CELEBRATE ADVENT

Want Ideas for Advent for you and/or your family?
Click on Picture or Link Above to View all the Items

• On-Line Advent Calendars for Adults & Kids
• Advent Adventure for Kids
• View the Advent Workshop
• 3 Minute Daily Retreat
• Praying Advent each Day
• Focus on Prayer
• View “Who Is Jesus” Symbolon Part 1 Episode 5.
• Family Advent Ideas and Activities
• Understand Confession and more on the Sacraments
• Study the New On-line Version of the Adult Catechism.
• Videos and Music
• And much more…

Explore the Faith! Live the Faith! Pass on the Faith!

Homily for the First Sunday of Advent 2014

Homily for First Sunday of Advent 2014

          Watch!  Look out!  The Lord is coming!   A word we often hear during advent is “preparation.”  We often have to prepare ourselves for many things in life.  Perhaps we have to prepare cleaning the home and cooking food for a family gathering or prepare for an upcoming test by studying.  Maybe there is a big game coming up and one needs extra practice.  Advent is a time for us to prepare spiritually. 

          How does one prepare spiritually?  This advent I would like each of us to think of those times we have to pack a bag for a trip, however keeping in mind that this trip has no clear return date.  If the Lord would come today, what would we need?  What should we pack in our bags this advent?  I would strongly encourage everyone to consider purchasing if not this year get one ready for next an advent wreath for your home, just like the one we have here in Church of course much smaller.  There is something spiritual about gathering as a family at home and lighting the candle each weekend.

          The other thing I would encourage everyone to have is a bible so that we can read and reflect on the scriptures.  For those with young children at home it would be good to invest in a children’s bible that will help make the readings more understandable for them.  I will be including some links at the end of my written text which I post on the blog to several Children’s Bibles that are available.  It is important during advent that we take some time to reflect and study God’s written word.  The bible also helps give us another tool to focus on prayer.  For those interested in studying the next weekend’s readings you can visit the USSCB website and read over them or better yet you can attend Sister Monica’s bible study class on Tuesdays where she specifically uses the next weekend’s readings for their reflection.  She has one class at 10am and the other at 7pm.

          Finally I want to say something about a sacrament in which is near and dear to my heart as a priest and it’s a sacrament in which I have mentioned many times but the sacrament of reconciliation.  Go to confession!  If it has been years…go!  If you do not know what to do or what to say…don’t worry about it, we as priests will help you.  That’s why we get paid the big bucks!  If you are afraid of the priest…let’s pause…now look at me do I really look that scary to you.  Perhaps God did not bless me with good looks, but that is why you can go behind the screen.  Putting humor aside…go to confession!  The readings speak of staying alert.  We do not know when the Lord will come again in glory…we do not know when the Lord will call us home.  Starting this week I will be hearing confessions 7 days a week, so there will be plenty of opportunity available for the sacrament.  So let me say it again…go to confession!  Put myself and my brother priests to work. 

          Brothers and sisters in closing we sang in our responsorial psalm, “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”  Part of us being watchful also is about letting the Lord into our hearts.  Today we have reflected on some of the tools we can use to orient our hearts and minds to the Lord.  God gives us tools, let’s put them to use.  Stay alert!  The Lord is coming!

Links to Various Children's Bibles

http://www.catholicbookpublishing.com/products/736

http://www.catholicbookpublishing.com/products/737

http://www.catholicbookpublishing.com/products/827

http://www.catholicbookpublishing.com/products/826

http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/CHILDREN+S/Books/THE+NEW+CATHOLIC+ILLUSTRATED+BIBLE.axd

http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Children+s/CATHOLIC+BIBLE+STORIES+FOR+CHILDREN.axd

http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Children+s/CATHOLIC+BOOK+OF+BIBLE+STORIES.axd

http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/CHILDREN+S/Books/CATHOLIC+BIBLE+FOR+LITTLE+CHILDREN.axd

http://www.ignatius.com/IProducts/105141/the-catholic-bible-for-children.aspx?gclid=CObEi9unk8ICFatcMgodHioA_w

http://www.smp.org/series/81/The-Catholic-Childrens-Bible/

This Sunday...THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Tomorrow evening at the 4:30pm Mass we will bless the advent wreath and light the first purple candle for the first Sunday of Advent.  Looking ahead during the month of December we will be having Mass on Tuesdays at 5:15pm with confessions from 4:30pm - 5pm.  

