Third Church on Fire II lecture announced for Feb. 28
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The Parish Council of Blessed Sacrament Church is pleased to announce the third lecture of the Church on Fire II Lecture Series for 2024-2025. The lecture, “Evil Today: The Reality of the Demonic,” will be given by Deacon Thomas LaBelle on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church located at 1029 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.
The lecture will discuss the concept of evil and the demonic by exploring a number of topics including the origin of sin and whether the devil is real; how the demonic manifests itself through temptation and chaos; and what it means to be afflicted vs oppressed vs possessed.
Deacon LaBelle will present defenses to ward off the demonic as well as discussing the practice of exorcism and its presence in our world today. This lecture will blend elements of faith, psychology, and cultural narratives.
Deacon LaBelle attended a planning meeting for his May 2025 lecture that he’ll present at the International Course on Exorcism and Deliverance in Rome for a gathering of global exorcists and cardinals of the Church.
Deacon LaBelle is a permanent deacon assigned to the Downtown Family of Parishes/ Family #22 and is a board member of Burning Bush Ministries, the diocesan exorcism team. He is also a 25-year veteran flight paramedic and a 20-year veteran police officer.
Deacon LaBelle received a B.A. in sociology from Buffalo State College; a certification in Conflict Studies and Dispute Resolution from Hilbert College; and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from St. Bernard’s School of Theology in Rochester. He was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Michael W. Fisher in 2023.
A reception will follow this free lecture. The community is invited to attend. A free-will offering is appreciated. Reservations are highly recommended for the lecture and reception. To make reservations contact Michael Pitek at 716-480-8313 or by emailing him at Michael@thepitekgroup.com.
Free, off-street parking is available in the parking lot of the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo located at 1069 Delaware Ave. The lot can be entered on Delaware Avenue near Lexington Avenue or from Linwood Avenue.
The 2024-2025 Church on Fire II program offers a series of five lectures and three concerts as well as a variety of educational programs, spiritual services, social events and service programs. The overall objective of the series is to demonstrate how the Church can do good in our world today and invite members of our neighborhoods to gather and build Community.
