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Father Ken's Corner

FATHER KEN’S CORNER

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Parish of the Good Shepherd,

After a number of events just in the month of January, I pose the following two questions, “Are We A Christian Nation?” “Are We Even A Civilized Country?” I ask these questions because I have my doubts. I ask these questions in reaction to the recent shootings in California in addition to so many mass shootings around the nation. I ask these questions after seeing the horrible and totally upsetting video of police officers fatally beating a motorist, Trye Nichols, in Memphis, Tennessee.

I ask these questions after reading about the number of gun incidents including two teen deaths and the shooting of a police officer among teenagers a few weeks ago in New York City. I ask these questions as a female employee who was at work at a Home Depot was only saved from being kidnapped through the intervention of a co-worker. I ask these questions after hearing that the school board in Huntington, New York (where I grew up) just voted to spend around three quarters of a million dollars to hire armed guards for seven of the schools in the area after a threat of extreme violence was made by a student.

The world is much changed since I was a boy in the 1960’s. I think that the basic attitude of people in general has much changed even from the beginning of this new century. I think part of this change is our own fault – both religiously and in the secular realm - allowing our youth (and even many adults) too much latitude and freedom without demanding that they equally take up the responsibilities of having and enjoying that liberty. Years ago. I heard the statement that just as there is a Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, there also should be a Statue of Responsibility in San Francisco Bay. There are many factors that have contributed to this decline, but at this moment, we need to seek solutions rather than assign blame. We cannot continue to accept this cycle of constant trauma as something normal; we need to end it.

Last week, we heard the great “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus speaking to the crowds in what we know as The Beatitudes. I wonder how many people are able to remember these great foundations of life and then apply them personally. Blessed are the Meek, Blessed the Peacemakers, Blessed the Merciful. Where are they in our society? As part of that great moment of teaching in chapter 5 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’. But I say, offer the wicked man no resistance. If anyone strikes your right cheek, offer your other as well”. Jesus was a radical in bringing and teaching a higher standard, but Jesus was also a realist. He saw, he experienced that revenge, violence is not the answer.

As radical as that thought might have sounded in Jesus’ time, consider that it is just as radical (and ignored) as a part of Christian teaching today – and just as needed. The “Golden Rule” has become tarnished and irrelevant in too many lives, too many families, too many schools and places of business. Today, in an all too cynical environment, the saying has been twisted to proclaim, “do unto others before they get the chance of doing something onto you.” Unfortunately, retribution, vengeance has become the substitute for justice when a group of people feel – rightly or not – that they’ve been wronged. Judges, civil leaders, election workers (and their families) have been threatened with violence for doing their job.
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You may ask, “So what do you want me to do about it?” I suggest that even if we cannot change the world, we can change our reactions and attitudes. I merely ask that as you go about your day, consider that an act of kindness just might have a calming effect on a person that might be contemplating violence. I ask that in your life as a family, you practice the virtues of The Beatitudes among each other. I ask that you remember that Jesus holds you and me and each person who claims to be his disciple to a higher standard, recalling the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. But you and I, the country and the world – yes, we DO KNOW WHAT WE DO - and we need to remember as a part of Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness our own duty to the words of the prayer he taught us. Our Father...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Words and a command that Jesus gave to help us both in THIS LIFE AND THE AFTERLIFE. 

Mass Intentions

Sunday - February 5
7:00 a.m. People of Good Shepherd   8:30 a.m. Raymond McCarthy    10:00 a.m. Mass Guild Members   12 Noon Baby Deidre Abraldes   5:00 p.m. Joseph Maniaci

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Monday - February 6
​​​​​​​​​9:00 a.m. Anne Montemurro

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Tuesday - February 7
​​​​9:00 a.m. Laura Tuttell

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Wednesday - February 8
​​​​9:00 a.m. Donald Bunora

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Thursday - February 9
9:00 a.m. Lou & Mary Costa

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Friday -  February 10
9:00 a.m. Antonio Faldetta

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Saturday - February 11
​9:00 a.m. Alexis Lamb   5:00 p.m. Elizabeth Reimer

