Greetings!  Welcome to the St. Mary’s website!  We are located in Canandaigua in the heart of the upstate New York Finger Lakes.  We are a vibrant community offering many services and enjoying rich worship, lively activities, and active school within picturesque City of Canandaigua.  We invite people to visit and warmly welcome those who desire to share in our community life.  There are many ministry areas available depending on one’s gifts and talents.  When you are at St. Mary’s, you are home!  

Firmly rooted in the Catholic doctrines and traditions St. Mary’s Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, fulfills its mission by following the ways of Jesus Christ. We, the parishioners who are St. Mary’s Church, represent Jesus Christ to our community. Our mission is to follow the way of Christ in our thoughts, words, and deeds, and to make Christ more fully present in all who live within our community.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE

All baptized Roman Catholics (14 years old and over) are responsible to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent.   Similarly, Roman Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive are required to fast (only one full meal with two smaller meals and nothing in-between) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  These requirements should not be taken lightly.

DAILY MASS

During the Lenten Season, St. Mary’s will have three daily Masses each day: 6:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 12:10 Mass on Monday-Wednesday-Friday; 6:45 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 12:10 Mass on Tuesday and Thursday.  There will be one morning Mass at St. Mary’s on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. St. Bridget’s will have a regular 8:00 a.m. Mass Monday through Friday. Both churches will keep the same weekend Mass schedule.  We encourage you to consider joining us for daily Mass during this Holy Season.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Stations of the Cross will be prayed after the 12:10 p.m. Masses on Wednesdays and Fridays at St. Mary’s Church.  Stations of the Cross will be prayed at St. Bridget’s Church following the 8:00 a.m. Mass on Fridays.  Please consider taking some time to follow the last steps of Jesus’ earthly life.

REGIONAL LENTEN PRAYER

Monday through Friday, March 8-12, our Northwest Ontario Regional Planning Group invites you to travel and pray. 

On Monday, March 8th, we will gather at St. Dominic’s Church at 7:00 pm for a Living Rosary. 

On Tuesday, March 9th, we will gather here at St. Mary’s at 7:00 pm for Taize prayer.

On Wednesday, March 10th, we are invited to join the community at St. Patrick’s in Victor at 7:00 pm for an Evening Mass and Lenten Prayer. 

On Thursday, March 11th, at 7:00 pm you are invited to an evening of dramatic prayer at St. Bridget’s Church in Bloomfield. 

The week will conclude on Friday, March 12th, in Phelps at St. Francis at 7:00 pm where we will pray the Stations of the Cross together. 

Mark your calendars now, make this Lent special by supporting your brothers and sisters at prayer.

SPRING, 2010  CONFIRMATION SET

We have received an invitation from our Bishop, Matthew H. Clark, to join him for a diocesan celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Wednesday, May 5, 2010.

   Interested candidates and their families will have the opportunity to learn about the specifics of the formation and register for this at one of the following overview-registration meetings:   

Sunday, March 14, at 12:30 PM in Dougherty Hall, or

Sunday, March 14, at 6 PM in Dougherty Hall.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF How you can help:

Donate to Catholic Releif Services (CRS)

CRS has mobilized an immediate major aid response to quake-ravaged Haiti and invites all concerned supporters to join us in the outreach. Click on the link above to donate to this reputable Catholic organization.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU!

The Kalama Project has achieved its goals to raise funds for a

100 meter drilled well to provide water,

Tuition assistance for high School,

College construction of a community building for clinic and library.

This success is due to our sacrifice, prayer, solidarity and desire to make a difference.

Now we will have the privilege of watching the lives of the villagers of Kalama, Kenya improve and the blessing of knowing that our sharing empowered it to happen.

New Facility Usage Procedures:

To comply with diocesan procedures, St. Mary's has adopted new procedures for non-parish sponsored events held in parish facilities effective July 1, 2009. 
For detailed instructions, please click here: 

  Facility Usage Procedures

Thy Will Be Done By Me

As part of the Forming Faith Initiative, a website, thywillbedonebyme.com has been created to give you a better idea of the volunteer opportunities available at St Mary's and St Bridget's.

SPIRIT ALIVE!

Spirit Alive! What could the Bible have to say to you today, in your life, in your circumstances? Go to www.rochesterspiritalive.org and hear the stories to people in our diocese who have made the Bible part of their daily lives. Go to Alive in the Word: The Bible for Us today. Then use the reflection questions to help you decide how you can grow more in your knowledge and love of the Word of God. You’ll be glad you did!

Week of March 7, 2010       (3rd Sunday of Lent)

Readings for Sunday: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15; Psalm 103, I Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, and Luke 13:1-9

Jesus assures his listeners that the tragedies of the Galileans and those killed at Siloam were not because those involved were more sinful than others, but that all are called to repent.  The parable of the fig tree offers hope in the continuing patience of God for those who have not yet repented.  Often you may think of yourself in the role of the fig tree in the parable, as the one who needs more time and patience to repent.  This is certainly true!  However, all disciples are called to be the one who offers to cultivate and nourish the ground so that others can grow in their relationship with God. 

This Lent, how can you become more aware of the parts of your life that are in need of repentance? 

How can you help others as they discern how they can grow in their relationship with the Lord?

Prayer for Spirit Alive!

Holy Spirit, Loving Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ,
Touch our Hearts
Lead us, Guide us, Refresh us, Heal us, Forgive us,
Give us new life.
We make this prayer for ourselves and all the people of our Diocese.
Be with us in these months with your life, your love and your encouragement.
Holy Spirit, Touch us, Be with us Always.
We pray, through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.