church of st. charlesstcharlessi.org/.../2019/03/mar3_2019_stcharlessi.pdf · the wine & hosts...

CHURCH OF ST. CHARLES

644 CLAWSON STREET, OAKWOOD HEIGHTS, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306

MARCH 3, 2019 EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Louis R. Jerome

Parochial Vicar Fr. Stefan Chanas Fr. Ruwandana Mendis

In Residence Bishop John J. O’Hara

Weekend Associate Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Whalen

Permanent Deacons Deacon Stephen Tobon Deacon Lawrence Droge

Pastoral Associate Sr. Jeanine Conlon, O.P.

School Principal Mr. J. C. Kiernan

Religious Education Coordinator Ms. Kerry Quinn

Director of Music Mr. Paul Light

Contact Information Rectory School 644 Clawson Street 200 Penn Avenue (718) 987-2670 (718) 987-0200 Fax: (718) 987-7950 Fax: (718) 987-8158 Email Address Tuition Office secretary@stcharlessi.org (718) 987-5780 Website: www.stcharlessi.org Religious Education 200 Penn Avenue www.saintcharlesccd.org (718) 979-6800 stcharlesccd10306@gmail.com

Parish Office Hours Sunday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Saturday 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Sacramental Life Mass Schedule

Parish Registration New parishioners need to register at the rectory. Please inform us if you move into or out of the parish.

Confessions

Saturday: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 5:00 - 5:30 PM, and after Mass on the Eve of a Holy Day.

Baptisms Second Sunday of the month at 2:30 PM Instruction for parents of the children to be baptized to be ar-ranged at the rectory. SPONSOR CERTIFICATES REQUIRED for Godparents and also a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Marriages To arrange a marriage at St. Charles, consult with a priest or deacon at least six months prior to the pro-posed date and before social arrangements. Attend-ance at Pre-Cana and Natural Family Planning Clas-ses is required.

Anointing and

Communion of the Sick Regular administration of the Sacraments should be arranged for shut-ins by calling the rectory. Emer-gency sick calls anytime.

Religious Education Program

Instruction for all grade levels beginning with first grade. For information call the Religious Education Office.

Weekend Masses Saturday Evening 4:00 & 5:30 PM Sunday 8:15, 9:30 & 10:45 AM 12:00, 1:15

Weekday Masses Monday - Friday 8:30 & 12 Noon Saturday 8:30 AM

Holy Days Masses Eve of the Holy Day 7:30 PM 6:45, 8:30, 12:00 and 7:30 PM

2

LITURGY CORNER MONDAY – MARCH 4 8:30 - Louis Antonelli, Jr. - Mem. 12:00 - Maite Aquino - Mem. TUESDAY - MARCH 5 8:30 - Joseph Truscelli - Ann. 12:00 - Lauren Houss - Living Intention WEDNESDAY - MARCH 6 8:30 - Thomas W. Burke - Mem. - Mem. 12:00 - Emil & Johanna Starita - Mem. THURSDAY- MARCH 7 8:30 - Frank Addario, Jr. - Mem. 12:00 - James Meeks - Mem. FRIDAY - MARCH 8 8:30 - Diego Lopez - Mem. 12:00 - Deborah LaBargo - Mem. SATURDAY - MARCH 9 8:30 - Elisabeth & Josef Hohm - Mem. 4:00 - The Amendola Family - Mem. 5:30 - Mary Ellen Flynn - Mem. SUNDAY - MARCH 10 8:15 - Grace & Anthony Perrino - Mem. 9:30 - Parishioners of St. Charles 10:45 - Zheng Xeu Qian - Mem. 12:00 - John McNulty - Mem. 1:15 - Thomas DeFrancesco - Mem.

February 17, 2019 February 18, 2018 $10,644.01 $11,917.86

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Monday - Friday at 12:00-5:00 PM in the Chapel

First Mondays at 7:30 PM in the Church (cancelled in August)

First Fridays at 7:00 PM in the Church (cancelled in August)

Call Jeannette Burrell (718-979-0034) or Lois Galvin (718-948-8193) for information

Rosary and Novenas

The Rosary is recited each weekday at 8:10 and 11:30 AM and on Saturday at 8:10 AM. The Miraculous Medal novena prayers are said after the 8:30 & 12:00 PM Masses on Mondays.

