ST. CHRISTOPHER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard Tonawanda, New York 14150 September 1, 2019 MASS TIMES Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 7:30, 9 & 11 AM Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:45 AM Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM CONFESSION Every First & Third 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, first and third Wednesday of each month at 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. “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.”
Transcript
ST. CHRISTOPHER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard Tonawanda, New York 14150
September 1, 2019
MASS TIMES Saturday 4:30 PM
Sunday 7:30, 9 & 11 AM Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:45 AM
Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM
CONFESSION Every First & Third
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, first and third Wednesday of each month at 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.
“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.”
The Seniors’ first meeting of the autumn session is this Wednesday, September 11 at 2 PM. There will be a business meeting to discuss
upcoming events before we have a presentation on the Hearts and Hands program by Heidi Nicklaus Lefebvre. The rest of the afternoon will be time to socialize over a glass of wine and some snacks. You can be sure there is a great deal to catch up on. Bring your checkbook or cash. We will tell you about our next outing. We’ll start at Chef’s Restaurant for lunch and then take the Double Decker Bus for a unique tour of Buffalo. The reviews of Officer O’Connor’s humorous commentary are four-star all the way. There is limited seating on the bus, so don’t procrastinate.
William Adams & Kate Pandofino
Connor Allen
Gertrude Kroll, Frances Henn
SANCTUARY LAMP
The St. Joseph Candle will burn this week for John Giardina by wife, Sadie.
The Mary Candle will burn this week for Marie Cieluszak by Amigone family & staff.
BREAD & WINE MEMORIALS
John Giardina by wife, Sadie
WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE
Sunday, September 1: 7:30 AM James Cummins by the Burgio family 9:00 AM Carmela & Anthony Nicolia by Frank & Nancy Mineo 11:00 AM Claire Orlowski by Zernheldt family
Monday, September 2: Labor Day 9:00 AM* David Cesar by Byrnes family
Tuesday, September 3: 8:00 AM John Giardina by Jim & Ann Riester
Wednesday, September 4: 6:45 AM For the People of St. Christopher Parish
Thursday, September 5: 8:00 AM Meghan Cesar by Byrnes family
Friday, September 6: 6:45 AM Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Forrestel by A.C. Forrestel
Saturday, September 7: 4:30 PM George & Anna Fedo, Joseph & Margaret Kern by Val & boys
Sunday, September 8: 7:30 AM Donald Knight by Ed & Diane Germain 9:00 AM Rita Biondo by Frank Lojacono & Jean 11:00 AM Pauline Carter by Family
VOCATIONS CORNER
Humility and self knowledge go hand in hand. How well do you know yourself and what God created for you? Are you being called to be a priest, deacon, brother or sister? Humbly as 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.
There will be a doughnut and coffee social on Sunday, September 15 following all Masses in the school cafeteria. Hope you can join us!
Scripture for the week of September 1 1 SUN Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29/Heb 12:18-19, 22-
24a/Lk 14:1, 7-14 2 Mon 1 Thes 4:13-18/Lk 4:16-30 3 Tue 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11/Lk 4:31-37 4 Wed Col 1:1-8/Lk 4:38-44 5 Thu Col 1:9-14/Lk 5:1-11 6 Fri Col 1:15-20/Lk 5:33-39 7 Sat Col 1:21-23/Lk 6:1-5 8 SUN Wis 9:13-18b/Phlm 9-10, 12-17/Lk 14:25-33
NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Our next Neighbors in Need dinner will be held on the second Saturday in September, the 14th. Our local Lions Club will be hosting, and are in need of volunteers for set up beginning at 5:30 PM and assisting until 7:30.
Monetary donations are always appreciated! Last month, we had 35 to 40 neighbors visit us, and a very festive "Pizza Party" atmosphere was provided. Please email David Pohl at [email protected] or call/ text (248) 760-9876.
HOLY LAND GIFTS
After all Masses on September 14 and 15, there will be a display of handmade articles for sale, such as nativity scenes, crucifixes, rosaries, the last supper and many other beautiful religious items. Because of the conflict in the region, many Christian families in Bethlehem are struggling financially. Holy Land helps these families by selling traditional olivewood handcrafts and religious articles. Thank you for supporting this project to keep Christians present in the Holy Land. Visit giftsofjerusalem.com or call (330) 979-5523 for more information.
DIOCESE OF BUFFALO
FRIENDS OF THE POOR WALK Goat Island, Niagara Falls State Park
Prospect and Old Falls Streets
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de
Paul Conference from the Buffalo/Niagara
Falls area are doing what they can to help
families in need in our community. We are
holding our 9th Annual Friends of the Poor walk on Saturday,
September 28. This year, our goal is to raise $5000. Please know
this is a rain or shine event, and a post-event picnic will follow.
With any questions, please contact our coordinator, Carrie Smith
at (716) 882-3360.
