We seek to educate our students within a family-centered Catholic community.  We commit ourselves to Gospel values as we seek to develop our students’ intellectual gifts and foster their spiritual growth.  Our aim is to prepare our students to lead creative and productive lives which contribute to the growth of both God’s kingdom and our nation.  For more info, visit the school website at  www.asrcatholic.org.

For information, please contact Kevin P. Kelly at 516-658-5181;  email:  kkrmkelly@gmail.com.

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An opportunity for a fun and meaningful experience where teens can come to meet one another and foster lasting friendships as well as the chance to explore our faith and belief with the hope of discovering Christ’s spirit as it dwells within each one of us. We meet on Sunday evenings at 6:00pm-8:00pm, have teen masses once a month, service trips, fun trips, retreats, and any other ideas that anyone may have.

So, come, check us out, bring some friends, make some new ones!  Join our Facebook page “St. Boniface Youth Group“.

Chris Mandato:  516-676-0676;  email:  stbonym@gmail.com

Boys and Girls in 4th Grade through High School may become Altar Servers and assist the priest during liturgical celebrations.

SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER 2011 – ORDINARY TIME IS GREEN

TEAMS

TEAM # 1

1. Aidan, Conor and Maura  Lynch  759-4590
2. Evan Brady – 514-4943

 TEAM # 2

1. Glenn and Jack Lizza  676-3217
2. Andrew Smith  759-1842

 TEAM # 3

1.   Heather and Matt Arena  676-5260

 TEAM # 4

1. Sam and Ben Szemerenyi  801-0817
2. Olivia Bross  801-3562
3. Chelsea LaSalle  723-9622

 TEAM # 5

1. Peyton and Caitrin Kaffl  801-2017
2. Kristen and Jake Lennon  516-629-6162
3. Patrick Mink  759-054

something is missing and want to find out more.  If you know anyone who is not a Catholic, but who would like to ask more questions about our faith, they can meet with someone from our parish R.C.I.A. Team.

Please call Fr. Bob at 676-0676 , or send email to stbonpastor@gmail.com.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children (commonly known as the R.C.I.A.) is the normal way in which adults and children become full, active, participating members of the Catholic Church.  Special rites are celebrated during the Sunday liturgies at various times throughout the year.  The R.C.I.A. involves the whole parish-in prayer as the rites are celebrated, in hospitality, as new members are welcomed, and in specific ministries such as sponsor and team member.

The R.C.I.A. is not merely a new way to prepare adults and children for baptism; baptism is only one step.  The goal of the process is full communion which means “full, conscious, and active participation”* in the Eucharist and in the whole life of the Catholic faith community.

The R.C.I.A. helps adults and children to grow in their relationship with God become familiar with Catholic teachings and practices, get acquainted with people in the parish, and get involved in service within the parish or the wider community.

Many persons who want to join the Catholic Church have already been baptized in another Christian Church.  They will not be rebaptized.  They will follow a form of the steps adapted to the particular needs and concerns of Christians from another faith tradition. 

First Step: How someone comes to consider joining the Catholic Church is unique to each individual. Years of marriage to a Catholic spouse, conversations with a Catholic friends, students or coworkers, or even something written or viewed in the media can move an adult or child toward membership in the Catholic Church. Informally, this can go on for years! Return to Top of Page Return to Index

At some point, the person may contact a Catholic parish and begin to meet with others who are also inquiring about the Catholic faith.  With the Welcome Team, they will take time to tell their own stories and connect them with the faith stories found in scripture.

• Second Step: Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens and the Period of the Catechumenate.

Some of the inquirers become firm in their desire for initiation and decide that they would like to begin more formal study of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.  They are admitted into the next step through a special ceremony called the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens.  In this ritual, the Church symbolically claims these men and women, boys and girls for Christ by signing them with the cross.    This is the first time that the inquirers publicly declare their faith before the parish community.  A sponsor accompanies each inquirer.  Sponsors may be chosen by the individual or provided by the parish.  Sponsors provide support and companionship for the rest of the R.C.I.A. process.

After this rite, the inquirers are called catechumens.  This name indicates that they are learning about Jesus and deepening their knowledge of the scriptures and teachings of the Church.  They are beginning to accept Catholic tradition and practices.

Even though they have not yet received the sacraments, the catechumens can participate in works of service in the parish.  They also have a right to be married in the Church and to receive a Christian burial.

The time spent as a catechumen will vary from person to person.  The bishops of the United States have suggested that this Catechumenate period is to last for at least one year.

• Third Step: Rite of Election and the Period of Purification and Enlightenment.

The period of the Catechumenate ends when the catechumens discern, with the help of their sponsors and the parish Welcome Team, that God is calling them to receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist) at the next Easter Vigil.  Before they can be initiated, they must be officially called to the sacraments by the bishop.  The Rite of Election is celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent in the diocesan cathedral.

