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The Very Rev. Kevin McKenna
It was very exciting. The people who heard John the Baptist could feel the dynamism of his words. More than that, they were told that they would not just be witnesses to the things that were about to happen. They would be an intimate part of these events. Not the so-called religious elite of their day, not the Pharisees and scribes and Temple priests, but they, everyday people, were entrusted with the message that the world was being renewed, the message that a Savior was coming.
The night lengthens and its shadows grow colder. Winter is upon us, and everything that makes up our day-to-day existence becomes just a little harder and a little more expensive to accomplish. Homes have to be heated and snow removed. Errands are a bit more stressful and inconvenient.
All that we see of this world is like the reverse side of a great tapestry --- a mess of strings and bumps and knots that make no sense. But flit it and you can see it all has a purpose. One of our Maplewood neighborhood residents recently reflected on the crimes in our area: "I just have faith, she said, because the people around me are... kind and they are good.
We as a parish can begin to make a difference by praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit this Christmas, through whom each of us can find our own way to Bethlehem, the new starting point of our personal and communal history --- in a cave, in a manger, in the fact of a baby who is the great "I AM". It will not make the winter go away tomorrow, create jobs, or bring about instant peace in our world or in our neighborhood, or bring instant justice throughout the world. These are things that we do not see, but hope for, because of the faith which has the power to make us love.
Thought for the week: "Kites rise high against the wind, not with it"(WInston Churchill).
Smile for the week: What kind of a place should you never take your dog? A flea market.
God bless! Have a wonderful week!
Fr. Kevin McKenna
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.
WEEKEND MASS TIMES
WEEKDAY MASS TIMES
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Christmas Eve Masses : 4:00 pm and Midnight Mass
Christmas Day Masses : 7:00 am and 11:15 am
There will be no 9:15 am or 5:00 pm Mass on Christmas Day
NEW YEAR'S MASS SCHEDULE
New Year's Eve Mass (December 31) 4:00 pm
New Year's Day Mass (January 1) 9:00 am
CONFESSIONS:
Whats Coming Up :
ADVENT SEASON IS HERE
Advent Taize Prayer 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm December 21 (Join us this coming Saturday for this beautiful and peaceful experience using the music of the Taize Community)
Advent Giving Tree beginning November 30 / December 1 weekend (The Social Ministry Committee is sponsoring the Advent Giving Tree. Families will be referred by Catholic Family Center. The tree will be placed in the narthex the first weekend of Advent Nov 30 / Dec 1. Please follow these directions: Choose a tag; Purchase the suggested item; Return the UNWRAPPED gift to the Advent Tree by Sunday, December 15 or the Cathedral Office by December 15 at 1:00 pm. Catholic Family Center suggests $25 Wal-Mart gift cards for each adult in the household. We are no longer provided with the names of the individuals due to confidentiality regulations.)
The Food Pantry at Joseph's Place Open Wednesday December 18th, 2019 (Hours for December 18th will be from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, which are the regular hours for the third Wednesday of the month. Note: This will be the final Wednesday for the month of December that the Food Pantry at Joseph's Place will be open due to the Christmas Holiday.)
A wonderful afternoon enjoying classic Advent and Celtic music... and, a special time to prepare for the birth of Christ. Join us!!! The Dady Family and Friends !!! (John and Carol Dady, Rose Davis, Lynda Dimitroff, Susie Kieran, Ginny Miller, John Moonan, Kinloch Nelson, John Michael Ryan).... at 3;00 pm Sunday, December 15th, 2019 in Webster at the Holy Trinity Church (1460 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580). Free will offerings will be gratefully accepted!
As you are aware, the CMA has begun. To date, we have received 96.67% of our goal of $79,113. Thank you to all who have made their pledge and for supporting our mission. Please pray for the success of reaching our goal. Thank you ALL so very much!!!
I would like to thank all those who made this event a success. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. We had between 60 - 70 people in attendance. We raffled 4 gift baskets, gave out over 120 candy canes, and the kids painted 60 ornaments. Our guests also enjoyed taking pictures with Santa. I can't thank you all enough for your hard work. You put smiles on many faces. Happy Holidays and God Bless You All..
Louis Viera Jr.
One of our responsibilities as a follower of Jesus Christ is to study and learn more about him each day. As followers of Jesus we are also called to study the "signs of the times" that we might promote Gospel values and our Christian Faith within the culture and community in which we live, which also requires us to study and educate ourselves about issues that concern the common good. With this in mind, we have opened the "Cathedral Library and Cafe" in the former Gift and Book Shop. The hours for the Library and Cafe are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, and before and after each weekend Mass, or by appointment. Coffee is available as well! All Are Welcome!
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
