monthlybasilica of our lady of perpetual help messenger

Monthly Messenger

Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R. Feast Day January 5th

2

BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

526-59TH STREET BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11220

PHONE: 718-492-9200 www.olphbkny.org

VOL. 129 January - February 2021 NO. 1

MASSES: Saturday – (Lower Church), 8:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 5:00 p.m., (English) & 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) Sunday (Lower Church) 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., & 11:45 a.m. (Chinese) 2:00 p.m. (Vietnamese) Sunday – (Upper Church - Spanish) 8:00 a.m.10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Weekdays – 8:45 a.m., 12:10 P.M., 7:00 p.m. Tues, Wed, Thurs (Spanish) Holy Days – (Eve of) 6:15 p.m. (English); 7:30 p.m. (Spanish) 8:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Spanish)

SACRAMENTS: BAPTISMS:

Baptisms are administered in Spanish on the 3rd Saturday of the month and in English on the 4th Saturday of the Month. To register for the required classes and interview, come to the Rectory office.

RECONCILIATION: Wednesday – 9:30 a.m., 12:45 P.M. & 6:45 p.m. Saturday – 12:45 p.m. & 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.

MARRIAGES: Please make reservations at least 8 MONTHS in advance and before engaging your reception hall. Only parishioners who live within the parish boundaries may be married at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK:

In any danger of death or serious illness, please call the rectory promptly. Phone 718-492-9200.

DEVOTIONS: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena:

Wednesday – after 8:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Masses. Spanish Novena & Mass 6:45 p.m. (Lower Church)

First Friday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after 12:10 P.M. Mass until 7:00 P.M. Healing Mass – 7:30 p.m. on First Friday

First Saturday: The Fatima Rosary is recited 12:45 p.m.

RECTORY HOURS: Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The office will close on Legal Holidays at 2:00 p.m. Urgent sick calls any hour.

3

BASILICA DE NUESTRA SEÑORA PERPETUO SOCORRO

526-59TH STREET BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11220

CASA PARROQUIAL: 718-492-9200 www.olphbkny.org

VOL. 129 Enero - Febrero NRO. 1

MISAS: Sábado – (Iglesia de Abajo) 8:45 a.m. & 12:10 p.m., 5:00 p.m. (en Ingles), & 7:00 p.m. (en Español) Domingo – (Iglesia de Abajo) 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:45 (Chínese), 2:00 p.m. (Vietnamita) Domingo – (Iglesia de Arriba en Español) 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Durante la Semana - 8:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 6:45 p.m. Martes, Miercoles & Jueves (en Español) Días de Guardar – (Vísperas) 6:15, 7:30 p.m. (en Español) Día de La Fiesta – 8:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Español)

SACRAMENTOS: BAUTISMO:

Los Bautizos serán en Español el 3er Sábado de cada mes, y en Ingles el 4to Sábado de cada mes.

Para las clases y entrevista requisitas favor de registrarse en la Oficina de la Rectoría. RECONCILIACION (CONFESIONES):

Miércoles – 9:30 a.m., 12:45 & 6:45 p.m. Sábado – 12:45 p.m. & 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.

MATRIMONIO:

Favor de hacer reservaciones en la Iglesia, por los menos OCHO MESES de antemano, antes de alquilar el salón de recepción.

SACRAMENTO DE LOS ENFERMOS: En caso de emergencia, llamen 492-9200 a cualquier hora. DEVOCIONES: Novena a la Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro:

Miércoles – Después de la misa de las 8:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m. Misa y Devoción en Español a las 6:45 p.m. (Iglesia de Abajo)

Primer Viernes: Exposición del Santísimo después de la misa de las 12:10 hasta las 7:00 p.m. Misa de Curación - 7:30 p.m. (Iglesia de Abajo).

Primer Sábado: El Rosario en honor a la Virgen de Fátima se reza a las 12:45 p.m.

HORAS DE OFICINA: Lunes a Sabado 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Domingo: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. La oficina va a estar cerrada los días feriados a las 2:00 p.m.

4

From the Pastor’s DeskFrom the Pastor’s Desk

January – February 2021

Dear Parishioners and Friends of OLPH,

It would be stretching it to wish you a Happy New Year during the last week in January. But I do wish for you and

pray for all the blessings a New Year promises, especially health and inner strength. May all families who have suffered the loss of a loved one find consolation in our faith and in the prayers and love of the parish community. And may those who are afflicted by Covid-19 be healed. Our prayer is for a rapid roll-out of the vaccinations that promise to immunize us against the virus.

Lent begins on February 17th. I have 2 suggestions for your Lenten journey, besides participating in Sunday Mass, at least virtually (on www.olphbkny.org scroll down to “lower church” at 8 a.m. Sunday mornings, and 8:45 a.m. daily. Also, on Facebook “olph Brooklyn” or “Perpetual Help Brooklyn”).

• My first suggestion is to participate in the faith-sharing group called Why Catholic? on Zoom: the Lenten reflections are all about how we CELEBRATE our faith through the sacraments. Contact Fr. Karl Esker for information on how to participate. (email: [email protected] )

• My second suggestion is to sign up for BEST LENT EVER, daily reflections and prayer online: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever.html

• And one more: the Redemptorists will soon post online the LENTEN REFLECTIONS 2021. Check back at www.redemptorists.net

I am writing a letter to all parishioners of OLPH inviting all who can to participate in parish Masses in person. Please be assured that we are observing all the safety protocols that the CDC recommends. Here is part of the letter:

“OLPH church is open for “in-person” participation in the Masses. Bishop DiMarzio has suspended the Sunday Obligation to assist Mass because of the pandemic. People are fearful and careful with reason; there are many elderly parishioners who should remain home; there are parishioners who

5

still do not leave their homes except for essential errands. Family responsibilities and commitments oblige most people to leave their homes for work, school, doctor appointments, and other activities.

“I invite those families and parishioners who are otherwise active to come back to Sunday Mass with the community. “In-person” community at Mass is different from “Internet-community” at home with others who are participating in the “streaming” Mass. Receiving the Eucharist at Mass is quite different from the “Spiritual Communion” we pray with those who are at home.”

May our Lenten journey be fruitful for each of us, for each family and for the whole parish community. May we know Jesus’ merciful love for us more deeply as we celebrate this Lent week by week, leading us to the joy of the resurrection at Easter.

Your brother in Christ, the Redeemer,

Fr. James Gilmour, C.Ss.R.

