• Welcome New Parishioners
• The Gift of Baptized
• Social Justice Awareness
• Social Justice
• Crusade for Priests/Vocations
• We Need You!
• Networking at St. Cecilia's
• Parish Cookbook

Welcome New Parishioners

We wish to welcome the following families who have registered from July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 into our parish community.

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The Gift of Baptized

Baptism is truly the most precious gift that children receive as they come into the world to begin life's journey! It is a powerful and visual reminder to all the participants that God's love and salvation are not earned but offered as a gift.

We welcome the following newly baptized into our faith community since March 2006 and extend Congratulations to all the proud parents!

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Social Justice Awareness

Homeless In Rochester

Did you know that there are over 2,000 homeless men, women and children in the Rochester area alone? Each year this number seems to grow. Many people have taken to the streets due to loss of jobs, substance abuse, an abusive home life, or they have overstayed their welcome at a relative's home. Last year the shelters in our area gave 725 women, 800 men, and 322 children a place to sleep. These people are on their own for the daytime hours looking for food, shelter, and a little peace. Many of the children do not attend school, have enough to eat, clothes to wear, or anyway of keeping warm during the winter months. I know you might think that some people do choose to live this way ... and you are right! There are many men and women on the streets due to drug and alcohol abuse and mental health problems, but please don't be too judgmental. These people were not born addicted to drugs or can afford proper psychiatric care. Some of them became this way due to their environment.

Children, young mothers, men looking for honest work and teens who had to run away from home due to an abusive parent(s) need our help! If the only thing you can do is pray, then please do so.

If you feel that you would like to help in other ways, contact Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities is the largest organization in Rochester to help the less fortunate in our community. They run overnight shelters as well as area food cupboards. They are always in need of volunteers to help with baby sitting, tutoring, teaching others basic life skills like cooking or keeping a check book. They are not always looking for financial support - Knowledge and Compassion from others is also greatly needed.

The Youth Group here at St. Cecilia's has been helping with certain shelters for the past several years. We have a yearly Halloween Party for the House of Mercy, help support food kitchens, blanket drives for women's Place, a shelter for women and their children, and are now collecting toiletry items for the homeless shelters.

Please consider helping those who can't help themselves!

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Social Justice

Adapted from "Let Justice Roll Campaign, Faith and Community; Voices Against Poverty"

We are grateful for the prophetic voice of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was not afraid to speak truth to power and to challenge us to live up to our ideals and values. Again, we hear his challenge to create a better world, his invitation to share a dream with him, a dream of non-violence and inclusive community.

His words call out to our souls. We are blessed by this challenge, this invitation. Deepen our understanding of Dr. Kings beliefs that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Awaken our compassion so that we may reach out our hands to those who are struggling. Strengthen our hearts to learn to love all our brothers and sisters in the entire global family.

Help us make the choices that will speed up the day when justice will roll down like the waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. When profit motives and property rights, machines and computers, are considered more important than people are, we must as a nation undergo a radical revolution of values.

Help us revise our values. The call for a world wide fellowship that lifts neighborly concern for one's tribe, race, class, and nation is in reality a call for an all-embracing and unconditional love for all humankind.

Help us to learn to love as you have, Lord. We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We con no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the alter of retaliation.

Help us choose your ways, Prince of Peace. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves in the long and bitter, but beautiful struggle for a New World. Help us see that we can be part of the building your kingdom, God of Hope.

WARNING: The study, practice, and spirituality of Catholic social justice teachings may be hazardous to your hard-heartedness, complacency, skepticism, indifference, and hubris. Proceed at your own risk! | Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselves also call and not be heard. Proverbs 21:13 | You are the God of the lowly, the helper of the oppressed, the supporter of the weak, the protector of the forsaken, the savior of those without hope. Judith 9:11

For more information on social justice issues, please consider the following resources:

"You Did It for Me: Care of Your Neighbor as a Spiritual Practice."
by Kevin E. McKenna, 2005 Ave Maria Press

Global Policy Forum: www.globalpolicy.org
Human Rights Resource Center: www.hrusa.org
The King Center: www.thekingcenter.org

An online directory of over 1,250 websites related to social justice as taught by the Church. These website categories include current teachings, correct practice, spirituality, and more.
This directory includes only sites faithful to the Magesterium: http://www.justpeace.org/

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Crusade for Priests/Vocations

Please join us every Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at St. Cecilia's for prayers to ask God's blessings for the holiness of our priests and an increase in vocations to the holy priesthood.

Clergy Statistics   **2005**

At present there are 110 active diocesan priests serving in the 160 faith communities in our diocese. The sacramental needs of parishioners who are served by Pastoral Administrators are provided for by the generous retired priests of our diocese and by international priests who are here for the purpose of studying before returning to their home countries. Of the active diocesan priests, just 3 are under the age of 40. There are 14 priests under the age of 45 and 22 under the age of 50. There are 71 priests under the age of 60.

In the next 8 years, 37 priests will reach retirement age (70). It is hoped that each year for the next 8 years an average of 1 priest will be ordained. This means that by the year 2013 we will be minus 29 priests!

Think about it!                                                                               

Pray about it!

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We Need You!

Please consider giving some of your time and talent to be a visitor to our parishioners in Nursing Homes or those who are homebound or recuperating from an illness. We have several visitors who do this service faithfully, but we always hear of those who recently moved to a health care facility or those in need of a visit. Please contact 467-4286 to find out more about this important ministry.

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Networking at St. Cecilia's

Will meet on every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in Room 111A.

In real estate the three most important words are: location, location, location. Similarly, in job seeking the three most important words are: network, network, and network.

Now in its second year, the St. Cecilia Network has joined the 900 members of The August Group to provide networking opportunities for professionals. The Network meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at St. Cecilia from 7-9pm. There is no cost to join or to attend the meetings.

Whether you are currently unemployed, soon to be unemployed or simply looking for another job, networking is the most efficient way to find new employment. Even in a poor job market, companies of all sizes are looking for new employees. It is said that only 20% of jobs are posted publicly. Networking gives you the advantage you need to find the other 80%.

But what is networking? It is making connections with people and enlisting their help in your job search. Every person who is willing to speak with you has taken an interest in your finding employment. If they do not know of an available job, they can help by referring you to at least two more people.

In return you are expected to help others by referring them to your contacts, by their friends, family or colleagues. The motto of The August Group is: "Give to Get."

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Parish Cookbook
We have many more copies of our parish cookbook "A Dash of This and a Scoop of That" available for a $10 donation. The proceeds are being used to supply enrichment  program materials and supplies for the children and teens of the parish.  Over 200 recipes have been provided by parishioners and the children have provided the drawings that make up the category dividers in the book. They are always available in the Ministry Center.