Household items for refugees - what we need!

Our Catholic Charities collection of household items for newly-arrived refugees continues.  There is a box for your donation in the church vestibule. THANK YOU!

Here's what we need:
CLEANING PRODUCTS
dish soap
liquid detergent
laundry detergent
(NO windex - we have a lot in supply)

TOILETRIES
shampoo
deodorant
soaps
shower gel
toilet paper
feminine hygiene products
shaving cream
toothpaste
tooth brushes

MISCELLANEOUS
trash bags
sponges
brooms
mops
cookware
bowls

Home Again Refugee Resettlement Project update

The Salt and Light Group has collected many household items for the Home Again Project. We are all set with furniture donations. We could use clothing hangers, window fans, household decorating items,  a microwave and male and female hygiene items (comb, brush, shampoo, bar soap, etc).

For donation pick up please call Maura MacDonald at 832-5429 or email her at sixmacs85@gmail.com.

Also remember to volunteer on June 11th - move in day, we have 3 crews:

Cleaning crew - 9-11a
Move In crew - 11a-1p
Decorating crew- 1-4p

Please let her know where you can help. Many hands make light work.
Thank you.

HOME AGAIN meeting March 29th at 7pm

Jerusalem from our church windows

Our Salt and Light Group here at St Benedict's is taking on a bigger role this year. After the successful collection of the many household items over these past many months, we have decided to step up our efforts.

We are going to participate in a project called HOME AGAIN where we actually prepare an apartment from start to finish for a refugee family. We are collaborating again with our neighbors from St Peter's Episcopal Church.

Our first organizational meeting will be held Tuesday March 29th at 7pm in the school cafeteria. Please feel free to call Maura MacDonald with any questions at 832-5429 or email her at sixmacs85@gmail.com. Light refreshments will be served.

Thanksgiving themed meal for ESL Community

St Peter's Episcopal Church (205 Longmeadow)

and

St. Benedict's Church (3980 Main Street) 

will host a Thanksgiving themed dinner at St Peter's Church November 17th from 5-8pm (dinner served around 5:30pm). We are hoping for approximately 50 people total (ESL members and volunteers).

ESL stands for English as a Second Language. Our Eggertsville community has a significant population of ESL people. This dinner will not only provide a Thanksgiving-themed meal, but it will also give the ESL group members a chance to practice speaking English.

Donations are greatly appreciated such as sweet potatoes recipes, pumpkin pie, apple pie, carrot cake, pumpkin bars, cranberry sauce or whatever Thanksgiving related item you would like to share.

RSVP by November 8th to Maura MacDonald at sixmacs85@gmail.com or by phone 832-5429.  Let us know what you are bringing as well. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THE HANDS OF CHRIST!

Our service with St. Peter's was prompted by the joint Pastoral letters of our Bishops -- R. William Franklin of the Episcopal Diocese of WNY and Richard J. Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. Representatives of our parishes have been meeting and praying together since that first joint Pastoral came out.  Here is the first Joint Pastoral Letter - http://bit.ly/1yWaItr 

Help Refugees here in Buffalo!

Catholic Charities here in Western New York helps resettle about 500 refugees every year.  

Can you help us help them?  

Our Salt & Light Group at St. Benedict's would like to assist by providing basic household items.

Please leave your donation in the vestibule of our church and our Salt & Light members will make sure it is delivered to Catholic Charities.  

Thank you!   Thank you!   Thank you!

Items we are in need of:

detergent and dish soap

kitchen/bath cleaner

sponges

toilet brushes

mops, brooms and dust pans

toothpaste, soap, shampoo and deodorant. 

Help us help the Homeless on Thanksgiving!

For the past couple of years, St. Benedict's has supported Little Portion Friary by serving breakfast to their guests on Thanksgiving morning.

Parishioners generously donated their time and/or prepared breakfast items to help make Thanksgiving that much more special for those less fortunate. Denise Levy spearheaded this effort for many years and, as many of you know, Denise and her family have relocated to Dallas.

