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. To report a fraudulent request please forward the message to: stop-fraud@syrdio.org

Epiphany of the Lord – January 2, 2022
“They prostrated themselves and did him homage.” The magi not only brought Christ gifts, they also brought themselves and worshiped. What part of you is Christ asking you to leave at his feet, in worship?

Call Father Jason Hage (315) 470-1468 or write: vocations@syrdio.org

December 14, 2021

As you know, New York State has instituted a mask mandate in all public places effective December 13 to January 15. It is being done as a safety precaution and out of the utmost concern for one’s neighbor. Bishop Lucia informed pastors and parish administrators that he expects all parishes in the Diocese of Syracuse to cooperate with this important public health matter and comply with the mask mandate.

After consultation on the guidelines, all public offices in the Diocese of Syracuse must again implement mask wearing in its public spaces immediately. Masks do not need to be worn while eating and drinking so lunch rooms can still be utilized.

Merry Christmas

I was wondering what difference does it make if we greet one another with Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday or Seasons Greetings.? I went to the Merriman-Webster for some definitions. Christmas is a combination of the two words: Christ + Mass; Holiday is derived from the phrase ‘Holy Day’ – a religious feast day. What we are, as Christians, are celebrating on December 25 is not a social or generic event. It is a very specific Holy Day, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus in time; the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is truly a holy day that we celebrate with the Mass, the prayer by which we united ourselves with Jesus in the Holy Spirit in giving thanks to the Father. The primary sacrament of our Catholic Faith in which we encounter our God in the community, in the Word and in a special and unique way in the Sacrament of Jesus’ Body and Blood. There is no other season quite like it and there is no other holiday like it. It is not a celebration of a generic season or generic holiday; it is truly a Holy Day. I encourage all to greet one another with the deeply religious greeting: Merry Christmas!
God Bless,
Fr. Dan

The Marcellus Ecumenical Food Pantry is offering Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets.  All eligible people are welcome to sign up.

General Information about the Food Pantry:

Location:  First Presbyterian Church, corner of E Main and North St. The door is on the North St. side.

Hours: Every Tuesday 10:30-noon, and the LAST Tuesday of the month, 6:30-7:30pm.

Guidelines: Resident of Marcellus school district, financial eligibility or needs food!  If a person needs food and is unable to get here, a friend may be authorized for pickup.

If you have any questions, contact Sue March or Maureen Germain through the First Presbyterian Church by leaving a message at (315) 673-2201.

The safety and well-being of our parishioners is our top priority during our liturgies so that people may be fed the Bread of Life. Our first consideration must continue to be for the spiritual and physical health of our parishioners. We continue to follow the guidance from the Syracuse Diocese for our safety protocols and our church is cleaned regularly. Please remember that Bishop Lucia is encouraging everyone to wear a mask.
For your information: There was a parishioner who attended Mass last weekend (October 23 & 24) that tested positive for the virus.
To view the latest protocols, please visit our website: www.sfxmarcellus.com under announcements

The Seven Sacraments
Among the gifts our God has given to us are the Seven Sacraments. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace, an experience of the Risen Lord, Jesus. A Sacrament is a participation in the life of God in our lives. We usually categorize the Sacraments into three groups: those of Initiation; those of Healing; and those of Mission/Commission. The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Those of Healing are Eucharist, Penance and Anointing. Those of Mission/Commission are Eucharist, Matrimony and Holy Orders. Over the next few weeks, I will place in the bulletin an understanding of each of the Seven and why they are important to the life of a Catholic.
God Bless you, Fr. Dan

October is Respect Life Month
Each October, the Church celebrates Respect Life month. The sacredness and dignity of each and every human life is at the core of our Moral and Social teachings. The Church teaches that every human life (without exception) is of infinite dignity, value and worth because every human life is created in the Divine Image and Likeness and it was for each and every human being that Jesus Christ died on the Cross to win for them salvation; the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. While we usually associate this with the unborn; this teaching includes every human person from conception to natural death. At conception, we have a unique act of creation, with a unique set of human genetics and a unique human soul. But our respect for life doesn’t stop there. Everyone: man, woman and child, the young, elderly, sick, those who are vulnerable, those who are not like us, those with a physical, mental or psychological disability; those with whom we agree and those with whom we disagree, those who would call us enemy and wish us harm; we are called in faith to love as a Child of God who is made worthy by Incarnation and Death of Jesus for their salvation. This does not mean that we have to like everyone or what they do or say; we never are called to accept falsehood or sin. It does mean, however, that we MUST acknowledge the dignity of each human life without condition or reservation.
God Bless, Fr. Dan

This weekend is HOPE Appeal Weekend! Together, when we pledge our gift to the Annual HOPE Appeal, we are giving thanks to Christ for the innumerable gifts we’ve been given and helping our friends and neighbors who benefit each year from the diocesan good works funded through our annual appeal.

Fr. Dan and Dc. John are asking all parishioners to contribute to this year’s HOPE Appeal. If we all give, we will easily meet St. Francis Xavier’s HOPE Appeal goal, which is our parish share of the support for HOPE Appeal-funded ministries, programs, and services.  If we exceed our target, 100 percent of the excess will be returned directly to our parish.  However, if we do not meet this goal, the shortfall will be taken from our general fund.

Thank you to everyone returning their HOPE Appeal pledge card this weekend!  If you are still prayerfully considering your HOPE pledge, you may bring your completed pledge card to Mass next weekend or drop it by the parish office.  You may also pledge your gift to our parish’s campaign online at www.syrdio.org.