Dear Parishioners,
Let me begin by thanking all of you for your continued support of Fr. Greg, Fr. Peter, and myself, and most importantly for your support of our parishes. When we began the Road to Renewal, we knew that we would eventually have to revisit our Mass schedule once the number of available clergy fell to two. We are now forced to address this issue since Fr. Peter will be leaving at the end of this month. Below is a new Mass schedule which will go into effect on Friday, November 1st. Click on title for complete post.
The bishops of New York call it a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” New York state’s Equal Rights Amendment, which promises equality regardless of race, gender or pregnancy status, could actually have dangerous consequences for children. Click on above title to link.
EMCC BAPTISM CLASS Oct. 9 FOR 1ST TIME PARENTS
Wed., October 9th at 5 pm
BSMA Bradley Centennial Hall
Waterford Room
First time parents should call the EMCC Parish Office Ext. 116 to register for the class.
DIOCESAN FINAL DECISION CONCERNING MERGERS AND CLOSURES OF PARISHES
On Tuesday (Sept. 17, 2024), the diocesan leadership met with members of the clergy. All of the documents that were given to the pastors are on the Road to Renewal website, and I strongly recommend reading them. They can be found under the “Merging and Closing Resources” tab. Click on the orange title for complete update. https://roadtorenewal.org/rightsize-and-reshape/merging-and-closing-documents/
In the Gospel this week, Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever receives one child such as this in My name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but the One who sent Me.” Click on the title for the complete reflection.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STEPHEN MINISTRY and GRIEF SHARE
Getting help from a Stephen Minister: EMCC has trained caregivers who come alongside people during difficult times. A Stephen Minister meets regularly with a person on an individual basis to listen, care for, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support with empathy. It is high quality care and completely confidential. A few examples are.: 1) someone with health problems, or taking care of someone ill; 2) grieving the loss of a loved one; 3) having financial setback or loss of a job; 4) birth related issues; 5) loneliness; 6) major life transitions; 7) and many other issues.
Getting help from GriefShare: GriefShare is for people who have lost someone they love through death, and are looking for help and support to work through their terrible pain of grief. They meet in a group setting, watch short videos, and have discussions. They learn how to walk through their grief in order for joy to come back into their lives and find a new normal.
Call the EMCC Parish Office to share a message with either a Stephen Minister or GriefShare.
Last weekend, Bishop Fisher announced the final decisions concerning closures and mergers of parishes throughout the diocese. Concerning St. John, the final decision was that St. John would merge with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and be placed on a one-year watch list to determine whether or not the parish would remain open.
What makes the Galarraga near-perfect game so intriguing is that it hinges on what should have been the last out of the game – number 27 – when first base umpire Jim Joyce missed the call on a ground ball play by Jason Donald calling him safe instead of out that would have resulted in Major League Baseball’s 21st perfect game. At the time, there was no instant replay for calls on the base paths. The Galarraga game quickened that into happening. For the complete reflection, click on the title above.
ROAD TO RENEWAL UPDATE
FAMILY 24--Final Decisions by DOB
Projected number of active priests for this family by 2030 = 2 (one Franciscan)
1. St. John the Evangelist, Olean merges with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Olean and becomes a secondary worship site.
2. St. John the Evangelist site will be on a one-year watch list to see if viability is evident and school plan changes the location of the school.
3. Closure and sale of Sacred Heart, Portville
4. Sale of Vandalia Church and property
5. Sale of vacant lot near the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels
Parishes Open in Family:
Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Olean
St. Bonaventure Parish, Allegany
Secondary Worship Site:
St. John the Evangelist, Olean
Parishes Merging/Closed:
None
There will be a Cattaraugus County Walk for Suicide Awareness
Date: 09/13/2024
On-Site Registration Starts: 5:30 pm
Program Starts: 7:00 pm
Location: Lincoln Park, Olean, NY
Please note effective Saturday, September 7th, the confession times at St. John the Evangelist Parish are changing to Saturday 3:30-4:15 pm. The confession times for St. Bonaventure Parish are changing to Saturday 3:00-3:45 pm.
St. John the Evangelist and St. Bonaventure Parish Offices are permanently closed effective Sept. 1st.
Please visit the Enchanted Mountain Parish Office located at 205 West Henley St., Olean, NY 14760. Use the Irving Street entrance (off street parking lot) behind red brick Parish Life Center (handicap accessible) next to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This new EMCC Parish Office Hub is available for all your parish needs..
Reflect this week that it’s a good practice to pray for humble awareness of our own faults and weaknesses. We mustn’t cultivate a belief or attitude within ourselves that we’re better than others, or better than we are. For the complete reflection, click on the title.
As the summer days fade and the excitement of a new school year begins to take hold, it's a time of fresh beginnings and renewed purpose. For students, teachers, and parents alike, this season offers an opportunity to grow academically and spiritually. The Catholic Church views education as a profound journey beyond acquiring knowledge to encompass the formation of the whole person in truth, virtue, and faith. Click on title for complete reflection.