ORDINATION

The parish joyfully gives thanks for the ordination to the Diaconate on Saturday, August 30, of our parishioner, the Reverend Mr. Vincent Druding. As his first service as Deacon he will assist at the 11:00 am Mass today (Sunday). We pray for him and for all our parishioners now in seminary. We welcome members of the Druding family and friends on this happy occasion. By the grace of God, our new Deacon will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in May and will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at our altar.

NEWMAN LECTURE SERIES

Beginning on Monday, September 8, our parish will host a series of seven lectures on Cardinal Newman by the Rev. Joseph W. Koterski, S.J., professor of philosophy at Fordham University. This series will consider the life of John Henry Newman, with a focus on some of his most important works.

September 8: Introduction

September 15: Tradition and the Church

September 22: Some Classic Texts

September 29: The Nature of Belief

October 6: Belief in Traditional Christian

Doctrines

October 20: Certitude and Doubt

October 27: The Nature of Religious Faith

Lectures are from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the undercroft and are sponsored by the Wethersfield Institute. Pre-registration is required. Please call (845) 373-8037. Admission is $70 for the series or $10 per lecture.

CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

—Sacramental programs and ongoing-religious education for children from ages four through high school. Resumes on Tuesday, September 9, at 5:30 pm, in the church undercroft.

—Post-Confirmation classes will be held twice a month on the first and second Tuesdays of the month for children from 8th grade through high school. Begins on Tuesday, October 7, at 5:30 pm, in the conference room.

—Parents’ Club: for those parents interested in learning or relearning what it means to be a Catholic, how to be a Catholic, why to be a Catholic. Meetings will be on the first Tuesdays of the month, beginning on Tuesday, October 7, at 5:30 pm.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RCIA)

RCIA Class: For people who seek Baptism or Con­firmation in the Roman Catholic Church (also welcome is anyone who wants to learn more, Catholic, non-Catholic, or just curious). We will meet in the under­croft of the Church of Our Saviour on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Classes will run from September 24 through Easter.

Format: Generally the two supervising teachers, Colin Moran and Geoff Gentile, will make some introductory comments and lead a discussion based on assigned readings. We will often have guest speakers.
Content: The main thrust of our class is captured by St. Irenaeus’s observation that “the glory of God is man fully alive, and the life of man is the vision of God.” We aim for you to understand the core claims of the Roman Catholic Church in terms of their meaning within human experience. We will study the Apostles’ Creed, the Gospels, and the Sacraments, and then use that study as a platform for understanding the Church’s moral teachings, particularly the more controversial ones. Topics covered will include:

• Sin and Grace
• Christ’s Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
• The Holy Trinity
• God Speaking through Beauty
• Theology of the Body and related teachings on sexuality and marriage
• The Sacraments, especially Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confession
• Prayer
• The Gospels
• Authority of the Church
• Culture of Life
• Freedom, Virtue, and the Ten Commandments

To register: Contact Monica Brown at (917) 734-0903, or at mbrown @ alumni.nd.edu.

PRE-CANA/MARRIAGE PREPARATION
The Church of Our Saviour is pleased to present what has been called the most comprehensive marriage preparation course in New York City. Couples meet for eight Tuesday evenings in a small-group format conducive to in-depth discussion. A flexible program is also available for couples not able to meet on Tuesday nights. For more information, contact Peter McFadden at (646) 797-3221 or at mcfadden@mac.com.

BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB

The Book of the Month Club resumes meeting on Wednesday, September 17, at 6:30 pm in the rectory’s conference room. The book to be discussed will be Paul, His Story by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, O.P. The club will meet again on October 15 to discuss Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI. Both titles are available on Amazon.com and at the Pauline Books & Media Center at 150 East 52nd Street.

PRAYER INTENTIONS

We regularly update our list of the sick to be remembered in prayers, and all are included in the general intentions at Mass. Prayers are requested for the intentions of Lance Corporal Douglas Cianchetta, U.S. Marine Corps, who is serving in Afghanistan and has suffered burns on 80% of his body. He has undergone surgery to save his hands and hopes to be able to train other Marines in the war effort once he has recovered.

