church of st. charlesstcharlessi.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2019/01/jan20_2019_st... · helen...
TRANSCRIPT
CHURCH OF ST. CHARLES
644 CLAWSON STREET, OAKWOOD HEIGHTS, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10306
JANUARY 20, 2019 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Louis R. Jerome
Parochial Vicar Fr. Stefan Chanas
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 [email protected] (718) 987-5780 Website: www.stcharlessi.org Religious Education 200 Penn Avenue www.saintcharlesccd.org (718) 979-6800 [email protected]
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 par-ish.
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 Instruc-tion for parents of the children to be baptized to be arranged at the rectory. SPONSOR CERTIFI-CATES 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 proposed date and before social arrangements. At-tendance at Pre-Cana and Natural Family Plan-ning Classes is required.
Anointing and
Communion of the Sick Regular administration of the Sacraments should be arranged for shut-ins by calling the rectory. Emergency sick calls anytime.
Religious Education Program
Instruction for all grade levels beginning with first grade. For information call the Religious Educa-tion 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 & 12.00 Saturday 8:30 AM
Holy Days Masses Eve of the Holy Day 7:30 PM 6:45, 8:30, 11:30 AM and 7:30 PM
2
LITURGY CORNER MONDAY – JANUARY 21 8:30 - Lydia Guzman - Mem. 12:00 - Alfonso & Serafina Campitelli - Mem. TUESDAY - JANUARY 22 8:30 - Andre Mormile - Mem. 12:00 - The Leahy Family - Mem. WEDNESDAY - JANUARY 23 8:30 - Paul LaGrega - Ann. 12:00 - John Capitano - Mem. THURSDAY- JANUARY 24 8:30 - Catherine & Patricia McMahon - Mem. 12:00 - Edward Kane - Mem. FRIDAY - JANUARY 25 8:30 - Julia Rinaldo - Mem. 12:00 - James Brizza - Mem. SATURDAY - JANUARY 26 8:30 - Wilson Garcia - Mem. 4:00 - Dolores Laieta - Mem. 5:30 - Philip & Mary Micolupo - Mem. SUNDAY - JANUARY 27 8:15 - Joseph Hosmer - Mem. 9:30 - Parishioners of St. Charles 10:45 - Jessica Richmond - Mem. 12:00 - Michael Felumero & Heather Newman Mem. 1:15 - Edward Kepley, Sr.- Mem.
January 6, 2019 January 7, 2018 $12,356.51 $10,688.37 January 1, 2019 January 1, 2018 $5,319.50 $3,083.19
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
If you would like to make arrangements to have the flowers for the main altar, the wine & hosts or oils used for Mass candles in memory of a loved one or a special occasion, please, call the rectory.
January 26 / January 27 Mass Schedule
4:00 Msgr. Whalen 10:45 Fr. Mendis 5:30 Msgr. Whalen 12:00 Fr. Jerome 8:15 Fr. Jerome 1:15 Fr. Stefan 9:30 Fr. Stefan
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 January 16th at 7:30 PM; rectory
Bingo is held every Tuesday evening in the audi-torium starting at 7:30 PM. Early bird is at 7:15 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM.
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
PARISH NEWS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 21, - January 27, 2019
Monday - January 21 Cheerleading - 2:45 PM; gym Cheerleading - 6:00 PM; auditorium Spiritual Direction - 7:30 PM; rectory Tuesday - January 22 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry - 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM; rectory Bingo at 7:30 PM; doors open at 6:00 PM; early bird 7:15 PM Wednesday - January 23 Adult Faith Formation - 1:30 PM; rectory Legion of Mary - 4:00 PM; rectory chapel Thursday - January 24 Caregivers - 9:30 AM; rectory Cheerleading - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM; auditorium Cheerleading - 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM; auditorium Friday - January 25 Mother/Son Dance - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM; audi-torium & gym Saturday - January 26 Senior Night; auditorium & gym Sunday - January 27 Cheerleading - 10:00 AM; auditorium Teen Club - 7:00 PM; auditorium
RENEW AND REBUILD PROJECT
We have a link on our parish web-site with information about the Re-new and Rebuild Campaign and
church renovation. We will continue to up-date the link as more information is availa-ble. There is also a place on this link to sub-mit your questions. If you have not contrib-uted and would like to, pledge cards are in the vestibule of the church. You can also make your contribution through the link on our website. We have collected $1,550,218 in pledges from 503 families. We are very close to meeting our goal!
