Parish Ministries—Please Help
As we prepare for the upcoming year, we are compiling a list of all ministries across our three parishes. If you help lead a ministry, please send us a brief description of what your ministry does, who it serves and when you meet

Contact Dan Borawski at (315) 254-4488.
This information will help us highlight our ministries at
upcoming parish events and ensure parishioners know how to get involved.

Thank you for all you do to
support the life and mission of our parishes.

A Pastoral Letter to Those Who Have Stepped Away from the Church

Peace of Christ be with you and your family.

As we enter a new season of faith and community life, our hearts turn toward those who may not have been with us for some time. Whether this letter reaches you directly or is placed in your hands by someone who cares about you, please know it comes with sincerity, prayer, and hope.

A Moment of Renewal in the Church
The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born Pope, has stirred a renewed sense of unity and encouragement throughout the Catholic world. His life—from Chicago neighborhoods to missionary service in Peru—reflects a shepherd who understands real people, real struggles, and real longing for connection. He reminds us:
“Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.”His words echo with what many hearts have been waiting to hear: that the Church desires to walk with you, not ahead of you; to accompany you, not judge you; to welcome you, not question your worthiness.

If You’ve Been Away…
Many Catholics wrestle with how to describe their relationship with the Church after years of absence. “Inactive,” “fallen-away,” “former”—none of these truly capture the truth of who you are. If you were baptized Catholic, that identity is woven into your soul. It is not a label you earn or lose; it is a gift God placed within you, a spiritual DNA that remains even through distance, doubt, or hurt.You may not have been to Mass in a long time. You may have stepped back quietly. You may have felt disappointed, overwhelmed, or simply drifted. But you have never stopped belonging.And the Church—imperfect though we are—still needs you. Your presence, your gifts, your faith (even if it feels small right now) enriches the Body of Christ. If we have failed you in any way, perhaps your return can help us grow into the Church Christ calls us to be.

A Gentle Invitation
We also know that many who receive this letter are faithful Catholics already active in parish life—people who pray, serve, and worship regularly. You might be wondering why this was sent to you. Perhaps this is the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudge for you, too. Maybe it’s time to reach out to a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or someone you care about who has been away from the Church. A simple invitation, offered with love, can open a door for someone who has been quietly longing for God but unsure how to begin again.
Sometimes the first step home comes through a simple invitation from a friend, a neighbor, or a family member. If you are reading this because someone handed it to you, it is because they care about you and believe your faith story is not finished.

Faith Formation ProgramThis September, our Faith Formation programs begin again, and we extend a heartfelt invitation to you—and to anyone you know who may be searching for a way back.
To begin the season in a spirit of welcome and community, we will be kicking off Faith Formation with a Fish Fry on September 18th from 4:00–7:00 PM at St. Mary’s Parish Center.

All classes are held at St. Mary’s Parish Center, Minoa, NY
Grades 7–10: Sunday, September 21st at 9:30 AM
Grades 1–6: Monday, September 22nd at 6:00 PM

Early Registration Discounts Register began July 15 and runs through September 8 for reduced rates. Forms available at all three parishes, parish offices, our website, or by emailing Gary Krajacic (gkrajacic@syrdio.org).

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
A Path for Adults Seeking the Sacraments
Begins Monday, September 21st at 6:00 PM,
We offer OCIA for:
Those who have never been baptized
Christians from other traditions seeking full communion
Baptized Catholics who have not completed their sacraments

Wherever you begin, the Church is ready to walk beside you.

Come Worship With Us
Mass is the heartbeat of our Catholic life—the place where Christ meets us in the Eucharist and where community becomes family.
Weekend Masses:
Saturday Vigil – 4:30 PM at St. Matthew’s, East Syracuse
Sunday – 8:00 AM at St. Matthew’s
9:30 AM at St. Francis, Bridgeport
11:00 AM at St. Mary’s, Minoa
Whether you are returning, exploring, or simply seeking peace,
your place in the pew is still yours.

Life in Our Parishes
Throughout the year, our three parishes offer events
that bring joy, fellowship, and faith to life:
Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit
Faith Formation Fish Fry
Thursday Night Bingo
Drive-Through Chicken Dinners
Casino Night
Election Day Fish Fry & Spaghetti Dinner
Breakfast with Santa & the Easter Bunny
Lenten Fish Fry's
Mystery Dinner Theatre
Holiday Outreach Programs
There is room for you in all of it—faith, friendship, service, and celebration.

Come Home
Wherever you find yourself today—certain, uncertain, hopeful, hesitant please know this:
You are remembered. You are prayed for. You are loved. And you are wanted.
The Church is not simply an institution; it is a living body founded by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. You need the Church’s sacraments, teachings, and community—but the Church also needs your heart, your presence, and your gifts.

If you are discerning your next step, please call our parish office at 315‑437‑8318. We would be honored to walk with you.Peace, hope, and the joy of returning home await.With gratitude and prayer

Fr. Wikes and The Faith Formation Ministry