St. Francis Xavier is looking to hire a part time director of the Music Ministry. Organ playing is preferred, but if you play the piano, organ lessons are available for the person who is interested in taking this position. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please contact the Rectory at 673-2531. Thank you

Dear parish family,
As many of you know, I am a language ‘Geek’. I love words, grammar and syntax and in my teaching career I have taught six languages. As one who appreciates the power of language and words I am distressed to witness how words are now being manipulated to fit a specific agenda or point of view. In his book 1984, George Orwell depicted a society in which language and truth had no objective value. The Ministry of Truth took as its job to reduce the number of words in the vocabulary and change the meaning of words to fit what was deemed appropriate. There was also the task of re-writing history so that the current state of affairs in which the people lived was portrayed as always having been ‘regular’; any dissent or question was deemed suspicious and not accepted by the authorities. Why do I bring this up, because it seems in my opinion that this is what is happening in our society today. One particular example in the current manipulation of words is the phrase ‘reproductive rights’ to really mean ‘abortion’. As human beings we have a right to reproduce, as a matter of fact in Genesis God said to Adam and Eve: ” Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth..” (Gn. 1:28). As soon as conception takes place, the couple have reproduced; there is no right or mandate to end the life of the child under the guise of ‘reproductive rights’. The choice of the couple is whether or not they will engage in the act by which a child is conceived: if a child is conceived they are parents. There is no such thing as an inconvenient life, nor a life that is not valuable; no one has the right to take an innocent life by abortion or any other means. To paraphrase Pope St. John-Paul II; “we should always call the truth the truth and use language that does not cloud, nor obscure the truth.” Language is important, let us not manipulate, nor distort language to fit a societal agenda or mask truth. As Christ taught: “The truth will set you free.”
God bless, Fr. Dan

Dear parish family,

I was watching the news this weekend and saw so much hatred, anger, violence and rage stemming from the horrific events in Buffalo to a call for a ‘Summer of Rage’ to violent demonstrations. This left me to wonder and then pray about what could possibly be the source.

In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul articulates the fruit of the Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal, 5: 22-23). What we are experiencing today seems to be the direct opposite of these. What then is the opposite of the Holy Spirit? St. Ignatius identifies this as the ‘Evil Spirit’. The Evil Spirit is the master of lies and deception, hatred and destruction.

I believe that what we are experiencing is not just a political issue, or a social issue but a spiritual issue. A spiritual battle between good and evil, light and darkness and truth and the lie.

As we approach the feast of Pentecost and pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’ may we truly embrace the Spirit of God and reject the spirit of evil.
God Bless,

-Fr. Dan

Dear parish family,
There is so much discord and yelling in our society that truth seems to be ignored or cast as being irrelevant as long as one can shut down anyone who disagrees with them. In John’s Gospel when Jesus is being interrogated by Pilate, Jesus says: “I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice”. “Truth? ” said Pilate, “What is that?” (John 18: 37-38) That is still the question, the answer to which we seem to have confused in our society.
There is what is called object truth; that is the thing itself (object) does not change and does not depend on anyone’s knowing, liking or agreeing with it. An example is that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Another is that the earth is round, even though there was a time when many believed the earth to be flat, that did not indeed make it flat. Then there is subjective truth, that is the truth is not in the unchanging object but rather in the persons (subjects) perception of it, understanding of it, or liking it. Again, just because people perceived the earth as being flat, did not, nor does it make it so.
This is the essence of the debate as to when life begins. It is a biological fact that at the moment of conception the blastula has the complete, unique, human DNA that the person will have throughout the person’s biological life; nothing will be added nor subtracted throughout the entire development of the person. It is for this reason that the church proclaims that at the moment of conception there is a unique, individual human person, engendered by God with an immortal soul who enjoys the right to life and the right to bodily integrity.
In the following weeks, I will discuss the nature of language and how it can be and has been manipulated.
-Fr. Dan

The latest from the Diocese of Syracuse
May 10, 2022

WASHINGTON – In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, some abortion advocates are calling for nationwide demonstrations, disruptions of church services, and the personal intimidation of specific Supreme Court justices. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities invited the faithful to unite in fasting and prayer:
In the midst of current tensions, we invite Catholics around the country to join us in fasting and praying the Rosary on Friday, May 13, the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. Let us offer our prayers and fasting for these intentions:
For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death.
For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme Court’s final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson.
For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion.
For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and cared for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a healthy and flourishing society.
For Our Blessed Mother’s intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life.
As Catholics, let us witness to the beautiful gift of life with civility and love, and with our peaceful prayers and our compassionate service to all those in need.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

https://www.usccb.org/prolife/abortion

Sunday – April 24, 2022 at 3:00 pm
The Divine Mercy Holy Hour will include: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, public recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction.

The message of mercy is that God loves us — all of us — no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. So, all will come to share His joy. It is a message we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC.
Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach
Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and
asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon
the whole world.
Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.
Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust.

This week is a special edition of BuildingFaith@Home.  Follow each of the days of Holy Week as we move from Palm Sunday to Easter.

As we continue to journey through this Lenten season why not celebrate Holy Week with your family with the following activities:

Holy Week Kit for Families
The free download from Catholic Family Crate includes coloring and activity pages, scripture, song ideas, Catholic traditions and more. This simple resource helps families end the Lenten season and celebrate the joy of Easter in a meaningful, memorable way. To download, go to https://holyweek.catholicfamilycrate.com

Holy Thursday
– Watch The Prince of Egypt – It covers the 10 plagues and the Passover!
– Plan a Last Supper Dinner – serve lamb if you are able, or make a cake for dessert in the shape of a lamb.
– Read Psalms 113-116 (or parts of them) while you wash one another’s feet.
Good Friday
– Wear black on Good Friday or for all of the Triduum to mourn Jesus’ death.
– Cut down on media – strive to turn off TVs , radio,and music and instead, attend liturgies and pray together.
– Start the day off with the tradition of Hot Cross Buns – the spruceeats/hotcrossbuns.com
– Keep the vigil of Noon-3pm (the hours Jesus hung on the cross) with solemn silence and prayer.
Holy Saturday
– Take down Lenten decorations and start decorating and preparing food for Easter.
– Color Easter eggs and create Easter symbols in the home.

For more ideas on how to bring this Lenten/Easter season into your home go to www.catholicallyear.com.

Dear Parish Family,
As difficult as it may seem to believe, we are coming into the last two weeks of this Lent. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and we are into Holy Week. We have looked at the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and alms giving. This week I would like to encourage everyone (myself included) to take the time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, go to Confession. This experience of the Sacramental forgiveness of sin is an excellent way to bring Lent to a conclusion and prepare spiritually for Easter: the Resurrection of Christ. Confession is available every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6 PM, Saturday from 3:30 – 4:00 PM. Additionally, St. Francis, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Michael-St. Peter’s Churches will come together on Monday, April 4 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s in Skaneateles will celebrate a Lenten Penance service with multiple priests available for Confession. Monday, April 11 we hold the ‘Light is on For You’ with confession available in Church from 4 – 7:00 PM. If none of these times work for you, you can call the Rectory and make an appointment with me for Confession.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan