ST. MARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW, 1/28, 10:30 AM - NOON
Sign up to help freshen up the chapel and more! We will meet in the cafeteria to start.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054caba72fa7fd0-breakthrough1#/
Today is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
TEXT SCAM: There is an unauthorized text circulating that claims to be from Rev. Walter J. Szczesny. DO NOT RESPOND, it is a scam. Please note, if our clergy had to reach you regarding an urgent matter, they would not text you.
While St. Mary’s school is closed tomorrow, Friday, 1/19, we will still be having a regular daily Mass in the main church. Fr. Art will be the presider.
In anticipation of the forecasted winter storm, St. Mary School, the parish office, and all campus activities are canceled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024. A priest will be on site to celebrate 9 AM Mass.
The travel ban currently remains in effect in our area. The Vigil Mass was live streamed and can be found on the St. Mary’s Parish Swormville YouTube channel or our St. Mary Parish Swormville Facebook page.
Statement from Bishop Michael Fisher
Many areas of Western New York will experience heavy snowfalls and drifting along with extremely high winds, bitter wind chills, and possible power outages. These are dangerous and life-threatening conditions. Please respect the travel bans in our communities. In light of these dangerous conditions no one should put themselves or others at risk to attend Sunday Mass this weekend.
I have asked those parishes who have livestream capabilities to livestream their weekend Masses. If you community has travel restrictions or dangerous weather conditions, do not attempt to attend Masses in person. Use the livestream technology to spiritually connect with others in prayer. Also, please check on neighbors who may be in need.
Please join me in praying for our first responders, utility workers, hospital workers, and all those serving our communities during this storm.
Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher
Bishop of Buffalo
It's #ThrowbackThursday! This is an excerpt from a letter sent to past Christ Renews participants just over 10 years ago. If you have attended in the past, please post a comment about your experience.
If you have a child entering Kindergarten - Grade 2 in the fall, attend our LEAD (Lower Elementary Academic Discovery) Night tomorrow, THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 @ 6:30 PM, to meet our teachers and discover why St. Mary School is the place to "bee".
ALL activities at St. Mary's are cancelled for this afternoon and evening, Tuesday, January 9, due to inclement weather.
Our next youth group get together for students in grade 6-12 will be a PARISH SERVICE NIGHT. Whether you need service hours or just want to give back to your parish community, join us on Friday, January 26, 6:30-8:00 PM. Mr. John will have a variety of tasks for us to do around campus. Friends definitely welcome! Please sign up so we know how many helping hands we will have: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054caba72fa7fd0-breakthrough1#/
St. Mary School (SMS) is having LEAD Night this Thursday, January 11th, 6:30-7:30 PM, for families with children who will be entering 3 year old Montessori through Grade 2 in September 2024. Lower Elementary Academic Discovery (LEAD) Night will help acquaint you with our lower elementary staff and help your child get ready for their next steps at SMS! If you have a neighbor or friend with a child entering these grades in September, be sure to invite them too!
St. Mary School is also hosting Open House for families interested in all SMS grades,: Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-8, on January 28, 10:30 AM - 12 PM.
Please RSVP for either event with this link: https://shorturl.at/pwIJ4
BREAKTHROUGH TONIGHT!
January 8th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, parish center
HOW TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS
Students in grades 6 - 12 are invited to learn where to find the answers to commonly asked questions about their Catholic faith. If you have a cell phone, bring it! Bring a friend, too!
"Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see:
heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man,
one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body.
As they look, they believe and do not question,
as their symbolic gifts bear witness:
incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.”
— St. Peter Chrysologus
Today is the Memorial of St. John Neumann, St. Mary's founder. Our relic is on display in the church today until 7 PM for private prayer.
This reflection has an interesting story about him: https://www.mydailyvisitor.com/advent/jan-05-2024/
More can be read on our parish website and in our 175th Anniversary Booklet.
Thank you to Mr. Kauppinen, school parent and owner/founder of Grand New Flag in Lockport, NY, for the donation of these gorgeous American flags in our gym! They are a wonderful addition to show off our love of God and country!
RETREAT TO REFRESH, RENEW, REVITALIZE
It is time to register for the 2024 Christ Renews Welcome Women's and Men's Retreats. These are spiritual renewal weekends designed to help individuals grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and with others in their faith community.
It is a time for adults to relax, pray, and rethink priorities. It is a time to get to know others in the parish and grow as a community. It is an opportunity to examine, rediscover, and /or intensify your personal relationship with Christ. It is a weekend of reflection and sharing of spiritual and real-life issues. It is a time of evangelization.
Go to stmaryswormville.org or click the link for contact information, more details, to read the brochure for each weekend, and to register online: https://www.stmaryswormville.org/o/smsp/page/christ-renews-his-parish-welcome-20-retreats
The clergy and staff of St. Mary's Parish wish everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas! The Word was made flesh and dwells among us!
Holiday greetings from Father Sleeva!
