My dear friends,
It is a special moment when a Catholic is asked to become a Godparent for a Baptism or to become a Sponsor for one receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation! I have greatly appreciated the number of parishioners who have come by the Rectory to request their "Sponsor Certificate", giving us a chance to meet or to get to know each other better.While many wonderful considerations go into choosing a person, the Church sees the Sponsor as a gift to the one being Baptized or Confirmed by being a living disciple of Jesus and a witness to the New Life of Christ by the practice of the Catholic faith. Requesting a "Sponsor Certificate" from the parish can be moment of reflection for a practicing Catholic to deepen their commitment to the Lord. It can also be an opportunity for someone who has not been practicing or living the Catholic life as well as we know we should, to come to a decision to re-engage the faith in a new way. Perhaps it may be to make a good Confession after a long time, or to return to the sacredness of Lord's Day and Sunday Mass. Maybe God's grace is inspiring an opportunity to have a marriage blessed by the Church, or to live chastely and courageously. It may become a moment to complete ones' Initiation into the Life of the Catholic Church by receiving Confirmation, or to register for the first time as a parishioner and be rooted in a specific community. Whatever a potential sponsor's situation is, we see it as an opportunity to provide whatever support and encouragement we can to help that person live his or her Catholic faith and we seek to try our best for the good of the one receiving the Sacrament. Know that at IHM we want to help address whatever situation someone may be in and accompany them when some issues require time and deeper conversion. Should becoming a Sponsor, however, not be the right role at this time for a person, trust that Jesus' grace has brought that person to the first steps of a spiritual journey for the good of their soul leading to greater peace and joy.
This week, we look forward to welcoming Bishop Edmund Whalen, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, for the Sacrament of Confirmation of our young people! Thank you to our Religious Education Program's Diane and Laura and all of the catechists, along with our School's Tracy, Joan and Carlos, for assisting the parents and families in preparing the 8th graders for full Initiation into the Sacramental Life of the Church!
At the end of April and beginning of May, Fr. Joseph Koterski, SJ, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, and Fr. Justin Cinnante, O.Carm., School Chaplain at Iona Preparatory School, are looking forward to being with us for a Monday evening Holy Hour. Please stay tuned for further details on this developing Easter Season Reflection Series!
We had a nice turnout for Women's Formation Group addressing the Church's Social Justice Teaching this past Tuesday morning. Please feel free to join us Tuesdays at 9:45am!
The parish has been praying for our dear Sister Mary Tommasino, SC, of the House of Prayer, when she was recently in the hospital and needed rehab. We rejoiced when Sr. Mary returned home on St. Patrick's Day and have been blessed with the presence of her "blood" sister, Teresa, assisting her. Given where things are at this time, Sister Mary Tommasino has made the decision to live with the Sisters of Charity Community at the Kittay Residence in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, where she will receive the care that she needs. Sr. Mary will be at the House of Prayer through April; her sister, Teresa, will head back home this week.Please pray for Sr. Mary in this transition. She and her family are also mourning the loss of her niece, Nancy, this week.
I am looking forward to meeting with the Parish Council this Monday evening and seeking their advice.
Have a blessed Sunday and Easter Season!