TRUSTEE

In keeping with the terms of office prescribed by the Archdiocese, Father Rutler has invited Michael McGoldrick to be a parish Trustee and Chairman of the parish’s Finance Committee. As Trustee, he joins Richard Hahn and will be an advisor to the Pastor on the temporal affairs of the parish. Michael McGoldrick succeeds Gerard Carey who has given unstinting service of countless hours in the work of restructuring and renewing the parish finances, and made such a success of our Restoration Fund, supervising the ongoing renovation of the parish building. It is not possible to express adequate thanks to him and his wife Leslee for all that they have done with such creative genius and devotion, and we are happy that they will continue to lend their talents and experience, along with our valued former trustee Ignatius Cuttita and his wife Anna, who are among our longest serving parishioners. Architecturally, our church has no columns supporting the structure, but these faithful individuals have been true pillars of our parish. Michael McGoldrick has already learned much from them, and has served the parish in many capacities over the years, and is a lector. Michael has had experience in various businesses since his graduation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is presently vice president of the Anglo Irish Bank. As the parish celebrates in 2009 the golden anniversary of the dedication of our church edifice, it is important to enlist the help of a new generation. The Pastor is especially hopeful that young business leaders in our parish will volunteer their help as advisors to the Finance Committee. If you are interested in this important and practical way of serving the parish in developing much untapped talent among our young people, please speak to Father Rutler.

The parish has received from a generous benefactor a very fine embroidered set of Mass vestments, made in Australia, in the color red for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The chasuble is in the Renaissance style, traditionally used in the Roman basilicas. Such vestments, frequently worn by Pope Benedict XVI, are an adaptation of the older "Gothic" style and are typical of the Baroque period. It is the desire of the Pope that the churches preserve the riches of their liturgical tradition as a sign of continuity with the worship of the saints throughout the ages.

Do join the increasing number of faithful who are using "ParishPay" for their weekly contributions. It simplifies parish records and your own financial statements. Whatever you give for the work of this parish is appreciated, however great or small. Charitable offerings are part of the spiritual commitment to Christ. For those who do not contribute in other ways, please do remember that a minimum offering on Sunday of at least five or ten dollars makes all the difference in sustaining the life of this parish in the heart of our city.

PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

Vocations to the priesthood are showing a significant increase in many parts of our nation. In St. Louis, Missouri, Archbishop Raymond Burke has announced plans to renovate and expand Kenrick-Glennon Seminary to provide more rooms and study space. The seminary has 111 seminarians, an increase of nearly 50 percent in the past year. The Archdiocese of New York also needs good and faithful priests. We are grateful for the increasing number of vocations in our own parish. Any young man interested in discerning a call to the priesthood is welcome to speak with Father Rutler.

LITURGIES
In keeping with the provisions of the recent liturgical guidelines of the Holy See, baptisms, weddings, and funerals may be celebrated according the traditional Latin liturgical books or the ordinary rites. Those desiring the “extraordinary form” may indicate this to the Pastor when scheduling the date.

BAPTISM INSTRUCTION
Because of the increased number of baptisms, Father Rutler will conduct monthly classes for parents in small groups. If you are planning a baptism soon, please consult the office for the schedule

ALTAR SERVICE
An increased number of boys in the CCD program attaining suitable age to assist at the altar will make it possible soon to begin a regular course of instruction. Meanwhile, men and boys are invited to contribute to the celebration of the holy Liturgy through service at the altar. We are looking for volunteers to help on a regular (monthly or weekly) basis. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Please contact Thomas Vaniotis at servers@tvaniotis.net.

Children's Religious Education (CCD): Tuesday, 5:30-6:30 pm.  For further information email: OurLadysChildren@gmail.com.

Adult Religious Education (RCIA): Wednesday, 6:30-7:45 pm.

Pre-Cana/Marriage Preparation: (646) 797-3221; mcfadden@mac.com.

Legion of Mary: Thursday, 6:00-7:15 pm. Centering Prayer Group: Thursday, 6:15-7:45 pm.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

Book of the Month Club: Third Wednesday of the month, 6:30–8:00 pm.

Legatus: Fourth Tuesday of the month, 6:00 pm Mass.

Catholic Lawyers Guild: First Friday of the month, 7:45 am Mass & meeting.