The fulfillment of God’s promise

Before His Ascension, Jesus promised to remain with us until the end of time.  How is this possible? First of all Jesus is God, and all things are possible with God. He has poured out the Holy Spirit on the Church and by the power and gift of the Holy Spirit, through the Church, especially the Sacraments we have access to God; to His love, Compassion and Mercy.
Each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist we live out the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We listen to Him through the Word, Jesus is the Word and through His Word we once again learn the story of Salvation History, which culminates in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  In the breaking of the Bread, the Eucharist, we are able to receive the true presence of Jesus:  His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
The only variable as to whether Jesus is present to me is me.  Do I avail myself of Him; do I take the time to come to Mass, to listen to God’s Word and receive Him in the Eucharist.  Jesus wants to be present to me, to have a relationship with me, to be a part of my life.  Do I want this also?
Do I find excuses for not attending Sunday Mass, or let other activities take precedence over the invitation of Jesus to come and be with Him and celebrate with Him and His Body, the Church. We are all busy, but am I too busy to spend one hour each week with God and the parish family at Mass? Or do I only think of God when I am in a difficulty or find myself faced with a problem or sorrow? These are important questions to pray about and ponder. Important for each of us and our Eternal Salvation.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan

From Fr. Dan:  I was on retreat, and while praying for the parish it came to me that many are suffering from cancer.  Did you know that we have a Saint to whom we can pray specifically for intercession for cancer patients?  He is St. Peregrine, and here is his story.

The Rebel Who Became a Saint

I found a statue of St. Peregrine which I purchased and blessed along with a book of Catholic Novenas with the novena in honor of St. Peregrine in it.  If any one or any family would like to take the statue and Novena to their home and pray that novena for themselves, a loved one or a friend; please contact the rectory.  All that I ask is that you bring the statue and novena back to the rectory after your nine days so that others might have the opportunity to take part in this prayer.

God Bless, Fr. Dan

Participation Worksheet

O God of the endless ages, Our help in ages past, our hope for years to come be with this diocesan family as we prepare to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of the foundation of the diocese of Syracuse.

We give thanks and praise, for the seeds of the Gospel that have been sown in this central part of New York State and ask that they be nurtured, so that we may be a living Gospel in word and deed. We Pray as we seek Jesus that we might grow ever deeper in our relationship with our Eucharistic lord and that our worship will draw us to greater unity in Christ.

Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and do whatever he  tells us, so that we will be one endless chorus praising Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen

Bishop Douglas J. Lucia

Pastoral Letter from Bishop Lucia

Bishop Lucia has joined the Bishops of NYS in a statement entitled “For You Too Once Were Aliens”. The statement, released on the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini – the first American Saint and the Saint of Immigrants – addresses the issue of immigration. Bishop Lucia has written to all of us about this statement and his hope is that we will read it, pray over it and consider taking the Cabrini Pledge.

Letter from Bishop Lucia

A STATEMENT BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NEW YORK STATE

Why attend Mass?

Dear Parish Family,
One of the precepts of the Catholic Church is: “To assist at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.” To assist at Mass is more than simply showing up. Although attending is necessary; in fact to miss Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of obligation, without serious or sufficient reason, is a serious (Mortal Offense). Thera are indeed serious or sufficient reasons to miss Mass, BUT inconvenience, or scheduling conflict with a social or athletic event are NOT (our Mass schedule gives ample opportunity to attend Mass as does the schedule of Masses at neighboring parishes which are listed on the front of our bulletin. We should also, to the best of our abilities, assist at Mass. This means being actively engaged (the word ‘Liturgy’ means work of the people.) We should participate in the Mass responses, listen as the Word of God is proclaimed: not read along in our Missal or (God forbid) read them on our cell phone or other ‘smart’ device. The Missal was originally for Masses that were in Latin with the English printed so that the faithful could follow. Now that the Mass is in the vernacular (language of the people) there is no need to read as the Mass is progressing. The Mass is neither a ‘spectator’ sport, simply a means of entertainment, nor is it a private devotion. We should not be reading the bulletin during Mass nor saying the Rosary, nor any other private devotion during Mass. We should also SING: I know that Catholics are notorious for not singing, but the tradition handed down by various Saints is ‘He/She who sings prays twice.’ I know people say; “I don’t like to sing” or “I can’t sing”. Everyone who has a voice can sing: some more loudly than others, some more in tune than others. As our music ministry is greatly improved, there is a tendency to sit back and let the Cantor, Choir or Musicians provide the music. Their ministry is not to take the place of the musical participation of the faithful, but to encourage and enhance it. (While I am here, we are always looking for more young people and adults to join the choir, folk group, and musicians). If God gave you musical talent, then by all means consider using it for His greater honor and glory and the good of His people. At Mass we encounter the Risen Lord Jesus in the gathering of the People, His Mystical Body on earth; where two or three gather in My name I am with them; when the Word of God is proclaimed; and in the reception of our Euchatistic Lord, Jesus. We can receive countless spiritual and temporal blessings and graces when we participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

God Bless,

Fr. Dan

The Fr. Mike Donovan Scholarship Raffle
Oct 18 and 19, 2025
St. Francis Xavier Church Hall- After all Masses
Many items have been generously donated by local businesses and artisans! Great holiday gift ideas!
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The Father Mike Donovan Scholarship is a Scholarship open to any current high school senior from St. Francis Xavier Parish that will attend a four or two year college or a trade school in the next academic year.

To apply, simply submit a printed copy to Fr. Dan of an essay describing what your Catholic Faith means to you and what St. Francis Xavier Parish means to you. Please include your full name, address and phone number along with the school from which you graduated, the date of your graduation and the school you are attending.  This essay is due November 8th, 2025.

Summer Spirituality

Dear Parish Family,

With August fast approaching, we are in the middle of our summer. Summer brings with it time to rest, renew, and recharge our batteries.  Vacations, time for play and ententainment, all help us to refocus and re-align with family and friends.  With a change in our usual schedules during summer, it is important not to forget the necessity for us to stay connected to our spiritual lives.  Praying, as an individual and family is still important.  Celebrating the Sacraments; especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on weekends and Holy Days keeps us in touch with our God and His people. Confession is a wonderful Sacrament for revitalization and re-alignment of our spiritual lives. Daily Scripture and prayer are gifts that help us relax and focus.  Whatever our summer brings; and wherever our summer takes us, it is important to remember that we should not take a vacation from our spiritual lives and our relationship with God.

God Bless,

Fr. Dan