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Our Lady
Queen of Martyrs
53 Prospect Road, Centerport, NY 11721
631.757.8184
www.olqmparish.org
December 28, 2014
PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor
Father John D. Gilmartin
jgilmartin@olqmparish.org
Pastor Emeritus
Rev. Msgr. T. Peter Ryan
Thursday, January 1st is a
Holy Day of Obligation.
It is the Feast of Mary, the
Holy Mother of God.
Deacon
John Rieger
jrieger@olqmparish.org
Parish offices will be closed.
Pastoral Associate
Sister Eileen Corcoran
secorcoran@olqmparish.org
631.757.6250
Mass will be celebrated at
9:00 am.
Vigil Mass on Wednesday,
December 31st at 5:00 pm
Children’s Faith Formation
Ninette Euler, Director
ninetteeuler@olqmparish.org
631.757.0720
Parish Social Ministry
Kevin Blum, Director
kblum@olqmparish.org
631.754.9045
Administrator: Mary Martin
mmartin@olqmparish.org
Assistant: Judy Smith
jsmith@olqmparish.org
Youth Minister: Bill Leone
bleone@olqmparish.org
Parish Facilities Director
Alexei Korenevski
Music Coordinator
Deirdre Kupka
CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS
Baptism
Marriage
Second Saturday of each month at 1pm
Contact rectory to make preparations.
Preparation class required.
Anointing of the Sick
1st Saturday of every month at 9am.
Please call the rectory if you are
hospitalized or homebound.
Reconciliation
Saturdays 9:30 -10am and 4 - 4:45pm
Anytime upon request.
Additional information on our website.
Weekend Assistant
Fr. Dowling, Fordham University
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs welcomes persons with disabilities.
Special seating and wheelchair area reserved at all Masses. Hearing devices available.
~Our Lady Queen of Martyrs ~
To the parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs:
On behalf of Perla Elizabeth Quintero Ramirez, we
would like to thank all of you for your generosity and
support that you showed to Perla and her mother,
Perla Maria. My wife, Hazel and I have been involved
with your church for many years now through Project
Nicaragua and we have always loved the atmosphere at
your church and the beauty of the place and the people.
It truly does encompass God and you all are wonderful
examples of His fine work. We would also like to thank
Father John for his part in connecting us with Catholic
Health Services. Once he heard about our niece, Perla,
he asked us to come see him and talk to him about what was going on and what we needed to help her. We
would probably not have stood before the 10 am Mass on December 14, 2014 if it were not for his help, and we
would probably still be looking for help at that point. We thank the President of the Catholic Health Services
of Long Island, Dr. Alan Guerci, and Dr. Kevin Mullins at Good Samaritan Hospital who are assisting us
in trying to find a way to “Help Perla Beat Her Brain Tumor” (as our cause has become known as). From
the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank all of you that donated to Perla’s fund, for all your kind
and supportive words and hugs, Father John for his integral help, Dr. Mullins and Good Samaritan Hospital
through Catholic Health Services and most importantly of all, we would like to thank God for all he is doing
to help his young daughter to have a long and prosperous life.
God bless you all and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!
To follow Perla’s case and get some more information you can visit this site:
RESPITE
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Santa and his elves come to Centerport with gifts
and goodies for the children in our Respite program!
Dear Parishioners,
On behalf of the entire staff of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a New
Year filled with peace and joy.
A Message of Welcome from the Parish
One of the many defining qualities of this parish I have consistently heard since arriving is that OLQM is a
place of welcome and community. The message of “All Are Welcome” is not only on our signs but written
on our hearts. I truly hope that is a message you experience when you come to us. To welcome is essential, to
engage and invite each other to become involved builds and sustains this faith community. We are so grateful
for the many who over the years have made this parish such an important part of their lives and invite all who
come to help build this community for the future.
A Special Message of Welcome from Pope Francis
For me, and I know for many, Pope Francis has given a very clear and “welcoming” message to those who
have not always felt welcomed. I quote from the Tablet (the Brooklyn Diocese Newspaper) “Pope Francis
said that the Catholic Church must consider various ways to integrate the divorced and civilly remarried in the
life of the Church - not merely allowing them to receive Communion, but letting them serve as Eucharistic
Ministers and godparents – and to make it easier for Catholic families to accept their homosexual members”.
It is so evident the message he wants to give is welcome. “Let us open the doors a bit more” recognizing we
are all God’s people.