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Mass Guild Members
February 5, 2022

In Memory of:
Michael Frustaci     Hank Krieger ( 20th Anniv.)     Alexis Lamb      Anthony Firriolo      Doris Rispoli      Robert Hawkins      Larry Tanzi

Intentions of:
Dorothy Morlano & Family 
​​

Gifts of Bread and Wine

The Gifts of Bread & Wine are donated this week

In Memory of:
Nancy Tirelli

Donated by:
Loving Friends 

​​​
​If you would like to have your loved one remembered in this
special way, please contact the Main Office at 631-588-7689 

Sanctuary Lamp

The Sanctuary Lamp, which burns near the Tabernacle in our Daily Chapel, is the reminder of the Lord's Presence in the Most Holy Eucharist.

In Loving Memory of:
Marilyn Macconnie
​
Donated by:
Loving Friends at Good Shepehrd
​
If you would like your loved one remembered in this special way, please contact the Main Office at 631-588-7689 ​​
​

 

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Reading and Saints of the Week

Monday

Blessed Mary Angel Truszkowska





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Reading 1
Hebrews 11:32-40
Brothers and sisters:
What more shall I say?
I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
of David and Samuel and the prophets,
who by faith conquered kingdoms,
did what was righteous, obtained the promises;
they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires,
escaped the devouring sword;
out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle,
and turned back foreign invaders.
Women received back their dead through resurrection.
Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance,
in order to obtain a better resurrection.
Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point;
they went about in skins of sheep or goats,
needy, afflicted, tormented.
The world was not worthy of them.
They wandered about in deserts and on mountains,
in caves and in crevices in the earth.

Yet all these, though approved because of their faith,
did not receive what had been promised.
God had foreseen something better for us,
so that without us they should not be made perfect.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24
R. (25) Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, O LORD,
which you have in store for those who fear you,
And which, toward those who take refuge in you,
you show in the sight of the children of men.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men;
You screen them within your abode
from the strife of tongues.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Blessed be the LORD whose wondrous mercy
he has shown me in a fortified city.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Once I said in my anguish,
“I am cut off from your sight”;
Yet you heard the sound of my pleading
when I cried out to you.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
R. Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.
Alleluia
Luke 7:16
R.Alleluia, alleluia
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Mark 5:1-20
Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea,
to the territory of the Gerasenes.
When he got out of the boat,
at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.
The man had been dwelling among the tombs,
and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.
In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains,
but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed,
and no one was strong enough to subdue him.
Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides
he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.
Catching sight of Jesus from a distance,
he ran up and prostrated himself before him,
crying out in a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
I adjure you by God, do not torment me!”
(He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”)
He asked him, “What is your name?”
He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.”
And he pleaded earnestly with him
not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.
And they pleaded with him,
“Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.”
And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine.
The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea,
where they were drowned.
The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town
and throughout the countryside.
And people came out to see what had happened.
As they approached Jesus,
they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion,
sitting there clothed and in his right mind.
And they were seized with fear.
Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened
to the possessed man and to the swine.
Then they began to beg him to leave their district.
As he was getting into the boat,
the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
“Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

Tuesday

Saint John Bosco





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Reading 1
Hebrews 12:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 22:26B-27, 28 AND 30, 31-32
R. (see 27b) They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

Alleluia
Matthew 8:17
R.Alleluia, alleluia
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to him,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Wednesday

Saint Ansgar





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Reading 1
Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15
Brothers and sisters:
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:

My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.

Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as his sons.
For what "son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

Strive for peace with everyone,
and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,
that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,
through which many may become defiled.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 102:1-2, 13-14, 17-18A
R. (see 17) The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Alleluia
John 10:27
R.Alleluia, alleluia
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Thursday

Presentation of the Lord





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Reading 1
Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Lo, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me;
And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.
But who will endure the day of his coming?
And who can stand when he appears?
For he is like the refiner’s fire,
or like the fuller’s lye.
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
will please the LORD,
as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Reading 2
Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.

