reverend jeremiah n. murasso, ph.d., ed.d., psy.d., …€¦ · thursday, october 22 -st. john paul...

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES OF

ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA REVEREND JEREMIAH N. MURASSO, PH.D., ED.D., PSY.D., PASTOR

REVEREND PATRICK KANE, PAROCHIAL VICAR REVEREND TIMOTHY MEEHAN, WEEKEND ASSISTANT DEACON WAYNE SANDFORD, PERMANENT DEACON DEACON GEORGE MCCARROLL, RETIRED DEACON

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time OCTOBER 18, 2020

STEWARDSHIP

With public Masses cancelled, please continue to support the parish. We need your support as the

operations continue on a daily basis. In addition, we want to continue to pay our loyal staff. Please

mail-in your contributions. Online giving is also available at, https://stpioofpietrelcinaeh.com/ and click

on the GIVE button.

Regular Collection Total Regular $7,740.00*

Monthly Collection Total Monthly $2,318.00

*Representation of our 3 churches.

October 24 & October 25 Second Collection: Fuel & Electric Collection

Thank you to the many of you who have been so generous and responsive in these difficult times.

Mass Intentions for the Week SATURDAY, October 17 - Vigil - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00pm OLOP + Albert Jarmie, Sr. by Ann & John Tortora & Family 4:00pm ST. B +Julia & Antonio (Anni.) by Daughters 4:30pm SVDP + Susan Lynk by Husband, Peter SUNDAY, October 18 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am OLOP + Marion & Albert Jarmie by Children 8:00am ST. B + Patricia Natowich 9:00am SVDP + Rita & Albert Baldelli by Family 10:00am OLOP + Josephine Esposito by Linda Esposito 10:00am ST. B + Deceased Members of the Dempsey Family by Loving Family 11:00am SVDP + Josephine & Joseph Riccitelli by Son, Joseph & Family 11:45am OLOP + Luca & Antonia Antonucci & Eugenio & Giovannina Palmieri by Grandchildren 6:00pm ST. B + Julia Coppola (Anni.) by Paula D’Agostino MONDAY, October 19 - Sts. John de Brebeuf & Isaac Jogues 8:00am OLOP + David Lotto by Mom 8:00am SVDP + Barbara Surprenant 8:00am ST.B + Ryan William O’Reilly (Birthday) by Parents, Rosalie & Patrick TUESDAY, October 20 - St. Paul of the Cross 8:00am OLOP + Ed, Kathy & Mark Kindler by Jeffrey 8:00am SVDP + Rose Morassi 8:00am ST. B + Tecla Maricondi (Birthday) by Daughter, Linda, Grandchildren & GreatGranchildren WEDNESDAY, October 21 - Weekday 8:00am OLOP + Michelina Capozzo by Patty, Mario & Family 8:00am SVDP + Dominic Mesite 8:00am ST. B + Michael La THURSDAY, October 22 - St. John Paul II 8:00am OLOP + Albert Jarmie, Sr. by Porto Funeral Home 8:00am SVDP + Msgr. Gene Gianelli by Bob & Marie Lunney 8:00am ST.B + Bruno Moroniti by Family FRIDAY, October 23 - St. John of Capistrano 8:00am OLOP + Sr. Paula Marie, R.S.M. 8:00am ST. B + Ronald Esposito SATURDAY, October 24 - Vigil - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00pm OLOP + Antoinette Cicalese (Birthday Rem.) 4:00pm ST. B + Annette Niwore Franco (Anniversary) by Family 4:30pm SVDP + Philip Calabrese SUNDAY, October 25 - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am OLOP + Lucille Hernandez by Daughter 8:00am ST. B + Philomena ‘Phyllis’ Naclerio (3rd Anniversary) by M/M Matt Naclerio & Joseph Naclerio, Jr. 9:00am SVDP + William Mitsakos by Wife & Daughter & Family 10:00am OLOP + Emilio & Reba Cifarelli by Children & Grandchildren 10:00am ST. B + Thomas DeRosa (Anniversary) by Children 11:00am SVDP + Margaret Amento by Family 11:45am OLOP + Rose & Joseph Sagnella by Family 6:00pm ST. B + Angelo Cerrone by Marcia Cerrone