Homily for Thanksgiving Day 2014

Here is an audio recording of my homily this morning at the 10:30am Mass.  

Homily for Thanksgiving Day 2014

          Do not forget to give thanks to God!  In today’s Gospel we have the healing of the ten lepers and as we heard only one, once recognized he had been healed, returned to give thanks to God.  This happens more often than we think.  There is many times in which we ourselves fail to give thanks to God for all He has done for us.

          Thanksgiving Day provides for us not just an opportunity to gather with family around a dinner table but also gives us a chance to thank the one who makes it possible.  “And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth.”  Today as we gather give thanks to God, because everything that we have has been ultimately bestowed upon us by Him.  Spend some time today thinking about those things in which we are thankful. 

          My brothers and sisters, on behalf of the entire staff of Saint Patrick’s I would like to extend to all of you a blessed and happy thanksgiving.  Moving ahead today may we not forget to give praise to the name of the Lord who makes all things possible!  

Saint Patrick Church Thanksgiving Day Message 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!  PLEASE KNOW YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From the desk of the pastor...reminder of his Winter Weather Policy

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our first Winter Storm Warning for the season goes into effect tomorrow morning.  Please allow me once again to express my personal Winter Weather Policy.  If the conditions of the roads are bad, please stay at home.  Anytime there is a danger to ourselves or others it is best to stay indoors.  The Lord loves us a lot and does not expect us to risk our lives or the lives of others.

On weekends when there is calling for bad weather on a Sunday please make every effort to attend Saturday Evening.  If the Winter Weather occurs on a Saturday please remember our Mass times are spread out (8am, 10:45am, and 5:30pm) on Sunday.  Please keep an eye on news reports and traffic conditions.

Tomorrow afternoon I will still be celebrating Mass at 5:15pm (because I live here), but again if conditions are bad please stay home.

Sincerely,

Fr. C.

Father Carroll's Homily for Christ the King 2014

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King 2014

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”  Is Christ our King?  As we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King that is the basic question we must all ask ourselves.  Our readings for this Sunday highlight a simple way in which we can tell if Christ our true King is guiding our lives. 

Starting with the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel and the Gospel of Matthew highlights the theme of service.  “Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.”  This quote taken from the first reading reveals that the Lord God will tend His sheep.  It goes on to say “The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal.”  If Christ is really in our hearts we would be oriented towards serving others.  Over time we have heard it said repeatedly when we serve others we are ultimately serving God.  We are reminded of that when we hear the Lord answer the question in today’s Gospel, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

If Christ is truly our king, then we would be oriented to living Christian lives of service.  The biggest obstacle to this is we ourselves!  Individuals whose lives are not centered on the Lord tend to be self-centered.  Those individuals are looking towards their need and wants.  If we are looking at our own needs and wants all the time without any consideration for the needs of others then Jesus Christ is not the King and center of our lives.  What are some of the excuses people use for not coming to Mass?  There isn't enough time…we have a sports practice, we were away at camp, and after going about all our many things, we just don’t feel like it.  Well I am sure our Lord didn't feel like being nailed to a cross, but He did, because He loved us. 

          Brothers and sisters, next week, we have a perfect opportunity for another shot to make Christ the center of our lives…we have the beginning of a new liturgical year with the beginning of advent next week.  Together let’s continue to look for ways in which we can refocus our lives on the Lord.

Holy Buckets

Our Religious Education students are presently participating in the “Holy Buckets” program through the Missionary Childhood Association. We are all missionaries by our Baptism. We are reaching out to the poor and vulnerable half a world away. The students are being encouraged to pray, sacrifice and serve to make a faith-filled difference for our mission family. 

Religious Ed. Mission Project

Advent to January 4, 2012-Religious Ed students are praying and sacrificing for Missionary Childhood Association, which offers young Catholics and their families opportunities to share our faith with our foreign missions. In conjunction with this, we are raffling of 2 Christmas Teddy Bears, donated by Sister Monica for the good of the missions. Each chance is a quarter of which all the proceeds will go directly to the Missionary Childhood Association. Please join with us in pray and sacrifice for all our missionaries.