In keeping the tradition alive, Fred & Mimi Fadel have generously volunteered to coordinate the breakfast and to serve on Thanksgiving morning. If you are interested in helping to serve, please contact Fred at fadelfm@aol.com

If you are interested in providing breakfast items, we can sure use them! 

Here's the basic list of breakfast items we'd like to provide. If you're interested in sending something not listed, please email me and/or Fred & Mimi. We would like to stay away from too many sugary baked goods as Little Portion receives many donated doughnuts and sweets. 


 

I've listed 4 egg items or egg bakes. If you're interested in providing one of them but don't have a recipe, I have an easy one I'd be glad to share.

General info: There are approximately 8 women and 18 men plus some volunteers on the premises. They eat in separate dining rooms so we try to divide the items among the two dining rooms accordingly. Breakfast is served at 9:00 am.

Fred & Mimi will meet folks in the Westfield parking lot at 8:15 Thanksgiving morning. People providing the hot items should bring them hot. The Fadels will leave for Little Portion by 8:30, get there, set up and serve. The guests are responsible for cleaning.

Breakfast items needed:

Eggs/Egg Bake:

Eggs/Egg Bake:

Eggs/Egg Bake:

Eggs/Egg Bake:

Bagels – dozen:

Bagels – dozen:

Bagels – dozen:

Cream cheese – 3 bricks:

Orange juice – 2 gallons:

Orange juice – 2 gallons:

Potatoes:Potatoes:

Whole fruit:

Please email me back and let me know what you’re interested in providing for the breakfast. If I’ve left anything out, please don’t hesitate to contact me. mattandag@mac.com

Thank you,
Agnes Smith

HELP! We need items for the poor.

Outreach Alert:
 
Our humble, generous friends at the Ladies of Charity need help right away! They are running out of household items they need to help the poor. 

They will take one item or 100's! Of course the items need to be clean and not in need of repair.....you can be given a donation receipt if need be. Here is what is needed as soon as possible:

Any size sheets...they do not have to be in sets

Any size curtains/drapes

Blankets

dishes ..all sizes (especially cereal bowls)

silverware

pots and pans.

actually any household items, but the above are desperately needed.

They can be dropped off at 1122 Broadway - Ladies of Charity ..8:30-3:30 Phone: 895 4001

OR to Eileen Nowak at 741 Delaware Ave.

Thanks....with your help we should be able to manage through a few weeks.

Eileen Nowak
Director Parish Outreach and Advocacy/Ladies of Charity
Catholic Charities
218-1400 ext 204

St. Joseph's Table 10 March 2013

Good afternoon! Sunday, March 10th, will be the return of the Annual St. Joseph's Table at St. Benedict's! This is a longstanding tradition in our parish and is one of the major fundraisers for our St. Vincent de Paul Conference (assisting those in need in our community). Please see below for details and ways in which we can use your help!

#1. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is sponsoring a St. Joseph's Table on Sunday, March 10th at 1:00 PM at St. Benedict's Church (in the cafeteria). There will only be one seating. Tickets are $20/adults and $5/child (12 and under). Advance reservations can be made by emailing Kathy Michalski at kmichals@niagaracc.suny.edu. Tickets will also be on sale after all masses beginning in February. Please contact the rectory for more information. PLEASE NOTE: PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY SINCE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER WILL BE AVAILABLE AND WE HAVE SOLD OUT THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS!

#2. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE ST. JOSEPH'S TABLE ON MARCH 10TH!: Please contact Agnes Smith (@ mattandag@mac.com) or contact Agnes @ 832-2086 if you are able to help with set up, serving, and/or clean up. **

** NOTE: This will count for service hours for our religious ed students--you must be a Freshman in High School (or older) to volunteer.

