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Statue of St. Patrick in the Church
Logo for St. Patrick’s Parish of Smithtown

Smithtown, NY

Sunday, November 1st, 2009
All Saints Day

 Annointing of the Sick

(Top 2 Rows)  Anointing of the Sick The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was celebrated at the 10:30 AM Mass on Sunday, October 25th.  All those whose health is impaired, as well as those caring for sick,were invited to come forward to receive this sacrament of healing.  The proper effects of the sacrament include a special grace of healing and comfort to the Christian who is suffering infirmities of serious illness or old age, and the forgiving of the person’s sins.

 Religious Formation Service Awards

(Third Row)  Three St. Patrick’s parishioners recently received awards for their years of service in Religious Formation.  Pictured are Robert Bienemann, Jr., who received an award for 20 years of service, and Maria Hillman, who received an award for 10 years of service.  Also receiving an award, but unable to attend the award ceremony, was Mary Ann Mogavero, who has served in Religious Formation for 30 years.

 Catholic Daughter’s Chinese Auction

(Bottom Row)  The Catholic Daughters held a Chinese Auction last week to raise money for the many worthwhile causes they support. The evening included raffles, refreshments and many happy winners.

 Notice of Church Closing

Our church will be closed after 1 PM Wednesday, November 4th.  in order to clean the carpets at the entrances.  This will complete the cleaning of the church following the tile installation work.  The church will reopen the following morning for 6:45 AM Mass.

Parish highlights for November 21st, 2009 St. Patrick School News Banner

The latest news from some of our St. Patrick School classrooms

Download and view newsletter here.

St Patrick’s of Smithtown

Welcome to the Parish


 

This Week in the Parish

Fr. Walden

A Message from Msgr. Walden Regarding Changes Due to the Flu Season

Blessed with the gift of faith, we come to mass each week and sometimes every day for our spiritual nourishment and spiritual health.  With the current concern about the flu season coming and the swine flu, we need to be prudent and take steps to make sure we are doing what we can to prevent the spread of germs at our masses and gatherings.  In reflecting on this situation and talking with many people, including our Parish Council, we will make some temporary changes in what we do at mass and in our church until the flu season is over.  We have ordered hand sanitizers for each of the doors in the church which anyone can use who enters or leaves the church.  During this time we will not offer the Precious Blood from the cup, since many mouths touch the cup for the reception of the Blood of Christ.  We will install a hand sanitizer on the wall in back of the altar and all those distributing communion will wash their hands before and after they distribute the Body of Christ in the hosts.  At the sign of peace we encourage you to turn to the people next to you who are not your family and nod with your head and say, “Peace be with you.”  At the end of mass the priests will be at the door and greet you.  If you wish to shake our hands that is fine.  Know that we will wash our hands frequently.  These are temporary measures for good health and concern for one another.  As soon as the flu season is over we will return to our present practices.

Fr. Walden
Father Walden  

sunrise morning prayer cross

An Invitation to
Morning Prayer

Thursdays Mornings
from 10 AM to 11 AM

Sister Eileen extends an invitation to all those who are seeking contemplation, prayer, quiet time and engagement with God to come aside and rest awhile. Please join us on Thursdays from 10 to 11 AM in the convent chapel.

Pray For Our Priests

Annus Sacerdotalis Logo - small

During this Year of the Priest, please remember to keep our priests in your prayers.  The Rockville Centre Apostolate of Prayer for Priests asks that you remember the following priests from our diocese in a special way in your prayers this week:

  • November 1st - Our Holy Father
  • November 2nd - Rev. William T. Slater
    & Rev. William P. Walsh, SJ
  • November 3rd - Rev. Robert G. Kuznik
    & Rev. Zachary Callahan
  • November 4th - Rev. Brian McQuade
    & Rev. Socorro Fernandes, SAC
  • November 5th - Rev. Brian J. Ingram
    & Rev. Joy Varkey, MST
  • November 6th - Rev. Mark P. Rowan
    & Rev. Eric R. Fasano
  • November 7th - Rev. Peter J. Dugandzic
    & Rev. Basil C. Colasito

“Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, declared this Year for the Priest “precisely to encourage priests in this striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends . . .”