The Rite of Election marks the end of the Catechumenate period.  The catechumens are now called the elect.  The weeks of Lent are a time of intense prayer as the elect prepare themselves to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at Easter and to receive the sacraments of initiation.

On the Sundays of Lent, the elect are prayed for in a special way to help them prepare more fully for the sacraments.  The sponsors continue to accompany the elect in church and support them in their Lenten preparations.

• Fourth Step: Initiation and Mystagogia

On Holy Saturday, the parish assembles for the Easter Vigil.  The Church has always recognized that in baptism we die to sin in Christ’s death so that we may rise to new life with him.  The Easter Vigil is the primary celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection and is, therefore, the most appropriate occasion for the elect to celebrate their baptism, confirmation and first Eucharist.

For the newly initiated, now called neophytes, the time between Easter and Pentecost is a special opportunity to reflect on the commitment which they have made to the Lord, to the Church, and to the local parish community.  This time of unfolding the meaning of the initiation sacraments is called Mystagogia.  The Sunday scripture readings, which explain the meaning of the resurrection and of baptism, have special meaning for these new Catholics.  During this season, the bishop may gather the neophytes for a special celebration called the Mass of the Neophytes.

The journey of faith lasts a lifetime.  The weeks after Easter are a time for new Catholics to seek out their place in the parish community.  Other parishioners can reach out to welcome them, helping them to get involved and feel at home.

If you know someone who might like to begin journeying with us in faith, please invite him or her to come with you to St. Boniface to celebrate the liturgy.  Give them a bulletin to read or some of the pamphlets about our community found at the side windows or in the vestibule of the church.  Direct them to this Website to learn more about our Parish.  Contact Fr. Bob at 676-0676 or send email to stbonpastor@gmail.com.

Our Parish has published a new Ministry Booklet containing details of the 42 ministries by which we share our gifts with the parish community.  It can be read online in “page-flip” format by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Phil Como:  516-759-9436;  email:  philpcomo@yahoo.com

We help people!

In a spirit of justice, charity and personal involvement, this ministry seeks to provide aid and comfort to the poor, the afflicted and the lonely.  Members of the Society make personal home visits; provide advocacy and support usually in the form of food vouchers, financial assistance, clothing and furniture.  (Training provided.)

“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”.  When we pray the Our Father, we ask God to provide our food and necessities. The majority of us receive sufficient food. Others do not. We can be our Father’s instrument by providing “bread” for the needy, particularly during these difficult times. You do this by your contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society

Thanks to all who contribute to our St. Boniface St. Vincent de Paul Conference. We were able to help many of our neighbors. Some people had no money for food, others no beds – they were sleeping on the floor – or there was no heat or electricity!

Help Those in Need on Long Island by donating your gently used furniture to the St. Vincent de Paul Society

• We pick up items
• We give furniture to our neighbors in need.
• Your donations are tax-deductible

Buying a new car? Donate Your old one!  Donate your car, boat, motorcycle, or truck to help others!

Help us help others on Long Island by donating your motor vehicle, boat or even real estate.  Proceeds from sales of these items will go directly to helping our neighbors in need.

516-676-0676

www.svdprvc.org

Frank Sujecki:  516-676-8167;  email:  fsujecki@gmail.com

The following article is copied from “From the Heart”, a newsletter on Stewardship topics which appeared in our parish bulletin October 3, 1999.  It was written by former Finance Committee member Peter DeBuona.

As a member of the St. Boniface Finance Committee for several years, I find it sometimes difficult to equate finance to stewardship. Just by reading the parish directory in the weekly bulletin you become aware of the various ministries at St. Boniface and marvel at the talented people that sacrifice so much time to participate in such ministries. Each of these ministries touch so many souls and spirits. These ministries include Senior Outreach, Holy Hour, Scripture Group, Rosary and Justice and Peace.

How does the Finance Ministry fit in such a group? Finance is the science of the management of assets, including money, for a corporate body or institution. It took me a while to make the connection, but the fact is that the Finance Committee is a ministry and belongs right smack in the middle of all the organizations that care for the minds and souls of the St. Boniface family. Effectively managing the parish’s finances provides the resources for payment of ongoing maintenance such as painting the church, repairing the organ or even the reduction of long term debt. These activities ultimately benefit all the other ministries and enable them to better spread the good news. As a member of the Finance Committee, I have experienced tremendous satisfaction and witnessed many hours of debating to accomplish what is in the best interest of all parishioners. Looking back over the years, The Finance Committee appears to be serving its ministry well.

	Altar & Environment This committee helps create an environment that is conducive to worship by evoking a sense of awareness of different liturgical seasons through tasteful altar decorations and by ensuring that the church grounds are maintained.  Training provided.

Music

Lectors

Eucharistic Ministers