PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH FAMILY
Baby Charlotte, Susan Flynn, Ann Kapuscinski, Rev. Dennis Mende, Lisa Troche, Pat Valone.
SEPTEMBER
WINE – HOSTS – SANCTUARY LIGHTS – MEMORIALS
ST. JOHN CHURCH
Sanctuary Light – Week of September 18th – 24th
In Memory of Russell Mazzurco, Birthday
By Sebastian and Gerri Mazzurco
SS. PETER AND PAUL CHURCH
Wine and Hosts:
In Memory of Rose Marie Elder
By Francis and Gilda Palmer
Sanctuary Light – Week of September 18th – 24th
In Memory of Harry Kosko, Birthday
By Daughter Deborah Sampson
MEMORIALS TO HOLY APOSTLES PARISH
In Memory of Dorothy Olson
By Stella Dynys
By Donald and Katherine Lynn
CARD PARTY
This Wednesday, September 21st, a CARD PARTY sponsored by Catholic Daughters Court St. Gertrude #92 will take place at St. John Church hall, 270 Newton Ave. at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $4, and if you haven’t picked one up, you can do so at the door the night of the Party. Come join the fun!
ATTENTION YOUNG SINGERS
The JUBILATE SINGERS are now rehearsing on Thursdays from 6:15 – 7:30 PM at St. John Church. Come and sing a new song to the Lord.
Refreshments are always served. NO AUDITIONS. Come and see what we are all about!
We would like to welcome into our faith community through the Sacrament of Baptism, LEO JOHN BELL, son of Nicholas and Katie (McMaster) Bell.
May Leo be filled with the Holy Spirit and received into the family of the church that he may walk with Christ and grow in the knowledge of His love.
M A S S E S F O R T H E W E E K
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
St. Robert Bellarmine
4:00 (St. John) Marie and Al DiMaio, Wedding Anniversary by Steve and Deb Szwejbka
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
7:15 (SSPP) Intentions of our Parishioners
9:00 (St. John) Nicholas Rodriguez, Birthday by Miriam Rodriguez and Family
11:00 (SSPP) Leo and Gertrude Batt by Estate
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
St. Januarius
12:10 (SSPP) Gilbert and Teresa Caskey by Estate
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon & Paul Chong Hassang
And Companions
9:00 (St. John) Souls of the Faithful Departed
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
St. Matthew, Apostle
12:10 (SSPP) Dorothy Olson by Grace Dolan
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
9:00 (St. John) Andrew Szwejbka, Jr. by Steve and Deb Szwejbka
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
St. Pius of Pietrelcina
12:10 (SSPP) Michelle Reynolds, Anniversary by Mom, Dad, Brother and Sisters
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
4:00 (St. John) Mary Russo, Birthday by Judy Luciano
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:15 (SSPP) Intentions of our Parishioners
9:00 (St. John) Deceased Members of the Brill, Conley and Mangano Families by M/M Peter Conley and Family
11:00 (SSPP) Dorothy Fiore by Bruce and Eileen Widen
On Sunday, October 16th, an ALL FAMILY SPECIAL EVENT will take place at St. John Church at 5:47 PM. All are encouraged to attend this special presentation – “Lighten Up” featuring Doug Brummel and his cast of characters. This is a one-man, character-changing experience you have to see to believe!
There is NO charge for this event; however, a good will offering will be taken. This presentation is being sponsored by parishes of our area, the Karl Peterson Foundation and the Jessie Smith Darrah Foundation.
Don’t miss it!
YOUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
Sunday, September 11
Main Collection $9,265.36
Repair & Maintenance 1,561.00
Total $10,826.36
Thank you for your support of our parish ministries!
CONNECTED IN FAITH
Through the generous support of the people of Western New York, Christ the King Seminary is able to build a strong community of faith for our local church by providing exceptional theological education, pastoral field experience, and spiritual formation. Seminary graduates form relationships that serve our community in many ways and are well-prepared to navigate the spiritual future of our diocese.
