November 11, 2007

Reverend Paul Pecchie, Pastor

Reverend Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

Deacon Richard Brady, Deacon Ralph Bufano

Deacon Kenneth Spaulding (Winter Months)

Retired Assisting Priests

Reverend Monsignor Richard Cahill

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Bernard MacAdam (Winter)

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Masses................................................... 8:00 AM

Wednesdays with School in Session ........ 9:00 AM

Saturday Vigil ................................................4:30 PM
Sunday ............ 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM and 5:30 PM

Music Director:

Mrs. Paulette King ................................................. x 316

Sacristans:

Sr. Lucy Mbuya, CDNK........................................ x 304
Sr. Castissima Masambo, CDNK .......................... x 304

Directors of Religious Education:

K-8th grade: M/M Joseph & Julie Blum ............... x 320
Adult: Sr. Kathleen Luger, OSC............................ x 321

Outreach Ministries:

Sr. Rosamunda Massawe, CDNK.......................... x 321
Ms. Claire Obordo ................................................. x 302

Youth Ministry:

H.S.: M/M Pete & Marie O'Shea .......................... x 322

Jr. High: M/M Robert & Sue Tassinari ................ x 322

Confessions are heard on Saturdays, 3:30 & 5:30 PM
(also Thursdays before First Friday at 8:30 AM).

Baptisms are arranged at least two months in advance
by calling the parish office.

Marriages are scheduled with the priest at least six
months ahead of time.

Anointing of the Sick: If you anticipate a hospital stay,
please ask to be anointed prior to hospitalization at one of
the daily Masses. In case of an emergency, please call at
any hour. The infirm may call the parish office to arrange
for a priest to anoint them at home.

Visits to the Homebound: Our Eucharistic Ministers
bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners,
usually on a weekly basis. Please call the parish office if
you are not able to attend Mass.

Parish Registration is done by attending a Welcome
Meeting and Breakfast. Please call the parish office for
details.

School Principal:

Sr. Veronica Visceglia, SSND......................... 581-4865

St. Patrick School, founded in 1959, provides an
excellent academic program to grades preK-8, in a Christ-
centered environment which nurtures each student in
mind, body and soul.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 11, 2007 A.D.

1507 Trotter Road, Largo, FL 33770

Mailing Address: 2121 - 16th Ave. SW, Largo, FL 33770

Parish Office: (727) 584-2318; Fax: (727) 586-5413

Website: www.stpatrick-largo.org

Page 2 - Sunday, November 11, 2007

32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

My Dear Friends in Christ,

As I have been told, many people saw me at Mass at

EWTN. I was on a retreat there. The Missionaries of the

Eternal Word are very hospitable and welcoming to pilgrims. There
is a retreat house 5 miles from EWTN run by the Sister Servants of
the Eternal Word. They have beautiful grounds and nice
accommodations for private or group retreats. And just 1 hour away
is the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama.
Every time I go there they are always working on something new.
They are currently building a Museum to Pope John Paul II and a Museum to Mother Angelica. Also on
the plans is a Lourdes Walk and Grotto. It is truly a beautiful place. I would highly recommend it to all
to experience at least once in a lifetime, but once you go you will want to go back frequently.

The Sadducees, holding no belief in the resurrection of the dead, wished to trap

Christ. Christ not only reaffirms his teaching on the resurrection of the dead, but he
also deepens our understanding of the marriage vocation as well. "...Those who are
accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry
nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die any more." (Lk 20:35)

Marriage is an earthly vocation. In heaven where God will be "all in all", man and woman will find

complete fulfillment in divine Love. There, each will behold God face to face. The life-long covenant
for mutual and sincere gift of self in marriage is for husband and wife a prelude to and help toward the
eternal happiness of heaven. In this world, man and wife become one flesh in their life-long
covenant, and may, if God so bless them, be fruitful in their openness to new life.

Marriage is a total gift, and so it is "until death". Man and wife make for each other of themselves a

total and sincere gift of self. Christ demands this total fidelity of spouses when he proscribes divorce.

Praise Be Jesus Christ!

