Daily:
Monday-Saturday
7:30 and 8:15 AM (Daily Chapel)
Monday
Evenings: 7:30
PM
Holy
Days: See
Current Bulletin
First
Friday
Holy Hour 7PM
Weekday
Masses are held in the DAILY CHAPEL during Lent & Advent
RECTORY
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
thru Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday
and Sunday: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
This
page is intended to provide a synopsis of the most current
parish information. It is updated every weekend and contains
schedules, prayers, concerns and news
How
to best View this page:
First watch the carousel
above for major features and events.
The rest of the page is
laid out in a series of categories stacked vertically. We update
these categories weekly and the overall page length is open
ended depending on content. You can take a leisurely stroll
from top to bottom if you want but a better way is to use the
category "Jump Menu" buttons below to take you to
what you are most interested in.
In today’s First Reading, Job describes the futility of life before Christ.
His lament reminds us of the curse of toil and death placed upon Adam following his original sin (see Genesis 3:17-19). Men and women are like slaves seeking shade, unable to find rest. Their lives are like the wind that comes and goes.
But, as we sing in today’s Psalm, He who created the stars, promised to heal the brokenhearted and gather those lost in exile from Him (see Isaiah 11:12; 61:1). We see this promise fulfilled in today’s Gospel.
Simon’s mother-in-law is like Job’s toiling, hopeless humanity. She is laid low by affliction but too weak to save herself.
But as God promised to take His chosen people by the hand (see Isaiah 42:6), Jesus grasps her by the hand and helps her up. The word translated “help” is actually Greek for raising up. The same verb is used when Jesus commands a dead girl to arise (see Mark 5:41-42). It’s used again to describe His own resurrection (see Mark 14:28; 16:7).
What Jesus has done for Simon’s mother-in-law, He has done for all humanity - raised all of us who lay dead through our sins (see Ephesians 2:5).
Notice all the words of totality and completeness in the Gospel. The whole town gathers; all the sick are brought to Him. He drives out demons in the whole of Galilee. Everyone is looking for Christ.
We too have found Him. By our baptism, He healed and raised us to live in His presence (see Hosea 6:1-2).
Like Simon’s mother-in-law, there is only one way we can thank Him for the new life He has given us. We must rise to serve Him and His gospel.
Our lives must be our thanksgiving, as Paul describes in today’s Epistle. We must tell everyone the good news, the purpose for which Jesus has come - that others, too, may have a share in this salvation.
Yours in Christ,
Daily Mass from St. Patrick's Cathedral
Archbishop Timothy Dolan has exciting news for Telecare viewers...
This season Telecare is proud to announce that it will provide coverage of Mass and special events from St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
Daily Mass from St. Patrick's Cathedral airs: Monday through Friday at 6:30pm ET
SATURDAY
February 4th 4:00 PM Anna & Mary Romano/req. Phyllis Machrone 5:30 PM Charles White/req. Friday Night Bingo Workers
SUNDAY,
February 5th 6:45 AM People of the Parish 8:00 AM Living & Dec'd Members of the Rosary Altar
Society 9:30 AM William Convery/req. Debbie Reynolds 11:00 AM Sister Mary Wendelin Leadem/req. Barbara Godbold 12:30 PM John Smatusik/req. Joseph & Angela Cosentino
Memorials
Church Sanctuary Candle for the week of January 29 is “No Intentions”
Chapel Sanctuary Candle for the week of January 29 is “No Intentions”
Sacred Heart Candle for the week of January 29 is “No Intentions”
Blessed Mother Candle for the week of January 29 is “In Loving Memory” of John Malloy /req. Dee Fletcher
Weekly Video Theme
Each
week we select a few videos to reinforce the theme of the Sunday
Liturgy. Click on the graphic in the sliding menu above or click
below.
“PRAY FOR OUR SICK”
Garret Cruk, Bernadette Bounassi, Cindy Maguire, Joan Fraraccio
Pray for the happy repose of the souls of deceased members of the Parish, your friends, relatives and benefactors
Especially;
Rev. Msgr. Leon J. Kasprzyk, Catherine “Kay” Schembari, William Balletto, Angelo Grossano
Sunday,
February 5
(Mark 1:29-39) Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35) Jesus certainly had a full day. With his first four chosen disciples in tow, he went into the synagogue and not only taught but cast out an unclean spirit. He next slipped away and healed Simon's mother-in-law. Then, as soon as sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, a horde of people crowded around the doorstep begging Jesus to heal and deliver them. He extended himself to the whole crowd, touching each person with the power of God. Surely this exhausting ministry lasted beyond a normal bedtime.
We could certainly understand if Jesus burrowed under the covers the next morning. Instead, Mark tells us that Jesus rose in the wee hours and headed out to a deserted spot to spend time with his Father. Instead of assuming he knew what God wanted and how to accomplish
it, he stopped and listened for God's guidance.
Out of that profound communion emerged clarity about his next step: It was time to preach in other villages.
