STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Stewardship Reflection for this Week:

Like St. Paul in the second reading, the good steward can say, "I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel in the hope of having a share in its blessings."

Living Stewardship:

We are grateful this week for all stewards in our parish who use their gifts of healing and forgiveness to help repair relationships in families beset with divorce, death, dysfunction or abuse.

Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents here in our parish community.

Sacrificial Giving Summary for: January 28-29, 2012: $4,068

Kay Aldinger
Maureen Ostermann
Thea Czartosieski
William Penza
Eric Reinhold
Edward Faszczewski
Arthur James Schoedel
Barbara Harrington
William Paul Schupler
Joy Kaelin
Virginia Stanton
Nellie Kavanagh
Mark Stapleton
Barbara McElroy
John VanSorosin
Harvey McMahon
Muriel Villar
Marlene McMah

We will leave names on the sick list for three months. If you would like to have the name renewed, please call the rectory office at 765-3442

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Next Liturgy of the Word for Children February 5th at 10:30 AM

Confirmation Retreat at Our Lady of the Island Shrine—Eastport, Saturday, Feb.11.
We will carpool—more information

Fourth Grade Mass Sunday Feb. 12 at 10:30am.

Youth Mass Sunday Feb. 12 at 7pm.

Ash Wednesday is Feb. 22 — Lent begins—don't forget to come and receive ashes.

Winter Break: Feb. 20-24.— Religious Education resumes Monday, Feb. 27. Have Fun!

ATTENTION ALTAR SERVERS
ALTAR SERVER MEETING AND PARTY

Saturday, February 11 12 noon until 1pm
SERVING INSTRUCTIONS and CHANGES
Please bring your robes (so sizes can be checked)
PIZZA will be served!
Please call Fr. George if you can't make it (765-3442).
Since we will be serving pizza—come hungry!
This is to make up for the canceled meeting of Jan. 21.

FAITH FORMATION

God loves us, God heals us, and God forgives us. It's that simple really. All we have to do is ask. Our second graders and their families came together to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation this past weekend. The children were a bit nervous at first, but the beautiful music and loving welcome and reflection eased everyone's worries and opened us all to a new beginning. After the children received the Sacrament, their parents and families were invited as well. Many took part and what an example this was for our young people.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance or to some more commonly "Confession" is a celebration of the great love God has for us. It strengthens and sustains our relationship with Him and frees us from anything that we let separate us from Him. Notice I said anything we let separate us; God does not want us to be separate from Him. Ask yourself when the last time was that you allowed yourself to receive this great love of God? My guess is for many it may have been some time ago, actually this is the norm for Catholics today. Why is it we are so reluctant to celebrate this sacrament with Him?

The more intimately we know people, the more we know their faults. God knows us very well.

When people love us just as we are they are able to accept our faults while at the same time challenge us to be the best we can be. It's a God moment.

As parents this is something we strive to do for our children every day. We know the importance of helping the children to see God as someone who knows them and loves them intimately and unconditionally. God is not to be feared but to be loved. So why then are we afraid?

God reaches out and embraces us in all our strengths and weaknesses, all our good and bad. He loves us just the way we are. There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more.

I invite you to take a moment and close your eyes and picture yourself next to Jesus.

He reaches out and takes your hand and you feel warm and safe with Him…

Share with Him now whatever is in your heart.

Tell Him about something that is particularly difficult for you right now.

Ask Him to help you to respond to God who knows you so well and loves you so much.

Now if you did this exercise you should feel a sense of reconciliation. How does it feel?

Not so scary is it?

Come celebrate this wonderful sacrament. Take a seat next to the priest. Share with Him whatever is in your heart. Tell him what's troubling you. He will help you to respond to God. He may give you something to think about, something to pray about. Receive the blessing, go in peace.

We celebrate Reconciliation on Saturdays from 3-3:30pm or you can call the rectory for an appointment.
Don't let anything separate you from the love of God.

