HOPE Appeal 2026: Together, We Give Hope

Dear Parish Family,
This weekend we begin our 2026 HOPE Appeal, and before I ask you to consider making a gift, I simply want to say thank you.

Last year, 403 households from Mary, Mother of Our Savior participated and together gave $99,928 - 106% of our parish goal. The average gift was $248. You showed what is possible when a parish family comes together in generosity, and I am deeply grateful.

This month, our parish joins Catholics throughout the Diocese of Syracuse in the annual HOPE Appeal.

Through our generosity, the HOPE Appeal supports vital ministries and programs that serve individuals, families, parishes, and communities throughout our diocese. In the coming weeks, we will share more about this year’s Appeal and how our parish family can participate. In the meantime, please prayerfully consider how you and your household might join us in supporting this important work of the Church.

Together, our gifts become a sign of hope far beyond the walls of our own parish.

To learn more, visit: syracusediocese.org/hopeappeal

Father Hage and Father Pawel will be attending the Annual Clergy Convocation for the Diocese of Syracuse from the afternoon of Monday, September 28th through Wednesday afternoon, September 30th.

Each year, the priests of our diocese gather with Bishop Lucia for prayer, formation, fraternity, and renewal. Please keep our bishop and priests in your prayers during these important days together.

Because our priests will be away, Daily Mass will not be offered on Tuesday, September 29th or Wednesday, September 30th.

Instead, our parish family is invited to gather with Deacon Stan Olkowski for prayer in the church on both mornings:

• 7:45 AM — The Most Holy Rosary
• 8:15 AM — Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Morning Prayer is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office the daily prayer of the Church. Through the Psalms, Scripture, and prayer, we unite our voices with Catholics throughout the world in offering praise to God. While it does not replace the Holy Mass, gathering for Lauds is a beautiful way for our parish family to remain united in prayer when Mass cannot be offered. Come pray with your parish family! Whether you have prayed the Divine Office for years or have never experienced it before, all are welcome.

Father Joe Salerno, our pastor emeritus, will be celebrating First Friday Mass at Lourdes on Friday, October 2 at 8:15am.

Following the Mass, the group will move to the Seton Center for a light breakfast where Fr. Joe will deliver a brief retreat talk for participants.

PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTED DATE!
Saturday, October 3 • 12:00 Noon • In Front of Church

An incorrect date was inadvertently published in an earlier bulletin.

Thank you for noting the corrected date above! In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Hage invites our parish and school families to bring their beloved pets for our annual Blessing of the Animals.

Join us outdoors as we thank God for the gift of creation and ask His blessing upon the animals who bring so much joy and companionship into our lives.

Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and other friendly companions are welcome. Bring the whole family! All are welcome!

For everyone’s safety, animals should be appropriately leashed, crated, or secured. Weather permitting.

"I will make your burdens disappear." - Our Lady of Fatima

Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:45pm (St. Joseph/St. Patrick Parish, 702 Columbia St. Utica, NY 13501)

To commemorate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the first class relic of Saint Francis will be here for all to be blessed.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 2:45 PM

Guest speaker: Rev. Jason Hage
Master of ceremonies: Senator Joseph Griffo
Free rosaries & scapulars

Family Rosary Radio, live broadcast every Sunday morning

9 AM - 11 AM Talk Radio Station 100.7 FM
With sincere gratitude and in loving memory of: Anna Marie Piacentino

To place an ad in our program booklet or for more information, contact Family Rosary Crusade.

PO Box 4272 Utica, NY 13504

(315) 292-2663

Sunday, October 4 • Following the 10:30 AM Mass

Each October, the Catholic Church in the United States observes Respect Life Month, a time to renew our commitment to cherish, protect, and uphold the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death.

As part of our parish observance, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) will lead our parish family in a Rosary for Life on Sunday, October 4, immediately following the 10:30 AM Mass at our Lourdes Campus.

All are warmly invited to remain after Mass and join us in prayer. Together, we will entrust to Our Blessed Mother all mothers and fathers, children and families, the elderly and vulnerable, and all whose lives are in need of protection, care, and accompaniment.

As we pray alongside Catholics throughout our nation during Respect Life Month, may the Lord help each of us build a culture of life through prayer, compassion, and Christ-like love.

Please join us in praying for the dignity and protection of every human life.

Wednesday, October 7 • 6:30 PM

Join our parish family on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary for our annual Candlelight Rosary Procession on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30 PM at our Lourdes Campus.

Following our regular Wednesday Parish Holy Hour, Fr. Hage will lead us in this beautiful evening of prayer and Marian devotion. We will gather in the church and then process by candlelight to our outdoor Marian shrines, weather permitting, as together we pray the Holy Rosary. In a special way, we will entrust our parish, our families, our community, and our world to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please bring your own Rosary and join us for this beautiful tradition of prayer, faith, and light as we honor Our Lady on her feast day.

All are warmly invited!

“Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours”

During the past few weekends Fr. Hage has spoken about “sharing the Good News.”

Many of us struggle with this concept and ask how do I do this?
The Genesis Mission offers a simple way to do just that.

We will be offering three six-week sessions:

Monday from 3:00pm – 5:00pm

• October 12, 19, 26,
• November 2, 9,16

Wednesday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm or 6:00pm - 8:00pm

• October 14, 21, 28
• November 4, 11, 18

Each session is limited to 5 people and runs for 6 weeks.

If you are interested in joining us, please call the Parish Office at (315) 724-3155 to let us know what session you will be attending.

For more information call Ed Gunn at (315) 749-5122.

An Important Update to Our Confession Schedule
The response to our first First Saturday Mass in September was very encouraging, and I am grateful to everyone who joined us. Based on that response, beginning in October we will build upon this new monthly devotion by offering an extended opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

New & Veteran Altar Server Training: Sunday, September 27 at 9:15 AM

Young people in Grades 3–12 are invited to discover the joy of serving at the Lord’s altar. Whether you have served or not, come and give it a try! No experience is necessary, and you do not need to make a commitment before attending the training.

Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 PM

All Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, both current and new, are invited to a special evening of formation, training, and renewal.

Have you ever considered becoming a liturgical minister?
Come and see! There is no obligation to sign up simply by attending.

All teens in Grades 7–12 throughout the Greater Utica Area are invited to join us Mondays from 6:30–8:00 PM at the Seton Center for food, games, friendship, faith conversations, prayer, service, and plenty of fun!

The Cyrenian Way • Fall Kickoff
Thursday, October 1 • 6:30 PM • Seton Center

Are you in your 20s or 30s and looking for deeper faith, authentic friendship, and a Catholic community to call your own?
Join young adults from throughout the Greater Utica area as The Cyrenian Way begins a new season!

Sunday, October 18th ~ 1:00pm (Seton Center)

Join us for a pleasant afternoon of cultural specialty appetizers, entrees and desserts coordinated by Denise DiGiorgio, Patty Guarnier, Liz DuRoss and Eileen Nanna. Would you like to share a favorite family recipe? If you missed it last year, come and share it with us this year.

Monday, November 2, 2026 - 6:00pm at Lourdes

Please join on as we remember our parish family members that have passed away during this year. Families will be invited to come forward to light a votive candle in memory of their deceased loved ones at this very Solemn Mass.

Please call our Parish Office at (315) 724-3155 no later than October 26th if you and your family plan on attending this Mass.

During the month of September we will be collecting sandwich items.

This can include small plastic sandwich bags, paper sandwich bags, small bags of chips, small bags of cookies, popcorn, animal crackers. These items may be dropped off at the back of church near the Evanna’s Table area.

Visit our website to check the list of names and include them in your prayers

If you would like to add a name to the list, please call the Office at (315) 724-3155.

Monthly Memorials for September

Help strengthen the mission of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish by signing up for online giving. It’s secure, convenient, and ensures your support continues even when you are away from Mass.