BEREAVEMENT GROUP The Bereavement Group will resume in the spring. We will post in the bulletin the date they begin.
HOMELESS NOT HOPELESS SEAMLESS GARMENT 2019
Homeless Not Hopeless will host their annu-al pro-life event which will focus on the issue of homelessness on Staten Island. According to statistics reported in the Staten Island Ad-vance, there are 2909 students who attend Staten Island schools who are, or who have recently been, homeless. 50% are in grades K-5; 19% are in middles school and 24% are in high school. If you are interested in learning more about what can be done to help the homeless in our community, please join. The event will be held at St. Clare’s Church , 110 Nelson Avenue on January 27th, 1:00 PM Mass followed by a reception in the school auditorium. Speakers: Reverend Terry Troia, President and CEO of Project Hospi-tality; representatives from the Office of Con-gressman Max Rose; community members who have experienced homelessness firsthand. Please call 718-984-7873 ext. 1729 for more information. 5
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 Michael Geroulakis Sarah Baldacchino
Alfonso Raia Dominick Tuzzo
Keith Alaimo Paul Alaimo Sr. Joseph Bisking Madeline Buonpane Jim Campitelli Mary Campitelli Marietta Canning 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 Kaplon Gary & Harriette Kaye Jeannette Castelao Keane Rosaria Lardaro Kathleen Leonard Elizabeth Linton
Anthony Locicero Jr. Annette Luzzi John Marco Lauren Marie Anna Miele Benita Mitchell Kelly Ann Morici Gennaro Musto 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 Susan Sexton Howard Shock Howard Shock, Jr. Marie Starita Ann Van Houten Herb Van Houton Theresa Verry Fred Volk Maria Volpe Christopher Wandy Sara Weiss
FORMED.ORG Take advantage of this wonderful website of-fered by the Archdiocese of New York. Our parish code for logging in is XQ43Q3. A highly acclaimed series called Presence is available. Following is a description of the series: What is it that is so special about the Eucharist? Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is actually the “source and summit” of the Christian life. Presence: The Mys-tery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beau-ty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to its pro-found role in the life of the Church and her members. It is the crescendo of the entire story of salvation.
CHANGE OF WEEKDAY MASS TIME
Starting in January 2019, the 11:30 AM week day Mass will be changed to 12 Noon. Please note that the rosary will be recited before the 12 noon Mass at 11:30. The Miraculous Medal no-vena prayers will be said after the 12 Noon Mass on Mondays.
6
For your convenience, we offer the opportuni-ty to make your enve-
lope payments electronically through WeShare. For more information, go to www.churchgiving.com or a direct link on our website (www.stcharlessi.org).
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY COFFEE HOUR
Just a reminder that you are invited every week after the 9:30 Mass for coffee and do-nuts in the auditorium.
Religious Education News
Registration for the St. Charles Religious Edu-cation Program will begin on Monday, Febru-ary 4, 2019. We proudly and faithfully instruct
children in all grades PreK-4 through 7th grade.
Our classes meet: Monday 3:45 - 5:15 (Grades 1 - 7)
Wednesday 3:45 - 5:15 (Prek-4 through 6) *Possibility of a Prek-3 class is being discussed
- please inquire* Returning Families (2018-2019 year only)
1 child $225.00 Family $300.00 New Families
1 child $250.00 Family $325.00 Special Needs
$100.00 per student
*There is a mandatory non-refundable $25.00 deposit for all families due at registration if
you are unable to make a full payment.
New Families must come prepared with: • Baptismal/sacramental certificate for each
child being registered • St. Charles Parish envelope number
• Transfer records from previous religious education program or Catholic school
It is expected that students complete each con-secutive year of Religious Education to be eligi-
ble to receive the sacraments at the proper time.
