Volume 2, No. 1 January 2008

SSTT.. TTEERREESSAA OOFF AAVVIILLAA PPAARRIISSHH Akron, New York

TTEERREESSEEAANN TTIIMMEESS

Pastor Rev. Msgr.

Robert J. Williamson

Rectory 5771 Buell Street

P.O. Box 168, Akron, NY 14001 Phone: 716-542-9103

Fax: 716-542-2444

Mass Schedule Sunday

8:00, 10:15 AM

Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM

Weekday Liturgies

Daily 8:00 AM

Except Wednesday 5:30 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM

Vigil of Holy Days

4:30 PM

Holy Days 8:00AM and 7:30 PM

Religious Education Director

Sr. M. Ruth Warejko, CSSF Convent: 716-542-9717

Office: 716-542-5777

Baptisms Arrangements must be made 3 weeks prior

Marriages

Please contact the Parish Rec-tory for more information

Parish Website

www.stteresasofakron.com

22000077 PPAARRIISSHH CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS PPAAGGEEAANNTT

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LLaauurraa KKeellkkeennbbuurrgg By Jen Reichenberg

If you have children in the religious education program at St. Teresa’s Church, chances are they have been blessed to have nineteen year old Laura Kelkenberg as a teacher. She began by helping her mother, Marilyn, with the first grade class, when Laura was in seventh grade. Then she decided to move along with

the children by helping with second, third, and fourth grade. She then team-taught third grade with her grandmother, Joan Spoth. Laura now teaches third grade on her own. Laura is not only a talented teacher, but she also started and runs her own business. Each summer Laura runs the Country Kids Farm Program for children ages five through ten. Accord-ing to Laura, the children, “get to experience a little taste of life on a farm for a week.” The children attend camp at the Kelkenberg family farm and do chores, brush and ride ponies, bake snacks, give an animal a bath, go swimming, play games, make crafts, and much more. On the last day they even have a hot dog roast! This summer will be Laura’s third year running the Country Kids Farm Program. Previous to that, she helped at her aunt’s camp for five years. Laura is quick to point out that, “I could not do it without the support of my parents and help of my sister.” Laura’s siblings include Catherine who is twelve, Jacob who is fourteen, and Andrew who is seventeen. Together with their parents, Andy and Marilyn, they run the family farm on Stage Road. Laura and her siblings are all involved with 4-H. Laura has been a 4-H member for the past twelve years. The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, and life skills of youth through experiential learning. Through this organization, she has done projects including sewing, baking, woodworking, public presentations, community service, and market animal shows and auctions. Every year she and her siblings show and sell market swine and steers. After taking care of the steers for nine months, and the pigs for four, they show the animals at the County Fair, and then auction them off for mar-ket. Laura says some of her favorite animals on the farm are the cows, donkeys, and dogs.

Laura currently studies elementary education with a concentra-tion in math at Genesee Community College. She plans on transferring to SUNY Geneseo in the fall of 2008. Clearly, Laura’s talents, knowledge, and enthusiasm for years to come will bless many children. The parish is grateful to have such a dynamic young woman contributing to the religious education of our youth! Salt and Light Group

By Sheila Ernst The Salt and Light Outreach Group began the holi-

day season spreading cheer to shut-ins at Thanksgiving time. On November 18, visits were made to 24 homes or health care centers bringing kalanchoe plants and a card from Msgr. Wil-liamson. Barbara Burke crocheted colorful doilies upon which the plants were placed. Our parish friends were most appre-ciative of the visit and their gifts. The Salt and Light visitors also enjoyed bringing the people up to date on parish life and activities. On December 8, the Salt and Light Outreach Group and members of our religious education program visited the Erie County Home. Sister Ruth, parents, teachers, Salt and Light members and children singing Christmas carols accompanied by Maria Hayes on the piano, entertained residents. Many older students in the program baked for the event. Yummy cookies and treats, beautifully decorated, were passed to the residents. Cups of holiday punch were provided by the home. Everyone had a very festive time. Salt and Light Outreach Group and the Women's Guild adopted two families at Christmas time. Members of the Salt and Light group donated hams, potatoes, yams, vegetables, fruit cocktail, Jello, nuts applesauce, cake mixes and frosting, fruit and candy. Members of the Women's Guild provided gifts for each member of the families.

