November 5, 2023
“As I Walk this Way”
Dear Parishioners:
Last week we heard at all of our six Masses an update on finances. I want to thank Brett Granville and Kevin Foy for their thoughtful presentations on the financial situation of Our Mother of Sorrows and Holy Cross.
In their remarks we all were reminded of the importance of supporting our parish, either Holy Cross or Mother of Sorrows with our financial offerings. While both of our parishes are in good financial condition, we are experiencing in recent years a drop in collections. Aware of this trend, I invite you to prayerfully consider increasing your financial offering to your parish, either Holy Cross or Mother of Sorrows. We have many parish programs that support those who are grieving, those who want to grow in the faith, and those who deal with food insufficiency. First and foremost, our two beautiful churches provide a place for people to encounter a God in word and Sacrament. Your financial offering provides the means for us to continue this important work. Thank you for your support. Both Kevin and Brett mentioned the “Channeling injunction” that both parishes are participating in related to the diocesan bankruptcy. Even after contributing to the “Channeling injunction” both HC and MOS will be in good financial condition. The benefit both of our parishes gain from the “Channeling injunction” is legal protection from claims of abuse from the past that could arise. Once claim of abuse devastates the abused and could also bankrupt a parish. We are all praying that as a result of these steps our parishes and our Diocese will be able to move forward from this painful chapter that has impacted the survivors of abuse and all the members of the Church. I pray that will happen soon.
As we begin National Vocations Awareness Week, I am reminded that of why I became a priest, to bring people to Christ. It is an honor to share the message of Christ with our community Faith and to see how our Lord is moving in the lives of our parishioners. Please continue to pray for those in our diocese who are called to serve at priests, deacons, and members of religious communities. The words of the Mother of our Lord at the Wedding of Cana are just helpful and profound today as when she first said them: “Do whatever He tells you to do” (John 2:5)
I wanted to update you on our family in need collection that we had the weekend of Oct. 28-29. The response to our appeal was overwhelming. Your generosity will help our parishioners who recently experienced a fire. Thank you HC+OMOS for your amazing generosity. Please keep this family in your prayers.
Thank you to all the parishioners who have given to the CMA. I truly believe that we can reach out two goals. Please pray for the success of this appeal.
Peace to you all.
In Christ,
Fr. Bill Coffas Pastor of HC + OMOS
At Holy Cross Church
Can you spend one hour with the Lord? Sign up to be a adorer for Wednesday Adoration by visiting: https://www.rotundasoftware.com/ministry/OMOS_HC or calling our Seminarian David Cataline at the office. If you are already in our MSP system, you can simply add “Adoration” to your ministry profile.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We will NO longer be offering First Friday Adoration at Our Mother of Sorrows. As part of our bridge to Christ, Holy Cross offers Adoration every Wednesday from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.
If you would like to visit one of our sister churches, the following churches offer Adoration:
- St Mark’s: On Thursday before First Friday from Noon to 4:00 PM.
- St John’s on the Ridge: First Friday after the 8:15 AM Morning Mass until 10:00 AM.
- St Charles: Nocturnal Adoration, 3rd Saturday of the Month from 5:15 to 6:15 PM (May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18, and December 16.)
Spend an hour with Our Lord!
Pray for Peace in Ukraine
Prayer for our Cluster
God Our Father,
Your Son, Jesus Christ, is “the way, the truth and the life” and His Holy Cross is the bridge of Mercy.
Help us, your servants to build a bridge of nourishment to the hungry, a bridge of comfort to the suffering, a bridge of welcome to the lonely, a bridge of collaboration to the our sister parish, and a bridge of faith to all people through Your Sacraments. For You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Mother of Sorrows pray for us. +
Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of souls, who called the apostles to be fishers of men, raise up new apostles in your holy Church. Teach them that to serve you is to reign: to possess you is to possess all things. Kindle in the hearts of our young people the fire of zeal for souls. Make them eager to spread your kingdom upon the earth. Grant them the courage to follow you, who are the Way, the Truth and the Life, who live and reign for evert and ever. Amen
Prayer Chain Ministry
Parishioners are needed to participate in the HC/OMOS Prayer Chain Ministry.
When a prayer request comes in, a chain of people are then called upon to pray for the intention.
We are looking for parishioners to be a part of this prayer chain. Your mission and obligation for this ministry is just to pray for that intention.
To participate, please contact Donna at 585-247-5912.
Prayer Requests
Do you have a prayer request or need to pray for a special intention? If a parishioner calls the OMOS prayer line at 247-5912, the prayer intention will then be shared with a chain of parishioners who will pray for that intention.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
OR Click here to complete an online form.
Are you interested in being:
An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, Usher, Sacristan, Greeter, or Altar Server all in the service of God and His people? We would love for you to join our team.
Click the link above to sign up. For those who are not comfortable with technology, please contact David Cataline at the Parish Office, 663-5432, x133.
If You are Watching Mass on Facebook
To Follow the Readings: Copy and paste the letters: https://bible.usccb.org/ or scan the QR code from the screen. This takes you to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops web site which will have all the Daily/Weekend Readings. You will then be able to follow the readings while watching on Facebook.
Our Mass Schedule
- Monday 8:00 AM Mass at HC
- Tuesday 8:00 AM Mass at OMOS
- Wednesday 8:00 AM Mass at OMOS
- Thursday 5:30 PM Mass at HC
- Friday 5:30 PM Mass at HC
- Saturday 8:00 AM Mass at OMOS
- Saturday, 4:00 PM Weekend Mass
- Sunday, 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Weekend Mass
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on the First Friday of every month.