That's the way it was with the Lord: never a dull moment! Jesus was constantly on the move. Even his prayer was dynamic. He didn't get up early just to enjoy a good sunrise and recite a few prayers. No, he was asking, seeking, and knocking. He was determined to discover his Father's plan, and he was ready to make any adjustments he needed in order to stick to that plan.
Make no mistake. Jesus was active, not just busy. Like a runner crouched at the starting block, his prayer was one of active waiting, not passive wandering. That's what God wants for us as well. There's a kingdom to be built. There are people to evangelize and ministries to advance. The hungry need feeding, the wounded need comfort, and the confused need direction. What part does God want you to play? Seek him in prayer, and you'll find out.
"Here I am, Lord/ Show me what you want me to do today. I want to be your servant!"
SINGLE
PARENTS MEETING
Saturday,
February 4 is the next single parents meeting.This meeting will be held in the rectory
meeting Room C at 7:00 PM.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE WINNER OF OUR JANUARY 50/50. Angela
Duddy was the winner of $850.00.Angela is an annual subscriber. Next
drawing will be on February 26, 2012.
Join Fr. Robert Barron on a journey across the planet and deep into the faith. CATHOLICISM is a breakthrough documentary series presenting the true story of Christianity and the Catholic faith.
EVERYBODY HAS A STORY
I came to
Catholicism after years and years of being angry with
God for the events of my past. I blamed God for all the
bad things that happened in my life and I was unable to
let them go. When I reached college I spent a lot of
time soul searching and then in my Senior year a friend
of mine told me she was becoming Catholic and asked if I
would like to go with her to church and her RCIA one
day.
I was shocked because I didn't think I knew anyone
who was Catholic but I ended up finding out that two
people I was close friends with were Catholic, one was a
cradle Catholic while the other was a convert. I didn't
know this because I had refused to talk to anyone about
religion when I had first came to my school. When I
started talking to them and asking questions about
Catholicism they were all very excited and answered my
questions. But what really got me was the church. The
moment I stepped inside the church it was like my whole
life had been leading me to that moment. It became very
clear to me that the church was where I was supposed to
be and that my friends who I seemed to have nothing in
common with were supposed to be in my life to lead me to
that point. I have encountered many issues since making
the decision to become Catholic. I have family and
friends members who refuse to talk to me, some who are
outright hostel, and still others who have told me its
just a phase and I'll get over it soon. I don't think
they understand that my pull to to the church was the
fact that God lead me there, it's where I'm supposed to
be. I pray every day that they will eventually come
around and see that I'm not some evil being out to try
and convert them to my evil ways but I'm a Christian
just like they are, I just follow a different set of
rules. I'm happy to have found myself in this place and
I want to continue to grow with my Faith. God has
blessed me with great parents who have been very
supportive of my decision and as long as I have them and
my friends who have stood beside me I think I can make
it through anything. God is with me wherever I go and I
feel him now more than ever. He lead me to the church
and I know he will lead me through the trials that these
people are placing in my path. I guess in all my story
is really a story of discovering God and the Catholic
church just happened to be where I found him.
- Tiffany B., Hyden, KY United States
Enjoy the conversions stories that someone shared via youtube.
WHO
IS GOD A Scriptural Portrait of our
Heavenly Father
Philosophers have puzzled over this question for thousands of years. And they're still puzzling! It's the one question that never really goes away. It's not like asking: "What is one plus one?" or "What is the difference between a noun and a verb?" Those questions are so much easier because they have black-and-white answers. There is no room for debate. Countless textbooks have told us the answers with great certainty.
But God can't be quantified like a math problem. He can't be diagrammed like a sentence. And the "textbook" that we may want to consult for an answer—the Bible—doesn't contain a precise, black-and-white definition. It doesn't even give us a biography! It simply tells us that there is a God, and then it goes on to recount many of the things he has said and done over the centuries. It's as if God is telling us that if we want to know who he is, we should look at what he has done. This month, let's try to build our own answers to this question. Let's look at some of the ways God has worked so that we can come to know him better. As we do this, let's keep our "minds and hearts open. After all, he made us this promise: "When you look for me, you will find me" (Jeremiah 29:13). See the February issue of
"The Word Among Us" for more of this series.
Catholic
TV
The Catholic web site, www.CatholicTV.com
has developed two new media initiatives to further its mission to
proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it is lived and understood
in the Catholic community.
Father
Robert Reed takes you behind-the-scenes at the CatholicTV Network.
See Saint Therese, the lobby, meet Jane, the heart of CatholicTV,
Studio C, the chapel, edit suites, the brain of CatholicTV, Mark,
Master Control, satellite center, Joe, Armando, Pete, Studio
Control, studios, Kevin Nelson, Jay Fadden, and the crew getting
ready for This is the Day.
Telecare - The Best in Catholic
Television! ® is a not-for-profit, state-of-the-art television
and production facility. For more than 40 years, Telecare
Television has been dedicated to answering a critical need: to
provide millions of viewers with quality, value-oriented Catholic
television. Our broadcast schedule airs 7 days a week, 24 hours a
day, reaching millions of households.
