September 13th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
With early bulletin deadlines and vacation, I should have been more prepared with the following announcement of St. Carlo Acutis.
Yes, what a joyful celebration the Canonization of Carlo Acutis was last Sunday, September 7 with the Universal Church celebrating the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian teenager who used his love of the Eucharist and his gifts with technology to share the Gospel with the world. Carlo, who died at the age of 15 in 2006, is often called the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist.” His life reminds us that holiness is possible at any age and that modern tools can be used to serve Christ and His Church. I invite all parishioners to come together for this joyful occasion as we honor the Church’s newest saint and ask for his intercession, especially for our young people and families. I encourage families in our parish to watch the Beatification of St. Carlo Acutis with your children. This is a ‘living’ catechizes on how a person is canonized.
Francesca Pollio Fenton, CNN Staff writes: Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991, in London to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, and raised in Milan, Italy. Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager. From a young age, Carlo had a special love for God, the rosary, and the Eucharist. He managed to get himself to Mass and to convince others to receive Communion daily.” Salzano spoke to “EWTN News Nightly” in October 2023 about her son’s devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She said: “He used to say, ‘There are queues in front of a concert, in front of a football match, but I don’t see these queues in front of a church.. So, for him the Eucharist was the center of his life.
Carlo’s witness of faith as a child led adults to convert and be baptized. Carlo wasn’t afraid to defend Church teaching, even in situations when his classmates disagreed with him. Many of Carlo’s high school classmates remember Carlo giving a passionate defense for the protection of life. Carlo was a faithful friend. He was known for standing up for kids at school who got bullied, especially kids with disabilities.
Carlo was fascinated with computer coding and taught himself some of the basic coding languages, including C and C++. Carlo loved playing video games. He had conversations with his gaming buddies about the importance of going to Mass and confession and limited his video game playing to no more than two hours per week. Carlo also liked Spider-Man and Pokémon.
Carlo died on Oct. 12, 2006, and was buried in Assisi.
“Not I, but God.” – St. Carlo Acutis
Fr. Tim
September 6th, 2025
Dear Parishioners:
Now that vacations are over and we resume regular school and work activities, please reflect on the following questions:
What is Mass? The Church defines Mass as “the source and summit of the Christian life.” This means the Eucharist is the foundation of Christian life, as it makes present the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and is central to the spiritual nourishment of believers. Around A.D. 150, Saint Justin described a celebration of the Eucharist that closely resembled today’s Catholic Mass. Within the Mass itself, there are two main divisions – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
What is Our Sunday Obligation? The present Code of Canon Law reads: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” The expectation is that the person will attend a complete Mass. At no time, however, were we advised to regularly skip parts of the Mass, at the beginning or the end, because they were important and integral to the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. A Catholic Catechism quotes the Canon and states, “Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.”
Does watching Mass on TV/Livestream fulfill our Sunday Obligation? The predominant goal of Mass Livestream has been to help bring the Mass to those who would otherwise not have access. The sick and homebound parishioners were given a new way to be part of the community. During the pandemic, COVID brought about an extreme need to have the Masses livestreamed. In the age of technology and instant communication, email, voicemail, YouTube, and Livestream Masses are becoming popular and convenient. Livestream serves as a great benefit, especially for those who wish to be part of the community when sharing special ceremonies such as marriages and baptisms with families around the world.
Gathering together as a community of faith is important. Sacraments are community events where we encounter God and one another. When we gather together, we are most visibly the Church, the body of Christ. Livestream is a one-way medium. It allows us to watch without really being able to give responses. We need to take an active part in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The downfall of Livestreaming Masses is that the participants cannot receive the Body and Blood of Christ, soul and divinity. We have to work better on correcting people’s misunderstanding about the importance of in-person worship.
Please do not read this as a rebuke to anyone because no one is to judge another unless all the surrounding circumstances are known. We do not want you to lose any connection with the parish. All Catholics have the identical Sunday obligation, whether they be people, popes, or priests. Some have work responsibilities that completely prevent Mass attendance on Sunday. Others have parental or family duties that force them to be late or leave early. All of these types of factors are essential to making a sound decision of conscience about the Mass obligation.
