From the Pastor's Desk: 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
Dear Parishioners,
During Advent we find that our days seem to fly quickly as we prepare for the holiday customs that are a part of celebrating Christmas. As we make lists of practical things to do, why don't we make a list of spiritual things to do, as well?
Our redemption is at hand, we need to prepare our souls for Heaven. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful start to begin our respective journeys to holiness.
Spiritually speaking, confession is Number 1 on our list of Advent things to do to aid our souls.
Number 2 could well include prayer and reflection. God always hears our prayers and enlightens our minds during moments of solitude.
Number 3 could well include forgiveness of our and others' trespasses. To err is human, to forgive, divine.
Number 4 could well include gratitude for the gifts life has bestowed on us. To thank God is an act of pure humility because we could never make it in this world, let alone making it to Heaven, without God's grace.
As individuals we can complete this spiritual list from Number 5 on because all our individual personal journeys to greater holiness are unique experiences that fill our respective lives with a sense of fulfillment as we grow in God's grace as a help to redemption.
We must not forget that when we feel loved and love others we possess a greater degree of self-esteem, a joy that comes from recognizing God in the goodness of others and in that of ourselves.
There is no fulfillment in our hearts until we feel a real sense of personal self-esteem based on the joy of better knowing our Lord.
Peace, Father Jim
RESERVATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES
To ensure that we are able to safely accommodate everyone for our Christmas Masses, we will have an extended schedule of Masses and require reservations for each Mass. The schedule of Christmas Masses will be as follows:
Christmas Eve (12/24)
- 2 PM
- 4:30 PM (livestreamed)
- 7 PM
Christmas Day (12/25)
Please please the form in the bulletin or otherwise call the rectory at (716) 826-3795 and leave a message at extension #3 with your intended Mass and your full name and number of persons.
Please note that the 4:30 PM Christmas Eve Mass will be live-streamed, but we will announce which other Masses will or will not be live-streamed.
Mass Livestream: All Weekend Masses
We are now planning on live-streaming all our weekend Masses on our Facebook page while the pandemic ensues - 4:30 PM Saturday and 8:45 & 11 AM Sunday. On occasion, we will be unable to livestream certain Masses, but will make an announcement to that effect by email and Facebook.
Giving Tree: items are due this weekend
Helpful Links
Parish Bulletin
Parish Website
Parish Facebook Page
Online Giving
Parish Guidelines for Safe Return to Public Masses
Live-streamed Masses from St. Leo the Great, Amherst (4 PM Sat, 9 & 11 AM Sun)
Sunday & Daily Mass Readings
Masses in person have returned at St. Teresa - 4:30 PM Sat, 8:45 & 11 AM Sun, and 9:30 AM Weekdays for Daily Mass.
More information and updates on the Diocese's "Road to Renewal" can be found at https://roadtorenewal.org/ . Find and attend the Zoom listening sessions.
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The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Dec. 12th
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