An Invitation to Deepen your Faith
Our varied and excellent adult education programs in the parish deepen the faith of those who take a step in
faith to become involved. It is wonderful to share the Eucharist with all who gather for mass each day and the
many who gather at the Eucharist on the weekends. We invite you to think about becoming more involved in
one of the parish’s programs offered this year in addition to our Liturgies as an opportunity to come to know
each other in prayer and service more deeply.
A Message from your Pastor
It has been about three and a half years since I arrived at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. I have begun a process
of meeting with individual parishioners and have met with over 60 members of families in the past few weeks.
I want to continue the process and welcome anyone who might want to come and talk to do so. I value your
perspective and want to listen. You are the parish and I am here to serve. If you are pleased with what we are
doing in the parish, I welcome the positive feedback. If there are areas we are not addressing, it is important
for me to know. If you have felt a distance from the church, or from me or any of my staff, perhaps its time to
reconnect. I welcome the opportunity to know you and serve you.
A Thank You
The generosity of this community is inspiring. Your support of the many ministries allows us to serve you.
We are called to reach out, to care for those who have the greatness needs and your support allows us to do
that. Thank you for the Adult Faith Formation programs, our Children’s Faith Formation, our Parish Social
Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Society and our Administration here at the rectory.
A Request
Our needs and programs are expanding and like your own homes the costs continue to increase. If your means
allow you to make small increase in your donations this year, it would make a great difference. Thank you for
all you do and know of the appreciation of all those you help by your generosity and support.
Merry Christmas and God’s blessings in the New Year!
Father John and the Staff of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
~ All Are Welcome ~
We Celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick
Saturday, January 3 at 9:00 am
Each first Saturday of the Month here at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs,
we celebrate the Anointing of the Sick in this most powerful sacrament.
Who is anointed at this sacrament? Anyone who is elderly, anyone who is seriously ill, anyone going
for an operation, anyone who is mentally ill, are among those who are anointed.
In the scriptures, Jesus has many stories of healing and in them Jesus asks, “Do you want to be healed?” Seems like an
obvious question, who would not want this great gift of God. Jesus is saying with this question, your faith has healed
you!! It is the faith and belief of the person and the grace of the sacrament that brings healing.
Jesus is the healer, but the person has to believe in His healing power.
How is the sacrament celebrated?
At the Mass, the readings of the day are read, and following the homily
relating to the sacrament, the priest(s) invites those who wish to receive
to come forward to be anointed. The priest places his hands on the head
of the person, the sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit coming to us, no
words are said. After this most prayerful and solemn ritual, the priest
will go to each of the people again. This time he anoints their forehead
with this prayer.
“Through this Holy anointing may the Lord is His mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.”
He then anoints your hands with the words,
“May the Lord, who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”
To each of these prayers you answer, Amen.
This sacrament promises healing!!
It is not always the healing we want, it is always the healing we need,
and only God knows what we truly need.
Our faith and trust in Him is what He asks of us.
The final prayer is most inspiring and surely written by someone who understands the sacrament and its power.
“Father in heaven, through this holy anointing grant our brothers and sisters comfort in their suffering.
When they are afraid, give them courage, when afflicted, give them patience, when dejected, afford them
hope, and when alone, assure them of the support of your holy people.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Come and celebrate with us this Sacrament of the Sick on Saturday, January 3 at 9:00am.
~ The Giving Season ~
The “Giving Season” continues with support of Faith Formation, Parish Social Ministry,
Youth Ministry and our parishioners. We plan on expanding the “Giving Season”
throughout the year.
Contact Maria Ryan for more information and additional events.
Adopt a Family
THANK YOU!!
to all who supported this amazing
program. Over 40 familes were adopted.
The Giving Tree
A Special Thank You
to all the volunteers and families that
supported the The St. Vincent de Paul
Food Drive this past weekend.
Whether you donated your time as a
volunteer, or filled a bag with items
for the needy, please know that your
participation was much appreciated
We are blessed to have such generous parishioners.
We received over 275 gifts under our
“Giving Tree” for those less fortunate.
The Joy You Give
John Greenleaf Whittie
“Somehow, not only for Christmas
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart’s possessing
Returns to you glad.”
~ christmas mass for children with special needs ~
The monthly Special Needs Mass is always a uniquely spiritual
experience, and December’s Mass was no exception. More than
one hundred people shared in the celebration of Jesus’ impending
birth, through prayer and singing of Christmas carols. Sarah
Biernacki , the sister of one of our special needs friends, served her
first Mass as an altar server. Alex Brygider was our wonderful
Lector, Chris Porzio, joined with the Teen Choir, to lead us
all in song. As usual, Fr. John invited all of the children and
special needs adults to join him around the altar. Jesus, who
welcomed children in His presence, was present to all at this
special celebration of Liturgy.
