St Patrick's of Smithtown
Welcome to the Parish
This year, the winner of the Car Raffle (our parish’s major fundraiser for the year) will take home a fuel-efficient hybrid car:
The 2008 Toyota Prius!
(or $15,000 cash)
Raffle tickets will go on sale after Masses on the weekend of May 17th & 18th. Second prize is a seven-day stay at any Wyndam Time Share Resort and two Southwest Airlines tickets. Third prize will be $1,000 Cash for Gas.
Watch the bulletin for more details!
Or check back here!
Mother’s
Day
Novena
May 11th, 2008
A Novena of Masses will be offered for all mothers, living and deceased, beginning on Mother’s Day, May 11th. All names returned will be placed on the altar during the Novena. There are extra Mother’s Day envelopes available at the door of the church.
Catholic Daughter’s
FLOWER SALE
Perfect for Mother’s Day
Saturday & Sunday
May 10th & 11th
After All Masses
A Mother’s Day Celebration
Reaching Out to a Single Mom
Single moms are a courageous group. They have made the decision to give birth and raise their children, against all odds. They struggle with jobs, childcare, etc. Yet, they give the world everything - life, love and hope. They treasure their children and realize that motherhood is at time, a grueling grace - an unimaginable miracle, but a miracle nonetheless.
The volunteers of LifeNet have been fortunate to work with such courageous young women and invite our parish family to join together to celebrate this miracle. This weekend (May 3rd and 4th), a LifeNet volunteer will be available after all Masses in the lobby to accept Mother’s Day donations of gift certificates, i.e. beauty salon, restaurant, mall, etc. for these special moms. Cash donations would also be greatly appreciated. Please join in this celebration to send a clear message that we, as a community of faith, are ready to stand by single moms both before and after the birth of their child.
Thank you!
LifeNet is a parish-based program sponsored by St. Patrick Parish Outreach, established to assist and support women and their families in crisis pregnancies.
St. Patrick School
would like to thank all
who particpated in supporting our
Third Annual Spring Car Show Fundraiser
Please view the complete list of excellent sponsors and participants who deserve our thanks and support.
St. Patrick Photo Gallery Updated
The parish photo album has been updated with pictures from life in our Parish during this past Advent and Christmas pictures from life in our Parish during this Lent and Easter seasons. It includes photo albums dedicated to the services and ceremonies celebrated in the Parish; events at St. Patrick School, events at our Faith Formation program; other youth and sports events; Pro-Life events, the St. Patrick’s Day Dance and more.
There is so much happening in our parish that it is difficult to
cronicle it all.
If anyone in the parish has any good photos of parish and/or community
related events or people that you would like to see included in this
photo gallery, please send them to us along with related information on
the time, place, people and events. You can drop them off at the
rectory or email them to:
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.
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...)
IN GRATITUDE
We are grateful to all who gave so generously
to our church in our time of need.
The fire was devastating to all who worship and work here.
With God’s help, we will rise from the ashes
as we continue in our commitment to help the poor in Wyandanch.
Fr. Bill Brisotti, Pastor
The Staff at Gerald Ryan Outreach
and
The Staff and Parishioners of
OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL PARISH
Neighborhood Events and Service Opportunities
There are many events and activities in the Smithtown area outside of the parish. There are also many needs that present us opportunities to be of service to the community. Please take the time to occasionally check either the parish bulletin or this website for either events and activities of interes or for ways help those around you. Also, if you know of an approriate event or need in the area, please contact the rectory.
Currently, the Suffolk County Board of Electors is looking for Election Inspectors.
Reflections on Pope Benedict XVI’s Visit to the United States
Pope Benedict XVI clearly made an impact on our country with his visit last week. Here are reflections from two from our parish who attended events during the Holy Father’s six-day sojourn.
From Liz and Paul Napoli
St. Patrick’s parishioner, Liz Napoli, who attended the Mass at Yankee Stadium with her husband, Paul, reflects on the Pope’s visit.
