ST. JOHN XXIII PARIS H 1 Arcade Street ● West Seneca, New York 14224 Office Hours: 9:00Am - 2:00Pm (M-F) (716) 823-1090 ● Rev

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ST. JOHN XXIII PARIS H 1 Arcade Street ● West Seneca, New York 14224 Office Hours: 9:00am - 2:00pm (M-F) (716) 823-1090 ● www.stjohn23.com Rev. John E. Stanton, Pastor Rev. Msgr. Kevin T. O’Neill Annette Breen, Director of Faith Formation Kathy Skomski, Administrative Assistant Toni Drzewiecki, Administrative Assistant Bill Fay, Director of Music Bill Morris, Buildings & Grounds February 24, 2019

Masses: Sat. 4:00pm (Vigil), Sun. 8:30am & 10:30am Weekday: 8:30am (M-F) Reconciliation: Sat. 3:00pm Week of February 24, 2019 ST. JOHN XXIII PARISH Stewardship in Faith: From the Desk of Fr. John For the week of February 17, 2019: Greetings and welcome to St. John XXIII. Regular: $ 5,882.90 The Parish certainly has been busy! From Thank you for your generosity. Monday’s Healthy Cooking Demonstration with Chef Jim Rebholz, Tuesday’s Altar & Rosary Meet- Please remember, if you are away on vacation, to either ing, and Thursday’s Catholicism Series (just to name a few mail your envelopes to our office or put them in the next week’s collection. Thank you. items last week), the Parish has been bursting with activity. Keep coming out to join in all the fun activities here. This “Dustbusters, Inc.” … Team #3 will clean is such a fantastic Parish. the Church the week of February 24th. This Thursday we have the next Catholicism Series Thanks! Session. It continues for 1 more week following this Thurs- JOIN THE BINGO FUN . . . WE’RE READY!!! day, and it’s not to late to begin attending this Series — AT OUR NEW . . . EASY ACCESS . . . people love them and have learned so much about the faith. RENOVATED PARISH HALL Attend this Thursday and invite someone to join you. SATURDAYS 7:00 PM Hard to believe — but Ash Wednesday is next week. Sat. Purple Progressive No. 54 - Guarantee $ 1,000. On Ash Wednesday itself, March 6th, we will have Masses Sat. Black Progressive No. 54 - Starting $ 577. with Ashes at 8:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m. (with Fish Fry following), and 7:00 p.m. Registration for our Ash Wednesday TODAY IS A GIFT FROM GOD: USE IT WELL! Fish Fry, March 6th, has begun and is doing extremely “Let us think only of spending the pre- well. Thanks for the incredible response! I encourage everyone to join us by pre-registering (it’s cheaper than at sent day well. Then when tomorrow shall the door). Our Boy Scout Troop also will be involved in have come, it will be called today, and this year’s Fish Fry, so support them as well. Join us! then we will think about it.” - St. Francis de Sales Last week we enclosed a Bulletin flyer detailing our Lenten SOUPER Tuesdays, and St. Joseph Table dates. If you don’t have one, additional copies are located by the Thanks Chef Jim Rebholz! Church doors. Please post the Bulletin flyer with all the Wow! We had such a great time last speakers and dates on your refrigerator and invite peo- Monday with Chef Jim Rebholz, and his ple to join us. It’s open to everyone. SOUPER Tuesdays commitment to happy and healthy cooking. Here’s (including the St. Joseph Table) are lots of fun! his Hummus Recipe from Monday. Oh, it’s so good! In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His Sermon on the Plain with a challenge of being merciful and forgiving to INGREDIENTS: others. I know this can be really hard. This week rise to 1 can (14 oz.) drained chick peas (reserve liquid) the challenge and really forgive someone. You can do it! 1 T. Lemon Juice God’s abundant blessings, Fr. John. 1 t. Hot Sauce [email protected] 1 t. Cumin 1 T. Fresh Garlic, Chopped 2019 MASS INTENTION BOOK 1 T. Sesame Oil 1 T. Olive Oil (optional)

Our 2019 Mass Intention Book still has openings. DIRECTIONS: Place all items in food processor. Process Consider Mass Intentions for your loved ones. $15. using “pulse” mode slowly adding back some reserved liq- Let us remember and pray for them. uid. Process until peanut butter consistency is reached. Ad- just seasonings to taste. Flavor variations: dill, roasted red pepper, roasted garlic. Go crazy with fresh herbs and spices! PLEASE SAVE THESE DATEs!

