St. Mary's Swormville and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parishes are recognizing October as Respect Life Month with visual memorials symbolizing the precious lives lost to abortion.
There is one cross on the lawn of our parishes for every one million babies aborted since 1973. Sixty three white crosses, for 63 million babies.
The life of the Blessed Mother teaches us to respect each human life in every stage and circumstance. We ask her intercession in helping us to recognize the gift of human life, even when that gift is unexpected or calls us to make sacrifices.
O Mary, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life.
Learn more: https://www.respectlife.org/mary-mother-of-life
#october #respectlifemonth #togetherinchristfamily
Join us Monday, October 26th, at 6:30 PM
St. Mary's Parish Center, 6919 Transit Rd., Room 106/107
• Learn about consecrations, novenas, and other ways to grow closer to Christ & His Church.
• Explore the history, meaning, and biblical foundation of Catholic devotions.
• Discuss how and why to do and defend consecrations.
• Discuss why we honor the Blessed Mother and the saints.
• Learn about relics and veneration and their importance in our spiritual lives.
Our speaker will be Barb Mogle of the Revive Ministry and caretaker of the 100 relics at Sacred Heart of Jesus Shrine!
There's a hunger in the Church to understand our faith deeply, to own it, and to defend it -- not from fear but from love. Let us journey together in Jesus to bring His love to others!
#stmarys #togetherinchristfamily #catholicapologetics
Saturday, October 24 , 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
5337 Genesee St, Bowmansville
Dozens of vendors! Come look through all of the amazing items available and discover some real treasures.
Take the Safe Driver Academy Defensive Driving Class, NYS DMV's only approved humor-based course, and save 10% on your auto insurance for 3 years. Plus, reduce up to 4 points from your DMV Record.
9 am - 3 pm | SAT, NOV 14TH
ST. MARY'S CHURCH
Presented by Knight of Columbus and Ray Geska. To enroll, call or text RAY at (716) 541-8345 or email him at: raygeska@yahoo.com
OCTOBER 18, 2026
29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
TODAY'S READINGS:
FIRST READING
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
Give the Lord glory and honor.
SECOND READING
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
GOSPEL
Matthew 22:15-21
View the complete Together in Christ Family bulletin here: https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/14/0434/20261018B.pdf
As Bishop Rev. Michael W. Fisher writes: "We are all called to be a part of this mission work. In his last words before ascending to heaven, Jesus told us 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations' (Mt 28:19), and for 2,000 years the Church has been at work in this task. And we are far from finished.
The second collection we take up on World Mission Sunday helps extend the Church's missionary work to places where the Church barely exists, where the Gospel has never been heard before, and where the Church is too young, too persecuted, or too poor to sustain herself in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, and the Middle East."
Please keep all missionaries in your daily prayers, and give generously to our second collection for the World Mission Sunday!
Learn more & donate online: https://pontificalmissions.org/wms-2026
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish & Diocesan Shrine
5337 Genesee Street - Bowmansville
Our special guest speaker, Sr. Joanne Suranni will present on St. Francis &
the call to "Rebuild My Church".
Refreshments will be served in the Parish Center Cafeteria. Come along on the mission to revive souls in the Diocese of Buffalo through the joy and beauty of the Catholic faith!
Calling all Catholic Grandparents!
Join the Catholic Grandparenting Initiative's next meeting on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 9:00 am-noon at OLV 's Marian Room in the Lower Basilica area (767 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna).
We will discuss the needs and struggles of grandparenting as Catholics and passing along the spiritual torch to our grandchildren! Our focus is to start Catholic Grandparent Groups in parishes.
Come and discuss ideas with us and help us to help you! Contact Maria Walker at (716) 828-9658 or mwalker@olvcharities.org, or click the button below for more information and to RSVP for this meeting. FREE continental breakfast and boxed lunch is included!
Click for more info: https://tinyurl.com/yahwau33
❓Why do YOU march for life?
❓What inspires you to stand for the dignity of every human life?
❓What does the March for Life mean to you?
❓How has your faith, your family, or your experience shaped your commitment to protecting life?
Entry Form: https://www.olvcharities.org/march-for-life-news
Deadline for submissions: Nov. 1, 2026
Questions? Contact mwalker@olvcharities.org or (716) 828-9658
Sunday, November 1 | St. Mary's Church, 9:00 AM
Children in grades 1-5 of our Together in Christ Faith Formation programs are invited to sign-up & learn more about one of our inspirational Catholic saints.
On All Saints' Day, November 1, come to Mass dressed as your saint for a Parade of Saints honoring all those who have attained heaven!
Click to sign up & select your Saint: https://tinyurl.com/3ryeemcb
Click to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/uj7dptr2
#SacredHeartofJesusDiocesanShrine #candlelitMass #Rosaryprocession #OurLadyofFatima
Your purchase also supports Wilson Beef Farms, a local business in Canaseraga, NY. Their snack sticks are:
• Locally made with top quality beef and pork.
• Smoked to perfection and vacuum sealed for your convenience.
