ST. CHRISTOPHER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard Tonawanda, New York 14150 August 19, 2018 “We, the people of St. Christopher Parish, journey to the heavenly kingdom of God our Father by following the example and service of Jesus Christ his Son, inspired daily by the Holy Spirit to lead faith-filled Christian lives.” MASS TIMES Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 7:30, 9 & 11 AM Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:45 AM Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM CONFESSION Wednesday 7 – 8 PM Saturday 3:45 - 4:15 PM ADORATION Tuesday 8:45 AM - 7 PM Novena at 7 PM PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 9 AM - 4 PM (Closed 12:30 - 1 PM) Tuesday Evening 7 - 8:30 PM Saturday 9 AM - 4:30 PM Sunday 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM www.saintchris.org (716) 692-2660 Sacrament of Baptism: Upon request, every Sunday at 12:30 PM, and at Mass. Parents must attend a Pre-Baptismal Class held on the First Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Call the parish office for reservations two months in advance. Rite of Christian Initiation is the way the Church prepares an unbaptized person for their sacraments. Persons already baptized in other denominations are also welcomed through this process. Contact the parish office for more information. Prayer Network/Prayer Tree: To be added to the list, call the parish office or MaryAnn Kern at (716) 692-2033 or Laurie Wysocki at (716) 691-4378. Sacrament of Confirmation: High School students having completed tenth grade in either a Catholic school or our Religious Education program should contact the Religious Education office at (716) 694-4310. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 3:45 PM, Wednesday 7 PM, or by appointment. Sacrament of Matrimony: Arrangements are to be made at least six months before the desired wedding date. Attendance at a marriage preparation program is required. Letters of Recommendation to act as sponsors at Baptism or Confirmation are available to registered members of our parish who have been Confirmed, attend Mass and receive Communion regularly, have their children in Catholic School or Religious Education (Gr. 1–10) and, if married, are in a marriage blessed by the Church. Call (716) 692-2660. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING SUMMERFEST 2018 WONDERFUL!
Transcript
ST. CHRISTOPHER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard Tonawanda, New York 14150
August 19, 2018
“We, the people of St. Christopher Parish, journey to the heavenly kingdom of God our Father by following the
example and service of Jesus Christ his Son, inspired daily by the Holy Spirit to lead faith-filled Christian lives.”
MASS TIMES Saturday 4:30 PM
Sunday 7:30, 9 & 11 AM Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:45 AM
Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM
CONFESSION Wednesday 7 – 8 PM
Saturday 3:45 - 4:15 PM
ADORATION Tuesday 8:45 AM - 7 PM
Novena at 7 PM
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday 9 AM - 4 PM
(Closed 12:30 - 1 PM)
Tuesday Evening 7 - 8:30 PM
Saturday 9 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
www.saintchris.org
(716) 692-2660
Sacrament of Baptism: Upon request, every Sunday at 12:30 PM, and at Mass. Parents must attend a Pre-Baptismal Class held on the First Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Call the parish office for reservations two months in advance.
Rite of Christian Initiation is the way the Church prepares an unbaptized person for their sacraments. Persons already baptized in other denominations are also welcomed through this process. Contact the parish office for more information.
Prayer Network/Prayer Tree: To be added to the list, call the parish office or MaryAnn Kern at (716) 692-2033 or Laurie Wysocki at (716) 691-4378.
Sacrament of Confirmation: High School students having completed tenth grade in either a Catholic school or our Religious Education program should contact the Religious Education office at (716) 694-4310.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 3:45 PM, Wednesday 7 PM, or by appointment.
Sacrament of Matrimony: Arrangements are to be made at least six months before the desired wedding date. Attendance at a marriage preparation program is required.
Letters of Recommendation to act as sponsors at Baptism or Confirmation are available to registered members of our parish who have been Confirmed, attend Mass and receive Communion regularly, have their children in Catholic School or Religious Education (Gr. 1–10) and, if married, are in a marriage blessed by the Church. Call (716) 692-2660.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING SUMMERFEST 2018 WONDERFUL!
Nicholas Kiser & Stephanie McMaster
SANCTUARY LAMP
The St. Joseph Candle will burn this week for Russ Battaglia by Wife & Children.
