May Sponsor of St. John’s App: Knights of Columbus

Piermont Council #232o

In Memory of our Deceased Members

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP ‘ST JOHN PIERMONT’

St.

Joh

n th

e B

apti

st R

. C. C

hurc

h

89

5 P

ierm

ont

Ave

. P

ierm

ont,

New

Yor

k

8

45-

359

-00

78

adm

in@

stjo

hn

spie

rmon

t.or

g

Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O. , Administrator Deacon John Cunningham Deacon Robert Pang MASSES Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish)

Weekdays: 8:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM www.stjohnspiermont.org

Dear Parish Family, Jesus' statement about giving eternal life to his sheep occurs at a celebration of the Feast of Dedication, i.e., Hanukkah, which com-memorates the Maccabees' successful revo-

lution against the Syrian tyrant Antiochus IV, around 194 BC. The evangelist says some of the people celebrating that feast were asking Jesus whether he was the Messiah. The context suggests that they were thinking of a Messiah along the militaristic lines of David the warrior and Judah the Hammer. Jesus' answer implies that he pro-vides ultimate security (“eternal life”) in another way, as shepherd of the flock the Father leads to him. And the rest of the Fourth Gos-pel helps us understand that one gains access to eternal life by ac-cepting Jesus as sent by the Father and by laying down one's life for one's friends.

Scripture does, on the surface, give us the impression that God is sometimes angry and full of condemnation and violence. Many of the Old Testament stories come to mind: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues, famine and draught wrought by the prophets at the command of God. But these are anthropomorphisms: a way of speaking about God that reveals how we feel about God when we are unfaithful, sinful, and violent.

In contrast, today’s Gospel speaks of the shepherd’s gentle voice that calls the sheep to pasture. But it is also true that God’s voice does judge and it does condemn, but it judges and condemns not by coercive force, but in the same way that the innocence of a baby judges false sophistication, in the way that generosity exposes self-ishness, in the way that big-heartedness reveals pettiness, in the way that light makes darkness flee, and in the way that the truth shames lies. God’s voice judges us not by overpowering us but by shining love and light into all those places where we find ourselves huddled in fear, shame, bitterness, hostility, and sin.

But this is not something we learn easily. Already way back, before the birth of Christ, sincere religious people were yearning for God to come into the world in power. What they wanted in the longed-for Messiah was a morally superior violence that would give evil no options, but force it literally to acquiesce. What we got instead was a helpless baby at Bethlehem, in the straw who overpowered no one. We still encounter the Redeemer at the ‘breaking of the bread’ at every Eucharist, again there is no show of might and power. Even today, we are still struggling to accept this. Too often the Christ we try to incarnate and preach is still that ancient, longed-for, overpow-ering Messiah who aims to cleanse the world through flat-out coer-cion. We sometimes gets annoyed when Church prays for the vic-tims of persecution and the conversion of the oppressor. We are invited to echo the gentle Shepherd’s voice, “Father forgive them … Neither do I condemn you … Put that sword away … Be gentle as doves.” Fr. Thomas Kunnel

THE SANCTUARY LAMP

Is Being Offered this week Eileen Donohue

Requested by

Jean DeLongis

Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our Parish Family. Molly Robinson Cameron Robinson, Ron Rebers, Helen Koza, Madlen Moson, Marge Culletto, Bill Loftus, Carolyn, Joe Dennerlein, Tommy Armstrong, Caro-line Kelly, Thomas Kilgannon , Eugene Flood, fa-ther of Kelly Kohlbrenner & Christine Mascola, Alex Malfa, Anna Hickey, Larry Goswick, Nancy Ellis, Ismaela Sanabria Maldonado, mother of Marleni, Edith & Ana, Anne O’Connor, Gino Galante, Lucy Bosco

As a Parish Family, let us remember in our pray-ers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community James Enright brother of Marilyn Timberger, Mamerta Soriano, mother of Romeo Soriano, Anne Bazala, John Waffenschmidt Larry Rees III, Mary Valentino, mother of Maryann Beckerich, Henry Soohoo, brother of May Pang, John Harlan, brother of Mary Clifford, Eileen Donohue, Eleanor Gaynor, Ed Peterson PLEASE ADVISE THE RECTORY (359-0078) WHENEVER A PARISHION-ER BECOMES HOMEBOUND, ILL, OR HOSPITALIZED SO ARRANGE-MENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A PRIEST, DEACON OR EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TO VISIT AND BRING COMMUNION TO THEM.

