February 6, 2012

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus:

On Friday, January 20, the President approved new regulations from the Department of Health and Human Services.  These regulations mandate that, with few exceptions, all Catholic employers, including Catholic Charities and Catholic hospitals, provide coverage for contraception, abortion-producing drugs and sterilization in the healthcare benefits provided to their employees.  Most insurance programs will have to include these as well.

This mandate directly interferes with the freedom of conscience of individuals and with the freedom of religious belief and practice of our Catholic institutions.  The Administration has chosen to cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty and free exercise of conscience.  Regulations about healthcare are being used to re-define pregnancy as a disease and to make abortion-inducing drugs available to one and all. As a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences or to drop healthcare coverage for our employees and suffer significant penalties for doing so.

As Pope Benedict XVI said last week:

 “It is imperative that the entire Catholic Community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church’s moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres . . . Of particular concern are certain attempts being made to limit the most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.”

I would ask of you two things.  First, as a community of faith, we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail and religious liberty may be restored.  Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible.  Second, I would recommend that you contact your US Congressional representatives to express to them why this mandate cannot stand and to support religious freedom through the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012.  This legislation, sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio, would reverse the Administration’s decision.  To learn more about this assault on religious liberty, the US Bishops have set up the following special website:  www.usccb.org/conscience. 

Yours devotedly in Christ,

 +William Murphy                                                     

Bishop of Rockville Centre

Please follow this link to read a column by Bishop Murphy
on new HHS regulations affecting some Catholic institutions:  012512BishopsColumn(3)

 Febrero 6, 2012

 Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Jesucristo:

             El viernes 20 de enero, el Presidente aprobó una nueva regulación del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos. Esas regulaciones ordenan que, con pocas excepciones, todos los empleadores católicos, incluyendo Caridades Católicas y los hospitales católicos, suministren cobertura para anticonceptivos, medicinas que inducen abortos y esterilización dentro de los beneficios de cuidado de salud que proveen a sus empleados. La mayoría de los programas de seguros tendrán también que incluir esto.

             Este mandato directamente interfiere con la libertad de consciencia de los individuos y con la libertad de creencias religiosas y la práctica de nuestras instituciones católicas.  La Administración ha escogido hacer a un lado la Primera Enmienda [First Amendment] de la Constitución de los Estados Unidos, negándole a los católicos de nuestra nación la primera y más fundamental de las libertades, la libertad religiosa y el libre ejercicio de conciencia.  Las regulaciones acerca del cuidado de salud han sido usadas para redefinir el embarazo como una enfermedad y para hacer que las medicinas para inducir al aborto estén disponibles para todos y cada uno.  Como resultado, a menos que la norma sea derogada, nosotros los católicos seremos obligados a violar nuestras conciencias o a quitarle la cobertura de salud a nuestros empleados y sufrir importantes consecuencias por hacerlo.

  Como el Papa Benedicto XVI dijo la semana anterior:

 “Es imperativo que toda la comunidad católica en los Estados Unidos se de cuenta de la grave amenaza contra el testimonio moral de la Iglesia presentado por un laicado radical que encuentra un una mayor expresión en las esferas políticas y culturales… De particular preocupación  son ciertos intentos de limitar la más apreciada  de libertades norteamericanas, la libertad religiosa.”

 Yo les voy a pedir dos cosas. Primera, como comunidad de fe, nosotros debemos comprometernos a orar y ayunar para que la sabiduría y la justicia puedan prevalecer y la libertad religiosa pueda ser restaurada. Sin Dios, nosotros no podemos hacer nada; con Dios, nada es imposible. Segundo, yo le recomiendo que contacte a sus representantes en el Congreso de Estados Unidos para expresarles a ellos por qué este mandato no puede mantenerse firme y para apoyar la libertad religiosa a través del Acta de Restauración de Libertad Religiosa del 2012 [Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012].  Esta legislación, patrocinada por el Senador Marco Rubio, volvería atrás la decisión de la Administración. Para saber más acerca de este asalto a la libertad religiosa, los obispos de Estados Unidos ha colocado un sitio especial para hacerle seguimiento en internet: www.usccb.org/conscience. 

 Suyo afectuosamente en Cristo,

    +William Murphy

 Obispo de Rockville Centre

Mardi Gras Casino Night

February 11, 2012

The Swan Club

7:00 – 11:30pm

St. Boniface will be holding the first Mardi Gras Casino Night Dinner on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Swan Club in Glenwood Landing from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. It will be a wonderful night of food, drink, fun and games. The Casino will be run under the expert management of Classic Casino Productions, Inc. There will also be a new and exciting game for the non-gamblers out there of “Deal or No Deal”. Every suitcase is guaranteed to be a Winner!