~Contact Kevin Blum or Maria Ryan at 754-9045~
kblum@olqmparish.org ~ mryan@olqmparish.org
~Special needs respite christmas celebration ~
Our Special Needs Respite program participants enjoyed a Holly, Jolly Christmas gathering on
Saturday, December 20th. In addition to the usual cast of characters, some very special guests
joined the group, making our Christmas celebration extra festive. Members of the Children’s
Choir, led by Elizabeth Rosenthal, gathered around the piano in the Community Room to lead
the group in rousing renditions of Christmas carols. Several parents stayed to watch the singa-long, and were so moved to experience the Special Needs Respite Program in action. One of
the moms shared her reaction, and with tears in her eyes said “This was the magical highlight
of the season for me.”
The Christmas carolers were suddenly distracted by a ruckus outside in the parking lot. All eyes
turned to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, Frosty and several elves arrive in a caravan of
fire trucks from the Centerport Fire Department! Santa and company joined the party inside,
distributing candy canes and Christmas joy to the children. When it was time for Santa to leave,
he invited the Respite program participants and volunteers outside, for a photo op around the
fire truck. What a wonderful surprise!
Back inside, program participants received gifts given out by our own personal Mrs. Claus (Pat
Dolan). One of the moms said she could see the joy and sparkle in the kids’ eyes. Remi Pullo,
one of the youngest participants, was in awe, gazing with wide eyes as Mrs. Claus gave her a toy
puppy dog and carrier.
It was a special day for all who were honored to share the occasion, and experience a living
example of “Jesus is the reason for the Season.”
The Feast
of the
Holy
Family
Scripture Lesson: Luke 2:22-40
Not an Ordinary Child
Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and did what was required by their faith to
thank God for the gift of their child. They could not afford the usual offering of
a lamb, and so they presented a dove instead, to thank God for their son. To
casual observers, Jesus’ birth was not remarkable, and his family was quite
ordinary.
Yet, when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon immediately
recognized that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of the world. And Simeon
wasn’t alone in recognizing the Lord in the temple. Anna was also filled with
the Holy Spirit. Her faith in God’s promises gave her hope. The hope that God
places in our hearts gives us a desire to have a relationship with Jesus.
What can parents do to encourage their children? Teach them to look for Jesus
in the world. Tell them that the Holy Spirit will help us to see the presence of
the Lord in the world if we ask. Teach them to pray often.
Wishing all of our families a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!
The Children’s Faith Formation Staff
~Youth Ministry~
This year our Youth Ministry program has
continued to grow and develop. Not only are more
high school students attending events, but we are
also having more opportunities for teens to get
involved. In addition to our regular meetings that
meet every other week, Youth Ministry has also
been getting involved with the HIHI program.
On Saturday January 31st, we will be working with the group to help make emergency preparedness
kits to distribute to the homeless. We look forward to working with HIHI and assisting them
in their dedicated mission to reach out and support those who are struggling in our community.
On December 5th and 6th, we held our first parish retreat of the year on the theme of discernment,
inspiring teens to think about how God is calling them in their lives. We are looking to have our
next retreat in the spring at Camp Alvernia.
This past Sunday we celebrated our first teen Mass. We hope these Liturgies provide our teens
with more opportunities to be involved in the Mass and to take on ministerial roles within the
parish as Eucharistic ministers, Lectors and altar servers.
It certainly has been a great start to the year for Youth Ministry. It’s been a real joy to work with
so many of our faith-filled kids who are very dedicated to doing God’s work. With the help of so
many, I know our program will continue to grow and live out the mission of our Church.
Bill Leone
Suggestions...Questions....Comments....
Feel free to contact me at bleone@olqmparish.org
Mark your calendars. The next few youth group dates:
Tuesday January 6, 7-8:30 Meeting
Thursday January 22, 7-8:30 Meeting
Saturday January 31st, Service Project - working with HIHI to make and
distribute emergency preparedness kits.
A NEW YEAR’S GIFT
A WOMEN’S RETREAT
“STOP! I WANT TO
BREATHE
GOD’S
CREATION”
A weekend to enjoy the
beauty of God’s creation all
around –
no cell phones, no iPads –
to enjoy God and you.
A weekend to JUST STOP!!
May 15-17, 2015
Cormaria Retreat House
Sag Harbor
Fee: $180 ($50 deposit)
Limited number of participants
To register, please contact:
Cormaria Retreat House
P. O. Box 1993
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Tel: 631-725-4206
Information, please contact
S. Eileen 757-6250 or
secorcoran@olqmparish.org
RITE OF CHRISTIAN
INITIATION FOR ADULTS
What’s it all about?
