphi, Michael, ENS, USN 2-211th GSAB Task Force War Horse Lanza, Anthony E., LtCol, USMC 51st Security Force Squadron Madden, Michael E., Major, USAF 75th Ranger Regiment Major, A. Edward, III, LTC, USA 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 161 Alacqua, Alexander, CPT, USA Marine Transport Squadron 352 Amerson, Jason, CPT, USA McGorry, Patrick F., HM2, USN Anderson, Michael, 1LT, USA McKievear, Gary, LT, USA Arnold, James, LCpl, USMC Millau, Jeffrey, PFC, USMC Arnoux, Seraph, PFC, USA Morris, Jr., Brian J., ENS, USN Avasthi, David, Capt, USAF O’Leary, Jason, SSgt, USAF Baber, Joseph, Maj, USAF Petracca, Evan L., LTJG, USN Blake, Julia, Cadet, USN Quinn, Anthony, Jr., SGT, USA Broderick, Evan, SGT, USA Richardson, Timothy, PV2, USA Broderick, Steven, SN, USN Radman, Paul Cpl, USMC Brodie, Virgina H., 2ndLt, USMC Rodi, Caroline G., CAPT, USN Brown, Jason, SGT, USA Saville, John A., ENS, USN Casazza, Jack, 2nd Lt, USMC Sharkey, John J., LtCol, USMC Collins, Matthew, LT, USN Spivak III, Edmund, Capt, USAF Fontanetta, Joseph, Maj, USMC Sweeney, Timothy, CPT, USA Grubert, Sean, LCpl, USMC Swersky, Roberto, Capt, USMC Hannan, Jack, ENS, USN Tafone, Samantha, SGT, USA Hayes, Andrew, Capt, USMC Ullrich, Kenneth C., HN, USN Hellman, Thomas, 2d Lt, USSF Unger, Matthew J., SPC, USA Hernandez, Steven, SSgt, USAF Vachris, Madison, LT, USN Higgins, James, GySgt, USMC Wood, Kelly, BMSR, USN If you have a service member that you would like to add to this list please e-mail bulletin@stmary.ws. Please include name, rank and branch of service.

Masses for the Week Monday, December 30th Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 1 Jn 2:12-17, Lk 2:36-40 9:00 AM | Walter Fischer Tuesday, December 31st Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord St. Sylvester I, Pope 1 Jn 2:18-21, Jn 1:1-18 9:00 AM | John Glennon 5:00 PM | Al Pennisi Wednesday, January 1st The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Nm 6:22-27, Gal 4:4-7, Lk 2:16-21 9:00 AM | Lorraine & Eddie Kuks 10:30 AM | Mario M. Cuomo 7:00 PM | Joseph Giunta Thursday, January 2nd Ss. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops & Doctors of the Church 1 Jn 2:22-28, Jn 1:19-28 9:00 AM | James McCormick Friday, January 3rd First Friday Holy Name of Jesus 1 Jn 2:29-3:6, Jn 1:29-34 9:00 AM | Richard Pawlak Saturday, January 4th First Saturday St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 1 Jn 3:7-10, Jn 1:35-42 9:00 AM | Margaret Strakosch 5:00 PM | Tyler Godfrey Peter Striano Thomas J. Flynn, Sr. Dana Mauro Colleen & P.J. Nash Frank J. Valentini Adele Meny Sunday, January 5th Epiphany of the Lord Is 60:1-6, Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6, Mt 2:1-12 7:30 AM | People of the Parish 9:00 AM | Ana Biuk 10:30 AM | Diane Bossé Anthony Spinetta Gunnar Nolan, SMES ’10 Mary Nicholas Martin Fischer Francesca Ventimiglia Peter Reilly 12:00 Noon | Purgatorial Society

Cover art courtesy of LPi.

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph | December 29, 2024

From the Pastor’s Desk Dear Parishioners,

“The Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.” (Luke 2:52) The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council referred to the family as the Domestic Church, or Church at home, in their discussion on the laity in the Document “Lumen Gentium.” This idea was expanded upon by Pope St. Paul VI in a general audience when he said, “The message of proclaiming the message of Jesus, is in a special way entrusted to the family as baptized people endowed and sanctified by the sacrament of matrimony.”