Every last one of our parishioners is important and are needed to make our Sunday Eucharistic assembly of believers, united in prayer, in Christ. Whenever possible, we want everyone for the whole Mass: all around, those who are comfortable in the back, and those who sit in particular pews at the right, left, or center of our beautiful country church.
Fr. Tim
August 30th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend is the unofficial end to summer! We close out the warm and hot days with Labor Day. This weekend we give thanks to God for all who still have jobs and for the blessings of human labor, also we pray to God to help those seeking employment to find it. Many of us are beneficiaries of those who have gone before us and labored hard to build the infrastructure of our nation. Some even gave their lives for this progress. Many of us are beneficiaries of those who employ workers, whether with a small payroll of 6 or a payroll in the thousands.
Cultivating a sense of perseverance and pride in our work is sometimes sorely lacking. Customer service seems to be less and less personal. Pride in one’s trade likewise seems to be on the decline, impacting God’s creatures. Place a call today and you will find out that you are no longer “Thomas Jones” or “Mary Smith”, but 111-00-1111. (Social Security)
Regardless of our place in society or our role in business, each of us has something to contribute. Each of us, too, is called to share our time and talent in the work that we choose or are given to accomplish.
First, I look back to my mom’s two careers—beautician and salesclerk—working long hours without benefits and late on Thursday nights and on the weekends. Her income was nowhere near six figures, but she worked to provide for her three sons.
Next, I look back on my grandmother’s work as a wife, mother, and devoted niece without pay. Later she became a housekeeper to her pastor and also worked and became a certified home-health aide. These jobs did not pay well, but she always had the income to assist her family in any given situation.
Finally, I look back on my work history and wish to share with you the variety of jobs that I have held since I was 14 years old. All of them taught me the value of work, which is good. Here’s my ‘resume’:
• Worked in a Jewish meat market in junior high school
• Worked in private homes as a caterer in high school
• Worked in the Dietary Department at the local hospital
• Worked in my college Career Placement Office and Sears
• Worked for a fine leather store in Stamford, CT during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays from college
• Worked at a sleep away camp during the summer months while home from college
• Worked for various food service companies
• Worked as a Substitute teacher in my high school
• Worked for Marriott Corporation
• Worked as the rectory cook before entering the seminary. Prosper the work of our hands; prosper the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17)
Fr. Tim
P.S. Take the Day Off!
August 23rd, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
Did you know?
On April 8, 1808, Pope Pius VII established the Diocese of New York, covering the entire state of New York and seven northeastern New Jersey counties. It was subsequently elevated to an archdiocese in 1850.
Since that time, the Archdiocese of New York has continually adapted its ministries to serve increasingly diverse communities evolving through waves of immigration and social change. We are grateful for all the faithful who have built, sustained, and enriched this archdiocese throughout its history.
Diocese of New York (1808-1850)
LEADERS OF THE DIOCESE AND ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
Bishops
1. R. Luke Concanen, O.P. (1808-1810)
2. John Connolly, O.P. (1814-1825)
3. John Dubois, S.S. (1826-1842)
4. John Hughes (1842-1850 as Bishop; 1850-1864 as Archbishop)
Archdiocese of New York (1850-Present)
The Diocese of New York was elevated to an Archdiocese on July 19, 1850.
Archbishops
1. John Hughes (1850-1864)
2. John McCloskey (1864-1885)
3. Michael Augustine Corrigan (1885-1902)
4. John Murphy Farley (1902-1918)
5. Patrick Joseph Hayes (1919-1938)
6. Francis Joseph Spellman (1939-1967)
7. Terence James Cooke (1968-1983)
8. John Joseph O’Connor (1984-2000)
9. Edward Michael Egan (2000-2009)
10. Timothy Michael Dolan (2009-Present)
Can you point out the similarities?
Happy 175th Birthday to the Archdiocese of New York!
Fr. Tim
August 16th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
Vacation, “Staycation,” “Daycation,” No Vacation, which category(ies) do you fall under? I fall under three of the four categories.
