Buffalo

A Letter from Family of Parishes Pastor Cole Webster

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Greetings and Blessings East Buffalo family!

What a wonderful first weekend as I made my rounds through the family for the first time! Last week I presided at the 4:00pm Vigil at St. Stanislaus, 8:30am at St. John Kanty, 10:00am at St. Katharine Drexel, & the 12:00pm at St. John Gualbert. Thank you all so much for the tremendous welcome I received in each parish – from welcome receptions to gift baskets, THANK YOU!

So that we are all on the same page, I wanted to reiterate a few things that I mentioned in my introductory homily for the Masses I was not present at. A bit of background about myself is that I grew up in Amherst, NY attending various Protestant Churches (Assembly of God, Baptist, and Non-Denominational). Due to the influence of my Catholic grandparents, and as I grew in knowledge and love of my Polish/Catholic heritage, I joined RCIA at St. Christopher Church and was initiated into the Catholic faith my senior year of High School. When I moved to the City of Buffalo to attend Buffalo State College, I joined and became involved in my grandparents church, Assumption of the BVM in Black Rock.

Throughout high school and college, where I graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism, I worked for Hart Hotels for eight years. First at the Holiday Inn that was on Niagara Falls Blvd, then left the company as the office manager at the Holiday Inn Express by the Buffalo Airport to join the seminary. After being ordained in 2017, I was assigned as Parochial Vicar at SS. Peter and Paul, Hamburg for two years, then to St. Aloysious Gonzaga in Cheektowaga as Temporary Administrator, and most recently, as pastor at St. Peter’s in Lewiston for the past three years.

As we move forward as a family of parishes, my priorities are twofold. The first is reopening the St. Stanislaus Convent (Pitass Center). Having been vacant for three years there is much repair and cleaning work to be done. Thank you in advance to all who are able to help clean this Sunday, July 16 at 2:00. I truly hope that the Pitass Center can be a place of welcome for all. Three events are already booked there – a family staff and trustee luncheon, a Polonia Committee meeting, and program the Renewal Office is hosting.

My second focus is organizing our pillar groups. I have done my best to keep the Mass Schedule the same for July and August having lost Fr. Jim Monaco, Fr. Paul Ladda, and Fr. Ben Fiore who has been assigned as parochial vicar to the downtown family. I would ask you to seriously consider joining a pillar committee. The descriptions and tasks of each are below. We cannot do this without YOU and we ARE ALL in this together. Sign-up sheets are available in each worship site. Once our family pillar groups are established the next step is to come together for a training session led by the Renewal Office.

As always, if you have absolutely any questions or concerns, please call your parish office or email me at revcwebster@gmail.com. We have so much to be thankful for, have a joyous week!
Fr. Cole

Please consider joining a Pillar Group!

Liturgy Description: The Liturgy is the primary way in which we worship God. The focus on the liturgy pillar is to make sure we have the very best worship taking place within our family of parishes. Priority is to be given to the dignity of each celebration, focusing on good ministry, music and participation. Priority is not to be given to appeasing locations and times. Consideration also needs to be taken into account for church capacities and accommodation of people at a location. • Mass Schedules for each parish within the Family • Sacrament schedule • Liturgy Committee

Spiritual Life Description: Spiritual Life works hand in hand with Liturgy. The Spiritual Life pillar should focus on fostering a relationship with Jesus Christ through para-liturgical experiences, retreats, devotions and any activity within the family that will help bring people closer to Jesus. • Devotions • Retreats • Life in the Eucharist

Forming Disciples Description: Forming Disciples involves all aspects of education. If your family has a Catholic school within it, your pillar group for forming disciples must contain a representative from the school. How the family supports all education is the primary function of this pillar group. • Religious Education (K-12) • Catholic schools • Youth Ministry (Grades 6-8) • Youth Ministry (Grades 9-12) • Young Adult Faith Formation • Adult Faith Formation • Adult Leadership Training • Inclusive Catechesis • Family Formation • RCIA/OCIA • Sacramental Preparation

Outreach/Inreach Description: This pillar involves how we as church respond to the needs of our people, both in and outside of our family of parishes. Social outreach/justice are a key component of this pillar and can work together with organizations that already focus on specific outreach activities; St. Vincent de Paul, Food Pantry, etc. Outreach • Any ministry or activity aimed at bringing relief for those who are suffering, while maintaining inclusivity • Evangelization efforts geared at people who are unchurched and seeking Christ • Promotion of missionary discipleship to attract new Catholics Inreach • Ministry to those who are in physical or spiritual need • Empower parishioners • Develop a culture of welcome

