SSTT.. TTEERREESSAA OOFF AAVVIILLAA PPAARRIISSHH Akron, New York

TTEERREESSEEAANN TTIIMMEESS Volume 1, No. 4 OCTOBER 2007

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Rectory 1 Buell Street 8, Akron, NY 14001 : 716-542-9103 716-542-2444

s Schedule Sunday 0, 10:15 AM

urday Vigil 4:30 PM

day Liturgies

Daily 8:00 AM ednesday 5:30 PM

aturday 9:00 AM

of Holy Days 4:30 PM

oly Days M and 7:30 PM

Education Director th Warejko, CSSF t: 716-542-9717 : 716-542-5777

aptisms

must be made 3 weeks prior

arriages tact the Parish Rec-more information

ish Website resasofakron.com

TThhee LLoovvee ooff FFaammiillyy DDeevveellooppeedd iinnttoo aa RReelliiggiioouuss VVooccaattiioonn By Deb Hilton

t follows is a conversation that I had with Sr. Ruth Warejko several months ago.

s most remarkable to be in the midst of a microcosm of the church during that particular 6 week periodg the summer”. Sr. Ruth took her final vows in 1968. The letters after her name CSSF stand for theregation of the Sisters of St Felix (Cantalice). There is more information about her order on the parishite and at www.cssfbuffalo.org.

s determined that Sr. Ruth’s abilities lay in teaching and in being a principal. She received a doubleers degree from SUNY at Potsdam and another Masters degree from St. Bonaventure University.e were in Reading, Remedial Reading and in Administration. She had many varied placements priorming to St Teresa’s. Sister Ruth served as the Principal at St. Stephen’s in Grand Island, Transfigura-n Rome, NY and at St. Edmund’s in Tonawanda, NY. Occasionally she gathers up the yearbooks and back at those times and realizes what a blessing they were. Sr. Ruth also holds a 4-year degree fromatholic Biblical Bible School program in Buffalo (that was one of the most enjoyable times she spent in). She reflected back on this time and said that she appreciated every biblical reading that they fo-d on. Each in depth study broadened her understanding and added to prayer.

uth has served at our parish for 12 years now. During that time she led a number of classes in theh; with one of her favorite being on a Lenten study day. She has been the guardian of our children’sous education, the doorkeeper of values, safety and security and our florist.

ntly Sr. Ruth is active in many committees within her order and our community. These include a for-n team to develop spiritual growth and new vocations, the Justice and Peace Team, Vocation Net-

, she is active in the Catholic Biblical School, and she has a membership with the Buffalo Zoo and alsoWNED.

uth and I spent a lovely spring afternoon talking. At the end of our time she said to me. “You know Ilways looking for volunteers. We could use lectors, church helpers, teachers, and people to help plantulbs from the Easter plants. At the end of the day the best part is the good things you grow in your

en. And if you like them, you will be surrounded by beauty”.

Sr. Ruth was raised in a family where love of the Catholic faith was ever present.Each week as they attended Mass and parish activities she was filled with happi-ness. Eventually this happiness grew into the religious vocation of becoming a nunand in celebrating this joy with our family here at St Teresa’s parish.

Sr. Ruth entered the convent in 1960. She loved to study and found that what shelearned later became the building blocks of what she could share with others. Earlyin her career Sr. Ruth learned to appreciate the fullness of each moment. She com-pleted her novitiate preparing for ministry (what is now called an apostolate) andwas blessed by the many mentors that guided her along the way. She took classeswith everyone else and delighted in the writings of St. Bonaventure and in the spiri-tual direction of the Franciscan order.

