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News
The Friends of Corpus Christi begin significant church repairs
The Friends of Corpus Christi have successfully raised enough funds to pay for $100,000 worth of necessary church repairs this summer. All of this work is being carried out through coordination with the Order of St. Paul the First Hermit, owner of the Corpus Christi church complex. Basement waterproofing work began in June and is nearing completion. Stonework on the north clerestory wall is set to begin in July. The north side aisle roof is also set for replacement this summer. This work should address water leaks that have been a recurring problem on the north side of the church and make it possible to do plaster and paint repairs inside.
Friends president Lucy Ederer admitted that fall 2019 was not an especially good time to roll out a fundraising campaign, and with COVID-19, timing could not have been much worse for finishing the campaign, especially after a cancelled Easter season. Still, she stated that “We were pleasantly surprised by the number of donations that kept coming in. We are so grateful for the remarkable support of our parishioners and friends.” She added, however, that Corpus Christi’s buildings—one of the few local Catholic Church complexes listed on the National Register of Historic Places—will need continued strong and faithful commitment in order to ensure its future: “Just as in Europe, scaffolding should be considered an almost permanent part of the church’s artwork.” Some of the funds raised came from foundation grants that usually require some sort of matching donation from parishioners and the community.
When asked why people should put so much effort into preserving the building when the church is about people, Ederer gave a detailed response: “The church is first about Jesus saving all of us, and one way that grateful people respond to that good news is to build Him a wonderful temple. This place reminds us that here we encounter the beauty of God’s saving grace in the sacraments, a beautiful place that tells everyone that Jesus lives here and that something important happens here. A church is never just a secular meeting place, no matter how humble. But here, the poor Polish immigrants who built Corpus Christi made big sacrifices so that people who come here can magnificently experience the beauty and glory of God and His love for us. We honor their sacrifices by preserving our church so that it can continue to evangelize new generations. We keep going because our horizontal culture is too intellectually and morally confused to realize that God must be treated as God. We need spaces and symbols and beauty to express our faith and that reality.”
Ederer added that more upcoming projects on the wish list for next year include stonework restoration on the south clerestory wall and a new roof for the south side aisle roof: “We are always grateful for donations, which show us that the community continues to appreciate our faith heritage and our legacy. We always have work, and the Friends have virtually no overhead expenses. Monies received go directly to restoration projects.” Donations can be sent to Friends of Corpus Christi Inc., PO Box 784, Buffalo, NY 14240.
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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.
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