FINANCE COMMITTEE CORNER
Last Sunday $5,358 was received in the offertory baskets at Mass and $5,548 was received through WeShare, for a total of $10,898. Thank you for so generously giving to our regular collection.
Thecollection held during the Feast of the Assumption totaled $1,465.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
REGISTRATION FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. REGISTRATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 9. AFTER SEPTEMBER 9 REGISTRATION FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE YOUR CHILD’S STARTING DATE.
In May Registration Packets were emailed to the parents of current students. Packets are posted on the Religious Education web pages of our Parish website: www.blessedsacramentnyc.org/rel-ed
Paper copies are available at the rectory. If you need additional information please call Tina Silvestro at 212-877-3111 or email at [email protected]
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Thinking of becoming a Catholic? Are you Baptized Catholic but have not received Communion or Confirmation? Inquiry discussions for adults will begin on Monday, September 30 at 6:30 pm. To register or seek information, please call Tina Silvestro at the parish office (212-877-3111) or email at [email protected].
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Parish Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will meet on Tuesday, August 27th at 6:00pm in the Rectory. All are welcome to attend!
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FELLOWSHIP
Single and ready to mingle? Or maybe you’re married and just looking for friends. If you’re young, working professional/student, and are looking for fellowship – we would love for you to join us in founding Blessed Sacrament’s Young Professionals Fellowship group.
Please contact Michael Ciulla by text (205.908.3294) or email ([email protected]) so we can include you in our upcoming events such as Supper Club, Wine and Cheese night, Happy Hour, Book Club, Bible Study, etc. Please reach out with any questions. We want to answer them, and let’s be friends!
Gifts from Bethlehem
Olivewood Handcrafted from the Holy Land
A Traditional Art and Livelihood for holy Land Christians
The handicrafts trade evolved as a cultural tradition of Christians in the Holy Land for many centuries. This indigenous form of art has since become an industry of great importance to the local people of the Holy Land who rely on it for livelihood, and to Christian pilgrims from all around the world whose holy pilgrimage can be memorialized for a lifetime in cherished olive wood or mother of pearl souvenirs. The olive wood carving market is the major source of income in the Bethlehem area. More than 65 percent of the income of the community in Bethlehem comes from this work.
In recent years, however, the holy crafts trade has suffered many hardships due to social and economical pressures. Because of a sharp fall in tourism and also as a result of diminishing numbers of craftsmen who leave their traditional trade and emigrate due to the difficult conditions in their homeland, the Holy Land handicraft market is facing serious danger, and so is the Christian community in the Land. Sixty five years ago the Christians represented more than 28% of the total population in the Holy Land, today they are less than 1.5%.The loss of Christians in the land of Christianity’s birth will represent a tragedy of immeasurable proportions for the billions of Christians worldwide.
Please make sure to visit our table this weekend after every mass in the vestibule.
Thank you for your vital support for a Christian tradition and in protecting this very important culture and industry.