Bread & Wine
The Eucharistic bread and wine for this week is in memory of Thomas F. Hennessy from his wife, Patricia and children.

Pilgrimage to Italy with Fr. Anthony
Imagine walking in the footsteps of saints like Anthony and Francis, gazing upon the work of great artists like Michelangelo and Raphael, or standing in St. Peter’s square receiving a papal blessing. Join me November 9 to 19, 2005, as I tour the Italian cities of Venice, Padua, Florence, Pisa, Assisi and the Eternal City, Rome. My ancestral family is from several regions of Italy and over the years I have been privileged to visit this beautiful and fascinating country 12 times. It has been many years since I have been to Italy, as a result I am excited and happy that I can offer you this wonderful opportunity to see the country I have come to love and admire. Come share this time of prayerful celebration. I am sure you will be pleased with this tour. Our pilgrimage will be a joyful journey designed to highlight our faith, help us appreciate its historical past and view the art which was inspired by our Church. To join me you must act quickly. For a brochure detailing the pilgrimage contact the rectory or e-mail me at Frant11710@aol.com.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

Bellmore Knights of Columbus
Easter Plant Sale
Bellmore Knights of Columbus will be having an Easter Plant Sale from Thursday, March 24th through Sunday, March 27th at the Council on Bellmore Avenue. There is a large selection of flowers at reasonable prices.

Please Pray for the Repose of the Souls of the Recently Deceased
Richard Stryker, Rosemarie Priore, Ednamae McEntyre, Rosaria Parmigiani,
Theodore Bayes and Ann Bagnasco

Knights of Columbus Membership Drive
The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus is conducting a membership drive during the month of April. In conjunction with the Supreme Council, the Bellmore Council encourages those interested to be in contact with them. Any Catholic gentleman interested in joining call Ralph Valentino, the local membership chair at 826-7637.

Easter Flowers
Remember your loved ones living and deceased at Easter by having Easter flowers on the altar in their honor. The offering is $15. To arrange for this, please fill out the form by CLICKING HERE. Print and drop off at the rectory or in the collection basket.

Women’s “Spiritual Spa” Day
Monday, April 4th, 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
Holy Family Chapel
Presenter: Sister Helen Chasse, OSU
Retreat Director, Tabor Retreat House
Pamper yourself by taking a little time away from all your busy-ness. Leave behind the stresses of your day and come relax with us. Take this opportunity to soothe yourself with much needed quiet, peace and reflection. Buffet breakfast will be served at 9:30 AM. Childcare will be provided. Suggested donation is $10. For reservations call Rosemary Pettei at 785-0130.

Fr. George
Fr. George Schommer wrote to thank everyone for their generosity in support of the Dominican Community during our Lenten Parish Mission. The collection totaled $6,050 to support the ministry and formation of their seminarians.

Social Justice
Since the 1980s, U.S. Catholics have taken a lead in anti-capital punishment advocacy. The position is firmly based in one of the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, namely, the Dignity of the Human Person. The U.S. Catholic Bishop’s 1980 Statement on capital punishment, the Holy Father’s “Gospel of Life,”, the U.S. Catholic Conference’s 1999 “A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty” and the U.S. Bishop’s 2000 statement entitled “Responsibility, Rehabilitations, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice” have been moral beacons on the issue voicing strong opposition to the death penalty. At present, legislation is to be put before the New York State Legislature to undue the moratorium on the death penalty put in place June 2004. With Good Friday upon us, you are asked to consider writing and/or calling your NY Assemblyperson (Assemblyman David McDonough) declaring a continued moratorium on capital punishment in New York at this crucial time in regard to this issue in our home state.

Lenten Almsgiving 2005
As a parish committed to stewardship, Saint Barnabas continually shares its resources with the needy, both among and around us. During Lent, we have always made a special effort to do even more in this regard. For each of the six weeks, $500 from the parish collection is sent to a group or agency which serves the needy in a particular way. Some of you who wish may even send a contribution, on your own, to these charities. This week our parish donation will be sent to Bishop Christopher Cardone, OP, Diocese of Auki, Box A-13, Auki, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, South Pacific. The people there suffered immensely during the past year with the various storms and poor weather. Bishop Cardone, who conferred the sacrament of Confirmation on our children last May, has written to me about the poverty and lack of development among the people there. Our parish will support Bishop Cardone and his people through the sharing of our collection with him during this last week of Lent.

