Hello dear friends!
First of all, I wish to offer my profound gratitude to all of you who worked so hard to make our 1st ever Fall, Food, and Fun Festival a success! Thank you so much, to all of you who volunteered your time to come in and set up, clean up, run games, and take care of food!
Also, a very special thank you to all of the crafters, who came to show their wares and demonstrate the beautiful and detailed products they made with their own hands. Many of the wood carvings, bags, pieces of jewelry, and other items were made with such loving care, and many people enjoyed seeing firsthand the talent that goes into each individual item.
Also, the Junk-in-the-Trunkers…who brought their goods and gently used items for people to buy, were a great success. Thank you for taking the time to set up your parking spot and to enjoy the very beautiful weather on Saturday! I heard from many parishioners, who had their own spot and their own “junk” to sell, that people from the neighborhood or driving by stopped to see what was going on. Part of the plan for this Fall, Food, and Fun Festival was to engage with our neighbors and to invite them onto the campus to see a beautiful and faith-filled community of disciples!
Many people contributed their time, talent, and treasure so that this festival could get off the ground. However, as many of you know, this past Saturday was a rather somber anniversary…the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. At our morning ceremony, in which we lowered the flag and remembered those who died on that terrible day, but also our many veterans who have given their lives in the last 20 years, many recounted their memories of 9/11 and where they were that heart-wrenching morning. For myself, I had just started my senior year of high school at Bishop Timon-St. Jude in South Buffalo, and I remember the sense of panic, dread, and uncertainty, as we all struggled to understand what was happening. May those who died and those that are still living with the long-term effects, especially the many firefighters, police, and first responders suffering from devastating cancers and disorders, never be far from our hearts and prayers! My special thanks to the members of the VFW Amherst Township Post 416, who came to lead us in the lowering of the flag to half-staff and the solemn playing of taps. Thank you, gentlemen, for your service and sacrifices!
Finally, and please know, this is not the end of my many THANK YOU’S, I offer my gratitude to Carolyn Prefontaine and her many volunteers and helpers, who took up the task of this festival. Congratulations Carolyn and your many ladies and gentlemen…job well done! I am proud to have you and so many others who did so much, to be part of this church of Blessed Sacrament. Thank you, Carolyn and all! The Lord will surely multiply the good fruit that was planted here at Blessed Sacrament this past weekend!
~Fr. Martin Gallagher
Blessed Sacrament Church 