Stewardship Description: Stewardship looks at how we utilize time, talent and treasure among our parishes for the good of our parishes and people. Working closely to make sure our efforts in fundraising do not compete with one another, this pillar group works on coordinating efforts for a fundraising schedule, determining how volunteers get involved in ministries between parishes within the family and ways that people can get involved in the family. • Volunteers: Donate time, treasure and/or talent • Family/Parish hospitality • Any activities that have to do with the above

Administration Description: The Administration Pillar looks at the business components of how our parishes operate, and looks at creating efficiencies that respond to the challenges of diminishing resources and personnel as we move forward. Determining each parish’s fiscal responsibility within the family is also a part of this pillars task. This pillar will work closely with the Pastor of the Family and the Renewal office to ensure expectations for the family within the Renewal are being met. • Human Resources: Compensation, benefits & policies • Safe Environment • Governing/Family leadership • Central office • Processes/On-site Hours • Personnel • Budgeting/finances • Communications • Data/Reporting • Security/Compliance

CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH TO DEDICATE A NEW PLAQUE TO HONOR SAINT-MAXIMILLIAN KOLBE

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JOIN US ON SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023 FOR 9:30 AM MASS AND RECEPTION IN THE KOLBE CENTER

Did you ever take a moment in our beautiful church to gaze at the statues and pictures in and around our church and buildings? Have you wondered who the serious looking religious man with a black robe with small round wire rimmed glasses is? His name is Maximillian Kolbe! His statue is on the left side altar of the church.

Did you know one of our buildings across the street from Corpus Christi Church on the East Side of Buffalo, NY is named after this humble servant of Christ? Although we have a picture of this Polish Martyr in our Kolbe Center, it is important to acknowledge this man with a description of what he did as a Franciscan Priest, as a captured religious during World War II in and martyred at the German concentration camp in Auschwitz. He was a humble servant for Christ who gave his life another.

Due to money granted by the Polish Chair of Permanent Culture at Canisius College, and the efforts of a small committee, a Memorial Plaque with his likeness is being installed to honor the Saint. It will also honor the thousands of Catholic Poles who died in the concentration camps established by the Germans during WWII.

We invite the Western New York community and parishioners to attend the Mass, Ceremony, and Reception!

Come and learn more about your faith and heritage!

PARISHIONERS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS

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Almost one year has passed since our return to Western New York. Time has gone fast and here we are, ready to welcome Christ Jesus to the Manger. As we prepare to decorate our beautiful historic church, we are grateful to the parishioners and friends who have continued to attend and support the Pauline Fathers in their efforts to evangelize on the East side of Buffalo, and give people a sense of hope amidst the chaos of today’s world.

A church is filled with many different people. Since our return, we were delighted to see families raising their children in the faith, teaching them how to pray and serve. We observed the old and the young in conversation. We also noticed the dedication of volunteers who help to care for our aging buildings, and the time and talent they share with the church community.

We cannot do this alone. Christ came into this world so that we may have life, and to have this life more abundantly. As we celebrate the Christmas and the ring in the New Year, please know we will continue to pray, teach, and encourage you on your journey. We will continue to listen, plan, organize, and support activities which strengthen your walk with the Lord. As for the care of our buildings, the challenges will remain, but with God’s grace, the work which has been started, will continue. We are so blessed to have parishioners who see a need, develop a plan, implement, and see it to its’ final stage. God bless you!

OUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST FOR 2023

*Continue to attend church and receive the Sacraments

*Grow in your knowledge of the Catholic faith-ask questions, model the faith for others

*Pray-ask God how and where He wants to use you-then trust Him

*Share in the old and new traditions by support of your presence, time, or financial support

DONATE TO THE FOLLOWING ONGOING PROJECTS

CHURCH-new accessible bathrooms in the basement, installation of accessible chair lift

KOLBE CENTER-complete window trim, update the entrance steps to make handicap accessible

SEARS HALL-address a variety of physical and mechanical issues

You can mail donations to Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark Street, Buffalo, NY 14212

As our Diocese continues with the Road to Renewal, Corpus Christi Church and the Pauline Fathers, will continue to work with our Diocese to better serve the community. As our journey to the Manger continues, and we anticipate the New Year, we will also pray together for peace within ourselves and our world.

In hope and joy,

Rev. Mariusz Dymek (Pastor)
Rev. Mark Kreiss (Associate)
Bro. Aniol Sokalski