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Sunday: Is 45:1, 4-6/Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 [7b]/1 Thes 1:1-5b/Mt 22:15-21 Monday: Eph 2:1-10/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4ab, 4c-5 [3b]/ Lk 12:13-21 Tuesday: Eph 2:12-22/Ps 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14 [cf. 9]/Lk 12:35-38 Wednesday: Eph 3:2-12/Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 [cf. 3]/Lk 12:39-48 Thursday: Eph 3:14-21/Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 [5b]/Lk 12:49-53 Friday: Eph 4:1-6/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 6]/Lk 12:54-59 Saturday: Eph 4:7-16/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 [1]/Lk 13:1-9

St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish Address: 355 Foxon Road, East Haven, CT 06513

Phone Number: (203) 469-0764

Office Hours: Foxon Road: Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00 & 1:00-3:00

Taylor Avenue: Mon. & Fri. 10:00-2:00 Townsend Avenue: Temporarily Closed

E-Mail: [email protected]

Live-Stream Mass

Monday-Friday at 8:00 AM Saturday at 4:00 PM Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM & 11:45AM

To watch the live stream go to, https://www.stpioofpietrelcinaeh.com, then click on Online Mass and click on StreamSpot.

CONFESSION SCHEDULE:

St. Bernadette & Our Lady of Pompeii: Saturday at 3:00-3:30pm

St. Vincent de Paul: Saturday at 3:30-4:00pm

https://stpioofpietrelcinaeh.com/

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

ALL ACTIVITIES CANCELLED

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

ALL ACTIVITIES CANCELLED

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19

Holy Hour - 8:30-9:30am in Our Lady of Pompeii Church

Bible Study - 7:00pm on Zoom Contact Christine Sandford at 203-469-7823

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

Holy Hour - 8:30-9:30am in Our Lady of Pompeii Church

Bible Study - 7:00pm on Zoom Contact Christine Sandford at 203-469-7823

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20

Rosary Group - 8:00 pm on Zoom Contact Sally Mucka at 203-469-0764 ext. 8

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21

Bible Study - 10:00am on Zoom Contact Christine Sandford at 203-469-7823

Bible Study - 6:30pm at SVDP Parish Office Contact Marie Connors at 203-468-1184


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Bible Study - 10:00am on Zoom Contact Christine Sandford at 203-469-7823

Bible Study - 6:30pm at SVDP Parish Office Contact Marie Connors at 203-468-1184


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22

Scriptural Rosary - 7:00pm at OLOP Contact Sally Mucka at 203-469-0764 ext. 8

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29

Scriptural Rosary - 7:00pm at OLOP Contact Sally Mucka at 203-469-0764 ext. 8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

Food Pantry - 10:00am-11:00am at St. Bernadette

Divine Mercy - 11:00am at Our Lady of Pompeii at St. Clare Garden


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

Food Pantry - 10:00am-11:00am at St. Bernadette

Divine Mercy - 11:00am at Our Lady of Pompeii at St. Clare Garden


MINISTRY & EVENT CALENDAR

Fr. Murasso’s Message Board

Parishioners who are confined to their homes and feel comfortable with having a visit from Fr. Patrick, Bernadette Lysaght or myself should contact Bernadette at (203)-907-8717 or [email protected].

Unfortunately, we are still unable to visit the nursing homes and hospitals. Father Patrick and I

will be happy to hear confessions or supply the

Anointing of the Sick. JNM

Bell of the Unborn

Last week at the Vatican, Pope Francis blessed the “Bell of the Unborn,” which is from a parish in

Poland, with the hope that it will ring out loud and clear in the defense of unborn human life.