Flowers, Wine & Hosts and Oil

The Wine & Hosts for the week of March 3, - March 9, 2019 are offered in loving memory of Barbara Finney Fonte at the request of Barbara L. Solan.

March 9 / March 10 Mass Schedule

4:00 10:45 5:30 12:00 8:15 1:15 9:30

PLEASE NOTE

If a Mass is being said for a member of your family on Sat-urday evening or Sunday, it would be most fitting if someone from the family would bring up the gifts at the Offertory. Please let one of the ushers know before Mass. 3

Weekly Offerings

PARISH MINISTRIES Adult Faith Formation Wednesday - 1:30; rectory Baptism Classes First Tuesday of the month at 8:00 PM; rectory Bereavement Group Will resume in the Spring Book Club Third Thursday each month at 4:00 PM; rectory Caregivers Support Group Thursday - 9:30 - 11:30 AM; rectory Choir (Adult) Thursday at 7:30 PM; church Divine Mercy Devotion Friday at 3:00 PM; chapel Eucharistic Ministers First Fridays at 7:00 PM; church Legion of Mary Wednesday at 4:00 PM; rectory chapel Prayer Group & Holy Hour First Monday of the month at 7:30 PM; church Religious Education Classes Monday 3:45 - 5:15 PM Grades 6 & 7 Wednesday 3:45 - 5:15 PM Grades 1-5 Special Needs: Wednesday 5:10 - 5:45 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society Meeting - Second Tuesday of month at 1:30 PM; rectory Food Pantry open 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month 11:30 AM -1:30 PM; rectory Teen Club Sunday at 7:00 PM; auditorium Women’s Worship Wednesdays

St. Charles School application and registration pro-

cess for NEW students is NOW OPEN! Application and registration for the 2019-2020 school

year is now open for families interested in Pre-Kindergarten (3 year olds) and grades Kindergarten

through 8th. Families can now begin applying to Saint Charles

School by accessing the school website at www.SaintCharlesSchoolSI.org

Once on the school website homepage: 1. Click on the “Apply Now” button 2. Scroll down to the “Welcome” portion and click

on “Admissions Application” 3. Choose the borough “Staten Island” 4. Choose “Saint Charles School, 200 Penn Avenue” 5. Click “Apply Now” 6. Choose the “Fall 2019-Spring 2020 School Year” 7. Information regarding the application process

and financial aid will appear. When you are ready to begin the application process, scroll to the bottom of the page and choose “Click here to apply”

8. Choose “Create a New Account” and begin the application process

Financial assistance is available After completing the application, the school will con-tact the applicant and discuss the next steps. Upon

registration, all students will require birth certificate, baptismal certificate (if applicable), immunization and physical documentation, and past year report

cards and NYS standardized test results (if applicable).

The FREE Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) regis-tration process for children born in the year 2015 will not begin until 2019. You can stay up to date on the

UPK registration process by going to www.nyc.gov/prek.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a school tour with our principal, Mr. Kiernan, please

contact Mrs. Browne in the main office at 718-987-0200 or 718-987-5780. We hope to welcome you

to the Saint Charles School family real soon! 4

Our next Family Mass will take place Sunday, March 10th at the 9:30 AM Mass. Please bring your children for special family prayer time! Coffee and donuts

will be served as the 9:30 Mass.

PARISH NEWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 4, - March 10, 2019

Monday - March 4 Cheerleading - 2:45 PM; gym Cheerleading - 6:00 PM; auditorium Spiritual Direction - 7:30 PM; rectory Monday Prayer Group - 7:30 PM; church Tuesday - March 5 Bingo at 7:30 PM; doors open at 6:00 PM; early bird 7:15 PM Baptism Class- 8:00 PM; rectory Wednesday - March 6 Adult Faith Formation - 1:30 PM; rectory Legion of Mary - 4:00 PM; rectory chapel Secular Franciscan Formation Class - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM; rectory Thursday - March 7 Caregivers - 9:30 AM; rectory Cheerleading - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM; auditorium Cheerleading - 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM; auditorium Friday - March 8 Cheerleading - 2:45 PM; gym Pep Rally - 5:00 PM; gym Youth Ministry Meeting - 7:00 PM; rectory Saturday - March 9 Cheerleading - 8:00 AM; auditorium Cheerleading - 10:00 AM; auditorium Sunday - March 10 Family Mass - 9:30 AM; church Baptism - 2:30 PM; church Teen Club - 7:00 PM; auditorium

