“A Line of Awesomeness”

Rev. Douglas Cunningham, Administrator

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

P.O. Box 711 Whitney Point, New York 13862 Parish Halls: WP(607)692-3357

M(607)849-3630 (607) 692-3911 Fax: (607) 692-7171

As announced or by appointment

Please contact the rectory to make arrangements.

Whitney Point: Monday-Thursday, 9AM-Noon

Email: ststephenstpat@syrdio.org Website: www.ccsssp.com

September 23, 2018

As we read today’s gospel of Mark 9:30-37 we see that the disciples were becoming self-absorbed and arguing as to which of them was the greatest. When Jesus confronts them about their discussion, he turns their argument inside out by telling them that if they really want to want to be great, then they have to become servant to all. Jesus then illustrates this point by scooping up a small child- and tenderly holding that child in the crook of His arms, He tells his disciples that whoever receives one child like this in His name, receives Christ Himself and God His Father. One of the highest priorities in Jesus’ teaching is that even as you mature, you still need to keep a childlike heart, a heart that is willing to learn and a heart that is willing to serve others.

In mid-August of this year, Major League Baseball's play of the week happened in Detroit during a Tuesday night game. A routine foul ball at the Detroit Tigers game became anything but foul when 10-year-old Travis Blackwell caught it and then decided to give the ball to an even younger fan, 7-year-old Michael Ogden. "I said, 'Can I give this ball to that kid down there because it's his birthday today,'" Travis said. He went on to say that a couple of years ago, he went to a game and got a ball, and the experience made his day. That's why he wanted to share the love. "I was kind of bummed, Michael Ogden said, when I saw him catch a ball; but then he just came down and gave it to me... I think it was awesome." Well, the boys weren't quite done spreading happiness, for soon it was Michael’s turn. "A ball came over the net and this guy gave it to me," Michael said. "Then this little girl was sitting behind us, and I gave the ball to her, and it was her first baseball she has ever had." Travis called it a "line of awesomeness," a line of awesomeness that became a home run in a lesson on serving and caring about the feelings of another.

The greatest people in the world are those who are small enough to serve others; sometimes it means paying particular attention to those who everyone else forgets. For us it might mean befriending that kid at school nobody else likes. Maybe we could serve a lonely person by just calling to chat. We might look through the Ministry sign-up sheet and select an area to volunteer in service of our church and community. If we want to be big before God, we must find a way to serve --- especially to give to those who cannot give back. After all, the greatest Person in the universe once became small enough to learn what it means to be a human being. He became small enough to serve sinners like you and me by dying for us. He

wants each and every one of us to keep a child-like heart; to trust in Him, to follow Him and become part of the “Line of Awesomeness.” Sylvia Bates

Liturgy and Life: Some Assembly Required, a workshop sponsored by the Office of Formation for Ministry, with Sr. Laura Bufano, CSJ, will

be held Saturday, October 13th, 9am to3 pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Baldwinsville. Open to anyone interested in liturgical ministry as well as FFM students and commissioned lay ministers.

Register and more information at formationforministrysyr.org.

2018 OCTOBER DIOCESAN “ROAD SHOW” - 7:00-9:00pm The focus for the 2018 Road Show is what each diocesan office offers by way of training, initial and ongoing formation/education, opportunities for certification and advanced study and the financial resources and assistance that are available. All parishioners are invited to participate. Choose the date/place that is best for you. Pre-registration is requested by October 11, 2018. Register by clicking on the following link: October 2018 Road Show Registration Link . �Monday, October 22nd, Pope John XXIII, Liverpool �Wednesday, October 24th, St. Vincent de Paul/Blessed Sacrament, Vestal �Thursday, October 25th, St. John the Evangelist, New Hartford Presenters: Evangelization ---------Mary Hallman Faith Formation: Marge Babcock, Andrea Schaffer, Andrea Slaven, Theresa White Pastoral Leadership ------------Sr. Laura Bufano, CSJ Seminarian Formation--------------------- Fr. John Manno

Fall Festival Church Table-We would once

again like to have a table at the Fall Festival

to be held in Whitney Point on October 27th.

We need two volunteers for 3 hour shifts. If you are

able to help out, please email Peg at porzel10@yahoo.

Saint Andrew Dinner “Come After Me and I Will Make You

Fishers of Men” Bishop Cunningham and the

Vocations Team of the Diocese of Syracuse invite

you to learn more about the priesthood and hear

the stories of priests in our diocese. The evening will

feature prayer, dinner, conversations and Q&A.