Sat 5/11 5:00 PM Henry Soohoo By Lee McGarvey & Michael Keyes

Sun 5/12

8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

10:30 PM James & Elizabeth Armstrong By Armstrong Family

Mon 5/13 8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

Tue 5/14 8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

Wed 5/15 8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

Thu 5/16 8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

Fri 5/17 8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

Sat 5/18

9:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

5:00 PM Intentions of Confirmation Students By St. John's

Sun 5/19

8:00 AM Mother's Day Novena

10:30 AM Frances Prunty By Armstrong Family

A Very Happy Day to All Mothers and Grandmothers!

We have regular classes this morning and tomorrow evening. At 9:45 am today we have our May Crowning when we hon-or Our Blessed Mother.

Tomorrow at 5 pm, our Con-firmation Candidates will practice for the recep-tion of the sacrament with Bishop Welsh which will take place on Saturday, May 18th at the 5 o'clock liturgy.

Please pray for all of our young people.

Readings No. 834 4th Sunday of Easter

Year C

On Smart TV or Computer go to the Link on WWW.STJOHNSPIERMONT.ORG or https://www.sundaystreams.com/go/stjohnpiermont On ‘ROKU’ Select “SUNDAY STREAMS” Select the Channel “STJOHNPIERMONT” On Smart Phone—Down load the Free App ‘st john piermont’ and link is under ‘Faith”

Live Stream today, Sunday May 12 at 10:30 AM

Liturgy Schedule May 18/19

Time Lector Eucharistic Minister Altar Servers

Sat 5/18 5:00 PM CCD Student

Sun 5/19

8:00 AM Lisa McKenna Lynne Dennerlein 10:30 AM Jonathan Fanning Diana Gensel Ayleen Sicha Heidi Sicha Emmanuel Nova 1 PM Rilma Mazariego Magdalena Maldonado Ayleen Sicha Yolanda Guzman Heidi Sicha Marili Palma Raul Rodriguez

Ana Sanabria

Sun 12-May

9AM Religious Ed 11:30AM Spanish Religious Ed

11:30AM Legion of Mary

1:30PM Spanish Baptism

7PM AA Meeting

Mon 13-May 5:00PM Confirmation Practice

6:30 PM Religious Education

Tues 14-May

10AM Scripture Class

7PM Altar Server Prep

7PM Spanish Preachers Meeting

Wed 15-May 7PM Amigos de Jesus Choir Practice

Thu 16-May 7PM Wedding Rehearsal

7PM Mesajeros de Jesus Choir Practice

Fri 17-May

10AM Friday Renew Group

3PM Wedding

7PM Spanish Prayer Meeting

Sat 18-May 5PM Confirmation

5/5—$4875

SHEPHERDS LIKE JESUS Each year this Fourth Sunday of Easter celebrates Jesus the Good Shepherd. Today's Gospel seems especially timely, for as Christians worldwide suffer persecution like Paul and Barna-bas, Jesus promises his sheep enduring, invincible safety: They shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. But we who are free to live our faith peacefully sometimes take our membership in Jesus flock for granted, wandering astray to seek our own pleasure and prosperity. The simple cross that Pope Francis always wears seems to show us how Jesus responds to that. Francis's cross features an image of Jesus, who has sought and found a lost sheep, then joyfully set it on his shoulders to carry it gently home. May Good Shep-herd Sunday inspire us, so often lost and found ourselves, to assist Jesus in seeking, finding, and gently carrying home our fellow precious lambs.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading- The word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region (Acts 13:14, 43-52). Psalm -- We are his people, the sheep of his flock (Psalm 100). Second Reading -- I had a vision of a great multitude (Revelation 7:9, 14b-17). Gospel -- My sheep hear my voice; I know them and give them eternal life (John 10:27-30).[1-14]).

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Ps 113:1-8; Jn 15:9-17 Wednesday: Acts 12:24 -- 13:5a; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8;Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25: Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14 Sunday: Acts 14:21-27; Ps 145:8-13; Rv 21:1-5a;Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

Couples celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniver-sary anytime during 2019 are invited to attend the Golden wedding Jubilee Mass with Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday, June 2 at 2PM. Pre-registration is required. Call the rectory to register by May 13.