YOUTH CELEBRATION The Staten Island Network of Catholic Youth Ministers is planning their fourth annual Youth Celebration at Msgr. Farrell High School on Saturday, March 30th. The event is a full 2 hour performance by Array of Hope. EWTN described the performance as a multi-generational musical of the faith. The event is open to all high school students and is free of charge to them. All they are asked to bring is a canned food item that will be donated to our local food pantries.

EXCITING NEWS! Our neighbors at Harvest Café, 694 New Dorp Lane, will be open 7 days a week from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM starting February 19th. Stop by after Mass, since they are now open on Sundays for brunch! Bring this bulletin for 10% off on a Sunday brunch through March 10th!

5

Meetings during Lent will focus on a retreat with Pope Francis given by Fr. Anthony Ci-orra. We will begin on Wednesday, March 13th at 1:30 PM in the rectory and continue throughout the Wednesdays of Lent. All are welcome and it is a great opportunity to do something special during Lent to strengthen your prayer life and faith.

WE PRAY...WE CELEBRATE...WE REMEMBER

THE GET WELL LIST

WE REMEMBER

Eternal rest grant unto their souls, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed

rest in peace. Amen Camilo Messina Henry Abruzese Maureen Santero Amalia Clemente

Keith Alaimo Paul Alaimo Sr. Joseph Bisking Madeline Buonpane Jim Campitelli Mary Campitelli Lee Canning Marietta Canning Jerry Casey Judy Casey Marty Casey Nick Castagna Grace Castelao Lawrence Ciminieri Monica Cipriani Marie Clemente Elaine Cupak Anna DiCamillo Donato DiCamillo Frank Deegan Teresa Deegan Andrew DiPadova Joseph Elia Pietrina Emro Dorothy Fleming Danielle Flores Aniel Garcia Adeline Giantini Phyllis Golding Emily Harris T. Harris Cheryl Houss Helen Renato-Istico Colleen Kaplan Gary & Harriette Kaye Jeannette Castelao Keane Rosaria Lardaro Kathleen Leonard Elizabeth Linton Anthony Locicero Jr. Annette Luzzi

John Marco Lauren Marie Barbara Marino Peter McKenna Anna Miele Benita Mitchell Jean Molinaro Kelly Ann Morici Gennaro Musto Judy Naples Kerri Naples Michael Nicita Virginia Novaro Eileen O’Neill Rita Paragone Eileen Raineri Ella Reilly James Rezac MaryAnn Rezac Lee Rhatigan Marilyn Rossano Jeanine Russo Deborah Rossetti Dorothy Sabatell Vincent Santore Dolores & Tony Sclafani Anthony Scocco Jerry Scotti Weslee Sernitsky Howard Shock Howard Shock, Jr. Marie Starita Ann Van Houten Herb Van Houton Theresa Verry Fred Volk Maria Volpe Christopher Wandy Ella Weaver Sara Weiss

BEREAVEMENT GROUP The Bereavement Group will meet on Thursday, March 21st in the rectory at 7:30 PM. The time of grief can be a time of much confusion and many adjustments. Participation in a group of-ten provides an opportunity to share concerns with others. Whether you suffered the loss of a loved one recently or some time in the past, you are welcome to attend our weekly meetings. 6

CHRIST BE MY LIGHT

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will host a Parish Mission beginning on Monday, March 4th at 7:00 PM. The mission will be lead by Fr. Charles Coury, CSSR of the Redemptorist Order. The schedule is as follows: Monday, March 4th - 7:00 PM: Reflection on the Blessed Mother in a way no one ever heard; Tuesday, March 5th - 7:00 PM; Conversion; Wednesday, March 6th - 7:00 PM; “Power of the Cross Over Evil” and the healing it brings to people. A collection will be taken every evening and will be donated to the Redemptorist Mis-sions.

