Twenty – Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 13, 2019

 
From Fr. Anthony Columba Ekanem, MSP - Pastor
 

~ GRATITUDE ~

Very often, we spend much of our time recounting our woes and disappointments to the extent that we hardly recognize or appreciate the Goodness of God in our lives. Last Sunday, we read about the prophet Habakkuk's complaint, when the Lord responded, "Write down the vision; Make it plain upon tablets, so that one who reads it may run. For the vision is a witness for the appointed time, a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
 
So, today's readings draw our attention to a Thanksgiving theme, which we are very familiar with, primarily as Thanksgiving Day draws near in a month or so. Gratitude is the dominant theme of our texts because we hear about two genuinely thankful people who take time and effort to express that gratitude.
 
This Sunday, the Church reminds us of the importance of showing gratitude and appreciation to God in faith. If we spend just a moment to reflect throughout our life, we will discover why we must always return to God with our hearts full of gratitude.
 
The First reading (2 Kings 5:14 - 17), tells us of the story of  Naaman, a leper, and a foreigner, who returns to acknowledge God as the supreme and only God after being cured. However, when he tries to express his gratitude to Elisha, the prophet refuses to accept it, because it would suggest that the cure was due to him rather than to God. As commander of the Syrian army, Naaman was a Gentile, who teaches us how to show appreciation to those who have been good to us no matter their background. We also learn from this reading that God does not come to our help because of what He will receive from us. He says, "All the silver and gold in the whole world are mine." Haggai 2, 8-9)
 
In the Gospel reading (Luke 17:11-19), Jesus reminds us of the importance of gratitude to God for the favor we have received from Him. Here, the foreigner, a Samaritan, is the only one of the who return to thank Jesus after being cured. Physically and spiritually, their lives were utterly transformed, and their immediate response is to return and give thanks. What caught the admiration of Jesus was about the Samaritan who, “realizing he had been healed, returned glorifying God in a loud voice, and fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him.” (Luke 17:15). When was the last time you expressed this kind of gratitude to God in such an obvious way? Gratitude to God is an expression not only of appreciation but also of our faith in His saving power.
 
These accounts of two foreigners who returned to give thanks can help us re-examine how we can celebrate the Eucharist worthily. Let us not forget that the word "Eucharist," which means "thanksgiving," which is exactly what Jesus did before sharing His body and blood at the Last Supper. Let us resolve to live a life of gratitude, finding joy in all the good things that God has done for us. Many of us hardly have time to show appreciation or gratitude to God for what he has done for us.
 
As we listen to these accounts of two foreigners who returned to give thanks, what can we learn from this? To whom do you need to give thanks today? How can we live with a more thankful heart?
 
Showing gratitude to God is very important in our Christian journey with Him. In light of this, we must approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist every day with an attitude of gratitude. It is a Sacrament of gratitude or thanksgiving to our God. It is one sacrifice that we, the Church, give thanks to God as one big and united family in His presence. Here, we do not feel entitled to anything; instead, we are just humbly being grateful for all He has done for us.
 
"If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we persevere, we shall also reign with Him." (2 Tim 2:11).
 
Stewardship
Tithing - God’s Plan for Giving on Sunday, 10/6/19 our Offering was $ 4,023.00
 Last week second collection for Church Property Insurance was $2,016.00
 Next week we will have a second collection for World Mission Sunday.
In observance to Columbus Day the Rectory will be close on Monday October 14, 2019
 
Would you like to be an
Altar Server, or part of the Choir, or an Extra Ordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist, or a Lector, or Sacristan, or an Usher, etc.? Call our Parish Office and find out how you can help serve in the Mass.
Requirements to be a Godparents or a Sponsor for Sacrament of Confirmation
· A Catholic over 18 years of age
· Possess a mature catholic faith and knows, understands and participates in the Catholic Church Community
· Not the parents or Step-parents
· Fully interested, Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic Church and celebrates the Eucharist at least weekly.
· He or She must be in good standing with the Church. If married, marriage is recognized by the Church.
 
