Welcome to St. Christopher Parish
Dear Family,
Happy Easter!!
When our Blessed Mother, the Apostles, Jesus’ family and the other women (as St. Luke referred to them) reflected on the Upper Room years after Jesus ascended to the Father, I wonder what they thought about. Did they see it as a place of joy or sorrow? Did they have fond memories or painful ones? I’m guessing it would be a mixture of both. So many important things happened to them in that room. They ate the Last Supper there with Jesus. They went into hiding there after Jesus’ crucifixion. They returned there once again, as we hear in today’s Gospel reading, after the Ascension of Jesus. We are told that they prayed. They had no idea what they would do next. Jesus promised another Advocate, but they did not really understand. At that moment, they must have felt once again so alone and abandoned. Yet they were not alone. God was right there with them though they might not have realized it. They had each other, but they probably were thinking about their extended families that were not with them. They most likely missed being in the Temple or in their synagogue with their family of faith. Yet they waited and prayed. Sounds a lot like us right now doesn’t it? We are huddled away in our homes where we are safe. We are possibly with some of our immediate family and we spend time together in ways we have not in a long time. We miss our family and friends that we are so use to being with often. We hopefully pray and feel God’s presence and love all around us, yet we yearn to return to our parish family. We wait for that moment when we are ‘set free’ to resume a new normal, whatever that means. That is what those in the Upper Room were waiting for as well after the Ascension. Jesus instructed them to wait there. And then came the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost! We will celebrate that great Feast next week! I can only imagine the joy and comfort of the Holy Spirit that surrounded them and entered them that day! They were given great hope and courage to journey out into their new normal! They would preach fearlessly in Jesus’ name! They would praise God constantly in the Temple and they would teach! They were free in ways that only God can make happen! That experience in the Upper Room would change their perspective of that place forever! It is sadly obvious at this point that we will celebrate the entire Easter Season physically separated from one another. We have all been confined to our ‘upper rooms’ but we are united by our faith. But what are we preparing and praying for? Will we leave our upper room having prayed frequently and filled with great joy and fervent faith ready to spread the Gospel? Will we be rejuvenated in our faith or will we return to our old ways? Dear family, the choice is ours! Now is the time to live out our faith like never before! Those in the Upper Room 2000 years ago grew in their faith during their time in isolation and left the Upper Room renewed and full of zeal! I pray that we do the same!
Praised Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!!!
Father Steve
GREAT NEWS!!! A NEW PAROCHIAL VICAR IS COMING TO ST. CHRISTOPHER!
We are blest to have Fr. Don Watkins joining us at St, Christopher beginning June 1st! Fr. Don was ordained a priest in 2019 and has spent the last year ministering at the Cathedral. Bishop Scharfenberger and the Priest Personnel Board have approved the transfer and have asked us to welcome him with open arms. I assured them that we would most certainly do that! Please pray for Fr. Don as he prepares to minister among us! PRAISED BE JESUS CHRIST... NOW AND FOREVER!!!!
What to Expect When Public Masses Resume
Thank you to everyone who has continued to send in their donations. They are truly appreciated! Donations may be dropped off or mailed to: 2660 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda, NY 14150 or made at The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo here:
School Mass 5/26/20
Sunday Mass 5/24/20
Cherish Life
May is Mother Mary's month. Pope Francis asks us to pray her Rosary for relief from this Pandemic. He has offered this prayer for our use: "We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God" Even though we cannot gather together to pray her Rosary, we are joined together when we each pray her Rosary.
LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO THE FAITHFUL FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2020
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Mission Statement We, the people of St. Christopher Parish, journey to the heavenly kingdom of God our Father by following the example and service of Jesus Christ his Son, inspired daily by the Holy Spirit to lead faith-filled Christian lives. |
We are asking all parishioners to update their email address by sending an email to rectory@saintchris.org. This will enable us to update you as conditions change. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone one of you during this difficult time.
Holy See grants indulgence to coronavirus patients and Catholics who pray for them.
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THE VATICAN |
MASS TIMES
Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger announces that there will be no regularly scheduled public Masses in the Diocese of Buffalo until further notice per Governor Cuomo's directive.
On-line gifts can be made under the “GIVE TODAY” tab at www.frcdb.org. In completing their gift, donors should indicate their parish by name so 100% of the proceeds are then sent back to St. Christopher from the Foundation.
For new student registration form please click here.
The Story of Mary
Loyala Press May Crowning at Home
Reconciliation:
Cancelled until further notice.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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GOOGLE CALENDAR (PARISH, SCHOOL, ST. EDMUNDS CAMPUS)
