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Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador: Who is he and what can he teach us about spiritual freedom? We will meet from 7:00 - 8:15pm on Wednesday, January 13th.  Please RSVP to Meghan Robinson to receive the Zoom link for the meeting. In 1977, Oscar Romero was selected as Archbishop of San Salvador.  No one could have predicted that in three short years he would be renowned as the outstanding embodiment of the prophetic church, a "voice for the voiceless," or, as one theologian called him, "a gospel for El Salvador."  From once a timid and conventional cleric, there emerged a fearless and outspoken champion of justice.  Please click the title of this post to read more!

The House of Mercy serves hundreds of homeless men and women in the Rochester area each week.  Currently, because of social distancing many are forced out into the streets during the day. This causes many of our brothers and sisters in Christ to suffer frostbite and hypothermia.  With winter underway and the pandemic causing a greater need for the homeless, our Faith Formation and Outreach volunteers are teaming up to help.  We will be collecting socks and underwear (regular and thermal) throughout the month of January to help ease some of this burden. Collection boxes will be in the Narthex of each parish as well as a drive-thru donation drop off circle on Tuesday, January 26th starting at 6:00pm at St. Thomas More If you are looking for a completely contactless way to help the House of Mercy,  items of need can be found in the amazon wish list in the link below.  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WP217FET3G4R?&sort=default Thank you for your generosity during this difficult time!

Do you know a youth who is the Hands of Christ? Being recognized with the Hands of Christ Award is both an honor and a sign of leadership among parishes and peers in our Diocese. Please click the title of the post above to read more!

Pope Francis has announced a Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope. The decree said that Francis had established a Year of St. Joseph so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.” The pope explained in the letter, entitled Patris corde (“With a father’s heart”) and dated Dec. 8, that he wanted to share some “personal reflections” on the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “My desire to do so increased during these months of pandemic,” he said, noting that many people had made hidden sacrifices during the crisis in order to protect others. “Each of us can discover in Joseph -- the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence -- an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” he wrote. Patris corde highlights “the creative courage” of St. Joseph, which “emerges especially in the way we deal with difficulties.” “The carpenter of Nazareth,” explains the Pope, was able to turn a problem into a possibility by trusting in divine providence.” He had to deal with “the concrete problems” his Family faced, problems faced by other families in the world, and especially those of migrants. The Pope had granted special indulgences to mark the year.

A few people have been asking about time/place for the Mass tomorrow evening 12/31 and on 1/1.  The Mass for 12/31 will be at 5:30 at OLQP.  The one on 1/1 will be at STM at 9am. Please note that the 12/31 Mass will be livestreamed.  Once again, these Masses for the Solemnity of Mary are not Holy Days of Obligation because of the pandemic dispensation. May this New Year bring us good health, wonderful surprises and a deepening of our faith.   Blessings, OLQP/STM staff