The Mary Candle will burn this week for David by Family.
The Sacred Heart Candle will burn this week for Eugenia Krolewicz by Family.
WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday, August 19: 7:30 AM Russell Battaglia by Mike & Louise Lopardi 9:00 AM Barry R. Malone & Mark P. Steiner by Deacon John & Sheila Steiner 11:00 AM For the People of St. Christopher Parish
Monday, August 20: 6:45 AM Richard Berger by Pat & family
Tuesday, August 21: 8:00 AM Steve Morris by Mom & Dad
Wednesday, August 22: 6:45 AM Marie & Carl Widelski by Estate
Thursday, August 23: 8:00 AM Sheila Steiner by Pastoral Council
Friday, August 24: 6:45 AM Loraine & Robert F. Wopperer, Sr. by Estate
Saturday, August 25: 4:30 PM Barry & Kay Moir on their 60th Wedding
Anniversary
Sunday, August 26: 7:30 AM For the People of St. Christopher Parish 9:00 AM Frank & Josephine Mineo by Mineo & Baum families 11:00 AM Florence Dorobiala by Przepiora family
FAITH MOMENT REFLECTION
A verse in today’s second reading from Ephesians advises "watch carefully how you live." That straight-forward advice is the key to obtaining the true wisdom God wants to share with us. We must not live in ignorance, but rather we must try to understand what is the will of God. The wise person watches carefully and lives by the moral order of God – trying to live in accord with the will of God for his or her life. As the reading suggests, we will gain a better understanding of God's will whenever we join one another in prayer and worship through "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...singing and playing to the Lord in our hearts." And we will gain wisdom whenever we read and reflect on God's Word, whenever we worship together, and especially as we try to imitate the life of Jesus. Today's Faith Moment was provided by Christ the King Seminary. You can listen to Faith Moments on WLOF 101.7 FM, WBEN radio 930 AM, or at www.faithmomentsonline.org.
VOCATIONS CORNER
When Jesus proclaimed that His body is true bread and this His blood is true drink for the life of the world there were many who found these words troubling. What does your sharing in the Eucharist afford you, and how can you help others appreciate the greatness of this gift? Are you being called to be a deacon, brother or sister? Humbly ask the Lord. If God is calling you to a church vocation, call our pastor, Fr. Steve, or Fr. Andrew Lauricella at (716) 847-5535. You can also check out the “Priest of the Month” stories at www.buffalovocations.org.
OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS
August 11/12, 2018 August 12/13,2017 Difference Offertory $18,231.25 $12,070.10 $6,161.15 Monthly 1,082.00 1,175.00 93.00 $19,313.25 $13,245.10 $6,068.15
BUILD YOURSELF AN ARK
The Bible is meant to be our daily bread, not cake for special occasions. We would
love to have you join the “Build Yourself an Ark” Bible Study. We meet once a week to find light, strength, consolation and wisdom from God’s sacred Book. Bring your Bible, a cup of coffee, a friend and your heart open to letting God's Word work in your daily life.
Choose the time that best accommodates your schedule. The evening session of Build Yourself An Ark meets on Mondays from 7 to 8 PM. We gather in Room 101A, St. Edmund Campus. Session one begins September 10.
Our morning Bible study group meets on Tuesdays from 10-11 AM in Room 101A, St. Edmund Campus. Session one begins September 11.
