BLESSING OF RELIGIOUS ARTICLES. Religious articles may be blessed in the sacristy after Mass or at the Parish Office by calling ahead of time.

HOUSE BLESSING. House blessings will be conducted upon request at a time convenient for the family and the priest or deacon.

PARISH CEMETERIES.  St. Mary's and Holy Cross are the two parish cemeteries. Arrangements are made by contacting the Parish Office.

HOSPITAL VISITS.  Because of HIPA laws, we may not know that you or a loved one is in the hospital.  Please call the Parish Office to inform us of pending hospitalizations or when a loved one has become hospitalized.  Please state the name of the parish in which you are registered, not just that you are Catholic, when being admitted into any hospital.

LIFE-LONG FAITH INFORMATION. Religious education/faith formation opportunities include:

• preschool through adult education/faith formation,

• family education programs,

• home-base religious education series from preschool through adult, and

• Sacramental preparation for First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Children's Liturgy of the Word (Sundays, October through May) at the 10:00a.m. Mass at St. Mary's.  Religious Education Classes are held at  after the 10 a.m. at St. Mary's. Seasonal InterGenerational  Nights (SIGN) are offered during the various liturgical seasons.

COMMUNITY PASTORAL COUNCIL. The covenant of the Community Pastoral Council encourages the council members to freely accept the call to serve as leaders of this faith community. We realize that we share this privilege and responsibility with the pastor and staff. We pledge to:

• consistently strive to build an ever-stronger faith family where we empower the full parish community to contribute;

• take ownership of the life of the parish;

• take the time to discern the gifts and needs of our parish and respond thereto;

• seek to follow the call of our Community Mission Statement.

A list of the current members can be found at the end of this page.

COMMUNITY LITURGY COMMITTEE. This committee works to develop and promote the celebration of liturgies that create a stronger faith and a closer relationship with God. This committee is involved with the Sunday liturgy, and the many special liturgies and events during the year. These include Advent, Christmas, Lent, Parish Mission, guest speakers, etc., that support and enhance the prayer life of our faith Community. The Liturgy Committee also supports the Children's Choir, the Music of the Lord Choir, the Resurrection Choir at St. Mary's, St. Benedict's Choir, Cantors, and other Folk Groups that minister at our various liturgies. The Art and Environment Committee is a subcommittee of the Liturgy Committee. It seeks to enhance the themes set down by the Liturgy Committee in creating an ambiance that enriches the celebration of our liturgies.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA). The RICA is a process designed to help bring those interested in becoming Roman Catholic Christians into the life of our Parish Community. Those who are unbaptized, baptized in other denominations, and baptized Catholics never fully initiated into the Church are brought together to learn, pray, question, and grow in faith. The RCIA team helps people discover who we are as a Church with a view toward entering our Community of faith.

YOUTH MINISTERS.  Our youth are not only ministered to, but are also actively engaged in Church ministries. Their programs include a variety of spiritual, recreational, social, cultural, and service activities. The activities are designed to assist our youth to develop their Christianity by providing opportunities for social and personal growth in an atmosphere of Christian Community.

FINANCE COMMITTEE. This committee brings together people in various occupations to provide needed administrative skills in support of the Parish Community. It supervises financial affairs, recommends ways to increase revenue and decrease expenditures, prepares the annual financial report and oversees major purchases and investments. (At this time St. Benedict's and St. Mary's have individual Finance Committees.

NEW PARISHIONERS:  We cordially WELCOME you to register as a member of our Schuyler Catholic Community.  Please fill out one of the registration forms available at the church entrance & return it in the collection or to the Parish Office.

MOVING?  If moving to another parish, please notify the Parish Office.

YOUR WILL:  Please remember either parish in your will.  Our legal titles are:  St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Watkins Glen, N.Y., or St. Benedict's Church, Odessa, N.Y.