Pamphlet Rack

We have several new items in the pamphlet rack this month.

First are reflections on the lives of three very different role models for our age: Pope John Paul II, Dorothy Day, and Anne Frank. The leaflets provide not just an outline of their lives, but lessons for us today and how they can bring us hope and inspiration.

"Living Wills, A Simple Guide for You and Your Family" outlines benefits, definitions and procedures for setting up a document that puts us in control of our lives even at the end.

"Living with a Problem You Can't Solve" offers a way of coping with issues you can't resolve, so that they don't become a consuming burden.

FREE ROSARY REPAIR SERVICE

Send broken rosaries in a padded envelope to:
Betty & Dick Holden,
7930 Estero Blvd.#502, Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931 (Nov.-Apr.)
or 7 Crane Place, Simsbury, CT 06070 (May-Oct.).

The rosaries will be repaired and returned within the week of receipt. Donations of old and broken rosaries are also accepted (these will be repaired and sent to the missions).
Include a note indicating repair and return or donation.
(Telephone #FL 239.463.3993; CT 860.658.6330; email: HoldenBnD@comcast.net

PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN:
A special training required by the Diocese of Rockville Centre

The Charter for the Protection of Children mandates attendance at the program. Anyone involved in any Public Ministry in the Church is required to attend. St. Patrick's will be offering this workshop. More information will follow.

Help Wanted

We are making a felt banner for the Consolation Ministry, and are looking for assistance cutting out felt letters from a template.

Can you help? Please call Tippy Case: 765-1658.

A new Birthright of Peconic Office is now open.

Located in the Feather Hill complex at 53345 Main Road in Southold, New York unit 10-2 (PO Box 1857). The phone number there is 631-876-5138. The 24 hour hotline number is 1-800-550-4900. This is an extension of the Birthright International office that is in Hampton Bays.

"It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born."

MAUREEN'S HAVEN

"Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, that you do unto me". One of Jesus' most interesting teachings is that our commitment to Him can be measured by how we treat other people, especially people who have been rejected by society for one reason or another. If we say we love Jesus but can't be bothered to show love to those in need, how genuine can our love for Jesus really be?

St. Patrick's is once again partnering with Southold First Presbyterian Church in providing food and shelter each Wednesday evening from November to March. Through the efforts of volunteers from our community we have served hundreds of homeless people throughout the years. We have served as dishwashers, laundresses, cooks, cleaners and most important, companions to those who are in need of our compassion. Anyone who has ever done any volunteer work knows the pleasure of the act goes both ways.

If you would like to participate in this effort please contact Diane Schroeder at 765-8370 or there are also sign up sheets in the back of the church. In the coming weeks there will be a box in the back of the church to receive your contributions to Maureen's Haven.

We thank all those who have participated in the past, and please continue to pray for the wellbeing of our needy and homeless.

PRAYER FOR ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL

O God, kindly watch over those exposed to the
dangers of military life. Give them such strong
faith that nothing may ever lead them to deny it
or fear to practice it. Fortify them by your grace
against the contagion of bad example, so that,
preserved from vice and serving you faithfully,
they may be ready to meet death if it should come.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, inspire them with
sorrow for sin and grant them pardon. Mary, our
Mother, be with them in battle, and should they
be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice,
obtain for them the grace to
die in the love of your Divine Son.
St. Joseph, pray for them.

Amen

My Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for last weekend(6/6/2010). I have often said that my fifteen years at St. Patrick’s have been the best period of my life. Last weekend you put an exclamation point on that statement. I was surprised and moved by the retirement party you gave me. There was one surprise after another, and I especially appreciated all your kind remarks. It was a fitting close to one period of my life. As I enter retirement, the next phase, I am gratified by the fact that I will continue to live here and serve in this parish.

God Bless You.

Father George

Would you like to simplify your life?

