St.St. FrancisFrancis Januaryofof 3, 2021AssisiAssisi The Epiphany of the Lord 

150 BROAD STREET • TONAWANDA, NEW YORK 14150

  We welcome you to all Liturgies. STAFF   ..Rev. G. Uebler, 9091751 (cell) MASSES  Weekend Assistant………………………………………….…...Rev. T. Nguyen Saturday4:30 p.m. Permanent DeaconDeacon Paul Bork Sunday9:00 & 11:30 a.m. Business ManagerMrs. Carolyn Gorski Monday  Friday8:30 a.m. SecretaryMrs. Jane Leone  TrusteesMrs. Linda Carlson, Mr. Sharp CONFESSIONS OrganistMr. Robert Hull, 4711256 Saturday3:00M4:00 p.m.  Advocate for Disabled PersonsMrs. Cecelia Sharp, 9573768 (In Chapel Sacristy or by appointment)   RECTORY OFFICE  73 STREET • 7166931150 BAPTISMS MondayMFriday9:00 a.m.M1:00p.m. Please call Fr. Mike at 6931150   to arrange your child’s Baptism. FAITH FORMATION OFFICE   CoordinatorsMichael & Sue Ann Saltarelli 9097110 (cell)   Student preparation is handled through PARISH OUTREACH • 6936247  the Faith Formation Office (9097110). Located in rear of St. Clare Center Adult preparation is handled through Rita Alviti, Karen Szafran & Deacon Gary Hoover the R.C.I.A. program (6931150).     MARRIAGES EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER • 70 ADAM STREET 6927886 Arrangements should be made at least DirectorMrs. Sally Babcock 6 months in advance with Fr. Mike. Email[email protected]  Websitewww.stfrancistonawanda.org R.C.I.A.  Adult: The Rite of Christian  Initiation of Adults (RCIA).  NEW PARISHIONERS We warmly welcome you to our Parish Community. Any person interested in becoming  Catholic, contact the rectory. Bulletin available on the Internet: http://www.ParishesOnline.com THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD ST. 

READINGS FOR THE WEEK CHAPEL HOURS AND INFORMATION  Monday, January 4: 1 Jn 3:224:6; Mt 4:1217,2325 Monday  Friday 7 a.m.  3 p.m. Tuesday, January 5: 1 Jn 4:710; Mk 6:3444 Saturday 9 a.m.  6 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.  1 p.m.   Wednesday, January 6: 1 Jn 4:1118; Mk 6:4552 Parish contributions may be mailed to the rectory or Thursday, January 7: 1 Jn 4:195:4; Lk 4:1422 dropped in the secure safe inside the front entrance of the Friday, January 8: 1 Jn 5:513; Lk 5:1216 Chapel. Donations may also be put in the drop box at the Saturday, January 9: 1 Jn: 5:1421; Jn 3:2230 top of the stairs of the front entrance to the rectory. Our Sun, January 10: Baptism of the Lord Chapel is under video surveillance 24 hours a day, seven 1st Reading  55:111 days a week. 2nd Reading M 1 John 5:19 Gospel M Mark 1:711 EUCHARISTIC MINISTER SCHEDULE  Saturday, January 9  (Parking is available on Adam Street in 4:30 p.m. Mary Barone School and Rectory parking lots.) Sunday, January 10   9:00 a.m. Ceil Sharp, Linda Szmanda (choir) MASS INTENTIONS 11:30 a.m. Jeff Becker  Monday, January 4  Elizabeth Ann Seton CANTOR SCHEDULE  8:30 Deacon James Waggoner by Fran Phillips Saturday, January 9  4:30 p.m. Bob Hull Tuesday, January 5  John Neumann,  Sunday, January 10 8:30 Healing for Fr. Mike by Parishioners 9:00 a.m. Bob Hull   Wednesday, January 6  André Bessette 8:30 All Souls Intentions LECTOR SCHEDULE   Saturday, January 9 Thursday, January 7  Raymond of Peñafort 4:30 p.m. Joe Winter, Shelley Colwell 8:30 Healing for Fr. Mike by Finn Family Sunday, January 10  9:00 a.m. Ernie Renaud, Marilyn Renaud Friday, January 8  Christmas Weekday 11:30 a.m. Mary Ellen Roche, Nadine Saviano 11:30 Healing for Kathy Mallery by Family  Saturday, January 9  Christmas Weekday 2021 CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES  4:30 Janet Dombkowski by Joanne Kieffer and Louise The 2021 Church Offering envelopes are now available in Pattacciato the Church vestibule and the table in the Chapel. This year,  because of COVID19 we have a new system. We have a 3 Sunday, January 10  Baptism of the Lord month supply of offering envelopes placed into letter size 9:00 Special Intentions of Carmelite Sisters Little envelopes. We ask that you provide your envelope ID# on Flower Monastery by Oblates each offering envelope to ensure that you get credit for 11:30 Special Intentions of David Forsyth III (Birthday) your donation. This will also make posting these envelopes by Debra Gura much easier. If you don’t know your envelope ID#, call the  rectory (6931150) to leave a message and someone will *Confessions  every Saturday from 34 p.m . in the get back to you. There will also be packets of special col- Chapel with Fr. James Kelly. lection envelopes available for those of you who use online  giving. These special packets are also available in the  church and chapel. NOTE: As of January 6, 2021, the Wednesday 8:30 a.m. Masses will resume in the Chapel.  CURRENT PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS  Ronald Snyder …6920228  Mary Ellen Roche …5310368 HELP US TO CONTINUE GOD’S WORK! James Jaskowiak …6949492 (h) or 8079419 (cell/text) REMEMBER IN YOUR WILL: Thomas Smyers …6926976 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH Kelly Oldenburg …8744516 OR THE ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI David Sharp …9573768 or [email protected] ENDOWMENT FUND  Linda Carlson …6940652

2 TONAWANDA, NEW YORK JANUARY 3, 2021

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK  Wednesday, January 6  8:30 a.m. Wednesday Masses return  Chapel Thoughts from Fr. Mike 9:30 a.m.  12:00 p.m.  SVDP Food Pantry, Outreach,  Family Clothes Closet & Hospitality One of my thoughts for Christmas was “He is Em-  manuel”, God is with us. We need to always re- Thursday, January 7 member that God is with us. He came into our 9:30 a.m.  12:00 p.m.  SVDP Food Pantry, world to assure us that He is always with us. Outreach, Family Clothes Closet &  Hospitality This year will be one of uncertainty as we deal  with the COVID 19 virus. We are certain howev- Saturday, January 9 er, that we can always turn to God for Hope. God 34 p.m. Confessions with Fr. Jim Kelly  is on our side, that is why He came into our world. Chapel   God is on our side, He gives us hope. We know Sunday, January 10  Baptism of the Lord He loves us. As we go through this these times of 11:30 a.m. Mass livestreamed from the Church  go uncertainty, we need to hold fast to the fact that to stfrancistonawanda.org then click on the  God is always with us. It is during times of uncer- button to watch Mass live.  tainty that we need God the most. That thought has kept me going during the last three years. These are the times when we need more God. May I give, expecting   Peace, nothing in return, Father. Fr. Mike

REMEMBER IN PRAYER We pray for God’s healing and comforting presence for all of our sick and homebound parishioners, caregivers, family members and friends, especially: Kathy Kosiak, Vincent CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS  Polanowski, Sabine Miskey, Florence Donato, Trudie Lotz, Donations for Christmas flowers were made in memory of Isaiah Sheehan, Jeanette Diegelman, Rich Petronio, Mara Dorothy Mallory and the deceased members of the Gauthier Moore, James Pasek, Jon Graefser, Reed Lesmeister, family. Thank you! Patricia Shamber, Julie Kuciewski, Gene Graves, Judith Zielinski, Lydia Cannon, Trisha Cole, Art Francis, Vince Dominesey, Ashley McLear, Kim Vaillancourt, Monica Shields, Christopher James Slauson, Rose LoGrasso, William & Patricia Blair, Tim Ellis, Jeanne Lauzonis, Ken Luckman, Daniel Paolucci, Kathy Mallery, Gerry Hess, Salvatore Scolla, Richard Murphy, June Brusino, Melissa Michael, Ayden Miller, Chris Golda, Lisa Kelly, Connor Radley, Marie Geisel, Robert McCormick, Teresa Meyer, Andrew Keleman, Nancy Lorich, Kyle Inman, John & Gerianne Ference, Patrick Roche, Angel Greenawalt, Kelli McDaniel, Skip Wrege, Duane Pietras, Liz Kobialka, David Hogenkamp, Jessica Cameron, Sandy Englert, REMEMBER IN PRAYER THOSE SERVING  Michael Moore, Ruth Tarasek, Charlie Insalaco, Judy IN THE ARMED FORCES  McMahon, Neil Burrows, Meghan Wright, Beverly We pray for the safety of those serving in the Armed Overton, Donna Bene, Heather Hamilton, Virginia Quinn, Forces, especially: SSGT Stephen J. Stanko, III, Jon Graefser, Paul Overton, Mary Barnes, Mike Koslowski, MSGT Richard Ball, MSGT Ryan J. Snyder, PVT1C Dominic Cristelli, Mike O’Connor, Frank Corbett, Fr. Willard Bruce, MP Bobby Kindred, SGT James Dennis Cleary, Tracey Everette, Oliver Laub, Kathy Retzer, PVT Jeffrey Alexander, PVT1C Rory Bruce, SGT Kirisits, Linda Allen, Jim McNeill, George Mallory, Joyce Andy Sulski, M/SGT Christian Roeske, S/SG Michael Shilen, Cassata, Mary Slauson, Renee Sylvies, Annabelle Timothy Juliano, PVT Jeffrey Seal, SrA Choate, Vincent Frescholtz, Christian Licata, Vinny Frattura, Fr. Mike, J. Bartolomeo, SFC Danielle Sales, CPL Michael Girard, SR Andrew D. Potter, PFC Nicholas Kaiser, CPT Devin M. Finn, Forrest Griffin, Debbie Sepielli, Madonna Whitus, Jennifer SGT Thomas Will, Jr., Jacob Gagnon, PVT Nicolas Paul, CPT Nicken, Derek Cline, David Hamp. Please notify the Grant Peehler, Ryan Barnard, 1LT Jordan Zajac, Matthew rectory when their names can be removed!)  Seal.

