Jan. 25 - Bishop Malone celebrates Mass & Open House

We are excited to announce that Bishop Richard Malone will celebrate the 10:00 am Mass here on Sunday, January 25, 2015. 

All are invited to join us for this special Mass for Catholic Schools Week and to kick off St. Benedict School's Open House.

Our School's Open House follows Mass and runs until 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

As you know, St. Benedict School offers an excellent faith-based education from grades PreK-3 through grade 8.

For information call the school at 835-2518 or - www.StBenSchool.org. 

Another "Thank You" from our dear Refugees

Father Mock and Deacon Bill-

Mark came by again with more coats and donations from the parish.  Many thanks to all who were so kind and generous.  The girl who is wearing the tan coat in the pictures I sent made a special effort to find me and say thank you for the coat.  I explained that it was from the people who belong to my church and that they didn't want anyone to be cold.  She wants you to know she says "Thank you."

Merry Christmas and God bless.


Becky Mischler
Volunteer Coordinator
Catholic Charities of Buffalo
Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program
20 Herkimer Street
Buffalo, New York 14213
716-842-0270

New Year's Dinner & TEACHING MASS

Generations 

of Faith

New Year’s Dinner 

& Teaching Mass

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Dinner 5:00pm Cafeteria

Mass 6:00pm Church

Chicken Marsala (Adults)

Chicken Fingers (Children)

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Corn

Green Salad

Roll & Butter

& Beverage

Teaching Mass by Father Robert Mock & Deacon Bill Hynes

PLEASE RSVP, so that we have enough food!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

RSVP to chanley@saintbenedicts.com 

or cbarber@saintbenedicts.com 

or 836-6466

Family Name: ________________________    

Phone: __________________

______ # of adults x $5.00 =    ___________

______ # of children x $2.50 = ___________

                                      Grand Total $___________

Please make check payable to Saint Benedict Church

CHRISTMAS MASSES 2014

DECEMBER 24 - Wednesday

4:00 pm  (3:45pm Children's Pageant)

10:00 pm (9:30pm music begins)

DECEMBER 25 - Thursday

10:00 am

11:30 am

Welcome Home for Christmas!

for information about becoming Catholic, 

or returning to the Sacraments, 

contact Deacon Bill at deaconhynes@gmail.com 

or call the rectory at 834-1041.

Joint Episcopal-Catholic Pastoral released

Bishop Richard J. Malone
(Catholic) Diocese of Buffalo

This week, [we] will be receiving a joint pastoral letter from Bishop Malone and Bishop William Franklin of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, calling for prosperity to be shared with all in this new day in Western New York

[editorial note - the document has since been released.  Here is a link to it on the Diocese of Buffalo website - http://bit.ly/1yWaItr ]

“This is an historic collaboration in Western New York between our two dioceses. It focuses on important local and regional issues that we both feel should be addressed, in a spirit of both hope and challenge,” said Bishop Malone

The joint letter celebrates the rejuvenation of Buffalo that has been witnessed over the past several years and calls for civic and business leaders to actively seek ways for the new prosperity to be spread throughout the wider region.

Bishop R. William Franklin
Episcopal Diocese
of Western New York

“Over and over again the Bible teaches us that we are all connected, that we are all neighbors to each other and that we are all equal parts of the body of Christ. We believe that in ensuring opportunities for others, we serve Christ himself,” said Bishop Franklin. “This is why we chose to speak out together. For only by people of all faiths, all races, all ethnic and economic backgrounds and all political views working together can Western New York be healed.”

Calling this time in the region a “new day,” the bishops wrote:

“For us as Christians, as bishops, as spiritual leaders of this region, this new day is not just an economic concern, or a business concern, or a public relations concern. For us, it is a Gospel concern. In this new day before us we hope to see The Kingdom of God on earth reflect the community Jesus built around him: full of women and men, minorities, the poor, and the marginalized. In this new day we hope there will be plenty for everyone, that all will share in the bounty, and that labor will be adequately rewarded. We envision a just society where the dignity of every human being is respected.”

In the spirit of this Advent season, please join Bishop Malone and Bishop Franklin in working to encourage...[others] to become advocates of this new day in their personal and professional lives so that deep and lasting change will take hold in communities, businesses and the halls of government.

High Blood Pressure - St. Ben's Nurses

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is a common condition in which the force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.

You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without any symptoms. Even without symptoms, damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure generally develops over many years, and it affects nearly everyone eventually. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected by periodic blood pressure checks

Stop by the Nurses Blood Pressure Clinic after all the Masses on Dec 6th and 7th. We are located in the room next to the Sacred Heart Altar.

Bucks for Ben's Early Bird Drawing delayed due to storm!

We were supposed to have the first early bird drawing for the Bucks for Ben's calendar drawing during the Meat Raffle on Saturday night.  