Fr. Pecchie

JMJ

"Conjugal love involves a totality in which all the elements of the person enter appeal of

the body and instinct, power of feeling and affectivity, aspiration of the spirit and of will. It
aims at a deeply personal unity, a unity that, beyond union in one flesh, leads to forming one
heart and soul; it demands indissolubility and faithfulness in definitive mutual giving; and it is
open to fertility. In a word, it is a question of the normal characteristics of all natural
conjugal love, but with a new significance which not only purifies and strengthens them, but
raises them to the extent of making them the expression of specifically Christian
values." (Familiaris consortio 13) (CCC 1643)

The love of the spouses requires, of its very nature, the unity and indissolubility of

the spouses' community of persons, which embraces their entire life: "so they are no
longer two, but one flesh." (Mt 19:6; cf. Gen 2:24.) They "are called to grow
continually in their communion through day-to-day fidelity to their marriage promise
of total mutual self-giving." (Familiaris consortio 19.) This human communion is
confirmed, purified, and completed by communion in Jesus Christ, given through the
sacrament of Matrimony. It is deepened by lives of the common faith and by the
Eucharist received together. (CCC 1644)

By its very nature conjugal love requires the inviolable fidelity of the spouses. This is the

consequence of the gift of themselves which they make to each other. Love seeks to be definitive; it
cannot be an arrangement "until further notice." The "intimate union of marriage, as
a mutual giving of two persons, and the good of the children, demand total fidelity
from the spouses and require and unbreakable union between them." (Gaudium et
spes, 48, art. 1.)

(CCC 1646)

First Reading -- For those who fear the

name of the Lord, the sun of justice will
arise (Malachi 3:19-20a).

Psalm -- The Lord comes to rule the earth

with justice (Psalm 98).

Second Reading -- Those who are living in

idleness are urged to do their work quietly
and earn their own living (2 Thessalonians
3:7-12).

Gospel -- "Many will come in my name,

saying, `I am he,' and `The time has come.'
Do not follow them!" (Luke 21:5-19).

In what ways must I change, developing

perseverance and endurance? Is there

something I'd like to improve upon before

I die? How is the Spirit directing me?

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ all year!

LIFE EVERLASTING

The second book of Maccabees tells
a powerful story, and a rather gruesome
one at that. But central to it, beyond the
horrible deaths inflicted upon the
brothers and their mother, is their belief
in the promise of resurrection and life
everlasting in God.

Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him as he spreads

Christ's message of love, so that he might be delivered from
other nonbelievers anxious to do him harm. The apostle is
confident in such prayer, just as he is confident in the everlasting
support of Jesus and God the Father.

And there's that "everlasting" word again. The Sadducees,

not buying the idea, ask Jesus an interesting--albeit
meaningless--question about the status of married life at the
Resurrection. He tells the non-believers that marriage isn't an
issue for the risen children of God. More importantly, he assures
them that their ancestors do live on in God, even as evidenced
by the Father's words to Moses.

Readings Ahead:

November 18, 2007

33rd Sunday

in Ordinary Time

Parish & Evangelization - Page 3

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

ELEBRATING

YEARS

ARISH

EWS

FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, the Book of the Dead is located at the foot of the crucifix in
Church. The names of your loved ones who have died will be remembered at Holy Mass
throughout the month of November. If you would like us to include the names of your loved ones,

please submit them on your Remembrance envelopes, and we will add them to our book.

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Attention Extraordinary

Ministers of Holy

Communion:

There will be an EM
M e e t i n g

T O D A Y ,

Sunday, November 11th
after the 11 AM Mass in
Church. Please plan to
attend! If you cannot
make

this

meeting,

please contact Sr. Lucy.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

Empty paper bags are being handed out to you today for our

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE. Please prayerfully consider filling
them and returning them to us next Sunday. Your generosity is greatly
appreciated!

All parishioners are invited to help pack food bags for needy families

on Monday, November 19th at 6:30 PM in Msgr. McCall Hall. What a
great opportunity to do something together as a family for others!

THANKSGIVING DAY MASS

Please note that there will be only one
Mass on Thanksgiving Day at 9:00
AM. All are invited to attend.

The collection this day will be offered
for our Sister Parish, St. Francis of
Assisi, in Gotera in El Salvador. As
this is a time of remembering to thank God, let us
show our appreciation of all His gifts to us through our
generosity to our brothers and sisters in need.

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

Page 4 - Faith Formation

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Men's Bible Study Group
Robert Smith

6:45 AM - 7:30 AM (CR)

(ph. 587-7961)

Every Wednesday

Adult Bible Study: The Gospel of Luke
Sr. Kathleen

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Wednesday, November 14th

The Great Bible Adventure
Sr. Kathleen

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday, November 13th

Jeff Cavins presents this DVD series. Join us

on this truly great adventure.

RCIA: Are you interested

in the Catholic faith?