#3. BASKETS NEEDED FOR THE ST. JOSEPH'S TABLE: Back by popular demand will be our basket raffle at the St. Joseph's Table! Please contact Megan Andrews @ meganlandrews@aol.com if you would like to donate a basket! Advance raffle tickets will be available for sale prior to the Table. More details to come!

 

 

Drummer Boy Mass 2012

Saint Benedict School invites you to

The Drummer Boy Mass

Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 10 a.m.

Reception immediately following in church vestibule

If you are new to our Saint Benedict family, this is an event you won’t want to miss! The whole student body and faculty process into the church bringing wrapped Christmas gifts to be given to Gateway-Longview – a local foster care program that takes care of children who have been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse.

The music from The Drummer Boy is played and a special second grader is chosen as the Drummer Boy to lead the procession. This beautiful annual tradition at Saint Benedict School will surely grip your heart and will remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.

All are invited to please come and join us to celebrate this wonderful event!

Giving Tree 2012

The annual St. Benedict’s Parish Giving Tree Project has begun! 

Please take a tag from the tree in the front, or the one in the back of the church,and return the wrapped gifts to the front Christmas tree by Sunday, December 9th. The tags have suggestions for gifts, ages and sizes of the recipient, that have been provided by the families we are helping this year.

Help us make a difference in the lives of our Giving Tree recipients once again this year. Your past generosity has transformed the holidays for many people over the years and we need you more than ever this year. Please attach the tag to the wrapped gift when you return it to the tree.

Thank you and God Bless you during this holy Advent season!

Thanksgiving Breakfast for the needy

Can you help?  Denise Levy is once again coordinating a Thanksgiving breakfast for the homeless at Little Portion Friary.  Here is her letter...

Hello,

I've already heard from a few people interested in providing breakfast items and/or service at Little Portion Friary on Thanksgiving morning. Here's the basic list of breakfast items I'd like to provide. If you're interested in sending something not listed, please email me. I would like to stay away from too many sugary baked goods as I've seen tons of donated doughnuts and sweets in their freezers each time I've been there.

I've listed 4 egg items or egg bakes. If you're interested in providing one of them but don't have a recipe, I have an easy one I'd be glad to share.

General info: There are usually approximately 8 women and 17 men. They eat in separate dining rooms so we try to divide the items among the two dining rooms accordingly. Breakfast is between 8:00 and 8:30.

We meet in the Westfield parking lot at 7:30am. People providing the hot items should bring them hot. We leave for Little Portions by 7:45, get there, set up and serve. The guests are responsible for clean up so we usually leave by 9:00/9:30am.

Breakfast items:

• Eggs/Egg Bake:
• Eggs/Egg Bake:
• Eggs/Egg Bake:
• Eggs/Egg Bake:
• Bagels – dozen:
• Bagels – dozen:
• Bagels – dozen:
• Cream cheese – 3 bricks:
• Orange juice – 2 gallons:
• Orange juice – 2 gallons:
• Potatoes:
• Potatoes:
• Whole fruit:

Email me back and let me know what you’re interested in providing for the breakfast. If I’ve left anything out, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Denise  dmlevy@verizon.net

International Day to Eradicate Poverty 2012

The National Council of Catholic Women
International Day to Eradicate Poverty
October 17th, 2012

Extreme poverty destroys the lives and spirit of people; it kills more children, young persons, and adults than any war. Every day, people living in extreme poverty are challenged and threatened by lack of food, shelter and access to essential services. They endure hazardous working conditions and live in precarious, degraded, and insecure living environments.

October 17, 1987, French priest Father Joseph Wresinski, saw his untiring work to unite all sections of society with the poorest and most excluded finally come to worldwide attention. On that day, over 100,000 people from every level of society and inhabited parts of the globe gathered together to hear Father Wresinski deliver his famous “I Bear Witness” speech as a commemorative stone was unveiled in the Trocadero Human Rights Plaza in Paris. His words, engraved on that marble piece, should be present in the hearts of every person on earth: “Wherever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”

First celebrated 25 years ago, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is meant to promote this first critical step by promoting better dialogue and understanding between poor people and their communities, and society at large. It represents an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty, a chance for them to speak up and make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are in the forefront of the fight against poverty (UN Secretary General Report A/61/308).

