Rectory Closed
Each year as you know we gather the palm distributed last year and burn it to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Please bring your palm next weekend and place it in the basket at the front of the Church, next to the Baptismal.

Altar Flowers
The flowers on the Blessed Mother’s Altar are in honor of the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Rosaleen and Bill Roulette and the 85th Birthday of Rosaleen from their family.

We Want Your Blood
Our Annual Lenten Blood Drive will be held in the school cafeteria on the First Sunday of Lent, February 13th, from 8:15 AM to 1:30 PM. As we know from recent media reports, there is a critical shortage of blood right now, so we are hoping that, in the spirit of Lenten giving, many will take a few minutes to donate. As a donor, you must be at least 17 years old, 110 pounds, and in generally good health. If you are able to help, fill out a pledge card - they are in the back of the Church and in the rectory, or call Margaret Pariseau at Outreach (785-6243) with your name and phone number by Friday, February 4th, so we have enough time to schedule all the appointments. We are shooting for a record 150 donors this year, and you can put us over the top - so please help...it’ll be a lifesaver!

Small Christian Community Facilitators
The February and March issues of Exploring are available in the Outreach Office. Please stop at the rectory and pick up enough for your group.

What’s Up, Up There?
Hope you’ve noticed the staging area in the parking lot behind the Church has begun to disappear. Gone are the fences and much of the equipment. The roof project is 98% done. Currently I have no plans to break a bottle of champagne over the uppermost peak, but I can tell you I’m bubbly about the fact that another major project has been completed. Since 1994 every building on the property has been re-roofed. Thanks to YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Where’s St. Joseph
St. Joseph’s statue will return this coming week having enjoyed a makeover to use the fashionable term. St. Barnabas will travel to the shop when St. Joseph returns. Mary will have her make over in early February.

EM’s, Lectors and Altar Servers
Please pick up February and March schedules in the Altar Servers’ Sacristy after Mass today.

Bread & Wine
The Eucharistic bread & wine for this week is in memory of Monsignor Daniel J. Potterton from Sister William Noreen..

Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp will be lit this week in loving memory of Dave Boyce from Rosemary..

Second Collection
The second collection this week is to support St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School.

Please Pray for the Repose of the Souls of the Recently Deceased
Frank William Waring, Kay Flood, Joseph Orito, Theresa Mary Scarpa, Thomas McGowan,
Patricia C. Johnson, Merrill Lauck, Vincent DiCanio and Richard Mistretta

Right to Life March
Please join in prayer with the many parishioners traveling with the Knights of Columbus on the bus trip to Washington, DC to plead before our lawmakers for the protection of the rights of the unborn. As the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is marked, let us redouble our prayers that our nation will be a nation of life upholding the right to life of all from the moment of conception to the time of natural death. As we pray for this just cause, let us also pray for the safety of those traveling.

Mailing Committee
On Wednesday, February 2nd, please meet in the Holy Family Chapel following the 9:00 AM Mass.

Catholic Schools Week
St. Barnabas will open Catholic Schools Week with the celebration at the 10:15 AM Mass in the Holy Family Chapel on Sunday, January 30th. Please take the opportunity to visit our regional school during Catholic Schools Week and learn more about the advantages of a Catholic education for your children. Visit our website STEAS.com to learn more about our school!

Open Houses
Wantagh - Sunday, January 30th - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Bellmore - Sunday, January 30th - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Teachers and administrators will be available to answer any questions.

Classroom Observation
Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten at Wantagh
Monday, January 31st - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
1st Grade at Bellmore
Monday, January 31st - 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Our Time (2 year olds with parent) at Wantagh
Tuesday, February 1st - 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Curriculum Night
Wantagh and Bellmore
Wednesday, February 2nd - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Bellmore Campus - Grades 1-8
2341 Washington Avenue, Bellmore, 785-5709

Wantagh Campus - Early Childhood Center
1309 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, 826-3882
- Our Time (2 year olds and parents)
- Nursery
- Pre-K 3 Day Program
- Full Day Kindergarten

Educational
Fully Accredited Faculty
Religious Studies: Nursery - 8th
Advanced Math Class (7th & 8th)
Computer Lab with Educational Internet Access
Health Education
Complete Physical Education Program

Extra Curricular
National Junior Honor Society, Student Council,
School Drama Club, Band Program, Chorus,
School Choir, Spring and Christmas Concerts,
Astronaut Club, Earthsavers’ Club,
Boy/Girl/Cub Scout Troops

Other
After School Program at Bellmore Campus
S.P.I.R.I.T. Board (Seton Parents in Regionally Involved Teams)

Divorce and Beyond
Divorce and Beyond is an eight week support program for those going through the divorce process starting Wednesday, January 26th and ending Wednesday, April 13th, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM in the rectory basement. Cost is $10.00 and includes book. For information and registration please call Gale at 804-5720.

