Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 18 May 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
On Thursday, May 16, Pope Francis welcomed four new ambassadors to the Holy See. For the occasion, Pope Francis addressed the diplomats, speaking of the worldwide financial crisis and how money has become a golden calf in our world. Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 18 May 2013 | Tagged as: Parish Events
The 7:30 pm Wednesday evening Holy Hour is canceled for May 22. We will resume next week on May 29.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 16 May 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
It has been said that “the single greatest cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Christ with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle.” While such a claim is not statistically verifiable, it might make us pause and reflect on our own lives.
The Letter of St. James tells us that faith without works is dead. A recent online post, with the title “Why the world doesn’t take Catholicism seriously?” gets to the heart of the matter. Click here to check it out.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 09 May 2013 | Tagged as: Liturgical Feasts
Here in the Archdiocese of New York, we are observing the solemnity of Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven. Before Our Lord was taken up into Heaven, the last thing He did was to raise His hands in blessing. The last thing Our Lord did on earth was to bless His disciples, with a view that they might become a blessing for others. On this Ascension Thursday, we might consider how the Lord has blessed in so many ways. As we reflect on these blessings, we might ponder how we can become a blessing for others. Perhaps this means being more compassionate or merciful; perhaps more generous with our time; perhaps saying only the good things, the encouraging things people need to hear.
To help us to further reflect on the mystery of this great feast, consider part of what Pope Francis said at the Wednesday general audience of April 17:
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 03 May 2013 | Tagged as: Parish Events
In honor of Our Lord’s Ascension, consider joining fellow parishioners at our parish party. A flyer for the event can be found here.
When: Thursday, May 9, 2013 following the 6:30 pm Mass
Where: Church Hall
We only ask two things: (1) that you call the church office and let us know you are coming (212) 744-2080, and (2) that you consider making a free will offering to defray expenses.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 03 May 2013 | Tagged as: Liturgical Feasts, Parish Events
Thursday, May 9 is Ascension Thursday, a Holy Day of Obligation
Masses will be offered at the following times:
Wednesday, May 8
5:30 pm – Sung Vigil Mass of the Ascension
Thursday, May 9
8 am (no music)
12:10 pm (no music)
6:30 pm – Solemn Mass of the Ascension
Note: There will be NO 5:30 pm Mass on Thursday, May 9.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 20 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Liturgical Feasts
![good-shepherd-2[1]](http://www.csvfblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/good-shepherd-21.jpg)
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Gospel passage for this Sunday, Christ places Himself in the position of shepherd.
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life. Friends, please say a prayer that the Lord of the harvest may continue to send laborers into his harvest.
The pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, explained in an October 6, 2012 letter: ”Vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life are born out of the experience of a personal encounter with Christ, out of sincere and confident dialogue with him, so as to enter into his will. It is necessary, therefore, to grow in the experience of faith, understood as a profound relationship with Jesus, as inner attentiveness to his voice which is heard deep within us. Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 20 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Parish Events
On Sunday, April 28 at 3:00 pm, in the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB will offer a piano recital, with commentary, entitled Music, A Pathway to God. Fr. Koopmann is a Benedictine monk of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN, where is a professor of music and the president-emeritus of St. John’s University. Presently, he is on sabbatical at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer. The recital will feature pieces by Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and Franck, as well as Father Koopmann’s own improvisations. Admission is free.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 11 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
It is often much, much easier to engage in gossip, rather than to try and change the subject or remove ourselves from the conversation. Of course, gossip injures all parties. The reputation of the “gossipee” is damaged, and the “gossiper” becomes consumed with a critical and often judgmental spirit.
In a recent homily, Pope Francis reflected on the evil of gossip. Pope Francis is not shy about naming how the evil one is real and actively at work against the spread of the Gospel.
Pope Francis further developed this reflection. “When we prefer to gossip, gossip about others, criticize others- these are everyday things that happen to everyone, including me – these are the temptations of the evil one who does not want the Spirit to come to us and bring about peace and meekness in the Christian community”. “These struggles always exist” in the parish, in the family, in the neighborhood, among friends”. Instead through the Spirit we are born into a new life, he makes us “meek, charitable.”
To read the more extended post from the Vatican News Agency, click here.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 11 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
Spring is here. Baseball is back. Many young men grow up dreaming of becoming a professional baseball player. One was on the cusp of realizing his dream and breaking into the big leagues, when it became clear that God had other plans. Click here to read a refreshing article about how one young man gave up his dream in order to pursue a vocation to the priesthood and religious life.
The simple, but loving call of Christ – “Follow me” – is extended to every Christian. Every day, Christ calls us to follow Him, to draw closer to Him, to trust more fully in His plan.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 11 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Liturgical Feasts
On Friday, April 12, the 5:30 pm Mass will be a votive Mass in anticipation of the feast day of Blessed Margaret of Castello, OP. For more information, please see the flyer.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 03 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
In honor of the Year of Faith, the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer will continue its faith series this spring: ”A Living Faith: Liturgy as an Expression of and Nourishment for Our Faith.”
