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.
R C I A ?
- Are you a baptized Catholic who was never confirmed?
- Are you someone baptized in another faith, but interested in becoming Catholic?
- Are you someone who was never baptized?
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a process for individuals who desire to complete their sacraments or who would like to enter into the the Catholic Church. Over the years, St. Patrick’s has welcomed Baptists, Lutherans, Jews, Methodists and Muslims into the Church, through this program. Those who complete their sacraments and those entering the Church have one thing in common, they are touched by the Holy Spirit. The program starts in September and ends at the Easter Vigil. Are you or is someone you know interested in entering into the Church? If so, please call Fr. Patrick or Becky at the Rectory at 631-265-2271.
Calling all
St. Patrick School Alumni
St. Patrick’s School has been preparing children to maximize their potential and to lead a life firmly anchored in their belief and trust in Christ for about 40 years. As we think back on those years, one thought keeps coming to mind, We miss you! St. Patrick’s would love to be able to inform you of the latest happenings at the school and special alumni events.
If you were a student of St. Patrick’s please consider sending us your contact information (Name, Address, Phone & Email). Or if you have a family member or friend who attended the school, please let them know that we are "Calling All Alumni".
Please drop off or mail your contact information to the rectory. You can also call at 631-265-2271 or email stpatrick@stpatricksmithtown.org
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...) .
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.
Tickets go on sale this weekend for St. Patrick’sIrish Pub Night!
Friday, June 27that 7:30 PM
St. Patrick’s gym/auditorium
Tickets: $50 per person
(This event is sure to sell out quickly!
Buy your tickets early!)
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Irish Heritage on our first
Irish Pub Night
featuring recording artist & entertainer
Andy Cooney!
Enjoy great food and fellowship as well as the talents of gifted musician, songwriter, vocalist and entertainer, Andy Cooney. Dubbed by The New York Times as " Irish America’s favorite son," Andy is making his mark not only with Irish music, but also on the country music scene. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Andy Cooney, right here at St. Patrick’s!
The winner will receive a 2008 Toyota Prius (Hybrid)
or $15,000 cash
Corned Beed & Cabbage
Roast Beef & Mashed Potatoes
Chicken Dish
Garden Salad
Dessert
Coffee & Tea
Open Bar
Join us in saying thank you toSister Patricia Ann Kenney
Friday, June 6that the 9 AM Mass
After 49 years of teaching first grade, 34 of them here at St. Patrick’s Sr. Patricia Ann Kenney will retire at the end of the school year in response to God’s call. She will leave behind many enduring memories: The saint speeches by her first- grade students in celebration of All Saints Day, the spelling tests for St. Patrick’s Day (Can you spell shillelagh and leprechaun?), and the many, many Bible stories geared for young minds (as well as a few Irish stories). Her impact on her young students is a testimony to the power of a Catholic school education. Sr. Patricia has been a Sister of St. Joseph for 52 years. Her teaching career began at Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park where she taught for ten years. She then taught for five years at Sacred Heart in North Merrick before coming to St. Patrick’s. If you or one of your children was fortunate enough to have Sr. Patricia in first grade, or if her presence in our school and parish has impacted you in any way, come and show your appreciation!
St. Patrick’sSays a Fond Farewell to
Seminarian John Ryan
Sunday, June 1stat the 10:30 AM Mass
Reception to follow
in Canning Hall
It has truly been a pleasure to have Seminarian John Ryan in our parish for his pastoral year. He has touched many lives in his work in St. Catherine’s Hospital, RCIA, Religious Formation, Adult Education Class, Baptism Class, the Legion of Mary, conducting wake services, delivering Tuesday morning homilies, and his presence at many, many Masses. Join us in saying thank to John as he moves on in his priestly formation:
Don’t Miss our Special
After Confirmation Celebration
Friday, May 30th
from 7 to 9 PM
Meet in the Youth Office
Join us for a fun and exciting evening
with our Youth Community!
Music - Games - Activities
Come and Bring a Friend!!!!!Please RSVP to Religious Formation at 724-7454
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Benefits Night
Holy Mother Mary Knights of Columbus will hold an open house for all parish families on Friday, May 30th at 7 PM at the Council Hall, 130 Lake Ave., Nesconset (just north of RTE. 347). The evening will include door prizes, coffee and refreshments. Come and learn in a fun and interactive way about all the Fraternal Benefits the Knights have to offer to Catholic families. For more information, call Tom Keane at 882-7755 or Eric Izzo at 734-2850.
