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Basilicas worldwide will celebrate with solemnity and offer Plenary Indulgence on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul which is also our consecration day this Wednesday, June 29. We will be celebrating our 5th Anniversary of becoming a basilica on this day. Come join us for Mass at noon (in person or online). Confession will be offered 4:30-5:30 p.m.

O GOD OUR CREATOR, from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith. Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome— for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us— this great land will always be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,  for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”                                                                                                                                            Matthew  26: 26-

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appoints 72 other missionary disciples to spread the Good News about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Reflecting on this, each of these 72 disciples and each person they evangelize “adds to the Light of the Church.”

Mission Cooperative Plan - Our parishes will be hosting the Benedictine Sisters of Christu Jyothi to share about their missionary work in India this weekend at all the Masses at both Basilica and St. John’s. Their charism is to radiate the light of Christ through their ministry as we stand by the voiceless, the weak, the marginalized, and those considered “unwanted” in the society to restore their dignity. Their apostolate consists of evangelization, formal and non-formal education, women empowerment, care of orphans, child laborers, school dropouts, the sick and elderly, and the hearing and speech impaired. They are involved in pastoral and prison ministry, too. Please be as generous as possible to support these religious sisters in their missionary efforts. Sr. Jancy Thomas, O.S.B, Superior (USA) https://www.sistersofchristthelight.org/

Now, ponder something new. Before Jesus blessed the loaves and the fish, He looked up to Heaven. Once again, Jesu shows us that we must acknowledge that whatever we have, or are, comes from God. We must, eternally give thanks and acknowledge always our total dependence upon God for everything. Give glory and praise and thanks to God, forever!

BasilicaFEST hours: Friday, June 10 from 4 pm - 10:00 pm Saturday, June 11 from Noon - 10:00 pm Sunday, June 12 from Noon  - 5:30 pm  (3K Walk begins at 9:30 am and 5K Run begins at 10:00 am)

Reflect that God always knows where you are and how to reach you, whether you’re “hiding out,” or in the open. We can’t hide from our God for our darkest darkness is still full of Light and Love for Him! Just offer God, yourself… all of your talents and virtues and       competencies… all of your warts and quills and sharp edges. God knows and loves you, despite and because of them.

Immediate Life-threatening Crisis: 911 Crisis Intervention Hotline:  24 hour hotline:  (716) 834-3131       www.crisisservices.org   Catholic Charities (716) 218-1400 (main office); (716) 856-4494 (intake)    Kids Helpline (716) 834-1144                                                                                                                                   National Child Abuse Hotline:  (800)-422-4453 -- (800) 4-A-CHILD  Child Sexual Abuse Darkness to Light (Prevention) 866-FOR-LIGHT (866-367-5444) (Referrals given)   Mandated Reporters call 1-800-635-1522          General Public call 1-800-342 3720                                                                               24 Hour NYS Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Hotline (800) 942-6906   Central Referral Services  211; 888-696-9211  www.211wny.org   Suicide Hotline:  (800) 273-8255 (TALK)  For complete article click on the orange title

May our Most Holy Trinity help us to achieve true unity; especially regarding our faith, our concepts of the truth and our conceptions over what’s right and what’s wrong.      Disagreements regarding what’s morally right and wrong have fostered much division, conflict and disillusionment regarding the faith and over what constitutes virtue, legitimate choices and/or sin. We’ve lost to a degree, principles and beliefs that used to bind us together. Let’s pray this week to achieve true unity and peace that respects all life and all people.  

Special Diocese of Buffalo Collection for Buffalo Eastside will be collected the weekends of May 21-22 and May 28-29. Checks made payable to "Catholic Charities: Eastside Collection." Thank you. Individuals, parishes, or groups who wish to purchase or collect needed items can support the diocesan affiliated ministries of the Response to Love Center and the Mother Teresa Home/St. Gianna Molla Pregnancies Centers. Response to Love Center, 130 Kosciuszko Street, Buffalo, NY 14212 (716) 894-7030 is accepting the following items: CANNED GOODS PERSONAL CARE ITEMS (deodorant, soap, toothpaste ,toothbrushes, shampoo, brushes, combs) TOILET PAPER PAPER TOWELS DISHWASHING LIQUID HAND SOAP CLOROX BLEACH GIFT CARDS TO TARGET or WALMART The Mother Teresa Home, 208 Stanislaus Street, Buffalo, NY 14212 (716) 424-0217 is accepting the following items: BABY WIPES DIAPERS PAPER TOWELS DISHWASHING LIQUID HAND SOAP LAUNDRY SOAP GIFT CARDS TO TARGET, WALMART, or ALDI’S

Moment of Silence with tolling of Bells from 2:29 to 2:31 pm today, May 21st -- 13 tolls for the 13 victims of the Buffalo Mass shooting (10 killed, 3 wounded)

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, . . .  know the testing of your faith produces endurance,                                                              Let the endurance have its full effect, so that you may        be mature and complete and lacking nothing”                                                                     -James 1: 2-4 for complete article, click on orange title

Do we give our assent and let God in, or have we built up obstacles to God’s Presence and dwelling with us, via our stubborn sinfulness and/or refusal to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit? If we have built up obstacles, let’s pray for the grace this week to remove all barriers to our dwelling with God in harmony, freedom and peace of conscience. The consequent  serenity we experience will be worth it! 

Letter to Southern Tier Vicariate from Fr. James Vacco, Vicar Forane. click on orange title for details Dear Fr. Jim, We have been blessed by your presence in Allegany and throughout the Southern Tier as God has gifted us for so many years of your faithful service. We so appreciate all you have done and accomplished throughout our parish communities. You and your parishioners at St. Bonaventure Parish will be kept in our prayers as well as the Friars at St. Bonaventure University as you make your transition. God’s blessings and graces. Fr. John

Mama When the evening shadows fall and the lovely day is through Then with longing I recall the years I spent with you Mama, I miss the days when you were near to guide me Mama, those happy days when you were here beside me Safe in the glow of your love sent from the heavens above Nothing can ever replace the warmth of your tender embrace Oh, Mama, I long to hear your voice as you helped me with love in my choice Oh, Mama, I recall those memories of years before, Until the day that we can share them once more. Amen! click on orange title for complete article

Contemplate this week how we must pray for courage and strength in times of physical, emotional and spiritual distress. God will surely supply it.

Good and Gentle God, During this month of May, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life and those that have supported us in rebirth. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children, no matter the age, always brings. Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return. Bestow on them grace abundantly, beyond all measure. Give them the faithful support of family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of those around them. Most importantly surround them with Your love. Give them joy and delight in their families to sustain them in their motherhood. And, give them the wisdom and peace to know to do all things in and through You. Bless all Mothers, Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, Godmothers and those who have shown us motherly care and concern. Bless all of them and grant them Your graces, love and embrace on their journeys whether they continue on this earth or have received their heavenly reward and now see You face to face. Bless them and keep them in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.

Our God is all knowing and all powerful. We’re told that Jesus’ Sheep hear His voice. Jesus! Open our ears to hear You. Open our minds and souls and hearts to love You, understand You and to know You as You know us! Fill us with love, faith and hope and the other virtues we’ll need to obey You and to faithfully follow after You. Help us to fulfill Your Holy Will for us; both in this world and throughout eternity.  Amen.