In between these “cations,” many summer projects occurred here at the COTM; interacting with parish staff, consultants, contractors, repairmen, and parish volunteers particularly the Building & Grounds Committee. I/We owe tremendous thanks to the last group who put in ‘sweat equity’ because of their love of the COTM. Coffee, donuts, ice water and an occasional gift card goes along way. Here are a few happenings:
~The Weaver Parish Hall and bathrooms were painted and the floor redone along with replacing ceiling tiles and installing new bathroom mirrors. Of course, there are some touchups that need to be done, and a few enhancements will be added.
~ A few new sprinkler heads had to be replaced, and a few heads had to be raised due to the new landscaping.
~The A/C thermostat and condenser for the sanctuary were malfunctioning. Some minor repairs also were needed for two of our three condensers.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO THE MAINTENACE FUND THAT ALLOWS FOR THESE PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED AND OUR PROPERTY TO BE MAINTAINED.
~From the brief survey, the Faith Formation Program, Registration, and Calendar will be undergoing new and exciting changes.
~ We inherited a new livestream company. The old company relinquished their “House of Worship” accounts to a new company which included installing new equipment.
~ A new office computer was purchased.
~ The “Calendar Meeting” took place. This is a particularly important “meeting” for planning purposes so to accommodate both parish and non-parish events.
~The 2026 Mass Book was prepared in conjunction with the “Calendar Meeting,” including the scheduling of the annual liturgical celebrations, novenas, and the Archdiocesan and Maintenance collection dates. FYI… The 2026 Mass Book will OFFICIALLY open on September 8 at 9:00 a.m. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN YOUR REQUESTS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 8 AND UNTIL YOU HAVE THE READ THE PROTOCOLS REGARDING THE AVAILABIITY OF MASSES. FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN BACK OF THE CHURCH, IN THE RECTORY OFFICE AND ON OUR WEBSITE.
~ Our Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, October 18 (rain or shine). Start gathering your saleable items.
~Christmas Planning has begun. Our florist and I had a conversation on 7/18, she informed me that she had already placed her 2025 tree order. In a month or so, my 2025 Christmas Message for our envelope company is due.
Peace and Prayers,
Fr. Tim
August 9th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
People often ask,
“Father, when is summer over?” (FYI… Summer is officially over September 21st .
My response is:
~When I see the newly painted school signs that read: “Schools Open, Drive Carefully” on polls near schools.
~ When I see the “Back to School” shopping commercials on TV or pop-ups on the computer that probably started back in June.
~When the Feast of the Assumption draws near.
When the new Roman calendar was promulgated after Vatican II in1969, the list of Marian feasts was reduced from 20 to 15 and relegated to one of three groups of greater to lesser solemnity.
Today’s solemnity is among the most important four, with the Annunciation of the Lord; the Immaculate Conception; and Mary, Mother of God. The second group comprises the Feast of the Visitation and the Nativity of Mary. The last group consists of four obligatory memorials and four optional memorials scattered throughout the year. Recently added to the list starting in 2018, is the ancient devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of “Mother of the Church” (Mater Ecclesiae) on Monday following Pentecost Sunday.
At the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul. Today’s solemnity is a source of hope for all of us, as it reveals that our full humanity is destined to be drawn into eternal life with Christ. Mary prophetically proclaims that God is at work in the world through her, Elizabeth, and their children, to establish a new way of thinking and acting.
As Mary is assumed into heaven, we might look back on her earthly life through the lens of St. Katharine Drexel: “Peacefully do at each moment what at that moment ought to be done.” If we do what each moment requires, we will eventually complete God’s plan, whatever it is.
Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above!
Fr. Tim
August 2nd, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
On First Fridays and Saturday afternoons, we have Eucharistic Adoration. What is it? I found this explanation in my files. When Adoration is held, a period of silence is to be observed so that all can pray and enjoy being in the presence of Jesus.
What is the Eucharistic Adoration?
Understood simply, Eucharistic Adoration is adoring or honoring the Eucharistic presence of Christ. In a deeper sense, it involves “the contemplation of the Mystery of Christ truly present before us”.
