Welcome to St. Mary’s Church, Clayton, NY

And to St. John’s Church, LaFargeville, NY

From Fr. LaBaff

The U S Conference Catholic Bishops has issued the following statement about marriage:

What is marriage?

This is the great question of our time. And there is an answer accessible to every human heart: marriage is the lifelong, exclusive union of one man and one woman.   Some voices today claim this time-tested answer is outdated. We have seen the pain of broken marriages, divorce, and the rise of cohabitation. We have also seen most recently another troubling phenomenon: the current attempts to alter the definition of marriage from the union of a man and a woman to the union of two persons of the same sex. These attempts would seem to say that the time-honored answer that marriage is the union of one man and one woman has now become old-fashioned and obsolete. But does marriage really have nothing essentially to do with the relation between man and woman?

Sexual difference is essential to marriage. The ancient answer to the question of marriage is just as true and applicable and life-giving as ever: marriage can only be between one man and one woman. Everything else falls short. Efforts to redefine marriage misunderstand marriage or sex differences or sex itself.

Today there is frequent discussion about rights, equality, and the avoidance of discrimination.  The principles of the common good are important and vital for any society concerned about justice. The Church herself is situated at the forefront of working for social justice. She stands for basic human rights, for respecting human equality, and for avoiding all unjust discrimination, all on the basis that every human person has equal and inviolable dignity, including persons with a homosexual inclination. The dignity of the human person is non-negotiable. 

Is there a dichotomy between preserving the truth of marriage on the one hand and supporting the inviolable dignity of every human person on the other?  Those who stand for the truth of marriage between one man and one woman are often accused of bigotry or of denying equality and civil rights. However, this is a language game not based in reality. These claims overlook both the meaning of marriage and the preservation of marriage as a fundamental social justice issue.

                                                            Fr. Arthur J. LaBaff

Week at a Glance

Wednesday, July 28

7:45 a.m. Altar Server trip to Enchanted Forest Water Safari

7:00 p.m. Marian Cenacle

Sunday, August 1

1-4:00 p.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School preparations in St. Mary’s Parish Center

Sunday, August 1

1-4:00 p.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School preparations in St. Mary’s Parish Center

Monday, August 2

8:30—11:45 a.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School

Tuesday, August 3

8:30—11:45 a.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School

4:00 p.m. TOPS

Wednesday, August 4

8:30—11:45 a.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School

7:00 p.m. Marian Cenacle

Thursday, August 5

8:30—11:45 a.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School

5:00 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal at St. Mary’s

Friday, August 6

8:30—11:45 a.m. Clayton Vacation Bible School

5:00 p.m. Wedding at St. Mary’s

Saturday, August 7

4:00 p.m. Rosary & Reparation to Mary at St. Mary’s

August 1, 2010: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Grow rich in the sight of the Lord. Pray to know God’s will. If God may be calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life, talk to Fr. Art LaBaff or visit the Vocation Office website at www.myvocation.net.

Summer Weekend Mass Times

Reaching Out to Inactive Catholics

   Friends, family members, co-workers—we all know people who have fallen away from their Catholic faith. Here are some compassionate ways to respond to comments in the hope that this will give you the words to say to invite inactive Catholics back to Church.

“I am no longer a practicing Catholic.” I am sorry to hear that. For whatever reason you left the Church, I hope you will give us another chance.

“I am too busy at this time to think about Church.” I can only imagine how hectic your life must be with all that is on your plate. I don’t want to add anything to your plate but to offer you some balance to your schedule.

“I am divorced and remarried. I was told that the Church has excommunicated me. If the Church doesn’t want me, I don’t need the Church.” I am sorry that you picked up that message from us. While you may not be able to receive the Eucharist, you are not excommunicated; and the Church doesn’t want you to feel separated.

“I am angry at the Church because…” While divine, the Church is a human institution as well. It is unfortunate that we cause pain to one another. In the name of the Church, I apologize and hope that you will join us again.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Saturday:5:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s, Clayton

7:00 p.m. at St. John’s, LaFargeville

Sunday:7:45 a.m. at the Tabernacle at T. I. Park

9:15 a.m. at St. Mary’s, Clayton

10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s, Clayton

Pre-requisites for Sacramental Preparation

(First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation)

1. The child should be baptized.

2. The child and parents should be attending Mass regularly.

3. The child is expected to be registered and regularly participating in religious education classes in both the current and previous years and will continue to attend after receiving the sacrament.

Leaving Your Affairs in Order

The following are suggestions to make sure your life is in order before God calls you:

1. -Draft a will
   

2. -Leave enough liquid cash in an obvious location to sustain your survivors to pay the expenses of your estate
   

3. -Plan your own funeral and burial
   

4. -Leave no financial debt
   

5. -Write your own obituary
   

6. -Organize your records
   

7. -Choose a time to openly discuss these plans with loved ones

From Bishop LaValley

St. Mary’s Gala and Raffle Dinner: A letter has been mailed to all who have purchased a ticket for our Gala. The letter contains a postcard requesting whether you will attend the Gala dinner. This postcard must be completed and returned to the parish by the July 26 deadline to insure you have entrance to the Gala on August 10. If you did not receive this letter, please contact the parish office before July 26.