On Sunday November 30th  we enter into the Season of Advent.  The Advent Wreath is an old custom that visibly expresses the meaning of the season.    The light of the candles reminds us that Christ is the "Light of the World."  The circular shape reminds us that God is eternal and the evergreen reminds us that God never changes.  If anyone would like to memorialize the Advent Wreath or any of the four Advent candles or the Christ Candle, please stop in or call the Parish office at 718.821.2323.

The Church is traditionally divided into:

These terms are often used in the context of the doctrine of the Communion of Saints.

During the month of November, we commemorate the Church Triumphant and the Church Suffering on two consecutive days: All Saints Day on November 1 (the Church Triumphant), and All Souls Day on November 2 (the Church Suffering).

This past All Souls Day, the management of Cypress Hills Cemetery invited us to celebrate Mass at their Abbey Chapel. What a privilege it was for all of us.  We thank them for this wonderful opportunity and we thank all of our parishioners who attended.  It was quite fascinating to learn that Cypress Hills Cemetery opened in 1848. The first burial was December 11, 1848 - David Fay Corey who was 11 months old.  His parents were Cyrus B. Corey and Mary Fay Corey who lived on Myrtle Avenue. This year there were 1,462 burials. There are currently 352,248 people buried in over 220 acres.

These 352,248 people are our neighbors.  Many may even be relatives or friends. We believe that although we may be physically separated from each other by the barrier of death, we nonetheless remain united to each other in one Church, and support each other in prayer.

Focusing on the Liturgy of the Word section, when related to Mass, one may think our liturgical language is characterized by what might be called a noble simplicity and clarity. (Some would find such precision admirable but rather dry! )

Worship as due acknowledgment to God for the gifts of creation, good health, political stability, etc. is a universal religious sensibility. This sentiment is clearly part of our own religious heritage as Christians. Each time we gather for worship, particularly for the Eucharist (the word itself means “thanksgiving”), we duly acknowledge with gratitude the Giver of all gifts of creation, of Jesus Christ, and of the Spirit at work in the Church. Therefore, after each Reading there is a period of silence, allowing us to focus on the Reading we just heard and pull out of it a word or phrase which would have meaning to help us live better lives.

When is the Gloria used at Mass?
The Gloria is a hymn to praise God for God’s mercy and to acclaim the presence of the risen Lord in our midst.  The Gloria is used on all Sundays and major feasts throughout the year except during Lent and Advent.  The Gloria is omitted during Lent because of the Church’s desire to focus on the penitential aspect of that season.  (It is for the same reason that the Alleluias are omitted during Lent.)  During Advent only the Gloria is omitted and in contrast comes back joyfully in union with all the Angels on Christmas Eve.