The 7th Pillar Plaque has been installed!!!
Mounted on one of the Pillars that holds up our church (on the sidewalk area, under the canopy outside the Hospitality Room) - our newest Pillar Plaque has been installed.
If you participate in the Pillars Capitol Improvement Fund your inscription
can be placed on a Pillar too.
We have begun collecting for our
8th Pillar Plaque.
As soon as we have enough donations for 52 lines we will order another Pillar Plaque. Each $1000 allows you 26 spaces (one line) on a Pillar Plaque. It is a wonderful way to have a memorial at church and help the church financially too!
If you have any questions please call the rectory office so we can assist you.
Farewell Father Chris Emminger
Welcome to the final edition of Fr. Chris’ Corner. When I began writing my weekly
bulletin article, I had no idea where it was going to lead me, and now that it is concluding, I do not know how to end.
I want to thank all of you for the past 23 months, as you welcomed me into your
community. It may sound cliché to say that I will never forget my time with you, but the truth is that since St. Stephen was my first assignment, there is a lot of truth that this community’ impact on me will remain with me throughout my priesthood. Thank you for your encouragement, fraternity, and support that you’ve given me as I’ve discovered what it means to be a priest these past two years.
Whether it was my time celebrating Mass, my time in the school, or simply discussions
I’ve had with many of you, I will bring with me what I learned to my next assignment. Some of the concrete examples I have learned include (1) Chanting & reading jokes are not my greatest
strength (2) Never give a two-year-old the baby Jesus statue to bring up for Christmas Mass, because even if she is your niece, she will drop it (3) Working the scoreboard during basketball games is not as easy as it looks (4) It is always someone’s birthday in the school (i.e. there are always cupcakes available somewhere in the school).
On a more serious note, I’ve discovered that though we are all dealing with the challenges
facing our local church, there is something special about the Holy Spirit continuing to gather us all for worship, wherein we put aside our differences and remember that on a fundamental level, no matter our background, we are all children of God.
Many have asked where I will be living in North Buffalo come September. I told everyone
who asked that I would include it in this article. I will be living at St. Margret’s Rectory (1395 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216).
In closing, I would like to leave you with the words from my favorite saint, St. Thomas
More, “Farewell and pray for me, and I shall for you and all your friends that we may merrily meet in heaven.”
Please pray for me as I begin my new assignment, and know that the St. Stephen Community will remain in my prayers.
"When I Was Hungry"
A bronze by Canadian artist
Timothy Schmalz
"When I Was Hungry"
In Memory of Antonio Pellegrini ~ from Children
"
Short Biography:
For over 25 years, Timothy has been sculpting large scale sculptures. He is a figurative artist with his pieces installed worldwide. Some of his most reputed pieces are installed in historical churches in Rome and at the Vatican. Timothy describes his most important work as visual translations of the bible. Although most of is work is based upon a spiritual theme, he also creates large, complex public sculptures in bronze. Some of these include monuments that honor veterans and firefighters. Timothy strives to create epic artwork that connects with viewers through design and details that not only touch the viewer on an emotional level, but also allow them to feel somewhat a 'part' of the piece.
Artist Statement:
I am devoted to creating artwork that glorifies Christ. The reason for this devotion, apart from my Christian beliefs, is that an artist needs an epic subject to create epic art.
I describe my sculptures as being visual prayers. When I create a three dimensional sculpture in bronze I am quite aware that it will last longer than myself: Christianity and bronze metal. It is between these that I have developed a subtle appreciation for what St. Francis meant by "instrument".
It brings me happiness when my sculptures are installed outside; three dimensional bronze works of art are excellent advertisements for any Christian Church. The best compliment these sculptures receive is to amaze and fascinate the most cynical youths of today. If they think that the art is amazing, they will have to think that the message is as well; a 'cool' sculpture outside a church might make them think that, likewise, something cool is to be found inside the church. My purpose is to give Christianity as much visual dignity as possible. Christian sculptures are like visual sermons twenty-four hours a day.
Creating art that has the power to convert. Creating sculpture that deepens our spirituality. Attaining these two goals describes my purpose as an artist.
In Memoriam ~ Msgr. Richard M. Cahill 1930 ~ 2022
There are two Funeral Masses for our much beloved Pastor Msgr. Richard Cahill.
The first being at St. Justin Martyr Church in Seminole Florida. It will be held on Tuesday, June 28th at 10am and will be live streamed on their website stjustinmartyr.net.
The Funeral mass here at St. Stephen Church will be held Tuesday, July 5th at 11am with a reception to follow.
Born May 26, 1930, the son of David J. and Julia C. Cahill attended school near his Niagara Falls home, graduating from Niagara Falls High School in 1948 before attending Niagara University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He would later go on to SUNY at Buffalo to earn a master’s degree in teaching of Mathematics. He also attended Notre Dame University and Canisius College.
Father Cahill served in the Army Infantry from 1952-1954 before entering Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure.
He was ordained March 1, 1958 at St. Joseph’s New Cathedral by Bishop Joseph A. Burke. After a year as weekend associate at St. Paul’s in Kenmore and a year as administrator of St. Jude in Sardinia, Msgr. Cahill began a 24-year career as math teacher at Bishop Tuner High School. During those years he also served as weekend associate of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Buffalo, All Saints in Buffalo, Infant of Prague in Cheektowaga, St. Barnabas in Depew, St. Mark’s in Buffalo, St. Mary Magdalene in Buffalo, St. Stephen on Grand Island, St. Agnes in Buffalo, and again at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
He also had brief assignments at Blessed Sacrament in Delevan, St. Isidore in East Otto, Holy Name of Jesus in Buffalo, St. Mary in Swormville, St. John the Evangelist in Buffalo, and Infant of Prague in Cheektowaga.
He was named pastor of St. Stephen’s on Grand Island in 1985. He retired in 2000.
He had served on the Priests Council, Priests Personnel Board, Diocesan Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Association of Mathematics Teachers in New York State.
Msgr. Cahill was Pastor at St. Stephen Church for 15 years from 1985-2000, when the new church was completed.
Many of us remember Msgr. Cahill as a weekend Associate in the early 1970's.
Msgr. was "truly" beloved by all. He was a great man of character and integrity. He was faithful, generous and humorous. Thank you Lord for his leadership of St. Stephen Parish.
*Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family of Msgr. Richard Cahill, c/o St. Justin, Martyr Catholic Church 10851 Ridge Road, Seminole, FL 33778.
** If you would like to send written communication to Bishop Mike of the Diocese of Buffalo, you may use the following address:
Diocese of Buffalo
Attention: Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher
795 Main St.
Buffalo NY 14203