OUTREACH

Outreach

Our Outreach Programs

St. Mary of the Lake Church offers a few outreach programs to our parishioners within our church and we also help our church members get involved in organizations throughout the community that will help them purpose their faith in their daily lives. 

Getting Involved With Our Neighbors And Our Community


Coffee Committee

The Coffee Committee organizes and staffs a time of fellowship after the 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. masses. Coffee, juice and donuts are served in the gathering space. After 4:30 p.m. mass on the first Saturday of the month, wine and cheese are served. Members are also responsible for clean-up. Individuals and families are invited to help on a rotating basis in this ministry of outreach and hospitality.


Contact:

Betty Pracitto at (716) 627-3679


Bereavement Committee

Bereavement Committee members call on bereaved families who have contacted the parish regarding a funeral, offering condolences of the parish and assistance with planning the mass of Christian burial. The bereavement contact person also attends the wake and funeral. The parish also offers a monthly bereavement support group.


Contact:

Connie Jackson either at: (716) 202-1421 (716) 374-3325          


Parish Neighbors

This group provides friendly visits to homebound parishioners, assuring them that they are valued members of our community and have not been forgotten. Activities include bringing the church bulletin and delivering holiday flowers. New members are always welcome.


Contact:

Judy Fiedler at (716) 646-0424


Catholic Charities

St. Mary of the Lake chairpersons conduct the annual diocesan-wide Catholic Charities Appeal at the parish level within guidelines provided by the diocese and the pastor.


Contact:

Terry Buchnowski at (716) 648-1924


Respect Life

The pro-life ministry of St. Mary of the Lake Church is dedicated to the protection and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Our ministry encourages awareness, activism, prayer, and financial support for pro-life activities, both within the parish and in the community. We support the Catholic Pro-life Committee, which seeks to organize, educate, and mobilize Catholics on pro-life issues.


Contact:

Terry Buchnowski at (716) 648-1924


St. Vincent de Paul Society

St. Vincent de Paul is a world-wide Catholic organization whose purpose is to give assistance – primarily financial, but also material and spiritual – to those members of a given community who may require emergency assistance. At St. Mary of the Lake Church, the St. Vincent de Paul group not only helps parishioners in need, but it also supports the St. Vincent de Paul Camp in Angola and the dining room in Buffalo. This group actively helps with community food collections and maintains a used clothing bin on the parish grounds.


Contact:

Jim Conciardo at (716) 627-2027


Cub Scouts

St. Mary of the Lake sponsors Cub Scout Pack. Scouting provides opportunities for young boys and young men and their families to grow in character, discipline and spirit.


Cub Scouts Contact:

Ryan McCrohan at ryler77@gmail.com


Prayer Shawl Ministry

This ministry uses the talents of parishioners to create prayer shawls, scarves, and no-sew fleece blankets which are blessed and distributed to those in need of special prayers and comfort. "Prayer Bears" are also created and presented to newly-baptized infants, and sick children and adults at Roswell and Women and Children's hospitals. Attendance at meetings is not necessary and you don't need to know how to crochet or knit to become a member of this ministry.


Contact:

Sandy Wachowski at (716) 353-0369


Disabilities


Contact Kathy Drew at (716) 648-3550


Travel Club

Meetings are held every second Monday of the month in the parish center auditorium at 1:00 p.m., followed by a social hour with coffee, tea, hard rolls, and many homemade desserts made by our social hour volunteers.


Contact:

Joe Pietrocarlo at (716) 627-7497

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