Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - November 10th, 2019
Dear Parishioners and Friends:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
This week we will have the wonderful opportunity to take part in our parish Mission led by Sister Patricia Bruno, O.P. and Father Jude Siciliano, O.P. A parish mission is a time for us to come together as a parish in prayer, worship and solidarity. It’s an opportunity to take some time during our busy schedules to renew and refresh our spiritual life. Father Jude and Sister Patricia will begin by preaching at all of the Masses this Sunday and then will hold small discussion groups on Monday. 11/11, Tuesday 11/12, and Wednesday 11/13 at 11:30a.m. prior to the 12:10p.m. Mass. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings at 7:00p.m. we will have a faith witness of preaching, prayer and ritual focused on light, blessings and love. I have known these two spiritual guides for many years and I promise you a powerfully moving experience. There is no cost--just a little bit of your time (and a free-will collection). Come and spend an hour in the morning and/or in the evening away from your busy life refreshing your soul!
Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P. lives in a Dominican community in Raleigh, N.C. He has been a preacher since his ordination in 1969. For fourteen years he taught Homiletics at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Ca. At that time, he was also a volunteer chaplain at San Quentin Prison. In Raleigh he is a member and actively involved with, “People of Faith Against the Death Penalty”. He has preached parish retreats as well as retreats for priests, religious, deacons and laity. He also travels throughout the country giving preaching workshops to ordained and laity.
Sr. Patricia Bruno, O.P. is a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California. She is the Promoter of Preaching for the Dominicans in the Western Region of the United States. She has been a member of the board for the Academy of Preachers and the National Dominican Preaching team, Parable. She gives retreats, parish renewals and is a spiritual director in the Oakland Diocese. Patricia has been involved in various teaching programs, especially in the area of social justice and nonviolence.
On Monday, November 11, we celebrate Veterans Day. On this day we remember and pray for all the brave men and women--both living and deceased--who have served in the armed forces. We thank them for their witness of courage and selfless service to protect and defend our nation. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
Father David Nolan
On Sunday, September 1, we welcomed our new Pastor, Father David Nolan, as he begins his assignment here at Blessed Sacrament. Born in Brooklyn, Father Nolan worked in the textile industry for many years, during which time he was a parishioner here at Blessed Sacrament, where he served as head of the Pastoral Council, ran CCD, and volunteered at the Women’s Shelter. Father Nolan was Ordained in 1995, and comes to us from the Parish of St. Joseph of the Holy Family in Harlem, where he has served for the past 11 years. Father Nolan has also just finished a five-year term, working as the Catholic Chaplain for the women incarcerated at Rose M. Singer Correctional, the women’s prison on Riker’s Island.