Each culture has held up the family as the bulwark of society and each succeeding pontiff has referred often to the need for strong family bonds. Strong families ensure a stable and healthy society. A traditional family is defined as a mother, a father, and children. In our own time, we have seen the decline of the “traditional family.” Today, we are encountering families in many different and varied ways. We have single parent, blended families, and families moving back with their parents. While we still mostly uphold this nuclear body, we can either bemoan the fact of its decline (which does no good) or we can help each family to continue, in new ways, to be that place where the Gospel message is still lived.

In our second reading today from the letter to the Colossians, St. Paul presents a wonderful road map for the way families, and all people, should interact with each other. I suggest you read and reread this passage often. He says so beautifully that we are to “put on, as God’s chosen ones, heartfelt compassion, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and to forgive as the Lord has forgiven you…let the peace of Christ control your heats ..and be thankful… singing hymns and songs of praise to God…and to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

While this is not easy, it can be done if we are willing to put the time, energy, and love into it. Good families are created; they are the fruit of work and a deliberate decision to be a place where all may flourish. In our Gospel today. we hear that Jesus went with the Holy Family back to Nazareth, where He grew in wisdom and strength of God. This is a result of the home in which He was reared. We hold up the Holy Family as a model for all family life, not because they were above the human condition, but rather BECAUSE they were human.

So, of course, it can be done. Each family may find that at certain periods of their development they need some outside help and assistance and that is truly fine and beneficial. Never be so afraid to seek help. It is not a sign of weakness, but an action of love.

I came across this very simple and yet powerful article in Our Sunday Visitor for children (OSV Kids) called Five “Marks” of the Catholic Family by Dr. Gregory Popcak. I encourage you to go online and order the pamphlet. I will just offer a brief summary here.

Catholic families worship together: The Eucharist is the source of deep love that Jesus offers and families that worship together regularly are more prone to a deeper relationship with each other through the worship of God. Discussion question: Ask yourselves how you can make Mass a priority through the year.

Catholic families pray together: Prayer, of course, is first the intimate relationship with God, but it can also be a means for a family in open prayer to hear the needs of others. Hearing the needs then to be instruments to make that need a reality. Pray grace before meals as a reminder of the place of God in the life of a family.

Discussion question: What are you grateful to God for today?

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From the Pastor’s Desk Catholic families are called to intimacy: This intimacy is lived out by the way each member treats the others. Children learn about relationships by how they see the adults in their lives live out that relationship. Is there a kindness and respect given to each person within the household? Are children, as well as parents, quick to apologize when a wrong is done?

Does discipline teach virtue and good behavior instead of merely punishing a wrongdoing?

Discussion question: How can you as a family be kinder to each other this week?

Catholic families put family first: The family is the primary and first means which God uses to assist us in this life. Knowing that, then the family activities should be held in highest regard. When we continually excuse members from family activities, what does that say about their importance? Are meals a time where the focus is on the family and not the cell phone? It can be a wonderful time for each member to learn more about another.

Discussion question: On Sunday, the Lord’s Day, maybe have a “media break” where all screens are turned off and the Holy Spirit is allowed to guide you in discussion. Enjoy the silence too, to rest the brain!

Catholic families are a witness and sign: The love of Jesus is not meant to be a hidden, but shared with the world. We let that love be expressed in our care for those around and beyond us. Let others see that we act in mercy and justice because it flows from our love of Jesus. Maybe that grace you say at the table before meals can be done in a public restaurant (BTW, I love the reaction of others when I say grace in public!).

Discussion question: What is one action you can do to brighten someone’s day?

These are just small suggestions to help deepen the bonds, so that each of our families can be a HOLY FAMILY. The priests would like to thank everyone who so generously sent us gifts and cards this Christmas season. We are truly appreciative.

