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Day of Recollection of Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic

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Corpus Christi Church hosted the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic, of the Providence of St. Joseph, located in the Buffalo Diocese, for a Day of Recollection on Saturday, July 25, 2020.

The itinerary for the day started in the Church with a song to the Holy Spirit so the hearts and souls of those attending would be open to God’s graces and healings. Approximately 35 of the members then joined in praying the Divine Office and Morning Prayer associated with the feast of St. James, the Apostle.

Morning prayer was followed by a Continental breakfast in the Kolbe Center. After this refreshing break, Father Pastor Michal gave the first of his two conferences. His first conference dealt with images and symbolism found in the stained glass window of St. Hyacinth located in the rear of the Church. Father explained how St. Hyacinth met St. Dominic during a visit to Rome and was one of the first to receive the habit of Order of Friars Preachers from St. Dominic himself. St. Hyacinth was the first Dominican of Poland. The stained glass window shows him fleeing the Tartars, before they are able to sack his Church. He has the ciborium in his left hand and a statue of Mary with Jesus in his right hand. The story is recorded that he heard a voice as he was exiting the Church with only the ciborium, “Hyacinth, my son, why dost thou leave me behind? Take me with thee and leave me not to mine enemies.” Father went on to explain how in any and all difficult times it is the Blessed Sacrament and the Mother of God who will get us safely through to the other side.

Following the first conference, Confessions were heard, the Rosary was prayed at the usual time of 11:00, followed by Saturday Mass of 11:30. Father Jan Kolmaga, OSPPE celebrated Mass with Father Michal Czyzewski, OSPPE concelebrating.

After a break for lunch and fellowship, the second Conference began with Father handing out cards on which were a variety of questions concerning one’s faith. Each person was to choose two questions and share their answers with their individual group. This lead to members getting to know each other better, and getting to know himself or herself better. The day ended with praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It was a grace-filled day of spiritual refreshment for the Lay Dominicans.

“This was the first time I had attended a Dominican Retreat for the Lay Fraternity,- said Cathy Bergen from Lackawanna. I believe my connection to St. Dominic is through my love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother and the praying of her Rosary. When first asked by our president, one year ago, to attend a meeting, I felt blessed that God would invite me to be a part of the Dominican Family. St. Dominic was a saint of the XII Century. However, I can daily ask his help with my prayer life and with being more aware of the needs of those around me.”

The Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic is open to men and women who have the desire to deepen their relationship with God by learning and engaging in the pillars of the Dominican life. Those being 18 year of age or older, study, attend Chapter meetings on a regular basis, actively participate in Chapter life and in the apostolate. If anyone would like additional information in regard to becoming a Lay Dominican, please contact Corpus Christi Parish.

Photo:  The stained glass window of St. Hyacinth located in the rear of the Church.

We want build Grotto to Our Blessed Mother

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The Parish Community of Corpus Christi Church has embarked on an ambitious project that will provide you and your family with a permanent legacy, not only to the Church community, but most importantly, to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I had frequently visited the Dominican Sisters when they lived at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Monastery located on Doat Street in Buffalo. When I was informed that these prayerful sisters were to be relocated, I was heartbroken. However, it delighted me to find out that the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Bernadette, and Our Lady Help of Suffering Souls would be made available to Corpus Christi Community. These statues, which were often prayed in front of by these cloistered sisters, would remain here on the East Side of Buffalo as a memorial to the sisters’ presence here. The sisters are grateful that their statues have found such a welcoming home.

The Pauline Fathers of Corpus Christi Church will erect, with your prayerful and financial help, a Grotto to house the statue of Lady of Lourdes in the garden of the Monastery located here on Clark Street. The Grotto will resemble a small cave made of interesting or attractively shaped rocks. If you wish, your intentions will be placed in a time capsule and then sealed in the stone construction. This Grotto will be a tribute to Our Lady of Lourdes requesting her intercession for an end to the corona virus pandemic. We want this Grotto to Our Blessed Mother to be a beautiful place where you will have occasions to pray with the Pauline Fathers.

Anyone wishing to have their name and prayers placed in the time capsule, please send this information, along with a donation if possible, to Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark Street, Buffalo, New York, 14212 with “Grotto” marked on the envelope. Your prayers and contributions are greatly appreciated.

Anyone making a donation of $30 or more will receive a decade of the Rosary made from beads contributed by the Dominican Sisters in the hope of keeping St. Dominic’s spirit alive. Donations are now being accepted and it would be appreciated if all contributions are received no later than October 10, 2020.

If you would prefer to donate by credit/debit card, use PayPal button below.