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is a call to everyone to gather with people living in extreme poverty to share and exchange information, as equal partners, on initiatives that focus on the most vulnerable and excluded populations, and their active participation in poverty eradication. This day is also a call to strengthen the ways in which we communicate with one another so that we can better share our thoughts, lessons learned, experiences, and act in solidarity against poverty and social injustice.

The 2012 Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will focus on the theme "Ending the violence of Extreme Poverty: Promoting empowerment and building peace". In that spirit, this October 17th, we encourage you to:

1. Pray: Father Joseph Wresinski wrote a special Universal Prayer, the text of which can be found here: http://overcomingpoverty.org/article/universal-prayer. The reading of Father Joseph Wresinski’s “I Bear Witness” speech is also integral to any observance. You can find his speech here: http://overcomingpoverty.org/article/i-bear-witness-to-you. 
2. Spread the word: It is imperative that we get the word out about this day. In your community, consider notifying parishes and schools through regular bulletins, and perhaps writing a letter to your local newspaper editor with information and a personal plea for action. If you are organizing or participating in service activities, contact your local media to raise awareness about them on this important day.
3. Tell stories: The Testimony of persons that find themselves in poverty and that relates their difficulties, frustration, and outlook and the way that they experience isolation due to their poverty can be gathered and sent to http://overcomingpoverty.org/temoignages/all-countries/any-tag.
4. Help directly: Investigate the options available for you to assist the poor and marginalized either locally, nationally or internationally. Examples include support (both financial and volunteer) of soup kitchens, shelters, bringing food and clothing to the homeless, assisting with Project Homefront Day, etc.
5. Provide support: Financial support of national programs through Catholic Charities and the international programs established by NCCW in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (Works of Peace and Reconciliation) and Cross International (Women Helping Women).
6. Organize an observance: Plan a special observance for the 17th of October. Ideas can be found at www.overcomingpoverty.org. Recall that the emphasis should be the solidarity of persons from every level of society.

This day is an opportunity to fulfill our mission of easing life in this world for our sisters and brothers and of bringing everyone together in awareness and solidarity. It is not an obligation but a right and a sacred responsibility, and the sum of the National Council of Catholic Women’s Campaign for Human Dignity.

Please consider getting involved in any of the ways suggested above or in your own way, and let our parishioner Kathy Sieracki (kandrsieracki@aol.com) know what you did to observe the day.  She will share it with the national office of the NCCW.

Thank you for serving Christ's poor!

We need baby stuff!! 28/29 July

St. Gianna Molla Diaper & Donation Drive Information

UPDATE 2 August 2012 -

from the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Center, a "sincere thank you" to all who contributed to the success of the diaper and donation drive held on July 28-29, 2012. Items collected included 408 diapers, 500 wipes, an assortment of baby clothing, receiving blankets, infant formula and a free will donation of $698.00. If anyone has additional items that you wish to donate please call Gene & Arlene Mendrysa at 634-8997.

*****

On the weekend of July 28 and 29th, St. Benedict's is participating in a collection of baby items for the St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center (76 Church Street in Buffalo). 

We sure could use your help on this important project!

Items needed are essentials, such as, newborn diapers, wipes, lotions, onesies, pajamas, receiving blankets, etc, and free will donations.  Please bring what you can to Mass with you July 28/29.

Items to avoid are those which are subject to safety codes like bassinettes, strollers, car seats, etc.

THANK YOU SO MUCH

FOR HELPING THE NEWLY BORN!

St. Gianna, pray for us, new parents and new babies everywhere.

