SUNDAY, February 23 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings:    Lv 19:1‐2, 17‐18 1 Cor 3:16‐23 Mt 5:38‐48  

8:00 A.M. Francis Gullotti

9:30 A.M. Charles & Alphonsa Serroville

11:00 A.M. For the People of St. Francis of Assisi

12:30 P.M. Paola Maria Falco

Mario Gaspari & Nettie Salerno

Rosa Benedetto

MONDAY, February 24 ‐ Weekday Readings:  Jas 3:13‐18 Mk 9:14‐29   

7:00 A.M. McHale Family

9:00 A.M. Anthony DiBenedetto

TUESDAY, February 25 ‐ Weekday Readings: Jas 4:1‐10 Mk 9:30‐37 

7:00 A.M. Gloria DaCorta

9:00 A.M. Giovanna Soru

WEDNESDAY, February 26 ‐ Weekday Readings: Jas 4:13‐17 Mk 9:38‐40 

7:00 A.M.

9:00 A.M. Colomba & Genoveffa Vitelli

THURSDAY, February 27 ‐ Weekday Readings:   Jas 5:1‐6 Mk 9:41‐50 

7:00 A.M.

9:00 A.M. John Gafa

FRIDAY,  February 28 ‐ Weekday

Readings:  Jas 5:9‐12 Mk 10:1‐12

7:00 A.M.

9:00 A.M. Jorge Eduardo Castillo Zanatta

SATURDAY, March 1 ‐ Weekday

Readings:  Jas 5:13‐20 Mk 10:13‐16

9:00 A.M. Purgatorial Society

Ann Locorriere

Ricardo Navarro

Steve DaCorta

Peregrina Barreiro

5:00 P.M For the People of St. Francis of Assisi

SUNDAY, March 2 ‐ Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings: Is 49:14‐15 1 Cor 4:1‐5 Mt 6:24‐34

8:00 A.M. Anne Campanella

9:30 A.M. Vito & Ottavia Silletti

11:00 A.M. Joe Carbone & Guido Console

12:30 P.M. Giuseppina Calogero Tola

Rosa Benedetto

Agostino Marino

Antonia Giuauemani 

MASSES FOR THE WEEK 

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

My Dear Parishioners,

Today’s Scripture readings contain a message that we may find disconcerting. It is disconcert-ing not because we are unable to understand it, but rather, because it seems so contrary to our human nature. It is also in opposition to what society tells us is the way we are to treat others. Jesus tells us that we are to love our enemies. And who is this enemy? Maybe it is the person who cut you off in traffic, or the co-worker who got the promotion that you were in line to get. Is it realistic to even imagine that we can love our enemy? Our reading from the Book of Leviticus re-minds us that God commands us to aspire to holi-ness. God tells us to Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy. You may ask what does being holy have to do with loving our enemies. The answer is that it has everything to do with it. To be holy is to set aside our selfish desires, and to make loving God and serving him the top priorities in our lives. It means to strive to learn from Him to be gracious and merciful, slow to anger and most loving (Ps. 86:15). If we take on these attributes we are likely to learn to love all people, including our enemies. Today’s passage from Leviticus spells out for us that to be holy means that we do not hate, that we correct sinful behavior, that we take no re-venge, that we hold no grudge and that we love our neighbor as ourselves. These things were not easy for the Israelites, and they will be challenges for each of us, as well. The greatest example of loving our enemy is that of Jesus, who taught us by word and example. From the Cross, He was able to offer his prayer of forgiveness for his per-secutors. Let us remember the words of Jesus from today’s Gospel, So be perfect, just as your heav-enly Father is perfect. God will give us the grace to do this when we open our hearts to him.

God Bless, Msgr. Maresca

On Monday, February 24, we welcome back to

school our students, faculty, and staff.

We hope that everyone had an enjoyable week.

On Wednesday, February 26, our

eighth grade students will have their Confirmation Retreat here at SFA.

On Friday, February 28, we will be

offering our Pasta Lunch to the students at lunchtime.

There will be NO Religious  Instruction Classes 

Sunday, February 23, 2014 The next class is Sunday, 

March 2, 2014 

Registration for Religious Education is never closed

You can still register your child in any grade from  

Kindergarten on up to 7th grade by calling the Religious Edu‐cation Office Monday through Thursday  

(718‐278‐0259), email dre@sfaschool.org) or speaking to Richard Pipchinski, the DRE. 

 If you have a child beginning first grade in public school, it is time to register for Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines require two years of instructions prior to the reception of a Sacrament. If your child is already in the first grade and 

missed this year, call the Office of Religious Education to set up an appointment to discuss the options. 

Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. 

                                                           Matthew 5:44 

The following students have achieved Honor Roll status at St.

Francis Preparatory School:

Stephanie Ann Biscaglia Lucas Carlos Pavlounis

 Remember in your prayers all those in our parish who are sick, that they may find health and comfort:  

James Nunez, Vincent Wytak,  Carol Ross, Rolondo Larrondo,  

Jeffrey Hyans,  Josephine Costanza, Jessica St. Preux, Al Ciani, Alesha Moses, Elizabeth Quartuccia, 

Stephanie Stetz,  Anthony Criscuolo, Kathleen Newton, Samantha Fabrizi,  Nancy McCaffrey, 

Christopher Wojtalik, Marie Guerriero,  Theresa Pacheco,  William Goss, John Ross, Terri Kornalewski,  

Antonio Ciancio, Luke Pacheco.  

