Text Box: From the Directors Desk

Text Box: LIFE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT GIVEN TO US   As the New Year approaches, let us pray in gratitude to God for our lives that are so richly blessed. Each day brings newness with time for sharing and responding to the many invitations we are given for reaching to others. At Response to Love Center, we are blessed, indeed, through the generosity of many who give of their time and talents. During the October storm, volunteers extended their hours of service and responded to those who were now suffering from the cold and darkness of the days.   The traditional “Carving Day” was a time for bringing old and newcomers to the lower hall as they used their skills and expertise for the 60 turkeys that were roasted and ready to serve for the holiday meal.   Thanksgiving Day opened the doors to individuals and families for a home cooked meal with all the trimmings. Donors brought special rolls, cakes and pastries to add to a festive celebration.   Coming together as family, the celebration began with the blessing and inspiring words from Most Reverend Edward Kmiec, Bishop of Buffalo. Clergy, religious, families, corporate sponsors, and the famous Kevin O’Connell, Weatherman from WGRZ, media folks and former staff and out of town visitors came together to add to the beauty of the day.  Their gifted presence brought a touch of warmth, love and joy to the lives of others.   In the coming New Year, I thank God for all who have been gift to us at Response to Love Center…and, pray that we may continue to be   THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!

Text Box: Response To Love Center Newsletter

Text Box:  Seemingly in the middle of everything all during the festivities was tireless Center volunteer Mary Nadolski, who freely distributed hugs as well as turkey, imbuing both with an extra special helping of love. “I just love this,” she explained. “Just being here and helping all these people is something I love. Thank God for this Center and for Sister Johnice.” Executive Director Mark Lazzara of the West Seneca Americorps program spoke of his feeling that generosity of spirit should be on display every day of the year. “I supervise volunteers who help those in need all year round,” he reported. “But, I wanted to show that I care every day of the year, even on holidays like Thanksgiving.” Once all the volunteers were assembled, Sister Mary Johnice was instantly transformed from loving mother to loving leader, as she organized over 100 willing participants into working groups, best suited to handle the needs of the hungry neighborhood residents soon to arrive.. Perhaps the dramatic highlight of the day came when Bishop Edward Kmiec arrived to a round of applause from all on hand. “We come here every year to share Thanksgiving with the people of the east side and these volunteers because what Sister Johnice and the Response to Love Center does on this day represents the essence of our faith,” Bishop Kmiec told us. “Sister Johnice and her staff do a wonderful job.” Pastor Rev. Thaddeus Bocianowski of St. Adalbert’s Church could only express his heartfelt

Text Box: agreement with these sentiments: “You see, this is what we need to do,” he said. “To reach out to the people who live in this area now. And, we are doing that through Sister Johnice and the Response to Love Center .” During a brief program, Sister Johnice talked about the “exciting progress being made toward the establishment of a ‘Sister’s Care Center ” that will help serve as an access to health.  Also on hand were members of the business community and local foundations who have contributed to the establishment of the Sister’s Care Center . These included Dr. Michael Cropp, President and CEO of Independent Health and Michael Moskal and Mr. Rifkin of CUBRC, the technology partner with Independent Health in the development of “Your Picture of Health.” Sister Johnice also announced that the Response to Love Center received a $250,000 grant from the Oshei Foundation which will allow it to expand its services to the poor. At the end of the day, Sister Johnice summed up the festivities this way: “This is a great thing for all of our volunteers because they have the opportunity here to help others and to help us do God’s work,” she said. “The poor of this area come because they know they are going to get a good meal and that they are going to be treated with dignity and respect. It’s just a wonderful place to be for all of us on Thanksgiving.”

Text Box: The REAL Spirit of the Season

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Text Box:   St. Adalbert’s Response To Love Center 130 Kosciuszko St. Buffalo, NY 14212 (716) 894-7030 Website: www.ResponseToLoveCenter.org mike@responsetolovecenter.org

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