CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME !!! Congratulations to Riley Gumtow, Lauren Gumtow and Charlie Struble who received Holy Sacraments and were received into the Church on Corpus Christi, June 11, 2023! The Holy Spirit was powerfully among us as Riley was confirmed on this special day and then immediately stood as the sponsor of Lauren, her sister, whom she calls her inspiration. Charlie and Lauren also received their First Communion on this Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Charlie and Lauren experienced their own personal miracles of the Eucharist in the receiving the Real Presence of Christ on this special Solemnity. As a parish family, we are now able to learn about the Miracles of the Eucharist throughout history during the Eucharistic Revival over the next few years. The exhibit outlining the Miracles of the Eucharist seen below will be displayed in the Basilica until June 30th. Come and See! Also, two Basilica Tours will be led by Jennifer Kane and are open to the public on Tuesday, June 27th at noon and Thursday, June 29th at 1:00 pm following a Special Mass at 12:15 pm celebrating the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. Come and join us!
I remember in 1979, in Pittsburgh, PA, the stadium, the churches, the communities were rocking to Sister Sledges’ We Are Family! As the Pittsburgh Pirates, against the odds, won the World Series. And all proclaimed that they did it together because they were FAMILY! I remember in 2011, Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, the 20th president of St. Bonaventure University made a speech that alluded to the Pirates when proclaiming that the University nestled in the greater Allegany/Olean areas reminded her of the time when, in 1979, she, as a native of Pittsburgh, was a part of a We Are Family feeling and experience -- a movement of respect, caring and inner joy, as we are all One in the Lord. In 2023, a movement of the Spirit fills the air, as we all represent the kind of commitment, support for each other through prayer, hard work and an intimate bond that unites us and brings us together as One, solid community of Faith and Love – A Family. As we recently celebrated the 7th Week of Easter, the Ascension of Our Lord, and Pentecost, Jesus raised His eyes to Heaven and prayed, “Holy Father, I pray . . . for those who will believe in me . . . [that] as You, Father, are in me and I in you, so that they may be one, as we are one . . . Father, they are your gift to me” (John, 17). The Lord, Himself, said that We are a gift to Him! Imagine this! How beautiful as we celebrated this 52nd BasilicaFest and a renewal that will bring us even closer together as Family – WE ARE a GIFT to Each Other! Let us celebrate these days as we represent all that is good in our families, in our communities and in our parishes as we come together as we truly represent One in the Lord in prayer, in celebration, in Faith and from these houses, We Come Together and Celebrate as . . . WE ARE FAMILY! Check the June 25th Bulletin to see parishioners honored during the Saturday Vigil Mass in Lincoln Park.
RESCHEDULED EXTRAORDINARY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING UPDATE: Thursday, June 8—Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister Training is postponed to Thursday, June 15: 5:00-6:00 pm at St. John’s and 6:30-7:30pm at the Basilica. Please contact the Parish Office, Fr. John or Fr. Peter for more information on training and practice.
Sacrament of Confirmation Congratulations to the Confirmandi in our Family of Parishes who were confirmed by Rev. Jim Hartwell, Vicar Forane of the Southern Tier East Vicariate on May 25th! St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. Group Confirmation picture can be found on the main webpage in picture albums.