- Address of His Holiness announcing Year for Priests

KofC Logo tilted

All are invited to:

The Suffolk County
Knights of Columbus
Memorial Mass and
Installation of Officers

Sunday, November 8th
at 3 PM at St. Patrick’s

Bishop John Dunne will celebrate Mass for Deceased Members of the Knights and new officers will be installed. All are invited to attend this very special liturgy.

Debt Reduction Collection

Debt Chart

During the Weekend
of November 7th & 8th

Next weekend, we will have a special collection that will go toward reducing the debt incurred by the building of our new church and gym.  Please be as generous as your means will allow as we chip away at our debt.

Listening Session St. Patrick Parish

Listening Session

Monday, November 16th
 
7:30 PM
 
in the Emmaus Room

St. Patrick’s will hold a Listening Session on Monday, November 16th at 7:30 PM in the Emmaus Room of St. Patrick School.  All parishioners are welcome to come and convey your thoughts on what our parish is doing right and where we could use improvement.

Catholic Daughters Logo

And the
Winners Are....

The following people were winners of raffle prizes at the recent Catholic Daughter Chinese Auction:

Basket of Cheer - Chad McMullen
Stereo Sound Equipment - Clarissa Minerva
Nativity Set - Mrs. Davoe

A big “thank you” to all who purchased chances and the many who attended the Chinese Auction.  It was a great success.  We are grateful for your support.

Fr. Fred Hill’s
Fr. Fred Hill’s Christmas Dinner Dance

Holiday for Children Dinner Dance

Friday, November 6th
from 7 to 11:30 PM in the Gym

Fr. Fred’s annual fundraiser helps provide Christmas gifts
for needy children and their families in our area.

Buffet Dinner
Open Bar
Dancing

Tickets: $40 per person
(Hurry! Tables of 10 sell out quickly!)

For tickets, call Fr. Fred at the rectory, 265-2271.

Holy Mother Mary Knights of Columbus presents

Deck the Halls &
De-Stress Your Holidays

An Inspirational Talk
presented by
Ron Villano, M.S., LMHC, ASAC

Friday, November 13th
at 7:30 PM
at the Council House
130 Lake Ave. South, Nesconset

Wine, Cheese & Conversation to follow

Ron Villano

Ron Villano is a leading expert in working through change.  As a father who lost his 17-year-old son in a car accident, he always speaks from the heart.  As a licensed psychotherapist and life coach, he counsels others on how to work through difficult times.  As a national speaker and author of The Zing, Ron has appeared before sold-out audiences throughout the country and is currently featured on the new Verizon FiOS1 network.  His funny, captivating and approachable style creates the powerful, life-changing moments you have been looking for.

Learn more about Ron Villano at his website www.ronvillano.com.

Tickets: $10 per person, seating is limited

For tickets or more information,
call Ed Masak at 516-967-3192
or John Vigilante at 631-484-5929

To Support the families being assisted by our Parish Outreach, please bring shelf stable food items, and typical household goods such as cleaning materials, diapers and toiletries (toothpaste, hair care productes, deodorant etc.) to all Holy Mother mary Knights of Columbus events.

Holy Mother Mary Columbiettes are hosting a

Spaghetti Platter

Spaghetti Dinner

on Saturday, November 7th

Join us after the 5 PM Mass at St. Patrick’s
at the Knights of Columbus Hall
130 Lake Avenue South, Nesconset

Tickets: $10 per person
(Limited to 80 people.)
Call Toni Baldi at 724-1381 to reserve your spot.

Gold Pieces

Take Advantage of the High Price of Gold at a Holy Mother Mary Columbiettes Fundraiser

Monday, November 9th
at the Knight of Columbus Hall
130 Lake Avenue South, Nesconset
Following the 7:30 PM Meeting

Bring your old gold jewelry you no longer want
and walk away with cash -
 
10, 14, 18, 22 and 24K and platinum.
 
Call Anna at at 265-7110 if you plan to come.