Stop worrying about checks every Sunday and join the many parishioners who have automated their giving using Faith Direct! Enroll online today at www.faithdirect.net. Our church code is: NY95. Don’t have access to the internet? Stop by the parish office and pickup a paper enrollment form today! For more information contact Faith Direct, toll free 866-507-8757.

Parish Stewardship Corner

The Music Ministry
St. Patrick’s Music Ministry works together to give glory to God and enhance the worship life of the congregation. Both instrumental and vocal musicians are invited to share their gifts. Our unique flex-staff system has helped the parish retain a highly qualified team of organists and gives the parish a great deal of depth through the church year. Three regular organists and a strong sub list serve at the Saturday 5pm, Sunday at 8am, 11:30am and the 10am summer masses, as well as weddings and funerals. Cantors aged teen through adult rotate within that mass schedule. The 8am service is a “Choir Mass”. Our Consolation Choir sings at funerals throughout the year. To participate, contact Music Director Mary Agria at 631-765-5667 or email agriainc@msn.com.

Folk Group
The purpose of the Folk Group at St. Patrick Church is to help bring the message of God’s gospels to the hearts and minds of the people of the congregation through songs and hymns of praise/or petition. Music can often touch us where words alone might miss the target.

Though not a choir per se, the “Folk Group”, which usually provides music for the 10:00am Mass, and often the First Eucharist and Confirmation ceremonies, currently has just 4 core members- some of whom have been singing and playing at St. Patrick’s for more than a quarter century. Members of the parish are invited and encouraged to come forward to share their talents in this ministry. To participate contact Alicia Thompson at 631-765-5717 or email way2bz@optonline.net

These two ministries are always looking for New Voices to join.

Consolation Ministry
The ministry of Consolation provides personal contact, warmth and outreach to people when a family member has died. Members of the parish meet with the family and help them plan the funeral liturgy, showing them the many ways they can make the funeral Mass personal and meaningful. The ministry touches people at painful moments in their lives, when they are overwhelmed with tasks and grief, presenting to them an image of church that is caring, concerned and personal. For further information, contact Tippy and Jerry Case at 765-1658 or caseathome@aol.com.

Jr. and Sr. High School Youth Groups
St. Patrick’s Youth Group seeks to build Christian community among the junior high and high school members of our parish. Through social and spiritual events, community outreach projects, and regular monthly meetings, teens are given an opportunity to relate to their peers, bonded in friendship and mutual caring of others, by their shared Catholic faith. The teens are encouraged to lead this ministry themselves, with adults acting as facilitators and guides for their ideas. For more information, please contact Kerry and Bob Scott for High School Youth Group at 765-9550 or scottfamily8@optonline.net or Karen Van Bourgondien for the Jr. Youth Group at 765-2792 or kvbmom@optonline.net.

Welcome Committee
We are so happy when a new individual or family joins our parish and this ministry welcomes members into our St. Patrick’s family. New members are greeted after a Sunday mass by a fellow parishioner, which gives them an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the ministries and activities, offered in our parish. Feel free to contact Amy Comiskey at 765-4930 or amycomis@optonline.net to learn more about this ministry.

Altar Server
An altar server is a student entering 6th grade who serves as an assistant to our clergy during a religious service. Each altar server must complete a training with Father before they are able to serve accompanied by an experienced server. Schedules are prepared on a monthly basis. For more information, contact the rectory at 765-3442.

Lector
The lectors serve the parish in the beginning of the Mass by welcoming our fellow parishioners, reading the scripture during the Liturgy of the Word and by leading the Prayer of the Faithful. Reading from the Word of God is central to the Mass and effectively communicates God’s grace and love to everyone in the church. For more information about serving the church as a Lector, contact the rectory at 765-3442.

