May 15, 2011
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41/1Pt 2:20b-25/Jn 10:1-10
“On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: ‘Let the whole house of Israel know beyond any doubt that God has made both Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified.’ When they heard this, they were deeply shaken. They asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What are we to do brothers?’ Peter answered: ‘You must reform and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ… then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
How many sermons have you listened to? How many, or few, allowed you to be ‘shaken’? The fresh gift of the Spirit on Pentecost moved Peter to speak clearly, firmly with an enthusiasm no one could stop. That was because it was Pentecost.
The same Spirit is present in our church today. The message of the successor of Jesus is taught again by Benedict, or the one who preached in church today. Jesus is both Lord and Messiah. On this ‘Good Shepherd’ weekend, let’s return to Peter challenging his listeners who then asked what they should do.
The Lord is calling others to shepherd His people. Maybe one listener, or person reading this, might hear the invitation to serve as a religious brother or sister, or priest. Another, maybe looking for a career change would consider such a call. Perhaps a retiree, or couple, might dedicate some time as lay volunteers with a missionary group, or even in a needy parish.
All of us can encourage others to follow Christ’s call. How few persons there are who will be as bold as Peter and the apostles, though we all already enjoy the same Spirit. As the psalm says: ‘Oh that today you would listen to His voice.’ Finally may we pray that the Lord will raise from among us, others to shepherd His people.
HIS WORDTODAYby Rev. William J. Reilly
The collection forMay 15 was$8,527. Please be generous with your weekly contribution to our parish ministries.We encourage you to enroll via the ParishPay website Select the St JosephWestVillage link. Use the paperless way to help our ministry.
The Pastoral Council will hold its final meeting for the fiscal/academic year on Monday, May 17 at 7 p.m. in the 2nd floor “Common Room” of the Parish House. All parishioners are invited to attend this meeting.
From the Pastor…Dear Friends,
On May 18, New York University will once again have its commencement exercises, currently at Yankee Stadium.
Among the thousands graduating there will be a number of young men and women who have spent the past 4 to 6 years as active members of our worship and service community. We will miss them and the life and friendship they so generously shared with us. Our prayers go with them.
With gratitude,
Fr. John McGuire, op
Jesus is the means to our salvation, if we follow Him. In today’s Gospel, He presents this message with an image of a shepherd and sheep. Unfortunately, our image of a shepherd and sheep is generally benign, but St. Peter helps us realize what it means to follow Jesus. He reminds us that Jesus was undeservedly abused, yet bore it without retribution. He lived a life of service to the poor, sick, and outcast, yet was executed as a criminal, and through it all, he never lost His trust in God. Dare we call ourselves followers of Christ? Are we willing to do what it takes to grow into that title?
~~Pax Christi Metro New York
A very special thank you to Father John from the Academy of St. Joseph School community for permitting us to use the common room to host our gala. Thank you Father for being such a cheerleader for our school. We promise to make you and our parish community very proud of us for years to come.
On Tuesday May 10th, St. Joseph's lost our long time parishioner Mrs. Rose Cossu. Rose has been an active member of St. Joseph's Church for over 50 years, an office volunteer and was active with the Boy Scouts of St. Joseph's. She will be at Perazzo Funeral Home on Sunday, May 15th, from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral Mass is here on Monday morning, the 16th at 10 a.m.
Rest in Peace Rose, you will be missed.
JAPAN RELIEF BENEFIT CONCERT - May 23
Blessed Sacrament Church, in collaboration with the Japan Society, will present a benefit concert for Japan Relief on Monday, May 23 at 7:30p. Performing in the program will be Metropolitan Opera singers Hei-Kyung Hong, Barry Banks, Edward Parks; the American Brass Quintet; piano virtuoso Jeremy Denk (got rave reviews for a March 27 recital in Carnegie Hall). Tickets $35, $50, $75, $100.
Tickets are available in the Church Convent (133 West 70 St.), M-F from 1:00-6:00pm, also at 800-595-4849, at at Blessed Sacrament Church after weekend masses and at the door on May 23. All donations are tax-deductible. Ticket info on flyers in the church.
Give the gift of your Time, Talent or Treasure!
Volunteer with Catholic Charities NYC!
Every year we work with hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, talents, and skills. Volunteer Program provides high quality opportunities to engage individuals, families, corporations, and parishes to support the needs of our programs and agencies, and advance our mission to build a just and compassionate society. All volunteers are required to attend the session prior to volunteering with Catholic Charities.
The next Volunteer Information Session will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:15 pm
For more information or to register, please contact:
Theology on Tap-NYC: Join us for our guest speaker, Claudio Bozzo, President of the Mediterranean Shipping Company. He will lead us in a discussion of doing business as a Catholic executive. ToTNYC is located at Klub 45 Room-Connolly’s Bar, 121 West 45th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Event begins at 7pm and ends around 9pm. For more info, visit
Congratulations to all those who made theirFirst Holy Communion
From the Academy of St Joseph
Chloe Franzone
Amelia Magel
Jose Ortega
Alexander Gonzalez
Christopher Webb
From the St. Joseph Religious Education Program
Isabella Barrett
Antonio Domonkos
Carson Evans
Mia Gigante
Evan Alexander Gutierrez
Frederick Hainault
Oliver Hutchison
Peter Marino
Thomas Neubert
Tynan Reynolds
Reese Villazor
Sarah Wolfe
Shulamith Zumhagen
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
FEAST DAYS, SCRIPTURE CITATIONS
AND SPECIAL INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK
SATURDAY, May 14
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/Jn 15:9-17
12:30PM
5:30PM
SUNDAY, May 15 Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41/1Pt 2:20b-25/Jn 10:1-10
9:00 AM Aldo Donati
11:30AMGil Robbins & Mary Robbins
6:00 PM Cathy Driscoll
MONDAY, May16
Acts 11: 1-18/Jn 10:11-18
12:10 PM Geraldine Ferraro
5:30 PM Joseph Reilly
TUESDAYMay 17
Acts 11:19-26/Jn 10:22-30
12:10 PM Mary Morris (living)
5:30 PM Diana Baez (living)
WEDNESDAY, May 18 St. John I
Acts 12:24-13:5a/Jn 12:44-50
12:10 PM Katherine Walsh
5:30 PM Katherine Walsh
THURSDAY, May 19
Acts 13:13-25/Jn 13:16-20
12:10PMRose Arias
5:30PM John Lliso (living)
FRIDAY,May 20 St. Bernadine of Siena
Acts 13:26-33/Jn 14:1-6
12:10PMBernard McInerney
5:30PMRose Cossu
SATURDAY,May 21 St. Christopher Magallamanes & Companions
Acts 13:44-52/Jn 14:7-14
12:30PMIvan Massimo
5:30PMDominick Desteno
MONTHLY PARISH ACTIVITIES
Sunday10:00 AM / Children’s Religious Studies / Casserly
10:00 AM / 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
7:30 PM / Lenten Confirmation Class / 1st Floor Back Parlor
Thursday
6:30 PM 1st /mo / Pax Christi Bd Mtg / PCMNY
7:00 PM / Newman Club / Casserly/Library
7:00PM / Scripture Study / 1st Floor-Back Parlor
Friday
6:00 PM 1st/mo / Novena/ Sacred Heart / Church
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 / Caserly