Enero – febrero del 2021

Apreciados Parroquianos y Amigos de N. S. del Perpetuo Socorro,

Es un poco tarde desearles un Feliz Año Nuevo al iniciar la última semana de enero, ¿no les parece? Lo mismo les deseo toda clase de bendiciones en este Nuevo Año 2021, especialmente salud y fortaleza de espíritu. Que las familias que están de duelo por el fallecimiento de sus seres queridos encuentren consuelo en nuestra fe y en el amor y las oraciones de la comunidad parroquial. Y que los afligidos por Covid-19 se sanen. Oremos por el programa de vacunas que nos dan una esperanza de protección contra el virus.

El 17 de febrero es Miércoles de Ceniza. Tengo unas sugerencias para su camino cuaresmal, además de su participación en la Misa los domingos, al menos virtualmente (en www.olphbkny.org, desplace hacia abajo hasta “lower church – iglesia de abajo” o “upper church – iglesia de arriba” según el horario. También en Facebook “Charles McDonald” o “Perpetuo Socorro Brooklyn.”)

Desde el Escritorio del PárrocoDesde el Escritorio del Párroco

6

• Mi 1ª sugerencia es participar en un grupo de ¿Por qué católico? por Zoom: las reflexiones cuaresmales tratan de cómo CELEBRAMOS nuestra fe por los sacramentos. Deje su nombre y teléfono en la rectoría si desea participar.

• Mi 2ª sugerencia es inscribirse para BEST LENT EVER, reflexiones y oración diarias en línea: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever.html . (Audio en inglés con subtítulos en español.)

• Mi tercera sugerencia: los redentoristas pronto pondrán en línea el librito REFLEXIONES CUARESMALES 2021. Vean pronto: www.redemptorists.net

• Siempre hay reflexiones diarias sobre el evangelio del día: www.rezandovoy.com

Estoy escribiendo una carta a todos los parroquianos de NSPS, invitando a todos los que pueden a participar en la Misa en persona. Estén seguros de que observamos todos los protocolos recomendados por la CDC. “La iglesia de N.S.P.S. está abierta para la participación en persona en todas las Misas. El obispo, Mons. DiMarzio, ha suspendido la obligación de participar en las Misas dominicales por causa de la pandemia. Hay personas temerosas de contagiar el virus; hay personas mayores que debieran quedar en sus casas; otras personas que no salen sino sólo para lo necesario. A la vez muchas personas y familias salen para su trabajo, para la escuela, para citas médicas y otras actividades. Invito a las familias e individuos que son activos a retomar su participación en la Misa los domingos con la comunidad en la iglesia. “Comunidad-en-persona” es diferente que “comunidad-por-Facebook”. Recibir la Eucaristía en la Misa es diferente que la “Comunión Espiritual.”

Que nuestro camino cuaresmal se fructífero para cada uno y cada familia, como también para toda la comunidad parroquial. Que conozcamos con mayor profundidad el amor misericordioso de Jesús que llegará a su culminación en su resurrección en la Pascua.

Su hermano en Cristo Redentor,

P. Santiago Gilmour, C.Ss.R.

7

The Value of Salt Now that the football season is officially over and the baseball season has yet to begin, I can find myself channel surfing through the 1000 television stations I have on cable network as well at checking Netflix. Finally, finding nothing that matches my desire for a serious educational moment, I turn to an

old standby rerun: Everybody Loves Raymond. I recall an episode where Marie serves her husband Frank a lasagna dinner. During the meal, Frank asks her to pass the salt. Marie is shocked and says, in 47 years of marriage you never asked me to pass you the salt. You think my cooking needs salt? Frank insists it does and they end up screaming and shouting at each other.

Anytime my blood pressure was running a bit high my former doctor would tell me it was because I was eating too many salty pretzels. I would respond my blood pressure is high because I waited almost an hour and half in your waiting room and you still haven’t added any new magazines. I remember living with a priest who had sodium free soup every day. I asked him what it tasted like and he gave me a taste. . I could barely get through one tablespoon; it tasted horrible. Our bodies cannot live without salt, but too much salt can damage our health. Salt for centuries was a great preservative of meats before refrigeration. 50% of our chemicals depend heavily on salt. Without salt, it would be most difficult to drive on icy roads. We use the expression he or she is the salt of the earth as a compliment for a person; a person without much experience needs some seasoning; to put salt in the wound is an expression to cause added pain to another.

In the Gospel, Jesus uses this most basic ingredient to teach us about the living of the Gospel. He tells us: You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it season? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

What does it mean to be salt of the earth? Well, we know salt gives life, health, and joy. Simply put, it adds flavor to our lives. So, I thought about an area where we can choose to season the life of another, or put salt in their wounds and cause hurt. An area of life we might look at is that of how we use the gift of speech. Our words can

8

lift up a person and send them forth with joy, or our words can be destructive and hurtful to another and bring them pain. Also, silence can be a great blessing or a curse. I can come to a meal and give the silent treatment to my family and make everyone feel on edge and wonder what they have done wrong. Why is Dad being so silent; why won’t my sister talk to me. I can be impatient with a clerk or someone on the phone and snap at them in anger. Any sentence that begins with I know that I shouldn’t say this but should stop with the conjunction but and go no further. I can say from experience that what is said next after that word but will not be the salt of the earth but the salt in the wound. Sometimes, challenging another person is something that must be done. But we must ask, are we speaking in anger or in love when we correct someone. When I was a child growing up in Brooklyn, we had an expression that went like this: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. We know that old saying is not true. Even though we try to erase certain words that were said to us or about us forty or fifty years ago, they still hurt and it is so very hard to let them go. Once the hurtful words are out there, they are not so easily taken back. You cannot un-ring a bell.

A light sprinkle of salt can bring out the taste in food. When our Lord Jesus speaks about being the salt of the others, he is teaching us something so basic that we might tend to overlook it. How we live and act with others, especially those who are closest to us can have a great impact on their lives. Think about a person who is salt for you, who seasoned your life. It may have been your parents, a friend, a teacher, a priest, an author, a musician, an unknown person on the other end of a phone call, a stranger.

In “It’s A Wonderful Life," Mary and George Bailey (Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart) welcome the Martini family to their new home with three symbolic gifts and a brief, heartfelt speech. "Bread, that this house may never know hunger," they say. "Salt, that life may always have flavor. And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever." At Mass, we receive the Bread and Wine of Life given to us as the Body and Blood of Jesus. We seek to forth to be salt to those we encounter.

