Saturday Evening Vigil: 4:30 PM / Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM
Statement From Bishop Lucia
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.
Update to Covid Protocals 6/19/21
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.
St. Francis will no longer prerecord Sunday Mass.
Read MoreParishes are no longer required to pre-register for Mass as of 5/21/21
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
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.