December 9 – December 16, 2012

Photo by Margaret Dick: 2012 Advent Wreath

 

Weekly Activities

Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 p.m. ~ A Brass and Organ Christmas concert in church.

Monday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. ~ Sodality Service of Remembrance and Christmas Party in St. Charles Hall.

Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. ~ Choir Rehearsal in St. Charles Hall.

Thursday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.

Saturday, December 15 following 4:30 p.m. Mass ~ Holiday reception at the rectory for parish volunteers.

Saturday, December 15 at 8:00 p.m ~ Bingo will be played in St. Charles Hall.

We now have new games: Red, White & Blue; carry over Bonus Ball; and a progressive Share-the-Wealth!

Sunday, December 16 following 10:00 a.m. Mass ~ Holiday reception at the rectory for parish volunteers.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, December 9 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Dan Stabler (Requested by Ed Marien) and Michael Plunkett (Requested by Bud and Mickey Dick.

Monday, December 10 ~ Communion Service at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, December 11 ~ Pope St. Damasus I ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Winifred Enright (Estate)

Wednesday, December 12 ~ Our Lady of Guadalupe ~Mass at 11 a.m. – Deceased Members of St. Gerard Parish (Parishioners)

Thursday, December 13 ~ St. Lucy ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – Mr. and Mrs. William Bauer (Estate of Arline T. Bauer)

Friday, December 14 ~ St. John of the Cross ~ Mass at 11 a.m. – James Condon (Estate of Mary Condon)

Saturday, December 15 ~ Mass at 4:30 p.m. – Bernice Burgasser (Ken Stengel)

Sunday, December 16 ~ Mass at 10 a.m. – Irene Hodur – Birthday Remembrance (Bonnie and Don Williams) and Nancy Brown (Duffy Family)

Advent Reflection – Click HERE for an Advent Reflection.

News from our Parish Community

Father Reger invites readers, choir members, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, Saturday sacristans, food pantry helpers, bereavement committee members, catechists, Generations of Faith lunch Providers, collection counters, coordinators for Family Promise and the Prison Project to the rectory for coffee after services on December 15 and 16 so that he might thank you for your ministry to our church community and those in need. He looks forward to seeing you.

Delivering Gifts for our Shut-ins ~ The Christmas gifts for our parish shut-ins will be available for delivery after Masses on December 15 and 16. There is a gift bag assembled for a specific senior; that person’s name is attached to the bag. There will also be a poinsettia plant for each person. Remember: If you are not delivering the gift on your way home, please do not leave the plant in your car. They are very susceptible to the cold.
Christmas Decorating ~ Help us create the “Christmas Look” at B.T. on Wednesday, December 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. There are all kinds of tasks to do. with willing hands and hearts and Christmas Spirit, the work will be light for all! Come and Enjoy!

Prisoner Gifts 2012 ~ We give thanks for the many volunteers who assembled  Christmas gift bags for  inmates at Wende and Albion. The Christmas Prison Package Project originated with Sr. Karen Klimczak, SSJ, at the Bissonette House over 20 years ago, and we have been privileged to continue its message of forgiveness and non-violence.

Giving Tree ~ We invite you again this year to be a part of bringing Christmas spirit to the refugees – men, women, and children, who reside at Vive La Casa on Wyoming Avenue. For many years this was a favorite tradition for Sister Flavia. This year we will be collecting hats, scarves, mittens/gloves for children and adults, and toys. If you would like to participate in this effort, please bring your gifts unwrapped and place them in the box near our tree by Sunday, December 16. The tree will be set up by December 8. Thank you.

A Special Request for our Helping Hands Food Pantry ~ Richard Plunkett advises that The Pantry has a critical need for volunteers with a pick-up truck who might be available a few hours each week or every other week for transport of food donations or extra food orders to the Helping Hands Food Pantry. If you can lend a hand or need further information, please contact Richard at 861-5022.

On a related note, The Helping Hands Food Pantry has been experiencing chronic shortages of cereal (store brands welcome). Their supply of cereal is usually gone by the end of the first week after the monthly food delivery from the Food Bank. They also are in need of any kind of canned vegetables, juice or canned soup, as well as flour or sugar and baking supplies. Many younger people and grandparents are asking for baby supplies, such as diapers and formula. You should also know that the food pantry now has used clothing that is clean and folded according to size for men, women, boys, girls and infants. They are in greatest need of clothing for men and infants. All clothing is donated and must be cleaned upon acceptance.

News from our Vicariate Cluster and the Wider Community

Catholic Churches of Central Buffalo Advent Retreat Evenings, “God awaits us in our stories,” will begin next Monday, December 10, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Martin de Porres, 555 Northampton Street. Join us in reflecting together to awaken our faith and awareness of God’s presence in our lives. Our presenter will be Dennis Mahaney from the Office of Parish Life. In the post-modern age, the perennial question remains: ‘Is God with us or not?’ God still speaks. Let’s stop long enough to listen.