RCIA classes meet on Thursday nights at 7 PM in the
Conference Room. We invite you to learn what the
Church teaches and be introduced to some of our parish
members. These sessions are also opportunities for you,
and others that you may wish to invite, to ask those
difficult questions about the Church. These gatherings
are open to people who are not baptized, those who have
been baptized in another Christian community and seek
full reception into the Catholic Church, and for those who
were baptized as Catholics but have not received the
sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. For more
information contact Sr. Kathleen at 584-2318 ext. 321.

St. Patrick's Religious Education

Religious Education (K-8) Sundays, 10:30 - 11:45 AM

Small Faith Sharing Group
Barb Murphy 9 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Friday, November 16th

Join our faith sharing group each Friday in the

Conference Room.

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph &

Julie Blum

DRE, ext. 320

Have you seen our Web page?

Visit www.stpatrick-largo.org today!

Going Deeper With Your Faith

Adult Education and Faith Formation

Religious

Ed.

PASTOR'S CLASS with

Fr. Pecchie

7:30 PM* - 9:00 PM (CR)

Monday, November 12th

Next class topic, TBD. Please note

change in start time for this week.

FOUNDATIONS OF PERSONAL PRAYER:

We meet every Monday at 7 PM in Msgr.

McCall Library (first room on right).

Service Hour Opportunities

Nov. 17th & 18th: Collect food drive bags before each

weekend Mass. Meet outside main church doors 20
minutes before Mass.

Mon. Nov. 19th: Meet in the Conference Room Monday

night at 6 PM to sort and pack food bags.

Tues. Nov. 20th: Meet in Msgr. McCall Hall at 12 noon to

distribute food to families.

First Confession Notes:

Mark your calendars! Our next meeting
is the First Confession Retreat on
January 12th. The retreat is for both
parents and children. It will be from 10
AM until Noon in Msgr. McCall Hall.

Confirmation Candidates

Be working on finding a sponsor,
choosing a confirmation name, and
starting your service hours. Our next
meeting is on January 15th at 7 PM in
the

Parish

Center

Conference

Room. Please bring your sponsor and
have them turn in their sponsor form by
this night.

Sunday School News

Come check out the bulletin board
outside the religious education
office. Our second graders are
decorating it for the month of
November. Our children are excited about sharing their
knowledge of the Catholic faith and Jesus' love for us.

Important Upcoming Sunday School Dates

11/25 NO Class -- Thanksgiving Break

School & Youth - Page 5

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Principal:

Sr. Veronica

Visceglia,

SSND

Jr. High Youth Ministers: Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Sue Tassinari, ext. 322

. P

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

CHOOL

ELEBRATING

OVER

YEARS

XCELLENCE

DUCATION

, L

EADERSHIP

& S

ERVICE

St. Patrick Catholic Youth

The Junior Youth Group meets on Sunday nights from 7:00 to
8:30 PM in the Youth Room. Newcomers are always welcome!
If you have any questions, please call Sue & Bob at 585-5546.

IND

, O

EART

, O

PIRIT

ENIOR

OUTH

ROUP

"By This Sign, You Will Conquer"

H.S. Youth Ministers:

Mr. & Mrs. Pete & Marie O'Shea, ext. 322

Because foundation is everything.

REGISTRATION

for 2007-2008

SCHOOL YEAR:

Registrations are
being accepted for all grades
(PreK - 8). St. Patrick is a fully
a ccr ed it ed, C hr i st - c ent er e d
environment, known for academic
excellence. For info., please call
the school at (727) 581- 4865.

The Senior Youth Group meets Sunday nights after the 5:30 PM Mass in
Msgr. McCall Hall. Youth in high school or older are welcome to attend.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

St. Patrick School Early Childhood Program opened as a result of
the greater parish community's understanding of the need for a
program that offers learning experiences and
care for 3 and 4 year olds in a Christian
environment.

Applications

are

being

accepted. For info, call the school office.

HELP WANTED: St. Patrick Players need your support!

The community enthusiasm and support for the Last

Supper Tableau held this past Lenten season has given birth
to a new play 'The Christmas Offering' to be presented

December 14th & 15th. This production will include an exciting combination of drama,
music and dance which will be a new experience for St. Patrick Parish.

If you are a patron of the arts and share St. Patrick Players vision of having different

age groups work together, please call Paul at 581-2168 with your donation. Whether large
or small, your donation will be used to upgrade our lighting and sound capabilities which
will provide the best audience experience.