Pope Francis remarked: “May its ring awaken the consciences of legislators and all people of good will in

Poland and throughout the whole world.”

During our 40 Days for Life campaign, parishes that have parish bells or bell towers will ring them briefly each Fri-

day at 3:00pm, through October 30. May the bells through-out the Archdiocese of Hartford ring loudly for the legal

protection of unborn children.

mailto:[email protected]

The Candles burn this week for these special intentions:

Our Lady of Pompeii Candles Sanctuary Lamp (Right Side) ~ In Memory of

Billy Richmond & For All the Souls in Purgatory Sanctuary Lamp (Left Side) ~ In Memory of

the Mauro & Elko Families Chapel ~

Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon ~

Our Lady of Pompeii Picture ~

St. Vincent de Paul Candles Sanctuary Lamp (Right Side) ~ In Memory of

the Balzano & Avitable Families Sanctuary Lamp (Left Side) - In Memory of

Ronald Paolillo Our Lady’s Altar ~ St. Joseph’s Altar ~

St. Bernadette Candles Sanctuary Lamp (Right Side) ~ Sanctuary Lamp (Left Side) ~

PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH

Nick Vessicchio, Sally Ann Fallon, Lynette Ely, David T. Boyle, Richard Lucibello, Carmel Ferretti, Bryan Surprenant, Sharon Spadacenta, Marie & Charles Zambrano, Marie Sunderland, Helen Langello, Annette Brissette, Brian Savo, Gerry Andrea, John Umlauf, Alan Poirier, Joseph Benson, Connie Rasimas, Jane Pyka, Harry Clark, Lou DiNola, Peter Pepe, Vincent Perricone, Virginia Klump, Robert Savino, Geraldine Licciardi, Joanne Cretella, Joseph Anyzeski, Alice Tietjen-DeSenti, Faith Gibson, Fran Sofo, Elizabeth Kuen, Deborah Sanning, Paula Ferrara, Patricia Brasile, Joann Mazzucco, Tina Marie Fionia, Elizabeth Nucolo, Joseph Parise, Frank DelGrego, Moira Ferguson, Danielle Joubert, Nelson Eddy, Margaret Lendroth, Katherine Hungerford Picciano, Frances Polaski, Sharon Filion, Pauline Condon, Rose Marie Monaco, Anna Izzo, Angelo DeMatteo, Carmen & Patricia Riccitelli, Patricia Aulenti, Michael Pascale, Alyce Richmond, Catherine Leach, Mark Schettino, Patty DiMilo, Rose Rogalski, Elaine Smith, Karen Rescigno, Virginia Pisano, Joan Baisley, Deanna Baldassare, Kim Hughes, DJ DiVincenzo, Sgt. Anthony Rybaruk, Philip DeMilo & Sally DeMilo, Anna Concelmo, Sally Ann Corcoran, Paul Castiglione, Anna Marie Nappi, Brian Higney, Rich Tortora, Andrea Palmucci, Frances Randi, Denise Bailey, Peg Dmytruk, Mary Mack, Joseph Peterson, Judith Robbins, Marion Mahl, Gloria Ranfone, Paula Ruddock, Pamela Willis, Laura Luzzi, Jose Maisonet, Anita Della Ventura, Brian Wilson, Maureen Redmond, Pasquale Savo, Kristianne Argentino, Shirley Perrelli, Marion Schobert, Bill Izzo, Andrew & Catherine Criscuolo, Patricia Miles, Joe Coscia, Deborah Verab, Msgr. James Shanley, Barbara Nixon, Angela Foster, Dona Marie, Louis Messina, Christina Meoli, Ed Piazza, Patty Peters, Laura Luzzi, Michelle Smith, Ron Mattei, Angela Riccio, Charlene Tantalo, Al Forgione, Gabriella Garrity, Beverly Fucci, W.D. Merkle, Phyllis Anastasio, Cheryl Barbara, Carmine DelBasso, Laura-Phyllis Esposito, Diana Vitelli O’Brien, Meghan Keeney, Pamela Willis, Laura Luzzi, Gennaro Milone, Jo Vuolo, Felicia DeRoche, Brian Wilson, Marilyn Kozin, Bill Izzo, Mike Barnett, Richard Costanzo, Carole Casapulla, Frank Casapulla, John Fraenza, Gerrie Amendola, Josephine DiLungo, Lorraine Appi, Phillip Corso, Michael Bowen

Please send prayer requests to [email protected] so that our parishioners and friends can be remembered in our prayers.