Gifts of Love Parish members will once again be called up to be Valen-tine's for the Response to Love Center. Salt and Light Out-reach Group will place collection boxes in the vestibule of the church on the weekends of February 2-3, and 9-10. Items needed by the center include shampoo, razors, dish and laun-dry detergent, deodorant, lotion, paper towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet tissue, bar soap, diapers and wipes. Essen-tially, personal care products that can't be purchased with food stamps. Open your hearts to the less fortunate! It is hoped a representative from the Response to Love Center will be our speaker on Ash Wednesday at the Lenten Meal.

TEENS IN FOCUS

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It Smells Like Rain A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emer-gency Cesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously pre-mature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. "I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one" Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating prob-lems Dana would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on. "No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-

year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away. But as those first days passed, a

new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's under-developed nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl. There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Dana turned two months old. her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two

months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospi-tal, just as her mother had predicted. Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs what-soever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story. One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sit-ting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ballpark where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby, when she suddenly fell si-

lent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?" Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain." Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?" Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain." Still caught in the mo-ment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin

shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest." Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana hap-pily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well. Right to Life By Liz Wulf January 20, 2008 marks the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing women the right to an abortion. The Women’s Guild will be of-fering Precious Feet ($1) and Life Roses (.50 cents) before and after Masses on January 19th & 20th, 2008 in an effort to raise awareness for the DIGNITY OF ALL HUMAN LIFE. Life Touch first trimester fetal models will be available as well as in-formational material. This is NOT a Guild fundraiser and all donations received will be forwarded to Office of Pro Life Activities Diocese of Buffalo. Questions? Liz Wulf 542-9550.

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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

Harvest House Baby and Children’s Ministry: March 1st & 2nd; 8th & 9th

By Liz Wulf The St. Teresa’s Women’s Guild will be collecting new and gently used: toys, car seats, cribs, clothing, monetary dona-tions, books… and anything else related to children, in an ef-fort to ease the desperate need of over 5000 children being helped annually by the Harvest House. They are always in need of children’s socks and underwear, p.j.’s, newborn clothes, sizes 5-14 boys and girls clothes, jeans, cribs, bassi-nets and car seats. (If your child has outgrown their car seat, the Harvest House will gladly accept your seat and offer you a brand new booster seat, free of charge, in exchange!) The Harvest House, located on Seneca St. in Buffalo, NY, is the product of years of unselfish dedication to God’s calling by its founders, Gary and Linda Tatu, and their dedicated volun-teers. The Baby and Children Ministry’s goal is to help the moms who say “yes to life” care for and provide for God’s rich-est blessings…the children. Look for the Guild’s donated Port-a-Crib in the Vestibule of the Church on the weekends of March 1st & 2nd; 7th & 8th, 2008. Clean out the attic, your kids’ rooms, garages and basements and fill it up! Please call Liz Wulf at 542-9550 with any donation questions or further infor-mation.

YYoouurr PPaarriisshh NNeeeeddss YYoouu!!!!!!

Volunteers are needed for the following tasks: Money Counters (Sunday or Monday 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