The week that we learned we had "won" two tickets in the lottery, to being in Pope Benedict’s presence, was a remarkable journey of faith and love. The excitement escalated from "let’s not tell anyone," in the beginning (lest someone feel offended), to "let’s share the joy," as the days grew near.... (read more)
From Seminarian John Ryan
Remember the Y2K scare of 1999? It now seems so far away and trivial. And right after it there was great hope and anticipation for the new millennium, where we would enter into a new era of great scientific discoveries and technological advancements that would open up new horizons and reshape the destiny of humankind.... (read more)
From Parishoner John McGowan
April 20th 2008 is a day I will long remember and cherish. Being at Yankee Stadium and watching and listening to Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI was a moving and loving experience. I was able to clearly see him as he celebrated the Mass... (read more)
Tomorrow’s
Hope
Special Collection
Bishop Murphy approved a second collection to be taken up to benefit Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation and our Catholic elementary schools. This weekend you will have the opportunity to contribute in a second collection. Half the money will go to our parish school and half to the Elementary Foundation so that tuition assistance can be offered to families in need desiring a Catholic elementary education for their children. This year, Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation gave more than $1.7 million in tuition assistance. To fulfill all the needs requested, $2.5 million would have been needed. Many of you or those you know have been educated in Catholic schools. We need your financial and prayerful support so we can continue this great ministry in our Church.
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
Something for Seniors
is of to
Belmont Raceway
Price of $60 per person includes bus, lunch & clubhouse.
Trip is open to all parishioners.
Call Joanna at 439-0551 for details.
It will be here before you know it. Sign up now with some of our St. Patrick Youth Summer Programs and enjoy some summer fun, fellowship and faith!
visit the St. Patrick Youth website
www.stpatsyouth.com
or call 631-360-0185
One of the concerns we all have is fitting in or being accepted. We like to be thought well of by others and at the same time to be faithful to who we are. In particular we want to be faithful to who we are as followers of Jesus and members of his family in the Catholic Church. Last weekend I celebrated Mass on Sunday afternoon for a group of handicapped people who were concluding a four day retreat that is held every year at Camp Alvernia for them called Handicapped Encounter Christ. Each of the people on retreat has two people assigned to care for them for those four days. What a spirit of joy and happiness I walked into when I got to the camp. At the end of the Mass the retreatants were given a cross to wear around their necks. Each time a name was called everyone applauded. They were so happy to be recognized and to be given a simple cross. Just to look at them physically is to see the cross. Their handicaps are crosses. But what is truly inspiring to see is how they applaud, affirm and accept one another and look far beyond their handicaps to see the goodness and love in each other and to share that goodness and love with one another. They are not bitter, angry or upset, but truly happy to be alive and in the presence of one another. We can see in these very humble, beautiful people what it means to be “church.” How good it would be for us in our personal, local, national and worldwide lives if we had their attitudes.
In today’s gospel Jesus prays at the Last Supper for his disciples as he is preparing to leave them bodily. He assures them of his love and prays that the glory of God that is seen in Him will be seen in them. We too are included in that prayer. We are the followers of Jesus in the world today. Like Jesus and his disciples we are not always accepted for who we are and what we believe in. But when we live what we believe, when we speak and witness to the truth with love, God’s glory is seen in us. God’s glory is the power of his goodness, love and truth.In a book that I am using at this time for spiritual reading and reflection (Christ in a Grain of Sand by Neil Vaney, SM), the author uses these four thoughts as the basis of the book:
- I must accept I am only a creature, not God.
- Yet I have been freely invited by God to be his friend and co-creator of the world.
- I confess that at times I have tried to act like God or at other times deny my godliness.
- When I genuinely desire freedom and know that God wants me to have this gift, then God will give me the strength and show me the path to attain it.
Humility is a virtue. There is a great difference between being humiliated and being a humble person. To be humble is not to be a pushover or a door mat for everyone. Jesus was humble and was far from a pushover or a door mat. Even as the Son of God he prayed to do the will of the Father. He knew his strength for goodness and love were grounded in his unity with the Father. In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus said, “The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.” It is an act of humility to put our own will and self aside. The way of the world is the way of self concern, self sufficiency, and self glorification. Jesus prays his diciples will persevere in virtue. A healthy self image is very important for us to live well. To humbly allow God to dwell in us as Jesus allowed the Father to live in him enables us to experience the most healthy self image possible. We see and experience the powerful love of God in all we say, do and think. We don’t feel weak or powerless, but know the joy and peace that only the presence of God can bring. The handicapped people who I was privileged to celebrate Mass with along with all those who were there with them and for them, all have a very healthy self image. They know their strength lies in their goodness and love for one another. They are lights for all whose lives they touch, bringing light out of darkness and hope where heavy burdens are carried in life. Jesus prays we will be that light and hope also.
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.
