eNOTES FOR DECEMBER 15, 2020
(with bulletin information for the weekends of December 27 and January 3)
Jump to: HIGHLIGHT NEW POSTS PREVIOUSLY POSTED LINKS
eNOTES is a biweekly diocesan newsletter which is sent to the following distribution lists: all priests, diocesan staff, deacons, deacon candidates, bookkeepers and secretaries, catechetical leaders, principals, commissioned lay ministers, diocesan finance council, diocesan pastoral council, and pastoral associates and seminarians. Others can subscribe on the eNotes webpage at www.rcdony.org/enotes.
Because of changes in publishing schedules for many parish bulletins, as of this issue, eNotes is going to be published on Tuesdays.
The next submission deadline is December 23 for the December 29 edition of eNotes with bulletin information for the weekends January 10 and 17. The link to the submission form can also be found in the menu on the eNotes page (www.rcdony.org/enotes). We welcome suggestions for improvements to newsletter. Suggestions can be sent via email to enotes@rcdony.org.
HIGHLIGHTS
NEW
ST. CECILIA SINGS--CHRISTMAS: Attention all parish musicians
Share the beauty of Advent/Christmas music and the beauty of your parish churches with your neighbors during the pandemic
Do you miss joining others in song? Could your neighbors use some music to lift their hearts and minds to the Lord? Do you love the beautiful hymns of the Advent and Christmas season?
Musicians, please consider contributing to the 2nd edition of the St. Cecilia Sings initiative. Video contributions are due December 17th. To download specific requirements, click HERE. Contact Fr. Bryan Stitt at the Worship Office for more information: bstitt@rcdony.org
NEW POSTS
From The Diocesan Offices:
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ANNUAL MISSION OFFICE CHRISTMAS APPEAL: Annual Mail-in Donor Campaign
As we approach Christmas at the end of this unprecedented year, with hope we fill our hearts and homes, and our world. We hope for the children in our lives, and especially for children living in the most vulnerable communities around the globe. Please donate to the mission office through our website at www.rcdony.org/mission.
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NEW YORK STATE DISCERNMENT RETREAT: For young men ages 16-35
Have you felt the invitation to follow Jesus Christ as a Catholic priest? Gather with young men from across New York State who are considering the call to priesthood. Hear talks on priesthood delivered by Syracuse, Ogdensburg, and Buffalo Vocation Directors. This will be a virtual conference over Zoom.
When: Saturday, January 2, 2021
Time: 9am - 2pm
Registration: Please contact vocations@syrdio.org
Registration deadline: Friday, January 1, 2021
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DIOCESAN LEAD: LIVING A SACRAMENTAL WAY OF LIFE STARTING AT BAPTISM
Attention all Catechetical Leaders, RCIA Directors, Youth Ministers
A live Zoom event with Director of the Department of Faith Formation, Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, SSJ.
The sacraments, beginning with Baptism, touch all the stages and all the important moments of the Christian’s life. Christ comes to meet using the “outward signs” of the sacraments, giving birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1113).
Date: Saturday, January 9
Time: 9:45am - 12:00pm
The cost to attend is free. Anyone is welcome to register. Zoom link will be sent upon registration.
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JANUARY RETREAT DAY: Walking with St. Joseph as Our Guide
“Walking with St. Joseph as our Guide.” This year, the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared the “Patron of the Church,” has been dedicated to St. Joseph in our diocese since May 1 and in the universal Church since December 8. Our attention is focused on one in the background of the Nativity scene. This retreat day will consider the mind and heart of St. Joseph, as reflected in his actions, and how he may be a faithful guide and companion in our own lives.
When: Saturday, January 16 from 10:00 am to 2:00pm
Facilitator: Sister Bethany Fitzgerald, SSJ
Where: VIRTUAL on ZOOM
No cost. If you wish to make an offering for the retreat, mail to: Sisters of St. Joseph, 1425 Washington St, Watertown, New York 13601
To register: Email srbethssj@gmail.com or 315-212-6592
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DIOCESAN MASS FOR LIFE: Sunday, January 24, 2021
Bishop LaValley will celebrate a Mass for Life on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 11AM at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg. It will be live-streamed at www.rcdony.org/livemass
Join in person or virtually to pray for a deeper respect for human life.
For more information contact the Respect Life Office at cminer@rcdony.org
Regular Features:
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SAFE ENVIRONMENT CORNER: Did you know?
Did You Know…peaceful parenting is also known as gentle parenting, positive parenting, or attachment parenting. The main theme of these approaches is focusing on the health of the relationship between the child and the parent and supporting the child’s developmental needs. Peaceful parenting is more effective than hitting. Peaceful parenting keeps your long-term goals in mind, emphasizes warmth and structure, and considers how children think and feel. For more resources, visit https://stopspanking.org/resources/.
