SAINT CHRISTOPHER ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Tonawanda, New York 14150

January 10, 2021

S B : Upon request, every Sunday at 12:30 PM, and at Mass. Parents must attend a Pre-Baptismal Class held on the First Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Call the office for reservations two months in advance. R C I is the way the Church prepares an unbaptized person for their sacraments. Persons already baptized in other denominations are also welcomed through this process. Contact the office for information. P N /P T : To be added to the list, call the parish office or MaryAnn Kern (716) 692-2033 or Laurie Wysocki (716) 691-4378. S C : High School students having completed tenth grade in either a Catholic school or our Religious Education program should contact the Religious Education office at (716) 694-4310. S R : The first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM, or by appointment. S M : Arrangements are to be made at least six months before the desired wedding date. A marriage preparation program is required. L R : To receive a letter of recommendation to be a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation, you must be a registered member of the parish for at least 6 months; who regularly attends Mass and receives the Sacraments. Regular use of envelopes (even if empty) indicates attendance at Mass. Sponsors are to be Baptized, Confirmed, have their children in Catholic School or Religious Education (Gr. 1–10) and, if married, have done so in conformity with the laws of the Church. Adult children (18 and over) should be registered on their own. Call (716) 692-2660.

MASS TIMES Saturday 4:30 PM

Sunday 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:45 AM

Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM

CONFESSION Every First & Third Wednesday 7-8 PM or by appointment

ADORATION Tuesday 8:45 AM - 7 PM

Novena at 7 PM

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 9 AM - 4 PM

(Closed 12:30 - 1 PM) www.saintchris.org

(716) 692-2660

“We, the people of St. Christopher Parish, journey to the heavenly kingdom of God our Father by following the example and service of Jesus Christ his Son, inspired daily by the Holy Spirit to lead faith-filled Christian lives.”

The

Baptism

of the

Lord

And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:11

Saint Christopher Church Tonawanda NY

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IN SYMPATHY

Jim Urbaniak (brother of Joe Urbaniak)

SANCTUARY LAMP

The St. Mary Candle will burn this week for David, Marc and Dean by Family

WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULESunday, January 10: 7:30 AM Kathy Antonacci Hall by Mr. & Mrs. David Polasik 9:00 AM Al Santini by St. Chris Ushers 11:00 AM Donald Barnes by Sue's Crew Monday, January 11: 6:45 AM John R. “Jack” Carpenter by Barbara Downing Tuesday, January 12: 8:00 AM Tony & Joyce Harper by the Paglione Family Wednesday, January 13: 6:45 AM Margaret Rodrigues by Family Thursday, January 14: 8:00 AM For the People of St. Chris Friday, January 15: 6:45 AM Sharon Myers by Family Saturday, January 16: 4:30 PM Marian Steinbach by Bernie Mussen & Family Sunday, January 17: 7:30 AM Ellen Christensen by St. Chris Ushers 9:00 AM Iona Rickard (mother of Diane Leithner) by Busy Hands Yarn Ministry 11:00 AM Patricia Pogodzinski by the Lindner Family

VOCATIONS CORNER Christ gives us the gift of Baptism, through which we each have a vocation in the Church. Pray for those who are discerning a call to live their Baptismal commitment as religious brothers, sisters, deacons or priest. If God is calling you to this, contact our Pastor, Fr. Steve, or Fr. Dave Baker at 716-847-5535 or visit buffalovocations.org

BREAD & WINE

Grateful for vaccines & therapeutics to fend off the Pandemic by Mike & Pam Giangreco

KEY CONTACTS PARISH SCHOOL Phone: (716) 693-5604 Fax: (716) 693-5127 school@saintchris.org Principal: Dr. Camille Pontrello cpontrello@saintchris.org RELIGIOUS EDUCATION reled@saintchris.org Telephone: (716) 694-4310 Director: Marie Sajsa msajsa@saintchris.org OUTREACH & St. Vincent de Paul (716) 564-9023 Mission Coordinator: Cindy Vanderbrook cvanderbrook@saintchris.org (716) 564-9023 Pastoral Council Andrea Robinson, President pastoralcouncil@saintchris.org

PARISH OFFICES Phone (716) 692-2660 FAX (716) 693-5639 rectory@saintchris.org www.saintchris.org PARISH STAFF Pastor: Rev. Steven Jekielek sjekielek@saintchris.org Parochial Vicar: Rev. Donald Watkins Jr. dwatkins@saintchris.org Deacons: Francis A. Zwack Thomas Healey David McDermott Director of Music: Sean Polen spolen@saintchris.org Business Manager: Marie Schwab mschwab@saintchris.org Bulletin Editor: Sheri Ingraham bulletin@saintchris.org Parish Trustees: Shirley Joy & Tom Panek

Scripture for the week of January 10, 2021

10 SUN Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Mt 3:13-17 11 Mon Heb 1:1-6/Mk 1:14-20 12 Tue Heb 2:5-12/Mk 1:21-28 13 Wed Heb 2:14-18/Mk 1:29-39 14 Thu Heb 3:7-14/Mk 1:40-45 15 Fri Heb 4:1-5, 11/Mk 2:1-12 16 Sat Heb 4:12-16/Mk 2:13-17 17 SUN 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19/1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20/Jn

1:35-42

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are looking for volunteers to help take down the Christmas decorations in the Church. Clean up will be on January 10th after the last Mass. If you have time to help out it would be greatly appreciated!

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Saint Christopher Church Tonawanda NY

Dear Family, This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This feast is the end of the Christmas season and we will once again enter into Ordinary Time until Ash Wednesday on February 17th. St. Mark, in his very succinct way of describing events in the Gospel, gives us an account of Jesus’ baptism by John. John speaks of One Who is coming that is greater than he and just that quick Jesus appears on the scene! That is Mark’s style! The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and the Father proclaims Jesus as His beloved Son. This is how Mark begins his account of Jesus’ ministry. Think of your own baptism now. The priest or deacon pours water upon our head, just as John did, while saying the words of Baptism that Jesus Himself instructed us to use. The Holy Spirit descends upon us at that moment and resides within us. The Father claims us as His beloved daughter or son! We are then given a mission by the Church to be prophets to the world; to bring the Gospel message to all we encounter. This is definitely something to pray about and to reflect upon! One last MERRY CHRISTMAS until December! Praised Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!!!!

Father Steve

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS This Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. On Monday we return to Ordinary time until 2/17 when we begin the season of Lent. In some countries the Christmas season; a season of Joy and Peace and Good Will extends to the feast of Candlemas or the Presentation of Jesus. In my mother’s family that is when my grandmother would take down the tree and put away her Christmas village and crèche. She felt that this allowed everyone to truly appreciate the season. We began distance class last week and will be sending out notices about sacramental preparation soon. Gospel Reading-Mark 1:7-11-Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist. Staying connected to the gospel-In the story of Jesus' baptism, we hear the report of a significant moment in Jesus' life. By accepting baptism from John the Baptist, Jesus shows himself to accept solidarity with sinners. In the voice from heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit, we know that God received this offering from Jesus and found it pleasing. In the passages that follow in Mark's Gospel, we learn that Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry. Although many of us may have already taken down our Christmas decorations, liturgically speaking, the Christmas season hasn't ended yet; today is the last day. Holidays like Christmas are highlights of our year, moments of great grace. This grace renews us and prepares us for our return to the season of Ordinary Time, to the continuing work of discipleship. Gather as a family and discuss your feelings about the ending of the Christmas season. How does it feel to take down the Christmas decorations? Many of us experience a letdown after the excitement of Christmas; others may feel relieved that life is returning to normal. Liturgically, we end the Christmas season today by reflecting on the importance of Jesus' baptism. Read together today's Gospel, Mark 1:7-11. Jesus' baptism prepared him for his public ministry. What will we take from this Christmas season to carry us forward into Ordinary Time, to renew and strengthen our life of Christian discipleship? Conclude by praying together today's psalm response taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 12:2-6, or pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Marie Sajsa, DRE

OFFERTORY COLLECTIONS 1/2-3/2021 1/4-5/2020 Difference Sunday $ 21,896.75 $ 19,558.31 $ 2,338.44 Monthly $ 1,415.00 $ 1,385.00 $ 30.00 ACH $ 4,834.50 $ 4,590.00 $ 244.50 Mary Mother of God $ 1,055.00 $ 1,723.00 $ 668.00 Total $ 29,201.25 $ 27,256.31 $ 1,944.94

Saint Christopher Church Tonawanda NY

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11 7:30 PM Celebration Bells Church TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 9 AM - 7 PM Adoration/Novena Church 5:00 PM Cub Scouts St. Edmund SPC 7:00 PM RCIA Hospitality Room 7:30 PM Liturgy Committee Rectory Room SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 12:30 PM Baptism Church

WEEKLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Christmas Flowers Have been donated in memory of the following. Please

keep them in your prayers this Christmas season.

Francesco Fulfaro

2020 FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUEST FORM

Name:_______________________________________

Address:____________________________________

Phone:___________________ Parish ID*: _________

*This number appears just above your name on your envelopes.

2020 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial statements reflecting your donations to St. Christopher for 2020 will be available by request. Please complete this form and return it in the collection basket or to the Parish Office. You can also request a statement by email to rectory@saintchris.org.

2021 MASS INTENTIONS

There are still Masses available for the beginning of 2021 if you would like to have a Mass said for family, friends, or neighbors. Please know that Masses can be said for living people as well as the deceased. Mass intentions can be booked in the Parish office during regular business hours.

2021 ST. CHRISTOPHER CALENDARS!

We would like to thank Lombardo Funeral Home for once again funding our St. Christopher calendar!

If you would like to pick up a 2021 calendar they will be available in the Church and in our Parish office.

REKINDLE THE FIRE WITHIN

On Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 7 PM, St. Christopher Parish will be celebrating another Praise and Worship evening. Please join us for a night of inspirational music and worship. The evening will be spent in Adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, with moment of prayer and reflection interspersed throughout. It is sure to be a Spirit-filled evening! Please give yourself a gift and attend! You won’t want to miss out on this uplifting and moving experience.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our 25 Days of Christmas cash raffle! As a parish, we raised $13,530, and we are looking forward to doing another raffle next year. We are so grateful to all who purchased ticket, and the many who helped with the planning, ticket sales and all of the behind the scenes work that made this such a success. Congratulations to all our winners, who were listed in last weeks bulletin, on our Facebook page and website!

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Saint Christopher Church Tonawanda NY

Saint Christopher Church Tonawanda NY

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