Father Pat Woods, C.Ss.R.

9

THE EPIPHANY PROCLAMATION

Dear Brothers and Sisters: the glory of the Lord has shone upon us and shall manifest itself among us until the day of His return. Through the rhythms and changes of time, let us call to mind and live the mysteries of salvation. The center of the whole liturgical year is the PASCHAL TRIDUUM OF THE LORD, crucified, buried and risen, which will culminate in the solemn vigil of Easter, during the holy night that will end with the dawn of the 4th of April. Every SUNDAY, as in a weekly Easter, holy Church makes present that great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered death and sin. From Easter there comes forth and are reckoned all the days we keep holy: ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of the Lenten spring, the 17th of February, the ASCENSION OF THE LORD, the 13th of May; and PENTECOST, the 23rd of May; the FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, the 28th of November. Likewise in all the feasts of the Holy Mother of God, of the Apostles and saints, and in the commemoration of the Faithful departed, the pilgrim Church on earth proclaims The resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord. To Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, the Lord of time and history, be endless praise for ever and ever. AMEN!

10

In 2011, the Diocese of Philadelphia and The Redemptorist Fathers of the Baltimore Province celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. John Neumann in 1811. The main celebration occurred at the Shrine of the Saint in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia. The principal celebrant of the Mass was Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert, C.Ss.R., former

provincial of the Baltimore Province and now Archbishop Emeritus of Trinidad and Tobago. Each year we celebrate the feast of St. John Neumann on January 5th and the Archbishop’s comments are still relevant and worth repeating as we honor St. John Neumann’s feast day in 2021, his 210th birthday.

“Whenever the Church faces major challenges, as it is doing in our times, three things generally happen:

1) The Papal level moves into a phase of pastoral concentration e.g. the creation of a new Vatican department to deal with the need for a new evangelization due to the pressures that are being caused by secularization, secularism and neo-paganism;

2) The leadership of the Church on the level of Episcopal Conferences and Bishops in their own particular churches take action to help their people to be strong from within in this challenging atmosphere. The Bishops encourage the people to strive for holiness and to protect their faith through prayer, catechesis and by participating in supportive communities;

3) Finally, the Holy Spirit raises up saints who address the needs of the Church at any point in history. The work of the Spirit who raises up saints in the Church is an essential factor in meeting serious pastoral challenges. It is important that we understand why that is true. The reason is that the lives of the saints touch the hearts of the people. We all know that only when the heart of a person is touched will there be positive response in a person’s life.

Application to the John Neumann Year Let us apply those three introductory points to our celebration today. We are gathered here today to celebrate the Neumann Year which is occasioned by the 200th anniversary of St. John Neumann’s birth. The world John Neumann knew and in which he served was very different from the secularized, secular, neo-pagan world we live in now. That is not to say that St. John Neumann’s time was without challenge. His pastoral history makes it clear that he had many challenges to face and that he faced the challenges with energy and courage.

What has special value for us today as we celebrate his life is the pastoral insights St. John Neumann had in meeting the challenges of his time

11

especially the foundation of the persevering zeal of his pastoral care which was his faith in and his love for God.

Historical Insights John Neumann exercised ministry at a time when the number of Catholic immigrants to the United States, especially German speaking immigrants, presented a significant pastoral challenge to the Church. He understood that without pastoral care many of those immigrants could have been lost to the Church. His language skills enabled him to serve them but the way he served them is what is important for us. What we are celebrating today is not just history, but the spirituality of his pastoral care which we can analyze and apply to meet the challenges of our times.

What did John Neumann do pastorally? He provided the people he served with priestly presence, sacramental care and, most importantly, he concentrated on catechesis and Catholic education which he understood as inclusive of formation. Similar to my second introductory point, his goal was to make the people in his care strong from within so they would be able to rise above faith vulnerability and mature in the Faith.

Contrasting Worlds The world we live in now is not only different from the world of St. John Neumann, it is also more dangerous. This is true not only physically due to the presence of terrorism, but also spiritually due to the pervasive influence of the communications industry. Secularization has effected, in a very subtle way, how people feel, how people think, how they choose values and how they live their lives.

The truth is that many people who have been secularized are not even aware of it. They are actually surprised when they finally notice a change in their beliefs and their behavior.

Let us contrast the world of John Neumann and our world and then apply the theology of the readings for the Liturgy to the contrast of the two worlds. Let us look at three examples:

1) John Neumann lived in a world when building churches and schools was being pursued aggressively. Today the Church is closing churches and schools for various legitimate reasons.

2) In John Neumann’s time, people were eager to receive instruction in the faith. Parents raised funds to build schools and catechetical centers. Today people are indifferent or even resistant to catechesis.

3) Finally, in John Neumann’s time, vocational calls to marriage, the priesthood, the consecrated life and the chosen single life were plentiful. Seminaries and Formation Houses for religious communities were being built or expanded. Quality family life, although it always demanded sacrifice, was the norm for most people. Today many seminaries and Formation Houses are being closed and people either do not marry at all or they are affected by a high divorce rate which influences their ability to make or sustain permanent commitments.

12

Changing the Dynamic The question is how to turn the dynamic of that contrast around? Let’s consider a few possibilities based on St. John Neumann’s life:

1) Personal Encounter with the Lord The Holy Father continually repeats the theme of personal encounter with God. He teaches that if we do not have a personal encounter with the Lord, if we do not have a personal relationship with the Lord, nothing will happen in our lives and nothing will happen in our ministry. Therefore, step number 1 is to develop a personal relationship with and have a personal encounter with the Lord.

How do we establish a relationship with the Lord and have a personal encounter with the Lord? Response: Look at John Neumann’s life and learn from him.

His life was filled with prayer, quiet time for reflection, participation in an active sacramental life and a willingness to make personal sacrifices, especially those related to obedience. Those examples were the foundation of his pastoral life. Those criteria are the heart of what Pope Benedict XVI means by a personal encounter with Christ and a personal relationship with the Lord.

2) Catechesis and Catholic education We all know that John Neumann was committed to catechesis and Catholic education. He wrote a catechism, he personally taught catechism and he was a credible teacher because of the way he lived.

What is extremely important for us is that he understood that catechesis and Catholic Education are more than sharing information about the faith. Unfortunately, many catechetical/educational programs never get beyond sharing information.