3 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI  LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION  EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER  Happy New Year! We are SO grateful to our God for new beginnings. Our new liturgical Happy New Year! year which started at the beginning of Advent,  and now a new calendar year  we are We made it to 2021, Happy New Year to all. “Let’s live for reminded of God's offer to start new each and today, trust for tomorrow, and put all our hope in God.” Of every day! Lamentation 2:22,23 says, course that is a quote from my favorite calendar. And as "Because of theLord’s great lovewe are not usual it rings true. As we begin a new year at our Center we consumed,for his compassions never fail. are filled with the joy and peace and hope.    They are new every morning;great is your I know the New Year will bring many blessings for us. I faithfulness." Let us enter this year with whatever dreams hope it will be a great beginning for everyone.  and desires we bring with confidence in God's love and  compassion! Our Center reopens on Monday, January 4th. I look  forward to the new year and all that it brings. I hope Formed.org  Let's be inspired by the this everyone had a restful time off because here comes 2021! year! Watch the series, "Catholic Heroes of the Faith". It's  an animated kid's series, but it's very well done  great for Stay safe and wear your mask. adults, too!  Blessings,  Sally Babcock ~ ECC Director

SCRIP GIFT CARDS  Scrip gift cards are still available, even though we are all in quarantine! Tops, Budwey/ Market in the Square, and more are still in stock, and orders can be placed by emailing “A cheerful heart is a good medicine.” program coordinator Kathy Deyell at (Proverbs 17:22) [email protected]. She will make  arrangements with you regarding payment and Teach me to bring joy to a child, Savior. delivery. And don’t forget, you can always order online at ShopWithScrip.com (contact Kathy if you need the enrollment code). Many vendors, such as Amazon and ST. FRANCIS FAMILY CLOTHES CLOSET  Walmart, have egift cards which are available almost A Clothes Closet for infants, children and adults is available immediately when you pay electronically with PrestoPay or in the St. Francis of Assisi Church basement (use entrance a credit card, and physical gift cards can be ordered as by the ramp). All clothing is free. Hours are Wednesdays well. Help support St. Francis of Assisi Parish even as we from 9:30 a.m.  noon and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m.  8:00 must remain physically distant from each other.  p.m. COVID rules are in place. Call the Outreach office at 6936247 if you have any questions. Donations of gently used, laundered children’s and adult clothing are AMAZON SMILE appreciated. Please drop off your donations during  regular hours. If you order things from Amazon, did you know that you can, at no cost to you, support a charity of your choice? Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of your purchase to St. ST. FRANCIS SVDP FOOD PANTRY Francis. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but St. Francis has re-  ceived $290.46 from Amazon Smile already! ($290.46 may We have a nondenominational food pantry in the St. not sound like much, but you can help that amount grow!) Clare Center. Anyone living in our area is welcome to To sign up for Amazon Smile, go to https:// come monthly to the pantry. The pantry is open Wednes- amazonsmile.com and follow the simple directions. St. day from 9:30 a.m. to noon and Thursday from 6:308:00 p.m. We have a tent set up outside the St. Clare Center, we Francis of Assisi Church, Tonawanda NY is on their list of are practicing social distancing. Also outside is a table with charities. Please sign up and help St. Francis as you shop. produce and baked goods. We want to welcome everyone And if you are already registered, thanks!  who needs food to come! 

