April 26, 2009

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48 [47B]

EXEGESIS

The readings for the Third Sunday of Easter continue the theme of the apostles’ transformation from a group of disciples who were initially “startled and terrified” at encountering the resurrected Christ to a group of disciples giving birth to the early church by boldly bearing witness to the death and resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem and beyond.

The Gospel reading reports the initial encounter between the resurrected Christ and the disciples, according to Luke (recall last Sunday we heard John’s account of this initial encounter between the resurrected Jesus and the disciples). Numerous details are the same in both accounts; for example, Jesus’ first words to his disciples are “Peace be with you,” and the disciples are sent by Jesus to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins. However, Luke provides some additional details about this initial encounter not found in John. Luke places a heavy emphasis on the physical resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus encourages all the disciples to touch his “flesh and bones,” and Jesus literally eats baked fish in front of them. Luke also tell us that Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (i.e., the Law, the prophets, and the psalms) that foreshadowed Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. And Luke concludes by emphasizing the disciples as “witnesses of these things,” to be preaching “in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.”

In today’s liturgy, we have the final resurrection appearance of Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Today’s readings and prayers are kind of startling if you examine them closely.


Dear Parishioners,
We launched ParishPay last year for our parishioners to directly deposit their contribution electronically. And we had good success. ParishPay enables parishioners to make their regular donations via automatic deductions to checking or savings accounts, or via credit card. Some opt to give monthly while others also take the opportunity to use ParishPay for special occasions like Christmas and Easter. In whatever manner they have chosen to use ParishPay they have found the system to be very facilitating.
We encourage you to enroll via the ParishPay website under “St. JosephChurch--WestVillage”. If you wish to contribute to the soup kitchen search the website for “St. Joseph's Soup Kitchen.”
Both the parish, and you, our generous supporters, benefit tremendously from this program.
ParishPay provides a steady stream of revenue for the parish, and enables funds to be collected, recorded, and deposited efficiently and effectively. Also, this revenue becomes a steady source of income, not subject to the fluctuations that our regular Sunday collections exhibit, and helps us plan and manage parish finances and activities more efficiently.
It will also let the donor make and annual Parish gift and pay this gift over the entire year. It eliminates the need for writing a weekly check or making a cash gift through the offering plate each week. Parishioners may increase or decrease these gifts as their circumstances allow.
We know that many parishioners wish to give generously and regularly. ParishPay provides the vehicle for this faithful generosity.
Thanks you, as always for your generosity.
Please be assured of my prayers and best wishes,
John P. McGuire, O.P.
Pastor

Special Events

Edith Stein and Our Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday, May 2 @ 10:00 AM Mass, with Rev. John Moran, M.M. O.C.D.S. 11:00 AM presentation followed by Q&A

Church of Our Lady of Peace

237 East 62nd Street

A donation of $15 will be gratefully accepted

175 Years Young – A salute to St Joseph’s Church

Gala Spring Benefit Concert

Bushwick Institute for the Performing Arts Presents the Pan American Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Joseph Lliso, conductor

Saturday, May 9 @ 7:30 PM @ St Joseph’s

Program of Lliso, Beethoven and Grieg

Admission $25 Students/Seniors $10

Tour of the WhitneyMuseum

Wednesday, May 20 @ 2:00PM

945 Madison Avenue and 75th Street

Event sponsored by Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

$6 registration payable at registration

To register, please call (212) 736-8500, ext 389

Vacation Pilgrimage to Mexico and the Shrine of

Our Lady of Guadalupe

September 26 to October 2, 2009

Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph Barranger, O.P. from

St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, CT

For details: or Catholic Travel Office (877) 276-7279

Email:

American Ballet Theatre performs Prodigal Son

This parable from the Gospel of St. Luke about repentance and forgiveness is told through the legendary choreography of George Balanchine and set to Sergei Prokofiev’s glorious score. Church groups of 15 or more can enjoy savings up to 50%. Group prices start at $19/per person

Call (212) 419-1066, or

Additional information

The collection for April 19 was $5813.15. Thank you
Please note that we have a new listing Parish Activities. Please visit our website washingtonsquarecatholic.org for the latest news on the NYUCatholicCenter, St. Joseph’s Parish, and links to other Catholic organizations and interests.
Please send your announcements and events to be included in the bulletin and web:

FEAST DAYS, SCRIPTURE CITATIONS

AND SPECIAL INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

SATURDAY, April 25 Mark, evangelist

1 Pt 5:5b-14/Mk 16:15-2

12:10 PM

5:30 PM Annette Slachetka

SUNDAY, April 26

9:00 AM Angeline & James LaMonte

11:30 AM Cathy Driscoll (living)

6:00 PM

MONDAY, April 27

Acts 6:8-15/Jn 6:22-29

12:10 PM Dymphna Duffy

5:30 PM

TUESDAY, April 28Peter Chanel, priest, martyr; Louis Mary de Montfort, priest

Acts 7:51—8:1a/Jn 6:30-35

12:10 PM Joseph Murphy

5:30 PM Joseph Raniolo (living)

WEDNESDAY, April 29Catherine of Siena, virgin & doctor

Acts 8:1b-8/Jn 6:35-40

12:10 PM John Micahel Powers

5:30 PM Mary McCormick Rambush

THURSDAY,April 30Pius V, pope

Acts 8:26-40/Jn 6:44-51

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

FRIDAY,May 1Joseph the Worker

Acts 9:1-20/Jn 6:52-59

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

SATURDAY, May 2Athanasius, bishop & doctor

Acts 9:31-42/Jn 6:60-69

12:10 PM

5:30 PM Joseph McFadden

PARISH ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK

Sunday
10:00 AM / Children’s Religious Studies / Cassrely
10:00 AM / Sunday Scripture Discussion / Library
2:30 PM / Roman Forum Lectures / Casserly
Monday
6:30 PM / Centuring Prayer / Church
6:30 PM / YACHT Club for Young Adults / Library
6:30 PM / Bible Study for Young Adults / 1st Floor
6:30 PM 1st /mo / Pax Christi Bd Mtg / PCYMNY
Tuesday
7:00 PM / Aquinas Circle of Undergraduates / Library
Wednesday
6:30 PM / Korean Catholic Students / Library
7:00 PM 2nd /mo / Altar Rosary / Library
Thursday
7:00 PM / Newman Club / L:ibrary
Friday
6:00 PM 1st/mo / Novena/ Sacred Heart
6:15 PM / St. Egidio Prayer / Church
Saturday
10:00-3:00 PM / Soup Kitchen / Casserly
12:30 PM 1st/mo / Blessings of the Sick / Church
6:00 PM / Alcoholics Anonymous / Casserly