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The Very Rev. Kevin McKenna
Some of the prophets were not very eager to be chosen. Jeremiah protested that he wasn't really equipped for the job. "I know not how to speak; I am too young" (Jer 1:6). Gideon thought there must be a mistake: "I am the most insignificant in my father's house" (Judges 6:15). But the most reluctant was Moses - or at least the Bible has a better record of his reluctance.
When God in the burning bush tells Moses he has come to rescue the Israelites from Egypt, Moses is all ears. This has been what everyone has been waiting for. But then God goes on: "Come now! I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt" (Exod 3:11). Then Moses began to backpedal. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exod 3:11). In a series of five exchanges, Moses racks his brain to come up with some excuse that will convince God to change his mind. But God has made his choice and is not going to change.
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a celebration of a stubborn God - who called his Son to mission and who stubbornly calls each one of us to mission and ministry. It is our call to make a difference.
How do we make a difference? The opportunities are endless.
Give of your time, give of your talents, and give of your resources to make a difference in other people's lives. It is the way of greatness. This is the way of God. Answer God's call.
Thought for the week: It is often the bend in the road that makes life really worth the drive.
Smile for the week: Why should you never trust atoms? They make up everything.
God bless! Have a wonderful week!
Fr. Kevin McKenna
In a recent apostolic letter, Pope Francis institute the "Sunday of the Word of God" for all dioceses and churches throughout the world. The Pope proclaimed "I hereby declare that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God."
In response to the invitation of Pope Francis, one of the ways our parish will observe the Sunday of the Word of God is with a special presentation by Dr. Joseph Kelly entitled "Hearing the Word of God." The 45-minute session will be offered twice, following the 4 pm Mass on Saturday January 25th and again, following the 9:15 am Mass on Sunday January 26th.
We Catholics believe that the Bible contains the Word of God. But what does that mean? What is a word? How does God speak to us through the Bible? How can we put God's Word into action? You are invited to take time in this new year to learn more about this important aspect of our faith.
At these sessions further opportunity for parish Scripture Study will be announced.
The 2019 contribution statements will be mailed no later than January 31, 2020. Please call the Cathedral Office at 254-3221 if you have any questions regarding your statement. Thank you.
A significant part of our pastoral plan, Embracing the Future with Hope, has been the implementation of quarterly community dinners. The community dinners serve two purposes. First, they provide an opportunity for our parishioners to extend the fellowship of the Eucharist in a concrete way by joining together in a shared meal. Second, they offer our neighborhood friends an opportunity to join our community by breaking bread and engaging in conversation. We know that many of our neighbors are nor of our Faith. However, we hope that by being welcoming we may hold our the possibility that someday they may join us at the Eucharistic table.
Please join us at the next community dinner. Invite a neighbor or friend who is not a member of our parish. The next dinner is February 9 after the 11:15 Mass. Watch the bulletin for further information.
WEEKEND MASS TIMES
WEEKDAY MASS TIMES
January 20, 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
There will be only one Mass at 9 am.
CONFESSIONS:
Whats Coming Up :
Joseph's Place Food Pantry open Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 from 1 pm - 3 pm (Josephs Place will be open from 1 - 3 pm on January 15th, which are the normal hours of operation for the third Wednesday of each month. Joseph's Place will be open on Wednesday January 15th, and Wednesday January 22nd, from 1pm - 3pm.)
End of Life Care Workshop, Saturday, January 18th from 2:15 - 3:45 pm (The annual Public Policy Weekend will be February 8th - 9th, 2020. This year, the state's bishops are asking Catholics to sign a petition opposing a bill to legalize physician assisted suicide in New York. To help reflect on this issue, the Cathedral Community will offer a 90 minute workshop on Saturday January 18th from 2:15 - 3:45 pm in the Cathedral Hall. We will have a theologian, two physicians, a hospice nurse, and a pastoral minister. We believe that this will be an extremely important and life affirming session. All are welcomed.)
March for Life Chartered Buses on January 24, 2020, Washington DC (Please see the bulletin for locations and contact information for departing buses!)
Father Bob's Funeral Planning second meeting, Tuesday January 28th, 2019 (Father Bob Kennedy has invited everyone back again on Tuesday, January 28th to review the progress of your own planning and to try to answer any questions that you may have. If you were unable to attend the first round, you can also come and we'll catch you up! Our session will take place on Tuesday, January 28th at 1:00 pm and will be repeated at 7:00 pm that same day. We will do a quick review of the first session, and make the handouts available to you. You will then be ready to join the conversation!)
Bakers Needed for Baked Food Sale Feb 1st and 2nd (We will be holding a baked food sale as a fundraiser for our St. Joseph's table. Donations of baked goods are needed for the weekend of February 1 and 2. These baked goods will be on sale after all the Masses in the Narthex. Please bring your baked goods the day of the sale on February 1 and 2. If you have any questions, please contact the Cathedral Office at 254-3221, x 104.)
Bentley Vega is a five-year old parishioner at the Cathedral who has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. He is in need of a bone marrow transplant. If interested in being a possible donor, please contact BeTheMatch.org. You should be between the ages of 18 - 39, taking no medications, have no heart condition, no past history of cancer, and no sugar diabetes. Please continue to keep Bentley and his family in your prayers.
If you have an interest in learning more about the issue of human trafficking or want to attempt making a positive impact in the Rochester area lease contact Deacon Mike at 585-633-0397 or [email protected]
As you know, Fr. Ed Salmon from McQuaid Jesuit High School has been assisting us at the Cathedral for the last several years. Due to some serious health challenges, he has been in rehab at a Jesuit facility in Massachusetts. Fr. Ed recently notified me that he has been assigned by his superior to continue in residence at the facility, and thus will not be returning to McQuaid nor to the Cathedral.
Fr. Ed will be deeply missed here at the Cathedral. His kindness, generous spirit, thought-provoking homilies and stories have endeared him to many of our parishioners. If you would like to write him, he can be reached at : Campion Center, 139 Concord Road, Weston, MA 02493
Please keep Fr. Salmon and his health in your prayers.
The Cathedral Community's Parish Goal ~ $ 79,113. We have Exceeded our Goal - 125.43%
Thank you to all who have made their pledge and for supporting our mission and for the success of exceeding our goal. We are very blessed and grateful. If you have not yet mailed in your CMA pledge, you can place your CMA pledge envelope in the collection basked or mail it directly to the Diocese of Rochester. Thank you.
Cathedral Library and Cafe Hours :
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Weekends - Before and After Mass or by appointment
All Are Welcome!!
Lots of Good Books!!!
Our Mission Statement
The Cathedral Community is a Roman Catholic parish of the Dioceses of Rochester that gathers and worships at Sacred Heart Cathedral. We are an ethnically, racially, and economically diverse community with unique gifts and challenges within an urban neighborhood.
Our mission is to reach out with hope to all in our community, neighborhood, and beyond, to proclaim the Gospel with joy and enthusiasm, and to prepare disciples who will go forth to serve God and others, especially the poor, with mercy and compassion.
Here's what we're doing to ensure that our children and vulnerable persons are safe:
DOR Creating A Safe Environment Information (click here)
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
1150 Buffalo Road
Rochester, New York 14624