Saturday & Sunday
May 31st & June 1st
Sisters & Brothers who have been involved in educational, healthcare and social ministry in the Diocese of Rockville Centre need your help. Stipends earned by young members of religious communities of Sisters and Brothers no longer provide enough income to support elderly members of their communities. The number of elderly Religious in assisted living or nursing facilities continues to rise, and, as we all know, healthcare costs also continue to soar. Please come prepared on the weekend of May 31st & June 1st to assist the elderly Religious with a once a year gift, as generous as your means will allow. These gifts will be distributed among the 30 religious communities that serve our Diocese. Contribution envelopes are included in your monthly envelope packet or are available in the back of the church. On behalf of the Religious who serve in our parishes and hospitals, thank you for your generosity.
Something for Seniors
is off to
Belmont Raceway
Wednesday, June 11th
Meet in St. Patrick’s Parking Lot at 10AMPrice of $60 per person
Trip is open to all parishioners.
Call Joanna at 439-0551 for details.
Something for Seniors
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 631-724-1261
It was a great privilege to be part of the Memorial Day Parade here in Smithtown and to march through town with the Knights of Columbus from Holy Mother Mary Council. Each year they organize this parade and it is a great service to our community. As I marched with the Knights it was amazing and refreshing to see so many people waving flags, displaying their joy in being an American. Most of us received that privilege and blessing simply by being born here. Of course to be a good American citizen we have the responsibility of being concerned about what is happening in our nation. Some have shown that concern by serving in the Armed Services. How good it was to ask God’s blessing on our veterans last weekend at all of our Masses. Others serve our nation and community in political offices. They are elected by us to serve the good of all. To be a true American means far more than just sitting back and criticizing. It involves rolling up our sleeves and sharing our time, talents and energy for the good of our community and nation. Following the parade hundreds of people came back to our soccer fields for an afternoon of food, games and one another’s company. The desire to offer a pastime for the children of our community has formed a community.
In today’s gospel Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” What Jesus is saying is that we have to be his followers in more than name only. For most of us this choice was made for us by our parents when we were baptized as infants. That commitment was reaffirmed by us personally when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Each time we pray, come to Mass, and encounter God in the other sacraments and one another we renew and enliven who we are as the followers of Jesus. We don’t go around waving a flag, but we do wear symbols our of faith such as medals of saints and crucifixes. These are merely external signs of an internal reality. The real signs of our faith are how we act, speak and think in all the events and experiences of our everyday lives. Do I do “the will of my Father in heaven” at home with my family, at work with my fellow workers, in the gatherings where I am present, at the supermarket, on the highway driving? The list goes on and on. But the question remains, “Am I what I say I am as a Catholic follower of Jesus?”
In past weeks I have written about our responsibility to vote for candidates that are truly good for our nation. Even more, are they in line with God’s plan for our world and all people? We don’t impose God’s will on others. We live his will out with the love and Spirit of Jesus. Otherwise our actions, words and attitudes are not life giving for ourselves or others. Our responsibility as Americans is superseded by our responsibility as the followers of Jesus. But if we are true to who we say we are as Catholic Christians, then our nation will be better off and richer for our presence as concerned citizens. So often polls in the media try to determine what should be done. Truth is not something we vote on, but a gift from God that we seek to live as Jesus did. It is not always easy or acceptable to others to live what we believe. The challenge is to not allow ourselves to compromise who we are, but to be beacons of light, love, hope and truth. The truth is not always popular, but to deny it is to make our lives and our world far less than God created them to be.
In the first reading Moses tells the Jewish people as they are about to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the desert to take God’s words and commands into their hearts and minds. To do so is a blessing. Failure to do so will result in a curse. A curse is not bad luck or a black cloud over our heads, but the presence of evil causing tension, anxiety and animosity. Jesus came that we might have life to the full. No one or no “thing” in our world can bring us that life, only Jesus. Our words, “Lord, Lord” are seen by the way we pray, worship and treat one another. We know whether they come from an empty heart merely going through the motions or from a heart that is filled with love for God and gratitude for his love and mercy in Jesus.
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.