During Eucharistic Adoration we “watch and wait”, we remain “silent” in His presence and open ourselves to his grace which flow from the Eucharist,
Eucharistic Adoration is “God and man reaching out to each other, at the same time!”
As Catholics, we believe that Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament is given the same adoration and devotion that is accorded to Christ.
At the beginning of the Exposition of the Blessed sacrament, a priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places it in the Monstrance on the Altar for all to adore. “Monstrance” is the vessel used in the Church to display the consecrated Host during Adoration.
When the Monstrance contains the sacred Host, the priest does not touch it with his bare hands, but instead, holds it with a humeral veil, a wide band of cloth that covers his shoulders and has pleats on the inside in which he places his hands. At all other times, the reserved sacrament is kept in the locked tabernacle, so that everyone may pray in the presence of the Sacrament.
Eucharistic Adoration Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for this day! You promised that whatever I am doing, You will be there. I Know that You are with me day and night, keeping that promise.
Thank You for letting me sit with You and letting me pray and share my thoughts with you. I can talk to You about anything. By spending time with the Eucharist, I spend time with you. You are the Eucharist. Amen.
Fr. Tim
July 26th, 2025
131 Years Young!
Dear Parishioners,
As a country parish in Pocantico Hills, we have stood as a testament to faith and the application of earthly means to praise God. Our parish has now entered its 131st year. If these walls could talk, what stories would they tell? How many penitents have lined up for the Sacrament of Penance, anticipating unloading their sins in the confessional? How many wedding dresses, holy communion apparel and baptismal attire have processed down and up our main aisle? How many homilies (good and bad) and hymns have reverberated within these walls? How many tears have fallen on these pews and floors since 1894?
We concluded our 130th Anniversary with a spectacular concert on June 8th. Our Music Ministers and additional artists raised their voices and played their instruments exceptionally well. You should have been there to enjoy the broad spectrum of music. With your generosity and support of the Maintenance Collection, we were able to ‘gift’ the parish with the refurbishing of the Weaver Parish Hall.
Thirteen and half decades witnessed an abundance of grace poured out upon so many who have chosen to come here and who have stumbled in, seeking shelter or a lifeline. And they have found it. We are extremely grateful for our forefathers and we recognize that God has worked through the hearts and hands of so many willing collaborators down through the years, and we need this to continue for future generations.
Over the past couple of weeks, our scripture readings at Mass have emphasized the mission of the Church, from the replacing of the apostles Peter & Paul and the commission of 72 disciples to go out, to travel light and to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
As Baptized Christians, in the Catholic tradition and as members of the COTM, this is our mission too, and if we do not share our faith and invite others, we will be the last ones to celebrate the sacraments here. Likewise, if we cease to have generous donors and skilled volunteers who help maintain our parish that will be the end. It is up to us to contribute to our church’s flourishing! We face an uphill battle here in Westchester, due to the high-cost economy, to keep our church afloat and offer a high quality of service.
The fiscal year will end in August and we will be publishing the financials. Historically, parish collections decline throughout the summer months despite the fact that we have fixed operating costs. Going on vacation? Please use We-Share or make up your envelopes to catch up on your offertory. Your support during the summer months helps to sustain our beautiful parish for years to come.
Peace & Blessings,
Fr. Tim
July 19th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
This week we celebrate our Patroness, Mary Magdalene. I wish to share with you the following bulletin article written by Rev. Robert Verrigni, the former Administrator/Pastor. It was published in the June 5, 2022 bulletin of the Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe, on June 5, 2022.
St. Mary Magdalene: July 22
Tradition has always identified Mary Magdalene as the penitent who came to Christ at the house of the Pharisee and insisted on washing His feet with her tears. She dried them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with oil from an alabaster jar. The Pharisee was appalled, but Christ said that she had shown thereafter love and told her: ”Your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you, go in peace.” She is believed to be the same Mary of Magdala who was possessed by seven demons until Jesus freed her. There is no evidence in Scripture for Mary Magdalene’s reputation as prostitute, but the myth endures.
