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Sacraments Confirmation Confirmation preparation is a two year program beginning in the fall of the 9th grade year with Confirmation being celebrated in the spring of the 10th grade year. It is the policy of the Diocese of Syracuse that those young adults registering for Confirmation preparation must have been active in the Faith Formation Program for at least one year prior to their registration. This means that they must have been in class for their 8th grade year. Students who attend Catholic school are exempt from being in the program for one year prior to registering for the sacrament, however they must attend Year 1 and Year 2 of Sacrament Prep to be eligible for Confirmation. To register for this program, please visit sasmyouth.org or contact the Faith Formation Office at 315-635-5762, ext. 110. Resources for Teens: 8 Things You Need To Know About Confirmation Listen to a talk by Father Mike Schmitz - We Must Go Out: The Sacrament of Confirmation

Outreach Ministries Turkey Day Race Food Drive In 2018 St. Mary's and St. Augustine's partnered with the Baldwinsville Kiwanis Turkey Day Race to hold a huge food drive for the first time! After seeing the success of the food drive, we made it our mission to continue to help those in the Baldwinsville community with this food drive every year! St. Elizabeth Ann Seton joined the cause in 2019. This year, the need is even greater within our community, so together with our sponsor partners of St. Augustine's, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and the Baldwinsville Kiwanis, we are proud to announce the seventh annual Turkey Day Race Food Drive! The food collected during this drive is distributed to a variety of local charities including: The Baldwinsville Food Pantry The Backpack Program, for which a special emphasis is placed on food that is healthy and easily prepared for/by children who are in need. How You Can Help Fill a bag with groceries and return it to one of the food drop locations, during the dates/times listed below. The suggested child food list and family food list are also below. Sponsor individuals to run/walk the VIRTUAL race. Money raised by the Kiwanis goes towards improving the lives of children and families in Baldwinsville and CNY. For more information on the Baldwinsville Kiwanis, visit their website here . Download the Food Lists Click here to download the food lists. Food Drop Off Locations, Dates & Times Donation items from the Family Food List and the Child Food List can be dropped off on the following dates at these locations, now through Thanksgiving Day: Interested in Volunteering? We are always appreciative of volunteers who help us collect and sort food. You can sign up to volunteer by clicking here . Thank You for Your Support! No matter how you support this worthy cause, please know that the parishes of St. Mary's, St. Augustine's, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, together with our friends at the Baldwinsville Kiwanis, truly appreciate your kindness and generosity, and we thank you! We wish you and yours many blessings throughout the holiday season and year round!

Overnight Adoration Please click the button below to register for an Overnight Adoration date. Friday, February 20 & Saturday, February 21, 2026 Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28, 2026 Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7, 2026 Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14, 2026 Friday, March 20 & Saturday, March 21, 2026 Friday, March 27 & Saturday, March 28, 2026

Join Us Become a Parishioner Become a Parishioner We are so happy to have you join our parish family! We have a wonderful Ministry Team here at St. Mary's who are happy to help you at any time. Feel free to contact the Parish Office with any questions at 315-635-5762. Please click here to register. Become a Catholic Become a Catholic The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or the RCIA as it is commonly known, is the formal process for people to be received into the Church. Although it usually takes the better part of a year, there are no time limits or a set amount of time in which you will complete the process. It is largely dependent on your readiness. Your personal circumstances also play a part in how long the process takes. People with a strong background in another Christian faith tradition and in Scripture may take less time than others. If you have a prior marriage to be annulled it may take a bit longer. Adult Faith Programs Experience Our Adult Faith Programs Adult Faith Programs are offered at St. Mary's through a variety of groups, programs and series on different topics and for varying lengths of time. These are offered to adult parishioners to give them the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the Catholic faith and strengthen their individual spirituality. Please click here to view the adult faith program opportunities. Volunteer Volunteer at Our Parish We are all blessed with unique gifts and talents, and at our parish, we welcome yours! If you would like to volunteer your time at our parish, we always have a need for extra hands. Please contact our parish office to volunteer with us. Prayer Request Submit a Prayer Request A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION To submit a prayer intention for the weekly A Spiritual Connection , email stmarysbville@syrdio.org or call the office at 315-635-5762 by Monday at 10:00 am. The prayer intention will appear once, unless you submit it again. ST. MARY'S BOOK OF PRAYER INTENTIONS The St. Mary's Book of Prayer Intentions is located near the side altar of the Blessed Mother. Intentions can be written in the book anytime the Church is open.