However, we have been informed that our mail has been held all week, and is still being held in Hamburg, until after the driving ban is lifted (most likely on Monday).  

So, in order for all tickets to be processed, we are going to wait until Monday after all the mail has been received so we can count the tickets postmarked through 11/21.  

Parishioners are invited to come into the school office between 7 - 9 a.m. tomorrow morning (Friday) to purchase tickets, or drop off money for tickets if they want to be included in the early bird drawing. Ms. Carol Boerema will be there between those times.  You may also call her at 930-6603 or email cboerema@saintbenedicts.com to set up an alternative time, or you may drop your money and tickets at the rectory.   

Thank you for your understanding.

Bishop Malone Mass dispensation this weekend (22/23 Nov. 2014)

Bishop Malone announces dispensation 

from Sunday Mass obligation

Bishop Richard J. Malone has granted dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation (weekend of Nov. 22-23) for Catholics living in communities hit by this week’s unprecedented snowfall.    

“It will be up to the local pastor to decide whether or not to celebrate weekend Masses in those parishes,” Bishop Malone said.  “It is my advice that parishioners living in snowbound areas use their best judgment when it comes to attending Mass.  Their safety and well-being is a priority, and they need to comply with local travel advisories.

"We pray for those who lost their lives during the storm, and offer our gratitude to highway crews, first responders and neighbors helping neighbors, whose tireless efforts have demonstrated the resilient spirit of Western New Yorkers,” Bishop Malone said. “Through Catholic Charities, Catholic Health and other Catholic institutions, the Catholic Church will continue to play an important role in serving those in need as recovery efforts continue.”

Handling Grief during the Holidays 16 Nov. 12:45pm

Handling the Holidays

16 November

12:45pm in the cafeteria

ALL WELCOME!

The holiday season is not always greeted with happy anticipation. You may be facing the realization that a loved one is no longer present to enjoy the celebrations. 

The sadness overshadowing Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years may make it difficult to carry on as usual. Grief does not go away just because the holidays arrive and, in fact, the feelings may intensify. 

Explore ways that you can make it through the season and incorporate your loved one’s memory into your holiday plans.

On November 16, after the 11:30 am Mass (12:45pm)at St. Benedict's school cafeteria, Nancy Weil will discuss handling the holidays when a loved one is no longer present to enjoy the celebrations. 

Presenter Nancy Weil serves as Director of Grief Support for the Catholic Cemeteries, Diocese of Buffalo. She has certifications as a Grief Management Specialist, Grief Services Provider and Laughter Leader. Founder of The Laugh Academy, she is the author of If Stress Doesn’t Kill You, Your Family Might.

Light refreshments will be served

Senior Blue HMO Select Plan excludes Catholic Health facilities

Attention Medicare Advantage Participants:  BlueCross BlueShield of WNY has recently introduced a new Medicare Advantage product, Senior Blue HMO Select that replaces its existing Senior Blue HMO-POS 650 plan.  This product specifically excludes all Catholic Health facilities including all hospitals, labs, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation centers, home care, and all other sites/services.  BlueCross BlueShield may not have adequately communicated this exclusion to its members. Please note thatseveral other Medicare Advantage plans are available that include access to Catholic Health.  For more information, visit CHSMedicareOptions.org or call (716) 923-9790.

Parish Nurses - October Breast Cancer Awareness

St. Benedict's Nurses are giving a shout out:

OCTOBER IS Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Have YOU had your annual mammogram?

St. Agatha, Pray for us!

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Women should perform a self breast-exam each month and any changes or abnormalities should be discussed with a doctor or physician. 

Following is a site for self breast-exams

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam

Recommendations for Mammograms:

~Women 40 and older should have mammograms every 1-2 years

~Women younger than 40 & have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their healthcare professional on how often to have mammograms.

Even women who have no symptoms and no known risks for breast cancer should have regularly scheduled mammograms to help detect potential breast cancer at the earliest possible time.

Above information from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Retreat Nov. 1st - all welcome!

All Welcome to a half-day retreat on PRAYER!

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Benedict’s Parish

is sponsoring its yearly retreat led by Deacon Bill Hynes 

Saturday, November 1, 2014 

10 AM to 4 PM

in the school cafeteria
St. Benedict’s Parish,

1317 Eggert Rd. 

on the corner of Eggert and Main Streets.

The topic is:  PRAYER 

·       Prayer within the Bible

·       Liturgical prayer

·       Vocal prayer

·       Meditative prayer

·       Contemplative prayer

·       Sampler of Catholic devotions

The fee is $10 which includes lunch.  

To register call Mary Long at 837-8940 or email at longhhr@yahoo.com

All are welcome!

