Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 4pm
St. Mary's Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am - 3:00 pm
Advent And Christmas
Join us in prayer and reflection...
December 5: Taize Prayer 7:00 PM in church, St. Mary, Oneonta
December 7/8
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (holy day of obligation)
12/7:Vigil Mass at 6:30 PM, St. Mary, Oneonta
12/8: Mass at Holy Cross, Morris at 9:00 AM
Mass at St. Mary, Oneonta at 12:10 PM
Sat., December 9: Women’s Morning of Prayer and Retreat
9:30AM Coffee/Tea, 10:00-12:00 PM Retreat, Parish Center, St. Mary, Oneonta
Tues., December 12: (Feast of OL of Guadalupe) 8:30 AM Mass, St. Mary, Oneonta
Reconciliation Services at 12:10 and 6:30 PM, St. Mary, Oneonta
Tues., December 19, Taize Prayer, 7:00 PM in church, St. Mary, Oneonta
Sun., December 24 (Christmas Eve) Vigil Masses:
4:00 PM-Holy Cross, Morris
6:00 and 8:00 PM, St. Mary, Oneonta
Mon., December 25 (Christmas Day) Mass:
10:30 AM, St. Mary, Oneonta
Mon., January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (holy day of obligation)
10:00 AM , St. Mary, Oneonta
Meet Our catechumens
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When a person is called by the Holy Spirit to enter into the Christian Life, they usually approach a faith community with questions, ideas, and their own life experiences. These seekers, called Inquirers, spend time in exploration of our community life, structure, and most importantly, how we conform ourselves to Christ. When they pledge their first acceptance of the Cross of Christ, in the Rite of Acceptance Into the Catechumenate, they are declared Catechumens, or those preparing for Baptism, in what we call the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Children of the age of reason, usually school age, are included in this process. Catechumens then become Elect and are fully initiated into the Church with the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at a future Easter Vigil. The process is open-ended and each person moves closer to Initiation as they conform themselves more closely to Christ and the Church.
St. Mary's currently has five active Catechumens: Jocelyn Hanrahan, Lou Berrios, Connie Remillard and her two sons, Jayce and Braxton. As an Initiating Assembly, it is our responsibility -and our joy!-to show them Christian hospitality and offer them guidance and support. Please welcome as they prepare to enter more fully into the Body of Christ, the Church.
Faith Formation
A Family of Faith
All families are warmly welcome to join A Family of Faith, St. Mary’s family faith formation program, this fall! The goals of this program are to encourage and equip you to live and teach your children the Catholic Faith at home. With one instructional meeting and one family gathering each month, this program will give you all the knowledge and tools you need to bring your children up on the Faith.
September dates are Sunday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 17.
Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation/First Communion and Confirmation will also be starting soon. Please contact the office if you have a child who you believe is ready to prepare for a sacrament (typically 2nd grade and 10th grade).
For more information, contact…
Kate Johnston or Amy Cerosaletti [email protected] / (607)432-3902 ext. 204.
Our Mission Statement...
"To feed, care and connect"
Holy Sews
~ MENDING HEARTS ONE STITCH AT A TIME ~
St. Mary’s Holy Sews makes and donates infant burial layettes to hospitals at absolutely no charge so they are readily available when parents experience the death of their baby due to a miscarriage. Seeing their baby dressed with dignity assures parents that others share their sorrow and care about what they are going through.
Volunteers work together at St. Mary’s and from home on the many tasks necessary to complete each layette. New volunteers are always welcome – both sewists and non-sewists - no experience needed. Leave a voice message for Mary Laden at (607) 433-2067 to learn more.
To help support us, mail checks payable to HOLY SEWS, INC. to St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820. Please mark the envelope: ATTN: HOLY SEWS.
Parish Life
Easter Vigil
May Crowning
Fish Fry
Blessing of the Animals
Thanksgiving prep
Thanksgiving prep
ARE YOU GRIEVING?
