January 2023 to the Present

 New Year Celebration:   Feast Day of Mary, Mother of God

Our community celebrated the New Year on the Feast of Mary, Mother of God.  This was our first opportunity to gather in person, following the Blizzard of '22.  Father Jim Croglio was the celebrant, and displayed a special gift to the JNMC:  a wood carved chalice and paten, which he received from his friend, the late Father Bob Perelli.

The Christmas Season celebrations continue with Father Paul, our celebrant, for the Feast of the Epiphany.   Our manger scene expanded to include the magi at the corner of the altar, and their camels all parked on the floor.   Thanks also to Mary DeWald and Steve Stempien and our Newman choir for adding to the celebration with music of this special season.

MISSION FOR JANUARY  --- HOPEFUL WAYS

Our community outreach is extended to Hopeful Ways, a humanitarian all-voluntary team of eye care providers and surgeons, who bring dignity to the impoverished people of Nicaragua.   Thankfully, a team of volunteers from Nicaragua have taken the hands-on responsibilities for this mission, and the team in WNY provides the financial support and resources to help those in need.   Without these teams, people who cannot afford the eye care would be unable to restore their vision.

A team of volunteers helped sort thousands of prescription glasses for Hopeful Ways.  Thank you - Ro Sugg, Mary Miller, Linda Santamaria, Marie McLouth, Mary and Mike Lazickas, Pat and Bob Andzel, Peg Riexinger, and Luanne and Jack Leo

Optometrist "Joe" briefs us on the sorting procedure and the work begins.

Glasses in bulk -- handled, sorted and set in proper order.

Neatly Packed and Sorted in Order 

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These glasses will all be shipped to Nicaragua and Costa Rica for the eyeglass clinics this year and in the year to come.   Over 1500 impoverished people are fitted during every one-week clinic.

February 2023  -- Little Portion Friary

Our mission this month is Little Portion Friary.   As a community, our support goes back 40 years, when we were a Newman Center.   The homeless shelter is reopened for men and women again, following months of lower census due to the pandemic.   Ellen Wood, the new director, comes from Rochester, and is so encouraged to know that people are always treated with dignity during their temporary stay at Little Portion Friary.

Ash Wednesday

Our community continued the tradition of an evening gathering, where we shared many varieties of soup and bread.   Thank you to Diane and Ralph Mercuri for coordinating the "soup and bread", and to Father "Duke" Zajac for celebrating mass for Ash Wednesday, including the distribution of ashes.

Yes!  More Soup for You!

March 2023

Family Promise of WNY

Our community support is directed to Family Promise, a unique shelter for homeless families located in Buffalo.   Families are kept together and resettled in an apartment with the help of the staff and many volunteers.   The director, Luanne Firestone, spoke to us about the many challenges they face, and the positive attitude they have in helping families.   They are interested in opening a second family shelter to expand their mission.