New Parishioners - Welcome!

This past week I was reading an article by Father Thomas J. Santen entitled “Pastoring Atheists” and I found it contained key elements played out in the lives of many contemporary people who call themselves ‘Atheist.’ So let me share a few of those ‘key’ elements.

AWARENESS- Atheism often is rooted in disillusionment. In the case of a college student, the negative experience may be that a professor has shattered all the categories of belief that have until then shored up the student’s religious faith. Disillusionment may also be tied to a notion of God that no longer fits the person’s world. We have all heard the cry, “How can a loving God, who is supposed to be good, allow this to happen?” Steps to move beyond atheism include acknowledgement that one’s notion of God is not God, and that one’s own “take” on life is narrow and limited.

WILL – Atheism routinely finds a person who is stuck in his or her head. Our culture thrives on verbal banter. Think of the talk show hosts who take a position on some topic, then seek to convince others of their position through intimidation and narrow reasoning. Such debate might make for entertainment, but it generates far more heat than light. God is not a product of logic or a piece of data. How, when, and to whom do I say yes? That question lies at the heart of any discussion of atheism or faith. I love the phrase from the Liturgy of the Hours: “Bend my heart to your will, O God.”

HUNGER - There is a deep hunger inside all of us, and the atheist is no exception. Life is about trying to satisfy that hunger. Though we may all be tempted to make a case for God, remember God is quite capable of doing that. Our role is to be a willing witness when called upon.

Peace and Everything Good,
Father Jim

 

The Gift of Life

Upstate Transplant Services will once again host a BLOOD DRIVE here in St. Katharine’s school hall on Sunday Nov. 15, 2009 from 9 am until 1 pm. No appointment necessary.

Mark Your Calendars!

Catholic Charities is sponsoring two Workshops scheduled for November. The first is on Nov. 10 which will deal with Conflict and Resolution in Relationships. The guest speaker for this session will be David Catalano, LCSW-R, Supervisor of Catholic Charities’ Marriage Counseling Center. He will discuss:

• The Importance of conflict in marriage
• General conflict concepts
• Fair fighting dos and don'ts
• Humor in conflict and more

The second workshop scheduled on Nov. 17 will deal with Domestic Violence. The guest speaker will be Cynthia Manne, LCSW-R, Program Coordinator of Catholic Charities’ Victim Services. She will make us aware of Domestic Violence, ways to recognize it and how we can help. Both workshops will be held in church, and will begin at 6:30 pm and end at 8:00 pm.

Cards and much, much more...

There are still Thanksgiving cards on sale at the Rectory. Our SKY kids are turning into young entrepreneurs! Not only have they been working on Christmas cards, they will be selling specially Here’s a great bargain for you! If you buy 4 Christmas cards, you will get the 5th one FREE! That’s 5 cards for only $2.00! You can’t beat that price! Christmas cards will go on sale after Thanksgiving.

If I Only Had Some Chocolate!

Now that the cooler weather has arrived, people tend to be spending more time indoors. As the days get shorter and the nights longer, people settle in and generally watch a bit more television. If you are one of those people who enjoy a good TV show, do you ever get the urge to nibble on some good chocolate? Then we can certainly be of assistance to you! Why not try a delicious Niagara Candy bar for only $1. There are eight mouth-watering flavors...almond, crisp rice, caramel, peanut butter, mint, orange, plain, or dark chocolate. Candy bars can be purchased after weekend Masses at the N. Ogden St. door of our church or at the Rectory during office hours.

Call of the Wild

Two explorers, camped in the heart of the African jungle, were discussing their expedition. “I came here,” said one, “because the urge to travel was in my blood. City life bored me, and the smell of exhaust fumes on the highways made me sick. I wanted to see the sunrise over new horizons and hear the flutter of birds that never had been seen by man. I wanted to leave my footprints on sand unmarked before I came. In short, I wanted to see nature in the raw. What about you?” “I came, ” the second man replied after a long pause, “because my son just started taking saxophone lessons.”

Have You made Your List? Checked It Twice?

Still don’t know what to buy for Aunt Claire? I have the solution to your problem! Bon Ton has something for Everyone and now is the time to really cash in on the deal! All you have to do is purchase a Bon Ton booklet for only $5.00. Inside the booklet you will receive:

• A $10 Coupon
• Get Discounts Ranging from 10 - 20 %
• 5 Bonus Offers
• Over $60 in Savings
• A 30% Early Bird Coupon

If you open a Bon Ton charge, you get an additional discount on all items...All day! You will save so much you can even treat yourself! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Booklets are on sale at the Rectory during office hours and before and after Masses, or by contacting Bea at 892-826.

 

Pepperoni!
Don’t you just love pepperoni? If so, we have a treat for you! One pound sticks of Battistoni pepperoni will be for sale after all Masses at a cost of $6.00 per stick. Left your wallet in your other pants? No problem! You can stop in at the rectory during business hours Monday thru Fridayand pick up a stick. The proceeds will benefit Katie’s Kids, S.K.Y. and our Parish youth organizations.

Cards and much, much more...

There are still Thanksgiving cards on sale at the Rectory. Our SKY kids are turning into young entrepreneurs! Not only have they been working on Christmas cards, they will be selling specially Here’s a great bargain for you! If you buy 4 Christmas cards, you will get the 5th one FREE! That’s 5 cards for only $2.00! You can’t beat that price! Christmas cards will go on sale after Thanksgiving.

 

Benefit for Christine Banister

Christine Banister has recently died after being diagnosed with kidney cancer, and so her family and friends are sponsoring a benefit to honor her memory on Sunday Nov. 22 from 4-8 pm at Fontana Ogden Restaurant (formerly known as Billy Ogden’s). Presale tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. Dinner will be provided. There will be a Chinese Auction, and other raffles. Donations gratefully accepted. For more information call Rani Banister at 895-2071.

Telephone Assistance Program (TAP)

Catholic Charities provides a Parish Outreach and Advocacy program to homebound elderly and disabled persons to check on their well-being and give people (who are at least 60 years of age) an opportunity to socialize.
There are 3 ways to become involved:

• Become a member and receive telephone calls through TAP.
• Become a volunteer and place calls to TAP members.
• Refer an elderly friend, neighbor or relative to TAP.

TAP needs volunteers to help by calling members at different hours of the day and week from their home or a TAP site. If you would like to receive TAP calls or are interested in becoming a volunteer, in Erie County, please contact Ladies of Charity at (716) 895-4001 or Volunteer/Membership Applications are available in the vestibule of the church at the North Ogden Street door.

Literacy Volunteers

Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo is the region’s sole provider of free, one-on-one adult literacy services. Since 1965, we have enabled Erie County residents to reach their goals in the areas of reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking skills.

One out of every three City of Buffalo residents is considered functionally illiterate, and we are currently serving only 1% of that population.

For more information, please all Cheryl Lueke at 876-8991