Scripture for the week of August 19, 2018
19 SUN Prv 9:1-6/Eph 5:15-20/Jn 6:51-58 20 Mon Ez 24:15-24/Mt 19:16-22 21 Tue Ez 28:1-10/Mt 19:23-30 22 Wed Ez 34:1-11/Mt 20:1-16 23 Thu Ez 36:23-28/Mt 22:1-14 24 Fri Rv 21:9b-14/Jn 1:45-51 25 Sat Ez 43:1-7ab/Mt 23:1-12 26 SUN Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b/Eph 5:21-32 or
5:2a, 25-32/Jn 6:60-69
Dear Family,
Have you ever thought about how much money and time people spend trying to retain their youthful appearance and how much money is spent on pills and potions with the hope of living forever here on earth? And this is not just in our time in history. People have always been looking for the proverbial ‘Fountain of Youth’. Why is this true? This earth and our human life on it certainly is not ideal. It is not perfect. We all experience pain and suffering of one type or another. We see the wars and famine and violence everywhere. Yet we strive to live here for as long as we possibly can. Jesus on the other hand offers us eternal life in heaven where there is no pain or suffering, but only eternal peace and joy. Yet so many people turn a deaf ear to Jesus’ teaching and His offer. Jesus said in our Gospel reading today “Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever”. (Jn 6:58) We have that bread, the Eucharist, offered to us each and every day if we choose to partake. But in this day and age, so many people turn to other offers. There are things that are thought to be more fun or exciting or entertaining than coming to Mass. Studies have asked the question why people aren’t coming to Mass. The answers vary from ‘I don’t like the priest’ to ‘It is boring’, to ‘I don’t get anything out of it’ to whatever other lame excuse people can come up with! Well we priests come and go, and the homilies may not always be insightful or funny, but there is one constant and that constant is the real reason we should be in church for Mass. JESUS!!! He is the reason we come. We are called to encounter Jesus at Mass and to worship Him and to be fed by Him with His Body and Blood, that bread that gives us eternal life! This is greater and more exciting than any movie or play or football game or whatever (and I like all those things too) so why stay away? That’s Jesus’ question. Stay tuned next week when we will see that exact question asked by Jesus Himself to his apostles….
Praised Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!!!
Fr. Steve
SECURITY CORNER
See something, say something. It is never a bother to call the police and report something suspicious. The more information law enforcement receives, the better their chances of solving crimes. Your information could make all the difference.
SPEND TIME IN ADORATION
Each moment you spend before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings blessings upon you.
"So now, O children, listen to me; instruction and wisdom do not reject! Happy the man who obeys me, and happy those who keep my ways. Happy the man watching daily at my
gates, waiting at my doorposts; For he who finds me finds life, and wins favor from the Lord." Proverbs 8:32-35
To schedule your time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, sign up in the Adoration Binder in the Narthex or email Anita Herr at [email protected]. We are always welcoming regular adorers or anyone who can volunteer to sub for a half hour a week.
WALKING WITH GRIEF
Walking with Grief is a monthly lecture series and support group provided to assist any person 18 years of age or older in their journey of grief. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, at 6:30 PM at St. Edmund campus. Fr. Steve Jekielek will be our guest speaker, and the topic of discussion is “Open to the Presence of Your Loss.” To heal in grief, you must honor, not avoid, the pain. How do you
embrace your pain and yet set your intentions to heal. All parishioners, friends and neighbors are welcome.
FROM BISHOP MALONE…
It is my privilege to invite couples who will be celebrating their Golden and Diamond Anniversaries in 2018 to join us for a special Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday, October 14 at 10:30 AM. On this day, the entire Diocese of Buffalo will
join those celebrating their anniversaries in their joy and gratitude to God, who has set them among us as a sign of His constant and faithful love. During the Mass, couples will renew their marriage vows. All of the special anniversary couples will have an opportunity to have their picture formally taken with the Bishop. These will be done after Mass in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral. Scrolls will still be sent to the parish for all couples celebrating these special anniversaries, regardless of whether or not they attend the Mass. The Office of Family Life is inviting all Priests to Concelebrate. It is my hope that parish communities throughout the Diocese will also honor married couples celebrating their 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries, along with other significant anniversaries within their own parish families, some time during this year.
DOUGHNUT SOCIAL
There will be a coffee and doughnut social on Sunday, September 16 following all Masses in the Parish Center. Please be sure to join us to share breakfast and friendship.
St. Christopher Parish Are you interested, or have questions
about becoming Catholic?
Please join us on August 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM
RCIA Information Session Location: Church Hospitality Room
This week is Vacation Bible School. Thank you to all who attended and helped in any way. See next week’s bulletin for a list of our helpers.
Just a reminder: early bird deadline for registrations is receipt of the form by August 24 at 4 PM.
