We are excited to invite you to be a part of our new parish photo directory that will celebrate our 175th Anniversary. Each family photographed will receive a copy of the Directory and a complimentary 8 x 10 of their Directory Portrait.  Portraits taken in November will be back before Christmas!  Photography will be taken at right here in the gym. Full details are in the bulletin this week and you can make sure you get the appointment you want, please sign up by visiting our website or by calling the photo number listed in the bulletin.  Our directory won’t be complete without you! Please plan to sign up to be included.

SSPP hockey students had an amazing opportunity to meet Buffalo Sabres Center Jack Eichel last night! Students had the chance to hang out one-on-one with Jack and have some quality skating time with the 2015 No. 2 Draft pick! It is a memory that is sure to be something these students look back on with great fondness! Special thank you to Sue Santandreu, who helped make this happen for the students! Thank you to Jack Eichel for taking the time to hang out with our students!

The Saints Peter & Paul Choristers was founded in 2014.  Since then, the children’s choir has grown from seven to as many as seventeen singers and sung at twelve parish Masses. The choir’s director, John Meyers, formed the Choristers shortly after his appointment to the position of parish Director of Music Ministry.  “Participation in our music ministry program was limited to adults and high school students.  With the creation of the Choristers, involvement in liturgical music begins as early as age seven and continues into adulthood,” said Meyers. True to its name (a medieval term referring to children who sing the highest part in a church choir), the Choristers is comprised of third through sixth grade students from various schools.  “We’ve had singers from as many as six area schools at a time!  It amazes me how quickly these students become friends and unite as a team,” marveled Meyers. Over the past four years, Meyers adjusted the choir’s schedule to better fit the active lives of his singers.  “Children don’t have to commit to an entire year.  They sign up to sing for one Mass and five rehearsals beforehand,” explained Meyers. In addition to learning music, Choristers explore the upcoming Mass’s readings, prayers, and liturgical season.  “For their experience to be most fulfilling, I believe singers must not only know their music but also understand the context in which they sing,” said Meyers.  “We’re not performers.  We’re ministers.  We’re servants.  We’re praying at Mass—whether we’re speaking, listening, or singing.  We offer our musical gifts to enrich the worship of our parish community. “We remember the first time we do just about anything.  I want the first time children sing for Mass to be positive.  Then it has a good chance of being the first of many times—the beginning of a lifelong participation in ministry.”   1 Mass on Saturday, November 17, at 4:00 PM 5 rehearsals in church from 4:00 to 5:00 PM on Wednesday afternoons: October 10, October 17, October 24, November 7, November 14 music-ministry@sspphamburg.org 649-2765, extension 527

Oktoberfest Party! One ticket admits two adults (21+) includes dinner, beverages, and entertainment! Tickets available in SSPP Rectory (66 E. Main St., Hamburg) or School Office (68 E. Main St., Hamburg) or by calling 649-7030. $25,000 in cash prizes! $10,000 grand prize!

It's here!