Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent (from, “ad-venire” in Latin or “to come to”) is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).

New York State Governor David Paterson has appointed Jann K. Armantrout to a two-year term on the Ethics Committee of the Empire State Stem Cell Board. Armantrout was nominated by NYS Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R-Canandaigua. She currently serves as the Diocesan Life Issues Coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

In her role on the committee, Armantrout will assist in the ethical evaluation of stem cell projects being considered for funding by New York State. Members of the committee represent a variety of ethical stances regarding the procurement and utilization of stem cells in research and medical treatment

Armantrout’s career has focused on safeguarding the dignity of the human person and promoting human rights.

In addition to assisting in public education and public policy formation at the Diocese, she served on the New York State Catholic Conference of Bishops Public Policy Committee for six years and is a founding member of Rochester-area Adult Stem Cell Initiative, Inc.

“While advocating for the advancement of science and medicine, I firmly believe that the least advantaged of society must not be exploited or their position worsened in the name of progress,” said Armantrout.

A resident of Webster, Armantrout received her B.A. in political science from SUNY New Paltz and is certified in Catholic healthcare ethics through the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

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The Roman Missal, Third Edition, the ritual text containing prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass, has been approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.  First use of the new text of the new Roman Missal will be on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.  

Learn more!

https://www.dor.org/index.cfm/ministries/liturgy/

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Jack Balinsky, director of Diocese of Rochester Catholic Charities, has received the prestigious Centennial Medal from Catholic Charities USA, one of only 100 to be awarded nationally during the organization’s 100th Anniversary celebration.The medal recognizes the exemplary contributions of individuals and organizations to the work of Catholic Charities to reduce poverty and assist people in many forms of need.

Through their work and life, recipients of the medal have shown an extraordinary commitment to the vision and mission of Catholic Charities USA. Thus far, only 8 medals have been awarded in the United States, including to Archbishop Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, DC, and retired Bishop Joseph Sullivan of the Diocese of Brooklyn.Rev. Larry Snyder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, announced Balinsky’s award at a special Diocese of Rochester Catholic Charities on Sept. 14, 2010. The Diocese also is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the founding of diocesan Catholic Charities .

“I am most humbled and deeply honored by the awarding of this medallion,” Balinsky said. “Even more, I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to serve with a team of people throughout our agencies and affiliates, people absolutely committed to the cause of helping others in a Diocese and for a Bishop equally passionate about living the Gospel message of compassion, justice and love.”

Balinsky, a native of Syracuse, has been diocesan director since 1992. He is credited with vastly expanding the services and presence of Catholic Charities in the 12-county diocese, from three subsidiary agencies to 10. Before joining the Diocese of Rochester, Balinsky served in a variety of roles in Diocese of Syracuse Catholic Charities from 1971-1984 , including as area director. From 1984-1990, he was executive secretary of the State Council of Catholic Charities Directors in Albany, and from 1990-1992 served as executive director of the DuLac Community Development Corp, also in Albany. He is a 1969 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he achieved the honor of class valedictorian, and also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Princeton University.

He also has made a life’s work of chronicling the long service of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Rochester and New York State, researching and writing eight volumes of history.

Balinsky directs a diocesan Catholic Charities family of agencies and affiliates that serve more than 250,000 people annually, regardless of religious affiliation, in such areas as home-purchase assistance; senior services,; emergency services for food, clothing and housing; help for the homeless; assistance to developmentally disabled people; help for people with mental illness; migrant-family assistance; and help with addiction, among others.

of agencies and affiliates are: Camp Stella Maris, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Catholic Family Center and Catholic Charities Community Services in Rochester, Catholic Charities of Livingston County, Catholic Charities of Wayne County, Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes, Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler, Catholic Charities of Steuben County, Kinship Family and Youth Services, Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga, Providence Housing Development Corp. and Diocesan Services.”I am most delighted at this much-deserved recognition for Jack’s work, and most proud of the life-changing ministry that Catholic Charities accomplishes every single day,” Bishop Clark said.

