To all the members of the Ithaca Catholic Community:
As the college shifts to Yellow alert and with great concern for your health and safety, we must cancel the last three Masses of this semester in Muller Chapel (12/8 and 12/9 at 7 p.m.; 12/12 at 1 p.m.). I had hoped to celebrate the Eucharist with you at least one more time before we depart for the semester break. Since that won’t be possible, I hope you’ll join me via Zoom for an Advent Service at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 12.
You are released from the obligation to attend Mass today (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) and Sunday (3rd Sunday of Advent), because the cancellation of Mass at Muller Chapel is beyond your control. You are of course most welcome to attend Mass at either St. Catherine of Siena or Immaculate Conception Church.
The Third Sunday of Advent is "Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday," so named because of the verses from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians which begin this Mass: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! . . . Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." (Phil. 4:4,6) Despite the disappointing turn of events, let us take these words of hope to heart. May God keep you and your family safe during this Christmas Season and in the New Year. I look forward to seeing you all again when the new semester resumes in January.
Father Daniel McMullin