Beginning this weekend, February 8th and 9th, and until Easter, Holy Communion will be offered in one species.
Join us for Eucharistic Adoration, Friday, February 28 at St. Pius V Church in Cohocton. Mass is at 9:00am, followed by Adoration, with Benediction at 6:00pm.
From the Desk of Father John
Community Building and Care: Part Two
As we come to the conclusion of the Eucharistic Revival and the beginning of the Jubilee Year 2025 as the “Pilgrims of Hope,” Holy Family Catholic Community is striving to be more effective in providing parishioners with the necessary tools to achieve their spiritual goals; we want to keep growing in faith; we want to work towards involving more people in parish activities, and the running of the parish; an even more mission based parish community that is vibrant and active especially in reaching out to the homeless, poor and hungry; a parish able to draw additional parishioners of all ages into participating more fully in our various ministries/spiritual growth opportunities; an even better welcoming parish community at all levels especially those who are “coming back HOME” to pray and celebrate the Eucharist with us; increased communication concerning parish challenges and major decisions especially from the parish pastoral council, finance council, and both Faith-Formation teams for the young and the adult.
Those who have consistently volunteered in many programs and ministries, here at Holy Family, from year to year are becoming burned out. For the stress-free and smooth running of our church, we need more dedicated volunteers in all our ministries and programs. Your commitment is always an answer that you now understand that there is a difference between GOING TO CHURCH and BEING A CHURCH. Being a Church means taking more responsibility for the parish. I strongly believe and know that in Holy Family Catholic Community we are a gifted human community and a gifted faith community, and we shall be empowering you to use your unique gifts in ministry within our church so that we can nurture and develop our parish.
Each week there are people who come to Mass here at Holy Family Catholic Community—Saint Mary’s; Sacred Heart; St. Joseph’s and St. Pius--whom I have never seen before. Some are visiting from outside of town, perhaps one person or group at each Mass. They may be hesitating, looking around and may be discerning deeply whether Holy Family can be their SPIRITUAL HOME. My biggest question is how we prepare, keep and maintain our HOME, the Churches of Holy Family, so that all who join us even for a single celebration of the Eucharist may feel welcome, accepted, loved and their spiritual longing nourished! It is our paramount ministry to create an atmosphere of prayer and of loving care, a family where people feel they belong, where they are valued and accepted. Every parishioner has a role in building such a caring family—this can only happen when we are open, sincere, welcoming and friendly in our attitude to all. We could use your help by joining our “WELCOMING USHERS MINISTRY. God's warmth and love and welcome is experienced only through you and me, simply by our being present at the doors and saying, "Welcome To Holy Family Community." Holy Family is our HOME as we are bound together as a FAMILY by virtue of the Faith we share in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Eucharistic sacrificial lamb. We have found a home in God with one another. We have found a place where our elders and our children are welcome. We have plenty of good room for our tears, our laughter, our sadness, and our joy. “Others are still looking for such a HOME”. Because we have been given so much by God, we share. People are looking for a faith community to join, one that is active, one that is alive. We are the Body of Christ—we need one another. We serve, celebrate, learn and pray together. Please offer some of your time this year in service as part of your gratitude to God. Our Faith Community cannot be the LIGHT OF THE WORLD unless you have found ways to share God's love and have found ways to let it move beyond you, your pew, your family and work! There are those as near as our doors that would love to be welcomed by you: How do you assist in building our HOME here in our parish community—we have many ministries, councils and outreach that help us coordinate our services to our people and keep our church spiritual healthy and secure. We are all invited in these endeavors by ways of our own commitment and the sacrifices that we make to keep and maintain our HOME.
We should be grateful that we have Holy Family Catholic Community Social Events Committee. This committee organizes activities, whose purpose is to build up and unite the parish community through several social events. Some of these activities include Potluck meals; Mardi Gras; Chili Chocolate and Chardonay; Pasta-Dinner, Summer Ice-cream, etc. You should join us for these events and here’s why: you can’t create a community simply by going to church on Saturday/ Sunday, checking it off your list, and going home. At some point you need to break bread with people, to experience life with people, to see where your church is going as a body. There is a lot in Scripture about “breaking bread” together, because something beautiful happens when people enjoy a meal together. It breaks down differences and unites you in your need to sustain yourself with food. I’ve often said that what happens at a potluck may be as important as what happens in church. Don’t make mistakes with what I’m saying. The table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist are the source, center and apex of our spiritual life! So is good doctrine. But you can do those two things and not have community and therefore not experience body life and therefore experience a void in your relationship with God. So, join us for these events and celebrate the bond of love and fellowship through sharing a meal which is the work of our hands and kitchen.
God bless our HOME and l love you all, Fr. John