Parishioners Help Those In Need By Mary Ann Schneider Our parishioners brightened Thanksgiving and Christmas for those in need by supporting various projects spearheaded by the Women’s Guild during the months of November and De-cember. On November 18, seventeen Thanksgiving boxes were pack-aged and eight of them were delivered to our parish families in need. Catholic Charities picked up six boxes and Pastor Dean for the Reservation picked up three. We were able to give each family a turkey along with the traditional food items be-cause of the generosity of our parishioners. I was overwhelmed by the abundance of volunteers and had to tell many parishioners after 10:15 A.M. Mass that the project was completed and volunteers were ready to deliver the boxes. It was heartwarming to see the youngsters of our par-ish involved with the delivery. Volunteers included members of the Guild, Knights of Columbus and parish families. Their names are as follows: Frances Springer, Mary Mecca, Holly Parzych, Kathy Capan, Judy Bell, Marilyn Schaeffer, James Schneider, Jean Dolph, Wally and Cindy Smith, Jerry and Sandy Klostermann, Gregory and Carole Hartl, James and Diane Creed, Adolph Bassanello, Rory, Jen, Aidan and Jonah Reichenberg, Laura and Vincent Strollo, Nathan, Nicholas and Ben Flumerfeldt and Douglas Decker. While I worked with all these wonderful volunteers, I remembered a verse from a card that I sent to a dear friend. It was “Work with joy, Live with love, Dream from your heart, Share what you have, Care deeply, Be thankful always.” The weekend, following the Thanksgiving Project, the Mitten Tree and the Erie County Home Gift Collection Box were placed in the church. The many mittens, scarves and hats placed on the Mitten Tree were given to the Akron/Newstead Food Pantry and the St. Vincent DePaul Society for distribu-tion. The items placed in the Gift Collection Box were deliv-ered to the Erie County Home for distribution to their residents. The last charitable event for December was the Adopt-A-Family project. The Women’s Guild and the Salt and Light Group joined forces for this project. Two families were adopted, one from Catholic Charities and one from our com-munity. The Guild members bought the gifts and members from Salt and Light bought the food items. We have been able to continue these annual events because of our caring pa-rishioners.

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Buildings and Grounds By James Schneider When the Parish Council was formed, it was decided to form a Buildings and Grounds Committee to inspect and correct any problems that existed within the church complex. The mem-bers of the team are Ed Buekers, Elmer Ottney and myself. The three of us met and made a list of items that needed at-tention. They were grouped into two categories, Contract and Volunteer. The following is a list of some of the items that were completed in the contract list: installed new heating system and added air conditioning in the church, repaired school roof, installed emergency generators for the convent and boiler room, repaired and reglazed the windows in the school and hall and replaced old unit heaters for the hall and kitchen with one new unit that handles both areas, corrected leaking walls and roof and removed mold build-up in convent store room, and repaired outside door in convent corridor. The volunteer list consisted of many large and small jobs. I will only list the larger jobs that have been completed to date. Sister Ruth’s office door and all classroom doors were re-moved and planed down to insure that they will close. The school doors would not close because of the settling of the building. New steel covers were installed over the septic tank on the church grounds adjacent to the hall kitchen. Electrically wired or reflective “Exit” signs were installed in the church and school hall and existing exit signs were repaired as needed. Emergency lighting was installed in the school hallway and the hall. Door sweeps were installed on all exit doors in hall and one on the kitchen delivery door. Maximum capacity signs were installed in the church, hall and all classrooms. Kitchen stove hood filters for the convent were repaired and replaced. Capital improvements and maintenance of buildings and grounds are ongoing jobs that will continue in the future. New projects will be evaluated and considered according to the needs of the parish and available financial resources. The committee treats the church and its property as if it was their own with pride and respect.

Copy of Parish Financial Report Available St. Teresa’s Annual Financial Report for the Year ending August 31, 2007 is now available. If you would like a copy, please call the rectory office any weekday at 542-9103 or drop us a note.

Gleaning Joy during Winter Hibernation And the Women’s Guild of St. Teresa’s parish

