St Patrick's of Smithtown
Welcome to the Parish
St. Patrick’s Adult Faith Formation program presents
New Testament:
"God’s Self-Revelation Through Christ"
Wednesdays, April 9th, 16th, 23rd
and May 7th & 14th
From 7:30 to 9:30 PM
in the Emmaus Room, St. Patrick School
Instructor: Mrs Elaina Kedjierski
All are invited to participate in a 5 part series of classes on the ‘New Testament’. Participants will become familiar with the structure, content and themes of the major books the New Testament. Sessions will focus on the variety of writings that compose the Christian Scriptures: the developement, origin and purpose of the gospels; the letters of St. Paul with an emphasis on his life and message; and the scriptures as the continuing revelation of God and God’s will for all creation. Please bring a Bible with you to class. (learn more...)
2008 Catholic Ministries Appeal
The Hands of Christ-supporting the Community Around Us
Catholic Minististries supports many activities and programs in the
church, the communitity and the world. These include Education in our
various elementary and high schools; Formation for religious
instruction and guidance for our children, adult parishioners, those
newly entering our faith and our various Seminarians; our Parishes;
Catholic Charities; and Pastoral Outreach.
Please consider making a gift to this program that supports our church,
our faith, our community and our world.
St. Patrick's Church
at the
March for Life
Reflections from a Parishoner
March 7th, 2008
After many years of thinking about making the March for Life on January 22nd, I finally made it this year. Now I ask myself, "Why did I wait so long?"
The experience was totally and spiritually uplifting. Standing in the field waiting for the March to begin, shoulder to shoulder with people from all parts of the country, I spoke to a man from Cleveland, Ohio, and another from Georgia. We weren’t cold since we were so close to each other that we kept ourselves warm. Seeing the thousands upon thousands of young people in attendance was especially gratifying.
It was truly an uplifting sight as we reached the top of the hill in front of the Supreme Court building, to look back and see the endless lines of marchers still to reach the top of the hill.
God willing, I will do my best to be there next year.
St. Patrick Pastoral Council
Listening Session
The Pastoral Council of St. Patrick Parish will be holding a Listening Session for interested parishioners. The Pastoral Council uses these periodic Listening Sessions to expand its understanding of the thoughts and concerns of fellow parishioners. (learn more...)
Monday, April 14th
at 7:30 to 8:45 PM in the Emmaus Room
RSVP requested
Scholarships Being Offered
6th Annual Donald J. Burns Scholarship
The family of the late Donald J. Burns, Past Grand Knight of Holy Mother Mary Knights of Columbus Council and Assistant Fire Chief F.D.N.Y. has again granted permission to the council to award four $500 academic scholarships in his name. Mr. Burns was among the fallen heroes of the F.D.N.Y. who gave their lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (learn more...) .
Catholic Daughters of America
Once again, the Cathoic Daughters (Court 1706, Smithtown) are offering a partial scholarship to all 8th Grade students of our parish. Those who are planning to enter Catholic High School in September, 2008 are welcome to apply. (learn more...)
St. Patrick School will hold itsThird Annual
Spring Car Show Fundraiser
Sunday, April 20thfrom 9 AM to 4 PM
A Day of Fun for the Whole Family
"Special Blessing" on all vehicles
Food! - Raffles! - Giveaways!
NASCAR!
Monster Trucks
Moon Bouncer - 24’ Slide for the Kids!
Music & Much Much More!
For information, call John Forlenza at 588-2696.
Defensive Driving Class
A Defensive Driving Course will be held at St. Patrick’s Monday and Wednesday, May 12th and 14th from 7 to 10 PM in St. Patrick School Room 108. Participants must attend both nights to receive credit. The fee is $45. Please remember to bring a pen and your driver’s license. To register or for more information, please call Bill Owens at Safety Education, 845-756-2481.
Monday & Wednesday, May 12th & 14th
at 7 to 10 PM in Room 108
Catholic Daughters Court 1702
Military Bridge & Luncheon
Bring your friends and put together a table of four. For tickets and reservations, call Marge at 265-5895.
Saturday, April 26th
at 12 Noon
in Canning Hall
RSVP April 21st
From the Diocese
Young Adult Office
20s & 30s Pub Night
The Diocese Young Adult office invites those in their 20s and 30s to join us for happy hour on Tuesday, April 15th. Come to Jackie Reilly’s (www.jackiereillys.com) (learn more...)
Faith on Tap
A forum for those, in their 20s & 30s, of straight talk and honest answers to questions of faith and morals. The next session of Faith on Tap will be on Monday, April 28th from 7 to 9 PM at the Wantagh Inn - across from the Wantagh RR Station. The evening’s topic is "Saints for Today." Our guest speaker is Sarah Gallick. (learn more...)