We must remember there are four elements to catechesis and education: 1) Faith content; 2) Formation based on faith content i.e. shaping one’s life according to the faith; 3) Explicit commitment to the Lord flowing from faith formation and 4) The call to mission as the result of informed commitment.

Unless those four elements are in constant dialogue in our lives, we can become indifferent to the Lord, spiritually stale and we become vulnerable to secularization, secularism and neo-paganism.

3) Pastoral Zeal and the Law of Labor John Neumann lived at a time when the number of priests who were linguistically able to care for the German immigrants was very few. The implication of that pastoral fact was that if a priest did not respond to the overwhelming and, objectively speaking, unreasonable demands of ministry himself, the needs of people would not be met. John Neumann understood the challenge.

His pastoral zeal and his commitment to the law of labor motivated his life as a priest, a Redemptorist and as a Bishop. He was visible to the people. Because he was visible to them in service, the people knew that he loved them. Because

13

they knew that he loved them, they trusted him. Trust is the chemistry of ministry. The Readings of the Liturgy St. John Neumann was a man who understood and lived by the concept of love described in the first reading. He responded to the gratuitous love of God for us by loving others as Jesus loved them.

An interesting question presents itself on this point. Why do we do what we do? Is it love or is it fear? Is it because of friendship with God or is it simply duty? For St. John Neumann, it was clear that love motivated his life all the days of his life.

Similar to other saints of the Church, he loved to quiet himself for prayer, to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and to feed himself from Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and spiritual writers. He understood what the teaching from Romans meant: the Spirit helps us to pray which explains why we should invoke the Spirit before we begin to pray.

Mark’s Gospel contains one of the favorite sayings of Blessed John Paul II: Don’t be afraid!

When we look at the challenges the Church is facing throughout the world, we could experience fear very easily. Why are we not afraid? Why was John Neumann not afraid? The reason is our confidence in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

Not only did Pope John Paul II tell the people not to be afraid, he told them ‘to put out into the deep’ which means take some risks for the Lord. Ask yourselves this question: when was the last time you took a risk for the Lord? During his life and ministry, John Neumann certainly took risks for the Lord. Many of those risks took root and they still bear fruit today.

Conclusion Allow me to close with a recommendation: As we celebrate the Neumann Year, do not allow an overemphasis on looking back on what St. John Neumann did to predominate during your celebration of this special year. That would be too easy! Rather, concentrate on who he was and why he did what he did. Learn the dynamic of his life. Apply the dynamic of his life to your life and to your own mission in the Church.

I thank God for the gift of St. John Neumann and I humbly ask that St. John Neumann intercede for the Church, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, for the Redemptorists and for this worshipping community.”

14

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Feast Day – January 4

Born in 1774 before our nation was formed. She danced at the Ball for George Washington’s inauguration. Her father was New York City’s first Commissioner of Health, Dr. Richard Bailey, who died and is buried in Staten Island after ministering to immigrants who arrived on ships that required quarantine because of the outbreak of cholera or other contagious diseases. She married wealthy William Seton who owned a fleet of cargo ships and lived in a beau-tiful home on State Street overlooking the Battery in lower Manhattan. She went to the theatre on Stone Street and worshipped at Trinity Church at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street. Her life was one of wealth and beauty. She was a member of the Widow’s Society of New York attached to Trinity Church to serve the sick and poor. In her charitable work for the poor and the disadvantaged, she was generous with her time and money. She had a great desire to know more about God and in her search she discov-ered the Catholic Church on a visit to St. Peter’s R.C. Church on Barclay Street. The beautiful painting of the Crucifixion over the main altar moved her heart so that it was almost a mystical experience which foreshadowed what her life would eventually become. It is said that she was a saint as an Episcopalian, long before she became a Catholic. The beautiful and bountiful life suddenly changed, her husband’s family was susceptible to tuberculosis and he caught the disease which at that time was incurable. He lost his fleet of ships mainly to the Barbary Coast pirates and had to travel to Italy to obtain financial advice and aid from friends in Italy in the banking and shipping business. Elizabeth accompanied him on the journey. When they arrived in Italy at Leghorn, they were put into quarantine for a long time because of rumors of contagion in New York before they departed. Wil-liam Seton died in the quarantine. She was stranded all by herself with one or two children. Her only aid coming from the friends of her husband. They were excellent Catholics and in the midst of her bereavement, she experienced what the Catholic Church was like and the consolations to be found in it especially the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. On her return to New York, her life was drastically changed. In 1805 she was received into the Catholic Church at St. Peter’s on Barclay Street. Because of her conversion, she lost most of her former friends and even the Seton family withdrew from her. The Bishop of New York, Bishop John Dubois, and other priests enabled her to open a school for children to support herself and her fam-ily. Later she relocated to Emmitsburg, Maryland and founded the American Sisters of Charity. Today, six groups of sisters, can trace their origins back to Mother Seton’s Sisters of Charity. She overcame all the setbacks and adversi-ties that came her way, never once gave up hope and, like St. Paul, she ob-tained the crown that awaited her. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton died in Emmits-burg, Maryland, at the age of 46. She was canonized on September 14, 1975 – the first native-born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

15

Pope Francis Sets Special Day to honor, study, share the Bible

ROME- The newly established “Sunday of the Word of God” is an invitation to Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and his word, Pope Francis said. By papal decree, the third Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 24 this year - is to be observed as a special day devoted to “the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God.” A day dedicated to the Bible will help the Church “experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world,” the pope said in the document establishing the special Sunday observance.

Dioceses and parishes have been invited to respond with creative initiatives, helpful resources and renewed efforts for helping Catholics engage more deeply with the Bible at church and in their lives. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, said added emphasis on the importance of the word of God is needed because “the overwhelming majority” of Catholics are not familiar with sacred Scripture. For many, the only time they hear the word of God is when they attend Mass, he told Vatican News Sept. 30, when the papal document, titled Aperuit Illis, was published. “The Bible is the most widely distributed book, but it’s also perhaps the one most covered in dust because it is not held in our hands,” the archbishop said.

With this apostolic letter, the pope “invites us to hold the word of God in our hands every day as much as possible so that it becomes our prayer” and a greater part of one’s lived experience, he said. In his letter, Francis wrote, “A day devoted to the Bible should not be seen as a yearly event but rather a yearlong event, for we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the risen Lord, who continues to speak his word and to break bread in the community of believers. We need to develop a closer relationship with sacred Scripture; otherwise, our hearts will remain cold and our eyes shut, struck as we are by so many forms of blindness,” he wrote.

