Area Councilor Visits

On March 4^th, Fr. Dick Sudlik, OMI, newly appointed Northeast/Southeast Areas Councilor paid his first visit to Oblates in Buffalo, New York.

Catechumens at Holy Angels

The Easter Vigil (March 26^th) saw the Baptism or Profession of Faith of a good number of Catechumens and Candidates who had been diligently preparing during Lent for their formal entry into the Catholic Church. Pictured with the Catechumens and Candidates are the members of the Faith Formation Team, including Fr. Terry O’Connell, OMI, pastor of Holy Angels Church and (standing at the far left) Sr. Ann Marie Grasso, S.S.M.N., Pastoral Associate, who works primarily with the Hispanic community in the parish. Sister also prepared 4 Hispanic children for the reception of their First Holy Communion.

YOUTH RETREAT – APRIL 1 & 2

Some 40 youths from the Holy Angels’ CYO participated in a weekend retreat at diocesan-run Camp Turner in Alleghany State Park. The retreat had as its theme “ I Arise Today.” All gave witness to their faith journeys by preparing and giving talks. Ray Cook, a candidate in our Pre-Novitiate Program planned the retreat that featured activities such as Midnight Benediction, Palanca letters, Four Corners (various ways to pray), Reconciliation, “Ask Father Jim”- an open forum for the teens to ask questions about the Faith.

Father Jim Erving, OMI was the sponsoring priest for the event. Retreat organizers included Michelle Divito, the parish’s Youth Minister, as well as Tom Martinelli, an assistant in the Program. Weekly meetings were held in advance to ensure the success of the retreat. Nine young adults, including Webert Merilan and Feliciano López from our pre-novitiate program, volunteered to assist in the logistical flow of the retreat experience.

Buffalo, NY District Retreat

On April 12^th, the Oblates from the Buffalo District dedicated a day away from other duties and responsibilities to reflect on the theme of Eucharist in our Religious Life. Fr. Gerry Flater, OMI, a member of the Oblate Itinerant Preaching Team, gave a presentation highlighting the thought of our Founder on the place of the Eucharist in our community and ministerial lives.

We traveled to a facility operated by the Brothers of Mercy on the outskirts of Buffalo for this retreat day. A mid-morning brunch and midday lunch were provided. The day concluded with our monthly community Suffrage Mass in the Brothers’ Chapel – Fr. Flater completed his morning reflections during the homily by highlighting the place of the Holy Spirit in the spirituality our Founder bequeathed to us.

Fashion Show

On Saturday April 16^th, as part of what turned-out to be a very successful Holy Angels parish fund-raiser, Fr. Jim Erving OMI, and pre-novitiate candidate Ray Cook participated in a Spring Fashion Show.

Fr. Jim Erving, OMI – Men’s Senior Hockey

Fr. Jim Erving, Parochial Vicar at Holy Angels in Buffalo, NY and Assistant on the Formation Staff of the Pre-Novitiate Program, also participates in a Men’s Hockey League in the city. The League’s season runs from September thru April and consists of some 25-30 games played on the ice at Buffalo State University. Pictured here are Fr. Jim and the members of his “Red Brick Inn” Team during the Championship Game of the winter season (April 8^th). Please note that since Jim joined the team, they have moved from last place to second place in the League!

SEE MORE NEWS AND PHOTOS AT www.buffomi.org

NEWS AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF FR. GENE TREMBLAY, OMI