Will be reported next time

St. John’s 2019 Goal / Gol: $39,500

Pledged / Promitido: $9600

Donate online at cardinalsappeal.org

Congratulations To our 2nd graders who re-

ceived First Communion: Nicholas Brady Owen Lennon Shane Lennon Annalisa Lopez

Cristopher Monzon Andrew Moran Finnian Owens Connor Riordan

Clara Ryan Maximo Tomatis Theodore Yates

Thursday, May 23, at 7 PM World renowned Violinist and vocalist Sunita Buyan comes to St. John's as she is the good-will ambassador for the Education of the Children at Risk. The concert will captivate the audience with a fusion of Western-Eastern music mingled with the rich Cultural music of Assam from North East India. She demystifies the divide between Western and Indian Classical music. An evening you don’t want to miss.

Parishioners from Rockland and Bergen County will be partic-ipating in the 2019 Nun Run/Walk 5K in Blauvelt on May 18th. Join your parish team at this annual event hosted by the Sis-ters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York. To register or become a sponsor, visit www.opblauvelt.org/nunrun.

Thank you, Katie Beckmann

Bergen Catholic will host an open house for pro-spective students on May 28th from 6:30-8:30pm. Registration information can be found on the Bergen Catholic website or contact Matt Rosa, Director of Admissions,

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura —— Primera lectura -- La palabra de Dios se iba propagando por toda la región (Hechos 13:14, 43-52). Salmo -- El Señor es nuestro Dios y nosotros su pueblo. Ale-luya (Salmo 100 [99]). Segunda lectura -- Juan tiene la visión de una multitud en vestiduras blancas (Apocalipsis 7:9, 14b-17). Evangelio -- Mis ovejas conocen mi voz; ellas me siguen. Yo les doy vida eterna (Juan 10:27-30).

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

Lunes: Hch 11:1-18; Sal 41:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10 Martes: Hch 1:15-17, 20-26; Sal 112:1-8; Jn 15:9-17 Miércoles: Hch 12:24 -- 13:5a; Sal 66:2-3, 5, 6, 8;Jn 12:44-50 Jueves: Hch 13:13-25: Sal 88:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Viernes: Hch 13:26-33; Sal 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Sábado: Hch 13:44-52; Sal 97:1-4; Jn 14:7-14 Domingo: Hch 14:21-27; Sal 144:8-13; Apo 21:1-5a; Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

PASTORES COMO JESÚS Cada año en este Cuarto Domingo de Pascua celebramos a Jesús como el Buen Pastor. El Evangelio de hoy parece espe-cialmente oportuno, para los cristianos de todo el mundo que sufren por ser perseguidos como Pablo y Bernabé, Jesús promete a sus ovejas una seguridad duradera y fortalecida. No perecerán. Nadie puede quitármelos de la mano . Pero nosotros que somos libres para vivir nuestra fe de for-ma pacífica algunas veces damos por hecho nuestra pertenencia al rebaño de Jesús, vagando por el mal camino buscando nuestro propio placer y prosperidad. La cruz sim-ple que el Papa Francisco lleva puesta parece mostrarnos cómo Jesús responde a eso. La cruz del Papa Francisco muestra una imagen de Jesús, que fue a buscar y encontró a una oveja perdida, luego la coloca alegremente sobre sus hombros para llevarla gentilmente a casa. Que el Domingo del Buen Pastor nos inspire, frecuentemente perdidos y en-contrados, para asistir a Jesús a buscar, encontrar y gentil-mente llevar a casa a nuestros compañeros corderos precio-sos.

Felicitaciones a todos los niños que recibieron la primera comunión: Ashley Aguilar, Genesis Arevalo, Jonathan Calderon, Jose Polanco, Jasmin Quizhpi, Jacqueline Mazariego, Cristhian Rojas, Melvin Mancia, Cristian Molina, Omar Moran, Angel Agustin, Juan Bolanos, Jeffrey Castaneda, Fernando Godinez, Fernanda Guzman, Bryan Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Cristian Lemus, Danna Marroquin, Ales-sandro Mazariego, Brian Mazariego, Enzo Mazariego, Ximena Mazariego, Stefany Menendez, Kaylee Moran, Nayali Palma, Arianna Recinos, Brianna Recinos, Angel Rodriguez, Justin Rojas, Kristel Ruballos, Kevin Sanabria, and Kaylie Trinidad

P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Michaelina Maldonado Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ted Simone & Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn John Cunningham Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Mario Zamora Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel

P A R I S H C O U N C I L Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Marleni Lemus, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto,

Irma Vasquez T R U S T E E S

Phil McCartin James Pontone

Our Sacramental Life

Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Baptism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Generally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 4:30-5:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is availa-ble from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.

Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Participation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appointment with Fr. Tom.

Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s mobile 845 608 9358.

Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.

For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org

Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings.

Sr. Cecilia LaPietra