Become a Catholic Adults The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or the RCIA as it is commonly known, is the formal process for people to be received into the Church. Although it usually takes the better part of a year, there are no time limits or a set amount of time in which you will complete the process. It is largely dependent on your readiness. Your personal circumstances also play a part in how long the process takes. People with a strong background in another Christian faith tradition and in Scripture may take less time than others. If you have a prior marriage to be annulled, it may take a bit longer. This process is for both people who have not been baptized, as well as people who were baptized in another Christian faith. The Catholic Church recognizes baptism from most other Christian denominations. If you have already been baptized, you may be received into full communion with the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Generally, adults coming into the church through Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist will do so during the season of Easter. Adults celebrating baptism do so at the Easter Vigil. The RCIA is not a program. It is the church’s way of ministering to those who seek membership. It is a process of coming to know Jesus. It is a call to choose a relationship with Jesus through the Catholic Church, especially through the celebration of the Eucharist. The RCIA is an opportunity to join in the sacramental life of the church. It is a choice to bear witness to the gospel by living a life of faith and service. The RCIA has four stages. The beginning stage is called a time of inquiry or the Pre-Catechumenate. During this period the RCIA team seeks to assist the inquirer with answers to their questions about God, faith, and the church. The second stage is the Catechumenate, or the period of learning. During this period, the church encourages an ongoing conversion to Jesus Christ and the reign of God he proclaimed. The Catechumenate provides a structure for the studying scripture, especially the gospels, catechesis (passing on the teachings of the church), public and private prayer, direct contact with the members of the parish community, and participation in the work of the church for justice and peace. The third stage is called the Period of Purification and Enlightenment and generally takes place during Lent. It is a period of intense prayer and reflection prior to celebrating the Easter Sacraments. Mystagogia, the fourth period, is one of “unpacking” and integration of the experience of celebrating the Sacraments. These periods of the process are all preceded by formal Rites that take place during a Sunday Mass. These Rites are your public affirmation to the community, as well as yourself, that you are ready to move on in your journey towards the Easter Vigil, your initiation into the Catholic Christian community. To learn more, contact the Parish Office at 315-635-5762. Children How Do Children or Youth Become Catholic? The Catholic Church is delighted to welcome children into the community, no matter how old or young they are, and no matter how much previous faith formation they may or may not have had. We are simply glad they want to get to know Jesus better! Children Younger than 7 Years Old If a child is younger than 7 years old and has not yet been baptized, the process is a very simple one. Parents are asked to attend a baptismal preparation class. This class is usually scheduled for the first Tuesday evening of the month, at 7 PM. Please contact the parish office to register for this class, (315) 635-5762 or stmarysbville@syrdio.org . In addition, the child will become part of the usual faith formation process, and celebrate the other Sacraments of Initiation as scheduled for all baptized Catholic children. If a child has been baptized, the Catholic Church recognizes baptism from most other Christian denominations. To become Catholic, he or she becomes part of the usual faith formation process and celebrates the sacraments of initiation as scheduled for children who were baptized Catholic. For more information, please visit sasmyouth.org . Children 7-8 Years Old or Older Children age 7-8 years old or older (or who are in the second grade or higher) have their very own process of becoming Catholic. This process is an adaptation of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA as it commonly known. Typically, students and parents enter into a two-year commitment of weekly classes that culminate in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) during the Easter season. This process is for both students who have not been baptized as well as young people who were baptized in another Christian faith. The Catholic Church recognizes baptism from most other Christian denominations. If a child has already been baptized, but received no formal faith formation, he or she may be received into full communion with the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA has four stages. The beginning stage is called a time of inquiry or the Pre-Catechumenate. The second stage is the Catechumenate, or the period of learning. The third stage is called the Period of Purification and Enlightenment and generally takes place during Lent. It is a period of intense prayer and reflection prior to celebrating the Easter Sacraments. Mystagogia, the fourth period, is one of “unpacking” and integration of the experience of celebrating the Sacraments. These periods of the process are all preceded by formal Rites that take place during a Sunday Mass. These Rites are your public affirmation to the community, as well as yourself, that you are ready to move on in your journey towards the Easter Vigil, your initiation into the Catholic Christian community. To learn more, contact the Parish Office 315-635-5762.