NEWSPAPER RECYCLING:

Please help support your school
by putting your old newspapers in
the big red bin located at the
east side of the church. Thank
you! Your support is always appreciated!

VOCATION VIEW

VOCATION VIEW:

November 11, 2007

You are alive for God. Trust that God

will welcome you into the kingdom.

(Luke 20:27-38)

Page 6 - Stewardship: Sharing our Gifts

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Thiry

Thiry----Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's second reading, St. Paul prays that the Thessalonians may be

strengthened "in every good deed and word." May we, too, be strengthened

and empowered to use our time and talents for the good of others.

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

Thank you for your

generous support for our

parish! God bless you!

Your generosity helps support our parish operating expenses and our

ministries each week, so that we may serve you, our parishioners, better!

November 4, 2007

$ 13,777.57 (434 Envelopes)

All Saints Day

$ 2,933.00 (187 Envelopes)

All Souls Day

$ 2,036.00 (148 Envelopes)

Children's Envelopes

$ 3.50 (3 Envelopes)

Helping Hands

$ 453.00

elebrate St. Patrick Church's Golden Jubilee ...

by joining Fr. Pecchie on a special

tour of IRELAND

IRELAND

IRELAND September 15-25, 2008. Journey with us as we travel in the footsteps

of St. Patrick, and see his impact upon Irish faith and culture. Educational Opportunities Tours

presents an exciting and educational 11-day experience for approximately $2698* . Cost

includes roundtrip airfare from New York, first class hotels, traditional Irish breakfast and

Dinner daily, guided sightseeing via deluxe motor coaches and entrance fees. Please contact

Margie Feuser, pilgrimage coordinator, for more information at 1-800-644-4659.

From the M

INISTRY

ELPING

ANDS

Please consider placing a donation into the
poor boxes at the entrances of the Church to
help us assist families and individuals with
their electric, water and rent. Also, our
FOOD PANTRY is in need of: Cereal,
Canned Vegetables (mixed, corn, beans,
peas), Canned Fruit, Milk, Pasta (macaroni, spaghetti) and
Rice.

Thank you for helping us help those in need!

Donation boxes for our Helping Hands
Ministry are standing tall. Please consider
giving to the poor. All monies are used to
help with food, rent, or electricity bills for our
local brothers and sisters in need.

The Charismatic Prayer Group at St. Patrick's

has selected a name; henceforth we are: "The
Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Community at
St. Patrick." If you have experienced "Life in the
Spirit" or have a hunger for a personal relationship
with Jesus or just need to pray, we invite you to
join us. We meet every Wednesday at 7 pm and

celebrate Mass on the third
Wednesday of the month. We
praise God in song, learn from
the scriptures and pray for each
other. For info call Bobbie 584-
0503 or Margie 559-7449.

Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday

Come, pray with me!

Please

consider spending even one hour each
Wednesday to be with Our Lord in
Eucharistic Adoration, beginning after
the 9 AM School Mass and
concluding with Benediction at 6:45
PM. Please sign up at the Church
entrance. Wednesdays in our Diocese
have been designated as a day to pray
for holy vocations.

Library / Book Club News:

The November Book

Club meeting will be a week
early (Thursday, November
15th) this month. Come at
noon, bring your lunch, relax

and enjoy a film from our collection or discuss
a book with us.

All are invited to check out books,

cassettes and videos every day. You'll be
surprised at the choices available. The library
is located in Msgr. McCall Hall.

For more info phone René at 584-3775 or

Florence at 595-3254.

Mass Intentions & Schedule of Events - Page 7

Mass Intentions

The Week Ahead

November 10, 2007
Sarah Hynes

November 11, 2007
Paul Beckerich
Louise McCauley
St. Patrick Parishioners
Richard Klimpel

November 12, 2007
Ralph & Louise Jaeger

November 13, 2007
Rose Marie Ponzo

November 14, 2007
Dorothy Susanno
Ignas Massawe

November 15, 2007
Rebecca Sylvia (Living)

November 16, 2007
Katherine Draksler

November 17, 2007
Victor & Veronica Schnepper
Frank Maltese

November 18, 2007
Richard Klimpel
Robert Dasch, Jr.
Mary McMahon
St. Patrick Parishioners

