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PRAYER FOR RENEWAL In every age, O God, You have called us to be Your people, to be Your Church. In this time, we begin anew to discern the pathways that will lead us, Your people, closer to You. Continually Bless our journey as we proclaim Your Good News, celebrate Your saving presence among us, serve others with charity and justice, and steward the world You have entrusted to our care. Send Your Spirit to lead and guide our Emmaus journey as we commit ourselves to the renewal of our Church. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today, Jesus asks His disciples who the people say He is, or how they interpret Him. The disciples respond that the people recognize Jesus as akin to great religious persons of the past, such as John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.  When Jesus asks the disciples who they say that He is, Peter responds with God-given wisdom: “You are the Christ.” Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. Peter could only recognize Jesus, as God allows this. Once again, we’re totally dependent upon God for all inspiration, wisdom and knowledge. Nothing we have comes from us. We’re totally dependent upon God. As Jesus relates in today’s Gospel, to save our lives, we must relinquish all and follow Him, serving others and loving God, with trust and confidence.

Happy 11th Birthday Superhero Colt! From Your Parish Family Pray for Colt Matz who is fighting leukemia and for his younger brother Jack who will be donating bone marrow for his brother! Send birthday cards to: Oishei Children’s Hospital Colt—OCH Rm 1206 818 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY 14203

Over the last several months, you have read or heard about the reorganization of the Diocesan parish structure called the Road to Renewal as placed into units called “Families.” These Families were to be composed of 3 to 6 parishes based on geographical proximity to one another. The objective for grouping into Families is to have each parish collaborate and coordinate with each other and then support one another in their implementation of services and programs to build up and strengthen the Catholic presence and Christ’s mission in their region. Click on orange title for complete article by Fr. John

Isaiah brings beautiful hope to those with frightened hearts, who feel vulnerable. God promises them “vindication,” or freedom from accusation, blame, suspicion or doubt. Click orange title for complete article.

In most images of the Holy Family, the Child Jesus is at the center . . . Jesus Christ needs to be at the center, at the heart of the family, no matter its composition. Pope Francis’s message is that “Only in the light of His love can the love of the family be fully illuminated.” According to the Pope, we must learn within our families, within our parish families to see through “the gaze of Jesus.” Pope Francis calls the Church to see and follow the way of the Lord, who “looked upon the women and men whom he met with love and tenderness . . .” Amoris Laetitia, 60. A gaze of love is the also the one used within our parish family as we support and embrace each family unit. When Christ is at the center, the family becomes the primary classroom of love and goodness. The Church’s teaching is that God is love. God is the source of all love and the Giver of all life. When Jesus Christ, Love incarnate, is at its center and at the core of family life then it becomes the place where, despite many difficulties and challenges, love and life overflow in abundance.

Pondering these readings, we might ask ourselves: “How am I doing with obeying the Law, (the 10 Commandments)? Do I obey with honesty, simplicity and sincerity? Am I loving and fair with others?

Chaplains of the Pastoral Care Dept. at Olean General Hospital will be offering a memorial service on August 24th at 6:30 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, NY. The purpose of the service is to honor the memory of 96 patients who passed away at OGH due to COVID-related illness. This service is open to the public and honors previous patients of all ages, races and faiths. In addition, a moment of silence will be offered in memory of all who passed away outside of the hospital. The programs will honor those lost to COVID at BRMC and OGH as well as those who passed away elsewhere. Names will be read, followed by bell ringing and lighting of candles. Program organizers Stacy Williams and the Rev. Vickie Hedlund wanted to hold this important service once they felt it was safe to do so. “Our communities have experienced loss due to this terrible virus and it’s important to remember them and comfort their loved ones,” they said. Olean’s service will be at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Services will honor those of all faiths. Service will be live streamed on the church’ website, https://www.smaolean.org/ and Facebook pages - @BasilicaOlean.

St. Joseph, pray for us!   O dearest Saint Joseph, may you always be the protector  and the guide for me and my family in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love for the Lord and His will in my life.  After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed Saint Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy that shined through your holy and good life. Amen.

Recent surveys show that most Catholics DON’T believe that Jesus is present in the Sacrament. How sad and how serious this is! Unbelievers will likely leave the Church.  Like today’s Gospel, “many disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him.” What God are these people now serving? Again, what God are we serving? Pray for answers. 

On March 19, 2021, the Church celebrated the fifth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, a spiritual teaching,  Amoris Laetitia (On Love in the Family). This writing highlights the beauty and joy of love within the family unit.  On this day, the Pope launched the year of “Amoris Laetitia Family”, a year celebrating the family which will conclude on June 26, 2022.

Mary and Elizabeth, in their joyful proclamations of praise, were exulting for all humankind; not just for themselves. In the Canticle of Mary, she proclaims God’s mercy and justice for all, in every generation. She celebrates how God “lifts up the lowly,” and intervenes to make things right. Let’s rejoice with Mary and Elizabeth as we celebrate God’s extravagant mercy and Mary’s Assumption.

Chaplains of the Pastoral Care Dept. at Olean General Hospital will be offering a memorial service on August 24th at 6:30 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, NY. The purpose of the service is to honor the memory of 95 patients who passed away at OGH due to COVID-related illness. This service is open to the public and honors previous patients of all ages, races and faiths. In addition, a moment of silence will be offered in memory of all who passed away outside of the hospital. Please attend in person or online, if possible! Peace and Blessings, Pastor Vickie Hedlund, MDiv Pastoral Care Coordinator / Patient Advocate

Jesus enlightens us that even our desire to approach Him in prayer is a gift from God, for even our inspirations to pray are a gift. Let’s humbly thank and adore God! Click on orange title for complete reflection.

Fr. Peter Bassey Introduction click on orange title

This Sunday’s readings proclaim the mercy and generosity of our God. Even when we’re complaining and ungrateful, our God is magnanimous and loving! God supplies all of our needs.

A letter from Fr. David Tourville Click orange title

Are we able to use our rights, liberties and our own self-awareness and examination to defend the freedoms of all? If the answer is yes, then we can say that we are truly free.

There’s a message for all of us this week. Turn to God. Ask Him. Trust Him to provide not just enough… but extra! Decide to have faith.

Welcome Fr. Peter Bassey! Fr. Peter is our new Parochial Vicar to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and St. John the Evangelist linked parishes! Born in Nigeria, Fr. Peter never planned on ending up in Buffalo, but he listened and followed his calling and learned how to handle the cold. He was ordained in 2018 amongst many challenges in the Catholic Church. Fr. Peter focuses on serving Jesus first and doing all the work of the Church in the spirit of love. He is a great example of the good work many young Catholic priests are doing to rebuild the Church while leading, inspiring and serving others. We will hear more from Fr. Peter very soon.