IF you are an adult AND
…you were never Baptized
…you were Baptized in another
faith and wish to become a
baptized Catholic
…you never received Holy
Communion (Eucharist)
…you never received your
confirmation
IF you are an adult AND one or more of
the circumstances above apply to you…
IF you feel you would like to become a
baptized Catholic or become more fully
initiated into your Catholic faith…
Call S. Eileen Corcoran (631-757-6250) or
e-mail secorcoran@olqmparish.org.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Pope Francis Room
10:00-11:30
th
Date:
January 20
Book:
Sabbath – Rest, Renewal
By:
Date:
Book:
By:
Call:
& Delight in Our Busy Lives
Wayne Muller
February 17th
Annie Freeman’s Fabulous
Traveling funeral
Kris Radish
Mary Ellen Mack
757-3492
~ Bill Ayres: Reflections on the Readings ~
December 28, 2014
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
A reading from the second book of genesis
When “Abram put his faith in the Lord” he became God’s man with a different name, Abraham. His
family, which was childless, finally had children through the power of God. His descendants were as
numerous as the stars. In a sense, they were God’s first Holy family.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF SIRACH (An alternate reading)
This is a prescription for a good family life written from a male point of view only about two hundred
years before Jesus. The striking words now 2200 years later are “take care of your father when he is old,
grieve-him not as long as he lives.” “Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him, revile him not all the days
of his life.” Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are increasingly dire and pervasive illnesses
that destroy lives and often our families. The good news is that more of us are living longer and healthier
lives. The bad news is that this disease attacks otherwise healthy people and turns them into people we
and they no longer know. It is a time of sadness but it can also be a time of a deeper and tested love. It
is a time when families and communities need to come together so they do not fall apart.
The Responsorial Psalm
Our response is “The Lord remembers his covenant forever. This refers to the covenant we just read about. Of course, we have a
new covenant in Jesus Christ who never forgets us even when he may seem far away. His Spirit lives within us.
A reading from the letter to the hebrews
This reading refers to God’s promise to Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his only son, an obvious
reference to the death of Jesus.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (An alternate reading)
Paul is giving the Colossians good advice on how to live as a loving community that applies to us today.
We must live with “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with
one another and forgiving one another. And over all these, put on love that is the bond of perfection.”
Perfectionism can be a disastrous emotional illness. Real perfection is in loving deeply even though
none of us does it perfectly.
REFLECTIONS ON the holy gospel according to luke
Have you ever thought much about Jesus’s childhood and adult life before his ministry? We know very
little but we do know stories related to his birth because they were necessary to indicate his lineage and
his mission from the beginning. Here are a few important clues.
When a woman presented herself to the temple after a birth she was required to bring sacrificial animals
such as a year old lamb and a turtledove or pigeon. Mary only brings the bird, a sign of her poverty.
The first person Mary and Joseph meet is Simeon who has the Holy Spirit in him, blesses the child and
proclaims a prophecy about the role of Jesus in the future of Israel. Then they meet Anna, a holy woman
and a prophetess who spreads the news about this wonder filled child. Simeon and Anna represent the
entire people of Israel, both male and female, that Jesus came to gather together. They and many others
accepted Jesus. Many others did not. That seems to still be true today as many who are born Christians
accept Jesus and many do not.As we begin a New Year, let us reflect on how we have accepted Jesus and
his teaching of universal love and justice and how far we still have to go. Happy New Year!
~ Stewardship ~ A way of life ~
In this season of Advent, we
are continuously preparing
ourselves for the celebration
of Christ’s birth into this
world. Why not help our
own parish prepare for the
coming new year by signing
up with Faith Direct? By supporting Our Lady
Queen of Martyrs through Faith Direct, both
you and our parish can more easily project your
future contributions.
You can sign up online at www.faithdirect.net
using our church code: NY229, or by mailing
a paper enrollment form available in the parish
office.
Already using Faith Direct? Don’t forget to add
your Christmas or End-of-Year contributions
to your account this fall.
Thank you in advance for your support and
for using Faith Direct!
STEWARDSHIP SHARING
Current Previous
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
December 21, 2014 December 22, 2013
Collection $18,188
$17,651
Collection Budget $17,450
$17,020
Envelopes
278
326
Faith Direct
Collection amount does not
include Faith Direct this week
Cumulative To Date
Sunday Collections $ 296,423
$307,158
Budget $ 279,200
$289,340
Thank you for your continued support
Poor Box
last week
$488
CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL
2014
December 28—Holy Family:
Today is the feast of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We hear
the words: The child grew and became
strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor
of God was upon him.” As we remember
the poor during this New Year may we also grow in
wisdom and have the favor of God upon us.