Open to young men between the ages of 15 & 18. All dinners begin

at 6:30pm, ending at 8:30pm. OCTOBER 1: St. Joseph’s, Christ the

Good Shepherd, Oswego NOVEMBER 5: St. James, Johnson City

FEBRUARY 5: Our Lady of Lourdes, Utica

APRIL 29: Catherdral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse

For more information, contact Fr. Ken Kirkman at

607-756-9967.or kkirman@syrdio.org. (see flyer)

Please pray for Fr. Doug‘s good and speedy recovery. If you would like to send him a card, his address is:

203 Lockwood Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214.

St. Margaret’s Annual HARVEST

DINNER-Wednesday, October 24th

St. Margaret’s Parish Hall, 14 Copeland Ave., Homer Seating: 5:00pm & 6:15pm *Take-Outs available-Pick up Promptly at 4:45pm*

Advance Sale Tickets ONLY: Sept 22-Oct 16., Available After Weekend Masses

& by calling Elaine Kozub at 749-7456 Adults-$12.00; Children 4-12-$6.00;

3 & Under free

Are Angels More than Myth? By Venerable Fulton Sheen With his ever-present humor, animated presentation, and captivating mode of speaking, the beloved Bishop Fulton Sheen explains

the nature of angels and the meaningful role they play in our world. Kid’s Corner: The Rosary: A Special Way to Pray

Through music and prayer in this entertaining and guidance-filled presentation, Br. Francis inspires children to deepen faith by praying the Rosary Parish Membership Code: CFMRYY.

Vocation View : The plans of the wicked in the first reading are scary. There are those who would oppose anyone who speaks against their ways. The Holy Spirit continues to call and strengthen prophets to risk everything in proclaiming God’s message. Trust in his power and plan. For more

information, visit www.vocations-syracuse.org.

Thank you to our generous parishioners who have made a pledge to the Annual HOPE Appeal so far. If you have not, please prayerfully

consider making a pledge. The HOPE Appeal funds so many needed programs that serve many in our communities. It is important to meet our

goal every year. There are extra envelopes at the entrances of our churches. Thank you. 2018 HOPE Appeal Goal: $18,570.02

Pledges To Date: $ 8,026.59 Balance Remaining: $10,543.43

Whitney Pt Ecumenical Food Pantry-During the month of Sept.

we are collecting Jiffy Corn bread mix.. We are in need of any

food donations. There are marked baskets at the entrances of our churches. Thank you for all your food & monetary donations.

Please Pray For Our Following Friends and Family in the Military: Major Corrine Miller, A2C Derek Lescord, Devon McGill, Joshua Lilley, PV2 James McGill, Lt. Cpl John Larkin,Jr., USMC, Sgt. Heather Fox, Brett Hayes, Captain Caleb Miller, Sgt. Megan Ballard, A1C Brendan Schneider, Kris Carstens, LC USMC Daniel Morehouse, SSG Steven Gross, USMC Staff Sgt. Dan Votra, Sgt. Nicholas Stone, Lt. Paul McDonald, Major John Thomas, Major Joy Thomas, Lt. Commander Marvin Joel Scott III, AF2ndLt. Emily Steele, OS3 Jonathan Schneider, Sgt. Jacob Rau, Sgt. Zachary Reardon USMC, Staff Sgt. Justin Blaisdell, Staff Sergeant Michael Hetzler, Lt. LCDR Maria Lescord, and our pastor, Lt. Colonel Douglas Cunningham. If you have a friend or family member serving our country and would like their name mentioned weekly in our bulletin, to be kept in our prayers, please contact our parish office.

Weekly Stewardship Report: Last Sunday, September 16, 2018

Regular Collection: Envs: $2,361. Loose: $374. Electronic: $120. …..….……Total Regular Collection: $2,855. Diocesan Collection: CathUniv of Amer-$15. Other Income: FaithFormationEnv-$24. Assumption-$3. Because of your contributions, we were able to pay the following bills this week: SchoolSubsidyPymt: $1,165. Utilities: $369. Altar: $86. Office: $125. Ch&RectGrnds: $27. Salaries: $1,300. M&WPChLotPaint: $550.(CapitalAcct) . Total Bills Pd: $3,622. Thank you for your time, talents and treasure! Bills To Be Pd Next Week: $2,844.

