The Easter Season: The 50 days the Church devotes to contemplate the Mystery of the Resurrection
Please visit our YouTube Channel or FaceBook page to view some of the videos previously presented
Please visit our YouTube Channel or FaceBook page to view some of the videos previously presented
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The month of May is a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.
For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May.
–Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis
to the Faithful for the Month of May 2020
click here for full letter
It is appropriate to begin the rosary with the virtue of humility. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that ‘we do not know how to pray as we ought,’ are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. ‘Man is a beggar before God.’ “ (CCC 2559)
Mary hastened to her cousin’s Elizabeth’s house to help her in her time of need. In what ways can we be of service to our own neighbor’s today, whether we find that neighbor in our own home, in our community, at work, or on the internet?
We live in a very consumerist culture. This mystery invites us to detach ourselves from our many possessions. What do we truly need and what is excess? What can we share with others?
Mary and Joseph humbly brought Jesus to the temple in accord with Jewish law. Obedience to God and to others can be very difficult, but offers us the opportunity to subjugate our own will to that of our heavenly Father. Not my will, but God’s will be done.
Piety is dedication to the Church’s sacramental life and devotions. Mary and Joseph were surprised to find Jesus in the temple. We, too, should be dedicated to our Church and the sacraments.
We each receive the Holy Spirit in a special way in Baptism and again at Confirmation. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. We need only ask the Holy Spirit for help and help will be provided.
Mary encouraged her Son to perform his first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. She simply told the servants to “do whatever he tells you.” She helps us in a similar way — always pointing us to her Son and interceding on our behalf. We need only to turn to her and ask for help.
Jesus spent the active years of his ministry preaching and performing miracles to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He asks us to express sorrow from our sin, turn away from sin, and trust in God.
Jesus gave three of his closest friends a glimpse of His glory at the Transfiguration. We, too, are called to holiness, and to ultimately live in glory in heaven. But, we need to want it and we need to want it more than what the world and the devil attempts to offer us.
Jesus gave us the greatest gift in the Eucharist. He gave us His very self. This mystery invites us to appreciate that gift fully and to participate at Mass often
Jesus, both fully human and fully divine, suffered immensely in the garden. He knew what was coming and he was terrified. He begged His Father to spare him, but submitted Himself fully to His will. We, too, are called to do this.
Mortification isn’t popular these days, but making small sacrifices and offering them up can be a great help to one’s spiritual life. There is an opportunity every day to sacrifice and to suffer in some small way.
Jesus remained resolute even as he was being made fun of. Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions even when we are being laughed at? Whose opinion matters more – God’s or those who surround us?
Patience is something we all seem to have difficulty with. Jesus patiently carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem on the way to his Crucifixion. We can look to him for help when we are tempted to lose our patience.
Jesus gave up everything for us on the cross. His took on the sins of the world, past, present, and future, and died for our salvation. We need to be so thankful for that gift. At the same time, when we are asked to die to ourselves and put others first, we can look to the cross for the example of total self-giving.
It takes great faith to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and that we, too, shall rise. As Jesus told his apostles, “Blessed are that who have not seen, and yet believe.” This mystery offers us help in maintaining that faith. “Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief!”
We hope for a world that is better than this one. We desire to live forever with Jesus in heaven. May that hope help shape our lives here on Earth.
The disciples were scared. They huddled together in that upper room not sure of what to do. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon them and they were ready to go out and give their very lives in service to God. May the Holy Spirit also grant us that wisdom and love of God.
Mary was brought up to heaven body and soul. We are devoted to her because of her relationship to her Son and because God saw fit to raise her up. “Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.”
Mary is the Queen of Heaven, enjoying forever her rightful place next to her Son. May we one day share in her happiness.
Some words of Hope:
In times of uncertainty in our lives, during periods of despair or grief, we can easily become cynical and hardened to hope and to the presence of God in our lives.
It is precisely during these times that God is calling us to focus, not on the darkness, but on the light that God brings to the worst of times. During these times, God calls us to come closer to our faith with the promise that healing is everlasting and sorrow is temporary.
For me, personally, surrender of my fears through prayer—breathing in God, breathing out worry—is a crucial part of my faith. When combined with action, that is, giving of myself, my words, my time, and my support to another, I am lifted out of my noisy head and into a heartfelt selflessness. It brings my faith alive in a way that moves me beyond myself to see hope and transformation in action.
…as we go through life challenges, let us seek to give of ourselves to bring hope alive for ourselves and for others.
–Dorothy Schmitt, Associate Director, Counseling Center St. John’s University
Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am, the parking lot entrance to St. Stanislaus Church WILL BE OPEN for anyone who wishes to make a private visit.
The door will remain open until 11:30am.
However: There are some common sense requirements to keep the environment safe.
Please,
Of course, if you do not feel well, stay home!
A full list of the diocesan requirements is available on our website. (Click Here)
There will be parishioners available to assist if you have any questions. I have asked the priests to make themselves available for confession. As of now, the Church will be open every day at the same schedule. I will keep you updated of any changes. There is more work that needs to be done before Transfiguration Church can be opened – hopefully, that will be soon.