Church of the
Annunciation

September 27, 2022 

Dear Friends in Christ:

As many know, the startup for our Family of Parishes has been moved from October 2023 to November 2022. This past week, Tom and Kris DiScipio, our Renewal Representatives, participated in a ZOOM meeting with their counterparts from the other four parishes: St. Vincent de Paul, Springbrook, Immaculate Conception, East Aurora, St. Joseph, Holland, and St. George, West Falls. Pastors will participate in a ZOOM introduction meeting and then two in person meetings with the Bishop during the month of October. In the middle of October, the Priests’ Personnel Board will announce the future Pastor of our Family. He will become the transitional leader during the “activation” phase when the five parishes set up committees to facilitate greater collaboration pertaining to six essential Pillars: spirituality, Mass/Sacraments, faith formation/initiation, administration, pastoral care and service. The task ahead is to create an "action plan" to best implement this new model of administration and pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Buffalo. The "inauguration" of our Family is slated for May 2023. I will be speaking on this important topic at all Masses this weekend. 

October 2nd is Respect Life Sunday.  We are taking part in the National Life Chain by standing peacefully in prayer on our property on Clinton Street, Schwartz and Girdle Roads from 2 PM to 3 PM giving silent public witness to the preciousness of human life in the womb and all stages.  

October 4th is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. In keeping with Francis' love of creation, a Blessing of Animals will take place at 11 AM on Saturday October 8, 2022 in our Pavilion adjacent to Amigone Funeral Home. Bring your dogs, cats and pets for a blessing and receive a medal of St. Francis. 

Bishop Mike Fisher will be offering Mass in our church at 7 PM on Tuesday October 18, 2022. Bishop Mike is celebrating Eucharist in all 12 vicariates around WNY to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese of Buffalo. It is an honor for our parish to host our Eastern Erie Vicariate and to welcome our Bishop. All are invited to attend. There will be a light reception following Mass.  

As part of our Diocesan commemoration of the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese of Buffalo, we will be participating in a diocesan wide Day of Service on October 22, 2022. As we have done in the past during autumn, weather permitting, we ask volunteers to assemble in the Selbert Hall parking lot at 9 AM dressed and equipped for yard work and light manual labor to assist elderly parishioners. Those needing help should call Molly Moessinger (716) 864-8995 to get on the list. Those able and available to do the yard work please call Molly so she can form service teams. Children and teens in our Family Faith Formation programs are handcrafting cards to send to those in Senior Living to brighten their day. 

Bishop Mike Fisher is inviting married couples celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th and 70th Wedding Anniversaries to join him on Sunday October 23, 2022 at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph Cathedral for Eucharist to honor and to bless their Sacramental union of love and fidelity. Please register on/by Monday October 3rd by calling Paulette in the parish office (716) 683-5254. She will forward the required information to ensure a designated pew in the Cathedral. There will be a brunch following Mass. Please share this invitation with married couples commemorating milestone anniversaries.  

Sincerely,

Fr. Gene Ulrich