Whitney Point Marathon Greeters: Anne Clerkin, Mary-Margaret Smith Garret & Joyce Van De Weert Next Sunday: Cathy Cummings, Ingrid Jordak McEvoy Family Lector: Don Alexy Next Sunday: Jean McDonald Lector: Shelley Warnow Next Sunday: Katelyn Allen Altar Servers: Josiah Lynch, Aidan Lynch Brandon Tyrrell, Volunteer Next Sunday: Lucca Lynch, Ian McMullen Angela Barry, Volunteer

Eucharistic Ministers: Roger Calice, Sue McDonald, Mary Jo Whitehead Mike Thayne, Patty Thon, Geoff Tyrrell Next Sunday: Joe McDonald, Pat Walter, Kathy Bensley Don & Karen Barry, Eric Barry

������������ NEW SCHEDULES IN OUR CHURCH SACRISTIES Sept Ushers: Garret Van De Weert, Don Atwood

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MINISTRY SERVICE TO OUR PARISH!

If you know someone that is ill, facing surgery, or some other kind of difficulty, and needs our prayers, please call Dottie Angel at 656-9230 or Pat Canfield at 849-6978. They will lead the Prayer Chain we have at The CC of St. Stephen-St. Patrick Church. Supporting each other with the Power of Prayer is the best medicine.

If you are not on our Prayer Chain and would like to be, please call our Parish Office, 692-3911.

Our bulletin and OLPH’s can be viewed online at www.ccsssp.com. Catholic Community of St. Stephen-St. Patrick

If you know of parishioners that have not been able to come to Mass because they are homebound, please let the Parish Office know so our Hospitality Groups can provide contact with them through visits and cards, and perhaps they would like to receive a copy of our bulletin.

WP Ecumenical Food Pantry: M-Th & Sat, 10am-Noon & Thurs Eve, 6-8pm. Closed Fridays, Holidays, & when school is closed for inclement weather. Food Pantry Chairperson: Roger Calice Clothing Bank: M,Tu & Sat, 10am-Noon. Mobile Food Pantry: 1st Friday of Month at WP Church parking lot. Truck arrives around 9:30am (unless holiday)

Daily Mass Schedule & Intentions

Sunday Sept. 23 8:30 AM Whitney Point…for Elsie Zelsnack…by Elsie Poyer

10:30 AM Marathon…for Francis Zelsnack, Jr. & James Zelsnack

for Margery Lewis

by Aggie, Cathi, Martha, Bill, Paul & Luda Zelsnack

12:00 PM OLPH…for Mary Mauro…by Pat & Terri Fedele

Tuesday Sept. 25 NO MASS

Next Sunday Sept. 30 8:30 AM Whitney Point…for Jack Lantry…by Jim & Lora Hammill

for Marcel Shram…by Ken & Sylvia Bates

10:30 AM Marathon…for Justin Gersbach…by Mike & Marie Joseph

12:00 PM OLPH…for The People of our Parish

Readings for the Week of September 23 through 30, 2018:

Today: Wis 2:12,17-20; Jas 3:16--4:3; Mk 9:30-37 Thursday: Eccl 1:2-11; Lk 9:7-9

Monday: Prv 3:27-34; Lk 8:16-18 Friday: Eccl 3:1-11; Lk 9:18-22

Tuesday: Prv 21:1-6,10-13; Lk 8:19-21 Saturday: Dn 7:9-10,13-14; Jn 1:47-51

Wednesday: Prv 30:5-9; Lk 9:1-6 Next Sunday: Nm 11:25-29; Jas 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48

The readings for today, Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, begin with #1021, in our Journeysongs Hymnals.

Mission Statement for The Catholic Community of St. Stephen - St. Patrick We are a Roman Catholic Community of faith, welcoming the strength found in diversity. We are committed to using our time, talent, and treasure in proclaiming the Kingdom of God through prayer, fellowship, and service.

We experience our unity at the Eucharistic Table of the Lord, and our direction from the Word of God.

Parish Council Parish Council Parish Council Parish Council PARISH STAFFPARISH STAFFPARISH STAFFPARISH STAFF

Chairperson - John Mihalko Director of Faith Formation - Cecelia Carstens, 323-5114

Vice-Chairperson - Don Barry Ministry Coordinator-Peg Orzel, porzel10@yahoo.com

Secretary - Brittney Penrose Church Organist/Music Director - Jennifer Cafferty

Maintenance - (Please call parish office w/maintenance concerns)

Parish Business/Office Manager-Mary Wied Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday, Noon - Phone, Mail or Email, ststephenstpat@syrdio.org

Hospitalized or ill: Please notify rectory or email lcrowley@zfastest.net so we can provide for their/your spiritual needs.

Home Visitors Conference

If you are thinking about becoming a home visitor, you are invited to attend a conference on Tuesday, Sept 25th, beginning with 8:30am Mass

at St. Joseph’s Church, 207 Hayes Ave., Endicott, followed with the conference at

St. Anthony of Padua Church, 300 Odell Ave., Endwell, concluding at 1:30pm. If you would

like to carpool, email Peg: porzel10@yahoo.com

Hospitality Holiday Bazaar-Clean out your closets… what may be trash to you, may be someone else’s treasure. Please begin saving items for our White Elephant Sale for our Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 10th, 8:30am-4pm.

