The Youth Rally and Mass for Life will be an online only event on January 29, 2021. The Youth Rally and Mass for Life occurs each year in conjunction with the annual National March for Life held on (or near) the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision making abortion legal in this country. The Rally strives to encourage the youth participating in the national March for Life in their witness as disciples of Christ and promoters of the Gospel of Life. It is the largest annual archdiocesan event, which in many ways has grown to become a national (even international) event with pilgrims traveling from as far away as the US Virgin Islands and Australia. Join us in prayer that as a nation, we may stop wandering in the wilderness of the culture of death and may enter into “life in abundance” (Jn 10:10) through our faith in Jesus Christ and our proclamation of the Gospel of Life! You can register here: https://youthrallyandmassforlife.org

This evening we discovered some technical issues regarding Saturday evening's live-stream and they have been rectified.  The weekend Mass is now available to stream on Facebook and YouTube.  We apologize for the inconvenience!

Packets regarding the Confirmation requirements for Immediate preparation have been mailed out.  If this packet has not come to your mail this week, please contact the Faith Formation office so we can be sure that you have all the necessary paperwork regarding sponsors, saint name, Baptismal certificate, retreat date, community service reflections and interview questions. If you are enrolled in Catholic School, this pertains to you as well. So be sure to contact Jennifer.Abdalla@dor.org if you have not received this information. ​​​​​​​ All completed forms are due by March 20, 2021 in order for you to be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY WEEKEND February 13/14, 2021 Advocacy Issue: Funding for NOURISH NEW YORK initiative The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard. In particular, the pandemic has focused a spotlight on two vulnerable groups in New York State: farmers and our neighbors who are food insecure – many are newly hungry due to job losses caused by the pandemic. The Diocesan Public Policy Committee invites us to join in helping both on Diocesan Public Policy Advocacy Weekend (February 13/14) by calling on state leaders to allocate $50 million to continue the NOURISH NEW YORK initiative during state fiscal year 2021-2022. Please click the title of the post above to read more.

We will be unable to stream our usual Saturday evening weekend Mass tonight due to a power outage in Brighton. We are planning on recording on Sunday morning if power has been restored.

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.