The ticket price of $100.00 per person includes Top Shelf open bar, Cocktail Hour with butler passed Hor d’oeuvres, a wonderful New Orleans theme Buffet Dinner, an Ice Cream Sundae Bar for dessert, coffee and tea and $100 Casino Voucher to start you on your path to Casino Fun!   There will be amazing baskets to bid on with your Casino “Winnings”.

Mardi Gras Casino Night promises to be an enjoyable evening to relax, socialize and shake off the mid-winter blues. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call the St. Boniface Parish Center at 516-676-0676.

Read our Parish Bulletin online by following the links on this post!

February 5, 2012 Bulletin

Current Bulletin (b/w print version, available Friday of each week)

January 29, 2012 (.pdf version)

January 15, 2012 Bulletin (.pdf version)

December 25, 2011 Bulletin (.pdf version)

November 6, 2011 (.pdf version)

November 6, 2011 (“page-flip” version)

October 30, 2011 (.pdf version)

October 30, 2011 (“page-flip” version)

October 23, 2011 (.pdf format)

October 23, 2011 (page-flip format)

October 16, 2011 (.pdf format)

October 16, 2011 (page-flip format)

October 9, 2011 (.pfd format)

October 9, 2011 (page-flip format)

October 2, 2011 Bulletin (.pdf version)

October 2, 2011 Bulletin (page-flip version)

September 25, 2011 Bulletin (.pdf version)

September 25, 2011 Bulletin (page-flip version)

September 18, 2011 Bulletin(.pdf version)
September18, 2011 Bulletin (page-flip version)

Our Annual St. Patrick’s Day Supper will take place on Saturday, March 17, 2012, immediately following the 5pm Mass.

Photo credit: Newsday/Jessica Rotkiewicz | Rabbi Irwin Huberman, from Congregation Tifereth Israel in Sea Cliff, addresses the community and clergy about the anti-Semitic/racist vandalism that has swept through Queens and parts of Long Island during a meeting at St. Boniface Chuch in Sea Cliff. (Jan. 16, 2012)

Newsday

Originally published: January 16, 2012 8:41 PM
Updated: January 16, 2012 9:31 PM
By EMILY NGO         emily.ngo@newsday.com

Gathering for a mass denouncement of recent racist graffiti, more than 100 Sea Cliff community members met Monday at a church that had been the target of what Mayor Bruce Kennedy called “anti-social behavior.”

Rabbi Irwin Huberman of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Glen Cove emphasized commonalities among audience members, whatever their faiths, and said that hateful symbols cannot be taken lightly.

“The swastika can never, never be used — even in jest,” he said.

In recent weeks, swastikas have been found drawn on homes, mailboxes, a boat and playground equipment in Sea Cliff. Similar graffiti has been reported in Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey.

Nassau police said Monday that no arrests have been made over the graffiti in Sea Cliff.

The village has increased patrols of the area, Nassau Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) said.

Area leaders want to ensure that “no one in our community lives in any type of fear or hatred,” she said.

Sea Cliff resident Larry Weinberger, 59, said the incidents should serve as teachable moments.

“Education is the most important thing for our children and our children’s children,” Weinberger said. “Hopefully, in future generations, there will be no hatred and animosity toward others. . . . God willing, the world will be a better place.”

Felicia Lebou, 42, of Sea Cliff, who has a 3-year-old son, suggested parents teach their children about other cultures and religions from an early age to celebrate diversity. Many who attended the forum brought their children.

Assemb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) called the vandalism “simply un-American.”

“We will not tolerate it, if we stand together as one community,” he said.

Swastikas, the words “white knights” and “anything and everything that could possibly outrage a community” were scrawled on St. Boniface Martyr Church late last month, Kennedy said. The site Monday hosted a forum where residents shared suggestions about ways to curb hate.

“Prejudice is not a prank and we will not tolerate this behavior in our village,” Kennedy said, adding that he believed the vandals to be mischievous, ignorant teenagers rather than “neo-Nazis.”

Our capital campaign, “Restoring and Renewing the House of God” is still underway, and we are excited about the opportunity for everyone in our parish family to participate in this very important event.  For information, call the Parish Office at (516) 676-0676.

Renewing and Restoring the House of God by Carol Griffin
Gold Coast Gazette January 12, 2012

St. Boniface Martyr Parish in Sea Cliff just completed the first phase of ”Renewing and Restoring the House of God” Campaign successfully raising more than $1,000,000 dollars in pledges to begin renovation of the interior of the church.  The project that began in September and over time it has created increased enthusiasm and support.  Members of the community may have noticed the barometer in front of the church noting the success of the campaign moving up from week to week until Christmas, when the success of the campaign was announced to the parish.