St. Patrick R.C. Church
280 East Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787

Mass Times

Today's Mass Readings
Weekdays:
6:45am, 9:00am, 12:10pm
Saturday:
9:00am, 5:00pm, 8:00pm
Sunday:
7:30am, 9:00am,
10:30am, 12:00pm
5:00pm
Main Rectory Phone #:
631-265-2271

Parish Social Ministry

St Patrick's Parish Outreach Logo

Social Ministry

What is Parish Outreach

A helping hand when you can’t cope with an emergency; food, financial assistance, housing, employment in crisis situations when resources are available; A smiling visitor when you are shut-in for an extended period; A Caseworker to give you the support needed to walk you through the red tape of Social Services; A ride when you need medical treatment; A Support Group for the Bereaved and Divorced & Separated; Eucharistic Ministers to bring Communion to the Homebound; Ministry of Prayer to pray for your intentions; Ministry of Consolation to support the family at the time of death;  LifeNet to offer support for a crisis pregnancy. We are privileged to serve you. .... (read more)

We are only a phone call away. Please call 265-2668, Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 3

Social Ministry
Rainbows and Spectrum

Today in the United States, there are more than 20 million children living in a single parent family - more than that if you include those children in a step-family.  That is 1 in every 3 in our classrooms!  In time to come many more children will have had to cope with the anguish of losing one of their parents through death, divorce or being born out of wedlock.

Children learn from their hearts upward; thus, if a child hurts emotionally, he/she often has difficulty in school.  In addition, statistics already show that a vast majority of these grieving children are turning to drugs, alcohol and even suicide as a means of coping.

Through the support group, we hope to assist the child in expressing and understanding his/her feelings, feel acceptance for what has happened, and to feel a sense of belonging and love.  Because we are unable to answer their questions or solve their problems, we strive to accomplish this through the channels of peer support, nurturing adults to guide them, and a secure place to share themselves.

St. Patrick Parish Outreach is proud to announce the start of another year of Rainbows and Spectrum (the High School level).  Registration is now taking place.  Call Parish Outreach at 265-2668 for further information.

Mass For The Dead
Stop by the Rectory to order Masses for your departed loved ones.  Please note that the Mass Book fills quickly.
 
Friday, August 7th
First Friday of the Month
We will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 12:10 PM Mass until 3:30 PM in the church.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3:00PM.  Please join us as we adore our Lord Jesus.
 
Saturday, August 7th
8:15 AM

Join us in praying the Rosary.

The First Saturday Devotion was first mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. Eight years later, on December 10, 1925, Mary and the the Child Jesus appeared to Fatima visionary Lucia, again requesting this devotion, saying that “many souls will be saved and there will be peace.”

Detailed information on how to participate in this devotion will be available in the Church.

Happy Anniversary
Married in March?
Please join us at the
Sunday, September 5th,
Noon Mass.
All couples are invited to renew their vows and recieve a special blessing.  We encourage all to participate in this very special tribute.
Rosary Kit

Rosary
Makers

 
Rosary Makers
invite you
to our

Monthly Meeting
 
Friday, September 3rd
7 PM in Room 209.
Join with others making Rosaries and spreading devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  All ages welcome.  For more information please call 981-3022.
Rosary Crusade Mary
Invites all to join them for their
Monthly Meeting.
Monday, September 6th
 
Agenda:
Rosary at 7 PM
Mass at 7:30 PM
Mass will be followed by Novena prayers.

Monthly Meeting

If you interested in being a part of a vibrant group of women who faithfully support the work of the church and help those in need, consider becoming a “Catholic Daughter”.  Feel free to stop by the next Catholic Daughter Meeting:

Monday, September 20th
following the 7:30pm Novena Mass.
Gift From God Baby
Pro-Life Family
Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, July 27th
St. Patrick School
Room 103 at 7:30 PM
St. Patrick's Pro-Life Family invites you to join us for our monthly meeting.  Please come and unite with us as we witness to the sanctity of Life.
Nocturnal Adoration Society

Saturday, September 18th
after the 8 PM Mass.

Join us for a night of prayer in front of the Sacred Sacrament.  The first vigil (hour of prayer) will begin immediately after the 8 PM Saturday night Mass.  Parishioners are encouraged to stay after Mass for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and may pray privately or with the Nocturnal Adoration group.  The first vigil will be from 9 PM to 10 PM.  The vigils will continue throught the night.  The last one will be from 6 AM to 7 AM followed by Benediction and the 7:30 AM Mass.  All are invited to participate.

All singles are invigted to refreshments & conversation
Sunday, September 19th
10:00 AM
(after the 9 AM Mass)
Cost: $2.00
bottle gifts for babies

Don't Forget
Your Bottle Money

The 4th Weekend of the Month

Please recycle your bottle and cans and donate the money to the worthy cause of helping mothers and their babies in need.  Look for the Pink Baby Bottle banks at the church exits.
St. Patrick’s Something for Seniors group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1 PM of every month at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 130 Lake Avenue South in Nesconset.
Wed., Sep. 8th
Wed., Sep. 22nd
at 1:00 PM
All are welcome!
Crafter

Vendors Wanted!