Our Mission Statement
Telecare - The Best in Catholic Television! ® operates with the
mission of spreading God's word through its religious and
educational Catholic programming to people of faith wherever they
may be. The purpose of Telecare's mission is to bring people of
the Catholic faith, indeed all people, closer to God.
Why Catholic
Catholics Come
Home
Salt
and Light TV reports on Monday through Thursday at 7pm ET
with a 5-minute daily current affairs edition of “Perspectives”. (see
direct feed above)
On Fridays, there is a new version of Perspectives:
The Weekly Edition, a 30-minute program featuring
in-depth discussions on the week’s hot topics, with host Pedro
Guevara Mann and special guests.
Tune in every First
Friday and listen to "The Shepherd's Voice"
The
Shepherd's Voice with Bishop David M. O'Connell airs on the
First Friday of each month from 3:00 - 4:00 PM. Bishop O'Connell begins the program with a teaching and a brief
commentary. Jim & Cheryl Manfredonia facilitate the
hour as they open the telephone lines so listeners can call
in and speak to the Bishop. The program will repeat
on First Friday night at 10:00 PM, the following Saturday at
4:00 PM, Sunday at 10:00 AM and Monday at 8:00 AM.
Call in LIVE and speak with Bishop O'Connell at 609-882-9357 or
1-877-552-2488, or send a question by e-mail: question@domesticchurchmedia.org
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in
Christ in the Diocese of Trenton:
As your Bishop, I write to
you concerning an alarming matter that negatively
impacts the Catholic Church in the United States
directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to
religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.
The federal government, which claims to be "of, by
and for the people," has just dealt a heavy
blow to almost a quarter of those people - the Catholic
population - and to the millions more who are served by
the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services announced last week that
almost all employers, Including Catholic employers, will
be forced to offer their employees health coverage that
includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and
contraception. Almost all health insurers will be
forced to include those "services" in the
health policies they write. And almost all
individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a
part of their policies.
As a result, unless the
rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to
violate our consciences or to drop health coverage
for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing
so.)
We cannot - we will not
- comply with this unjust law. People of faith
cannot be made second class citizens. We are
already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths
and many
others of good will in this important effort to regain
our religious freedom. In generations past, the
Church has always been able to count on the faithful to
stand up and protect
her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she
can count on this generation of Catholics to do the
same. Our children and grandchildren deserve
nothing less.
This is not an attempt
by the Church to interfere with anyone's
politics. It is, rather, an attempt to lift up
and live our Catholic faith the way that our nation and
our constitution have always guaranteed us the freedom
and the right to do. Please join me and all of
those harmed by this legislation in prayer and in an
all-out effort to have our freedom restored.
History cautions us repeatedly that once we walk down
such a dangerous path, we will get lost in the process.
Respectfully yours in
Christ,
Most Reverend
David M. O'Connell C.M.
Bishop of Trenton
DOC:blm
Archbishop Dolan says Obama administration 'treats pregnancy as disease'
JANUARY 31 2012 This morning President Obama called New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan to break the news.
Secretary of Health and Human Services and pro-abortion Catholic Kathleen Sebelius just announced that the proposed mandate requiring all insurance plans to pay for contraception, sterilization and some abortion drugs is official -- and Catholics cannot escape.
...and the fig-leaf exemption for religious groups will not be modified, apart from allowing some groups an additional year to comply.
Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan responded minutes ago, saying: “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.”
New HHS
rules are a moral issue not a political one
New York City, N.Y., Jan 27, 2012 / 12:45 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, head of the U.S. bishops' conference, says the Obama administration has revoked the religious freedom of groups that do not regard women's fertility as as “disease.”
“The Catholic Church defends religious liberty, including freedom of conscience, for everyone,” the New York archbishop and conference president wrote in a Jan. 25 Wall Street Journal editorial, addressing the government's final decision to require contraception coverage in most new health plans.
With this decision, the cardinal-designate wrote, “the Obama administration has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease.”
On Jan. 20 the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed it would impose the contraception coverage mandate on most religious institutions, with a narrow exception for groups whose main purpose is the “inculcation of religious values” among people of the same faith.
“Even Jesus and his disciples would not qualify for the exemption,” Cardinal-designate Dolan noted, “because they were committed to serve those of other faiths.”
Sen. Marco Rubio
Washington D.C., Jan 31, 2012 / 06:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has introduced a bill to repeal regulations issued by the Obama administration that many faith-based organizations say would force them to buy health insurance plans that violate their consciences.
“The Obama Administration’s obsession with forcing mandates on the American people has now reached a new low by violating the conscience rights and religious liberties of our people,” Rubio said in a Jan. 31 statement.
Rubio also criticized the administration for “forcing religious entities to abandon their beliefs.”
He described his bill, titled “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012,” as “a common sense bill that simply says the government can’t force religious organizations to abandon the fundamental tenets of their faith because the government says so.”
