Don't forget, bring your furry, feathered, and scaly pets (on a leash or in a pet carrier) to St. Mary's today for the ANNUAL PET BLESSING in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis! Join us today, Sat., Oct. 3rd at 2:00 PM on the front steps of the school, facing Transit Road.

#stfrancis #petblessing #feastday #togetherinchristfamily

1 day ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Pet Blessing Graphic
🪽 Today we celebrate the feast of the Guardian Angels.

Everyone has a Guardian Angel and none of us has to walk through the trials and sufferings of this life alone, because we each have a special friend that is ours alone. No one before us had our specific Guardian Angel, and no one after us will have the same one ever again. Many Saints have even seen their Guardian Angels and spoken with them.

There are many prayers we can say to our Guardian Angel. The most traditional one is the Guardian Angel prayer;

“Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits here, ever this day/night be at my side to light, to guard, to rule, and guide."

We should pray often to our Guardian Angel for guidance and protection. They want to help us, but we have to be open to allowing them to work in our lives.

#feastday #guardianangel #lightguardruleguide #togetherinchristfamily
2 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
guardian angel statue
St. Mary's ANNUAL PET BLESSING in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis will be held at St. Mary's THIS SATURDAY, October 3rd, at 2:00 PM on the front steps of the school, facing Transit Road. All furry, feathered and scaly pets are welcome and must be on a leash or in a pet carrier.

#stfrancis #petblessing #feastday #togetherinchristfamily
3 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Pet Blessing Graphic
Join us on Oct.13th, the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima!

#OurLadyofFatima #MiracleoftheSun #LadyoftheRosary
4 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Outdoor shrine

😇 Grades 6 - Confirmation, don't forget to join us for MERCY this week!

Thurs., Oct. 1 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
4375 Harris Hill Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221

SCAN or CLICK HERE for more info: https://tinyurl.com/fpra7h7d

MERCY is an opportunity for 6th graders through teens preparing for Confirmation to form an interior life of faith so they may encounter Christ, understand the life of the Church, and grow as faithful Catholic disciples. Each gathering is rooted in prayer, Scripture, the Sacraments, the Saints, miracles, Church history, and the liturgical year. Gatherings are 6:30 - 8pm every first Thursday of the month in the Nativity BVM Church.

Contact Youth Ministry for further details or with questions: 716-688-0599

#mercycatholicyouth #ourheavenlyfamily #thesaints #togetherinchristfamily

5 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Mercy flyer
October 5-11, our Family of Parishes will participate in Hallow Parish Week. The theme is “Rebuild My Church,” and, during this Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, Parish Week will challenge us to make Christ’s invitation to St. Francis our own. Visit our Together in Christ community page on the Hallow app, and join the Waitlist for Parish Week now!

All are invited to a Parish Week Gathering at St. Mary’s 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

Parish Week will also involve a giving campaign to raise funds that will directly support the continued use of our Hallow subscription as a parish family. Hallow will match our contributions up to $5,000, and the monies raised will allow us to renew our parish subscription in March 2027!

Join us on Hallow: https://hallow.com/communities/18852/

#TogetherinChristFamily #hallow #rebuildmychurch #prayerchallenge
5 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Hallow rebuild my church graphic of st francis kneeling

🪽 TOMORROW - celebrate the Feast of the Archangels with a NBVM Parish Pilgrimage to the breathtaking OLV Basilica! Join us for Mass and a tour.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026
MASS - begins at 12:10 p.m.
TOUR - following mass at 12:45 p.m., meet at front entrance.
WHERE: 767 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218

The guided tour will take place in the Basilica's beautiful interior, including the Main Altar, the stained-glass windows, the radiating chapels and altars, the Grotto Shrine and Father Baker's tomb, the baptistry, and the Father Baker Museum in the lower level. Along the way, your guide will share the history of Father Baker, the story of the Shrine's construction, and the meaning behind its remarkable collection of sacred art.

Tours are free of charge. Donations are gratefully accepted and go directly toward the cost of ongoing restoration and maintenance of the Shrine.

#NBVMParishPilgrimage #OLVbasilica #feastofthearchangels

6 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Flyer for basilica tour

🥞 Join us TODAY for a PANCAKE BREAKFAST!

Sunday, September 27 | 8:30 - 11 AM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Center

Sponsored by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hands of Christ Ministry and benefiting Sacred Heart projects. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, fruit cup, and beverages.

Adults $9 / Kids 5-12 $5 / 4 & under Eat Free!

#pancakebreakfast #SacredHeart #HandsofChrist #allyoucaneat

8 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Pancakes on plate with syrup
👏 Thank you to all who urged Gov. Hochul to "opt in" to the new federal education scholarship program! The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, scheduled to take effect in 2027, allows taxpayers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. These organizations can then provide scholarships for eligible elementary and secondary education expenses, including at religious schools.

Learn more here: https://newyorkfamilies.org/2026/09/hochul-says-shell-allow-new-york-to-join-scholarship-program/
8 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
girl smiling sitting at a school desk

🎨🙏 Breakthrough: this Monday, Sept. 28th - Painting & Prayer in the St. Mary's Cafeteria!

Click for more info: https://tinyurl.com/ahhdj7e8

Bring a friend and come join in the fun! 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.

Contact St Mary's Youth Ministry for further details or with questions:
(716) 688-0599 | youthministry@togetherinchristfamily.org

#breakthrough #paintingandprayer #togetherinchristfamily

9 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
graphic for breakthrough painting & prayer activity

🥞 Join us Sunday for a PANCAKE BREAKFAST!