Change in the Confession and Mass Schedule for Thursday November 20th and Friday November 21st

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE FOR CONFESSIONS AND MASS FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20TH AND FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21ST.  

CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD THURSDAY FROM 4:15PM - 4:45PM, MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED AT 5PM

CONFESSIONS ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21ST WILL BE HEARD FROM 11:30AM - 12:30PM.

Father Carroll's Homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily for the 33^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

          “For all of you are children of the light and children of the day.”  Brothers and sisters let us strive to be children of the light.  What does that mean?  It means that we need to allow the gifts and talents God has given to be used to their fullest potential.  God has given us all gifts.  Some have been given the gift to sing, some of been given the gift of writing, some are good orators, others are good listeners.  We all have a gift, and that gift isn’t meant to be hidden from the world. 

          In our responsorial psalm we sang, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”  This isn’t a fear of fright but rather a deep sense of reverence for the Lord and what He calls us too.  As Christians we are called to go out and use the gifts we have been given constantly.  Continuing with St. Paul’s letter to the people of Thessalonica, “Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.”  While yes we need to rest and sleep to renew our bodies and minds what this passage is saying there is no rest from living the Christian faith.  Think about it, and ask ourselves is there a time in which we are not using our gifts to their fullest potential.  Do we attempt to hide our gifts from the world?  If the answer is yes to those questions then we have something to work on. 

          There are a lot of distractions out there brothers and sisters.  The devil will try to discourage us and bring us into darkness.  As children of the light, bring everything into it.  “Let us stay alert!”  It’s easy to allow darkness to consume us, but my encouragement to us is to not allow that to happen.  Trust in God’s mercy and love.  We are reminded today of two things that as Christians we are called to action to use our gifts and talents for the building up of His kingdom.  Secondly what should motivate us is our love and deep sense of reverence for the Lord for all He has done for us.     Moving forward this week look for ways in which we can shine the light of our faith to give light to those who might be walking in the midst of darkness. 

SYMBOLON IS HERE

Symbolon is Here! - Free To Use

Register Now and Begin Your Journey

Go to: St. Patrick Symbolon Page

Click Picture to View Introduction!

When you learn about something, it becomes part of you and inspires a greater interest, enabling you to share it with others.

So you might ask what is Symbolon?

Symbolon is a Travel Guide for our faith that helps us to understand how to live it and share it with others. It tells our Story!

Through a generous donation from a parish family, Symbolon is offered FREE for your use until Oct, 2015.

With Symbolon you can:

·        Travel at your own pace and time as you explore our Faith.

·        Travel alone, or take along family, friends, or even a group.

·        Have Fun as you Travel on Your Journey to Heaven!

Beginning your travel is Very Simple: Register for Symbolon on-line at Home or on your Smartphone, and access it anytime on the web.

Just go to St. Patrick Website http://www.stpatrickyork.org/- click on the SYMBOLON ICON, then on SYMBOLON REGISTER NOW!

• Do not have a computer - ask family or friends to help you, or become part of a group to be offered in the parish.

• Know someone who does not have a computer; ask them to join you.

Parishioner Sharing:

Listen to what Jeanina Sargent, a parishioner, shared after viewing just the first 4 Episodes of Symbolon:

"What helped keep my attention was the way that the speakers related the early teaching of the Church to what is happening today. It made me think about how I want to live my life.

It answered the questions of why we do the things that we do and how we can keep these traditions of our religion alive.

I could watch and listen in the privacy of my home.

We try to fit so much in our day.. .What I realized was that I could include God (not just squeeze God into my day). By living my life as God wants me to live and touching people's lives with kindness."

Explore Symbolon and let us know what you think and need. 

Consider forming small groups that meet in your homes.

Symbolon has a Lot to Offer:

It includes 20 Episodes divided into 2 parts (approx 10 - 20 min long) - on Knowing the Faith, and Living the Faith.  Also provided are E-Books, On-line Articles, CD's, and You Tube Videos.

Explore The Faith Challenge:

Make it a priority to watch one Episode every week or every other week, over the course of the next 11 months.  Isn't God worth it?  Aren't you worth it?

Tell 5 people about your Experience.

Everyone Has a Story: Discover Our Story

We each have God-given roles to play in that story and the reality is that God's story of love is not complete without each one of us participating in it.