Blessings,
Marie Sajsa, PCL
PARISH OUTREACH FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
Outreach has a need for the following items:
* Canned Raviolli * Strawberry Jelly * Bottled Juice * Boxed Potatoes * Toilet Paper * Spaghetti Sauce
Any donations of food are appreciated and can be put in the barrel in the Narthex of
the church. Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase food and assist with other program needs. Checks can be made out to Parish Outreach and put into the Sunday collection or brought to the Parish Office.
Thank you to all the parishioners who have been donating boxes! The need for boxes is year round so we are appreciative of all those that we have been receiving in the shed on a weekly basis.
If you have any questions regarding Parish Outreach, please call the office at (716) 564-9023.
THEME TRAY THANK YOU!
The Summerfest Theme Tray (basket raffle) committee would like to thank everyone who donated items, assembled baskets, bought tickets or worked in the booth. We could not be as successful as we are without your help. Thank you so much!!! Congratulations to all the winners – enjoy your baskets! See you next year!
THANKS FROM ATTIC TREASURES!
Mira and Mary Ann would like to give thanks to the many generous individuals who helped make "MIRA'S ATTIC TREASURES" another great success this year. Special thanks to the donors of thousands of items, the volunteers who helped sort, price, move, set-up and collect money for those thousands of items. See you all next year!
A SPECIAL CHOWDER TEAM
THANK YOU!
After many years of chowder making here at St. Christopher, working with the happiest, most pleasant cooks
and choppers in the world, I feel called to single out one very special volunteer. We were just beginning the chowder saga here when one night the phone rang and a very sweet, tiny voice made this proposal; “I am still working, so I can't help with the regular chopping of the veggies, but what I could do for you is peel, chop and prepare all of your onions for the chowder and bring them to you all ready to go....” You can not imagine what that statement meant to me and to all the future choppers here at St. Chris!! The rivers of tears this generous lady saved us!! Imagine, 50 pounds of Spanish onions each year for all this time!! This summer, I hesitantly called my lovely friend and meekly asked if she would again do this stinky job, fully prepared to take over the odoriferous task myself, she sweetly said, "O sure, I can do that again."
I had a chance to sit with the onion lady just before Summerfest this year, and I got to know her a little better. A nurse, mother of five, a parishioner of St. Christopher for almost her entire adult life, she celebrated a milestone this year. She turned 90 years old, and hopes to slow down a bit, so with sadness in her eyes, she softly told me that this year was the end of her stinky career, and hoped she hadn't disappointed me. I thanked her again and again and all I could think of is the scripture passage, "Well done, good and faithful servant." This is what this parish is made of, good and faithful servants all quietly or silently doing all they can to continue to share God's work here in the fields. Working tirelessly, doing what they can to further the Father's work. So, let us pray in Thanksgiving for the onion lady and all these other workers, past, present and future. Together, we are St. Christopher.
Food Booth Teams Many Thanks to Paul
Terranova who coordinated the Food Teams
David Pohl & Family Riester Family & Chowder
Team Steve Pochatko & Family
The Calabrese Family Tom Carroll & Family
Laura Heim Kathy Bunce
Paul & Amy Braun Tom Panek & Family Chris & Sue LaHood
Your hard work during the weekend was nothing short
of amazing!
2018 5K Sponsors
University Pediatric Dental Elderwood at Wheatfield
Catalano’s Welding & Consulting, Inc. Integrity Health Group (Tonawanda
Pediatrics) Corrigan Moving Systems
Mac’s on Hertel/ Buffalo Crunch Roll Factory
Restful Sleepin’ Inc. Dengler Roberts, Perna Funeral Home
Lombardo Funeral Home Battaglia Marciano Agency
Willow Ridge Auto & Electric Floss Insurance
Colosimo Electrical Contracting Mancuso Steel Products, Inc.
Tops Dash’s
Mellonis Meats & Catering Thank you to
Anna Voit and Alan Jaenecke for all their hard work as our race chairs!
Cool Cash Raffle
Raffle Tickets donated by
Amigone Funeral Home, Inc.
Thank you to Mary Wolf for
chairing. To all of the dedicated volunteers, including Arnie Lorich and Joe Csapo, for all they did to help, we thank you!