Eucharistic Minister
The Eucharistic Minister is a steward who assists the priest during the Liturgy of the Eucharist by administering the bread and wine. Eucharist ministers can also administer home communion to the sick and housebound and to parish members who are in the hospital. Those interested need to complete training through the Diocese of Rockville Centre. For more information, contact the rectory at 765-3442.

NORTH FORK PARISH OUTREACH NEWS!

Our Thrift Shop, on Route 25 in Greenport at the eastern edge of the Drossos Complex, has been located in several different places during the history of our Outreach program. We depend on the generous donations of the people of the North Fork in order to accomplish our mission of caring for our neighbors during troubled tines. This location, on Route 25 in the Drossos Complex, is the ONLY Thrift Shop affiliated with the Catholic Parishes and Parish Outreach on the North Fork. We appreciate more than we can say, your ongoing support.

Thank you!

GUIDELINES REGARDING INFLUENZA

Click Here for Important News!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Dominican Sisters Family Health Service is trying to keep the Greenport Thrift Store open through the winter months. Also, we need volunteers to drive our patients to their medical appointments. Unfortunately, most of our wonder volunteers are headed south for warmer weather. Therefore, we are hoping to find some hearty souls who winter here to assist us by working a three hour shift in the store or by volunteering to drive our patients to local doctors appointments, chemo and radiation treatments, dialysis, ect. The schedule will be at your own convenience. If you are interested, please call Barbara Kujawski at 728-0937.

Dear Parishioners,

We recently introduced a new program at our parish called Faith Direct. I am pleased to report that initial reaction to and enrollment in this program, which enables parishioners to make offertory contributions to St. Patrick Church via automatic payment from checking or credit card accounts, has been positive.

I am hoping that you will consider using Faith Direct for your generous parish support. Your fellow parishioners enrolled in this exciting program have shared with me that this program fits nicely with other forms of automatic payment they are accustomed to, such as mortgage payments, utility bills, and other charitable contributions. Faith Direct also offers peace of mind in knowing that St. Patrick will receive your gifts even if you are unable to attend Mass.

I encourage you to give this program careful consideration for your donations to the Sunday offertory and second collections. Should you choose to enroll, your gifts will begin the month after Faith Direct receives your enrollment. You can enroll by completing the enclosed form and returning it to Faith Direct, or by going online to www.faithdirect.net and using our church code: NY95. With online enrollment, you can log in to Faith Direct's secure website at any time to easily view and make adjustments to your account and gifts. Faith Direct will provide you with a personalized "offertory card" that you may choose to place in the offertory basket as a visible sign of your support; and a detailed statement of your donations at the end of the year for tax purposes.

The financial situation of our parish requires the attention of every registered parishioner. Your generosity gives us the resources we need to operate our parish and minister to our community as together we build God's kingdom on earth. Faith Direct is a wonderful way to provide St. Patrick with the consistent cash flow required to keep our parish running.

I have complete confidence in Faith Direct, and 1 am most pleased with the positive way this program is already helping our Sunday offertory, and our parish staff is excited to have fewer envelopes to deal with each week! As technological advances continue to shape the world in which we live, I am confident that Faith Direct has the state-of-the-art security measures in place to safeguard our information. I pray you will join this program today.

Thank you, and may God's abiding presence be with you and your loved ones.

CEMETERY PRICE CHANGES

Effective July 1, 2008 the cost of purchasing a burial plot in St. Patrick’s Cemetery increased to $1,500 for a single plot and $2,800 for a double plot. Anyone wishing to purchase a burial plot may contact Jim Cowan at the rectory on Friday mornings.

PROFESSIONAL THERAPY AND COUNSELING

Family, marriage, and individual therapies, provided by New York licensed therapist, are available to our parish and 80 other parishes. This program, under the direction of Dr. George Guiliani, has been conducted in the diocese for the past 34 years for the convenience of parishioners. It is provided by the Catholic Counseling Center, a proprietary professional corporation, which is independent of and not controlled or supervised by the parish or diocese. Most insurance policies including Medicare, are honored. For confidential information and appointment, call Dr. Guiliani at the Catholic Counseling Center at (631) 243-2503.

