With prayers and best wishes to Deacon Jeff!

May God’s blessings be upon you as you begin your new ministry.

Click here to read the article from the Catholic Sun.

The Permanent Diaconate

Dear Parish Family,
On Saturday, May 11, Jeff Dixe was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate; this is the same office as Deacon John has. To be Ordained a Deacon is to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders: there are three distinct offices within Holy Orders, to become a Deacon, to become a Priest, to become a Bishop. Even though there are three offices, there is only one Sacrament. Within the office of Deacon there are two distinct types. One can be Ordained a permanent Deacon, as Jeff and John are: a permanent Deacon will remain within this office. One can be Ordained a transitional Deacon, which means that one will then be Ordained to the office of Priesthood. The word Deacon means servant, and much more. It includes the concept of Mission and companion within the Ordained Ministries of the Church. A Deacon (both permanent and transitional) has the responsibilities to proclaim the Gospel at Mass to preach; to officiate at Weddings and to perform Baptisms; a Deacon may also perform Wake Services and bury the dead. Implied in the Office of Deacon is to help the faithful better understand the Faith and assist in the Church’s ministry of Charity. Congratulations Jeff, and welcome to the fraternity of the ordained Ministers of the Church.
God bless, Fr. Dan

Let the Children Come…

Dear Parish Family,
As you can see, we had two Baptisms last week and we have five more scheduled before the beginning of June; Baptisms are a great joy and a sign that our parish is healthy and growing. Thank you to all you parents who bring your children to celebrate the Eucharist with us; they are a delight and joy and remind us of how wonderful a gift children really are.

There is a quote (and I don’t remember where it is from): “A parish that isn’t crying is dying” It is great to hear the children, even if they cry, wiggle, or walk around. Parents never be concerned that your child is making too much noise, or is a distraction: they ARE NOT. Children are supposed to be children. When the children see you at Mass, they will feel comfortable in Church; it is their parish home and we are their parish family.

To quote one of my favorite Scripture passages: “And the people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them, blessed them, placing his hands on them.”   Mark 10: 13-15
God bless, Fr. Dan

Please check out the website of the NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS:

www.eucharisticcongress.org

More than CONGRESS, there is information on REVIVAL and PILGRIMAGES.

Revival– Jesus calls us deeper!

Congress – First in 83 yrs!

July 17-21, 2024 at

Lucas Oil Stadium- Indianapolis, IN

Pilgrimages – May 17-July 16, 2024

Four Unique Routes!

Help save lives in Syracuse by joining in prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil for an end to abortion. God is doing great things in Syracuse and calls us to be present at the Planned Parenthood abortion center to be a sign of Hope and a source of help to pregnant women in need! No experience is necessary, just a heart full of compassion for moms and their little ones. Call Jeanie 315.956.7772 or email syracuse40daysforlife@gmail.com with questions or to sign up for your hour of prayer!

Webinar Recording:

“What’s Next for our Listening Church?”

This webinar was recorded live on November 3, 2023.

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.

Spiritual Freedom
Dear parish family, Some of the best advice I ever received was from my wise, holy spiritual director when I was 25 years old. In one of our conversations he said to me: “Daniel, we have a Messiah, and you are not Him.” Perhaps you have heard the story of Pope John XII, who is supposed to have said at the end of a long day: Lord, I am tired and going to bed. It is Your Church, You take care of it until morning.” Another expression that you may have heard (I do not know from whom this came) “Tell the Lord all of your plans, then sit back quietly and listen to Him laugh.” None of these are meant to suggest that we should not plan and prepare and do the best that we can with the gifts and talents that God has given us; but they do remind us that ultimately God is in charge: God is the Creator, only God can redeem us; only God has total freedom and absolute knowledge. This Spiritual Freedom enables us to be truly free; to not be overly anxious or worried about what will be. God expects us to work with Him in the proclamation of His Kingdom, but it is His Kingdom, not ours. He has given us all that we need: Jesus, our Redeemer; the Holy Spirit to teach, help and sanctify us; the Scripture, the Church and Sacraments and a long history of wise and faithful people who remind us to trust God. Two of my favorite prayers that remind me to trust God are: “The Prayer of Abandonment”: by St. Charles de Foucauld and the ” Take Lord Receive Prayer” by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Of course there is St. Faustina’s brief exhortation “Jesus, I trust in You.” This sense of Spiritual Freedom is truly liberation and removes much of the burden of worry and anxiety. Try these prayers; offer all to God and surrender freely to His Divine will. Try it, you will like it. God Bless, Fr. Dan

Christian Unity

Dear parish family,

This past week, January 18-25, was the week of prayer for Christian unity. Jesus Himself prayed for the unity of His Church: “that all may be one, as you, Father are in me, and I in you; I pray that they may be one is us, that the world may believe that you sent me” (Jn 17:21). This unity, although not yet fully achieved, is still the prayer of Jesus and His Church. In the Documents of Vatican II, “The Decree on Ecumenism” the Church reiterates the hope and work necessary for Christian unity. This is based in Scripture and calls for no judgments and open honest dialogue, and cooperation in carrying out the Christian ministry for the common good of humanity and calls for common prayer (where permitted). As Christians, we share one Baptism by water and the invocation of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Marcellus, we have an Ecumenical committee, made up of members from the four Churches in our community: the United Methodist Church, The Presbyterian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. In addition to our joint prayer activities: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, we have a Thanksgiving Celebration and work together on social issues such as the Ecumenical Food bank. The pastors of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Catholic Churches meet regularly to assist one another in our ministries and promote open dialogue and Christian action. We, the pastors, are preparing a joint statement of the necessity of peace to promote the inherent dignity of human life. We continue to echo the Lord’s prayer that we may all be one and work together to achieve His goal. Please consider supporting the Ecumenical actives of the Marcellus community
God Bless, Fr. Dan