Sunday, March 17, 2013 - Guardian Angel Church

Intentions for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Saturday, March 16, 5 th Sunday of Lent (Vigil)
5:00 pm Anne & Fred Roys
Sunday, march 17, 5 th Sunday of Lent
9:00 am Gerry Lally
12:00 pm Diane M. Persico
Monday, March 18,St. Cyril of Jerusalem
12:00 am Distinio, Juanita & Juan Eduardo Lois
& Josephine Rivera
Tuesday, March 19, St. Joseph
12:00 pm Josephine Persico
Wednesday, March 20, Lenten weekday
12:00 pm Hortense Cottignies
Thursday, March 21, St. Peter Damian
12:00 pm Mary Anna Hanchin
Friday, March 22, Lenten weekday
12:00 pm John James Hanchin
7:00 pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday, March 23, Palm Sunday-
The Passion Of The Lord (Vigil)
5:00 pm William Hullihan (1 st Anniversary)
Sunday, March 24, Palm Sunday-
The Passion Of The Lord
9:00 am Unborn & Their Parents
12:00 pm Kathleen McHugh
MASS INTENTION
Please know that the Mass book is now open for the
calendar year 2013. If you wish to have a Mass said
for a living or departed friend or relative, or to have a
Mass said for a special intention, please approach one
of the priests after Mass or stop by our school office
during school days between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Attendance and Collections
The attendance for March 10 was 207; the collection
was $1,113. Our second collection for the
Restoration Fund was $532. The second collection
next week is for Catholic Relief Services. Thank
you!
Visit to the Sick, Homebound, or Hospitalized
If you or someone you know is sick, homebound, or
hospitalized and would like a visit from a priest for
Confession, Holy Communion, or Anointing of the
Sick, please call the Rectory.
Please Pray for the Sick of Our Parish
Please pray for the sick: Kathryn Betts, Johnathan
Caban, Anne Cahill, Margaret Flynn, Sally Joyce,
Sister Eileen McCabe, Jacqueline O’Grady, Matthew
John Ruiz, Fred Serafini, and Kate Shannon. If you
know of a sick person, please contact the Rectory.
In the midst of our Lenten
observance we celebrate this week
the feast days of two saints: Patrick
and Joseph. Both serve us as
wonderful examples of prayer and
virtue every year but especially as we
continue to commemorate the Year
of Faith. For us in the Archdiocese
Saint Patrick is our patron and appropriately so. For he
represents the fervor of our Catholic ancestors as they
came and settled in this country and gave so much of
themselves to this particular church and community.
Saint Joseph is seen as the patron of the universal church.
As he protected his family so now we call upon him to be
our protector as the Church fulfils her mission.
We have very sketchy details about Saint Patrick. Many
legends surround his life and works. But everything
written and remembered has within itself a certain
continuity which gives us some material upon which we
can meditate. Patrick was part of a family that worked
very hard on a farm in Britain. His family like others was
Christian. He was taught by the successors of those who
first came to this outpost of the Roman Empire with
Augustine of Canterbury. When he entered his teenage
years he was captured by a marauding group of what we
might say were pirates(a rough crowd bearing no
resemblance to Walt’s imagined seafarers). Brought to
Ireland he lived in servitude for at least 8 years. Little is
known of his actual experiences but they must not have
been totally disagreeable for he remained fond of the
Druid population. When he escaped he began seminary
studies and worked in his homeland before (having a
vision?) experiencing a wish to return to the place of his
confinement. As a bishop, knowing the attachment of the
population to nature and its mystical aspects he taught
them the Christian faith utilizing what they formally saw
as part of druidic faith. For example the use of fire to
celebrate Easter and the shamrock to explain the Trinity
of Persons. Patrick teaches us as a true witness of
forgiveness of enemies and as an apostle who takes what
people understand and helps them to go beyond it to the
way, the truth, and the life who is Christ.