Sacred Scripture and the sacraments are inseparable, he wrote. Jesus speaks to everyone with his word in sacred Scripture, he said, and if

16

people “hear his voice and open the doors of our minds and hearts, then he will enter our lives and remain ever with us.” Francis urged priests to be extra attentive to creating a homily each Sunday that “speaks from the heart” and really helps people understand Scripture “through simple and suitable” language. The homily “is a pastoral opportunity that should not be wasted,” he wrote. “For many of our faithful, in fact, this is the only opportunity they have to grasp the beauty of God’s word and to see it applied to their daily lives.”

Francis encouraged people to read the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, and Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation on the Bible, Verbum Domini, whose teaching remains “fundamental for our communities.” The pope also suggested pastors provide parishioners with the Bible, a book of the Gospels or other catechetical resources, “enthrone” the Bible in order to emphasize the honor and sacred nature of the text, bless or commission lectors of the parish and encourage people to read and pray with Scripture every day, especially through lectio divina. “The Bible cannot be just the heritage of some, much less a collection of books for the benefit of a privileged few. It belongs above all to those called to hear its message and to recognize themselves in its words,” the pope wrote. “The Bible is the book of the Lord’s people, who, in listening to it, move from dispersion and division toward unity” as well as come to understand God’s love and become inspired to share it with others, he added.

The celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God also “has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity,” he wrote. The third Sunday in Ordinary Time falls during that part of the year when the Church is encouraged to strengthen its bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity. The document was published on the feast of St. Jerome, patron saint of biblical scholars and doctor of the Church, who said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” The title, Aperuit Illis, is based on a verse from the Gospel of St. Luke, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” The pope said it is impossible to understand the Scriptures in depth without the Lord who opens people’s minds to his word, yet “without the Scriptures, the events of the mission of Jesus and of his church in this world would remain incomprehensible.”

17

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes February 11

The first of the eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the humble Berna-dette took place at Lourdes on February 11, 1858. On March 25, when Bernadette asked the Beautiful Lady her name, she replied: “I am the Immaculate Concep-tion.” The devotion of people in all parts of the world to Our Lady of Lourdes, to-

gether with the countless miracles that have been wrought through her intercession, has caused one of the most marvelous regenera-tions in the history of the Church and the popularity of her Shrine in Lourdes, France.

Praise from a sermon of St. John Chrysostom The blessed Mary, ever a virgin, was in truth a great wonder. For what greater or more wonderful one has ever at any time been dis-covered, or can at any time be discovered? She alone is greater by far than heaven and earth. What is holier than she? Not the proph-ets, not the apostles, not the patriarchs, not the angels, not the Thrones, not the Dominations, not the Seraphim, not the Cherubim; in trust no creature whatever, whether visible or invisible, is to be found greater or more excellent than she. She is at once the hand-maid of God, and his mother; at once a virgin and a parent. She is the most of him, who was begotten of the Father before the beginning of all things; whom angels and mortals acknowledge to be the Lord of all things. Would you know how much greater is this virgin than any of the heavenly Powers? They stand in his presence with fear and trembling, and veiled faces; she offers hu-man nature to him whom she brought forth. Hail, then, O mother, heaven, maiden, virgin, throne, ornament, glory and foundation of our Church; Pray without ceasing for us to Jesus, thy Son and our Lord, that through thee we may find mercy in the day of judgment, and may be able to obtain those good things which are prepared for those who love God, through the grace and loving-kindness of Je-sus Christ our Lord.

18

St. Valentine’s Day February 14th

It is a day, specifically on a particular date that we are all encouraged to tell those dearest to us of our love for them. How did it come about? There are many variations of the story that have mainly come down to us from the Middle Ages and may have their origin in England. Who was Valen-tine? Was he a Saint? The most popular version of this Saint’s life goes to say that he was a Roman Priest, who, during the reign of Claudius II, was martyred for refusing to give up his Chris-tian faith. One story says that Claudius be-gan a friendship with St. Valentine while he

was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians who were being persecuted. While in prison, St. Valentine made the deadly mistake of trying to convert Claudius to Christianity. On Feb-ruary 14, 269, he was beaten and beheaded for this attempted conver-sion and was buried on the Flaminian Way, an ancient Roman road connecting Rome and Cisalpine Gaul. While St. Valentine gave his heart to the Lord by refusing to renounce his faith, the popular associations of love and happy marriages with his name does not link directly to his actions. The associations with February 14 and love originated in the middle ages, when mid-February marked the mating season of birds. Others say when he was in prison, he wrote to his people signing the letters “from your Valen-tine” and thus the custom of sending Valentine cards. Archaeologists have unearthed a catacomb and an ancient church dedi-cated to St. Valentine. Today, he is remembered as the Patron Saint of couples, love, and the young. While confusion over the origin of St. Valentine led the Church to drop the Saint’s feast day from the liturgical calendar in 1969, the hol-iday in his name still holds Catholic roots.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all our readers!

19

An 8 year old girl growing up In the projects of New York Post World War II boxes To house vets and the “Baby Boomers” They were practical, functional Better than tenements for sure But not beautiful Soulless, except that Hundreds of souls lived there The people often forgotten Their buildings neglected By the bureaucracy Elevators rarely worked Sidewalks were strewn With garbage and junkie’s needles Burned out light bulbs Foul smells in the hallways. Most doors locked, rarely opened Neighbors often unknown And feared.

During the night, snow began to fall. The static voice on the radio said “All schools closed” “Yeah! A snow day!” She looked out from The 9th floor window. The world was transformed. Everything was different! It was a gentle snowfall, No blizzard with driving winds. The snowflakes were huge And fell gently “They look like angels, flying!” She thought

She begged her mother To let her play in the snow.

Her Mom bundled her in Coat, scarf, hat Pants over her pants To keep her dry Woolen socks, boots, mittens. She went outside Blinded for a moment The white world shone; Beauty, too much for her eyes. It was like a magic kingdom And she was the princess.

The girl can’t see where the sidewalk ends And the dirt “yard” begins. She walks, her footsteps muffled “It’s so quiet, and peaceful.” She is the first one to leave footprints. She sees a world before Adults shovel, salt and plow it Into ugly grey slush. She saw the world Like God at creation, And she saw “that it was good.” She falls backwards It doesn’t hurt Like falling into soft bed With fluffy white pillows. She waves her arms up and down Her legs side to side, To make a snow angel.

