St Mary's Church, Swormville

St. Mary's nonperishable Thanksgiving Food Drive this weekend, NOV. 23 - 24! In lieu of turkeys, Tops/ Wegmans gift cards may be taken to the parish office. Needed: Stuffing-box, Cranberries, Gravy, Cake/Brownie Mix, Frosting, Mac. & Cheese, Pasta, Peanut Butter, Jelly/Jam, Vegetables, Yams, Paper Towels/Napkins.

St. Mary's 27th Year of GIVING TREE Ornaments for individuals/families in need within our WNY community will be available as of Saturday, November 23, 2024 (online at St. Mary's website and on Giving Trees in the foyer of church). Please follow the instructions on the front and back of the ornament and return your unwrapped gift in a holiday bag (under the Giving Tree) NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8. Call Joanie Clover @ 716-870-3582 or KC Kappel @ 716-308-5494 with any questions or if you know of a family or child in need.

Call all students in grades 6 - 12: Join us at our BREAKTHROUGH Youth Night on Friday, November 22 at 6:30 PM.

Fun was had by all at the Bills tailgate/viewing party on Sunday afternoon. And having the Bills win made it even better! Thank you to St. Mary’s Parish Council for hosting!

St. Mary's Parish Pastoral Council is hosting a "Tailgate and Viewing Party" for the Bills vs Colts game on Sunday! Our entire Family of Parishes and anyone who would like to experience the wonderful St. Mary's community are welcome to join us. We would appreciate an RSVP so we know how much food to have on hand. The game starts at 1 PM but we will be there at noon, right after 11 AM Mass.

Fr. David Bellittiere and the Friends of St. Peregrine cordially invite those afflicted with cancer or who need special healing and wish to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to attend a healing Mass at St. Mary's, Swormville, on Thursday, November 7, at 6 PM. For further information, call Karen at 716-283-0011 or visit www.stperry.org.

TODAY IS THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS, a Holy Day of Obligation. The last available Mass at St. Mary's is at 7:00 PM this evening, 11/1, in the church.

Teens had fun navigating the "lava" on the gym floor at Monday's BREAKTHROUGH Youth Night! Grades 6 - 12 are invited to "Join us in the Comment Section" at our next BREAKTHROUGH gathering on Monday, 11/4.

Confirmation candidates from St. Mary's and Our Lady of Peace were assisted by teen volunteers from Nativity and St. Mary's at the first Confirmation retreat last Saturday. For one of the activities, each team of candidates were given a challenge to create a cross. These are a few examples. What a cool exercise! Our Family of Parishes has 65 Confirmation candidates this year. Candidates were able to choose from 3 retreat dates - ensuring that all are able to have this awesome experience on their journey to Confirmation in the Holy Spirit.

What do our young people say about St. Mary's Breakthrough Youth Group? Margaret says, "Breakthrough is fun. I like to come and talk about the Bible and spend time with friends from other schools."

Wednesday Evening Rosary tonight at 7 PM in St. Mary's chapel. All are invited to pray in community for our country and our private intentions, through Mary, to her Beloved Son, Jesus.

We had a great time on Friday night around the bonfire! Our next BREAKTHROUGH Youth Night is October 28th. The theme is: The floor is lava! Grades 6 - 12 are invited to join us. Did you know your teen's friends do not have to be Catholic or belong to St. Mary's to come along?

Don’t throw out those old shoes! SMS is having a footwear drive! Our 8th grade class is hosting a shoe collection! The company that they are collecting for, Funds2Orgs, works to support individuals who create micro-businesses in developing countries to combat the effects of systemic poverty and a lack of education and economic opportunity. Bins have been placed outside the school office. We will take all we can get until 11/14. Shoes, sneakers, cleats, hiking boots, rain boots, water shoes & sandals are acceptable. They will not accept single shoes, ice skates, roller skates, wet or moldy shoes, or shoes with holes or tears.

Calling St. Mary's teens and friends: Join us this Friday night at 6:30 around the bonfire to talk about the meaning of fire!

Annual Pet Blessing on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi tomorrow - Friday, October 4 at 6:00 PM on the front steps of St. Mary School, facing Transit Rd. All furry, feathered and scaly pets are welcome! Please bring pets on a leash or in a pet carrier.

Rosary Leaders Needed. Please consider being a prayer leader before our weekend Masses this month. October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. You need not be a Rosary expert, you just need to be a disciple who is willing to lead the prayer, using the provided materials, one half hour before the scheduled Mass. If you are willing to lead the Rosary before a weekend Mass, please sign up with the link below or contact Hope Chavanne by phone at (716) 633-9525 or by email at hopemariec2@gmail.com. Sign up for as many slots as you wish at: https://shorturl.at/szfS0

Did you know that St. Mary's Church offers Children's Liturgy of the Word at the Sunday 9 AM Mass? Seen here, Fr. Walt leads the assembly in blessing the children before they depart to hear God's Word in an understandable child-friendly way during the Liturgy of the Word. Children's Liturgy of the Word is oriented to ages 4-12 and parents are welcome to accompany the younger children.

ST. MARY'S OKTOBERFEAST IS ONE WEEK AWAY! Ask your friend or spouse to scan this QR code to make a reservation! No need to pay today - pay when you arrive! $10/one person, $15/two people. Event details and link to RSVP in Friday's Flocknote & St. Mary's website: https://www.stmaryswormville.org/article/1771799

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Please consider being a Rosary prayer leader before our weekend Masses in October. You need not be a Rosary expert, you just need to be disciple who is willing to lead the prayer, using the provided materials, one half hour before the scheduled Mass. For more information or to sign up go to: https://shorturl.at/szfS0

Priesthood Sunday is this Sunday, September 29th. Thank a priest. Thank God for our priests. Pray for priests. Ask God for more priests.