On Jan. 20, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a “preventative services” mandate that would require employers to purchase health insurance plans that cover sterilization and contraception, including some abortion-causing drugs.
The mandate includes a religious exemption, but it only applies to organizations that exist for the purpose of inculcating religious values and limit their service and employment primarily to members of their own faith.
The limited scope of the exemption means that most religiously-affiliated ministries and groups will not qualify for it.
Rubio introduced his bill on Jan. 31 “to provide religious conscience protections for individuals and organizations.”
The legislation observes that the mandate’s “absurdly narrow exemption,” which is “unprecedented in Federal law,” will exclude thousands of “charities, hospitals, schools or soup kitchens that hire or serve individuals who do not share their religious tenets.”
It points out that “religious freedom and liberty of conscience are inalienable rights protected by the Declaration of Independence and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.”
Rubio’s bill also notes that the Department of Health and Human Services refused to broaden the religious exemption to the mandate “despite receiving thousands of comments protesting” against its narrow scope.
If the bill became law, it will prevent any regulations issued under the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act from requiring “any individual or entity” to provide coverage or information on contraception or sterilization if that individual or entity is opposed to doing so “on the basis of religious belief.”
It also prohibits the imposition of a fine, penalty or other punishment on individuals or entities that make a religiously-based decision not to purchase such coverage.
CHURCH COURTESY Often
in church we lack the simple signs of courtesy to one another that
we would normally show to anyone anywhere. Here are some examples:
When someone comes to sit in the row where we are, why make them
climb over us instead of moving in? When we come to church why
stand against the wall even when we are asked to take a seat? Why
do we pass the Eucharist without some sign of reverence or
respect? Either a bow or a genuflection would show the proper
respect, demonstrate faith in the presence of the Lord, and be a
sign of reverence for the real presence of Jesus in the tabernacle
We are excited to inform you that On-Line Giving is now available. As a
church that seeks to serve, we wanted to provide /you the convenience of
being able to give the way you want, whenever you want. Online Giving
offers you the opportunity to make secure, automatic contributions from
your bank or credit card account to our Visitation bank account. Online
Giving costs you nothing and provides many advantages to you:
No
check writing or ATM stops before church
·Safe, secure, and confidential
·Use your checking, savings, or credit
card
·Schedule recurring or one-time
donations
·Change a gift or account any time you
like
·Choose offertory, special funds,
pledges
·Earn rewards through your credit card
As we begin this new program, you may notice your neighbors placing “I
Gave Online” offertory cards into the collection basket instead of
traditional envelopes. You will be able to pick up one of our “I Gave
Online” cards on your way into church and use that at offertory time if
you still want to place something in the offertory basket.
We ask that you consider using this service—especially if you currently
manage your bills or banking online. To sign up click
the Online Giving symbol above,For
more information, call Vicki at 732-477-0028 216.
However you choose to give your time, talent, and treasure, we thank you!
Visitation’s facilities and ministries thrive only with your help.
COMMUNITY LUNCHEON Visitation
Parish will hold a free community Luncheon on the third
Wednesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in the Church
Auditorium. For additional information, please call
Frank and Isabel Kronicz at 732-255-2835 if interested in
helping.
Parish Registration
The Church of the Visitation is obliged to serve and minister to
all baptized Catholics living in our local area. PLEASE REGISTER
– it assists the staff in knowing you as a parishioner,
providing for your needs, informing you of parish programs and
activities, and utilizing your gifts and talents in service of the
Church and one another. Envelopes for weekly contributions are
available to you once you are registered. Please contact Deacon
Sal Vicari at ext. 218 to registe
NEXT
WEEKEND THERE WILL BE
TWO COLLECTIONS.PLEASE
PLACE YOUR REGULAR WEEKLY DONATION ENVELOPE IN THE FIRST BASKET AND
THE ENVELOPE FOR Black &
native
America
in the second basket
WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE DO NOT TALK IN CHURCH. SOME ARE PREPARING FOR MASS WHILE OTHERS ARE GIVING THANKS. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES WHILE IN THE CHURCH WORSHIP SPACE. THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
Around
the World with Taste and Color
A very special event to be held:
Saturday
February 25, 2012
Art
preview and
Tasting ~ 6:00 PM Live Auction ~ 8:00 PM
Over 50 International & Domestic
Wines & Beers
Tantalizing hors d'oeuvres
A stunning collection of incredibly affordable art
Early bird incentives
Watch for further details
GIVE THE GIFT OF WARMTH
The Respect Life Ministry is once again collecting winter coats, jackets,
hats and gloves for the needy through the month of October. These items
may be brought to St. Vincent de Paul on Saturday mornings from 8:00 AM to
2:00 PM.
This year we are also collecting blankets for the homeless and for our
wounded servicemen and women in the hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. We
are especially in need of men’s coats. We appreciate your past
generosity and look forward to another year of “warmth for the needy”.
