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.

Days of Abstinence: No meat can be eaten on Ash Wednesday and all of the Fridays during Lent. This applies to all Catholics 14 and older.

Days to Fast: Only one full meal is permitted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for Catholics between 18 and 59. Two smaller meals are permitted, but the small meals should not equal a second full meal. Drinking coffee, tea and water between meals is allowed. Snacks between meals are not allowed.

One is not bound to fast if health or the ability to work is affected.

The Diocese of Syracuse will no longer mandate that masks be worn in diocesan churches and offices, effective February 10. Although not mandated, the faithful are more than welcome to wear masks out of concern for the health and safety of others.

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.

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

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.