IronMan Lake Placid Sunday, July 21, 2024 Father O’Connor competed in Ironman Lake Placid on Sunday, July 21, 2024. The 140-mile race began at 6:30am, and included a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and then a marathon (26.2 miles). Click here to view the Catholic Sun article

Easter Flowers Thank you to all who donated Easter flowers in honor/memory of their loved ones, making our church beautiful for the Easter season. Easter Flowers in Honor/Memory Of:

Diocesan Reorganization Update July 27, 2023- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and the official Committee of Unsecured Creditors announce that they have reached a settlement agreement in the Chapter 11 case filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of New York on June 19, 2020. The Diocese and the Committee believe this settlement is an important first step in forming a chapter 11 plan that will lead to the Diocese's exit from chapter 11. See more information below. Please scroll all the way down to see all the information presented by Bishop Lucia and the Diocese of Syracuse, and please join us at Mass at 4:00pm on Saturday, July 29 or 7:30am or 9:00am on Sunday, July 30 for more information from Fr. Cliff Auth. A Video Message from Bishop Lucia Joint Announcement (click here to download the print version) Letter to the Faithful (click here to download the print version) Frequently Asked Questions (cl ick here to download the print version) Link to Diocesan Website (For more information, c lick here to visit the official web page of the Diocese of Syracuse ) Parish Town Hall Meetings July 31, 2023: As mentioned during his homily at Masses this past weekend, Fr. Cliff will be having two town hall meetings to answer questions and hear concerns of our parishioners regarding the Diocese of Syracuse’s recently announced settlement agreement in the Chapter 11 case filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Due to the unexpected passing of a close friend of Fr. Cliff’s, there has been a slight change of schedule for the first town hall meeting: The town hall meeting originally scheduled to be held tomorrow, Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at St. Augustine’s will now be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 10:30 am before the senior luncheon in the St. Augustine’s Gathering Space. The town hall meeting being held at St. Mary’s will be held, as originally planned, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 7pm at St. Mary’s Church. Parishioners from St. Mary’s and St. Augustine’s are welcome to attend either town hall meeting that works with their schedule. If you were unable to attend Mass this past weekend, you can find the information shared on this web page or at https://www.staugustinesparish.org/diocesan-reorganization. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the settlement agreement, we’ll look forward to talking with you on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 10:30am in the St. Augustine’s Gathering Space or on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 7pm at St. Mary’s Church. Town Hall Meetings

Sacraments Baptism Baptism A Commitment to Grow in New Life With Christ Congratulations on the birth of your child! We are honored that you have chosen St. Mary's for this important sacrament in your child's life. Click here to begin Baptism preparations . First Reconciliation First Reconciliation Receiving Forgiveness for Our Sins The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ. Click here to view the confession schedule . Click here to learn more about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by viewing the Forgiven program on FORMED . Click here to teach your children about Reconciliation by watching Forgiven: The Blessings of Confession on FORMED . Click here to download the USCCB's short guide featuring step by step instructions on how to attend Reconciliation (Confession) . First Eucharist First Eucharist Receiving the True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ The Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, who is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine, in order to offer himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and to be received as spiritual food in Holy Communion. It is called Eucharist, or "thanksgiving," because at its institution at the Last Supper, Christ "gave thanks," and by this fact it is the supreme object and act of Christian gratitude to God. Click here for details regarding First Eucharist preparation . Confirmation Confirmation Deepening Our Baptismal Life In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service. ~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Click here for details regarding Confirmation preparation. Matrimony Matrimony A Union Under God The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy. ~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Click here for details regarding Matrimony preparation. Anointing of the Sick Anointing of the Sick Bringing Spiritual Strength During an Illness Anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive. Anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC1520). Does a person have to be dying to receive this sacrament? No. The Catechism says, "The anointing of the sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived" (CCC1514). The residents of Syracuse Home at McHarrie Place are anointed twice a year. If you would like to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing, please call the Parish Office to set an appointment with the Pastor. Funeral Planning Funeral Planning Support During the Loss of a Loved One While no one can take away the pain of losing a loved one, our parish community is here to support you and yours through this difficult time. We are blessed to have a loving and supportive funeral ministry team who can help make this time just a little easier for those who are experiencing grief and loss. Click here for details to plan a funeral for your loved one. Click here for grief and loss resources, including our Bereavement Group.

Adult Faith Formation Adult Faith Formation at St. Mary's is dedicated to assisting adults in having a close personal relationship with God by offering programs that will increase knowledge of our Catholic faith and inspire spiritual growth. Adult Faith also offers adults the opportunity to share their baptismal gifts with the parish and community. Finally, we strive to inspire adults to be apostolic disciples who proclaim the mission of Jesus Christ. For information on events, check the bulletin, parish weekly update email, and website calendar for current faith opportunities, or contact Renée Romance at reneerministry@gmail.com or the parish office at 315-635-5762. Progr ams During the year, we offer a variety of programs on different topics and for different lengths of time. Bible Study: Bible Study meets on Mondays from September through June from 7:00-8:00 pm, and we focus on six-week studies. New members are always welcome! The 4 Temperaments: In October 2022, we offered a 3-week program presented by Christina Palazzoli and Michael Assaf of St. Rose of Lima Church. Access the videos and resources about the 4 Temperaments here . Groups Men's Group: The St. Mary's Men's Group is open to all men of faith, ages 18 and older. It is an opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of other men, strengthen our personal faith and encourage each other in faith through the Gospel. Meeting dates and times are posted in the bulletin or the weekly parish update email. Women of Faith: St. Mary's Women of Faith provides opportunities for the women of our parish and all women of faith to strengthen their own personal spirituality and their relationship with other women in our parish. The group meets once per month and often has speakers, group activities and much more for women to enjoy! Volunteer Opportunities RCIA Catechist Program Coordinators: Adult Faith Formation is looking for adults with good communication and organizational skills to coordinate programs. Training will be provided. Contact Renée Romance at reneerministry@gmail.com or call the parish office at 315-635-5762. Small Group Facilitator: Adult Faith Formation is looking for adults with good communication skills and a good knowledge of Scripture and our Catholic faith to facilitate small group discussions. Training will be provided. Contact Renée Romance at reneerministry@gmail.com or call the parish office at 315-635-5762. Resources Formed A Spiritual Connection A Bible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz Anchor 1 Anchor 2