ST. CHARLES TEEN CLUB The St. Charles Teen Club is conducting their annual soldier care package drive January 6 through January 20. Donations can be placed in the box in the vestibule of the church. Suggest-ed donations: beef jerky/slim jims, hard pret-zels, gum and hard candy, granola bars, trail mix, phone cards, batteries, pens, pencils, sta-tionery, plastic-coated playing cards, cross-words and search word books, baby wipe, loz-enges, liquid hand sanitizer, shampoo, soap, de-odorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, Tylenol. Thank you for your support!
7
PRE-KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE Sunday, February 10, 2019
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Enter through school main entrance on
Penn Avenue 3 Year-old School-Based Program
• Half and Full Day Schedules Available • Two, Three or Five Day Schedules Available
FREE “Pre-K for All” 4 Year-old Program • High Quality Program
• Eligible for Children Born in 2015 • Center-Based Learning
• Free Snack and Lunch Provided Daily
Cant’ Make the Open House? Please call the school to set up a private tour
with the principal! Scholarships and Financial Assistance Available
Before-Care and After-Care Available
ANNUAL CHRISTIAN UNITY CELEBRATION
Will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea on Thursday, January 24th at 7:30 PM. All are wel-come!
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: [email protected]
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 [email protected]
��
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected] • 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
SANITY VS. INSANITY ON LIFE… During the week at Mass, I usually like to give a short homily. If I can, I try to preface the homily with a short story or joke. Last Thursday, I told the story of a priest who desperately needed money for repairs in his parish. So he stood up just before the Mass and said to the congregation: “My dear people! I have in my hand three sermons. A $1,000 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $500 sermon that lasts for fifteen minutes and $100 sermon that goes for one whole hour...Now, we’ll take the collection and see which one you would like!” Well I think most of us would take the shorter sermon but maybe not that price! Delivering a homily or a sermon is not always easy. It requires time, preparation and prayer. Most of us priests do try our best and we try not to talk about money! We had one Professor in the seminary who used to advise the students, “Preach with the Bible in one hand and the Daily News in the other!” That’s not such bad advice because the Daily News or the New York Post gives us a lot of material for sermons. Take for example this past week. Over my morning coffee and cereal, I was reading about our Gover-nor here in New York, Andrew Cuomo. The paper quoted the Governor as saying that President Trump and his administration are “insane” for their opposition to the Roe VS. Wade decision. “Roe VS. Wade” if you remember was the decision taken on January 22, 1973 by the United States Supreme Court that made abortion legal in the United States. That was a dreadful decision that had no recognition of the law of nature and hu-man life-a decision that has caused immeasurable harm to our society. In the 56 years since Roe VS. Wade, there has been over 60 million abortions in the United States. Although the number of abortions performed has been steadily declining, this is still a tragedy. In our own state of New York and also in California, the rate of abortion is higher than in the rest of the country which is easy to explain. Here in New York, Governor Cuomo who claims to be Catholic(?) has championed what is called the “Reproductive Health Act.” This is an abortion expansion bill that will make late term abortion legal in our state among with many other awful provisions like letting non doctors perform abortions. As a priest, as a pastor, talking about moral issues in a homily is never easy, but it’s absolutely neces-sary at times because people are so badly confused in our own times. In extension, by calling President Trump insane because of his opposition to legal abortion, Governor Cuomo is in effect saying that all people who op-pose abortion are insane as well. What does the word “insane” really mean? If you take the original Latin meaning of the word it means “not healthy.” But it is abortion that is not healthy to everyone all around-physically, mentally and spiritually. Physically to the child in the womb it is not healthy for abortion destroys its very life! Then men-tally, abortion is not healthy to the mother. As a priest, I have witnessed the anguish of women who have had abortions and suffer profound anguish from that bad choice. Spiritually abortion is unhealthy and deadly to the soul because it is a serious sin. The Catechism reminds us: “Direct abortion is gravely contrary to the moral law.” (Catechism #2271) So, rally the proponents of legal abortion who are the insane ones! True sanity consists in loving God and keeping His commandments-a sermon that is not long but very powerful! Sincerely in Christ, Father Jerome 10