On behalf of myself, Fr. Anthony, Fr. Raf, the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, and the entire staff here at St. Mary’s, we wish you a continued Merry and Joyful Christmas and health and peace in the New Year. Remember, we, as Catholics, celebrate the Octave or eight days of Christmas. SO for eight days, it IS Christmas. The full Christmas season continues until the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, January 12th.

In Jesus, our New Born King, Fr. Bob

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph | December 29, 2024

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Stewards of God’s Gifts The child Jesus was found in the temple conversing with the teachers.

Living Stewardship ~ Pillar of Prayer: Let us come to Jesus in prayer and not only ask, but listen. Take time this week to just sit before the Blessed Sacrament… and listen.

The collection for Sunday, December 15, 2024 amounted to $30,664.00 The collection for Sunday, December 17, 2023 amounted to $28,636.00 The collection for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception amounted to $2,314.00

Have you enrolled yet? Visit www.faithdirect.net. Our parish code is NY281.

We Care for Our Parish Community Baptism We celebrate Baptism at 1:30 PM on the second Sunday of the month and at 12:30 PM on the fourth Saturday of the month as scheduled. Please call the Parish Office at least one month in advance to see if a date is available and to arrange to fill out pre-baptismal paperwork. New parents are required to attend a Baptism preparation session held once every month. Those chosen as sponsors for Baptism should lead lives in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role of Godparent.”

4:30-5:30 PM. Classes also meet on Sundays from 9:3010:20 AM for Grades 1 through 8 and on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 PM for Grades 6, 7 and 8. We also offer the option of an online home program for Grades 1 through 7. For information about Grades 1-8 call 627-4028 or email Mrs. Marie Granieri at releddirector@stmary.ws.

Parish Social Ministry We care for our sisters and brothers through our Parish Social Ministry and Food Pantry. For information call 365-2705.

Marriage At least six months before you plan to be married and before you make arrangements for the reception, please make an appointment with one of the priests to begin the necessary preparations.

Children’s Education Saint Mary’s Elementary School offers excellent education in the spirit of the Gospel from grades N, Pre-K to Eighth grade. For information call 627-0184.

Empowering Character, Innovation and Leadership in our students, Saint Mary’s High School is a dynamic, contemporary, Catholic value-centered school, combining a commitment to academic excellence and educational innovation, with a passion for learning, and an emphasis on moral character development through the pursuit of truth and discovered in faith and reason. For information call 627-2711.

The Religious Education Program provides excellent formation in the Catholic Faith for children in public or private schools. Preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation requires two years. Classes are held at St. Mary’s for Grades 1 through 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Respect Life Ministry We strive to help build a civilization of love and life that upholds the dignity and inviolability of all innocent human life, seeks objective moral Truth, embraces the value of redemptive suffering, and yearns for the fullness of life in eternal communion with God the Creator. For more information, email RespectLife@StMary.ws.

New Parishioners We welcome new members to the Catholic Church and to Saint Mary’s Parish. If you are new in the area or interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, please call the Parish Office.

Opportunities For Prayer The Church is open Monday to Friday until 8:45 PM, on Saturday until the end of the 5:00 PM Mass, and on Sunday until 6:00 PM. The Miraculous Medal Novena is said each Monday following the 9:00 AM Mass. Monday to Saturday the Rosary is said following the 9:00 AM Mass.

Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the Chapel. On First Saturdays, the Scriptural Rosary is recited following the 9:00 AM Mass.

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Rosary Society Our Mission Statement: The Rosary Society fosters devotion to Mary through prayer and good works for causes that would be dear to her heart Invest 20 minutes of your day to pray the Rosary, and see the difference it will make in your life.

If you would like the Rosarians to pray for a special intention, please e-mail us at rosarysociety@stmary.ws.

The Ranger Rosary Group will meet on Wednesday, January 8th, at 10:00 AM in the Msgr. Sharp Library. Please contact Judy Iacono at judyiacono@aol.com if you are interested in learning more about making rosaries for the military.

The Rosary Society’s traveling statue of Our Lady of Fatima is available to come into your home. Please let us know if you would like a special visit with the statue. For more information, please contact Mary Lou de Venoge by email: dogonelab@msn.com.