So how are you going to Choose to use this wonderful Gift of Symbolon that has been given to you through a Labor of Love from a Parish Family?

This coming year, will you use your time to foster your talents and treasure, while

·       Renewing Your Heart,

·          Renewing Your Faith, and

·       Renewing Your Parish.

Please let me know if you have any Questions or Feedback.  And keep me updated on your journey.

Have Fun Viewing our Story and Enjoy your Travels.

In all that We say and Do,

May Jesus Christ be Praised, Now and Forever. Amen!

Religious Education Classes Early Dismissal on Sunday November 23rd

In anticipation of Bishop Gainer's visit on Sunday November 23rd, Religious Education students WILL BE DISMISSED AT 10:15AM instead of 10:30am to help ease the traffic congestion in between the Masses.  Thank you for your understanding!  

Good Shepherd Adoration Chapel to celebrate 20th Anniversary

GOOD SHEPHERD PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!!!

On Sunday November 23rd on the Solemnity of Christ the King our bishop the Most Reverend Ronald Gainer will be present for the 10:45am Mass to celebrate the chapel's 20th anniversary.  We invite all adorers and members of St. Patrick Church to join us for this special occasion!  Bishop Gainer will also be attending the luncheon following Mass.  

The invitations have been sent out. If you did not receive one and are interested in attending on Sunday, November 23, you can pick up an invitation in the Chapel or call Jeanne for more information.  

St. Patrick 6th Grade Class learns about the Day of the Dead

Mrs. Carla Veil's 6th grade class has been traveling around the world recently (no not literally).  Recently they visited Mexico where they learned about the custom of the Day of the Dead in which people gather to remember their deceased relatives and friends.  As part of their learning experience they set up an altar to help them understand the Mexican culture.

Book Bingo Night Friday November 14th!!!

BOOK BINGO NIGHT!

When?  Friday November 14th @ 6pm

Where?  St. Patrick Catholic School 235 S. Beaver Street

What?  Play Bingo (with books as the prizes), eat pizza, have fun, and perhaps even meet new people.

Cost?  $5.00/Pizza

PLEASE RSVP BY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11TH.

FOR THE FORM PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINK

http://www.stpatrickyork.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=476

Father Carroll's Homilies for All Saint's Day, All Souls Day, and the Loved One's Remembered Service 2014

Homily for All Saints Day

         “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.”  Our first reading from the book of Revelations gives us a description which should uplift all of us.  Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints Day were we gather to celebrate and honor all those who have entered into their eternal reward.

         The Saints, individuals who lived just like us, experienced things the same ways we have, serve as examples for us and give us something to which we should aspire.  How do we become one of those saints.  How can we join that great multitude?  The answer is simple...pour out your hears and trust in the Lord's mercy.  

         Brothers and sisters, we are a people that longs to see the face of God may we turn to the saints, seeking all their intercessions so that we may one day join with them in God's eternal kingdom.

All Souls Day Homily 2014

        “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”  It is the desire and will of God that in the end we will be with Him and join the great multitude of the Saints whom we honored yesterday.  Yesterday we celebrated the lives of the Saints those who are experiencing the fullness of God's kingdom.  Today's celebration is geared differently for today we pray for those who have died that are not quite yet in the fullness of the Lord's presence.

         When we celebrate “All Souls” day we must be careful because this is a truth.  There are souls in purgatory.  Now purgatory is not a bad place to be.  A good way for us to look at purgatory as a place where we go to be refined to prepare us for where the Lord desires us to be.  Going back to today's first reading we hear “the souls of the just are in the hand of God.”  That comes to us from the book of Wisdom.  Any soul in purgatory is in the hand of God, yet we have a responsibility to pray for them and in return we ask them to pray for us.  If there is something you need...pray for a soul in purgatory, for there is no better soul we can turn to because they want to do all they can to experience what God desires for them so they will go to bat for us at a drop of the hat.  Pray...pray...pray for the souls in purgatory.   

         On All Souls day the priest can choose to wear white as we did for All Saints Day, black or purple.  For All Souls day I tend to lean towards the black or the purple.  Black represents mourning or a loss.  When death occurs no matter when it comes there is sadness.  We must recognize grief and I think one of the biggest mistakes we make is that we gloss over grief in favor of focusing on the joy of the Resurrection.  Don't get me wrong we must focus on the joy of the Resurrection for that is where we find our hope, however we mustn't forget to acknowledge the pain one might be experiencing because it is perfectly normal.

