Maple Street Bulletin

Please take note of the red vestments and red decorations that create our worship environment. Red on Pentecost reminds us of the fire and energy of the Spirit. The Spirit empowers and inspires us with the passion for life, love, forgiveness, and justice. It gives new meaning to “seeing red”.

MAPLE STREET MEMO

Dear Friends,

Many years ago I remember reading a fascinating book entitled: “A Wind To Shake The World.” It was the story of the great hurricane of 1938 which because of a lack then of being able to predict and warn wreaked havoc on Long Island and New England and changed the lives of thousands of people. It was an elemental force rarely seen before. The story of Pentecost was also about a wind to shake the world; it has that same whiff of elemental force but now designed for building up and not tearing down.

But let’s face it, we like a tranquil and orderly life. People rank peace and quiet high among their priorities. If you ask them, “what do you dislike the most?” Often the answer is “surprises”. We prefer our domestic and professional life to be placid, and our religion too!

Well today we are invited to contemplate the glorious unpredictability of God’s massive, large scale, powerful, effortless, sovereign, decisive unpredictability. Our God is the master of the impossible, capable of flooding us with vocations, conversions, and re-populated parishes. Capable too, of filling us with the peace and forgiveness of today’s gospel.

We say in our creed, “We believe in the Holy Spirit the Lord and giver of life”. Do we really believe that in this “element of force” there is no limit to what may happen?

Peace,

Father Jim

ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL

THANK YOU!

To the 112 individuals and families who made a pledge to this years appeal.

RESPECT LIFE BABY SHOWER

This weekend, for the benefit of mothers who need help with unplanned pregnancies. Items most needed are Pampers, (newborn-medium), Onesies, baby blankets, wipes, stretchies, new or gently used baby or maternity clothes. Checks are also appreciated, and can be made out to Birthright, Good Council, New Hope, or Several Sources. Please put them in envelopes marked “Baby Shower”. Please place all items in the port-a-crib located in the vestibule of church. Thank You!

MOTHER’S MEETING

There will be a meeting of mothers of infants to primary grade children on Wednesday, May 21, at noon. The meeting will be at 379 Orchard Place, Haworth. This is an opportunity to get together for support, shared stories, and prayer. Call Sr. Joanne for more information at 201-387-0080 or e-mail shpahaw@aol.com. Call Maggie at 201-439-1432 if you plan to come.

REFLECTIONS ON STEWARDSHIP

Every year we are

witness to creation.

New life springs up before us.

Our joyful appreciation of nature

can move us to preserve and safeguard

one of God’s fundamental gifts to us.

God’s gift of the world

needs stewards to

treasure and protect it.

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN WHO

CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

LAST WEEKEND

****

LIAM VERDON*CAROLINE DORAN

JOSEPH ROTONDE*CHARLOTTE NORDEN

CHRISTOPHER PANZELLA*MARISA CUETO

NICHOLAS ALLEGRO*ELLEN HAMLIN

Magnificat

A Ministry to Catholic Women is holding a Women's prayer breakfast on Sat., May 31, from 9am-noon at St. Mary's Parish Center, Closter. After a delicious hot breakfast and a period of praise and worship and prayer for the needs of all present. Maria Hill will share the story of the transforming love of Jesus Christ in her life. Tickets: $20.00. Reservations and Info: 201 265-2738.

A Chance for a New Beginning

Did you know that FAMILIES make up the largest and fastest growing segment of the homeless population, both nationally and locally? Low paying jobs and the high cost of housing make it difficult for more and more families to make ends meet. The Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless is currently the only organization in the county providing the services these working families need to return to self-sufficiency. The Emergency Family Shelter at St. Cecelia’s, the New Leaf Transitional Housing Program, and the Break the Cycle Scholarship Fund are just a few ways the IRF helps families get back on their feet again.

The Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless is selling raffle tickets for its Super 50/50 Raffle to be held on June 16, 2008 at its Annual Meeting. The winner need not be present.

Grand Prize $25,000 or 25% of the proceeds

Second Prize $5,000 or 5% of the proceeds

20 Third Prizes $1,000 or 1 % of the proceeds each

Tickets will be sold after each mass on the weekend of May 17-18

A maximum of 1000 tickets will be sold for $100.00 each. You can also purchase a ticket by calling the IRF office at 201-833-8009 or online at www.IRFhomeless.org

CURSILLO

If you have made a Cursillo and have an interest in finding men or women to group with. We have an active Cursillo Community at Sacred Heart. If you would like to join us please call Joe or Kathie Genco at 201-750-0760.

INCLUSIVE FAMILY MASSES

These Masses are adapted for people with special needs and/or gifts, their families and friends.

June 1 @ St. John, Bergenfield 1:30 pm

June 22 @ Church of the Nativity, Midland Pk. 9:00

Candidates Congratulations

Please Pray For Our Candidates

Mark Michael Astarita-Kathleen Blakwell

Dominic Boettger-Ryan Boyd-Kevin Costantino

Nicole Costantino-Dylan DeLibero-Kyle Egan

Ashley Famulare-Matthew Ferrentino

Spencer Heitmann-Stephen Howard

Caroline Jureller-James Kelly-Christopher J. Kiel

Matthew Kracke-Mark Kransnic-Danielle Layne

MacKenzie Leeds-Jack Livingston-Megan Luongo

Carmella O’Hanlon-Amanda Perrucci-Melisa Pesce

Dean Roncati-Veronica Schnatterly-Christian Vargas

Mother’s love

Her love is like an island in life’s ocean, vast & wide.

A peaceful, quiet shelter from the wind, the rain, the tide.

‘Tis bound on the north by Hope,

by Patience on the West,

by tender Counsel on the South

and on the East by Rest.

Above it like a beacon light shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;

And through the changing scenes of life I find a haven there.

May God’s Blessing be on all of our

Mother’s * Grandmother’s * Godmother’s

and those who are like Mother’s to us.

Happy Mother’s Day!

We Honor the Blessed Mother

The women’s spirituality group invites you to honor Mary on Thursday, May 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the outdoor shrine on Park Street in front of the parish center. We shall recite the rosary, pray the litany, and sing. In case of inclement weather, we shall pray in the parish center. Light refreshments will follow. For more information, call Sr. Joanne at 387-0080.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

Registration is presently being held for current parish family members who have children entering into grades 1-8. You may register at the Parish Center Religious Education Office from 9-2, Mon. thru Thurs. Please bring copies of Baptismal and birth certificates for any new child entering the program. Any questions, call Religious Ed. Office at 201-387-00880.

AREA HAPPENINGS

*MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Make the choice to love your spouse even more by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, July 11-13. Call 1-800-823-5683 for more info.

*WOMEN’S SELF –DEFENSE CLASS Every Tuesday & Thursday at Our Lady of Victories School in Harrington Park at 7:30 pm. For more info. please call Ellen at 201-390-8767.

*ALASKAN OR VANCOUVER & VICTORIA BRITISH COLUMBIA CRUISE offered by St. Joseph Church Oradell. Please call Great Experiences, Inc. at 201-825-3725 for brochures, information & reservations.

*FRIENDS OF THE ADORNOS SPRING FAIR At St. Michael Seminary, Ramsey, on Sunday May 18 from 10am-6pm. Admission is free, ample parking, 200 booths, kiddie rides, refreshments. For further information please call 201-327-7375.