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.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the tragic event of 9/11.
We would like to pay tribute to this tragic day with a display of American Flags “all over our yard” in front of the church.  Our young adults heading to the National Catholic Youth Conference in November are sponsoring this fundraiser to recognize and remember 9/11.

Donation: $10.00 to sponsor a flag.

Please click here for more info and to access the order form.

Bishop Lucia stated in his August 21st column: A reminder that although the leadership of the Catholic Church has voiced its concern over the potential use of cells from aborted fetuses, both Pope Francis and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with other Bishops’ Conferences, have maintained that it is, “morally permissible” to be vaccinated due to the severe public health risk and as a means to protect the vulnerable, i.e, children and adults with pre-existing health conditions. With this in mind, as Diocesan Bishop, I will not give a religious exemption to vaccination. However, I do hold the personal freedom of the individual to determine whether they receive or do not receive the immunization.

Letter from Bishop Lucia Regarding Hyde Amendment

There has been some erroneous reporting regarding a document about the Eucharist being discussed at the June meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Here is a statement from Bishop Lucia addressing the issue.

On June 15, COVID-19 restrictions were lifted throughout New York State. Bishop Lucia therefore wishes to inform you that most restrictions placed on houses of worship in the Diocese of Syracuse are now lifted.

Of particular importance, please note the following:

• Masks for those who are fully vaccinated continue to be optional. Parishioners are not to be asked their vaccination status or for proof of vaccination. NYS and CDC regulations continue to maintain the wearing of masks, social distancing practices, etc. for some individuals in certain circumstances: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html.

• There are no social distancing requirements, although we recommend that there still be space allotted in the church for those who wish to remain distanced

• There are no capacity restrictions and no gathering limits, except at indoor venues that hold more than 5,000.

• Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under the form of bread only. There are to be no common or shared Communion chalices. At concelebrated Masses, the manner of reception by the priest continues to be by intinction.

• All Communion vessels should be properly cleaned after Mass with hot, soapy water (after being purified according to the rubrics).

• The Sign of Peace is optional and there still should be no physical contact.

• Holy Water fonts may be filled; however, we encourage you to change the water and clean the fonts on a weekly basis.

• Although frequent sanitation is no longer required, the practice of sanitizing once per day should be maintained.

• Hand sanitizer should continue to be available at all church entrances and in the Sanctuary where it can be easily used by celebrants, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and others serving or attending Mass.

• Festivals and other parish events may resume.

As you know, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses was lifted on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Sunday, June 6. It should be noted as well that anyone who is frail or at risk due to advanced age or medical conditions is always excused from this obligation. Caregivers, too, may have to use prudential judgment about attendance at Mass, carefully considering the risk factors involved.

You may view the Syracuse Diocese Mass online:

https://www.youtube.com/user/syrdio