Lenten Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence

Days of Abstinence:  No meat can be eaten on Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays during Lent.  This applies to all Catholics 14 and older.

Days to Fast:  Only one full meal is permitted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for Catholics between 18 and 59.  Two smaller meals are permitted, but the small meals should not equal a second full meal.  Drinking coffee, tea and water between meals is allowed.  Snacks between meals are not allowed.

One is not bound to fast if health or the ability to work is affected.

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In keeping with the various health and safety precautions in place for the celebration of the sacraments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the distribution of Ashes will take place in the Diocese of Syracuse this year by way of the Roman custom, which entails sprinkling them on the crown of the head.

Catechesis: Why are ashes being distributed “differently” during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The purpose of the “different” manner of distributing ashes this year is to ensure the health and safety of all who wish to receive them on Ash Wednesday. The measures being taken are similar to the precautions currently in place for the reception of Holy Communion and the conferral of the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick. Ultimately, they are meant to limit contact and the potential exchange of droplets/aerosols.
Since blessed ashes are typically traced in the form of a cross on the foreheads of those who receive them in the United States, the manner in which they will be distributed this year may seem “different” to some. However, in many parts of the world, including Italy, blessed ashes are typically sprinkled on the heads of those who receive them. In fact, this is how our Holy Father, Pope Francis, receives his ashes! The Roman Missal instruction for the distribution of ashes actually says: “The Priest places ashes on the head of all those present.” Moreover, in the first reading proclaimed at Mass the Lord says, “Return to me with your whole heart…Rend your hearts, not your garments and return” (Joel 2: 12-13). Therefore, a “different” reception of ashes for some is an occasion for all to begin and maintain Lent as a season not of outward appearances, but of renewal in matters of the heart – faith, hope, and love – through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving done before the Father who sees in secret and repays (Matt 6:1-6, 16-18).

Ash Wednesday Mass / Service Times at St. Francis:

Ashes will be distributed at both Masses and the noon Service.

6:45am– Mass

Noon– Service only

6:00pm– Mass

Please sign up on the online signup sheet under events

I am writing this so that any confusion may be cleared up. As many of you know, as a language teacher I find it very important to use words correctly, and to paraphrase St. Pope John- Paul II: we must call things what they actually are. There is a euphemism that is used in our culture; “reproductive rights”. While that sound perfectly plausible, many of the concepts to which it refers are directly opposed to our Catholic Moral teaching. One of which is abortion. Included in this week’s bulletin as a hand out and posted on our social media platforms you will find the excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church as what the Catholic Church teaches about abortion.

click here for the hand out

As 2020 finally has come to an end, and we begin a New Year, I thought that it might be good to reflect on what was and look forward to what might be. Yes, 2020 was very difficult and we are all happy to see it behind us; but hopefully, we did learn some things from the experience:  the value of time spent with loved ones, to refocus on those things that are truly important, how to appreciate our health and value the gifts God has given to us. As we look forward to 2021, Pope Francis offers to St. Joseph for the new year. We have no recorded words that St. Joseph said, Matthew’s Gospel describes him as a righteous man, one who was obedient to the will of God God the Father entrusted to St. Joseph’s care His most precious gift, His only begotten Son, Jesus and His mother, the Virgin Mary. St. Joseph cared for them, protected them and provided for them. St. Joseph is the patron of the Universal Church and a model for all who quietly strive to know and do the will of God.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
God Bless, Fr. Dan

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son;

in you Mary placed her trust;

with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father

and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,

and defend us from every evil.  Amen.

–from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter

This year many things are different about how we celebrate Christmas.  Family gatherings are smaller if we can gather at all.  People Still need to greet one another wearing a mask and keeping social distancing.  Even in Church our numbers are limited, sign up for Masses are required, the use of hand sanitizers and practicing social distancing in our pews; even the way we receive the Eucharist is very different. Yet, the message of Christmas does not change:  our God is with us, choosing to become like us in all things but sin.  Born of the Virgin Mary, the Lord Jesus entered human history to save us and set us free from the age old tyranny of sin and death. In the words of John’s Gospel 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son into the world, not to judge or condemn, but to set it free.”  With great faith, hope and love we proclaim:  Merry Christmas!

12/21/20 Letter

Letter 12/14/20

To keep everyone up to date and safe, this is the latest. Father Dan was exposed to a person with the virus. Father was tested and his test came back positive this Sunday. Also, another member of the parish was also tested this past week and came back positive although we don’t believe they were ever together.

To be safe we are closing the church this week – December 7th thru December 11th. There will be no Masses. We will have Mass on the weekend with a substitute Priest as Father is in quarantine until at least the 14th. Deacon John and members of the staff are being tested again or already have.

As you all know, as a precaution, that is why clergy never leave the altar and are never together more than several minutes. During Mass everyone on the altar is separated. At Communion that is why as we are sure you notice a large amount of sanitizer is used and the Blessed Sacrament is literally dropped in your hands to eliminate any contact. The Church again is being sanitized to ensure everyone’s safety.

Please remember – stay at least six feet apart if you are near someone for 10 minutes or more, wear your mask when in close contact to anyone for a length of time and where required. Additionally, watch for any symptoms you may get and if you believe you have them contact your physician.

Thank you for your patience as we all suffer through this difficult time we are enduring.

God Bless you and stay smart and safe…….