Nazareth Catholic Community
January 26, 2020 - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Greetings Everyone,
This Friday, January 31 would have been Thomas Merton’s 105th birthday. If you are not familiar with Merton, he may be of interest to you. Writing during the tumultuous times of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war, Merton’s words offered guidance, perspective and hope in very difficult times.
Merton wrote many personal letters. It was in these correspondences that Merton was able to engage the world in ways most people who lived and walked the streets were not able. Merton corresponded with Atheists, Buddhists, Christians of numerous denominations, Jews, Muslims and people from many other backgrounds. Merton found hope in a world that seemed fractured by poverty, discrimination, and war. He discovered a deep unity in the diversity of people he befriended through his writings. By sharing his correspondences, Merton extends this invitation to all of us.
On March 18, 1958 while making a trip into downtown Louisville for a doctor’s appointment, Merton had a profound spiritual experience. While standing on the street corner of 4th and Walnut, Merton felt a profound connection with the people who were hurriedly moving around him. He would later write:
“In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut,
in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed
with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers….There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.”
This experience would influence Merton for the rest of his life. Merton’s awakening may also give us great insight into our own present day. Like Merton, we live in a time of great division and uncertainty and we can easily lose sight of the hope found in the beauty of the people around us. Topics such as racism, nuclear war and violence could cause someone to lose faith in humanity, however, Merton tackled these issues with an understanding that a deeper unity lies beyond the divisions that exist. We are called to rediscover this unity.
Merton was able to engage others because he was grounded in the contemplative practices of his monastery. While few of us are called to such a life, each of us can benefit from practices from our Catholic tradition that gives us perspective in times of stress and uncertainty.
Peace and hope,
~ Jamie
Note: To learn more about Thomas Merton visit the Merton Room located on the first floor of the library or visit the link below.
PS: The first five students to respond to this email will get a free Thomas Merton book!
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Happy Birthday Thomas Merton!
January 31 would have been Thomas Merton’s 105th birthday. If you are not familiar with Merton, he may be of interest to you. Writing during the tumultuous times of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war, Merton’s words offered guidance, perspective, and hope in very difficult times. Join us after Mass TONIGHT for Cake and Conversation to Celebrate Thomas Merton's Birthday!
THIS TUESDAY: Adoration with Praise and Worship Music
Come and experience a beautiful night of Eucharistic Adoration along with Praise and Worship Music. This night of worship will be led by our very own Nazareth College Catholic Community Choir! THIS Tuesday, January 28th from 7:00PM to 8:00PM Linehan Chapel
Come and experience praise and worship, faith-sharing, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and an opportunity for prayer and reflection. All are welcome!
THIS THURSDAY, 1/30: Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS!
RSVP Today! Home cooked food!
Sister Donna and the Sisters of St. Joseph she lives with have invited us to their home to celebrate Mass and enjoy a home-cooked pasta dinner!
Meet at GAC 151 at 5:30PM and we will travel together to St. Boniface parish where Sister Donna lives (only 10 minutes from Nazareth). Or you can find the directions below and meet us there. Mass will be at 6:00PM followed by supper.
We want to make sure we have enough food! Let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS!
Thursday, Jan 30, 2020, 05:30 PM
314 Gregory Street, Rochester, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
THIS WEEKEND! Joy Retreat
Friday, Jan 31, 2020, 05:00 PM
314 Gregory Street, Rochester, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Do you like to sing? Do you play an instrument? Our Mass Choir is for you!
Come again or for the first time!
If you play an instrument bring it along!
Questions? E-mail Our Choir Directors:
Caelie Flanagan, cflanag11@mail.naz.edu
Julianna Pollicino, jpollic3@mail.naz.edu
Mark your calendars!!
Add these events sponsored by the Nazareth College Catholic Community today to avoid scheduling future conflicts!
Mass: EVERY Sunday at 7:00PM
Mid-Week Mass: EVERY Wednesday from 12:30PM - 1:00PM
Eucharistic Adoration and Compline: on the following Thursdays from 8:00PM to 9:00PM: 1/23, 2/6, 3/19, 4/2.
NEW: Adoration with Praise and Worship Music: on the following Thursdays from 7:00PM to 8:00PM: 1/28, 2/11, 3/24 and 4/28.
Mass and Meal Off Campus: 5:30PM to 8:00PM: Thursday 1/30, Thursday 2/20, Tuesday 3/31 and Thursday 4/23
Ash Wednesday: February 26, 12:30PM and 7:00PM
Holy Week and Easter:
Holy Thursday, April 9: Mass at 8:00PM
Good Friday, April 10: Service at 12:30PM
Easter Sunday, April 12: Mass at 7:00PM
NEEDED: Eucharistic Ministers, Cross Bearers and Lectors
We are in need of people to serve as lectors, communion ministers and cross-bearers for our weekly Sunday 7:00PM Mass. Below will be a description of each position. If you are interested, please respond to this email. Traning will be provided for those who have not served in these roles previously. Thank you!
LITURGICAL MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
LECTOR:
The Communion Minister will help with the distribution of Communion by offering the Body (consecrated bread) and Blood of Christ (consecrated wine) to each individual who wishes to receive it.
CROSS-BEARER:
Nazareth College Catholic Community Pastoral Team:
Julianna Pollicino
Emma Clive
eclive6@naz.edu
Caelie Flanagan
Danica Aquitania
Sacristan
daquita8@naz.eduPope Francis
Bishop of Rome
Gabriela Groman
ggroman7@naz.edu
Sarah Schuler
Parish Council President
Nancy Garcia
Coordinator of outreach to Our Lady of Guadalupe Migrant Community
Sr. Donna DelSanto, SSJ
ddelsanto@ssjrochester.org
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div.
Katie Maya
Cassie Dupre
cdupre0@naz.edu
Fr. Robert Resier, SJ
rreiser@mcquaid.org
Fr. Matthew Temple, O.Carm.
Fr. Richard Briclker
Nazareth College Catholic Community
Wednesday Mass: 12:30PM
Gluten free hosts available upon request - Please contact Jamie Fazio.
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please e-mail one of our priests to schedule an appointment.
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div. (he/him/his), Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 160
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/