The St. Patrick School Parent Teacher Patnership is sponsoring a

Craft Fair

Friday and Saturday
November 27th & 28th

Vendors are wanted! For information or vendor application,
please call Mary Ellen McCrossen at 631-360-8896.

HELP OUR SCHOOL!

LFE Logo Boxtop Logo

Labels and Boxtops for St. Patrick School

If you use General Mills products or Campbell’s Soup products, what you might normally throw away can be a big help to St. Patrick School.  Each of these companies have a program through which schools can turn in product labels in exchange for school supplies.  St. Patrick School has already purchased numerous items for the school through the programs.  If you would like to help, a box is available in the church lobby where you can place your box tops or labels.  For more information on products  with the Box Top or Campbells labels, go to:

http://www.labelsforeducation.com/participating-products.aspx
or
http://www.boxtops4education.com/

Cambell’s Labels for Education Box Top Labels
Fashion Models
 
St. Patrick School Parent - Teacher Partnership presents

“Fall Into Fashion”

Tuesday November 10th
at the Watermill Caterers in Smithtown

A night of fashion, fun and fine-dining for $50.00 per person.

For information, please call Mary McKee at 724-9031.

* Tickets will be available following the 5 PM Mass on Saturday, November 7th
and the 9 AM, 10:30 AM and 12 Noon Masses on Sunday, November 8th.

Hockey Player
Support parish families who are in need
and watch a great game of deck hockey at the same time.

Coaches Deck Hockey Fundraiser Game

Sunday, November 8th at 12 Noon
on the outdoor sports courts

St. Patrick’s Deck Hockey coaches will compete against each other and raise funds for our Parish Outreach holiday family project. Each family in attendance is asked to donate $5 or a new toy. Raffles for Islander tickets, free deck hockey registrations and gift baskets will also be held. Come and enjoy a fun-filled day!

For more information, call the Youth Office at 360-0185
Coaches wishing to play may register by emailing Mike Davis at stpatsmike@optonline.net

Download the Weekly St. Patrick Youth Community Flyer

Hockey Player
Food Pantry Goods St. Patrick’s Parish Outreach

Help Restock Our Pantry!

Tough economic times have placed a strain on our pantry.  We are in need of many items.  During your next shopping trip, please consider helping those who are in need at this time.  In order to service our recipients with food, we are in dire need of bags. Other items we desperately need include:

Meats
Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Cookies
Crackers
Pancake Mix & Syrup
Pasta & Jarred Sauces
Canned Tuna, Salmon
Tissues*
Toilet Tissue*
Feminine Hygiene Items*
Shampoo*
Diapers (sizes 4,5,or 6)*

( * Please keep in mind that many of these items may not be purchased with food stamps.)

Peanut Butter
Jelly
Juice
Ketchup
Shelf Stable Milk
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Snack Foods

Note: Parish Outreach has a freezer which allows us to accept meats and frozen goods.  Please drop off frozen items between 9 AM and 1 PM, Monday through Friday, so they can be placed in the freezer immediately.

If you have a surplus amount of vegetables, please consider sharing them with the needy.  Please bring your fresh vegetables to the Outreach Office.

Church in Binoculars

You are Invited to

Tour our Church

The parish website has a new section dedicated to our church and all its sacred art and furnishings.  Learn the names of the various parts of the church.  Who is that Saint in the window?  Why does the saint in the corner have a big club? What is in that arched niche behind the lecturns? If you have wondered about these questions instead of focusing on the Homily, these articles are just what you need. 

Start the Tour

Calling all St. Pats Alumni

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

Church Envelopes Tips on Church Envelopes Use
& Faith Direct

In order to ensure an accurate record of your contributions to the parish, please place your donation in your church envelope and write the amount in the space provided.  If Faith Direct you lose or forget your envelope, please place your contribution in one of the temporary envelopes found in the pews (or in any envelope) and write your name, address, envelope number and the amount of your contribution on the outside.  If you do not receive envelopes on a monthly basis, call the rectory and we will be glad to order them for you.  St. Patrick’s also offers parishioners the convenience of contributing through automatic deductions.  For more information about automatic giving, call Faith Direct at 866-507-8757 or visit them on the web at FaithDirect.net.