PARISH NEWS

7

ASH WEDNESDAY Wednesday, March 6th is Ash Wednesday. Ash-es will be distributed at the 8:30 and 12:00 Mass-es and at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during Lent, Stations of the Cross will be conducted after the 12 Noon Mass fol-lowed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel. The Teen Club will conduct Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, April 12th and Friday, April 19th at 8 PM in the Church.

ABSTINENCE Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent by all Catholics 14 years and older.

FASTING Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, by all Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal; two smaller meals are permit-ted as necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid food between meals is not permitted. There is a serious obligation to ob-serve these penitential practices in a substantial way. Those whose work or health would be im-paired are excused from fast and abstinence. In-dividual conscience should decide proper cause of excuse. A more serious excuse is required to excuse oneself from Ash Wednesday and Good Friday fast and abstinence. During Lent, the Church encourages attendance at daily Mass, self-imposed time of fasting and generosity to local, national and worldwide programs of sharing.

10 Innovative Things to Consider Giving Up For Lent

1. Vending machines of any kind: snacks, soda

or even lottery tickets 2. Using the word “I”: would certainly force

you to say and think about things from a dif-ferent perspective

3. Giving of your time to someone in need of company.

4. Offering constructive criticism: Only offer complements

5. Throwing away plastic baggies: find at least one or two other uses after the initial use to make the product last longer.

6. Pie: Don’t give up all sweets and set yourself up for failure; just pick one and stay true to your commitment.

7. Name calling: Stop being judgmental by call-ing others “lazy”, “evil”, “scary” or “weird”.

8. Excess shopping: During Lent only buy items that are essentials to you and your household. Buy for “need”, not “want”.

9. Blame: During Lent you will not blame any-thing on anyone- take responsibility where needed and let the rest go.

10. Internet: Outside of work requirements and paying bills, unplug yourself from the infor-mation superhighway. Your emails, jokes, recipes and games will still be there in forty days.

So what will you give up for Lent? Will you pick something easy like not walking and chewing gum at the same time or something a bit deeper such as refraining from using profanity words? Whatever you choose, remember that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for you; therefore make your sacrifice a noble one for Him.

Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation CenterHigh Quality Post Hospital and Long Term Care

Enriched Environment Inside and Outside

YOU HAVE A CHOICE...INSIST UPON EGERMission Driven Not-For-Profit Health Care

718-989-3057

Tours Welcome

For Information ... Call

800.524.0263

www.jspaluch.com

Grow Your Business,Advertise Here.

Support Your Church & Bulletin.

Free professional ad design & my help!

email: sales@jspaluch.com

Your Neighborhood Funeral Home is Now Staten Island’s Largest Facility

Our Newly Enlarged and Decorated Home is Now Staten Island’s Largest Facility

Unlimited Onsite Parking Facilities are Now Available

Pre-Arranged Funerals Invited for Burial or Cremation

John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc.

(718) 356-6363 (at Eltingville Station) 1-800-727-0700

$29.95/Mo. billed quarterly

• One Free Month• No Long-Term Contract• Price Guarantee• Easy Self Installation

Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608

Medical Alert System

800-566-6150 • www.wlpmusic.com

Saint Margaret Sunday Missal

Readings • Reflections • PrayersIn Stock & Ready to Order Today.

CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95

Designed to be

through 2030Your Personal

Prayer Companion

511977 St Charles Church (B)

The Most Complete OnlineNational Directory

of Catholic Parishes

CHECK IT OUT TODAY!

www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263

TRIFAROPHYSICAL THERAPY, PCMichael D. Trifaro M.S., P.T.

511 Tysens LaneStaten Island, NY 10306

718-979-7588

Bozo’s Army, Navy StoreSneakers • Jeans • Work Clothes

Complete Line

4170 Hylan Blvd.Staten Island, NY 10308

351-8465

Standing on the Rock CD by James Wahl

FUN AND FAITH-FILLED MUSICfor little ones, with 10 songs based on Bible

stories and the teachings of Jesus.This is a new music collection for

preschool children and those who are in early grade school.

