Letter from the Pastor
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October 22, 2023I would like to thank you for your generous response to the Increased Offertory Campaign asked of us by the Archdiocese. I also know how much you love your parish and want to see it thrive, which it is. Those who couldn’t participate now, I truly understand and not to worry, when things get better for you financially, then feel free to contribute a bit more on Sundays. What you give to your parish is between you and God. We all have bills, some of you more than St. Margaret’s, so I do appreciate the sacrifices you make for us all.
Another last pitch for electronic giving, it’s easy to set up, and it is secure and helps us to plan for the entire year. If you are interested, please call Helen at the Parish Center, 845.735-4746, ext. 105
Another note of thanks goes to those who donated blood last week. The report from the Blood Bank:- 47 donations, which will help up to 141 people in need.
- 27 donated whole blood, and
- 10 people donated on our Alyx machine which equals 20 donations.
It is a noble thing to do, if your health allows, to donate blood to help a stranger. Thank you to Tracey and her helpers who organized and made everyone feel comfortable and at ease.
This Friday we will welcome a very special guest to our parish, Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia. The Archbishop is Pope Francis’ personal representative and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
Archbishop Caccia will confirm a class of our students this Friday. We welcomed Bishops John Bonnici and Edmund Whalen who were with our students these past few weeks. This year 86 of our students were confirmed in the faith. Our students have received all their Sacraments of Initiation; they have now become full members of the Catholic Church.
Congratulations to them, their parents and their sponsors. I would like to thank Mrs. Lattuca our Director of PREP, Mrs. Maldonado, our school Principal, Mrs. Horgan, our teachers and catechists.
Confirmation is a very important and necessary sacrament. The Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates the completion of Baptism. There is a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, given through anointing with Sacred Chrism Oil, accompanied by the laying on of hands and prayer, which strengthens them as members of the Church to spread and defend the Catholic Faith by word and deed. When God gave a person a new and important mission, God imposed on them a new name. Our students choose a Saint’s name, for they are now given the mission of living out the Christian life.
Confirmation is one of only three sacraments that mark the soul; baptism and holy orders are the other two.
In addition to the effect of Sanctifying Grace (sharing the life of God within your soul), which can be lost through mortal sin—a permanent effect can never be undone. Over the centuries this effect has been described by various terms: a spiritual seal, an indelible mark, a sacramental character, or an ontological change.
At Confirmation the soul of the person becomes different than a soul who has not been confirmed. Confirmation, like baptism and holy orders can be received only once and it can never be undone.
Any adult over the age of 16 who has not been confirmed, can call me and you will be prepared to receive Confirmation at Easter time. Remember: one cannot act as a godparent or sponsor if one doesn’t have the three Sacraments of Initiation.
