“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,” And who is my neighbor?“
Today’s gospel provides us with one of the most important questions of Christian Discipleship. Jesus answers the question not with an answer but a parable. The well-known parable of the Good Samaritan is worth reflecting on again and again. Reevaluating this question helps us to reflect on where we have let bias fester and grow within us. It challenges our empathetic awareness and moves us beyond our own societal bubble.
Reacting to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by the U.S. Congress, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, lamented the great harm the bill will cause to many of the most vulnerable in society, making steeper cuts to Medicaid and clean energy tax credits, and adding more to the deficit. While the bishops had commended the positive aspects of an earlier version of the bill, the restriction on federal funds to abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood was reduced to one year, the parental choice in education provision was greatly weakened, and the restriction on federally funding “gender transition” procedures was removed.
Archbishop Broglio said:
“My brother bishops and I have repeatedly and consistently urged lawmakers to use the budget reconciliation process to help families in need and to change course on aspects of the bill that fail the poor and vulnerable. The final version of the bill includes unconscionable cuts to healthcare and food assistance, tax cuts that increase inequality, immigration provisions that harm families and children, and cuts to programs that protect God’s creation. The bill, as passed, will cause the greatest harm to those who are especially vulnerable in our society. As its provisions go into effect, people will lose access to healthcare and struggle to buy groceries, family members will be separated, and vulnerable communities will be less prepared to cope with environmental impacts of pollution and extreme weather. More must be done to prevent these devastating effects.
“The Catholic Church’s teaching to uphold human dignity and the common good compels us to redouble our efforts and offer concrete help to those who will be in greater need and continue to advocate for legislative efforts that will provide better possibilities in the future for those in need.”
FESTIVAL 2025 – Our annual summer festival, which began last week, continues through Sunday and then again in the week to come, Wednesday, July 16 through Saturday July 19. The weekday and Sunday hours are from 6:30pm-10:30pm and on Friday and Saturday the closing time is 11pm. Discounted Pay-One-Price ride bracelets are available through an online order. See the information in the bulletin.
The festival has amusements, games, and rides, along with traditional food and other treats including our festival’s famous zeppole’s! I thank our outstanding school parents and other parishioners who make up our Festival Committee as well as all the volunteers who work so hard to make this special event happen each year.
WELCOME FR. MICHAEL IROH, CM – Fr. Micheal arrives this week and begins his service to our parish as our new associate pastor. I thank you in advance for welcoming him to our parish community and to the priestly ministry of the Church here on Long Island.
WELCOME BACK FR. JOHN McCANN, CM – Earlier this month our friend Fr. Joe returned for another summer. This is Fr. Joe’s 49th, summer of ministry at our parish. We are blessed to welcome him back.
Peace,