Alleluia
Luke 2:32
R.Alleluia, alleluia
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
-and you yourself a sword will pierce-
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

OR:Luke 2:22-32
When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

Friday

Saint Blaise



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Reading 1
Hebrews 13:1-8
Let brotherly love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 27:1, 3, 5, 8B-9ABC
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia
Luke SEE 8:15
R.Alleluia, alleluia
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
"John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
That is why mighty powers are at work in him."
Others were saying, "He is Elijah";
still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets."
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
"It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up."

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."
He even swore many things to her,
"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom."

She went out and said to her mother,
"What shall I ask for?"
Her mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist."
The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,
"I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist."
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Saturday

Saint Joseph of Leonissa





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Reading 1
Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Brothers and sisters:
Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.

Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Alleluia
John 10:27
R.Alleluia, alleluia
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

Sunday

Saint Agatha





Listen to Sunday's Reading

Click here to view/hide daily readings

Reading 1
Isaiah 58:7-10
Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

Alleluia
John 8:12
R.Alleluia, alleluia
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
R.Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."

Online Resources

 

Formed - April Saints

Messiah
Discover the One the Prophets Foretold!
Messiah is an exploration of the messianic prophecies of the Bible and how they were fulfilled by Jesus – both during his earthly life, and after it.
Hosted by acclaimed actor Leonardo Defilippis and filmed at nearly 30 locations in the US, Holy Land, and Rome, Messiah’s eight episodes take viewers on an unforgettable journey from ancient Egypt, to the Mount of Sacrifice, to the fall of pagan Rome.
Watch>> 

The Passion of Saint Perpetua
Join Mike Aquilina, Vice-President of the Saint Paul Biblical Theology Center and well-known author of more than a dozen books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion, as well as co-host of EWTN's "Swear to God" – as he recounts the history and message of this timeless true story and its relevance for us today.

Containing footage taken at the actual sites where the story took place in Carthage, Tunisia, this documentary will inform as well as inspire.
​l.Watch>>

In the Footsteps of Saint Patrick
A special two-film set celebrating Saint Patrick, produced in Ireland. In the Footsteps of St. Patrick is an inspiring docu-drama and spiritual adventure that recreates Patrick's pilgrim journey through Ireland, using letters written by him, as well as Monastic records from the 10th Century. Once a slave of the Irish people, after his escape he discerned the call of God to return to them as a priest and evangelize the Irish with the Catholic faith. Follow that amazing journey to the many places of Patrick's adventure through Ireland.
Watch>>

To sign up on Formed, click here.

 

Faith Formation

 

No matter where you are in your journey with Jesus Christ, this TV show is for you! Here at Good Shepherd, starting this Lent we are offering to show Season one of The Chosen for families to experience together. The program will start Thursday February 23rd at 6:30 PM.

Imagine if you could see the life of Jesus through the eyes of the people that walked on Earth with him – the disciples, Mary his mother, the Pharisees, the children, and those he healed. What would that look like? Now you can experience it!

The Chosen is the first-ever-multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. Created outside of
the Hollywood system, The Chosen allows us to see Him through the eyes of those who knew Jesus.

The Chosen stays faithful to the Gospels and at the same time tells us a story that is in between the lines of scripture. This T.V. series brings to life those people that are mentioned in the Bible, using the historical context of life at the time of Jesus.

We at Good Shepherd believe that as you encounter the characters each week for the next eight weeks, you will build a new curiosity about the life of Jesus and those that followed him when he walked the earth.
​
You may have already watched The Chosen on your own. But we promise you, the way you will experience it with fellow parishioners and your families, and with guidance from others who have insights into the program, you will gain a new perspective of the Story of Jesus in the Scriptures. You can sign up to view the series with us starting on February 11th and 12th. 

 

Ash Wednesday

We begin the Holy Season of Lent on Wednesday, February 22nd. These 40 days are a time for all of us to be on a Lenten journey to Holy Week and Easter.

Ash Wednesday Masses will be held at 9am & 12 Noon.

There will be prayer services at 3pm, 4:30pm, 6pm & 7:30pm

All are welcome to bring in any “old” palm to be burned for Ash Wednesday. There will be a basket in the Narthex. Thank you!

