News

Dear Parishioners and Friends of OLPH, A Happy and Blessed Summer 2020 to you and your families! The summer of 2020 is certainly different from the summers any of us have experienced in our lifetime. We have a heightened awareness of Covid-19 and of our vulnerability. Thankfully, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut – the Tri-State area – is doing very well. Sadly, there are many states that are in dire straights with the coronavirus. Carefully and responsibly we are to observe the norms and restrictions that protect us and our families, as well as the people and places around us from further spread. May God have mercy on us, our country, and the world. An article I read (https://www.vaticannews.va/es/mundo/news/2020-07/cuidar-cuidarnos-cuidar-otros-pedagogia-cuidado-pandemia.html) invites us to reflect on what we can learn from our experience during the pandemic, and asks the question “What does God desire to say to us at this moment in history?” The word the author of the article suggests is “care.” We take care of ourselves by observing the norms that will keep us safe and healthy; we take care of each other by observing these norms; we take care of the spaces we live and work in by observing these norms. The vital care we take awakens us to the responsibility we have not only for ourselves and our loved ones, but for all people. The church calls this “the common good.” “It is imperative that no one...indulge in a merely individualistic morality. The best way to fulfill one's obligations of justice and love is to contribute to the common good according to one's means and the needs of others, and also to promote and help public and private organizations devoted to bettering the conditions of life.” (Vatican Council II, Gaudium et Spes - The Church in the Modern World, #30) OLPH is open for daily and Sunday Masses since June 29th. The parish office also is open. We are observing social distancing, face coverings, and hand sanitizing to keep us all safe and healthy. OLPH Catholic Academy, along with the Diocese of Brooklyn and all catholic schools and academies in Brooklyn and Queens, is planning and discerning the best and safest way to open the school year in September. Please keep the OLPH CAB Board in your prayers for clarity in planning for the new school year. The parish also has a lot to “catch up” on: baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, RCIA – adult sacraments, to be planned and celebrated since all were postponed during the shutdown. Many families are celebrating the funerals of their loved ones who died during the shutdown. We pray for all our parish families as they look to celebrate happy occasions as well as painful ones in the coming weeks and months. May Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help, hold us in her heart as she offers us her Son, Jesus, the Redeemer, in our precious icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Your brother in Jesus, the Redeemer, Fr. James Gilmour, C.Ss.R.

Stand up and be counted!

As of March 17: All public Masses are suspended. This ruling is in effect until further notice. The parish’s Mass intentions must be satisfied. Mass must be celebrated privately. The suspension includes devotions or other services which have the potential of drawing together crowds of people. The lower Church will be open in the morning/early afternoon, for silent adoration, keeping in mind not to gather as a group. There will be no communal recitation of the Rosary, which could gather crowds. The Sacrament of Penance may be celebrated and precautions such as social distancing practices should be observed. Reconciliation Monday has been cancelled. As is our practice, you are still allowed to come to the rectory to see a priest for confessions. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick may be administered to individuals as needed, exercising prudence and common sense when interacting with people. All parish meetings have been cancelled as well as parish events. The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry will still open as scheduled on April 4th and April 18th. Let us continue to pray for healing, strength and courage during this crisis. May Our Lady of Perpetual Help intercede for us.

We are sorry to inform you that Mrs. Arlene Marie Cunningham, the mother of recently ordained Rev. Michael Cunningham, C.Ss.R., has died. Viewing on Sunday May 12th from 2-4 and 7-9 at Arthur White Funeral Home near St. Martin of Tours, 234 Broadway, Bethpage, NY 11714. Funeral Mass on Monday, May 13, at 10 am at St. Martin of Tours, Bethpage, NY. Eternal Rest Grant unto her, O Lord. May Perpetual Light shine upon her.

The Catholic Bishops of New York State released two important statements on the passage of the new so-called Reproductive Health Act as well as the Child Victims Act.  Our shepherds have spoken about these two important contemporary and controversial issues.

Lenten Action for Dreamers: Congressional Call-In Campaign Monday, February 26, 2018 Follow this link: dreamers_2018_lent_action_eng

At the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 5th Ave. between 59th & 60th Streets - Brooklyn, NY 11220 Mass in Spanish at 6:45 PM -- Vigil at 7:30 PM

The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23.

Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 23. Our parish celebration will be at 10 AM in the lower church. All are invited to participate. Please bring canned goods and dry goods for the food pantry. Many thanks!

We are working on a Jubilee Memorial Book. This book will be available at the Mass on September 24 and on Homecoming Day, October 28. We have wonderful stylish tee shirts available online. Check out our Facebook page, OLPH 125th Jubilee for all Jubilee information.

The Committee has set up a Facebook page for the 125th Jubliee. Look up “OLPH 125th Jubilee” Our regular parish Facebook page is: Perpetual Help Brooklyn

“As shepherds of a pilgrim Church, we will not tire in saying to families who have the courage to set out from their despair onto the road of hope: We are with you!”