Each
week we will be looking at other parish web sites and
reporting back items of general interest to Visitation
parishioners
Mark
your calendars for the following events being planned for 201
2 Archbishop Dolan says Obama administration 'treats pregnancy as disease'
January
25
Catholicism Study Series
Episode 2
February
8 & 9
Catholicism Study Series
Episode 3
February
16 & 22
Catholicism Study Series
Episode 4
February
22nd
Ash Wednesday
February
25th
Around the World with
Taste and Color
Watch the weekly Church Bulletin for details.
Dates and events subject to change
Please
support our website sponsors below.
END OF YEAR TAX STATEMENT
If you would like an end of the year tax contribution statement, please call Denise Patetta at the rectory office at ext. 201 or e-mail your request to
dee@visitationchurch.com If you have received a statement in the past you will automatically receive one this year.
February
22nd is Ash Wedneday.
Now is the time to think about making a commitment to
really do something extra for Lent 2012
What
is a Life in the Spirit Seminar?
The Life in the Spirit Seminars have been one of the
best tools in the twentieth century for leading people
to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in their
lives. A Life in the Spirit Seminar consists of six
weeks of teachings, testimonies and small group sharing,
all leading up to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The
topics covered are "God's Love",
"Salvation", "New Life in the
Spirit", "God's Gifts", "Baptism in
the Spirit" and "Growth and
Transformation".
The
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a release of the power of
the Holy Spirit in a person's life. The same Holy Spirit
that was received through the Sacraments of Baptism and
Confirmation, Marriage and Holy Orders is stirred and
released in a new and wonderful way. Participants feel a
reawakening or reawareness of the presence and power of
God operating in their daily lives, similar to the
experience of the Apostles at Pentecost.
The Life in the Spirit Seminar is open to anyone who
desires to form or deepen a relationship with God. The
foundation of the Life in the Spirit Seminar is to
create a more personal relationship with God the Father,
receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, and be
open to the power of the Holy Spirit
For
more information call 732 477 0016
Appeal
to Earlier LIS Participants
The Children of Light Prayer Group has been active in
Visitation Church for nearly 4 decades. during that
period of time more than 500 people have taken one of
our Life in the Spirit seminars. If you are one of them
or if you have taken the seminar in another parish we
invite you to join us and support this year's program.
If you know someone that you think is ready for the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit invite them to come with you
to the seminar. With or without a candidate please come
to the sessions and support the prayer and praise and
renew your relationship with the Holy Spirit
Why
the Church opposes the HHS Mandate for
Contraception/Sterilization Coverage:
An Attack on Rights of Conscience (questions and
answers)
How important is
the right of conscience in American tradition? It
has always been of paramount importance: "No
provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man
than that which protects the rights of conscience
against the enterprises of the civil authority"
(Thomas Jefferson, 1809).
In the past,
has the federal government respected conscientious
objections to procedures such as sterilization that may
violate religious beliefs or moral convictions?
Yes. For example, a law in effect since 1973 says
that no individual is required to take part in "any
part of a health service program or research activity
funded in whole or in part under a program administered
by the Secretary of Health and Human Services" if
it is "contrary to his religious beliefs or moral
convictions" (42 USC 300a-7 (d)). Even the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program, which requires most
of its health plans to cover contraception, exempts
religiously affiliated plans and protects the conscience
rights of health professionals in the other plans.
Currently no federal law requires anyone to purchase,
sell, sponsor, or be covered by a private health plan
that violates his or her conscience.
How has the Department of Health and Human Services
departed from this policy?
By
issuing a mandate for coverage of sterilization and
contraceptives (including long-lasting injections and
implants, and "morning-after pills" that may
cause an early abortion) in virtually all private health
plans. In August 2011 HHS included these procedures in a
list of "preventive services for women" to be
required in health plans issued on or after August 1,
2012. On January 20, 2012, HHS reaffirmed its mandate
while deferring enforcement against some religious
employers until August 2013.
Is it appropriate to require coverage of these as
"preventive services"?
No.
The other services on HHS’s list seek to prevent
serious disease – breast cancer, lung cancer, AIDS.
Pregnancy is not a disease. The Institute of Medicine
committee that compiled the "preventive
services" list for HHS said in its report that
unintended pregnancy is "a condition for which safe
and effective prevention and
treatment"
need to be more widely available – setting the stage
for mandated coverage of abortion as the
"treatment" when prevention fails. Note that
women who suffer from infertility, which really is
an
illness, were ignored in this mandate.
Didn’t HHS include a religious exemption?
Yes,
an incredibly narrow "religious employer"
exemption that fails to protect many, perhaps most,
religious employers. To be eligible an organization must
meet four strict criteria, including the requirement
that it both hire and
serve primarily
people of its own faith. Catholic schools and hospitals
would have to eject their non-Catholic employees,
students and patients, or purchase
health coverage that violates their moral and religious
teaching. Jesus and his apostles would not have been
"religious enough" for the exemption, since
they healed and served people of different faiths. The
exemption provides no protection at all to sponsors and
providers of health plans for the general public, to
pro-life people who own businesses, or to individuals
with a moral or religious objection to these procedures.