CChheellssee

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residents of the Erie County hFood Pantry and the A to Z saletivities to make our parish picnhow, you’ve still managed to mseen one of her six siblings: Evan (age 19), Emily (age 12), SChelsea says that she enjoys tiing, even if it’s just around thetogether. She credits her fathesiblings with providing supportlong-lasting memories. She abooks, swimming, bike riding, School with student council, Chelsea also enjoys photograph Chelsea says that sheparish is small enough that it ateens her age, as well as otherhelp her grow in faith. She cname in honor of Saint Sofia. Tthree daughters, Faith, Hope, aGod’s teachings despite the disEven when faced with death, name. Chelsea hopes that inHope, and Charity as her confithose three gifts, along with the Chelsea recently attenFranciscan University of Steubother teens. She says, “I alwmysterious ways and I truly wweekend . . . I met so many nehow many young teens shareGod.” Chelsea says that after hlife run its intended course, but lege and study for a career in at St. Teresa’s are grateful forparish and our community!

TEENS IN FOCUS

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aa WWuullff By Jen Reichenberg

u may have seen Chelsea ulf flying an airplane over your me last year as she completed e aviation class offered by the ron airport. If you missed her -by, then you’ve probably seen r in one of these other places: a faithful altar server and eeter at church, volunteering a classroom aide in her other’s Kindergarten religious ucation class, visiting with the

ome, working at the Newstead , or contributing games and ac-

ic fun for the children. If some-iss seeing her, you’ve no doubt Erik (age 27), Adam (age 22), imon (age 8) and Brian (age 6). me spent with her family travel- corner, and trying new things r Tom, her mother Liz, and her

to try new things and creating lso enjoys reading all types of and participates at Akron High yearbook, and peer tutoring. y as one of her pastimes. likes the fact that St. Teresa’s llows her to connect with other members of the community, to hose Sofia as her confirmation his saint raised and taught her nd Charity, to live according to approval of those around them. her daughters honored Jesus’ choosing the mother of Faith, rmation name that she will gain gift of wisdom. ded a youth conference at the

enville in Ohio along with 1200 ays believe that God works in itnessed God’s kindness that

w people and it just amazed me d a similar love and belief in igh school she hopes to let her that she would like to go to col-early childhood education. We Chelsea’s contributions to our

AAddaamm KKoowwaalliikk by Jen Reichenberg

Adam Kowalik is a long-time altar server at our parish, having served faithfully for eight years. He is 19 years old and attends Genesee Community College. Adam has one brother, Eric, who is 16 years old. His parents are Bob and Diane.

Adam enjoys playing the guitar and sometimes performs informally in people’s homes and backyards. He compares his style to that of Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, a guitarist whose playing he admires.

Adam also spends time working for the Village of Ak-

ron Department of Public Works. You might see him around the village reading meters, mowing lawns, and weed-whacking.

Adam chose Richard as his confirmation name to

honor his Godfather and an uncle he admires. When asked what he particularly enjoys about our parish, Adam answered, “Monsignor’s jokes!”

St. Teresa’s appreciates Adam’s time and commit-ment to our parish!

New Book Club Forming at St. Teresa’s St. Teresa’s Parish is forming a Catholic book club. We will read and discuss a variety of Catholic authors including Tho-mas Merton, Flannery O’Conner, and Pope Benedict XVI. Meetings will be held on the last Monday of every month at 7:30 PM in the rectory Meeting Room. Our first book is Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Mer-ton. For our first meeting, we will discuss the first half of the book, sections I and II. Section III will be discussed at our Oc-tober meeting. For more information about the book club contact Doug Kali-nowski 542-2342 or Rory Reichenberg 542-2728.

Former Pastor Passes Away By Barb Burke

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ners.

Msgr. Francis M. “Fr Frank” Swiatkowski died on August 14, 2007 in Kenmore Mercy Hospital. He was 89 years old. Fa-ther Frank was pastor of St. Teresa’s from 1963 until his re-tirement in 1994. Pope John Paul II designated him as a Prelate of Honor in 1988. His dry sense of humor and his love of the game of golf will be long remembered by his parishio

Bishop Edward Kmiec celebrated the funeral Mass on

August 18 in Assumption Church. Msgr. David Slubecky, Vicar General of the Diocese of Buffalo, delivered the homily. Msgr. Slubecky, a former weekend assistant at St. Teresa’s, fondly remembered that Father Frank would ring a bell in the Sacristy if Father Dave’s homily lasted too long. He hoped Father Frank would not ring his bell at the funeral. Msgr. Swiatkowski was laid to rest next to his parents, the late John and Cath-erine (Nowakowski) Swiatkowski at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga. Msgr. Swiatkowski served as a Veteran’s Ad-ministration Hospital Chaplain for 17 years, and at Handi-Clean Products of the Handicapped for over 40 years. Come Say The Rosary