 

 

“Today's world puts so many barriers between people. And the results of these barriers is exclusion, rejection.
This is dangerous, if you reject someone. There are barriers between states, between social groups,
but also between people. And often even the phone you keep looking at becomes a barrier that isolates you in a world you have at your fingertips. How beautiful it is instead to look people in the eye, to listen to their story, to
welcome their identity; to create, thorough friendship, bridges with brothers and sisters of different traditions, ethnic groups and religions. Only by doing this will we build, with God's help, a future of peace.”
What is Pope Francis saying to your heart on your journey this week? 

 

Our office is reaching out to you or anyone you know in our area that is in need of assistance for food, temporary financial help, counseling, advice or referrals, or is sick, homebound, lonely, and hurting.  If in need of our services, please call our office at 585-4544. All information taken is treated privately and confidentially except where disclosure is made at your request or with your permission.

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Senior Group

Happy birthday this month to Nancy G. 2/2, Dolores D. 2/7, Kathleen A. 2/7, Millie G. 2/16 and Joan S. 2/19. We wish them all a wonderful day.

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Friendship Garden

Friendship Garden is a place where women come to share love and laughter. We meet each Thursday morning after the 9:00 am mass in Fellowship Hall.

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Food Pantry

If you need assistance with the food pantry, please call the outreach office at 631-585-4544.

 

Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang

The Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang whose mission is to serve those in need and provide an oppor- tunity for others to serve will be meeting on February 11, 2023 at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. At our first meeting, held on 1/7/23, with the help of many volunteers, we were able to donate 630 sandwiches & 75 wash-up kits to Lighthouse Mission in Bellport. THANK YOU!

WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS. We need jars of creamy peanut butter (Jif brand spreads very easily!) and jars of jelly. We need sandwich size ZipLoc Bags, sample size soap, sample size shampoo and wash cloths for our wash-up kits. These items can be dropped off in the library of the church; please label them- “For PB&J Gang.” If you are able to, when you come to volunteer, please bring any of the above mentioned supplies and/or 1 loaf of white or whole wheat bread. We meet from 8:30-9:30 and if needed, 1 hour of community service will be given to those who attend. Our sandwiches and wash-up kits will be brought to Lighthouse Mission located at 1543 Montauk Hwy, Bellport, NY 11713. Please help us help those in need and welcome us back by supporting us with your time and needed supplies.

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2022 Missionary Cooperative Appeal

Dear Parishioners,

I am Fr. Darsi Don Bosco, Diocese of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.

I represent an initiative in our diocese called Talithacumi Unanti. Our website is www.tcuindia.com I would like to request you to help and support this cause against against human trafficking and promotion of girl education. In our region all the catholic schools are shut down by the present government and as a result Catholic girls do not have proper facilities for education.

Many girls from our region are taken to the Middle East to work as domestic workers. About 5,500 women belonging to Dalit (formerly untouchables) are taken to countries like Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia. They have no education or skill. They are exploited emotionally, physically and do not enjoy any human rights. They get to go home only once in five years. Recently one woman wanted to visit her family and she was not allowed to visit and care for her sick children.

Upon persistent asking, they brutally cut her hand. Such is the way Indian women are treated in the Middle East.

The following is some additional information:
Five ways our girls are bearing the brunt of gender inequality .
1. School/college closures: Recently Christian schools in our region in India are closed. Having schools/colleges closed increases the vulnerability of marginalized girls. This eventually caused termination of their studies. Parents force them into early marriage.
2. Domestic violence: Spending time indoors have been increasing instances of domestic violence. They have no idea where to turn to for help. Gender based violence is an issue of big concern. Dalit girls are the common victims of such domestic violence.
3. Frontline care workers: In order to support the family during the pandemic, some of our girls have taken up job as workers in the health and social sector. They enter another layer of discrimination and helplessness.
4. Migrant domestic helpers: Girls working as domestic helpers growing increasingly anxious about not only their precarious work status, but also the risk of exploitation.
5. Longer term economic impact: The families of these girls are employed in in informal sectors. The coronavirus has meant that they do not receive any income. With no social security, taking care of sick people in the family or paying house rents becomes extremely difficult. The girls suffer the biggest impact.

