eNOTES FOR DECEMBER 23, 2025
(WITH BULLETIN INFORMATION FOR THE WEEKENDS OF JANUARY 4 AND 11, 2026)
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BISHOP LAVALLEY'S CHRISTMAS LETTER AND VIDEO
Bishop LaValley's Christmas Letter is available HERE. The video is available on the Diocesan YouTube channel or can be accessed by clicking the image above or HERE.
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NEW YORK STATE DISCERNMENT RETREAT:
Are you a young man (age 18+) who feels called to the priesthood? The New York State Discernment Retreat, sponsored by the NYS Vocation Directors, is an annual opportunity to gather with others who are discerning God’s call. Vocation Directors and seminarians will share their stories of faith and offer guidance for discernment. The retreat includes time for personal prayer and social fellowship.
Dates: January 8–10, 2026
Location: The Good News Center, Utica
Registration Deadline: January 1
To Register: Email vocations@syrdio.org
Take this step to listen to God’s call in your life!
Contact for More Information: Deacon Garry Stevens Phone Number: 315-854-6158
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RESPECT LIFE SECOND COLLECTION: January 24/25, 2026
The Diocese of Ogdensburg Respect Life Second Collection will be held in our parishes the weekend of January 24/25. The collection supports efforts that affirm & promote the respect of human life from fertilization to natural death. Last year, grants helped 5 Gabriel Projects, Birthright, Plattsburgh Pregnancy Center, Heart Well Homestead Maternity Home, Malone Catholic Charities, Liferight of Watertown, Light of Truth Educational Programing and Fourth Coast Companions Eldercare. Thank you for your generosity.
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THE RESCUE PROJECT: Ogdensburg
Come join us for a 9-week experience to hear how AWESOME the Good News of the Gospel really is!
The program starts Sunday, February 1 at 2:30 p.m. and continues through Palm Sunday at Brzana Hall at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 415 Hamilton St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669. Each session of this free program consists of a video presentation unpacking the story of the Gospel followed by small group discussion. Register online at https://www.rcdony.org/rescue
For more information: contact Marika Donders at mdonders@rcdony.org
NEW PARISH EVENTS AND NOTIFICATIONS:
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SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL DINNER: K of C Fundraiser (Evans Mills)
Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner, Saturday, January 10, 2026 serving from 4 to 7 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Parish Center, Evans Mills, NY. Menu includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Benefit Indian River Council 7471 Knights of Columbus. For more information call 315-629-4678.
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MONTHLY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: In Support of Augustinian Academy (Carthage)
Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Augustinian Academy
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon
St. James Community Room, Carthage
MENU
Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes, French Toast, Ham, Sausage, Baked Goods, Juice, and Coffee
PRICE
$10.00 for Adults
$8.00 for Seniors
$5.00 for Children under 10
$30.00 for a Family of 4 or more
SPONSORED BY:
Carthage Knights of Columbus Father John Cosmic Council 291 and the Ave Maria Circle
For more information call: 315-493-3224
Reminder: We cannot publish parish flyers with graphics, except for those advertising certain national programs which provide free graphics for publication.
No other new parish events were submitted. Please check your parish bulletins and previously posted submissions below.
REGULAR FEATURES:
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PLANNED GIVING:
MEMORARE LEGACY SOCIETY
Have you already or have been thinking about leaving a legacy by designating a portion of your assets to pass at death to the Diocese of Ogdensburg, your parish or school or diocesan program or organization? The Memorare Legacy Society honors and recognizes the generosity and vision of those who have chosen to leave a legacy to the Diocese of Ogdensburg through estate or deferred gifts. Members of this society are those who have informed the Diocese of a planned gift that, in the future, will benefit the Diocese of Ogdensburg or any of its parishes or programs. This ensures a continuous commitment of care to their Church, to the Church’s vision and to the charitable works that flow from her missions through their thoughtful planned gift. For more information on the Memorare Legacy Society, contact: Scott Lalone, Executive Director, Development Office 393-2920, slalone@rcdony.org.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
for the January 4 Bulletin
In the midst of our troubled and hurting world we are reminded in the quote from Leonard Cohen “There is a crack in everything; that is how the light gets in.” As we begin this NEW YEAR, let us pray that we find a way to allow God’s light to shine out in us by embracing one new concrete practice of good stewardship of the earth’s resources. A good starting point might be: only use what I need.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
for the January 11 Bulletin
Winter is the best time of year to reduce your carbon footprint, as it is the season when we use the greatest amount of fossil fuels. Home heating oil along with propane and natural gas are our biggest sources of CO2 emission in winter. Reducing our heating needs is a major hurdle in the fight against climate change. Sealing every drafty crack around windows and doors and lowering the thermostat slightly, especially at night, can help conserve thermal energy. Sleeping with another blanket or quilt on the bed can produce just as much warmth as having the bedroom a few degrees higher.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED:
BULLETIN EDITORS USING CANVA:
LPI has made these templates available for Canva: https://www.4lpi.com/canva-pro-bulletin-templates
Contact for More Information: IT Email: it@rcdony.org
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TRIVIA NIGHT for VOCATIONS: Ogdensburg.
