Today, we said good luck to Don Andres (affectionately known to the SMS students as Mr. Don) as it was his last day serving our entire St. Mary's Faith Community as Facilities Manager. Don has taken a new position at the YMCA in Amherst.
For the past 10 years, Don has been responsible for maintaining our diverse campus buildings and our beautiful grounds. Over his tenure he has overseen many major capital improvements, remodeling, equipment updates, and upgraded security. He and his assistant, Mr. John (Turton) have worked harmoniously to ensure that daily operations run efficiently, we work/learn/worship in clean environments, our landscaping is beautiful, and all the "little things" are taken care of. Don has seen us through major summer reconfigurations, water damage, and all the disinfection demands during COVID (to name a few).
Don attended St. Mary School, is a lifelong parishioner, a Christ Renews alum, and an active volunteer; so we are sure to see him around. We will miss you, Don! Thank you for all you have done for St. Mary's! Best of luck in your new position!
Join us this Sunday at our St. Mary School Open House between 10:30 AM and 12 PM to see all the ways our Catholic values shape tomorrow’s leaders! Meet with current parents, our teachers and principal, and tour our beautiful classrooms. Enjoy a donut in our Cafeteria and take a chance in our HSA’s $10,000 grand prize Snow Me the Money Cash Raffle drawing! The winning tickets will be drawn at 1 PM.
Just over 24 hours left to purchase Snow Me the Money Tickets online at https://www.stmaryschoolswormville.org/snow ! Buy online by Thurs., 1/23 at 11:59 PM , drop tickets at the parish office by 4 PM Friday, or at Sunday's SMS Open House (begins at 10:30 AM). The $10,000 grand prize drawing is at 1 PM, Sun., 1/26!
Tomorrow is a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
(Wednesday, January 22, 2025)
The U.S. Catholic Bishops call the faithful to a day of fasting, penance, and prayer.
Please pray to protect the innocent unborn from abortion, offer your fasting and penance in reparation for the many lives lost to abortion, and pray for the conversion of hearts to a culture of LIFE. Thank you.
Join us TONIGHT, Thursday, January 16, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm for LEAD Night, (Lower Elementary Academic Discovery Night) for students entering grades K-2! Meet teachers, parents, our Principal, and take a tour. RSVP at smstheplacetobee.com. #CatholicValues #TomorrowsLeaders #SMStheplacetoBEE
Join us THIS THURS. from 5:30 - 6:30 pm for LEAD Night, Lower Elementary Academic Discovery Night, for students entering grades K-2! Meet teachers, parents, our Principal, & take a tour. RSVP at smstheplacetobee.com. #CatholicValues #TomorrowsLeaders #SMStheplacetoBEE
The Knights of Columbus are hosting a basketball free throw contest!
Help us spread the word about our AMAZING ST. MARY SCHOOL: Where Catholic Values Shape Tomorrow’s Leaders! Enrollment season is upon us, and we have two fantastic events coming up to showcase our school. Please LIKE & SHARE our social media posts about LEAD Night and Open House! INVITE friends with school-aged children to these events either on Facebook or with a quick in-person conversation. You never know who may be considering a change or new start for their family, or who may not now where to start to explore a Catholic education for their child. More info about both events is below.
(Grades Montessori K - 2)
LEAD Night: Thursday, January 16th, 2025, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Explore the grade K-2 classrooms with your family, take a tour of the school, meet our Principal, teachers, & parents of current SMS students.
(Grades Montessori Pre-K3 - 8)
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, January 26th, 2025, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Families interested in learning more about Pre-K Montessori through grade 8 are welcome to come, tour the school, meet with teachers and current parents, and find out why SMS is the place to "bee", all while enjoying FREE donuts!
Send this RSVP link to those you think might be interested: https://www.stmaryschoolswormville.org/o/school/page/open-house
The Daughters of Mary are hosting two opportunities to learn about Fr. Stuart Long:
Friday, January 10th MOVIE NIGHT:
All adults in our family of parishes (men welcome too!) are invited for a viewing of "Father Stu" starring Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. We will begin at 6:30 PM in St. Mary's parish center room 110/111 for snacks and a social. The movie will begin promptly at 7:00 PM. Please bring a snack to share.
The movie is just over 2 hours in length and is inspired by the true story of Father Stuart Long, who lived his life as a testament to the power in suffering. Please note the movie is rated R (perhaps read a review to gauge if this movie is ok for your level of sensitivity).
Friday, January 17th BOOK DISCUSSION:
Women of our family of parishes, please join Daughters of Mary from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in room 110/111 to discuss the book, "That was Father Stu; A Memoir of My Priestly Brother and Friend" by Father Bart Tolleson. Breakfast treats, coffee and OJ will be served.
To be added to the Daughters of Mary email list call Elizabeth Forman at (716) 691-6554 or email daughtersofmary815@gmail.com.
Our Spring for Success Auction Committee is looking for destination donations for the Spring for Success Auction. If you have a time share, online rental, or vacation home that you can donate a night, weekend, or week stay in support of St. Mary's Faith Community, please contact Janice at (716)688-9380 as soon as possible.
Middle schoolers through highschoolers preparing for Confirmation are invited to MIX IT UP at St. Mary's Breakthrough Youth Night on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Friends are welcome too!
This Tuesday - a presentation about The Incarnation at St. Mary's Swormville! When we say the creed at Mass, do we really think about what it means, that Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, was really and truly God “by whom all things were made” in a human body?
St. Mary's Spring for Success Auction Gala is being held earlier than in the past. Mark your calendars now!
Our St. Mary's Faith Community wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year!
Reminder: The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. St. Mary's Church Swormville will offer a vigil Mass on December 31 at 5 PM and the holy day Mass on January 1, 2025 at 9 AM in the main church.
This weekend's Masses will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This Lectio Divina style of prayer will aid you in reflecting on the beauty and importance of the Holy Family; https://5il.co/33zjx
From all of us on St. Mary's Church staff, we wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with the wonder of Emmanuel, God with us, and a blessed Happy New year!
Congratulations to the 70 children who made their First Reconciliation! This sacrament is vital to our relationship with God.
The HSA Snow Me the Money Early Bird Drawing for $250.00 is December 22 at 10 AM! Raffle Tickets must be in to the parish office by 10:30 AM on December 19th to qualify. The winning ticket is returned to the drum for five more chances to win a total of $15,000! More tickets available at the school and parish offices.
St. Mary’s will hold the scheduled Taize Prayer Service this evening at 7 PM as planned. All are invited to join us in the church for this meditative prayer in preparation for Christ's coming.