Dear Family, Football is one of my favorite sports. Over the years, I have noticed some changes in the way the players play the game and these changes are not an improvement. For instance, a defensive player sacks the quarterback. He then goes on to dance around the field as if he just accomplished the greatest feat ever! In reality, he just did his job using the talents that God has given him! Then there are the end-zone dances and posturing after scoring a touchdown. Don’t get me started on those ridiculous theatrics! Again, you just did your job that you get paid millions of dollars to do! These are just examples of the lack of the virtue of humility in our society today. It’s everywhere, not just in sports and entertainment. It’s in business. It’s in politics. It’s in family life. Many are constantly trying to call attention to themselves. Our readings at Mass this weekend make it clear that the humble will be exalted by God and those who lack humility will be brought down by God. If we are good at something, give God the glory and the thanks to Him for giving us that talent. It is not from ourselves that we have these talents. God has gifted us with them. When we try to exalt ourselves, we end up making fools of ourselves. We as a society and as individuals need to return to the practice of true humility. It is only then that we will reflect the teachings of Jesus. This weekend, we also celebrate Labor Day. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, drawing from Scripture and Tradition, teaches about work. Paragraphs 2427-2428 state: “Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another. Hence work is a duty: "If any one will not work, let him not eat." (my note, this previous quote is from Scripture!) Work honors the Creator's gifts and the talents received from him. It can also be redemptive. By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work. He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying the cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the Spirit of Christ. In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature. The primordial value of labor stems from man himself, its author and its beneficiary. Work is for man, not man for work. Everyone should be able to draw from work the means of providing for his life and that of his family, and of serving the human community.”
Praised Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!!!
Fr. Steve
POTLUCK DINNERS ARE BACK!
The Parish Life Committee will continue to sponsor monthly potluck dinners on the first Saturday of the month after 4:30 PM Mass in the school cafeteria. Our next
potluck is Saturday, September 7. All are welcome. Please bring a friend. St. Chris will provide the paper products and beverages. To make sure there is a variety of foods, we will split it up this way for September: Families with last names A-I, please bring a dessert. Families with last names J-Q, please bring a main dish (hot or cold). Families with last names R-Z, please bring a side dish or salad. Food can be dropped off before Mass starting at 4 PM in the school cafeteria. Please sign up using sign up genius (please include the dish you are bringing), or by calling the rectory, so we can plan ahead. Hope to see you there!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C44A5AF23A02-stchristopher7
You may notice in the coming weekends that we have made a book of daily meditations (photographed here) from the Word among us available in the Narthex for a $1 donation. There will be an envelope in which to place your donation, and books will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Our weekly bulletins are printed and delivered free of charge. This great service, offered to our community by our publisher, is made
possible by our advertisers. Please patronize the businesses highlighted in our bulletin.
LET’S GO BOWLING!
Looking for a fun evening out? Join our bowling league! We bowl one Friday per month at Manor II Lanes on Tonawanda Creek Road at 7
PM. For more information, please call Mary Wolf at (716) 693-8060.
WALKING WITH GRIEF
Walking with Grief is a monthly lecture series and support group provided to assist people 18 years of age or older in their journey of grief. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11 at 6:30 PM at St. Edmund campus. Fr. Steve Jekielek will be our guest speaker, and will lead us in a discussion entitled “Open to the Presence of Your Loss.” To heal in grief, you must honor, not avoid, the pain. How do you embrace the pain
and yet set your intentions to heal? All parishioners, friends and neighbors are welcome.
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, where 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 until 8 PM. We gather in Room 102 at St. Edmund Campus. Session one begins September 16.
Our morning Bible study group meets on Tuesdays from 10-11 AM in Room 102 at St. Edmund Campus. Session one begins September 17.
TRUNKS AND TREATS
SAVE THE DATE
Parish Life will be hosting the third annual Trunks and Treats on Saturday, October 19, immediately following the 4:30 PM Mass. Children are welcome to wear their costumes in church, and
then trick or treat in the school parking lot. Parishioners are welcome to decorate their trunks and pass out candy. Hope to see you there!
PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE WANTS YOU!
Please consider joining St. Christopher’s Parish Life Committee. We plan and organize various parish events, such as monthly potluck dinners, Trunks and Treats, St. Nicholas party, the parish picnic, and new this year, the Easter Egg
hunt. Get involved in the parish and have fun at the same time. Our first meeting this year is Monday, September 16 from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Joe Noto room in the Parish Office. Please call or email Kelly at (716) 208-6176 or [email protected]. Hope to see you on September 16!
Please use the link below to register your Amazon account with Amazon Smile to help benefit St. Chris
every time you shop! You can search for us under “St. Christopher Roman Catholic Church Society.” A portion of your purchase will be donated to St. Chris. Thank you for your continued support!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/16-6007931
Next weekend, the candidates for Confirmation will be present at the weekend Masses for their enrollment celebration. Please keep the candidates, and their sponsors
and families in their prayers. We are in need of catechists in several classes for this fall. There have been some changes over the summer in people’s situations and registration that leave openings in the schedule. We need catechists in the following areas: Monday: Grade 2, two people needed Grade 3 three people needed Grade 5 Tuesday: Kindergarten, Grade 4 and 9 Friday night: Grade 6,7,8,9 Please consider sharing your faith with the young people of our parish. We provide material, lesson plans and support.