New or gently used Items (no clothes, please) can be brought to our Whitney Point Church Hall Nov. 5th-9th.

Along with the White Elephant Sale, we will have a Bake Sale, lunch, and raffles. Hopefully you’ve received the annual letters with raffle tickets. ���There are extra raffle tickets at the entrances of our churches.

Thanksgiving Dinner Food Signups Signups for Thanksgiving Baskets will take place until

October 19th at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry at 100 Main St. Binghamton on

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9-11:30am and 1-3:30pm and Tuesday 1-3:30.

Food will be distributed at our local Food Pantry on Nov. 18th, 12-1pm..

Coat, Sweater, Blanket and Quilt Drive-We are collecting clean, gently

used coats, sweaters, blankets and quilts for the Clothing Bank. Items

may be dropped off in the drop box next to the Clothing Bank or in the bins

outside our Marathon and Whitney Point Churches.

Ministry Signups-If you were unable to return your ministry signup form last

Sunday they can be put in the Offertory Basket or left on the church tables. There are additional forms and booklets available on the table.

If you have any questions please call Peg Orzel at 372-7036.

Additional Ministries-There is also a need for volunteers to help in the parish cemetery as well as to serve on the Vocation Ministry Committee. These are found on the sign up sheet and included in the second edition of the Volunteer Booklet which is posted at each church.

ATTENTION STUDENTS IN 7TH - 12TH GRADE:

Come to our Youth Group Night at our Whitney Point Church Hall,

Saturday, October 6th, from 5-8pm. Dinner will be provided.

There will be music, dinner, games, and fun.

A Family Perspective-Disagreements are common in families. However, what would you say if Jesus posed the same question, “What are you arguing about?” Is it silly and petty? Is it an attempt to impose your will and control on another? Today Jesus tells us and his disciples to give it up. We are meant to serve each other, not control.

Interested? Interested? Interested? Interested? Are you, or someone you know, interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? If so, contact our parish office, 692-3911, for

Kathy Cusick. Our first informational meeting is thiOur first informational meeting is thiOur first informational meeting is thiOur first informational meeting is this morning, Sept. 23s morning, Sept. 23s morning, Sept. 23s morning, Sept. 23rdrdrdrd, , , , 9am, at our Marathon Church Hall.9am, at our Marathon Church Hall.9am, at our Marathon Church Hall.9am, at our Marathon Church Hall.

The Sanctuary Candle Burning for the month of September in our Whitney Point Church: the candlelight tells me that the

blessed sacrament is in the tabernacle in memory of Jesus.

The Ecumenical Peace Garden - Applications for engraved bricks are available in the vestibule. If you have any questions you are welcome to call Ken or Sylvia Bates at 743-0170 or 743-6317.

Come and Visit with Jesus Come and Visit with Jesus Come and Visit with Jesus Come and Visit with Jesus - Did you

know that every Thursday evening, for

one hour, you can come and spend

some time with Jesus? Eucharistic Adoration is

just that; a chance to be within His presence

and talk to him one on one. Come for a short

amount of time or stay for all of it. This Thurs.,

Sept. 27th, 7pm, at our Marathon Church.

Whole Community Catechesis

Readings and Questions for Discussion

Reading 1 - Wisdom 2:12,17-20

The just one is put to the test

Reading 2 - James 3:16—4:3

James teaches about the wisdom

from above.

Gospel - Mark 9:30-37

Jesus teaches his disciples that the

greatest are those who serve all

Adults: Jesus tells the disciples that

they should be servants of all,

in order to rank first. To whom would

you be a servant if you could?

Anyone close to you? How do you rate your

parish in taking care of people in need?

Where do you rank yourself?

Children: Why is the wanting the things

that belong to others wrong?

This Week In Our Parish Today, Sept. 23rd 9:00am - RCIA Informational Meeting - Marathon Church Hall

9:20-11:00am - Faith Formation Classes - Whitney Point Church Hall

12:00-2:00pm - Confirmation Class - Whitney Point Church Hall

Monday, Sept. 24th 7:00pm - Women’s Faith Group Meeting - Whitney Point Parish House

Tuesday, Sept. 25th NO MASS Today

Thursday, Sept. 27th 7:00-8:00pm - Adoration - Marathon Church

Saturday, Sept. 29th 9:30am - Ministry Organization Meeting - Whitney Point Church Hall