2009-2010 Pastoral Plan

YEAR IV - Year of the Priest

In this, the fourth year of the Pastoral Plan, the focus will be on the Priesthood. St. Mary will provide opportunities for parishioners to be acquainted with the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Lecture Series of Orders of Priests

One opportunity will be a 3-session lecture series presented by Priests of various Religious Order to provide an informative seminar about their services in a particular Order. This will give us some insights into the different services provided by each Order and how each is different from the average Diocesan (Parish) Priest. Orders being represented are Carmelite, Dominicans, Franciscans, Holy Cross Fathers, Jesuits, Legionaries of Christ, and the Salesians.

#1: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 7:00-9:00PM

- Jesuit (Education) - Fr. Rocco Danzi, SJ, Vocation Director of NY Province of Jesuits, NY

- Salesian (Education of Youth) - Fr. Stephen Schenck, Pastor, Our Lady of Rosary Church, Port Chester, NY

#2: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 7:00-9:00PM

- Carmelite (Contemplative) - Fr. John Harran, New Jersey

- Opus Dei (Sanctifications of One's Holy Life) - Fr. Javier Garcia, New York, NY

#3: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 7:00-9:00PM

- Legionary (Personal Formation & Education) - Fr. Jason Smith, New York, NY

- Dominican (Education & Preaching) - Fr. Mulcahy, Provincial, New York, NY

Days of Recollection

In addition, there will be two Prish Days of Recollection given by Priests of two different Religious Orders. They will conduct these Days of Recollection according to the particular spirituality and charisma of their particular Order. These sessions will expose the parishioners to different methods of praying, of enhancing one's spirituality, and to learn more of other Religious Orders.

#1: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 10:00AM-2:00PM

- CFR - Community of Friars of the Renewal (Franciscans) - Br. Crispin, Yonkers, NY

#2: Thursday, May 6 (5) (Apr 29), 2010, 10:00AM-2:00PM

- CSC - Holy Cross Fathers - Fr. Tom Looney, Provincial, Bridgeport, CT

Introduction to Our Parish Priests

8:00-9:00AM Mass followed by Coffee &...

9:00-10:00AM Witness Talk by a Parish Priest followed with Q&A

Why I became a priest?

What blessings have I experienced in exercising this ministry?

November 5, 2009: Reverend Monsignor Frank C. Wissel, D. Min., Pastor

December 3, 2009: Reverend Richard J. Gemza, Parochial Vicar

February 4, 2010: Reverend John Inserra, Parochial Vicar

March 4, 2010: Reverend Rolando Torres, Parochial Vicar

April 22, 2010: Deacon Paul E. Tupper

Parish Communion Breakfast

Finally, the year will conclude with a Parish Communion Breakfast. This will be a morning of nourishment and fellowship for the entire Parish. The keynote will be a well-known layman who will share with us his experiences as a Catholic in the media world.

Saturday, May 15, 2010, 8:00AM Parish Mass followed by Breakfast

                                    9:00AM-10:00AM Joe Pisani