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Religion News Briefs

Divine Mercy Novena for Life

Divine Mercy Novena For Life is taking place in our community from March 25 through April 3. All liturgies will be at Blessed Mary Angela, St. Hyacinth’s Church location, Lake Shore Drive E. and Pangolin Street in Dunkirk.

On Saturday, March 26 (Holy Saturday): 1:30 p.m. Novena and Chaplet; Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday): noon Novena and Chaplet; Monday, March 28: 6:30 p.m., Easter Octave Mass, Novena and Chaplet, Video #8 “Divine Mercy” by Fr. M. Gaitley; Tuesday, March 29: 6:30 p.m., Easter Octave Mass, Novena and Chaplet, Video #9 “Divine Mercy” by Fr. M. Gaitley; Wednesday, March 30: 6:30 p.m., Easter Octave Mass, Novena and Chaplet;, Video #10 “Divine Mercy” by Fr. M. Gaitley; Thursday, March 31: 6:30 p.m. Easter Octave Mass, Novena and Chaplet; Friday, April 1: 6:30 p.m., Easter Octave Mass, Novena and Chaplet; Saturday, April 2: 3:15 p.m.; Novena and Chaplet; Sunday, April 3: (Divine Mercy Sunday): 2:00 p.m. Confessions (1 priest Mortal sins only, otherwise see at the bottom), 3:00 p.m. Sunday Divine Mercy Mass; 4:15 p.m., Divine Mercy Chaplet; 4:30 p.m. Veneration of the relics of the Saints of Mercy; 4:45 p.m. Light reception in the lyceum.

For gaining an indulgence, five general conditions (being in a state of grace, detachment from sin, confessing one’s sins sacramentally, receiving the Eucharist, and praying for the Pope) are required. The conditions should be fulfilled on the day itself or close to it, with the exception of sacramental confession, where it is sufficient that it be celebrated within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth. See www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/general-conditions.htm.

The Regional Penance service that was held Sunday, March 20 at St. Hyacinth’s Church fulfills the Door of Mercy and the Divine Mercy Sunday indulgences condition.

Church of the Living Spirit

On Sunday, Dot McCarthy will speak at the Church of the Living Spirit Sunday. Services, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and lasting about an hour and a half, consist of a lecture, a healing service and a message service. The public is welcome and there is no gate fee.

Unitarian Universalists

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua is pleased to announce that consulting minister George Buchanan will speak on Sunday, March 27. This multigenerational worship service, “Liberation of the Heart,” will speak to the idea that for liberal Christians, Easter is a time to allow the old limitations and fears to die away, freeing up hearts and minds in new ways. As we worship together this Easter Sunday, Rev. Buchanan will reflect on what such liberation might mean for each of us. All are invited to attend this service.

Childcare for those under the age of 5 will be provided as requested. Call the church’s voicemail by Saturday at 5 p.m. if childcare will be needed.

Worship services are held each Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Grange Hall, 58 W. Main St. Fredonia. Call 679-7944, visit www.uucnc.org or visit the page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uucnc for more information.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus are hosting a Dingus Day dinner Monday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 26 Erie Ave., Gowanda. The scoop dinner will feature ala carte Polish foods, including pierogi for $2 each, golobki about $2 each, kielbasa will be $2.50 for the normal 4oz piece of fresh or smoked – freshly made for the event by Wardinski. Kapusta will cost fifty cents a scoop. Rye bread, dill pickles and desserts are free with coffee and tea. The event will be sponsored by Mike and Sue Wesley.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Our Lady of Chautauqua, Court 2639

Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Our Lady of Chautauqua, Court 2639, will meet Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, Cushing Street, Fredonia. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. New members from all parishes are always welcome. Call Ruth at 673-9197 or Mary Ann at 934-4774 for details.

Religion News Briefs

Church of the Living Spirit

On Sunday, Sara Chetkin Saelens will speak at the Church of the Living Spirit Sunday. Services, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and lasting about an hour and a half, consist of a lecture, a healing service and a message service. The public is welcome and there is no gate fee.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The Unitarian Universa-list Congregation of Nort-hern Chautauqua’s Sunday service Sunday will be presented by the congregation’s Social Justice Committee and will focus on prison reform. All are invited to attend this service.

Childcare for those under the age of 5 will be provided as requested. Call the church’s voicemail by Saturday at 5 p.m. if childcare will be needed.

Worship services are held each Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Grange Hall, 58 W. Main St. Fredonia. Call 679-7944, visit www.uucnc.org or visit the page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uucnc for more information.

First Presbyterian Church of Westfield

The First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, 49 South Portage St., has announced special events., including a Tenebrae Service on Good Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. and an Easter Egg-scapade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 26.

“Tenebrae” is a Latin word for “shadows” or “darkness.” The Tenebrae service has been celebrated by the Christian Church for many hundreds of years. The service consists of readings, congregational responses to readings and sung responses ~ all of them centering on the events of Good Friday. As the service progresses, the candles will be blown out one at a time until eventually the church is dark. The public is welcome to attend.