$17.00 + S&H

800-566-6150 • www.wlp.jspaluch.com/14028.htm

Securitas NOW HIRINGon Staten Island, F/T-P/T

positions available.Must be 18yrs of age or older, HS Diplomaor GED required. Security guard license a

plus (will train). Must be computerliterate, must have documentation to

prove that you are eligible to work in U.S.

All interested must apply onlinewww.securitasjobs.com

Licensed by NYSDOS EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabilities

Get thisweekly bulletindelivered byemail - for FREE!

Sign up here:https://www.jspaluch.com/BulletinSubscribe.aspx

Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.

If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert!24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY!

✔Ambulance✔Police ✔Fire✔Friends/Family

CALLNOW!

FREE ShippingFREE ActivationNO Long Term Contracts

Solutions as Low as $19.95 a month

This Button SAVES Lives!As Shown GPS,

Lowest Price Guaranteed!

GPS Tracking w/Fall DetectionNationwide, No Land Line Needed

EASY Set-up, NO Contract24/7 365 Monitoring in the USA

800.809.3352MDMedAlertSafe-Guarding America’s Seniors Nationwide!

2595 Hylan Blvd.

718-569-3080www.RCBK.com

Richmond County Savings Bank

Always gives you >More!!

SPECIALIZING IN FRESHLY MADE RAVIOLI * STUFFED SHELLSTORTELLINI * MANICOTTI * FRESH PASTA * CAVATELLI & SAUCESTEL: (718) 667-2194-5 1076 RICHMOND ROAD, S.I.

��The J.L. Wegenaar Co. Inc. ~ Since 1872

Memorial Designers & BuildersMONUMENTS �� HEADSTONES �� INSCRIPTIONS

Marie Wegenaar ❖❖ Julie Wegenaar ❖❖ Laura WegenaarServicing the Tri-State Area 3334 AMBOY ROAD, 10306718.351.1420 Fax: 718-667-9790 wegco@verizon.net

��

MIKE JR’S OAKWOOD DINEROpen 7 DaysFree Delivery

Catering Available3161 Amboy Road 718-668-1570

Download Our Free App or Visit

MY.ONEPARISH.COM

Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and

connect with yourCatholic Community

with OneParish!

Luxury Senior LivingWithout the Luxury Pricetag

Island Shores Senior Residence1111 Father Capodanno Blvd.

Staten Island, NY 10306

718.667.0666www.islandshores.org

DO YOU HAVE SALES EXPERIENCE? ARE YOU WELLNETWORKED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?

J.S. PALUCH COMPANYNATIONAL PUBLISHER OF CHURCH BULLETINS

• Full & Part Time Positions Available with Excellent Earning Potential!

• Medical Benefits, 401K, Life & AD&D Insurance Available

• Excellent Commission Compensation Program

Interested? Call Kay Leane 1.800.621.5197 x2823or Email Resume to RECRUITING@JSPALUCH.COM

www.jspaluch.com

EARN MONEY!DO GOOD! MAKE A

POSITIVE IMPACT!

FRANK E. HANLEYFounder

Life Is Not Ended…But Merely Changed.

LARGE PARKING PLAZA60 NEW DORP LANE, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK 10306

718-351-1800FUNERAL HOME INC.511977 St Charles Church (A) www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263

When Service Matters ...Staten Island’s Finest is Family Owned &

Operated with 4 Generations of ExperienceCOLONIAL FUNERAL HOME IS OWNED IN WHOLE BY

COLONIAL CORP. STOCKHOLDERS ARE:ANTHONY LANZA AND LEWIS ROVEGNO

We are Pre-Arrangement/Counseling Specialists718-351-5858 2819 Hylan Boulevard • SI, NY 10306

SafeHarbor HomeCare ServicesSince 1967

Licensed Private Duty NursesCertified Home Health AidesAvailable all hours & all shifts

www.safehrbr.com 718-979-6900

CANLON’S RESTAURANT

@ Oakwood Train StationLunch • Dinner • Catering1825 N. Railroad Ave.