Sunday, September 27 | 8:30 - 11 AM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Center

Sponsored by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hands of Christ Ministry and benefiting Sacred Heart projects. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, fruit cup, and beverages.

Adults $9 / Kids 5-12 $5 / 4 & under Eat Free!

#pancakebreakfast #SacredHeart #HandsofChrist #allyoucaneat

9 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Pancakes on plate with syrup
Experiencing loss of relationships, death of a loved one, divorce, or miscarriage? All are welcome.

Monday, October 5 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
St. Mary's Parish Center, Room 105

Hope & Healing Connections Grief Support Group
Share. Listen. Connect. You are not alone.

#hopeandhealingconnections #griefsupportgroup #notalone
9 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Man hugging woman, info on grief support group
😇 "Young people of every continent, do not be afraid to be the saints of the new millennium!" ~St. John Paul II

Grades 6 - Confirmation, this one's for you! Join us for MERCY and learn about the Saints - our heavenly family.

Thurs., Oct. 1 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
4375 Harris Hill Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221

SCAN or CLICK HERE for more info: https://tinyurl.com/fpra7h7d

MERCY is an opportunity for 6th graders through teens preparing for Confirmation to form an interior life of faith so they may encounter Christ, understand the life of the Church, and grow as faithful Catholic disciples. Each gathering is rooted in prayer, Scripture, the Sacraments, the Saints, miracles, Church history, and the liturgical year. Gatherings are 6:30 - 8pm every first Thursday of the month in the Nativity BVM Church.

Contact Youth Ministry for further details or with questions: 716-688-0599

#mercycatholicyouth #ourheavenlyfamily #thesaints #togetherinchristfamily

10 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Mercy flyer
Women of our Together in Christ Family of parishes, please join Daughters of Mary for a gathering on Monday, October 5, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. in Room 110/111 at St. Mary's.

We will discuss the book, "Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor E. Frankle. This book is under 200 pages and a captivating read. If you don't have time to read, no worries - come join in the discussion on finding significance in the very act of living, in spite of all obstacles.

A sweet treat will be served. Bring a friend! To join our email list, contact Elizabeth Forman at 716-691-6554 or daughtersofmary815@gmail.com.

#daughtersofmary #bookclub #manssearchformeaning #bringafriend
11 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Daughters of Mary book club
Experiencing loss of relationships, death of a loved one, divorce, or miscarriage? All are welcome.

Monday, October 5 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
St. Mary's Parish Center, Room 105

Hope & Healing Connections Grief Support Group
Share. Listen. Connect. You are not alone.

#hopeandhealingconnections #griefsupportgroup #notalone
12 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Man hugging woman, info on grief support group
Another fantastic event hosted by the Catholic Parenting Initiative is coming up this week Thursday for grandparents!

This event is open to everyone, you did not need to attend the previous grandparent event. Feel free to invite along a friend, register at the link below:

❤️ cpiwny.org/events-1/building-a-community-of-faith-support/form

Building a Community of Faith & Support
A round-table discussion for Catholic Grandparents
Sep 24, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
OLV National Shrine & Basilica, 767 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218

#community #faith #support #CatholicGrandparents #CPI #CatholicParentingInitiative
12 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
CPI flier
October is Respect Life Month! During October we reflect deeply on the dignity and sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death. The 2026 theme is "Mary, Mother of Life," focusing on the Blessed Mother as a model for respecting life in all circumstances.

This year, Life Chain for our Together in Christ Family of Parishes will be held at Nativity BVM. Please join the Respect Life Committee for a public, silent, prayerful, and peaceful stand for Life. Everyone is welcome to stand and pray with us for Respect Life Sunday on Sunday, October 4, from 11 AM until 12-Noon (following 10. AM Mass), in front of Nativity BVM Church, on Main St./Harris Hill.

Please join us and help build a culture that cherishes and protects the gift of human life!

#respectlifemonth #october #lifechain #togetherinchristfamily #respectlifesunday
13 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
people holding signs outside a church
Blessed Mother with infant Jesus and text Respect Life Month
Life Chain description

👀 We spy some Together in Christ families! Back in August, The Catholic Parenting Initiative (CPI) hosted a Family Fun Day at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Youngstown.

Families took advantage of a bounce house, games, balloon art, scavenger hunts, live music, and delicious food, while also taking the time to engage in faith activities such as a family-focused rosary, adoration, confession, and an outdoor Mass. We can't wait until next year's CPI Family Fun Day!

Watch a video with more scenes from the day here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl-FHFu0dC8&feature=youtu.be

#CatholicParentingInitiative #familyfunday #FatimaShrine #TogetherinChristFamily

13 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Family learning from a performer dressed up as St. Nicholas
Little girl coloring at a table
Family posing for a picture
crowds outside visiting Fatima Shrine

🥞 This time next week you could be eating PANCAKES!

Sunday, September 27 | 8:30 - 11 AM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Center

Sponsored by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hands of Christ Ministry and benefiting Sacred Heart projects. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, fruit cup, and beverages.

Adults $9 / Kids 5-12 $5 / 4 & under Eat Free!

#pancakebreakfast #SacredHeart #HandsofChrist #allyoucaneat

14 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Pancakes on plate with syrup
TODAY’S READINGS:

• First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9

• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18
The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

• Second Reading: Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a

• Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a

✝️ View this Sunday's complete Together in Christ Family bulletin here: https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/14/0434/20260920B.pdf
14 days ago, Rebecca Kisailus
Bulletin