A practical newsletter with ideas, resources, special announcements, articles and more to help good parishes become a vibrant family of parishes.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Feast of St. Catherine Labouré

Please share this newsletter with anyone else who may benefit from its content.

For more information on any of the topics in this newsletter, or for assistance in evangelization please contact Sr. Louise at

w: 716-847-5585, cell: 716-341-3466, lalff2@buffalodiocese.org

😂

Let’s start the new year with a chuckle:

The 3 wise men were presenting their gifts to Jesus and one of them said, “just to be clear, Jesus, these gifts are for Christmas and for your birthday.”

Only 7 days left to register!

Winter can be a difficult season, both physically and spiritually. This January, take time to step away from your routine and enter a day of reflection, renewal and hope rooted in the Resurrection of Christ.

The Renewal Office is excited to invite you to a special day of reflection, faith and fellowship at the:

Jesus is Here! Trials and Resurrection Conference

The first keynote will explore how Jesus meets us in our wounds and sorrows, offering hope and guidance as we navigate personal struggles and the challenges facing our parish communities during times of transition.

The second keynote will focus on the work of healing and how the liturgy serves as a place of healing and renewal.

Our keynote speaker will be Fr. Carl Gales, SVD, pastor of Our Lady of Africa Parish in Chicago. His parish was formed through the merging of five parishes, giving him a unique pastoral perspective on renewal, perseverance, and hope. He will share insights from his journey, with a special focus on how hope, trust in Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit sustain us through times of change and renewal. Fr. Gales is also a musical prodigy who in his youth, performed as a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall in New York City!

This day will include engaging presentations, opportunities for small-group conversations, music, and a lunch with fellow participants.

Cost: $25 per person (lunch included)

Registration deadline: January 14

To register, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/qsmpcxj

We hope you’ll join us! Help spread the word to others who may benefit from this day of faith and renewal.

Hurry! Only 6 weeks until Ash Wednesday!

Here are some great Lenten ideas:

Rice Bowl

Who Is Ready to CHANGE LIVES This Lent?

We invite all schools and parishes to take an active role in the CRS Rice Bowl program this year. By participating, your community can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those facing hunger and poverty around the world. Together, we can foster a spirit of compassion, educate others about global solidarity, and inspire positive change through collective action. This would be an ideal activity for the Inreach/Outreach Pillar in your Family of Parishes. If you would like more information or to order Rice Bowls (FREE!) please go to www.crsricebowl.org or call 1-800-222-0025. You can also order through Deacon Don Weigel, our Diocesan Director of CRS at deacondon@gmail.com.

Assess your Family’s commitment to Social Justice

The document Salt and Light, written by the US Bishops is a wonderful document to reflect on during Lent. At the end of the document there is an excellent tool to assess your family’s commitment to Social Justice as well as simple suggestions. Make a commitment to do the assessment and read the document Salt and Light.

WHEN THEY COME WHAT MAKES THEM STAY?

Our Churches are full on Ash Wednesday but will they be full on the first Sunday of Lent? What will you do to make Ash Wednesday a real encounter with Christ for those who enter your doors. The handout: WHEN THEY COME, WHAT MAKES THEM STAY? will give you many practical suggestions for Ash Wednesday and beyond. Some points addressed in handout:

The role of the active parishioner

Ministers of Hospitality
Welcoming message on Ash Wednesday
Witness speakers on Ash Wednesday
Lenten handouts
Ongoing invitation

Webinar to prepare for Lent

Maintenance to Mission - RENEW's January 2025 Newsletter In this newsletter you will receive an invitation to a Lenten webinar – “Return to Stillness, Grace and Joy.” Join RENEW for a pilgrimage of the heart to see Lent, not as a season of heaviness, but as a return to the love that has always been waiting. Registration form is in the newsletter. Date of webinar: Wed. Jan. 14 at 7:00 PM and repeated on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 2:00.

Don’t overlook Church Unity Octave. January 18-25.

39% of married Americans have a spouse of a different religion.

Church Unity Octave is also known as the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” The theme this year “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4) See the document for ideas. At the very least, at Mass, recognize the fact that many of your parishioners are married to people of other religions and pray for deeper unity among religions in your prayers of the faithful.

Get ready for Alpha in the spring of 2026!

Plan now to do Alpha in the Spring. Ash Wednesday is February 18. Holy Week starts March 29. Since Alpha is 11 weeks long, you are encouraged to start Alpha the week of January 11 so that you are done before Holy Week. The Alpha Holy Spirit retreat will be Sat. March 7 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Springbrook.

For more information on Alpha:

Watch this 2-minute video on Alpha: Introduction to Alpha

Visit www.AlphaUSA.org

Contact Sister Louise lalff2@buffalodiocese.org

MAKE EVERY PERSON COUNT

Plan now to put this outreach in place for the new year. Contact Sister Louise for details. Lalff2@buffalodiocese.org

Upcoming Dates:

May 15 – 16. (Friday and Saturday). Renewal Conference. Keynote Speaker: Julianne Stanz. Theme: Hope, Healing, Hospitality

Pope's Intention for January 2026

Pray with the Word of God

Let us pray that by reflecting on the Word of God we find nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

Sr. Louise Alff, OSF • Evangelization Consultant to the Road to Renewal • Diocese of Buffalo

716-341-3466 (cell) • 716-847-5585 (office) • lalff2@buffalodiocese.org

“Helping Good Parishes become Vibrant Communities.”