The Third Year - September 2009 to August 2010

Autumn 2009: The Family Religious Education resumed in September 2009 with more than 50 students and over 30 families enrolled. A well rounded list of speakers is lined up for the Adult Sessions. Topics will include faith formation, evangelization, understanding other religions, parenting issues, understanding the Gospel of Luke, and living and growing and rejoicing despite times of suffering.

A group from the community visited Harvest House: Good Neighbors Health Clinic and New Hope Education in mid-September.  We had a tour of the ever-expanding facility and were very impressed with the quality and extent of the services provided to people in the inner city of Buffalo.   Photos show Linda Tatu and our group touring the eye care center, as well as the nursing station in the Primary Medical Care wing.   Furniture came from the Federal Reserve Building.

Confirmation:  On November 9, a group of young adults from our community received the sacrament of confirmation at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Lancaster.  The celebrant was Msgr. Slubecki and the host pastor was Father Paul.   From the Newman Community, the following people received the sacrament:  Alicia Dolata, Emily Hammer, Ryan Stempien and Stefany Stempien.  From our religious education program were the following:  Shaun Baranyi,  Michelle and Claire Haumesser, Megan Karl, Leo and Jessica Lynett, Theresa Morog, Sarah Lintner, Nina Olivieri, Brianne Stasiak, and Andrea Trumpfeller.    We welcome all as fully initiated in our Catholic Faith.

Farewell, and Many Thanks to Stan and Flo Kulak
In December, we heard from our good friends and music ministers Stan and Flo Kulak.  We will miss their presence with us, and we will remember them as they move on to fulfil their next mission.   The following letter was received and read out loud on December 20:


To the Newman Community


from Stan & Flo Kulak


Dear John Newman Community

   We want to start by saying thank you for all your beautiful cards, phone calls, prayers and concerns over the past two years during our doctoring and operations.

   We don't always know why things happen, but for now our music ministry is on hold. We have to accept what ever God has is store for us because our music was His gift in the first place.

   He gave us 35 years of blessings using our music in many churches, prayer groups, nursing homes, jail ministry and always supplied us with the tools and the people we needed.

   A while back we were called to be a temporary fill-in here at the Newman center. That was 12 years ago, and it was a great rewarding 12 years. We got to meet all you wonderful people along with Father Paul and all the other Priests and Nuns. Then when it came time to get a choir together, we were blessed again as one by one they came forward and answered their call.

   Now we have a new calling as Flo's father who is 92 is living with us and under our care. We accept this 24 hour calling as our new ministry and wont be leaving Lockport for a while.

   In closing we want to thank you all for being a big part of our lives and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed happy New Year....

May God continue to bless you all

Love Stan & Flo

Bill McLaughlin -- 1928 - 2009.    Our dear friend Bill McLaughlin passed away peacefully on December 24, 2009 in his home in Clarence.   After nearly 15 fighting prostate cancer, Bill finished the race as only he could.  Just a few days prior to his final day, our Newman chorus sang Christmas carols for Bill and Marion in the comfort of their home.   Bill was a board member and past chairman of Harvest House, and a board member of the John Newman Mission Community and leader of the Outreach Committee.   Bill introduced our community to Los Ninos nearly 30 years ago, which was the very first mission outside of WNY that our Newman Community supported.   He and Marion planted the seeds and inspiration for outreach to those organizations that have the greatest need.   We thank Bill for his years of unquestioned dedication and his inspiration, and we will continue to love and support Marion with her needs.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Celebrants for the Mass of Christian Burial were
Msgr. Dave Lee, Father Paul Steller and Father Fred Leising.


Over 250 people participated in the mass.


Eulogies were presented by Bill's granddaughter Jennifer,
Bill Bramley from Los Ninos, and Bill's daughter-in-law Kim.


Our JNMC choir, the "Songbirds" provided the music for the liturgy.



February 2010:
Our community continued its annual support of the Food Bank of WNY by way of the national Souper Bowl collection on Super Bowl Sunday.    Our community donated $525 to the Food Bank by the cash donations after mass, and the matching funds approved by the board.   When the donation was presented to Mike Billoni of the Food Bank, he asked if we had an agency that we wanted to benefit from the donation.  He was asked to send the food to Response to Love Center in Buffalo.

Ash Wednesday services included a soup and bread dinner at the Unitarian Church in Williamsville.   Mass and the distribution of ashes were celebrated by Father Duke Zajac.   Thanks to Diane Mercuri and her committee of helpers and food providers for a worthy community activity to usher in the season of Lent.


Holy Week:
The annual Seder meal was celebrated by Father Paul and about 85 participants.  We thank Joan Smith and her committee for making another memorable celebration on Holy Thursday evening.

Photos by Al Naish.   Click on the collage for a larger view.

Good Friday

Our solemn services were held at the Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel and included a presentation of the Stations of the Cross by Jean and Norm Brady, with assistance from Mark Brady and Dave Everett.   The theme for each station was the traditional station followed by a related Social Justice topic.    Following the Stations of the Cross, the Sisters and Father Bill offered the traditional Good Friday services including the veneration of the cross.

The Easter Vigil was celebrated by Father Jim Croglio including the Easter fire, the blessing of the water and the lighting of the Pascal Candle.  The music provided by Mary DeWald and family was inspirational.


Easter Sunday mass was celebrated by Father Paul and a completely full church at the Meeting House in Williamsville.


We continue to be thankful to Father Paul, Father Jim and Father "Duke" for bringing our community to Eucharist each Sunday.




Spring and Summer 2010

Our community welcomed ten new First Communicants to the Lord's table on two separate masses.  The second mass was held at the chapel in the Sisters of St. Joseph residence in Clarence.   To the best of their knowledge, it was the first time a First Holy Communion mass was celebrated in their chapel.   Thanks go to Peggy Riexinger who prepared the children so well, along with the families of all these wonderful young people.

                                  In May, a small group from the community attended the Vive la Casa fundraising dinner as a means of supporting this refugee center in Buffalo.   The Newman Mission board made a $400 donation to Vive la Casa.   Our community has supported this mission in the past, and will continue to help them as their funding from the county has been drastically reduced.

Newman Community Party --  More than twenty members of the community had a pleasant evening in June at a wine bistro in Williamsville thanks to the effort of Ginny Hanley.   More info to follow . . .

In a rare and exclusive interview with Al Naish, he reported "A good number of people came to the party and everyone had a very good time!"

Ride for Roswell - June 28, 2010
Team Newman -- captained by Melissa Brady -- supported cancer research at the Ride for Roswell in memory of Bill McLaughlin and many more loved ones from our Newman Community.   The team grew in number to 21 riders, thanks largely to the McLaughlin clan merging with our Newman riders.   As a result, our team was able to collect over $11,500 in donations for Roswell Park.   The riders received $500 as approved by the board, which was split among those riders who requested the donation, plus the funds to cover the team shirts.   Thanks to all who supported this team!      Click on any collage for an expanded view!

Click on either collage for an expanded view!

Award Received for Our Team Contributions to the Ride for Roswell

Summer Picnic -  July 18, 2010
Our annual community picnic was a good time for all who attended.    Thanks to the efforts of Diane and Ralph Mercuri, we all enjoyed fun at Sunset Park with a mild and "nearly" rain-free day!   This year's feast included a clam bake -- managed by Ralph and his son Mike.   The main meal and the side dishes were all delicious.    Peggy Riexinger delighted the crowd with some very artistic face painting ... thanks to the cooperation from the youngest members of the community.

Click on the collage for an expanded view!