St. Vincent de Paul and child, from our transept window

YOUTH CHOIR starts September 23!

St. Benedict’s Parish is proud to introduce a new youth choir

for all of the kids in our parish who are in 2^nd – 8^th grade!

We will be holding a welcome meeting

on Tuesday, September 23^rd 6:30 – 7:15 pm in the church,

 where we will get to know each other and practice a couple songs.

The Youth Choir will be led by Sue Grubb and Rebecca Juarez….and you!

Parents, we’ll need your support for this parish family group.

You are encouraged to stay and participate in the meeting/practice.

To let us know you’re interested,

please send an email with your child’s name and grade to

Suevgrubb@aol.com & Rebecca_Juarez@yahoo.com

Join us for the Sunday Generations of Faith Learning Sessions and evening practice sessions:

Upcoming practice dates:

·         Sunday, September 21^st Generations of Faith Learning Session 9:00 – 11:20 am

·         Tuesday, September 23^rd 6:30 – 7:15 pm Welcome Meeting/Practice

·         Wednesday, October 8^th 6:30 – 7:15 pm Practice

·         Sunday, October 19^th Generations of Faith Learning Session 9:00 – 11:20 am

·         Wednesday, October 22^nd 6:30 – 7:15 pm Practice

Upcoming Mass:

·         Sunday, October 26 10:00 Mass (we will sing the opening and closing songs)

We hope that the kids will enjoy the fellowship and

discover a heart-felt way of praying through song.

Music gives us an opportunity to praise and thank God in a beautiful way.

Look for information in the bulletin and the St. Benedict Church website.

Health & Wellness Event HERE 28 Sep.

A Free Health and Wellness Event

Sponsored by St Benedict’s Nurses

Sunday, September 28. 9am to 1pm

In St Benedict's cafeteria

Catholic HealthConnection will be here to provide the following:

-Flu shots**

-Blood Pressure checks

-Body Mass Index checks

-Cholesterol checks

Come for all free health screenings or just come for your Flu Shot.

**For Flu shots please bring your health insurance card if insured AND call 447-6205 to make an appointment. 

(They need to know how much vaccine to bring.)

Monday Faith Formation 2014-2015

St. Benedict Faith Formation

2014-2015

Monday

Grades 1 – 5 4:00 – 5:15 pm  

Grades 6 – 10  6:45 – 8:00 pm

September                                  February     

22                                                2

29                                                9

                                                                       23

October

6                                                  March

20                                                2

27                                                9

                                                                       16

November

3                                                  April

10                                                13

                                                                       20

December                                   27

1

8                                                  May

15                                                4

                                                                       11

January

5            

12          

26                              

First Reconciliation: Saturday, March 7, 2015

First Eucharist: Saturday, May 9, 2015

In case of absence, please call and let us know.

Office of Lifelong Faith Formation: 836-6444

 Emergency Closing: We are automatically closed if Amherst public school is closed or cancels its afternoon programs and/or sports.

Grief Support Resources - We Are Here For You!

Grief Support

Unfortunately we will all go through loss at some point in our lives, what’s fortunate is that we don't have to suffer through these losses alone.  

Locally we are blessed to have many Diocesan and Non-Diocesan support groups to fit almost any need.  Here a just a few of those that are available to you and your loved ones. 

In addition we, the Parish Nurses of St Benedict's, can always be reached through the rectory (716.834.1041) for more information or any assistance we can provide.

Catholic Cemeteries Groups:

•      Hope after Heartache: tools for living with loss

v  First and third Monday 4:00 a 5:30 pm

                        St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church

                        157 Cleveland Dr., Cheektowaga

         

v  First and third Tuesday 7:00-8:30 pm

                        Mount Olivet Cemetery,

                        4000 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore

Church groups:

•       St Gregory the Great

v  Grief support group- guest speaker each month

                       First Wednesday of each Month

                       7:00 - 8:30 pm

                       100 St. Gregory Ct. Williamsville

        Any questions please call Eileen Warner 688-5678

•      St Christopher's Church

              

v  Second Wednesday of each month

                        6:30 - 7:15 pm Lecture Series

                        7:30 - 8:30 pm Grief Support Group ( grouped by type of loss)

                        Meets at St Edmund Campus

                        530 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda, 692-2660                 

•      Christ the King

v  For information call Renee Villa, pastoral associate 839-1430 ext. 221

There are also many groups available specifically for those who have suffered the loss of a child.

For more information on any of the services available Nancy Weil, director of bereavement support for catholic cemeteries can be reached at 873-6500.

Your St Benedict's family is always here to help in any way we can as well. For support please call the rectory at 834-1041 for any assistance you may require in times of loss. Our parish has many ministries available to help serve your needs. 

Where the Lord of Life has entered, there is no room for death.

-St. Peter Chrysologus