News - May 2024 RSS Feed

Psalm 33: “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.” For complete reflection, click on title above.

We pray for all the lives lost on October 7, and as we move forward, we pray for the wisdom and courage of all men and women of good will as we seek an end to war and seek peace in our time. For complete reflection, click on the title above.

Psalm 104: “Lord, send out Your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” For complete reflection, click on the title.

“The Church respects and supports scientific research when it has a genuinely human orientation, avoiding any form of instrumentalization or destruction of the human being and keeping itself free from the slavery of political and economic interests.” For complete reflection, click on title above.

Happy Mother's Day! Don't forget to take your flower home! Mother's Day Hospitality is Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Bradley Centennial Hall!

GARDEN PROJECT Jennifer Black is coordinating a large Garden Project to beautify the west side of our Basilica (S. 1st St.). She is looking for volunteers to help her plant perennials to foster new growth and brighten up things. Perennial flowers or money donations gratefully accepted. Please call or text Jennifer at 716-378-7140 if you can help .

Fr. Gregory Jakubowicz, OFM, is a Franciscan Friar in the Order of Friars Minor and is a member of the national Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fr. Greg has spent the majority of his time in ministry serving in higher education. He has taught at St. Bonaventure University and Hilbert College; was an administrator at the former Washington Theological Union; served as Vocation Director of Holy Name Province; and has ministered in campus ministry at Siena College, Hilbert College, St. Bonaventure University, and at SUNY University at Buffalo South Campus and Medical School where he was based at St. Joseph University Parish in Buffalo, NY. While ministering at UB, he promoted medical ethics conversations with physicians and students at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Fr. Greg is also on the staff of the Franciscan Pilgrimage Program where he helps pilgrims learn more about St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi as they travel to Assisi. He is a founding board member of the Institute for Health Care Ethics, Inc. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Franciscan Media LLC. He formerly served as a board member at Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School in Buffalo, NY and Medicus Christi Ltd. in Menands, NY. Fr. Greg is a native of West Seneca, NY. He first met the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province at South Buffalo’s Bishop Timon High School where he attended high school. He earned a BA from St. Bonaventure University, a M. Div. from the Washington Theological Union, and a JD from the SUNY University at Buffalo School of Law. He was admitted to practice law in New York State in 1991. Prior to joining the Franciscan Friars, he spent five years working as a Law Editor for LexisNexis in Charlottesville, VA. He professed his first vows as a Franciscan Friar in 1999 and professed his solemn vows in 2003. He was ordained to the presbyterate in 2004.

Psalm 47: “God mounts His throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.” For complete reflection, click on title above.

With Fr. Mike leaving to begin a new assignment this month, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all the wonderful work he has done at St. Bonaventure Parish. Though we met under (let’s call it) not ideal circumstances, I thank him for working with me and helping during the past several months of transition. He will be difficult to follow, but I hope to continue the wonderful work he has done. Obviously, he knows that he always has a home in our parish family. And, I look forward to visiting him at his new assignment next winter to make sure he is settled (ha). In all seriousness, I wish him all the best. I ask for his continued prayers for our family of parishes, and want him to know that he will certainly be in our prayers. At this time, I would like to welcome Fr. Greg Jakubowicz, OFM as the new parochial vicar for our parish family. Some of you may remember him from his time at St. Bonaventure University some time ago. It is my hope that Fr. Greg will help to offer a continued connection to the Franciscan tradition of our parishes and will be a great asset to our family. As the Road to Renewal pillar groups start meeting this month, please stay posted to the bulletin and parish announcements as I will continue to communicate the progress we are making as a parish family. Fr. Chris

We had a very good voting turnout among all three of our parishes for the Family of Parishes name. This name is not replacing the individual parish names. The name will be used when all three parishes are acting in conjunction with one another. And the winner is: “Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community.” As the pillar groups begin to meet this month, Fr. Chris will have more to report in a few weeks.

Psalm 98: “The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power.” Click on title for complete reflection.