For the wikipedia article on St. Gianna, click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Beretta_Molla

Feeding the Hungry - THANKSGIVING DAY

Families, members of Generations of Faith & St. Vincent de Paul, gather in the St. Benedict's Parking lot at 7:30 AM to receive donations of breakfast food to take down to Little Portion Friary, a homeless shelter on Main Street.  Dozens of people baked, purchased food, or volunteered to serve a delicious meal to Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor.  Special thanks to Denise Levy and her family for coordinating this wonderful activity which embodies the spirit of this day.

Outreach to the Hungry - a story

During mass today, Father Joe Porpiglia called up the children who were going to make their first Penance this year, along with any other children in attendance.

Upon dismissal of them, he asked them to process down the aisle, carrying the food donations from the congregation to the altar. Along with the Generations of Faith children, there was an extraordinary number of kids who were bringing up the food. It really was a sight to behold.

As the procession continued, I heard a small child behind me, Ashlynn, who was talking in her sweet voice to her mother: "Where are they going? What are they carrying?" Her mother whispered back, "they are carrying bags of food to children and families who do not have enough food to eat."

Her small voice persisted, "do we have enough food?" to which her mom replied, "yes, honey, we have enough food."

I thought this was so telling that even the smallest of the small in our parish was gathering the significance of this wonderful gesture of feeding those who hunger. And, at this small, tender age, she was questioning and wondering why.

We are so grateful to all who donate to those in need in our community and we thank you.

Agnes Smith
VP St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Benedict's http://bit.ly/f7egIy

Feed HIs Flock - Bishop Kmiec

FEED HIS FLOCK

Please help us help the hungry. In the spirit of Bishop Kmiec’s motto of charity and service, we invite you to collect non-perishable canned goods for donation to Saint Francis of Assisi Food Pantry.

Simply bring your canned goods to Saint Benedict Church or School.

Feed His Flock is a Diocesan initiative of the Division of Catholic Education to collect Non-Perishable Canned Goods from now until October 21, 2011 to honor our Bishop, The Most Reverend Edward U. Kmiec, D.D., S.T.L., on the occasion of his Jubilee Celebration for his many years of service to the Church.

The Division of Catholic Education will present Bishop Kmiec with a certificate showing the total number of items collected throughout the Diocese to commemorate this charitable effort undertaken in his honor.

Our thanks to Bishop Kmiec for his decades of service to Christ and His Church.

And thank you for your generosity to the needy..

Friends of the Poor Walk - 24 September

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Friends of the Poor Walk

On Saturday, September 24, the annual Friends of the Poor Walk will be held on Goat Island in Niagara Falls State Park  The length of the walk is about 1.3 miles around the periphery of the island, and walkers and sponsors can register on the Walk’s local website, www.svdpwnywalk.info, or on the National website, www.svdpusa.org.  In addition, Society members from our Parish will be available in the vestibule of the church after all Masses on the weekends of Sept. 10-11, and Sept. 17-18, to register  walkers and sponsors.  The walk is a great fund-raising opportunity, and monies raised will go to directly assist the poor in our community.

For information on St. Benedict's St. Vincent de Paul Society visit - http://bit.ly/f7egIy

Respect Life - Walking the walk!

“We are called to act with justice; we are called to love tenderly; we are called to serve one another: To walk humbly with God”

This song was ringing in my ears the whole way over to church. I was attending an 8am Mass for Respect Life and I was going to meet a woman who was scheduled to have an abortion but because of the wonderful ministry of the “sidewalk pray group” she changed her mind and was due with a baby boy in two weeks. Why was I meeting her? I crochet baby blankets on behalf of the Respect Life Committee here at St. Benedict Church and was going to give her my latest blankets.