Spotlight on the Daughters of Mary The girls spent a day of service at the convent for the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Eighteen girls joined the sisters to scrub, polish, clean, organize, and garden at their convent on Saturday, November 23rd, until early afternoon. Fr. Bob celebrated Mass in the Sisters’ Chapel for all, then everyone enjoyed pizza and salad for lunch.

Coming up...

The Daughters will host a small musical celebration in the Marian Room on Epiphany Sunday to help extend the joy of the Christmas season. Young children and their families are invited to attend. The girls will use the music, instruments, and scripts provided by Cathy Morrissey from her “Making Music Praying Twice” classes of some years ago. Special Epiphany desserts will be served! Details, including how to sign up, can be found on page X of this bulletin.

Wednesday, January 1st - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrates Mary’s faith and trust in God alone, and the Church wants us to imitate her faith. Theotokos —”God-bearer” -is one of the earliest titles given by Christians to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We as Catholics celebrate Mary as the Mother of God, because, in bearing Christ, she bore the fullness of the Godhead within her. Our Lady never hesitated to do the will of God. So, as a new year begins, we look to her for inspiration to do the same.

We also trust in her intercessory prayers to God on our behalf. We look to another year to continue to become more like Our Lady in her faithfulness to God’s plan.

O Mary, Holy Mother of God, pray for us!

Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Prayer to the Holy Family and for Our Families O Holy Family, bless and protect all the families of the world; safeguard their unity, fidelity, integrity and dignity. Enable them to live according to God’s law that they may fulfill their sublime vocation. May their lives be a reflection of yours and may they enjoy your presence forever in heaven.

God, Our Father, loving and merciful, bring together and keep all families in perfect unity of love and mutual support. Instill in each member the spirit of understanding and affection for each other. Keep quarrels and bitterness far from them, and for their occasional failures instill forgiveness and peace.

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God A Holy Day of Obligation Masses Tuesday, December 31st - New Year’s Eve 5:00 PM Wednesday, January 1st – New Year’s Day 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 7:00 PM

Readings and Questions for Faith Sharing on the Epiphany of the Lord Reading I: Isaiah 60:1-6 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.

Reading II: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus.

ST. MARY’S GIFT SHOP IS OPEN SUNDAYS AFTER THE 9:00, 10:30 AM, & 12:00 NOON MASSES We are in the Parish Ministry Center below the church.

516-627-0385 ext. 1033

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

Question for Adults: God has a plan for me. Have I asked him to reveal it to me?

How am I following it?

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Question for Children: What gifts am I bringing to Jesus today?

The Jubilee Year 2025 Officially Opened with the Rite of Opening the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter

by Pope Francis on December 24th, 2024 at 7:00 PM

On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Pope Francis officially proclaimed the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025 with the public reading and delivery of Spes Non Confundit, the Bull of Indicition for the Jubilee Holy Year 2025, in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. This papal document lays out the foundation for the 2025 Jubilee and its theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.” As the Universal Church looks forward to the celebration of the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of the Lord, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is thrilled to support the Holy Father in this “event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church.” Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee 2025: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire...”

The Jubilee Year will offer the faithful opportunities to participate in various jubilee events at the Vatican and in their own dioceses. While several basilicas in Rome besides St. Peter’s will be destinations for pilgrimages, bishops around the world will designate their cathedrals or a popular Catholic shrine as special places of prayer for Holy Year pilgrims, offering opportunities for reconciliation, indulgences and other events intended to strengthen and revive faith. Future events in our own diocese of Rockville Centre will be publicized in the bulletin, parish webiste, and social media.

For more information about Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope, please visit the following websites: Vatican Website https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html USCCB Website https://www.usccb.org/jubilee2025

Society of St. Vincent de Paul THE NEXT SVDP MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH, at 7:00 PM in the Saint John Paul II Room.

New members are always welcome!

We invite you to explore the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary’s Church. There are no special qualifications to join, other than the desire to join with others in helping Neighbors in need. As a group, we meet monthly. Come decide for yourself if God is calling you to this special Ministry.