It is essential to ensure that the voices of these girls are heard and recognized.
Kindly support this initiative of Talitha cumi.
We request $365 for one girl in a year ($1 a day)
Looking eagerly for your much awaited help and sure support.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at frdonbosco@gmail.com
Please visit our website www.tcuindia.com
Sincerely yours, Fr. Bosco Darsi 

 

At the Movies With Donna

Black Panther – Wakanda Forever
In this sequel to the 2018 “Black Panther”, the people of Wakanda try desperately to protect their nation following the death of their beloved King T’Challa. Staying true to the same strengths of the original film, this sequel delivers a thrilling adventure, action packed scenes, interesting characters; not to men- tion the same quality of writing, directing, and top notch performances. All this while paying a beautiful and moving tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. Kudos to director and co-writer, Ryan Coogler, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the production design, costume, make-up, and special effects teams- it takes a village to put together a film of such magnitude. With a stellar cast including Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Dominique Thorne and Winston Duke. It seems apropos to once again call out...”Wakanda Forever”. 

The Chosen 3
 It is estimated that over 100 million people worldwide have watched Seasons 1 and 2 of “The Chosen”, either on television or streaming. Finally, episodes 1 and 2 of Season 3 are now on the big screen. I purchased my ticket a week before and when I went to see the movie, it was moved to a larger theater because of the increase in ticket sales. Not bad for a “faith-based” movie. The story continues with Matthew and his relationship with his moth- er and father, the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus preparing to send out the disciples in pairs of two. Well directed by Dallas Jenkins and co-written with Tyler Thompson and Ryan Swanson, with a terrific cast including Jonathan Roumie, Shahar Isaac, Paras Patel, and Elizabeth Tabish. Looking forward to continually watch the next episodes of this well-crafted production on the big screen. 

Devotion 
Based on the true story of the first Black Navy Aviator, Jesse Brown, and his friendship with wingman/ fellow fighter pilot, Tom Hudner. A movie about bigotry, sacrifice, true friendship and a brotherhood that knows no boundary. Directed by J.D. Dillard, with a screenplay by Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart. Ensemble cast led by Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell. 

The Fabelmans 
The story of a young boy who falls in love with the movies. Directed and written by Steven Spielberg, this is a semi-auto biographical tale based on Spielberg’s childhood. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the story of a famous director, or a story of a young boy’s search to fulfill his dreams, or the story of a family who love each other and try desperately to be happy – it is an emotional and sentimental story and will touch everyone in a different way. And for those of you who truly enjoy the art of filmmaking, you, too, will enjoy this movie immensely. It’s in- teresting how the camera sometimes can see the truth that the naked eye could never accept. As usual, Spielberg is masterful in his writing and directing. Great cinematography by Janusz Kaminski. With a talented cast led by Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogen. But, perhaps it is the scene stealing brief performance by Judd Hirsh, which stands out the most. After such an illustrious career, to play this role at this time in Hirsch’s life, is just incredible. And he is extraordinary (an Oscar worthy performance). I highly recommend you add this one to your list.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery 
Detective Benoit Blanc is once again invited to solve a murder mystery. Only this time, he is invited to a billionaire’s murder mystery party on his private Greek Island. Nicely directed and written by Rian Johnson, with the terrific Daniel Craig reprising his role as Blanc, and an ensemble cast including Ed- ward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom, Jr., Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista. Not at the same level as the 2019 “Knives Out”, but if you enjoy a murder mystery, then this one is for you.

 

Community News

We Welcome

​
We welcome to our faith community those Children to be Baptized in 
​
February 2023
Camden Ryan Robinson
Andrew Michael Brown
Mario Anthony Gallo 

We Remember

May the good Lord bless all the faithful departed. May their souls rest in peace. 

Carol Springman
Ana Suarez
Nancy Tirelli
Christine Pope 

Pray for the Sick

Pray for our Military