CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Established 1848 Mission Statement We, the worshipping community of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, rooted in the Gospel and the celebration of the Eucharist, seek to make known God’s love in the world through serving one another, sharing our faith and welcoming all. Most Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger, D.D. Bishop of Albany Very Reverend David R. LeFort, S.T.L., V.G. Rector Reverend John Tallman, Parochial Vicar Reverend Paul Mijas, Parochial Vicar Mr. Timothy J. Kosto, II, Deacon Schedule of Liturgical Celebrations The Holy Eucharist (Mass) The Lord’s Day: Saturday 5:15 p.m. (anticipated Mass) Sunday’s 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Weekdays: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 12:15 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday 7:15 a.m. Holy Days: Please check the bulletin and website. The Sacrament of Reconciliation: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 11:30 a.m. Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and other times by appointment 125 Eagle Street Albany, New York 12202-1718 Telephone: 518-463-4447 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cathedralic.com CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ALBANY Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord On the Sunday of the Epiphany of the Lord, we hear about gifts in the gospel reading. The image of gift is an appropriate one since to- day, on Epiphany Sunday, we acknowledge and celebrate the gift of God’s saving grace offered to everyone in the birth of his Son Je- sus. Each Epiphany Sunday, the Gospel reading is Matthew’s account of the visit of the Magi. Three important truths are revealed in this Epiphany sacred story. First, God alone directs salvation history. King Herod tried to exercise control Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines over the newborn Christ, assembling the chief upon you. Isaiah 60 priests and scribes of the people and meeting secretly with the Magi in an attempt to con- May the kings of Tarshish and the islands ceal his true motives to harm the infant. But bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all God protected baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, nations serve him. For he rescues the poor and the Magi, directing all of them to safety. A when they cry out, the oppressed who have second revealed truth is that God prepared us no one to help. He shows pity to the needy for this gift though the words of the Jewish and the poor and saves the lives of the poor. prophets. We hear that the birth of Jesus in Psalm 72 Bethlehem fulfills what the prophet Micah had foretold nearly eight centuries earlier: The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same “Bethlehem… from you shall come a ruler, who body, and copartners in the promise in Christ is to shepherd my people Israel”. A third re- Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3 vealed truth is that Jesus is God’s gift to all nations. The Magi who brought gifts to Jesus This great feast - celebrated in the East as are traditionally identified as Caspar, Melchi- the Baptism of the Lord - is a feast of or, and Balthasar. These three astrologers "revelation." Jesus is the beloved Son of God, from the East represented the other major na- a light for the whole world, the very one who tions of the world in the time of Christ. comes to us in time, this year, to be our sav- ior: to rescue the poor, to hear our cry, to Epiphany celebrated what the visit of the Ma- save us in our need, in our poverty. gi reveals to us: God’s gift– the gift of his new- May we bring him the gifts of our faith and trust born son– is a gift offered to all people, which and hope; May we recognize him as our savior God has long-prepared the world. who gave his own life to set us free from the power of sin and death. Come, let us adore him! 2 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Just a gentle reminder… If you are among our parishioners who receive collection en- velopes and “fly south” every winter, please The Collection for Christmas Eve and call the parish office to temporarily suspend Christmas Day was $8,335.35 your envelopes. These are returned to the Parish Office and we must pay the postage The Collection for Sunday December 29th, on them. If you let us know when you plan was $3,710.00 on returning, we’ll let the envelope company Thank you for all you have given to know when to restart sending them to you. the Cathedral. Thank you for your cooperation. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION The group meets Sundays from 10:00 am to 10:55 am in the Cathedral rectory. March for Life If you have any questions please contact Gather with Bishop Edward B. Scharfen- Tod Fowler either by phone – 518-463-4447 berger of the Diocese of Albany near the cor- or email – [email protected]. ner of 9th Street NW and Constitution Ave- nue NW, Washington D.C., at 12:15 PM to march together at the 47th Annual March for Life, January 24, 2020. Visit the Albany Diocese webpage to find the bus transportation that is available and for updates: www.rcda.org/life Please pray for our sick; Fr. William Pape, Fr. Frank O’Connor, Jeffrey Abraham, Robert Join Bishop Scharfenberger, the Diocese of Buell, Shirley Anderson, Lucy Apisa, Stephen Beattie, Carol Bruce, Grace Isabelle Caruso, Albany, and hundreds of thousands across Carmella Cervera, Mary Faith Colvin, Patricia the nation for the USCCB’s annual 9 Contti, Theresa Cooney, Marc Daniels, John Days for Life Novena, from Tuesday, Jan. Dare, Jr., Denise Degasparis, Michael Dolan, 21 – Wednesday, Jan 29, 2020, with daily Ann Doherty, JoAnn DeLucia, Diane Fontanelli, postings for you to follow at facebook.com/ Janette Fusco, Gus Franze, Bernice Girma, Ka- ren Goral, Carol Greenshields, Jean Gutbrodt, RCDARespectLife. Each day, a different in- Bryan Hanley, Jacqueline Heisler, Kelly Hem- tention is accompanied by a short reflection, ming, Kenneth Hockeson; Douglas Hoffeler, Al- suggested actions, and related information. fred Iwanie, Dorothy Jordan, Reny Jose, Bill More info: 9daysforlife.com Keane, Amy Keegan, James Laung, Donald Law, Gayle Leonard, Rebecca Leno, Therese Lenz, Di- ane Lo Prete, Ted Murawski, Marie-Ann Melen- fant, John McGrath, Mary Grace Meneses Sr., Maria Mercurio, CSJ, Stephanie Merenda, Di- The next meeting for the Marian Prayer ane Mueller, James Murphy, Mary Murphy, Group will be January 9th at 7:00 PM. Shane O’Donnell, Josephine Pitcherale, Marcia Pedone, Catherine Rappazzo, Mark Roman, Matthew Rosato, Megan Ruthman, Elaine Spoor, Adam Ventura, Sebastian Vicencio, Richard Warner, Raphael Warner Rosa Maria Santos 3 January 5, 2020 Cathedral Liturgical Celebrations, Meetings and Mass Intentions for the week of January 4, 2020 – January 12, 2020 Saturday, January 4, 5:15PM Mass Sunday, January 5, 9:00AM Mass 10:00AM Religious Ed. 11:00AM Mass 5:00PM Mass Monday, January 6, 12:15PM Mass Tuesday, January 7, 7:15 AM Mass 12:00PM AA Meeting Wednesday, January 8, 12:15 PM Mass Intention: Max Martinez Thursday, January 9, 7:15AM Mass Friday January 10, 12:15 PM Mass Saturday, January 11, 5:15PM Mass Sunday, January 12, 9:00AM Mass Intention: Dr. James Castleman Intention: Warren Biesemeyer 10:00AM Religious Ed. 11:00AM Mass 5:00PM Mass 4A January 5,2020 From Father LeFort Christmas As we continue to enjoy and celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, these days shower me with gratitude for the many parish- ioners who assisted with our Christmas litur- gies. From Choristers and musicians, altar servers and lectors…to extraordinary ministers of holy communion, ushers, and our phenome- nal staff: thanks to each and every one of you for making our celebrations so prayerful. May we all continue to enjoy this Christmas Sea- son! Many Thanks Finally, many thanks to all who were so kind and generous in dropping off gifts for us at the rectory; we are humbled by your expressions of love and care. May your reward be great! Mass Intentions– Having a mass offered for an individual is a wonderful way to honor their memory. If you wish to request a mass intention, please call or email the rectory of- fice at: 518-463-4447 or [email protected]. The donation for a mass intention is $10.00. You may enclose the filled out form below along with your donation. Just drop it in the collection basket or mail it to the rectory. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Mass Intention request: If the date and time are available, I would like to request a mass intention for the following: Date________________________________________ Mass Intention For___________________________ Please indicate if the intention is for living or deceased Requested by________________________________ 4B .