Pastor: Rev. Jacob Thumma

Parish Business Manager:

Janet Samuel

Religious Education Coordinator: Neale Steiniger (718-816-0093)

Name______________________________________ Address_____________________________________ City_______________State____Zip Code_________ Home Phone #___________________listed/unlisted?

Email______________________________________ ___Please send census card for my parish registration

___I would like to receive Offering Envelopes

___I would like a Priest to contact

A Roman Catholic Praying Community

854 Targee Street, Concord Staten Island, New York 10304

718 -727-4639 ~ Fax: 718 -273-2950

website: http://StSylvesterSI.org e-mail: stsylvesterschurch@yahoo.com

Sept. 22, 2019

Parish House Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Eucharist..…………our life as a praying community Saturday evening vigil Mass—4:00 p.m. Sunday Masses—7:30, 10:00 a.m. (Choir), 12 noon Holy Day Masses—7:00 p.m. Vigil, 9:00 a.m., 12 noon, 7:00 p.m. Weekdays—Rosary Chapel: Mon. through Fri. at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.

Devotions Monday through Saturday—Rosary following 8:30 a.m. Mass Mondays—Miraculous Medal following 8:30 a.m. Mass Tuesdays-St. Anthony of Padua following 8:30 a.m. Mass Wednesdays—Eucharistic Holy Hour: 7 - 8 p.m. Fridays of Lent-Stations of the Cross: 12 noon & 7:00 p.m.

Parish Activities Men’s Holy Name Society, Women’s Guild, Golden Age, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Funeral Ministry, Ushers/

Greeters, Teen Youth Activities Group, A.C.A., B.S.A. Cub Den and Troop 85, Manresa Christian Life Community, Altar Servers, Hospitality Sunday - 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month, Sept. thru June…Continental Breakfast and good conversation in

the Parish Hall following the 10 o’clock Mass.

Parish Registration Our Parish family invites all of its members to

participate fully in our spiritual and social life. Every family moving into the Parish is requested to register at the

Rectory. You may fill out the adjacent form and drop it in the collection basket next weekend, or stop into the Parish Office.

Baptism… . . . . our life as a Christian begins! We rejoice with families on the occasion of the birth of a new child. Please call 718-727-4639 and speak to a member of the parish staff to arrange for an interview and registration for the required baptismal preparation class.

Reconciliation...the loving power of the Father’s forgiveness Confessions on Saturdays—3:00 pm to 3:45 p.m.

Matrimony Arrangements should be made at least 6 months in advance and prior to making any plans for the reception. Please call the Parish Office for an ap-pointment with a priest. All couples are expected to attend a Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program.

Lord, hold our troops safe in your loving hands--

Staff Sgt. Victor L. Andrea, Jr. - U. S. Air Force Seaman Daniel Brennan - U. S. Navy SR Francis S. Cummings - U. S. Navy SR Michael J. Cummings - U. S. Navy Col. Jeffrey N. Davila, MD - U. S. Air Force Lucia Di Simone-Biggins - U. S. M.C. Ryan Foley - U.S. M.C. Alvin S. Joseph II - U. S. Navy Lt. Col. Jay Le Pore - U. S. Air Force in Japan Prescod Montgomery - U. S. Army in Iraq Ens. II Steven Pasignajen-Trimble - U.S. Navy/Persian Gulf Samuel Rios - U. S. Air Force Joseph Somma - U. S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Volpe - U. S. Army-South Korea

Has someone here been promoted, transferred, demobilized, discharged, retired? Please let us know.

... for those anticipating a hospital stay, recuperating, and the homebound in our

parish and in our families. Keep this list near the place where you pray each day so that you remember them throughout the week.

Daniela Agucia, Robert Ballard, Sr., Joseph Bertolini, Nancy J. Bushman, Antonia Carlino, Lucille Chatznoff,

Ed Cintula, Frances Cirincione, Conley family, Stephen Cucci, Maria Erlinger, Robert Forlenza,

Thomas Galvin, Robert Golden, Debra S. Iammatteo, Bridget Kehley, Nicholas Kinahan, Frank Labano,

Dr. Nicolas C. Lansigan, Jr., Louis Matos, Travis Mayhew, George Moresca, Delia Murguia, William Murphy,

Amy O’Donnell, Sr. Carrie Portu, Lee Poyntz, Sharon Poyntz, Eulah Ryan, Alice Santamays,

John Savarese, Annette Scardigno, Louise Stanley, Tom Varisi, John Vincenzo, Joan Walter, Robert Williams

Please let us know if anyone for whom we are praying has recov-ered from illness/surgery so that we may rejoice with you and then make room for others in need of prayer. Thank you.

