This weather has been hot! According to statistics, we haven’t had this many consecutive hot days in almost ten years. Grass is yellow and plants are scorched. We are looking forward to rain … and lots of it. Seeds and plants need extra care and attention.
This week’s Gospel is one of my favorites. It is such a simple thought process and so relatable.
"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit, a hundred- or sixty- or thirty-fold. Whoever has ears ought to hear" (Matt 13:3-9).
Many people today are like the rocky ground – the seed sown on the unplowed path. They refuse to accept the message, have no thought for their future, and are content to end after their few years of hardship on this earth.
There are others who see the truth of the gospel, but when it comes to making sacrifices for it, they give up. The message did not sink into their hearts and minds. They are like the seed that fell among the thorns. They accepted the faith and it took root in them, but later on, "the cares of the world and the delight in riches chokes the word and it proves unfruitful,"— these are the Lord's own words.
Many, though, are like the seed sown on good soil. They accept Christ and his teaching . . . and live up to it. No matter what may come, they are faithful to it. They will produce fruit and will earn for themselves eternal happiness.
Each one of us can look into their own conscience and discover which “seed” we are. Will we sit in the hot sun, parched and unknowing, or dry up among the thorns after giving up? Or will we lovingly water the seeds on good soil and live out Christ’s message with those around us?
Portions adapted from websites
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St Vincent’s Annual 126th St Anne’s Novena will be held in a modified version for 2020. Dates: July 24 @ 7:00pm; July 25@ 4:00pm; July 26 @ 7:00pm. Each day includes Mass, special prayers, and the Rosary will be recited on Sunday evening. No healing mass this year due to Covid restrictions. CDC restrictions will be enforced. Bring a mask to wear. Church is air conditioned. Call Ann (315) 478-7664 to make a reservation. Let’s pray for peace , those we’ve lost, and an end to this pandemic in our world!
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Golf Tournament - Due to the Covid-19 this year’s tournament scheduled for May 31st has been changed to August 23 at Westvale Golf Course. A Steak dinner is being planned to follow the Tournament. Watch for further details.
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Saturday, July 11
Angelo and Rose Taddeo – George and Julia Taddeo
Sunday, July 12
People of the Parish
Sam and Amelia Vaccaro and Mary Ann V. Byam – Family
K. Joseph and Suzanne Manion – Chris Weidman
Monday, July 13
Anita Paul – Bob and Roswitha Leonardo
Tuesday, July 14
Joseph Domachouske – Ann Roach
Wednesday, July 15
Thomas Driscoll – Andrea Polcaro
Thursday, July 16
Dolores Spadafora – Gloria and Joe Falcone
Friday, July 17
Michael Griffin – Wife Mary and Family
Saturday, July 18
Steve Angelaro – Karen Moro
Sunday, July 19
People of the Parish
Molly Corsello – Terri and Marissa Yackel
Kathryn M. Scaife – Chris Weidman
Sanctuary Lamps
In memory of Sam and Amelia Vaccaro, and Mary Ann V. Byam
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Prayer Requests
We pray for Sr. Natalie Slake, Carmella Sweeney, Lynne Recore, John Fortino, Elizabeth Walrath, Jean Suits, Patrick Brewer, Yang Juan, Terri Close, Jill Danial, Mary Griffin, Cole Malone, Elizabeth Gilbert, John Laura, Susan Moro Campbell, Missy DiPaulo Angotti, Carolyn Armstrong, Mary Linehan, Mary Extale, Mary Gersbacher, Mary Ingalls, Rita Bross, Marlene Brush, Roslyn Antonacci, John Gersbacher, and Grace McNamara.
Pastoral Visits
Are you, or do you know of a family member, friend, or neighbor who may be in a nursing home, a short-term facility for rehab, hospital or homebound, who would like a pastoral visit and bring Communion and the Sacrament of Anointing? Because of federal HIPPA regulations, we have no means of knowing if you are in any of the above situations UNLESS you notify us. Contact the rectory at 315.437.3394 and we will be pleased to make a visit.