Midnight Run Taylor Avenue Campus

The Midnight Run for October, will be the 2nd Monday, October 12th. Donations of brown bag lunches, water and toiletries can be dropped off to Sue Stacey, on Monday up until 7pm, at her home 82 Forbes Pl. Thankful for all donations. Thank you to all who donate to the Midnight Run!!! The Midnight Run for the month of October will be on October 12th, which is the 2nd Monday of the month, this is for October only! Until further notice PLEASE drop off all brown bag lunches to Sue’s home, 82 Forbes Pl, I can not at this time accept clothing or blankets, but toiletries are still acceptable Thank you God Bless You! Stay safe and well!!!

Midnight Run Foxon Road Campus

On the last Monday of each month, we bring 75 bagged lunches to the Columbus House Overflow Shelter.

Donations Needed: ShopRite Gift Cards or

Gallon Size Ziploc Bags Quart Size Ziploc Bags Peanut Butter & Jelly

Juice Pouches Raisin Boxes

Fruit Cups & Pudding Cups Granola Bars

Individual Packaged Cookies, Crackers or Chips

We are also looking for small amounts or full skeins of yarn, it will be used to make hats and scarves for the midnight run. Please leave your donations at any entrance of the church. Thank you.

Midnight Run is the LAST Monday of EVERY month from Our Lady of Pompeii Church from 6-7 pm.

Thank-you for being so generous!

Every Monday, immediately following morning Mass at Our Lady of Pompeii, there is one hour of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This Holy Hour is also streamed for those who cannot join us. Go to https://www.stpioofpietrelcinaeh.com

The St. Bernadette Food Pantry is open every Saturday from 10:00am-11:00am to receive or to donate non-perishable foods for all of our communities.

From the Pen of Fr. M. Reverend Jeremiah N. Murasso, Ph.D., Ed.D., Psy.D.

The Parables Revisited:

Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16),

Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21-28-32),

Parable of the Tenant Farmers (Matthew 21:33-43) and

Render to Caesar but Give to God (Matthew 22:15-21)

The Parable of the Vineyard

For the past several weekends, Matthew’s gospel account has focused our attention on the vineyard. On Sunday, September 20, the twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we listened as Jesus told a parable about the generous landowner who hired workers to go into his vineyard at various times throughout the day. At the end of the day, all the workers received the same compensation: a full day’s wage.

The workers who had put in a full day’s labor in the hot sun grumbled because those who were hired in late afternoon received the same payment; thus the former group believed that they had been cheated by the landowner.

The landowner assured the grumblers that they received exactly what they agreed upon: a full day’s wage. He continued by asking the men if they objected to his generosity and why they thought that he was not entitled to do what he wanted with his own money.

The real meaning of this parable has to do with man’s worthiness to enter into the kingdom of God. The tax collectors, prostitutes and the lepers would merit eternal life because of their genuine faith in God, prior to the Pharisees and Scribes who paid God mere lip service. The question that each of us must ask ourselves is simply this: “Does my life and my behaviors merit eternity with the Lord?”

This parable and its teaching is actually delivered by Jesus as a response to Peter.

“Then Peter said in reply, ‘Lord, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And anyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first’” (Matthew 19:27-30).

Peter’s comment, which reflects the attitude: “Lord, look what we did for you, what’s in it for us” is contrary to Jesus’ Conditions for Discipleship (Matthew 16:24-26). Those who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus Christ: twenty-first century disciples included, must never doubt for a moment that the sacrifices that they make, or the daily crosses that they carry are never undertaken in vain or without significance in the eyes of God.