Summer Liturgies -- Under the Tent
We had a wonderful stretch of good weather and we enjoyed the celebration of liturgies under the large tent on the property of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Clarence.   We all thank the Sisters for their hospitality.   We also greatly appreciate the delicious snacks we enjoyed at our social time after the Sunday masses.  Thanks to the hospitality committee!!!

Thank you Sisters of
Saint Joseph!
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Mission Support:

In September 2009, the John Newman Mission supported the efforts of Bissonette House (formerly Hope House) in Buffalo. This is a safe haven for recently released prisoners who are following a gentle, structured rehabilitation process under the care of Sister Jean Klimczak. The home was formerly cared for by Sister Karen Klimczak, who tragically was killed three years ago while on her mission of care. You can read more about the facility at their web site http://www.hopeofbuffalo.com/ Our community made a donation to Bissonette House of $2,025 from the Sunday collections.   A group will visit Sr. Jean in October.     

Sister Karen intiated the Nonviolence campaign and "Peaceprints" just prior to her tragic death.

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During the month of September, a group of eight community members attended the annual TRY Program Founder's Dinner and fundraiser.  Half of the cost for the attendees was covered by a donation from the Newman Mission board.   The community has supported the TRY program in the past and will continue to help in the future.

October 2009 marked the continuation of a tradition as we continue to support Sister Joanne Gangloff OSF, and the Timau Mission in Kenya.   Our pancake breakfast proceeds and the Sunday donations will be sent to support the operation of the mission, including the establishment of scholarships for men and women to learn needed skills and trades.  The total contribution from the pancake breakfast plus the Sunday donations was $4,575.  This was the largest donation ever from the Newman Mission Community.   Photos show the new addition to the school with its cafeteria, where the children receive two hot meals each day.   Funding for these efforts in Kenya has also come from our JNMC offerings.   The turnout on October 18 was 160 people, who celebrated mass with Sister Fran, followed by the now-famous pancake breakfast!!   This was the largest turnout yet!    Many thanks to the set up crew, the decorators, the clean-up team and of course the wonderful cooks in the kitchen!   Most of all --- THANK YOU to LEON COLUCCI, a member of the Getzville Fire Company, who secured the facility for this event!

Click on the collage for a closer view ....

Pancake Breakfast -- Click here for More Photos

Also -- click on this link to an open letter from Isaac, a young student and resident of Timau.
His letter of "Thanks" speaks for itself!
isaac.htmlhttp://iwannablogalongtoo.blogspot.com/2009/12/open-letter-from-isaac.html

November 2009 is the month we will support St. Luke's Mission of Mercy in Buffalo.   This mission community consists of Amy Betros and Norm Paolini, co-founders and co-directors, plus 15 fulltime lay missionaries who strive to live the Gospel message of God's great love and mercy for all His children through service to His poor and broken.

At the end of November, our community collection came to a total of $2,650, which will be given to St. Luke's in early December.   Thanks to one and all for this significant donation.

A group from our community helped St. Luke's in their annual Thanksgiving basket preparation day on November 21.   We joined hundreds of volunteers who packed several thousand bags of food for the needy who will pick them up just before Thanksgiving day.   Our group also worked on the upcoming Christmas presents since there were so many volunteers.    The photo on the upper right corner shows the thousands of packed bags sitting in and below the pews in St. Luke's Church.

December 2009:

Our community is supporting the Christmas Gift Collection at Response to Love Center in Buffalo.  Through this inner-city ministry, our gifts will be distributed to children and their parents.   These needy families will celebrate the season of God's gift to mankind through the generosity of the Newman Mission Community and many other generous donors around Western New York.   Thank you to Pam Lawless and her daughter, Dr. Shauna Zorich who coordinated this project for us and directed us to the community in need at Response to Love Center.

The following article appeared on the front page of the Buffalo News on December 26, 2009:
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/905086.html
*** A note from Dr. Shauna --
"The Response to Love Center hosted a Christmas party on Wed, Dec 23rd, for the GED and Computer Class students who attend there.  The students enjoyed pizza and wings and the gifts donated from the John Newman Mission Community were distributed.  The students were very grateful for the gifts they received.  Many of them opened their gifts right away, while a few said they would wait for Christmas morning.  There were plenty of gifts to go around and everyone was very thankful."  
 
