Dear Parishioners of HNJ Parish,

My Pastor’s Report for the 2021/2022 Parish Fiscal Year was included in our Bulletin for December 4, 2022. Near the end of that report, I indicated that I would be communicating with you in January of 2023 about the Brooklyn Diocese’s ongoing Stewardship Program, which is the subject of this letter.

Stated briefly, Catholic Stewardship involves the proper care and use of God’s gifts to us to help us fulfill our responsibilities as Catholic followers of Jesus Christ. Stewardship is often discussed in the context of our use of God’s gifts of time, talents and treasure. The Stewardship program is essentially an effort to ask parishioners to use their God-given gifts to provide more help to their parishes. This is especially important now as we continue to struggle to recover from the lingering effects of the Pandemic.

Concerning time: We are all well-aware of the increasing demands on our time to meet family and work responsibilities. However, as we begin 2023, can we ask ourselves: Could we all benefit by devoting more time to improving our relationship with Jesus Christ, His sacraments, His Church? Could we be more faithful to attending Mass (including worthy reception of the Eucharist), especially on Sundays and possibly more frequently on weekdays? Could we devote more time to prayer, especially prayer before the Eucharist during this time of Eucharistic Revival? Average Sunday Mass attendance remains at barely 300, as opposed to nearly 600 before the Pandemic. We need to increase in-person attendance at Sunday Mass.

Concerning talents: Could there be increased volunteer participation in our many parish ministries (again recognizing the realities of busy lives)? We can use your help. Ministries and activities such as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, Religious Education Catechist/Assistant Catechist, Environmental Committee (Church cleaning and decorating), Food Pantry, English and Spanish choirs, Youth Programs (Fathers Guild Sports, Scouting), etc., have all lost volunteers in recent years. The time commitments are variable and take into account personal schedules. Please contact the Parish Office so that we can provide you with additional information.

Concerning treasure: For most of the Pandemic months and years, our parish weekly collections were only moderately reduced despite the decline in Mass attendance. Online giving via Faith Direct and generous use of the “Catch Up” envelopes were big helps. Unfortunately, this situation is changing. In recent months we have been experiencing larger, more persistent decreases in our First and Second weekend Mass collections, the results of which are reported in the weekly bulletin. From September of 2021 through November of 2022, the number of parishioners using Faith Direct declined significantly from 112 to 97. As those familiar with parish finances know well, the weekly collections are our main funding sources for our operating expenses (salaries and benefits, utilities, ordinary repairs and maintenance, etc.). Several of the larger donors who helped us so faithfully for years are no longer with us. We understand how difficult individual circumstances can be; but, if you can, please try to meet our suggested weekly donation goal of $25 ($20 First Collection, $5 Second Collection). Use of Faith Direct or Parish Envelopes would be a big plus.

Thank you for your faith, your generosity and your support of HNJ Parish and me. Please help keep our wonderful parish a vibrant Catholic center for sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,
Fr. Larry Ryan

Estimados feligreses de la parroquia HNJ,

El Informe de mi párroco para el año fiscal parroquial 2021/2022 se incluyó en nuestro Boletín del 4 de diciembre de 2022. Cerca del final de ese informe, indiqué que me comunicaría con usted en enero de 2023 sobre el Programa de mayordomía en curso de la Diócesis de Brooklyn, que es el tema de esta carta.

Dicho brevemente, la corresponsabilidad católica implica el cuidado y uso apropiado de los dones de Dios para ayudarnos a cumplir con nuestras responsabilidades como seguidores católicos de Jesucristo. La mayordomía se discute a menudo en el contexto de nuestro uso de los dones de tiempo, talentos y tesoros de Dios. El programa de Corresponsabilidad es esencialmente un esfuerzo para pedir a los feligreses que usen los dones que Dios les ha dado para brindar más ayuda a sus parroquias. Esto es especialmente importante ahora que continuamos luchando para recuperarnos de los efectos persistentes de la pandemia.

En cuanto al tiempo: Todos somos conscientes de la creciente demanda de nuestro tiempo para cumplir con las responsabilidades familiares y laborales. Sin embargo, al comenzar el 2023, podemos preguntarnos: ¿Podríamos todos beneficiarnos al dedicar más tiempo a mejorar nuestra relación con Jesucristo, Sus sacramentos, Su Iglesia? ¿Podríamos ser más fieles en asistir a Misa (incluida la recepción digna de la Eucaristía), especialmente los domingos y posiblemente con más frecuencia entre semana? ¿Podríamos dedicar más tiempo a la oración, especialmente a la oración ante la Eucaristía durante este tiempo de Renacimiento Eucarístico? El promedio de asistencia a misa dominical se mantiene en apenas 300, frente a los casi 600 antes de la pandemia. Necesitamos aumentar la asistencia en persona a la misa dominical.

Con respecto a los talentos: ¿Podría haber una mayor participación de voluntarios en nuestros muchos ministerios parroquiales (reconociendo nuevamente las realidades de vidas ocupadas)? Podemos utilizar su ayuda. Ministerios y actividades tales como Ministro Extraordinario de la Sagrada Comunión, Lector, Catequista de Educación Religiosa/Catequista Asistente, Comité Ambiental (limpieza y decoración de iglesias), Despensa de Alimentos, coros en inglés y español, Programas Juveniles (Deportes del Gremio de Padres, Escultismo), etc., todos han perdido voluntarios en los últimos años. Los compromisos de tiempo son variables y tienen en cuenta los horarios personales. Comuníquese con la Oficina Parroquial para que podamos brindarle información adicional.

