Buffalo

Letter for Easter from Parish Council President

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As Christ spent his 40 days in the desert preparing to do the will of his Father, so too have we been given an incredible opportunity to be in the desert with Jesus this Lent. I know this very difficult time has caused major changes in our lives and added elements of anxiety and fear, I hope this time has also given you an opportunity to quiet your mind and heart and spend more time in prayer. Although we have not been able to gather for Mass, Adoration, Retreat, Penance, Stations of the Cross, decorating, and meetings, I encourage you to make this Holy Week one of opportunity quiet anticipation. Each year the business and preparation of this holy season causes us to rush into church, try to quiet our minds and heart, and walk the final journey with Jesus. This year is an opportunity to move at a different slower pace.

We began Palm Sunday without palms, yet we so longed to be in church. Keep the images of our church in your heart. They will be there when you return. We will continue Holy Week telling ourselves everything is so different. It is! But it is also an opportunity to be aware of something deeper. On Holy Thursday, ask yourself-do I take time to say thank you Jesus? Would I allow him to wash my feet and my hands? Will I spend time in adoration? You can still visit the 7 churches. Take your mind to churches you have been to in the past. Light a candle. Set up an altar in your home. Go there. Pray! On Good Friday, open your bible, read the Passion. Do you have a crucifix in your house and a statue or image of Mary to kneel in front of? Read the Stations of the Cross. Where are you in the crowd? Then as we move through to Holy Saturday, often a time of meal preparation and waiting for the resurrection, continue your Easter basket traditions. Make your favorite coffee cake. Color your eggs. Share the meaning behind the symbolic items in your basket with others, especially your children and grandchildren whom you will pass the tradition to. If you have holy water, bless your own basket. Finally, on Easter Sunday, wake up, take a walk. Listen to the birds. Look at the flowers now in bloom. Smile. Shout, HE IS RISEN! Crack open the egg-the tomb has been rolled away! Keep the faith. Corpus Christi church, our Pauline Fathers, parishioners and friends, will be with you in spirit. Until we meet again…KEEP HOPE ALIVE!

Peace-Beverly A. Sikora-Corpus Christi Parish Council President

Photos: Blessing of the Throats at Corpus Christi

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In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candle Mas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. In Corpus Christi Church during the Sunday Liturgy parishioners pray for new vocation to religious life and pray for all or women and men in consecrated life.

February 3 is the Memorial of St. Blaise (316). St. Blaise is venerated in the Eastern and Western Churches due to many cures attributed to him. According to tradition, he was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and was martyred under Licinius. On this day the Church gives a “Blessing of the Throats” in honor of St. Blaise. From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat. On Sunday (February 2) parishioners of Corpus Christi Parish, received the blessing (candles crossed in a special candelabrum used to bless throats) through the intercession of St. Blaise.

Photos from Blessing of the Throats – 9:30am Mass, 02/01/2020 – Click on images for full view.

Photos from Blessing of the Throats – 11:00am (Polish) Mass, 02/01/2020 – Click on images for full view.

Photos: The new glow of a Guardian Angel in Corpus Christi Church

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The Parish of Corpus Christi ( 199 Clarck St., Buffalo) would like to thank the Swiatek Studios for restoration and cleaning of the Guardian Angel Stained Glass window in the back of the church. The window needed extensive work. After carefully removing the window, the old glazing was carefully removed and dismantled to be rebuilt with new lead. The center section of the window also restored in the same way with a bar inserted to prevent future damage and provide greater support. When the windows were installed (January 9 – Thursday, 2020) additional glazing was added. We thank the Swiatek Studios (9670 Main St. Clarence, NY 14031) for their professionalism and kindness to our parish.

Click on images for full view—>