Our knowledge of Joseph comes especially through the
Scripture and some long held beliefs derived from
interpretations of the passages which refer to him as well
as some details from extra-scriptural sources. Matthew
tells us that he is part of the lineage of David. As we well
know that in and of itself that is a description which at
times is problematic. For several figures who were
leaders of the people failed in being faithful to the
promise given to their forefathers. In the case of Joseph
that was no such problem. Any failures of the past were
not present in this “good and faithful” servant. Saint Luke
tells us his story along with Matthew. As betrothed to
Mary he desired to secure a good home for her. He
became concerned when it was discovered that she was
pregnant. He was probably very hurt when he heard the
news from others. But the just man did not wish to bring
hurt and embarrassment to this woman he loved. He was
ready to act in a compassionate manner when the angel

appeared to him. Gabriel reassured him with heaven’s
plans and without hesitation he accepted what was said
(not caring about the gossiping neighbors). He brought
her to Bethlehem for the census and then when warned of
Herod’s treachery picked up and moved his family to
safety. As he fulfilled all the obligations of a father
teaching Jesus the tools of the trade and the obligations of
an observant Jew he was called to eternity. Indeed he is
the patron of a happy death for he was surrounded by the
love of Jesus and Mary. Faithfully he maintained his
relationship with God, obeying divine commands, and
always realizing the proper priorities in his actions. He is
a true model for us.
Though we remain true to our penitential practices this
week a little corned beef with Saint Joseph’s bread will
not hurt us in pledging our hope that we will do the same
as these two giants of faith.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21 God says
not to remember the events from long ago,
but to focus on the things he plans to do
next. He also claims he will again help his
chosen people when they need him.
Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14 Paul describes
knowledge of Jesus as more important than knowledge of the
Old Law. He wishes to share in the power of Jesus'
resurrection, and speaks of concentrating on the finish line of
the race with salvation as the prize to be won.
Gospel: John 8:1-11 Jesus preached forgiveness of sin, but in
the old law those accused of adultery were to be stoned. So the
Pharisees tried to trap Jesus and brought a woman accused of
adultery to him, asking him what he would do to her. Jesus
asked that one without sin cast the first stone, and then all of
the elders left. Jesus told the woman that he did not condemn
her, but warned her to avoid such sin in the future.
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Sunday Is 43:16-21; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11
Monday Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
or 13:41c-62; Jn 8:12-20
Tuesday 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22;
Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a
Wednesday Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42
Thursday Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59
Friday Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42
Saturday Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56
Stations of the Cross
Journey with us through the Stations of the
Cross on this Friday of Lent at 7:00 pm.
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Thursday
March 28, 7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday
March 29, 3:00 pm - Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday
March 30, 8:00 pm - Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
March 31, Masses at 9:00 am & 12:00 noon
Our Cardinal’s Appeal 2013 is well underway. They
key is participation. So far, Guardian Angel has 55
gifts! And that is great! Last year, we had over 90 gifts,
and it is hoped that we can equal last year's number
this year. Remember that the Appeal raises money,
once a year, for the charitable works of the
Archdiocese of New York—including aid to the poor,
education, health care, seminary training, a retirement
home for elderly and infirm priests, and numerous
other charities—all of which depend on your
generosity to survive and prosper. Mailings have gone
out, and the parish is responding generously. Please
know that participation is essential for us. Even if you
can only give a dollar, the fact that you have given
something shows the commitment of the people of
Guardian Angel to the Archdiocese and its charities.
Please make 2013 better than ever with a gift, if you
have not done so already. Thanks!
Prayer FOR THE NEW POPE
Guardian Angel Parish joins with Catholics around
the world in prayer and thanksgiving, celebrating the
election of the new Holy Father, Pope Francis.
O God, who in Your
providential design willed
that Your Church be built
upon blessed Peter, whom
You set over the other
apostles, look with favor, we
pray, on Francis, our Pope,
and grant that he, whom You
have made Peter’s successor,
may be for Your people a
visible source and foundation
of unity in faith and of communion. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Church Clean-Up—Thank You!
Our clean-up volunteers met to clean the church on
Saturday, March 16, at 9:30 am. Many thanks! Please
mark your calendars for the upcoming this third
Saturday of the month: April 20. Thanks.
Young Families Group
Many thanks to Mrs. Kimberly Bigelow and the Young
Families Group for sponsoring a breakfast on Sunday,
March 10. Please mark your calendars for the
upcoming event on Sunday, April 14 following the
9:00am Mass in the lower church. All are welcome!
Please RSVP to the rectory at 212-929-5966 or email
at gangelnyc@gmail.com