I was nervous but excited all at the same time. I just wanted to hug this woman and I indeed did just that. I never met her before. She was in the pew with her other two children – both daughters. I introduced myself and told her I was a mother of four boys. She smiled. I held her hand and said that I made this blanket with love in hopes to keep her son warm. Tears naturally filled my eyes and we just looked at each other and I gave her a hug and told her “I love you”. She said “I love you too”…and then, the Mass was about to start so I grabbed her hand one more time.

I most likely will never see her again or her baby. I did give her my phone number and address in case she ever needed anything – babysitting, clothes, money or just a friend. It was the right thing to do. During the Mass, I prayed for her to continue to have strength. Some long days and nights are ahead of her. She deserves a chance to be successful. After the baby is born, she needs to find employment, then child care perhaps, etc…. her journey will continue. I will keep praying for her. I will never forget her face.

If you don’t think you have time to make a difference in Respect Life, think again. There are so many ways to get involved in building the Kingdom of God. I found a way to help and all it involves is a little extra time at home. It’s something small but I know God values the small things we do. If were not “serving” someone daily, then were missing an opportunity to grow in our Faith. Consider how you can serve Respect Life.

Sincerely ~Maura MacDonald
*****
For more information on St.Benedict's Respect Life ministry - http://bit.ly/fhTvw3

Just Faith - A Parishioner's Reflection

Just Faith - A Parishioner's Reflection

Almost two years ago now, my husband and I noticed an invitation in the weekly bulletin regarding a course called “Just Faith”. The program was described as a journey for those who are interested in becoming more involved with the Church, but not sure what direction they were being led.

My husband and I were trying to determine what kind of ministry to become a part of, so we thought this course might be just what we needed to help us decide. Other than that we had no idea what we were in for.

We started the classes that met weekly with 16 other people who were seeking an avenue to serve the Church. We were informed that the course was going to be an intense look at different issues in social justice that the Church had real and specific teachings on. Topics such as, Poverty, Dignity in labor, Prejudice, Peace, Health Care and the Environment were a few. So, not sure but curious, we signed up and made the commitment to participate.

The books we read and the teachings of the Church we studied made me, who grew up in the Catholic school system, painfully aware of how little I really knew about my Church and my faith. The realities that people in our own community deal with on a daily basis moved me to tears on more than one occasion, and I became more and more proud of the Catholic Church and her teachings regarding each issue. Our Bishops have lead the way in outlining for us what we need to do to help change our communities and in turn our country and world.

However, the most important thing was how I as a member of the Church, was awakening to the truth that I am the Church and not one of the teachings of the Catholic Church can come to fruition without my joining in the efforts. As Deacon Bill so often reminds us “you are the Church”.

So now when I hear, “What is the church doing for …?” I ask myself, ok church, what are you doing? I know I can’t be active in each issue, so I am still discerning what God wants me to do. In the meanwhile, I volunteer for what I can and pray that I’ll soon discover where God wants me.

“Just Faith” was the catalyst to get me going. If the opportunity comes again I would encourage anyone to take the course. If not, just ask yourself,”Ok church, what are you doing?”

Debbie Cuddihy
Parishioner of St. Benedict's
*****
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Youth Ministry - St. Benedict's

YOUTH MINISTRY:
Ministers to All

Creating a safe, positive environment for teens to grow socially, intellectually, and spiritually while empowering young adults to grow into fully functional members of the Parish and community is the mission of St Benedict's Youth Ministry. It also seeks to participate in service projects, social events and spiritual retreats that promote the presence of God in the daily lives of our young people.

The ministry is open to all high school students from St Benedict's as well as their friends, however, you do not need to be a parishioner, nor, Catholic to become a member. Teens are also welcome to attend events even if they aren't members. Adults interested in ministering to and assisting teens with the many events throughout the year are also welcome. Meeting are held every other Sunday from 7-9 pm in the new youth room located in St Benedict's School. Anyone interested in learning more about St Benedict's Youth Ministry can contact the rectory at 834-1041 or email Rectory@saintbenedicts.com.
*****
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