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About St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is located in Smithtown, NY, and
serves over 5,000 families in the area. The Parish belongs to the
Diocese of Rockville Center
and is part of the Smithhaven Deanery in the Central Vicariate.
You can visit the web sites of our
neighboring parishes
.
Check here for postings of events in and around our community that may
be of interest to our parishioners. If you know of such an event, please
let us know, so that we can post it.
You are invited to dedicate a Pro-Life Rose
for any intention and aid this vital ministry.
This week’s Pro-Life Rose is dedicated
in loving memory of:
George Hanrahan
CHURCH CODE: NY51
Faith Direct
can offer members of the St. Patrick's famiily an easy and convenient way
to manage their support for the parish.
Sign up now with some of our St. Patrick Youth Summer Programs
and enjoy some summer fun, fellowship and faith!
Camp St. Patrick
Vacation Bible School
Baseball
Basketball
Softball
Kickline
Summer Adventures
and more.....
Playtime with Mommy
If you are a parent or caregiver for a youngster ages 1 1/2 to 3, join us
at Playtime with Mommy
Dads, grandparents, etc. also more than welcome. The program is
held Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 AM and Thursdays from 1-2 PM.
For more information, call the Youth Office at 360-0185.
Are You Considering Catholic Education?
St. Patrick School serves students and their families in
nursery school through eighth grade. The mission of the
school is to provide for the safety, education, and gradual
growth of the whole child; spiritually, intellectually, socially,
emotionally and physically. For more information, call 724-
0285, visit the St. Patrick School web site at
www.sps-smithtown.org
or mark your calendar for the school’s open
house on Sunday, January 27th from 1-3 PM.
We are looking for a coordinator for our Small Christian Communities, a
volunteer position.
There are many other service opportunities in both the church and the greater
community at large. Please
look here to see where you can make a difference.
Imagine being a struggling single parent in need of quality child
care during the summer months.
You might think there is little you can do, but through St. Patrick's
Youth Commjnity, you can help! This summer, you can help
financially disadvantaged families send a child to Camp St. Patrick.
For more information on this project call Cindy Marsh at 724-1261.
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St Patrick's of Smithtown
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
(Taken from the 2002
St. Patrick's 50th Anniversary Journal)
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
For adults and young people who wish to convert to Catholicsm or who
have not received all the Sacraments of Initiation, two programs are
available - the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and RCIA
Adapted for Children. Both programs run in a similar
fashion. For the past four years, Father Frank Parisi and Deacon
John Chott have directed both programs.
Catechumens (the unbaptized) and candidates (non-Catholics or not fully
initiated Catholics) in the adult program meet weekly to study basic
tenets of the faith, including beliefs regarding Jesus, the place of
prayer, the Old and New Testaments, the Sacraments, the Mass, the
Church's story, and Mary and the the Saints. Most weekly meetings
take place in three different home groups and are led by a
catechist. There, catechumens, candidates and RCIA team members
cover a wide range of topics and discuss scripture readings for the
upcoming Sunday Mass. Perhaps more importantly, team members,
catechumens and candidates share life's journey for several months,
truly becoming part of our parish community. Approximately once a
month, all three groups meet at church for instruction. In recent
years, the church meetings have featured "special events,"
such as the celebration of a Mass in which Father Frank pauses to
explain various parts of the Liturgy, and a seder in which the Passover
meal and its relationship to our present day Mass is explained. On
the first Sunday of Advent, team members, catechumens, and candidates
begin attending Mass together, and various Rites are celebrated,
including the Rite of Welcome, the Rite of Election, and the First,
Second, and Third Scrutinies. Full Initiation takes place at the
Easter Vigil.
The children's program is run much the same only the material is
geared for young people. Young people, usually ranging in age from
seven or eight to high school age, meet once a week at church and attend
Mass together. For the past four years, they have been instructed
by Father Frank and Nacy Sanders. Highlights have included a tour
of the rectory, a visit to the convent, and a special celebration of
All Saints Day during which everyone dresses as their favorite
saint. Most of the young people receive their Sacraments at
Pentecost.
The RCIA program is relatively new within the Church. At St.
Patrick's, it began in late 1982 as a part of the work of an
Evangelization team started by Sister Nivard. in 1983, the process
became know as the "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults"
(RCIA) and the Diocese began incorporating it into all parish
communities. In our parish, Sister Nivard continued to lead the
program in its early years. She was followed by the late Deacon
Ray O'Dea. Sister Joy Castiglione, O.P. also directed the program
for many years. Father Frank has guided the program since
1998.nbsp; An average of 15 adults and 15 young people go through the
program each year.
Those who have been through the RCIA process tend to think of it as a
time they always will treasure.
Patty Steinberg went through the RCIA process and received Sacraments in
2001. Three of her four children did the same in the RCIA
Adapted for Children program.
"I enjoyed the weekly meetings and learned a lot about the
Catholic faith," she said. "At the end of the program,
the Easter Vigil was as beautiful as everyone had said. I met many
wonderful people."
"I am continuing to learn this year by being a team member in RCIA
and teaching a third grade religion class. I am sure the learning
will never end, and I am looking forward to that."
Patty is one of many former catechumens and candidates who have joined
the RCIA team.
Ironically, team members seem to "get back" more than they
give to the process. Virginia Schmidt should know better than
anyone. She has served as a team member and catechist for 20
years.
"Every year we meet people who are eager to learn about the
Catholic faith and their enthusiasm is always an inspiration," she
said. "Their ideas and questions help all of us to dig a
little deeper. It's a journey we all make together."
Continued on next page...
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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
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;
....(read
more)
We are only a phone call away. Please call 265-2668,
Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 3
In Celebration of Our Freedom
A Prayer to Mary Immaculate -
Patroness of the United States
Blessed Mother Mary, we turn to you in prayer for all the people
in these United States. We again place ourselves in your
care, in the gentle hands that cradled the Child Jesus. We ask
you to make us more alive in your faith, more generous in your
love, more trusting in your hope.
....(read
more)
As the 6:45 AM Mass will be celebrated during July and August, there
are a number of Mass intentions now available.
Stop by the Rectory to order Masses for your departed loved
ones. Please note that the Mass Book fills quickly.
Friday, Julyth
First Friday of the Month
From the 12:10 PM Mass until 3:30 PM. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
will be recited at 3:00PM. Please join us as we adore our Lord Jesus.
Saturday, July 5th 8:15 AM
Join us in praying the Rosary.
Tuesday, July 1st
7:30 PM in the church.
All are invited to attend!
Married in July?
Please join us at the
Sunday, July 6th,
Noon Mass.
All couples are invited to renew their vows and
recieve a special blessing.
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.
The first weekend of the month, we will have the offering
for the Hungry and homeless. Please look for the Hungry & Homeless
boxes at the church exits and be generous in sharing God’ blessings.
St. Patrick's Something for Seniors
group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month.
Wednesday, July 9th
Wednesday, July 23th
at 1:00 PM
All are welcome!
Are You Considering Catholic Education?
St. Patrick School serves students and their families in
nursery school through eighth grade. The mission of the
school is to provide for the safety, education, and gradual
growth of the whole child; spiritually, intellectually, socially,
emotionally and physically. For more information, call 724-
0285, visit the St. Patrick School web site at
www.sps-smithtown.org
or mark your calendar for the school’s open
house on Sunday, January 27th from 1-3 PM.
Wanted: Used Cell Phones
Do you have an old cell phone at home collecting dust? Your donation
of used cell phones can benefit our community, our environment and our
parish. Just look for our cell phone disposal boxes located at the
church exits. Batteries, chargers and other wireless accessories may also
be donated.
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