Blessings,
Marie Sajsa, PCL
22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Whether it is singing, dancing, talent or politics, when people judge others it is often more a popularity contest than a real assessment of ability. Remember Susan Boyle? What a great surprise to hear her angelic voice, especially after everyone snickered when she came on stage. No one would have ever guessed how talented she really was, but it only took a few moments for people to realize just how great a voice she had. People make snap judgments about others based on external appearances rather than wait and see who the person really is or how good their skills might be. It is easier, even if inaccurate, to look at age, dress, looks or personality and assume that is all one can know or needs to know.
People make spiritual and personal judgments too. We look at someone and assume to know how good they are, what kind of person they must be or what their life must be like. We might not think that the poorly dressed man is a saint, or the wealthy woman is a mystic. But God knows. He invites everyone to His table, includes everyone in His family and loves everyone with an unconditional love. Faulty appearances can mask a thousand graces and a holy soul. See others with the eyes of God and you will undoubtedly see a glimpse of Heaven.
Any donations of food are appreciated and can be put in the barrel in the Narthex of the church or brought to the Outreach Office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-1 PM.
We are also collecting any stores’ recyclable bags that our Food Pantry clients can use when picking up their food for the month. If you have any questions regarding Parish Outreach or would like to know more about our program, please con-tact Cindy at (716) 692-2660, Ext. 402.
SUMMERFEST THANK YOU FROM RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS
Thank you to all who helped at our rides and attractions during Summerfest this year, including: Eva Passalacqua, Emily Mielcarek, Danielle Schwartz, Kevin Carberry, Liz Chirico, Leah Samol, Simone and Alex Kelly, Pat and John Meyer, Allison Carberry, Cheryl and Tom Mack, Emma Dorobiala, the O Neill family, the Hawkins family, Erin Mancuso , Jessica Kuhn, Anthony Miskines, Jessica Miskines, Karen Kipp, Jessica Kennedy, Connor Sempert, Sam Bresnock, Gianna Yurchak, the VanSice family and the junior girl scout leaders and parents.
WEEKLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS KEY CONTACTS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 12:30 PM Baptism Church
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 LABOR DAY 9:00 AM Mass Church
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 9AM/7PM Adoration/Novena Chapel 6:00 PM Baseball Practice Ball Diam. 7:30 PM Baptism Class Hosp. Rm.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL K-8 5:30 PM Baseball Practice Ball Diam. 7:00 PM Reconciliation Church 7:00 PM Christian Service Committee RR-L
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR PRE-K 4:30 PM Volleyball Practice WPC 6:00 PM Baseball Practice Ball Diam.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 8:30 AM Porter Farms CSA Garage 10:00 AM Baseball Practice Ball Diam. 4:00 PM Confirmation Enrollment Narthex 5:00 PM Parish Potluck Dinner Cafe SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT DURING ALL MASSES 12:30 PM Baptism Church
There will be a Mass celebrating Hispanic Heritage on
Sunday, September 15 at 10:30 AM at Holy Angels Church,
348 Porter Avenue in Buffalo. The Mass is sponsored by the
Office of Cultural Diversity and Hispanic Heritage Council of
Western New York, Inc., and will be celebrated by Bishop
Richard J. Malone. The Homilist will be Deacon Alejandro
Manunta. All are welcome to attend a reception following the
Mass in the church hall.
The Anointing of the Sick Healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer, will take place on Wednesday, September 4 at 7 PM at Good Shepherd Parish Pendleton Worship Site, 5441 Tonawanda Creek Road in North Tonawanda. Fr. David A. Bellittiere and the Friends of St. Peregrine cordially invite those that are afflicted with cancer or need special healing,
who wish to receive the Anointing of the Sick, to attend this special healing Mass. For more information, please call (716) 283-0011.
ST. PIUS X ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT
St. Pius X Altar Rosary Society is sponsoring its Annual Retreat on Monday, September 16. This year’s focus will be “What happens when we pray.” The retreat will be led by Barbara Shanahan, former founder and director of the Catholic Biblical Studies Program. We will begin our retreat with Mass at 9 AM in the Church, and will close at 2 PM. Our retreat will be held in the Father Weber Center directly behind the Church. Registration is free and lunch will be provided. For more information and to register, please contact Jude Schwendler at (716) 474-3213. Reservation deadline is September 8.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING
The North East Vicariate will hold a training session for
Eucharistic Ministers on Saturday, September 21 at St. Leo
the Great Parish Center, 885 Sweet Home Road in Amherst,
from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. If you wish to attend this training,
please fill out the Eucharistic Minister form in the Parish
Office and submit it to Fr. Steve. Thank you!
BREAD & WINE MEMORIALS
St. Christopher Church is pleased to announce that offerings of the bread and wine are now available to honor a loved one, friend or family member. We are asking for a $20 donation toward sponsoring the offering for a week of your choosing. This process will be the same as requesting a Mass or vigil candle, and each week your intention will be placed in the bulletin.
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Reservations 716-691-6000Your Hosts: Lisa & Danny May
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Wedding Receptions & Funeral Breakfasts
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“God is Love” 1 John 4:8
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