The Great Easter Egg-scapade celebration will be held on Saturday, March 26 in the church parlor. There will be traditional egg dying, an egg hunt and an age-appropriate craft. All kids will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. To register child(ren) for the Easter Egg-scapade, call the church office at 326-2643.

Cherry Creek Leon UMC

The Cherry Creek Leon United Methodist Church, 6813 Main St., Cherry Creek, will hold its third annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. There will be more than 250 eggs to find. Children are invited to bring their baskets and bring their friends. Snacks and beverages will be served. For more information, call 296-1005.

Seder Supper

The First Presbyterian Church of Westfield will host a Seder Supper on Maundy Thursday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in the Church Parlor. There will be Hebrew readings as well as candle lighting. Members and friends of the community are invited to attend. A maximum amount of 30 people will be able to attend, so reservations are needed by calling the church office at 326-2643.

Blessed Mary Angela Rosary Society

Blessed Mary Angela Rosary Society met on Monday, March 7 at St. Hedwig’s Social Center. President Carole Schiller greeted members and with officers led members in the Rosary recitation.

Stella Michalak gave the opening prayer for the business meeting.

Treasurer Sandra Tapasto gave the monthly report and vice president Rita Cieslewicz reported the illness of Mary Dworak and read correspondence .

Members celebrated the 90th birthday of Michalak. The attendance prize went to Tapasto.

A monetary donation was given for Catholic Charities.

Church activities discussed were a corned beef dinner on Saturday, March 12 at the Lyceum, Masses for Lent on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. at St. Hyacinth’s Church and Palm Sunday, Regional Penance Service at St. Hyacinth Church at 3:30 p.m.

Rosary Society will be in charge of the toy booths at the summer festival. All are asked to donate boys’ and girls’ toys.

At future meetings, a short period will be held for suggestions such as spiritual or health ideas members can use in daily life.

The next meeting will be Monday, April 4 at St. Hyacinth Lyceum at 6 p.m.

The meeting’s closing prayer was given by Rhonda Daminski.

Refreshments were served by Daminski and Jane Steffan.

Donated prizes were raffled and bingo was played.

Religion News Briefs

Ripley UMC

The Ripley United Methodist Church will hold an all-you-can-eat breakfast today from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at 84 W. Main St., Ripley. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, made-to-order eggs and omelets, home fries, biscuits and sausage gravy, orange juice and coffee. The cost is $7 for all you can eat. This month’s breakfast benefits Friends of the Ripley Library.

Church of the Living Spirit

On Sunday, Judith Rochester will speak at the Church of the Living Spirit Sunday. Services, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and lasting about an hour and a half, consist of a lecture, a healing service and a message service. The public is welcome and there is no gate fee.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua is pleased to announce that Rev. George Buchanan will speak on Sunday, March 13. Buchanan’s sermon, “First Hand Faith” will address Emerson’s belief that our true faith must always arise from our own experience and how we cannot rely on the word of others. Together we will reflect on the joys and challenges of such a faith. All are welcome to attend this service.

Childcare for those under the age of 5 will be provided as requested. Call the church’s voicemail by Saturday at 5 p.m. if childcare will be needed.

Worship services are held each Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Grange Hall, 58 W. Main St. Fredonia. Call 679-7944, visit www.uucnc.org, or visit the page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uucnc for more information.

Fruit of the Vine Ultreya

The Fruit of the Vine Ultreya will meet on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Gianna Molla site at Blessed Mary Angela, St. Hedwig’s site. All are welcome.

Dunkirk First United Methodist Church

The Dunkirk First United Methodist Church, 601 Washington Ave. will hold a meat loaf dinner on Tuesday, March 15 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. or until sold out. The meal will include meat loaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, veggies, dessert and drink. Pre-sale tickets are $8.50, or tickets at the door are $9. Carry-outs only are available after 5:45 p.m. Options include carry outs, local delivery or eat-in. Call 366-2230.

First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk

The First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk will present the next in a series of Marsh Memorial Lenten Recitals for 2016. On Wednesday, March 16 at noon in the church sanctuary, Dr. Linda Phillips will perform piano along with Dr. JiHyun Woo on organ.

Dr. Phillips is a performing pianist active as an accompanist in Western New York. A faculty member of the Fredonia School of Music at State University of New York, she teaches piano, African American Music and History of Jazz and is co-coordinator of the class piano program. Her History of Jazz radio course was previously broadcast throughout Chautauqua County.

A native of Seoul, Korea, Dr. Woo earned a PhD in music theory from the University of Buffalo, where she also completed three masters’ degrees in music theory, composition and organ. As an active composer, her pieces have been performed in venues across Western New York and throughout Asia.

The Marsh Memorial Lenten Recital Series is presented as a traditional program begun in 1978, under the direction of First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk’s organist and musical director, Howard Marsh.