Today is the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and so we can celebrate that we all belong to the holy family of God which makes us brothers and sisters to each other. At Christmas this year, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was able to bring the joy and hope to our “brothers and sisters” who are poor by assisting families, providing food, gifts, and help with utility and rent bills.

Our St. Vincent de Paul Conference is able to help our neighbors in need through the generosity of our St. Mary’s parishioners. Each time you donate, either through the collection slots at the doors of the church, or in an envelope marked for St. Vincent de Paul, you are helping our neighbors within St. Mary’s Parish. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society at 516-627-0385, ext. 1125, or email SVDP@stmary.ws. To donate furniture, clothing or household items, please call the store in Garden City Park at 516-746-8250. Thank you for your continued support.

Good Samaritan House For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. (Psalm 9:18) Our office is overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity of our parishioners. Because of your generosity, the Good Samaritan House serviced close to 70 families for Christmas. Every individual we assist throughout the year, most with children or teenagers, had gifts under their tree to unwrap. This, of course, brings joy to all, especially the children. Hopefully they align that joy with the joy of Christmas and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As always, our Parishioners showed their love and concern for the poor this year. We had an amazing 25 families who participated in Share Christmas and shopped for entire families, really giving their time, monies, creativity, and good cheer to provide for those in need. We collected enough clothing, bedding, and sneakers to ensure all the individuals we serve have access to new items for many months to come, and we collected enough in gift cards to help families purchase perishable food items and other necessities throughout 2025.

Our office would also like to extend the most heartfelt thank you to our very dedicated volunteers, who without their many hours of service, we would not be able to provide for these families around the holidays in the way that we do. This is a case where it takes a village and our volunteers are much appreciated “villagers.”

We hope all of the families of St. Mary’s have the most blessed Christmas and all of your days are filled with the joy and peace that Christmas provides.

God bless, Kathleen Kosciusko, Director of Good Samaritan House

Thank you to the Plandome Women’s Club for donating their food drive collection to Good Samaritan House. The large donation will help to keep our shelves full through the holiday season and into 2025! We appreciate the support of this generous organization and are grateful they are a consistent source of support for Good Samaritan House!

We are sending a heartfelt thank you to the 3rd floor CTICU nurses of St. Francis Hospital. For the second year in a row, they so graciously pulled together to sponsor a family for our Share Christmas event. They provided a full Christmas for a family, helping to make their holy day a joyous and special one! Thank you to this nursing staff for their generosity and kindness!

The Daughters of Mary Invite Families with Very Young Children to A Musical Celebration of the Epiphany Sunday, January 5th, at 1:00 PM in the Marian Room Our high school members of St. Mary’s Rosary Society invite all babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families to a fun one-time event that combines a joyous retelling of the Nativity Story with the same elements of music education of a Making Music Praying Twice Class.

Celebrate the Epiphany with your little ones!

Come sing, dance, play instruments, and make a joyful noise!

Listen to the story of Jesus’ birth, the singing of angels, and learn about the gifts of the Wise Men. Parents, grandparents, and siblings, are welcome!

Light Refreshments will follow.

RSVP is required as space is limited.

SIGN UP here: https://forms.gle/zqL35EdnKhPJff7b8

Religious Education Dear Parents, We prepared the way for Christmas joy with a beautiful reenactment of the Nativity story beautifully performed by Mrs. Brown’s third grade class. The parish youth choir, directed by Daniel Maimone, shared the gift of their voices. Our hearts were filled with the hope, peace, joy and love of Christ. It is a blessing to serve children through their Catholic faith journey.

We are always grateful to our parish priests, catechists, and volunteers!

Religious education classes will resume on January 6, 2025, starting with Monday evening classes.

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and blessed New Year!

Mrs. Granieri

Knights of Columbus Father William A. Daly S.J. Council #2122 Serving St. Mary’s Parish in Manhasset and St. Aloysius Parish In Great Neck www.kofc2122.org

What is a Knights of Columbus Family?