She looks up, and sees Where she lives No longer a project but a castle, She sticks out her tongue reverently Like at her First Communion A few months ago, She receives the snowflake And takes Beauty within.

John McKenna, C.Ss.R. Inspired and dedicated to Diane Mirando who shared a memory of growing up in the projects and loving snow. She like most innocent kids tried to catch the snowflakes, on her tongue. She saw castles in the projects.

Snow in the Projects

20

SCHOOL NEWS

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy of Brooklyn is now accepting registration for the new school year, 2021-2022. Students are welcome in grades Pre K-3 to junior high school grade 8. Our programs include, Technology, STEM, Spanish language, Physical Education and Music in addition to

our academic studies. We are a faith based academy which exists to provide a Christ centered education. We challenge our students to strive for personal excellence and send them forth to witness Jesus’ values in our ever changing, multicultural society.

Please contact Mrs. Tyndall, the principal, for more information about registration for the new school year. Get to know us by going on our website at olphcab.org and view a virtual tour. We can also be found on Facebook. We look forward to welcoming more new families to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy of Brooklyn. Our phone number is 718-439-8067 and can be reached weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

November • Caring

Pre-K 3 & 4 Kelly MartinSicay

Kindergarten Analisa Sellitto

1st Grade Francisco Aguilar

2nd Grade Christiana Diaz 3rd Grade Aniayah Johnson

4th Grade Lia Reyes

5th Grade Angela Chen

6th Grade Catalina Robles-

Garzon

7th Grade Romeo Rajardo 8th Grade Brianna Lebron

Pre-K 3 & 4 Alexandra Flores

Kindergarten Renee Jiang

1st Grade Mackenzie

McDonagh 2nd Grade Emiliano Alvarado

3rd Grade Jocelyn Chen

4th Grade Elvis Chen

5th Grade Liam Daly

6th Grade Steven Jiang

7th Grade Ethan Veliz 8th Grade Samantha Medina

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

December • Respect

21

October 10 Catherine Flores-Nahuacatl

November 21

Havoc Achilles Guzman, Ashley Sophia Luna, Ailani Meza, Salvador Meza, Jr., Eskarly Paredes-Galicia,

Alexa Sofia Ramirez-Aguilar, Fernanda Ramirez-Aguilar, Aylin Rufiar, Dylan Rufiar, Alan Mathias Patino -Paredes,

December 26

Elizabeth Guadalupe Garcia-Mata, Gavin Simon, Ethan Demar Smith

Lourdes Penedo November 2 Jorge Dutan November 14 Patricia M. Chambers December 28 Melania Fernandez January 8

Sipriano DeLos Santos January 8 Agustin Daniel Bulux January 9 Betty Kirwan January 9

ANNOUNCED MASSES January-February 2021

Friday, January 1

10:00

12:00 (SP) +Jose Rafael Perez

NO EVENING MASS

Saturday, January 2

8:45 Purgatorian Society

12:10

5:00 +Felix Adun Asemota

7:00 (SP) +Jorge Amores &

+Carment Bayona

Sunday, January 3

8:00 +Gloria Butler (anniversary)

8:00 (SP) Por las almas benditas del

Purgatorio

10:00 +Mary Sammon

10:00 (SP) +Aracelis Abreu Leung

+Maria Perez

+Pedro Dones

+Marciana Alarcon y +2 aida

Pedraza

12:30 (SP) En Acción de Gracias al

Divino Niño

3:00 (V) +Gioan Boatixita Tran Van

Dinh

+Theresa Truong Thi Luyen

+Giuse Tran Vinh Nhan

+Bartolomeo PhanTrach Hung

Monday, January 4


Dorothy Morosi & Family

12:10 +John Bridget Mulkern

(anniversary)

Tuesday, January 5

8:45 +Gloria Butler (anniversary)

Purgatorian Society

12:10 Special Intention Cezanne-

Sebastian DePierro

7:00 (SP) Pro-Life

Wednesday, January 6


12:10 +Thomas, +Julia,

+AnnMarie,+Kevin and

+Rev. John Costello, C.Ss.R.

7:00 (SP) + Maria Quiroz Arellano

Thursday, January 7

8:45 Special Intention of Luca &

Isabella Zocche

Purgatorian Society

12:10

7:00 (SP) Virgen Maria Auxiliadora

y el Niño Jesus

Friday, January 8

8:45 +Debbie Krache

Purgatorian Society

12:10 Viola Sorensen (anniversary)

PLEASE NOTE: The English Masses can be viewed on Facebook “Perpetual Help Brooklyn”

Sundays at 10 AM, and daily at 8:45 AM. The Spanish Masses on Facebook “Charles McDonald” are:

Sundays at 8 AM, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 PM.. THESE MASSES CAN NOW BE VIEWED ON OUR WEBSITE:

www.OLPHBKNY.ORG

9/20 Vietnamese completed & proofed 9/20 Spanish completed & proofed (as of 8/5)

23

Saturday, January 9


12:10 ++George Rivera

5:00 +William McLaughlin

7:00 (SP) Virgen María Auxiliadora

+José Rafael Pérez

+Juan Pedrero

Por la salud de Lupita Rivera

Acción de Gracias a Jesús y

Maria Santísimo

Sunday, January 10

8:00 For the People of the Parish

8:00 Por Las Almas Benditas de

Purgatorio

10:00 +Bernardette Artus

10:00 +Dora Esperanza Merchan

+Sipriano de los Santos

+En Acción de Gracias a Dios

todo Poderoso

Por la Salud de Bartoia

Castañeda y familia

+Sergio Cuatianquis

+Jose Manuel Maringo

+Alejandro Sánchez

12:30 (SP) +Denis Rodriguez Oliver


Dinh

+Giuse Vo An Khuong

+Giuse Tran Vinh Nhan

+Giuse Nguyen Hen Tho

Monday, January 11


12:10

Tuesday, January 12


12:10 +Patrick Tuohy (birthday)

7:00 (SP) +Dora Esperanza Merchar



12:10

7:00 (SP) +Rafael, Noheny &

Mugse

Thursday, January 14


12:10

7:00 (SP) +Fernando Trejo, Jr.