On seven consecutive Tuesday evenings from April 9 – May 21, Fr. John Chrysostom will guide a lecture and discussion on the role of liturgy in our life of faith. The sessions will begin at 6:30 pm and end at roughly 7:30 pm. To register, please call the parish office at (212) 744-2080. All of the presentations will be held in the lower church of St. Vincent Ferrer. Flyer.
We hope you can join us!
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 01 Apr 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
Pope Francis offered these beautiful words in the homily he preached at the Easter Vigil:
“Accept the Risen Jesus into your life, then. Welcome him as a friend, with confidence. He is life! If up to now you have been distant from him, take a small step: He will welcome you with open arms. If you are indifferent, take the risk: You will not be disappointed. If following him seems difficult to you, don’t be afraid: entrust yourself to him and rest assured that He is close to you. He is with you and will give you the peace you are seeking and the strength to live as He wants you to.”
To read the entire homily, click here.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 31 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Homilies
Easter is a celebration of hope. Whether we had a “good” Lent or a “not-so-good” Lent, Easter is a time of joy and triumph. In one of his Easter homilies, St. John Chrysostom urges us to enter into the joy of the Lord on this feast of our salvation: Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 29 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
Be sure to check out the Good Friday edition of Word to Life in which Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP and our old friend Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP meditate on the Stations of the Cross. Click here to listen.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 23 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
Just a few weeks ago Benedict XVI flew by helicopter to the papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo. On Saturday, March 23 Pope Francis flew by helicopter to the same residence to meet the Pope Emeritus.
Follow this link to see some great pictures of the encounter between “Their Holinesses.” Also, be sure to scroll down and watch the video.
Much has been made about the humility of Pope Francis. Well, it was on display again. Pope Francis and Benedict XVI went into the chapel at Castel Gandolfo to pray. Pope Francis led the way, making his way to the chair in the front of the chapel. After he realized that Benedict XVI was heading to a pew behind him, Pope Francis went with him and knelt down beside his brother in prayer. It is actually a touching moment, but not without some humor (as you will see in the video).
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 22 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Word to Life
This is to inform you that it appears that the Province of St. Joseph’s homepage will once again be posting episodes of Word to Life. While I cannot promise that each episode will be posted online, I will be sure to post here when it does. Click here to listen.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 21 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Parish Events
During Holy Week, there will be a number of additional opportunities to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as a special schedule of liturgies. The confession times are listed first, followed by the liturgical schedule.
Confession
Saturday, March 23: 4:30 pm-5:30 pm
Monday, March 25: 3 pm-9 pm
Tuesday, March 26: 11:30 am-12 noon & 4:30 pm-5:30 pm
Spy Wednesday, March 27: 11:30 am-12 noon, 4:30 pm-5:30 pm & 7 pm-9 pm
Holy Thursday, March 28: 8:30 pm-10:30 pm
Good Friday, March 29: 8 pm-10 pm
Holy Saturday, March 30: 10 am-12 noon
Palm Sunday, March 24
Sung Vigil Mass (Saturday, March 23): 5:30 pm
Mass: 8 am
Sung Mass: 10 am
Solemn Mass with Procession: 12 noon
Mass: 5:30 pm
Holy Thursday, March 28
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer: 9 am
Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 6:30 pm
followed by adoration until 11 pm
Compline: 11 pm
Good Friday, March 29
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer: 9 am
Seven Last Words of Christ: 12 noon
Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion: 3 pm
Watch at the Sepulcher: 7 pm (singing of the Lamentations followed by Compline)
Holy Saturday, March 30
Office of Readings and Morning Prayer: 9 am
*The church will close from 12:30 pm until 7 pm*
8 pm: Solemn Vigil of Easter
Easter Sunday, March 31
8 am: Mass
9 am: Morning Prayer
10 am: Sung Mass
12 noon: Solemn Mass (prelude music begins at 11:30 am)
*There is NO 5:30 pm Mass on Easter Sunday*
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 17 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
I was sitting in my office, waiting for the name to be announced, and then it came: Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The first pope of the Americas had been elected. Although, the busy-ness of the past few days has made it impossible for me to post anything earlier this week, I am sure that many of us are in the same position – we have to get to know our new pope, His Holiness, Pope Francis. The USCCB website offers a helpful timeline of his life (click here).
And his name! Holy Father Francis! That form of address – Holy Father Francis – that is the way Franciscans, and even Dominicans, refer to St. Francis of Assisi, the great witness to evangelical poverty. All the same, it is the name the first Jesuit pope has chosen. In his first media session, Pope Francis himself explains why he chose the name Francis (click here). Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 13 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Parish Events
Our parish Mardi Gras party was cancelled because of inclement weather. As a way of making up for that lost social event, and to give us an opportunity to come together and celebrate as a parish community, you are invited to join us for a party in honor of St. Joseph, the patron of the universal Church. A flyer for the event can be found here.