Pray for our Military

Pvt. Rose Barton, US Army, Missouri
Staff Sgt. William J. Condon, US Army, New York
Second Lt. Tara Dawe, US Army, New York
Lt. Comm. Shawn D. Fitzpatrick, USN, Virginia
Pvt. Brendan Gaines, USMC, South Carolina
Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Kentucky
Sgt. Jorge Granados, USMC, Florida
Sgt. Joshua Harmon, Kentucky
Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, U.S. Army, Missouri
Airman Ryan Hines, US Air Force
Lt. Jr. William J. Howey, III, USN, Connecticut
Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, Iraq
Lance Corporal Nick Krege, USMC, Iraq
Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, Florida
Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany
Ensign Christopher McDowell, USN, Iraq
Airman Theresa Newbill, US Air Force, England
Sgt. Scott Platzer, US Army, South America
A. B. Michael Pourteau, USAF, Texas
Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq
Major Kristin Streukens, US Air Force
Major Scott Trapman, US Army, Fort Lewis, WA
Staff Sgt. Saturnino Vilano, Jr., US Army, Afghanistan
Airman Christopher E. Villano, USN, Maryland
Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller, USAF, Iraq

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Sun.

8:30 AM

10:30 AM

6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Mon.

7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Tue.

8:00 AM
4:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Wed.

6:45 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:45 AM
3:00 PM
6:30 PM
6:45 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Thu.

8:00 AM
9:00 AM

12 noon
12 noon

6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Fri.

9:00 AM
3:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Sat.

9:00 AM
3:30 PM
5:30 PM

11/11/07
Coffee and Donuts (PC)
ERE: Religious Education for Children (school)
Senior Youth Group Meeting (PC)
Junior Youth Group Meeting (YR)
Al-Anon Meeting (Lib)

11/12/07
Cub Scout Pack 465 Den Mtg. (Café, Art, PE, Gr1)
Foundations of Personal Prayer Mtg. (Lib)
Contemporary Worship Band Rehearsal (CH)
Pastor's Class (CR)

11/13/07
Parish Nurses sponsored Life Line Screening (PC)
Mission of St. Patrick Class (Lib)
GriefShare Meeting (Lib)
Great Adventure Bible Study Program (CR)
St. Patrick Players Rehearsal (PC)
Bell Choir Rehearsal (CH)
Boy Scout Troop 465 Meeting (Café.)
School Advisory Committee Meeting (MC)

11/14/07
Men's Bible Study (CR)
Adult Bible Study (CR)
School Mass (CH)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)
Weight Watchers Meeting (CR)
Parish Council Meeting (PC)
Benediction (CH)
Charismatic Prayer Group Meeting (CR)
PTO Fun Fair Meeting (MC)

11/15/07
Small Christian Community Meeting (Lib)
Legion of Mary (CR)
St. Patrick Library Book Club (Lib)
School Spelling Bee (PC)
Children's Choir Practice (OLM)
Adult Choir Practice (OLM)
RCIA Class (CR)

11/16/07 HELPING HANDS FOOD DRIVE
Faith Sharing Group (CR)
Challenge Club Meeting (REL, CH)
Small Christian Community Mtg. (Lib)
Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CH)

11/17/07 HELPING HANDS FOOD DRIVE
Junior High Youth Group Baking (Café.)
Confessions (CH)
Confessions (CH)

Sat.

4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

Mon.

8:00 AM

Tue.

8:00 AM

Wed.

8:00 AM
9:00 AM

Thu.

8:00 AM

Fri.

8:00 AM

Sat.

8:00 AM
4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

Please pray for the members of our St.

Patrick Parish family and friends who

have died recently, especially:

Richard Berg

Page 8 - Plan Ahead & Saints Spotlight

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

St. Josaphat of Polotsk

St. Josaphat of Polotsk (1584-1623)

Feast Day: November 12

Patron Saint of the Ukraine

Born in 1584 in Vladimir, a city of ancient

Poland, Saint Josaphat was the son of Gabriel
Kuncewicz. His was a family of honorable

Christians of the Greco-Slavic rite, in use among the
Russians. His mother took care to raise him in the fear of
God, and in his tender heart formed the first longings for
virtue. He was never in any way lightheaded, but separated
willingly from the games of his companions to pray. He
made excellent progress in his studies, always preferring the
sacred branches to the profane, and for thirty years he recited
each day, without ever failing even once to do so, a large
section of the Divine Office which he learned by heart.

