First Reading: Acts 7: 55-60

May 16, 2010

Seventh Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 7: 55-60

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, and described seeing Jesus standing at God's right hand. Then he was dragged away and stoned to death before many witnesses who did not believe his words. Before dying he cried, "Lord, do no hold this sin against them."

Second Reading: Revelation 22: 12-14, 16-17, 20

John hears a voice saying, "Remember I am coming soon!" This messenger for Jesus says that he will come to reward those who are deserving. Those who hear the call of the Spirit are encouraged to answer by accepting Jesus.

Gospel: John 17: 20-26

Jesus prays for all the people who will believe in him through the words of his disciples. His prayer is that the world will live in unity, with Jesus living in us as he lives in God. Although we have not known God, we know Jesus was sent by God because of his love for us. He prays that this love will live on in all people.

“Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God… The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ and when he said this, he fell asleep.” “Holy Father I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”

Stephen is one of the first seven deacons called to service in the primitive church, a minister of the word and of charity. His words must have provoked the opposition to result in death by stoning. Luke notes that Saul was present for the execution. The words placed on the lips of the martyr recall two of the traditional last words of Jesus, entrusting himself to the Father and seeking forgiveness for His executioners.

The Gospel mandate calls us all to forgive. Revenge is not a Christian response, but forgiveness is. The Sermon on the Mount tells us to turn the other cheek. We are to forgive seventy times seven times. For those who find the statement ‘forgive and forget’ impossible, then try this one: ‘Forgive and remember without bitterness.’ How wonderful it is when we find people offering forgiveness in response to serious and difficult crimes.

Surely Stephen offers a new challenge to us to forgive, to trust in God and to serve the community. Perhaps we can use him as a model for service in the church today as men are called to serve in the restored diaconate, and the baptismal call of all to service. The Lord prayed for us in His priestly prayer. May we eagerly respond.

Holy First Communion

May 16 at 9:00 am

/

• Leah Atkins
• Holden Cormier
• Justine Corrigan
• Ella Curtis
• Louie Figliulo
• Andrew Gonzalez
• Alexandra Haskins
• Michael McCusker
• Emery Nelson
• Sebastian Reardon
• Tristan Sultana
• Clementine Toms
• Cosima Toms
• Samantha Zaccaro

Pastoral Council

Parish Elections

The Pastoral Council’s is pleased to announce the candidates for its upcoming election next weekend (Sunday, May 23):

· Patricia Bellucci

· Scott Corrigan

· Rhe Kennedy

· Margaret Lioi

· Michael McCarthy

· John Van Rens

Please read their bios on display in the narthex or on the website at washingtonsquarecatholic.org/elections.

Pentecost Brunch!

The Pastoral Council will be hosting a brunch on Sunday, May 23, at about 12:30 p.m. (following the 11:30 a.m. Mass) in Casserly Hall in the church’s basement. Celebrate the end the Easter season by meeting and greeting your fellow parishioners.

The collection for May 9 was $6,212.
Thank you.
We encourage you to enroll via the ParishPay website and click on the St JosephWestVillage link. Use the paperless way to help our ministry.

The Dominican Annual Appeal is a sustained annual giving program to meet the ongoing needs of the Province.

Please pick up the newest issue of The Trumpet and read all about it. The newsletter is on the table in the Narthex.

PLEASE REMEMBER OUR PARISH IN YOUR WILL

No matter what the size of your estate, if you want to provide for relatives, friends and our Parish you will need a WILL. If you die without one, you lose control of the disposition of your assets. The state law in which you reside will tell your family where your money and property goes.

Naming our Parish as a charitable beneficiary in your Will is simple. Through careful review of this alternative you may save further income and estate taxes. For further information, you and/or your attorney may contact

Director, Planned Gifts

The Archdiocese of New York

1011 First Avenue, SI400

New York, NY10022

Telephone: 212-371-1000, E3317

Please call the Rectory and inform us if you know of anyone who is homebound, feeling the effects of old age or is ill and not able to attend mass. We will be happy to visit them on a regular basis and provide them with the sacraments at home. Call 212 741-1274.

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,May 15 St. Isidore the Farmer

Acts 16:1-10/Jn 15:18-21

12:10 PM

5:30 PM Aldo Donati

SUNDAY, May 16

9:00 AM

11:30 AM Joseph Eagan

6:00 PM

MONDAY, May 17

Acts 19:1-8/Jn 16:29-33

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

TUESDAY, May 18St. John I, pope, martyr

Acts 20:17-27/Jn 17:1-11a

12:10 PM Emilio Bonzani

5:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, May 19

Acts 20:28-38/Jn 17:11b-19

12:10 PM Rose Arias

5:30 PM

THURSDAY,May 20St. Bernadine of Siena

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11/Jn 17:20-26

12:10PM Ann O’Brien

5:30 PM

FRIDAY, May 21St. Christopher Magallanes, priest, martyr and his companions, martyrs

Acts 25:13b-21/Jn 21:15-19

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

SATURDAY,May 22St. Rita of Cascia, religious

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31/Jn 21:20-25

12:10 PM

5:30 PM

MONTHLY PARISH ACTIVITIES

Sunday
10:00 AM / Children’s Religious Studies / Casserly
10:00 AM / Sunday Scripture Discussion / Library
2:30 PM / Roman Forum Lectures / Casserly
7:00 PM / Grad Law / Casserly/Rectory
Monday
6:30 PM / Centering Prayer / Church
7:00 PM / YACHT Club for Young Adults / Casserly/Library
Tuesday
7:00 PM / Aquinas Circle of Undergraduates / Casserly/Library
Wednesday
6:30 PM / Korean Catholic Students / Casserly/Library
7:00 PM 2nd /mo / Altar Rosary / Library
Thursday
6:30 PM 1st /mo / Pax Christi Bd Mtg / PCMNY
7:00 PM / Newman Club / Casserly/Library
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 / Blessing of the Sick / Church
6:00 PM / Alcoholics Anonymous / Casserly