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The Tenth Hour
THIS EVENT WILL BE 100% OUTDOORS! Please join Bishop Lucia for his annual vocation picnic on Wednesday, August 5 from 4pm to 8pm at Christ the King Retreat House in Syracuse. The Tenth Hour is an evening of dinner, conversation, prayer, and discernment with our bishops, priests, seminarians, and religious sisters from the Diocese of Syracuse. You must register for this event before Monday, August 3. All pastors and their youth and young adult ministers are welcome to attend with their young people. This event is co-ed and is intended for young people between the ages of 14 and 19 years old. Register by contacting Elizabeth Garn at vocations@syrdio.org or by visiting our official Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/542774699751240/.
From the Diocesan Office of Family Life
Please continue to pray for, learn about, and act on behalf of the gift of life! We are preparing a series entitled
Be Not Afraid
to educate adults about having civil conversations regarding challenging life issues. We plan to begin offering this series during Respect Life month in October. More information to follow. Thank you and God bless!
Job Opportunity
Position: Hospital Chaplain ; Summary: Looking for a hospital chaplain to work 20 hours a week to support the Wilson and Binghamton General Hospitals. Hospital chaplain will provide spiritual and pastoral support to facility residents, families and staff, acknowledging and respecting their beliefs, culture and values. Interested candidates should apply directly on Diocese of Syracuse website or send a resume to
mbirardi@syrdio.org
.
Feast Days
Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha: July 14th, 2020 is the Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, first North American Indian to be canonized a Saint! Feast of St. Bonaventure: July 15th, 2020 is the Feast of St. Bonaventure!
Fostering the Next Generation of Organists
The Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is offering the Greg Keefe Memorial Scholarship, for young pianists who may be interested in becoming organists. If you know of a talented young pianist, or a young fan of the Pipe Organ, please contact Mrs. Deborah Cunningham for more information, or for a scholarship application: cunning@twcny.rr.com
Behind the Veil: A Virtual Tour of Convent Life
Calling all female discerners from the Diocese of Syracuse! Please take advantage of this special opportunity offered through Vocation Ministry! On July 18, they will have 6 incredible communities participating, each having 45 minutes to give female discerners a behind the scenes look at religious life and then 10 minutes of Q & A. Please register on this link https://bit.ly/2Yy7ajc, and you will receive an email with the zoom info and more information. Only those who are registered will be allowed into the zoom event. This will be an amazing opportunity! Please share with any female discerners that you know.
Formation for Ministry
Virtual Information Session, Wednesday, August 5, 6:30-7:30 pm. Are you or is someone you know thinking about Formation for Ministry or the Diaconate? The Offices of Formation for Ministry and Deacon Formation are offering a virtual information session Wednesday, August 5, at 6:30 pm. This session will include an overview of the two-year Formation for Ministry program leading to commissioning as a lay ecclesial minister and an overview of the process for becoming a deacon. Time for questions will also be included. Formation for Ministry is a prerequisite for becoming a deacon. Register at:
https://bit.ly/DFFFMInfo or call 315-470-1491
.
Guidelines from the Diocese of Syracuse
All the faithful of the Diocese of Syracuse remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation until further notice. If you are sick or symptomatic, please do not attend Mass.
Those who are vulnerable (i.e. sixty-five years of age or older, with underlying health conditions, with immune deficiencies) should stay home and continue to watch virtual Masses.
Contact information for every person attending is required. Register at parish offices to attend Mass. If you are planning to attend Mass, please ensure that everyone attending has a mask and hand sanitizer available for your use. Keep your face mask on during the entire Mass.
There will be only one door to enter the church where you will meet an usher. They will check your name, your temperature and will show you (and your group) where to sit. Drop your collection into the collection basket/box with the ushers.
All those who receive Holy Communion will walk into the central aisle to receive it. Please be aware of the six feet mark on the floor to keep social distance. All who walk to receive Holy Communion need to keep their face mask on. When receiving communion; hand sanitize, step aside to lower mask to consume Eucharist, replace mask to return to your pew. After receiving, return to your pew using side aisle.