Funerals & St. Mary's Cemetery St. Mary's now offers the option to create a funeral pre-plan online! Click here to complete a funeral pre-plan form, and upon submitting the completed form, a copy will be emailed immediately to the person who completed the form, with a copy also emailed to St. Mary's Parish Office, where it will be kept on file. Funerals The Vigil—Wake—Calling Hours The Vigil Service for the deceased is an important part of the funeral rite and should not be eliminated. A priest, deacon or lay person may preside at this rite. At times this rite takes place approximately 20 minutes before calling hours begin. The ritual consists of scripture and intercessory prayer. The Funeral Mass The heart of the Funeral Rites is the Funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass focuses not on earthly life, but eternal life. This Mass celebrated for the deceased commends the soul to the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father. The prayers of the Church entrust the individual to the care of God who has called our loved one to Himself. Our prayers to God entreat Him to be gracious and merciful, not looking upon the sins of the past but to the glory they are to share with Christ. “Having been baptized into His death, we hope to share a resurrection like His.” (Romans 4) This liturgy also offers comfort and consolation to those who mourn. The Mass lifts our hearts to God who will strengthen us in the days ahead and give us the grace of His comfort as we continue our journey of faith. Music for the Funeral Mass As in all liturgies, music is sung prayer and plays an integral role in the Funeral Mass. It allows us to express our faith, love and hope, drawing us closer in unity to our faith. While favorite songs that are popular or secular may hold special meaning to the deceased and the family, this type of music is not appropriate for the Mass, nor is the use of recorded music. The family is invited and encouraged to be part of the music planning for the funeral liturgy. The Mass lifts our hearts to God who will strengthen us in the days ahead and give us the grace of His comfort as we continue our journey of faith. The parish musician, priest, or those assisting in the preparation of the funeral Mass can be helpful in assisting in the choice of suitable hymns and the placement of music selections. Many churches have soloists and choirs that sing at funerals, enhancing the liturgy and honoring our loved one through sung prayer. Rite of Committal The last of the rites in the Order of Christian Funerals is the Rite of Committal which includes a verse from the scriptures, a prayer of committal, intercessions, the Lord’s Prayer, and a blessing. If desired, music may be added to the Rite of Committal. This rite should take place directly after the Funeral Mass at the time of burial. A priest, deacon or lay person may preside at this rite. Cremation Canon Law states that the Church allows both cremation and burial as means of honoring the body of a deceased Catholic. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body be present during the Vigil Service and Funeral Mass, and if cremation is selected, then it should follow the celebration of the Funeral Mass. The remains are to be placed in a worthy vessel which is then carried and transported with the same respect and attention given to a casket carrying the body. St. Mary's Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery is located at 101 Tappan Street in Baldwinsville. Burial Lots are available in the new section of the cemetery. We follow the Diocesan Guidelines concerning the design of monuments, and all monuments need to be approved by the Parish Office before they are commissioned. For more information, please call the Parish Office at 315-635-5762. Click here to download the cemetery fee schedule . Click here to download the cemetery rules and regulations .

Creating a Family Prayer Space Creating a Prayer Space for Your Home By: Cathy Mackey Does your family have a Prayer Space? A Prayer Space, also known as a Prayer Corner or Sacred Space, is a designated place in your home that serves as your “church away from church.” It’s a place you can go to, alone or as a family, to pray or feel closer to God. The Bonacchi family has shared their Prayer Space with us. Watch this short video of their sweet children praying to the Blessed Mother! Here’s how you can make a Prayer Space in your home: Pick a place in your home where you can have your Prayer Space. Some people pick a windowsill, a corner of a low traffic room, or a space in a special room in the house or apartment. Choose items that are meaningful to your prayer life. I love religious statues and religious art. So, my prayer space would have statues of Jesus and the saints, as well as pictures of He and the saints. I also have a cross and a Bible. I also set up a comfy chair to sit on while I read Scripture, listen to the rosary recited online, or listen to our Director of Music, Ryan Schaffer, read the Stations of the Cross. It’s that simple! You can make your Prayer Space as simple or elaborate as you choose. For more information, click on the link below: https://buildfaith.org/creating-a-prayer-space-at-home/ We’d love to see your Prayer Space! Please send pictures to cmackey@syrdio.org We would love to feature your family’s space on our websites and in our newsletters.