The Finger Lakes Guild of the national Catholic Medical Association will present its first conference with speakers and workshops to provide information and support for Catholic medical professionals.

The May 5 event at the Rochester Institute of Technology Inn &Conference Center in Henrietta will conclude with the annual White Mass for health-care professionals to be celebrated by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, explained Jean Baric Parker, a Finger Lakes Guild member.

The Catholic Church believes the Sacrament of Penance (sometimes called Reconciliation or Confession) is a graced opportunity for us to celebrate God’s forgiveness. The Sacrament calls us to a true sorrow for the sins we have committed, along with an intention to repair our lives and our relationships with God and our community.

Bishop Salvatore R. Matano has joined his brother bishops from around the country in praying from the victims and families of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17 people and injured at least 14 others.

The 2018 Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14, for Latin-rite Catholics with Easter Sunday on April 1.

During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to sacrifice self-control through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season.

Due to the recent flu outbreak locally and across the country, the Diocese of Rochester has issued the following protocols to be observed for the celebration of Mass at all faith communities. The guidelines were issued Jan. 24 by Father Paul J. Tomasso, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia.

The Diocese of Rochester Department of Catholic Schools will celebrate Catholic Schools week from January 28 – February 3, 2018 in all 18 schools. This year also marks the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Rochester, which will be highlighted throughout the week in class projects and special activities.

Commonality rather than conflict was the prevailing theme among Catholics and Lutherans who came together for a special worship service at Sacred Heart Cathedral Oct. 29.

The Sunday-evening gathering marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation while also highlighting ongoing efforts to build cooperation, understanding and mutual respect between Catholics and Lutherans.

“How wonderful it is to be here with each other,” stated Bishop Salvatore R. Matano in his opening remarks for the service, at which he copresided with Bishop John Macholz of the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop Matano added that the joining of Catholics and Lutherans on Oct. 29 demonstrated the desire “that we all may be one.”

Serving as assistant ministers for the service were Father Scott Caton, parochial vicar at Greece’s St. Lawrence Church, and the Rev. Dan Hoffman, a Lutheran pastor from Buffalo, who together facilitated a four-part series of panel discussions between Catholics and Lutherans earlier in 2017.

The service at Sacred Heart Cathedral coincided with the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s first public posting of his “95 Theses” on Oct. 31, 1517. Luther’s disagreements with Catholic Church teachings ignited a schism that spread through 16th-century Europe, resulting in the rise of Protestantism. However, dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans has increased considerably since the 1960s, when the Second Vatican Council stressed greater ecumenical efforts by the Catholic Church.

Father Caton noted five ecumenical imperatives during the Oct. 29 event. He said Catholics and Lutherans should always: start from a point of unity, rather than division; be open to being transformed by each other; commit themselves toward visible unity; jointly rediscover the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and witness together to the mercy of God in word and service.

Positive steps also were highlighted during the panel discussions that took place between April and September, two of them at Sacred Heart Cathedral and the others at Rochester’s Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word. Attendance averaged approximately 25 per meeting, according to Betsy McDermott, the Diocese of Rochester’s project manager for ecumenical and interreligious affairs.

Dialogue during the talks was based on “From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017,” a document created by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation. Participants in panel discussions sought to establish common ground in such areas as social justice, ministry, Bible study and worship.

While acknowledging longstanding divisions between Catholics and Lutherans, Bernard Grizard, diocesan director of Pastoral Services, noted there also is “so much that we have in common.” Grizard added that the discussion series “kind of reinforced that we were on the right track, truly looking for a sense of unity.”

McDermott said the discussions evolved from being educational in nature to considering “what can we do together going forward.”

Meanwhile, the Rev. Frank Hanrahan, dean of the Lutherans’ Genesee Finger Lakes Conference, said he would like to see cooperative efforts between local Catholics and Lutherans extend beyond this 500th-anniversary year. Among the possibilities, he said, are further prayer and dialogue as well as joint community-service projects.

“As we find things we have in common, let’s keep going. I think there’s a sense of mission and ministry that calls all of us,” the Rev. Hanrahan said. “Our hope is that the people will decide our next step going forward, and we will provide leadership for that to happen.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester, will host an ecumenical Thanksgiving prayer service Tuesday, Nov. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Congregations of all denominations are invited.

You are cordially invited to join Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, as we pray, in gratitude, to God for the safety of all the courageous men and women of law enforcement who so selflessly serve and protect our community.

You are enthusiastically invited to participate in this historic prayer service presided over by Bishop John Macholz, Bishop of the Up State New York Synod, ELCA and Bishop Salvatore Matano, Bishop of Rochester. The Journey continues but what a great moment to pause and celebrate what has already been accomplished. Please join us.

April 24, 2017 marked the 100th Anniversary of the date on which New York State Governor Charles Whitman signed into law a special act of the State Legislature establishing Catholic Charities Corporations in each of the Dioceses in New York State.
For this one hundred years, and for longer in some Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies have been the primary vehicle through which the Church has responded to the Gospel call to love our neighbors.

“Create in me a clean heart”
Join us for the third annual Men’s Conference on Saturday October 14, 2017.

