January 31, 2010

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:3—13:13;

Luke 4:21-30 [72C]

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you…. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you says the Lord… ‘At these words the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. They rose up and expelled him from the town… but he went straight through their midst and walked away.’”

Prophets are spokespersons for God.We are familiar with the major ones – Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, and today this passage from Jeremiah. Many others are found in the first testament, and surely John the Baptist was the bridge praised in his role by His cousin. They had a special role, to point out people’s weakness and deficiencies and call them back to the Lord. Most did not want the job, but the Lord prevailed. It was not an easy or popular vocation.

Prophetic voices speak out today, addressing the wrongs of our society and challenging us once again to be faithful to the gospel. In our own country, many Catholics would prefer that the church notget involved in controversial issues like stem cell research, the pro choice debate, or questions dealing with euthanasia or nuclear war.We are being called today to speak out for what is moral, right and just. We are to proclaim the gospel of life and be sure we have a ‘consistent ethic of life' in the words of the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

The words addressed to the prophet are also applied to us all as we read this message.God knew us from all eternity; He showered us with the gift of life and appoints us to be a prophetic voice as well as to listen to His prophets speaking out in our world today. For a moment reflect upon this question: What person or persons do I believe is truly prophet in our own time? Do I listen to their message?

HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly

Eucharistic Exposition Adoration
Has Returned to a New Time!

Please join us for a Holy Hour of Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament here in St. Joseph's Churchevery MondaythroughFriday from 4-5pmwhile NYU is in session. Adoration is a form of worship and devotion toJesus Christ, present in the consecrated host. Christians around the world have worshiped and prayed in this way for at least 750 years.
Taking a few moments or even an hour in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a great way to grow in prayer and to find some quiet time in the midst of a busy and often stressful day. Adoration is open to all, but we ask that a disposition of silence and reverence be maintained in the Church while it is going on.

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is sponsoring two series for Catholic men and women.

Taking Charge of Your Life—an opportunity to share life experiences and to offer guidance and tools to develop an effective action plan for your future.

Dates: Wednesday, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 and 3/24

Time: 6:15 to 7:45 PM Fee: $20

Location: St. Francis of Assisi House, 135 W. 31st St.

Registration & Contact: Marie Harrington (212) 736-8500, ext. 354

Creating Your Second Life at Any Age—the support group for individuals considering a career transition, recently divorced or widowed, or considering retirement.

Dates: Wednesday, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 and 3/25

Time: 1:00 to 2:30 PM Fee: $20

Location: St. Francis of Assisi House, 135 W. 31st St.

Registration & Contact: Marie Harrington (212) 736-8500, ext. 354

Theology on Tap-NYC (a young adult apostolate) presents "Does God Really Forgive Sins in the Confessional?" on March 1, 2010 at Metro 53 Bar, 307 E. 53rd Street at 7pm-9pm. Ever wonder why we need to tell our sins to a priest, whom many feel is a complete stranger to us? Can’t we talk to God directly to get forgiveness? If God knows what we do and forgives no matter what, then why do we need to go to confession? Come and find out this night! The speaker is the Rector of the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Monsignor Robert Ritchie. Please visit us at www.totnyc.org.

1st Annual Pilgrimage of New York City: A coalition of Catholic young adult groups in New York City welcomes you to this first annual pilgrimage. On March 20, 2010, we will walk from the shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, near Manhattan’s northern tip, to the shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, close to Battery Park. Along the way, we will visit other churches connected to New York’s Catholic history. The event is free but you must register for the pilgrimage at www.pofnyc.org. Browse our website to learn more about the famous churches you can visit, the saints you will honor, and the routes you can follow. If you wish you can make donations to worthy charities such as Pilgrimage of Our Children’s Future and St. Joseph’s Seminary on the web site.

Donations to Haiti Continues

Please donate to the Catholic Relief Services with your donation to bring Haitians. To donate via cell phone please text RELIEF to 30644 and follow the instructions. For more information:
Catholic Campus Ministry Association
1119 Pendleton Street, Suite 300
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Tel: 888-714-6631 Fax: 513-842-0171
www.ccmanet.org
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
The collection for January 24 was $5,449.
The second collection for help relief to Haiti was $3,072.
Thank you.
We encourage you to enroll via the ParishPay website https://www.parishpay.com/ and click on the St Joseph West Village link. Use the paperless way to help our ministry.
Please note that we have a new listing Parish Activities. Please visit our website washingtonsquarecatholic.org for the latest news on the NYU Catholic Center, 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, January 30

2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17/Mk 4:35-41

12:10 PM Robert Doino

5:30 PM Jean Kentisbeer

SUNDAY, January 31

9:00 AM Lucille Economu

11:30 AM Bernard Stein

6:00 PM

MONDAY, February 1

2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13/Mk 5:1-20

12:10 PM Margaret Davenport

5:30 PM Mary Lyons

TUESDAY, February 2 The Presentation of the Lord

Mal 3:1-4/Heb 2:14-18/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

12:10 PM Gilda Courrier (10th anniversary)

5:30 PM Christopher Vandergeest

WEDNESDAY, February 3 St. Blaise, bishop & martyr,

St. Ansgar, bishop

2 Sm 24:2, 9-17/Mk 6:1-6

12:10 PM John Crosby Darrow (living)

5:30 PM Margaret Sullivan

THURSDAY, February 4

1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12/Mk 6:7-13

12:10 PM Bernard McInerney

5:30 PM

FRIDAY, February 5 St. Agatha, virgin, martyr

Sir 47:2-11/Mk 6:14-29

12:10 PM Rose Arias

5:30 PM Luigia Donati

SATURDAY, February 6 St. Paul, martyr & his companions, martyrs

1 Kgs 3:4-13/Mk 6:30-34

12:10 PM

5:30 PM John Crosby Darrow (living)

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
6:30 PM 1st /mo / Pax Christi Bd Mtg / PCYMNY
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
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