St. Mary's 

of the

 Immaculate Conception 

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The Bells of St. Mary’s
The Church of the Immaculate Conception
 
Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time August 2, 2020

 
^{From Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP}

There are two essential elements we look for to live a contented life. There are fGenerosity of Our Godood and love. These are needs; we hunger, thirst, and yearn for in life, especially when considering our physical and emotional needs. Receiving both elements are blessings from God. They help to nourish our bodies and soul. God provides these for us in our journey through life. The theme uniting the readings this week is that of the boundless generosity of God: God gives freely, and God gives in extreme measure.
 
Today, we heard Jesus followed by people as he tried to withdraw to a lonely place to grief over his cousin, John the Baptist. Out of His compassion, He ignored His own needs and turned His attention to feed the hungry crowd. Matthew relates the story of Jesus, feeding the people with only five loaves and two fish to tell us something important about our Lord's mission on earth. According to the Evangelist, "His heart was moved with pity for them, and He cared for them." His empathy extends through His disciples, who had only some loaves and fish at that moment. Matthew Gospel portrays the divinity of Jesus by this very action. 
 
The episode of this Multiplication of the Loaves that forms the Gospel, Matt 14:13-21, looks backward to biblical traditions about God's generous provision of food, such as the 
· manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16; Numbers 11) and the
· multiplication miracle of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:42-44);
 
It looks forward to the Eucharist's gift and, ultimately, to the final banquet in the Kingdom of God, of which the Eucharist is both foretaste and symbol.
Central to the theological significance is how the episode anticipates the institution of the Eucharist. Jesus' gestures – 'taking (the loaves)', 'blessing', 'breaking', 'giving' – foreshadow those at the Last Supper (Matt 26:26). The Evangelist expects that readers will understand that when they participate in the Eucharist, they are experiencing the same divine hospitality that the Galilean crowds in this 'lonely place' experienced from Jesus.
 
Jesus showed compassion for the people by healing their sick and giving them food to eat. For us today, during this pandemic, we need His abundant help in our physical, emotional, and spiritual struggle to cope with the impart of this COVID 19 virus. And how do we do this? 
 
Like Isaiah, who emerged out of the late exile period, insist that God is bringing an end to the period of judgment and will restore Israel beyond its former glory. So we need to take to heart our First Reading from the prophet Isaiah 55:1-3. 

• "All you who are thirsty,
• come to the water! 
• You who have no money, 
• come, without paying and without cost,
• drink wine and milk." 

These are words of comfort to God's people. The prophet reaches out, especially to those who believe that because they broke the Mosaic covenant (Isaiah 41:17; 58:11), their disobedience and lack of trust in God is annulled and invited to companionship wit the Lord. Note that in biblical times, meals of water, wine, milk, and abundant food are metaphors for divinely revealed teachings that the people feast on when they put them into practice. Though Israel was not faithful to the covenant and lost everything, the Lord did not terminate His relationship with them. 
 
We left everything, and have come to Church listen to the Lord's words, nourished by the Eucharist, and be healed by Him. Let us listen attentively to God's message knowing that we are invited to the feast as well.
 
So, we who are recipients of God's gracious plan knowing that "all things work for good for those who love God," should have nothing to fear. Let no anguish or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or the sword frighten us from Christ's love for us. God's generosity satisfies our greatest needs.
 
How can you thank God for the generous gifts bestowed on you on this first Sunday of August? 

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• We are to follow the NYS EXECUTIVE ORDERS, CDC, ESDC, and OSHA COVID 19 guidelines at all times. 
• All persons coming to church for Mass must wear masks and gloves at all times.
• We must follow Practical and orderly COVID - 19 ushering at all times. 
• A maximum of six feet of social distancing must be observed and maintained at all times. 
• Divide Sanctuary space into sections of singles, couples or families with three or more members
• Follow guidelines for each section for singles, couples, or families with three or more members. 
• Skip one pew for seating for singles 
• Pew sections for two or more persons sitting together must skip two pews
• Church to be filled from front to back 
• Pews to be filled from both ends to avoid anyone crossing someone else's path
• Allocate a minimum of two feet per person when seated
• Maintain six-foot distance between strangers while seated 
• If side or back aisles next to the wall are eight-foot or more, we can use folding chairs while maintaining a six-foot social distancing between them. 

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English:  Saturday 5:00pm, Sunday  7:30am  & 11:00am  
Spanish: Saturday-7:00pm, & Sunday-9:00am   
Arabic: Sunday-12:30pm                   

Weekdays:
English-8:15am & 12:05pm,    Spanish– Thursday 7:00pm
Eve of Holy days: 5:00pm,   
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Confessions: 
English-
Monday to Fridays:  11:45-12noon
Saturday  11:45-12noon & 4:30-5:00pm
Spanish-
Friday’s 11:30-12 noon and 
In the  Rectory- 
Monday & Friday 3:00 - 5:00pm

Sick Calls–   Any hour Day or Night
Baptism:
In English–
the last Sunday of the month at 3:00pm (please call  ahead and make an appointment  with Fr. Anthony)
In Spanish–
The 2nd Saturday of the month at  2:30pm (please call ahead                                                      and make an appointment with Fr. George)
Marriages-
In order to provide sufficiently time for the Marriage Preparation Course, please call the parish office and ask to speak with any of the priests at least six months in advance.      

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