St. Francis High School open house

St, Francis High School will hold its annual open house Sunday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and Monday from 5:30-7 p.m. Young men in grades, 6, 7 and 8 and their parents are invited to visit the school to explore the abundance of opportunities that await them at St. Francis High School.

Take a tour of their campus, meet the teachers, staff, coaches and administration, and explore the numerous academic, athletic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs offered. St. Francis High School is a college preparatory high school for young men administered by the Franciscan Friars Conventual and staffed by both religious and lay faculty. The school is located at 4129 Lake Shore Rd. Hamburg, NY. To pre-register for the open house, or for more information, please visit their website at www.stfrancishigh.org or contact us them at 627-1200 ext 582.

St. Mary’s of Gowanda to hold blessing of animals

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Gowanda will hold a blessing of the animals on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 11:15 a.m. the event will take place at 75 North Center St., Gowanda in the courtyard. All are welcome.

St. John’s to hold ‘blessing of the pets’ Sunday

Bow-wows and meows will be the talk of the day as the dogs and cats and all pets will be welcome to the “blessing of the pets” in commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi. This will take place outdoors, weather permitting, on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dunkirk. In case of bad weather, the blessing will take place inside the church.

All family pets will be invited to receive an individual blessing by name. St. Francis, born in a wealthy family, was well-known for his drinking and partying. Serving in the war, he was imprisoned and supposedly received visions. After his release, he heard the voice of Christ, who told him to repair the Christian church and live a life of poverty.

In his ministry, he had a love for the environment and all animals, even preaching to the birds. All animals, accompanied by a human, are invited to attend. St. John’s is located at the corner of West Fourth and Lark streets in Dunkirk.

Life Chain for the unborn Sunday

On Sunday, stand in front of your church or join the members of Blessed Mary Angela Parish at 275 Lakeshore Dr. in Dunkirk as they stand for one hour, from 2-3 p.m. in prayer for the unborn. At 3:30 p.m. there will be a reception in the Blessed Mary Angela Lyceum (behind the church). A chain is only as strong as its links. All are welcome to pray for the unborn. Sponsored by the Pro-Life Committee of Chautauqua County. To register or for any questions, please call Pat at 207-6509.

Women’s Guild of United Presbyterian Church to meet

The Women’s Guild of the First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk will meet on Thursday, Oct. 10 in the Music Room at 19 W. Fourth St. at 12:30 p.m. A short meditation will be led by LaPearl Haynes, Moderator.

The Guild will work on crafts that will be sold at the Christmas bazaar that will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 from noon to 3 p.m.

The money raised from the bazaar will be used to support the Guild’s various mission projects.

The meeting is open to the public. Come and help do God’s work and enjoy fellowship. Refreshments will be served.

The Master’s Plan Ministries news

The Master’s Plan Ministries, located at 9586 Railroad St., Dayton continues its outreach to meet a variety of community needs.

The food pantry is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Food Express truck is available the Wednesday after the fourth Monday each month, and this is a non- income-based program. Church services each week take place at 11 a.m., with adults’ and children’s Sunday School at 10 a.m. There is an open adult Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

A Fall harvest party is planned Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m., with hot dogs and chili, games and candy.

Friday, Nov. 29 will be the Master’s Plan “giving back” event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing free Thanksgiving dinners while supplies last.

Sunday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m., all are invited to a live Nativity and concert, with cookies and hot cocoa to follow. Santa will be there.

Free community meal set for Oct. 12

The Trinity United Church of Christ, 30 Erie Ave., Gowanda, will host a free community meal on Saturday, Oct. 12. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with serving from 4 to 6 p.m. Handicapped access is on Erie Avenue. This month’s menu is meat loaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable, bread, beverage and homemade dessert. The meal is all you can eat in-house. Free will donations are not necessary but are appreciated.

Ripley United Methodist Church breakfast

The Ripley United Methodist Church is hosting an all-you-can-eat breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church, 84 W. Main St. in Ripley. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, bacon, made-to-order eggs and omelets, home fries, biscuits and sausage gravy, orange juice and coffee for $7. This month’s breakfast will benefit the Ripley Community Food Pantry.