Financial Update
RE: Church Building Loan
On June 7, 2005, St. Patrick Church took a seven-year loan for the amount of $1,500,000.00 to pay to finish construction of the new church and Gymnasium/Youth Center. The fixed interest rate of the loan is 5.97%. A term of the loan is to pay $214,300.00 annually on the principal. For the first 27 months of the loan we have repaid $780,000.00 of principal and have made interest payments totaling $202,731.00. We are currently left with $720,000.00 remaining on the principal.
Remaining pledge payments on the original Capital Campaign Drive to fund the building program total $182,218.00. The debt is also paid down through the proceeds from the Car Raffle (our annual major fundraiser), through financial commitments of our youth organization, and through our quarterly "Reduce the Debt" special collection. An envelope for one of those quarterly collections is in the April envelope package you recently received. Please be as generous as your means will allow. Your continued support is instrumental in attaining our goal, namely, to pay off the debt as soon as possible thereby reducing our debt service interest amount. For those parishioners who have not had the opportunity to contribute to the original Capital Campaign Drive and who would like to make a pledge, please contact the rectory at 265-2271 and ask for Becky. For those of you who still have a balance remaining on your original pledge, please consider paying it off as soon as possible. Thanks for all your help in this important endeavor.
As the stock market keeps going up and down and the price of fuel continues to rise, I thank you for your generosity to the parish. Because of your goodness and concern we are able to maintain our physical plant and continue to offer the services and opportunities that keep us alive and well as the Body of Christ right here in the Smithtown area. Each month we publish a financial report in this bulletin. Some months we end up with some funds left over and other months we are in the red. As a church we are not seeking to make a profit, but to maintain and sustain what we are doing as a parish family for and with one another and for those needs beyond ourselves we can help.
This past Lent we committed ourselves as a parish to contribute to a fund that we are giving to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Wyandanch. That is one of the poorest parishes in the diocese. A number of months ago, they lost two buildings in a fire. One of those buildings was their outreach center where many came seeking help. Through your generosity $15,122 was collected. That is a beautiful example of how we are not only looking to take care of our own needs and concerns, but looking beyond to our brothers and sisters in the church who are suffering. I thank everyone who was able to contribute and all those who have shown concern.
The Easter Collection this year was the best since I have been here as pastor. Through your generosity at this point we have received $82,561. That will go a long way in helping to pay bills and help to reduce our loan from the building of the new church and renovating the old church into a gym.
This weekend we are having a second collection to help reduce our debt further. We had to take a $1.5 million loan in June, 2005 to pay the construction costs of the new church and new gym. Each year we have to pay $214,300 on the principal of that loan. At this point we have $720,000 outstanding. Through your concern and contributions we have been able to pay that amount yearly and even a little more. The more of the principal we can pay off, the less interest we have to pay monthly. Today we will have a second collection for the expressed purpose of reducing our debt. I ask for your continued generosity. Together we have accomplished much and will continue to do so. There is more information about this loan in this bulletin.
This year we will once again have a major fundraiser. The theme we have come up with is Go Green! Perhaps you have seen that blurb in the bulletin. In this year’s raffle, we will offer a 2008 Toyota Prius or $15,000 as the first prize. With the price of gas continuing to climb we decided to offer this car since it is a hybrid and is more economical with gas. The second prize is your choice of a seven-day stay at one of 70 Wyndam Time Share Resorts along with two tickets to any destination that Southwest Airlines flies. One of the families in our parish has generously donated this prize to us. The third prize will be $1,000 Cash for Gas. We have tried to make the raffle attractive. Most of all we need the support of everyone. In addition to your financial support with the raffle, we will also be asking for to help in selling chances after the Masses for the six weekends when the car will be on display outside the front entrance of the church. If everyone can give us few minutes before and after one mass, we can lighten the load for everyone. We have more than 5,700 families on "the books," but are supported financially by only a little more than 2,300 families throughout the year. Each contribution is vital and greatly appreciated. I ask for you generous support and am grateful for whatever you can give from your resources and time. Both are needed.
The raffle will be drawn at our Irish Pub Night on Friday, June 27th. Everyone is invited to the night where the entertainment will be provided by Andy Cooney, a well known Irish entertainer. I have been talking with Andy about the Pub Night and am enthused and hopeful about his plans. Tickets will go on sale sometime in May for this evening.
Thank you for taking the time to look at this brief report of our financial situation and needs. Most of all, thank you for being a life-giving part of our parish family.
Father Walden
The Roman Catholic Community of St. Patrick, Smithtown sees itself as:
- The People of God, The Body of Christ.
- Enlightenment by the Word of God.
- Nourished by the Life of Christ in the Sacraments.
- Supported by our love for and our forgiveness of each other.
- Empowered to bring the love, justice and peace of Christ to our families, our neighbors, our friends, our enemies, the poor and the powerless.
- Called to reach out to the unchurched and the non-practicing members of our community and to assist in the spiritual, intellectual and social growth of all whose lives we touch.
