DIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENTS

Utility Recovery Marketing Warning. It has come to the attention of the Diocese of Buffalo that several parishes have been contacted by companies offering to review all utility bills seeking to obtain refunds or credits for past overcharges in return of a percentage of the savings obtained. We are not recommending that the parishes engage in these kinds of agreements, as the authorization documents enabling the companies to claim rebated funds would allow the company to gain access to proprietary information regarding the parish. Should you receive any inquiries, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Diocese of Buffalo Energy Manager, Carol Anne Cornelius at 716-847-8750 or ccornelius@buffalodiocese.org for assistance in your due diligence process as our department can identify past overcharges, rate issues, and rectify tax adjustments and ensure that any recovered funds are fully rebated to the parish.

Save Money on Youth Leadership Training. The early-bird registration deadline for the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) is approaching! If your parish or high school plans to sponsor teenagers to attend this week-long leadership training program, don't delay. Registrations received by May 22 receive a discount on the full tuition. CLI prepares high school aged teens for active and meaningful leadership in their parish, school, and community. CLI fosters leadership potential and teaches practical skills. This faith-based institute forms young Catholics as servant leaders and inspires them to lead as Jesus did. This is your opportunity to bring youthful energy to your parish today and make an investment in the Church leadership of tomorrow! Please invite and sponsor teens with leadership potential to experience this powerful week. CLI will be held from June 26-July 2 at the St. Columban Center in Derby. Brochures and scholarships are available from the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry at 716-847-8789 orwww.dobyouth.org.

CHURCH BULLETINS

Good News Gets Around...Did you know that the Diocese of Buffalo has its own YouTube channel where you can find "Consider this...with Bishop Malone," "Our Daily Bread with Father Paul Seil" and many more diocesan videos? Visit www.daybreaktv.org and click on the website's YouTube button or web search for Daybreak TV Productions YouTube.

Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb. Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, and the Pro-Life Office invites you to participate in this special Mass held on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin Street, Buffalo. We will celebrate and pray for mothers, fathers and families, and for children in the womb. Mass will include a special blessing for unborn children and their expectant parents. We will also pray for couples who are hoping for the gift of a child and for couples who have suffered the loss of a child. For more information, call the Pro-Life Office at 716-847-2205.

Anointing of the Sick Healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine will be held on Monday, May 11 at 7pm at St. Mary's Church, Transit and Stahley Roads, East Amherst. The Mass will be held in the Chapel. Father David Bellittiere and the Friends of St. Peregrine cordially invite those afflicted with cancer or need special healing, who wish to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to attend this healing Mass. For further information, call 716-283-0011 or visitwww.stperry.org.

Pilgrimage Walk For Faith. St. Brendan on the Lake is hosting its second annual Walking Pilgrimage from Wilson, NY to the Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, NY on Saturday, May 16 at 8am at 345 Lake Street, Wilson, NY. This 15 mile walk with Christ is inspired by the Holy Father's call to evangelize, devote ourselves to prayer, and in preparation for our 2016 Pilgrimage to Poland for World Youth Day! Along the journey we will pray, catechize, sing praise, celebrate reconciliation and many others. We will stop along the way to eat, rest, and pray! We will conclude our walk at the Fatima Shrine with Eucharist at 6pm. See our flyer for more details or visit us at www.stbrendanonthelake.org. Register with us via phone at 716-778-9822, email DFFPALMER@gmail.com, or print the registration form from our website and mail it.

Chicken BBQ. Immaculate Conception Church of Mary Immaculate Parish invites you to our Chicken BBQ which will be held on Sunday, May 17 from 10:45am until sold out. Located at the Church Hall, Rt. 63, East Bethany. One of the best in the area, your dinner includes a half chicken (barbequed to perfection on our outdoor grills), a baked potato, vegetable, cole slaw, roll and butter, coffee or tea, with pie or cake for dessert.

Is Writing and Publishing a Book on Your Bucket List? It is said that each of us has a book or two inside of us. Leave a lasting legacy by publishing your book this year. For the past 17 years Mary Dougherty of Bootstrap Publishing has helped authors bring their books into reality. Attend this workshop on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30pm and learn the basics of writing, how to self-publish your conventional book, print-on-demand or e-book, plus 50 ways to promote your book and get it into the hands of readers. This program is part of the Live Your Legacy Workshops offered by the Catholic Cemeteries to the community at no charge. Program will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore. Reserve your spot by calling 716-873-6500.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Training. There is an opportunity to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30pm at St. Bernadette, 5930 South Abbott Road, Orchard Park. Everyone is welcome. Applications are available from your pastor.Upon his approval, completed applications should be sent to the Office of Worship. Approved applicants should bring a Bible and a brown bag lunch or snack. Beverages will be provided. Any questions, please contact the Office of Worship at 716-847-5545.

Symphony of Choirs - Peace is Every Voice featuring The Buffalo Master Chorale, Westminister Presbyterian Church Choir, and St. Joseph University Choir. A celebration of song - calling for peace in our time - on Saturday, June 13 at 7:30pm at St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin Street, Buffalo. For information, visit www.bnchoirs.org.

Mount St. Mary Academy hosts Summer Sessions, Athletic and Theater Camps. Mount St. Mary Academy in Kenmore invites girls entering grades 5-8 to participate in its annual Summer Sessions day camp running from August 3-7 from 9am-4pm at the school, which will include a combination of athletic, art, and educational sessions such as:

• Candy Creations - make projects out of candy and create magnets, pincushions, and jewelry treats out of sweet treats.

• Hunger-y Games - great books come to life in the form of delicious foods with this class. Make creative dishes that have a connection with some of your favorite books.

• Nothing But Net - pickleball, beach volleyball, and soccer tennis are just a few of the great games we'll play!

Additional athletic camps will be held throughout July, including Basketball (July 7-9), Running (July 13-17), and Lacrosse (July 27-31). Mount St. Mary will also offer Journalism Camp (July 13- 17) and Theater Camp (July 27-31). For more information, parents may download a brochure from the school's website at www.msmacademy.org or call Mount St. Mary Academy at 716-877-1358.

Knowledge is power, and now is the time to start thinking about your future. Catholic Charities Education and Workforce Department helps to provide High School Equivalency test preparation and job readiness services to Erie County adults ages 16 and older. Last year changes made by New York State to the High School Equivalency exam process made it more difficult and harder to obtain, so it is important to be prepared. At Catholic Charities, after receiving an educational/career assessment, students attend classes and a counselor works with each student on job readiness skills, leadership training and potential college placement. For more information, call 716-893-3500 or visit our website, www.ccwny.org. We are also onFacebook and Twitter.

Now and at the Hour of Our Death - Catholic Guidance for End-of-Life Decision Making. End-of-life decisions, for ourselves and for loved ones, are among the most challenging we will ever face. Our Church offers comfort and practical guidance. Visit www.catholicendoflife.org to watch the video and read the New York State Bishops' document "Now and at the Hour of Our Death." Learn why the Church favors palliative medicine and comfort care, and why the Church opposes physician-assisted suicide.