By Deb Hilton Every day of the week in May and October, before weekday Mass, the rosary is recited. How comforting it is to start the day with these prayers. I am reminded of when I first learned to say the Rosary. It was 1 year ago on my birthday, the feast day of our Lady of Fatima. I was on a weekend retreat at the Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara. I had never said the Ro-sary and found myself alone and awake early that morning. I took my laptop to the library, hard wired it to the internet and googled “How to say the Rosary”. I held the rosary that I brought with me in one hand and I flipped through the internet pages with the other hand. I learned how to recite the beautiful ancient prayers of the rosary by using the technology of our day. Since that time I strive to make saying the rosary a part of each day and I treasure the times that I can recite the prayers in a group. Starting October first the rosary will be said 15 minutes prior to daily Mass. I look forward to seeing you there. What a beautiful blessed day we will have!

Silence and Sunsets By Deb Hilton

School has started, fall approaches and once again we are faced with hectic schedules, rushed meals and dimin-ished family time. So little is left for silence and the beauty of what is seen in that time.

Last Saturday I drove to Seneca Falls to visit my Aunt and Uncle. It takes exactly and hour and a half to drive there. My family had commitments so I drove alone and because of the sketchy time radio reception I found myself alone and in si-lence for most of the drive. I had a wonderful visit sitting near the lake and I waited to leave until 7:00; just before sunset. As I left their home and drove west, the sun was in my eyes. Its brilliance was so intense that I struggle to shield my eyes. And then, as I continued to drive, the sun faded into the horizon. My drive in silence contained, in its entirety, a most remarkable sunset. The road ahead was engulfed in such wonderful col-ors, what a friend called “God’s Painting”. The sunbeams were transformed from white light to hues of blues and pinks and just as remarkable was the shadows that the trees and building cast; a dark black against a sky ablaze in color.

I didn’t listen to music, talk on a cell phone, or sketch out the needs for the next day… Instead I spent the drive in si-lence and watched some of the beauty that God gives us each day. As you prepare for the fall take time to sit in quiet and de-light in the beauty you see while in silence. You will be amazed at how wonderful it makes you feel!

The 2008 Mass Intention Book is here . . .

Masses can be said for living or deceased members Suggested donation is $10.00

There is a limit of 2 requests for Weekend and Wednesday Masses

in any 6 month period.

Get the dates you want now – Call the rectory any weekday morning at 542-9103

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SSaaiinntt TTeerreessaa’’ss AAnnnnuuaall PPaarriisshh PPiiccnniicc –– 22000077 SSttyyllee

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Facts About The Akron- Newstead Food Pantry

By Mary Charles

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Local volunteers shown at the Akron-Newstead Food Pantry are (l – r) Mary Ann Schneider, Mary Charles, Jean Dolph, Fran Springer, and Barbara Burke.

The need for a food pantry in the community resulted

in the establishment of a pantry in 1986 at the Trinity Lutheran Church on South Newstead Rd., Akron. The Food Pantry is still located at the Trinity Lutheran Church and run by the inter-faith group of the area. There are 11 local churches that do-nate to the pantry – Akron Free Methodist, Victory Full Gospel, Clarence-Center Akron Mennonite, First Baptist, First United Methodist, Living Free Christian Church, St. John’s Lutheran, St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic, Trinity Lutheran, Calvary Baptist, and the Crittenden Presbyterian. Many organizations and businesses in the community also provide donations or man-hours. Some of those organizations include the Akron Central School, the Scouts, the Senior Center, the Lions and Lion-esses, and the Rotary.