The photos shown below include the recipients of the gifts from the Newman Mission Community.

Mission for December --  Haven House.   Our community is supporting this safe house for victims of domestic violence.  There are as many as 36 women residents and children being protected at Haven House at any given time.   Our donation to Haven House was $1,800, which will help support this mission.

Our community also donated $500 to the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen in honor of Marion McLaughlin, who has volunteered her services there for many years.    

In mid-December, the community donated $750 to the Sisters of St. Joseph for their retirement fund.   This coincided with the regional appeal for the Retirement fund for the Religious.
=======================================================

Mission for January 2010 ---  Hearts for the Homeless.    On January 3, 2010 our speaker at mass was Ron Colandra, the Executive Director of  this Buffalo-based organization that supports the homeless with food, clothing and shelter.    In the midst of a mid-winter snow storm, our community donated $1500 to this organization for their immediate use during this time of need.    At the end of the month, our donation was increased to a total of $2,100.   Members of our community have also been encouraged to donate clothing and other household goods to the Hearts for the Homeless.

The thrift store and home of the kitchen is shown, along with the mobile soup kitchen.


John Roba and Jack Leo visited the site in
March 2010.

Mission for February 2010  ---  Los Ninos, now known as Via International.    At the end of January, our speaker at mass with the Director of Los Ninos, Ms. Elisa Sabatini.   Los Ninos is a mission in Tijuana, Mexico that we have supported for more than 25 years due to the efforts of Marion and Bill McLaughlin.   This organization is dedicated to helping the families set up small businesses, education, and hands-on-training to become more self sufficient.   The Newman Community learned that a major scholarship is being developed to increase the aid provided to the people in the colonias and it will be named in honor of Bill and Marion McLaughlin.    Our Newman Community donation for this very worthy mission was $4,925 which is extraordinary!!!     Learn more by visiting their site  http://www.losninosinternational.org/index.html
 

In response to the Bishop's request for donations to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, our community made a one-time donation of $650, half of which was funded from the mission treasury.

Mission for March 2010  ---  Women Build (Habitat for Humanity).   Our speaker on March 7 was Ann Eisenlord who described how this volunteer organization will build a home in 2010 with all volunteer labor and the donations from all over WNY.   The future owner of the home is also required to make a down payment and provide hundreds of hours of sweat equity as part of the contract with Women Build.   Women of all backgrounds are invited to learn new construction skills, work on building a house, and making a difference in the community.   Our total donation to this project was $1,525 which is just in time for the fund-raising portion of this exciting project for Buffalo.

For information or to volunteer:    716-204-0740 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            716-204-0740      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

E-mail list:   womenbuild@habitatbuffalo.org

MISSION FOR APRIL:
Our mission is to support the Human Trafficking Victim Services a the International Institute of Buffalo.  Amy Fleischauer spoke to us on April 11. Amy is the Program Coordinator.   Amy gave us a “look beneath the surface” at this modern-day slavery that occurs right here in our community. Nearly 50
percent more trafficking victims were helped in two years than in the original three-year plan. Amy is good! But this success also depletes resources. John Newman Mission Community’s assistance will be used directly to provide for the immediate needs of trafficking victims: shelter, clothing, medical care, legal support and counseling. . Our awareness and prayerful support will also assist these powerless individuals.
Our donation to this mission was $1,500 plus many well-traveled suitcases and other material donations that were on the "wish list" provided to us during the month.
 

