Update  

May 21, 2025


Lord, we pray for peace,

not peace at any price

but peace at your price.

Make us and all your children so rich with your love,

your generosity, your justice,

that we can afford

to pay the cost of your peace.

- from The Book of a Thousand Prayers

A Message from the Rector


Last Sunday at our Pet Memorial service I shared this tender story about Pope Francis and his beloved dog, Estabon. Estabon was with Pope Francis on the day the Pope died. Since Sunday I've had a few requests to share this story more widely. This story shows how our beloved pets bond with us, becoming part of our family and supporting us no matter what we're facing. Here's the slightly abridged story:


The Vatican is no stranger to silence. Its halls echo with centuries of whispered prayers and sacred pauses. But this silence was different. It was the quiet moment just before something precious slips away.


Pope Francis, the man who redefined humility and embraced the forgotten, was in his final moments. There were no grand farewells or dramatic goodbye. His wish was quiet, simple, and deeply human:


"Bring Estabon," he whispered, a gentle smile appearing briefly on his lips.


Estabon was just a street dog, found shivering and scarred near the Vatican walls years ago. Pope Francis had quietly rescued him one morning. With a gentle hand and whispered comfort, he offered bread and patience, and Estabon chose to stay.


Over the years, Estabon became more than a companion. He became the pope’s quiet confidant, his shadow beneath olive trees, his warmth during lonely nights.

In those final sacred hours, Vatican guards stepped aside as Estabon padded softly through corridors until he reached the bedside of his beloved friend. In a simple room lit only by the soft glow of candles, Estabon rested his head on the edge of the bed.


“You never left, did you?” Pope Francis murmured, his hand gently touching the dog's familiar fur.


Estabon did not move, did not whimper ... he simply stayed, as the Holy Father’s breaths grew softer, matching the dog’s calm rhythm.


When Pope Francis finally passed, there was no crown on his head, no golden decorations, only a simple wooden cross and a dog curled loyally at his feet. Witnesses whispered through tears: this was love in its purest form, silent, unwavering, and lasting beyond death.


Estabon stayed behind, a humble dog who taught the world that true love asks for nothing, needs no applause, seeks no spotlight, it simply remains loyal and present.


I could not help but cry when I heard this story about Estabon and Pope Francis. So next time you see a stray dog, remember Estabon. Remember that sometimes, angels come with four paws and wagging tails, sent not to preach, but to teach us how to love quietly and forever.

 

Father Robert Harvey

Fellowship Meeting May 22


There will be a hybrid Fellowship meeting tomorrow May 22nd in the Calvary Reception Room from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Come in person, join via Zoom, or call (646) 558-8656. The Meeting ID is  896 6604 8987 and the passcode is 304875. Snacks will be provided for those attending in person.


We will be finalizing the plans for the June Calvary Family Picnic, the June 29th Strawberry Sunday Coffee Hour, and discussing the arrangements for our July Fellowship event.



The Fellowship Ministry at Calvary serves to provide our parishioners whether they are newcomers or long standing members with opportunities to enjoy socializing together. If this sounds like a committee that would interest you, please join us. We are always happy to welcome new members and ideas.

Last Sunday of the Month Children's Service


The next Children's Service will be Sunday, May 25Use this link to sign up children and youth to participate as in various roles at the service. Thank you for encouraging youth participation at Calvary.

Nursery Care


The Nursery will be open all summer for the Sunday 10 a.m. service, starting at 9:30 a.m. for children ages 0 to 5.

Office Closed on May 26


The church office will be closed on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Flags


To honor those who bravely gave the ultimate sacrifice serving their nation, 44 American flags and 3 British flags have been placed in Calvary's churchyard at the gravesites of all veterans. Let us pray for their heroic service:


O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful

hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of

decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant

that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the

benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This

we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 839

Good Grief



The next Good Grief Support Group Meeting will be this Saturday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m. in the Reception Room. The group offers fellowship and support to anyone who has suffered any type of significant loss. For more information, contact Ellen Marshall, 716-689-2133.

Chicken Dinner June 4


Enjoy a Krolick's Chicken BBQ on Wednesday, June 4 from 3-6 p.m. or until sold out. Dinners include a half BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, and roll with butter. You may either dine in Hughson Hall or take out. Pre-sale tickets will be available for $17 or $20 at the door.


Tickets may be purchased after Sunday services or online here. For information, contact Bryan Gorney 716-367-8094 or the Calvary office 716-633-7800. Volunteers are needed to assemble the food and help with the sale: contact Bryan.

