https://www.nyscatholic.org/action-center

Albany, N.Y. – Say NO to Legalized Suicide – Contact Your NYS Senator Today

Physician-assisted suicide legislation has passed in the NYS Assembly. Let us make sure it does not pass in the NYS Senate. Senate Bill 138 would allow physicians to prescribe lethal doses of medication for the express purpose of ending a patient’s life. Our New York State lawmakers need to hear from you, their constituents, if we hope to avoid yet another assault on human life here in New York State. Suicide is not medical care. Assisted suicide is dangerous for patients, caregivers, and vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Click here to take action now and contact your Assembly representative, via email or telephone call, today to voice your opposition to this dangerous and deadly practice. A phone call is one of the most effective ways to get our message heard.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, became the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church following his election on May 8, 2025. He is the first Augustinian and the second Pope from the Americas, after Pope Francis. Prior to his election, he served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Early Life & Formation
Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 14, 1955 to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez
Earned a degree in Mathematics and studied Philosophy at Villanova University (1977).
Entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977; made solemn vows in 1981.
Ordained a priest on June 19, 1982 in Rome.
Earned a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).
Missionary & Pastoral Work
Served over a decade in Trujillo, Peru
Elected Provincial Prior (1999) and then Prior General of the Augustinians for two terms (2001-2013).
Episcopal Ministry
Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, Peru in 2014.
Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015 – 2023).
Served in the Peruvian Episcopal Conference in leadership and advisory roles.
Service in the Universal Church
Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023.
Created Cardinal in September 2024 by Pope Francis; assigned the Diaconate of Saint Monica.
Promoted to the Order of the Bishops with the title of Suburbicarian Church of Albano in February 2025.
“In the One Christ, we are one.” – St. Augustine

The Marcellus Rotary Club is honoring two St. Francis Xavier parishioners: former Marcellus mayor John Curtin; and former Ecumenical Food Pantry director Maureen Germain, at Tuscarora Golf Club, with a buffet dinner and Rotary Good Works Award, Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 6:25 p.m. $45 per person. Call Patrick Reagan, 315-640-2506 for reservations.

Divine Mercy Holy Hour- St. Francis Xavier Church- 3:00pm

Thursday, April 17 – Holy Thursday
Mass of the Lord’s Supper- Church- 7:00pm

Friday, April 18 – Good Friday
Stations of the Cross- Church- Noon
Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion- Church- 3:00PM
Ecumenical Service (at the Presbyterian Church)- 7:00PM

Saturday, April 19 – Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil- Church- 8:00PM

Sunday, April 20 – Easter
Easter Mass- 8:30 and 10:45

So it begins… It has begun…

Dear Parish Family,

This past week we commemorated and celebrated the last days of Jesus before His Resurrection.  For Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the Church proclaimed the mystery of God’s immersible love for us.  He gave us the gift of the Eucharist:  His very Body and Blood to be with us until the end of time and the Sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate the Eucharist.  He suffered and died for our Salvation and rose again on Easter for our justification and the gift of the restoration of our nature; a return to the original dignity of being created in the Divine image and likeness. The last words that Jesus spoke from the Cross were … “It is finished.”  Jesus had done all that the Father asked of Him for us.  With Jesus’ Resurrection, something new was begun.  New life, restored life, renewed faith and restored hope for all who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and God, and come to Him with an open, humble heart .  The anger of “Crucify Him” has turned into the new cry:  ‘Resurrexit sicut dixit’ (He has Risen as He said) and we respond:  “Alleluia!”

Happy Easter!

God Bless, Fr. Dan

How to go to Confession…

Encountering God

Dear Parish Family,
Where do we encounter God? Certainly in the Eucharist: the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, in the proclamation of the Word and in the people gathered, the body of Christ. We also meet God in all of the Sacraments, in our private and communal prayer and in reading Sacred scripture. God also is found in the daily business of living, if we just look and listen with an open heart and soul. God can be found in music, both liturgical and secular, that lifts us up and brings delight. Certainly God can be found in the gathering of family and friends, enjoying life and laughter; in the sound of children playing, adolescents exploring new things and in the wisdom of the elderly. St. Bonaventure teaches us that God can be found in nature; in nature we see the (Vestigia Dei), the footprints of God: in the wonder of spring, the power of a storm, the spectacle of Autumn and the quiet peace of winter. God can also be found in adversity and struggle, even pain can give us a glimpse of God’s sacrificial love for us. Even sorrow at loss can bring us an experience of God. We feel sorrow at this loss because of love, and where there is love there is God. Look for God, be open to God, let God in at every moment and every experience. God knows us intimately as our Creator, and in the Incarnation of Jesus, God became like us in all things but sin; experiencing the fullness of what it means to be truly, authentically, human. God loves you!

God Bless, Fr. Dan

Tune in to the CATHOLIC CONVERSATIONS PODCAST!  The Diocese of Syracuse invites you to explore faith, tradition, and community through engaging discussions with insightful guests on our official podcast. New episodes are released weekly on Tuesdays and offer inspiration for spiritual growth!

Find out more and listen today at:

syracusediocese.org/catholic-conversations

Lent: a Season of HOPE & JOY

Dear Parish Family,

Most people view Lent as a penitential season, which it is, but it is so much more! It is not just about ‘giving up something’ or ‘sacrificing something’, it is about growing in our honesty with ourselves and deepening our relationship with God and the Church.  As we move through this season we should be filled with a great joy and hope. Joy that our God offers to us: the gift of true freedom and unconditional love. Hope, that in Jesus our sins can be forgiven, and we can be restored to our Baptismal dignity of being a daughter or son of God.  When we are at Mass and the consecrated Host is elevated, the priest proclaims:  “Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.”  What a great gift, what a great joy, what inextinguishable hope. Look at and gaze upon the Eucharistic Lord, do not hide your face from Him or look down or away.  Jesus Christ is present and wants you to have a deeper relationship with Him. He wants you to experience that great joy and hope of His gift of sacrificial love for you. Certainly, you and I are not worthy to have Jesus come to us, no one is yet the Mass continues: “… but only say the word and my soul will be healed.”  What could be a greater joy?  What could fill the human heart and soul with greater hope.  Celebrate Lent, this great penitential season that ends with the victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death; a victory the He invites all of us to share.

God Bless, Fr. Dan