Bishop Lucia has joined the Bishops of NYS in a statement entitled “For You Too Once Were Aliens”. The statement, released on the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini – the first American Saint and the Saint of Immigrants – addresses the issue of immigration. Bishop Lucia has written to all of us about this statement and his hope is that we will read it, pray over it and consider taking the Cabrini Pledge.

Letter from Bishop Lucia

A STATEMENT BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NEW YORK STATE

Why attend Mass?

Dear Parish Family,
One of the precepts of the Catholic Church is: “To assist at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.” To assist at Mass is more than simply showing up. Although attending is necessary; in fact to miss Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of obligation, without serious or sufficient reason, is a serious (Mortal Offense). Thera are indeed serious or sufficient reasons to miss Mass, BUT inconvenience, or scheduling conflict with a social or athletic event are NOT (our Mass schedule gives ample opportunity to attend Mass as does the schedule of Masses at neighboring parishes which are listed on the front of our bulletin. We should also, to the best of our abilities, assist at Mass. This means being actively engaged (the word ‘Liturgy’ means work of the people.) We should participate in the Mass responses, listen as the Word of God is proclaimed: not read along in our Missal or (God forbid) read them on our cell phone or other ‘smart’ device. The Missal was originally for Masses that were in Latin with the English printed so that the faithful could follow. Now that the Mass is in the vernacular (language of the people) there is no need to read as the Mass is progressing. The Mass is neither a ‘spectator’ sport, simply a means of entertainment, nor is it a private devotion. We should not be reading the bulletin during Mass nor saying the Rosary, nor any other private devotion during Mass. We should also SING: I know that Catholics are notorious for not singing, but the tradition handed down by various Saints is ‘He/She who sings prays twice.’ I know people say; “I don’t like to sing” or “I can’t sing”. Everyone who has a voice can sing: some more loudly than others, some more in tune than others. As our music ministry is greatly improved, there is a tendency to sit back and let the Cantor, Choir or Musicians provide the music. Their ministry is not to take the place of the musical participation of the faithful, but to encourage and enhance it. (While I am here, we are always looking for more young people and adults to join the choir, folk group, and musicians). If God gave you musical talent, then by all means consider using it for His greater honor and glory and the good of His people. At Mass we encounter the Risen Lord Jesus in the gathering of the People, His Mystical Body on earth; where two or three gather in My name I am with them; when the Word of God is proclaimed; and in the reception of our Euchatistic Lord, Jesus. We can receive countless spiritual and temporal blessings and graces when we participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

God Bless,

Fr. Dan

The Fr. Mike Donovan Scholarship Raffle
Oct 18 and 19, 2025
St. Francis Xavier Church Hall- After all Masses
Many items have been generously donated by local businesses and artisans! Great holiday gift ideas!
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The Father Mike Donovan Scholarship is a Scholarship open to any current high school senior from St. Francis Xavier Parish that will attend a four or two year college or a trade school in the next academic year.

To apply, simply submit a printed copy to Fr. Dan of an essay describing what your Catholic Faith means to you and what St. Francis Xavier Parish means to you. Please include your full name, address and phone number along with the school from which you graduated, the date of your graduation and the school you are attending.  This essay is due November 8th, 2025.

Summer Spirituality

Dear Parish Family,

With August fast approaching, we are in the middle of our summer. Summer brings with it time to rest, renew, and recharge our batteries.  Vacations, time for play and ententainment, all help us to refocus and re-align with family and friends.  With a change in our usual schedules during summer, it is important not to forget the necessity for us to stay connected to our spiritual lives.  Praying, as an individual and family is still important.  Celebrating the Sacraments; especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on weekends and Holy Days keeps us in touch with our God and His people. Confession is a wonderful Sacrament for revitalization and re-alignment of our spiritual lives. Daily Scripture and prayer are gifts that help us relax and focus.  Whatever our summer brings; and wherever our summer takes us, it is important to remember that we should not take a vacation from our spiritual lives and our relationship with God.