The greeter will hand you the bulletin (or any other literature) for you to have. Please take them home. Do not leave in church. At the end of the Mass, you may exit any door in the church.
Before and/or after Mass, crowding and socializing are discouraged. No shaking hands or hugging during the sign of peace. Avoid gatherings in the church or the parking lot.
If you have any questions, please contact Parish Offices by phone - Blessed Sacrament: 315.437.3394 or e-mail: bsc3127james@gmail.com. St. Vincent: 315.479.6689 or e-mail: stvincentsyr@syrdio.org
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The 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11; Responsorial Psalm: 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14; Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:1-23 or 13:1-9
Reflection: The word of God proclaimed to people is compared to the seeds falling or sown in the ground. It has the power to transform people’s lives where the soil is favorable, where the soils are rich to nurture the seed. Where the land is fertile and fruitful and watered the seeds will give much good harvest. As the word of God is proclaimed to people, it lands in various kinds of grounds. In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of different kinds of ground where the seeds fell. Seeds, which fell on the path or on rocky ground or among the thorns, ended up dying. They could not survive. Only those, which fell on rich soil, ended up producing fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Paul in the Second reading writes: “ I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” Paul is ready to bear all kinds suffering in the present life since he knows and believes in the value, which comes in the glory of God. Paul is a rich a soil, which has received the word of God and allows it to prosper in him. With all the suffering Jesus received in his life, he never forsook his relationship with his Father. He was the good seed and the good soil. We are called to fertilize our souls so as to allow the word of God to deepen its roots in us and make us stand firm even in the times of tribulations. Amen.
Fr. Severine
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St. Vincent's
Daily Mass in the Chapel this week will be held on Monday through Wednesday:
Saturday, 4:00pm Arlene Rainone, req. by the Altar Rosary Society
Sunday, 9:30am Richard Pontius, req. by the Legion of Mary
Monday, 12:00pm Judith A Hoppe, req. by Jane Caltabiano
Tuesday, 12:00pm Corey R Stone, req. by the Adamitis family
Wednesday, 12:00pm Michael & Cynthia Garvey, req. by Madeline Duda
Saturday, 4:00pm Mafalda & Joseph D’Amore, req. by their family
Sunday, 9:30am Thomas & Leo Regin, req. by friends and family
WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE SPIRITUAL COMFORT AND RESTORATION OF HEALTH FOR: Kim Harrington (granddaughter of John and Joanne Harrington), Sandra Betts, Desiree Landers, Nate Wagner, Madeline Duda, Marilynn Bause, sister of Lauren Brooks, Suzanne Thompson (sister of Bill Winchell), Judy D’Amore, Martin Griffin, Anne Marie Drury, Fred Sniper, Carm Fitzgerald, Tony Caruso, and Mary Colosimo. (These prayer requests will remain for one month on the list and for them to continue or to be removed, or to add a new name, please contact the rectory.)
Monday July 20, at 6:30pm, we are happy to let you know that Bishop Douglas Lucia will ordain our deacon candidates, Aleu Tong, Peter Lual, and Tom Murphy to Permanent Deacons at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Attendance is by invitation only because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Let us pray for them.
50/50
Remember for just $5.00 you could be the next winner. The 50/50 tickets may be mailed to the Rectory. The next drawing will be Sunday, July 26
th
after 9:30am Mass.
C
ontact Bob James at 315-471-0818 with any questions. Thanks to all who continue to support our Youth Programs.
Catholic Humor
A teacher was testing the children
in her Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting to heaven. She asked them, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven? "NO!" the children answered. “If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?" Again, the answer was, "NO!" Now she was smiling. Hey, they're getting it, she thought! "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?" she asked. Again, they all answered, "NO!" She was just bursting with pride for them. "Well," she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?" A five-year-old boy shouted out, "YOU GOTTA BE DEAD."
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"
Whoever has ears ought to hear.
"
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