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.

It seems difficult to believe, but this Wednesday is September 1. With September we find Labor Day, the traditional end of Summer, and for many this means back to school. With the end of summer, we usually return to schedules and a routine. I would like to suggest that we take the time to look at our schedules in respect to our prayer and spiritual life. Schedule time to pray each day and take time with the Scriptures; perhaps pray the Rosary. Pray before meals as a family and with children before their bedtime. Revisit your family schedule about Mass attendance and the sacrament of Confession. As we all get back to a schedule in the midst of our busy lives, please let us not forget to give God quality time in our lives and the lives of our families.
God Bless,
Fr. Dan

Letter from Bishop Lucia Regarding Hyde Amendment

THE JOY AND BEAUTY OF INNOCENCE
This past week in my homily, I reflected on the line from “Brother Sun Sister Moon”. In our preoccupation with original sin, we too often forget original innocence. We believe in our faith that Jesus Christ has restored the innocence that was lost by sin. Sin is the destruction of relationships: relationships between us and God, between each other, us and the natural order and us from our most authentic selves in God’s Divine Image and Likeness. Jesus is the way back to that innocence.
I believe we get a glimpse of this innocence in small children. Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes Mt. 5:8 “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God” and again in Mt. 18:10 (when speaking of children) “… their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” If only we could all become again like little children in our relationship with our God and Father.
I would like to share two particular examples of this innocence. Years ago when a new altar server was serving for the first time (he was not yet tall enough for his feet to reach the floor when he was sitting, so naturally he was swinging his feet) when I sat down next to him after the homily, he looked at me and said: “You mean to tell me Jesus is God! You learn something new each day.”
Another time a young child was being shown the manger at Christmas time and he asked: “Father you have Jesus here and we have Jesus at home, where is the real Jesus?” I told him that Jesus was in Church and in his heart. He put his hands on his hips and said: “Good night Jesus, wherever you are.”
One more example, a young child asked me where I lived and I pointed out the Rectory. His sister then said she knew Jesus was here because of the statue. I told them about the Sanctuary Candle and then took them up front and opened the Tabernacle so they could see where Jesus was. The four year old then asked: “How does Jesus get groceries?” (Very real, honest and practical) I told him that He sends one of His angels for them. The boy was happy with and agreed with my answer.
God bless and remember: Unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
-Fr. Dan

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

Last Sunday I had the great honor, and very moving experience of being at the first Mass of one of our newly Ordained Priests:  Rev. Dennis Walker.  I taught Dennis at Bishop Ludden and still remember him as a student in my class.  It was fitting that his first Mass was on the feast of Corpus Christi.  As Deacon John reminded us in his excellent homily about the Eucharist, the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ (we refer to this Dogma as the Real Presence).  The Eucharist is the heart and soul of who we are as Catholics.  It connects us with our past, gives meaning to our present and moves us into the future.  Without the Eucharist  we have no Catholic Church.  I was reminded of this again at  Fr.. Dennis’ first Mass because without priests there simply is no Eucharist and no Catholic Church.  This year (and especially this week here at St. Francis Xavier) our Church has been praying for vocations.  While all vocations are necessary for the spiritual life and health of the Church:  deacons, consecrated men and women, married couples and lay ministers; the priesthood is necessary for the gift of the Eucharist.  Please continue to pray for ALL vocations and make a special prayer for more men to answer the call of the Holy Spirit to priesthood.

God bless you and please pray for me.

-Fr. Dan

Letter from Bishop Lucia to our Diocesan Family

Update to The Celebration of the Sacraments in Time of Pandemic