25th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

September 22, 2019

Liturgies and Intentions for the Week

Saturday, Sept. 21 - Vigil Mass –25th Sun. in Ord.Time

4:00 p.m. = Carmela Rogan

Sunday, Sept. 22 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. = Matthew Brennan 10:00 a.m. = Donald McCahill 12:00 noon = Catherine Castell

*Monday, Sept. 23 – St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest 8:30 a.m. = Joanne and Frank D'Amato

Tuesday, Sept. 24 – 25th Week in Ordinary Time 8:30 a. m. = Patricia & Jacqueline Segreti

Wednesday, Sept. 25 – 25th Week in Ordinary Time 8:30 a.m. = Angelo Grecco 7:00 p.m. = HOUR OF EUCHARISTIC PRAYER & BENEDICTION

Thursday, Sept 26 – 25th Week in Ordinary Time [Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs] 8:30 a. m. = Matthew E. Cintula, Jr. (39th ann. in heaven)

Friday, Sept. 27 - St. Vincent de Paul, Priest NATIVE AMERICAN DAY 8:30 a.m. = Felix Gilroy (Happy Birthday in heaven)

Saturday, Sept. 28 - 25th Week in Ordinary Time; [St. Wenceslaus, Martyr; St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions, Martyrs] 9:00 a.m. = Doris Tierney

Saturday, Sept. 28 - Vigil Mass –26th Sun. in Ord.Time

4:00 p.m. = Mary Foremsky (Happy Birthday in heaven)

Sunday, Sept. 29 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. = Doris Gardener 10:00 a.m. = Patricia Hoza 12:00 noon = Felix Gilroy

Par ish of St . Sy lvester

God . . . wills ever one to be saved and to come to knowledge of the t th.

—1 Timothy 2:4

Our Parish Family’s Support:

Sept. 15, 2019 –24th Sunday- Ord. Time - $3,403. Reserve Fund - $ 720.

Sept. 16, 2018—1st Collection - $5,051. Mission Support - $1,447.

*

begins Sept. 23 @ 3:50 AM-EDT

Do you know someone who is interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith? Or asks about becoming a Catho-lic? Our next R.C.I.A. program begins this September. Invite her/him to call the Parish Office for time and information.

Welcome

The 2020 Memorials Book is now open for requests. Bring the names and dates for those you wish to

to the Parish Office—Monday - Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM. Openings also remain available for 2019

Remember + Honor + Bless

My Dear Parishioners, The parable in today's Gospel is another one with a surprise ending. The crooked steward is commended by his master for being prudent, or clever, trying to protect himself. Jesus did not condone dishonesty. He just wanted us to be just as clever in serving the Lord. Let's look at the first two readings and how they challenge us to do more. The reading from Amos talks about those "who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor" (Amos 8:4). The challenge here is to ask yourself, "What do I do for the poor?" If all you can think of is to throw some change in the monthly collection for the poor, you're not be-ing very c lever . Most par ishes have or-ganizations to help the needy and are happy to get volunteers. Imagine what you would do to help someone you loved who was laid off or on disability leave. Do you love Jesus enough to help the poor in his name? Do you ever think of praying for the poor? Not just a quick response to one of the Prayers of the Faithful for the home-less, but actually taking time to pray for those who are unemployed or with jobs that don't pay enough to support a family. Speaking of prayer, our second reading also challenges us to do more. Paul recommends prayers for "kings and for all in authority" (1 Timo-thy 2:2). It's easy to pray for friends and family; how much time do we give to prayers for govern-ment leaders and executives? Even the leaders with whom we disagree could use more guidance from the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us that God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), sinners as well as saints, terrorists and embezzlers, athe-ists and agnostics. How much time do we spend time praying for the "bad guys?" Yet Jesus said, "Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you" (Matthew 5:44). I can't say I've ever heard an-yone say that was their favorite Bible passage. But if Jesus expects more from those who love him, who are we to let him down?

Keep smiling, Fr. Jacob

ST. JOSEPH RETREAT CENTER

850 HYLAN BLVD. SJRETREATCENTER.ORG 718.720.1097

Saturday, Oct. 5th: Mary, a Model of Empowerment for all Women Facilitated by Sister Maureen Himchak, MPF 9:30-11:30 AM Fee: $25 per person

In this presentation, Mary is presented as a woman who balanced her culture, her spirituality and her hu-manity in a healthy, life-giving way. Our time together will focus on Mary of the Gospel as an empowered woman of faith. Through input from our presenter, re-flection and interactive discussion, Mary, Mother of Jesus, will unfold as an empowered woman who has set a visionary path for women in today's society and for women in the future.

Grandparents Corner

Cathy's Hallowe'en FUN...ANZA

Sunday, October 6 12 noon - 4 PM

Music - Face Painting Refreshment Stand Seasonal Activities & Games-

Costume Parade Gen'l. Admission: $5 - Pumpkin Patch: $2 - Haunted Kitchen: $2

Further info: 718-984-6046; or visit www.conferencehouse.org

If you have ever raced into the pew af-ter Mass has started, juggled a crying

child during the homily or settled spats during the Consecration, you may feel that fellow parishioners are judging you harshly. It may seem like church is only

suited to perfectly behaved and pious families. Yet messy, wonderful families of God are critical to the Catholic Church.

Children are our future. Parents are the most in-fluential teachers of faith and catechesis for their children. Children first learn about God’s love from their parents. That makes you valued and important to building up the Catholic Church. Those occasionally scruffy, sometimes noisy chil-dren you bring into the church are our future.

The Church is for you. Jesus truly comes to us in the Eucharist at every Mass. There is no better nourishment for our souls than his Body and

Blood. Come to Mass weekly and give children opportunities for his grace. Seek support in your

family faith journey. It’s what the Church is meant to do. Partners in Faith©