WHEN:
Saturday, October 14, 2017
7:00 am Registration opens
8:00 am Mass – Bishop Salvatore R. Matano
4:00 pm Conference concludes
WHERE:
St. Jude the Apostle Church
4100 Lyell Road
Rochester, NY 14606
Register online at:
www.exultrochester.org
COST:
$40 before August 1, 2017
$55 after August 1, 2017
$70 at the door
$15 all men under age 21
Register early to save $15 – $30
Includes Breakfast, Lunch & Snack
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO:
Diocese of Rochester
(Memo field: 2017 Men’s Conference)
MAIL REGISTRATION & CHECK TO:
Rochester Catholic Men’s Conference
P.O. Box 90574
Rochester, NY 14609

Bishop makes 2017 parish-leadership appointments

Bishop Salvatore R. Matano has announced the following pastoral appointments, which become effective June 27, 2017, unless otherwise noted:

• Father Anthony J. Amato to parochial vicar, Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick, Owego.
• Father Frederick K. Asuming to parochial administrator, St. Theodore, Gates.
• Father Juan G. Benitez to parochial vicar, St. Louis, Pittsford.
• Father Joseph R. Catanise continuing as pastor, St. Leo, Hilton.
• Father Michael J. Costik to parochial administrator, St. Benedict, Canandaigua.
• Father John A. DeSocio to senior-priest status.
• Father Clifford A. Dorkenoo to parochial vicar, St. Benedict, Canandaigua.
• Father Richard T. Farrell to parochial vicar, Blessed Sacrament, Christ the Redeemer and St. Mary, Elmira.
• Father Raymond H. Fleming to parochial administrator, Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget, Rochester, while continuing as pastor, St. Monica and Emmanuel Church of the Deaf, Rochester.
• Father John V. Forni continuing as parochial vicar, All Saints, Corning.
• Father Michael G. Fowler reappointed parochial administrator, St. Agnes, Avon; St. Paul of the Cross, Honeoye Falls; and St. Rose, Lima.
• Father John F. Gagnier to pastor, Holy Cross, Rochester.
• Father John G. Gathenya reappointed pastor, Holy Family, Auburn.
• Father Paul Gitau reappointed pastor, St. Paul, Webster.
• Father Timothy E. Horan reappointed pastor, Holy Trinity, Webster.
• Father Stanley G. Kacprzak to pastor, Our Lady of the Valley, Hornell.
• Father Robert J. Kennedy to senior-priest status effective Nov. 14, 2017.
• Father Stephen R. Kraus to senior-priest status.
• Father Scott M. Kubinski to pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Christ the Redeemer and St. Mary, Elmira.
• Deacon David L. LaFortune reappointed pastoral administrator, St. John Vianney, Bath.
• Father William B. Leone reappointed pastor, St. Jerome, East Rochester.
• Father John F. Loncle to pastor, Blessed Sacrament, St. Boniface and St. Mary, Rochester, effective Nov. 14, 2017.
• Father Michael D. Merritt to parochial vicar, St. Francis & St. Clare, Waterloo.
• Father Peter B. Mottola to parochial administrator, St. John the Evangelist, Spencerport, with continuing work at the diocesan Pastoral Center, effective Nov. 14, 2017.
• Father Anthony P. Mugavero concluding service as parochial administrator, Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget, Rochester; continuing as pastor, Holy Apostles, Rochester.
• Father Malachy Nwosu to parochial vicar, St. Marianne Cope, Henrietta.
• Father Pius Pathmarajah continuing as parochial vicar, St. Charles Borromeo, Greece, and service in the diocesan Tribunal.
• Father Robert P. Ring reappointed as pastor, St. Louis, Pittsford.
• Father Carlos M. Sanchez Betancur to chaplain, Strong Memorial and Highland hospitals, Rochester, while continuing as parochial vicar, Peace of Christ, Rochester.
• Father Daniel Ruiz-Sierra to parochial administrator, St. Anthony, Groton; Holy Cross, Dryden/Freeville; and All Saints, Lansing.
• Father Louis A. Sirianni continuing as pastor, St. Mark, Greece, and as judicial vicar in the diocesan Tribunal.
• Father Thomas J. Valenti reappointed as parochial administrator, Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick, Owego.
• Father Peter D. Van Lieshout to parochial administrator, St. Peter, Clifton Springs.
• Father Thomas H. Wheeland to senior-priest status.

August 7, 2017
Beyond Left and Right: The Appalling Strangeness of Catholic Moral Teaching
Dr. Matthew Kuhner
Director of Catechesis & Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology

August 14, 2017
Love and Lies: Theology of the Body
Michelle Kuhner, M.T.S.
Masters in Theology of Marriage and the Family

August 21, 2017
The Real Presence: I Believe…Do You?
Fr. Peter VanLieshout
Parochial Administrator, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Parish, Clifton Springs

August 28, 2017
Discernment for Your Life: How to Recognize When God is Speaking to You
Sr. Laurie Orman
Vocation Minister Sisters of Mercy

Pope Francis has again requested worldwide feedback concerning issues that will be addressed at the October 2018 Synod of Bishops on “Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.”

To prepare for the Synod, Pope Francis has written a Letter to Young People (ages 16-29) and the Synod of Bishops has released a preparatory document. In response to the Holy Father’s request, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester invites your consultation through an online questionnaire.

Please note: The questions from the preparatory document require a text (written) response. If you would like to review the questionnaire, please read through the preparatory document first. You will be able to skip any of the questions.

Information gathered in our Diocese, through the questionnaire and focus groups, will be included in the final report sent to the Vatican by the U.S. Bishops.

The questionnaire will be open from June 1, 2017 until July 24, 2017. If parishes would like to host a focus group for people ages 16-29, please have a staff person contact Dr. Shannon Loughlin at .

To take the questionnaire, click here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TXNSXP5