         The other color is purple.  When do you see me wear purple?  Advent, Lent, and whenever I am in the confessional.  When we see purple we think of the forgiveness of sins.  There is that word again...sin.  It's a reality, we all struggle with it and perhaps we might not be completely rid of it when the good Lord calls.  I won't say much about it since I tackled it earlier in the homily but that is why we pray for the dead.  The plenary indulgence is offered for the souls in purgatory which is why I offer confession regularly, that is why at 12:30pm I will be heading out to visit the Old St. Pat's/St. Mary's cemetery so that you will have the opportunity to demonstrate an act of charity an act of love...praying for the dead. 

         For those who have died and are in the hand of God today the Lord is their shepherd and they want to experience the Lord in all His glory, so brothers and sisters, how about we help them out.  Let's pray for them and ask them to pray for us that we will one day experience it with them.

Homily for the loved ones Remembrance Service

We gather here tonight to remember our loved ones…those who have died within the past year, but also all those who have entered eternal life.  Tonight we celebrate this special service on the commemoration of “All Souls Day.”  It is fitting that on the commemoration of “All Souls” that we gather to honor those whom have touched our hearts.

As we look around we are reminded that we are not alone.  Every situation is different…some have lost a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or even a child.  Yet the common thread that unites us all and that is we have experienced a loss.  Listening to God’s word tonight we find hope…in tonight’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah we heard that the Lord will destroy death forever.  Death is not an end, but rather a beginning of a new journey which awaits all of us gathered here. 

The Gospel comes from John 6^th the Bread of Life Discourse.  The Lord Jesus said, “Any one eats this bread will live forever, and I will raise him up on the last day.”  Tonight I want to apply this reading to us gathered here seeking comfort.  We come here in this Church to allow Christ into our hearts.  Invite Him in and allow Him to fill our hearts and minds.  As we allow Him into our hearts may we strive to let Him work in us so that we can comfort one another with our losses!  We can find comfort in the Lord, but we can also find comfort in one another. 

As we gather tonight I encourage us to share memories of our loved ones.  Remember the good times.  Keep those memories alive remembering life is not ended, it is changed!  Our loved ones are not dead in the sense that it is the end.  There is no end, only a new beginning.  Find hope in the Resurrection of Christ…for us as Christians Easter is a victory.  Those in the hand of God are experiencing a victory.  Pray for them and ask them to say a prayer for us. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

         

SYMBOLON COMING NEXT SUNDAY NOV 9TH

You will be able to Register for SYMBOLON on-line at Home or on a Smartphone! Starting November 9th.

Symbolon unveils the Beauty and Genius of Catholicism as you have never seen it before. Through a generous donation from a parish family, this EXCITING PLATFORM is being offered FREE for You, your Family and Friends.

It meets you right where you are now in your faith journey. Through great speakers, beautiful artwork, and sacred music, our faith comes to life! The videos of Rome, St. Peter’s Square, and Holy Land are awesome. Our faith is revealed to help us to live it, and share it with others! See our Parish Website: 

http://www.stpatrickyork.org/evangelize/Symbolon.html

to view Symbolon Trailer & Excepts from Episodes

Youth Group News...

What's coming up...

16^th Annual FAN THE FIRE YOUTH RALLY 

is on Saturday, November 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph! Normally around 600 teens and chaperones from all over the diocese and several states join us for this awesome day of Faith, friends and fun! Cost: Only $20.00.To sign-up, please contact the youth office by Friday, Oct. 31. Teens in grades 8-12 are welcome!! To view a promo video and find out more information, please visit our web site at:www.fanthefirerally.com.

Red Neck Hoe Down

on Sunday, November 2 from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Meet in the St. Joseph gym. Come in “country” costume, be ready to play some fun “country” games, eat “country” food and square dance!!

 ENGULF Holy Hour on Sunday, November 9 from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Meet in the youth room. Time for games, Eucharistic Adoration, praise and worship, quiet time, Sacrament of Reconciliation, snacks, and free time for socializing with friends!