Moreover, those who look to be rewarded for possessing faith in God will not only be met with disappointment throughout their lifetime, they will also experience an emptiness; a void at the core of their being due to an inability or refusal to completely disconnect from the world and re-connect with God.

This parable is a teaching about God’s redemptive love. It is a lesson by Jesus about the Last Judgment and how those who think that they will have access to the kingdom of God may in fact, be last in God’s kingdom, or never experience it at all.

The landowner stands in the place of God in this parable. Each is received by the landowner with respect and treated with dignity and love.

The message that Jesus conveys to his listeners and to each of us is focused on:

• God’s unlimited and merciful love,

• Man’s response to God in faith; a faith that is never contingent upon length of time but is understood by God in terms of depth and sincerity.

How often have we, like the workers in the parable looked

with envy at another’s blessings or good fortune, actually believing that their seemingly good fortunate should be given to us? How often have we resented another’s blessings and judged their unworthiness in relation to our presumed worthiness?

The reward for faith in God is not prosperity, or even happiness in this world. Rather, it is found in a life lived in Truth and integrity. When men and women of faith live their lives in search of Truth and with integrity, there are no feelings of emptiness, nor is there evidence of a troubled heart, which results from the feelings of spiritual deprivation. When the trials and tribulations of life come one’s way, being men and women of faith, we can weather the storm, forge ahead and move yet another step closer to Christ. Parable of the Two Sons

On Sunday, September 27, the twenty-sixth Sunday of ordinary time, we listened to Jesus tell the story about the man with two sons, both of whom were asked by the father to go and work in his vineyard. The first son initially refused to go but eventually had a change of heart and went. The second son initially agreed to work in the father’s vineyard but then decided not to do so.

October 18, 2020

Jesus continues by telling the Pharisees that the social outcasts of the day would enter into the kingdom of heaven before those who were righteous. As in the previous parable, Jesus raises the bar with regard to what it takes to merit eternal life. Do our behaviors reflect our love of God? Will we merit access into the kingdom of heaven when our journey thru this world comes to an end? Parable of the Tenant Farmers

On Sunday, October 4, the twenty-seventh Sunday of ordinary time, we listened to what could be the most daunting of the three parables. Once again, the setting is a vineyard. A rich landowner leases his land to tenant farmers who have the responsibility for cultivating the soil and planting the crops (Matthew 21:33-43). It is their responsibility to assure that the vineyard continues to produce a quality harvest, in order that the landowner can receive from the tenants what is rightfully due him.

The tenant farmers become greedy. They appear to have an attitude of entitlement, thinking that they are owed more than what they have a right to receive. Not realizing that they are merely occupiers in a land that they have no right to, they fight savagely to take what does not belong to them. At the conclusion of the parable, a scary statement is made by Jesus who states that the vineyard would be taken away and given to a people who can and who will produce better fruit.

Is the kingdom of heaven being taken away from man in the twenty-first century as a result of his inability or unwillingness to produce the quality of fruit that is expected from followers of Jesus? The only return that God expects is our faithful adherence to and the living out of His Word. Is the present day apathy and negativity that appears to pervade our post-modern society robbing men and women of faith from focusing on the virtues and values upon which this One Nation under God was founded?

Render to Caesar but Give to God In the gospel account for this Sunday, the twenty-ninth

Sunday in ordinary time, Jesus is asked whether the Jews are obliged to pay the census tax (Matthew 22:15-21). Jesus tells the malevolent Pharisees and Herodians that they should render to Caesar that which belongs to him, however, they must give to God that which He waits patiently to receive from His followers: unconditional love, reverence, respect, humility, gratitude, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance of others.

