From the Desk of Fr. Ron
One of the most confusing movie’s I ever saw was the first time I saw the first episode of “The Matrix.” I think it took about three repeated viewings of this first edition of the movie to finally understand that computers and programing took over the world and were trying to eliminate totally free human life entirely from the face of the earth. In the second and third sequels, Neo, the main character, a real human being, begins to realize the purpose to which he is called and is humbled by the power that he begins to be at home with. Others around him doubt but later also come to believe that Neo is the one that Morpheus, the prophetic figure of the movie, predicted would come. In speaking about the Jewish Messiah that was to come, Isaiah the prophets proclaims: “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened” Isaiah 35:4-5. In chapter 40 he proclaims: then “Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; the rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” Isaiah 40:4-5. These as well as other prophetic passages describe the indicators of the presence of the Messiah. In the passage from the Gospel of Mark, the crowds bring a person who is deaf and mute to him so he may touch him. This presumes an action of healing and restoration. Not wanting a “side show spectacle” Jesus takes him away from the crowd and using the power of touch places fingers in his ears, saliva on the man’s tongue, and a groan from deeply within himself and a cry of prayer….. “Be Opened!” Immediately he can hear. Having hearing restored he now begins to be able to speak again. Many in the crowd, just like the viewers of “The Matrix” episodes two and three, begin to see in Jesus the fulfillment of their Messianic hopes and dreams. “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37. We too are challenged to truly believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one, the Christ, who has come to set us free; to deliver us from all that is not of God. Do you believe this?
WELCOME FR. MARK ITUA…. It was with great joy that we welcome to St. Martin de Porres, Nativity and St. Lawrence, Fr. Mark Itua. Fr. Mark arrived back into Buffalo last weekend and began his move into the Nativity Rectory. Fr. Mark as well as Fr. Daniel will reside in the Nativity Rectory. This past month we have been working on preparing the Nativity rectory residence for our two new Clergy Staff.
PEACE & NONVIOLENCE FESTIVAL & COOKOUT…..This Labor Day - Come visit us as we spread the words of peace & nonviolence in our communities at the annual Peace & Nonviolence Festival & Cookout at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (statue side). Free entertainment includes Buffalo Ukulele Club, Kenny Woo, Peter Sorkin, Chuckie Campbell and Ismail & Co. Puppeteer Michele Costa, theatreFigüren will perform Butterfly Sky, which celebrates the Civil Rights Bill of 1964. There will be games and prizes for the children (our most precious commodity), raffles and giveaways. Come see Rural Metros's newest Mercedes rescue vehicles and the Police Athletic League. Make this a Labor Day you will remember. BRING THE FAMILY!! Splash Pad Open!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDREW PITISI who was offered and has accepted a full time Youth Minister Position at the Church of St. Benedict in Eggertsville. Andrew’s strong involvement with the Office of Youth and Young Adult ministry, years of experience as a team leader of CLI: Christian Leadership Institute, and work with Youth Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle parish prepared him well for this new chapter in his life. We thank our son Andrew for his years of enthusiasm in our parish family working beside Joseph Strusienski in Maintenance as well as Coordinator of the Franciscan Guest House ministry here at St. Lawrence. Andrew, we are your home parish and we look forward to having you give witness to us of the great things God has yet to do through the ministry He has given you. Blessings to you!
MASS TIME CONSIDERATION In light of the new appointments of Fr. Daniel and Fr. Mark, several parishioners have consulted with our Parish Trustees, Sharon Lanza and Peter Zimmer, inquiring about the possibility of moving our 12Noon Sunday Mass back to the 10AM. The original change 2.5 years ago occurred because Fr. Ron couldn’t be in two places at one time. Over the next few weeks, the 12Noon Mass participants will be surveyed about the change and our priest clergy staff will then consider it as we work out the details of our Mass Schedules for the months of October, November, and December. Thank you for your consultations on this matter.
One of the most confusing movie’s I ever saw was the first time I saw the first episode of “The Matrix.” I think it took about three repeated viewings of this first edition of the movie to finally understand that computers and programing took over the world and were trying to eliminate totally free human life entirely from the face of the earth. In the second and third sequels, Neo, the main character, a real human being, begins to realize the purpose to which he is called and is humbled by the power that he begins to be at home with. Others around him doubt but later also come to believe that Neo is the one that Morpheus, the prophetic figure of the movie, predicted would come. In speaking about the Jewish Messiah that was to come, Isaiah the prophets proclaims: “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened” Isaiah 35:4-5. In chapter 40 he proclaims: then “Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; the rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” Isaiah 40:4-5. These as well as other prophetic passages describe the indicators of the presence of the Messiah. In the passage from the Gospel of Mark, the crowds bring a person who is deaf and mute to him so he may touch him. This presumes an action of healing and restoration. Not wanting a “side show spectacle” Jesus takes him away from the crowd and using the power of touch places fingers in his ears, saliva on the man’s tongue, and a groan from deeply within himself and a cry of prayer….. “Be Opened!” Immediately he can hear. Having hearing restored he now begins to be able to speak again. Many in the crowd, just like the viewers of “The Matrix” episodes two and three, begin to see in Jesus the fulfillment of their Messianic hopes and dreams. “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37. We too are challenged to truly believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one, the Christ, who has come to set us free; to deliver us from all that is not of God. Do you believe this?
WELCOME FR. MARK ITUA…. It was with great joy that we welcome to St. Martin de Porres, Nativity and St. Lawrence, Fr. Mark Itua. Fr. Mark arrived back into Buffalo last weekend and began his move into the Nativity Rectory. Fr. Mark as well as Fr. Daniel will reside in the Nativity Rectory. This past month we have been working on preparing the Nativity rectory residence for our two new Clergy Staff.
PEACE & NONVIOLENCE FESTIVAL & COOKOUT…..This Labor Day - Come visit us as we spread the words of peace & nonviolence in our communities at the annual Peace & Nonviolence Festival & Cookout at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (statue side). Free entertainment includes Buffalo Ukulele Club, Kenny Woo, Peter Sorkin, Chuckie Campbell and Ismail & Co. Puppeteer Michele Costa, theatreFigüren will perform Butterfly Sky, which celebrates the Civil Rights Bill of 1964. There will be games and prizes for the children (our most precious commodity), raffles and giveaways. Come see Rural Metros's newest Mercedes rescue vehicles and the Police Athletic League. Make this a Labor Day you will remember. BRING THE FAMILY!! Splash Pad Open!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDREW PITISI who was offered and has accepted a full time Youth Minister Position at the Church of St. Benedict in Eggertsville. Andrew’s strong involvement with the Office of Youth and Young Adult ministry, years of experience as a team leader of CLI: Christian Leadership Institute, and work with Youth Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle parish prepared him well for this new chapter in his life. We thank our son Andrew for his years of enthusiasm in our parish family working beside Joseph Strusienski in Maintenance as well as Coordinator of the Franciscan Guest House ministry here at St. Lawrence. Andrew, we are your home parish and we look forward to having you give witness to us of the great things God has yet to do through the ministry He has given you. Blessings to you!
MASS TIME CONSIDERATION In light of the new appointments of Fr. Daniel and Fr. Mark, several parishioners have consulted with our Parish Trustees, Sharon Lanza and Peter Zimmer, inquiring about the possibility of moving our 12Noon Sunday Mass back to the 10AM. The original change 2.5 years ago occurred because Fr. Ron couldn’t be in two places at one time. Over the next few weeks, the 12Noon Mass participants will be surveyed about the change and our priest clergy staff will then consider it as we work out the details of our Mass Schedules for the months of October, November, and December. Thank you for your consultations on this matter.
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