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A Roman Catholic Praying Community

854 Targee Street, Concord Staten Island, New York 10304

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

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

July 26, 2020

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

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

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

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

the Parish Hall following the 10 o’clock Mass.

Parish Registration Our Parish family invites all of its members to

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

Rectory. You may fill out the adjacent form and mail it in or drop it in the Parish Office. front door mail slot.

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

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

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

Pastor: Rev. Jacob Thumma

Weekend Associate: Rev. Deogratias Lingao

Parish Business Manager: Janet Samuel

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

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

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

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

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

... for those anticipating a hospital stay, recuperating, and the home-

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

Daniela Agucia, Robert Ballard, Sr., Nancy J. Bushman, Antonia Carlino, Lucille Chatznoff, Frances Cirincione,

Conley family, Stephen Cucci, Maureen De Meo, Maria Erlinger, Robert Forlenza, Virginia Gallagher, Thomas Galvin, Rosemarie Garlisi, John Gostel,

John Andrew Hunton, Debra S. Iammatteo, Bridget Kehley, Frank Labano, Dr. Nicolas C. Lansigan, Jr., Louis Matos,

Travis Mayhew, John Miles, George Moresca, Delia Murguia, William Murphy, Amy O’Donnell, Patrick Moroney, Sr. Carrie Portu, Lee Poyntz,

Sharon Poyntz, Irene Reilly, Eulah Ryan, Paul Sabella, Alice Santamays, John Savarese, Annette Scardigno,

Louise Stanley, Tom Varisi, John Vincenzo, Joan Walter, Robert Williams

Please let us know if anyone for whom we are praying has recovered from illness/surgery so that we may rejoice with you

Liturgies and Intentions for the Week

Par ish of St . Sy lvester

Our Parish Family’s Support:

Thank you for supporting your parish family throughout these weeks of crisis.

J u l y 1 9 : 1st Collection - $2,596. Reserve Fund - $ 248.

WeShare Contributions will be reported monthly.

To contribute via WeShare, our online program for weekly parish contributions, go to our parish website:

http://StSylvesterSI.org

When he finds a pearl of g eat price, he goes and sells all that he has

and buys it.”

— Ma hew 13:46

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinar Time

July 26, 2020

This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns before the Tabernacle with prayers in memory of

George Melega

requested by

Patricia Mulligan De Respino

Saturday, July 25 – Vigil Mass 17th Sun. in Ord. Time

4:00 p.m. = Carmella Rogan

Sunday, July 26 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. = Rey Gotiangco 10:00 a.m. = Angelo and Marion Martorano 12:00 noon = Joseph Decorato

Monday, July 27 – 17th Week in Ord. Time 8:30 a.m. = Andrew Lee family

Tuesday, July 28 – 17th Week in Ord. Time 8:30 a.m. = Marion and Angelo Martorano

Wednesday, July 29 – St. Martha 8:30 a. m. = Ramon Valino III [Happy B'day. in heaven]

Thursday, July 30 – 17th Week in Ord. Time; [St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop &Doctor of the Church] 8:30 a.m. = Victor Cracchiolo

Friday, July 31 – St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest; FIRST FRIDAY

8:30 a. m. = Maria Scaparro

Saturday, August 1 – St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church; FIRST SATURDAY 9:00 a. m. = Filemon Magracias

Saturday, August 1 – Vigil Mass-18th Sun. in Ord. Time

4:00 p.m. = Carmella Rogan

Sunday, August 2 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. = Joe McKenzie-Hamilton 10:00 a.m. = Annette McKean 12:00 noon = Joseph Decorato

Francis "Goody" Best

Have you made your contribution to the 2020 Stewardship Appeal? Pick up an envelope from the pamphlet rack in the vestibule, or to add your help visit cardinalsappeal.org

My Dear Parishioners,

A few days ago it came to my notice that July 26 (this year a Sunday, so celebrating the Lord's Day takes precedence) is the date on which we honor Saints Anne and Joachim, par-ents of the Virgin Mary and Jesus' grandparents! During these weeks and now months of social distancing, isolation, and masks I find that families are much on my mind and in my prayers. It is a fine thing to see the members of our parish family begin to slowly come back to our Eucharis-tic Table and I give thanks for this. However, most of us find this separation from others in our own families increasing our longing to be together. The gospels tell us nothing about Mary's parents, not even their names. What we know from Christian tradition is found in non-scriptural writings such as the Protogospel of James. St. Anne herself was the recipient of a miracle, when in her old age she conceived a child, Mary. Both she and her husband, St. Joa-chim, were advanced in years when Mary was born. Because of this many pregnant women pray to St. Anne, asking her to intercede for them so that they may have a safe pregnancy and childbirth. Saints Anne and Joachim are also grand-parents. Many grandparents have visited the now-restored Church of St. Anne and St. Joachim on the grounds of Mount Loretto to pray for their grandchildren. In a very unique way, these 2 saints have become a source of comfort for many people, just as our grandparents have been and are for us. May we imitate the example of Saints Anne and Joachim—powerful intercessors—as loving parents and grandparents, doing all we can so that children might flourish as Mary did. Keep smiling,