Last weekend, I asked the question that is worth another reflection: “Why do we permit a broken, secular and Godless society to rob us from God’s gift of faith; a faith that each of us possesses? Perhaps, we have not thought about it in quite this way. Yet, we really do not realize the powerful impact that a negative secular climate has on our psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

Consciously and not so consciously, we continue to be a disturbed and delusional society which continues to make victims of our citizens. a disturbed and delusional society to create victims of her citizens. The verbal abuse that continues to define the civil, secular and political arenas smack at a society and a culture in decline.

Two question remains to be answered: 1. “Do I give to God, daily, what is due God?” Or do I nurse my broken human spirit, blaming others and society for taking from me what was rightly mine; thus, projecting hostility and enmity onto others? 2. Could it be that as we look around at a broken world gone mad that the kingdom of heaven is slipping through our hands; being taken from us because we as a people have failed to produce the quality of fruit that simultaneously defines and dignifies our created essence? JNM

Something to Ponder

Happiness: A Choice, not a Given

These past several months have no doubt taken its toll on many people. The COVID-19 Virus, and its impact on life as we once knew it has resulted in what has been described as “the new normal;” affecting the quality of our lives on so many levels and in addition, has left people anxious, fearful and angry. Yet, I wonder if the curtailment of life as we once knew it, despite the fear that permeates our world, might be an invitation on the part of each of us to re-evaluate, re-assess, re-examine and re-discover the joy of life and of living, despite or in spite of, the obvious. In other words, in these difficult times, can we still find and maintain happiness? If so, from where does our happiness come? Happiness

Are you happy? If so, what is your happiness contingent upon? If you’re not happy, why? Are you happy some days, and not happy other days? If so, it could very well be that you like many treat happiness in the same way that man satisfies physical hunger. Man takes food to diminish his hunger in the same way that he seeks to obtain happiness: by taking from outside of himself, from the world around him. He does so thinking that what he takes from without will result in happiness within.

Society is consumed with and inundated by quick-fix-feel-good remedies for acquiring and maintaining happiness. Everyone wants to be happy. Yet, why is it that few really appear to be happy? We see evidence of unhappiness all around us in society: angry people; hurting people who in turn hurt others, dysfunctional families and individuals who never appear to be content with who they are or what they have.

The reason lies in the fact that postmodern man too often mistakes pleasure for happiness, not knowing the difference. Pleasure is transitory while happiness endures. When the pleasurable experience disappears, man is left with a void at the pit of his being, at the level of his soul; thus, he ends up being more miserable and more empty than before.

Pleasurable experiences always need to be replenished because pleasure is about feelings, and feelings change. Good feelings and good fortune rise and fall replenished. Real happiness not only endures, real happiness accepts both the hurts as well as the joys of life. Real happiness transcends the day-to-day trials of being human. Real happiness propels man’s human spirit to soar above mediocrity, complacency and self-righteousness.

Have you ever met someone who appears to be down on his/her luck, yet has a joyfully-contagious disposition? Someone who you would think has the right…who would be justified to wallow in self-pity, yet keeps plugging along and keeps moving, and above all, never plays the blame game with God?

True happiness is independent of acquired wealth and possessions. Real happiness is more about the value man places on….and gives to….his life. Pleasure exalts in things. Pleasure is self-seeking. Happiness is always communicated in and through a humble human spirit that is nourished by an authentic and demonstrated feeling of gratefulness and gratitude toward God and toward other human beings.

In other words, pleasure is from without while true happiness is from within. Perhaps, this is the reason that man in the twenty-first century is easily disappointed and often angry with life and life experiences. He looks outside of himself, rather than within his soul. Real happiness lies in man’s ability to discern, integrate and balance God’s will with his desires and perceived needs.

Consider This

A ninety-two-year-old woman, small in stature, well-poised and proud. She is fully dressed each and every morning by eight o’clock and is without a hair out of place. Lipstick and rouge each morning serve only to compliment the freshly ironed blouse and trousers or skirt; a pearl in each ear and a necklace to match. Today, this lady with diminishing eyesight moves to a nursing home. After sitting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, the lady is informed by the administrator that her room is ready. The woman smiles with a delicate tenderness that attempts to conceal her pain of a life when freedom and vitality and spontaneity ruled. Yet, it is not a pain that is fueled by bitterness or disappointment, rather, a pain that speaks to a reluctant human spirit that rebels against any and all compliance to the constraints brought upon with age.

