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

There have been reports from parishioners across our diocese who have received emails and texts from individuals claiming to be their pastor. 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

Dear St. Francis Family,
This Sunday, the sixth Sunday of Easter, our Scripture readings tell us of yet another gift God has in store for us. The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, The Holy Spirit is the Advocate promised by Jesus in today’s Gospel. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that Peter and John are able to act; that Christians have the ability to undergo suffering and persecution for their faith; that we can observe God’s commandments and therefore love God and experience God’s love for us. Thursday we will celebrate the Ascension, Jesus returning to the Father not to abandon us, but so that the Holy Spirit might be sent from God to us. The Holy Spirit continues to act in our midst, our lives and our Church. The Holy Spirit is the New Advocate who speaks on our behalf and is the source of our joy and hope. Hope even in the times of a pandemic, because our God will never abandon us and will give all that we need to continue to proclaim to the Glory of God the Father that Jesus Christ is Lord.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan

Dear St. Francis Family,

This Sunday’s Gospel begins with Jesus saying to the disciples:  Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (John 14:1)  We are being constantly reminded that we are in a difficult troubling time, and as true as that is, we are also a people of faith.  Jesus was not just speaking of a later time and place, but also how we are to live our lives here and now.  Certainly we are to be reasonable and prudent; using the good common sense that God gave us to take care of ourselves, our loved ones and those most vulnerable; but we are never to lose faith or hope. God is found in every act of kindness and compassion, every heroic act on the part of those who care for us and others; every smile and laugh:  we are truly to have faith in our God.

God bless you and a happy and blessed Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, those still with us and those who have gone to the home prepared for them in our Lord Jesus’ Father’s house.

God bless,

Fr. Dan

How to Pray the Rosary

Dear St. Francis Family,

Our Psalm this weekend, the 23rd Psalm is perhaps one of the most known and loved Psalms in the Bible reminding us the Lord is truly our Shepherd.  Our Gospel also uses the image of Jesus as the sheepgate:  through whom we find rest, safety, security and peace. We are continually reminded that we can always look to Jesus, he will never disappoint us, he will always be there for us.  Jesus always offers comfort and peace, no matter what the situation.

God Bless,

Fr. Dan

Third Sunday of Easter

Letter to the People – April 21, 2020

Divine Mercy Sunday

Dear St. Francis Family,

The Second Sunday of Easter (the Sunday immediately following Easter) was proclaimed by St. Pope John-Paul II to be the Sunday of Divine Mercy. This feast comes to us from the revelations of our Lord Jesus to now St. Maria Faustina Kowalska as found in her diary. The image of Divine Mercy (which you can see in our Church Sanctuary) is depiction of Jesus in His Resurrection.  Flowing from the hands of Jesus one sees red and white streams, depicting water blood and water: the outpouring of grace and mercy on all who come to him seeking His mercy.  The words on the image: “Jesus, I trust You.” sum up beautifully Jesus’ invitation to trust in Him:  His providence, His Mercy and His love. The Divine Mercy chaplet is to be prayed at 3 PM; the hour of mercy.

This Sunday, during this time of trial, we all need to remember and look to Jesus and place our trust in Him. He, and He alone is our hope and our salvation.

Please join me and pray:  “Jesus, I trust You.”

God Bless you all.

Fr. Dan