FRI., MAY 17 — MEAT RAFFLE Nutritional Information Serving Size: 1/4 of Recipe; Calories: 133 SUN., JULY 28 — PARISH PICNIC We pray through the power of Christ for the healing of … Cynthia Sav- age, Robert Rath, Emelia Cutre, Eileen Coughlin, Patricia Bihr, Stephen Thank You St. John XX III. “Thank you so Boryszewski, Leo Schiffhaer, Marge Cuddy, Alice Morrisley, Stanley Ta- ter, Jeanette Watkins, Judy Kelly, Michael Weishaupt, Lynn McKenna, very much for donating over 50 boxes of Grace Lord, Fred Postolese, Alice Forbach, Fr. Tom Quinlivan, James food to our Food Pantry. You are amazing Hogan, Rosalie Diaspara, Marian Spoor, Beverly Tater, Patricia Walczak, Pat Jerard, Mary Perillo, Thomas Lavelle, Marge Dutka, Sharon Ballacchi- and really do exemplify the meaning of being a City of no, JoAnne Hahn, Max Wojciechowski, Ann Ehrig, Dolores Conlin, Mark Good Neighbors!” - 14 Holy Helpers Parish Bucholtz, Tony Peters, Tom Bauer, Christopher Travis, Sara Farren, James Koeppel, Richard Stoddard, Joseph Gallagher, Kaylin Kline, Elizabeth Fay, Rick McEvoy, Ronald Tumiel, Cheryl Lane, Jimmy Raymond Robin- son, Esther Zimmerman, Timothy Hoar, James Quinn, James Ruggiero, We’re Front Door People! Msgr. Kevin O’Neill, and Jean Bauer. We pray for the faithful departed … Our Church Office is located at 1 Arcade Kathryn Mary Isham and Rev. Msgr. David S. Slubecky Street. Please use the front door. Stop in “May the souls of all the faithful departed, and see us! We’re here for YOU! through the mercy of God, rest in Peace. Amen.” WEST SENECA, NEW YORK Week of February 24, 2019 From the Desk of Annette Breen, Director of Faith Formation

The majesty and beauty of nature always makes me stop to thank God for such great gifts. I have had profound experiences of God’s presence in seeing a perfect blue sky, a mighty ocean beachfront and once a scene when flying over the Alps at daybreak. Overall though, it is the little things that remind me of God. A hummingbird at my feeder, the first crocus in Spring, and a gentle breeze can stop me in my tracks. We all en- counter God differently but God is always there when we look. He waits for us to slow down and seek Him. Thank you God for always being there. What great patience God has. Recently I had an experience that made me feel very weak and almost useless. And then one day I found this in an email: “No matter how weak you may think you are, you are never too weak to be used in great ways by God.” - Dan Dematte. I am humbled by that statement. No matter how weak or small or insignificant we judge ourselves to be, God uses the love and beauty in us to do great things in the world. As an example, just think how many times the children in our lives and in our Parish have helped us to experience God among us. So today I thank God for all that is small and weak in me. Annette Breen, Director of Faith Formation Email: [email protected]

Always Remember … FORGIVING OTHERS IS GOOD FOR YOU. Today’s Gospel is all about forgiveness — it is The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive tough! Everyone has a hard time dealing with it. is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest… If there are people who have hurt us, why should we ever have to let them off the hook, especially if they Day Trip to Seneca Niagara Casino. Monday, March show no remorse and do not believe that they did anything 11th. Only $18 (includes $25 Slot play, $5 food credit). Leave St. John XXIII at 11AM, return at 6PM. Contact wrong? Forgiveness is important. We are not hurting the Barb at 674-0670 by Monday, March 4th. other person by refusing to forgive them, we are really hurting ourselves. Forgiveness is something we need to accept and actually need to do, or we risk getting stuck in the past, Classic Citizens. March meeting postponed 1 week until unable to become what we want to become. Forgiveness March 13th at 1:00 p.m. Members should bring a NEW, means that we are willing to let go; that we are willing to unwrapped $5 item for our Penny Sale. All welcome! give ourselves permission to move forward. What it means is freedom. This can be a very scary concept because by God: The Source Of Love choosing freedom, we are also accepting responsibility for We need God’s love, and express it by meet- our own lives. Resentment can be comforting in that way; it ing another's needs and by sharing our very self with gives us someone to blame when we do not like our current them. At our core, what we long for from others more circumstances. Blaming others means giving our power than anything else is “love.” Would I have others shower away. Forgiving, on the other hand, is in effect saying “You me with empty compliments? No. I would have them no longer have the power to hurt me” and taking back your give to me something much more valuable: the love in own power. We need to stop wasting time being bitter their hearts. In turn, I need to love myself more by realiz- about past injustices. “Never does the human soul appear so ing that no purchase will offer fulfillment more than the strong as when it forgoes revenge, and dares forgive an inju- love of God shown to me in Jesus. ry.” –E.H. Chapin. When we forgive, we are moving on, let- This Sunday, Jesus continues His challenging ting go of the past, and choosing a brighter, better future for Sermon on the Plain. We’ve grown up in a ourselves. culture of independence and retaliation against those who harm us. Today’s Gospel reminds us that Family Moment … Today Jesus says “Stop judging and the way of the world is not necessarily the way of the disci- ple. Saints often describe the first stage of the spiritual life you will not be judged.” Only God can judge. Think of as mercenary love of God. That is, we love Him because an area of your family life that bothers you and refrain He “pays” us with graces and good things. Consider for a from judgment by keeping an open mind. moment, why do you do the good that you do? How often do we talk about the good feelings volunteering evokes and Open Wide Our Hearts how you “get so much more than you give.” This is still based on an attitude of return on our investment. As Chris- Christ’s call to forgiveness is a call to love. tians, we are called to imitate God. We follow a God who As we celebrate Black History Month, view a loves not only His closest friends, but who loves betrayers, deniers, and crucifiers. The Christian walk is one of perse- great writing from the U.S. Church involving an end verance and sacrifice. What does YOUR love look like? of racism at www.stjohn23.com. Open your heart! LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK

Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 3:00pm. Reconciliation Vigil: 4:00pm. Megan & Jonathan - by Grandma & Grandpa AND: Michael Hartnett - by Peggy & Marty McGrath

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am. Mary Josephine Judge - by Anna Devaney AND: Robert Berger - by Ralph Koeppel 10:30am. Thanksgiving/Anniversary - by Gerald & Agnes Spyche

Monday, February 25, 2019, Weekday 8:30am. James Pilc - by Family

Tuesday, February 26, 2019, Weekday 8:30am. Phyllis Cronin - by Anne Marie Agostinelli

Wednesday, February 27, 2019, Weekday 8:30am. All Souls’ Intentions Thursday, February 28, 2019, Weekday 8:30am. Sheila B. Schieber - by Family AND: All Souls’ Intentions

Friday, March 1, 2019, Weekday 8:30am. Mary Rektorik - by Estate

Saturday, March 2, 2019, 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time 3:00pm. Reconciliation Vigil: 4:00pm. Raymond, Frances & William McGurn - by McGurn Family AND: Michael Hartnett - by Bill & Carol Close

Sunday, March 3, 2019, 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am. Jane Kardas - by Altar & Rosary Society 10:30am. Tony Castiglione - by Michael/Christine Romanowski AND: Loretta M. Ruth - by St. Bonaventure Prayer Group

Scriptures for Next Sunday First Reading: Sir 27:4-7 Psalm: 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 Second Reading: 1 Cor 15:54-58 Gospel: Lk 6:39-45 The Sanctuary Light will shine this week for … Cindy Weaver, by Kathy Skomski. SISTER THEA BOWMAN Vatican II teaching is for all of us — including YOU — to strive to be a saint. One of our newest causes of saints is Sr. Thea Bowman, of the Franciscan Sis- ters of Perpetual Adoration. Born December 29, 1937, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Sr. Thea was reared as a Protestant when she asked her parents if she could become a Catholic at age 9. Gifted with a brilliant mind, beautiful voice and a dynamic personality, Sr. Thea shared the message of God’s love through a teaching career. After 16 years of teaching at the elementary, secondary and university level, she was invited to become the consultant for intercultural awareness. In this role, she gave presentations across the country; lively gatherings that combined singing, gospel preaching, praying and storytelling — integrating American cultures and races. In 1984 Sr. Thea was diagnosed with breast cancer. She prayed “to live until I die.” Her prayer was answered and she continued her gatherings in a wheelchair. She fought evil, especially prejudice, suspicion, ha- tred and things that drive people apart. She fought for God and God’s people until her death in 1990. How can YOU live as a saint? God is calling each one of us. This Week at St. John’s Healthy Living: Fun low-impact exercises while sitting with Kathy Zawadzki. Monday at 9:30 a.m.

Girl Scouts - Cookie Mtg. Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Faith Formation (Grades 6-10). Monday at 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal. Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Rosary. Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

Liturgy of the Hours: Morning Prayer. Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Boy Scouts. Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Catholicism Series. Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Faith Formation (1st Reconciliation Preparation). Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

Bingo. Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Next Sunday at St. John’s

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