4 TONAWANDA, NEW YORK     JANUARY 3, 2021

GOSPEL MEDITATION  EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP    The Epiphany of the Lord Wise Men See God in the Simple Things  “Where is that thing?” mumbled Bob as he searched If you’re on social media, you have probably seen a meme frantically on his dimly lit desk for the current electric bill. going around that features this quote: “God has a plan for “I know I put it right on top of these papers this morning!” your life. The enemy has a plan for your life. Be ready for Growing in frustration and bordering on anger, he flies stuff both. Just be wise enough to know which one to battle and around, moves books and opines why simple tasks need to which one to embrace.” be so hard. Enter his wife, who calmly says, “Maybe it  would help if you put the light on, dear.” The desk light There were certainly two competing plans for the Magi: goes on and lo and behold, there is the electric bill right God’s and Herod’s. And, wise as they supposedly were, it where Bob left it earlier. All it took was a little light! wasn’t entirely easy for the Magi to discern which was which. We stubbornly refuse to turn on the lights! Either we are  distracted, determined, disinterested, preoccupied, stubborn, After all, Herod posed as a friend. He offered the Magi apprehensive, or all of the above. Or perhaps, we fail to do hospitality and kindness. Though the Gospel doesn’t say so, the obvious. We would rather live our lives with the he probably flattered them and appealed to every moral dimmest of lights or even in total darkness. Why are we weakness he could observe in them. In his palace, they must afraid to do something so that we can actually see? It might have felt great physical comfort N rest and tables of plenty help us to find quicker and better answers to problems, the on what was an otherwise long and treacherous journey. meaning of life, relationships, happiness, and what is But if the Magi were honest with themselves, I’ll bet they ultimate truth. Yet, we stumble along, moving things from would have admitted that, regardless of Herod’s charm, one side to the other, getting angry, feeling cheated, being they felt a gnawing sense of doubt while in his presence. unsettled, resigning ourselves to the agony of defeat once When they looked upon the Christ Child, born in a stable again. without any of the comforts of the world or protections of wealth, they probably felt the opposite. They probably felt safe. “And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising  preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place The Magi were lucky enough to have the right plan spelled where the child was.” The light has come into the world in out for them in a dream, but for the rest of us, it’s enough to the person of Jesus Christ! We no longer have to fumble in remember this: God’s plan is often the one that leads us to the darkness. We have been gifted with the illumination we places of great simplicity, great humility and great love. need to see our way through things and find what we really Let’s have the wisdom to view power with suspicion, and are looking for. All these years later, however, so many are innocence with admiration. still reluctant to accept him. Perhaps they are unconvinced,  disinterested, preoccupied, stubborn, apprehensive, or all of  Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS the above. Everyone has their own reason for not wanting to  turn on the switch. ©LPi But there are so many answers to so many of our problems in this humble Child of Nazareth. A simple birth teaches us UPCOMING EVENTS about God’s tender wedded relationship with humanity. It Monthly Faith Enrichment Series  The next session will speaks to the expanse of God’s salvation across the globe, be held on Monday, January 11 from 78 p.m. at Our Lady and the incarnate Divine wonders and blessings that are a of Pompeii Parish (Mass at 6:30 p.m.), 129 Laverack Ave., part of our life moment to moment. It calls us to understand Lancaster. guest speaker will be Rev. Tom Roman and the the design of world order God intended as found in the topic will be INFITITE LOVE: Knowing God Loves Us Beatitudes, the sacredness of every human life and all of Infinitely Change Our Lives. creation and the meaning of things we struggle with most, Grief Sharing Meeting  The next Grief Sharing Meeting like suffering and death. We have a lot of Good News to will be held on Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Our share, not just with a privileged few but with all the world. Lady of Pompeii Parish Ministry Center, 128 Laverack All races and creeds can receive God’s healing word. God Ave., Lancaster. This meeting will be approximately 40 continues to manifest himself even now! Use the light to minutes. The topic will be Grief and Your Relationships. find what you are really looking for! How the death of a loved one affects your friendships   Why solitude can be a blessing and a curse  How to deal ©LPi with friends who don’t understand your grief. To register, go to olpparish.com or call Sister Joyce King at 6836522, ext. 103.

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