New Life - New Love
The parish rejoices with our young families who celebrate the baptism of a child. Please be assured of our prayers and support. We welcome our newest parishioners.

James Liam Brush Luke Joseph Brush Daniel Jack Mulligan Sarah Julia Rende Julianna Lynn Brocks Alexandra Paige Deck Alexa Jacqueline Faust Amanda Virginia Grossman Jenna Kaitlyn Rackley Desiree Rose Rigaud Ryan Joseph Their

Cole Eric Webber Ryan Delancy James Brown Dylan Patrick Gering Thomas Gabriel Christiansen Emma Rose Pantelis William Donald Christiansen Jack Karl Racette Danielle Grace Radziski Caitlyn Eva Raehse Brianna Morgan ReDavid Louis Joseph Sedita

In Your Prayers Remember the Sick
Sal Pitti, Angelo Insardi, Lorraine Degeilh, Rosemarie Kreuder, Linda Hall,
Jack Eschmann, Florence Johanson, Patricia Sudy, Bill Hoffmann, Gabby Sobell,
Patti Fischer, Andrea Of, and all the sick of the parish.

Rosary Altar Society
Our Annual Dinner-Fashion Show and Chinese Auction will be held on Wednesday, April 6th at 7:00 PM at the Coral House in Baldwin. The fashions will be from Elena’s Bridal Couture in Merrick. Tickets are $31 per person. Please contact Linda Dunbar at 221-4479 for reservations and tickets.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School
Want to go to kindergarten? Join us with your child at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School, right here on the property of the parish. We are blessed to have a wonderful school, with highly experienced teachers, an excellent administration and caring parents. For information call Ms. Graziose at 785-5709.

Special Rectory Office Hours
Holy Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Good Friday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Easter Sunday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Altar Flowers
The flowers on the Blessed Mother’s Altar for this week are in loving memory of Rita Haltigan from her husband and children.

The flowers on the Blessed Sacrament Altar for this week are in loving memory of Rita Mistretta.

Easter Water
At the Easter Vigil water is blessed in which we baptized those newly welcomed into the Church. Those of us who renew our baptismal vows are also sprinkled with this blessed water. Near the baptismal font in the front of the Church on Easter Sunday you will find large pots containing the Blessed Easter Water. You are invited to take some of this Easter Holy Water to your home and bless those who live there and also your home itself. May our shared baptism lead us to share the gifts of the Spirit with one another.

Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp Candle will be lit this week in memory of Thomas F. Hennessy from his grandchildren.

Catholic Ministries Appeal
Goal: $101,600
Pledges Received: 73,365
Each week the diocese reminds us that parishes in the diocese have reached there goal and each week, I struggle with new ways to remind those who have not yet shared in the Appeal to do so. The many services provided through the moneys from the Appeal make the lives of so many healthier, happier and more spiritual. Your simple gift will go a long way to fulfilling the ministries of the Church in the diocese. Please consider sharing in this Appeal. Currently the parishioner’s support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal has reached 73% of our goal. Please be assured of my gratitude to all who have shared in this Appeal. During the next several weeks we will continue to solicit your assistance with this Appeal. With each donation we move closer to our goal of $101,600. Again, I thank you for you support – in whatever you choose to do.

Save This Date
Vacation Bible School will be held this year the week of July 25th. Details to come.

Parish Breakfast and Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
Come share in the fun on Sunday, April 3rd, following the 10:15 AM Mass in the school cafeterias. Join us for a continental breakfast of bagels, rolls, cupcakes, muffins, coffee, tea and juice. Bring your family, friends and baskets. (Adults: $2.50; children under 12: $2.00; seniors: $2.00) A special long-eared guest will lead the kids in search for the candy eggs. For information call Rosemary at 785-0130. There will be a check-in list at the door.