Friday, January 15


12:10

Saturday, January 16

8:45 +Celina Rosa Bocaranda

Purgatorian Society

12:10

5:00 +Patrick Tuohy (anniversary)

7:00 (SP) En Acción de Gracias a la

Virgen de la Nube

+Eloy Rodríguez

+José Leal Salas

+Pablo Jiménez

+Eduardo Rojas Moran

Sunday, January 17

8:00 +Mark Nevilles

8:00 (SP) Por Las Almas Benditas

del Purgatorio

10:00 +Theresa Greaney & the

Greaney Family

10:00 (SP) +Rosa Elena Borja

Por la Salud de Esmeralda

Torres y Santiago Rivera

Acción de Gracias a la Virgen

de la Alta Gracia

Acción de Gracias al Divino

Niño

+Ramón Espinal

12:30 (SP)


24


Dinh

Phero &Martta

+Nguyen Van Ty

+Phaolo Phan Trach Chi

Dung

Monday, January 18


12:10 +

Tuesday, January 19


12:10 Marcella Maddalena

7:00 (SP) Pro-Vida



12:10 +Victor Tulko

7:00 (SP)

Thursday, January 21


12:10 +Gerardo N. Schiraldi

7:00 (SP)

Friday, January 22

8:45 +Kathleen Kenny Tobin

Purgatorian Society

12:10 +Annino Coppola



12:10

5:00

7:00 (SP) Andrea Luna Coyotl

+Marino Serrano Luna

+Agustina Coria

Sunday, January 24



del Purgatorio

10:00 +Norberto Martinez, Jr.

10:00 (SP) +Aniño Coppola

Claudio Batista

+Ramón Espinal

+Justina Campos de Farfán

+Guillermo Martin Flores

Farfán

12:30 (SP) +Jorge Puentes

3:00 (V) +Gerardo N. Schiraldi

Get Well Hoa

+Giuse Nguyen Hen Tho

+Dominic Tao

Monday, January 25


12:10 +Maria Felix

Tuesday, January 26


+Idanes Lourdes Rodriguez

12:10 +Martha Francisca Ocampo

Sanchez

7:00 (SP) En Acción de Gracias a la

Divina Misericordia



12:10 +Elizabeth Maresca

7:00 (SP) +Angelito Trejo Martinez Thursday, January 28

8:45 +Jean Finesa

Purgatorian Society

12:10 Thanksgiving to OLPH

7:00 (SP) +Derek Emanuel Trucios

Friday, January 29


12:10 +Alejo Soto (anniversary)

7:00 (SP) Misa de Sanacion


25



12:10

5:00 +Marguerite Morris (birthday)

7:00 Sipriano De Los Santos

Sunday, January 31

8:00 +For the People of the Parish

8:00 Por Los Almas Benditas del

Purgatorio

+Blanca Leonor Mendez

10:00 +Mae & George Gallagher

10:00 (SP) +Pablo Davalos-Amores

12:30 (SP) Por Accion de Gracias

3:00 (V) +Giuse Nguyen Hen Tho

+Ly Tuc

+Huynh Lain

+Giuse An

Monday, February 1

8:45 Special Intention of Luca &

Isabella Zocche

Purgatorian Society

12:10 +Jean Howe & Stockhausen

Tuesday, February 2


12:10 +Eileen Israelson

7:00 (SP) Acción de Gracias al Niño

Jesús

Wednesday, February 3

8:45 +Dorothy Morosi & family Purgatorian Society 12:10 +Thomas, +Julia, +AnnMarie,

+Kevin and +Rev. John

Costello, C.Ss.R.

7:00 (SP) +Maribel Olmedo Pacheco

Thursday, February 4

8:45 +Brian Skelly

Purgatorian Society

12:10 +Alex Anastacio

7:00 (SP) Virgen Maria Auxiliadora

Friday, February 5


12:10 +Joseph DiPinto

7:00

Saturday, February 6


12:10

5:00 +Angel Sky Alarcon

7:00 (SP) Por los 7 anos de fallecido

de Ángel Sky Alarcón

Sunday, February 7


8:00 (SP) Por las almas benditas del

Purgatorio

10:00 ++Maro Pierre-Noel

10:00 (SP) +Marciana Alarcon y

+Zaida Pedraza

Virgen María Auxiliadora

Acción de gracias a dios y las

amos benditas

12:30 (SP) +Lupe Real-Puertas

3:00 (V) +Giuse Nguyen Hen Tho

+Vincent Phung

+Giuse Qioi

+Dominico Hguyen Khu Nua

Monday, February 8


12:10

Tuesday, February 9


12:10 +Teddy Cisawski

7:00 (SP)


26


8:45 +Michael & Mary Lynch

Purgatorian Society

12:10

7:00 (SP) En Accion de Gracias al

Santisimo Sacramento


8:45

Purgatorian Society

12:10

7:00 (SP) En Accion de Gracias a la

Divina Misericordia

Friday, February 12


12:10 +Ward & Crennan Families



12:10 +John & Kate Brody

anniversary

5:00 +Felix Adun Asemota

7:00 (SP)

Sunday, February 14



del Purgatorio

10:00 +Betty Kirwin

10:00 (SP) +Rosa Elena Borjo

12:30 (SP)

3:00 (V) +Dominic Hguyen Khu

Nua

+Phaolo Phan Trach Minh

Vi Xinh Family

+Maria Lam Thi Kiem

Monday, February 15

8:45 +Angel Sky Alarcon

Purgatorian Society

12:10

Tuesday, February 16


+Anthony Pelliccio

12:10 +Edward & Philip McGarrity

7:00 (SP) Pro-Vida

Wednesday, .February 17


12:10

7:00 (SP) +Kasey Sosa Cortez 4th Anniversary



12:10 +Juan David Gonzalez & Mei

Yu Liao

7:00 (SP) Por la salud de Glora

Nayana Gonzalez

Friday, February 19


12:10 +Sister Geraldine Woods, CSJ

Saturday, .February 20


12:10 +Katherine Ann Laven Loker

5:00 +Teresa Egan

7:00 (SP) +Agustina Coria

Sunday, .February 21


8:00 Por Los Almas Benditas del

Purgatorio

10:00 Santo Niño Group

10:00 (SP) +Engracia Lopez-Nieto

+Erie Eduardo Espona

Solonzoino

Por la salud de Gladys

Plasencio

12:30 (SP)

3:00 (V) +Gerardo N. Schiraldi

+Dominic Hguyen Khu Nua

Vi Xinh Family

+Rev. Phero, Vu Tien Dat


27

Monday, February 22


12:10

Tuesday, February 23


12:10 +Patricia Mary Chambers

7:00 (SP) +Maria Felix



12:10 +Mary Feeley

7:00 (SP) +Derek Emanuel Trucios



12:10 Special Intention of Antoinette

Calio

7:00 (SP)