Thank you to Gail English, our counting chairperson, and our
counting team, Cindy Vanderbrook, Shirley Kern, Jackie Morrison and
Kathy Lemieux! None of this is possible without you and your
KIDS AFTERNOON Thank you to all who attended and made the day a success. ~Linda Gawron (face painting artist), ~Jeff and Linda Davies (Magic and Balloons) ~Pat Poete ~Bud Stange who guarded the bounce house ~ABC rental for the Bounce House ~Ellicott Creek Fire Department’s, Mr. Brennan and Mr. Dorrety for bringing the fire engine over and engaging the children in activities ~The members of the Confirmation class who came and helped Many thanks to all! And thank you to Marie Sajsa for coordinating a fun afternoon!
Many thanks to Kim & Mike
Cuddihy, Alan & Mary Brown, and Jim & Janet Louis
and all the beer tent volunteers!
All Seasons Party and Tent
Rental
Deposit Depot
Buffalo Protection &
Investigation Inc.
Latko Printing
Lincoln Park
ABC Rental
Thanks to our 2018 Chairman,
Mike Kowalick, who was in
constant motion all week!
Entertainment provided by
Breakaway, West of the
Mark, Route 33, Nick
Battistella, John Lehning
Music and Joe Weber Duo.
Streamline Designs– Signage Modern Disposal Wendt’s Wendelville Fire Company Latina & Wegmans for the donation of a refrigerated truck for Summerfest weekend Niagara Implement-Kubota ADMAR - parking lot lighting Town of Tonawanda Highway
Dept.
WEEKLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS KEY CONTACTS SUNDAY, AUGUST 19
MONDAY, AUGUST 20 7:00 PM Finance Committee RR-L
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 9 AM/7 PM Adoration/Novena Chapel 10:00 AM Music with Mar Rm. 103 6:00 PM Catechist Gathering WPC
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 7:00 PM Reconciliation Church
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus Rm. 102
800 Maple Zuppa Anderson's Custard Banchetti's Black and Blue Black Button Distilling Brian Michael's Jewelers Brighton Eggert Pharmacy Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Bandits Buffalo History Museum Dave & Adams Card World Delta Sonic Flynn & O'Hara Grapevine Restaurant Hizair Hair Salon Jim Kelly Enterprises Lombardo's Restaurant Mischlers Florist Mount St. Mary Academy Mike’s Subs Paula's Donuts Path’s, Peaks and Paddles Salvatore's Grand Hotel St. Joseph’s Collegiate Inst. Sue Lahood (Avon) Ted's Jumbo Red Hots The GRILL @ The Dome The Polish Villa Tim Horton's Tonawanda Bowling Center
Parish and Neighborhood Organizations
Build Yourself an Ark Christian Service Committee Cub Scouts Lectors Marriage Ministry Pastoral Council Religious Education St. Christopher School St. Christopher Seniors Ushers Warm Hands Yarn Ministry Womens Discussion Group
A special thank you to the Rounds/
Robinson Families who contribute so
much time and effort to Theme Tray booth.
For Games of Chance Donations:
Gift Card Wheel, Anchor Bar Thank you to Games of
Chance Chairs: Michael Calabrese Gennie Rounds Mary Wolf Jackie Welsch Gary & Sharon Braunscheidel Bob Robinson, Donna Woodward Louise Lopardi Thank you to Diane Ventresca and Scott Gorny, Games of Chance Co-Chairs
Thanks to everyone who came out on a very hot
Sunday to enjoy the wine tasting! And a special
thanks to Monica Stange, Deb Buckanovich and
Maria Falbo for all their help with the wine tasting!
Thank you to our Attic Treasures
team, Mira Knoble, Mary Ann and Bill
Rustay, Karen Sorgi, Karen Norton and
all those who volunteered!
Many Thanks to Gary Hall, Roger Adamek, Dennis Candelaria, Al
Ricotta and Patrick Schwab, and the
Michael and Suzanne Collins family along
with the Boy and Cub Scouts and all who
helped with electrical, set up and take down.
For Advertising call 617-779-3771 Pilot Bulletins Saint Christopher, Tonawanda, NY 11101
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