Despite life’s inevitable turns and twists through time, the lady’s pain reveals a peaceful acceptance; an aura of compliance that expresses itself through a fragile, yet resilient human spirit. The lady rose and with her usual grace, despite the encumbrance of an embarrassing and unnecessary walker, obediently and silently follows as the administrator leads the way.

The administrator offers a hand assisting the lady into the elevator. And attempting to soften what she perceives to be a difficult moment in time, the administrator begins describing the lady’s new home. “It is a beautiful room newly painted in a pale pink with rose-bud curtains and a rich pink velvety rug. And the view from your window…. well it is the best of all the rooms because it overlooks the lake.”

The lady, with her usual sophisticated passion for life, cries out, “I love it, thank-you!”

“Well,” replies the administrator, who was rather startled with this unexpected disclosure of joy, “You haven’t even seen the room; just wait.”

“Seeing the room has nothing to do with it,” the Lady replied, “Happiness is something that one chooses ahead of time. You see, whether I like the room or not, is not contingent upon whether the walls are pink or green or blue, or whether my window looks out to a lake or a sandpit. Rather, happiness is how I arrange my mind; it has to do with an attitude, a choice, a desire and a frame of reference.”

The lady went on to say, “You see, my dear, I have already decided to love it. It is a decision that I make every morning that I wake and place my feet on the floor. I have a choice, my dear: I can either spend the day in bed, brooding about the difficulties that I have with those parts of my body that no longer appear to work and a life that has past me by, or I can get up from my bed and be filled with gratitude for those parts that still do work and that part of my life that I still have left.”

The lady continues: “Each day is a gift and as long as these old eyes can still open, I will focus, as best as I can on all the happy memories that I have stored away to be recalled particularly during this time in my life. You see, old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you have put in. So, my dear, dear administrator, take some advice from one who has lived a long life: Deposit a lot of happiness in your bank account of memories, so when the time comes….and it will come,…your withdrawal will give you peace…and your peace will provide you with a purpose.” Remember the five rules for real happiness:

1. Free your heart from all hatred. 2. Free your mind from worry. 3. Live……LIVE simply. 4. Give…...GIVE more. 5. Expect less. JNM “He called the people and the disciples to him and said, ‘If

anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross, daily and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, will save it’” (Mark 8:14:34). JNM

Additional Note: Although sensitive of gender-related language; he/she, him/her, it is often necessary to refer to the generic, “man” when reference is made to the essence of human nature.

FR. MURASSO’S MESSAGE BOARD

THE EAST HAVEN FOOD PANTRY is asking for canned vegetables for the month of October. Please leave your donations of food at the church entrances.

CALLING ALL PUMPKINS!

We need pumpkins to decorate the altars at all three churches. Painted artistically, with all kinds of faces, expressions and dispositions to go along side of our Jack-O-Lantern. Please bring them to Mass beginning next weekend and place them anywhere around the altar. ********* ********** *********

MASS OF REMEMBRANCE The Feast of All Souls is Monday, November 2.

Two Masses of Remembrance will be celebrated at 7:00pm on November 2:

St. Vincent de Paul Church for all those who died this pass year and were buried from either St. Vincent de Paul Church or St. Bernadette Church.

Our Lady of Pompeii for those who were buried from Pompeii. Parishioners who have passed during this past year will be

remembered and honored. The deceased will be called by name and a rose will be placed in a vase in their honor.

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES OF

ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA

Our Lady of Pompeii, St. Vincent de Paul & St Berna-

dette Church

St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish is proud to partner with Ferraro’s Market for our Ferraro’s Gift Card Fundrais-

er Program

Ferraro Gift Cards may be purchased or ordered in the

following denominations:

$25.00 $50.00 $100.00

Other denominations may be purchased by order only.