We are Catholic families building a bridge to our faith.

Our lives, time, efforts, and resources are dedicated to these values: Charity. Unity. Fraternity. Patriotism.

We come from different places, backgrounds, and all stages of life. But the common thread is our Catholic faith. We are Catholic families seeking to improve ourselves and the world. It’s one thing to say who you are. It’s another thing is to live it. Put your values into practice. Become a Knights of Columbus family.

Interested? Please call: Tony Racioppo 917 539 0859 Dan Garcia 516 358 1817 Ladies interested in joining the Columbiettes, please contact Maura Clifford at Macliff56@gmail.com

Let the little children come to me... (Matt 19:14)

All Children Are Invited to Participate in Children’s Liturgy of the Word Every Sunday at the 9:00 AM Mass Interested in becoming a CLOW Prayer Leader?

Please contact Jane Clifford at bulletin@stmary. ws or sit in with us on a Sunday. Materials and training are provided; scheduling is flexible.

The Parish Office will be closed on New Year’s Day. No 7:00 AM Mass on Thursday.

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In Session with Dr. Patricia Pitta May God Bless You: The Other Side of Despair is Joy

the face of despair. As a result, many times, we cannot feel joy.

“You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” (John 16:20)

Facing despair can strengthen you to be able to navigate life with new skills and tools that you didn’t know that you possessed. This is a happy time of year, but, for many, it is laced with despair.

We are in the season of preparing for Jesus’ birth. We are scurrying around to do all the additional tasks the season demands. For many, there is a deep concern and sentiment for feelings of loss and despair that you have felt in the past or are experiencing now. How can you be joyful for today when yesterday was so painful? I am going to tell you that you can be joyful while you work through pain at the same time.

What can you do to transform despair into coping and then managing and then someday feeling joy that you lost or never had? The answer is to love. No matter how bad you feel and no matter what you must face, connect to God’s love and share that with others and, most importantly, with yourself. Be kind to yourself and gentle with yourself and say, “With God within and at my side, I will find my way.”

God has granted us the ability to be resilient no matter what is happening. Yes, there are those times and days when you feel that it can’t get worse. If you reach out to God, you can find peace. Within that peace, there is joy just waiting to be captured.

You may ask, “You are telling me to love when I am feeling down and losing hope?” No, you maintain hope in your heart no matter what is happening for this earthly journey is only a step to everlasting joy.

And, today’s pain can translate to joy soon, if only in little ways. You make progress step by step. Joy can be experienced by looking out your window and seeing the trees sway in the wind. Joy can be captured by experiencing little acts of kindness that you do for others, and they do for you. As I write this article, I am doing an act of kindness to reach someone who might benefit to read these messages. It brings me joy to do this and, as I do this, I feel good knowing I offer understanding to one in possible pain and despair.

Let’s explore further: I bet there were times in your life when despair was strong and glaring. Did you realize that you were able to move from despair to other states, not feeling so lost? There is the saying that “Time heals all.” I am not sure that it is only time but what we do with that time and how we integrate our faith into our pain to find joy.

We need time to feel. Most people spend a great deal of energy running from feelings, particularly when they are painful. When we do that, we cheat ourselves of working through difficult times and emotions and disable ourselves to stand strong in

This summer, we adopted a dog, and we named her “Joy.” This is a rescue dog with some problems, but with a beautiful spirit. We could have focused on the problems. Rather, we Church of Saint Mary | 14

focused on the joy. She has given us gifts that a perfect dog could never offer. We just went to the pound and found this dog that “kinda” talked to us and we said, “We can do this and make a new life for her.” Just for a point of information: my husband and son are both veterinarians. In making a new life for Joy, we gave ourselves a new perspective and our relationship with Joy is bountiful. In the face of loss, we brought Joy to our lives to fill a spot that was empty and in pain.

God does not want us to suffer, but part of the human condition is suffering and experiencing joy. No matter where you in your journey are this holiday season, take time with God to experience the love that HE has for you. As you experience that connection with him through prayer, you will feel peace and strength. Look for little signs of hope, connection, and love. Maybe someone will complement you, help you in some way, or just acknowledge your existence.