By Deb Hilton Last year at the close of a most enjoyable Lenten meal one of my students said to me “I really didn’t want to help with the meal. But you know, I’m glad I did. This has been fun!” This is my second year teaching religious education to 10th graders. One of the many focuses of this class is on service to your par-ish. As the students near Confirmation, it is important for them to consider how their active participation as Catholic adults will be. What areas can they assist in, reflect back to others the gifts God has given and in turn realize the joy you find when you give. This is also my second year as an active member in the Woman’s Guild. There are so many wonder-ful activities that these ladies do for our parish and each time that I help out at one of these I find myself surrounded with women with big smiles on their faces. I’ve often heard that it is better to give than to re-ceive…. and now I am a part of a group of women who show that truth. Do you find yourself in the midst of winter, settled into an easy chair with your favorite pet nestled on your lap? Yet in comfort you consider those not as fortunate as you? Ladies if this is you, Set out into the cold & join us. Perhaps you would like to know more women in the parish, then come and join us. If you want to vitalize your faith then please join us. Yes you will have to leave the warmth of your house, get up from your easy chair, put your pet down and walk out into a cold night…. but what you will find in the midst of doing this will warm your heart and make your smile grow (as it has done for me) from the inside out! The Women’s Guild meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm. Park in the parking lot, walk past the beautiful parish garden through the side rectory door and down the stairs. You’ll be greeted with warmth, smiles and delight that YOU have come.

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Women’s Guild Calendar Of Events

January Thru March 2008 By Deb Hilton

Respect Life Roses & Precious Feet Sale Saturday, January 19, 2008 & Sunday, January 20, 2008 How precious those Little feet are! Lenten Meal Ash Wednesday February 6, 2008 Following 5:30 P.M. Mass. Speaker to be announced. Whoever it will be will be great! Guild Anniversary Mass Sunday February 17, 2008 at 8:00 A.M. Guild members sit in a front pew then go out for breakfast—Fun! First Reconciliation Reception Date to be announced I remember my first reconciliation and the Impact it had on me! Harvest House Collection Saturday, March 1, 2008, Sunday, March 2, 2008, Saturday, March 8, 2008, and Sunday, March 9, 2008 Your donations mean so much to those who receive them. Anniversary Mass for Monsignor Williamson Monday, March 17, 2008, 8:00 A.M. Guild members sit in a front pew. Religious Items’ Sale Date to be announced. Watch for it sometime in March. Easter Egg Hunt Holy Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 1:30 P.M One of the nicest Easter egg hunts I have ever been to! Easter Egg Hunt

By Mary Ann Schneider Fred, the Easter Bunny will again be visiting St. Teresa’s on Holy Saturday, March 22 during our 19th Annual Easter Egg Hunt that will be held indoors in the Religious Education class-rooms at 1:30 P.M. Pre-School thru Grade 4 children can register for this Egg Hunt. Registration forms will be available or you can contact Mary Ann Schneider at 542-5141.

Thankfulness

By Deb Hilton I recently attended a retreat “The Cosmic Way, living in Awe and Wonder, the now” by Sr. Karen Allen OSF, one of the Sis-ters of Francis at Stella Niagara. I spent a wonderful day think-ing and talking about simplicity of being thankful for those things which at times become an annoyance. Near the end of the retreat we were given the handout listed below and told to finish it with our own reflection on thankfulness.

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

I am thankful for the taxes that I pay ...It means that I am employed

I am thankful for the mess to clean up after a party

...It means I have been surrounded by friends

I am thankful for clothes that don't fit anymore ...It means I have enough to eat

I am thankful for a lawn to mow and windows that need cleaning

...It means I have a home

I am thankful that I complain about the Government ...It means I have freedom of speech

I am thankful that I can only find a parking spot at the end of

the Mall parking lot ...It means I am capable of walking

I am thankful for the shadows

...It means that the sun is shining

****And I responded*** I am thankful for the pain in my knee last year

It forced me to sit down and gave me time to write.

Sr. Karen Allen will be offering 3 more retreats in 2008. These are entitled “Choices for Simple Living” (2/6/08 Ash Wednes-day 9am-4pm), “Humility, The Heart of Jesus and Right Rela-tionships with Humans and the Earth “3/11/08 9am-4pm) and “An ecological Path, Contemplation and Common Sense” (5/14/08 10am-2pm). Please call the Center of Renewal for more information (716) 754-7376.

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS

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Feb 6, 2008 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Season of Lent Fasting: All Catholics between their 18th and 60th birthdays are bound to observe the Law of Fast on the following days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This practice involves limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Light suste-nance may be taken on two other occasions in the course of the day.

