Fifth Church on Fire II Lecture announced for April 6

The Parish Council of Blessed Sacrament Church is pleased to announce the fifth and final lecture of the Church on Fire II Lecture Series for 2024-2025. The lecture, “Francis the Saint … Francis the Pope: The 800 Year Connection,” will be given by Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, STD, on Sunday, April 6, at 12 noon in Blessed Sacrament Parish, located at 1029 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

Sister Margaret’s lecture will address the gap of 800 years that separates these two men. Both are known for their success in work to renew, reform, re-imagine the Church. What connects the power of both besides a name? Does the current pope see a path that St. Francis created as a path that we can work today to a better future … centered on Christ, open to the cry of the world?

Sister Margaret is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. Their regional center is in Williamsville at the newly re-named Fredonia Center. Sister Margaret was the 20th president of St. Bonaventure University and is currently its first president emerita.

She was the first woman to hold a chancery office in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Over her years of ministry, she has been part of several national Catholic organizations in various leadership roles. She is currently on the boards of Duquesne University and the Conference of Mercy Higher Education. In 2016, Sister Margaret received the Pro Pontifice et Ecclesia Award from Pope Francis and the Monica Hellwig Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

A reception will follow this free lecture. 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 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 series is sponsored by the McGloin Juenker Foundation Inc., and produced by the Parish Council of Blessed Sacrament Church. The 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.