Friday, February 26


12:10 +Martha Francisca

Ocampo Sanchez


8:45 +Peter Fabiankovic

Purgatorian Society

12:10 +Idanes Lourdes Rodriguez

5:00 +Raymond F. McLoughlin

7:00 (SP)

Sunday, February 28



del Purgatorio

10:00 Henscie Vertil Birthday

10:00 (SP)

12:30 (SP) +Dario Antonio Diaz

3:00 (V) +Giuse Vo An Khoung

+Dominic Nguyen Khu Nua

Vi Xinh Family

+Giuse Tran Tri Tim

Monday, March 1


12:10 +Gail Eliasen

Tuesday, March 2


12:10 +Catherine Fitzpatrick

(birthday)

7:00 (SP) +Kasey Sosa Cortes

Wednesday, .March 3


12:10 ++Thomas, +Julia,

+AnnMarie,+Kevin and +Rev.

John Costello, C.Ss.R

7:00 (SP)

Thursday, March 4

8:45 +Brian Skelly

12:10 +Dorothy Morosi & Family

7:00 (SP) Maria Auxiliadora

Friday, March 5


12:10

Saturday, March 6


12:10 +Gerald Bagnall

5:00 +Felix Adun asemota

7:00 (SP)


28

Redemptorist Community

Rev. Karl Esker, C.Ss.R., Rector Rev. James Gilmour, C.Ss.R., Pastor Rev. Norman Bennett, C.Ss.R. * Rev. James Cascione, C.Ss.R.* Rev. Michael Cunningham, C.Ss.R.* Rev. Clement Krug, C.Ss.R.* Rev. Joseph Lu * Rev. Ruskin Piedra, C.Ss.R. * Rev. Francis Skelly, C.Ss.R.* Rev. Joseph Hung Duc Tran, C.Ss.R.*

Pastoral Associate

Chinese Apostolate

Rev. Norman Bennett Rev. Joseph Lu Vietnamese Apostolate

Rev. Joseph Hung Duc Tran Parish Deacons

Rev. Mr. Jesús Soto Rev. Mr. Hector Blanco Rev. Mr. Danny Rodriguez

Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Maritza Mejía

Parish Music Director

Joseph Giordano

Sisters in Residence at O.L.P.H. Convent

Sr. Lucille Ann Aliperti, CSJ Sr. Mary Doyle, CSJ Sr. Judith Shea, CSJ Shea, CSJ Sr. Theresa Wong, IHM

Parish Pastoral Council-2017-2018 Rev. Karl Esker, C.Ss.R. Rev. James Gilmour, C.Ss.R. Rev. Michael Cunningham, CSsR Rev. Joseph Lu Sr. Lucille Aliperti, C.S.J. Luis Arias Alice Butler Tony Coppola Julia Fernández Joseph Giordano Fidel Hernández Edwin Li Maritza Mejía Priscilla Moronta Fabian Otavalo Stephanie Rivera Irma Soto John Trandinh

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Staff and Personnel

29

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Parish Organizations

EDUCATIONAL:

R.C.I.A. – R.I.C.A. Rectory Office 526 59th Street – 718-492-9200

Office of Religious Education 5901 6th Avenue – 718-439-1281

LITURGICAL:

Music Ministry Joseph Giordano – 718-492-9200 Judy Hernandez – 917-202-0366 Marcos Marte – 347-749-3556

Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors – English Sr. Lucille Aliperti, CSJ 718-439-5100

Eucharistic Ministers – Hispanic Luis Arias – 718-439-4594

Lectors – Hispanic Fidel Hernández – 646-596-0784

Ushers – Hospitality Ministry Jorge Barraza – Hispanic – 718-419-9041 Louis Nevilles – English – 718-439-6003

Altar Servers Rev. Joseph Tran Sofia Medina PASTORAL:

St. Vincent de Paul Sr. Lucille Aliperti, CSJ

Juan Neumann Center Redemptorist Immigration Services 545 60th Street – 718-439-8160 Mon.-Thurs. 9 AM-12 PM, 1-3 PM Wed. 9 AM-12 PM, 1-3 PM, 6-8 PM Sat. 9 AM-12 PM

Advocate for the Disabled Rev. Norman Bennett, C.Ss.R.

Legion of Mary / Legión de María Curia – St. Alphonsus Hall – 3rd Sunday, 2:30-4:00 PM Praesidium N.S. del Perpetuo Socorro – Rectory – Saturday, 4:00 PM -

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy of Brooklyn 5902 6th Avenue – 718-439-8067 Principal: Margaret Tyndall

Hijas de María First Sunday, Mass and Meeting: 10:15 AM Ana Concepción and Ana León

Santo Nombre 2nd Sunday, Mass and Meeting: 10:15 AM Rev. Ruskin Piedra, C.Ss.R.

Cofradía del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús 3rd Sunday, Mass and Meeting: 10:15 AM Ana Concepción

30

Cursillistas Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM Upper Chapel Eugenia Tlaxcantitla Prayer Group – Hispanic St. Gerard Hall, Fridays, 7:30 PM Roberto Rodríguez – 347-461-6621 Jornada – Youth Sundays, 1-3 PM, Parish Center Stephanie Rivera Circle of Friends 558 59th Street – Notre Dame Hall Tuesdays, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Sr. Lucille Aliperti, CSJ Knights of Columbus Brooklyn Council #60 5901 6th Avenue, Room 4 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:30 PM Ben LaSpina – 347-782-8036 Ladies Auxiliary of the Basilica Eileen McConeghy – Notre Dame Hall First Sunday each month Mass and meeting: 9:00 AM

Catholic War Veterans 3rd Thursdays Al-Anon Tuesdays, 1:00 PM 5901 6th Avenue Sundays, 7:00 PM 5901 6th Avenue Cub Scouts of America St. Gerard Hall Andres Reinoso 347-760- 5613 SPORTS: O.L.P.H. Soccer League Kevin Henneman – 718-614-4460 Martin Brennan – 718-836-4178 Swimming Teams – Boys & Girls CYO OLPH / St. Andrew Girls: Charles Boulbol 917-331-5600 Boys: Ray Wendt – 718-833- 8047

monthlybasilica of our lady of perpetual help messenger

Documents