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Statue of St. Patrick in the Church

St. Patrick's R.C. Church

Pre-Cana

Reception halls, dresses, tuxedos, rings, flowers ... all are some of the preparations that go into planning a wedding.  Even more important, however, are preparations that will help couples build a successful marriage.  Giving couples the tools they need to build a better relationship with each other and with God is the job of St. Patrick's Pre-Cana Program.

Two crosses intertwined with two wedding rings

 

St Patrick's of Smithtown

Pre-Cana

(Taken from the 2002

St. Patrick's 50th Anniversary Journal)

 

Pre-Cana

The Pre-Cana Program began at St. Patricks in 1975 when Father Joseph Canning sent Mike and Marge Cortegiano to a Diocesan Pre-Cana Traing Program.  In 1976, the Cortegianos launched the program with the help of St. Patrick's new Pastor, Father John Mott.  The Cortegianos headed the program until 1986, when Gail and Carl Valentino became the coordinators.

In recent years, the Pre-Cana program was revamped under the leadership of four couples - Jim and Donna Nebgen, Dan and Ellen Bartley, Bob and Bev Bieneman, and Helene and Owen Farley.  The biggest change was the incorporation of Foccus (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, and Study) - a survey in which both members of an engaged couple answer questions on a variety of subjects.  The surveys are then entered into a computer.  The results help give an inventory of the relationship.  The survey covers areas such as communication, finances, friendships and spirituality.  Couples are able to see what areas of their relationship are strong and what areas need work.  The survey is completely confidential.  Only the couples theselves see the results.

Today's Pre-Cana consists of 15 married couples who work with the engaged couples.  The program runs three times per year (fall, winter and spring) for six weeks, with 15 to 20 couples participating each season.  The first of the six-weekly meetings is an introductory night.  The couples meet at the church and hear from one of the parish priests.  During the next four weeks, the couples meet in the home of the facilitating couple.  They have discussions and work their way through a workbook entitled, "Decisioin to Love."  The work book covers topics such as communication, family of origin, personalities and pasts, sexuality, children, sprituality, finances, family, and friends.  Couples spend part of the time working one-on-one, and part in group discussions.  The couples meet for a final time at Mass where they are called forward into the sanctuary, have their rings blessed, receive a cross.  The Mass is followed by a party.

In the end, the couples hopefully have a better understanding of their relationship to God and each other and are better prepared for a lifelong journey together.

Continued on next page...

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!

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