St. Peter's Episcopal & St. Ben's serving together!

Last year, Bishop Franklin (of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York), and Bishop Malone released a Pastoral Letter encouraging members from both Dioceses to work together in addressing problems of poverty, discrimination, and other societal ills. Two parishes took that letter to heart.

Deacon Bill Hynes of St. Benedict’s and Deacon Tom Tripp of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church met during that awful 2014-15 Buffalo winter, and started a dialogue.



Maura MacDonald with
one of our Chinese Guests!

Both parishes mainly serve the Eggertsville-Snyder-Tonawanda areas directly northeast of the city. After several joint meetings between the deacons and lay people of the two parishes, it was decided to birth the collaboration with a Pre-Thanksgiving meal for ESL students that met regularly in the St. Peter’s building. Diana Leiker, an Episcopal Postulant [Diaconal Candidate], put the program together, after hosting two prior St. Peters’ dinners for the students during the summer months. This was part of her social ministry project for the Episcopal Diaconal Formation Program.


The joint dinner was held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and was hosted by members of St. Peter’s vestry, plus those of the Outreach & Community Life team. St. Benedict’s had 18 people in attendance, led by their Salt & Light Group, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Deacon Hynes, and Father Robert Mock. St. Peter’s was represented by the parishioners mentioned above, several youth, and the presence of the Rev. Ann Markle, Deacon Tom, and Postulant Diana Leiker.  Several ESL students and their instructor rounded out the estimated 40 attendees.

The dinner began with thanksgiving blessings in several faith traditions that led into the traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. The ESL students spoke to the gathering about their own versions of ‘Thanksgiving” in their cultures. Everyone was invited to participate in their own personal art project, and a musical sing-a-long of traditional American songs closed out the evening.
The evening was filled with much of cross- informational talk between the laity of the parishes, plenty of interaction with the ESL students, and of course- plenty to eat.


Postulant Diana Leiker

We hope that this event was the beginning of a meaningful collaboration between Christian congregations to further welcome strangers to our shores, while working with refugee agencies such as Vive La Casa, Journey’s End and Catholic Charities.

The clergy of the two churches also decided to plan and hold a joint Vespers Service in January to further solidify our future efforts.  It will take place at St. Peter's January 24th at 6pm.  All are welcome.

[taken, with minor additions, from http://episcopalwny.org/early-thanksgiving-party?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+episcopalwny%2Fnews+%28Episcopal+Western+New+York+News%29]



Seminarian Peter Bassey



A welcoming gift for ESL families

 

 

Help the needy THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS breakfasts

Hello Vincentians and Friends

As many of you know, St. Benedict's Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has supported Little Portion Friary by serving breakfast to their guests on Thanksgiving and on Christmas morning.

Vincentians and other Parishioners generously donate their time to prepare breakfast items to help make these holidays a bit more special for those less fortunate.

Donated items are delivered by you at  8:15AM holiday morning in the St. Ben's parking lot in order for the delivery and serving by others at 9AM at the shelter.

Please contact us at the emails or cell numbers below if you can prepare a breakfast item.

We will separately seek a few volunteers to help with delivery, with prep at the Friary that morning and to serve the breakfast.

Fred: 864-3166 fadelfm@aol.com

Mimi: 208-3255         mf188@aol.com

Below are the breakfast items needed. If you're interested in sending something not listed, please let us know. We would like to stay away from sugary baked goods as Little Portion receives many donated doughnuts and sweets. Breakfast Items that can be frozen or kept a reasonable period in refrigeration are a good idea.

Listed are 4 egg items (scrambled or  egg bake). If you're interested in providing an egg bake but don't have a recipe there are several online- BUT please replace or skip cheese and pork additions, for dietary and religious reasons.

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

Fred & Mimi will meet food providers 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, in order to arrive in time to serve on time. The guests (residents) are responsible for clean up.

If you have a cold item or fruit you would like to drop off ahead of time, contact us.

Items needed:

1. Eggs/Egg Bake*: 

2. Eggs/Egg Bake*: 

3. Eggs/Egg Bake*: 

4. Eggs/Egg Bake*: 

5. Bagels – dozen: 

6. Bagels – dozen: 

7. Bagels – dozen: 

8. Cream cheese –3 bricks: 

9. Orange juice – 2 gallons: 

10.Orange juice – 2 gallons: 

11.Potatoes**: 

12.Potatoes**:

13.Potatoes** 

14.Whole fruit: 

15.Whole fruit:

16.Whole fruit:

17.Whole fruit:

*egg bake in an approx 9x15 disposable tray

**potatotes: McDonald style hash brown cakes,or other breakfast potato styles

A> Let us know which item & its number that  you would like to donate. Include a second choice if your first item is already spoken for.

B> Indicate for which holiday (please select only one holiday) We will contact you if that holiday is already spoken for.

C>Include a  tel number (& preferred email address if different from the one on file) if we need to reach you. 

D>Please don't hesitate to call with questions or comments. 

Yours in Christ,

Fred and Mimi