7 Days 718-667-3013

Brian or Sally, coordinators

860.399.1785

www.CatholicCruisesAndTours.comCST 2117990-70

an Official TravelAgency of Apostleship

of the Sea-USA

TRACKSIDEbar & grill

61 New Dorp PlazaStaten Island, NY 10306

718-987-6100

Bring in this ad and get one free appetizer.Choice of: Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Tenders, Zucchini Sticks,

Jalapeño Poppers, Buffalo Wings (8), or Potato Skins.Receive a complimentary glass of wine with purchase of one entree.

Offer expires 12/31/2018.Serving lunch and dinner daily.

Live entertainment every Friday and Saturday.Live music every Sunday afternoon 4pm-8pm

Karaoke every Thursday.

NOWOPEN!

cell (917) 670-2606

email MsLisaWuensch@gmail.com • www.lisawuensch.com113 New Dorp Plaza, Staten Island, NY 10306

Lisa Wuensch, NYS Real Estate Salesperson

LifelongParishioner

Practicing in Elder

Law, Estate Planning,

Probate, Estate and

Trust Settlement and

Business Planning

885 Huguenot Avenue, Staten Island, NYTel: 718.354.8646 • Fax: 718.354.8647

www.leporelaw.com

THE LAW OFFICES OF

CARING MATTERS

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

THE CHOICES WE MAKE… Recently a young man that I knew from a former parish came to see me. Actually, he attended the par-ish grammar school; and then about five years ago, I performed his wedding on a beautiful day in May. I thought he had a very bright future ahead of him with a beautiful young wife. Well, that’s what I thought but I’ve been wrong before. This man who shall remain nameless, asked me to perform his baby’s baptism. Unfortunately, the child that he had was not with his wife. As we sat and chatted in the rectory, I discovered that he had split with his wife sometime before. After that, he had a “fling” with someone else, conceived a child and had the baby aborted. Then he met the current girlfriend, and she was the mother of this wonderful baby boy who I baptized here just a few weeks ago. Well, I told this young man in the bluntest possible language that he had been a “boob” to quote a priest friend of mine and that he really had made some pretty bad choices in the last few years. Obviously, he needed to go to confession desperately! We might ask ourselves, “Why do we make wrong choices?” Well, it does go back to the reality of orig-inal sin and its effects in our lives. The Catechism of the Church tells us this: “By our first parent’s sin, the devil has acquired certain domination over man, even though man remains free.” What this means is that we are wounded and often enough inclined to do the less than noble thing. Even the great saints experienced this struggle. Saint Paul once wrote, “The good that I want to do-that I do not; rather I do the evil…” Saint Augustine struggled mightily with chastity in his life before he be-came a Christian. He admitted one time that he prayed this way, “Dear God, make me chaste, but not right away!” All of us are confronted with choices every day of our lives. Some of the choices that we have to make have no moral bearing whatsoever. For instance: should I choose vanilla ice cream, chocolate or strawberry? No moral choice there-it really doesn’t matter! But then there are serious decisions in our life that we have to resolve. Decisions like: “Should I lie to get this job?” “Should I take those drugs? “Should I cheat on my husband or wife?” The list could go on and on. These are the choices that have moral and spiritual conse-quences for us.. To make the right choices we need to be in touch with the Lord and His grace. Ignorance of Christ and His teachings, the bad example of other people, enslavement to our passions and extreme selfishness lead us to make errors of judgement and moral conduct. Our job as Catholic Christians is to form our conscience properly and to try to abide by the laws of God. It is not easy to do this in a world where permissiveness has become the order of the day and our stand-ards have come down. In any sport like basketball, baseball or football you have to follow the rules. The rules are there so you can play the game, compete and have fun. Without rules in a game, you’re going to have cha-os and confusion. The same is true in the game that is known as “life.” God’s rules are the Ten Commandments. If we follow them, we will be victorious in the eternal con-test. Please pray for the young man that came to the rectory. Pray that the Lord will guide him and lead him along the right path in the future! Sincerely in Christ, Father Jerome 10