32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Week of Nov. 11, 2018

Honoring Our Veterans ~ Veterans Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o’clock in the morning—the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918.  Sunday therefore marks the centennial of the signing of this pledge for peace. Liturgical musical selections this week were meant to show respect to those who protect our liberties, which include our right to worship our Lord.  Since we will still be at Mass at 11:00, we will ring handbells before our closing hymn, honoring our veterans. Thank you for your service, Veterans… here’s to another hundred years of peace. Music Ministry continues on Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm in St. Charles Hall. All are welcome…. Elizabeth

Change in November Coffee Hour ~ Our monthly coffee hour will take place on Sunday, November 18, instead of the usual fourth Sunday which falls during Thanksgiving weekend. Please join us in St. Charles Hall following Mass and Anointing of the Sick and Well-Aging on Sunday, November 18. November’s coffee hour will by hosted by the Ladies Sodality.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development ~ The second collection on November 17/18 will benefit the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which supports those living at or near the poverty level in our own country. Please give generously.

The last Bible Discussion Meeting for the year will be Monday, November 19, at 7pm in St Charles Hall. The booklet for the bible discussion meeting is Genesis 12-23 – Abraham and Sarah’s Journey by Kevin and Louise Perrotta: Loyola Press, 2002. The assigned reading for November 19 is from the Week #5 section, pages 54-63. The bible discussion meeting for the new year will resume on Wednesday, January 9, at 7pm and continue to meet on the second Wednesday of each month. Those who want to obtain the booklet and participate in bible discussion meetings should contact Althea Porter at 716-316-8395.

Under This Roof Fund ~ We are extremely grateful to everyone who responded to our “Fall Fest” fundraiser — both party attendees and financial supporters. Your response exceeded our expectations and, to date, proceeds total $7,260.00. Thank you to all!

Cocoa Challenge 2018, Part 1 ~ We continue Sr. Karen Klimczak’s message of hope to prisoners. Please remember to shop for instant hot chocolate packets and place them in the back pew of the church by Sunday, December 9.  As the price of chocolate has increased, we hope to economize by buying in bulk. Therefore, your cash donations are most welcome. Place your monetary donation in an envelope marked “Prisoner Gifts” and drop it in the collection basket. Then, plan to complete the challenge by joining volunteers at our church on Friday, December 14, to complete the assembly of 2,200 gift bags for men and women from Wende and Albion correctional facilities. There will be two project packing shifts 10am-1pm and 6pm-completion.

The Ladies Sodality’s annual Christmas collection for parish homebound continues though December 2.

Save the Date! The Sodality’s annual Christmas dinner meeting is Wednesday, December 5, at The Family Tree Restaurant, 4346 Bailey Avenue in Amherst. Details including cost and menu choices will follow.

Gifts for Homebound Parishioners  – From now through December 2 (only 3 weeks away), the Ladies Sodality will be collecting items for their annual Christmas gift bags to be delivered to our 10 homebound parishioners and 4 in senior care facilities. Please bring your new, unwrapped items to church and leave them in the designated basket at the far left end of the communion rail. Need ideas? Help yourself to a list of suggestions from the basket. We thank those who have already made cash contributions. If that’s your preference, please help our shopping volunteers by making your donation before Thanksgiving. Gift bags and plants will be ready for delivery on the weekend of Dec. 8/9. If you can help by delivering a gift bag and visiting with one of our 14 recipients, please contact Vera Andrew (716-704-2944) or Mickey Dick (716-832-2540).

Important News from our Bingo Team ~ After almost ten years as our bingo chair, Francis (“Fran”) Cahill has resigned and is being succeeded by Kathy Press. We are very appreciative of Fran’s decade-long stewardship and of Kathy’s willingness to assume responsibility for the parish’s primary fundraiser.

Know Your Faith: With all these allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests now being revealed, should I quit the church?

Why I will not quit the Catholic Church … The word quit means leaving something or somewhere. It’s true that some of our leaders have failed us; it is true that we are hurt; and it’s true that the media is full of different stories of the sexual scandal. After scandals, how should we move forward? What are the ways to resolve, correct, and grow?

When I became a member of the church, I answered my call based on conviction not by compulsion. On the day of baptism, whether as a child or adult, my intention was not based on institutions or on anyone. My reason of becoming a Catholic Christian was based on following Jesus. So Jesus is the reason I can’t quit because He is the one who invited me, He is the one whose voice I heard, or whose voice my parents heard when they chose to help me to answer his call to be God’s child. So nothing should distract me from following him. There are many factors that can affect me, challenge me, discourage me, but should I lose sight of the focus and just quit? No, because just as I was called, so too are others called. Each and everyone of us are called by a name, so we are meant to answer our names. I can’t answer another’s name. I can’t use as an excuse to quit someone else’s words or actions because I am affected or ashamed. I will face the problem and support the community in reaching a resolution. I will focus not only on the hurt, but on healing and solutions to prevent it from happening in the future.

True Catholics are true Christians; true Christians are truly the followers of Jesus. Now is the time for our faith to be tested generally. Although every day individually we face tests, now is the time to answer the three questions of love directed from Jesus to Peter: Do you love me…? (John 21:15). O Lord help my words when spoken and my actions when carried out to please you especially during these difficult moments. Amen.

Do you know that Mass is the highest and greatest form of prayer? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals that “from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, [the Church] has honored with great respect the memory of the dead.” In its reference to the Second Vatican Council’s conclusion that “it is a wholly and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins,” the Catechism adds: “Our prayer for them is capable of not only helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.” Consider contacting the church office (716-833-0301) to request a Mass for yourself, your deceased loved ones, or  for any intention. The stipend is $15.