For a look at the histories produced by Jack Balinsky, visit http://www.jackbalinsky.org

Bishop Clark named Exemplary Bishop of 2010 by national ministry association

The award will be presented at a special CCMA Bishops’ Breakfast on Nov. 16 in Baltimore, and attended by many of the nation’s Catholic leaders during the fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The 2010 Exemplary Bishop Award is given after consideration of Bishop Clark’s long devotion to strengthening and supporting the mission of college campus ministry. In a written nomination, Shannon Loughlin, Diocese of Rochester director of young adult and campus ministry, noted that “Bishop Clark has been consistently supportive of campus ministry over the past 30 years. He regularly visits the college campuses for Masses and programs. He also meets yearly with campus ministers to discuss how their experiences on the college campuses point to the issues, challenges and joys that can be expected in the parishes in the coming years. ”

Bishop Clark said, “I am most appreciative of this award, which I certainly must share with the devoted, highly professional ministers in our Diocese who have made such an enormous difference in the lives of thousands of young people on our campuses.”

He also was credited with building strong connections between campus ministry and the diocese’s parishes, as well as emphasizing that campus ministry is a major part of lifelong faith formation with the goal of inspiring young people to live as disciples of Jesus.

Bishop Clark was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II on May 27, 1979, at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. He was installed as the eighth Bishop of Rochester on June 26, 1979. Long active in many committees and boards locally and national throughout his 31-year episcopate, he currently serves on the Episcopal Advisory Council (Region II) of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. He is spiritual leader for more than 314,000 Catholics in a diocese that spans 12 counties in New York State (Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Livingston, Steuben, Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins and Yates). Bishop Clark’s book, Forward in Hope: Saying Amen to Lay Ecclesial Ministry, was published by Ave Maria Press in 2009.

The Catholic Campus Ministry Association, with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the national organization for Catholic campus ministers. Working through a network aided by publications, national gatherings, electronic communications, educational programs and other means of sharing resources, CCMA’s mission is to foster the professional, spiritual and theological growth of campus ministers and promote the mission of the Catholic Church in higher education.

For additional information:

* About Bishop Clark
* Diocese of Rochester Campus Ministry
* Catholic Campus Ministry Association, visit http://www.ccmanet.org

Bishop launches 2010/11 Catholic Ministries Appeal

Asking each Catholic household to “Let Your Light Shine” to help others in need, Bishop of Rochester Matthew Clark has launched the 2010-11 Catholic Ministries Appeal.

This year’s campaign goal is $5.6 million. Pledge cards have been mailed to approximately 115,000 households and parishes throughout the diocese have begun promoting the campaign. Check parish-by-parish results thus far

This year’s Catholic Ministries Appeal – also known as the “CMA” – follows the most successful campaign since the annual appeal was begun 30 years ago. A record $5.132 million was raised in the 09/10 campaign, the most ever collected in the history of the CMA and more than $200,000 dollars ahead of the year before. In addition, the 2009/10 campaign marked the third consecutive year that more than $5 million was pledged, as well as the sixth straight year the average gift has climbed (to $155).

“Despite the continued uncertainty over our national economy,Catholics gave – and abundantly,” Bishop Clark said. “They have a remarkable sense that their gift is even more important in tough times, because the need for the church and its ministries grows in hard times.”“The ministries and services the CMA funds affect every facet of Catholic life and every Catholic in our Diocese in some way,” Bishop Clark said. “I ask every Catholic family to participate if they can, knowing they are helping their parish, their friends and their neighbors. Every gift, large or small, helps us to let our light shine for others.”

The CMA helps fund ministries for more than 314,000 Catholics in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Livingston, Steuben, Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins and Yates counties.

Supported Ministries
• Educating youth in the Roman Catholic faith
• Serving the homeless, families and individuals in crisis and other people in need through Catholic Charities
• Supporting Catholic Schools
• Ministering on college campuses and to young adults
• Hospital chaplaincy and programs for prison and jail inmates
• Reaching out to children and adults of migrant farm families
• Supporting the work of our priests and promoting priesthood vocations
• Supporting Pope Benedict XVI’s ministries worldwide and U.S. ministries through the Bishops’ Conference
• Providing parishes with professional services and programs vital to their daily operation
• Spreading the Gospel message through media
• Promoting Catholic values on the sanctity of life from conception to death.
• Developing positive relationships with people of other faiths through interreligious and ecumenical dialogue
• Preparing couples for the Sacrament of Marriage
• Properly preparing people who wish to become Roman Catholic

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Bishop Matthew Clark and the people of the Diocese of Rochester join Pope Benedict XVI and other leaders in expressing our strongest objections to the appalling plan by a Florida minister to destroy copies of the Qur’an, the sacred Islamic religious text. We hold out our hands and hearts to Muslims in our community and throughout the world in what is for all an unbearable time of discord and disharmony.

