Category: Uncategorized

FATHER ABEL’S COLUMN – MAY 26TH 2019

We love you Sister Nellie, requiescat in pace.

This weekend our country observers observes Memorial Day. For many it’s the unofficial start to the summer season. Above all, Memorial Day is a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered. Today we remember those who fought the good fight and gave their lives for God and country. We remember their zeal and courage. We remember their ultimate sacrifice and their love for this country. May God continue to bless their souls. May we never take for granted their service and example. On behalf of the Catholic War Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary I invite you to join me for our annual Memorial Day Mass at 10 AM in the church. (Please note there will be no other masses that day and no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament). All are invited to join in the procession with our veterans around the neighborhood after Mass.

Reminder: We are getting closer to the arrival of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, blessed by Pope Francis in 2017 commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the apparitions in Fatima. Please see the bulletin for the schedule.

As you know we began advertising for a journal in preparation of our parishes 125th anniversary that we will celebrate in October. I strongly encourage all of you, especially the wonderful groups and ministries in the parish to sponsor an ad.

In addition, you can start to call and reserve your place for the 125th dinner dance to take place at that Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. The dinner will take place on Saturday, October 19. Please see the bulletin for more information.

Next Thursday, May 30th is the feast of the Ascension a holy day of obligation, Masses will be on Wednesday at 7 PM and Thursday at 7 AM, 9 AM, 12 noon, 7 PM (English) and 7 PM (Spanish) in the chapel.

The diocese is asking that all parishioners personally subscribe to The Tablet. Beginning in the fall the parish will no longer be getting a bill for The Tablet. Also at that time The Tablet will no longer be delivered to your home unless you buy a subscription. If you take the tablet at Mass from one of the bins in the church, you are kindly asked to place one dollar in the bin. More info can be found in the bulletin.

Rev. Kevin Abels

FATHER ABEL’S COLUMN – MAY 19TH 2019

We have two very special and blessed events coming up that I want you to know about. First on June 7 and June 8, one of the statues of Our Lady of Fatima will be here for prayer and devotion for all our parishioners and visitors from outside the parish. Back in 2017 the church celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. Pope Francis blessed six statues of Our Lady of Fatima that were commissioned to travel to all the continents of the world. How blessed we are to have one of these statues to visiting our parish. You can find the schedule of prayers, devotions and reflections on this page! Please show your devotion to Our Lady of Fatima here in Woodside!

Second, our annual Corpus Christi procession will take place after the 6 PM Mass on Sunday, June 23. This year I am asking all parents and children especially those who received their First Holy Communion this year, to lead the procession this year. Our young people are very important also to the life and stability of our parish. I strongly encourage our parents and children to at- tend this Mass on June 23. You will be sitting in the front row I will need the procession around the streets of Woodside.

I received word from the diocese that Fr. Joey’s ministry in Brooklyn and Queens will be coming to an end June 30. Allow me to express my appreciation to him for all he has done for St. Sebastian’s. Details about his farewell Mass and reception will follow in the weeks to come.

The Diocese of Brooklyn is looking for all parishioners to consider a personal subscription to The Tablet. If interested, please see the form to be filled out at out Tablet display bins in the back of the church. Another option is to put one dollar in the space provided when you take The Tablet each week.

I am looking for anyone willing to give money so I can purchase three new strong and sturdy carpets for the front entrance of the church. The total cost is $650

Thanks in advance.

Rev. Kevin Abels

Christ taking leave of the Apostles

FATHER ABEL’S COLUMN – MAY 12TH 2019

Last Saturday I was truly honored to celebrate the First Holy Communion of the young boys and girls of St. Sebastian‘s Catholic Academy. It was a true joy to see the excitement and the love our young people have for our Lord. I also look forward to two more celebrations of First Holy Communion with the young people of our religious education program this weekend. Please keep all our children who received Jesus for the first time in your special prayers!

This weekend, our stewardship and hospitality committee will be available at all of our masses to encourage all our parishioners who are not registered members to consider registering! This is so very important to me and to the staff that we truly know those families who register and support the ongoing mission of the parish. Being registered parishioners of the Paris helps me and the other priest to help you and members of your family who ask for services in the parish or outside the parish. Many people from the parish come to the office asking for help or to be referred to other agencies around the community. It’s much easier to help when we can verify your being a registered and active member of the parish.

To make it easier for you, I have simplified the process and the form that needs to be filled out. The members of Stewardship Committee will help you to fill out the forms or they will give them to you to take home and bring back the following Sunday. Please help us with this and be a registered member of the parish. All information collected from you is extremely confidential and will remain in the Rectory office!

Thanks for your support.

Rev. Kevin Abels,
Pastor

Adoration of the Trinity

FATHER ABEL’S COLUMN – MAY 5TH 2019

We are in the season of giving Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion to the young people in our community. This weekend the young boys and girls in St. Sebastian Catholic Academy received their First Holy Communion. It was a blessed moment for them and for all present. Please pray for them that they will always want to receive Him at Mass.

We have begun advertising for our Parish Journal as we look forward to our 125th Anniversary Celebration in October and November. I encourage you and all of our parish ministries to take an ad out for the Journal. Information can be found in the bulletin.

Our 2019 Annual Catholic Appeal is underway. Please help our parish to reach its goal of $159,310 by making a pledge of $200 especially if you did not make one in the past. A special thank you to those of you who have already made a pledge for this year!

Christ’s Charge to Peter