As you pray, God hears you. Even if you don’t get all of what you were wishing for or maybe, none of what you were wishing for. If you stay with God in prayer, you will find another route that will bring joy to your life. The Holy Spirit will strengthen you and guide you to experiencing some joy in ways you cannot imagine. When you read Scripture, “God speaks to you.”

When you pray, “You speak to God.” Read the ible, pray, and hold onto hope and you will find peace and joy.

Below are passages from the Bible that can bring you closer to God and healing. Save them and read them whenever you need or want to.

Dr. Patricia Pitta (con’t.)

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (Matthew 7:24-25) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

(Romans 5:3-5) I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:5-7) The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

(Psalm 34:19)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the St. Mary’s Mental Health Ministry.

Dr. Pitta (drpatriciapitta.com) is a Clinical and Family Psychologist practicing in Manhasset and is the chair of the Mental Health Ministry of St. Mary’s. She is a professor of psychology at St. John’s University and the former director of the Postgraduate Couple and Family Therapy Program within the department of Psychology.

She is a graduate of the Pastoral Formation Institute of Rockville Centre. Dr. Pitta is the author of Solving Modern Family Dilemmas: An Assimilative Therapy Model published by Routledge and Integrative Couple and Family Therapies published by American Psychological Association.

Mass Intentions Book for July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025 opened on Tuesday, December 17th.

Please note our policy whereby you will be able to reserve only two Masses during the first two weeks of the opening of the Mass Intentions Book for the third quarter of 2025.

After that time, you may reserve any additional Masses for the period. Mass intentions may be requested in person at the Parish Office, Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM or call (516-6270385) or email (information@stmary.ws) for other options.

Bread & Wine are offered this week in loving memory of

The Pennisi and Bonventre Families

Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Closing Benediction Mondays 3:00 - 5:00 PM in the Church

Visit the parish website: www.saintmarysmanhasset.org for the latest parish news and events Business Owners: Please consider advertising in our bulletin.

It’s a great way to support our parish.

Call our printer, LPi, at 1-800-477-4574

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Ask your parents what they enjoyed about you as a little baby. You might also want to look at some baby pictures together.

Circle these words from today’s Gospel in the puzzle:

Mary, Mother of God • Luke 2:16-21

Read the Gospel of the week and color the image.

CYCLE C

Make a thank-you card for someone who told you about Jesus.

What letter begins each picture name? Circle the capital and lowercase letters. Then color the pictures.

Mary, Mother of God • Luke 2:16-21

Read the Gospel of the week and color the image.

CYCLE C

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A weekly support group for the bereaved and those struggling with unresolved loss will begin on January 30, 2025.

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Good Samaritan House Announces Winter Bereavement Group

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The session will run for eight consecutive weeks on Thursdays from 1:30-3:00P M. The primary goals of the group are to help the participants learn about the grief process, develop skills to manage their grief, and help them adjust to living in a world without the deceased.

Venerable Anthony Vincent Gallo

The group is open to anyone who has lost a spouse, partner, parent, child, or sibling – including non-parishioners and people of other faiths. It should be noted though, St. Mary's bereavement sessions are faith based sessions that at times refer to bible verses or prayers to assist in the healing process.

For complete details and registration*, please scan the QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/forthebereaved

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL 516 365 2705 *REGISTER BY 1/20

GUIDELINES STATE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT ATTEND A BEREAVEMENT SESSION UNTIL AT LEAST THREE MONTHS AND PREFERABLY SIX MONTHS AFTER THE PASSING OF THEIR LOVED ONE.

Diocesan Priest, Oblate of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart Montforte Irpino: 11 January 1899 - Rome: 2 May 1934

O Most Holy Trinity, Who deigned to raise Venerable Anthony Vincent Gallo to the priesthood, and endowed him with precious gifts, especially that of a burning love for suffering and immolation, we humbly beseech You, if it be Your will, that he may be glorified on earth, and that we may obtain through his intercession the particular grace which we ask for with living faith.

Amen.

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