Con respecto al tesoro: durante la mayor parte de los meses y años de la pandemia, las colectas semanales de nuestra parroquia se redujeron solo moderadamente a pesar de la disminución en la asistencia a misa. Las donaciones en línea a través de Faith Direct y el uso generoso de los sobres “Catch Up” fueron de gran ayuda. Desafortunadamente, esta situación está cambiando. En los últimos meses hemos estado experimentando disminuciones más grandes y persistentes en nuestras colectas de misas del primer y segundo fin de semana, cuyos resultados se informan en el boletín semanal. Desde septiembre de 2021 hasta noviembre de 2022, la cantidad de feligreses que usan Faith Direct disminuyó significativamente de 112 a 97. Como bien saben quienes están familiarizados con las finanzas parroquiales, las colectas semanales son nuestras principales fuentes de financiamiento para nuestros gastos operativos (salarios y beneficios, servicios públicos). , reparaciones ordinarias y mantenimiento, etc.). Varios de los donantes más grandes que nos ayudaron tan fielmente durante años ya no están con nosotros. Entendemos lo difíciles que pueden ser las circunstancias individuales; pero, si puede, intente alcanzar nuestra meta de donación semanal sugerida de $25 ($20 para la primera colección, $5 para la segunda). El uso de Faith Direct o Sobres Parroquiales sería una gran ventaja.

Gracias por su fe, su generosidad y su apoyo a HNJ Parish ya mí. Ayude a mantener nuestra maravillosa parroquia como un centro católico vibrante para compartir las Buenas Nuevas del Evangelio de Jesucristo.

Atentamente,
Fr. Larry Ryan

T-BALL
Co-ed between the ages of 4 & 7 years old. Games played on our lady’s field during weeknights.
Players: https://tinyurl.com/fh27je2b
Coaches*: https://tinyurl.com/ys823nm7

GIRLS SOFTBALL
Games are typically played on the weekends in Prospect Park with practices typically held on weeknights. Age requirements for the below Divisions are as of April 30, 2023.
MUSTANG – ages 8 to 10
BRONCO – ages 11 to 12
COLT – ages 13 to 15
Players: https://tinyurl.com/ys5c6dds
Coaches*: https://tinyurl.com/2tfxknj4

BASEBALL
Games are typically played on the weekends in Prospect Park with practices typically held on weeknights. Age requirements for the below Divisions are as of April 30, 2023.
PONY – ages 7 to 8
CUB – ages 8 to 10
BANTAM – ages 11 to 12
SUPER BANTAM – age 13
GRASSHOPPER – ages 14 to 15
FRESHMAN – ages 15 to 18
Players: https://tinyurl.com/3ybpevfd
Coaches*: https://tinyurl.com/nh9zewrv

SOCCER
The Soccer Clinic will be on Saturday mornings in Our Lady’s Field for children between the ages of 3 and 7 years old.
Players: https://tinyurl.com/mruz4cpm
Coaches*: https://tinyurl.com/5bf7zb2d

* In order to coach a team you must have been Virtus Trained. If you are not Virtus Trained and are interested in coaching, please register at the website:
https://tinyurl.com/yuvn8k8f

Grades PreK-3 through 8

The OCIA program (formerly known as RCIA) prepares adults to receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Religious instruction will be available this Fall for adults who wish to be baptized Catholic, as well as those who are already members of the Catholic Church,  but were never able to receive the fullness of the sacraments (Communion and/or Confirmation.)

If you are interested, please contact the Rectory at 718-768-3071 for more information.

Fr. Larry is available to administer the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and the Anointing of the Sick either at home or in a hospital. All three of these Sacraments are grace and salvation-filled opportunities for spiritual (and sometimes physical) healing, nourishment, and peace. Please note that it is preferable to have a priest visit before there are issues with communication and swallowing, but please don’t hesitate to contact the Rectory at any time to have Fr. Larry (or another priest) administer these important sacraments to those in need.

Arrangements can also be made to bring the Eucharist (Holy Communion) to the homebound on a recurring basis. All visits should be by advance appointment (made by calling the Rectory) to avoid concerns about strangers coming to the door.

Bishop Brennan’s June 24, 2022 pastoral letter to the faithful regarding the Supreme Court decision to undo Roe v Wade is available on the Diocese of Brooklyn web site. Click here to view the letter.

Our Bishop Robert Brennan has asked pastors to advise everyone that the three-year National Eucharistic Revival officially began on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19, 2022. Bishop Brennan also asked that everyone be directed to watch his brief message to the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens about the Revival. Please view the Bishop’s message as soon as you can.

Your attention is also directed to the eucharisticrevival.org web site which has been set up as a central source of information about the Revival, and to an excellent news release on the subject recently issued by the Archdiocese of Chicago. As that news release explains: “The National Eucharistic Revival officially begins on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19. The Revival is a three-year initiative sponsored by the USCCB to form, heal, convert, and unite the People of God through a renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist and then to send them out to a hurting and hungry world. The Revival’s focus on formation and missionary discipleship begins at the grassroots level in individual parishes and dioceses along with other Catholic institutions…

The Frequently Asked Questions section of the eucharisticrevival.org website reminds us of the Church’s current challenges.…The website goes on to boldly assert that “The goal of the National Eucharistic Revival is to engage every Catholic in the United States! This is a movement, not a program, and is meant to provide opportunities for the faithful to fall deeper in love with Jesus in the Eucharist and to be inspired and equipped to share that love with others.” Please pray for the success of the Eucharistic Revival.

The link that you see on the left side of our Parish Home Page will be updated as future announcements are made and additional information becomes known.