When: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Where: Church Hall
We only ask two things: (1) that you call the church office and let us know you are coming (212) 744-2080, and (2) that you consider making a free will offering to defray expenses.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 10 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
In reflecting on the beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful,” St. Gregory Nazianzen (329-389), Archbishop of Constantinople, made a very poetic connection between the mercy that various Scriptural figures offer directly to Christ and our works of mercy:
If you think that I have something to say, servants of Christ, his brethren and coheirs, let us visit Christ whenever we may; let us care for him, feed him, clothe him, welcome him, honor him, not only at a meal, as some have done, or by anointing him, as Mary did, or only by lending him a tomb, like Joseph of Arimathea, or by arranging for his burial, like Nicodemus, who loved Christ half-heartedly, or by giving him gold, frankincense, and myrrh, like the Magi before all these others. Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 10 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Culture
Promoting a culture of life. In order to do so, it is imperative that we Christians be aware of what we are up against. To that end, I gently direct your attention to two articles.
First, as doctors and researchers continue to push the envelope with regard to reproductive technologies, there is the question: what if the surrogate mother does not want to have an abortion? Click here (and here for the more extended text).
Second, can interpretive intentions (if I had known “x”, then I would have done “y”) really be used to re-conceptualize the notion of infanticide? Click here.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 06 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
I have linked here to Monsignor Charles Pope’s latest blog entry in which he asks the question: ”Is your Spiritual Life like a Sailboat or a Motorboat?”
Monsignor Pope is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington. His reflection comes on the heels of our readings from the Third Sunday of Lent in which we reflected on the need for God’s grace through the lens of Moses’ encounter with the burning bush.
Much of this can be captured by that great saying that comes to us from St. Thomas Aquinas and is a mainstay in the Church’s theological tradition: “grace builds on nature.” The bush Moses encounters is on fire, but the fire does not destroy the bush. Similarly, the fire of God’s grace does not destroy who we are, but builds us up and transforms us so that we may live up to our Christian calling.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 03 Mar 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous, Resources
A few posts ago I wrote about how all Catholics, once they have received their first Holy Communion, are required to receive the Eucharist at least once a year.
If that is the minimum, let’s go to the other extreme – the maximum. How many times a day may I receive Holy Communion? Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 27 Feb 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
As we draw near to the end of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy (2 pm Eastern time on February 28), I would recommend the following links from various pages within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website. The various items provide a fitting tribute and a means of reflecting on the life and papacy of Pope Benedict XVI.
Among the available items, you will find a timeline of his life, a short biography, and a reflection on the marks of this papacy,
Also, you can find a short summary of how a new pope is elected here.
*The photo chosen for this post is from Pope Benedict XVI’s final Mass at the “pope’s altar” in St. Peter’s Basilica – Ash Wednesday, February 20, 2013.
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 24 Feb 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in Heaven. This heavenly citizenship, which we acquire through our spiritual re-birth in the waters of Baptism, does not mean that we are no longer citizens of our city, our state, and our country. While St. Paul reminds us that we have a heavenly citizenship, he does not deny the fact that we have an earthly citizenship as well.
In reality, then, we have a dual citizenship. Our Lord Himself explained as much: “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” In this case we have no need of passports. Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 17 Feb 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
It might be helpful to think of Lent as our annual retreat; a time for assessing our relationship with Christ; a time for drawing back from our regular routine. To do so, Lent brings to the forefront those ancient disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Although all three of these observances are intertwined, for the purposes of this reflection, I would like to focus on the connection between prayer and almsgiving with the help of St. John Chrysostom:
“Prayer and converse with God is a supreme good: it is a partnership and union with God. As the eyes of the body are enlightened when they see the light, so our spirit, when it is intent on God, is illumined by his infinite light. I do not mean the prayer of outward observance but prayer from the heart, not confined to fixed times or periods but continuous throughout the day and night.” Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 12 Feb 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
On Monday, February 11, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he was renouncing the ministry of the Bishop of Rome. When this resignation goes into effect on February 28, 2013 at 8 pm Roman time, Pope Benedict XVI will no longer serve the Catholic Church as the Successor of St. Peter. Since the traditional nine-day period of mourning does not need to be observed, it looks like a new pope Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 09 Feb 2013 | Tagged as: Miscellaneous
As we begin our journey through Lent, the Sacrament of Reconciliation comes to the forefront. It is preached about more frequently and parishes offer extended hours so that more persons can take advantage of this great sacrament of mercy.
“The Sacrament of Penance is one of the Church’s precious treasures, since authentic world renewal is accomplished only through forgiveness. Nothing can improve the world if evil is not overcome. Evil can be overcome only by forgiveness. Certainly, it must be an effective forgiveness; but only the Lord can give us this forgiveness, a forgiveness that drives away evil not only with words but truly destroys it.” — Pope Benedict XVI Continue Reading »
Posted by Father John Chrysostom Kozlowski OP on 09 Feb 2013 | Tagged as: Parish Events
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 13.
On Ash Wednesday, Masses will be offered here at St. Vincent Ferrer according to the usual schedule: 8 am, 12:10 pm (sung), and 5:30 pm (sung). Ashes will be distributed at all the Masses.
Also, every Friday of Lent, beginning February 15, we will pray the Stations of the Cross immediately following the 5:30 pm Mass. Please join us as we follow the way of the cross through our beautiful gothic church.