In the beginning when a phone call was received from a needy family at the church office an appointment was set and one of the clerical staff opened the pantry for the family. Soon a system was set up where by on the first Tuesday of each month the food pantry clients picked up bags of food that were packed the previous night. At that time there were about 30 families who benefited from this program. In 2003 a gro-cery store system was set up whereby the needy could pick out the food items themselves. Each family still gets the same basic items however they have their choice of brands and type. This works well since not everyone likes the same items. For example some prefer Corn Flakes rather than Rice Crispies or strawberry jam rather than grape jelly. Under this system food is set out on tables by category the night before.

The Food Pantry’s clients include young families, the

elderly, and people with medical problems who are unable to work. In order to qualify the necessary paperwork must be completed. The Akron-Newstead Food Pantry presently serves an average of 90 families a month. At holiday time that number reaches about 110 families. Each month Hearts and

Hands delivers to 22 shut-ins who are not able to pick up their own groceries.

Food is distributed to those in need once a month and also complete dinners are distributed at Christmas, Thanksgiv-ing and Easter. The pantry also provides extras including Christmas gifts and Easter baskets for the children. To provide 80 to 100 families with food requires an enormous amount of food and labor so donations of food and money as well as vol-unteer workers are always needed. All types of non-perishable food items can be donated. Presently churches are on a rotat-ing collection schedule with a different church asked to collect a specific food item each month so that the basics which in-clude pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables and fruit, macaroni and cheese, fruit juice, soup, cereal, tuna fish, toilet paper and soap can be provided.

Donated food items are always used if possible. Even when outdated items are donated, if they are usable, and less than a year old, they are set aside and sent to missions in Nicaragua. Unfortunately, sometimes items are so outdated or damaged that they cannot be distributed and they are dumped or given to a local farmer.

St. Teresa’s does its part by collecting food on the 3rd weekend of each month. Tom and Sharon Schumacher take care of delivering the donations to the pantry. On the first Tuesday of each month a group of 6 to 8 parishioners work. They include Barbara Burke, Jean Dolph, Mary Mecca, Ann Sayers, Mary Ann Schneider, Fran Springer, Sheila Ernst, Pat Kotansky, Marilyn Schaeffer and Mary Charles. Many of the same people also help set out food on the first Monday of the month, which St. Teresa does twice a year.

They are assisted by other members of our parish in-cluding Josh & Teresa Dolph, Liz, Tom, Chelsea & Emily Wulf, Cindy, Maria & Emily Hayes, Holly Parzych & Kathy Capan. There is also work to be done in the stockroom on a regular basis as well as the sorting of food after a large food drive by the Scouts or Post Office. If you would like to help in any way please contact the church office at 542-9103 or Mary at 542-2081.

YYoouurr PPaarriisshh NNeeeeddss YYoouu!!!!!!

Volunteers are needed for the following tasks: Money Counters (Sunday mornings)

Liturgy of the Word Volunteers Nurses for Blood Pressure Screenings (once a month)

Able-bodied parishioners to help move tables for special events in the parish hall

Your parish is only as prosperous as you want it to be

Volunteer today!!! Call the rectory at 542-9103 if you can help in any way

SStteellllaarr RReettrreeaatt wwiitthh mmoorree ttoo FFoollllooww

By Deb Hilton

There comes those times in our lives when we need to retreat; to fall back to a quiet and reflective time. My definition of “a retreat” is: to take time to refocus, reju-venate and to reinstill vibrancy. The Cen-ter of Renewal at Stella Niagara is a retreat and conference center that I have visited several times. On August 9th, I joined 9 ladies from our parish and participated in a daylong re-treat. It was a day that makes me smile each time I think about it. How wonderful it was to spend a leisure summer day with women who share the same faith. The entire day was filled with interesting con-versation, laughter, all meals eaten in community, nature walks to holy places and time spent in silence. Sr. Mary Ser-backi gave us a most interesting talk on how the Sister of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity were founded and established Stella Niagara nearly 100 years ago. From there our time was spent; reflecting in the Sisters Chapel, viewing the pottery that was made on site and then in free time where we could choose from nature walks, reading, pray-ing or completing a free form craft. We left right after dinner filled with the joy of a day where I felt blessed to have shared time and faith with each other. Since that retreat several people have asked Mary Ann and I when another re-treat at Stella Niagara would be sched-uled. Suggestions for going to other places such as the Abbey of the Genesee have also been made. Perhaps a retreat for couples would be a good idea as well. If you are interested in a day retreat please let us know. It truly is a blessing to spend a day away from all our de-mands and to enjoy God’s wonderful creations! Call 542-3801 or e-mail: mhil-ton2@rochester.rr.com.