Parish pastor, Fr. Bob Romeo began the campaign in September with the assistance of a steering committee of parishioners, a liturgical architect, and Lynch Development secured to do a feasibility study and to manage the campaign.  The goal at that point was to get the feel of how the parish community felt about supporting the plan.  All of the parishioners were invited through letters and bulletin announcements to be interviewed, or fill out questionnaires.  A series of parish meetings followed w here several possible design options were presented.  At the meetings, parishioners were given the opportunity to ask questions on all aspects of the plan.  From day one Fr. Romeo promised that if the parish on a whole was against the project he would not go forward with it but only make repairs as necessary.

In a letter to the parish community, the pastor noted that the parish is not only the House of God but it is also the House of the people of God.  It is sacred space in which we encounter and worship the Living God; where God’s people celebrate their life together, through liturgy, and the sacraments.  He emphasized that “in our role as stewards for future generations, we have an obligation to Renew and Restore the House of God”.

Fr. Romeo asked for everyone’s prayer support as the parish family come together in this effort.  He emphasized that the joy that has been so evident in the parish’s life will be enhanced as the excitement of a “Renewed and Restored” church building draws everyone even closer.

At each meeting Fr. Romeo thoroughly explained why he wanted to do the renovations and how they would benefit the parish especially noting how the design would draw the congregation together at liturgy, provide better auxiliary space and save considerable expenses on utilities in the future by the improved heating, air conditioning and lighting.

After the introductory meetings to explain the project were held in the church, additional meetings were held in parishioner’s homes and at the church to further explain the project and to begin the pledging.  This phase drew considerable support with half of the money pledged by Thanksgiving, which included several large memorial donations.  At this point, the parishioners at large were asked to help by meeting each week and contacting other parishioners in their homes.  It was exciting as each week the support of the project grew and grew with additional parishioners pledging to the memorials and the campaign in general.  By Christmas, the parish had not only reached it goal, but went beyond it.

Although complete details of the design has not been finalized, the overall plan intends to honor the past and provide for the future by repositioning the Tabernacle from the side to the back of the main altar, using the original mosaic and mother of pearl door from the original St. Boniface Church, to enhance the worship environment by bringing the congregation closer to the altar by reducing the size of the sanctuary and reconfiguring the pews for easier access.  The installation of a high efficient burner and conversion to gas heat has already been completed.  The plans also call for energy efficient lighting, modifications to the HVAC system and installation of new restrooms including one that is handicap assessable, and repair and renovation of the existing roof, doors and windows.  When the design committee formalizes the plans, the final design will be presented to the entire parish for their input.

To increase veneration and devotion to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, a shrine area will be created on each side of the sanctuary using statues from the original church and move the statue of St. Boniface outside the school building to a place of honor in the new vestibule that will be increased in size to host a larger number of parishioners and guests for after Mass refreshments, meetings and other socializing.

Fr. Romeo said he is excited about the vision and the campaign.  “It has already brought many blessings to the parish,” he said.  “It has brought a number of the old parishioners back to the parish.”

One of the members of the steering committee said, “It was gratifying to see how the parishioners came together in support of Father Bob’s vision.  Another parishioner noted, “Being involved in the campaign was very exciting by simply watching parish support grow from week to week.”  Another steering committee member with a very practical mind said, “Now that we have succeeded in raising the needed funds, we must complete construction/changes on time within budget and with as little disrupt ion as possible to our parish Mass schedule and other activities.  Fr. Bob has been an inspiration in leading our financial campaign effort and I am sure he will continue his fi ne leadership as we enter the next phase of the program.” Finally, another core member said she was “excited about the vision that Fr. Bob shared with the core committee early on.  I believe that the restoration and changes in the church will enhance the liturgy and create curiosity for new members to join our parish.  We were fairly aggressive implementing the vision which triggered the campaign but the time seemed right, the parish is alive with enthusiasm and growing.  As a result of the campaign the true success is not only in reaching the goal but it was a reason to bring parishioners of all generations together to share in the vision and take ownership together.  As a result many new relation­ ships developed among parishioners and new members feel welcome to participate in many ministries in the parish.”

Members of the steering committee include:  Kevin and Maureen Angliss, Neil and Camille Miritello, Elena Villafane and Dan Kelly, Eileen and Larry Krieb and Frank Sujecki.  Several dozen other parishioners have supported the campaign in various ways to help to make the project a huge success and bringing the parish closer together.

 Lord, I Love the House in which you dwell. (Psalm 26:8)

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