Whatever the truth about her life before the Crucifixion, Mary Magdalene was among the mourners at Calvary, and she became the first witness to the Resurrection. She arrived at Christ’s tomb that morning shortly before dawn. Discovering that the stone had been moved, Mary Magdalene ran to the apostles Peter and John and brought them back to see. Mary remained there to weep. Two angels asked her why she was weeping. She answered: “they took my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid Him.” She did not recognize Jesus standing there until He said, “Mary!” She answered, “Rabbouni,”Jesus told her to take a message to the disciples: ”I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
Mary Magdalene was the first to announce Jesus’ Resurrection; Women have always been in the forefront for spreading the good news of Jesus. Philosophers from Thomas Aquinas to St. John Paul, have saluted Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles” because she was the first to see the Resurrected Christ and was charged with bringing others the news.
St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!
Fr. Tim
July 12th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
We now enter into the longest season of the liturgical year, the summer and fall portion of Ordinary Time. For those days when there is no special feast, the normal liturgical color is green. Ordinary Time refers to all those parts of the Catholic liturgical year that aren’t included in the major seasons of Advent, Christ, Lent, and Easter.
The Meaning of the Season (condensed)
Ordinary Time reminds us of how God breaks into our day-to-day lives. God makes ordinary things sacred. Water. Bread. Wine. Oil. These are simple items, yet they are transformed by God to impart to human beings the fit of God’s own life. God comes to us through the ordinary, and in so doing, the ordinary becomes sacred. Ordinary Time is also a great season of renewal and recommitment to our discipleship!
Ordinary Time might be considered that “hinge” time, the time that gives meaning to the mysteries of Christ so evident during the high season. It is the “so-what” season. It is the time to hear about Jesus’ public ministry; it relates to us when it means to say yes to the risen Lord and how to be faithful witnesses to his Gospel in our daily, ordinary lives. It is a time to recommit ourselves to God’s glory and extend his life- — his light — his love — to others.
Ordinary Time means “ordered” or “counted” time, not mundane or boring, as the name of the season often suggests. Indeed, Ordinary Time keeps us ordered around or moving in the life of Jesus. It is, after all, the time we hear the proclamation of his public ministry and what it means to be a disciple.
Throughout this longer portion of Ordinary Time, there are a myriad of Gospel stories that offer messages for Christian living. On the fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story points to the Catholic understanding of justice for the common good. For some reason, the term “common good” is very seldom spoken in our society. There are, though, some other very important words that are heard constantly: rights, equality, justice, and freedom. Before people can fully actualize the call to be good servants and support the common good, they must recognize and consciously seek out those who are poor in body and spirit or lost and lonely. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (Letter from Birmingham Jail). [2025 Sourcebook for Sundays, Seasons, and Wednesdays]
Peace,
Fr. Tim
July 5th, 2025
Dear Parishioners,
As we know, in life there is both joy and sorrow. Since my arrival to the parish three years ago, the participation and cooperation from you have been overwhelming. There is one ministry that I wish to give a special shout out to and that is our wonderful Altar Servers: Olivia Herko, Manny and Mark Zichay, Emelia and Ellison Pieri, Rose Moore, Claire and Rebecca Richardson, Peter Shields, Sabrina Willis, Cruz Irizarry, Amy Carri.
The uniqueness in this parish is siblings serve together, and adhere to Fr. Tim’s three rules: GREAT REVERENCE, FOCUS, and BLACK SHOES! I am most grateful to their parents and especially, Michele Herko, Scheduler for their assistance.
We are blessed with a fine group of dedicated young boys and girls who faithfully and willingly serve the Masses. Yes, they are MY assistants.
Now, the sorrow… Summer Time is a time when some families relocate. Two of the Altar Servers and their families are relocating: The Willis Family and The Irizarry Family. Both families have participated in the life of the parish. Their presence WILL be missed. My sincere congratulations to Altar Servers Sabrina Willis and “Mr. Cruz” Irizarry, Miles Willis, who along with Emelia Pieri have ‘graduated’ from Altar Server to Lector.
As the saying goes, “There is joy in the morning.” We welcome Amy Carri to the ranks of altar server. +And I know there is more joy in the future as I solicit new altar servers over the summer. If interested in training, please contact either Mrs. Herko or me.
Peace,
Fr. Tim