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St. Teresa of Avila Parish Post Office Box 168 Akron, NY 14001

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID AKRON, NY

My Dear Diocesan Family,

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Together with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, and in concert with my brother Bishops, I will continue to exercise our teaching ministry in the defense of life, both born and unborn. Sacred Scripture constantly reminds us that life is a gift and a blessing. It is disheartening to see how far our cul-ture had diverged from this view. Our Catholic community is needed more than ever to be a voice for the vulnerable, dis-abled and voiceless. Violations against the dignity of human life through acts of human cloning and embryonic stem cell re-search attempt to dehumanize the embryo. The embryo must be firmly cared for and defended in its integrity like any other human being. Euthanasia and abortion demand our constant attention as they continue to be the most frequent threats to human life. Furthermore, we must continue to raise public awareness of the deep spiritual, emotional and psychological wounds of abortion and the church’s healing ministry through Project Rachel which brings hope. Our goal is to build a culture of life and I am truly grateful for all the life affirming efforts of the Catholic Commu-nity in our Diocese of Buffalo. May we never tire of proclaim-ing God’s truth and always see Jesus Christ as the source of all our efforts. In Him we find the love and encouragement necessary to proclaim the dignity of human life in word and deed. May we never cease to pray for the day when all peo-ple, and all societies will protect and defend life even at its most nascent and fragile stages. May the Sacraments, prayer and God’s great love for His children motivate and sustain all of us to continue His work in defense of life. Sincerely in Christ, Most Rev. Edward U. Kmiec, Bishop of Buffalo

RReessppeecctt LLiiffee FFaallll HHaappppeenniinnggss

Liz Wulf Pro-Life Chairperson

This Year’s Theme: “The Infant in my womb leaps for joy”

SSttaanndd UUpp FFoorr LLiiffee SSuunnddaayy!!

On Sunday October 7, 2007 from 2-3 PM people all across America will peacefully gather to hold up pro-life signs next to busy roadways, proclaiming the simple truth: Abortion only succeeds in hurting women and ending human lives. The Life Chain in Western New York will run along Niagara Falls Blvd. from Buffalo all the way to Niagara Falls. Members of St. Teresa’s parish will stand on the east side of the Blvd. ¼ mile south of Eggert Rd. between Ruth Ave. & Betina Ave. Signs will be provided. Further information (including a map) is avail-able at the back of the church. If you are unable to participate in person, please consider spending some time in prayer.

The weekend of October 12-14, 2007, the Diocese of Buffalo Pro Life Office is sponsoring “The October Surprise”: Life Injections with Fr. Frank Pavone; National Director, Priests for Life, pastoral director of Rachel's Vineyard, (a post abortion healing ministry), a regular on EWTN and WLOF 101.7 FM. Fr. Pavone will be speaking at various locations throughout the Diocese.

Numerous events are planned throughout the Diocese which include a clergy luncheon, a pro-life youth rally and a live dis-cussion on Calling All Catholics Live; WLOF 101.7 FM, The Station of the Cross. Informational flyers are in the back of the church. If you need more info call Liz Wulf @ 542-9550, the Office of Pro-Life Activities at 847-2205 or visit the Pro Life website http://www.buffalodiocese.org/prolife/index.html.

Ongoing: September 29, October 27, November 24th 8:00am mass @ St. Rose of Lima Parish followed by Rosary for Life procession to the 2500 Main St abortion clinic. 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month 8:00am mass at St. Leo the Great, Sweet Home Rd. Amherst, followed by the Rosary For Life in front of the 2550 Sweet Home Rd. abortion clinic.