The Cathedral Community

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The Very Rev. Kevin McKenna

It is axiomatic that what sells newspapers is bad news. We are all tired of the politics of personal destruction and would rather hear about reasonable solutions to problems rather than who is responsible for them. The real need is to have vision, to see the ways we have of making our world a better place in which to live, and to offer a positive vision of what we can do rather than simply whining and complaining about others.

God sent Jesus Christ to give us a vision, the courage to make our world become everything God dreamed could be when he created it in the first place. Jesus resolved to accomplish that purpose one life at a time.

Jesus cries out to us and tells us that a better world is within our reach... it's within our grasp. "The reign of God is at hand," he tells us. A better world begins when we begin to change our own personal life. "Reform your lives," he tells us, "and believe the Good News."

The call of Jesus to twelve individuals is not a call issued simply to twelve Jewish men over 2,000 years ago. It is an insistent call, an urgent call, a demanding call. We are sent to change the world, one life at a time, starting with ourselves. When you do in fact change your life to make it more like Christ, you will have begin to change the world.

Thought for the week: The greater the storm, the brighter the rainbow.

Smile for the week: When is it bad luck to have a black cat cross your path? When you are a mouse!

God bless! Have a wonderful week!  

Fr. Kevin McKenna

Ashes will be distributed during Masses at 6:30 am, 12:10 pm, and 5:20 pm. Ash Wednesday IS NOT a holy day of obligation. 

What does the church require of Catholics during Lent?

• Abstinence from meat - Those 14 years of age or oder must not eat meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent.
• Fasting - Those who are ages 18-59 are to eat one full meal and two smaller meals only and not to eat between meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Join our faith community - and more than 14,000 Catholic communities across the United States - in a life-changing lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family's CRS Rice Bowl the week of February 22 and 23. During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on the challenge of global hunger and how it affects our human family.

WEEKEND MASS TIMES

• Saturday : 4 pm
• Sunday : 7 am, 9:15 am, 11:15 am, 5 pm

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

• Monday***, Wednesday, Friday: 12:10 pm
• Tuesday, Thursday : 6:30 am

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH, PRESIDENTS DAY

• ***Monday, February 17th - One Mass at 9:00 am

 CONFESSIONS:

• Friday 4:45 - 5:15 pm
• Saturday 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Whats Coming Up : 

Public Policy Weekend, February 8th and 9th - Extended to February 15th and 16th - Oppose Physician Assisted Suicide (As Christians, we are called to reach out in love and compassion to those experiencing illness and suffering, not to abandon them during their time of need, and to offer our support, mercy, and assistance. Those experiencing suffering at the end of life should have full access to palliative care, which eases physical pain while honoring the value and dignity of the patient. During our upcoming Public Policy Weekend, please plan to sign the Diocesan-wide petition to our state elected officials, urging them to oppose physician assisted suicide and support the expansion of palliative care in New York. If you would prefer to sign the petition online, please go to www.dor.org.petition. 

Mardi Gras Baked Goodie Sale, February 22nd and 23rd. (We will be holding a baked food sale as a fundraiser for Joseph's Place. Donations of baked goods are needed for the weekend of February 22 and 23. The baked Goodies will be on sale after all Masses in the Narthex. Please bring your baked goods the day of the sale on Feb 22 and 23. Thank You.)

Enjoy a Night out for Joseph's Place, Monday, February 24th (Joseph's Place is hosing a Beer and Food pairing at WhichCraft Brewery in Webster on Monday, February 24th at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 and come with a variety of hors d' oeuvres, including multiple vegetarian options, and multiple beer pairing options. Wine and limited bar available for purchase. All profits on ticket sales will go directly towards outreach in our neighborhood through Joseph's Place. Tickets will be on sale after masses in the narthex on February 15th  and 16th, and February 22nd and 23rd, or in the Office, Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Bag Waste Reduction Law, March 1, 2020 (Starting March 1, 2020 a new bag waste reduction law will take place in New York State, where over 23 billion plastic bags are typically used each year. For more information go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/50034.html.

Day of Penance and Mercy, April 1, 2020 (Don't just go to confession. Celebrate the Sacrament! the Diocesan Day of Penance and Mercy is a wonderful opportunity to accept and embrace God's grace. Join us on Wednesday, April 1 for the day of Penance and Mercy. For details visit http://forgiven.dor.org

Announcements and inserts/flyers for our weekly bulletin must be submitted to the Church Office by NOON on Monday. (Inserts and flyers must receive prior approval before submission). E-mail submissions must be sent to [email protected] and [email protected]

Please note : Articles may be edited due to space constraints & inserts/flyers must be approved by staff. Thank you for your consideration of these policies.

Sunday announcements must be submitted to the office by Thursday at NOON.