Calvary Family Picnic


Calvary's Family Picnic will take place Sunday, June 8th from 11:15-1:00 (rain or shine). The Church will be providing a picnic lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers (plant based burgers will also be available), salads, watermelon, ice cream and beverages following the 10:00am service. This will be in lieu of our coffee hour. We will have a variety of games available to play for both children and adults.


In order to purchase the correct amount of food, we are requesting that you use either the sign-up sheet in the reception room or the Sign-up Genius link shown here. We will need helpers to grill, set-up, assist with supervising children’s games and activities, and clean-up.

Common Ground Event on June 22


Calvary's next Common Ground event will be on Sunday June 22. Our guest speaker is Mr. Salva Dut, one of the 20,000 "Lost Boys of Sudan" who founded the nonprofit organization, Water For South Sudan, Inc. If you are interested in helping with this event, contact Dale Harten or Joan Scalfani.

Parish-Wide Garage Sale


Get ready to clean out your house! Calvary is having a garage sale on August 16th and we are welcoming donations starting this week. Items can be brought to the church and placed in  designated areas in the Sunday School classrooms. We are looking for glassware, clothing, kids stuff, artwork, jewelry, electronics and a whole lot more. Please make sure items are reasonably clean and that electronics are in working condition.

 

Pat Zebrowski

Sunday School


Sunday School classes ended with a lessons on miracles and St. Patrick (did you know he was kidnapped by pirates?) and various end-of-the-year activities. Many thanks to our Sunday School teachers for their dedication and instruction. Have a wonderful summer!

Pet Memorial


Twenty-two people from Calvary and the wider community participated in Calvary's Pet Memorial service and reception last Sunday, sharing stories and giving thanks for the blessing of their pets' lives.

Thank You!


Thanks to Ron Martin and the choir for an uplifting Choral Evensong last Sunday.

Vestry Prays for Parishioners


Calvary's vestry continues to pray for all parishioners in the Calvary Parish Directory, focusing on one page per week. This week the vestry is praying for the following people:

Young & Min Ja Kim

Edward Kirchman

Tom & Betty Kirchman

David & Kim Korzelius

Caitlynn Kowaleswski

Daniel Kraft & Michelle Myers-Kraft

Ken Kreinheder

John Kryder & Dori Marshall

Edith Kurczewski

Eleanor Lenkei

Jeremiah Lohnes

Adam Maciejewski & Samantha and children

James & Susan Mahoney

Kay Mahoney

Justin & Martha Marble and children

Ellen Marshall

Jim & Kathy Marshall

George & Barbara Mayer

If your last name falls within the alphabetical range of the names above but is missing from the list, please contact the office (716) 633-7800 to be included in the directory. If you haven't already, please submit your photo and any updated information to the office.

2025 Areas of Ministry & Vestry Liaisons

 

Each area of ministry at Calvary is assigned a Vestry member liaison. The liaison serves as an intermediary between the committee and the whole Vestry. These are the liaison assignments for 2025:

  • Worship & Music - Fr. Robert, Nancy Bolton and Janet Newall
  • Christian Formation - Emily Sityar
  • Fellowship - Howard Craig
  • Pastoral Care - Ted Andrews
  • Outreach - Larry Bernhard
  • Communications - Laurie Kaiser
  • Property - Bryan Gorney
  • Giving/Development - Dennis McCoy and Janet Metcalfe
  • Finance - Guy Whalen

Diocesan Partnership and Church News

 

  • Sign up for Diocesan Partnership newsletters and/or read recent editions here.
  • For more news about the Dioceses of WNY and NWPA and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.
  • The Episcopal Church website offers resources for individuals, congregations, and various ministries. 

Worship at Calvary


In-person worship

  • Sunday 8 a.m. Holy Communion
  • Sunday 10 a.m. Holy Communion. This worship service is also live streamed.
  • Saturday, 4 p.m. Holy Communion
  • Wednesday, 7 a.m. Holy Communion


Online worship

  • Sunday 10 a.m. Holy Communion is also live streamed. The link to Calvary's 10 a.m. service can be found on the Calvary website or streamed on Facebook and YouTube. All three places will have the recording to watch later.

Attendance


On May 18, online viewers for the 10 a.m. service came from NY, OR, MD, PA and MA.

Eternal God,

your Son Jesus Christ

is the way, the truth, and the life for all creation;

grant us grace to walk in his way,

to rejoice in his truth,

and to share his risen life;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God now and for ever.


from A New Zealand Prayer Book

20 Milton Street, Williamsville, NY 14221
716-633-7800