Dear Parishioners,
I wanted everyone to be aware of a new initiative of the Diocese and Catholic Health. The new FIAT Pregnancy Support Program at Catholic Health, in partnership with the Diocese of Rockville Centre, has established a dedicated help line to assist callers to choose life when facing a pregnancy with unexpected or difficult circumstances. The Help Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days of the year to any woman regardless of age, religion, immigration status or ability to pay. The FIAT phone number is:
631-476-LOVE (5683)
I would like everyone to be aware of this resource and be able to help young women in need. We need to let women know they are not alone; there is help and support!
We are also in the midst of “First Holy Communion” season. Over 175 young boys and girls will be receiving Jesus for the first time over the next 6 weeks. Please keep our First Holy Communion candidates in your prayers during this time. Pray that these children will open their hearts to the grace of Eucharist and that their parents will be faithful in bringing their children to church for Mass on Sunday to receive the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion.
As we pray for our children, the theme of Holy Communion is one that we should reflect upon ourselves. We call Sunday the “day of the Lord” because it was on Sunday that Jesus rose from the dead. In addition, Sunday is also called the “day of the Church” because in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration, the Christian community finds her reason for its existence; at the Sunday Eucharist, the Christian community grows and matures and helps us to become the saints that God created us to be.
For those of us who are of a certain age, we remember the “Blue Laws;” these laws still exist in many parts of the country. The “Blue Laws” enshrined that Sunday was a day of rest, so no stores were open. No organized sports were played either. Sunday was a day of prayer/worship, family and rest. Now, Sundays are busier than other days of the week! Thus, it is harder to get Mass on Sunday. But it is not impossible!
Our faithfully going to mass on Sunday is our way of saying “thank you” to God who sent his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to become one of us. Jesus loved us so much that He willingly died on the cross for us. When we come to Mass on Sunday, it is our way of saying “thank you” to God for all the wonderful things He has done for us. Let us never forget to thank the Lord for dying on the Cross for us.
The early Christian martyrs proclaimed before their deaths under the Emperor Diocletian: “Without Sunday, we cannot live.” I hope and pray that we all will have that same fervor regarding the reception of the Eucharist, Holy Communion.
Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God. In Christ,
PS: Don’t forget our Baby Bottle Campaign; the bottles are due this weekend. I hope we all support the Life Center in the great work they do for the unborn!