September 12, 2010 Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 559 PELHAM MANOR RD, PELHAM MANOR, NY 10803 Parish Office (914) 738-1449 ▪ Fax (914) 738-9454 Email . olph10803@msn.com - www.olph-pelhammanor.org Rev. Robert J. DeJulio, Pastor Rev. Abraham Vettiyolil, mcbs Parochial Vicars Rev. Oliver Offor Weekend Associates Rev. Edward T. Dowling, S.J., Rev. Gabriel Gonzalez, S.J., Rev. Michael Greco, OFM, Cap. Mr. Joseph McQuade Deacons Mr. Daniel Murphy Mrs. Jeanette Jackino Parish Trustees Mr. John Hanson Mrs. Fabiola Brito Briseno, Administrative Assistant Dr. Joseph Schippa, Music Director- Mrs. Elaine Ruggiero, Organist Mr. Gabriel Gomez, Buildings and Grounds Parish School Pre-K – 8th grade www.olphpelham.com ▪ (914) 738-5158 Mrs. Susan Cotronei, Principal Religious Education Office (914) 738-0670 Mr. Michael Hall, Director Confessions Saturday . 4:00 - 4:45pm & by appointment Baptisms 2nd & 4th Sunday of the Month at 1:30pm. Please call Parish Office to make arrangements. Marriages There is a six month planning period required. Please make an appointment with one of the priests for further information. Devotions to Our Lady Rosary . Monday - Saturday . 8:40am Miraculous Medal Novena - Monday . 9:30am MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening 5:00pm ▪ Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00am & 12:30pm Weekdays (Mon-Sat) 8:00 & 9:00am ▪ Holydays as announced Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dear Fellow Parishioners: In observance of Recovery Sunday I have been asked to share my story with you. The process of overcoming an addiction is loaded with contradictions. You have to admit you’re strong enough to recover, even as you embrace your worst fears and weaknesses. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible—as I discovered more than a decade ago. My dependence on alcohol and nicotine was swept away, literally, by a hurricane. In Sept. 1999, Hurricane Floyd paralyzed New York City. Thousands of children were dismissed from school, and Mayor Giuliani even sent city employees home early. Stores and restaurants closed in anticipation of a massive strike of deadly weather. I left work early, too. But I didn’t head home. I went straight to my favorite bar. Even though the rest of the city was shuttered, I was happy to see the neon liquor light beckoning me to come inside. When I opened the door, I entered what could have been a Hurricane Party. The bar was packed, every table occupied. The air—before the smoking ban in bars went into effect— was thick with cigarette smoke. I squeezed into the last open seat at the end of the bar, and smiled as the bartender handed me a chilled vodka without even asking me for my order. I took a few sips. Feeling the slight sting of the alcohol against my lips, I pressed a cigarette between them. Lighting the match, I leaned forward. The flame illuminated my face in the mirror behind the bar. As my eyes scanned the crowd, I thought about the hurricane, the closings, and the potential danger from the storm. I found myself thinking, "Look at these losers. A hurricane is coming. They should be rushing home and instead they’re hanging out in a bar." It took a minute for me to realize the same observation applied to the man making it…me. With a sudden and sincere clarity, I saw myself for what I’d become: a reckless loser. The realization hit, and before I could shrug it off, I found myself dropping the lit cigarette into the glass of vodka. At that moment, I made not a promise but a strong statement. "I'll never do this again." September 12, 2010 I left the bar and took the train home to be with my family. The hurricane blew into the ocean, causing less damage than expected. But the storm was a lifesaver for me. I never have smoked or drank alcohol since that night more than a decade ago. I have never regretted by tensions, and you should expect to accept them. Even though I never once criticized anyone or announced my new found sobriety, my old drinking friends became uncomfortable when I started ordering only club soda. In time, new people, places and activities took the place of those habitual visits to bars. But it takes time to adjust to your new life. Most people who go through recovery struggle with more than cravings. They face significant obstacles—real and imagined, conscious and subconscious—that can sabotage even the most sincere intentions. One of the worst things you can do is to become skeptical about your