CONSOLE ONE ANOTHER
We feel the pangs of grief and loss throughout our lives...the ministry of the community helps make it easier to bear. Are you grieving the loss of a beloved person, job, situation or pet? Has some significant loss or change in your life left you bereaved, in despair or with anxiety? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
A vital Work of Mercy in the Church is to comfort the sorrowful and emotionally support those who suffer the pain of loss. Will you choose to meet and share the abundant life of God with others? Join us at St. Mary's to share stories and companionship aimed at healing our own wounds and reaching out to help others who are grieving.
Upcoming Meetings: Thursdays at 10:00 AM in the Rectory: November 16, December 21, 2023, and January 18, February 15, March 21, April 18, 2024.
Please call Mel at 432-3920, ext.202 or email [email protected] for more information.
"When I sat with my anger long enough, she told me her name was grief."
Bishop Barron on The Eucharist
First Saturday (FATIMA) Devotions
FIRST SATURDAY (FATIMA) DEVOTIONS are held at St. Mary’s, 3:00 pm (please note the time change) on the 1st Saturday of every month.
For many, the mere thought of leaving the comforts of home early on a Saturday morning to pray the Rosary seems unthinkable. Yet, they come! What draws them? Quite simply, because the Blessed Virgin asked them to and, like all loving children, they know Mother knows best. So, enjoy your wake-up cup of coffee, grab your Rosary and come join us as we show devotion to our heavenly Mother in prayer and petition.
Spiritual Direction
The role of the Catholic Spiritual Director is to assist an individual on their personal path of spiritual growth. A spiritual director listens and offers insight to assist an individual to discern the unique way God is calling them to live a life of faith in Jesus Christ and to recognize the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
For the full NYTimes article CLICK HERE
We offer links below to people seeking such spiritual companionship and discernment.
Spiritual Director, Cindy Korb
Website: www.cindykorb.com; Email: [email protected]; Phone: 607.267.0539
Spiritual Director, Diane DeDominicis
Email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]
The Consultation Center of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese, offers information about spiritual direction on their website which includes a listing of trained spiritual directors.
Website: www.consultationcenteralbany.org See the upper menu under Spiritual Direction
The Daily EXAMEN
The Daily Examen is an Ignatian technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience. To explore this form of prayer CLICK HERE
Helpful Links
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
https://catholicwomenpreach.org
Refugee Resettlement Coalition
You can make a difference. Oneonta much closer to being able to welcome one or more refugee families. This support must be done via Sponsorship, we therefore need to raise at least $3,000 to $7,000 per family. No donation is too small! If you know of other people who wish to donate, please encourage them to do so soon.
Donations can be made by checks mailed to the Foundation of Otsego County, P.O. Box 55, Springfield Center, N.Y. 13468. You need to indicate that the donation is for the "Refugee Resettlement Coalition"
Articles on Prayer
5 Tips for Prayer CLICK HERE
Pray Constantly CLICK HERE
Why does it seem that sometimes God does not answer our prayers CLICK HERE
On Fighting Distraction in prayer CLICK HERE
On Perseverance, it is necessary for prayer CLICK HERE
On Discernment CLICK HERE
Prayer can be a Struggle CLICK HERE
Meditation is for Everyone CLICK HERE
Want a Better Prayer Life? Be Honest. CLICK HERE
Seeking help for drug addiction or know someone who needs help?
Drug Addicts Anonymous - Drogadictos Anonimos is a non-profit association that offers all of its services free of charge. Our mission is to help people with problems of addiction to recover, regardless of their legal, or economic status or ethnicity. Primarily, its focus is on people who cannot receive help because of their legal situation and do not have the resources to solicit help in places that require payment.
The biggest impact is not only in helping people to liberate themselves from the slavery of drugs, we want to help them change their lives. We help them reintegrate back into society with a way of being, thinking, and acting. We ask the community for their support with your monetary donations or help us out with one of our fundraising T-shirts. It’s all possible with the great support of the community as together we strive toward success.
For information on Grupo "Unidad" in Jeffersonville, New York and other houses, go to www.daamerica.org or CLICK HERE
Pass this information to people you know who maybe seeking help from drug addiction 1.845.482.2486.