At twenty years of age Josaphat deplored the situation of

religion in Poland. In 1596, the Ruthenian Church was
divided into two contending parties -- the Unionates and
those who persevered in schism. He saw divisions growing in
the Church, and that few were remaining faithful to the Holy
See, to safeguard the true orthodoxy and their eastern rites.
He studied philosophy and theology under two famous
Jesuits, and decided to enter religious life. When his
employer, who was childless and wished to keep him, offered
him his commerce as his adopted son, he declined that offer

LEGION OF MARY: Meets every Thursday at 9 AM in
the Conference Room. If you
would like to join, contact
Peggy at 585-1597.

SHARE-A-PRAYER: If you or someone you
know needs special prayers, let us pray for
you and your loved ones. Phone 584-6954
and together we will lift our hearts to God!

CHRISTMAS WREATHS AND GREENERY:
St. Patrick Catholic School PTO will be taking
orders for fresh, fragrant Christmas wreaths,
garland and greenery after Masses on
November 11th. Funds earned will be used in support of
St. Patrick Catholic School children. Thank you for your
support of our school and PTO. You may also order by
contacting Elaine Luker at 580-9253. Advent and
Christmas are approaching fast, so don't miss out on
your fresh Christmas wreath or greenery!

GIFT CARD SALE: St. Patrick School PTO is
selling gift cards for numerous restaurants and
stores such as Chili's, Panera, Beall's,
A l b e r t s o n ' s ,

C h e v r o n

a n d

m a n y

more. You purchase these cards at full face

value and the school will receive a percentage of the
purchase. It costs you nothing extra. To order cards or
get information call Julie Wintermeier @ 743-7043 or
Elaine Luker @ 595-3538.

without hesitating, and entered the Convent of the Trinity at Vilna, where Basilian religious submissive to the
Holy See were residing. He received the religious habit and was professed in 1604.

Saint Josaphat was ordained a priest and began to preach in various churches of the city, bringing back

many dissidents to the Union. He was invited also to preach and govern in various regions of the land; he
accepted to become head of a monastery at Bytene. He restored there celebrated sanctuaries, built a convent,
and converted, among others, one of the most zealous of the dissidents. In 1614 Josaphat's friend Joseph
Routski became Archbishop of the city of Vilna, and recalled his holy former companion to that city,
confiding the monastery of the Trinity to him. Saint Josaphat never made harsh reproaches, but corrections

warmed by a wholly paternal affection. The conversion of the separated brethren continued through the preaching of the one
called by the Uniates The Scourge of the Schismatics, whereas the latter called him The Ravisher of Souls.

He became the Archbishop of Polotsk in 1617 at the age of thirty-eight, on the very day when, six years later, he would

earn the consecration of blood, November 12th. He restored five major cathedrals and several lesser ones; he aided the poor,
stripping himself often of the most necessary objects or funds. He maintained total frugality in his residence; he recovered
certain properties retained unjustly by powerful lords of the region, through his mildness of language in the lawcourts, to
which he had recourse for that purpose. But he was soon to acquire, in a certain Melece Smotritski, a formidable enemy, who
had himself consecrated, in Russia, Archbishop of the same city as Josaphat, with other aspirants to like authority. Despite
the opposition of King Sigismond of Poland, who forbade all his subjects to have any communication with the usurper, the
latter won adherents. The people of the city of Vitebsk, a little like those of Jerusalem, who in one week's time changed their
hosanna's into tolle's, turned toward the newcomers in large numbers, and in an uprising succeeded in giving eighteen
wounds to the head of the Archdeacon of the church, and leaving for dead another official, bathed in his blood.

When their Archbishop went there to calm the tumult in 1623, knowing well that his hour had come, in effect he was most

cruelly assassinated and his body profaned; he was in his forty-fourth year. His mortal remains were recovered after five days
from the waters of a river, and exposed for nine days, constantly emitting a fragrance of roses and lilies. A councillor of
Polotsk, where the body was returned, abandoned the schism merely at the sight of the archbishop's
beautiful countenance. Many of the parricides struck their breasts, and did likewise. The Archbishop had
gone gladly to his death, offering his life that the schism might end; he had said as much beforehand. Four
years after his death the author of the troubles, Smotritski, the false archbishop, after many combats made a
decisive step and consecrated his life to penance, prayer and the defense of the Union. Such changes of
heart are indeed the greatest of miracles, won by the sanctity of the true servants of God.

About five years after Saint Josaphat's martyrdom his body was found intact, though the clothing had

rotted away. Again in 1637 it was still white and supple. A beautiful silver reliquary was made for it, with
a life-size image of the reclining Saint surmounting it. The body was again exposed intact in 1767. It was
eventually taken to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. Pope Leo XIII canonized Saint Josaphat in 1867.