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To our St. Francis Xavier Parish family:

Thank you all for your patience and prayers as we work through how to safely open our parish for public Masses again.  To date we can still only have 10 people at any one Mass (we are hoping and praying that this will change soon).  We will try to resume public Masses June 13 & 14.  As we move forward, we will introduce our sign up system and review detailed safety measures.  This information will be shared on the website, Facebook, group email and a letter will be mailed.

This weekend, you will still be able to view weekend Mass on our Facebook page or through the link on our website under events.

Please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and for this parish.

God bless,

Fr. Dan

There have been reports from parishioners across our diocese who have received phone calls, emails and texts from individuals claiming to be their pastor. The latest today was from a (518) area code asking for iTunes gift cards.  Usually the content of the message will include some form of request for money that is outside of the normal channels of giving, for example electronic gift cards for amazon or iTunes. These messages usually include some sense of urgency and may span over several emails, beginning with an inquiry like “Hi are you available? I have a quick request.”  Some of these fraudulent attempts have gone so far as to create email accounts which look very much like an official address.  Please be aware that neither our parish nor father will ever reach out to you directly via email text or social media for direct solicitation of gift cards, wire transfers or other electronic monetary transactions.  If you suspect you may have received a fraudulent request, or would like to confirm the genuineness of a message, please contact our parish office (315) 673-2531.  To report a fraudulent request please forward the message to: stop-fraud@syrdio.org

Click here for the statement

Dear St. Francis Family,
I am sure that many of you have heard about the opening of our Churches for public worship.
In addition to all of the information already posted from us and on the Diocese of Syracuse website, I would like you to know the following 12 points:

1. Although we will not be ready this weekend, we are planning for next weekend, June 6-7.
2. We, for now, will keep the same weekend Mass schedule.
3. The weekday Mass schedule is still to be determined.
4. There will be a sign-up for Mass attendance as this is necessary to ensure:
a. the proper number will be attending.
b. contact information will be available in case someone in attendance is/or does come down with Covid19.
(Sign up details are being worked on)
5. Proper social distancing, hand sanitization and mask wearing will be necessary for ALL.
6. There will be people at each Mass for helping insure proper social distancing.
7. Specific information will be presented as to how to receive Communion.
8. There will be one entry to the Church and one exit.
9. There is to be no social gathering before or after Mass in the Church, Church parking lot on on any Church property
10. There will be signs posted to help people.
11. There will be no passing of the collection basket; I ask that you place your contribution in the basket provided (we are in the process of getting permanent fixtures for this); also you may still drop off your donation through the mail slot in the Rectory of send it by mail or use the electronic/bank means some of you already have. I really want to thank all of you for your continued generosity to our parish at this time, you have truly been generous and an inspiration to me. Thank you.
12. I ask that you all continue to be patient and pray for an end to the pandemic and for all who work so hard to keep us all safe, and all who are ill because of this pandemic.

Please be aware that as we move forward, this information may change.

Thank you all and God Bless you,
Fr. Dan

Dear St. Francis Family,

Probably you have heard by now that the Bishop has given permission for resuming public masses. We are working on how we can accomplish this given the guidelines/restrictions we need to follow;  basically right now we are limited to only 10 people per mass, if and when this increases to 25% capacity we will be better able to meet the requirement and accommodate our people  and maintain safety.  We have attached to our bulletin and on our social media a more extensive explanation of what we must do; including having people sign up online to attend a particular mass.  I am still trying to figure this out; our Liturgy committee is working to help put together a plan that we must submit to the diocese for approval. This will also enable us to figure out the logistics for weekday mass.  Please read the material and the letter from Bishop Lucia addressed to the people of the diocese; and please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic.

PARISHIONERS
➢ In order to permit the celebration of Mass and the sacraments in a dignified, safe, and healthy manner, each parishioner must do the following:
❖ Seek information from his/her parish regarding the Mass schedule, registration for Mass, and policies/ procedures for attending Mass
❖ Remain home if sick, symptomatic or vulnerable (i.e. 65 and older with an underlying health condition or immune deficiency)
❖ Wear a face mask in church (required) and, if possible, bring personal hand sanitizer
❖ Observe the commands on the posted signage and follow the directives of the ushers
❖ Acknowledge that seating will be different from the “usual” pew
❖ Be aware that during this period, there will be:
• No holy water in fonts
• No choirs
• No offertory procession
• No passing of the collection basket; baskets will be made available for offerings
• No physical exchange of the sign of peace
• No hymnals or missalettes
• No congregating in the church: in the narthex, at the doors, in parking lots, etc.
❖ Prepare for the reception of Holy Communion:
• Masks will be worn by all: clergy, ministers, and the faithful
• Direction will be provided for those receiving
• The Precious Blood will not be offered
• Tongs may be used
• Reception will involve: receiving the Body of Christ in the hand, stepping aside, removing the mask, consuming the Eucharist, returning the mask
• Reception on the tongue is recommended against by the CDC, WHO, and a blue-ribbon panel of Catholic doctors; consequently, it may only take place at the end of the Communion line
• At outdoor Masses, follow the direction of the attendants: remaining in vehicles until the reception of Holy Communion and then returning to vehicles for the dismissal
The Instructions for the Celebration of the Sacraments When Gatherings Begin and this Summary are helpful tools for creating safe and healthy environments for the celebration of Mass and the sacraments. Since the ability to gather publicly is a gradual process, the Instructions and Summary may need to be altered to accommodate each new phase of re-opening. Communication of regular updates is, therefore, key to the observance of these necessary safety procedures.

Celebration of the Sacraments when Public Gatherings Resume

Bishop Lucia’s letter about reopening the Church – 5/22/20

Dear St. Francis Family,

Thursday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, next Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost:  the birth of the Church.  This week we look at how God calls us into a relationship with Him and each other.  We are His people, the ones who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to make Him, His love and His truth know. Our lives are called to give glory to God; our faith is to make Jesus known and loved; our hope is the power of the Holy Spirit.  We join with the whole Church as we pray:  Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in us the fire of Your love.

God Bless you.

Fr. Dan