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"Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God's own nature, do not return by sin to your former base
condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from
the power of darkness and brought into the light of God's Kingdom. "
Pope
Leo's Second Sermon on The Nativity
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"When we worship, we experience a God who is near to us,
who transforms us in grace.'"
Karl Rhaner, S.J.
BAPTISM
is celebrated on Sundays. The first step in preparing for the Baptism of
your child is an interview with one of our parish priests. Both parents and godparents attend a pre-Baptismal class
held on during the week. Please bring the child's birth certificate to the interview. Your first step is to call one
of the parish priests at the rectory for an interview.
Children who are 7 years and older are prepared through the parish's
Religious Education Program. Contacting the Director of Religious Education is the first step. (The Religious
Education Office phone: (718) 331-8811)
GODPARENTS must be baptized
& confirmed Catholics who receive the Eucharist & live a life of faith. A baptized person, who is not Catholic, may
be a Christian witness if the other godparent is Catholic. (Canon Law 872-874)
Any adult (18+) wishing
to celebrate Baptism or any adult who has not received First Communion or Confirmation
participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. (R.C.I.A.) A commitment to participation
in Sunday Mass and a class after Mass is needed. Contact the Pastoral Ministry Office at 718.236.0124 Ext. 44.
MARRIAGES
Couples are invited to make arrangements
at the Rectory 8 months before their Marriage. The couple first interviews
with one of our parish priests. Pre-Cana arrangements are made during the marriage
preparation period. We encourage
the couple to contact the church before choosing a date and reserving a place for the reception. Marriage is one of the two sacraments of service. The couple
promises to serve each other with love and to serve the church as they enter into a life long commitment.
| THIS IS OUR RECONCILIATION CHAPEL. |
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| We used to call this the Confessional. |
CONFESSION (Reconciliation/Penance)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation(also
known as Confession or Penance) is celebrated Saturday afternoons from 4 to 5p.m. Although many see this
Sacrament celebrated in a Confessional in the movies and on T.V., the Sacrament is celebrated in a Reconciliation Chapel face-to-face
with the priest. An opportunity for the sacrament to be celebrated anonymously, like you have seen in the movies and on T.V.
is still provided. During Advent, Lent and Holy Week we celebrate communal Penance
Services. Here at St. A's, the Sacrament is offered in English, Italian,
Spanish. At other times we invite you to call the rectory to arrange a time with
one of the priests.
MINISTRY TO THE SICK
Please don't forget to inform
us if you are going to be hospitalized so one of our priests can visit. Make sure you provide us with your name, hospital,
room number, phone number and, when possible, how long you will be hospitalized. If you are unable to attend Mass, due
to poor health, illness or advanced age, please call so a Eucharistic Minister can bring Communion to you. The Sacrament
of Anointing of the Sick may be requested because of scheduled surgery or treatment for a life-threatening
illness. Please do not hesitate to call us prior to your surgery or treatment. Inform one of our priests or leave this
information on extension # 44, the Pastoral Ministry Office.
During the Easter Season,
homebound parishioners are brought to church by fellow parishioners for an Easter Anointing. After Mass they are treated
to coffee, cake and home made treats provided by our Girl Scouts and their
families. This sacrament helps a person
when (s)he is sick, expecting surgery or in psychological anguish. By the power
of the Holy Spirit, the Church carries on Jesus' ministry of healing. Anointing
of the Sick is one of the two Sacraments of healing. This Sacrament is the powerful
and effective sign of Jesusī presence that brings strength and healing to the elderly, the sick and the dying. The sacrament is also celebrated in a person's home or in the hospital.
CELEBRATING THE
EUCHARIST
The
Catholic Community is a Word & Eucharist centered church. Every time
we gather, Scripture is always proclaimed and reflected upon. We as Catholics
believe that Jesus is present in the Word of God (Holy Scripture) & in the Eucharist.
Eucharistic Adoration is another way we recognize Jesus' presence in our lives and the life of the community. After the Lord's Supper (the Eucharist, the Mass) we reserve (keep) the bread (called
hosts or the Blessed Sacrament) in a Tabernacle. We do this in order to bring Communion to those who could not celebrate the Eucharist. Because we as Catholics believe Jesus is truly
present in the Eucharist, we also reserve the Eucharist in order to pray in Jesus' presence.
This is called Eucharistic Adoration.
| EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION |
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| On Corpus Christi we spent the afternoon in prayer. |
THE TRADITION OF FIRST FRIDAY
The First Friday of each month, we provide Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The church
is open all day, giving parishioners and passers by an opportunity for private prayer. At 7:30p.m. we celebrate Benediction
of the Blessed Sacrament in Italian. At 8p.m. Mass is celebrated in Italian with Choir.
