News

“Thank You to everyone who helped make our Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ Basket & Grand Drawing Raffles a wonderful success! All of your help and support is truly appreciated!”  Linda Jean George, Amy Opferbeck & Todd Salzler

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“Thank you to everyone who supported our Drive-Thru/Dine-In Chicken Barbecue, Basket & Grand Drawing Raffle last weekend! Because of your generous support, this first fundraiser after 2 years of the pandemic, was a great success!!

I want to thank Linda Jean George, Amy Opferbeck and Todd Salzler for all their hard work coordinating this fundraising event. I also thank the “Barbecue Pit Crew”, the “Kitchen Crew”, all of our volunteers who worked in the serving line, especially our youth who greeted the Drive-Thru customers, took the orders, delivered the dinners to each car and kept the line running smoothly! I also thank the young people who entertained our young children with the games and served the delicious ice cream!

The basket raffle was amazing! We had a total of 132 baskets donated! Thanks to all who donated baskets! Your generosity is truly appreciated!

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who returned your Grand Drawing Raffle Tickets!

To all of our parishioners who worked “behind the scene” the day before preparing the grounds, final set up the morning of, all of the hard work during the day and cleaning up afterward, thank you! You helped make this fundraising event a great success. God Bless you all!

— Based on Fr. Joe’s letter from the bulletin of August 14, 2022, edited.

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Contents of this post based on the bulletin of August 14, 2022.

August 15th, 2022 is the Feast of The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary. This year, because it falls on a Monday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation.

There will be one Mass on Monday August 15th, 2022 in Arcade at 8:30 a.m. (Arcade Worship Site.)

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Holy Day information based on the bulletin of August 14, 2022

Second Collection at all Masses this weekend! (August 13-14, 2022.)

Sister Rubi Arellano, a Missionary of the Servant Sisters of the Visitation, will speak to us about her missionary work. The Sisters of the Visitation are missionary Sisters who work around the world and specifically in Eastern Samar, Philippines. The second collection this weekend (August 13-14, 2022) will be for the Missions of her ministry.

We welcome Sister Rubi to our parish!

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Information on the second collection is based on the bulletin of August 14, 2022.

The P.A.C. Food Pantry could use donations!

They are low on cereal, rice, personal care products and snacks for their Kid Packs (granola bars, etc.).

Boxes are still available in the church vestibule at both worship sites.

Thank you for your continuing support!

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Info about the P.A.C. Food Pantry based on the bulletin of July 17, 2022.

WACY News: Help us to honor Father Jim Fugle! Father Jim was an example of how to walk with Jesus, even in his suffering. We want to honor his life and faith. We are asking for donations to go towards a hand-engraved stone “The Road to Emmaus” for Father Jim’s gravesite.

Families of Wyoming Association for Catholic Youth — WACY — are collecting tax deductible donations until August 1st, 2022. Any extra funds will be placed in a Scholarship Fund in Father Jim’s name. Tax deductible gifts can be made to WACY (with “Father Jim’s Stone” in the memo).

Mail donations to:

WACY
PO BOX 67
Strykersville, NY 14145.

Thank you for your help.

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The above is slightly edited from copy found in the bulletin of June 12, 2022.

Rising costs across the board have put a burden on many, but if the burden feels too much to bear, Catholic Charities can help.

If you or your family is facing a crisis situation with food, utilities, toiletries, being able to afford vital medication or more, please call (716) 856 4494 if you reside in Erie County, or your local Catholic Charities office if you reside outside of Erie County. [For more information and county-specific information, please click here.]

We stand ready to help.

Appeal 2022 is ongoing through June 30. To make a donation today, visit https://ccwny.org/donate/ or text GIVEHOPE22 to 44321.

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The above is slightly modified from copy found in the bulletin of June 5, 2022. (The donate link has been upgrade for security, and one new link has been added to help individuals find county-specific services.)

When the Buffalo Diocese was flush with clergy in the 1970’s and 1980’s, it usually took years for a priest to earn an appointment as pastor of his own parish. But that wait time decreased dramatically as a growing priest shortage forced bishops to rush newly ordained clergy into pastorates. Bishop Michael W. Fisher soon will be taking a different approach with pastor appointments.

Instead of a pastor for each of the diocese’s 160 parishes, Bishop Fisher will name just 36 pastors — one for each of the “Families” of parishes designated earlier this year as part of the diocese’s “Road to Renewal” effort. St. Mary’s is “family #33” in this renewal effort. Our “family” includes:

• St. Mary’s, Arcade/East Arcade
• St. Jude, Sardinia
• St. Aloysius, Springville
• St. John the Baptist, West Valley

St. Aloysius also includes the Regional School for our “Family.”

Diocese leaders on Tuesday invited 132 active priests to apply for the 36 open pastor slots. The latest phase of the “Family of Parishes” model has priests worried about their future roles and parishioners concerned about losing a favorite spiritual guide in the reshuffling.

Priests have until May 23 to request to be one of the 36 pastors.

God’s Blessings Always,
Fr. Joe Gullo

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The above is based on Fr. Joe’s letter from the bulletin of May 22, 2022.

Please remember our brothers and sisters from Buffalo who need our prayers for healing and peace during this difficult time.

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The above copy is from the bulletin of May 22, 2022.

On Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Let’s pray together for an increase in all vocations: marriage, priesthood, diaconate, religious life — especially in our diocese.

May Jesus raise up new shepherds in our midst. If you are one of them, visit buffalovocations.org

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The above information is based on the bulletin of May 8, 2022.

Lord Jesus Christ, bless the children coming forward to receive Holy Communion for the first time.

May this day be the step toward a lifelong love of the Eucharist.

Give them a hunger for this sacred food so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Thank you for their innocence and goodness.

May their hands, extended in anticipation of your body and blood, inspire all of us to cherish this sacred Sacrament.

Amen.

Please remember our young parishioners in your prayers!