Next week, our parish will hold the annual collection to benefit Christ the King Seminary during all the Masses. There are many people ready to answer the call to ministry to meet the needs of today’s church in our diocese. Please help them to do so by giving generously and remembering Christ the King in your prayers. For more info on our seminary’s mission or programs, or to give online, go to www.cks.edu.
GROWING IN FAITH
This weekend, we are beginning a new season for our Religious Education program and we would like to acknowledge and offer our prayers and support for those who are serving as volunteer catechists. How blessed we are to have these dedicated people guiding our young people in learning our Catholic faith. Pre-K: Rick and Monica Becht; First Grade: Nicole Thorpe and Debbie Shilling; Second Grade: Amanda Shilling; Preparation for First Penance: Valerie Scarpino; Third Grade: Bev. Grobaski; Preparation for First Eucharist: Valerie Scarpino; Fourth grade: Celeste Martin; Fifth Grade: Brenda Harding; Sixth Grade: Shine DeHarder and Amelia Dolce; Seventh Grade: Ben Russo and Isabel Kulakowski; Eighth Grade: Carl Liuzzo; Ninth Grade: Vince Liuzzo; and Tenth Grade: Andy Liuzzo. Subs are Tomasina Lamper and Olivia Gren.
Guiding all of our Catechists are Dianne Woleen and Paula Slagle.
——————————————————————————–
As your children return to the 2016-17 Religious Education Program, please share the following prayer with them.
Dear Lord,
We thank you for the opportunity
to begin this new school year,
and we ask that you bless
the students, catechists, coordinators, and families that make up our Religious Education Program.
We pray that you will guide us in all ways,
so that we will seek your will in
everything we do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
UNDERSTANDING ANOINTING
What we call something is often more than just a name because it can also indicate how it is understood and used, thereby establishing either a positive or a negative approach and response. Think for a moment of how we have altered our use of terms when we’ve realized that they can be interpreted as demeaning or misleading. This phenomenon happens in all aspects of our lives, including our practice of faith. An example is the name given to one of the sacraments, and I’d like to draw our attention to how this affects how we understand its purpose.
I’m referring to the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. For many years prior to the middle of the last century it was called “Extreme Unction” a term which came from the Latin “unctio in extremis” which designated the anointing done when a person was dying which had become the situation in which the sacrament was most often administered. Stemming from this practice there developed the custom of referring to the sacrament as “last rites.” Indeed, to this day the misunderstanding persists that the anointing is only for the dying. Because of this the sick are often deprived of its spiritual benefits.
The Church teaches very clearly that it is not only for those who are at the point of death. Rather, whenever a serious illness befalls a person, or a chronic condition or incurable illness is diagnosed, or when one is injured due to an accident, or when one is to undergo serious surgery, the sacrament is properly received. The effects are the presence of the grace of Christ to help in these times of need for spiritual strength. This is not to say that the dying are not to be anointed; far from it. However, its reception should not be delayed until the point of death is immanent.
Here’s where an understanding of what is properly meant by “last rites” is necessary. Notice that the term is plural, and thus refers to more than one sacrament. Indeed, it designates three sacraments: Penance, Anointing, and Holy Eucharist. All are part of the way in which a catholic is prepared to face death, and that’s why their reception should not be put off until the last minute. We believe that we shall have to face our Lord and be judged by him for the way in which we have lived. Thus, making a good confession is the first step in the last rites. Afterwards, one is anointed and then if possible would receive Holy Communion. There is a special term given to the Eucharist received in this context. In Latin it is “viaticum” which roughly translates “with you on the way” indicating an understanding of the Body and Blood of Christ as “food for the journey” into eternal life.
I would encourage us all to consider how important the terms we use are in the practice of the faith, and to remember that Anointing is available to us throughout our lives, as well as being one of the “last rites.” Be at peace,
Father Dennis Mende