Pleaseremember to support the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul in the coming year, so that together
we can continue to bring comfort and peace to our
brothers and sisters who are suffering.
PARISH GOAL:
$106,200
PLEDGES TO DATE: $138,378
PAID TO DATE: $130,805
NUMBER OF PLEDGES:
297
Thank you for your support
of the 2014
Catholic Ministries Appeal
LIVING GOD’S WORD
The letter to the Colossians urges us to “put on love.”
Does that motivate you to change the way you treat
someone in your parish community or to mend a rift
with a member of your family?
~Praying for and Supporting One Another~
Mass intentions
DATE TIME
OFFERED FOR
12/27 5:00 PM 12/28 8:00 AM
Patricia Siniscalchi
12/30 12:00 PM
Mary Pavlica
12/31 12:00PM
Frank & Carol Sweeney
5:00PM
Walter Banci
1/1 9:00AM
Dr. Benedicta Obodoruka
1/2
No Mass on Fridays
1/3 9:00 AM
Thomas Elkins
5:00 PM Parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
8:00AM
10:00AM
12:00PM
L
Bishop Paul Walsh
10:00 AM Dominick Guglielmo
Frank Parizzi
Joseph Geiss
Ken O’Brien
12:00 PM Parishioners of Our Lady Queen
of Martyrs
12/29 12:00 PM
Timothy Connor
1/4
PRAYER REQUESTS
Loretta Underwood
Kathleen Ridini
Floyd Thompson
Dr. Benedicta Obodoruka
Martin Kelly
Judith Lettow
et us especially
remember those who
have asked for our prayers.
Kay Melia
Baby Ryan Kelly
James Duggan
Brian Clermont
Frank ViccaroLouiseAmmirati
Robert Caputi
Anthony Grimaldi
Laura Oliveri
Glenn Crisafi
Evelyn Darby
Jim Hartnett
Donald Kuntz
Tom Corbett
Colette Rielly
Lina Gallo
Fr. Edward Dowling
Alice Shatzle
Patrick Enright
Mark Borstelman
Matthew Ingrassia Tom Smith
Concetta Daurio
Rita Deluise Alicia Bunyan
Jane Schiano-Wigutow
Karen Larson
Thomas Mulhern
William Clarke
Dolores Reichle
Armand Qualliotine Brenda McCusker Deacon Rodger Miller Neil King
Allison Kerr Franklin LaBarbara
Betty Brennen Nancy Naughton
Maria King
Joseph Finneran Jamie Wrede
Brian Dowling
Alice Gabrielle
Patricia Zvokel
for the peaceful rest of all our beloved
and friends especially
Prayparishioners
Joan Fahey and Officers Rafael
Ramos and Wenjian Liu
Mayusallshare
those who have gone before
the joys of eternal life .
BANNS OF MARRIAGE
Second Announcement:
Kaitlyn Fazio
St. Gerard’s
Damon Pombano
Coram, NY
~ In The Community~
The Huntington Men’s Chorus
needs you and your voice.
SAVE THE DATE....
Trinity Regional School
Open House
Catholic School’s Week
Sunday, January 25, 2015
9am-1pm
Nursery - 8th Grade
Come Visit Us......
Spring concert rehearsals start in January
at Huntington High School.
Wednesdays 7:45-10:00
For more information
Email Claus Dose cddose@optimum.net
Or call (631) 549-5140
huntingtonmenschorus.com/index.html
Dominican Village
“When you’re here, you’re home.”
Dominican Village, a non-profit retirement
community in Amityville, provides both
independent living and assisted living
apartments for senior citizens. Sponsored by
the Sister of St. Dominic, our beautiful 13 acre
campus provides modern apartments, restaurant
style dining, many services and amenities, as
well as activities. Residents live in a supportive
environment in which the sacredness of life and
the dignity of each person are held in the highest
regard.
For more information and /or to arrange for a
visit and tour, please call (631) 842-6091.
January 22, 2015
“The birth of every child changes the world;
let every child be born for a better world.”
-Diocese of Rockville Centre
We are all God’s children, made in his
image and likeness, and that wherever life
was threatened – violence, poverty, hunger,
discrimination, abortion – God’s People
defend it.
Come to Washington, D.C. for the 42nd
Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Join us to
witness to life.
If you need transportation to the March for
Life, please contact the Diocesan Respect Life
Office, Diana Tellis, at 516-678-5800 x 626
or dtellis@drvc.org.