2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal

2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal

The Hands of Christ-supporting the Community Around Us

Did you know...Next to the Federal Government, the Catholic Church is the leader in providing educational, charitable and social services?  Help continue these much needed services on Long Island with a gift to the Catholic Ministries Appeal.  Thanks to the generosity of 346 of our parish families, $74,914.00 has been pledged to the appeal.  One hundred percent of the dollars raised through the Appeal go to the following ministries: Catholic Charities, Pastoral Outreach, Education, Parishes, and Formation.

2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal Graph

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.


Fr. Walden

From the Pastor's Desk:

This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Day.  We recognize those who have gone before us as fellow believers, as brothers and sisters in the faith, who have been officially proclaimed to be in God’s presence.  Their lives are examples of goodness and perseverance.  Sometimes we think of them as perfect, but they like you and I had their struggles and disappointments.  St. Peter denied Jesus three times.  St. Paul persecuted the early Christians until his conversion.  These men and all the saints are unique in all creation, and so are you and I.

One of the things we do as human beings is compare ourselves to others.  So often that lowers our self esteem and makes us restless.  We can look at ourselves and those who are living the same kind of life we are and put ourselves down because we are not perfect or we do not measure up to what we think we see in others.  In his book “Ruthless Trust” Brennan Manning says, “From infancy we are taught to compare ourselves to others in terms of intelligence, talent, charisma, and physical appearance.  Infants appear in television commercials, beauty pageants are held for six year olds, IQ tests are administered in third grade and Little League (and Soccer) mania rules many a home.  SAT scores, class rankings, and success in the stock market - along with competitions and rivalries in every arena of life - compel us to measure our worth, for better or worse, on a scale that does not exist in the mind of God.  The slightest crack is unacceptable, inducing a deadening sense of inferiority.” Previous to this passage in this particular chapter Manning recounts the story of a water bearer who goes to the river every day to fill two pots and bring them to his master’s house.  He carries the pots on a pole over his shoulders, so there is a pot on each side.  One of the pots is perfect and the other has a crack.  The perfect pot delivers a full pot of water, while the cracked pot arrives only half full.  After two years the cracked pot apologized to the water bearer for his inability to deliver as the perfect pot did.  The water bearer took the cracked pot out to the path they take everyday and showed him the flowers on one side.  Those flowers were planted by him and watered everyday by the cracked pot.  The water bearer thanked the cracked pot because he was able to pick those flowers and decorate the master’s house with them.

While we might not think we measure up to what others in our field and vocation are doing, we must remember we are loved and accepted by God exactly as we are.  In all of creation and all of human history there will never be anyone as unique as we are with our special talents and gifts.  Each of us touches the lives of others like no one else can or does.  The key is to accept who we are and be grateful for the gift of life, and the love we experience and the love we are privileged to impart.  This point came across to me when I was recently with my friend who has had cerebral palsy that has handicapped him physically for all of his life.  When asked if he wanted to attend a mass where the sick would be anointed he said, “No, there is nothing wrong with me.”  How beautiful to be at peace with who we are in life and with the good and difficulties we have to deal with physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.  Everyday my friend is in the company of those we hardly ever see, those who have various physical and mental handicaps.  In that world he brings peace, hope, and joy.  He does not compare himself to others and is not angry about his handicaps.  He simply enjoys what each day brings and takes the initiative to get involved in many different activities.  Once people see past his handicaps they are engaged by a young man full of life and gratitude.

All of us in one way or another are like the cracked pot in the story I mentioned above.  While none of us is perfect, gratitude for the gift of life and the gift of faith brings us peace, hope and security.  These are basic gifts we share with the saints and all people.  Surely we are not better or worse than one another.  In God’s eyes we are all equally loved and cherished for who we are.  It is faith in that love that enables us to water the lives of others with goodness and love even in our imperfection.  Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes in today’s gospel is not a command or path to perfection in this life, but a guide that will sustain us in all that we are and do.  God sees beyond our imperfections and self recrimination to the good that we are and the goodness and love we share with one another.  We do have our cracks like the imperfect pot, but like the pot we also make life fuller and richer for one another and our world a better place because we have passed through it.

Fr. Walden
Father Walden  

St. Patrick's Vision Statement:

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.

© 2010 St. Patrick's Parish
280 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
(631) 265 - 2271