Abstinence: All Catholic who have reached their 14th birthday are bound to abstain totally from meat on the following days: Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday.

Other Fridays of the Year: Catholics should be reminded that all other Fridays of the year remain as days of penance, in prayerful re-membrance of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Ashes: Masses at 8:00 am and 5:30 pm; Scripture Readings and Ashes at 12 noon

St. Teresa's Annual Poor Man's Meal on Ash Wednesday, Febru-ary 6 in the parish hall following the 5:30 pm Mass. The meal will consist of a meatless soup, bread and butter and a beverage.

Scripture Sharings: Weekly from 10-11 am in the rectory meeting room

Stations of the Cross: Friday evenings at 7:30 pm, followed by Communion service

Catholic Charities: Please plan on a meaningful donation.

Holy Week at St. Teresa’s 7:30 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper

On this day our Lord instituted the Eucharist at the last Supper. He prepared the Sacrifice Meal that, through the ages continues to unite His members in a community of divine and fraternal charity. We are gathered in spirit with the Apostles, to receive from Jesus the great gift of His own Flesh and Blood, as it were for the first time.

2:00 pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion A) Liturgy of the Word

B) Veneration of the Cross C) Holy Communion 7:30 pm - Stations of the Cross

1:00 pm - Blessing of Easter Baskets 8:00 pm- The Easter Vigil

This holy night is the most solemn memorial, in the entire year, of the central mystery of our redemption: Christ’s saving death and glori-ous resurrection. With gratitude and joy we should take part in it to the best of our ability. It may be presumed that reception of Holy Communion will constitute our most intimate sharing in the feast. The vigil has four main parts: A) The service of Light B) The Liturgy of the Word C) The Liturgy of Baptism D) The Liturgy of the Eucharist (The first Mass of Easter)

Easter Sunday - Mass at 8:00, 10:15 am

Lenten Meal February 6th

Following The 5:30 Mass By Deb Hilton

Last year was the first time that I went to the Lenten meal. It previ-ously was called “poor man’s supper” and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I qualified. Friends assured me that ALL in the parish are welcome. What a great evening we had. The soup was amazing, the bread was soft on the outside, crusty on the inside and the atmosphere was THE BEST! Everyone was smiling and talking to the person next to them. The meal had no cost associated with it. At the end of each table was a simple wicker basket where you could place your donation. Mary Ann Pula of “Hearts and Hands” spoke about this worthwhile inter-faith community outreach. The donations placed in the baskets were given to her. During Lent we are asked to make a commitment to seek a deeper spirit of conversion. The underlying purpose of the fast and absti-nence is to give us practice and to work on the inner freedom to re-sist. Having a Lenten meatless soup meal is a way to bring the sense of “less is best” to our awareness. Please join us on February 6th following the 5:30 mass for a most enjoyable evening. All in the parish are welcome. Fr. Richard DiGiulio Assigned To St. Teresa’s

On October 22, 2007, Father Richard S. DiGiulio was assigned as part of our Parish team. Father DiGiulio was born in Buffalo, New York on December 2, 1940.

He was a member of Canisius High School Class of 1959. From 1960 – 1962 he attended the Diocesan Prep Seminary and was ordained to the Priesthood on May 24, 1969 in ceremonies at St. Joseph's Ca-thedral Buffalo.

Father DiGiulio has served as the Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church since 1998. Since his ordination, he served as priest at St. Joseph Church, Scio; Sacred Heart Church, Angelica; St. Mary's Church, Belmont; St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, Cheektowaga, and Holy Trinity Church, Dunkirk.

Prior to his assignment as Pastor of St. Francis, Father DiGiulio served as Parochial Vicar at St. Columbia Church, St. Mary's Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church, Coronation Church and Infant of Prague Church. All were in the Western New York area. We wel-come Father DiGiulio to the Akron area.

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TThhaannkkss ttoo YYoouurr GGeenneerroossiittyy.. .. ..

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

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAID AKRON, NY

Photographs By Jim Schneider