For the first session of "What's Lent All About", youth ministry celebrated "National 'I Am' Day" by looking at the I AM statements of Jesus. We started with "I am the bread of life," and talked about how Jesus meets all of our needs, even in ways we don't expect. We also had some fun making bread "play-doh" and sculpting works of art!
Join us next week as we continue our series on these important sayings of Jesus! "What's Lent All About?" will be held on Sundays, March 16, 23 and 30, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Attention Men! Tomorrow is the deadline to register to attend the Christ Renews Welcome Retreat taking place at St. Mary's this weekend, 3/15-3/16. Do it for your spiritual self! Sign up @ https://www.stmaryswormville.org/o/smsp/page/christ-renews-his-parish-welcome-20-retreats or call Jay, (845) 216-2768.
Join us on Hallow this Lent for Pray40 as we meditate on the writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, author of the spiritual classic, "The Way".
Together, we’ll hear Escrivá’s powerful advice and spiritual direction brought to life through the story of Servant of God Takashi Nagai, a Japanese Catholic convert who miraculously survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. In a moment he lost everything, but through it he surrendered himself and his city to the Lord.
To join the prayer challenge:
If you are already subscribed to the Hallow app, open your app and at the bottom of the screen there is a community image. Click into the community image and search for Together in Christ family to join. The family page is a separate prayer space than your personal hallow app.
If you’re brand new to Hallow, visit hallow.com/parish to get set up. Be sure to search for TOGETHER IN CHRIST and join our family page. This is offered free of charge.
#pray40 #hallow #lent
Stations of the Cross will be recited on Fridays at St. Mary's throughout Lent after the 9 AM Mass and at 7 PM (both in the main church). The only exception will be Friday, March 28, when the Living Stations of the Cross are presented by St. Mary School in the gym at 6:30 PM; therefore, no Stations at 7 PM that evening.
Monday, March 10, is an important date! The following donations for the Spring for Success Auction Gala are Due:
Wine & Spirits
Gift Cards
In-kind & Experience Donations
Program Ads and Banners
Thank you for your support!
Our parish staff wished Fr. Tom a belated Happy Birthday today! We shared a wonderful lunch, cake, and good conversation. Happy Birthday, Fr. Tom!
At Friday's youth group, BREAKTHROUGH, we discussed the "Chocolate Wars," when the Church discussed and debated the place of chocolate in the life of Catholics. Fortunately, the Church decided it can stay...as long as we don't overdo it and get sick!
This was a helpful reflection as we looked ahead to Lent, as we considered the things we can give up, or take up, that will help us grow as people and as disciples. As you look ahead to Lent, what is one area of your life where you tend to "overdo" or "under-do" something? Ask God for the grace to grow in that area during this season!
Reminder, due March 10th: Auction Item/Experience Donations, Wine/Spirits/Gift Card Donations, Ads for The Auction Gala Program, and orders for a business/family banner to be displayed at the April 5th Auction and Parish Picnic in July. Details at springforsuccess.com.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Ashes may be received in St. Mary's main church as follows:
Masses - 7 AM, 9 AM, and 7 PM
Services - Noon and 5 PM
Check our Together in Christ Catholic Family Lenten Schedule for times at the other churches in our family.
What: Mass for Pope Francis
When: Tuesday, February 25, 12:10 p.m.
Where: St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin Street, Buffalo
The Most Revered Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo, out of concern for the declining health of Pope Francis, will offer a Mass for the pontiff on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at St. Joseph Cathedral at 12:10 p.m., to allow the Western New York faithful an opportunity to unite their hearts and minds in the Eucharist, and to offer intercession for the seriously ill Holy Father.
Bishop Fisher will be the main celebrant and homilist at this special Mass for Pope Francis.
Ten days until our Christ Renews Welcome Gathering & only 7 days left to RSVP!
Send an email with your name and number attending to: christrenewswelcome@gmail.com. Anyone who would like to learn about our March retreats and all Christ Renews Alumni are invited to attend on 3/1, 5 - 7 PM. No charge. Light refreshments.
Fun, Friends, and Faith for grades 6 - Confirmation prep on Friday, February 28, at 6:30 PM. Please sign up for planning purposes: https://www.stmaryswormville.org/page/breakthrough-youth-nights-grades-6-12
Save the date! Mark your calendar now! Vacation Bible School (VBS) for our Together in Christ Catholic Family will be July 14 - 18, 2025 at the Our Lady of Peace parish center.
St. Mary's Faith Community extends its deepest sympathy to and offers a myriad of prayer for the Bellitto family as they mourn the loss of their daughter and sister, Leah. All are invited to join in praying The Rosary for the Bellitto's on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 PM in St. Mary's Chapel (corner Transit & Stahley).
Wednesday Evening Rosary for Leah: St. Mary’s Parish invites our entire community to come together tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/12, at 7 PM in St. Mary’s Chapel to pray the Holy Rosary for Leah Bellitto’s safe return to her family. Until then, let’s all pray that she is safe and is found before Wednesday so that our Rosary prayer can be one of thanksgiving. The Bellitto's are parishioners of St. Mary's Church Swormville; Leah is an alumna of St. Mary School.
Dear Christ Renews Alumni and Friends,
We invite you to join us for a special Christ Renews Welcome Gathering on Saturday, March 1, 2025, immediately following the 4:00 PM Mass. This event, hosted by the Christ Renews Welcome Continuation Committee, is an opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and for those that have never attended, learn what's happening in the upcoming Christ Renews Welcome weekends and speak to alumni about their experiences.
We encourage you to bring someone who could benefit from this amazing opportunity.
Details:
📅Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
⏰Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Following the 4:00 PM Mass)
📍Location: School Cafeteria
🍽️Light refreshments will be served
To help us plan, please RSVP by February 26, 2025, by emailing ChristRenewsWelcome@gmail.com with your name and the number of attendees.
Tonight!
Two Valentine events for adult singles in WNY...
WIN THE FIRST CHANCE AT ONE OF TWO LIVE AUCTION DESTINATION PAKAGES!
The winner of the First Chance Raffle can choose one of these two amazing destination packages:
Choice #1: "Wicked" Fall Experience in New York City (8/26/25 - 10/9/25)
Includes two tickets for the award-winning “Wicked” production at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. Your choice of a Tues., Weds., or Thurs. show. Also included: a $200 gift card for dinner and $450 cash to use toward an overnight stay or incidentals.
$1,000 VALUE
Choice #2: June 2025 Los Cabos Getaway for seven nights (6/21/25 - 6/28/25) at the beautiful Pueblo Bonito, Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort
Includes a Jr. Suite for up to four, private balcony and furnished kitchenette. Located on a private coastal bluff, the resort overlooks the Pacific and includes a private beach. Award-winning spa, array of restaurants, and exclusive access to Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course offered at an additional cost.
$3,400 VALUE
Tickets were mailed to parishioners. Additional tickets are available at the parish office and can be securely purchased on St. Mary's Online Giving page.
Tuition Assistance for Private Grammar Schools Now Available. The BISON Children Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to economically eligible children in grades K-8. New families can now apply for scholarships for the 2025-26 school year.
To start the process, families can complete a quick pre-application form online at www.bisonfund.org. If selected in our lottery drawing, the scholarships can be used at any private grammar school in WNY. The deadline to apply is March 31. The maximum award is $3,000. For more information, contact Cindy McDonald at 716-854-0869, ext. 1 or cmcdonald@bisonfund.org.
