Church of the
Annunciation

November 29. 2022

Dear Friends in Christ:

Don’t forget Boy Scout Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale this Saturday, December 3^rd, 9 AM - 4 PM in our school parking lot. Support our Troop 325. 

We are looking forward to our Advent Retreat on Monday and Tuesday, December 5 & 6, 2022, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM in the church. John Wilde will be our guest presenter. John is close to us. He is the son of Homer and Carol Wilde. For over 30 years, John has inspired people from all over Western New York with his music, faith sharing talks, retreats, and teachings on God and the Catholic Faith. John has a unique ability to weave personal stories and humor right alongside deep discussions on a variety of faith-based topics. People of all ages have enjoyed listening to John lead them in song or take them on a spiritual adventure learning about the faith. John has been heard in parishes from Olean to Buffalo to Holley bringing his gifts to families and people of all ages as he accompanies them on their journey to fall in love with Jesus and His Church. Join us for an evening or two as we take time to give God the gift of ourselves and listen to Him in his Word, music, and each other. The first night will focus on our “hearing the Call of our God.” And the second will help us to “find our way to respond to that call.” 

Thursday December 8, 2022 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. It originated in the 7^th century with the name of “Conception of Mary by St. Anne.” In 1708, Pope Clement XI established the feast as a Solemnity for the entire Church. Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception, is patroness of the United States. Masses on Thursday are at 

9 AM and 7 PM.   

Friday December 9^th is the feast of Saint Juan Diego. In 1531, Our Lady appeared four times to a native convert, Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (meaning “talking eagle”), at Tepeyac, near Mexico City. A member of the Chichimeca people, Juan may have been a local leader and involved in the textile industry. Known for his holiness, he devoted himself, tradition says, to the pilgrims who came to see the miraculous image of Mary imprinted on his cloak. Saint Pope John Paul II canonized him on July 31, 2002.

Mary introduced herself to Juan Diego as the “Mother of the Living.” On Thursday evening, December 8^th, beginning at 9 PM until 1 AM on Friday December 9^th, there will be a Night Watch, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in our Chapel. The four hour span will unite people across the Americas (4 time zones) in prayer beseeching Mary before the Sacrament of Her Son to deepen our appreciation of the sacredness of human life in the womb and the dignity of women. You will notice the beautiful mosaic of the Immaculate Conception of Mary hanging in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It was obtained from Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora. 

On the weekend of December 10 & 11, throughout the United States, a special appeal will be made for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This is not a collection for retired diocesan priests. This appeal is for “retired” religious sisters, brothers and priests who have served faithfully and are now entering this chapter of their lives with insufficient funds for housing and health care. You can use the envelope in your packet or direct your donation by writing “Fund for Religious” on an envelope or on the check memo line. Place your contribution in the designated basket by the tabernacle, mail or place in the parish drop box. You can donate online at www.shareinthecare.org.   

Fr. Gene Ulrich