own success. Skepticism can destroy your belief in your recovery. Rather than doubt your ability to recover, accept that it’s natural to have occasional urges for the substance you’re giving up. Accept it, and use it as a chance to develop your relationship with God. Though I never attended an AA meeting, I took comfort in the third step of the 12-step program, which involves putting yourself in God’s hands. Several times a day, I found myself saying the Lord's Prayer with an emphasis on "They Will Be Done" – and, ultimately, it was. I never spent hours face down in a gutter or made any trips to rehab. I managed to keep my job, support my family and function in spite of my addiction. But I hate to think of how badly my life would have deteriorated during the past years if I had used my functioning status as an excuse to continue what I know was unhealthy and unproductive. Fortunately, my downward spiral had a happy ending. It was reversed by a hurricane that never really was, with help from God, who always will be. Anonymous 461-OLPH Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 12, 2010 Monday, September 13 8:00 AM - Sudano Family 9:00 AM - Ralph Vanacore Second Time Catherine Anne Schwarz and Kenneth Sapeta Tuesday, September 14 8:00 AM - Margaret Cannon Smith 9:00 AM - Michael O’Connor SCHOOL MASS The students of OLPH will attend the 9:00 am Mass on September 17th for the beginning of the new school year. All are welcome to attend. Wednesday, September 15 8:00 AM - George & Mary Archambault 9:00 AM - Michael O’Sullivan Golf Raffle Win a round of golf and lunch for 3 players at the famous Winged Foot Country Club. $20.00 per chance; 3 for $50.00; 7 for $100.00. Contact the school office @ 738-5158 or church office @738-1449 for information and tickets. Thursday, September 16 8:00 AM - Chuck McCartney 9:00 AM - Douglas McCallion Friday, September 17 8:00 AM - Deborah Morgan 9:00 AM - Michael & John Hughes ADULT CLASSES Classes will begin in October for adults who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation or Communion and for adults who would like to become Catholics. Please contact the church office at 738-1449. Saturday, September 18 8:00 AM - Catherine Florio 9:00 AM - Donald Lemish BLOOD DRIVE The annual Blood Drive for Sound Shore Hospital will take place in the OLPH cafeteria on Sunday, September 19th from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Please consider making a donation. 2009 2010 Last week Collection $7,640 $7,634 “Thank you for your generous support. LET US SHOPPING MAKE A DIFFERENCE OLPH School participates in Bonus Bucks through Stop and Shop. All you need to do is register your card and each shopping trip you make earns cash for the school. To register on line go to www.stopandshop.com/aplus or call 1-877-275-2758. Our school ID is 077712. 2010-2011 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM BEGINS Sunday, Sept. 12th grades K-8 9:15 am to 10:45 am Monday, Sept. 13th grades 1-8 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm Tuesday, Sept. 14th grades 1-8 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm Thursday, Sept. 16th grades 1-8 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm We need volunteer teachers for the following days and grades: Sunday: Grade 7 Tuesday: Grade 5 Thursday: Grade 7, Please contact the Religious Education Director @ 738-0670 if you are available. BOILER FUND REPORT Week 12 we have received $109,905 in donations. If you have not as yet donated please do so as soon as possible. Thank you. 461-OLPH Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 12, 2010 O.L.P.H. 6th Annual Golf Outing Bonnie Briar Country Club Tuesday, September 21 st , 2010 (1PM Shotgun) Contribution of $275/player or $1,100/4-some includes: 18 Holes of Golf Golf Cart BBQ Lunch on course Full Dinner after golf Continental Breakfast on Terrace Live Auction includes golf at Winged Foot!! Prizes & Raffles Closest to the Pin Long Drive Open Bar List Golfer’s Name(s): Dinner only $75.00 (bring a non-golfing friend) Sponsor A Hole! Your $150.00 Contribution Includes: A professionally made sign with your name on one hole Mention of your name at the Dinner Award Ceremony Inclusion of your name in our Golf Brochure given to every player Attach your business card or write below how you would like your name to appear Make check payable to: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mail to: Tom Ralph, 337 Ninth Ave., Pelham, NY 10803 461-OLPH