We invite our parishioners, staff and others to exchange
ideas, ask questions and share experiences in our journey
to walk in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ. So Click
above and let us know what you think. We will post it here
and on our Facebook Page
A PILLOW AND A BLANKET Author Unknown
January 26, 2012
A long time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting ready
for bed. She was saying her prayers when she heard a muffled
crying coming through her window. A little frightened, she
went over to the window and leaned out.
Another girl, who seemed to be about her age and homeless
was standing in the alley by the rich girl's house. Her
heart went out to the homeless girl, for it was the dead of
winter, and the girl had no blanket, only old newspapers
someone had thrown out.
The rich girl was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea.
She called to the other girl and said, "You there, come
to my front door, please."
The homeless girl was so startled she could only manage
to nod.
As quick as her legs could take her, the young girl ran
down the hall to her mothers closet, and picked out an old
quilt and a beat up pillow. She had to walk slower down to
the front door as to not trip over the quilt which was
hanging down, but she made it eventually. Dropping both the
articles, she opened the door. Standing there was the
homeless girl, looking quite scared.
The rich girl smiled warmly and handed both articles to
the other girl. Her smile grew wider as she watched the true
amazement and happiness alight upon the other girl's face.
She went to bed incredibly satisfied.
In mid-morning the next day a knock came to the door. The
rich girl flew to the door hoping that it was the other
little girl there. She opened the large door and looked
outside. It was the other little girl. Her face looked
happy, and she smiled. "I suppose you want these
back."
The rich little girl opened her mouth to say that she
could keep them when another idea popped into her head.
"No, I want them back."
The homeless girl's face fell. This was obviously not the
answer she had hoped for. She reluctantly laid down the beat
up things, and turned to leave when the rich girl yelled,
"Wait! Stay right there."
She turned in time to see the rich girl running up the
stairs and down a long corridor. Deciding whatever the rich
little girl was doing wasn't worth waiting for she started
to turn around and walk away. As her foot hit the first
step, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, turning she
saw the rich little girl, thrusting a new blanket and pillow
at her. "Have these." she said quietly.
These were her own personal belonging made of silk and
down feathers.
As the two grew older they didn't see each other much,
but they were never far from each other's minds. One day,
the Rich girl, who was now a Rich woman got a telephone call
from someone. A lawyer, saying that she was requested to see
him.
When she arrived at the office, he told her what had
happened. Forty years ago, when she was nine years old, she
had helped a little girl in need. That grew into a
middle-class woman with a husband and two children. She had
recently died and left something for her in her will.
"Though," the lawyer said, "it's the most
peculiar thing. She left you a pillow and a blanket.".
If you would
like to comment on anything or comment on the views
already posted go to our Facebook page or Email lbarbuscio@comcast.net
and I will post them for you.
R.C.I.A.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult
s
Do you know of anyone who has not been
baptized? Do you know anyone who would like to learn more about the
Roman Catholic faith? What about someone who has been baptized in
another Christian Church and wishes to enter into full communion in
the Catholic Church? Maybe you know a baptized Catholic who has not
completed all of their sacraments. Please take the time to mention
to them about our process here at the Church of the Visitation. Our
process welcomes all; anyone who is interested in an introduction
into the Roman Catholic Church, its faith and life. Please contact
Dale Zanetti at ex. 214 for more information or for any questions
you might have.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
CLASSES
Sundays March 18 to May 20
Confirmation May 24th
It’s not too late! If you are over 18 and have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are invited to enroll in Visitation’s Adult program for reception of Confirmation in May 2012. You cannot be a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation if you have not been confirmed. Classes
are forming now. If interested, call 732-477-7059 ext. 214.
People are intrigued about their origins. There is increasing interest in tracing genealogies and our families of origin. There are computer programs and websites that help a person with researching one's origin.
The first book in the Bible is all about origins. It could just as easily be called the "Book of Origins." It deals with the origin of the universe, of humankind, of sin, understood as alienation from God and fellow human beings, as well as the origin of the people of Israel.
If you can't join us in person you can follow
along on line by clicking the Bible Study graphic above.
COMMUNION FOR THE HOMEBOUND
If someone you know is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the
Rectory Office at 732-477-0028 ext 203 during office hours so that we can schedule a Eucharistic Minister to visit the home.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
We turn to Jesus for understanding and healing through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is for adults and children who are suffering from serious physical or mental illness, or about to undergo surgery. Please call the Rectory Office for more information.
HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
If you are admitted to Ocean Medical Center, please alert the Admissions Clerk that you are a parishioner at Visitation; so that our hospital ministers can care for you spiritually.
HOUSE BLESSING
If you wish to have a blessing of your home, please call the rectory office ext. 201 to schedule a time for a Deacon or Priest to
visit,
Taking Liberties
The Editors | FEBRUARY 13, 2012
the cover of America, the Catholic magazine
For a century and a half the Catholic Church in the United States has served the American people with health care, education and social services. Even a few months ago it would have seemed preposterous to suggest that the U.S. government would place the future of those good works at risk. That seems to be what has happened, however, with a decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to allow only a narrow conscientious exemption to the employer health care insurance mandate of the Affordable Care Act, the administration’s signature health care reform law.
