Important Information Regarding Covid Protocals 05/21/21
Letter from Bishop Lucia to our Diocesan Family
Update to The Celebration of the Sacraments in Time of Pandemic
Saturday Evening Vigil: 4:30 PM / Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM
Abortion Survivors Protection Act and Hyde Amendment
Washington, D.C. – Support the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 619) has again been introduced in Congress to protect infants born-alive during an abortion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging us to contact our representatives in Congress to sign a petition to discharge the bill from the Committee so that it can receive a vote on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would provide specific protections nationwide to infants born-alive during an abortion. Please click here for more information and please click here to take action now and contact your representative.
Washington, D.C. – Support the Hyde Amendment and Oppose Taxpayer Funding for Abortions
Since 1976, whether Congress and the White House were led by Democrat or Republicans, the Hyde amendment and similar laws have protected federal taxpayers from being forced to pay for elective abortions. The majority of Americans agree with the Hyde amendment and oppose taxpayer funding for abortions. However, powerful members of Congress now want to take away the Hyde amendment and similar laws that both Democrats and Republicans have supported for nearly half a century to prevent federal taxpayers from paying for elective abortions. The USCCB is encouraging us to sign an online petition in support of the Hyde Amendment to oppose federal taxpayers from funding elective abortions. Click here to take action and sign the online petition.
Equality Act
Please see the information below, paraphrased from an action alert from the NCHLA (the lobbying arm of the US Bishops).
As Catholics, we believe that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and that all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, free from unjust discrimination. We also believe that we are created male and female, made for one another. This bodily reality is not discriminatory!
On February 25, 2021, the US House of Representatives passed the harmless sounding Equality Act. The legislation now moves to the US Senate. The Equality Act needs to be opposed. Instead of respecting differences in beliefs about marriage and sexuality, the Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith.
The Equality Act would:
- punish faith-based organizations, such as charities and schools who serve everyone in their communities, simply because of their beliefs;
- risk mandating taxpayers to fund abortions;
- force people in everyday life, and especially health care workers, to support gender transition;
- expand what the government considers a “public” place, forcing even some parish halls to host functions that conflict with Catholic beliefs;
- force girls and women to compete against boys and men for limited opportunities in sports, share locker rooms and shower spaces with biological males who identify as women.
Act now to oppose the Equality Act to protect churches and schools, Catholic Charities, the unborn, Catholic health care workers, our religious freedom, the safety of single sex schools, colleges, dorms, etc and females in women’s sports! This is a far reaching, extreme act which will have disastrous implications for people of faith.
Click here to oppose this legislation.
Click here for additional information and resources from the USCCB.
Click here to view an excellent webinar on the Equality Act, sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York.
April 17 & 18 Scheduling Note
Confirmation Masses are Saturday, April 17th at 1:00 and 4:30. Due to limited seating, these Masses will be livestreamed. See link under events.
To accommodate our parishioners for that weekend, we added a 12:15 PM Mass on Sunday, April 18th.
Publication Notice – Syracuse Diocese Chapter 11
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, New York
Case No. 20-30663
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT on June 19, 2020, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, New York, (“Diocese“) filed for protection under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code“).
The Bankruptcy Court has established April 15, 2021 at 11:59p.m. (prevailing Eastern time) as the deadline to file proofs of claim against the Diocese (the “Bar Date“).
If you have a claim against the Diocese including, without limitation, a claim related to sexual abuse committed by any person connected with the Diocese, you must file a claim on or before the Bar Date with Stretto, the appointed Claims Agent.
Please visit https://case.stretto.com/dioceseofsyracuse or call (855) 329-4244 for more information on how to file your proof of claim.
IF YOU DO NOT TIMELY FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM, YOU MAY FORFEIT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON ANY PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND TO SHARE IN ANY FUTURE DISTRIBUTIONS TO CREDITORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DIOCESE’S CHAPTER 11 CASE.
Bishop Lucia’s Pastoral Letter: In the Name of Jesus
Read MoreLenten Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence
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.
Lenten Family Activities!
Read MoreAsh Wednesday – February 17th
Lenten Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence
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.
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In keeping with the various health and safety precautions in place for the celebration of the sacraments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the distribution of Ashes will take place in the Diocese of Syracuse this year by way of the Roman custom, which entails sprinkling them on the crown of the head.
Catechesis: Why are ashes being distributed “differently” during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The purpose of the “different” manner of distributing ashes this year is to ensure the health and safety of all who wish to receive them on Ash Wednesday. The measures being taken are similar to the precautions currently in place for the reception of Holy Communion and the conferral of the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick. Ultimately, they are meant to limit contact and the potential exchange of droplets/aerosols.
Since blessed ashes are typically traced in the form of a cross on the foreheads of those who receive them in the United States, the manner in which they will be distributed this year may seem “different” to some. However, in many parts of the world, including Italy, blessed ashes are typically sprinkled on the heads of those who receive them. In fact, this is how our Holy Father, Pope Francis, receives his ashes! The Roman Missal instruction for the distribution of ashes actually says: “The Priest places ashes on the head of all those present.” Moreover, in the first reading proclaimed at Mass the Lord says, “Return to me with your whole heart…Rend your hearts, not your garments and return” (Joel 2: 12-13). Therefore, a “different” reception of ashes for some is an occasion for all to begin and maintain Lent as a season not of outward appearances, but of renewal in matters of the heart – faith, hope, and love – through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving done before the Father who sees in secret and repays (Matt 6:1-6, 16-18).
Ash Wednesday Mass / Service Times at St. Francis:
Ashes will be distributed at both Masses and the noon Service.
6:45am– Mass
Noon– Service only
6:00pm– Mass
Please sign up on the online signup sheet under events
Prayer to St. Joseph
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
–from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter