January 2024: Mission Support for Hopeful Ways
Our mission support this month goes to Hopeful Ways, a team of volunteer doctors, nurses and admin support staff, which provides eye care for people of Central America. A team will be leaving Buffalo in late January to provide surgeries, eye exams and related services in Costa Rica. During the early part of 2023, many members of our community sorted and packed 6,000 prescription eyeglasses, which were shipped to Costa Rica ahead of this team's arrival. (Despite a delay at customs, the team will go to Plan B: Fitting people with free eyeglasses from the world's largest manufacturer of lenses and frames.) The glasses that are detained at customs will be used on the next deployment ... they will not be lost.
Timau Update - Sister Joanne sent us great news from the mission in Kenya. The bore hole has found fresh water ... 800 feet below the surface.
Our support for this shelter for homeless in recovery and transition began in the 1980's. We heard from
the director, Ellen Wood, about their expanded service to the clients. They currently house 19 men and 10 women in the facility. Recently, they opened a resource center, which is a five minute walk from the shelter. Clients have access to the resource center during the day, where they can work on their job search, their personal needs for assistance and other opportunities for life skills improvement.
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Our traditional Ash Wednesday "Soup and Bread Supper" was a wonderful gathering of a meal the beginning of Lent with Father "Duke". All who attended are grateful to this JNMC.
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A Special Gift for Father Jim
During the winter months, Father Jim spoke with Tom Stoddard and made a special request. Tom is a gifted wood carver, specializing in bird carvings. Father Jim asked Tom if he could carve a dove. Tom responded that it would the first he ever attempted. Later, Tom found out that the dove was needed to replace one at St. Joe's Collegiate Institute that had been damaged beyond repair. Father Jim was very pleased with the finished carving, and here is it's new home.
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| The Dove being offered by the Image of Jesus, Crucified |
A Closeup of the Fine Craft Work Done by Tom Stoddard.
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Mission for March: Family Promise of WNY
Once again, our community is supporting Family Promise of WNY. This organization has been the recipient of our support for many years. At present, the shelter for homeless families is home for six families, and between 30 and 40 people of all ages. The welcoming environment provides a dignified home for families as the prepare to begin a new life for themselves. The children are enrolled in local schools during their stay, and parents are guided to help them rebuild their lives.
The Executive Director, Luanne Firestone writes: As a small family homeless shelter, every dollar donated helps us to:
--- deliver a safe and supportive shelter environment for the children and parents in our care
--- quickly put critical resources into the hands of our guests to help them succeed.
Together we are moving families back home!
Triduum Weekend to Easter -- March 2024
The community gathered for the Seder, a tradition that Father Paul has celebrated for over 50 years. Once again, we were together at the Unitarian Church - Emerson Room. We are grateful for their hospitality.
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Good Friday service was led by Father Duke, with prayer service and Stations of the Cross led by Bill Korthals. Father Jim Croglio celebrated the Easter Vigil and also Easter Sunday morning at the Meeting House. Thanks to Mary DeWald and Steve Stempien for the music that enhanced each liturgy.
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