CHARISMATIC PRAYER MEETINGS
Although the weekly prayer meeting doesn't always include a celebration of the Eucharist, The
Charismatic Prayer Group provides the parish with seasonal Healing Masses. After Mass, the priest celebrant and members
of the Prayer Group's Healing Ministry lay hands on all who wish. While this is not limited to a Healing Mass, the group
sponsors these celebrations in order to expose parishioners to this style of prayer, incorporating the traditions of Catholicism.
The Charismatic Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 8p.m. in the Lower Church.
Guest speakers are invited periodically to offer a message to participants. The meetings also include witness
talks by fellow parishioners and participants, sharing of Scripture, Praise & Worship hymns of all Christian Faith traditions,
the Laying on of Hands, and intecessory prayer. The group meets year round, and has been established for over
25 years here at St. Athanaisus.
A Charismatic Prayer Group in SPANISH meets every Friday at 7:30p.m. in the Lower Church. The
group additionally provides a gathering for the youth as part of the weekly meeting.
CAN'T COME TO MASS BECAUSE YOU ARE SICK?
St. Ann's Basilica provides dail mass on the internet.
TRAVELLING BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE A CHURCH IS?
To find mass times anywhere in the U.S. visit
If you do not have internet access, call
1-900-627-7846.
WANT TO PRAY THE ROSARY ON-LINE?
Need a little coaching with the prayers and the mysteries?
Choose the "Framed Version" a
nd you can pray even if you don't have your rosary handy.
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OUR BAPTISTRY
Our font provides for immersion of infants and adults.
The eight-sided shape of our Baptismal
Font represents the day of resurrection, traditionally thought of as a day beyond time, the "eighth day" of creation.
HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION
Many
times during the year the Catholic Church highlights events in the life of Jesus and Mary.
We celebrate the Eucharist with the same festivity as we do on Sundays. We
call these days Holy Days. On Holy days we celebrate the Eucharist
the night before at 7:30p.m. (in English & Italian with Organ & a cantor). On
the Holy day we celebrate the Eucharist at 7a.m. (a "said" Mass in English) 9a.m.(in English with Organ & a cantor),
11a.m. (in English with Organ & a cantor) and at 8p.m. (in Italian & English with Organ and Italian Choir)
In the United States these are our Holy Days of Obligation:
November 1, All Saints Day
December 8, The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
Christmas
January 1, The Solemnity of Mary
Ascension Thursday
August 15, The Assumption of Mary
Some Dioceses have transfered some of these Holy Days to
Sundays. Here in Brooklyn, these are celebrated during the week.
| ADULT BAPTISM |
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| Denise Mulero being anointed after her baptism. Denise participated in the RCIA process. |
Although these celebrations are not sacraments,
part of the celebration takes place during the Eucharist.
EVERY MONDAY
After morning mass, a weekly devotion in honor Our Lady of the
Miraculous Medal and the Immaculate Conception is prayed.
BLESSING OF ANIMALS IN HONOR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI is celebrated
close to October 4, St. Francis' feast day.
ST. JUDE, THE APOSTLE
During October, 9 days of prayer are dedicated to St. Jude the
Apostle. After mass, devotional prayers are said, including individual prayer for healing with the Anointing of Blessed
Oil of St. Jude. A festive mass is celebrated in English and Italian on October 28th.
ST. LUCY DAY
In the darkness of Advent, St. Lucy's feast day, December 13,
provides parishioners with holiday joy as we offer The Blessing of Eyes.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Nuestra Seņora de Guadalupe
Also in Advent, our Comunidad Latina celebrates the Feast of
Our Lady of Guadalupe with nine days of prayer, an all night vigil and a Festive Mass. Although Our Lady of Guadalupe's
Feast Day is December 12, the celebration is sometimes moved to accomodate those who must work.
ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY
In the midst of the penance of Lent, St. Joseph's Feast Day
is celebrated with the joy of Easter. A festive Mass in Italian, sharing of food, and the Blessing of St. Joseph's Table
in the houses of our parishioners encourages us, as our Lenten journey brings us closer to Easter. This feast has special
significance for our Sisters of St. Joseph.
ST. ANTHONY
Beginning 13 Tuesdays before St. Anthony's Feast Day,
devotional prayers and readings from the Sermons of St. Anthony of Padua are read. On June 13, a festive mass concludes
this devotion. A procession through the streets, distributing Blessed Bread, highlights the parish's devotion to this
Doctor of the Church. The procession is also an opportunity for evangelization.
Want to find out about whose Feast Day today is?
Visit this website:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/
Want to learn about a specific saint? Visit this website:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/byname.asp
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| Students in our Spanish Language Religious Education Program. |
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