Finance Committee Corner
Last Sunday $5,916 was received in the offertory baskets at Mass and $6,534 was received through Parish Pay, for a total of $12,450.  Thank you for so generously giving to our regular collection.
The second collection in support of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to aid those devastated by Hurricane Harvey totaled $3,633.  Thank you.

September 10
For the Church in Latin America and the Home Missions.
In the Archdiocese of New York, this is a combined Second Collection to support pastoral programs (evangelization, formation of laity, religious and seminarians, youth ministry and catechesis) throughout Latin America and the Caribbean as well as mission parishes in the United States in both Latin and Eastern Rite Dioceses. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED AND WILL REOPEN ON SEPTEMBER 11 FOR UNFILLED CLASSES! IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED, YOU CAN NOT REGISTER YOUR CHILD UNTIL MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11. 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES  FOR 2017-2018 will begin on Sunday, September 10. Religious instruction is held in the school from 11:00 -12:15.
 
Re-registration forms have been emailed to current students and posted on the Sunday School website. Students must register each year. For students who will be new to the program please send your email to:  [email protected] or pick up a packet at the rectory or go to the Sunday school website:  blessedsacramentsundayschool.org
 
 DO NOT EMAIL THE COMPLETED FORMS BACK!!! Please send by postal mail or drop off completed forms with a $150 check per family at the rectory office. Since registration is now closed, forms will not be accepted until September 11.
 

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
RCIA is the process designed by the Church for adults to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. The goals are to give a complete overview of Catholic teaching and practice and to begin to deepen a Christian spiritual life centered in the Sunday Scripture readings. The sacraments are received at the Easter Vigil Mass.
 
Inquiry discussions for adults will begin on Monday, September 25 at 6:30 pm.  If you (or anyone you know) are interested in learning more about our program or registering, please call Tina Silvestro at 212-877-3111.

GAY FELLOWSHIP FIRST FALL MEETING
We are both pleased and honored to extend an invitation to the entire parish, as we welcome our special guest speaker, Father James Martin, to our first Gay Fellowship Meeting of the season:   Sunday evening September 17, after the 5:30PM Mass.  Father Martin is a well-known American  Jesuit priest, a writer, and  editor-at-large of the Jesuit magazine  America.  He is also an amazing speaker and has been gracious enough to speak to our parish and to comment and address any questions on his lecture, A Two Way Bridge, as well as to introduce us to his newest book, Building a Bridge.  Both focus on bringing together LGBT Catholics and the institutional church.  The meeting will be held on the meeting will be held in the social hall below the church beginning at 6:45PM until 8PM.  There will also be books for purchase and light refreshments.  We hope to see you then to offer Father Martin the warm and welcoming hospitality which makes Blessed Sacrament so very special.  For all questions, please contact John Gasdaska at # 646-345-7350.  We look forward to seeing you then!
 

HOSPITALITY SUNDAY
This Sunday we resume our monthly parish Coffee Hour and Spirit Sunday! Coffee Hour will take place in the Rectory after all the morning Masses and Spirit Sunday will take place in the Hall after the 5:30PM Mass. If you are interested in helping bake for the monthly coffee hour please email James Palazza at [email protected]. 
Coffee Hour after the 8:30AM Mass this week will be in memory and celebration of John Simpson who recently died and who, along with his wife Eileen, often attended the early Mass each Sunday. 

---

 
FAMILY  MINISTRY
We are launching a Family Ministry at Blessed Sacrament this year.  The Family Ministry’s mission is to strengthen our faith community through participation in the sacraments, prayer, and service.  All of our service projects are fulfilled as a family.  By strengthening the connections between our home, our faith, and society, these bonds of fellowship and friendship form the foundation of who we are as a faith community. 
Our Ministry is organized through a committee of parents that represents
the diversity of our parish.

FAMILY MASS
As part of the Pastoral Plan, the Family Ministry has implemented some enhancements to help engage the congregation to actively participate during Mass. 

A worship aid will make it easier for parishioners and newcomers to follow mass and sing along.  The Music Ministry is forming a children’s choir and inviting musicians in the congregation to join the instrumental ensemble.  Children of varying ages will have an opportunity to actively serve in Liturgical and Hospitality roles.

Please join our mailing list or for more information on the Family Ministry or Mass, please contact the Family Ministry Coordinator, 
Mrs. Thu Nguyen at [email protected].

---

  HAITIAN PRAYER GROUP
The Companions of Jesus are a charismatic Haitian prayer group, and all are welcome to attend. The group meets every Friday in the Rectory from 7-9PM. Prayers are held in French, Creole, and English.
 

 

LECTOR/EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING--
September 17, 2017  1:45pm in the Church
Become more involved in the Mass.  We are in need of more Lectors to minister the Word and Eucharistic ministers. If you have a love for Scripture and would like to serve as a lector or would like to administer Communion to your fellow parishioners as a Eucharistic minister, please come to the training session. All training will be held in the Church. RSVP appreciated but not required. Email Kimberley LaMarque Orman ( [email protected]) or Thomas Davis ( [email protected]) with any questions.

 

The Manhattan Catholic School Region is hosting Songs for Students, a benefit concert featuring Harry Connick Jr. at the Apollo Theatre on Monday, September 25 at 7:00 pm. Proceeds will support Catholic schools in Manhattan. To purchase tickets, please visit  www.SongsForStudents.org and use offer code MANHATTAN. For more information, please contact Alyson Vetter at  [email protected] /  646-794-3330.