Needs Network
Items needed for Catholic Charities SRO (Single Room Occupancy) Houses
Items are to be placed in the Needs Network container in the gathering area of the church. Before and after Mass as well as week days when the church is open. Questions can be directed to John Korb: 607-267-0527.
New or slightly used twin bed sheet set, blankets light and heavy for twin beds
Hygiene items for female & male: shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, razors, body wash
For the ladies: unopened cosmetics, baby powder (not talcum)
Living Well...
Living with a chronic condition like diabetes, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, COPD/ asthma, heart disease, or cancer?
Online Donating
Diocesan Appeal: Your Gift Matters
Connect with us on Facebook by clicking the link below
Google Map
Help educate a child
For over five years, St. Mary’s Parish through its Peace and Justice Ministries has sponsored children to attend school in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. Currently we have eight students who have received enough scholarship assistance from us to attend school from 7th grade through graduation. Many of the children are native Mayan and come from very poor family situations and this education provides an opportunity for them to have a better future.
One year of schooling costs $250.00, six years $1500.00. Might you consider sponsoring a child? Any amount that you may be able to give will be combined with funds from the Peace and Justice Ministry to provide scholarship support. Student needs are greater than ever at this time as a result of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
If you wish to contribute to the scholarship program, please write a check to St. Mary’s Church and note on the memo line that the check is for scholarships. The check can be dropped off at the Rectory. Questions? Call Marjorie Pietraface at 432-1385.
Walking with Moms in Need ----------- A Catholic Response
Moving Forward: Walking with Moms in Need in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
The Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, is not the end goal for the Catholic Church. It’s a call to continuing action. We must walk with pregnant women in need, building a culture of life that helps them as they journey through pregnancy and into parenthood.
To that extent, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is asking each of its parishes to join a nationwide effort called Walking with Moms in Need. Parishes are being asked to identify resources in their community that already exist, identify needs that are not yet being met, and to take steps to bridge those gaps. The goal is to create a process that enables Catholic parishes and communities to “walk in the shoes” of these moms in need. We don’t point them in the direction of help, we journey with them.
The initiative is a response to Pope Francis’ challenge to go to the margins, to be present, and to make a difference. Each parish has gifts to offer, God-given gifts, but they are not for us to hang onto. Those gifts are to be shared and by the grace of God, used to help meet the needs in our communities.
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Catholic Women’s Health Resource: rcda.org/life/adoption-pregnancy-womens-health-resources
- Catholic Charities Get Help: ccrcda.org/get_help
- Find a Crisis Pregnancy Center: https://resources.care-net.org/find-a-pregnancy-center
Synod Re-cap
Synod listening sessions for the Diocese of Albany have been completed. The diocese has compiled a Synthesis of Listening Sessions, which summarizes the wisdom gleaned from all of the listening sessions in our diocese. This can be found on the Diocesan website, rcda.org/synod or by clicking HERE.
Habitat for Humanity...30 YEARS
Do you believe in the mission of HFHOC, that is, to eliminate all substandard and unaffordable housing in Otsego County? If you do, please consider joining us in this work.
To learn more about Habitat CLICK HERE
Contact Marjorie Pietraface at [email protected] to get more information.
How to pray with the Bible...
3 Youtube presentations on how to pray with the Bible, the Word of God. This is called 'lectio divina' or 'sacred reading'.
How to Pray the Rosary
Hail Mary, highly favoured daughter, God is with you... CLICK HERE
A Prayer to Welcome the Lord's Day
A Prayer to Welcome the Lord’s Day
[To be prayed at sunset on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.]
God, our God, creator of the ever expanding Universe, we give you praise and thanks for the glory of creation that reveals your presence to us and the Death and Resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ that is your great act of love for us.
As we begin to keep this Lord’s Day, renew us in spirit and body that we may serve you in holiness throughout the week.
We ask this through Jesus Christ who died that we might have life in abundance and lives and reigns with you and the Life-Giving Holy Spirit, our God, forever and ever. Amen.
For more on The Lord's Day, check out Bite Size Catholic Living 10 CLICK HERE.
For other aspects of Bite Size Catholic Living, check the MENU above