As Christians and as Americans, we are saddened by the hateful rhetoric against Muslims. We reject any act or use of language that aims to hurt, stereotype or condemn people because of their religious beliefs.

We believe that all people on this earth are sisters and brothers who are inextricably linked — created by a loving and benevolent God who desires a world of harmony, compassion and peace.

Two new principals have been appointed at schools in Pittsford and Elmira. Both will start their new positions on Aug. 2, 2010:

• John Bellini, who lives in Rochester, was named principal at  Louis Schoolin Pittsford. Bellini has served as the principal for Churchville-Chili Middle School since 1998. During his career, he has also served in a variety of administrative and teaching roles in the Spencerport, Rush-Henrietta, Brighton and Webster school districts. Bellini received his bachelor of science degree from State University of New York College at Geneseo and a master’s degree from SUNY Brockport.
• Francis Devine, who lives in Elmira, was named principal at Holy Family Middle Schoolin Elmira. Devine, who retired from public education last year, was working as a substitute teacher in several Southern Tier school districts before accepting the position. He previously worked as an administrator and teacher in Plainview, Monticello and Middleburgh, NY. Devine received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Elmira College. He also attended Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for advanced graduate study in Educational Administration.

For more information on Catholic schools in the Diocese of Rochester, visit www.dorschools.org

The Station of the Cross, 1460AM in Rochester, will do a live broadcast of the special Mass with New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, on Tuesday, June 22, 10:30 a.m.

His Excellency will be the homilist at the Mass.

The Archbishop is visiting at the invitation of Bishop Matthew H. Clark.

The June 22 Mass honors the patron saint of the Diocese of Rochester, St. John Fisher on his feast day, as well as the service of our 25- and 50-year priest jubilarians, and the culmination of the Year for Priests.

Archbishop Dolan visiting Sacred Heart Cathedral for special Mass June 22

His Excellency, Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will be the homilist at a 10:30 a.m. Mass June 22, 2010, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester.

The Archbishop is visiting at the invitation of Bishop Matthew H. Clark.

The June 22 Mass honors the patron saint of the Diocese of Rochester, St. John Fisher on his feast day, as well as the service of our 25- and 50-year priest jubilarians, and the culmination of the Year for Priests.

All are welcome to attend.

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Nine men will be ordained to the diaconate – eight as permanent deacons and one as a transitional deacon – on June 5, 2010, at a 10:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester.

They are Mark Bovenzi, Patrick DiLaura, Peter Dohr, Joseph Erway, Raymond Garbach, Paul Sartori, Lon Smith and Thomas Uschold. Click here for the Catholic Courier story providing details about the eight men.

In addition, Scott Caton of Spencerport will be ordained to the one-year transitional diaconate in anticipation of his ordination as a priest in 2011.

A permanent deacon – most often a married man – is ordained for service within the church, according to Deacon David Palma, director of deacon personnel for the diocese.

A deacon’s ministry ranges from Service of the Word (proclaiming the Gospel message, teaching, conducting retreats and counseling), Service of the Altar (assisting at Mass, witnessing marriages, baptizing and presiding at wakes and funerals) to Service of Charity (building up human dignity as ministers of charity and justice).

Candidates for the permanent diaconate must participate in four years of formation at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. Many deacons complete a master’s degree in pastoral studies.

The Diocese of Rochester has more than 100 active deacons.

You are invited to honor the dignity and humanity of the pre-born by attending a Mass for all those lost to miscarriage and abortion. The Funeral Mass, presided by Father Joseph Catanise and concelebrated byFather Anthony Mugavero, will be offered at St.Leo the Great Catholic Church, 167 Lake Avenue, Hilton NY 14468 on June 5th at 10:00 A.M. A baby lost to miscarriage will be laid to rest after Mass. A funeral reception will follow at St Leo’s Parish Center. Please call (585)392-2710 with any questions.