God Bless,

Fr. Dan

Sunday, August, 10^th

Noon to 4:00pm

Come and enjoy a delicious lunch at Marcellus Park (in the pavilion across the parking lot from the playground) and mingle with other members of your parish family!

Bring the whole family and of course an appetite!

Saint Francis is seeking a new part-time secretary to perform routine clerical and administrative duties.
We are looking for a self-motivated and organized individual to handle the needs of the church office. Days required will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am- 1:30 pm. Computer and people skills a must. Job includes but not limited to answering multi-line phone, filing, maintaining website, bulletin and calendar maintenance, and scheduling. Please forward resume and cover letter by August 25th to Deacon John Falge at jfalge@syrdio.org.  Click here for further job description.

From Fr. Dan:  I was on retreat, and while praying for the parish it came to me that many are suffering from cancer.  Did you know that we have a Saint to whom we can pray specifically for intercession for cancer patients?  He is St. Peregrine, and here is his story.

The Rebel Who Became a Saint

I found a statue of St. Peregrine which I purchased and blessed along with a book of Catholic Novenas with the novena in honor of St. Peregrine in it.  If any one or any family would like to take the statue and Novena to their home and pray that novena for themselves, a loved one or a friend; please contact the rectory.  All that I ask is that you bring the statue and novena back to the rectory after your nine days so that others might have the opportunity to take part in this prayer.

God Bless, Fr. Dan

Saints Peter and Paul

Dear Parish Family,

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul that we celebrate this weekend is one of the very few festivals that, when it falls on a Sunday, is celebrated in place of the Ordinary weekend.  Although they were very different people, that are celebrated together because both spent the last parts of the lives proclaiming the Gospel and both were martyred.  St. Peter is called the Apostle to the Jews; he was a fisherman and one of the first called by Jesus to follow Him.  Peter was the man who argues with Jesus when Jesus tells His disciples of His impending death.  Peter denies Jesus three times on the night of Jesus’ arrest, and it is Peter who the Lord asks three times, after the Resurrection if he loves the Lord, and is commissioned with feeding the Lord’s sheep.  It is to Peter that the Keys of the Kingdom are given, and it is Peter who becomes the first Pope.  Paul never knew the Lord during His public ministry, in fact Peter was present at the stoning of Stephen and death of Stephen.  Paul, a devout Pharisee, and a Roman citizen, made it his business to persecute the followers of the Lord; in fact on his way to Damascus to continue the persecution, has an experience of the Ascended Lord and subsequently becomes a great follower and herald of the Gospel.  Paul, called the Apostle to the Gentiles, goes on many missionary journeys, suffers multiple hardships, beatings and shipwrecks for the sake of the Gospel and eventually is martyred in Rome.  Both Peter and Paul are examples of the great transformation the grace of God can make in a person’s life, and the joy, and hardship, that bearing witness to Christ.  Neither is daunted by the world’s persecution because both have experienced the gift of grace, the joy of the gospel and the promise of the Kingdom of God.

God Bless, Fr. Dan

The Mission continues

Dear Parish Family,
We have celebrated the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven and await the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. While we believe that Jesus will return in
glory at the end of time, in the interim it is up to us, His Church to continue the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are in the final chapter of Salvation that began at creation, continued through the People of Israel and is now ours. We hear the Lord’s impassioned plea that His People remain one in Him. Unfortunately this prayer has not yet come to fulfillment. Each of us has a role to play in proclaiming the Gospel by our lives and promoting unity among the People of God. We need to look for and embrace those things that unite us, while we do not diminish our differences, we should not focus on them. The Holy Spirit gives us the graces necessary to carry out this Mission; through prayer, the Word and Sacrament. How, then, do I, bare witness to the Lord Jesus Christ? How does my life evidence my faith, hope and trust in Him? How do I draw others, not to myself, but to Christ and Salvation? We are now Christ’s hands, feet and voice. Together we can make Him and His message of Hope and Redemption known.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan