Diocesan Holy Name Societies Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Sunday, October 18 at 5pm at Kiebzak's Restaurant & Beginning Banquet Facilities, 38 Crocker Street, Sloan. This year the Holy Name Society will be honoring 3 wonderful priests: Rev. Joseph Klos, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bowmansville; Rev. Matthew Zirnheld, pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Kenmore; and Msgr. Robert Zapfel, pastor of St. Leo the Great Parish in Amherst, in addition to the many Holy Name Men who will receive awards for their achievement in their parish societies. This event is open to everyone. Purchase tickets from the Holy Name Society at 795 Main Street, Buffalo from 9:30am to 1:30pm Monday through Friday. Tables are available in either 8 or 10, in addition to individual seating. Tickets are non-refundable. To take an ad out in our brochure book or for any additional information, call Ray Zientara at the Holy Name Office, 716-847-2201/2202.

Marriage and Annulment in the Catholic Church Seminar on Thursday, October 22 at 7pm at St. Martha Parish, 10 French Road, Depew. The marriage of a man and a woman is revered by the Catholic Church as a vocation ordained by God. It is both a reflection of God's love and a manifestation of God's love in the world. But our hearts go out to the many good people who have suffered the tragic breakup of their marriage. Anyone who finds themselves in this type of situation should not fear the Church's procedures. Rev. Robert Zilliox, JCL from the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Buffalo will speak about the Essence of Canon Law and the Sacrament of Marriage and he will explain the new procedures for annulments recently announced by Pope Francis. Many Catholics across the United States have welcomed Pope Francis' annulment reforms, the most far-reaching in almost three centuries. All are welcome!

Women's Day of Spiritual Renewal. St. Gregory the Great Women's Enrichment invites you to attend a Women's Day of Spiritual Renewal entitled "God's Touchable, Merciful, Healing Love for His Daughters; Jesus, the Divine Physician" on Saturday, October 24 from 10am-3pm in the Ministry Center, 200 St. Gregory Court, Williamsville. Join us as we celebrate Christ's love for us in a day of relaxation, revitalization, and renewal. We will have a special guest speaker, Sister Mary Ellen Twist, RSM, Retreat & Spiritual Director and former President of Mount Mercy Academy. A gourmet lunch and refreshments, coffee and tea will also be served throughout the day. Women from our parish as well as other parishes, their female family members and friends are invited to attend. Prior registration is required. Please contact Joy Bila at 716-834-0128 or jbila@hotmail.com to register.

Diocesan Choral Festival sponsored by the Church Musicians Guild of Buffalo on Sunday, October 25 at 5pm at St. Joseph University Church, 3269 Main Street, Buffalo. Ron Martin, conductor; Peter Gonciarz, organ; Nick DelBello, brass quintet; St. Joseph University Choir. All church musicians are invited to sing. Please register by contacting Mary Weimer at 585-610-6741. Rehearsal begins at 1:30pm on October 25.

Catholic Biblical Studies Program and the Newman Center of UB cordially invite you to attend a "Sunday Afternoon at Newman." Guest speaker will be Father Donald Senior, CP, a renowned biblical scholar who will speak about the Bible in the life of the Church. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. An important document that came from that Council, Dei Verbum, addressed issues pertaining to how we read and interpret the Bible. Join us on Sunday afternoon, November 1 at the Newman Center of UB, 295 Skinnersville Road, Amherst, from 1:30-3:30pm for a lecture followed by the celebration of Eucharist. Free will donation; no registration necessary. All are welcome.

Women's Retreat. The annual Women's Retreat at St. John Paul II Parish will be held on Saturday, November 14 from 9:00am-Noon. The theme is "Embracing God's Peace: The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding." We will examine "the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding," and find out how to gain and retain it. Light breakfast begins at 8:30am; program is from 9am-Noon. Lunch follows the program. Registration is necessary and seating is limited. Register online at http://www.jp2parish.org or call the parish office at 716-627-2910. Free will offering will be taken up. St. John Paul II Parish is located at 2052 Lakeview Road (between Rts. 5 & 20), Lake View.

Gigantic Theme Basket Raffle & Holiday Bazaar on Sunday, November 15 from 1-4pm at Villa Maria College Social Center, 240 Pine Ridge Road to benefit Villa Maria Chorale. Free admission and complimentary coffee and cake.

Mount St. Mary Academy Holiday Drop & Shop on Sunday, December 6 from 10am-4pm. A holiday craft and vendor bazaar will be available throughout the afternoon featuring a variety of craft shops. "Drop" off the kids for activities and games; "shop" for your holiday gifts all in one place. Questions? Call Alexandra Fussell at 716-877-1358 ext. 304 or email afussell@msmacademy.org.

Response Program. Do you feel called to priesthood? Would you like to meet others with the same calling? The Response Program is a process of on-going prayer and discernment designed for adult Catholic men (college age and older) who have taken the initiative to express interest in diocesan priesthood. Meetings are held at Christ the King Seminary once a month. Brochures are available at your parish. If you would like more information, please contact Rev. Andrew Lauricella, Vocation Director, at 716-847-5535.

Saint Joseph Club. Are you in high school, thinking priesthood and want to meet others who are as well? Then check out the Saint Joseph Club. The club is open to all high school men who wish to take a serious look at their lives and grow personally, emotionally, and spiritually. Each member is asked to attend the club's meetings and events in an attempt to discern and understand God's call in their life. Meetings are held at Christ the King Seminary once a month. Brochures are available at your parish. If you would like more information, please contact Rev. Andrew Lauricella, Vocation Director, at 716-847-5535.

Catholic Charities Education and Workforce Department. "Getting my HSE was one of the most important things I have done... it boosted my confidence." Grace's father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006, and with an alcoholic mother, Grace was forced to care for her three younger siblings by cooking, cleaning, and watching over her family. Reaching high school, she found it hard to fit in and began skipping school and partying. By junior year, Grace was a mother. Soon she realized that without a diploma, she risked being stuck in minimum wage jobs. With the help of Catholic Charities Education and Workforce Department she received her High School Equivalency (HSE) and now works fulltime in a hospital. For more on her story and others, visit http://www.ccwny.org and find Success Stories under About Us. For help with completing a high school education and gaining job readiness skills, call 716-893-3500.

Help Stop Hunger. Catholic Charities' eight food pantries in Buffalo, Franklinville, Getzville, Lackawanna, and Wellsville provide for individuals across Western New York in an emergency or when the food budget just doesn't stretch far enough. Volunteers to help sort, stock, and prepare food for distribution are always welcome. If you are available for as little as four hours a week and are interested in helping our food pantries, please contact Catholic Charities Parish Outreach at 716-218-1400 ext. 2005.

The Disciples of Divine Mercy in the Holy Face of Jesus is a Lay Association of the Faithful who will come and pray at the bedside of your sick or dying loved one. Jesus told St. Faustina, "My daughter, encourage souls to pray the Chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the Chaplet. When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior." (Diary, 1541) If you are interested in having a minister come to pray, please contact us at 716-662-6025. You may also visit us at http://www.HolyFaceMinistry.com.

Marriage Moment. Got an anniversary, a birthday or another gift-giving occasion coming up? Try a free, but heartfelt gift - a list of things you love about your spouse. Fancy it up by putting the compliments on brightly colored papers and put in a glass jar for daily reading.

Parenting Perspective. "Go, sell what you have and give to the poor" (Mark 10:21). Invite your child to take a step with you. Each of you choose one belonging to give to a person who has less than you. If you don't know anyone, take it to Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.

Bereavement Packet. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans of many comforting words. During times of loss, loneliness and grief, we may not feel or recognize God's presence in our lives. Though we can't imagine all the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing right now, we do understand a bit about grieving and that, first of all, it is a process. The Office of Family Life Ministries has a free bereavement packet of materials designed to provide support, especially during the initial stages of grief. For a bereavement packet, please call 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalo.org.

Are you or is someone you know an out of work job seeker? Facing the challenge of being unemployed and working through this tough economy is tough enough. You don't have to go it alone. Contact the Office of Family Life Ministries for your free packet containing practical resources, prayers, scripture support and programs designed to support you on your journey. Just call us at 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalodiocese.org.

Pope Francis from his encyclical, Laudato Si: With paternal concern, Benedict urged us to realize that creation is harmed "where we ourselves have the final word, where everything is simply our property and we use it for ourselves alone. The misuse of creation begins when we no longer recognize any higher instance than ourselves, when we see nothing else but ourselves" [paragraph 13]. Go to this website for Pope Francis' speech to Congress and ponder what God is calling you to do as an American citizen in today's world.

USCCB-Word of Life: "Whether it lasts for a brief moment or for a hundred years, each of our lives is a good and perfect gift. At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God's love. God invites us to embrace the lives we have been given, for as long as they are given. Every life is worth living."

USCCB-Palabra de Vida: "Cada vida es un regalo bueno y perfecto, dure un momento o cien años. En cada etapa y en cada circunstancia, el amor de Dios sostiene nuestra existencia. Dios nos invita a abrazar la vida que se nos ha dado, por el tiempo que se nos da. Cada vida vale la pena vivirla. Cada vida merece vivir."

*** New Bulletin Announcements will be posted on October 19, 2015.***