Our parish will receive 10% commission on all sales.

What better gift than the gift of food for that special

occasion or for someone in need!

Ordering and purchasing of Gift Cards is available after Masses at all three churches.

October 17 & 18 4:00pm OLOP Vigil: Fr. Patrick 4:00pm SB Vigil: Fr. Murasso 4:30pm SVDP Vigil: Fr. Borino 8:00pm SB: Fr. Kelly 8:00am OLOP: Msgr. Walker 9:00am SVDP: Fr. Murasso 10:00 SB: Fr. Kelly 10:00am OLOP: Msgr. Walker 11:00am SVDP: Fr. Patrick 11:45am OLOP: Fr. Murasso 6:00pm SB: Fr. Patrick ********* ******** *******

October 24 & 25 4:00pm OLOP Vigil: Fr. Murasso 4:00pm SB Vigil: Fr. Borino 4:30pm SVDP Vigil: Fr. Patrick 8:00am OLOP: Fr. Meehan 8:00am SB: Fr. Patrick 9:00am SVDP: Msgr. Walker 10:00 SB: Fr. Murasso 10:00am OLOP: Fr. Patrick 11:00am SVDP: Msgr. Walker 11:45am OLOP: Fr. Murasso 6:00pm SB: Fr. Meehan ********* ******** *******

October 31 & November 1 4:00pm OLOP Vigil: Fr. Patrick 4:00pm SB Vigil: Fr. Murasso 4:30pm SVDP Vigil: Fr. Borino 8:00pm SB: Fr. Patrick 8:00am OLOP: Fr. Murasso 9:00am SVDP: Fr. Meehan 10:00 SB: Fr. Patrick 10:00am OLOP: Fr. Murasso 11:00am SVDP: Fr. Meehan 11:45am OLOP: Fr. Murasso 6:00pm SB: Fr. Patrick

Fr. Murasso’s Message Board

Saint Bernadette Church 1.Sanctuary Lamps: The Sanctuary Lamps newly purchased that hang in the sanctuary can be memorialize to a loved-one. The lamps burn continuously except on Good Friday and during the day on Holy Saturday. As you know, the lamp signifies the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle. These lamps, which that hang on the walls in our beautiful sanctuary add to the beauty and dignity of the altar and crucifix. A wonderful way to remember a loved-one. Cost: $2,500 each 2. Vestments: The vestments that we currently have are in very bad shape. They apparently have not been replaced in a long time as they are stained and frayed. We need at least 2 sets. A set consists of four vestments for each of the liturgical seasons: white, green, purple and red. Vestments are $590.00 each 3. Chalices and Ciborium: The chalice is what the priest consecrates the blood of Christ in and the ciborium is what we use distribute communion in. We only have one chalice, which is in dire need of being re-glazed because of years of use. In addition, we only have two ciboria to distribute communion and are in dire need of some new ones. These too, can be engraved with the name of a loved-one. Chalice: $750.00 each Ciborium: $750.00 each 4. Statue of St. Clare: I would like to purchase a statue of Saint Clare; it would be on either side of the picture of Saint Bernadette at the front of the church. This is a wonderful opportunity to memorialize a deceased loved-one. The statue is $985.00

KofC Rodrigo Council #44

We will be commencing our monthly Rosary on Tuesday, October 27th at 6:30pm at the St. Bernadette Church Campus.

In November, we will resume our regular monthly Rosary schedule the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm.

The Rosary will be with a reader one month, a Living Rosary the next, and an international Rosary. This will be done on a rotating

basis.

For the international Rosary we will need those who speak a foreign language to volunteer to lead the first part of the Hail

Mary in their language.

reverend jeremiah n. murasso, ph.d., ed.d., psy.d., …€¦ · thursday, october 22 -st. john paul...

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