News - May 2022 RSS Feed

May our Most Holy Trinity help us to achieve true unity; especially regarding our faith, our concepts of the truth and our conceptions over what’s right and what’s wrong.      Disagreements regarding what’s morally right and wrong have fostered much division, conflict and disillusionment regarding the faith and over what constitutes virtue, legitimate choices and/or sin. We’ve lost to a degree, principles and beliefs that used to bind us together. Let’s pray this week to achieve true unity and peace that respects all life and all people.  

Special Diocese of Buffalo Collection for Buffalo Eastside will be collected the weekends of May 21-22 and May 28-29. Checks made payable to "Catholic Charities: Eastside Collection." Thank you. Individuals, parishes, or groups who wish to purchase or collect needed items can support the diocesan affiliated ministries of the Response to Love Center and the Mother Teresa Home/St. Gianna Molla Pregnancies Centers. Response to Love Center, 130 Kosciuszko Street, Buffalo, NY 14212 (716) 894-7030 is accepting the following items: CANNED GOODS PERSONAL CARE ITEMS (deodorant, soap, toothpaste ,toothbrushes, shampoo, brushes, combs) TOILET PAPER PAPER TOWELS DISHWASHING LIQUID HAND SOAP CLOROX BLEACH GIFT CARDS TO TARGET or WALMART The Mother Teresa Home, 208 Stanislaus Street, Buffalo, NY 14212 (716) 424-0217 is accepting the following items: BABY WIPES DIAPERS PAPER TOWELS DISHWASHING LIQUID HAND SOAP LAUNDRY SOAP GIFT CARDS TO TARGET, WALMART, or ALDI’S

Moment of Silence with tolling of Bells from 2:29 to 2:31 pm today, May 21st -- 13 tolls for the 13 victims of the Buffalo Mass shooting (10 killed, 3 wounded)

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, . . .  know the testing of your faith produces endurance,                                                              Let the endurance have its full effect, so that you may        be mature and complete and lacking nothing”                                                                     -James 1: 2-4 for complete article, click on orange title

Do we give our assent and let God in, or have we built up obstacles to God’s Presence and dwelling with us, via our stubborn sinfulness and/or refusal to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit? If we have built up obstacles, let’s pray for the grace this week to remove all barriers to our dwelling with God in harmony, freedom and peace of conscience. The consequent  serenity we experience will be worth it! 

Letter to Southern Tier Vicariate from Fr. James Vacco, Vicar Forane. click on orange title for details Dear Fr. Jim, We have been blessed by your presence in Allegany and throughout the Southern Tier as God has gifted us for so many years of your faithful service. We so appreciate all you have done and accomplished throughout our parish communities. You and your parishioners at St. Bonaventure Parish will be kept in our prayers as well as the Friars at St. Bonaventure University as you make your transition. God’s blessings and graces. Fr. John

Mama When the evening shadows fall and the lovely day is through Then with longing I recall the years I spent with you Mama, I miss the days when you were near to guide me Mama, those happy days when you were here beside me Safe in the glow of your love sent from the heavens above Nothing can ever replace the warmth of your tender embrace Oh, Mama, I long to hear your voice as you helped me with love in my choice Oh, Mama, I recall those memories of years before, Until the day that we can share them once more. Amen! click on orange title for complete article

Contemplate this week how we must pray for courage and strength in times of physical, emotional and spiritual distress. God will surely supply it.

Good and Gentle God, During this month of May, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life and those that have supported us in rebirth. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children, no matter the age, always brings. Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return. Bestow on them grace abundantly, beyond all measure. Give them the faithful support of family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of those around them. Most importantly surround them with Your love. Give them joy and delight in their families to sustain them in their motherhood. And, give them the wisdom and peace to know to do all things in and through You. Bless all Mothers, Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, Godmothers and those who have shown us motherly care and concern. Bless all of them and grant them Your graces, love and embrace on their journeys whether they continue on this earth or have received their heavenly reward and now see You face to face. Bless them and keep them in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.

Our God is all knowing and all powerful. We’re told that Jesus’ Sheep hear His voice. Jesus! Open our ears to hear You. Open our minds and souls and hearts to love You, understand You and to know You as You know us! Fill us with love, faith and hope and the other virtues we’ll need to obey You and to faithfully follow after You. Help us to fulfill Your Holy Will for us; both in this world and throughout eternity.  Amen.

Stay Tuned for part 3 of 5 in this series of Dealing with Loss: Suffering and Spirituality. Note: This series will culminate in our parish families offering individual and group sessions on Coping with Loss, Bereavement and Grief. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our Grief Support Ministry (see add on page 5) and/or contact Carol Autieri at 716-372-4841 X 144 for more information or if you need support more immediately.