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WelcomeParish of the Visitation
192 Sandford Street | New Brunswick NJ, 08901BackForwardPauseCaption
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From the Pastor's Desk
In the Gospel today Jesus says he comes to bring division. And what is the worse type of division you can have if not division within the family itself. Jesus speaks to this: father against son, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. The last of these are the butt of jokes. Usually, it’s the son-in-law and the mother-in-law, as hilariously portrayed by Ralph Cramden and his mother-in-law (for those old enough to remember Jackie Gleeson in “The Honeymooners.”) It’s partly due to wanting to control, lack of respect and lack of proper boundaries. Some caught in this trap pray for patience, but I think they would be better off praying for humility. That is what is needed. The humility to value justice and give to the other what is due him or her. To the young family the space to create their own life together and the space to make their own mistakes, face their challenges, and enjoy their triumphs. They can share these with their family if they choose to, which is a wise idea. Families are there to help each other. Sometimes it doesn’t quite work out that way.
I think that ultimately Jesus came not to divide but to multiply. To multiply the family of believers. He came to add to our faith, hope and love and to subtract us from evil desires. These only compute if we do our part by continuing to learn about God and so deepening our faith and our love for him and our neighbor. To help in this equation we, individually and as a parish, should take advantage to learn as much as we can about our faith and our God.
Some years ago, I was visiting a nursing home and one of the residents was reading from an electronic pad. I asked her about it and she told me that her daughter had gotten it for her and she thought at first that it would be a waste as she was afraid of it. Once she learned to use it, she fell in love with it. It is never far from her. She told me all the things she can do on it. I was impressed by her open mindedness and willing to try something new and different.
When I first came to the parish, we signed up for a web-based program called “FORMED”. You can access bible studies, movies, programs for adults, youth, and children, and even audio books. There are programs in English and in Spanish. It can be used in religious education as well as RCIA and adult education. I hope more people will sign on to this program which is free to our parishioners. I pray that FORMED will continue to add to our community life, subtract from alienation, and multiply our faith.
The cost to you is nothing but the potential benefits are incalculable. Look in the bulletin to sign up.
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En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús dice que viene a traer división. Y cuál es el peor tipo de división que pueda haber si no la división en la familia misma. Jesús habla de esto: padre contra hijo, nuera contra suegra. De este último hay muchos chistes. Por lo general, son el yerno y la suegra son los que chocan en los chistes. En la realidad esto se debe en parte a querer controlar, falta de respeto y falta de límites apropiados. Algunos que caen en esta trampa rezan por paciencia, pero creo que sería mejor rezar por humildad. Eso es lo que se necesita. La humildad de honrar la justicia y da al otro lo que le corresponde. Para la familia joven significa el espacio para crear su propia vida juntos y el espacio para cometer sus propios errores, enfrentar sus desafíos y disfrutar de sus triunfos. Pueden compartirlos con su familia si lo desean, lo cual es una buena idea y así ayudarse mutuamente. A veces no funciona de esa manera.
Creo que, en última instancia, Jesús no vino para dividir sino para multiplicar. Multiplicar la familia de creyentes. Él vino para agregar a nuestra fe, esperanza y amor y para restarnos de los malos deseos. Esto solo computa si hacemos nuestra parte al continuar aprendiendo acerca de Dios y profundizando así nuestra fe y nuestro amor por Dios y nuestro prójimo. Para ayudar en esta ecuación, nosotros, como parroquia, hace un poco más de un año nos embarcamos en un programa de aprendizaje, FORMED.
Hace unos años, estaba en uno de los hogares de ancianos y uno de los residentes leía una tableta electrónica. Me causó admiración y ella me dijo que su hija se lo había obsequiado y pensó al principio que sería un desperdicio y ella le tenía miedo. Una vez que aprendió a usarla, se enamoró del aparato. Nunca está lejos de ella. Ella me contó todo lo que puede hacer. Me impresionó su mentalidad abierta y el estar dispuesta a probar algo nuevo y diferente.
Con el programa FORMED, puede acceder a estudios bíblicos, películas, programas para adultos, jóvenes y niños, e incluso audiolibros, todos católicos. Hay programas en inglés y en español. Se pueden usar para educación religiosa, igual a RICA y educación de adultos. Espero que más de nuestros hermanos y hermanas se unan a este programa para que aumenten a nuestra vida comunitaria, reste de la alienación y multiplique nuestra fe y solidaridad. El costo para usted, ES GRATIS, y los beneficios potenciales son incalculables. Vea al boletín para las instrucciones en como inscribirse.
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Today's Readings / Lecturas Del Día
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Confession Times
- Saturday 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Or by appointment
Please call the Parish Office for any other questions (Favor de llamar a la oficina parroquial para cualquier inquietud) -
Weekday Masses
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Monday 12:10 PM English - St. Mary's; followed by St Jude Novena
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(M Tu W Th F & Sa) - 8:00 AM (English) -St. Mary's
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Tuesday 7:00 PM (Spanish) at St. John's
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Friday 7:00 PM (Spanish) - St. Mary's; followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Adoracion al Santisimo)
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Weekend Masses
4:00 pm in English – St. Mary’s - Saturday
7:00 pm in Spanish - St. Mary’s - Saturday
5:30 pm in English - St. Theresa’s -Saturday
9:00 am in Spanish –St. John’s - Sunday
8:30 am in English - St. Mary's - Sunday
11:00 am in English -St. Mary’s - Sunday
1:00 pm in Spanish - St. Mary’s - Sunday
6:00 pm in English - St. Mary’s - Sunday
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Food for Thought
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Candle Offering
The cost of having a lamp lit is $20 for the week.
Please contact the Parish Office for availability. Thank you!
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Spreading the Word
Each talent not developed is bud that never opens to reveal its beauty and fragrance. I stand accountable for developing the talents I have been given. How do I return to the Lord the uniqueness that is me through my compassion?
My artistic gifts? My organizational ability?
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Why Give?
We don't give because we have an abundance of resources and can afford it; we give because of a desire to share what we have with others out of love and gratitude.
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