The Vocations Committee for the Catholic Churches of Ogdensburg (St. Mary’s Cathedral and Notre Dame), Heuvelton (St. Raphael’s) and Lisbon (Ss. Philip and James) is planning a Trivia Night for Friday, January 2, at the Martin Fieldhouse, 721 Hasbrouck, Street, Ogdensburg. All funds raised will be donated to the Diocese of Ogdensburg to help offset the miscellaneous college costs for the seminarians. Join us for a night of fun and friendly competition in a contest of general knowledge across a variety of topics! Teams of up to 6 will compete for the bragging rights and the Grand Prize. All players are eligible for door prizes! Mulligans will be sold at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. Trivia starts at 7 p.m. More rules and registration at www.ogdensburgcatholics.net/trivia or use the QR code
or email vocationsarenottrivial@rcdony.org
Contact for More Information: Sister Mary Eamon Lyng Email: smelyngssj@yahoo.com
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CELEBRATION OF LIFE PLANNING EXPO: Bereavement and Community Support Committee
Celebration of Life Planning Expo to Be Held at St. Edmund’s Parish Hall
Helping Families Prepare Faithfully for Life’s Final Journey
The Bereavement and Community Support Committee of Saint Bernard’s and Saint Edmund’s Parishes invites the public to a “Celebration of Life Planning Expo” on Saturday, January 17, beginning at 10 a.m. at Saint Edmund’s Parish Hall, Ellenburg.
This free community event will provide helpful resources for families wishing to prepare for their end-of-life needs – spiritually, practically, and with peace of mind.
Participants will include grief counselors, estate planners, legal and financial advisors, funeral directors, clergy, musicians, caterers, florists, monument and memorial specialists, cemetery and mausoleum representatives, and local organizations that assist families during times of loss.
“Planning ahead is a loving gift to our families,” said a spokesperson for the Bereavement Committee. “It allows us to make thoughtful choices and prepare our final celebration of life with faith and dignity.”
Refreshments will be available, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet local service providers, ask questions, and gather information.
In case of inclement weather or a blizzard, the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Contact for More Information: Mary Ellen Tomo Phone Number: 518-569-4447 Email: tomo_mary@yahoo.com
RITE OF ELECTION AND CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION: Attention All OCIA TEAMS and Pastors
The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral, Ogdensburg, the first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 22, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. Registration forms have been sent to all parishes. RSVP deadline: Feb 11 to Asoltero@rcdony.org
Contact for More Information: Anita Soltero Phone Number: 518-310-3669
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HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: Saturday, May 16, 2026 – St. Mary’s Cathedral
Save the date! Saturday, May 16 – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg. Highway to Heaven: The Journey Continues! Featuring Father Jonathan Meyer, popular YouTube sensation and National Preacher of the Eucharistic Revival. Join Bishop LaValley for Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, sacred music, and more. Additional details coming soon!
Contact Mary Beth Bracy at marybethbracy@gmail.com for more information.
Office of Vocations Bulletin Intercessions, Cycle A - 2025-2026
Office of Vocations Bulletin Blurbs, Cycle A - 2025-2026
Office of Evangelization Bulletin Blurbs Cycle A - 2025-2026
Office of Vocations Newsletters
ABOUT:
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.
Reminder: We cannot publish parish flyers with graphics, except for those advertising certain national programs which provide free graphics for publication.
The next submission deadline is January 4 for the January 6, 2026 edition of eNotes with bulletin information for the weekends of January 18 and 25. 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 .