What is radical hospitality?
It is far beyond “being nice”
It is extending love to the stranger.
It recognizes each person’s dignity.
It is an outreach of God’s love.
It is listening without judgment.
It fosters belonging.
It’s an invitation to an encounter.
Quote from Living as Missionary Disciples
Many of our parish committees are separated by their area of interest (worship, catechesis, Vincent de Paul), but there is tremendous value in bringing all of these groups together regularly to pray, reflect, and discern in order to foster a culture of missionary discipleship in the parish. (pg. 22)
Alpha Billboard
Alpha is radical hospitality at its best!
| Starting the week of September 15, 14 families will be doing Alpha and an additional 3 families will be doing Youth Alpha. Attached is a list of all the families doing Alpha. If your family is not doing Alpha invite your parishioners to attend an Alpha nearby. There will be 3 billboards advertising Alpha. There will be a digital one on the 190 as you exit the ramp downtown. The 2 stationary billboards will be in the North and South of Buffalo. They will be up September 9th. The web address will take them to a listing of all the Alphas in the Buffalo Diocese. Pray now that eyes will see the invitation and hearts will respond. |
| Alpha Retreats These are for Families that are doing Alpha this Fall |
| Alpha Retreat for Youth (8 – 12th grade) Saturday, Nov. 2. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 3148 Abbott Road. Orchard Park, NY. 14127. 9:00 – 3:00 PM. No cost. Lunch included. Registration will be sent out soon. Alpha Retreat for Adults: Saturday, Nov. 9. St. Philip the Apostle Parish. 950 Losson Road, Cheektowaga. NY 14227. 9:00 – 3:00 PM. No cost. Lunch included. Registration will be sent out soon. For more information on Alpha www.alphausa.org. |
Parish Ideas
Feast of St. Francis, October 4th: Francis is one of the best known and revered saints, not only in the Catholic Church but embraced by all faith traditions. Here are some ways your parish can celebrate this feast.(some of the following suggestions are taken from Aleteia.org)
Unique ways to bless the animals: Many parishes invite their parishioners to bring their pets for a special blessing. Here are some other variations on this. After Mass ask people to hold up their phones with a photo of their pet on it. It’s less messy and involves more people. After the blessing invite them to share what they love about their pet. Remind them that the unconditional love their pet has for them is but a shadow of the unconditional love God has for us. Don’t forget the children. Invite them to bring their favorite stuffed animals for a blessing. Since stuffed animals are highly portable and very low maintenance, kids can bring them easily to Church.
Choose poverty: St. Francis came from a wealthy family and enjoyed many privileges until he was called by God to a radical detachment from worldly comforts and luxuries in order to embrace a life of poverty and penance. In this spirit, his feast day is a great time to give everyone a bag and instruct them to go to their closets and choose items that they may not use or need to give to others who have less.
Ecology: St. Francis should be remembered by more than a birdbath in your back yard. He was passionate about all of God’s creation. Pope Francis, in the spirit of St. Francis has written a document on ecology called Laudato Sí. Watch this 4 minute video on and do something concrete to protect the environment.
Muslim Faith. Francis desired to bring peace among the Christians and Muslims of his time. He approached the Kamil Sultan of Egypt with deep faith and holy audacity. While he didn’t convert the Sultan they left as friends and promised to pray for one another. In the spirit of Francis, learn more about the Muslim faith and pray for unity among all faith traditions.
There are 5 pillars of the Muslim faith: the fundamental statement of faith, prayer, alms-giving, fasting and a pilgrimage to Mecca, Check your knowledge of the Muslim faith by taking this 12 question quiz.
Other activities:
Life in the Eucharist Retreat:
- Family 16: St. Aloysius Parish Hall. Dates: Thursday September 26th, October 3, 10, 17 and 24. Time: 7:00 PM. Address: 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga, NY. All Invited.
- Family 7: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
October 16: Queen of Heaven; October 23: St. John XXIII; October 30: St. John Vianney; November 6: St. Gabriel; November 13: Fourteen Holy Helpers.
Why the Church needs WINE (Women In the New Evangelization)
An evening of amazing inspiration and fellowship with other women who desire to grow in faith! Sat. October 5th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at St. Aloysius, Springville, NY. Download the Registration Flyer.
Revival 2024: The Time is Now.
October 27 and 27. St. Martin de Porres, 555 Northampton St. Fr. Arthur Cavitt, OP speaker. Download flyer!