For U.S. Catholics as citizens, the administration’s failure to offer a broader exemption presents a grave test of the “free exercise” of religion protected by the Bill of Rights. For the narrow definition of religion in the new H.H.S. guideline is at odds with the millennia-old Catholic understanding of the church as a community of believers in service to the world. The H.H.S. definition would force the church to function as a sect, restricted to celebrating its own devotions on the margins of society. The ruling is a threat to our living as a church in the Catholic manner.
The controversial guidelines, announced on Jan. 20 by Kathleen Sibelius, secretary of H.H.S., restricts religious exemptions to those persons and institutions the administration defines as religious—namely, those that serve clear religious functions, employing primarily co-religionists and serving a largely denominational clientele. The administration rejected appeals from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Health Association for a broader conscience clause. Religiously sponsored institutions, like all other employers, will be explicitly required to provide coverage for contraception, sterilization and two potential abortifacients, services that are in violation of Catholic teaching. The administration has thus pushed the U.S. bishops into a destructive showdown over the future of Catholic health care, social services and higher educational institutions. It is a confrontation both sides should seek to avert.
The exemption devised by H.H.S. places Catholic institutional employers in an untenable position. The guidelines force them to cooperate, though indirectly, in grave wrongs by facilitating acts the church considers sinful. They also place dissenting institutions in the position of withdrawing health insurance benefits from their employees and from students at their colleges and universities. Employees of such institutions will have to seek out inferior and more expensive health plans on the open market, and their employers will face annual fines from the federal government for refusing to comply with the employers’ mandate. (more)
Events
RACHEL’S VINEYARD
If you have suffered through an abortion and have isolated yourself from healing and forgiveness, you might consider attending one of the retreat weekends. Retreats are designed to help both women and men experience the mercy and compassion of God. For more information, contact Judy at 732-536-6871. All inquiries are strictly
confidential. Dates for the 2012 Weekend Retreats are: February 24, 2012 thru February 26, 2012 and June 8, 2012 thru June 10, 2012
Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Public Witness and Prayer at abortion clinic
A serious concern has arisen in the Toms River area for which we ask your assistance. An abortion clinic has opened and is operating in the community. We will provide a prayerful presence at the American Women's Center, 651 Route 37 West, Toms River on Wed. from 4:30 to 6 pm, and Fri. and Sat, 1 pm to 5 pm. Feel free to arrive and depart as your schedule allows. If you would like more information, contact M. Sherry 732-350-5474 or E. Spirko at 732-350-7447.
Every Saturday
Pro-Life Prayer Witness
Please join representatives of a number of local respect life organizations at a brief weekly prayer witness at 9:45 a.m. each Saturday morning at the Planned Parenthood facility in Trenton at State and Clinton. We only recite the Rosary, so it is not a huge time commitment, and then we leave. If you would like to get a ride, please call 609-896-3206.
This corner is dedicated to all of you
people in your 20s and 30s. The descendants of the "Baby
Boomers", the first of the "Latch Key
generation", "Generations X and Y", the millennial
generation etc. In short people in there 20s and 30s married or
Single
Lenten Thoughts
Following the Call of Christ
Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues
February 3, 2012
Have you ever known the joy of receiving an unexpected letter? Wonderful isn't it? Write a letter today. The apostolate of letter writing is a powerful one.
February 2, 2012
When Jesus was on the cross He didn't turn to the man next to Him and say, "You committed the crime, pay the price." No, He offered him a better life.
February 1, 2012
Each Friday at 3p.m. spend one minute thinking about the suffering involved in being crucified.
January 31, 2012
Examine your conscience daily. Have I prayed today? Did I struggle to avoid distractions in my prayer? How have I offended God? Have I been: envious, proud, lazy, gluttonous, lustful, angry, covetous? Have I cared for my family? Have I prayed for them? Have I assisted them in whatever way I can with the temporal necessities? Have I helped my friends? Did I do my work well? How can I do it better? Did I waste time? Then make a resolution to change and an act of contrition.
January 30, 2012
You are in debt to all because God has given you many gifts, the fruits of which He intended for you to share with all those that cross your path.
January 29, 2012
You learn more from your friends than you will ever learn from books. Choose your friends wisely.
January 28, 2012
There is a lot of talk, it seems, about the second coming. When will Jesus come again? The Lord will not be late in coming; He will not come early. He will come at the same time He came the first time. He will come "in the fullness of time." He will come at the most appropriate time, for that is the fullness of time.
SINGLE PARENTS MEETING
Saturday, February 4 is the next single parents meeting. This meeting will be held in the rectory meeting Room C at 7:00 PM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Shorrock Gardens Care Center, Brick, NJ is in need of volunteers. There are many opportunities for you to assist. If you can help, please contact Dolores at 732-451-1000 ext. 621.