Also remember in your prayers all the  deceased of the Parish especially;  

Josephine Ferreiro, Ida Devito, Ann Locorriere, Concetta Saraceni, Amelia Soto, Thomas Governali. 

  Please remember to continue to pray for  vocations to the priesthood, religious life,  

Memorials for week of February 23, 2014

ALTAR CANDLES Are dedicated to 

 Paul Eiaw                                                                                                            

 Requested by 

Dee Family 

St. Francis of  Assisi  

Parishioners   Tax contribution  statements will  be available 

upon request.  If you would like to receive a statement, please call the rectory office with your name and envelope 

number and one will be mailed to you.  

Next weekend there will be a second collection

for fuel to keep us warm during the winter

months. As always, please be as generous as

your means allow. Thank you FOCUS: God calls his people to forgiveness and mercy, which may often seem like foolishness

in this world.

In his life among us, and especially in his passion and death, Christ presents to us a

radically different vision of life than the one the world calls us to embrace. But His Resurrection

calls us to a life marked by forgiveness and mercy.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Finances

Thank you for your weekly contributions which pays our bills.

Your sacrifice and generosity is much appreciated.

 

 The Collection/Donation for the weekend:              February 15/16            $  4279.58          Replenish Reserves         $    917.00                                        

 Just a reminder to our envelope users to 

please mark the amount on the outside of 

the envelope.  It is a great help to our count‐

ers.  Also, if you are not using the envelope 

system and would like to please call the  

rectory.  

 

School parents are strongly encouraged to 

use the envelopes. 

PLEASE REMEMBER To silence or shut off all cell phones during mass. Thank You!

Please Consider Remembering St. Francis of Assisi Parish

in your Will.

      

The Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary  celebration will take place on Saturday, April 26th, 2014. All couples celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th and 50th and above anniversary are invited to attend with their families.  If you are interested  PLEASE CALL

SUSAN AT THE RECTORY BY Wednesday, APRIL 16TH to register

718-728-7801

Thank You 

 

1st Time:      Gina Annunziata,  St. Francis of Assisi,  

Astoria, N.Y.  and  

Thomas Hoffman St. Rose of Lima  Brooklyn, N.Y.          

Baptisms

      

We welcome those who were baptized during the month of

February, 2014.

Rihanna Nagawa Atherton Vincent Stephen Allocca Anthony Joseph Allocca

THIS WEEK NEXT WEEK

  February 23 - March 1

Sunday, February 23 No CCD Classes  1:30 P.M. Baptisms ‐ Church 

Monday, February 24 1:00 P.M. Golden Age ‐ MCH 2:30‐4:00 P.M. Daisies ‐ MMC 2:50‐3:50 P.M. Children’s Choir ‐ Church 7:00 P.M. Adult Choir ‐ Church  

Tuesday, February 25 6:30 P.M. AA ‐ R/B 7:00‐9:00 P.M. Holy Name Executive Mtg ‐ Rectory 

Wednesday, February 26 6:00‐7:00 P.M. Volleyball Clinic ‐ MCH  

Thursday, February 27 4:00‐5:30 P.M. Legion of Mary ‐ R/B 7:00 P.M. I.A.C.A. ‐ R/B 7:30 P.M. Scripture Study ‐ RER 

Friday, February 28 2:30‐6:00 P.M. Girl Scouts  ‐ MMC 

First Saturday, March 1 11:00 A.M.  First Penance ‐ Church 1:00‐3:00 P.M. Parish Youth Group ‐ R/B 

2nd Collection Fuel 9:30 A.M. Children’s Liturgy ‐ MCH 10:40‐12 Noon Faith Formation ‐ School 10:40‐12 Noon Confirmation Class  ‐ School 10:45‐11:45 A.M. RCIA ‐ School 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Our Parish Calendar will be published weekly. Please submit changes or updates to

chsecy@sfaschool.org Thank you for keeping our Parish up to date!

March 2 - March 8

Sunday, March 2      

Monday, March 3 1:00 P.M. Golden Age ‐ MCH 2:30‐4:00 P.M. Daisies ‐ MMC 2:50‐3:50 P.M. Children’s Choir ‐ Church 7:00 P.M. Adult Choir ‐ Church 

Tuesday, March 4 6:30 P.M. AA ‐ R/B 7:30 P.M. Confirmation Rehearsal  ‐ Church  

Wednesday, March 5 6:00‐7:00 P.M. Volleyball Clinic  ‐ MCH  

Thursday, March 6 4:00‐5:30 P.M. Legion of Mary ‐ R/B 7:00 P.M. I.A.C.A. ‐ Church 7:30 P.M. Scripture Study ‐ RER 8:00‐9:30 P.M. Knights of Columbus ‐ R/B  

Friday, March 7 2:30‐6:00 P.M. Girl Scouts  ‐ MMC 

Saturday, March 8 9:00‐11:00 A.M. Holy Name Setup  ‐ MMC 11:00 A.M. Confirmation ‐ Church 7:00‐8:00 P.M. Girl Scouts Setup ‐ MCH  

ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sat. Feb. 22nd 5pm Samantha Dee, Valentina Cracolici, Nikki McNamara Sun. Feb. 23rd 8am Andrew Soltesz, Leandra Rodriguez 9:30am Adrian and Jose Hernandez-Yepez, Nicole Pereira 11am Isabella and Sophia Ortiz, Joseph Todaro 12:30pm Caterina Gioino, Francesco DiMarco