Church of the
Annunciation

August 9, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ:

August 15^th is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year because it falls on a Monday. The liturgical celebration originates in the 5^th century. It was called the “Natale” (birth) or “Dormitio” (falling asleep) of Mary. The earliest written reference to this belief dates back to the 4^th century in a document entitled “The Falling Asleep of the Mother of God.” The text, written in the voice of Saint John, to whom Jesus entrusted care of his mother, recounts the death, laying in the tomb and assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition variously places Mary’s death at Jerusalem or at Ephesus where John was living. The belief was made a dogma of the Church by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950. During the Medieval Ages, a custom started of blessing herbs on the feast of the Assumption. It coincided with harvest time and was an opportunity to give thanks to God for the bounty of the earth. Join us for Eucharist on Monday at 9 AM. After Mass, weather permitting, we will step outside and I will offer the “blessing of produce” from the Catholic Book of Blessings.      

“Almighty everlasting God, who by your word alone brought into being the heavens, earth, sea, things seen and things unseen, and garnished the earth with plants and trees for the use of man and beast; who appointed each species to bring forth fruit in its kind, not only for the food of living creatures, but for the healing of sick bodies as well; with mind and word we urgently call on you in your great kindness to bless + these various herbs and fruits, thus increasing their natural powers with the newly given grace of your blessing. May they keep away disease and adversity from men and beasts who use them in your name; through Christ our Lord.”  -- Roman Ritual 

There is another tradition associated with the feast of the Assumption. The Holy Day signals the arrival of our annual Summer Picnic that fall on the third weekend of the month, this year August 19-20-21.  Picnic brochures are available at all entrances to church. Please distribute the brochures and personally invite neighbors and friends to attend. Volunteers are needed for set up this week, for all the venues especially the Pork Chop and Chicken BBQ dinners and for take down on Monday after the picnic. You don’t need to fill out a volunteer form. Just show up and offer your help even if it is for a few hours. There are added features this year including children’s games, ice cream truck, kettle corn and a corn-hole tournament Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the 11 AM “Polka Mass” returns with music by “Buffalo Touch.” Also, there will be a blessing of motorcycles and riders in the front of the church after the Polka Mass around 12:15 PM. Continue to bring in theme baskets or articles for theme baskets. Friday Fish Fry and Saturday & Sunday Chowder will be prepared/served at the pavilion. Saturday Pork Chop and Sunday BBQ Chicken will be served in/out of Selbert Hall. Pies are needed for dessert for the Chicken BBQ on Sunday.

Thank you for participating in our School Supply Drive. The donations of education material will help children and families in need. Thus far, Terry Rupp and Judy Rusnak have delivered 105 white bags of supplies to Our Lady of Hope, Buffalo and 2 boxes of school supplies to FISH, East Aurora. That's a very good response.  

Fr. Gene Ulrich