•A wholesome snack that's packed with protein
Wilson Beef Farms Snack Sticks – $21 per bag (15 sticks/bag) – 12 flavors available
Final orders & payments are due November 2, 2026.
Payment is due when you place your order. Orders can be placed with individual parish sellers, at the St. Mary’s or Nativity Rectory Offices, or contact Youth Minister, Zack Yoder (zyoder@togetherinchristfamily.org).
Click here for more info and to view all of the flavors: https://www.togetherinchristfamily.org/article/3172736
Click here for more information: https://www.stmaryswormville.org/o/smsp/page/forever-young
An opportunity for 6th graders through teens preparing for Confirmation to grow in faith through games, interactive activities, prayer, food and conversation. Build a connection between scripture and living our faith while getting to know other teens in our parish and community.
Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/TICBreakthrough
Contact St Mary's Youth Ministry for further details or questions:
(716) 688-0599 | youthministry@togetherinchristfamily.org
Day 7 · Mission Territory · Blessed Anna Maria Taigi
Anna Maria Taigi's mission territory was a small apartment and a difficult household. Yours is wherever you'll be tomorrow. Thank you for praying with us this week.
Our parish page in the Hallow app: https://hallow.com/communities/18852/
🫶 Join the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign! Donations must be made in the Hallow app, will go to directly our Parish Family, and will be matched up to $5K by Hallow. Monies raised will be used to renew our parish subscription to the app, which provides premium features and retreats, our community app group, and also to support Faith Formation programs. Give right on the app — go to the Church tab — then look for the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign.
#TogetherinChristFamily #hallow #rebuildmychurch #prayerchallenge
🤎 There will also be the opportunity to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular, click to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/uj7dptr2
##SacredHeartofJesusDiocesanShrine #candlelitMass #Rosaryprocession #OurLadyofFatima
🤎 There will also be the opportunity to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular. By wearing the Brown Scapular that Our Lady gave to St. Simon Stock, we venerate Mary, show that we love her, and trust in her protection, along with the many other protections offered by the scapular. St Simon Stock’s holy first-class relic will also be available for veneration.
Mass and Procession are by candlelight this month, not to be missed, along with a closing Reception for all to gather and be joyful!
Our Lady of Fatima came to share some very important messages for all of humanity - prayer in the Holy Rosary, fasting, devotion to her Immaculate Heart, and sacrifice to obtain peace for the world and the conversion of sinners. Be sure to join us!
Click here for more information: https://tinyurl.com/yfuftsap
#SacredHeartofJesusDiocesanShrine #candlelitMass #Rosaryprocession #OurLadyofFatima
Day 6 · Invite · St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Who in your life is waiting for an invitation: back to Mass, into this community, toward Christ? Frassati's whole method of evangelization was to bring his friends along. Join us this week for Rebuild My Church from our parish page in the Hallow app: https://hallow.com/communities/18852/
🫶 Join the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign! Donations must be made in the Hallow app, will go to directly our Parish Family, and will be matched up to $5K by Hallow. Monies raised will be used to renew our parish subscription to the app, which provides premium features and retreats, our community app group, and also to support Faith Formation programs. Give right on the app — go to the Church tab — then look for the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign.
#TogetherinChristFamily #hallow #rebuildmychurch #prayerchallenge
Day 5 · Give · Venerable Jan Tyranowski
Jan Tyranowski was a tailor who took on a youth ministry nobody wanted, with no training and no budget. One of the young men he formed became John Paul II. What gets given is rarely what anyone would call sufficient. Join us this week for Rebuild My Church from our parish page in the Hallow app: https://hallow.com/communities/18852/
🫶 Join the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign! Donations must be made in the Hallow app, will go to directly our Parish Family, and will be matched up to $5K by Hallow. Monies raised will be used to renew our parish subscription to the app, which provides premium features and retreats, our community app group, and also to support Faith Formation programs. Give right on the app — go to the Church tab — then look for the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign.
#TogetherinChristFamily #hallow #rebuildmychurch #prayerchallenge
Day 4 · Community · St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
A parish is more than a building people go to — it's a community people belong to. Elizabeth Ann Seton built both, mostly from nothing. Join us this week for Rebuild My Church from our parish page in the Hallow app: https://hallow.com/communities/18852/
All are invited to a Parish Week Gathering at St. Mary’s TONIGHT for fellowship and a discussion on St. Francis and the prayer challenge:
Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:30 – 8 PM | St. Mary’s Room 109
🪴 Details and RSVP can be found on our Together in Christ community page: https://hallow.app.link/kZ4WrYHpP6b
🫶 Join the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign! Donations must be made in the Hallow app, will go to directly our Parish Family, and will be matched up to $5K by Hallow. Monies raised will be used to renew our parish subscription to the app, which provides premium features and retreats, our community app group, and also to support Faith Formation programs. Give right on the app — go to the Church tab — then look for the Rebuild My Church Giving Campaign.
#TogetherinChristFamily #hallow #rebuildmychurch #prayerchallenge