VISITATION VISITORS
Do you have a loved one or know of an elderly neighbor home alone? Could they use a friendly visitor, a weekly phone call, help with bills or mail, or a ride to a medical appointment or church on the weekend? Visitor Visitors Outreach Program may be able to help. Please call 732-477-7059 ext. 211 for more information.
A Loving God. If we start at the beginning of the Bible, the first thing we see is a God who is generous. Here he is, an eternal being who is completely self-sufficient, and yet he decides to create. He didn't need anything. The universe doesn't make him a better person. It doesn't add to his power or his wisdom or his perfection. If anything, it adds to his obligations. Now he has a vast expanse of creation to look after. No, God didn't create the world for himself. He did it because he wanted to share his love. He did it because he wanted to share the blessings of heaven with other people. He did it because love always reaches out.
So there we were, the crown of God's creation, made in his own image and likeness. Given the gifts of reason, emotion, and will, we had everything we needed to know God, to receive his grace, and to become like him. But in a tragic turn of events, the Book of Genesis tells how our first parents disobeyed God and turned from the way he had called them to live. Imagine: They were created out of nothing, sustained by God's loving hand, and surrounded by all the goodness of a lush garden. And yet I hey tried to overthrow God and set
themselves up as gods instead, deciding for themselves what was good and evil. What could possibly be a more ungrateful, self-centered response to all that God had given them?
It is here, in the face of human sin, that we get a fuller picture of who God is. Though they had separated themselves from the author and sustainer of all life, our first parents would not perish. Instead, God promised that a descendant of theirs would triumph where they had failed. This seed, this "offspring," would overcome all sin and the devastation it brought.
From the moment he made that promise, God set in motion his plan to see it through. He chose Abraham, a pagan from Mesopotamia, called him his friend, and promised him a great inheritance (Genesis 12:1-3). He guided Abraham and his wife, Sarah, to a new land and there entered into a covenant with him, pledging to be his God and the God of his people forever (17:7-8). Through Abraham's offspring, God raised up a people called to be his own possession.
This is the measure of God's love. He didn't have to call a people. He didn't have to bind himself to Abraham in a solemn covenant. But he did it anyway. He did it because God is love.
"A Scriptural Portrait of Our Heavenly Father" The Word Among Us
February 2012
“Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus”
Did you hear about the recent YouTube sensation where a man named Jefferson Bethke says: “Why I hate religion, but love Jesus”?
In the video Bethke asks, “What if I told you Jesus came to abolish religion?” and “Why does [religion] build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor.” He also wonders why religion can be considered good if it’s started so many wars.
Of course, these are the same tired arguments we’ve all heard leveled against the Catholic Church for generations. But tragically, Bethke uses his great skills as a poet and video artist to make these stale arguments fresh and persuasive to a new generation of Americans.
…and his video already has 15 million views on YouTube and continues to spread like wildfire.
These clever, but illogical and false critiques of the Church cannot go unanswered.
Our friends at Spirit Juice Studios put together a response that is sensational. And we just had to share it with you.
Now, go share it with your friends.
Fr. Barron comments on "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"
The Lady of Medjugorje Song
DID YOU KNOW?
As You walk up the steps to the building which Houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can See near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in The middle who is facing forward with a full Frontal view ... It is Moses and he is holding The Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
As You enter the Supreme Court courtroom, The two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower Portion of each door.
DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside The courtroom, you can see the wall, right above Where the Supreme Court Judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!
DID YOU KNOW?
There Are Bible verses etched In stone all over the Federal Buildings And Monuments in Washington , D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
James Madison, The fourth president, known as 'The Father of Our Constitution' Made the following statement:
'We have staked the whole of all our political Institutions upon the capacity of mankind For Self-government, upon the capacity of each And all of us to govern ourselves, to control Ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to The Ten Commandments of God.'
DID YOU KNOW?
Every Session of Congress begins with a prayer By a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid
By the taxpayer since 1777.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were Members of the established Orthodox churches in The colonies..
DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts Would overstep their authority and instead of Interpreting the law would begin making law an Oligarchy the rule of few over many.
How Then, have we gotten to the point that Everything we have done for 220 years in
this Country is now suddenly wrong and Unconstitutional?
Lets put it around the world and let the world See and remember what this great country was Built on
The Holy Bible and belief in GOD
GOD KNOWS JUST
WHAT WE NEED
Author Unknown
January 31, 2011
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication for her daughter.
Upon returning to her car she found that she had locked her keys in the car. She was in a hurry to get home to her sick daughter. She didn't know what to do, so she called her home and told the baby sitter what had happened and that she did not know what to do.
The baby sitter told her that her daughter was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car. Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this." So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help.
Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful.
The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"
He said, "Sure". He walked over to the car, and in less than one minute the car was opened.
She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much!
Youare a very nice man."
The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison yesterday. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out less than 24 hours."
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"
God may not always send us what we expect, but He will always send us what we need. It's up to us to have the wisdom to recognize the difference and be thankful.
"
Raised to
Serve
Visitation
Parish will hold a free
Who is God ( Part 2)