The 4:00 PM weekend Mass from Our Mother of Sorrows Church is available to view on our Facebook page. Just click the blue button on the top center of this page, and you will be redirected to view the Mass.
Reconciliation, Saturdays, 2:30 – 3:30 PM
The church is open every day, 7:00 AM- 3:00 PM.
By joining Holy Cross + Our Mother of Sorrows Flocknote. Sign up at https://holycrosschurchofcharlot.flocknote.com/signup/126988
From the Holy Cross CYO Athletic Director Search Committee
We are continuing the process of searching for a volunteer Athletic Director for our CYO program. Learn more…
Please look at the volunteer job description and prayerfully consider applying by June 24, 2023.
A friendly reminder:
Always check the return email address before responding to an email supposedly from Fr Coffas. If it doesn’t read Fr.William.Coffas@dor.org, it is NOT from him.
These are scams—someone is spoofing Fr Coffas.
Mass Books Now Open for January- May 2024
The Stipend for a Mass Intention is $10.
Includes Instructions for Offerings for the Bread & Wine, and Sanctuary Candle
Offerings for the Bread, Wine, and Sanctuary Candle
You can request these throughout the year. The offering is $15 for either Bread & Wine combined, or the Sanctuary Candle. These requests must be submitted in writing with check or cash payment. Please include the following information: Person to be memorialized, your name, phone number and the date requested. If you would like an acknowledgment sent, please include the name and address of the recipient for the card.
Prayer for The Eucharistic Revival
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, nor adore, nor hope, nor love You.
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He is offended. And, through the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of sinners.
—Our Lady of Fatima
“My flesh for the life of the world”
Learn more at https://eucharisticrevival.dor.org/
Welcome
There is a place for you here.
We’re so happy that you visited our page. We welcome those visiting us for the first time, and we appreciate all of the people of our parish.
Our site will acquaint you with our parish family and help you get to know us via the Web. Please join us to worship, visit, pray, volunteer, or come to an event. If you have any questions, please contact us at 585-663-5432, ext. 10 or send an e-mail to MOS@dor.org.
NEW PARISHIONERS
We welcome all newcomers and invite you to register as members of our parish family. We want to know each one of you personally. Please give us a call at 585-663-5432, ext. 10, or send an email to MOS@dor.org to make registration arrangements.
Our Mother of Sorrows office is open on Wednesdays 9:00 AM-3:00 PM.
On the other days, our amazing ministry team will be responding to email and voice mail as they have been doing over the past year. We are truly blessed to have such an amazing team.
Funeral Planning
Funeral Ministry Request Line (585) 208-3422
St Francis Food Pantry OPEN
5000 Mt Read Blvd- back of the building Food for families in the North Greece area.
Wednesday, June 21, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Saturday, June 24, 10:30 AM – Noon
Food donations are greatly appreciated and may be left inside the church doors.
OPEN: 2nd Wednesday of month, Third Wednesday of month, Fourth Saturday of month. Operated in cooperation with Foodlink
The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA)
When I was a child, the neighbor across the street attended a Catholic church that had newly opened. She introduced herself to the new pastor and told him she wasn’t a Catholic but loved coming to Mass. The pastor then asked her if she would like to become a Catholic and she responded, “I didn’t think anyone was ever going to ask me. Yes!”
How many people might you know who might be just waiting to be asked if they would like to become a Catholic? A simple invite might be all they need to begin on this journey of faith. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are designed to welcome new members into our Catholic faith through a process of prayer, instruction in the faith, and rituals that celebrate different stages of the initiation process. Do you know someone who has at one time or other been curious about the Church but may never been baptized, or who has been baptized in another Christian faith community? Do you know someone who has not yet celebrated sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation?
In September we will be beginning a new group of adults and/or older teens who are interested in becoming members of our Catholic faith. Sometimes it is hard to ask the question but there may be someone in your family or social circle who is waiting for the invitation. Remind them that there are no strings attached to coming to an informational meeting in early September. Offer to attend the gathering with them and be willing to support them. The date will be announced in a week or so but it is not too early to plant the seed. Have them call either Holy Cross or Our Mother of Sorrows office and leave a message for Sister Kathleen O’Connell. I will then reach out to them and meet with them. See the front of this bulletin for office phone numbers and/or email.
– Sister Kathleen O’Connel
To address the rise in crime we are experiencing in our community, including our two campuses, the following is suggested at all times, even when you are on the campus of Holy Cross and Our Mother of Sorrows:
If you see people looking into cars, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300.
To prevent these thefts:
- Remove valuable items or anything that appears appealing to thieves from parked vehicles. Many of the recent thefts are referred to as “smash and grabs.” Valuables left in plain view in the vehicle generate motivation for criminals to quickly break a window and grab them. Always take your valuables with you. When possible, keep the inside of your car empty. *
- Be aware of your surroundings when parking. Park in well-lighted areas at night when possible.*
- Lock your car and activate alarm systems.*
(Source: University of Rochester, Public Safety)
After June 26, 2023, Father Martuscello’s new office address will be:
Saints Mary and Martha Parish, 299 Clark Street, Auburn NY 13021
Honor a Loved One
If you would like to donate a flower arrangement for the altar in memory of your loved one, please order the flower arrangement, and email Donna Petrella with your telephone number, so she can add flower intention into the weekend prayers of the faithful. There will be one flower intention per weekend.
Family Prayer with Jesus the High Priest for Vocations
We are asking families to sign up to take the icon of Jesus the High Priest into their homes and to pray each day as a family for vocations, especially to the priesthood. Sign-up sheets will be available in the narthex of Our Mother of Sorrows and in the parish center foyer at Holy Cross (look for the icon).