Sundays Readings:
First Reading : 2 Kings 5: 14-17 p. 45
Through the word of Elisha, the prophet, God cured Naaman the leper. Naaman’s gratitude changed his life, and he refused to offer worship to any other god except the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4 p. 46 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Second Reading : 2 Timothy 2: 8 -13 p. 46 Paul told Timothy that the resurrection of Christ makes preaching the gospel worthwhile: “If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him.
Gospel : Luke 17: 11-19 p. 47 Jesus cured ten people, and one, a Samaritan, returned to give God thanks and praise. Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you. “
 
Religious Education
October
10/19/19 Religious Education Classes
10/19/19 Holy Communion 1 ^st meeting in the school cafeteria 11:30 am
10/26/19 Religious Education Classes
November:
11/02/19 Religious Education Classes * Confirmation 1 ^st meeting in the school cafeteria 11:30am
11/09/19 Religious Education Classes
11/16/19 Religious Education ~ Family Catechesis Day Families and Children 9:30am to 1:00pm
11/23/19 Religious Education Classes
11/30/19 No Religious Education Classes Happy Thanksgiving
 
These are reminders for Sunday, October 20, 2019
Our City of Yonkers Marathon will be running past our Church between 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. regarding this information, the insert in our Parish Bulletin this weekend is to help you plan for next Sunday when you are coming to Church.
 
Next Sunday is World Mission Sunday. The Church is marking the 100th year of the Church’s effort in the mission work throughout the world. Therefore, Pope Francis has called for the Church to observe an Extra-Ordinary Missionary Month in October. Archdiocesan family joins our sisters and brothers around the world who will gather at the altar to celebrate with great joy, our common vocations as missionaries. We are called through our baptism to be part of the Church’s missionary efforts, through prayer, self – sacrifice and support of missionary vocations through material aids.
 
Next Sunday, too, The Missionary Society of St Paul of Nigeria, (MSP), which Fr George and I (Fr Tony) belong, was founded on world Mission Sunday forty – two years ago by Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, with the blessings of the Catholic Bishops Conference of  Nigeria. It is a big day for us!
 
We are appealing to everyone to come prepared to support the missionary activity of the Church generously. There are some envelopes with some information in your pews and also that ushers will pass out as you come.
Thank you, and God bless!

  
Mass Intentions for the week
October 12 - October 20, 2019

 
Saturday, October 12, 2019:
12:00 pm - Bonny Mathew * Mathew Joseph
5:00pm - Fr. James Lloyd. CSP * Tony Felicissimo
 7:30pm - Alain Sanoner +*Miguel Balandra
Sunday, October 13, 2019:
7:30 am - For the Parishioners
9:00 am - Fr Virgilio Competente* requested by the Parish
11:00 am - Fr. James Hoerter & The Lakota People *Tony Felicissimo
Monday, October 14, 2019 :                          
8:15am - Bob Bonner + * John Kenney
12:05 pm - Souls in Purgatory * John Kinney
Tuesday October 15, 2019
8:15am - Souls in Purgatory * John Kinney
12:05pm - Baby Rory Roddem * Winifred John O’Flaherty
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
8:15am - Available/Disponible
12:05 pm - Available/Disponible
Thursday, October 17, 2019:
8:15 am - Available/Disponible
12:05 pm - Carl & Vee Motta + * Son George Motta
7:00 pm - Guadalupe Reyes + La Familia
Friday, October 18, 2019:
8:15 am - Available/Disponible
12:05 pm - Available/Disponible
Saturday, October 19, 2019:
12:00 pm - Fr. James Hoerter & The Lakota People * Tony Felicissimo
5:00pm - Joanne Kunny * Roseanne Johnes 7:30pm - Johnny Rios + *Melissa Carrion
Sunday, October 20, 2019:
7:30 am - For the Parishioners
9:00 am - J. Carmen Esquivel + * La Familia Ruiz Esquivel
11:00 am - Manuel de Jesus Santa Matia & Genoveve de Santa Maria * Daughter & Granddaughter
 
 +Indicates deceased * Indicates the person (s) who requested the Mass.