Fr. Jacob

If you cannot come to church the celebration of Mass at St. Sylvester can be found on our St. Sylvester

website: StSylvesterSI.org

Dear Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, You who were parents of Mary, the mother of your in-carnate Son and grandparents to Baby Jesus, intercede for me that I will accept the plan of the Almighty, and that I will place all my trust in the Lord, and accept the role He demands of me in life. Pray that I may be blessed by my grandchildren and know that each and every one is a special gift, chosen and given by the Lord to me. May your intercession help me to attain the salvation promised by our Almighty God. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

F I H

The Archdiocese of New York takes the stew-ardship of your dona ons seriously. If you

have knowledge of or reason to suspect mis-conduct, please report your

concerns vis a toll free hotline at 877-820-0541, or on the internet at

h p://www.reportlineweb.com/ADNY. Both are available 24 hours per day.

Summert ime Act iv i ty for the Fami ly

Plan an Evening Picnic: Choose a night with clear skies to enjoy the

outdoors. While picnics can be fun in the middle of the day, summer evenings can provide reprieve from heat and sun. Grab a blanket, a picnic bas-ket, and pack some sandwiches along with a cooler of lemonade. Enlist the help of each family mem-ber in gathering supplies and preparing a meal. Remember to begin your picnic by saying Grace. Take the opportunity to thank God for the gi of healthy food, the beauty of Crea on, and the joy of family. Bring along a children’s Bible and share Scripture stories together a er enjoying your meal. Watch for Lightening Bugs. Count the stars. Bring a moon chart and decide in what quarter the moon cycle is.

Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York, May I intrude on what I hope is a relaxing summer with a not-so-pleasant subject? Last week, the Associated Press published a scurrilous ar cle, heavy on innuendo, about Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools, charitable organiza ons, and other ins tu ons that rightly received assistance from the federal government to pay their employees during the Covid-19 crisis. Many news outlets picked up the story, which implied that there was something amiss in Catholic ins tu ons receiving paycheck protec on money. Many of you have called or emailed me, wan ng to know if the story was true. My answer, quite simply, is absolutely not! It was misleading at best, outright false at worst. Here’s why. First, the Paycheck Protec on Program (PPP) was designed to help employers con nue to pay its employees when the economy went into lockdown in response to the coronavirus. The purpose was to keep employees em-ployed during these difficult mes. Religious ins tu ons were invited and permi ed to par cipate, as they employ large numbers of people across the country. Here in the Archdiocese of New York, if you combine the number of full me employees in our parishes, schools, agencies, and central administra on, there would be 6000 full me and 4000 part- me employees. Without assistance from the PPP, many of our employers would have had no choice but to lay-off their employees, reducing the church’s ability to assist people in need, and forcing our people to seek unem-ployment. That means your parish’s secretary, or the teachers in your child’s Catholic school, for instance, could easi-ly have lost their jobs. So, the money did not go to “the archdiocese” but to our workers. The USCCB released a state-ment Friday which touched on many of these themes. A second problem is that the ar cle tries to make some sort of connec on between the sexual abuse crisis that has haunted the Church, and the Paycheck Protec on Plan assistance. Make no mistake, the money that the Archdio-cese of New York received was used solely for the purposes outlined in the law, that is to con nue to pay employees their salaries and benefits. Not one penny of that money was used in any way to se le lawsuits or pay vic m-survivors of abuse. We have none of this money le . It has all be distributed to our workers, and the government is carefully audi ng it. Third, the AP ar cle focuses solely on the Catholic Church, making it seem as if Catholics are unique in par ci-pa ng in the Paycheck Protec on Plan. In fact, religious organiza ons represen ng all faiths par cipated in the pro-gram, as it was intended. Na onally, the Small Business Administra on approved over 88,000 loans for religious or-ganiza ons, suppor ng more than 1 million jobs. Why then focus solely on the Catholic Church, unless the reporters had some animus towards the Church (which we suspect they do)? Let me be clear: I am a fervent supporter of a free press, and have made it a priority of my tenure as Archbishop of New York to be open and available to the men and women of the media who seek to interview me. The over-whelming number of reporters with whom I have interacted have been dedicated to their cra , seeking to get the sto-ry right, and by and large the coverage of the Church has been fair – cri cal and honest when repor ng on my mis-takes, willing to report on posi ve developments as well. This AP story, however, did neither. It invented a story when none existed, and sought to bash the Church. Forgive me for “ven ng” in this way. I usually take the advice of those who counsel me to not pick a fight in the press with someone who buys printers ink by the barrel – or, in today’s parlance, I guess, someone who has unlimited bandwidth. But this story was so inaccurate, and le such a damaging impression I felt it was important to set the rec-ord straight with you. With prayerful best wishes, I am,

Faithfully in Christ, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York