This free musical program is designed to provide members of the church community and the general public with an opportunity for a period of peaceful reflection and contemplation during the hour at mid-week, throughout the Advent and Lenten seasons.

St. John’s United Church

St. John’s United Church, 733 Central Ave., Dunkirk, will hold a chicken and biscuits dinner on Saturday, March 19 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $8.50 presale or $9 at the door. Call 366-0710 for reservations. Take outs are available.

Dewittville-Hartfield United Methodist Church

Dewittville-Hartfield United Methodist Church will hold another delicious Beef on Weck Dinner, Saturday, March 19 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For a $7.50 donation, along with the sandwich, dinner will include a side dish, dessert and beverage. The church is located in Dewittville at the corner of Route 430 and Meadows Road. Eat in or carry out options are available.

Religion News Briefs

Blessed Mary Angela Rosary Society

The Blessed Mary Angela Rosary Society will meet Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Hedwig’s Social Center on Townsend Street in Dunkirk.

Kids Movie Night

The Cherry Creek Leon United Methodist Church will sponsor the movie “The Dog Who Saved Easter” on Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m. This is a great movie and lots of fun. Drinks and snacks will be provided. The church is located at 6813 Main St., Cherry Creek. Call 296-1005 for details.

Marsh Memorial Lenten Recital

The First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk will present the second in a series of three weekly Marsh Memorial Lenten Recitals for 2016. On Wednesday, March 9, at noon in the church sanctuary, Lily Li will perform several piano solos.

Yi Chang Li (Lily Li) was born in Guangzhou, China and received her bachelor’s degree in music education, with a piano concentration, from Xinghai Conservatory of Music in China. She was the recipient of the Max and Anne Davis Scholarship for Excellence in Accompanying and began her graduate school career in the Collaborative Music Program at the State University of New York at Fredonia after moving to the United States in 2013. Since then, she has worked with the Fredonia College Choir and has toured with the Fredonia Wind Ensemble.

The Marsh Memorial Lenten Recital Series is presented as a traditional program begun in 1978, under the direction of First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk’s Organist and Musical Director Howard Marsh.

This free musical program is designed to provide members of the church community and the general public with an opportunity for a period of peaceful reflection and contemplation during the hour at mid-week, throughout the Advent and Lenten seasons.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

On Fridays during Lent at 4:30 p.m., Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish holds the Stations of the Cross. The service commemorates Jesus’ passion and death upon the cross. The stations relive the events of Good Friday and have long been a Lenten tradition in Catholic parishes worldwide.

On March 11, immediately following the Stations of the Cross, Santandreu Santandreu, a seminarian at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, will present a reflection on the symbol of the cross. The program is entitled, “Behold the Wood of the Cross.” Starting with the early Christian symbols of the cross and continuing to modern times, Santandreu will discuss the meaning of the cross throughout the centuries using artistic representations of the cross. Stations of the Cross will begin at 4:30 p.m. and seminarian Peter will begin his reflection at 5:15 p.m. Both the Stations of the Cross and the presentation on the history of the cross will be held in the church at 328 Washington Ave., Dunkirk.

Seminarian Santandreu is a second-year theology student at Christ the King Seminary. As part of his program, he is currently assigned to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish until June 2016. While at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, he will gain needed pastoral experience before he resumes his studies at the seminary. Many have noticed him around the area, involved in the Dunkirk Catholic Youth Group, Northern Chautauqua Catholic School and his “Meet and Greet” sessions with 20 to 30 year olds.

Santandreu draws from his varied experiences prior to entering the seminary. After graduating from Saint John Fisher University in Rochester and completing graduate studies at the University of Toronto, he spent time in Argentina with “Hearts to Home,” a Catholic lay organization. Working with the poor, it was then that he discerned that he wanted to become a priest. Upon his return to Western New York, he entered Christ the King Seminary.

All are welcome to attend his presentation, be they Catholic or not. This will be a time to reflect on Jesus’ passion and death before Holy Week. A “Meet and Greet” will follow the Lenten program so that area residents may meet Santandreu.

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church

On Thursday, March 10, all women of the area are invited to a spiritual experience at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church.

The theme of the event is “Loving yourself and loving your neighbor.”

The program is based on the theme “Love thy neighbor as yourself” from Matthew 22:39.

This theme will develop the idea that women are placing themselves in a secondary position as they accept their caring role of others. The program will encourage all women attending to appreciate the value of caring for their own needs, both spiritual and physical, as they juggle their time and emotions in their daily activities. The event will start with a light meal and continue with a spiritual evening. Leaders of the event are Mandy Janisch and the Rev. Judith Cole.

There is no charge for this event, but a free-will offering will be taken for the Willow Ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Dunkirk. Reservations can be made by leaving a message at 366-1979 or 679-1415, including the number attending. The event will take place on March 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. St. John’s is located on the corner of W. Fourth and Lark streets in Dunkirk.

Starting at $3.50/week.

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