RECTORY 180 George Urban Boulevard ....................... 892-1746 ................................................................ Fax 892-3005 CONVENT ..................................................... 895-5900 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE Michael Sacilowski D.R.E. ............................. 895-2162 Email: ......................................... qmre121@verizon.net Website: ............................. queenofmartyrsbuffalo.com MASSES: Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM Saturday Evening: 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM Daily: Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM Vigil of Holyday: 4:00 PM Holyday: 7:00 AM, 12 Noon and 6:00 PM First Friday: 7:00 AM CONFESSIONS: Every Saturday: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Thursday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (Closed in Summer) Evenings by appointment only. NO OFFICE HOURS ON SATURDAYS OR SUNDAYS. BAPTISMS: Sunday at 11:45 AM. Arrangements for Pre-Baptismal Instructions which are compulsory for the parents must be made at the Rectory office at least 2 weeks prior to the Baptism. Expectant parents are encouraged to make these arrangements before the birth of the child.

R.C.I.A. The Rite Of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.) Program is for adults inter-ested in becoming members of the Roman Catholic Church, adult Roman Catholics who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confir-mation, and Catholics interested in Adult Education. Classes begin in the fall.

MARRIAGE: Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance with a priest.

SICK CALLS: CALL THE RECTORY at any time, day or night.

SHUT-INS: Communion is taken to shut-ins once a month. Call the Rec-tory Office during office hours to have your name included. NEW PARISHIONERS: Are kindly requested to register as soon as possible. YOUNG ADULTS: Upon reaching their 18th birthday should assume their own identity by registering with the parish. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: These are testimonies to the fact that you are a practicing Catho-lic in this parish. Please use contribution envelopes to indicate attendance. To be a sponsor for Baptism, the sponsor needs to be confirmed. Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation are the sac-raments of initiation. Stay close to Jesus by daily prayer, weekly worship and acts of charity and justice.

Queen of Martyrs Church Rev. Louis S. Klein, Pastor Rev. Christopher Okoli (In Residence) 180 George Urban Blvd. Cheektowaga, New York 14225 October 15, 2017 2016

Page Two Queen of Martyrs

For the sick in hospitals, in nursing homes, and those who are homebound especially: Tom Barrett, Noreen Bauer, Frederick Bloom, Tyler Jacob Borawski, Thomas Borowicz, Rita Buziak, Catherine Cammarata, Justin Chandler, Henry Chimes, Mary Ann Conroy, Henry Cyran, Joseph Daily, Stephanie DiMaggio, Joseph E. Engelhaupt, Debra Finger, Joe Funk, Kara Garlach, Gordon Gladden, Ronald Heil, Dorothy Hosinski, Sadie Kassim, Phyllis Kendzierski, Dorothy Kracht, Pat Kupkowski, Rose Lesch, John Marchitte, Michelle Martin, Erin Mildenberger, Mary Moser, Michael Muroff, Tim Nietopski, Alice Nowak, Irene Osinski, Pat Palascak, Maxine Paoletti, Theresa Pochylski, Bernadine Powalowski, Nolan Przybysz, Patricia Rakiski, Adolph J. Rakowski, Barbara Robertson, Annette Rowley, Harriet Rucki, John Sczepanik, Edward Sponholz, Father Jerry Stelmach, Zach Sucharski, Ethel Thomas, Kayla Urban, Dee Urbaniak, Pat Ward, Betty Warejko, Marcia Weigand, Theresa Wesley, Thomas Wnuk, Alfred T. Wojciechowski, Wanda Wojciechowski, Frances Zagorski, Judith Zielinski, Robin Zion, Daniel Zotara, II, Lorraine Zotara.

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..the safety and quick return of those serving in our Armed Forces, our parishioners and loved ones: Kevin Ardonetto, Jason Babirad, Matthew Baideme, Thom Brown, Colin Dudziak, Barbara Fowler, Michael Fowler, Janet Glindeman, Julia Glindeman, William

Glindeman, Justin Kasprzak, James A. Koller, Claymore Mac-Tarnaghan, Colton Marinelli, Joe Seminatoro, Capt. Glen Taylor, Christopher Wojcik.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISES

Sometimes, as children, we think that a special day, such as Christmas or a birthday, will never arrive, but it always does, eventually. The people of the Old Testament were waiting for centuries for the coming of the Messiah to free them. Jesus did come, but it took a long time before he was accepted.

And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." - Lk 1:35

Readings for the Week of December 24, 2017 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

[2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts

13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-

14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 [3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn

1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc

& 17 [6]/Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 [12]/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8 [7]/Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 [11a]/Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17/Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10 [11a]/Lk 2:36-40

Next Sunday: Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 or Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9, [7a, 8a] or Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 [cf. 1]/Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 or Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

Wishing you the love Jesus, Mary and Joseph knew on the first Christmas night. May you and your loved ones share the peace and happiness of that love with each other.

A very Blessed and Merry Christmas, Father Lou, Rectory Staff and Volunteers

CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Give us, Lord Jesus, the eyes of children, to see your birth with Christmas wonder.

Help us to share in the songs of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the Wise Men.

Close the door of hate, and open the doors of love, all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift, and blessing with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.

May Christmas morning make us happy to be Your children, and Christmas evening bring us to rest with grateful thought, forgiving and forgiven.

Amen.

Following is the Mass Schedule for:

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

December 31st 8 AM & 11 AM

Solemnity of Mary (Holy Day of Obligation)

December 31st Vigil Masses 4 PM & 6 PM

January 1st 8 AM & 11 AM

PRAY FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

AND GIRLS The Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster is part of Zonta International, a global organization whose mission is to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Much of Zonta International’s work focuses on raising awareness to end violence against women and girst. As part of their “16 Days of Activism”, the Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster is asking for your prayers. Please pray that women and girls everywhere can live free from violence.

For more information on Zonta’s work, go to www.zontacheektowaga-lancaster.org.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

12/28 7 to 9 PM Bible Study (Church Hall)

Page Three December 24, 2017

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY Imagine how Mary felt at the birth of Jesus: excited, awed, frightened. Deep in faith was her light in the darkness, for Jesus was born during the night of the year when darkness is the longest. Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul brought light into darkness surrounding the heart of those living in poverty bringing them real, lasting, and deep joy of Christmas.

VOCATIONS

Today we hear that Jesus’ coming into our world and all of the love he poured out for us, through much sacrifice, was done in obedience to the Father’s will. Remember that it may be God’s will that you be a priest, or a religious sister or brother. If so, will you follow Jesus’ example of faithfulness? If God is calling you to a Church vocation, call Father Andrew Lauricella at 847-5535.

ANGEL TREE

Thank You so much for all who shopped for that perfect gift for someone special on our Angel Trees. You gave over 300 gifts and you made someone’s Christmas a little brighter. God bless you all! OUR LADY OF BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL’S

SWEETHEART SWEEPSTAKET 2018 Want to win $10,000! And support a local Catholic school in your community? Please consider buying a ticket for the OLBS school’s largest fundraiser. The money generated is used to fund programs for the school like STREAM (science, technology, religion engineering, art and math). The fundraiser will be held on February 10th. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with ticket cost of $75. Tickets include entry for 2 adults (21+), food, drinks and a chances to win lots of cash prizes! We will have music, raffles, and silent auctions. Tickets can be purchased by filling out a ticket application which can be found on the school’s website and sending it to the school, or by calling Kelly Hartwig at 861-4112. Our website is school.olbsdepew.org.NewsEvents/SweetheatSweepstakesInfo.aspx. Call Kelly Hartwig if you have any questions. Thank you for your support of Catholic Schools!

Don’t forget to get your envelopes for our monthly 50/50 split club. Envelopes are available at all entrances of the church. Good Luck!!

A FRIENDLY CALL The Telephone Assurance Program (TAP) serving Erie and Chautauqua Counties is a free volunteer service providing regular telephone calls to homebound elderly and disabled persons to check on their well-being and to give people an opportunity to socialize. Relationships grow and last for years through a regular 5 to 15 minute call. These calls are especially needed during the upcoming holiday season to alleviate some concerns facing those who live alone and to help them maintain their independence. If you know of someone who would like to receive calls through the program or to volunteer to make calls, call TAP at 218-1400.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES CHRISTMAS MASS

The Catholic Cemeteries invites you to join us as we pray, sing, remember and celebrate together in the spirit of the season at our annual Christmas Mass. Being held on Wednesday, December 27th, at 5:30 PM at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Elmwood Avenue, in Kenmore with celebrant Msgr. Francis Weldgen and at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 500 Riverdale Avenue, in Lewiston with celebrant, Msgr. Jacek Mazur. Thursday, December 28th, at 5:30 PM will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2900 South Park Avenue, in Lackawanna with celebrant Rev. Robert Yetter and at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 3063 Harlem Road, in Cheektowaga with celebrant Msgr. Peter Popadick. For more information, call 873-6500.

OUR GIFTS TO GOD

NO TOTALS DUE TO EARLY BULLETIN

May God continue to bless you for your

Vigil Mass Saturday, December 23, 2017—Fourth Sunday of Advent 4:00 PM Frances Zagorski req. by Wife, Frances 6:00 PM Denise Welch req. by John Pochylski

Sunday, December 24, 2017— Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM John and Eugene Kluss (Estate) 11:00 AM Genevieve M. and John J. Bak (Estate)

Vigil Mass Sunday, December 24, 2017—The Nativity of the Lord

(Christmas) 4:00 PM Thaddeus P. Brudz req. by Wife, Children and

Grandchildren 6:00 PM Queen of Martyrs Parishioners 10:00 PM Queen of Martyrs Volunteers

Monday, December 25, 2017—The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

8:00 AM Helen Zakowski and Deceased Family Members (Estate)

11:00 AM Ruth Buckley (11th Anniversary of Death) req. by Family

Jeffrey Mc Mahon req. by Fred and Debbie Kemp

Tuesday, December 26, 2017—Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 7:00 AM Helen Sacha (Estate)

Wednesday, December 27, 2017—Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

7:00 AM Adam Sacha (Estate)

Thursday, December 28, 2017—The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 7:00 AM Ruth Theisen req. by Family

Friday, December 29, 2017-Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

7:00 AM David (Jack ) Held (Anniversary of Death) req. by Wife, Barbara, and Children

Saturday, December 30, 2017—Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

7:00 AM Scripture Reading/Communion Service

Vigil Mass Saturday, December 30, 2017—The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary

and Joseph 4:00 PM Frank Gajewski req. by Daughter Frank Wisniewski (Anniversary of Death) req. by

Wife Thomas F. Wnuk, Sr. (20th Anniversary of Death)

req. by Wife, Linda, and Children 6:00 PM Queen of Martyrs Parishioners

Sunday, December 31, 2017— The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

8:00 AM Msgr. Joseph Boruszewski req. by Terri and Janie Gonciarz

Julius Tee (Anniversary of Death) req. by Daughter, Margaret

11:00 AM Jerome Grabowski req. by Paner Family