MISSION FOR MAY:
Massachusetts Avenue Project returns as our mission for this month.   This organization is located on the west side of Buffalo and is presently farming the inner-city:   nine vacant lots, a large greenhouse, and a hydroponic fish farm with thousands of very healthy talapia fish.    This year, the MAP includes opportunities for us to "adopt a bed", where a donation of $100 will provide the funding for a family to work a small vegetable garden for the entire growing season.   A very important aspect of MAP is the training/work opportunities for teenagers in the area, going from the field work, to production of prepared foods, and marketing those foods to local stores.    Editor's Note:   One of the outlets for the fresh produce will be Harvest House:  Good Neighbor's Health Center .... another one of the missions that we support.      Jesse Meeder spoke to us on May 16 and gave us an update on how the mission is growing . Our community donation to MAP was $2800.     The following message is a "Thank You" note from MAP - - -
"Thanks again for helping to sustain our programs," writes Diane Picard, executive director of the Massachusetts Avenue Project.  JNMC's donation will be used to "support MAP'S innovativeGrowing Green youth urban agriculture program and the work we do with at-risk youth."  Last year, MAP employed and trained 47 at-risk youth who grew nearly 3,000 pounds of organic produce at their urban farm.  Their Mobile Market project brought the fresh, affordable, produce they raised and other food products to over 700 families in Buffalo's low income neighborhoods.  This year, they are doubling their market sites.  In addition to these achievements, MAP is "particularly proud that for the third consecutive year, 90% of the seniors in our youth program will be graduating from high school and going to college in the fall.  All of them are the first person in their family to go to college." 

MISSION FOR JUNE:

The Sisters of St. Joseph made a suggestion that our community support one of their missions, the Hispanic Migrant Workers Ministry, which is directed by Sister Judy Justinger.   We asked "how can we help?" and we learned that this mission is in need of financial support, since their budget from the diocese had been cut in half.   They also are in need of personal hygiene products for the workers upon their arrival in WNY.  So we collected a great quantity of soaps, dental products, shampoo, baseball caps etc., all to be given to the workers in reusable canvas bags as "welcome packets".    Our community donation was $2,075, which will be used for food and other necessities.   Sister Judy explained that the workers need this help when they first arrive.   Then, when they begin receiving their wages, they can (and prefer) to support themselves.  

MISSION FOR JULY:
Wings of Love Memorial Fund ---  The mission of the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network is to assist the community in meeting the needs of people facing perinatal death - the death of a baby from miscarriage, ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, stillbirth or early infant death.  The Wings of Love Memorial Fund is a program within the WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network that provides financial assistance for burial costs to the bereaved parents.   Father "Duke" Zajac is on the board of directors, and introduced our speaker, Mrs. Christine Scott who told us her personal story and how she has remained involved in this wonderful organization.    The organization is supported strictly by private donations.   Our community responded with a donation of $2,050 from the Sunday collections.

Mission for August:   The Response to Love Center and Sister's Health Clinic
The John Newman Mission Community once again has supported Sister Johnice and her mission on the East Side of Buffalo.   During the month, we heard from Sister Johnice as she related her recent trip to Haiti to help those who appear to have been forgotten by the relief agencies.   She has connected with a group of victims of the earthquake who are all deaf.  A doctor in Haiti is their community contact/liaison.  Note:  These parents and their families were outcasts in Haiti before the earthquake ... and now, they are virtually forgotten and ignored by the government and relief agencies.   We will remain connected with Sister Johnice as she continues to find the most effective way to help.

During the middle of the month, a group of thirteen volunteers helped at the Center in Buffalo.  Young people helped in the soup kitchen, the food pantry, the thrift store, and other storage facilities in the Center.

Pictured above from left to right:  Adam Lamancuso, James Riexinger, Stephen Taraboletti, Aaron Andzel, Susan Morog, Jack Leo, Thomas and Theresa Morog, Sister Johnice, Ryan Saenger, Peggy Riexinger, Luanne Leo, Bruce and Nathan Riexinger.

At the end of the month of August, our total cash contribution from the JNMC to Sister Johnice and the Response to Love Center was $2,600.