Important Information Regarding Covid Protocals 05/21/21
Letter from Bishop Lucia to our Diocesan Family
Update to The Celebration of the Sacraments in Time of Pandemic
Saturday Evening Vigil: 4:30 PM / Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM
Abortion Survivors Protection Act and Hyde Amendment
Washington, D.C. – Support the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 619) has again been introduced in Congress to protect infants born-alive during an abortion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging us to contact our representatives in Congress to sign a petition to discharge the bill from the Committee so that it can receive a vote on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would provide specific protections nationwide to infants born-alive during an abortion. Please click here for more information and please click here to take action now and contact your representative.
Washington, D.C. – Support the Hyde Amendment and Oppose Taxpayer Funding for Abortions
Since 1976, whether Congress and the White House were led by Democrat or Republicans, the Hyde amendment and similar laws have protected federal taxpayers from being forced to pay for elective abortions. The majority of Americans agree with the Hyde amendment and oppose taxpayer funding for abortions. However, powerful members of Congress now want to take away the Hyde amendment and similar laws that both Democrats and Republicans have supported for nearly half a century to prevent federal taxpayers from paying for elective abortions. The USCCB is encouraging us to sign an online petition in support of the Hyde Amendment to oppose federal taxpayers from funding elective abortions. Click here to take action and sign the online petition.
Equality Act
Please see the information below, paraphrased from an action alert from the NCHLA (the lobbying arm of the US Bishops).
As Catholics, we believe that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and that all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, free from unjust discrimination. We also believe that we are created male and female, made for one another. This bodily reality is not discriminatory!
On February 25, 2021, the US House of Representatives passed the harmless sounding Equality Act. The legislation now moves to the US Senate. The Equality Act needs to be opposed. Instead of respecting differences in beliefs about marriage and sexuality, the Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith.
The Equality Act would:
- punish faith-based organizations, such as charities and schools who serve everyone in their communities, simply because of their beliefs;
- risk mandating taxpayers to fund abortions;
- force people in everyday life, and especially health care workers, to support gender transition;
- expand what the government considers a “public” place, forcing even some parish halls to host functions that conflict with Catholic beliefs;
- force girls and women to compete against boys and men for limited opportunities in sports, share locker rooms and shower spaces with biological males who identify as women.
Act now to oppose the Equality Act to protect churches and schools, Catholic Charities, the unborn, Catholic health care workers, our religious freedom, the safety of single sex schools, colleges, dorms, etc and females in women’s sports! This is a far reaching, extreme act which will have disastrous implications for people of faith.
Click here to oppose this legislation.
Click here for additional information and resources from the USCCB.
Click here to view an excellent webinar on the Equality Act, sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York.
From the Offices of Formation for Ministry and Deacon Formation:
Now more than ever we need the laity to respond to their baptismal call to share the Gospel in the world and assist pastors in meeting the needs of our parishes. In order to fulfill this role, lay ministers must know their faith. Formation for Ministry helps those in ministry grow in knowledge of their Catholic faith, develop skills for ministry, grow in confidence to share their faith, and grow in relationship with the Lord. Formation for Ministry also serves as a prerequisite for the permanent diaconate. Please consider who you know who might be discerning a call to lay ministry formation or the diaconate and invite them to consider Formation for Ministry.
Applications for the fall term are currently being accepted. Download an application from our website formationforministrysy
Interested individuals should attend one of our upcoming information sessions. Our next session is scheduled for Sunday, April 18, at Holy Trinity in Utica.
What is Easter?
Dear Parish Family,
When you take the time to really pray about and contemplate the reality of Easter, it is truly remarkable and miraculous. Jesus had died nailed to the cross, pierced with the lance, in the tomb for three days and now on the morning of the third day the tomb is empty! Early in the morning of that first Easter there is confusion for Mary Magdalene and the other disciples. But then they saw and they believed; they saw the burial cloth in an empty tomb. They saw the stone removed from the tomb. They believed that God had done what Jesus said he would; raised Him up on the last day. Easter and the resurrection of Jesus in the beginning of the restoration of creation to its original plan of God. God’s plan never included sin and death, both of which are a result of sin. Jesus makes all things new: the possibility for those who believe in Him and accept the truth of the Gospel to be returned by Baptism to the original state of justice and innocence destroyed by Original Sin. The proclamation of Jesus Christ risen is truly the Good News that we still proclaim!
As we proclaim at Mass of Jesus: “By dying you destroyed our death and by rising you restored our life.”
Have a Happy and blessed Easter.
Fr. Dan
Note From Fr. Dan:
Resurrexit Sicut Dixit:
He is Risen as He said He would
Dear Parish Family,
The Sacred Triduum (Holy, Thursday and Easter) is the most sacred and holy point of our Church year. They are really three continuous celebrations that begin with the sign of the Cross at the beginning of Mass on Holy Thursday and end with the final Alleluia on Easter. On Holy Thursday we commemorate the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, through which Jesus continues to be truly present to us until the end of time and the institution of the Sacramental Priesthood. On Good Friday, we solemnly remember Jesus’ Passion and death and on Easter we proclaim loudly and clearly that Jesus is Risen. Easter is the vindication of all that Jesus said and did and our assurance that truly He is the Son of God and that if we truly believe in Him and accept the truth of His Gospel we too shall inherit Eternal Life in His (and our) Father’s Kingdom. What great love our God has for us, giving up His only Son in atonement for our sins. What an honor He has given to us that we may be restored to original grace and justice.
Jesus Christ is truly Risen and we are offered forgiveness, salvation and Eternal Life.
God Bless and Happy Easter. Fr. Dan
April 17 & 18 Scheduling Note
Confirmation Masses are Saturday, April 17th at 1:00 and 4:30. Due to limited seating, these Masses will be livestreamed. See link under events.
To accommodate our parishioners for that weekend, we added a 12:15 PM Mass on Sunday, April 18th.
Publication Notice – Syracuse Diocese Chapter 11
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, New York
Case No. 20-30663
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT on June 19, 2020, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, New York, (“Diocese“) filed for protection under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code“).
The Bankruptcy Court has established April 15, 2021 at 11:59p.m. (prevailing Eastern time) as the deadline to file proofs of claim against the Diocese (the “Bar Date“).
If you have a claim against the Diocese including, without limitation, a claim related to sexual abuse committed by any person connected with the Diocese, you must file a claim on or before the Bar Date with Stretto, the appointed Claims Agent.
Please visit https://case.stretto.com/dioceseofsyracuse or call (855) 329-4244 for more information on how to file your proof of claim.
IF YOU DO NOT TIMELY FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM, YOU MAY FORFEIT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON ANY PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND TO SHARE IN ANY FUTURE DISTRIBUTIONS TO CREDITORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DIOCESE’S CHAPTER 11 CASE.
Bishop Lucia’s Pastoral Letter: In the Name of Jesus
Read MoreLenten 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.