FREE FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED

The C.S.F.P. (Commodity Supplemental Food Program), funded by USDA, NYSDOH, and administered by Catholic Charities is offering free food for 6 to 12 months post-partum women, children from the age of 5 up to their sixth birthday, and seniors age 60 and over who are Income-eligible. The food package includes cheese, milk, starches, cereals, juices, canned fruits, vegetables, fish, meats and more. Income guidelines for seniors are as follows:

Gross Monthly Income For Seniors
SINGLE SENIOR $1,174 or less
COUPLE$1,579 or less

For further information and income guidelines for women and children in Nassau or Suffolk,
please call: (631) 491-4166 or (631) 491-4156

PRAYER / INTENTION BOOK

As some of you already noticed a Prayer/Intention Book has been place in the vestibule of the Church, initiated by the Pastoral Council.

Many times as we walk life’s path, struggles and great needs fall heavily on our shoulders and it is then we need to call on our Faith Family to become a power source of prayer rising like incense to our loving Father. In faith we know, He will be there for us. He will guide and give us the necessary graces to endure and understand as we continue on our journey.

Also there are times we need to express our gratitude for prayers answered and signs given and want many voices to join us in echoing this praise.

Yes, needs and blessings written in the book will be placed on the altar at the Vigil and Sunday Masses and become part of the liturgy during The Prayer of the Faithful. A time when united in one voice we turn all things over to the Father. As our faith tells us, He will be there for us and help us to make the journey from fear to joy.

The book is there for everyone and for our faith community to support you in the power of united, community prayer.

LET CATHOLIC CHARITIES HELP YOU BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN!
(free assistance to those who qualify)

If you have been a Legal Permanent Resident for over five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen) our office can help you with the application and fee waiver. Additional help applies to those who are low income or are over the age of sixty-five. Let us help you become a U.S. citizen and as a result you will be able to vote, obtain a U.S. passport, and petition for immediate relatives! Call our office at (631) 789-5210 and ask to speak to someone about citizenship.

THE LITTLE SHOP OF BLESSINGS:

A Fully Stocked Religious Article Store
Fifth Street, Greenport. Serving the East End of Long Island, for all your religious article needs. Gifts • Religious Themed Greeting Cards • Statues • Medals • Rosary Beads • Bibles Books • CD’s.

Open after ALL St. Agnes Masses and by appointment. Call 477-0048

Whispers in the Loggia

The New American Bible

The Vatican

WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND TOWN?

To find out use the Internet and check out www.mychurchandtown.com  By clicking on this site you will find:
Announcements regarding upcoming events in other parishes in our Diocese Information about other religious organizations and civic organizations

You can use our website at http://www.stpatricksouthold.org/ or this site to check out what is going on here at St. Patrick’s.
If you use either of these sites, please send us an e-mail at saintpat@optonline.net and let us know what you think. Your insight is always welcome.  Please use “website feedback” as your subject line.

INTERNET USERS

There several noteworthy sites on the web that will make donations to various charities simply by you clicking on their site. Three are listed below. Please take a moment to review them. This is a way to donate money without spending a dime!!!

1)www.thebreastcancersite.com - This site will make a donation of free Mammograms to those who cannot afford one for every person who clicks on their button. Only one entry per person per day, but you can visit this site daily.

2)www.thehungersite.com - The Hunger Site was the first "click-to-donate" site on the Web. To date more that 101 million visitors have donated more than 198 million cups of staple food. Only one entry per person per day, but you can visit this site daily.

3)www.freerice.com - FreeRice has two goals: Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free. This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site. Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.

Thank you for visiting our Web Site

Let us know what you think? Is there anything you would like to see included at this site? Do you find the site appealing and/or informative?

After you have viewed the site click on e-mail us and give us your opinion.