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PLANNED GIVING: Make a Will
Good Christian Stewardship would call for the orderly disposition of our worldly goods. If you do not make a Will, the State will do so, and it may not be according to your wishes. For further information, contact Scott Lalone, Executive Director of Development/Foundation at the Diocese of Ogdensburg at 315-393-2920 or slalone@rcdony.org.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
(for the December 26/27 Bulletin)
As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family today, why not invite them to be our guides in this coming new year? They who lived a very simple life in Nazareth would have discovered many ways to use only what they needed. In our present consumer driven culture, it can be a real challenge to discern between what I need and what I want. The answer to this question can have a profound effect on how sustainable this planet will be for the health and well-being of future generations. Environmental stewardship or sustainability covers every aspect of our lives, i. e. food, energy use, transportation, water, etc.
Suggestion: Spend some time reflecting with St. Joseph and see if there are any changes you can make to simplify in the coming new year that will benefit not only you but the whole the family of God.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
(for the January 2/3 Bulletin)
Want to begin the year with saving money and helping to ensure a healthy planet for the next generation? Check your next electrical statement and request information on how to change to renewable energy. There are many incentives for renewables offered in New York State.
Parish Events and Notifications
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MASS FOR DECEASED CHILDREN: Attention Respect Life Directors and All
Mass for our Deceased Children
Parents of children who have died often note missing their children more than ever during this time of year. As a Church, we must honor the lives of these children and pray for them--from those who were lost before birth, to infants and toddlers who died from illness, to teens who died tragically in accidents, to those who lived for decades but whose parents are still missing them terribly in these holy days. The Church calendar points very clearly to one day to pray for them: The Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28. Join us for Mass at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary's, Canton. Sign up for the Mass by calling the parish office or signing up on the parish website. If you or someone you know would like your child's name included in the Mass and represented with a candle, please also contact the office: 315-386-2543, cantoncatholics@gmail.com
No new parish events were submitted. Please check your parish bulletins and previously posted submissions below.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED
The Diocese of Ogdensburg is actively following the directive of the county public health departments to ensure that all diocesan parishes, schools, ministries, and charities are responding appropriately to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For up-to-date diocesan resources, live-streamed Masses, and other information related to the Coronavirus pandemic, please visit www.rcdony.org/covid-19 .
Parishes are encouraged to share the information found on this page with parishioners via their websites, social media or any other available communications methods. 
Mary Immaculate, our Mother and our Patroness,
we ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our diocese, our nation and our world,
for our families and loved ones,
the protection of your Maternal mantle from this dreaded virus.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace and healing Presence of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Keep us in the embrace of your arms,
Help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus our Lord.
AMEN.
CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS AND AUXILIARY: Recruiting members
The Department of New York Catholic War Veterans (CWV) and Auxiliary are launching a campaign to recruit membership in our organizations. The organizations success depends on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The CWV and Auxiliary belong to the people they serve and the communities we live in. Join us in camaraderie and in service for our Church and our Catholic way of life.
Requirements: Specific "wartime" service is not required to become a member. Any baptized Catholic serving in the Armed Forces or discharged under honorable conditions for a period of 90 days or longer, including time served in the Reserves and National Guard, is eligible for membership in the CVW. The Catholic War Veteran's Auxiliary is open to any baptized Catholic man or woman related within 2 degrees to a veteran or currently serving member of the Armed Forces. The veteran or serviceman or servicewoman can be of any faith. Active duty men and women will have the dues waived until separated from active service.
For further information and membership application visit our web site cwv.org or contact John O’Shea at 516-316-4221 or joshea112@hotmail.com.
ADVOCACY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
You now have the tools to make your voice heard to your elected officials right in the palm of your hand. The Catholic Action Network (CAN) can text critical advocacy alerts directly to your smartphone, with links to quickly send messages to your elected officials on urgent issues of the day. To sign up, just text the word CAN to 50457. You’ll immediately receive a one-time link to complete your registration, which is free. Please consider signing up today.
More information is available at https://www.nyscatholic.org/nys-catholic-conference-action-center/
ONGOING
IRON SHARPENS IRON PROJECT: Videos From The Conference
Description: Check out the Iron Sharpens Iron Project at https://www.rcdony.org/vflc to see the videos from the Virtual Family Life Conference or to submit a video of your family doing something fun.
For more information, contact Steve Tartaglia at startaglia@rcdony.org
VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLING: All the fun of caroling without standing outside in the cold!
We are continuing our Iron Sharpens Iron Project by inviting all interested families to submit videos of your family singing Christmas Carols. Get dressed up in your Christmas apparel, sprinkle the fake snow, do something fun, funny or fancy! We’ll be collecting the videos and putting them onto our Iron Sharpens Iron webpage https://www.rcdony.org/vflc. For more information, contact Steve Tartaglia at 315-393-2920 or startaglia@rcdony.org.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR SEPARATED OR DIVORCED: Colton and Surrounding Areas
We are forming a support group for separated/divorced people in Colton and the surrounding areas. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please contact Steve Tartaglia at startaglia@rcdony.org or 315-393-2920 for more information.
LINKS
Office of Vocation General Intercessions Cycle B
Office of Vocations Bulletin Blurbs Cycle B
Office of Vocation Seasonal Bulletin Blurbs