In Your Prayers Remember the Sick
Patti Fischer, Tom Bidell, Marcia Toole, Anthony Zaragoza, Baby Danielle,
Andrea Of, Kathleen Pierce, Lorraine Degeilh, Andrea DeFino, Cynthia Price,
Stephen Hyland, Rosemarie Kreuder, William Quinn, Baby James Michael Bayley,
and all the sick of the parish.

Knights of Columbus
Join us for a Night at the Races, Friday, January 28th at 7:30 PM at the Bellmore Council on Bellmore Avenue. Cost is $15 which includes admission, roast beef dinner, dessert, wine, beer and soda. Information and reservations call Ken Towey, 826-9524 or Jerry Guilfoyle, 781-0952.

Box Tops for Education
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School has just received a check in the amount of $405 for the General Mills Box Tops mailed at the end of October. Your generous support of this Fund Raiser has made this possible. Our next mailing date is March 30th. Please continue to send the box tops to the school as well as the Campbell Soup labels. Your support is greatly appreciated.

SEASon to Believe Gala
There are still some seats available for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 5th at the Woodbury Country Club. The event is honoring five individuals who have greatly supported the school over the years. Join us for the Gala Event as we honor, Joseph DeFino, St. Barnabas Parish, Sister Alice Edward Johnson, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School, Marie Baumann, St. Raphael’s Parish, Edward Burns, Cure of Ars Parish, and Reverend Robert Guglielmone, St. Frances de Chantel Parish. For information and reservations please call Jeanne Hieb at 794-2405 or Lisa McGorty at 221-1448.

Valentine’s Celebration
With the feast of St. Valentine on Monday this year, we have decided to celebrate it with the Eucharist on Saturday morning, February 12th at 9:45 AM. At this mass we will offer couples the opportunity to renew their marriage vows and witness the renewal of vows of one parish couple who are 50 years married on that day. Join us and celebrate the gift of your love and the holiness of your sacrament. Hospitality will follow this mass.

Adult Faith Formation
The Sower, The Seed and the Soil - The Message of the New Testament
Monday, February 7th, 7:30 PM, Upper Church
Rev. Patrick Griffin, CM,
Professor of Sacred Scripture, Seminary of the Immaculate Conception
The familiar parable of the Sower reminds each Christian of the importance of planting the seed of God’s Word in the soil of one’s life. The New Testament is the Word of God, which is specially addressed to the Christian bearer. In this session, we will take a look at the basic elements of the New Testament and the types of seeds it offers for bearing fruit.

Celebrate Marriage
Saturday, February 5th - 7:00 PM
St. Thomas More Church, Hauppauge
During Marriage Week USA, Bishop William Murphy will preside at a special Mass for married couples. All married couples and their families are invited to join in this celebration with light refreshments after Mass. For information contact the Office of Laity and Family at 678-5800, ext. 223.

Banns of Marriage
Matthew Stegner & Kimberly Fragola

Year End Contribution Statements
Anyone wishing to receive a contribution statement for the year 2004 are asked to call the rectory office. The statements will then be sent out in February.

Christian Ministries Appeal
In speaking on the Christian Ministries Appeal this weekend, I did so with the sincere hope that those who are able to support this program would please do so. There are so many wonderful people touched through the resources of the Appeal and every sacrifice we make affects their lives. Our diocese provides many essential services to the people of this parish through Catholic Charities, through the education programs offered, through the training of deacons and priests and through the formation programs offered to our laity. Without your support, the parish will sacrifice a great deal.

As I mentioned over the weekend, should we reach our goal the parish will receive a portion of the resources from the Appeal. This past year we received $8,342. In previous years I mentioned that should you not want to support the Appeal directly you can write a separate check earmarked as a parish donation in lieu of the Appeal and send it to my attention. Together we have supported our parish in the past and together we will continue to create a vibrant faith-filled community of support and love into the 21st century.
Thank You -- Father Peter